In fact, more and more foot-soldiers gathered around the envoys, looking at them curiously. The envoys were dressed so carefully in elegant and even rich garments, that they made an imposing appearance. Zagloba arrested most attention, for he bore himself with almost senatorial dignity; Volodyovski was less considered, by reason of his stature. Meanwhile the officer who received them first on the bank returned with another of higher rank, and with soldiers leading horses. The superior officer bowed to the envoys and said in Polish,— “His Royal Grace asks you, gentlemen, to his quarters; and since they are not very near we have brought horses.” “Are you a Pole?” asked Zagloba. “No, I am a Cheh,—Sadovski, in the Swedish service.” Kmita approached him at once. “Do you know me?” Sadovski looked at him quickly. “Of course! At Chenstohova you blew up the largest siege gun, and Miller gave you to Kuklinovski. I greet you, greet you heartily as a famous knight.” “And what is going on with Kuklinovski?” asked Kmita. “But do you not know?” “I know that I paid him with that with which he wanted to treat me, but I left him alive.” “He died.” “I thought he would freeze to death,” said Pan Andrei, waving his hand. “Worthy Colonel,” put in Zagloba, “have you not a certain Roh Kovalski?” Sadovski laughed: “Of course.” “Praise be to God and the Most Holy Lady! The lad is alive and I shall get him. Praise be to God!” “I do not know whether the king will be willing to yield him up,” said Sadovski. “But why not?” “Because he has pleased him greatly. He recognized him at once as the same man who had pushed after him with such vigor at Rudnik. We held our sides listening to the narrative of the prisoner. The king asked: ‘Why did you pick me out?’ and he answered, ‘I made a vow.’ Then the king asked again, ‘But will you do so again?’ ‘Of course!’ answered the prisoner. The king began to laugh. ‘Put away your vow,’ said he, ‘and I will give you your life and freedom.’ ‘Impossible!’ ‘Why?’ ‘For my uncle would proclaim me a fool.’ ‘And are you so sure that you could manage me in a hand-to-hand fight?’ ‘Oh, I could manage five men like you,’ said he. Then the king asked again: ‘And do you dare to raise your hand against majesty?’ ‘Yes,’ said he, ‘for you have a vile faith.’ They interpreted every word to the king, and he was more and more pleased, and continued to repeat: ‘This man has pleased me.’ Then wishing to see whether in truth he had such strength, he gave orders to choose twelve of the strongest men in camp and bring them to wrestle in turn with the prisoner. But he is a muscular fellow! When I came away he had stretched out ten one after another, and not a man of them could rise again. We shall arrive just at the end of the amusement.” “I recognize Roh, my blood!” said Zagloba. “We will give for him even three famous officers!” “You will find the king in good humor,” said Sadovski, “which is a rare thing nowadays.”