"God will recompense you for this and for all your kindness."
Zbyszko mounted his horse immediately, but Macko recollected something and hastened to his side, and placing his hand upon Zbyszko's knee, he said: "Listen, if you should overtake Hlawa, remember not to molest Zygfried, otherwise you will bring down reproach upon yourself and upon my gray head. Leave him to Jurand, but do nothing to him yourself. Swear to me upon your sword and honor."
"As long as you do not return," replied Zbyszko, "I shall even prevent Jurand from harming him in order to prevent the Germans from injuring you on Zygfried's account."
"So, and you seem to care for me?"
And the young knight smiled sadly. "You well know that, I am sure."
"Move on and good-bye."
The horses moved on, and in a little while disappeared in the hazelnut thickets. Macko felt suddenly very much troubled and lonely and his heart was torn for that beloved boy in whom rested the entire hope of the family. But he soon got rid of his sorrow, for he was a man of valor and could master his emotions.
"Thank God that I am a prisoner and not he."
Then he turned toward the Germans and said: "And you, gentlemen, when will you start and whither are you going?"
"When it is agreeable to us," replied Wolfgang, "but we go to Malborg, where, sir, you must first appear before the Master."
"Hey! I shall yet have to forfeit my head there, for the help I have given to the Zmudzians," said Macko to himself.
Nevertheless his mind was at rest when he thought that de Lorche was in reserve; the Baden knights themselves would protect his head even if it were only for the ransom.
"Otherwise," he said to himself, "Zbyszko will neither be obliged to present himself nor lessen his fortune."
That thought caused him a certain relief.