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While the aged man was amusing himself with the sight of this

gathering, suddenly the rabbits vanished into the earth, and the

flocks of sparrows fled to the roof before new guests, who were

coming into the yard with quick steps. These were the envoys whom

the assembly of gentry at the priest's house had sent to consult

Maciek. Greeting the old man from afar with low bows, they said:

"Praised be Jesus Christ."-"For ever and ever, amen,"124 answered

the old man; and, when he had learned of the importance of the

embassy, he asked them into his cottage. They entered and sat

down upon a bench. The first of the envoys took his stand in the

centre and began to render an account of his mission.