“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 Kown
