He saw a few tens of steps from the sleigh a horseman approaching at full speed of the horse.
"As God lives, that is my sergeant Soroka; what can have happened?" said Pan Andrei.
That moment the sergeant coming up, reined his horse on his haunches, and began to speak with a panting voice:
"Captain! — "
"What is the matter, Soroka?"
"Upita is on fire ; they are fighting!"
"Jesus Mary ! " screamed Olenka.
"Have no fear ! — Who is fighting?"
"The soldiers with the townspeople. There is a fire on the square! The townspeople are enraged, and they have sent to Ponyevyej for a garrison. But I galloped here to your grace. I can barely draw breath."
During this conversation the sleighs behind caught up; Kokosinski, Ranitski, Kulvyets-Hippocentaurus, Uhlik, Rekuts, and Zend, springing out on the snow, surrounded the speakers with a circle.
"What is the matter?" asked Kmita.
"The townspeople would not give supplies for horses or men, because there was no order for it; the soldiers began to take by force. We besieged the mayor and those who barricaded themselves in the square. Firing was begun, and we burned two houses; at present there is terrible violence, and ringing of bells — "
Kmita's eyes gleamed with wrath.
" We must go to the rescue!" shouted Kokosinski.
"The rabble are oppressing the army!" cried Ranitski, whose whole face was covered at once with red, white, and dark spots. "Check, check! mighty lords!"
Zend laughed exactly as a screech-owl hoots, till the horses were frightened; and Rekuts raised his eyes and piped, "Strike, whoso believes in God! smoke out the ruffians!"
"Be silent!" roared Kmita, till the woods echoed, and Zend, who stood nearest, staggered like a drunken man. "There is no need of you there, no need of slashing! Sit all of you in two sleighs, leave me the third. Drive back to Lyubich; wait there unless I send for succor."
"How is that?" asked Ranitski, opposing.
But Pan Andrei laid a hand on his throat, and his eyes gleamed more terribly. "Not a breath out of you!" said he, threateningly.
