iately recognised that it must be pursued at once, although they had
not consulted together or thought the matter over. The common thought was
evident from the clipped words, the lively gestures, the various orders
that were issued, which, though they came tumultuously and at one time
from so many lips, still all tended to a like aim.

"To the village!" shouted the Judge, "on horseback, for the headman of the
peasants! To-morrow at daybreak let the beaters be ready, but volunteers!
Whoever comes with a pike I will release from two days' work on the roads
and five days' field-service for myself."

"Hurry," cried the Chamberlain, "saddle my grey, and gallop full speed to
my house; get quickly my two bulldogs,59 which are famous all over the
district; the male is named Sprawnik, and the bitch Strapczyna.60 Gag
them, tie them in a sack, and to save time bring them here on horseback."

"Vanka," cried the Assessor in Russian to his boy, "draw my Sanguszko
hunting knife over the whetstone; you know, the knife that the prince
presented to me; and look to my belt, to see whether there is a bullet in
every cartridge."

"Get the guns ready!" shouted everybody.

The Assessor kept calling: "Lead, lead! I have a bullet mould in my game
bag."

"Tell the parish priest," added the Judge, "to serve mass early to-morrow
in the forest chapel; a very short offertory for hunters, the usual mass
of St. Hubert."

After the orders had been given a silence followed. All were deep in
thought and cast their eyes around as if looking for some one; slowly the
Seneschal's venerable face attracted and united all eyes. This was a sign
that they were seeking a leader for their future expedition and that they
offered the staff of office to the Seneschal. The Seneschal rose,
understood the will of his comrades, and, rapping impressively on the
table, he drew from his bosom a golden chain, on which hung a watch large
as a pear.

"To-morrow," he said, "at half past four, the gentlemen hunters and the
beaters will present themselves at the forest chapel."

He spoke, and moved from the table; after him went the Forester. These two
had to plan and arrange the chase.

Even so act generals, when they ordain a battle for the morrow--the
soldiers throughout the camp clean their arms and eat, or sleep on cloaks
or saddles, free from care, but the generals consult within the quiet
tent.

Dinner was interrupted, the day passed in the shoeing of horses, t