hy,
but its left grew ever rosier; but farther off the horizon line parted
like a broad eyelid, and in the centre one could see the white of an eye,
one could see the iris and the pupil--now a ray darted forth and circled
and shimmered over the rounded heavens, and hung in the white cloud like a
golden arrow. At this beam, at this signal of day, a cluster of fires flew
forth, crossing one another a thousand times on the sphere of the
skies--and the eye of the sun rose up--still somewhat sleepy, it blinked and
trembled and shook its gleaming lashes; it glittered with seven tints at
once: at first sapphire, it straightway turned blood red like a ruby, and
yellow as a topaz; next it sparkled transparent as crystal, then was
radiant as a diamond; finally it became the colour of pure flame, like a
great moon, or like a twinkling star: thus over the measureless heaven
advanced the solitary sun.

To-day from the whole neighbourhood the Lithuanian populace had gathered
before sunrise around the chapel, as if to hear some new marvel
proclaimed. This gathering was due in part to the piety of the folk and in
part to curiosity; for to-day at Soplicowo the generals were to attend
service, those famous captains of our legions, whose names the folk knew
and honoured as those of patron saints; all whose wanderings, cam-paigns,
and battles were the people's gospel throughout Lithuania.

Now some officers and a throng of soldiers arrived. The folk surrounded
them and gazed upon them, and they could hardly believe their eyes when
they beheld their fellow-countrymen wearing uniforms, and carrying
arms--free, and speaking the Polish language!

The mass began. The little sanctuary could not contain the entire throng;
the folk kneeled on the grass, gazing at the door of the chapel, and bared
their heads. The white or yellow hair of the Lithuanian folk was gilded
like a field of ripe grain; here and there a maiden's fair head, decked
with fresh flowers or with peacock's feathers, and with ribbons flowing
loose from her braided hair, blossomed among the men's heads like a
corn-flower or poppy amid the wheat. The kneeling, many-coloured throng
covered the plain, and at the sound of the bell, as though at a breath of
wind, all heads bent down like ears of corn on a field.

To-day the village girls had brought to the altar of the Virgin Mother the
first tribute of spring--fresh sheaves of greenery; everything was decked
with nosegays and garlan