"We were talking of an expedition," said Zbyszko to Macko, with unusual animation, "and that is the reason why we came here so that we too might learn your opinion."
Macko sat down with Skirwoilla upon a pine stump covered with a bear skin. Then he ordered the servants to bring little tubs full of mead from which the knights drew with tin cups and drank. Then after they had taken refreshment, Macko asked: "Do you want to undertake an expedition?"
"Burn the German castles...."
"Which?"
"Ragnety, or Nowe (new) Kowno."
"Ragnety," said Zbyszko. "We were three days in the neighborhood of Nowe Kowno, and they beat us."
"Just so," said Skirwoilla.
"How so?"
"Well."
"Wait," said Macko, "I am a stranger here, and do not know where Nowe Kowno and Ragnety are."
"From this place to Old Kowno is less then a mile,"[115] replied Zbyszko, "and from that place to Nowe Kowno, is the same distance. The castle is situated upon an island. We wanted to cross over yesterday, but we were beaten in the attempt; they pursued us half the day, then we hid ourselves in the woods. The soldiers scattered and only this morning some of them returned."
"And Ragnety?"
Skirwoilla stretched his long arms, pointed toward the north, and said: "Far! Far...."
"Just for the reason that it is distant," replied Zbyszko, "there is quiet in the neighborhood, because all the soldiers were withdrawn from there and sent to this place. The Germans there expect no attack; we shall therefore fall upon those who think themselves secure."
"He speaks reasonably," said Skirwoilla.
Then Macko asked: "Do you think that it will also be possible to storm the castle?"
Skirwoillo shook his head and Zbyszko replied: "The castle is strong, therefore it can only be taken by storm. But we shall devastate the country, burn the towns and villages, destroy provisions, and above all take prisoners, among whom we may find important personages, for whom the Knights of the Cross will eagerly give ransom or exchange...."
Then he turned toward Skirwoillo and said: "You yourself, prince, acknowledged that I am right, but now consider that Nowe Kowno is upon an island, there we shall neither stir up the people in the villages, drive off the herds of cattle, nor take prisoners, the more so because they have repulsed us here. Ay! Let us rather go where they do not expect us."