CHAPTER XXVIII.

A DAY later when the army halted, in Byltsoff, the prince
summoned Pan Yan and said,--

"Our forces are weak and worn out, but Krivonos has
sixty thousand, and his army is increasing every day, for
the mob is coming to him. Besides, I cannot depend on
the voevoda of Kieff, for he belongs at heart to the peace
party. He marches with me, it is true, but unwillingly.
We must have reinforcements from some source. I learned
a little while ago that not far from Konstantinoff there are
two colonels, -- Osinski with the royal guard, and Koritski.
Take one hundred Cossacks of my guard, for safety, and go
to these colonels with a letter from me, asking them to
come here without delay, for in a couple of days I shall fall
upon Krivonos. No one has acquitted himself of important
missions better than you, therefore I send you; and this
is an important mission."

Skshetuski bowed, and set cut that evening for Konstan-
tinoff, going at night so as to pass unnoticed; for here and
there the scouts of Krivonos or squads of peasants were
circling about. These formed robber bands in the forests
and on the roads; but the prince gave orders to avoid
battles, so that there should be no delay. Marching quietly
therefore, he reached Visovati at daylight, where he found
both colonels, and was greatly rejoiced at the sight of them.
Osinski had a picked regiment of dragoons of the guard,
trained in foreign fashion, and Germans. Koritski had a
regiment of German infantry, composed almost entirely of
veterans of the Thirty Years' War. These were soldiers so
terrible and skilful that in the hands of the colonel they
acted like one swordsman. Both regiments were well armed
and equipped. When they heard of joining the prince, they
raised shouts of joy at once, as they were yearning for
battles, and knew too that under no other leader could
they have so many. Unfortunately both colonels gave a
negative answer; for both belonged to the command of
Prince Dominik Zaslavski, and had strict orders not to join
Vishnyevetski. In vain did Skshetuski tell them of the
glory they might win under such a leader, and what great