But before an hour had passed: they sprang to their
feet again. From a distance came a noise like the sound
made by a great number of cavalry when moving on a
hurried march.

The Tartars fastened as quickly as possible a white cloth
on a pole, and renewed the fire vigorously, so that it might
be seen from a distance that they were messengers of
peace.

The tramp and snorting of horses, the clatter of sabres,
came nearer and nearer; and soon there appeared on the
road a division of cavalry, which surrounded the Tartars at
once.

A short parley followed. The Tartars pointed, to a
figure sitting on the rising ground, -- which was perfectly
visible, for the light of the moon fell on it, -- and said they
were escorting an envoy, but from whom he could tell
best himself.

The leader of the division went with some of his com-
panions to the rising ground, but had scarcely come up and.
looked into the face of the sitting man, when he opened
his arms and cried, --

"Skshetuski! By the living God, it is Skshetuski!"

The lieutenant did not move.

"But, Lieutenant, don't you know me? I am Bykhovets.
What is the matter with you?"

The lieutenant was silent.

"Rouse yourself, for God's sake! Here, comrade, come
to your mind!"

This was really Pan Bykhovets, who was marching in
the vanguard of all Vishnyevetski's forces.

Other regiments came up. News of the discovery of
Pan Yan spread like lightning in the regiments, therefore
all hurried to greet their favorite comrade. Little Volod-
yovski, the two Sleshinskis, Dzik, Orpishevski, Migurski,
Yakubovich, Lents, Pan Longin Podbipienta, and a number
of other officers ran as fast as they could to the eminence.
But they spoke in vain to him, called, him by name, pulled.
him by the shoulders, tried to raise him up. Skshetuski
looked, on them with wide-open eyes, and recognized no man;
or rather, on the contrary, he seemed to recognize them,
but was completely indifferent to them. Then those who
knew of his love for Helena and indeed all knew that
-- remembered what place they were in; looking on the
black ruins and the gray ashes, they understood all.