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A strange throng was coming in. In front, like a courier, ran an

immense black ram, whose brow bristled with four horns, two of

which were decked with bells and curled about his ears, and two

jutted out sidewise from his forehead and were hung with small,

round, tinkling brass balls. After the ram came oxen and a flock

of sheep and goats; behind the cattle were four heavily loaded

waggons.

All divined that Father Robak, the Alms-Gatherer, had arrived. So

the Judge, knowing his duty as host, took his stand on the

threshold, to welcome the guest. The Monk rode on the first wain,

his face half hidden by his cowl; but they immediately recognised

him, for, when he passed the prisoners, he turned his countenance

towards them and made a sign to them with his finger. And the

driver of the second wain was equally well known, old Maciek, the

Switch, disguised as a peasant. The gentry began to shout as soon

as he appeared; he said only "Idiots!" and imposed silence by a

gesture. On the third waggon was the Prussian, in a torn

overcoat; and Zan and Mickiewicz rode on the fourth.