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looking toward the fire, on hearing the words of Zbyszko, turned his head and asked:
"Is the knight of Spychow expected?"
"Yes."
"With the young lady?"
"And the fire is really gone," answered Zbyszko.
And indeed the fire was extinguished, but, instead, several horsemen appeared immediately in front of the horses and sleighs.
"Why dost thou follow?" cried the watchful Bohemian, grasping his crossbow; "Who are you?"
"The prince's people, sent to assist the travelers."
"Jesus Christ be praised!"
"Forever and ever."
"Lead us to town," said Zbyszko.
"Is there nobody left behind?"
"Nobody."
"Whence do you come?"
"From Przasnysz."
"Did you not meet other travelers on the road?"
"We met nobody, but they may be on other roads."
"People are searching on all roads, come with us, you lost your route! To the right."
They turned the horses, and for some time nothing was perceptible but the blast of the storm.
"Are there many guests in the castle?" asked Zbyszko, after a while.
The nearest horseman, who did not hear the question bent toward him.
"What did you say, sir?"
"I asked whether there were many guests at the prince's?"
"As customary: there are enough."
"But is the lord of Spychow there?"
"He is not there, but they expect him. People ware dispatched to meet him too."
"With torches?"
"If the weather permits."
They were unable to continue their conversation, for the boisterous snowstorm was increasing in force.
"Quite a devil's marriage," said the Bohemian. Zbyszko, however, told him to keep quiet, and not to conjure up the evil name.
"Dost thou not know," he said, "that on such a Holy Day, the devil's power is subdued, and the devils hide themselves in the ice-holes? Once the fishermen near Sandomierz on Christmas Eve found him in their net, he had a pike in his mouth, but when the sound of the bells reached his ea