But an instant after came a calm so dread that we knew before the semaphore had begun to work that there was bad news in store for us.

When the news did come, a bitter wailing arose amongst us; for the news that was signalled ran: "The Voivode has been captured by the Turks on his return, and is held by them at Ilsin." In an instant the temper of the mountaineers changed.

It was as though by a flash summer had changed to winter, as though the yellow glory of the standing corn had been obliterated by the dreary waste of snow.

Nay, more: it was as when one beholds the track of the whirlwind when the giants of the forest are levelled with the sward.
For a few seconds there was silence; and then, with an angry roar, as when God speaks in the thunder, came the fierce determination of the men of the Blue Mountains: "To Ilsin! To Ilsin!" and a stampede in the direction of the south began.

For, Illustrious Lady, you, perhaps, who have been for so short a time at Vissarion, may not know that at the extreme southern point of the Land of the Blue Mountains lies the little port of Ilsin, which long ago we wrested from the Turk.
The stampede was checked by the command, "Halt!" spoken in a thunderous voice by the Gospodar.