CHAPTER XXX.

THE army passed Konstantinoff and halted at Rosolovtsi;
for the prince calculated that when Koritski and Osinski
would receive news of the taking of Polonnoe, they would
retreat to Rosolovtsi, and if the enemy should pursue
them he would fall in among all the forces of the prince
as into a trap, and thus meet with sure defeat. That
forecast was justified in great part. The troops occupied
their positions, and remained in silent readiness for the
fight. Smaller and larger scouting-parties were sent in
every direction from the camp. The prince, with a num-
ber of regiments, took his position in the village and
waited. Toward evening Vershul's Tartars brought news
that infantry was approaching from the direction of
Konstantinoff. Hearing this, the prince went out before
the door of his quarters, surrounded by officers, and with
them a number of the principal attendants, to look upon
the arrival. Meanwhile the regiments, announcing them-
selves by sound of trumpet, halted before the village;
and two colonels hastened, panting and with all speed,
to the prince to offer him their service. These were
Osinski and Koritski. When they saw Vishnyevetski with
a magnificent suite of knights, they were greatly confused,
uncertain of their reception, and bowing profoundly, they
waited in silence for what he would say.

"The wheel of fortune turns and brings down the
haughty," said the prince. "You did not wish to come
at our request, but now you come at your own desire."

"Your Highness," said Osinski, with firmness, "we
wished with all our souls to serve with you, but the
order was definite. Let him who issued it answer for it.
We beg pardon; though we are innocent, for as soldiers
we were obliged to obey and be silent."

"Then Prince Dominik has withdrawn the order?"
asked the prince.

"The order is not withdrawn," said Osinski, "but it
is no longer binding, since the only salvation and refuge
for our forces is with you, under whose command we wish
henceforth to live and serve and die."