Chapter I
The young lieutenant of Prince Yeremi's armored regiment, returning from a mission to the Crimean Khan. He rescues Hmelnitski and is suspicious of his identity.
Chapter II
Reveals he rescued Hmelnitski in the steppe, unaware of his identity.
Chapter III
The lieutenant who arrives at Rozlogi; he is quick to anger and confronts Bogun's hostility.
Chapter IV
Demands Helena's hand from the princess, negotiates her release, and departs for Lubni.
Chapter V
Suffers from melancholy and impatience due to separation from Helena; sends Jendzian to Rozlogi; later finds relief upon receiving Helena's letter.
Chapter VI
Requests and receives the mission to the Saitch from Bykhovets; reveals his love for Helena and his desire to protect her.
Chapter VII
Visits Rozlogi, reunites with Helena, and announces his mission to the Saitch.
VIII
Arrives in Chigirin as Prince Yeremi's envoy, prepares for a dangerous mission to Kudák despite warnings.
Chapter IX
The lieutenant arrives at Kudák, receives warnings from Grodzitski, and resolves to continue his mission despite the danger.
The Battle on the Island
Leads the defense against a much larger force, fights furiously despite being wounded with an arrow in his shoulder, and ultimately falls in battle.
Chapter XI
Brought before the council as a prisoner, he delivers a defiant speech condemning the Cossacks and refuses to beg for his life.
XII
Accuses Hmelnitski of tyranny and refuses to give his word of silence.
XIII
Lies wounded and feverish in a Cossack wagon, tormented by visions of his friends and Helena, and is roused by the cannon of Kudák.
Chapter XV
Wounded and captive, he observes the battle from the Cossack camp, torn between despair and hope for rescue by Prince Yeremi.
Chapter XVI
Freed by Hmelnitski, he is weakened by wounds and guilt over his role in the rebellion, and travels to Rozlogi seeking news of Helena.
Chapter XVII
Referenced through his letters to Helena and her aunt, revealing his betrothal and plans to protect Helena.
Chapter XIX
Mentioned as the sender of letters that Bogun seized; Helena hopes he will find her.
Chapter XX
Mentioned by Zagloba in relation to Helena's hair-cutting and as a potential rescuer.
Chapter XXII
Mentioned as having been released by Hmelnitski and praised for refusing to carry letters to the prince.
Chapter XXIII
Grieves for Helena, learns of her rescue by Zagloba, and is comforted by Prince Yeremi and comrades.
Chapter XXIV
Returns to Lubni, searches for Helena and Zagloba, confesses to Father Mukhovetski, and experiences spiritual renewal.
XXV
Enters Chernigoff first to inquire about Helena and Zagloba, but finds no trace; receives a cross from the princess.
Chapter XXVII
Calls for war, leads the hussar charge against Krívonos's forces.
Chapter XXVIII
Leads the attack on the peasants, discovers Zagloba, learns Helena is safe, and later undertakes a failed recruitment mission.
XXIX
Reports the refusal of Osinski and Koritski, and later shares news that Helena is safe in Bar, receiving the prince's blessing.
The Night March to Konstantinoff
Present at the campfire, listens to Zagloba's story, and rides near him during the march.
XXXI
Discusses the war and his plans with Zagloba; leads hussars in battle.
XXXII
Listens to Jendzian's story, leads a punitive expedition, and rests at Sukhojintsi.
Chapter XXXIII
Present in the gathering of officers, asks Podbipienta about the prince's distress.
XXXVII
Grieves deeply over Helena's disappearance, receives promotion to lieutenant of the hussar regiment after the Lashch incident, but remains stone-faced and withdrawn.
XXXVIII
Leads a small detachment on a reconnaissance mission, spreading disinformation about Prince Yeremi's approach to terrorize the enemy.
XXXIX
Mentioned by Zagloba as a brave and skilled warrior he wishes were with him.
XLI
Defeats Bogun after Podbipienta; learns from Zagloba that Princess Helena is alive and in Bogun's hands.
Chapter XLII
Arrives in Lvoff with his squadron, meets Kushel, and attends the council at the Bernardine Church.
XLIII
Mentioned as having defeated a party of Tartars.
XLVI
Mentioned as the one to be informed about Bogun's death and to lead the search for Princess Helena.
XLVII
Mentioned as being beyond Zamost, actively fighting Cossack and Tartar forces, rescuing prisoners, and awaiting news of the princess.
XLVIII
Has gone alone to seek Princess Helena, disguised as an Armenian merchant; his letter explains his plan.
XLIX
Skshetuski arrives in peasant disguise, seeking to join the commission in order to find Princess Helena and confront Bogun.
Chapter L
Rides with the commissioners, searches for Bogun among the colonels, and plans to challenge him to a duel for Helena.
LI
Reprimanded by Kisel for his earlier defiance; he is ordered to hand over command to Bjozovski.
LII
In Kiev searching for Princess Helena, aided by the metropolitan and Hmelnitski's protection. Sends a letter via Zakhar.
LIII
Mentioned as having fallen ill after searching for Helena and learning of her fate; cared for by an old Cossack.
Chapter LVII
Skshetuski leads the hussars in the charge, strikes Tugai Bey with a double-handed sword, and fights in the front rank.
Chapter LVIII
Leads one division of knights in the sally against the moving towers, commanding the attack.
Chapter LX
Volunteers for the mission alongside Podbipienta and Volodyovski.
LXI
Volunteers for a dangerous night mission to escape the besieged camp by swimming through the pond.
The King's Decision
Arrives as a ragged, emaciated officer from Zbaraj, bearing crucial news; recognized by the priest and honored by the king.
LXIII
Recovers from fever and learns of Helena's safety; prepares to reunite with her.
Epilogue
Serves in Prince Yeremi's division at Berestechko.
Endnotes
The author uses the family name Skshetuski more often than the Christian name Yan; the translator uses Yan for ease of pronunciation.
