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Brother, while Ponary stands, while the Niemen flows, so long

will the name of the Soplicas be famous in Lithuania; to their

grandsons and great-grandsons the capital of the Jagiellos109

will point, saying, 'There is a Soplica, one of those Soplicas

who first started the revolt.' "

"People's talk is of small account," answered the Judge. "I have

never greatly cared for the praises of the world. God is my

witness that I am innocent of my brother's sins; in politics I

have never meddled much, but have performed the duties of my

office and ploughed my patch of ground. But I am a gentleman by

birth, and should be glad to wipe out the blot on my escutcheon;

I am a Pole, and should be glad to do some service for my

country-even to lay down my life. With the sabre I was never over

skilled, and yet some men have received slashes even from me. The

world knows that at the time of the last Polish district

assemblies I challenged and wounded the two brothers Buzwik,

who-- But enough of this. What is your idea, sir? Should we take

the field at once? To gather musketeers is easy; I have plenty of

powder, and at the parish house the priest has some small cannon;

I remember that Jankiel has told me that he has some points for

lances, which I may take in case of need.