Pagina 542 di 788

Now the gentry had won the field; they pursued, slashed, and

stabbed the dispersed yagers. Rykov alone remained, and cried

that he would not lay down his arms; he was still fighting, when

the Chamberlain went up to him, and, raising his sabre, said in

an impressive tone:-

"Captain, you will not soil your honour by accepting quarter;

unhappy, but valiant knight, you have given ample proof of your

daring: now abandon hopeless resistance; lay down your arms,

before we disarm you with our sabres. You will preserve life and

honour; you are my prisoner."

Rykov, overcome by the dignity of the Chamberlain, complied, and

gave over to him his naked sword, bloody to the hilt, saying:-