The Deluge · Chapter
LX explained
Kmita prepares for a new expedition to hunt down Boguslav Radzivill and rouse Jmud against the Swedes.
What happens
Kmita prepares for a new expedition to hunt down Boguslav Radzivill and rouse Jmud against the Swedes. He receives the king's blessing and a ring for Olenka, then dispatches Soroka to Taurogi to gather intelligence. After obtaining his commission and meeting with Suba Gazi Bey, he takes command of Akbah Ulan's Tartar chambul, despite the latter's initial haughtiness. Volodyovski bids him farewell, and Kmita sets off northward.
Themes in this chapter
- Honor and Betrayal
Kmita's quest to hunt Boguslav Radzivill is framed as a personal vendetta against a traitor who defamed him and collaborated with the Swedes.
- National Identity and Resistance
Kmita's plan to rouse Jmud against the Swedes reflects the broader Polish-Lithuanian resistance to foreign occupation.
- Love and Sacrifice
Kmita's concern for Olenka's safety and the king's gift of a ring underscore the personal stakes amid the larger conflict.
Characters to notice
- Andrei Kmita
Plans to hunt Boguslav Radzivill and rouse Jmud; receives the king's ring for Olenka; dispatches Soroka to Taurogi; takes command of the Tartar chambul.
- Yan Kazimir
Grants Kmita permission for the expedition, gives him a ring for Olenka, and approves his command over the Tartars.
- Pan Michael Volodyovski
Bids farewell to Kmita, warns him about Boguslav, and expresses confidence in his mission.
- Soroka
Dispatched by Kmita to Taurogi to spy on Boguslav Radzivill and gather information about Olenka.
- Akbah Ulan
Initially haughty toward Kmita but is reminded of Kmita's past successes; leads the Tartar chambul under Kmita's command.
- Olenka Billevich
Mentioned as the recipient of the king's ring; Kmita sends Soroka to learn of her situation in Taurogi.
- Prince Boguslav Radzivill
Target of Kmita's expedition; accused of defaming Kmita and delivering castles to the enemy.
- Stefan Charnyetski
Mentioned as leading the loyal army; Kmita plans to join him to give aid.
Key passages
“I will crush so many Swedes that the court of this castle might be paved with their skulls.”
Kmita boasts that he will kill so many Swedes that their skulls could pave the castle courtyard.
Demonstrates Kmita's fierce determination and hyperbolic rhetoric.
“The time has come to beat the Swedes, I will do nothing else. The time has come to hunt a traitor; I will hunt him to Livland, to Courland, and even as far as the Northerners, or beyond the sea to Sweden, should he hide there.”
Kmita declares that he will focus solely on defeating the Swedes and pursuing the traitor Boguslav Radzivill, no matter how far he flees.
Highlights Kmita's single-minded mission and personal vendetta.
“I will go to Charnyetski. It is needful to give him aid the more quickly.”
Kmita decides to join Charnyetski's forces to provide urgent support.
Shows Kmita's strategic thinking and loyalty to the Commonwealth cause.
“Only let them not like! only let them try not to like, as there are four hundred, or whatever number there is of them, I’ll have all four hundred hanged—there will be no lack of trees!”
Kmita threatens to hang all his Tartar soldiers if they refuse to follow him.
Illustrates Kmita's harsh command style and willingness to use extreme discipline.
“God grant me, not to die save in defence of your Royal Grace!”
Kmita prays that he may only die defending the king.
Expresses Kmita's devotion and loyalty to King Yan Kazimir.
