All agreed with that idea; therefore they kneeled down to their prayers and repeated them aloud; after that they stretched themselves on the felt cloth, and were soon sleeping the sleep of the just. But an hour later all sprang to their feet, for beyond the river the roaring of guns was heard; while shouts and tumult rose in Sapyeha’s whole camp. “Jesus! Mary!” exclaimed Zagloba. “The Swedes are coming!” “What are you talking about?” asked Volodyovski, seizing his sabre. “Roh, come here!” cried Zagloba, for in cases of surprise he was glad to have his sister’s son near him. But Roh was not in the tent. They ran out on the square. Crowds were already before the tents, and all were making their way toward the river, for on the other side was to be seen flashing of fire, and an increasing roar was heard. “What has happened, what has happened?” was asked of the numerous guards disposed along the bank. But the guards had seen nothing. One of the soldiers said that he had heard as it were the plash of a wave, but as fog was hanging over the water he could see nothing; he did not wish therefore to raise the camp for a mere sound. When Zagloba heard this he caught himself by the head in desperation,— “Roh has gone to the Swedes! He said that he wished to carry off a sentry.” “For God’s sake, that may be!” cried Kmita. “They will shoot the lad, as God is in heaven!” continued Zagloba, in despair. “Worthy gentlemen, is there no help? Lord God, that boy was of the purest gold; there is not another such in the two armies! What shot that idea into his stupid head? Oh, Mother of God, save him in trouble!” “Maybe he will return; the fog is dense. They will not see him.” “I will wait for him here even till morning. Mother of God, Mother of God!” Meanwhile shots on the opposite bank lessened, lights went out gradually, and after an hour dull silence set in. Zagloba walked along the bank of the river like a hen with ducklings, and tore out the remnant of hair in his forelock; but he waited in vain, he despaired in vain. The morning whitened the river, the sun rose, but Roh came not. CHAPTER XXXIV. Zagloba in unbroken despair betook himself to Charnyetski, with a request that he would send to the Swedes to see what had happened to Kovalski. Is he alive yet, is he groaning in captivity, or has he paid with his life for his daring? Charnyetski agreed to this willingly, for he loved Zagloba. Then comforting him in his suffering, he said,— “I think your sister’s son must be alive, otherwise the water would have brought him ashore.” “God grant that he is!” answered Zagloba; “still it would be hard for the water to raise him, for not only had he a heavy hand, but his wit was like lead, as is shown by his action.”