Pagina 531 di 788

Thaddeus comprehended Robak's plans and carried them out

splendidly, seeking cover behind the wooden well; and, since he

was sober and was a fine shot with his fowling piece (for he

could hit a gold coin thrown in the air), he did terrible

execution on the Muscovites, picking out their chiefs; with his

first shot he at once killed the sergeant-major. Then with his

two barrels, one after the other, he mowed down two sergeants,

aiming now at the gold lace, now at the middle of the triangle,

where stood the staff. Thereupon Rykov grew angry and chafed, he

stamped his feet and bit the hilt of his sword.

"Major Plut," he cried, "what will come of this? Soon not one of

us will be left here to give orders!"

So Plut shouted at Thaddeus in great wrath:-

"Shame on you, you Pole, for hiding behind a plank shelter; don't

be a coward, come out into the open and fight honourably, as a

soldier should."

To this Thaddeus replied:-