peated Hreczecha's caution, especially
the last word: some cried _game_, and others, laughing aloud, _dame_; the
Notary whispered _skirt_, the Assessor, _flirt_, fixing upon Telimena eyes
like stilettos.

The Seneschal had not thought at all of making any personal allusions, and
had not noticed what they were secretly whispering; glad that he had been
able to stir up laughter among the ladies and the young men, he turned to
the hunters, wishing to cheer them up also; and he began anew, pouring
himself out a glass of wine:--

"In vain do my eyes seek the Bernardine; I should like to tell him a
curious incident, similar to what occurred at our hunt to-day. The Warden
told us that he had known but one man who could shoot at long range with
as good aim as Robak, but I knew another; by an equally sure shot he saved
the lives of two men of high rank. I saw it myself, when Rejtan, the
deputy to the Diet, went hunting with the Prince de Nassau in the forests
of Naliboki. Those lords were not jealous of the fame of an untitled
gentleman, but were the first to propose his health at table, and gave him
countless splendid presents, and the hide of the boar that had been slain.
Of that wild boar and of the shot I will tell you as an eyewitness, for
the incident was similar to that of to-day, and it happened to the
greatest sportsmen of my time, to the deputy Rejtan and the Prince de
Nassau."

But then the Judge spoke up, pouring out a beaker:--

"I drink the health of Robak; Seneschal, clink your glass with mine. If we
cannot enrich the Alms-Gatherer with a gift, we will at least try to pay
him for his powder; we promise solemnly that the bear killed this day in
the wood shall suffice the cloister kitchen for two years. But the skin I
will not give to the Monk; I will either take it by force or the Monk must
yield it to me through humility, or I will buy it, though it cost me the
pelts of ten sables. Of that skin we will dispose according to our will;
the first crown and glory the servant of God has already received, the
hide His Excellency the Chamberlain shall give to him who has deserved the
second reward."

The Chamberlain rubbed his forehead and lowered his eyebrows. The
sportsmen began to murmur, and each made some remark; one how he had
discovered the beast, another how he had wounded it; this one had called
on the dogs, and that turned back the beast into the forest once more. The
Assessor and the Notary disputed, one e