nothing of our preparation or power or of anything you
have seen in the Saitch."

"I see only this, that you offer me useless fruit of freedom
to taste. I will not give you such a word; for by giving it,
I should act precisely as those who go over to the enemy."

"My life and the safety of the Zaporojian army lie in
this, that the Grand Hetman should not move on us with
all his forces, which he would not be slow to do should
you inform him of our power. Be not surprised, then,
if I detain you until I find myself out of danger, unless
you give your word. I know what I have undertaken;
I know how formidable is the power opposed to me,-the
two hetmans, your terrible prince (who is a whole army
himself), the Zaslavskis and Konyetspolskis and all those
kinglets who keep their feet on the Cossack neck! Not
small was my labor, nor few the letters I wrote before I
succeeded in putting their watchfulness to sleep; now I can-
not allow you to rouse it. Since the masses of the people,
with the Cossacks of the towns, and all who are oppressed
in faith and freedom will take my side, as well as the
Zaporojian army and the Khan of the Crimea, I expect to
manage the enemy, for my power will be considerable; but
most of all do I trust in God, who has beheld the injustice
done, and who sees my innocence."

Here Hmelnitski drank a glass of vudka, and began to
walk unquietly around the table. Skshetuski measured
him with his eyes, and spoke with power,--

"Do not blaspheme, Zaporojian hetman, by calling upon
God and his divine protection; for in truth you will only
bring down upon yourself his anger and swift punishment.
Is it right for you to call the Highest to your defence, - you,
who for the sake of your private squabbles and the injus-
tice done you raise such a terrible storm, kindle the flame
of civil war, and join yourself with Pagans against Chris-
tians? For what will happen? Whether victorious or
vanquished, you will shed a sea of human blood and tears,
you will desolate the land worse than locusts, you will
shake the Commonwealth, you will raise your hand against
majesty, you will desecrate the altars of the Lord; and all
this because Chaplinski took some land from you, and
threatened you when he was drunk! What do you not at-
tempt? What do you not devote to your private interests?
You call upon God; and though I am in your power, though
you can take my life and freedom, I tell you that you are a