Page:Zawis and Kunigunde (1895).djvu/38

was lost in the bushes beside the way. Both men threw themselves on the ground and were quickly surrounded by a band of wild-looking marauders apparently of different nationalities, European, Asiatic, and some half one and half the other. The wrists of the travelers were roughly bound with raw hide, and escorted by a motley guard of Tartars and Magyars they were marched forward at the lance’s point. Crossing an elevation in the road, the party came right in view of a regular military encampment extending widely on both sides of the road before them. The escort formed but a small part of the troop concealed among the thickets. From time to time a blow or a thrust from the butt of a lance quickened the pace of the prisoners even when speed had not diminished. Their captors seemed determined to maltreat them, with or without cause. A rapid pace was kept up for a few miles, and the prisoners were almost choked with dust and thirst. At length the line of the camp itself was reached, and the party halted. Solomon and Pietro were disfigured with the coarsest travel stains. After the leader of the troop had reported to an officer stationed further on, the prisoners were conducted within the lines of the camp and on to headquarters. Here were drawn up fully one thousand men, of different nationalities, largely Magyar, and included about two hundred Tartar horse. The entire force was commanded by a Knight in full armor, with several esquires around him. The prisoners were at once conducted into the presence of this officer.