# LXXXVII explained — The Deluge > Chapter companion for The Deluge by Henryk Sienkiewicz. ## What happens An officer, Pan Byes, brings news of Prince Boguslav Radzivill's disastrous campaign in Podlyasye, where a force led by Babinich (Andrei Kmita) has been harrying his troops. Anusia reacts with joy at Babinich's success, while Olenka is troubled by the name Andrei, recalling a traitor. The chapter also depicts the tense atmosphere in Taurogi as they await news of Boguslav's fate, with Kettling offering cautious analysis. ## Themes in this chapter ### War and Destruction The chapter details the devastating campaign in Podlyasye, with constant skirmishes, loss of supplies, and the demoralization of Boguslav's forces. ### Political Intrigue Boguslav's alliance with the Swedes and the elector, his secret missions, and the manipulation of news reflect the intricate political machinations of the time. ### National Identity and Resistance The defence of Chenstohova is highlighted as a pivotal event, and the enmity toward foreigners and traitors underscores the struggle for Polish national identity. ## Character check-ins ### Anusia Borzobogati Anusia eagerly questions Pan Byes about Prince Boguslav's campaign, rejoices at Babinich's successes, and expresses her admiration for Andrei Kmita, even threatening to marry Volodyovski if rejected. ### Olenka Billevich Olenka is present during the news, but grows pale and troubled when Anusia mentions the name Andrei, associating it with a traitor who offered to sell the king. ### Babinich Babinich (Andrei Kmita) is the subject of the officer's report, credited with leading the successful harassment of Prince Boguslav's forces, causing immense damage and forcing a retreat. ### Prince Boguslav Radzivill Prince Boguslav is retreating toward Sokolka, suffering from fever and military setbacks, with his campaign undermined by Babinich's attacks. ### Pan Byes Pan Byes, a Polish noble foreignized and loyal to Prince Boguslav, brings news of the disastrous campaign and is questioned by Anusia. ### Kettling Kettling, a young officer, visits Olenka and offers a cautious interpretation of the silence from Boguslav's camp, predicting evil from the lack of news. ### Braun Braun is mentioned as the officer who brings Pan Byes to Olenka and Anusia, and who has been ordered to report news from Prince Boguslav. ### Yan Sapyeha Sapyeha is mentioned as being two days distant from Boguslav's camp, and his arrival is awaited in Jmud. ## Key lines > The prince is retreating on Sokolka, God grant successfully Prince Boguslav is withdrawing toward Sokolka, hopefully with success. _Pan Byes reports the prince's retreat, indicating a failed campaign._ > I will tell the pure truth and hide nothing, thinking that your worthiness will find strength in your soul to hear news less favorable. I will be completely honest, believing you are strong enough to handle bad news. _Byes prepares Anusia for unfavorable tidings about Boguslav's situation._ > We rubbed out on the road several bands of peasants; we scattered the forces of the younger Sapyeha, and cut up two squadrons of cavalry with a regiment of good infantry, sparing no one. We destroyed peasant bands, defeated the younger Sapyeha's forces, and annihilated two cavalry squadrons and an infantry regiment. _Byes recounts initial successes before the campaign turned sour._ > His name, which your worthiness has divined with such wonderful quickness, is repeated now with fear and rage by every mouth in our camp. The name you guessed so quickly is now spoken with fear and anger throughout our camp. _Byes confirms that Babinich is the feared enemy causing Boguslav's troubles._ > Thaws and heat set in, despite, it may be said, the regular order of nature; for we had news that in the south of the Commonwealth there was still severe winter; but we were wading in spring mud, which fastened our heavy cavalry to the earth. Unseasonable thaws and mud bogged down our heavy cavalry, while the south still had winter. _The weather hampered Boguslav's forces, giving Babinich's light troops an advantage._ > Who has crushed Prince Boguslav? Maybe Pan Sapyeha? A fig for Sapyeha! Who will crush the Swedes in the same style? Who will exterminate traitors? Who is the greatest cavalier, who is the greatest knight? Pan Andrei, Pan Andrei! Who defeated Prince Boguslav? Not Sapyeha! Who will defeat the Swedes and traitors? Andrei Kmita is the greatest knight! _Anusia exuberantly praises Babinich (Andrei Kmita) for his military exploits._ > I was thinking that traitors themselves bear that name. For there was one who offered to sell the king, dead or alive, to the Swedes or to Boguslav; and he had the same name—Andrei. I recalled that traitors also have that name; one Andrei offered to sell the king to the Swedes or Boguslav. _Olenka associates the name Andrei with a traitor, causing her distress._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_deluge_se/chapters/lxxxvii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_deluge_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_deluge_se/chapters