At the sight of such terrible proofs of famine, Andrii could not
refrain from saying to the Tatar, "Is there really nothing with which
they can prolong life? If a man is driven to extremities, he must feed
on what he has hitherto despised; he can sustain himself with
creatures which are forbidden by the law. Anything can be eaten under
such circumstances."

"They have eaten everything," said the Tatar, "all the animals. Not a
horse, nor a dog, nor even a mouse is to be found in the whole city.
We never had any store of provisions in the town: they were all
brought from the villages."

"But how can you, while dying such a fearful death, still dream of
defending the city?"

"Possibly the Waiwode might have surrendered; but yesterday morning
the commander of the troops at Buzhana sent a hawk into the city with
a note saying that it was not to be given up; that he was coming to
its rescue with his forces, and was only waiting for another leader,
that they might march together. And now they are expected every
moment. But we have reached the house."

Andrii had already noticed from a distance this house, unlike the
others, and built apparently by some Italian architect. It was
constructed of thin red bricks, and had two stories. The windows of
the lower story were sheltered under lofty, projecting granite
cornices. The upper story consisted entirely of small arches, forming
a gallery; between the arches were iron gratings enriched with
escutcheons; whilst upon the gables of the house more coats-of-arms