"In truth, you don't need it. In some way I will reach the king and it may be he will give us something. I would be very glad to get to some castle or _grodek_[20]---- Well we shall see. We will redeem Bogdaniec from our pledge anyhow, because we must hold that which our forefathers held. But how can we get some peasants to work? The land is worth nothing without peasants. Therefore listen to what I am going to tell you: if you make vows or not to anyone you please, still you must go with the Pan of Mielsztyn to Prince Witold against the Tartars. If they proclaim the expedition by the sound of trumpets before the queen's confinement, then do not wait either for the lying-in, or for the tournaments; only go, because there will be found some profit. Prince Witold is munificent, as you know; and he knows you. If you acquit yourself well, he will reward you liberally. Above all, if God help you, you will secure many slaves. The Tartars swarm in the world. In case of victory, every knight will capture three-score of them." At this, Macko being covetous for land and serfs, began to fancy: "If I could only catch fifty peasants and settle them in Bogdaniec! One would be able to clear up quite a piece of forest. You know that nowhere can you get as many as there." But Zbyszko began to twist his head. "Owa! I will bring hostlers from the stables living on horse carrion and not accustomed to working on the land! What use will they be in Bogdaniec? Then I vowed to capture three German crests. Where will I find them among the Tartars?" "You made a vow because you were stupid; but your vow is not worth anything." "But my honor of _wlodyka_ and knight? What about that?" "How was it with Ryngalla?" "Ryngalla poisoned the prince, and the hermit gave me absolution." "Then in Tyniec, the abbot will absolve you from this vow also. The abbot is greater than a hermit." "I don't want absolution!" Macko stopped and asked with evident anger: "Then how will it be?" "Go to Witold yourself, because I shall not go." "You knave! And who will bow to the king? Don't you pity my bones?" "Even if a tree should fall on your bones, it would not crush them; and even if I pity you, I will not go to Witold." "What will you do then? Will you turn _rybalt_ or falconer at the Mazowiecki court?" "It's not a bad thing to be a falconer. But if you would rather grumble than to listen to me, then grumble." "Where will you go? Don't you care for Bogdaniec? Will you plow with your nails without peasants?" "Not true! You calculated cleverly about the Tartars! You have forgotten what the Rusini[21] told us, that it is difficult to catch any prisoners among the Tartars, because you cannot reach a Tartar on the steppes. On what will I chase them? On those heavy stallions that we captured from the Germans? Do you see? And what booty can I take? Scabby sheep-skin coats but nothing else! How rich then I shall return to Bogdaniec! Then they will call me _comes_!"