Werner, appeared to meditate over these conditions, but meanwhile he had quietly issued a command for the boats to press up to him, so that they formed a close circle. On the edge of that circle stood a wall of infantry,--well-grown and powerful men, dressed in yellow coats and caps of the same color, in perfect battle-array, with the left foot forward and muskets at the right side ready to fire. Werner stood in the first rank with drawn sword, and meditated long; at last he raised his head.
“Colonel, we agree!”
“You will lose nothing in your new service,” cried Krechovski, with joy.
“But on condition--”
“I agree to that, besides.”
“If that is true, then all is settled. Our service with the Commonwealth ends in three months. At the end of three months we will go over to you.”
A curse
