The Pole drove the drunken guests out of the tavern, had the outer door closed, and all the candles and lanterns of the establishment brought into the court-yard.

Next he dragged the host by the hair of his head to the upper story, and then, by the help of some patriots with great cockades, tied him to a bedpost, and gave him to understand that that was the nearest approach to a night's rest which he had to expect.

"In the event of the freight being found entire, and safely removed from your premises, you shall be forgiven," said the Pole; "in the opposite case, I shall have you tried at once, and shot." Meanwhile the uproar in the court was great indeed.

Anton had the wagons reloaded and the freight properly secured.

Full of his work, he scarcely looked around, and only realized at odd moments his singular _entourage_, and the exciting nature of the scene.