death, would not fear God; for it is his will either to keep a
man alive or to put him to death. But if you run to death
of your own will, then it is your sin as a master, not mine
as a servant. I will not leave you; for I am not a serf,
but a nobleman; though poor, still I am not without pride."

"I see that you are a good fellow; but I will tell you, if
you do not wish to go willingly, you will go by command,
since it cannot be otherwise."

"Though you were to kill me, I will not go. Do you
think that I am a Judas, to give you up to death?"

Here Jendzian raised his hands to his eyes, and began to
sob audibly. Skshetuski saw that he could not reach him
in that way, and he did not wish to command him threaten-
ingly, for he was sorry for the lad.

"Listen!" said he to him. "You can give me no assist-
ance, and I shall not put my head under the sword volun-
tarily. You will take letters to Rozlogi, which are of
more importance to me than my own life. You will tell
the old princess to take the young lady to Lubni at once,
without the least delay, otherwise rebellion will catch
them; and do you watch to see they go. I give you an
important mission, worthy of a friend, not a servant."

"You can send somebody else with the letter,--- anybody
will go."

"And what trusted person have I here? Have you lost
your senses? I repeat to you: Doubly save my life, and
still you do not wish to render me such service, while I am
living in torment, thinking what may happen, and my skill
is sweating from pain."

"Well, as God lives, I see I must go! But I grieve for
you; so if you were even to give me that spotted belt, I
should take no comfort in it at all."

"You shall have the belt; but do your work well."

"I do not want the belt, if you will only let me go with
you."

"To-morrow you will return with the boat which Pan
Grodzitski is sending to Chigirin. From there you will go,
without delay or rest, straight to Rozlogi. Here is a purse
for the road. I will write letters immediately."

Jendzian fell at the feet of the lieutenant. "Oh, my
master, shall I never see you again?"

"As God gives, as God gives," said Skshetuski, raising
him up. "But show a glad face in Rozlogi. Now go to
sleep."