CHAPTER XLV.
In a forest about five miles west of Kovno, which Vitold himself had destroyed, were assembled the main forces of Skirvoillo, who, in case of need, moved them from place to place with the speed of a thunderbolt, and made swift attacks either across the Prussian boundaries or on large and small castles still in the hands of the Order, thus rousing the flame of war throughout the whole country. It was in that forest that his faithful attendant found Zbyshko, and in his company Matsko, who had arrived only two days before. After the greeting with Zbyshko, Hlava slept the whole night like a dead man, and only next day, in the evening, did he go forth to greet the old knight, who, being tired and out of humor, received him in anger, and inquired why, according to orders given, he had not remained in Spyhov; and Matsko was pacified in some degree only when Hlava, finding a favorable moment while Zbyshko was not in the hut, justified himself by quoting the express command of Yagenka. He said also that in addition to her command and his inborn inclination for warfare, he was led to those regions by the wish to send in case of need a herald with information to Spyhov. "The lady," said he, "whose soul is like that of an angel, prays for Yurand's daughter, though she prays against her own interest. But there must be an end to everything. If Yurand's daughter is no longer alive, may God give eternal light to her, for she was as innocent as a lamb; but should she be found, the need would come to let the lady know this at the earliest, so that she might go from Spyhov before, and not after the return of Yurand's daughter, so as not to seem pushed out with shame and without honor."
Matsko listened unwillingly, repeating from moment to moment: "That is not thy affair." But Hlava, having resolved to speak plainly, paid no heed, and at last he said,—
"Better the lady had remained at home; to her this journey has been of no service. We have persuaded the poor girl that Yurand's daughter is not living, but it may turn out the opposite."
