"You may believe me, sir, for I will show you the chests. Many a man would give a purse full of gold for what is in them; but I will give you some of it for nothing, if you take me and the chests with you." "You told me that you were God's servant, and yet you do not know that one must give help, not for earthly recompense, but for spiritual reward. But how is it that you have the chests now if the horse carried them away?" "The wolves devoured the horse in the forest, but the chests remained; I brought them to the road, and then waited for mercy and help." Wishing to prove that he was speaking the truth, he pointed to two chests made of leather, lying under a pine tree. Zbyszko still looked at him suspiciously, because the man did not look honest, and his speech indicated that he came from a distant part of the country. He did not refuse to help him, however, but permitted him to ride the horse led by the Czech and take the chests, which proved to be very light. "May God multiply your victories, valiant knight!" said the stranger. Then, seeing Zbyszko's youthful face, he added softly: "And the hairs of your beard, also." He rode beside the Czech. For a time they could not talk, because a strong wind was blowing, and roaring in the forest; but when it decreased, Zbyszko heard the following conversation behind him. "I don't deny that you were in Rome; but you look like a beer drunkard," said the Czech. "Look out for eternal damnation," answered the stranger; "you are talking to a man who last Easter ate hard boiled eggs with the holy father. Don't speak to me in such cold weather about beer; but if you have a flask of wine with you, then give me two or three swallows of it, and I will pardon you a month of purgatory." "You have not been ordained; I heard you say you had not. How then can you grant me pardon for a month of purgatory?" "I have not received ordination, but I have my head shaved, because I received permission for that; beside, I am carrying indulgences and relics." "In the chests?" asked the Czech. "Yes, in the chests. If you saw all I have there, you would fall on your face, not only you, but all the pines in the forest and all the wild beasts." But the Czech, being an intelligent and experienced attendant, looked suspiciously at this peddler of indulgences, and said: "The wolves devoured your horse?" "Yes, they devoured him, because they are the devil's relatives. If you have any wine, give me some; although the wind has ceased, yet I am frozen, having sat by the road so long." The Czech would not give him any wine; and they rode along silently, until the stranger began to ask: "Where are you going?" "Far. At first to Sieradz. Are you going with us?" "I must. I will sleep in the stable, and perhaps to-morrow this pious knight will give me a present of a horse; then I will go further." "Where are you from?" "From under Prussian lords, not far from Marienburg."