Knights of the Cross Or Krzyzacy, The

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1900. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. Father Bartosz of Klobuko had finished one mass, and Father Jarosz of Kalisko was about to begin a second, and the king had gone out in front of the tent so as to stretch his limbs that were slightly cramped with kneeling, when Hanko Ostojczyk, a nobleman, galloped up, like a whirlwind on a foaming horse, and before dismounting, shouted: "Gracious Lord! The Germans are coming." At these words the knights were startled and the king's face changed. He remained silent for a moment and then exclaimed: "Praised be Jesus Christ. Where did you see them, and how many standards ? (regiments.)" "I saw one regiment near Griinwald," replied Hanko in a panting voice. "But beyond the heights dust is rising, as if more of them were coming!" "Praised be Jesus Christ," the king repeated. Then Witold, whose blood had rushed to his fece and his eyes began to burn like glowing coals at the first words of Hanko, turned to the courtiers and exclaimed: "Countermand the second mass, and bring me a horse." But the king placed his hand upon Witold's shoulders and said: "Brother, you go, but I shall stay here to hear the second mass." But just at the moment when Prince Witold and Zyndram mounted their horses and turned toward the camp, a second noble courier, Piotr (Peter) Oksza of Wlostowa, came rushing up shouting, from a distance: "The Germans! The Germans! I have seen two regiments." "Mount your horses!" called some courtiers and knights. Piotr had not yet ceased talking when the clatter of horses' hoofs was heard again, and then a third courier, then a fourth, fifth and sixth. All of them had seen German standards advancing and their numbers constantly increasing. There was no more doubt that the whole army of the Knights of the Cross was barring the way of the king's forces. The knights dis...