about
midnight
He did it willingly , because having heard so many songs about tournaments and being fond of pompous feasts , he preferred to fight in the presence of the court , the dignitaries and the ladies ; he believed that such a victory would bring greater renown , and he would win the golden spurs more easily . Then he was also anxious to become acquainted with the country and the people , therefore he preferred a delay . Mikolaj of Dlugolas , who had been in captivity among the Germans a long time , and could speak the language easily , began to tell him marvelous tales about the prince 's hunting parties for different kinds of beasts not known in the western countries . Therefore Zbyszko and he left the castle about midnight , and went toward Przasnysz , having with them their armed retinues , and men with lanterns to protect them against the wolves , which gathering during the winter in innumerable packs , it was dangerous even for several well armed cavaliers to meet . On this side of Ciechanow there were deep forests , which a short distance beyond Przasnysz were merged into the enormous Kurpiecka wilderness , which on the west joined the impassable forest of Podlasie , and further on Lithuania . Through these forests the Lithuanian barbarians came to Mazowsze , and in 1337 reached Ciechanow , which they burned . De Lorche listened with the greatest interest to the stories , told him by the old guide , Macko of Turoboje .