XCI explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• War and Destruction

  Kmita's campaign in Prussia involves burning German settlements, slaughtering inhabitants, and widespread devastation, justified as divine vengeance.

• Love and Sacrifice

  Kmita's love for Olenka intensifies during the campaign, and he reflects on her memory while engaged in brutal warfare.

• Honor and Betrayal

  Kmita and Volodyovski discuss their vows against Boguslav Radzivill, a traitor to the Commonwealth, and mourn Kovalski's death at his hands.

• National Identity and Resistance

  The Polish forces, despite setbacks, demonstrate skill and endurance against the Swedes, and Kmita's actions in Prussia are framed as defending the Commonwealth.

Characters to notice

• Andrei Kmita

  Leads the Tartar campaign in Prussia, burning German settlements and reflecting on his past and love for Olenka. Later learns of the battle at Warsaw and mourns Kovalski.

• Pan Michael Volodyovski

  Narrates the details of the battle at Warsaw, including Kovalski's attack on Karl Gustav and his death at the hands of Boguslav Radzivill.

• Roh Kovalski

  Killed by Boguslav Radzivill while attempting to strike Karl Gustav during the battle at Warsaw.

• Prince Boguslav Radzivill

  Kills Roh Kovalski during the battle at Warsaw, saving Karl Gustav.

• Yan Kazimir

  Led the Polish forces in the three-day battle at Warsaw, nearly defeating Karl Gustav.

• Karl Gustav

  Swedish king who nearly perished in the battle at Warsaw but was saved by Boguslav Radzivill.

• Zagloba

  Mourns Kovalski as if he were a relative, though not his uncle.

• Akbah Ulan

  Tartar leader under Kmita, comments on the wealth and loyalty of the Tartars.

Key passages

• “It came to him easily enough; for before the departure of the full hetman he disappeared in the woods so secretly that Douglas felt sure that his party too had marched with the whole Tartar-Lithuanian division to Warsaw, and he left merely small garrisons in the castles for the defence of those parts.”

  Kmita crossed into Prussia easily because he had hidden in the woods before the hetman left, making Douglas think his group had gone to Warsaw, so only small garrisons were left behind.

  Describes Kmita's stealthy entry into Electoral Prussia.

• “That very night in which the Tartars had passed the boundary pillar, the heavens grew red from flames. An uproar was heard, with the weeping of people trampled by the foot of war.”

  The night the Tartars crossed the border, fires lit up the sky, and the sounds of war and crying filled the air.

  Depicts the immediate devastation caused by Kmita's forces.

• “But he did not cherish in his heart savage feelings alone; for, besides piety, various other feelings moved it, connected by memory with distant years.”

  Kmita's heart held not only savagery but also piety and memories of the past.

  Reveals Kmita's inner conflict between violence and nostalgia.

• “The king defended himself single-handed. Kovalski rode up and knew Karl Gustav, for he had seen him twice before. A horseman shielded the king; but those who were present said that lightning does not kill more quickly than Kovalski cut him in two.”

  Karl Gustav fought alone until Kovalski recognized him and swiftly killed the horseman protecting the king.

  Describes Kovalski's heroic but ultimately fatal attack on Karl Gustav.

• “Roh then made for the head of Karl Gustav⁠—had his sword raised; the Swedes were weak from terror, for there was no time to save Karl, when Boguslav rose as if from under the earth, fired into the very ear of Kovalski, broke his head and his helmet.”

  Kovalski was about to strike Karl Gustav when Boguslav Radzivill suddenly appeared and shot him in the head, killing him instantly.

  Climactic moment of Kovalski's death at the hands of Boguslav.