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authornfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org>2025-03-03 06:15:04 -0800
committernfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org>2025-03-03 06:15:04 -0800
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parentc99616f934e6bff37ea90f9a6218fd0859b91e18 (diff)
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-</style>
-<title>THE RED, WHITE, AND GREEN</title>
-<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" />
-<meta name="PG.Title" content="The Red, White, and Green" />
-<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" />
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-<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Herbert Hayens" />
-<meta name="DC.Created" content="1901" />
-<meta name="PG.Id" content="40137" />
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-<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" />
-<meta name="DC.Title" content="The Red, White, and Green" />
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-<meta content="2012-07-04T05:19:01.875950+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" />
-<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" />
-<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" />
-<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/40137" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" />
-<meta content="Herbert Hayens" name="DCTERMS.creator" />
-<meta content="2012-07-03" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" />
-<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" />
-<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.19b4 by Marcello Perathoner &lt;webmaster@gutenberg.org&gt;" name="generator" />
-<style type="text/css">
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-.toc-pageref { float: right }
-pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap }
-</style>
-</head>
-<body>
-<div class="document" id="the-red-white-and-green">
-<h1 class="document-title level-1 pfirst title">THE RED, WHITE, AND GREEN</h1>
-
-<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- -->
-<div class="clearpage">
-</div>
-<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- -->
-<div class="align-None container language-en noindent pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en">
-<p class="noindent pfirst">This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
-almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
-re-use it under the terms of the <a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a>
-included with this eBook or online at
-<a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a>.</p>
-<p class="noindent pnext"></p>
-<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<div class="align-None container noindent white-space-pre-line" id="pg-machine-header">
-<p class="noindent pfirst white-space-pre-line"><span class="white-space-pre-line">Title: The Red, White, and Green<br />
-<br />
-Author: Herbert Hayens<br />
-<br />
-Release Date: July 03, 2012 [EBook #40137]<br />
-<br />
-Language: English<br />
-<br />
-Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p>
-</div>
-<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line">*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK <span>THE RED, WHITE, AND GREEN</span> ***</p>
-<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p>
-<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 1em">
-</div>
-<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p>
-</div>
-<div class="align-None container coverpage">
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em">
-</div>
-<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 67%" id="figure-31">
-<span id="cover"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-cover.jpg" />
-<div class="caption figure">
-Cover</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-<div class="align-None container frontispiece">
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em">
-</div>
-<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 65%" id="figure-32">
-<span id="the-white-coats-poured-in-their-volley"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-front.jpg" />
-<div class="caption figure">
-"The white-coats poured in their volley. Page <a class="reference internal" href="#id1">190</a>.</div>
-</div>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em">
-</div>
-<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 59%" id="figure-33">
-<span id="i-shook-my-sword-at-the-retreating-figure"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-vignette.jpg" />
-<div class="caption figure">
-"<em class="italics">I shook my sword at the retreating figure.</em> Page <a class="reference internal" href="#id2">364</a>.]</div>
-</div>
-</div>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<div class="align-None center container titlepage white-space-pre-line">
-<p class="pfirst white-space-pre-line x-large"><em class="italics white-space-pre-line">The</em><br />
-<em class="italics white-space-pre-line">Red, White, and Green</em></p>
-<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><em class="italics white-space-pre-line">By</em><br />
-<em class="italics white-space-pre-line">HERBERT HAYENS</em></p>
-<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst small white-space-pre-line"><em class="italics white-space-pre-line">Author of "A Captain of Irregulars," "A Vanished Nation,"<br />
-"A Fighter in Green," "An Emperor's Doom,"<br />
-&amp;c. &amp;c.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 3em">
-</div>
-<p class="medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><em class="italics white-space-pre-line">WITH ILLUSTRATIONS</em></p>
-<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><em class="italics white-space-pre-line">THOMAS NELSON AND SONS</em><br />
-<em class="italics white-space-pre-line">London, Edinburgh, and New York</em><br />
-<em class="italics white-space-pre-line">1901</em></p>
-<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-</div>
-<div class="align-None container verso white-space-pre-line">
-<p class="center medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">By the same Author.</p>
-<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">THE BATTLE AND THE BREEZE. Price 5s.<br />
-A VANISHED NATION. Price 5s.<br />
-A CAPTAIN OF IRREGULARS. Price 5s.<br />
-A FIGHTER IN GREEN. Price 5s.<br />
-IN THE GRIP OF THE SPANIARD. Price 5s.<br />
-AN EMPEROR'S DOOM. Price 5s.<br />
-CLEVELY SAHIB. Price 5s.<br />
-UNDER THE LONE STAR. Price 5s.<br />
-THE BRITISH LEGION. Price 3s. 6d.</p>
-<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst white-space-pre-line">T. NELSON AND SONS,<br />
-<em class="italics white-space-pre-line">London, Edinburgh, and New York.</em></p>
-</div>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em">
-</div>
-<div class="align-None container plainpage white-space-pre-line">
-<p class="center large pfirst white-space-pre-line">CONTENTS.</p>
-<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<ol class="left medium upperroman simple white-space-pre-line">
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#will-the-regiment-march">WILL THE REGIMENT MARCH?</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#a-soldier-of-the-right-sort">A SOLDIER OF THE RIGHT SORT</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-insurrection-in-full-swing">THE INSURRECTION IN FULL SWING</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#vienna-in-flames">VIENNA IN FLAMES</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#arrested">ARRESTED</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#hard-work-at-pesth">HARD WORK AT PESTH</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#a-fight-in-the-mountains">A FIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#a-drawn-battle">A DRAWN BATTLE</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-retreat">THE RETREAT</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#on-the-sick-list">ON THE SICK LIST</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#gorgei-to-the-rescue">GÖRGEI TO THE RESCUE</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#a-sorrowful-victory">A SORROWFUL VICTORY</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#a-visit-from-stephen">A VISIT FROM STEPHEN</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-quarrel-with-count-beula">THE QUARREL WITH COUNT BEULA</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#how-stephen-carried-the-flag">HOW STEPHEN CARRIED THE FLAG</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#i-join-the-staff">I JOIN THE STAFF</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-wounding-of-gorgei">THE WOUNDING OF GÖRGEI</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#gorgei-forgets-his-wound">GÖRGEI FORGETS HIS WOUND</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#sent-scouting">SENT SCOUTING</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#nearly-captured">NEARLY CAPTURED</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-last-blow">THE LAST BLOW</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-surrender">THE SURRENDER</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#count-beula-dislikes-hanging">COUNT BEULA DISLIKES HANGING</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-end-of-count-beula">THE END OF COUNT BEULA</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#imprisoned-at-arad">IMPRISONED AT ARAD</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#led-out-to-execution">LED OUT TO EXECUTION</a></p>
-</li>
-<li class="white-space-pre-line"><p class="first pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#an-austro-hungarian-alliance">AN AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN ALLIANCE</a></p>
-</li>
-</ol>
-</div>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<div class="align-None container plainpage white-space-pre-line">
-<p class="center large pfirst white-space-pre-line">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</p>
-<div class="vspace white-space-pre-line" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="left medium pfirst white-space-pre-line"><a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#the-white-coats-poured-in-their-volley">"THE WHITE-COATS POURED IN THEIR VOLLEY,"</a> <em class="italics white-space-pre-line">Frontispiece</em><br />
-<a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#i-shook-my-sword-at-the-retreating-figure">"I SHOOK MY SWORD AT THE RETREATING FIGURE,"</a> <em class="italics white-space-pre-line">Vignette</em><br />
-<a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#from-the-woods-they-poured-a-hot-musketry-fire-upon-the-defenders">"FROM THE WOODS THEY POURED A HOT MUSKETRY FIRE UPON THE DEFENDERS"</a><br />
-<a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#my-heart-leaped-to-my-mouth-as-i-saw-stephen-foremost">"MY HEART LEAPED TO MY MOUTH AS I SAW STEPHEN FOREMOST"</a><br />
-<a class="reference internal white-space-pre-line" href="#gorgei-and-his-staff-rode-to-the-front-where-the-russian-generals-met-them">"GÖRGEI AND HIS STAFF RODE TO THE FRONT, WHERE THE RUSSIAN GENERALS MET THEM"</a></p>
-</div>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center pfirst x-large" id="will-the-regiment-march">THE RED, WHITE, AND GREEN.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst">CHAPTER I.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst"><em class="italics">WILL THE REGIMENT MARCH?</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">"Cowardly rats, deserting a sinking ship!"
-exclaimed my brother Stephen; "I would not raise
-my little finger to help them!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It seems to me this insurrection will do good to our
-cause."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen pushed his chair back from the breakfast-table,
-and stood up.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We are Hungarians," said he, "and we fight for our
-nation. We want no assistance from these Austrian rebels.
-If they care a kreuzer for their country, why don't they
-rally round the emperor?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Laughing at Stephen's expression of disgust, I crossed
-the room to the little window, and looked into the street.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was the morning of October 5, 1848, and still fairly
-early, yet the people of Vienna were pouring by in
-hundreds, all eager, restless, and apparently too excited to
-think of such an ordinary thing as breakfast.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Some were mere lads, pale-faced and spectacled, but
-armed with sword and pistol, and looking very resolute;
-these were students from the public schools and
-universities. Mingling with these enthusiastic youths were
-a few shopkeepers, a more considerable body of
-respectably-dressed artisans, numbers of National Guards in
-uniform, and, most significant of all, the men from the
-slums--bare-headed, dirty, gaunt, but carrying knives, hatchets,
-clubs, and other death-dealing weapons.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Thus far, this year of 1848 had produced most remarkable
-changes throughout Europe.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Louis Philippe, King of the French, had been driven
-into exile; Sicily had revolted against King Bomba;
-insurrections had arisen at Madrid; the whole of Germany
-had been, and was, in a state of turmoil; the Prussians
-had conquered Poland afresh.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Thrones had crumbled into dust, and monarchs and
-rulers had been swept away like chaff before the wrath
-of the people.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But of all the European countries, none in this wild
-gale of popular fury was so severely tried as the proud
-empire of Austria.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In northern Italy, the veteran Radetzky was upholding
-the black and yellow flag of Austria against a host of
-insurgents; in Bohemia, the Slavs, bent on founding a
-great Slav nation, were suppressed with difficulty by the
-Austrian general, Prince Windischgratz; my own gallant
-land of Hungary had drawn the sword to win back the
-ancient rights of which it had been deprived by the
-Viennese government; while here at Vienna, in the very
-heart of the empire, thousands of men were working their
-hardest to overthrow their own Kaiser.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With these people neither Stephen nor I had the least
-sympathy. We were Hungarians, but royalists, loving
-our country with a fond and faithful affection, yet
-wishful to preserve our loyalty to the emperor-king.</p>
-<p class="pnext">News of the dispute between Hungary and Austria
-had reached us in London, and we had just arrived at
-Vienna on our homeward journey.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My brother Stephen was eighteen years of age, and my
-senior by twelve months.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In figure he was tall and elegant; his face was regularly
-oval, with a pale complexion; his forehead was high and
-broad, his mouth small and well formed. His black hair
-fell in long curls almost to his shoulders; he wore a black
-moustache in the Hungarian fashion; and his eyes were
-dark and fiery.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A true Magyar, every inch of him, he might have
-stood beside King Stephen of glorious memory.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He came to join me at the little window, and we were
-still gazing intently at the throngs below, when some one,
-hurrying up the stairway, knocked at the door.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Come in!" I cried, and turning round added hastily,
-"Why, it is Rakoczy, looking as miserable as a caged
-bird! Are the folks too busy demonstrating to get you
-some breakfast?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">The newcomer closed and locked the door, and came
-over to us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">John Rakoczy, or "John the Joyous," as we called him,
-was, like ourselves, a Hungarian, though there was a slight
-mixture of German blood in his veins.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was a handsome man, several years older than myself,
-with chestnut hair, dark-blue eyes, and a frank, open,
-jovial face.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His merry laugh and light-hearted manners had earned
-him the title of "John the Joyous;" but on this October
-morning his face was gloomy and troubled.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He placed himself between us, so that he could speak to
-both without raising his voice.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Heard the news?" he asked.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We've heard the row!" I replied. "These poor people
-will strain their throats."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The city's in a state of insurrection. The students
-and the Nationals and the Burgher Guards are going to
-overthrow the government."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Barking dogs never bite," said Stephen sarcastically.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"These will soon--they're only sharpening their teeth;
-and the Richters are to help them."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The Richter Grenadiers?" I exclaimed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes. Our fellows have beaten Jellachich, who is in
-sore straits; and Latour, the war minister, has ordered
-the grenadiers to march to his assistance. They are in
-a state of mutiny, and the citizens are backing them up."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Earlier in the year, Croatia, under its Ban or Governor,
-Baron Jellachich, had revolted from Hungary; and though
-at first the emperor had denounced the rising, he had now
-taken Jellachich under his protection.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Count Latour can take care of himself," said Stephen;
-"he is a man, not a lath."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our companion rubbed his hands together softly, and,
-lowering his voice to a whisper, said,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"This affair is serious. Don't ask how I obtained the
-information, but you can rely on its truth. A secret
-meeting was held last night in the city. The chiefs of
-the extreme party were present, and to-morrow, when
-the regiment marches out, has been fixed for a general
-rising."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"This is interesting to the Viennese," said my brother,
-"but not to us."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Wait a bit. You know what happened a few days
-since in Pesth?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen's face flushed with shame, and I hung my head.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On September 28, Count Lamberg, the Austrian
-commander-in-chief, had been seized in the streets of Pesth
-by an armed rabble, and cruelly put to death--a foul
-crime that would long stain the fair name of Hungary.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"To-morrow," Rakoczy continued, "the victim will be
-Count Latour, and the butchers will cry, 'Long live
-Hungary!'"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What do we want with such brutes?" cried Stephen
-passionately. "Cannot we fight and win our battles with
-our own swords? We shall be disgraced for ever by this
-rabble!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The count must be put on his guard," I exclaimed.
-"I will go to his hôtel and inform him of the plot."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It will be useless trouble," said Stephen. "One man
-cannot fight against thirty thousand, and the count is too
-brave a veteran to yield."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He must yield or die," said John. "I have learned
-enough to know that. The chiefs of the revolution have
-decided to kill him unless he recalls the order for the
-regiment to march."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I put on my hat; the others did the same, and
-accompanied me into the street.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A crowd of students rushing by caught sight of our
-costume, and surrounding us, cried, "Long live Hungary!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Much to their surprise, we bared our heads and
-responded by a hearty, "Long live King Ferdinand!" for,
-although our country was at war with Austria, we
-remembered that Austria's emperor was Hungary's king.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In the square on the north side of the hôtel we stopped,
-and I gave my weapons to Stephen, so that the guards
-might not suspect me of having any design on the life of
-the minister.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Tell him," said Rokoczy earnestly, "that unless he
-gives way his life is lost."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I left them standing at the corner of the square, and
-went on alone to the courtyard of the hôtel.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Hundreds of citizens stood about, all armed and gesticulating
-violently, but as yet offering no personal mischief
-to any one. Several times I had to stop while they cheered
-for Hungary and Kossuth; but at length, after considerable
-pushing and squeezing, I reached the gate.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There were few soldiers about, and these could
-certainly have been overpowered by one determined rush
-of the mob outside; but the time for that had not yet
-come.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At first the officer on duty made some difficulty about
-passing me; but at length I was sent under escort across
-the courtyard, and admitted into the building.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here still further delay occurred. Count Latour was
-busy; he could not see me; it would be better to call
-another time, or deliver my message to the count's
-secretaries.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Patience, however, is a useful weapon, and by its aid
-I found myself at last in the audience-chamber, where
-the minister was engaged in animated discussion with his
-colleagues.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, young sir?" exclaimed the noble-looking veteran
-sharply. "Your news must be of extreme importance to
-justify your persistence."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You shall judge for yourself, count, if these
-gentlemen will leave us for five minutes."</p>
-<p class="pnext">At this the others smiled, and one muttered something
-about a Magyar adventurer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had entered the room with peace in my heart; but
-this insult was abominable, and I loudly demanded to
-know if they took me for an assassin.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A little old man with a white beard and small ferret
-eyes stopped my high-flown speech by saying, "Remember
-Lamberg!" and at those words, so full of meaning, I hung
-my head in shame.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Would that fatal act be thrown into the teeth of the
-Magyars for ever?</p>
-<p class="pnext">I think that the count must have pitied me, for he said
-kindly,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What is your name, my young friend? It is needless
-to ask your nationality."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The question restored my self-respect, and I raised my
-head proudly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"George Botskay has little reason to be ashamed of his
-name," I said.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A son of the late General Botskay?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">I bowed in reply, and the count addressed a few words to
-his colleagues, who retired one by one with evident reluctance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Now, my lad," exclaimed the fine old soldier, "what
-is it you wish to say? I am very busy, and cannot spare
-much time."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I have come to warn you, count," I began, but at that
-he stopped me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The son of General Botskay should have known that
-I take no warning from rebels," he said sternly, and made
-a movement to ring the bell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"One moment, count; you must listen to me. I have
-learned by accident something you ought to know. The
-city is up in arms"--Latour smiled--"and the grenadiers
-are to be prevented from marching."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I have issued the order," he said, as if that settled the
-matter.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It will not be obeyed. The leaders of the insurrection
-met last night in secret, and made their arrangements. A
-revolution has been decided on, and you, count, are to be
-the first victim."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Why do you tell me this?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That you may be prepared."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Are you on our side?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"No. I must fight for my own country."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He took a sheet of note-paper from a drawer, and
-placing it in my hand, said, "Read!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was an anonymous letter, warning him that unless
-he recalled the order, the people would put him to death.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It came this morning," he remarked quietly. "The
-writer will learn my answer to-morrow."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Gazing at the well-knit figure and the calm, proud face
-of the sturdy veteran, I felt convinced that he would not
-move a finger to avert the impending tragedy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You seem sorry," he said, "but there is little to grieve
-about. I am a soldier, and know how to die at my post.
-Still, I thank you for trying to help me; and may the time
-soon come when Austrians and Hungarians will once more
-join hands as brethren and loyal subjects of the emperor."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Amen to that!" I replied fervently, and the proud old
-noble, shaking my hand, himself led me to the door.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the head of the stairs I turned and glanced at him
-again. He waved his hand cordially; his features were
-calm and unruffled, his air was serene, as though he
-knew nothing of the dangers which threatened him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Brave old count! After all, he chose the better part!</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy and my brother waited at the corner of the
-square, but they saw at once that my errand had been in
-vain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He will die at his post, if need be," I said, as we got
-clear of the crowd.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What else could he do?" asked Stephen. "You would
-not expect the soldier of half a century to run away from
-the armed rabble."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well," exclaimed Rakoczy, "we have done our best to
-save him; now we must look to ourselves. I suppose you
-two intend joining the army?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes; but we will wait and see what happens to-morrow."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"If you could stay a few days longer, we might all go
-together."</p>
-<p class="pnext">This proposal suited me capitally; and as Stephen did
-not wish to lose the speaker's company, it was agreed
-that we should remain in Vienna till the end of the
-week.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We aren't likely to miss much," said Rakoczy. "Kossuth
-can do nothing till the Honveds have been properly
-drilled. At present they are no better than these worthy
-citizens who shout 'Long live Hungary!' so abominably."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Honveds, or Home-Defenders, were practically
-peasants drawn from the plough, without drill or
-discipline, or even knowledge of arms beyond their scythes
-and pikes and cumbrous old-world guns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">No general would expect them to stand for an instant
-against the Austrian veterans; and, as Görgei, our great
-leader, humorously said, he reckoned much more upon their
-legs than their arms.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, they were brave fellows at bottom, and those
-who laughed at them had reason to repent of it before the
-war ended.</p>
-<p class="pnext">During the afternoon Rakoczy left us to attend to his
-private affairs, so Stephen and I strolled about the city
-watching the actions of the excited people.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was easy to tell that something out of the common
-was going to happen; and when we returned to our rooms
-I felt more sorry than ever for the brave old count, who
-so proudly defied the enemies of his master.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But to help him further was beyond our power; we
-could only wait and watch the events of a new day.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was certain that Latour would not withdraw his
-order; but whether he would meet force by force and
-command Count Auersperg to bombard the city, or offer
-himself as a sacrifice to the fury of the mob, we did not
-know. From midnight till about three o'clock a dead
-silence brooded over the town, but when daylight fairly
-broke Vienna was in arms.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy joined us at breakfast, and by his advice we
-ate a substantial meal before venturing out, as the time of
-our return was very uncertain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Now," said he, on rising from the table, "pistols in
-working order? There will be a big <em class="italics">kravalle</em> before the
-day's over."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"If it's nothing worse than that, so much the better," I
-replied. "A street brawl doesn't hurt."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen locked the door, put the key in his pocket, and
-we all three went down into the street, where the people
-were packed like herrings in a barrel.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Men, women, and children of all classes were there--the
-shopkeeper, the artisan, the labourer, and the dweller in
-the slums who had come out expressly for plunder, and who
-would as soon cut a Hungarian as an Austrian throat. One
-of this last class, however, a brawny fellow, hatless and
-coatless, with arms bare to the elbow, and carrying a
-murderous-looking axe, professed great sympathy with the
-Magyars, and attached himself to Stephen, much to the
-latter's disgust.</p>
-<p class="pnext">John and I walked directly behind, laughing to see my
-rather fastidious brother in the society of the <em class="italics">soi-disant</em>
-patriot.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Keep a brave heart, young sir!" we heard the unwashed
-one say, "and trust to us. We'll see you get your rights.
-Down with the emperor and up with the people! It's our
-turn now!" and he put one arm affectionately round my
-brother's waist.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Bravo, comrade!" cried John, winking at me. "The
-brave Viennese will take care of Hungary!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Right you are, brother!" shouted back the brawny
-ruffian. "We'll join hands. Long live Hungary and the
-Viennese! No more emperors! No more kings! We'll
-have a republic and be our own masters!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And not do any more work!" said John.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"No; we've had our share. Let the rest take a turn;"
-and he gave Stephen another squeeze to show his goodwill.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Happily for my brother's peace of mind, we had by this
-time reached the end of the narrow street, and a vigorous
-push by the crowd parted us from our enthusiastic
-friend.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We had started with the intention of going to the hôtel
-of the war minister, but it soon became plain that we had
-no choice in the matter; we were compelled to go wherever
-the mob carried us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One thing I noticed which rather astonished me--the
-National Guards and the armed students had disappeared.
-Here and there one certainly caught sight of a citizen
-warrior, but they were very few, and I wondered what had
-become of the others.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We shall soon find out," said Rakoczy, to whom I put
-the question. "There's mischief brewing somewhere.
-Listen to, that!" and a great shout of "Long live the
-Grenadiers!" rose on the air. The people, sufficiently
-excited hitherto, now became frantic. They waved their
-arms, and cheered the mutinous regiment wildly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Link arms!" exclaimed Rakoczy, and it was well we
-took his advice. A tremendous rush nearly took us off our
-feet, and we were carried along in the midst of the
-tumultuous throng.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Tabor! Tabor!" shouted the crowd. "Make for the
-bridge of Tabor! That's where they cross! Hurrah for
-the Grenadiers! Down with the emperor! Death to
-Latour! Long live the brave Hungarians!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">As we approached the bridge of Tabor the excitement
-became intense. We were pushed this way and that, and,
-but for the linking of arms, we must quickly have lost
-sight of one another.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Keep a firm grip," cried John. "Look out! There
-goes the military!" and instantly the cheers for the
-Grenadiers redoubled.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There's a cavalry regiment escorting them," I
-exclaimed; "and look! Some one has brought up a couple
-of guns!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They want twenty," said Stephen. "Ah! now for it!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the farther end of the bridge the National Guards
-and the University Legion were drawn up in battle array,
-waiting to oppose the passage of the troops.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The mob pressed to and fro like the unquiet waves of
-the sea; now we were thrown almost bodily into the ranks
-of the soldiers, again carried back many yards.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The windows of all the houses anywhere near were filled
-by groups of rioters, who levelled their guns ostentatiously
-at the loyal troops, while the <em class="italics">sans-culottes</em> in the streets
-roared approval.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the moment my brother spoke we had a full view of
-the situation.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Grenadiers, with their escort, had reached the
-bridge-head. Behind them were a body of infantry and
-the artillerymen with a couple of guns. An officer in
-general's uniform commanded the whole.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Suddenly the Grenadiers broke loose, and, with triumphant
-cries of "Long live Hungary!" crossed the bridge at
-the <em class="italics">pas de charge</em>.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The students and Nationals received them with open
-arms; the general sat on horseback, immovable as a bronze
-statue. Then a smile, half of pity, half of scorn, appeared
-on his face. He opened his mouth to give an order, when,
-from the farther side of the bridge, rang out a sharp report,
-and the Austrian fell dead.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen tore himself from me, his eyes flashing, his
-handsome face crimson with anger.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You cowards!" he cried, and would have run to the
-bridge had not Rakoczy dragged him back by main force.
-Only just in time!</p>
-<p class="pnext">Crash! And a storm of grape whizzed through the air
-as the gunners discharged their two pieces.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The insurgents who were advancing to the charge
-wavered; another dose of iron hail, and they fell back
-in disorder.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But the loyalists were few, their enemy legion.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Their brave leader, too, was dead; and, though they
-fought valiantly for a time, the end was certain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The students especially behaved like madmen. Shot
-and shell tore through their ranks, making long, narrow
-gaps, but the survivors pressed on; the mob picked off the
-loyalists; the men at the windows shot them down; the
-Nationals eagerly backed up their comrades; the bridge
-was gained; there was a desperate, confused, hand-to-hand
-struggle round the guns, and then a loud shout of victory
-echoed and re-echoed through the exultant multitude.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"To the gates! Seize the gates!" they yelled; and
-presently another cry rose--one which we had been
-expecting every moment to hear.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Death to Latour!" bawled a huge, hairy-throated
-fellow; and we recognized our acquaintance of the morning,
-whose butcher's axe was wet with blood.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That's the word!" cried another. "Death to Latour,
-and no more ministers!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Forward! Forward! Long live the republic! Up
-with the tricolour!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"To the hôtel!" said Stephen feverishly. "We may yet
-help to save him."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Alas! if we were powerless in the morning, we were
-equally so now. The mob carried us whithersoever it
-listed. We were flung bodily from side to side, shot down
-narrow streets like stones from a catapult, jammed together
-without power of movement, then pushed forward again by
-the masses in the rear.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy soon disappeared. Stephen was yards in front,
-separated from me by hundreds of yelling madmen. I was
-panting and breathless, and felt as if some one had beaten
-me well with a stout stick.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A man just before me--a small, pale man with
-wide-open, frightened eyes--went down, and was lost in the
-crowd; it was like dropping a pin.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Had his life been worth the value of the universe, no
-one could have saved him; as it was, he simply dropped,
-like a stone into the water, and the crowd pressed over
-him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">To add to the uproar, the tocsin sounded, and everywhere
-it seemed as if the soldiers were discharging their
-muskets.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In one street people were busy erecting a barricade.
-The head of the crowd, seeing this, wished to turn back;
-they might as well have tried to turn the stars in their
-course.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The street was narrow and sloping; unfortunately, we
-shot into it from the higher end, and there was no stopping.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Those in front raised a cry of despair as they were hurled
-against the half-built barricade, the workers on the other
-side of which ran into the houses, while the living torrent
-swept on.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Crash went the structure--logs of wood, bodies of
-carts, stuffed sacks, piles of stones, and human beings all
-mingled together! I caught a brief glimpse of Stephen
-wedged into the corner of a doorway, looking as if he
-would be squeezed to death, but there was no helping him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was off my feet, supported only by the bodies of my
-nearest companions, one of whom moaned in pain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Through the <em class="italics">débris</em> we were hurled, swept round the
-corner to the left, and dropped, panting and bruised and
-battered, in the Place of St. Stephen.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="a-soldier-of-the-right-sort">CHAPTER II.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">A SOLDIER OF THE RIGHT SORT.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">I stood for several minutes between the palace and the
-great church trying to draw some breath into my
-lungs, for the pressure of the crowd had left me like a
-squeezed lemon.</p>
-<p class="pnext">To search for the missing Rakoczy was useless labour,
-but it might be possible to return to the narrow street
-where I had last seen my brother.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I soon discovered, however, that the short delay had put
-that also out of the question. The people were pouring
-into the Place; and, though the terrible stress had been
-lessened, I was still a prisoner, blocked in on all sides by
-the tumultuous throng.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The huge bell in the tower of St. Stephen's clanged out
-its brazen peals of warning and menace, and a sharp
-musketry fire told me that fierce fighting was going on
-in the very shadow of the sacred edifice.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A handful of loyal National Guards, faithful to their
-oaths, and led by a brave commander, were, like good men
-and true, sacrificing their lives in the performance of duty.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Of course, the contest was a hopeless one; but the men
-stood their ground bravely, and I guessed from the savage
-cries of the rioters that the faithful few were selling their
-lives dearly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From where I stood nothing could be seen save the
-heads of the populace; but the surging of the crowd
-backward and forward showed how the fight progressed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Clang! clang! pealed the great bell, swinging high in
-the air, while below the whirr and rattle of musketry
-mingled with the frantic shouts of the people.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A louder yell than usual proclaimed that something
-decisive had occurred, and soon the news spread to the
-very outermost of the packed onlookers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Now they have them! Into the church! Follow
-them up! Well done, brave Nationals! Well done,
-students! Now we'll see who's to be master!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was even so. The gallant band, overwhelmed by
-numbers, had fallen back foot by foot, until the insurgents
-by one wild rush had forced them into the cathedral,
-where their leader was slain on the high altar itself.</p>
-<p class="pnext">All this I learned only from the conversation of the
-people, being unable to see anything for myself.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But from what happened next I might easily have
-known the end had come.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From the middle of the throng a cry rose, and the
-multitude in their thousands took it up, shouting wildly,
-"Latour! Death to Latour!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">This way and that they rushed, some to the south, some
-to the north of the Place, seeking any outlet which would
-lead them to the hôtel of the minister of war.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In an instant I was caught up and hurried off out of
-the Place, across a wide street, then into a network of
-narrow ones, until I was stopped with the rest in front
-of the hôtel where lived Count Latour.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Was he still there? There had been ample time for
-escape, and I hoped against hope that he had taken
-advantage of it; but, remembering the calm, proud face
-of the man, I had my doubts.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The gates were closed; the soldiers, scanty in numbers
-but well disciplined, stood at their posts, eyeing the frenzied
-mob with contempt.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Some of the students at once opened fire; the soldiers
-replied, and, the target being so broad, every bullet lodged
-somewhere.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Inside the building Count Latour was holding a council
-of war, and the members, fearful lest in the growing excitement
-the monarchy itself should be swept away, prevailed
-on him to issue the order to cease firing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This of course paralyzed the action of the loyal troops,
-both at the hôtel and at the barracks, while the spirits of
-the rebels were proportionately raised.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From the conversation of those near me, I gathered that
-their surprise was equal to their delight, but they gave no
-thought to the humanity of those in power.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fearful cry, "Death to Latour!" was again raised.
-The gates were threatened. The soldiers, prevented from
-firing by the order of the council, were unable to act.
-Fresh bodies of rioters came swarming from various
-directions. The pressure grew terrible; the gates--I suppose,
-as I could see nothing--gave way; the courtyard was
-filled with the noisy, shouting, bloodthirsty pack; the
-doors of the great building were smashed like glass; and
-the crowd, screaming and struggling, surged up the broad
-staircase.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the first rush some were thrown violently against
-the outer walls; others, by no power of their own, were
-carried into the interior of the building, and fate so willed
-that I belonged to the latter portion. The name of the
-gallant old count was on the lips of every one, as if he
-were responsible for all the ills in the world, so easy is it
-to inflame the passions of a mob which does not think for
-itself.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was on the first landing that we received a slight
-check.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A few National Guards, still loyal to their pledges,
-attempted to stem the human torrent. Their success
-was only momentary, and they were borne back, but not
-dispersed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here the crowd broke up, some running one way, some
-another, but all intent on killing Count Latour.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I followed the Nationals, thinking they would most
-likely retire in the direction of the council chamber.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This they did, and that apartment was speedily filled.
-I caught a glimpse of Latour, round whom the handful of
-loyalists pressed. His face was pale; otherwise he showed
-no sign of fear, but gazed calmly on the throng of butchers.
-Once he made an attempt to speak, but his words were
-drowned in the tumult.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Kill Latour!" was the savage cry. Beyond that one
-scarcely heard anything.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, the brave Nationals resolved to make a fight
-of it, and by a stroke of great good fortune I managed
-to join them.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Long live Latour! Long live the gallant count!" I
-cried, with all the strength of my lungs, and his defenders
-echoed the cry.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But the others drowned our shouts with "Kill Latour!"
-and one man, towering above the rest, sprang at the count
-with uplifted axe.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was the burly ruffian who had walked with us a
-short time in the morning, and at sight of me his face
-grew black as a thunder-cloud.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Traitor!" he shouted, and, swinging round, aimed his
-axe full at my head.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There was little time for action, much less for thought;
-but, having my pistol free, I levelled it swiftly, and shot
-the truculent bully dead.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The count threw me a glance of gratitude mingled with
-pity; and in truth it appeared as if I needed the latter.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The insurgents rushed at us, bore us back, flung themselves
-into our midst, and, acting like wedges, split us into
-small groups.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I found myself in front of Latour, where the fighting
-was fiercest, and emptied my pistol recklessly into the crowd.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The bullets cleared a space, but it was soon reoccupied.
-Most of the loyalists were overpowered and disarmed, and
-now their opponents came to help seize Latour.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Planting my feet firmly on the ground, I stood by the
-side of the veteran, and did my best to save him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The attempt failed; it was hopeless from the start, and
-the end came very suddenly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There were scarcely half a dozen of us all told, standing
-shoulder to shoulder, to stay the rush, and we toppled
-over like so many wooden pegs.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I lay on the floor half stunned, with the body of a man
-right across my chest. He was badly hurt, and kept
-moaning feebly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For several minutes I was unable to rise, or even to
-move, and during that time the noise of the fighting grew
-less and less distinct, finally dying away altogether.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The shouts of the populace, however, continued to ascend
-from the courtyard, and could be plainly heard through
-the open windows.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As soon as I had recovered a little strength, I shifted
-the wounded man gently, and stood up.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The rioters had left the apartment; only the dead and
-those seriously injured remained, and amongst these I
-looked in vain for Latour.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Had they spared his life? The idea seemed too good
-for truth, but it was just possible.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Picking up an abandoned sword, I made my way from
-the chamber to the staircase. Several bodies lay where
-they had fallen; otherwise the place was empty.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I ran down to the first landing, and overtook a frightened,
-pale-faced man--a servant, probably, belonging to the
-hôtel. The fellow looked at me with such a comical
-expression of woe, that, in spite of the day's work, I could
-hardly refrain from laughing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There's nothing to be afraid of," I said, slapping him
-on the shoulder. "I'm not going to eat you. What have
-the rebels done with Count Latour?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">The man's eyes opened wider than before. He bowed his
-head and mumbled some words which I could not understand.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Speak up!" I cried sharply, "or, by the honour of a
-Botskay, I'll throw you over the balustrade."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The threat reduced him to a state bordering on
-imbecility. He made no attempt to speak, but, plucking at
-my cloak like a chidden dog, led me into a small chamber
-having a window which overlooked the courtyard.</p>
-<p class="pnext">What I saw there held me spellbound; and the man,
-seeing he was no longer noticed, quietly slipped off.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Outside, Count Latour, the minister of war, the veteran
-general who had carried the black and yellow flag to
-victory a score of times, who over and over again had
-risked his life to uphold the honour of his country, hung,
-battered and dead, suspended from a lamp-post.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The mob still lingered about, but in smaller numbers;
-the most violent had departed to pursue their work of
-butchery elsewhere.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Many of the disloyal National Guards, who found it
-easier work to insult a dead man than to combat a living
-one, swaggered about, looking fierce and truculent. Some
-decently-dressed citizens regarded the murdered count, it
-appeared to me, with pity and sorrow; even to some
-of the insurgents remorse had come with terrible swiftness.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The students and men of the slums had gone--the
-former to fight, the latter most likely to plunder. More
-peaceable people helped to fill up the gap thus caused.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I left the room and descended the stairs slowly, thinking
-of Stephen. Where was he? Had he been killed by
-that terrible crush in the narrow street? Perhaps he was
-still there, hurt and unable to move. I must go and
-find out.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On the lower part of the staircase I met numbers of
-citizens coming to view the scene of the struggle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I stood aside to let them pass, and they, recognizing
-my nationality, saluted me with the cry of "Long live
-Hungary!" I thought of the dead man outside, and the
-blood surged to my face.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In the courtyard there was room to move freely, and,
-anxious on my brother's account, I was hurrying away,
-when the sound of a girl's voice coming from the left
-caused me to stop.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A low, angry growl from a section of the onlookers
-told me something was wrong, and I ran to the spot.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A young girl, evidently of high birth, stood facing a
-group of Nationals. Her head was uncovered, and her
-hair hung down her back in a thick, wavy, chestnut-coloured
-mass. She had a beautiful face, sweet and fresh
-as the morning; her features were regular and refined;
-her dark-blue eyes were of wonderful depth and expression.</p>
-<p class="pnext">She was slightly, almost delicately framed, and little
-more than a child in years; but the inherited pride of
-centuries burned in her face, and she confronted the citizen
-soldiers fearlessly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Standing erect, with her head thrown back defiantly,
-she pointed to the body of the murdered man, and, with
-a superb gesture of scorn, exclaimed in a ringing voice,
-"You pitiful cowards!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">The crowd murmured, some in sympathy, others in
-anger. Several of the Nationals moved as if to chastise
-the speaker, but she did not quail.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One, a bigger poltroon than his fellows, placed his hand
-on her arm; but at that instant I sprang to the girl's side
-and sent the aggressor sprawling.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It is true!" I cried recklessly. "You are a pack of
-cowards to murder an aged and unarmed man!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A Hungarian and a traitor!" shouted a voice from
-the crowd.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"No traitor," I replied, "as I hope my sword may prove;
-but no assassin either."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Don't be a fool," said the unseen speaker, but using
-now the Hungarian tongue. "What is the daughter of
-an Austrian noble to you? These others are our friends,
-and they have done no worse than we did in Pesth."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Knock him on the head, and the girl too!" cried one
-of the soldiers; but he kept clear of the sword which I
-had brought from the council chamber.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Leave me, sir," implored the high-spirited girl. "The
-butchers will kill you. I do not fear them."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I looked at her in smiling admiration, and said, "A
-Magyar does not leave a lady in distress. Permit me to
-take you away from this crowd."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Thinking perhaps of my danger, she shuddered slightly,
-and passed her arm within mine, while I prepared to
-guard her with my life.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We might have escaped without further trouble, but
-for the action of one of the Nationals, who, angered by the
-girl's taunts, threw himself across our path.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I requested him to stand back, but he refused insolently,
-and endeavoured to run me through with his bayonet.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At this several of his comrades came to his assistance,
-and there was nothing for it but to cut my way out.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Some of the citizens now interfered, crying "Shame"
-on the soldiers for attacking a girl; and, while our
-opponents stood undecided, I received a welcome though
-unexpected reinforcement.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There was a movement in the crowd as of a person
-pushing his way through; and all at once I beheld my
-brother, who, crying, "A Botskay to the rescue!" sprang
-between us and the soldiers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In either hand he held a loaded pistol, and there was an
-air of determination in his handsome face which showed
-he would not hesitate to fire.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had just told the girl who the newcomer was, when a
-second man broke through the crowd and joined us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A giant of a fellow he was, wearing a round hat and
-furred coat, and carrying in his hand a ponderous club
-which would have crushed the skull of an ox.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My fair companion cried delightedly, "Franz! Franz!"
-and the man bowed to her with an air of respectful
-deference.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His countenance was of a ruddy colour, his hair sandy;
-he had pleasant blue eyes, a cheerful face, and the massive
-limbs of an athlete.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Make way there!" he cried, twirling his tremendous
-club as if it had been a soldier's cane; "make way there
-for the Fräulein von Arnstein!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">A portion of the spectators, crying, "Room for the
-Fräulein von Arnstein!" hustled the soldiers, who, being
-pressed by Franz and Stephen, sullenly began to give
-ground.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The movement was very slow, and we had not made
-much progress when a young man rode into the courtyard,
-and was received with round after round of cheering.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was dressed in civilian costume, but wore in addition
-a broad red sash and a red cockade in his hat.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Who or what he was I did not know, but he was
-plainly a person of importance amongst the rebels.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At sight of our companion his face expressed the
-broadest astonishment, and leaping to the ground he
-advanced quickly towards her.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Speaking in a soft, silky voice and using polished,
-well-turned phrases, he expressed his regret at the conduct of
-the Nationals, and offered to accompany her home.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You will encounter neither danger nor insult while
-with me," he concluded smilingly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The girl looked at him in genuine scorn.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Your offer comes too late," she said coldly. "These
-two gentlemen and my servant Franz are ready to protect
-me from all the cut-throats in Vienna, either in or out of
-uniform."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The stranger's face turned white, but his eyes burned
-like fire, and I prepared for mischief.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He controlled his passion, however, bowed low, and
-made a sign to the Nationals, who stood back, leaving the
-way to the gates clear.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As for the girl, she took no further notice of him, but,
-still leaning on my arm, walked out haughtily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Franz marched in front with his club, Stephen, who
-had replaced his pistols, followed, while we two brought
-up the rear.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was difficult to carry on a conversation, owing to the
-shouting; and indeed it suited me well enough to walk in
-silence, and to glance from time to time at the face of my
-beautiful companion.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At last Franz stopped before a large house, and the
-fräulein, making a gracious inclination of the head, begged
-us to enter, that her mother might thank us for what
-we had done.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen, who cared little for the society of ladies,
-would have declined the honour, but I did not give him
-the chance, thanking her myself for her courtesy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">So the three of us--the lady leading--passed over the
-threshold, and, traversing a wide hall, mounted a stately
-staircase, which led to a magnificent apartment, as
-sumptuously furnished as any I had seen in Paris.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here we were left by our charming guide, who,
-however, shortly returned with an older lady, grave and
-ceremonious, but no doubt kindly at heart.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This was the Baroness von Arnstein, the mother of the
-proud yet dainty girl, whom she called Theresa, and the
-wife of an officer highly placed in the army commanded
-by Prince Windischgratz.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The baroness listened to her daughter's story, and at
-the end thanked us for having, as she was pleased to say,
-saved her child's life.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Having passed an hour very pleasantly, and promised
-to repeat our visit, we took our leave of the ladies, and
-once more found ourselves in the streets of the excited
-city.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was late evening now, and rapidly growing dusk;
-but the people were still abroad, shouting, singing the
-French Marseillaise, and congratulating each other on the
-result of the day's doings.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Many, however, occupied the time in far different
-fashion. Some paid visits to the principal shops,
-especially to those containing food or weapons, which they
-promptly seized. Others, with an eye to the future, were
-erecting barricades or strengthening old ones, and trying
-to put the city in a state of defence.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Imbeciles!" exclaimed Stephen angrily. "When
-Windischgratz arrives he will knock the place about
-their ears. I wonder what has become of Rakoczy."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"She has the most beautiful eyes," I murmured, pursuing
-my own train of thought, "and of the loveliest blue.
-And what remarkable bravery to be shown by a girl so
-young!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Remarkable folly," replied my brother, "if you are
-speaking of the Austrian maid; but enough of her. Let
-us think of Rakoczy. The poor fellow may be dead, or
-sorely needing our help."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"If so, he will take some finding. I haven't seen him
-since we left the bridge; but I don't think 'The Joyous'
-will come to any harm. Look at that red light in the
-sky! There is a big fire somewhere."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It is at the arsenal, my brave Hungarians!" said a
-wild-looking fellow staggering along beneath a load of
-plunder. "The students are attacking the arsenal.
-Never fear, my boys! We'll soon give you your independence!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">This speech was particularly galling to Stephen, who
-moved on quickly, saying, "Come, George; it is likely we
-shall find Rakoczy there."</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was difficult to get near the arsenal, as the streets
-were crowded, and from some we had to turn back, owing
-to the erection of barricades.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were hungry, too, having eaten nothing since the
-early morning; and seeing an open café, I persuaded
-Stephen to enter. The place was dirty, and the food not
-the best; but hunger is a good sauce, and we ate what was
-set before us without complaining.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From the talk of the men in the café we learned that
-the soldiers guarding the arsenal were making a stout
-fight against the students and National Guards, though,
-unless reinforcements arrived, they were certain to be
-overpowered by numbers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well," said one fellow, chuckling, "we have our
-revolution at last. There's no drawing back for the
-faint-hearts now."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Latour's death has let them in up to the neck," said
-another. "They'll find it mighty hard to pull out of
-that bog!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And a good job too!" replied the first speaker. "What's
-the use of making a revolution in kid gloves? Strike
-while the iron's hot is my motto. Why should we stop at
-Latour when there's bigger game to be found at
-Schönbrunn? Why not--"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Fortunately by this time we had finished our meal, and
-were moving to the door; so, linking my arm in Stephen's,
-I led him out hastily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Though the government called him a Hungarian rebel,
-he had scanty sympathy with Austrian republicans, and I
-feared an explosion which would do little good.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Once outside the shop, we forgot the incident in looking
-at the sky, which, near the arsenal, had now become a
-deep-red colour, made more intensely vivid by the
-increasing darkness.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The building's on fire!" I said. "The garrison will
-have to surrender."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Unless the sparks fall on the powder-magazine, and
-then--"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It will be farewell both to soldiers and students!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">A man whose face was blackened by powder, came up
-the street shouting, "The arsenal's captured! Cheers for
-the brave students!" and immediately the people set off
-running.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Let us go too!" said Stephen. "It is possible we
-may find our friend;" and I, knowing how irresistibly a
-fight attracted "John the Joyous," willingly agreed.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="the-insurrection-in-full-swing">CHAPTER III.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">THE INSURRECTION IN FULL SWING.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">For some time the flames from the burning building
-leaped high into the heavens, and, spreading out, lit
-an immense area by their glow; but gradually the vivid
-red grew paler, and we concluded that the insurgents,
-having captured the arsenal, were now trying to extinguish
-the fire.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A nearer view, however, made it plain that our
-informant had brought false news, as the garrison still
-maintained a fierce fight against the students and the
-National Guards. The scene was more striking even than
-that at the hôtel of the minister of war. The darkness
-of the night was illumined by the flames which continually
-burst forth from one part of the arsenal, while the flashes
-from hundreds of rifles showed that the roofs and windows
-of the adjoining houses were occupied by the insurgents.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Not much chance for the garrison," I said. "All
-these houses command the arsenal."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Still the unequal contest continued; the soldiers stuck
-to their posts, and while some threw water on the flames,
-the others returned the fire of the rioters.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The sharp-shooters on the roofs and at the windows
-suffered little, but their allies in the street, being more
-exposed, by no means escaped lightly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">All through the night the struggle lasted, but between
-five and six o'clock in the morning it became plain to
-every one that the powder-magazine was in imminent
-danger of being blown up.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then the brave garrison agreed to an honourable
-capitulation; and as they marched out, the people, with
-savage cries of triumph, flung themselves into the building.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The students and many of the National Guards did
-their utmost to save the magazine; of the others, some
-sought for weapons, while the remainder appeared bent
-solely upon destruction.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After a tremendous amount of work, the fire was got
-under, but really I expected to see it break out again in a
-dozen different places.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The more foolish of the rioters played the strangest
-antics, and having obtained both rifles and ammunition,
-found pleasure in firing them at anybody or anything.</p>
-<p class="pnext">All the treasures were brought into the streets, and the
-swords of the great Scanderbeg and Prince Eugene became
-the property of men of the lowest classes.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We saw, without being able to prevent it, the helmet of
-that Francis the First who was taken prisoner at the battle
-of Pavia, tossed from one to the other of the ignorant mob,
-and watched the destruction of the armour once worn by
-the mighty Wallenstein and the faithful Daun.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We could not find Rakoczy; so, after searching a long
-while, we decided on returning to our lodging.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The streets were less crowded now than they had been
-during the last twenty-four hours. Numbers of people,
-tired by the fighting and excitement, had gone to rest;
-others, shocked by the excesses committed, had withdrawn;
-and indeed the broadening daylight made every one look
-more or less ashamed of the night's events.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From the talk of the rioters we learned that the emperor
-had left Schönbrunn with his family for Olmutz, and that
-Count Auersperg had sent four thousand troops to form an
-escort. The rest of the army had been stationed in the
-gardens of the Schwartzenberg and Belvidere palaces on
-heights commanding the city.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But for the order to cease firing, these same soldiers
-would most likely have nipped the insurrection in the
-bud.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Still we did not meet Rakoczy; but a scrap of paper
-pushed beneath the door of our room relieved our anxiety
-concerning him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"8 a.m.--Call again later. Don't leave before seeing
-me.--J.R."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Now we can go to bed with easy minds," I said, passing
-the paper to Stephen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were both exceedingly tired, and having once fallen
-asleep, knew nothing further till awakened by a loud
-knocking.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Rakoczy," murmured Stephen lazily. "Let him in,
-George. There's no more rest for us."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The Joyous" now began to troll forth a Magyar hunting-song,
-and the sound of the rich, full notes put all sleep to
-flight. Dressing hastily, I went into the sitting-room and
-opened the door.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Street fighting and loss of sleep appeared to have little
-effect on our companion. His handsome face was bright
-and cheerful as usual, and bidding me finish my toilet,
-he continued his song.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"So the insurgents carried out their threat?" I said,
-when, some time later, the three of us sat down to
-dinner.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy nodded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Heard the news at the arsenal?" he asked. "What a
-rush it was! The crowd swept me away like a chip in
-the Danube. And as to getting back; there wasn't the
-slightest chance."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We were separated too," said Stephen, "but met again
-in front of the hôtel. George had quite an adventure.
-Rescued a royalist maiden from the mob; quite like a
-hero of romance."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A charming girl--the daughter of Baron von Arnstein.
-But Stephen has left out his share of the business;" and I
-straightway related all that had happened.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Fortunate youngsters," said Rakoczy. "And a plucky
-girl. We shall soon be looking for an Austro-Hungarian
-alliance. I have some news, too, though not as pleasant
-as yours. Count Beula is in the city."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What of that?" asked Stephen coldly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A great deal. He is the head of the Hungarian Committee
-formed to aid the Viennese in their insurrection."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The work ought to suit him," I said carelessly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"So it will till the Austrians recapture the town; then
-he'll change sides fast enough."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Very likely," said Rakoczy. "But that isn't the point.
-At present the rebels are victorious, and Count Beula is a
-man of importance."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, it has nothing to do with us," observed Stephen
-rather crossly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Wrong again, my boy. By virtue of his office, he
-orders you to appear before the committee this very
-evening;" and the speaker took a printed paper from
-his pocket.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen tore the document in halves, and threw the
-pieces on the floor.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I won't go!" he exclaimed haughtily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes, you will."</p>
-<p class="pnext">My brother sprang to his feet. His face was crimson,
-and he angrily demanded what Rakoczy meant.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Don't lose your temper. The explanation's simple.
-Unless you attend, the committee will brand you either
-coward or traitor."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Rakoczy is right, Stephen. My advice is to go and
-hear what the count has to say."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen examined his pistols and reached down his sword.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Very well," he answered grimly; "but I'm afraid the
-meeting won't be any the pleasanter for my company.
-When do we start?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The Joyous" laughed genially.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Not for a couple of hours yet; but if you're tired of
-the house we can take a stroll through the town."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen and I considered this a good suggestion, so,
-having locked the door, we went out on a tour of inspection.</p>
-<p class="pnext">By this time there was no mistaking the fact that the
-city proper was completely in the hands of the insurgents.
-The tricolour floated over the principal buildings; the
-National Guards patrolled the streets, and directed the
-operations of the people who worked feverishly at the
-strengthening of the barricades; the gates were guarded
-by armed students enrolled as soldiers. Of the imperial
-government not a trace seemed to be left.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Turning back from the Scotch Gate, Rakoczy led us
-through several streets, and finally stopped before a house
-which, outwardly at least, differed in no wise from its
-neighbours.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our guide, speaking a word to the doorkeeper, led the
-way into an ordinary passage, at the farther end of which
-a second janitor directed us to a large room.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several men had already assembled, and others came
-afterwards, bringing up the number to perhaps twenty.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They sat in rows facing a raised desk, and we,
-being of modest dispositions, took our seats right at the
-back.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"How long before the mummery begins?" asked Stephen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Don't know. Never was here before. Expect they're
-waiting for the count. Choice company some of these
-gentlemen, eh?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Half of them, at least, are not Hungarians," I said.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Friends of Hungary, my boy. A few Magyars like
-Beula, half a dozen Poles, several Italians from the
-Austrian provinces, a German or two from Munich, and a red
-republican from Paris. Here comes the count;" and a
-hum of applause greeted the president as he took his place
-at the desk.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was a man about Rakoczy's age, a true Magyar in
-appearance, richly dressed, and exhibiting an air of easy
-self-assurance which suited him well.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As soon as the applause subsided, he rose and began in
-German to congratulate his associates on the triumph of
-the revolution. The emperor, he said, was a fugitive, the
-empire destroyed; henceforth the Austrians were a free
-people, and the brave Hungarians would hold out to them
-the right hand of brotherhood.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This statement produced frantic cheering, and the president
-had some difficulty in restoring quiet.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Much yet remained to be done, he continued; but before
-opening the regular business he had a pleasing duty to
-perform, to welcome to that meeting, in the name of the
-committee, three Hungarians, the possessors of glorious
-names--names that would endure while Hungary remained a nation.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This harangue had exhausted Stephen's patience, and
-when the speaker went on to glorify the actions of bygone
-Rakoczys and Botskays, he sprang to his feet.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Now for a thunder-clap!" exclaimed my companion.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Unlike the president, Stephen spoke in the Hungarian
-tongue, which prevented the majority of his hearers from
-understanding a word he said.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The others, however, did not miss a syllable, as their
-angry faces showed, and the hand of more than one man
-played ominously with his weapons. But Stephen, in his
-passion, heeded nothing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I am a Hungarian, but not an assassin!" he cried
-boldly. "We will fight the Austrians on the field of
-battle as long as any of you; but we won't help to
-slaughter defenceless old men, nor butcher brave soldiers
-on the altar of God. Magyars, I am ashamed of you!
-Has the ancient spirit descended so low as to find cause
-for satisfaction in a brutal murder? Let the Viennese
-fight out their own quarrel; Hungary is strong enough to
-stand alone."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"My brother is right!" I cried, before the men could
-recover from their astonishment. "Only last evening I
-stood by the side of Count Latour when he was hacked to
-death by brutal savages who shouted, 'Long live
-Hungary!' Have we not been shamed enough by the riff-raff
-of our own people in Pesth? In the olden days we met
-our foes in the open. If we have not the courage to do so
-now, let us be quiet, and not try to screen ourselves behind
-a petty squabble in the Austrian capital."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I," said Rakoczy, in his musical voice, "am a Magyar
-of the Magyars. I fight against Ferdinand the emperor,
-who takes from us our privileges; but Ferdinand the king
-is the lawful ruler of Hungary, and when he restores our
-rights I shall hold that man a traitor who raises his voice
-against him."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well spoken!" cried Stephen.--"And now, Count
-Beula, President of the Committee and slaughterer of
-old men, you know what at least three Hungarians
-think."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Before he had finished speaking, a dozen men placed
-themselves between us and the door to bar our passage.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Are we to be your next victims?" asked Stephen
-scornfully. "Well, every man to his trade."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy had levelled his pistols, and I followed his
-example, though nearly a score against three made long
-odds. Fortunately the threatened struggle was prevented
-by Count Beula, who ordered his men to let us go.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They will not escape their punishment," he said. "The
-nation shall judge them."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"As it shall judge you," I answered.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Come," said Rakoczy, taking my arm; "let us leave
-before your brother starts on the war-path again."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The next thing," I remarked, when we were again in
-the street, "is to get away from Vienna. It seems to
-me that we are in an awkward fix. The imperialists
-will probably kill us because we are Hungarians, and the
-insurgents because we are not."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We can go to-morrow, unless the count has given
-orders to arrest us at the gates."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Perhaps it will be better," exclaimed Stephen. "I am
-tired of Vienna."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I hope the fräulein will not be hurt in the scuffle."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Why not stay behind to protect her?" said Rakoczy
-in his laughing way, little dreaming that we should all
-three be compelled to remain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Yet that is what happened, as the next morning the
-gates were zealously guarded, and we tried in vain to pass.
-It was rumoured that Jellachich, the Ban of Croatia, had
-arrived within a few hours' march of the town, and the
-insurgents were taking extraordinary precautions.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Guns were placed above the gates, and men stood near
-with lighted matches; National Guards patrolled everywhere;
-ten thousand men--students, Nationals, men in
-blouses, and coatless artisans with upturned shirt-sleeves--lined
-the ramparts; crowds thronged the steeples, gazing
-earnestly for the first signs of the savage Croats.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We spent the day in ineffectual efforts to leave the
-capital, and on trying again the next morning found we
-had lost the last chance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Jellachich was actually in sight, and from the roofs of
-the lofty buildings we could see the varied uniforms of
-his motley army.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The red caps of the Illyrians, the grey blouses of the
-Seregranes, and the scarlet mantles of the Croats, formed
-a portion of the picture, while in the background could be
-distinguished the imperial uniform of the Austrian cavalry
-and artillery.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"No running away now," I said. "We must stay and
-see the end of it."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy laughed. His main regret was that we had no
-part in the approaching conflict.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"If the Viennese really hold out," Stephen said, "there
-will be plenty to be done in caring for the wounded, and
-we will help in that."</p>
-<p class="pnext">For the next three or four days the city was in a state
-of suppressed excitement. Of course the air was thick
-with rumours, mostly ridiculous, but eagerly believed by
-the credulous burghers. Meanwhile only one thing was
-certain--that Jellachich, changing his position, had joined
-Count Auersperg in the Belvidere Gardens.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They'll wait for Prince Windischgratz, who can bring
-twenty thousand men from Bohemia," said Rakoczy, "and
-then good-bye to the insurrection."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Since the terrible evening when Latour lost his life, the
-insurgents had refrained from violence; and although many
-robberies were committed, the disorder was far less than
-we had expected.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Every day I walked past the residence of the Baroness
-von Arnstein, but all was quiet there, and once I met the
-ladies returning without escort from a visit to some
-friends.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The baroness greeted me kindly, but with a certain
-haughtiness which was entirely absent from the behaviour
-of her daughter, who showed frankly that she was pleased
-to see me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You have not paid us your promised visit yet," she said;
-"but perhaps you are too busy? No? Then we shall
-expect you to come with your brother."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen did not greatly appreciate the honour, but he
-consented to go, and we passed several very pleasant
-evenings with the Austrian ladies.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Of Count Beula and his committee we saw nothing more--they
-were busy making speeches; but Rakoczy, in case
-of accidents, obtained from Messenhauser, the Viennese
-commander-in-chief, a document which gave us, as
-non-combatants, the right to assist the wounded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A fortnight now passed without incident, except for
-the arrival of Joseph Bern, the famous Polish general, who
-instantly set about the work of defence.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A marvellous man!" said Rakoczy one evening. "Over
-fifty years old, yet hot-headed as a boy. You should see
-him in a battle with the shells bursting and the bullets
-coming down like hail. He's a regular salamander, and
-the hotter the fire the better Bern is pleased."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He certainly knows how to make the men work."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Isn't there some gipsy prophecy concerning him?" asked
-Stephen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes, and Bern believes in the truth of it. An old
-woman told his fortune many years ago, and prophesied
-he would never come to any harm till 1850. His body
-is covered with scars, but Bern doesn't count these. The
-Poles are fanatical about him, and believe he can't be
-killed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"If the Austrians catch him," said Stephen, "they will
-put it to the test by means of a hempen rope."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Rather a risky experiment, for Bern," replied our
-companion with a humorous twinkle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">That same night Prince Windischgratz arrived with a
-fresh army, twenty thousand strong; and, having joined
-his colleagues, he summoned the city to surrender.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The reply was a curt refusal, and the citizens prepared
-for the ordeal of battle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Three more days passed quietly while the royalists
-placed their guns in position; then, at ten o'clock on the
-morning of October 28, 1848, the tocsin rang loudly, and
-the <em class="italics">générale</em> beat to arms. Instantly the citizens ran to
-their appointed places, and it must be admitted that very
-few showed traces of fear or cowardice. The men in
-blouses, accompanied by hundreds of women and girls,
-guarded the barricades; the students formed up on the
-ramparts, where all night they had lain by the long line
-of watch-fires; and the Nationals, rifle in hand, marched
-to their stations.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was nearly noon when a signal-shot was fired from
-the Schwartzenberg heights, and immediately the bombardment
-began.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Shot and shell and flaming rockets came hissing and
-roaring into the city; but the civilian gunners stood to
-their pieces, and answered shot by shot, though without
-doing much damage to their opponents.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was soon seen that the principal attack would be
-made by way of the Leopoldstadt and Landstrasse suburbs,
-to the former of which I hastened with my brother and
-Rakoczy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Croats and Chasseurs had already reached the
-Prater, from the houses and woods of which they poured
-a hot musketry fire upon the defenders of the first
-barricade. Men dropped fast, and we were soon busy
-carrying those who were seriously wounded into places of
-safety, where their hurts might be attended to by the
-surgeons.</p>
-<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 63%" id="figure-34">
-<span id="from-the-woods-they-poured-a-hot-musketry-fire-upon-the-defenders"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-054.jpg" />
-<div class="caption figure">
-"<em class="italics">From the woods they poured a hot musketry fire upon the defenders.</em>" Page 54.]</div>
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">The bullets fell thickly around us while we ran here
-and there with flasks of water to moisten the parched
-throats of the stricken men.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Some, alas! were dying, and for these we could do
-little but cheer their last moments; others, who possessed
-a chance of recovery, we raised in our arms and bore
-tenderly away.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We had just returned from one of these sad errands
-when Rakoczy, seeing a fallen body on the top of the
-barricade, immediately climbed up in order to examine it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We paused in our work to watch the handsome, bright-eyed
-fellow as he stood there, quite cool, the target for
-hundreds of rifles.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The insurgents, understanding his action, cheered and
-cheered again as he bent over the motionless body; but
-his heroism was useless--the man was dead.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rising slowly, the brave Rakoczy stood for a second,
-glancing toward the Prater, then returned to us untouched.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Dead," he said briefly; "and the Austrians are
-preparing for a rush."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen glanced at the handful of insurgents who still
-fought doggedly, but their time was almost come.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A savage cry heralded the onslaught of the Croats,
-those hardy fighters from the south; and five minutes
-later the defenders of the barricade were in full flight,
-leaving behind only their wounded and dead.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At first I thought of retreating also; but "The Joyous"
-was already giving aid to another sufferer, and the sight
-of his calm face brought me to my senses.</p>
-<p class="pnext">So we three stayed, doing what we could; and almost
-immediately the enemy were upon us, leaping, shouting,
-tiring, and cheering like a body of savages.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A wild-looking lot they were, having little uniform,
-save the famous red mantle which hung loosely over the
-shoulders, and was fastened round the throat with a small
-cord.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For the rest, speaking generally, their costume was a
-dark cap carelessly placed on the side of the head, rough
-brown jacket almost threadbare, drawers tied in at the
-knees, gaiters, and clumsy-looking sandals fastened with
-strips of leather. Most of them wore a gay-coloured sash,
-and all were armed with the weapons peculiar to their
-country.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Each man carried a stanitza or long gun, a long and
-ornamented pistol, a cartouch-box on his shoulder-belt, and,
-in a richly-embroidered sheath, a handjar, which is half
-yataghan and half carving-knife.</p>
-<p class="pnext">You may be sure I did not see all these things as the
-redoubtable warriors came swarming over the barricade,
-but later I had ample opportunity of studying the weapons
-of the Ban's soldiers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After them marched a regiment of Austrian infantry,
-well disciplined and steady as a rock.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As the Croats went by, I expected every second to be
-shot through the head, or to feel one of the murderous
-handjars in my throat; but I continued my labour, at
-least with outward calm. Happily, the Viennese had left
-the adjoining houses empty, so there was nothing to hinder
-the imperialists from advancing, or to further excite their
-passions.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Croats swept by like a furious whirlwind, the
-Austrians followed more steadily, and we were left to our
-self-imposed task.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When the enemy had disappeared, dozens of women and
-men not engaged in the fight came from their hiding-places,
-and we were surrounded by a band of willing helpers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The dead we left where they had fallen, for time was
-precious; but the others were all removed into the houses,
-and made as comfortable as possible till the surgeons
-arrived.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We had just finished our work, and were resting a while,
-when the booming of cannon sounded not far off.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They're taking the second barricade!" I exclaimed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It will cost them dear," said Rakoczy; "Bern is there!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Let us go and see," said Stephen; "we may be of use."</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="vienna-in-flames">CHAPTER IV.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">VIENNA IN FLAMES.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">For the second time the Croats were about to hurl
-themselves against the barricade defended by the
-daring Pole. A cluster of bodies twenty yards in advance
-of it showed where the first rush had been stayed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The black nozzles of several guns peeped from the huge
-pile, and the gunners stood ready with lighted matches.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Looking at Bern, I remembered Rakoczy's story, and
-really it appeared as if the man were bullet-proof. Others
-exposed themselves for a moment, and were shot down;
-he, holding a short riding-whip in his hand, stood with
-the most perfect <em class="italics">sang-froid</em> in the hottest of the fire,
-cheering, directing, encouraging, and was not hit once.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I should have
-doubted a narrator who told me the story, for the thing
-was almost incredible even to an eye-witness.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But the Croats were ready. The signal rang out; they
-went forward in loose formation, slowly at first, afterwards
-more quickly, a few dropping by the way. Then, with an
-appalling yell, they literally flew over the ground,
-brandishing their handjars.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Once at close quarters, the Viennese would go down
-before them like ripe corn beneath the sickle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Austrians in reserve cheered. Another minute and
-their allies would be swarming over the barricade, when
-suddenly, from the mouths of Bern's heavy guns, belched
-sheets of flame. There came a tremendous report; the
-barricade trembled; the whole scene was blotted out by
-a cloud of smoke, which drifted slowly away, and then
-the Croats were seen retiring sullenly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Of all their number, one alone had reached the goal,
-and he was a prisoner.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Viennese cheered like mad; Bern gave some orders
-to his artillerymen; the imperialists covered the retreat
-of their allies by a sharp musketry fire.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then both sides paused--the insurgents smilingly secure
-in their stronghold, their opponents to get ready for a
-fresh attack. With many other non-combatants, we had
-climbed to the roof of a house, from which we obtained
-a splendid view.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The Austrians are going to do the work," said Stephen,
-who had a strong prejudice against irregular troops.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It's throwing life away," answered our companion;
-and even I, who knew much less of military matters
-than he did, felt that the drilled infantry had little chance
-of success.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, they were forming steadily for the assault.
-The officers sprang to the front, holding their swords
-unsheathed, the drums beat the advance, and the regiment
-moved on with the regularity of clockwork.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They made a brilliant spectacle, those hardy veterans,
-with heads erect, and resolute, determined faces, marching
-to destruction like one vast machine.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Faster and faster their feet moved, faster and faster
-the drums beat, rataplan, rataplan, till the music got
-into their bodies, and with a "Vivat der Prinz!" they
-broke into a swift run. I looked at the Polish leader;
-he stood like some genius of the conflict, directing and
-even controlling the progress of the strife.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The infantry, although advancing so swiftly, never for
-an instant got out of hand. As one man fell, another filled
-the gap; and when we last saw them before the thick
-smoke shut out the view, they were in even lines, shoulder
-to shoulder, as if on parade.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Crash, crash, went the heavy guns, and the shot and
-shell ploughed through the solid ranks, making great
-gaps, as we well knew, though nothing was visible till the
-sulphur cloud lifted.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The attack, like the two preceding it, had failed
-miserably. Would they try again? It really seemed like it,
-though in the three assaults they had been punished fearfully.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They may keep on like that all the afternoon," said
-Rakoczy, "but they won't take the barricade. These
-front attacks are useless. I wonder the Ban permits them.
-Oh, there's the reason! See!" and he pointed toward
-the barricade.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Everything there was in confusion. While most of the
-citizen fighters clung to their posts, many ran or tried to
-run away.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In vain the Polish general exposed himself with the
-utmost recklessness; the position was lost.</p>
-<p class="pnext">While one body of Croats, supported by the Austrian
-infantry, had been attacking in front, the remainder, led
-by Ban Jellachich, had fought their way through the
-suburb of Leopoldstadt, and clearing the Avenue of the
-Emperor Francis, had fallen upon the barricade in the rear.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Forward, forward!" rang out the cry at our feet, and
-the whole force advanced at a run.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Austrians charged with bayonets levelled; the
-Croats, discarding their stanitzas, gripped their handjars,
-and with loud shouts hurled themselves against the position.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Between these two forces the Viennese were crushed.
-The gunners stood bravely by their guns till they were
-cut down. Bern appeared to be tranquilly giving orders;
-half a hundred students, banding themselves into a solid
-body, fought doggedly; but from the moment Jellachich's
-troops arrived the issue was certain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A great burst of cheering rose when the black and
-yellow standard of the Austrians and the red, white, and
-blue of the Croats fluttered side by side on the summit of
-the barricade.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fight, in that place at least, was over; the citizens
-had disappeared. The imperialists embraced each other,
-shook one another by the hand, laughed and danced and
-waved their caps in the air, shouted for Jellachich and the
-emperor, and finally ran on to pursue their victorious
-career. Round the captured barricade the dead lay thick,
-and the wounded as usual moaned piteously for water.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We went amongst them, doing the little that was possible
-to ease their pain, and helping to remove some into
-safer quarters.</p>
-<p class="pnext">To add to the horror, one of the houses caught fire,
-and it was feared that the whole street would soon be
-ablaze.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Farther off we could hear the booming of the heavy
-guns, the sharp rattle of musketry, the shouts of the
-combatants, the cheers and counter-cheers which told us how
-the battle was going.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From time to time, too, people brought reports of the
-fight, and they all boded ill to the insurgents.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The railway station of Gloggnitz, the Hôtel des
-Invalides, the Veterinary School, were taken one after the
-other by the imperialists, who, when night fell, were
-practically masters of the suburbs of Leopoldstadt and
-Landstrasse.</p>
-<p class="pnext">And such a night as that twenty-eighth of October
-I had never beheld. The town was on fire in more than
-twenty different places. Half the houses of the two
-suburbs were riddled by shot and shell; the flames were
-consuming the other half.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Red tongues of fire leaped into the sky, forming a grand
-but terrible spectacle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The homeless people stood in the streets, some
-hopelessly dazed and stupid, others fighting the flames as
-sturdily as they had fought the Austrians; while a few
-philosophers, who had nothing at stake, looked on calmly
-at the conflagration.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As for us, our time was fully occupied in removing
-the wounded from the burning or threatened buildings.
-Throughout the night we toiled, and it was pleasant to see
-the genial Rakoczy, with his bright, cheerful face, giving
-water here, binding up a wound there, or helping to carry
-a sick man to a safer shelter.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A few kind words, a cheery smile, a pressure of the
-hand, a look of sympathy, he distributed impartially; and
-men of various nationalities must have blessed the
-handsome Hungarian, who spent himself so freely in their
-service.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several times we had to face the gravest dangers.
-Houses were burning, walls falling; but the helpless must
-be rescued, and Rakoczy, never blenching himself, inspired
-confidence in others.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Many pitiful little dramas took place in the streets,
-where women and children searched, often, alas! in vain,
-for the bodies of their loved ones.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Thus the night passed, and the return of day revealed
-the horrors of the scene more plainly still.</p>
-<p class="pnext">During the hours of darkness there had been something
-grand about the conflagration. The great red blotches
-lighting up the sky, the vivid tongues of fire leaping, as
-it seemed, sportively from point to point, darting here and
-there, now joining, now separating, throwing into bold
-relief some noble building which again was lost in the
-black smoke, bringing into view the varied uniforms of
-the victorious soldiery--all these things powerfully seized
-the imagination, crowding out the more prosaic horrors.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Daylight restored the true proportion of things, and it
-was indeed a sorrowful sight on which we gazed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Charred and blackened walls met us at every turn;
-half-consumed houses, battered and ruined buildings, huge
-gaps in the streets where the fire-fiend had worked his
-will; and, worse than all, the white-faced, sad-eyed women
-and innocent children, bereaved alike of home and of the
-strong arms that had hitherto been their support.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Some, wringing their hands in despair, cried aloud the
-names of their lost ones; the majority, dazed by grief,
-sought silently and with an unremitting patience that
-touched the hearts of the beholders.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fighting, as far as we could tell, had long since
-ceased, and was not renewed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A rumour spread that the chiefs had sent to ask for
-a suspension of hostilities while they talked over the terms
-of surrender, and I thought they acted very wisely.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Bound to submit," said Rakoczy cheerfully, "they
-can't do anything else. A revolution seldom succeeds
-unless the army joins the people."</p>
-<p class="pnext">We spent the day amongst the wounded, and at night, a
-capitulation having been agreed on, helped to convey some
-of them into the city.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then, quite worn out by thirty-six hours of continuous
-labour, we went to our lodgings, and after eating a little
-food, lay down to rest.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy, who lived in another house, joined us the next
-morning at breakfast, and we sat for an hour talking over
-our plans.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen was anxious to leave Vienna at the first opportunity,
-and as Rakoczy had finished his private business,
-it was arranged that we should do so.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We will go and see the imperialists march in,"
-remarked John; "afterwards it will be easy to slip away."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Accordingly we went out, and found the streets filled
-with excited people who were shouting tumultuously, "Long
-live the brave Hungarians!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What's the meaning of this craze?" Stephen asked,
-looking at us in surprise.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Something up," said Rakoczy, "and something queer
-too. Let us follow the crowd; we shall soon learn."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Strange there should be so few students and National
-Guards about," I remarked.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They're on the ramparts and at the gates. They'll
-stay till the surrender is formally completed."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several men in blouses heard the word "surrender," and
-immediately shouted, "No surrender! Down with the
-Hapsburg butchers! Long live the brave Hungarians!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">On all sides the cries were repeated, and we, more
-astonished than ever, ran on quickly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Place of St. Stephen's appeared to be the rendezvous,
-where a wildly-excited mob had gathered round the noble
-cathedral. A cheer rose from the surging mass as a young
-man, mounting above the heads of his fellows, read out the
-contents of a billet sent down from the summit of the
-tower by Messenhauser.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were too far off to hear the exact words, but they
-were to the effect that the Austrians were being attacked.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The thoughts of every one immediately flew to the
-Hungarians, and shouts of "Long live Hungary!" once
-more rent the air. A light cloud of annoyance spread
-over Rakoczy's face.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That's no soldier's doing," he said. "No one but an
-imbecile would pit our raw recruits against an army of
-veterans."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Viennese thought differently; and when, two hours
-later, a second bulletin was issued, stating that the
-Hungarians were advancing, the citizens became wild with joy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The capitulation was forgotten; flags were waved,
-cannon discharged, and paeans of victory sung.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen and I talked largely of Hungarian prowess,
-and of what our countrymen could do; Rakoczy smiled
-and said nothing, which showed his wisdom.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fight had drawn nearer; the insurgents were
-cannonading the imperialists from the ramparts with their
-long-range guns; we stood in the Place of St. Stephen's,
-and gazed eagerly at the summit of the tower.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Suddenly a great stillness fell on the crowd. By what
-mysterious means the knowledge of the evil news spread
-from the mind of one man to another I cannot say, but
-certain it is the cheers and flag-waving stopped before the
-vast majority of the crowd even knew that Messenhauser
-had sent down his third note.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A yell of rage and disappointment greeted the reading
-of the message.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy's good sense had proved superior to our
-boasting: the Hungarians were in full retreat.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The news produced a startling effect on the Viennese.
-Obedience to any power came to an end; the reign of
-disorder began.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Shops were looted and private residences sacked;
-furniture was thrown into the streets, and the owners were
-assaulted; the town went mad.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I thought of the Baroness von Arnstein and her pretty
-daughter; and Rakoczy, guessing at the cause of my gloomy
-face, proposed that we should go round to their house.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Von Arnstein is known to be with the army," he said,
-"and it is just possible the worthy citizens may wreak
-their vengeance on his family."</p>
-<p class="pnext">We found the ladies at home, and very glad they were
-to see us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In spite of her pride, the elder lady showed signs of
-fear--not so much, I think, on her own account as on her
-daughter's.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"This is terrible," she said, "and just as we hoped the
-mischief was at an end. Your countrymen have much to
-answer for, mein Herr."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Nay," replied Stephen, to whom she spoke. "The
-Hungarians fight against men; they do not attack women
-and children."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"But," said the young girl, "the rebels acted very
-unfairly in firing on the soldiers this morning."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And unwisely, too," answered Rakoczy. "They are in
-a worse position now than they were before. They are
-bound to capitulate within a few hours."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Meanwhile," said I, blushing boyishly, "if agreeable
-to you, we propose to remain here till the danger is
-over."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The baroness thanked us warmly for what she was
-pleased to call our chivalrous conduct, while the fräulein's
-eyes spoke as eloquently as her mother's lips.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"My servants are well armed," the elder lady continued,
-"and Franz is a host in himself, but we shall certainly feel
-more secure, knowing you are with us. Yet how strange
-it is that we should be relying on the services of three
-Hungarian gentlemen!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Really," exclaimed the fräulein with a merry laugh,
-"we ought rather to be afraid of you. But why do
-your people quarrel with us, and drive away our poor
-emperor?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy drew out a locket, which hung round his neck
-by a fine gold chain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Do you recognize that picture?" he asked, releasing
-the spring.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Why, it is the emperor himself."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It is also the King of Hungary, for whom thousands
-of Hungarians would lay down their lives."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The girl knitted her brows, as if trying to solve some
-knotty problem.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I don't understand," she said. "You fight against the
-emperor, yet you profess great devotion to the King of
-Hungary, who is the same person."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yet it is very simple. The Magyar's first love is for
-his country, his second for the king. Now, as emperor,
-Ferdinand has taken away our rights, which we must have
-back. When we get them, no king will have more loyal
-subjects than Ferdinand."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"But I understood you were all republicans," said the
-baroness.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We are royalists, madam," replied Stephen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Who will fight for a republic. That is what Kossuth
-wants. We know here what the pulling of the wires will
-lead to. If your countrymen succeed in this war, they
-will become the subjects, not of King Ferdinand, but of
-Dictator Kossuth."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Listen!" I exclaimed. "The street is filled with
-people."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The windows in the lower part of the house were
-already secured by heavy wooden shutters, and now we
-heard Franz barring the door at the main entrance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy and Stephen ran to aid the servants in case of
-need, while I stayed with the ladies.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I suggested it would be well to draw the curtains, but
-the baroness would not consent, so we sat looking down
-into the street.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The people did not appear to have any wish to do harm.
-They passed along singing, and waving flags, and many
-were already out of sight when some one raised a cry of
-"Von Arnstein." At the sound of that name the others
-stopped, and quickly collecting in front of the house, began
-in loud tones to abuse the absent noble.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The baroness gave an expressive little shrug of the
-shoulders.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What poltroons!" she exclaimed contemptuously. "If
-my husband were here they would run like a flock of
-frightened sheep."</p>
-<p class="pnext">With this remark I could scarcely agree; nevertheless
-I had sufficient wisdom to keep my doubts to myself.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I looked at the fräulein. Her face was pale, but she was
-perfectly cool and collected; as she said afterwards, a
-soldier's daughter must learn to face danger.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It's only a street brawl," I said. "They will get tired
-soon and go away."</p>
-<p class="pnext">But it is always difficult to reckon on what a mob will
-do, and this was a case in point.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The words had hardly left my lips, when a man, wearied
-perhaps of shouting, varied his pastime by aiming a stroke
-at the door with a heavy hatchet.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The effect of that one blow was to change the character
-of the crowd entirely.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Hitherto it had been one of merely disorderly citizens,
-lawless and unruly, no doubt, but not bent on any definite
-mischief. The ringing of the axe against the door acted
-as a signal for the loosing of a flood of evil passions.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Every one struggled to get in a good blow, and instead
-of the harmless though bitter language of a few minutes
-previously, we heard the more alarming cry of, "Death to
-the aristocrats! Death to Von Arnstein!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">The baroness moved nearer to the window, and I placed
-myself in front of her, saying,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"This is madness, madam!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">She asked me with haughty courtesy to stand aside, and
-I, fearful of the risk she was running, appealed to her
-daughter. Her answer was to place herself by her mother,
-who opened the window.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The battering at the door and windows stopped while
-the crowd looked up curiously.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In a clear, hard, but passionless voice the baroness said,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I am Von Arnstein's wife; this is his daughter. My
-servants are armed, my house is defended by friends. If
-you enter, it will be at your peril."</p>
-<p class="pnext">For answer, some one on the outskirts of the crowd
-fired a shot, which lodged in the window-frame, and I
-drew the ladies back.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Foolhardiness is not bravery," I said brusquely, and
-shut the window.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then the attack on the door recommenced, and we heard
-quite distinctly the thud, thud of the heavy weapons.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I went to the head of the stairs and looked down.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Franz stood by the door with his ponderous club in his
-hand; I pitied the man who should be first to enter.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The other servants were on the stairs, and by their looks
-I judged they would be of scanty service to their mistress.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My brother and Rakoczy, sword in one hand, pistol in
-the other, stood near Franz.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The Joyous" caught sight of me, and laughed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A new way of entertaining guests," he said. "The
-Baroness von Arnstein will become famous for her receptions!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The door yields!" exclaimed Franz gravely. "See to the
-ladies, mein Herr;" and he took a firmer grip of his club.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I nodded and went back, though I would rather have
-remained; shortly afterwards a yell of delight from the
-crowd proclaimed that the door had fallen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The baroness looked at her daughter, who smiled back
-in answer; neither appeared the least moved.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fighting on the stairs had lasted ten seconds
-perhaps, when the servants came rushing into the room in a
-body. Their faces were white; their hands shook so that
-the pistols they carried pointed to twenty different places
-at once, and I thought it extremely likely that the rioters
-would be spared the trouble of killing us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Put those things down, you scoundrels!" I cried,
-feeling certain they would be more dangerous to us than to
-the enemy; and when it was done, I added, "Now, back
-to the staircase and fight for your mistress, or I will kill
-every man of you!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What cowards!" exclaimed the baroness scornfully.
-"They will do no good."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They may form shields for braver men," said her
-daughter.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Meanwhile, the sounds of the fighting grew more
-acute, and, knowing how far outnumbered my companions
-were, I felt compelled to run to their aid.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The servants whom I had driven out were huddled
-together at the top of the stairs, doing nothing; but,
-half-way down, Stephen and his two companions were still
-making a great fight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Uttering a cry of encouragement, I ran down, and,
-discharging my pistol into the thick of the crowd, drew my
-sword.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My brother had received a slight cut across the head;
-Rakoczy, as yet untouched, was smiling cheerfully, and by
-his marvellous skill of sword keeping back the most
-dangerous of the assailants.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Franz's right arm was hanging by his side useless; but
-he swung his club with the left, and smiled grimly when
-a man dropped.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The situation, however, grew desperate. Force of
-numbers compelled us to yield several steps; Stephen had
-again been hit, and Rakoczy was bleeding from a wound
-in the arm.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I would like to record how, in this last extremity, we
-alone, by the aid of our good swords, cleared the house of
-the rioters; but that would not be true, as we owed our
-safety to quite other means.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In the next chapter I will relate exactly what happened.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="arrested">CHAPTER V.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">ARRESTED.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">We were, as I have mentioned, being pushed steadily
-back, and the mob had begun to cheer, when a
-disturbance arose near the doorway, and a man, elbowing
-his way to the front, demanded angrily that the conflict
-should cease.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the sound of his voice many of the rioters fell back
-sullenly; and the rest, being thus deserted by their
-companions, were compelled to follow, though not without
-angry cries and mutterings.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The newcomer, taking his stand directly below us, faced
-the mob, and in a sensible speech urged them to withdraw.
-The man was evidently well known to his hearers, and it
-was plain that he possessed considerable influence.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At first they seemed half inclined to resent his interference,
-but by a skilful mixture of flattery and firmness
-he finally succeeded in getting them to disperse.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then he turned to us with graceful courtesy, and I
-recognized the handsome young fellow who had so
-opportunely come to our assistance outside the hôtel of the
-minister of war.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, before he had time to speak, we were joined
-by the ladies, who had watched the progress of the fight
-from the stair-head.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The young fellow removed his cap, and bowed deferentially,
-almost to the ground.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I am happy," he began with a stammer, very different
-from his former fluent speech, "to be of service to the
-Baroness von Arnstein and her daughter."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The elder lady looked at him in scorn, and said coldly,
-"Your ragamuffins have much to answer for, Captain von
-Theyer."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And as for the service," exclaimed Theresa, "but for
-these gallant gentlemen who have now twice defended
-me against my own countrymen, it would be far too
-late."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Were you in your right place, you would be outside,
-not inside, the walls of Vienna," the baroness said with a
-marked sneer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I have done what I believed to be my duty," the
-young man replied humbly, "and my influence has always
-been used on the side of mercy. This very night I am
-trying to arrange conditions for the entry of the emperor's
-troops."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Conditions!" cried the baroness scornfully; "Windischgratz
-will make no terms with the rebels!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The night grows late," said Theresa, making him a
-mock curtsy, "and we have yet to repair the mischief
-done by your friends."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was sorry to see the humiliation put upon this
-blue-eyed young fellow; and though it was no concern of mine,
-I felt relieved when, with a confused apology for the
-excesses committed by the rioters, he took his leave.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Besides, it was necessary to set Franz's arm, and Stephen
-also required attention, though happily he was not seriously
-hurt.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The servants, who during the fight had left us in the
-lurch, now came forward to help.</p>
-<p class="pnext">While one went to fetch a surgeon, others temporarily
-refixed the shattered door, and washed the blood-stains
-from the stairs.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy bound the arm of the valiant Franz, who, after
-receiving the thanks and praises of the ladies, was taken
-to his room.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We persuaded Stephen to lie down on a couch, where
-the baroness herself washed his wounds, while Theresa
-prepared a cooling drink for him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As soon as the surgeon had paid his visit, the ladies
-retired, and Rakoczy and I took it upon ourselves to
-watch through the remainder of the night.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We did not think it likely that the rioters would return;
-still it was possible, and we resolved upon leaving nothing
-to chance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My brother, weakened by loss of blood, had fallen
-asleep; the servants, with the exception of two posted
-as guards over the broken door, had gone to bed; the
-house was quite still.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy walked to and fro very softly, so as not to
-disturb Stephen, and I stood at one of the windows
-thinking of the yellow-haired fräulein and the dashing
-young leader of the insurgents.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The hours dragged by very slowly, but daylight came
-at last, and I immediately sent one of the servants into the
-streets for news.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He returned in about an hour, smiling and well pleased.
-The city was perfectly quiet, he said. There were no signs
-of fighting; the insurgents had once more submitted, and
-in a short time the National Guards were to give up their
-arms to the imperialists.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With this information we joined the ladies at breakfast,
-Stephen looking rather pale but not seriously ill, and the
-rest of us little the worse for the night's adventure.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Franz, too, was doing well, and the knowledge of the
-capitulation relieved the mind of our hostess from further
-fear.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were still sitting at table talking over the events
-of the brief revolution, when the loud report of a cannon
-caused us to spring to our feet.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The baroness asked to have a window opened, and a
-white-faced servant obeyed with trembling fingers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Surely I hear the great bell of St. Stephen's?"
-exclaimed our hostess in astonishment.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes, madam," said Rakoczy; "the tocsin is certainly
-sounding."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The people have broken faith again," said she. "I
-wonder the prince stoops to treat with them."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"If you will permit me," said Rakoczy, "I will find
-out what is happening, and bring you a report. My
-friends will stay with you in case there should be
-danger."</p>
-<p class="pnext">This proposal was agreed to, and as soon as he had
-gone we moved to the back part of the building, from
-which the southern part of the city could be seen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was plain that the terrible struggle had recommenced.
-To the clanging of the great bell were added
-the sharp fire of musketry, the heavier booming of the
-cannon, and the shouts of the combatants.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Suddenly, from the direction of the imperial stables,
-came a flight of shells and a line of fiery rockets, which
-fell hissing and sputtering on the doomed houses.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It seemed as if the horrors of the twenty-eighth were
-to be repeated. The flames from the burning buildings
-illumined the sky in several different parts of the town,
-and we anxiously awaited the return of Rakoczy to learn
-the reason for these strange doings.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was one o'clock when he came back, and by that
-time the firing had ceased.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It is all over now," he said. "The imperialists are
-in possession of the gates, and are disarming the National
-Guard. This last fight was a mistake. The leaders gave
-no orders for it; but the people grew excited, said they
-were betrayed, and, rushing to St. Stephen's, sounded the
-tocsin. Of course that set all the hot heads in motion,
-and very soon they were at their posts on the barricades
-and the bastions. Windischgratz replied promptly, as
-you would observe, and the magistrates, hoping to stop
-such a senseless fight, took the keys of the city to him
-on the glacis. The troops are working hard to put out
-the fires, and I think the Viennese have seen the last
-of their insurrection."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It will be rather awkward for the leaders," I remarked,
-thinking of the handsome young captain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They are like eels," said the baroness spitefully, "and
-will manage to wriggle out of it."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"If they are half as clever as Captain von Theyer, they
-will be in no danger," exclaimed Theresa. "He will
-persuade his judges that everything he has done has been
-for the emperor."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A tongue of silver is a very good gift, sometimes,"
-observed Rakoczy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I should think a steel blade would be of more
-importance to a soldier," retorted Stephen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It cannot do half as much mischief!" cried Theresa
-merrily. "But, are you going?" for my brother had
-risen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It is necessary," he answered, with the quiet,
-half-pathetic smile peculiar to him. "You do not need us
-longer; your friends are at hand. We, on the contrary,
-have to seek ours."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Which means you are about to join the ranks of our
-enemies?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We are Hungarians, and should be disgraced if we
-stood idly by while our countrymen fought for liberty."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I suppose you are right," said the baroness; "but it
-is a great pity. However, I hope the conflict will be
-short; and though I must wish for the success of my
-own side, I trust that God, who watches over each of us,
-will bring you safely through the fight."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We shall never forget what you have done for us,"
-said Theresa softly, and her proud eyes strongly suggested
-tears.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We wished them good-bye; and even when in the
-street I, for one, looked back to catch a last glimpse of
-the pretty fräulein as she waved her hand from the
-window in farewell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And now for Hungary!" cried "The Joyous," "though
-I fear we must travel afoot: horses are not to be had
-for love or money."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We can walk," replied my brother. "I have had
-more than enough of Vienna."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I believe George is sorry at leaving the pretty
-Austrian."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And her mother," I added, trying to make a laugh
-of it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At this "The Joyous" smiled, saying I was a hypocrite,
-and that it would be well to take me away with all
-speed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The streets were filled with soldiers, both Croats and
-Austrians, so we felt little surprised at finding a party
-of the latter drawn up near the house in which we
-lodged.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There were two or three trifling articles belonging to
-us in our rooms; so, while Stephen settled accounts
-with the proprietor, Rakoczy and I ran upstairs. My
-brother shortly rejoined us, the things were packed in
-a small handbag, and we were ready to depart, when
-some one knocked at the door.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Come in!" cried I briskly, and an officer in the
-Austrian service entered.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I extremely regret my errand," said he pleasantly;
-"but duty is duty, and you must consider yourselves my
-prisoners. Feeling sure you would not care to make a
-scene, I have left my men in the street. You have simply
-to give your parole not to attempt an escape, and I shall
-not use force."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Very kind of you!" exclaimed Rakoczy. "But isn't
-there some mistake?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">The officer took a paper from his pocket.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Stephen and George Botskay and John Rakoczy," he
-said, and proceeded to read descriptions of our persons--accurate,
-indeed, but expressed in very flattering language.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Come!" laughed "The Joyous;" "after that it will be
-uncivil to refuse our parole."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And quite useless," I added in Hungarian. "If we
-escaped the officer, we could not leave the city."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What do you say, Stephen?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Surrender is a poor way of beginning a fight."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"So it is!" laughed our companion; "but, as your
-brother remarked, we can't help ourselves. The question
-is, Shall we walk to prison as gentlemen, or be dragged
-there as criminals? So, by your leave, I'll take advantage,
-in all our names, of the offer we have received."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our captor, who was certainly a very polished
-gentleman, did all he could to soften the blow.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Very few people noticed us as we walked towards the
-infantry barracks, where we were to be detained till
-further orders.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The officer did not know the reason of our arrest; but
-he assured us the victors were acting mercifully, and,
-unless our fault had been extremely grave, we need not
-fear.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the barracks the soldiers offered us no indignities,
-which was in striking contrast with their treatment of
-some students brought in at the same time, whom they
-loaded with abuse and even struck.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They looked on these enthusiastic youths as the authors
-of all the mischief, and to a certain extent they were
-doubtless right.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our prison was a small, square room with whitewashed
-walls, bare of furniture, but having benches round the
-sides.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well," said I in disgust, "what are we to do now?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Go to sleep, and dream we are in Pesth," replied
-Rakoczy, lying down on one of the benches.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen paced backward and forward restlessly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I don't understand it at all," he observed. "Why
-have they arrested us? What can we be charged with?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Depends upon who our accusers are," answered
-Rakoczy. "It is plain that some kind friend has
-denounced us by name to the Austrian general."</p>
-<p class="pnext">At once I thought of Count Beula, but John shook his
-head.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I think not. The count owes us a grudge, but he
-will pay his debt in Hungary, not here. My idea points
-to a different man altogether--a clever and unscrupulous
-fellow, who has no wish to see an Austro-Hungarian
-alliance."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He looked meaningly at Stephen, who nodded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Don't speak in riddles!" I exclaimed irritably. "Tell
-me in plain words what you think!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">He clapped me on the back, and after indulging in a
-little good-humoured chaff, explained that in his opinion
-we owed our arrest to Captain von Theyer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It's this way," he continued, laughing at my surprised
-looks. "There's no doubt that the captain cares a good
-deal for the pretty Theresa. It is equally certain that he
-has no friend in the baroness."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well?" I said.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Don't be impatient. I'm coming to the point. Had
-this insurrection proved successful, Von Theyer would now
-be a very important person, and his influence worth
-securing, even by the powerful Baroness von Arnstein.
-Unluckily for him, it has fizzled out like a damp squib;
-so he has seized the first opportunity of making his peace
-with the victors."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What has that to do with us?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Much. For one thing, he thus shows his zeal in the
-cause of the imperialists. In the second place, he would
-not be too pleased at finding how friendly we had become
-with the fräulein."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Do you mean the fellow is jealous of us?" I said,
-blushing crimson.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Of me," replied Rakoczy, curling his moustache and
-looking very grave.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I half suspected he was quizzing me, but could not feel
-quite certain, till I caught him winking at Stephen, when
-they both laughed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The jest won't prove quite so pleasant if we're locked
-up till the end of the war," I said; but of that Rakoczy
-had no fear.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, we had spent several tedious days in our
-temporary prison, when one morning a party of soldiers
-came to escort us to the general, who was inspecting the
-barracks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Prince Windischgratz, attended by several members of
-his staff, was in a room in the officers' quarters.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was a noble-looking old man, dressed in full uniform,
-with his breast covered by medals and ribbons--mementoes
-of many hard-fought campaigns. His face was mild and
-humane, but the firm chin and the latent fire in his eyes
-showed that he could be severe when necessary.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Addressing us in a mild voice, he asked us how it
-happened that we were found in Vienna with arms in
-our hands.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy was about to reply when Stephen forestalled
-him, which I regretted, as my brother was not remarkable
-for the calmness of his language.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Before answering that question," he said hotly, "we
-have a right to know by whose authority three peaceable
-travellers have been arrested like criminals, and deprived
-of their liberty."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several of the officers uttered angry exclamations, but
-the prince smiled good-naturedly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There is some difference between peaceful travellers
-and armed rebels," said he; "and you are suspected of
-being the latter."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It is false!" retorted my brother flatly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Appearances are against you. You were seen at the
-bridge of Tabor, and at least one of you is supposed to
-have joined in the disgraceful murder of the noble Count
-Latour."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Hungarians are not assassins," said Stephen coldly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The friends of Count Lamberg speak differently,"
-interrupted one of the officers with a bitter sneer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You are ungenerous, sir, to taunt the Hungarian
-nation with the crime of a handful of ragamuffins," I said.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes, yes," exclaimed the prince; "but that is not the
-point. Can you deny the charges made against you?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen glanced round him indifferently; he would not
-deign to answer, and I followed his example.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy, however, still smiling and confident, spoke
-for all.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You have asked a question, prince," he said, "and you
-shall have a reply, though it may not be to the liking of
-some of these gentlemen. We were all three present at
-the attack on the bridge, and when your general fell, I
-by main force prevented my friend Stephen Botskay from
-throwing himself single-handed against the rebels. As to
-the murder of Count Latour, George Botskay risked his
-life time and again to save him, not from Hungarians, but
-from Austrians. Do you see this wound?" and he bared
-his arm. "That was done by an Austrian pike. Would
-you know why that gallant lad's head is swathed in
-bandages? Ask your fellow-countrymen, prince. The
-answer will show you that not Hungary alone harbours
-assassins."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Talk is cheap," sneered the officer who had spoken
-before. "Why, that very fellow was at the first barricade
-in the Prater!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Is that so?" asked the prince.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes," said Rakoczy simply; "I was there."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Which many a poor fellow had reason to be thankful
-for," I interrupted. "More than one man in your ranks
-to-day owes his life to John Rakoczy's bravery."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"At this rate, your highness, it will soon appear that
-the town was captured by these heroes," chuckled a grizzled
-veteran.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I concluded that the speaker was of high rank, as every
-one laughed at his remark, as if he had said something
-witty.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They were still enjoying the joke when the door opened
-and another officer entered the room.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was a man past the prime of life, with grey hair
-and white moustaches, but alert, strong, and vigorous.
-His sight was keen, his bearing martial, and the deep
-scars of two wounds long since healed bore witness to his
-courage as a soldier.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His entrance attracted notice, and the prince himself
-stepped forward to greet him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The others withdrew a little way, leaving the two
-chiefs together, and they immediately began talking very
-earnestly. From time to time they both looked at us,
-and gradually a pleasant smile spread over the prince's
-face.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At length the conversation was finished, and the prince,
-turning to his staff, said,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Gentlemen, we owe these brave Hungarians an apology
-for our suspicions. Instead of aiding the rebels, they have
-acted in a very noble manner, and to them Baron von
-Arnstein is indebted for the lives of his wife and
-daughter.--Baron, these gentlemen are no longer our prisoners; I
-wish they could be counted amongst our friends."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That would follow naturally," said Rakoczy, "if every
-Austrian were a Prince Windischgratz."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I cannot accept the compliment; it would be unfair to
-my brave colleagues," the general replied. "However, I
-can thank you all three for your generous behaviour,
-which I do most heartily."</p>
-<p class="pnext">We replied in the same spirit, and, accompanied by
-Baron von Arnstein, left the room.</p>
-<p class="pnext">That nobleman could with difficulty restrain his emotion;
-he thanked us twenty times while crossing the barrack
-square, and urged us repeatedly to return home with him.
-I should have liked this famously; but Stephen was
-anxious to leave the city, and I did not wish to thwart
-him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Accordingly, after our weapons were restored, it was
-agreed that the baron should conduct us through the
-Austrian lines. He had only heard of his daughter's
-rescue that morning, and, knowing there were three
-prisoners bearing the same names as those mentioned
-by his wife, had immediately hurried off to Prince
-Windischgratz.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I do not ask where you are going," he said, as we
-passed through the city gate into the ruined suburb, "but
-I could wish that your steps pointed westward rather than
-to the east."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Perhaps it will be as well not to tell you," replied
-Rakoczy with a smile; "but if ever you need a friend in
-the Hungarian army, let one of us know."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It is a terrible business, but we at least must not
-quarrel. Still, I cannot understand why you and gallant
-lads like these should be so eager to fight for a republic.
-I should have thought you were royalists to the backbone."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"So we are," said Stephen promptly. "Royalists and
-loyalists too, if the emperor will but grant our rights."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What do you think, then, would happen, if by any
-means the war should end in your favour?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We should force the emperor to restore our constitution,
-and then return to our allegiance."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Shake hands all round," said Rakoczy genially.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The baron shook his head.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Pardon me," he said; "but I am getting an old man,
-and years bring experience. You deceive yourselves, or
-rather, have had dust thrown in your eyes. Kossuth and
-his friends are not fighting for a restored constitution, but
-to make Hungary a republic. Victory on your side will
-mean an exchange of Ferdinand the king for Kossuth the
-dictator."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then," exclaimed Stephen sternly, "defeat will be
-more welcome than victory, for, if what you say be true,
-the land will swim in blood. Here are three royalists
-whose forefathers drew the sword for Maria Theresa, and
-there are scores of thousands like us."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You will hear our armies join battle to the cry of
-'Long live Hungary and King Ferdinand!'" said Rakoczy.
-"We don't want a republic."</p>
-<p class="pnext">This talk of the baron's, so like what we had before
-heard, set us thinking, and it was in rather a sad humour
-that we crossed the Austrian or rather imperialist camp.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The baron saw us in safety to the farthest outpost,
-where we stopped to wish him farewell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Good-bye," he said kindly. "I cannot pretend to hope
-your armies will prove successful, but from my heart I
-wish you personally good-luck in your venture. Our
-people will do you no harm, except to make prisoners of
-you; but mind the Croats--they are rather bloodthirsty,
-and not over well disciplined."</p>
-<p class="pnext">We thanked him for his advice, sent back a friendly
-message to his wife and daughter, and then set out on our
-journey.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A fine fellow," remarked Rakoczy, throwing a glance
-back. "I hope we shall never meet him in a charge."</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="hard-work-at-pesth">CHAPTER VI</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">HARD WORK AT PESTH.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">"Rakoczy! Not dead? Where did you spring
-from? Vienna? Been helping the <em class="italics">prolétaires</em>?
-No? Then you must have been plotting treason with
-the imperialists. But come into my tent. Who are your
-companions? I can see they are true Magyars. Sons
-of the late General Botskay?--Welcome, my lads! Your
-name alone would draw a welcome from any Magyar
-in the country."</p>
-<p class="pnext">A tall man, plainly dressed in the uniform of a major
-of Honveds, having a strong, wiry, but spare frame, his
-hair cut quite close to his head, sharp eyes--their light
-half hidden behind spectacles--his face hard and
-weather-beaten, with a reddish undergrowth of beard; such in
-appearance was Arthur Görgei, who was to become,
-without exception, the most famous general in Hungary.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From Vienna we had journeyed to Presburg, and thence
-to Raab, following the Hungarians, who were moving back
-on Comorn, and overtaking them at Raab.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy, who had known Görgei in private life,
-immediately inquired for the general, and we were conducted
-to him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Haven't any refreshments to offer you," he continued,
-when we were inside the tent; "but never mind--somebody
-has."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He went to the opening, and we heard him say,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Here, Sturitz! Borrow me a bottle of wine or two,
-and some glasses.--So, old fellow, you've been watching
-the fight? Didn't you long to join in? How did the
-good citizens like to see our retreat from Schwechat?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Not at all. They were dumfounded. They couldn't
-believe it possible that the Hungarians were running
-away."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The general clapped the speaker on the back, and
-laughed with the most frank good-humour.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Run!" he exclaimed; "that word tells nothing!
-They rushed headlong over one another; they threw
-away what weapons they had and vanished. Moza was in
-chief command, and he sent me with a brigade to attack
-Schwechat. We were a mile and a half from our
-supports. Windischgratz sent his horse-artillery at us, and,
-heigh, presto! the brigade was gone. Out of nearly five
-thousand I saw only one man, and he was an old soldier
-on the sick list."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"But what did the other brigades do?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei pushed up his spectacles and looked at us with a
-twinkle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The other brigades? The supports?" he said. "Oh,
-they took to their heels before my fellows did; but they'll
-all make capital soldiers after a few months' drill. Here
-comes Sturitz with the wine, and we'll drink their healths."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Capital chap, this Sturitz, to send borrowing,"
-remarked Rakoczy, sipping his wine. "He brings good
-stuff."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And, better still, forgets where it came from, so that
-he can never repay it. So, my lads, you've come to join
-the army? Well, there's one thing; your father's sons will
-never show the men how to run away."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"One moment, general," said Stephen. "Can you tell
-me what we're supposed to be fighting for?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei looked from my brother to Rakoczy, who said,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"In truth, general, things seem a little bit mixed.
-Over in Vienna they talk as if we wanted to set up a
-republic."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A republic?" cried Görgei. "What stuff! Haven't
-they read history? Don't they know that Hungary is
-royalist to the core? Why, if the king came to this
-camp, the men would carry him shoulder high from one
-end of it to the other. Why, at Schwechat they ran
-away to the cry of 'Long live King Ferdinand!'"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That ought to be proof enough," replied Rakoczy,
-laughing, "and I'm glad to hear it; because, like these
-lads, I've no idea of spilling my blood in order to make
-Kossuth dictator."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You're going to fight, my dear fellow, and not bother
-your head about politics. First, though, there's a lot of
-work to be done. We want ammunition and stores of all
-sorts, and, as much as anything, we want soldiers; we've
-plenty of men."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You aren't going to turn me into a drill-sergeant?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I am though. 'Right! Left! Keep your heads up
-there! Close up on the right!' That will be your work
-for the next week or two, while I dodge about here, and
-make Windischgratz believe we're burning to fight."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Where am I to go?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Pesth, with the rank of major. Tedious work you'll
-find it, and no glory either; but you'll do more good there
-than marching and counter-marching with me. Now, as
-to these lads. Which is it to be--a showy uniform or
-downright hard grinding?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Take them on your staff," suggested Rakoczy. "They'll
-get both then."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Haven't room for more than one."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Let that be Stephen," I exclaimed promptly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Take George. He is the better horseman," said my
-brother.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Toss for it!" cried the general, taking a coin from his
-pocket; "but don't stick to this bit of silver. I keep it as
-a curiosity; it's almost the only one in the country."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The spin of the coin decided in favour of Stephen, and
-it was accordingly settled that he should remain with the
-army, while I went to Pesth as a lieutenant of Honveds.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We had drunk another glass of wine to the success
-of the coming campaign; and Görgei, having made out the
-necessary papers, gave Sturitz orders to furnish us with
-horses.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then, with kindly thought, the general took Rakoczy
-outside, leaving me to wish my brother farewell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was the first time in our lives we had been called on
-to separate, and the parting was a sad one to both of us;
-but we made a fine show of good spirits, and talked
-confidently of seeing each other again in a few weeks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There's Sturitz with the animals," said Stephen, as the
-clatter of horses' hoofs sounded outside the tent. "Well,
-good-bye, dear old fellow."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Don't be too venturesome," I replied, and returning the
-pressure of his hand, followed him to where the general
-stood with Rakoczy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Here you are, George," cried the latter gaily. "Thanks
-to the chief, we start the war on horseback, however we
-may finish."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Remember," said the general, "drill, drill, drill, and
-plenty of rifle practice."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We'll bear it in mind, general, and teach the fellows
-how to hit a windmill at least.--Now, George, up you
-get," and he swung himself into his own saddle with the
-ease of a practised rider.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Glancing back, I saw Stephen waving his cap, and
-Görgei with his hands behind his back and his head bent
-forward, already plunged in deep thought.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The weather was bitterly cold, and the roads were
-abominable; but we rode thoroughbred Magyar horses, which
-carried us at a rattling pace.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was, in truth, rather miserable at leaving my brother;
-but the crisp, keen air, the sharp gallop, and the merry
-spirits of my companion soon chased away my melancholy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Wonderful man, Görgei," he said, when the horses,
-having settled down to a slower pace, made talking
-possible. "Kossuth did one good thing in giving him a high
-command. Hard as iron, and a born soldier."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Has he ever seen service?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Only for a short time as a lieutenant in the bodyguard.
-But he has a spirit which nothing can break, an
-energy that never tires; and he can endure as much fatigue
-as any man in the country. I knew him and his brothers
-when they were youngsters; in fact, we were boys
-together. They were in good circumstances, but their
-mother brought them up to live hard. They learned
-early to take the rough with the smooth, and to laugh
-at hardships. They never felt the cold in the bitterest
-winter, and when the rain soaked them through, why,
-they just got dry again."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Where are the others?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Don't know; but wherever the hardest work's to be
-done, you may be sure. Stephen will find his job tougher
-than ours."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It will please him the more. By the way, I wonder if
-Count Beula escaped from Vienna?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Most likely. Bern did. Görgei told me they smuggled
-the Pole out, shut up in a coffin. That's how the story
-runs, whether true or not; but, at any rate, Bern's in
-Transylvania with 25,000 good fighting men."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It's very good of the Poles to help us, but I'd rather
-see a Hungarian army led by a Magyar chief."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"So would I. Still, we ought not to grumble with the
-bridge that carries us over the stream."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Sound advice, no doubt, though it scarcely satisfied me,
-and I was to think a good deal more about it before the
-campaign finished.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The journey to Pesth passed without incident, as we
-were amidst friends; and the morning after our arrival in
-the city we began our new duties.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As the general had stated, there were numbers of men
-willing and eager to join the army, but they were without
-weapons, except hay-forks and such like implements, and
-had not the faintest notion of military drill.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, they were enthusiastic, and if not patient, at
-least tractable; so their instructors hoped to make
-something of them before long.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The drill-ground was the great plain or field of Rakos,
-behind the city, which in olden days was the meeting-place
-of the Diet, when our Magyar forefathers, attended
-by their vassals, assembled to discuss the affairs of the
-nation.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Once again the place was filled with men who had
-come together in thousands--ploughmen, carters, shepherds,
-miners--not to talk, but to learn how to fight the
-enemies of their country.</p>
-<p class="pnext">To a military veteran the spectacle must have afforded
-ample food for fun and amusement. Rakoczy laughed
-without stint.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Thousands of men, grouped in small detachments, were
-going through the elementary steps--men drawn from all
-parts of the kingdom, and dressed in every conceivable
-style, but for the most part true Magyars.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here a peasant, in loose black linen shirt, black
-trousers, embroidered waistcoat, and gay-coloured jacket,
-wearing gaiter boots and a large-brimmed Spanish-looking hat,
-jostled a neighbour in a sheepskin coat, with a hat made
-of rushes, and huge sandals on his feet.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here one saw a group of hardy fellows arrayed in
-embroidered petticoats and kalpags--the national caps,
-made of fur and adorned with feathers; there, men from
-the south with broad felt hats, leather girdles, gatya or
-full white linen trousers, and shirts that scarcely reached
-to the waist.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In one respect, however, they were all alike--they were
-dreadfully in earnest and bent on learning their new trade.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was early morning when we went out to the Rakos;
-the sun had set when we returned to the city.</p>
-<p class="pnext">All day long we had been hard at work drilling one
-squad after another, till our limbs ached and our throats
-were parched as the crater of a volcano.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy soon threw off the feeling of fatigue, and after
-dinner strolled with others of the officers into the town;
-but I was thoroughly tired, and slipped off to bed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Certainly Görgei spoke truth when he described the
-work as tedious and without glory; but it had to be
-done nevertheless, and for several weeks the unceasing toil
-continued.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There was little variety in our lives just at that time.
-We went out in the morning, drilled the recruits all day,
-and returned at night tired as dogs.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Early in December we learned that the emperor had
-abdicated in favour of the young archduke, Francis Joseph,
-that Prince Windischgratz was almost ready to march, and
-that Jellachich had already started.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Though hearing nothing of Stephen, I did not feel
-uneasy, as thus far Görgei had only made a show of
-fighting to delay the enemy's advance while we were shaping
-an army.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From the second week in December every day brought
-a rumour of some sort, which we had more leisure to talk
-over, as the darkness made late drill impossible.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy and I spent Christmas Day in marching with a
-batch of passed recruits to a small village situated several
-miles from the city, where a body of troops had been
-stationed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The weather was simply detestable. First it rained in
-torrents, then it snowed, and the snow froze before
-reaching the ground, and, but for the bundas or overmantles in
-which we were wrapped, we should have perished on the
-march.</p>
-<p class="pnext">To add to the charm of the situation, the guide mistook
-the route, and we wandered about for several hours, stiff
-with cold and hollow from hunger.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When we did reach the village, the welcome from the
-troops made us forget the discomforts of the journey; and
-as our duties ended in handing over the fresh soldiers to
-the commandant, we spent the evening very agreeably with
-the officers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The next morning, before starting for Pesth, we learned
-that Görgei, having abandoned Raab, was falling back on
-the capital, and that General Perczel was being hard
-pressed by the Croats under Jellachich.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Two or three days later the news came of Perczel's
-defeat at Moor, and a message from Comorn announced
-that Windischgratz had summoned the fortress.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei was now manoeuvring to join the remnants of
-Perczel's army, in which he afterwards succeeded; but the
-news of these disasters caused great consternation in Pesth,
-and the members of the Diet determined to remove the
-seat of government to Debreczin.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On the last day of the year 1848, crowds of old men,
-women, and children left the city, and my heart ached,
-as I watched them toil painfully onwards, to think of the
-terrible march that lay before them.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, as the man in Vienna had said, rose-water and
-kid gloves go ill with revolutions; but I wished it was
-possible to lift the burden from the shoulders of those so
-ill fitted to bear it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">That same night a grand reception was held in the
-palace of Count Szondi, and as invitations had been sent
-to all the officers still in the city, Rakoczy and I went.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I have often thought since of that magnificent spectacle.
-The brilliant uniforms of the soldiers, the sparkling eyes of
-the beautiful Magyar ladies, who were all dressed in the
-national costume, the ruby velvet dolmans of the wealthy
-citizens, the gorgeous dresses of the nobles, the brilliant
-lights from burnished chandeliers, the handsome furniture,
-the rugs of ermine and sable, the masterpieces of famous
-Hungarian artists hanging on the walls in heavily-gilded
-frames, the incessant sparkle and play of diamonds as the
-guests glided hither and thither, presented a scene that one
-does not easily forget.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Hitherto my time had been so fully occupied that I had
-not been able to seek out old friends, and now most of
-them had departed; but here and there I saw a familiar
-face and heard a voice that recalled to me the joys of
-bygone days.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Chief amongst the guests, and surrounded by a group of
-distinguished men and beautiful women, stood a remarkably
-handsome man, above the average height, straight, and
-of a fine athletic build.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His black, curly hair hung over his shoulders, his
-well-trimmed beard covered his breast. The manly expression
-of his face and the fiery glow in his eyes formed a true
-index to his bold, headstrong, and enthusiastic nature. He
-looked fit to be, as he was, the leader of the Magyar
-nobles who had taken up arms against the Austrian
-oppression.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This was Count Louis Batthiany before the evil days,
-alas! so soon to come, fell upon him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Towards midnight there arose a great stir in the
-crowded assembly, a movement of feet, a craning of necks,
-a low hum which quickly swelled in volume; and turning
-round I saw that another distinguished visitor had entered
-the room.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Watching his almost royal progress through the brilliant
-throng, I thought of the words spoken by Baron von
-Arnstein, and looked on coldly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But though, unlike the majority of my fellow-countrymen,
-I had early been prejudiced against Louis Kossuth, I
-have no wish to deny his marvellous and almost superhuman gifts.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A true Hungarian, he loved his country with fond
-affection; but his views were not mine, and even in those
-days I thought him wrong.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A man of medium height and wiry frame, he passed
-through the crowded room with dignified carriage and
-grace of movement. The paleness of his oval face was
-very striking, and his high, open forehead betokened keen
-intelligence. His eyes were blue, and though naturally
-dreamy, they often flashed fire; his eyebrows were dark
-and thick; and over his chestnut hair he wore a wig. He
-had a small, well-formed mouth, fine teeth, firm, round chin,
-and delicate white hands with tapering fingers like those of
-an artist.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He wore a plain Honved uniform, over which was
-thrown a grey mantle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The count stepped forward to meet him, and the two
-talked together earnestly, but in low tones.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Kossuth is a great man!" exclaimed a portly civilian
-standing near us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"True, friend!" replied Rakoczy, with his ever-ready
-smile, "but Hungary has no lack of great men; they grow
-as thick as robinias in the gardens."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Kossuth is a splendid talker."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Right again, friend," said my companion dryly. "His
-eloquence has created the raw material which Görgei will
-fashion into an army. Some talk, some fight; let each
-man stick to his trade."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I hope," said the citizen mildly, after a glance at our
-Honved uniforms, "that Görgei will be able to make
-something of you."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy laughed so heartily that several people turned
-to discover the reason of his mirth, and we thought it best
-to move away from the mild-mannered but caustic civilian.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Soon after this Kossuth left, taking Batthiany with him,
-and the rest of us moved into the large banqueting-hall,
-where refreshments had been laid.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the last stroke of midnight Count Szondi rose, and a
-great hush fell on the brilliant assembly as the old noble
-with his venerable white locks faced us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Magyars!" he said, and the veteran's voice was firm
-and clear as a bell, "the year is dead; we do not mourn it.
-The new year is born, and with it a glorious future for
-Hungary. The Magyar is in arms; let those beware who
-seek to thwart him. Magyars, let us drink to the
-prosperity of the sacred fatherland."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The words were few and simple--the speaker was no
-orator; yet, as he raised the brimming glass to his lips, a
-fit of wild enthusiasm seized every man and woman in
-that spacious hall.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men cheered again and again till their voices
-were hoarse; the women joined in the plaudits, their eyes
-sparkling, their cheeks aflame with excitement. Handkerchiefs
-fluttered and ribbons waved in the air; the scene
-became indescribable.</p>
-<p class="pnext">An officer said something, I know not what, but the
-next moment Rakoczy was at the farther end of the room,
-mounted on a chair.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The sight of his handsome face arrested attention; the
-hubbub gradually died away. Profound silence followed.
-The people, thinking he was about to speak, listened
-eagerly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I have mentioned that Rakoczy had a magnificent voice,
-but until that night I had not even dreamed of its power.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The lights, the wine, the beautiful faces of the Magyar
-ladies, the martial aspect of the men, the stirring
-excitement of the time, the dangers surrounding our beloved
-country, the knowledge that thousands of our comrades
-were in arms against the foe, all helped to enhance the
-effect, but much was due to Rakoczy himself.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We stood, I repeat, motionless as statues, gazing at him,
-when suddenly there issued from his throat, echoing and
-re-echoing through the hall, the first notes of the National
-Hymn.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We held our breath; tears were in the eyes of some;
-half-choking sobs came from the throats of others; bosoms
-heaved and cheeks burned like fire; men, unable to restrain
-their emotions, clinched their hands till the finger nails dug
-into the palms.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Loud and clear the martial notes rang out. They spoke
-to our hearts; they called us to battle, to death if need be,
-in defence of our fatherland.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We hung upon them breathlessly. Our hands unconsciously
-gripped the hilts of our swords. The hot blood
-tore through our veins. We heard nothing, were conscious
-of nothing, but the glorious Magyar hymn whose notes
-throbbed in every fibre of our bodies.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The first verse was finished, and as Rakoczy began the
-second every voice joined in. The restrained excitement
-had burst its bonds like the Danube in flood. It could no
-longer be held back; it was bound to find a vent, and it
-found it in song.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I know little of music, but grander music was never
-heard than that in the banqueting-hall of Count Szondi
-when the year 1849 was born.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As the last notes died away, the cheering was frantically
-renewed. Women sobbed openly, and there were few men
-iron-nerved enough to hide their emotion.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then, with a ringing "Elijen Szondi!" in honour of our
-host, we broke up and passed singly or in groups into the
-street.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The night was dark and dreary, snow lay thick on the
-ground, a storm of frozen sleet hurled itself into our faces,
-and the bitter cold made us shiver beneath our fur-lined
-mantles.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A wonderful contrast this," I exclaimed, setting off
-with "The Joyous" and several other officers for the
-barracks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"As great as that between Hungary united and Hungary
-divided against itself," replied one of them.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Or as that between Batthiany and Kossuth," suggested
-Rakoczy, after which we lapsed into silence.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="a-fight-in-the-mountains">CHAPTER VII.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">A FIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">"George!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had not been in bed an hour, and it was quite
-dark, when Rakoczy's voice wakened me from a sound sleep.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Turn out and dress quickly," he continued. "We are
-ordered to Waitzen; the men are under arms."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"All right," I replied sleepily, and tumbling out grazed
-my shins against an iron box.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Drawn blood already?" Rakoczy queried with a laugh.
-"What a desperate fellow you are!" and as he went away
-I heard him still chuckling to himself.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After a vain attempt to dress in the dark, I procured
-a light, and having made a hasty toilet hastened to the
-officers' messroom.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several men were already there, scalding their throats
-with boiling coffee, and eating the next two or three meals
-before starting--a very good plan, too, as experience soon
-taught us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As Rakoczy rightly said, on a campaign there is
-nothing like being a day in advance of your proper
-meals. Passing me a cup of steaming coffee and pointing
-to the eatables, he exclaimed, "Fall to, Botskay. There's
-no ceremony this morning."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Morning?" cried a youngster who, having burned his
-throat, was glad to give vent to his ill-humour. "You
-don't call this morning? Why, I hadn't got to sleep
-before they woke me up again. Why didn't they tell us
-before, and save us the trouble of tumbling in?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Don't know," replied Rakoczy innocently. "Ask some
-one else."</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were laughing at Rakoczy's pretended simplicity,
-when another man, coming in, said,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Jolly, this, isn't it? It's as black as pitch outside, and
-hailstones the size of walnuts are falling. Anybody know
-what it's all about?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Which? The hailstones or the blackness?" asked
-Rakoczy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"This sudden turn-out. A pity we hadn't stayed at
-Szondi's a couple of hours later."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I heard a rumour that Görgei had sent a messenger to
-say he was retreating with the Austrians on his heels."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He should imitate the horses and kick out behind."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I expect he will show fight at Ofen."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"With a crowd of peasants? Not likely. His best
-plan is to fall back."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What an oversight that the general didn't put us on
-his staff!" said Rakoczy. "We could have given him a
-lot of useful information."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There's the bugle, gentlemen! Ach!" as some one
-opened the door; "what a blast!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">I wrapped my mantle round me closely, took another
-pull at the hot coffee, and went into the barrack-yard.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Two or three hundred men were drawn up in waiting.
-They were to convoy a huge store of food and ammunition
-to Waitzen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rather to my disgust, I found that Rakoczy and I were
-to look after the carts, and a wretched time of it we had.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For several hours we trudged along in the blackness
-of the night, while the hailstorm beat down upon us
-in fury.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The roads were execrable, and frequently we were
-compelled to stop while the teamsters got their animals out
-of the holes into which they stumbled.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This first spell of active service was hardly to my liking,
-and even upon reaching Waitzen things were very little
-better.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, a merry heart is a golden cure for most ills,
-and it was not easy to be miserable where Rakoczy was.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He laughed at everything, found amusement in the
-storm, made light of the bitter cold, professed that half
-a dinner was better than a full one, and that he preferred
-to sleep on the floor, because there was no chance of falling
-out of bed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After waiting two days at Waitzen we learned that
-Görgei, by a sharp manoeuvre, had joined hands with
-Perczel, and that the Austrians were marching into Pesth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Many of us had wondered at being sent with stores to
-Waitzen, but now we began to understand something of
-our leader's foresight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Leaving the main army to retreat behind the Theiss,
-Görgei, making a great show with his scanty numbers,
-turned north to join us, and this drew the bulk of the
-Austrians on his own track.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Amongst the first of the advance-guard to arrive at
-Waitzen was my brother Stephen; and though he had
-little leisure for conversation, the meeting did us both
-good.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was looking a trifle thinner, but in good health, and
-related with much glee his experiences with the general.
-According to his account, he lived almost entirely in the
-saddle, slept at odd times where he could, ate what he
-could pick up, and had not once taken off his clothes since
-we left him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Of the general he spoke enthusiastically.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Görgei never gets tired," he said. "He is made of
-iron, and can do without sleep. As to riding, I never
-saw any one like him. After a day's hard work he'll
-jump into the saddle and ride to the outposts at full
-gallop on a pitch-dark night and in the stormiest weather.
-At first I used to ache in every muscle, but I'm getting
-used to it. Now I'm off to Kremnitz."</p>
-<p class="pnext">For several days longer we remained at Waitzen picking
-up recruits from the north, and then moved on towards
-Kremnitz.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy and I had been regularly appointed as
-major and lieutenant in the 9th Honved regiment, the
-men of which were well equipped and in fairly good
-spirits.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The recruits had brought our numbers up to about
-twenty thousand; and, leaving Kremnitz, we marched in
-a south-west direction to make Windischgratz believe we
-were striking at Vienna. In this we succeeded, and thus
-prevented the Austrian general from crushing our main
-army, then in full retreat to Debreczin, behind the Theiss.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Having accomplished his object, Görgei once more broke
-fresh ground, and led us into the mountains, in order to
-draw off a part of the Austrian force, and, by a
-round-about route, to rejoin the principal army.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was certainly serving a rough apprenticeship to the
-trade of war.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The roads were covered with ice, the valleys were piled
-with snow through which we had to force a passage,
-sometimes being sunk in it almost to our arm-pits; and as we
-stumbled along, huge avalanches thundered down the rocky
-cliffs that on either side overhung our path.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The majority of the soldiers, having newly joined, lost
-their spirits, which made the officers' work much harder;
-but we kept them going somehow, and struggled up and
-through the narrow defiles with the Austrians in our rear,
-and, for aught we knew, in front as well.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the beginning of the last week in January, the frost
-broke up quite suddenly, and the narrow valleys were
-flooded by water, which swept through the gorges,
-carrying with it great pieces of floating ice.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As our regiment led the way, we were the first to bear
-the brunt of this new danger.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Steady, men!" cried Rakoczy. "Plant your feet
-firmly on the ground and lock arms, or you'll be carried
-away."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men responded instantly, but for a long time they
-could make no headway against the torrent.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Again and again we led them forward, but each time it
-was only for a few paces.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The noise of the rushing waters, the blows from detached
-pieces of ice, the difficulty of securing a foothold, told on
-the men's nerves, and kept them from fronting the danger.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel stormed, Rakoczy begged and prayed,
-taunted them with cowardice, mocked at their fears, and
-called them frightened children--all in vain; forward
-they would not go.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The general himself tried, and failed to put heart into
-them. Then he whispered something to Stephen, who,
-with a smile, turned and disappeared.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Suddenly there came a shout from the rear, feeble at
-first, but rapidly increasing in volume.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Push on! Quick! Quick! The Austrians are on us!
-The enemy! The enemy!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">The greater danger swallowed up the less. The very
-dullest recruit could understand what would happen if
-the Austrians attacked us in that horrible defile, and in
-a short time we were boldly striding through the torrent.
-Those who would have lagged behind were dragged on
-by their companions; and so, fighting, pushing, struggling,
-shouting, we won our way bit by bit till we had safely
-passed the most dangerous places.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, the Austrians did not put in an appearance;
-and when I asked Rakoczy what had become of them, he
-laughed gaily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Gone back to where they came from, most likely!" he said.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Where's that?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Görgei's brain."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What? Was it simply a trick?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Ask Stephen when you get a chance; he ought to know."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And I've been expecting every minute to see the blaze
-of their guns from the heights!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Wait till we get nearer the summit; that's where the
-real danger lies. The Austrian Schlick is coming down
-post-haste from Galicia, and he's a tough fighter."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Three days after this conversation the truth of these
-words was brought home to us in a very striking manner.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei, who, as usual, was in advance, had sent forward
-his scouts. A few light guns, which by incredible labour
-had been dragged up the defiles, came next, and were
-followed by the 9th Honved regiment.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several other regiments followed at intervals, while the
-others were ascending by different routes, keeping in touch,
-however, with the main body, and all converging on one
-pass, which it was hoped the Austrians had not seized.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Unfortunately, Schlick had been too quick for us, and
-the scouts returned with the information that the mouth
-of the pass was blocked by huge boulders, behind which a
-formidable body of troops with heavy guns was stationed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The regiment halted; Görgei went to reconnoitre, and
-at once the artillery were ordered to advance, with the 9th
-in support. The men were weary and footsore, half-starved,
-numbed with cold, depressed by this everlasting retreat, and
-I doubted very much if they were equal to the work in
-front of them.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Suddenly the great guns thundered out, and our own
-replied; the unequal artillery duel had begun.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We moved up steadily, and the sharpshooters, running
-forward and getting whatever cover they could, picked off
-the Austrian gunners.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our own artillerymen worked their pieces bravely, but
-were altogether overmatched.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The place must be taken by storm, and the assault fell
-to the share of the 9th.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I thought of the barricade in the Prater, and remembered
-how I had pitied the brave fellows who had thrown
-away their lives in the attempt to carry it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now I was in a similar position, and my heart beat
-quickly as I stood there waiting for the word of command.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men, for the most part, looked downcast, as if they
-did not enjoy the prospect, and indeed it was a terrible
-trial for young troops.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy's handsome face lit up with his usual smile as
-he nodded to me pleasantly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At length the artillery fire on our side ceased, the word
-rang out, the regiment moved forward.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The order was that no man should stop to fire; but our
-fellows were not veterans, and it was disregarded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Still, considering that hardly one of us had been under
-fire before, we did not do so badly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei gave us a cheer as we passed the staff; Stephen
-waved his hand to me, and we were gone.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Into the mouth of the pass we rushed, so close to the
-great boulders that we could distinctly see the muzzles of
-the black guns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Forward!" cried the colonel, waving his sword.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Forward!" echoed Rakoczy, still smiling; and we ran
-with such speed that the first discharge checked only those
-who fell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The second threw us into some disorder. The colonel
-was killed outright by a cannon-ball, but Rakoczy took
-command and led us on gallantly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We had, however, lost many men; and when, for the
-third time, the iron balls tore through our ranks, the
-survivors would have no more of it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Back they went helter-skelter, tumbling over one another
-in their eagerness to seek shelter, Rakoczy's orders
-being unheeded in the stampede.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The attack had hopelessly failed, and it was plain to all
-that the bravest troops would only be thrown back crushed
-and bleeding from that lane of death.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The check was a serious one. To turn the position by
-another pass would cause a delay of several days, which
-might ruin the whole cause, for we did not know that
-Windischgratz was still in Pesth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The artillery duel began again, while we re-formed our
-ranks and looked about us gloomily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On our right and left huge precipices, covered with ice
-and snow, towered skyward.</p>
-<p class="pnext">If only it were practicable to scale them, we might yet
-drive the Austrians out.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I could not keep my eyes from the cliffs, nor dismiss the
-idea from my head.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Fifty good shots perched up there could pick off every
-artilleryman who stood by the enemy's guns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There were numerous mountaineers in the regiment, and
-I myself had always been reckoned a good climber.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had just escaped death; but unless some other plan
-was discovered, Görgei would fling us at that barrier until
-those who survived--if there were any--did get over. In
-fact, he could not help himself.</p>
-<p class="pnext">And if death came while I was scaling the cliff, why,
-the result was no worse than if it met me in the narrow
-path.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I went to Rakoczy and told him what was in my head.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Just for an instant he turned pale, and the smile left
-his face, but he soon recovered his composure.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There are a hundred chances of death in fifty yards,"
-he said, "and a thousand when the Austrians see the
-dodge."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There are five thousand in front of us," I answered.
-"Still, that isn't the point. Will you give me an axe and
-leave to go?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I wouldn't order or even ask you to try; but if you're
-bent on it--"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It may save hundreds of lives."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then I'll borrow you a hatchet, and call for volunteers."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He turned to the regiment. "I want twenty men fond
-of mountain-climbing to go on a little excursion with
-Lieutenant Botskay."</p>
-<p class="pnext">More than half the regiment stepped to the front, and,
-selecting a score, I told them what we were going to do.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The major sent for some hatchets, and then informed
-Görgei, who instantly dispatched a cloud of sharpshooters
-to distract the enemy's attention.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Unbuckling my sword, I gave it to Rakoczy, and, in
-case of accidents, wished him good-bye.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen had been sent on an errand by the general, and
-I was rather pleased than otherwise by his absence; the
-knowledge that he was below, gazing up at me and
-trembling for my safety, might have preyed on my nerve.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My twenty men--all muscular, wiry fellows--laid aside
-their rifles, and, axe in hand, stood ready to mount.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Fifty of the finest marksmen waited beneath the cliff,
-ready to follow in our track if we should find or cut a
-path, and to protect us from the enemy's fire.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Meanwhile, the sharpshooters at the front, snugly
-sheltered behind rocks and boulders, discharged their rifles
-incessantly, and, without doing much damage, kept the
-Austrians well employed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our starting-point was a ledge, to which we were hoisted
-on men's shoulders, and which was so narrow that we
-could barely preserve a footing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A hum of sympathy rose from the ranks as I cut the
-first notch; but for the fear of attracting attention it
-would have been a roar of cheering.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy had said truly there were a hundred chances
-of death in fifty yards. The cold was so intense that
-several times the hatchet was within an ace of slipping
-from my fingers; and once, while attempting to hang on
-by a jutting ledge, I must have rolled over but for the
-man behind me. The first part of the journey we did in
-single file, and of course each climber made the way easier
-for the next one, so that it became possible for Rakoczy to
-send on the soldiers with rifles.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Up in the pass our light guns had been partly silenced;
-but the sharpshooters were busy firing as fast as they
-could load, and so making the Austrians believe that
-another assault was to be delivered.</p>
-<p class="pnext">To this end, also, the 9th Honveds had been drawn up
-and placed in position, but out of the line of fire, as if
-they were only awaiting the support of the next regiment
-in order to charge.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We had reached an immense wall of ice, perpendicular,
-smooth, and of almost unbroken surface, and I was regarding
-it with dismay, when the man behind me exclaimed,
-"To the right, lieutenant! There seems to be a tiny path;
-we can creep round."</p>
-<p class="pnext">There was a tiny path indeed, so narrow that we had
-to press against the wall like flies, and I doubted the
-wisdom of attempting to pass.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It will get wider, sir; and once round, the rest will
-be easy."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I gave one last thought to my friends and put my foot
-on the ledge.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In spite of the ice and snow and the bitter, freezing
-wind I was hot enough now--so hot that my body was
-bathed in perspiration.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Placing the fingers of my left hand in a small crevice, I
-cut a little nick farther on, and thus, step by step, made
-my perilous way.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Half-way across I was seized by a fit of terror, and
-clung to the wall helplessly like a frightened child, not
-daring to move, hardly, indeed, to breathe.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Something had unnerved me; I scarcely knew what.
-There had been a rasping of ice, a sound as of slipping
-feet, a groan of anguish promptly suppressed, and I felt as
-if the angel of death had lightly brushed me with his
-spreading wings.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The sound of an unfamiliar voice brought me to my
-senses. A man was speaking, but it was not Szemere, the
-one who had up till now been my close attendant.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Hold tight, sir. Szemere has gone over--missed his
-footing."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I shuddered to think of the poor fellow's awful fate, but,
-strangely enough, the knowledge of it restored my
-courage. I ceased to tremble, braced myself up, and cut
-another notch. Down below, the unequal fight was being
-waged in the pass. We could hear the roar of the heavy
-guns, the sharp, crisp rattle of the musketry, the shouts of
-the combatants, while we hung like a line of flies to the
-face of the cliffs.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At length, with every muscle strained, with aching
-limbs, with scratched face, and bleeding fingers, I cut the
-last notch, and stood in comparative safety.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The next man, a light, wiry fellow, he who had told me
-of Szemere's death, cut the notch deeper, and as he did so
-the axe slipped from his nerveless fingers and went
-clattering down the abyss.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The brown of his face turned to a greyish-white colour;
-his legs tottered; his teeth knocked together; his hold
-loosened; in another second he would be gone!</p>
-<p class="pnext">I never could clearly understand what happened then.
-I remember dimly that my arms were locked round the
-fellow's waist, that our bodies were swaying to and fro,
-that by force of instinct I used all my strength to swing
-backward.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In this I must have succeeded, for presently I found
-myself lying on the flat of my back, still hugging the
-soldier. A pull at my flask of silovitz set me right, and
-then I forced some of the liquor into the mouth of my
-companion. Directly the poor fellow recovered from his
-stupor he knelt and kissed my hands, saying gratefully,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"My life is yours, sweet master. Mecsey Sándor is
-your servant for ever and ever."</p>
-<p class="pnext">We in Hungary adopt the plan of placing the surname
-first; English-speaking people would call the man Sándor
-or Alexander Mecsey.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several of the others now joined us; and, as the dead
-Szemere had foretold, the most difficult part of the journey
-was past. We were no longer compelled to march in single
-file, but could spread out, and thus allow the riflemen to
-follow closely.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now walking upright, now crawling on our hands and
-knees, we drew near to the Austrian position, when a volley
-from the enemy showed they had discovered us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Bidding my men lie low, I drew a small flag from my
-pocket, and, standing proudly erect, waved the glorious
-red, white, and green colours to the breeze.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men of the 9th greeted the flag with a tremendous
-shout, which went echoing and re-echoing up the mountain
-sides. The Austrians fired fast and furiously, but in their
-excitement they aimed badly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We with the axes, of course, could do nothing more, but
-the riflemen, taking shelter, poured in a terrible fire, against
-which the enemy were powerless.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men at the guns went down one after another; and
-every minute our fire became more severe, as Rakoczy
-continued to feed us with fresh volunteers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Austrian chief made a gallant effort to reach us,
-and we saw his white-coated infantry helping each other
-to scale the smooth walls.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The attempt proved vain, as it was bound to do. The
-men slipped and scrambled, fell, and rolled to the
-bottom--many to lie there for all time.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Those who climbed highest were greeted by the bullets
-of my hidden marksmen; and though the white-coats
-advanced with their wonted bravery, they struggled and
-died in vain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">So plain was this that the leader, while still
-maintaining a brave show against Görgei, began to draw off his
-troops, and from our vantage-place we watched them
-sullenly retire.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Very slowly and steadily they went, while we,
-springing to our feet, cheered again and again.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Down below, our comrades secured the abandoned post,
-leaving the next regiment, which had suffered hardly at
-all, to pursue the enemy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was a trying task to descend, especially as we had
-several wounded men to carry, but the knowledge of
-victory cheered our spirits; and at length, with the loss of
-only two or three men, we reached the pass.</p>
-<p class="pnext">How our regiment cheered as we ranged ourselves to
-receive the general! He stood fronting us, his head bent
-forward, his hands behind his back as usual.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Gallant lads, one and all," he said; "yours is to-day's
-victory."</p>
-<p class="pnext">We answered with an "Elijen Görgei!" and when he
-departed, the men of the regiment crowded round to
-congratulate their comrades.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As for me, the "Well done!" of Rakoczy, who was now
-colonel, and Stephen's warm embrace, were sufficient
-reward; but Görgei thought otherwise, and I, who had
-entered the pass as a simple lieutenant, left it as a captain.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="a-drawn-battle">CHAPTER VIII.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">A DRAWN BATTLE.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">The taking of the pass, described in the preceding
-chapter, was the first really stubborn affair we had
-been engaged in, but during the remainder of the journey
-the enemy attacked us many times.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Soldiers have told me that, from a military point of
-view, the march was a brilliant one, and that it stamped
-our leader as a most accomplished general.</p>
-<p class="pnext">To us it was exceedingly wearisome and distressing.
-We had very little food, and that the coarsest. Our boots
-were dropping to pieces, our uniforms were in rags and
-tatters. Often we forced a passage through ice and snow
-knee-deep. Frequently the fog enveloped us so thickly
-that a man could not see his neighbour, and that in a
-place where a false step meant death.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At night our bivouac was the snow-covered ground,
-where, wrapping ourselves in our bundas, we tried to
-forget our misery for an hour or two in sleep.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In addition, the Austrians gave us plenty of employment
-in the fighting line, especially near the summit,
-where they occupied the passes in force.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, as Görgei had resolved to reach Kaschau, to
-Kaschau we had to go; and by dint of climbing and fighting
-we at length forced the mountain barriers, and began
-the descent of the valleys.</p>
-<p class="pnext">During the march I saw Stephen scarcely at all,
-but Rakoczy and I were constantly together; and my
-friend more than ever justified his old name of "The
-Joyous."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The hardships of the journey had no terrors for him.
-He appeared warm in the bitterest cold, and when every
-one else was soaked through, he, to judge by his smiling
-face, was dry and comfortable.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He joked with the men on their troubles till the poor
-fellows almost began to believe they were grumbling about
-nothing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Cold?" he would say. "Nonsense! Why, you're
-glowing as if you'd just come from a vapour-bath.
-Footsore? I wouldn't like to challenge you to a race for a
-hundred gulden. Andras, how pleased you'll be when the
-war's ended to say, 'I went over the mountains with
-Görgei.' Your neighbours will never let you pay for a
-bottle of silovitz all the rest of your life. 'The cosiest
-seat in the inn for Andras,' everybody will say. 'He is a
-warrior, if you like.' Why, the maidens won't dance with
-another man in the room while you're there. Look at
-Janko," as a burly fellow shot head foremost into a
-snowdrift. "I'll warrant he expects to find something good in
-there. Lucky fellow, Janko!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Sometimes he would start one of the fiery, soul-stirring,
-popular songs, when the whole regiment, joining in and
-forgetting all else, would swing along quite cheerfully.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At night, while we lay on the snow-covered ground,
-our teeth chattering with the cold, he would amuse the
-officers by his glowing descriptions of the mountains in the
-summer-time.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The noblest mountains in the world!" he would say with
-enthusiasm. "It is a treat to saunter through the miles of
-beautiful pine forests, or to gather the lovely gentians and
-forget-me-nots, blue as if they had dropped from heaven,
-or to linger by the edge of some boulder-wrapped lake, and
-gaze into its clear green waters. In the early morning,
-when myriads of dewdrops sparkle and flash like countless
-diamonds, and the sun paints the cliffs with warm gold and
-crimson and purple hues, the place is like paradise. Then
-to stand on the summits and gaze over the fruitful plains,
-yellow with ripening grain--ah, I tell you it is a treat to
-wander amongst the Carpathians!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then some one would point out in a jesting spirit
-further delights to be enjoyed--the splendid mists, which
-drenched us to the bone, and prevented us from seeing the
-frightful chasms, down which we might tumble; the bitter
-cold, but for which we should not appreciate the comfort
-of our bundas; the slippery ice, which provided us with
-endless fun and a cracked head occasionally.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Gradually we would drop off into a restless sleep, and in
-the morning pinch ourselves hard, to discover if our limbs
-still had any feeling.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The march towards Kaschau was marked by a series of
-desperate fights with the troops under the Austrian general
-Schlick.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Sometimes they took up a favourable position, which it
-cost the lives of many brave men to capture; sometimes,
-creeping quietly through the darkness, they made an attack
-just when, wearied out by the toils of the day, we had
-fallen asleep.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The last of these assaults was of a very determined
-nature, and for a time had every chance of succeeding.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were within a day's march of Kaschau, and had
-covered many weary miles since the morning.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A thick fog had come up with the night--so thick,
-indeed, it was that it closed us in like a curtain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Most of the men fell asleep directly they lay down,
-and very soon there was not a sound to be heard in the
-camp.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Towards midnight I was awakened by a wild shouting,
-and springing to my feet, found that the Austrians were in
-the midst of us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fight that ensued was of the weirdest kind. In
-the darkness friend could not be distinguished from foe,
-and many a man lost his life by sword or bayonet
-thrust without seeing the hand that struck the blow.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy's voice kept his regiment well together, and
-owing chiefly to the steadiness of the 9th Honveds the
-Austrians were finally repulsed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Like ghosts they had come, like ghosts they vanished;
-and but for the groans of the wounded, we might have
-regarded the whole affair as a bad dream.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, for the officers, at least, there was no further
-rest; and though the men went to sleep again, we were
-kept busy doubling the sentries, restoring order, and seeing
-after the poor fellows who had been hurt.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Very glad we were when morning came; and having
-eaten our breakfasts, which occupied little time, we set
-out for Kaschau.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I think Schlick's daring venture must have cost him
-dear; at any rate we saw no more of the enemy, and in
-the evening arrived, footsore and hungry, at Kaschau, where
-an army corps under General Klapka met us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy pointed out the general to me, and said that,
-next to Görgei, he was the finest soldier in the army.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In figure he was rather short, but exceedingly well
-shaped, and he had the oval face, black whiskers and
-moustache, and fiery, dark eyes of the true Magyar.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His features were refined, his manners those of a
-high-born gentleman, and his expression was so mild and gentle
-that in private dress he would hardly have been taken for
-a soldier.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Yet so brilliant was to be one, at least, of his exploits
-that his name will live for ever in the memories of his
-Magyar comrades.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At Kaschau we remained several days, both in order to
-recover from our fatigue and to obtain a fresh supply of
-ammunition, as the men had almost come to their last
-cartridge.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From Kaschau we proceeded to Mischkolz, where
-Dembinski joined us with another army; and here, to our
-disgust, we learned that the Polish leader had been made
-commander-in-chief.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That's Kossuth's idea," said Rakoczy, "and very badly
-he'll find it work."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen, who at last had found time to spare an hour
-with us, was very indignant.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A Magyar army has no need of a Polish general," he
-exclaimed, "especially when it counts such men as Görgei
-and Klapka among its leaders."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The Pole is a republican," I remarked, thinking of the
-talk at Vienna. "Görgei is a royalist."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And his proclamation did him little good with the
-Kossuth party."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy here referred to the address our general had
-published, in which he declared his army "would oppose
-itself to all those who may attempt by republican intrigues
-in the interior of the country to overthrow the
-constitutional monarchy."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"If Görgei held up his little finger, the army would
-sweep Kossuth and his Poles out of the country!" my
-brother cried warmly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"But he won't, and I'm glad of it," said Rakoczy. "Let
-us settle with the Austrians first; 'twill be time enough
-then to fight one another. It's a good rule not to pick up
-more than you can hold."</p>
-<p class="pnext">What Görgei and Klapka thought of the matter I
-cannot say; but it took a good deal of enthusiasm out
-of the soldiers, who had learned to look on Görgei as their
-natural chief.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, as Rakoczy well said, the Austrians must be
-dealt with first; and as Windischgratz was advancing, we
-broke up our camp, and marched, forty thousand strong,
-with two hundred and twenty-five guns, to Kapolna, on the
-road between Pesth and Debreczin.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here we occupied a strong position on the heights near
-the town, each wing resting on a ruined village, with our
-splendid artillery and several squadrons of veteran hussars
-in the centre.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Daylight had scarcely broken on the morning of the
-twenty-sixth of February, when the sounds of heavy firing
-announced that the battle had begun.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My regiment was stationed on the left, and at first I had
-ample leisure to view the struggle in the centre and on the
-right.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Compared with this tremendous fight, our encounters
-with Schlick in the mountains were little more than
-playing at war.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In the centre, forty great guns on either side, served by
-skilful gunners, thundered away at each other. Farther
-along, the Austrian leader hurled battalion after battalion
-against our right wing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">By means of a field-glass I saw what happened to the
-first, and the fate of several others was like it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A great, white-coated mass, looking grey, however, in
-the early morning, went forward slowly, it appeared to
-me, yet firmly. A few figures in the front formed a
-sort of spear-head, which should help the mass to pierce
-a way.</p>
-<p class="pnext">These greyish-white dots were officers. One carried what
-might have been a handkerchief; really it was the famous
-black and yellow colours.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The mass moved on slowly, steadily, firmly. On the
-right of it shot and shell flew screaming and hissing;
-flashes of fire burst from the guns; the earth shook with
-the discharges; a curtain of smoke shut out my view.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When it lifted I looked for the battalion. Yes, there
-it was, compact as ever, undisturbed by the terrible fight
-going on elsewhere, and marching steadily towards its
-destination.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Suddenly some tiny curls of whitish smoke were wafted
-from the heights. The battalion halted. There was a
-movement in the ranks--I could not tell what; then the
-mass advanced again. But as it moved away, I noticed
-that some parts of it had, so to speak, dropped off; and
-from this point there began a confused line of dots, thin in
-some places, thicker in others.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The column had become smaller, and each time the
-little puffs of curly smoke appeared, it seemed to quiver,
-as if with cold, and the line of dots was made longer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The spear-head had done its share towards forming the
-track. The sides and base of it had vanished, but the apex
-remained. It was the man with the handkerchief, which
-he continued to wave without once looking back.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I watched him with intense fascination, till once again a
-thick black cloud drifted across my lens.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When the battalion next came into sight, it was considerably
-smaller, and it had left a heap much higher than any
-of the others about thirty yards in the rear; but the one
-remaining point of the spear-head still waved its black and
-yellow folds to and fro.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Suddenly the movement of the mass increased in speed,
-but it was still one body, save for that detached point in
-the van.</p>
-<p class="pnext">To it something--I could only guess what--at last
-happened.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The flag disappeared, the greyish-white figure sank to
-the ground. I choked back a sigh of regret, when flag and
-figure came into sight again, only the former had changed
-its position from right to left.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now, too, the white puffs came out quicker from the
-heights; and as the pace of the column increased, so did
-these curly little clouds.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then, as I looked, the battalion stopped dead; half of it
-sank to the ground; the rest, each part separated from its
-neighbour, fell to pieces; and the various atoms, without
-any appearance of order, ran back quickly along the track
-so recently made.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One figure alone moved slowly--it was the apex of the
-spear-head, the shaft of which had broken; and in spite of
-the yellow and black colours, I was downright glad to see
-the flag returning.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Steady, my boys, steady! Don't fire till you get
-the word. Remember our general trusts to the 9th
-Honveds."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The words and the cheer that followed them brought
-me back with a rush to the reality of my own position.</p>
-<p class="pnext">That which had engaged my attention as a spectator I
-was about to take part in as an actor.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Two battalions were advancing at the double across the
-plain, and others had formed up in support.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We held one of the keys of the position, and Görgei
-himself, trusting to Rakoczy's influence, had placed us there.</p>
-<p class="pnext">If we retreated, the battle would be lost; and no
-subsequent victory could ever wipe out our disgrace.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Looking at the men's faces, I did not much fear the
-result. The time had gone by when the 9th would run
-away at the first shot, as this very battle was to prove.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Steadily the men waited, trusting implicitly in their
-colonel, while the two battalions crossed the plain and
-dashed at the heights.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Fire!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Sharp and clear the word rang out, and every trigger
-was pulled at the same instant, as if the regiment had been
-a machine.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Down below, the slaughter was terrible; but we had to
-deal with some of the best fighting men who had ever
-followed the Austrian eagle into the battlefield.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Only the dead stopped at the foot of the heights; all
-the others, even the wounded, pressed on, and the arrival
-of the second battalion more than made up for those who
-had fallen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Up they came, scorning death, and contemptuous of the
-Hungarian peasants so recently converted into soldiers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But "John the Joyous" led us, and we had learned many
-lessons during our march over the mountains with Görgei.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Standing our ground firmly, we poured volley after
-volley into the midst of the climbing Austrians.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Still the survivors advanced, and, fed from below,
-maintained their numbers, while many of our fellows began to
-drop.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel was everywhere, and his cheery voice
-encouraged those under his command.</p>
-<p class="pnext">While most of the Austrians came on, climbing and
-firing in the open, many adopted the wiser course of seeking
-cover, whence they could pick us off without much risk.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several men of my company lost their lives in this
-way; but the fight came at length to a hand-grip, and
-it was no longer a question of bullets, but of bayonets.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Twice by main force we flung our assailants back; but
-they returned to the charge, cheering loudly, as if bent
-upon turning us out or of losing every man in the attempt.
-We on our side would not give way, and so the stubborn
-fight continued.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The enemy were continually reinforced; our losses were
-not made good, and the longer the struggle lasted the more
-unequal it became.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For myself, I feared that the attack would prove too
-strong; and, as Rakoczy told me afterwards, he was of
-the same opinion.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One would not have thought so, however, at the time
-of the fight. His face was full of confidence; his voice
-had not lost an atom of its usual cheerfulness. To his
-troops his presence appeared everywhere as an omen of
-victory.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Still the position was growing desperate, and though we
-might have held our own for a while longer, the enemy
-must finally have captured the heights, as there would
-have been no one left to defend them.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel had posted my company at a spot where
-the ascent was fairly easy, and, had the white-coats once
-broken through, they would have turned the position from
-the top.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You must die where you stand," he had said, "for the
-honour of the Magyars," and we had answered with a
-cheer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But the enemy were not at our throats then as they
-were now, cutting and stabbing, or, seizing us bodily,
-trying to hurl us over the cliffs.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Still we held our ground, though the company was
-sadly diminishing in numbers, and every fighting-man
-who survived was more or less seriously wounded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had twice escaped death myself, through the devotion
-of Mecsey Sándor, who, since the affair in the pass, had
-taken every opportunity to show his gratitude.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On the second occasion I was engaged hand to hand
-with an Austrian sergeant, sword against bayonet, when,
-my foot slipping, down, I went, completely at the fellow's
-mercy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Sándor, who though hotly engaged evidently kept one
-eye on me, was at my side in a moment, and, parrying the
-sergeant's blow, dealt one himself.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My men cheered as I rose to my feet and again dashed
-into the thick of the fight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then it was that, in the very wreck of our fortunes, a
-cry rose from the rear--a cry that made our blood hot,
-and victory, at least in that particular corner of the field,
-certain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Görgei! Görgei! elijen Görgei!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Louder and louder it grew, putting heart into every
-man; even the poor fellows on the ground, raising
-themselves with difficulty, helped to swell the chorus.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Riding along the heights, the general had seen how
-terribly we suffered, and springing from his horse without
-a moment's hesitation, had run to our help.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The staff, leaving their animals, followed; and I saw
-Stephen, his handsome face ablaze with passion, catch his
-leader, and side by side with him shoot forward into the
-press.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The reinforcement was few in numbers, but Görgei
-counted a host in himself, and the sight of his tall, spare
-frame and spectacled, weather-beaten countenance inspired
-us all with new courage.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Austrians now gave way slowly, still fighting with
-sullen desperation; but we pushed them harder and harder,
-broke them up into little knots, forced them into a run,
-till, thoroughly disorganized, they reached the plain a
-beaten crowd.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here their misfortunes were by no means at an end.
-A regiment of hussars, issuing from a wood on the right,
-scattered those who still kept together, and turned what
-was already a bad defeat into a total rout.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The cheers for Görgei rose again with tenfold vigour;
-but the general, taking Rakoczy by the hand, exclaimed,
-"Colonel, you and your brave lads have done to-day what
-I shall never forget. I trusted you to hold this position,
-and you have held it. Through me Hungary thanks the
-gallant 9th Honveds."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then, amidst another wild outburst of cheering, he went
-back to the summit.</p>
-<p class="pnext">While his chief talked thus to Rakoczy, Stephen came
-to me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In the struggle he had not received a scratch; but it was
-different with me, and my brother's face looked very grave.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It's all right, old fellow," I said, trying to speak
-lightly. "Not one of these cuts is really dangerous. I'm
-only a little faint through loss of blood. A night's rest
-will put me straight."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He shook my hand warmly and followed his chief, but
-I noticed that more than once he turned and looked back
-sorrowfully.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The combat, which had lasted for six hours, now ceased
-on the two wings, but continued in the centre with
-unabated fury.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There the great guns were massed, and the veterans of
-both armies strove, the one party to oust its opponents, the
-other to maintain its position.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The guns roared, sheets of flame sprang from their
-muzzles, shot and shell tore, screaming, through the air.
-Occasionally what appeared a solid body of living fire
-shot skyward, accompanied by a loud report, as a
-powder-tumbrel was struck by one of the flying missiles.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then for a time everything would be hidden by a dense
-bank of smoke, and we waited breathlessly to see it lift.
-But though human courage may be inexhaustible, there
-is a limit to human endurance; and at last, as if by
-common consent, both sides ceased to struggle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A drawn battle," said Rakoczy, "and I don't think
-we've had the worst of it. George, you'd better find a
-surgeon and have those wounds dressed. We shall have
-to fight again in the morning."</p>
-<p class="pnext">As I had told Stephen, my hurts were not dangerous,
-and directly the surgeon had bound them up I returned
-to the front.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men lay on the hard ground with only their bundas
-to shelter them from the bitter, piercing cold that crept
-into their very marrows.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy, with several officers and the least fatigued of
-the troops, was going about succouring the wounded; but
-he would not allow me to help, insisting that I needed
-rest. So, wrapped in my mantle, I lay down, and sad at
-heart watched the myriads of brilliant stars that shone in
-the unclouded sky.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="the-retreat">CHAPTER IX.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">THE RETREAT.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">In spite of the cold I fell asleep at last, and did not
-waken until the morning.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Austrians were already stirring--indeed, they had
-been under arms since the dawn; and I saw by the aid of
-my glass that three batteries had been pushed forward
-nearer the town.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I snatched a hasty breakfast, consisting of a piece of
-black bread, a slice of bacon, and a draught of silovitz,
-afterwards taking command of my shattered company.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The daylight, alas, showed only too plainly the havoc
-caused by the recent conflict. Many familiar faces were
-absent from the ranks, and a large number of those who
-answered to their names were wounded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Still, the satisfaction of knowing we had stood our
-ground cheered us, and we looked forward to the coming
-attack without much fear for the result.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Feel equal to another bout?" asked the colonel,
-coming up to me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He had not slept since the fight began on the previous
-morning, but his eyes were as bright and his carriage as
-jaunty as ever.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Daresay I shall get through somehow," I answered.
-"But what are the others waiting for? Have they had
-enough? The attack seems to hang fire a bit."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Windischgratz won't strike till he can make pretty
-sure of hitting the mark. Probably he expects Schlick
-to join him."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"According to the scouts, Schlick can't arrive till it's all
-over."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Don't make too sure. Schlick's a perfect demon when
-the guns begin to speak. His corps would have to march
-all night if there was a chance of getting up in time.
-Anyway, had I been Dembinski, I should have forced the
-fighting directly day broke; but no doubt the old man
-knows his business."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy walked on, passing along the lines smiling
-good-humouredly, joking with the men, praising them for
-their behaviour of yesterday, and putting them in famous
-spirits. Certainly one had not far to seek the reason of
-his popularity.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Meanwhile the morning advanced, and about seven
-o'clock the enemy's heavy guns opened fire at Kapolna.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Evidently the attack was to be conducted on a different
-plan, and very soon the cause of the alteration became plain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our position not being threatened, we were able to look
-about, and from the height obtained a good view of the
-field.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was just eight o'clock when Rakoczy, passing his
-glass to an officer, exclaimed, "That's what I feared. See
-the column of smoke there on our right?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The enemy are spreading themselves out too far.
-Dembinski could easily cut off their left. The Pole is
-getting too old for active service. Why doesn't he
-push forward a couple of battalions quickly?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy smiled. "You don't know what that column
-of smoke means," he said. "It's a sign that Schlick has
-arrived with a fresh army corps."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Impossible!" cried one of the officers. "His men
-would all have dropped on the march."</p>
-<p class="pnext">In spite of our astonishment, however, the Austrian
-general was on the field, and pounding away at our right
-wing with terrific effect.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His arrival put fresh heart into our opponents, and
-they moved forward in the centre, redoubling their fire on
-the wretched town. The tide of battle set steadily
-towards our centre and right, leaving us simple spectators.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I suppose it was important to keep possession of the
-heights, yet it seemed a pity to stand thus idly while our
-comrades were fighting so desperately.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Of the combat on our right we saw little, but in the
-centre we could distinctly see the rush of the two Austrian
-battalions as their officers led them against the town.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A fierce musketry fire checked them for a second, and I
-thought they would fall to pieces; but no--the two-headed
-eagle showed the way, and the brave infantry followed
-the national symbol.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On they went, and with an exulting cry swept into
-the town, from which there immediately arose tongues of
-fire.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The combat was now hidden from us, and we watched
-in the greatest excitement for what would happen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fight inside the town was of the most bitter nature,
-but, little by little, our comrades were forced back, rushing
-out at last in a disorderly crowd.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A couple of hundred yards away they stopped their
-flight, re-formed, and, led as far as we could tell by
-Dembinski in person, made a gallant but unsuccessful
-attempt to regain the town.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Three times they returned to the attack; but the
-Austrians, now reinforced, proved too strong, and at length,
-sallying out, drove the Magyars back to a farm-house,
-round which a fierce conflict was maintained.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was at this time that Stephen rode up with an order
-for our colonel, and instantly the regiment was on the
-move.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My brother's face brightened when he saw me, and he
-stopped to say a word or two.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I asked him how the battle was going, and he replied
-in a whisper, "Altogether against us; and only Görgei's
-bravery has kept the right. Good-bye! In an hour there
-will be an avalanche."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen might well have made the time shorter: in
-half an hour we were face to face with the signs of the
-coming rout. At first only a few men here and there
-scudded away as fast as their legs would carry them,
-but their fright was contagious. It spread from regiment
-to regiment, from man to man.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The officers in vain attempted to stay the retreat. The
-infantry broke up in disorder, each man trying to save
-himself; the artillery, infected by the sudden panic, wheeled
-their guns round and galloped off as fast as the horses
-could travel. The famous hussars, almost alone, retired
-slowly and in beautiful order.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our own regiment, influenced by the sight of the
-fugitives, showed signs of unsteadiness; but Rakoczy, in his
-usual cheerful manner, threatened to shoot the first who
-ran, and thus averted the danger.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Very fortunate indeed it proved that the men kept
-their ranks, as we were suddenly assailed by a body of
-hussars, who did their best to ride us down.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Steady, my lads!" cried the colonel. "Keep shoulder
-to shoulder. If you give way, we're lost."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The leader of the hussars was a handsome young fellow
-with fair hair and blue eyes, and even in the stress of the
-fight I recognized Captain von Theyer, one of the leaders
-of the Viennese insurgents.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He caught my astonished look, and dashed at me sword
-in hand; but a bullet struck his horse in the chest, and
-the animal reeled over heavily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A trooper sprang to the ground, and, dragging his
-leader free, helped him to mount his own horse, and
-carried him out of the fray.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A gallant fellow and a gallant deed," I said, thinking
-of the trooper, as the hussars galloped off.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well done, lads!" cried Rakoczy. "They will learn
-to respect the 9th Honveds."</p>
-<p class="pnext">We had, however, not yet finished with the hussars,
-who, led by Von Theyer, returned again and again to the
-charge, striving desperately to break our ranks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Met each time by a rain of bullets, they wheeled and
-galloped away, though twice Von Theyer brought them
-within touch of the bayonets.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It seemed odd that a prominent revolutionist should
-thus be leading a charge of Austrian cavalry; but
-whatever his politics might be, there was no questioning his
-bravery.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Three times we sent them back with many empty
-saddles, but their fair-haired young leader was not to be
-denied.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Steady!" exclaimed the colonel. "Keep your fire!
-Here they come!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">They made a brilliant show with their shining breastplates
-and helmets and nodding plumes as, holding their
-sabres ready, they thundered down on us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Fire!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Steady as rocks, the Honveds kept their ground; the
-rifles blazed out; the hussars were checked.</p>
-<p class="pnext">No! Here they were amongst us, cutting and slashing;
-and foremost of them all rode Von Theyer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A superb rider and a fine swordsman, he was the
-<em class="italics">beau ideal</em> of a cavalry leader, and handled his men
-splendidly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As if I were the special object of attack, he rode straight
-at me, and crying, "Remember Vienna!" struck furiously
-with his sword.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With difficulty I parried that blow and several others;
-but Von Theyer stuck to his work, and the glittering steel
-flashed incessantly about my head.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was kept far too busy to see how the fight went
-elsewhere, but every now and then I heard Rakoczy's cheery
-voice, and guessed that all was well.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Suddenly there rose a cry in German of "Back! back!"
-and Von Theyer, roused to a sense of his men's danger,
-reluctantly drew off.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was high time. Bearing down from the left, came
-two squadrons of our own hussars, mounted on magnificent
-horses, which carried them straight through the disordered
-ranks of the Austrians.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then my young opponent showed his value as a leader.
-With skill equal to his bravery he got his men together,
-and with little extra loss, as far as could be judged, retired
-in good order.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That fellow meant business," said the colonel, as we
-continued the retreat. "See what comes from interfering
-in the concerns of other people."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What do you mean? I haven't done anything to
-make him angry."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Ha, ha!" laughed Rakoczy. "What about saving the
-fräulein's life? Do you think this young gallant likes
-you any the better for getting into the lady's good graces?
-I'm glad to see you blush; it shows there is some blood
-left in your body, which I began to doubt."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Later on I thought a good deal of this little speech, for
-I had never forgotten the fair young girl in Vienna; but
-just then there were many things to distract my attention.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Except for our own regiment and the regular cavalry,
-the Hungarian army had become a helpless, drifting mob.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Heavy guns, baggage-wagons, creaking carts filled with
-the wounded, infantry without arms, dismounted horsemen,
-knots of soldiers separated from their officers, some
-running, others moving with a dogged sullenness, were all
-jumbled together in extraordinary confusion.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Had the Austrians followed up their victory, they could
-have swept us all, bag and baggage, into the Theiss.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Fortunately the pursuit was confined to a single brigade,
-and even that we had the utmost difficulty in beating off.</p>
-<p class="pnext">About two miles eastward of Kapolna, Görgei rode up,
-attended by his staff, and a ringing cheer greeted his
-arrival.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His cap was gone, his clothes bore the marks of close
-hand-to-hand fighting, there was blood on his cheeks, yet
-he did not look downcast--only savagely determined.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Colonel," he said, "do you see that wood? Your
-regiment must hold it for the next two hours--three, if
-possible, but two for certain."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We'll hold it, general, living or dead," replied Rakoczy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Good! If I can stop any of those wretched runaways,
-they shall support you."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We'll do it by ourselves, general," cried an old
-sergeant; and the men, repeating his words, cheered loudly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The general's face lit up with a proud smile.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I'll trust you, my fine fellows!" he said, and off he
-dashed at full gallop, the officers of the staff trying in
-vain to keep pace with him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We reached the wood and took up a position, just in
-time to receive the attack of a lancer regiment, which
-came on with gaily fluttering pennons.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Down toppled the first rank, horse and rider, as the
-rifle fire blazed out. The others, wheeling to right and
-left, galloped off in two long lines.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Again they came, but it was cruel work for them.
-Hardly an enemy could they see, yet the bullets sped
-fast and true, and hardly a lance-point reached the line
-of rifles.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then, to complete the misfortune of these gallant
-fellows, the hussars, making a brave show in their gaudy
-trappings, again came to our assistance, riding up from
-the left, and, before the lancers had time to re-form,
-scattered them in all directions.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A cheer for the hussars, my lads!" cried Rakoczy,
-and we sent up a shout that might have been heard a
-mile off.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The brave fellows waved their sabres in response as
-they galloped past to their former position on the left of
-the wood, out of sight, but ready to lend us a helping
-hand.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The time dragged on very slowly. The lancers had
-disappeared, but a regiment of Croats took their place,
-and peppered us from a distance with their long guns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then we heard on our left the rattle of sabres, the
-clash of steel against breastplate and helmet,
-"Forward! forward!" in German, and knew that our friendly hussars
-were engaged in fierce conflict.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the same time the Croats, like savage dogs
-unleashed, bounded across the open ground.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Honveds stood firm, and fired as fast as they could
-load; but in the excitement the bullets flew wide, and
-though many of the southern warriors fell, we could not
-stay the onslaught.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They had left their stanitzas behind, and with wild
-yells came on, their famous red mantles fluttering in the
-wind, their terrible handjars gripped tightly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our men continued firing till the very last instant, then
-a hand-to-hand struggle began.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The active Croats jumped like wild cats at our throats,
-and it was a case of life or death with every man thus
-attacked. None asked for quarter, none thought of giving
-it; it was a terrible life-and-death struggle between Croat
-and Magyar.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Had half a battalion been sent to the help of our
-assailants, we must have been driven out, so evenly were
-the scales balanced; fortunately they were left to do the
-work by themselves, and just failed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Every minute after the first rude shock helped us, for
-the hot fit of the Croats cooled, while the Magyars fought
-with increased stubbornness.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Finally, we pushed them out of the wood, and the ping
-of the bullets was heard again as the Magyars, reloading
-their rifles, poured a volley into the midst of the
-fugitives.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I watched them go, and then, faint from loss of blood,
-leaned against a tree.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Another victory such as that, I well knew, would clean
-out the 9th Honveds, and so did Rakoczy; but he didn't
-say so.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On the contrary, I heard him praising the men for their
-bravery, and telling them that with another good regiment
-they could drive the Austrians back to Vienna.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When he caught sight of me he said softly,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Hurt, George?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Another scratch," I replied faintly; "but, I say, colonel,
-what has become of the hussars?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Vanished. Beaten off by numbers, I expect. We shall
-have those lancers gliding amongst us soon; but come and
-lie down behind a tree for a while. The two hours are
-nearly up, and we shall be moving."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"No, I shall be all right; but isn't that a cloud of fog?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It is, my boy--the jolliest fog you've ever seen, and
-just in the nick of time. That will stop the Austrians
-better than a thousand bayonets. Well, if you won't lie
-down, you won't.--My lads, I don't think Captain
-Botskay's company need hang their heads when the battle of
-Kapolna is mentioned;" and he went on his way, carrying
-encouragement to every part of the line.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy had blessed the fog; and, indeed, it proved of
-the utmost service to us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Without our knowing it, the situation had become critical.
-The friendly hussars had been compelled to retreat; the
-Austrian lancers were working round our left; the Croats,
-mad for vengeance, were clamouring to be led to the
-attack; and two light batteries had been pushed up to
-shell us from the wood.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the very first discharge of the cannons, Rakoczy
-retired the greater part of the regiment, confident that the
-enemy would not attack for some time.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My company was left to further the deception, and
-between the discharges of the big guns the men kept up
-a vigorous musketry fire, which, though it did little or no
-damage, warned the enemy we were still in our places.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was gloomy work standing there in the thick fog,
-while the shot and shell screaming over our heads lopped
-the branches from the trees or tore great holes in the
-ground. Occasionally a man would sink with a deep
-groan, but for the most part we were untouched; and
-when at length the colonel sent us word to withdraw,
-we were able to carry off all our wounded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fog by now had become so thick that we could
-not see the trees, though we felt them frequently; but
-out of the wood the marching was easier.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We tramped on in the midst of the darkness like a
-regiment of lost souls.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The earth was blotted out completely. It was worse
-even than what we had encountered in the mountains.
-We could see nothing, and hear nothing beyond the
-muffled sound of our own footsteps.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As far as I could tell, we might be marching right into
-the midst of the Austrian troops.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fog filled our nostrils and throats, almost choking us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The intense silence was appalling. For my part, I
-should gladly have welcomed the roar of hostile cannon,
-just to be sure we were still in the land of the living.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The wound in my shoulder, which Mecsey Sándor
-had bandaged, bled afresh; my head grew heavy; my
-eyes ached with pain; I felt hardly able to keep
-upright. Once my foot slipped, and the man against whom
-I stumbled, taking my arm, supported me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was ashamed of my weakness, yet it was good to
-lean upon a strong arm, and for a time I walked quite
-steadily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">An extraordinary accident put an end to my powers
-of endurance, and left me with no more strength than
-that of a baby.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were walking step for step, my companion and
-I, when suddenly I brought my foot, not to the ground,
-but into the air, and pitching forward, fell into icy-cold
-water.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My companion came too. Others followed us, some
-dropping clear into the water, some breaking holes in
-the coating of ice that before our arrival had covered its
-surface.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In the thick fog we had walked into a stream. Fortunately
-it was of no great depth, the water being only
-up to our waists; but the shock, the bitter cold, and the
-struggle for breath took away all my remaining strength.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The soldier, however, kept firm hold, and pulling me
-on my feet, pushed and dragged me till we reached the
-opposite side, when another man pulled me out.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Concerning the rest of the inarch I remember very
-little. Two men seemed to be carrying me cradle-fashion,
-and occasionally a tall, dimly-seen figure put some food
-into my mouth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Sometimes they placed me on the ground, where I
-stayed for hours; then raising me again they carried
-me as before.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fog went with us all the time, so I could not divide
-night from day, and no sound ever broke the weird silence.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At last there came a time--how long or short soever
-from the beginning of the journey I did not know--when
-I saw the burning of many lights, as of huge watch-fires,
-and heard the shouting of men.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My bearers joined in the noise, and then, putting me
-down, fell to waving their arms violently, and the black
-shadows going to and fro across the lights looked like
-windmills.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After that they took me to some covered place, where,
-being warm and comfortable, I straightway fell asleep.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From then my impressions grew more distinct. I remember
-seeing Rakoczy's face, which looked less cheerful
-than usual, and the spectacled countenance of Görgei.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I thought Stephen also looked sorrowfully at me, but
-that was a dream, as I afterwards discovered.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It would have suited me to lie thus snug and cosy for
-ever; but the march was not ended, and one day I was
-carried into the open and placed in the bottom of a cart.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several other men were already there, and one in
-particular groaned most miserably at every jolt of the clumsy
-vehicle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Of course, I saw little of what went on, but the fog
-had departed, and the blessed light of day itself cheered
-me, while it was good again to hear the different sounds--the
-rumbling of wheels, the neigh of horses, the shouts
-of the drivers, the steady tramp, tramp as of the marching
-of thousands of men.</p>
-<p class="pnext">That ghostly regiment, gliding through the blackness,
-unseen, unheard, had in my weakened state preyed on my
-nerves.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now I was really in the land of living beings again,
-and I smiled to myself at hearing the crack of the carter's
-whip, and the familiar words addressed to the horses.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Somewhere on the journey we halted a long, long time,
-and at length proceeded very slowly and cautiously.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were crossing the Theiss on a narrow and temporary
-bridge, though the infantry had gone over on the ice.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Soon after this the wounded man at my side ceased his
-groaning, which enabled me to go to sleep; but I did not
-guess that the poor fellow would never disturb any of us
-again.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The next time the wagon halted, a man, clambering into
-it, brought a flask, from which several of us drank.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The stuff, whatever its name, had a strange flavour,
-something like new milk; but it warmed me all over, and
-even before the cart again started I was sound asleep.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="on-the-sick-list">CHAPTER X.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">ON THE SICK LIST.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">I awoke to find myself lying on a heap of straw in
-a mud hovel, having one very narrow door, and a
-window about a foot square, through which the daylight
-tried to force a way.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The meagre light from two candles showed that I was
-not the only inmate of this poverty-stricken dwelling.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Ranged round the walls were five other figures, each
-on a bundle of straw and wrapped in a bunda.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The air was very close, and there was a strong smell
-of pigs, which made me think that some unfortunate
-animals had been turned out, or perhaps converted into
-pork, to make room for us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, I felt warm, and warmth in those days was
-the greatest happiness.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I positively shuddered at the mere remembrance of the
-intense cold of the last week or two.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was all very calm and still, when a man in the
-opposite corner sat up, and in a high-pitched voice began
-to sing with all his might the well-known revolutionary
-song of Petöfi--"Rise, Magyars, rise!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was evidently in a high state of fever and perfectly
-delirious, but he went right through the song without a
-mistake or a pause, and finished by cheering lustily for
-Hungary.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Seen by the dim light, the spectacle was wonderfully
-striking. The bandages stained with blood, the face
-deadly white, the large, dark, fiery eyes burning with
-fever, the thin arm, freed from its covering, energetically
-beating time--all these moved me profoundly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That's Petreskey," said the man next to me. "He
-takes a fit every now and then and makes that row. We
-came from Kapolna in the same cart, and if the black and
-yellow dogs hadn't shot my arm off, I'd have pitched him
-out. Who wants to hear that stuff? Lie down, will you,
-and let a fellow go to sleep."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Shut up, Janko! Can't you see the chap's out of his
-mind? Let the poor beggar sing. It does him good."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Shut up yourself!" growled my neighbour. "D'you
-think I want to lie here listening to that rubbish when
-my good right arm's gone from the shoulder? 'Rise,
-Magyars, rise' won't put that on again."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Meanwhile Petreskey, staring round the room with his
-wild eyes, broke out again, and sang till he was too weak
-to utter another note.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The two other men had taken no notice of the incident,
-but lay on their straw like logs.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I tried to get into talk with the surly Janko, but he
-only grunted morosely and covered his head with his
-bunda.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The next man, however, told me we had crossed the
-Theiss, and were now encamped at Tisza-Fured, on the
-road to Debreczin, but more than that he did not know.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Towards noon a surgeon paid us a visit; but before that
-we had been fed by two soldier-servants, and I for one
-thoroughly enjoyed the hot, nourishing broth which they
-brought.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The surgeon seemed a tender-hearted fellow, and had a
-kind word for every man in the room, even the
-bad-tempered Janko. He came to me last, and asked if I
-were not George Botskay, a captain in the 9th Honveds.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What there is left of him," I answered; "but there
-doesn't appear to be much."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Nonsense! You'll be marching to Pesth in a week or
-so. Now you're fit to be moved, we must take you out of
-this. I'll see your colonel."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was glad to hear Rakoczy still lived, and inquired
-anxiously after Stephen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"On General Görgei's staff?" asked the surgeon
-pleasantly. "Oh yes, but he is hardly ever to be found; the
-general keeps him galloping about the country day and
-night. At present I believe he is at Debreczin. Keep up
-your courage; you've pulled through the worst of it."</p>
-<p class="pnext">This was pleasant hearing, and when the surgeon finally
-departed I nestled down on my heap of straw with quite
-a feeling of content. The day and night passed without
-further incident, except that the poor, crazed Petreskey
-woke me up from a sound sleep by another vigorous
-performance of "Rise, Magyars, rise!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Soon after breakfast the door opened, and Rakoczy
-entered, his face beaming with smiles, his eyes bright and
-sparkling.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen had once compared him with a sunbeam, but to
-me that morning he seemed more like a million sunbeams
-rolled into one.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the sight of him even Janko forgot to look sulky,
-and saluted with his remaining arm.</p>
-<p class="pnext">None of the patients belonged to his regiment, but he
-went to each in turn, soothing the excited Petreskey, and
-speaking kindly words of sympathy and cheer to all.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When, having satisfied himself that not one of the poor
-fellows would feel himself neglected, he came to me, he
-was fairly bubbling over with pleasure.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His lips twitched nervously, and I believe his eyes were
-moist; but he carried the matter off in his usual jocular
-way.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, George," he exclaimed, laughing, "I hear the
-silovitz got into your head, and you pushed poor Mecsey
-Sándor into the river. There's nothing like a cold bath
-when the brain's heated; but 'twas rather rough on Sándor,
-who had drunk none of your plum brandy. However, the
-poor fellow bears no malice, and will be glad to see you in
-your sober senses again."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then it was Mecsey who saved my life?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Truth, you may say that. He hauled you out from
-under the ice, and pushed you on to dry land."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What a night it was! I should think the whole
-regiment had a drenching."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes, but they didn't go at it in your hot-headed way.
-After your company had found the stream, the others
-walked in quietly, and out at the other side. Görgei says
-he didn't think you were in such a hurry to retreat."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Don't poke fun, but tell me what happened. Were
-there many lives lost?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"At the water-jump? No. A few ugly bruises covered
-the mischief. We lost heavily in the wood though, and
-have had to fill up the gaps with raw material. You'll be
-sorry to miss the chance of drilling the recruits."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Had quite enough of that at Pesth," I replied, laughing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And a very fine drill-sergeant you'd have made by
-sticking at it; but I'm keeping the men outside waiting.
-They're going to take you to another hut. It's quite as
-dirty as this; but you'll have more room, and be with the
-officers of your own regiment."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He went to the door and called two men, who carried
-me out tenderly to an ambulance, and then, helped by two
-comrades, bore me some two hundred yards over very
-rough and uneven ground to a hovel which might have
-been twin brother to the one I had just left.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There were the same narrow door and square foot of
-window, while the furniture consisted of three bundles of
-straw, two being already occupied. My nose also
-informed me that the former inmates of the place had
-been on terms of social intercourse with the pigs.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Gentlemen," said the colonel, "I have brought Captain
-Botskay to share your apartment."</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the sound of the colonel's voice the figures on the
-straw showed signs of life, stirred, and finally sat up, when
-I recognized them as two young lieutenants named Thurzo
-and Dobozy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Glad to see you, captain," said the first, adding quickly,
-"That is, sorry you've been hurt, but right glad of your
-company."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Dobozy had been wounded in the wood, and I had sent
-him to the rear, which he remembered and now gratefully
-acknowledged.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I must be off," said the colonel, "but will look in
-to-morrow. Meanwhile I'll send Mecsey Sándor to wait
-on you; he'll be delighted, and you can't very well push
-him into another river."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The soldiers had carried me with great care, but even so
-my limbs ached with the jolting, and after a little talk
-with my companions I was glad to drop into a sound
-sleep. Towards the evening Sándor arrived, and I thanked
-him warmly for what he had done.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"'Twas nothing, captain," replied he stolidly--"nothing
-at all compared with what you did for me in the
-mountains. You risked your life; I didn't."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You saved mine, though, and I shan't forget it."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Neither of us spoke on the subject again; but I resolved
-that, when the war ended, the honest fellow should have
-reason to remember his brave act.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The two lieutenants were already strong enough to
-hobble about, but several days passed before I was able to
-join them.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy called every morning, sometimes in the evening
-as well, and his visits did more toward our recovery than
-all the doctor's stuff.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One day, however, he came to say good-bye. The
-regiment had received orders to recross the Theiss.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We're going to drive the Austrians out of Szolnok,
-unless they take it into their heads to drive us back
-to Tisza-Fured. Bern has done wonders in Transylvania.
-The white-coats called the Russians in to help them, but
-the Pole has cleared the country of the lot. The news has
-put heart into Vetter, and he intends to move forward
-with the whole army."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What has Vetter to do with it?" I asked in surprise.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Oh, I forgot you didn't know. He's the new chief.
-There's been a bit of a squabble, and Dembinski had to
-stand down; but it's all right now. Make haste and get
-well, or you'll have no share in planting the red, white,
-and green colours on the walls of Vienna;" and he went
-out, laughing merrily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I asked my comrades what the colonel meant by a
-squabble, but neither knew what had happened. Both,
-however, rejoiced at the fall of Dembinski; and Dobozy,
-who had been wounded at Poroszlo, said there was some
-angry talk among the officers of Görgei's brigade at that
-place.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We questioned Sándor, but he knew little beyond the
-fact that there had been a general kravalle, or brawl, which
-brought Kossuth post-haste from Debreczin, and ended in
-Vetter being proclaimed commander-in-chief.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The doctor told us the same story, but with few fresh
-details; and it was not until Stephen found time to hunt
-me up that we learned the truth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My brother had altered much in the short time since
-the war broke out.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From a boy, he seemed to have become a man all at
-once, and I cannot say that I liked the change.</p>
-<p class="pnext">To me he was the same loving brother he had always
-been, and we embraced each other with every mark of
-affection; but there was a sternness of purpose in his face
-and a determined courage that I thought ill suited one
-who was really little more than a lad.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The two lieutenants had very considerately gone
-outside, but now I called them in and introduced them to my
-brother.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The general gives you little leisure time," Thurzo remarked.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Very little," replied Stephen; "but then he gives
-himself less. I doubt if even Kossuth works harder."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Glad to hear you give the dictator his due."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Oh, I don't deny that Kossuth is an extraordinary
-man, a genius of the first water, and in his way a devoted
-patriot. Whether we win or lose the game, Kossuth's
-name will live for ever. Without his marvellous eloquence
-we couldn't have carried on the war; but though I admire
-the man I doubt his object. Kossuth the patriot deserves
-well of his country, but Kossuth the democrat is another
-person. We don't want a French revolution in our country."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Bravo!" cried Dobozy. "Hungary a kingdom is my
-motto; and not Hungary a republic."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The 9th Honveds are all royalists," remarked Thurzo
-quietly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And every regiment in the brigade," said Stephen.
-"Kossuth discovered that not very long ago."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Tell us about it, Stephen. We've only heard just the
-bare outline."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, the fuss began at Poroszlo during the retreat.
-As you know, Görgei's brigade did the covering work, and
-halted at Poroszlo. The place was strongly entrenched
-and fortified, and Dembinski sent orders that we were to
-occupy a position in front of the guns. You may be sure
-Görgei wasn't such an idiot as to obey, and the general
-talked about putting him under arrest. He sent off a
-messenger full speed to Debreczin, but by the time Kossuth
-arrived the game was over."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What had happened?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen smiled grimly; he seemed to have forgotten
-how to laugh.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We promptly shut the Pole up," he said; "and Kossuth
-found his chief general a prisoner."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And he submitted?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What else could he do? We were all in one mind.
-So the upshot of the matter was that the Diet gave the
-command to Vetter."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Not to Görgei?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"No," said Stephen bitterly. "It's my opinion they're
-jealous of him. By the way, your regiment has distinguished
-itself at Szolnok. It led the attack, and fairly
-drove the Austrians out of the town."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well done, 9th Honveds!" exclaimed Thurzo. "Wish
-I'd been with them!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There will be enough and to spare of fighting before
-the war ends," said my brother. "The army moves in a
-few days for Pesth."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I asked him to look in again before they left, and he
-promised to do so if Görgei gave him a chance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When he had gone, my comrades talked over the news,
-and it was plain that, like myself, they foresaw trouble in
-the future.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Thurzo put the matter very straight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"If the Austrians win," he said, "we shall all have to
-pay, and a very dreary performance it will be. If the
-victory falls to us, we shall very soon be flying at one
-another's throats."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The army is with Görgei," I said.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"But Kossuth has a powerful following, and the Poles
-will help him to a man."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Worse still," said Dobozy. "Hungary is fast becoming
-the dumping-ground for the republicans of every country
-in Europe. Germans, Italians, French are all swarming
-over here like carrion-crows to a dead horse."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They wish to help the cause."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"By forming a republic," replied Dobozy angrily; "and
-we won't have it. I'm like your brother, and think
-Kossuth a great genius; but he isn't the only man in
-Hungary."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I record these remarks, because they serve to show how,
-even at this early period of the campaign, a wide gulf
-was opening between the two parties in the country.
-Later, it formed a deep grave in which we buried our
-hopes.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Before the war ended we proved up to the hilt the
-truth of that old saying, "A house divided against itself
-cannot stand."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Another day passed, and then Stephen came to say
-good-bye.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I'm off with an important order for General Damjanics,"
-he said. "The camp breaks up to-morrow. Why do you
-look so gloomy? You're mending nicely, and will be fit
-to travel in another week."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I hope so. It isn't pleasant to be left behind when
-others are going to the front."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Fortune of war, George, and it's no use grumbling.
-Well, good-bye; we shall meet in Pesth."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I embraced him rather sadly, and, going outside, watched
-him mount and ride away.</p>
-<p class="pnext">All that day we looked on at the preparations for the
-march, and early the next morning went to see the
-breakup of the camp. The men, who were in good spirits, sang
-at their work, cheered the generals--Görgei and Klapka
-in particular--and showed a willing eagerness to be led
-against the enemy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There must have been fifty thousand of them altogether,
-besides a host of camp-followers, and they were filing past
-till late at night--batteries of artillery accompanied by
-smart, keen-looking gunners; dashing hussars in their
-showy uniforms; veterans who had made good many a
-desperate fight under the black and yellow banners;
-home-trained Honveds drilled into decent soldiers; raw recruits
-indifferently armed, but supposed to be valuable on account
-of their enthusiasm; while over all flew our glorious red,
-white, and green colours.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We went back to our hovel, where the patient Sándor
-had prepared supper, and drank a glass of silovitz to the
-success of our comrades.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I pass over the chronicles of the next week. They
-would prove but dreary reading, since we had nothing to
-do from morning till night but grumble at being left
-behind.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The unfortunate doctor was so baited and badgered
-that at last, I verily believe, in sheer self-defence, he
-reported us as fit for service; and one fine morning, though
-the weather was still bitterly cold, we left Tisza-Fured
-with about a hundred soldiers, who were going to rejoin
-their various regiments.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Having plenty of provisions, we followed in the track
-of the army, as being the safest and most direct route;
-and everywhere the inhabitants of the villages through
-which we passed gave us a hearty welcome.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At Kapolna, the scene of our former defeat, we made
-a long stay, having arrived there about noon, and not
-leaving till next morning.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The town presented a very melancholy appearance.
-Many of the houses were burned to the ground, and in
-every direction traces of the fierce fight were plainly
-visible.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Still, the sufferings of the people had not weakened
-their loyalty to the cause, and the leading citizens feasted
-us generously.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For the first time since leaving Pesth I slept in a real
-bed, and the sensation was quite novel.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was so extremely comfortable that I did not wish to
-turn out the next morning, but Sándor kept up such a
-tremendous hammering at the door that I was compelled
-to rise. I learned from my host that Görgei, with the
-seventh corps, was marching towards Hatvan; while
-Vetter, commanding the main army, was trying to push
-himself in between Jellachich's corps and Windischgratz,
-the latter of whom lay at Godolo.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Where we should find the 9th Honveds I could not tell,
-but decided to join Görgei, on the chance that they were
-with him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After a hearty breakfast, I went into the street, where
-the men were already assembled under Thurzo and Dobozy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Hitherto there had been little fear of danger; but now
-I took some precautions, since we might likely enough
-meet with the scouting parties either of Windischgratz or
-Jellachich, the latter of whom made very free use of his
-cavalry.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Many of the inhabitants assembled to give us a parting
-cheer, and we set off in high spirits.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The governor had provided me with a couple of trustworthy
-guides, as he feared the Austrians held the
-highroad, and we had no wish to run into their arms.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The ground was covered with snow over a foot deep,
-and we stepped out as briskly as we could, to keep
-ourselves warm. I had left the heavy carts which had
-contained our provisions at Kapolna, dividing what was left
-of the food equally amongst the men; and this proved
-fortunate, as the lumbering vehicles would have hindered us
-greatly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In the evening we reached an isolated village, and nearly
-terrified the good people out of their wits, as, in the gloom,
-they mistook us for the enemy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, the matter was soon put straight. The men
-were willingly received into the houses and made welcome;
-while I, having posted the sentries, went to sup with the
-curé--a very hospitable and obliging host.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Twice during the night I visited the sentries, finding all
-quiet; and on the following day the guides told me they
-thought the most dangerous part of the journey was past.
-This proved right; nowhere did we meet with a trace of
-the Austrians, while the villagers assured us we should
-soon overtake Görgei.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The guides again took to the highroad, which after-events
-showed we need not have left, and we continued
-our march until within a mile or two of the village called
-Hort. Here we came upon a number of camp-followers,
-who said Görgei was attacking the Austrians in the village,
-and almost at the same time there fell on our ears the
-roar of heavy guns. My men were fatigued by a long
-march, but they brightened at the sound of the familiar
-music, and were for running forward to help in the fight;
-but I thought Görgei might be trusted to win the battle
-without the aid of my scratch detachment, and proceeded
-at the ordinary pace. By the time we reached Hort, our
-comrades were driving the Austrians through the streets
-of Hatvan, and finally over the river Zagywa.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Just our luck!" grumbled Thurzo, as I halted the men
-in the town and looked about for a responsible officer;
-"half a day sooner, and we should have been in the thick
-of it. Listen! There's a big fight going on down by
-the river."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Our fellows trying to capture a bridge, most likely,"
-observed Dobozy, which was really the case.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Beg pardon, captain," said Sándor, "but there's a man
-of our regiment going to the rear; perhaps he can tell us
-where the colonel is."</p>
-<p class="pnext">This was a good idea, and I put the question to the
-man, whose arm was gashed by a sabre cut.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Outside the town, captain," he replied. "In a field to
-the right."</p>
-<p class="pnext">After thanking the man, I set my detachment in motion
-once more, glad at the thought of again meeting my genial
-friend.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="gorgei-to-the-rescue">CHAPTER XI.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">GÖRGEI TO THE RESCUE.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">The noise of the battle died away as we left the town
-and made for the field where the 9th Honveds
-were resting after their exertions. As usual they had
-been pretty roughly handled; but Görgei had found time
-to thank them for their bravery, and that paid for everything.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Some were eating and drinking; others, wrapped in
-their bundas, were already fast asleep. The colonel was
-just returning from visiting the wounded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Hallo!" he exclaimed; "what are you doing here?
-Thought you were at Tisza-Fured. Who are those
-fellows?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They've just come from hospital to rejoin their
-regiments. I thought perhaps you'd tell me what to do with
-them."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"All right. I'll attend to it.--Glad to see you, Dobozy.--A
-little bit too late for the fight, Thurzo. We've had
-another turn at our old friend Schlick. Hot while it
-lasted; but we carried too many guns for him. Plucky
-chap, though. I'd invite you into my tent if I had one;
-but you can take your choice of the ground--there's
-plenty to choose from.--Any of my fellows amongst that
-lot, Botskay? Thanks. Let them stand out.--Back
-again, my lads? Good-luck to you.--Now, George, come
-along and we'll dispose of the others; they look as if
-they want a rest."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel rattled on in his lively strain, passed the
-men on to the proper authorities, stopped here and there
-to joke with his friends, and then took me back to the
-regiment, where we joined the other officers at their
-evening meal.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes," he said cheerfully, in answer to some remark,
-"things are shaping well at present. If only Görgei had
-a free hand, the white-coats would soon be bundling out of
-Pesth."</p>
-<p class="pnext">This seemed to be the general opinion, though here and
-there one heard a word in praise of Vetter, and even of
-Dembinski, the late chief.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was the second day after the affair at Hatvan when
-Stephen rode up to the quarters of the 9th Honveds.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I expected to find you here," he exclaimed cheerfully.
-"Feel all right again?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Thanks, old chap; I'm as well as ever. As for you,
-this soldiering seems to suit you perfectly. Haven't seen
-you look so smiling for ages."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He actually laughed. "Not heard the news? Well,
-it will be known in an hour or two. Vetter's resigned,
-and Görgei has been made chief."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then we can begin to pack up?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes. There won't be much rest for any one till we're
-in Pesth."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And not much then."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"No. Of course, I don't claim to be in the general's
-secrets, but I know him well enough to feel sure he won't
-stop till we get to Vienna. By the way, that reminds
-me of a queer circumstance. Do you remember Von
-Theyer?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">I nodded briskly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He's turned imperialist, and is either a captain or
-major in the hussars. The fellow made a dead set at me
-the other day, and I should advise you to be careful."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Thereupon I related what had happened at Kapolna,
-upon which Stephen repeated his warning more seriously,
-saying that in Von Theyer I had, no doubt, a special and
-determined enemy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"If possible, he will do you mischief," he continued;
-"so be on your guard. Plainly he is a very clever fellow,
-or he would not so easily have hoodwinked the
-authorities, and he has courage enough for anything."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes, he makes a dashing cavalry leader; but why
-should he be so bitter against us? We haven't harmed
-the fellow."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen smiled, and made almost the same remark as
-Rakoczy at Kapolna.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Have you forgotten the fräulein?" he asked. "No, I
-see you have not by the blush on your face. Well, my
-boy, Von Theyer wants to keep the fräulein's favours for
-himself. Understand?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">I nodded lightly, and Rakoczy coming up at the
-moment, the talk took a fresh turn.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen's news soon spread, and, in our part of the
-army at least, gave general satisfaction.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Officers and men alike had perfect confidence in Görgei's
-judgment, and the only fear expressed was that he would
-be hampered by the orders of the civil government.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For a time, however, we were too busy with the work
-of preparation to think much of anything else.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Exactly what was in hand, of course, we did not know;
-but on the night of the third of April a rumour spread
-through the camp that the army would march at daybreak.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Directly after breakfast the regiments mustered, arms
-were examined, instructions issued to officers; and as soon
-as it was well light we moved out in three divisions by
-the highroad running to Pesth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei commanded in person, and under him were
-Generals Klapka, Aulich, and Damjanics.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our regiment formed part of the first corps, which
-advanced by the right, keeping in touch, however, with
-the two others. Görgei had left fifteen thousand men at
-Hatvan, but we were still nearly thirty thousand strong;
-and our object apparently was to prevent Jellachich from
-joining the main army under Windischgratz.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There's the first move," cried young Thurzo excitedly,
-as away on our left one of Aulich's batteries opened fire.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And the answer to it," said I, as the enemy responded
-with a terrific storm of shot and shell. "It must be warm
-over there."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The battle soon developed, not reaching us, however,
-though occasionally we caught glimpses of it as we
-marched on to take up our position near the village of
-Tampio-Biscke.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From a mounted messenger sent in search of Klapka we
-learned that the Croats, by a brilliant charge, had captured
-four guns, but were afterwards driven back, and could now
-barely hold their own.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Jellachich was anxiously awaiting aid from the Austrians.
-Should it not come, his army would almost certainly be
-destroyed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Rather uninteresting work this," grumbled Thurzo.
-"Why, we were almost as lively down at Tisza-Fured."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Can't make out exactly why we are here," answered a
-comrade. "We aren't actors, for certain; while, as
-spectators, we get a very poor view of the performance."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Listen!" I interrupted as a thunderous roar of heavy
-guns broke out apparently close upon us. "The Austrians
-are over the river."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Hurrah!" cried Thurzo; "now for our share in the fight!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Poor fellow! I have often wondered since if he would
-have shown such eagerness had he known what was coming.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy spoke a word to the men, exhorting them to
-be steady; then we stood awaiting orders.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They did not come. The roar of the guns was unceasing,
-drowning the rattle of musketry and the shrieks of the
-wounded; the blinding flashes played perpetually round
-their muzzles; our advanced guard was nearly annihilated,
-though that we only guessed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We leaned on our swords and wondered, while the men
-fumbled impatiently with their firearms; Rakoczy alone,
-smiling and genial, showed neither uneasiness nor concern.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Suddenly an officer dashed up, hatless, bleeding, and
-holding his reins in his right hand. He spoke to the
-colonel, who, without a moment's delay, gave orders that
-the regiment should advance at the double.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From that moment the horror of the fight began for us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Moving out from the low sand-hills that had hitherto
-sheltered us, we found ourselves very shortly in the thick
-of it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Austrians had placed their batteries in such an
-admirable position that not only were our guns partly
-silenced, but the head of the column was blown clean
-away.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One battery pumped shot and shell into our flank as we
-went by, while another continued to draw lines through
-the troops in front of us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I concluded that we were required to support an attack
-on the guns, when a loud cry from the men announced that
-something was happening.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I have never seen a more peculiar sight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The remnant of the column began to bend from one side
-to the other, for all the world like a boat rocking in the
-water. The movement was slow at first, but it soon
-increased in speed, and then the column broke in pieces.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At this the Austrians, plying the guns with renewed
-vigour, literally swept the plain with their fire, which put
-an end to the shattered column.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In an instant a fine body of disciplined soldiers was
-changed into a fear-stricken mob flying for dear life.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Away went bayonet and rifle, cartridge-pouch, and everything
-that by impeding flight might lessen the chance of
-safety.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A shiver of indecision passed through our regiment at
-the sight; but Rakoczy's calmness stopped the mischief, at
-least for a time, and, under his directions, we opened our
-ranks to let the runaways through.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On they came, shouting, yelling, and so blind with fear
-that I believe many of them did not recognize us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">To stop them just then would have been impossible; it
-would be well if they did not carry the regiment off in
-their wild career.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With heads bent and muscles stretched to breaking-point,
-they thundered along, seeing nothing, caring for
-nothing, except to get away.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Young Thurzo, mad with shame and rage, shook his fist
-and called them bitter names, any one of which at another
-time would have cost him his life.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now they passed unchallenged; the fugitives heard
-nothing but the hissing of those terrible Austrian shells
-that had cost the column so dearly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Chiefly through the colonel's influence, the regiment
-stood firm, and, directly the runaways were past, proceeded
-to re-form its ranks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A moment's glance to the front, however, showed that
-another disaster was in store.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Windischgratz, noticing the break-up of the column,
-ordered the battery to cease firing, and immediately launched
-two cavalry regiments--one of cuirassiers, one of
-hussars--to finish the work.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were, as I have already said, in the very act of
-reforming when they dashed at us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With five minutes' grace we might have made somewhat
-of a stand, but now they were too quick for us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I heard the colonel's "Steady, lads, steady! Stand your
-ground!" and then a blazing volley of musketry that
-brought down many a stalwart trooper.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The cuirassiers were astonished by this warm reception,
-but they could not turn back if they would--their speed
-was too great.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Helmets and cuirasses flashed in the sunlight as the
-horsemen sprang into our ranks, cutting and slashing on
-all sides.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There are many safer places than a broken square in a
-cavalry charge.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Before the Honveds found a chance of running away
-they fought desperately, stabbing with their bayonets at
-men and horses, or making serviceable weapons of their
-clubbed rifles.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In such a <em class="italics">mêlée</em> it was almost necessarily a case of every
-man for himself; but a few of the officers stuck together,
-and by degrees gathered round them the steadiest of the
-men.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel was at their head, and I joined them with
-young Thurzo, who was wild with grief. He had taken
-part in two battles, and each had ended in defeat.</p>
-<p class="pnext">By this time the larger part of the regiment was in full
-flight, and the cuirassiers, finding the way open, followed
-in pursuit.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We formed ourselves into a square, officers and privates
-shoulder to shoulder, with Rakoczy on foot to lead us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had caught the colours as they dropped from the grasp
-of the man who bore them, and they still fluttered bravely
-overhead.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I have said that Windischgratz sent out two cavalry
-regiments, and the second now charged hotly on our poor
-remnant.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Amongst the officers Von Theyer showed conspicuously,
-and, as before, he paid me special attention, which was
-flattering but uncomfortable.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, we beat the hussars off time and again, and
-continued to retire steadily, though not without great loss.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was pitiful to see man after man drop dead or
-grievously wounded, but the others closed up and ever
-showed an unbroken front.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Poor Thurzo, whom I had learned to like well, and who
-marched out so gaily to the fight that morning, met his
-death here. Two troopers dashed at him with uplifted
-sabres: one he shot dead with his pistol; the other cleft
-him from head to chin.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Poor fellow! He had been much afraid that Aulich's
-corps would get all the fighting.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There he lay dead, and his greatest friend could do no
-more than give him the fleetest of passing thoughts.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Back we went steadily; and, though death was busy
-in our ranks, yet the square grew larger, for many
-fugitives belonging both to our own and other regiments
-joined us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">How the battle went elsewhere it was impossible for
-us to guess, but the utter rout of our corps was painfully
-apparent.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Once we set up a cheer as a small party of cuirassiers
-went galloping back, but the cheer changed into a cry of
-rage when we saw they were dragging a captured gun.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Another and another followed. The hussars yelled
-exultingly, and, nerved by the sight, made another effort
-to break the square.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Instantly we halted; the front rank men kneeled down;
-the rifles were levelled; there was a line of light, a loud
-report, and once more the hussars were thrown back.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was just after this that a shout arose which put heart
-into the most depressed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From the throats of thousands there leaped a cry of
-"Görgei! Görgei!" The runaways stopped in their headlong
-flight. A part of Damjanic's division hurried to the
-scene, and flung themselves across the path of the victors.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The rout was stayed. The Austrians who had followed
-in the wake of their cavalry were brought to a standstill;
-the battle, which had passed us, now began to return. Our
-eyes danced with joy as we saw the white-coats come back
-at a run.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Following them closely, Görgei and his staff rode at the
-head of Schwartzenberg's Hungarian regiment. Rakoczy,
-seizing his opportunity, led us forward to join them.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The tide had turned with a vengeance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Back went the Austrians--horse, foot, and field-guns--not
-exactly broken, yet in extreme disorder, and seeking
-shelter under their two fixed batteries.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now we had a taste of the reception our advanced guard
-had met with earlier in the day, and understood how it was
-they failed to hold their ground.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei quickly made up his mind what to do.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We saw him speak to his staff, and two officers darted
-off, one towards us, one towards the rear.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our messenger was Stephen, his face flushed, his eyes
-glowing with excitement.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He dashed up to the colonel, saluted, pointed with his
-sword, delivered his message, threw me a kindly look in
-passing, and was gone.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy lost not a moment, but, pointing to the battery,
-exclaimed quietly, "My lads, the general says we are to
-take that battery; the sooner we reach it the better."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men cheered in reply; but many a lip twitched
-nervously, and more than one face paled, for the colonel's
-words were a message of death.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel knew it too; and, as we started, he gave my
-hand a slight pressure as in token of farewell. But his voice
-was firm, his face full of quiet confidence, his glance proud
-and smiling. The sacrifice was for his country: let it be
-made.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then away we went, and at the same moment the
-veterans from Damjanic's division started for the second
-battery.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Unfortunately, there was little cover on our route; and,
-as the colonel had said, our best plan was to reach the
-sandhill where the battery was posted in the shortest
-possible time.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A terrible fire opened on us at once, but the first flight
-of shells passed harmlessly; the second killed a few men
-and smashed the flag-pole I carried; at the third we flung
-ourselves into a gully of sand, Rakoczy alone remaining
-upright.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then, springing to our feet, we ran on, cheering frantically
-as a regiment of hussars dashed up from the right
-straight at the flank of the battery.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The horsemen were still a long way off, but they rode
-hard, and would reach the guns in time to give us help.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Forward! forward!" shouted Rakoczy; and the brave
-fellow, fleet of foot as a deer, led the way several yards
-in advance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Still carrying the shattered pole, I toiled on, while the
-great guns, belching forth fire and flame, poured their
-deadly missiles into the midst of us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Once, tripping over a prostrate body, I fell to the ground
-heavily, and lay for a moment half-stunned; the next I
-was on my feet, and running with all my might to get a
-place in the front.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The flag!" I gasped, overtaking the rear. "Make
-way for the flag!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Everywhere now the Austrians were making a stubborn
-last stand. If only they could roll us back ever so little,
-the day would be theirs.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Through a rift in the smoke-cloud I saw a hussar
-regiment ride out from behind the battery, and guessed they
-intended to meet the charge of our own horsemen half-way.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The curtain dropped again; I could see no more. Rakoczy
-was still unhurt, for his voice sounded clearly above
-the din, and the men responded to his cry of "Forward!"
-with a cheer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then we were there, so unexpectedly that I stared
-amazedly at the long, black monsters which the gunners
-could not spike.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I sprang on one and waved the colours, while the men
-cheered madly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Suddenly, like a flash of lightning, there went by a
-ragged line of horsemen, spurring hard, and leaning over
-the heads of their animals that, with foam-splashed
-lips, distended nostrils, and heaving sides, strained every
-muscle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We gazed open-mouthed at the apparition, and then
-gave ourselves up to renewed cheering as our own
-hussars--Stephen riding neck by neck with their colonel--dashed
-in pursuit.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Farther away on the left, the regiment of veterans,
-having captured the battery, was engaged in fierce conflict
-with a body of infantry. Now from all sides our friends
-were hurrying up, and the Austrians, overwhelmed by
-numbers, fled over the Tapio River towards Koka, where
-they sheltered behind the sand-hills. As for us, we halted
-on the ground it had cost us so dear to win; and the colonel
-immediately sent me to collect the runaways from the
-regiment, and bring them back.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This I did with exceeding difficulty, as the whole of
-Klapka's corps was in a terrible state of confusion. Then,
-with Dobozy and half a dozen soldiers, I proceeded to
-search for the body of the hapless Thurzo.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I picked up the sword which had dropped from the
-nerveless fingers, while Dobozy cut a curl from the dead
-lad's raven hair.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"For his mother," he said softly, not attempting to hide
-the tears that gathered in his eyes. "He was her only
-son, and she is a widow."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men carried the body to a small wood nearly half a
-mile away, and there, with the sweet-smelling pines
-swaying mournfully overhead, we buried him, marking the place
-by a rude cross.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It will comfort <em class="italics">her</em>, when the war is ended, to come
-and pray beside it," said Dobozy, as we turned sorrowfully
-toward the spot where our regiment was stationed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were not very cheerful in camp that night. We
-were tired out with marching and fighting, saddened by
-the loss of many brave companions, while the shame of
-that morning's rout hung over us like a pall.</p>
-<p class="pnext">True, the Austrians had finally been repulsed; but the
-credit of that was not ours. That belonged to Görgei and
-the veterans of the second division.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The runaways were sulky and ashamed; the officers--some
-of whom had been literally carried off by the crowd
-of fugitives--were furiously angry.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For myself, I was on fatigue duty till a late hour, and
-Dobozy volunteered to help me: hard work would divert
-his mind somewhat from dwelling on the death of his
-comrade.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was nearly midnight when we rejoined our brother-officers,
-who, wrapped in their mantles, lay in a ring on the
-ground. Some had forgotten the disaster in sleep, others
-were still chatting quietly over the events of the day.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy was absent; he had been sent for by the chief,
-who wished to consult him, or more likely, perhaps, to give
-him some orders for the morning.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Dobozy and I lay down side by side, wrapped ourselves
-in our mantles, and tried to snatch an hour or two's sleep.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In this my companion happily succeeded, but I was less
-fortunate, being weighed down by a sense of uneasiness as
-to my brother's fate.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After that momentary glimpse of him riding at the head
-of the hussars, he had vanished, and no one seemed to
-know what had become of him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">True, he might have rejoined Görgei, and been sent with
-a message to Aulich; but the general gloom of the day
-made me nervous and fanciful, and I lay awake until
-Rakoczy returned.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Stephen?" he said, in answer to my anxious questioning.
-"No, I certainly didn't see him; but what of that?
-Görgei's <em class="italics">aides</em> flit about like ghosts in a stage-play. They
-aren't supposed to be like ordinary mortals, who want food
-and rest. Cheer up, my boy; I really don't think there's
-any reason to worry. If Stephen had come to grief,
-Görgei would have known and told me, you may be sure.
-Clear your head of these notions, and go to sleep. We're
-likely to have a hard day to-morrow."</p>
-<p class="pnext">This was sensible advice, and I tried to act on it; but
-after all, I must confess, there was little sleep for me
-that night.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="a-sorrowful-victory">CHAPTER XII.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">A SORROWFUL VICTORY.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">"Conquer to-day, or back behind the Theiss! Such
-is the alternative; I know of no other. Damjanics
-still continues the battle. Aulich advances; Klapka has
-stopped his retreat. Forward! We <em class="italics">must</em> conquer!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">These were the words which greeted us from our brave
-chief, when once again we stood in battle array, and they
-warmed our blood like a draught of generous wine.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I understood little of the general's plans, except that at
-all costs he purposed keeping Jellachich and the Austrians
-apart.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On the extreme left, Aulich and a part of the second
-division advanced through a spur of the Isaszeg forest; in
-the centre our cavalry and artillery had gathered; we of
-Klapka's corps, with a small part of the second division,
-occupied the most northern spur of all.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As we reached our positions, Görgei rode down, attended
-by his brilliant staff.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I looked eagerly for Stephen, and my heart sank when
-I saw he was not there.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei was no orator like Kossuth. As a rule he spoke
-with his sword, and very clearly did he make himself
-understood.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This morning he treated us to a little harangue. It
-was not long, but very effective.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"My lads!" he said, and his voice rang out like a
-trumpet-call, "there is only one thing I ask you to do--stand
-where you are till the sun goes down. Will you do it?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Like one man, the broken remnant of Klapka's corps
-shouted their answer; and the general, whose face beamed
-with pleasure, rode off amidst enthusiastic cries of "Elijen
-Görgei!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">In the centre, a part of the forest had burst into flames,
-and the wind, blowing from the south, spread the smoke
-over our right like a curtain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At times it was so thick we could neither see nor be
-seen. Again it would lift, and reveal to our straining eyes
-some portion of the battle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The artillery duel in the centre proceeded with the
-utmost vigour, but it seemed to us that the Austrian fire
-gradually grew weaker and slacker. Two tremendous
-explosions, one after the other, announced the blowing up
-of a considerable quantity of ammunition, and for a while
-the fire ceased.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Aulich's corps was by this time hidden from view in the
-forest, but by the sound of his light guns we could tell he
-was making uninterrupted progress.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Thus far we ourselves were merely spectators of the
-battle, but now several infantry regiments appeared on our
-right, and poured a destructive fire into our ranks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We paid back what we could of their favours; but they
-had the advantage of us, and Klapka had just given orders
-to turn them out when they themselves rushed forward to
-the charge.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The onslaught was sudden and violent, but the Magyars,
-burning to atone for yesterday's panic, actually left the
-shelter of the trees in order to engage their enemy the
-sooner.</p>
-<p class="pnext">So eager, indeed, were the 9th Honveds that they got
-entirely out of hand, and having defeated a body of the
-enemy, chased them much farther than was prudent.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A well-directed cavalry charge would at this moment
-have cut the regiment in pieces.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As it happened, Klapka's men were successful all along
-the line, which helped us to return without mishap.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The tremendous cannonade in the centre, which had
-partly died away, now broke out afresh. The wind, veering
-again, swept the smoke from the burning forest right across
-our position, shrouding us completely.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When next we were able to catch a glimpse of the
-battle, our men raised a loud cheer and flourished their
-rifles excitedly, to the great danger both of themselves and
-their comrades.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Far in advance of us, and on our left, the soldiers of
-Aulich's division were pushing the Austrians before them,
-and thus far Görgei's plans had proved a success.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At this sight our own opponents made a desperate effort
-to drive us from the spur of the forest which we held, and
-for a while longer the fight raged with great fury.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei's words, however, still rang in our ears, and not
-a man made a backward step.</p>
-<p class="pnext">About this time my anxiety concerning Stephen was
-relieved. The general, seeing what tremendous efforts the
-enemy made to roll us back, rode up to give us some little
-encouragement, and amongst his staff I saw my brother,
-apparently unhurt, but looking very tired.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen gave me a bright nod as the general cantered
-along, praising the men, bidding them hold out a little
-longer, and assuring us all that the battle was practically
-won.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei had hardly gone when our opponents rallied for
-a final attack.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was growing dusk by now, and we felt sure that
-everything in our part of the field depended on the next
-half-hour.</p>
-<p class="pnext">An Austrian success would wipe out all the advantage
-Aulich had obtained; while if we stood firm, the enemy
-must retire in every part of the field.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The part to be played by the 9th Honveds was very
-simple, yet I must admit we did not like it. A shadow of
-annoyance passed over even Rakoczy's face when the order
-was brought from Klapka.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Every man in the regiment burned to advance, instead
-of which we had to stand still and supply a steady target
-for the enemy's fire.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Fortunately the attack did not last long. The other
-regiments, turning on us as on a pivot, swung round in a
-flanking movement, and presently the Hungarian cry of
-"Forward! forward!" told that our comrades were driving
-the enemy before them.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Now," exclaimed our colonel genially, "if Aulich has
-taken Isaszeg, the affair is over."</p>
-<p class="pnext">But had he? No one could tell. His corps had vanished
-completely, and the fast-approaching night swallowed
-everything in gloom.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Two hours longer we stood to our arms, ready at
-any moment either to advance or to repel any fresh
-attack.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was dreary work waiting, and the men were so tired
-that many fell asleep while standing in the ranks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Suddenly there rose a sound of cheering, a vigorous
-"Elijen Görgei! Elijen Aulich!" and the welcome news
-flashed from regiment to regiment, from man to man, that
-Aulich had chased the Austrians out of Isaszeg.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The knowledge of this success made new men of us.
-We forgot our fatigue, and lay half through the night
-joyfully discussing the probable results of the battle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Every one agreed that the Austrians would now be
-compelled to fall back on Pesth. Very few, if any, suspected
-that from our victory was to spring the ruin of the
-national cause.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei was not the man to let the grass grow under
-his feet, and the next day Klapka and Damjanics received
-orders to march on Waitzen, the town standing on the
-bend where the Danube sweeps round to the south, while
-one corps remained behind to hoodwink Windischgratz.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Nothing of interest occurred during the march, and we
-reached Waitzen on the morning of April 9 without
-having met a sign of the enemy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The town was unfortified; but the Austrian general,
-Gatz, commanding two brigades, had resolved upon a
-vigorous defence, as we soon found.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The 9th Honveds formed part of the vanguard, and
-after a sharp struggle we succeeded in forcing a way into
-the streets.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here our progress was instantly checked. The old-fashioned
-lane in which we found ourselves was so narrow
-that the inmates of the houses, by leaning out of window,
-could almost shake hands with their opposite neighbours.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Across this lane three barricades had been constructed
-in such a manner that, while the second commanded the
-first, the third overawed both.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Carried away by what was, perhaps, a natural impulse,
-the men, without waiting for orders, rushed at the nearest
-barrier, and were mowed down in scores.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I suppose it is the sense of being shut up in a corner,
-with little chance of escape, that makes street fighting so
-savage. Certainly I have never seen so furious a
-conflict in the open field as behind the barricades in Waitzen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From the shouts and cries of the combatants, and the
-firing of guns, we recognized that our comrades were
-fighting their way, step by step, in other directions, and I
-for one hoped some of them would come to our assistance
-by taking the barricades in the rear.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The attack having failed, the men came dropping back
-in disorder, being exposed not only to the fire from the
-barrier, but also from the windows of the houses, which
-were garrisoned by soldiers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Meanwhile, the pressure behind being relieved, the colonel
-rallied the regiment into something like order again.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It's no use trying for the barricade like that, my lads,"
-he exclaimed cheerfully; "we're only knocking our heads
-against a stone wall. What we have to do is to clear the
-houses one by one."</p>
-<p class="pnext">This was really the only workmanlike way of doing the
-business, though it added much to the horrors of the
-combat.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Austrians inside the buildings forced us to fight for
-every room in each house. They made a barricade of
-every article of furniture, and a fortress of every staircase.
-While we fought those below, their comrades in the upper
-stories picked us off with their rifles; and when their
-ammunition was exhausted they clambered over to the next
-house, or dropped into the street.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In this fashion we worked our way to the buildings
-overlooking the first barricade, which now became useless,
-and was immediately abandoned.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The last man to leave was their leader, and at sight of
-him my heart beat fast.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He stood on the barricade, coolly directing the movements
-of his men, while the bullets fell round him like
-hailstones.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In one hand was his sword; in the other he carried the
-black and yellow flag of his country.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He did not seem in any kind of hurry, but waited
-patiently till the soldiers had entered the houses; then,
-and not till then, he left his post.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He had not seen me; but I recognized him at once, and
-trembled for his safety.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had never met this noble veteran since leaving
-Vienna, and had hoped the war might end without our
-coming face to face. How could I ever look into the
-pretty fräulein's eyes again if by any chance my sword
-should cross that of her father's?</p>
-<p class="pnext">For this Austrian leader, whose bravery even the
-Magyars applauded, was Baron von Arnstein, and it was plain
-he would yield that narrow passage only with his life.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Happily, perhaps, I had little leisure for thinking. The
-first barricade being down, the fight continued with
-redoubled fury.</p>
-<p class="pnext">And now, adding new horror to the scene, fire broke
-out; and by the time we had fought our way to the second
-barricade, it was necessary for both sides to abandon the
-houses.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The third barrier must be taken by a rush along the
-narrow lane, or not at all.</p>
-<p class="pnext">By this time the regiment had lost half its strength.
-Both the majors were down--dead or wounded, we knew
-not which--and many other officers; but the survivors,
-instead of being cowed by this great loss, were only the
-more eager to go on.</p>
-<p class="pnext">So, in the midst of the smoke and the flames from the
-burning houses, we took our lives in our hands and ran,
-Rakoczy leading.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Forward!" he cried. "Forward!" echoed the
-Honveds, and a spectator would have thought our fierce rush
-alone must have swept the Austrians into eternity.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But on the barricade, still grasping the black and yellow
-flag, there stood a man to whom fear was an unknown
-quantity, and whose one idea was to do the duty entrusted
-to him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I watched him with the keenest interest as he collected
-his forces to withstand the shock.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy saw him too, and his genial brow clouded. It
-grieved him sorely to think he must fight against his old
-acquaintance; but, like the Austrian baron, the Magyar
-had a duty to perform, and there was no trace of faltering
-in his voice as he urged his men to the assault.</p>
-<p class="pnext" id="id1">The next moment the white-coats poured in their volley.
-Many of our fellows dropped, Rakoczy amongst them.
-The rest of us rushed on wildly, to be stopped by a second
-volley more destructive than the first.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then some one shouted lustily that the colonel was
-dead; and the Honveds, with victory within their grasp,
-ran back, while the enemy cheered exultingly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Sad at heart, I returned to the spot where my gallant
-friend had fallen and, with the help of Mecsey Sándor,
-who followed me everywhere like a shadow, bore his body
-back.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was terrible to think I had not time even to find out
-if he were really dead!</p>
-<p class="pnext">We laid him down reverently, and I immediately began
-to re-form the broken regiment; for so fierce had been the
-fighting, that of the officers able to enter action I was the
-senior.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Very gladly I would have yielded the honour and
-responsibility to another; but as that could not be, I
-resolved to do my best.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Will you follow me, my lads?" I cried, when we were
-again ready.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We will!" they answered, with a shout.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then come on! Over the barricade this time!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">It is curious how a phrase, or sometimes even a word,
-will work on a number of men acting together.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There is nothing very striking in "Over the barricade
-this time!" yet the words were caught up by the soldiers,
-repeated again and again, and more than one man died
-with them on his lips.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They sounded high and clear above the noise of the
-first volley, and as we pressed on the wounded sent them
-after us feebly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I really believe they kept us going after the next volley
-fired at close range, and certainly they were roared out
-most lustily as the first of the stormers appeared on the
-stronghold.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was Dobozy carrying the colours; but he missed
-his footing and fell down, half stunned, but otherwise
-unhurt.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A little, muscular fellow picked up the fallen flag, and
-sprang with it to my side, while the others rushed
-pell-mell after us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had purposely avoided Von Arnstein, who was to the
-right of me; but, like a true leader, he soon scented where
-the danger was greatest, and cut a way to that part of
-his stronghold where the red, white, and green proudly
-waved.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Twice we went back to the very edge of the barrier,
-and once the colours were snatched from our grasp by a
-grizzled veteran, who laughed defiantly as a Magyar cut
-him down.</p>
-<p class="pnext">To right and left of us the flames of the burning
-buildings threw a lurid glare on the scene, and some one
-excitedly shouted that the barricade was on fire.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We heard the shout, but it had no effect on the fighting.
-It did not prevent a blow being struck, nor cause the foot
-of Magyar or Austrian to move an inch backward.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We had gripped one another, as it were, by the throat,
-and hung there like bulldogs.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When I look back at that terrible fight, I find the
-picture for the most part blurred and indistinct; but there
-is just one tiny part of it whose colour is vivid and its
-drawing bold.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It will always be so, I suppose, though I do not care to
-see it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Over and over again I had gone out of my way to avoid
-the gallant leader, had plunged with foolhardy recklessness
-into the greatest dangers, and he had followed my steps
-with strange persistence.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I do not think he had a moment's suspicion who I was
-until at last the chances of the fight brought us face to
-face.</p>
-<p class="pnext">That is the one corner of the picture where the colours
-have not faded. All around is a blur; but two figures
-stand out lifelike.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One is that of a youth with torn uniform, his
-smoke-begrimed features working with excitement, his sword
-held in the most awkward manner either for attack or
-defence.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The other is the figure of an old man, his breast covered
-with medals and decorations, of commanding carriage, and
-with a proud look in his keen blue eyes.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Close by, my fancy paints the face of a beautiful girl
-gazing mournfully at the youth and the old man--the
-Magyar and the Austrian.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I know it is not really there, yet I see it as plainly as I
-did on that terrible day in the years gone by.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The tide had at last turned in our favour; the Austrians
-were yielding slowly, when their leader made his final
-effort. Cheered by his voice, they rallied once more,
-and then it was we met.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The look which flashed from his eyes to mine occupied
-the merest fraction of a second, yet I shall never forget it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I read there astonishment and sorrow, then a certain
-hardness, as if the brave old warrior were calling duty to
-his aid.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With him the struggle ended, and the soldier, not the
-friend, gained the victory.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I saw his determination quite plainly, and yet could not
-bring myself to parry the blow. Who could tell what
-might happen if once our swords crossed?</p>
-<p class="pnext">Theresa was looking into my eyes, and, as I lowered
-my weapon, she smiled upon me approvingly and vanished.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Perhaps the baron would have drawn back; but he was
-in the very act of delivering his stroke, and I nerved
-myself to meet it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The sword shone red in the glow of the flames; but
-before it descended another piece of steel flashed past me,
-and pierced the baron's chest.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey Sándor had no scruples in killing any one to
-save his master's life, which the faithful fellow undoubtedly
-had done.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the fall of their chief the Austrians abandoned the
-position, upon which I ordered the regiment to fall in a
-little beyond the burning houses.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Just then a man clapped me lightly on the shoulder,
-saying, "Thanks, George!" and, turning, I beheld the
-colonel.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men recognized him too, and broke into hearty
-cheering.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We have suffered so severely," I said, "that I stopped
-the pursuit."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Quite right. Let others follow; we must see to the
-wounded, or they will be burned to death. The barricade's
-in a blaze, and--"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The baron!" I exclaimed. "He lies there, dead or
-dangerously wounded. Let me have some men."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"As many as you please. Dobozy--"</p>
-<p class="pnext">I hurried off at once, and, selecting a score of fellows,
-ran to the barrier, which appeared to be enveloped in
-flames. True, it was not quite as bad as that, but we had
-barely time to remove the injured and some of the dead
-when the whole pile fell in with a crash, and the heavens
-were reddened by a broad sheet of flame.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I found Von Arnstein just where he had fallen, and had
-him carried to a house some distance off, where I went,
-immediately the work of rescue was finished.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our comrades had been equally successful in other parts
-of the town, and Waitzen was in our hands, though we
-had paid a heavier price for it than was reckoned on.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In a state of utter dejection I entered the room where
-the baron lay on a bed, and it scarcely needed the surgeon's
-significant gesture to kill the tiny germ of hope in my
-breast. I crossed the room with noiseless steps and looked
-at the dying man.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The surgeon had cut away a part of his coat and shirt,
-the more easily to get at the wound, but a glance showed
-even to me that all his skill was vain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey Sándor's arm was strong, and in defence of his
-master he had struck with all his might.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The veteran's face was bloodless, but he lay quite still,
-and I rejoiced to think he suffered little pain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As I bent over him his eyes opened, and he gazed at me
-languidly, but without a sign of recognition.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Baron," I said softly, "don't you know me, George
-Botskay, the young Hungarian you saved from prison?
-I was once able to do a little service for your daughter."</p>
-<p class="pnext">How much of this he understood I cannot say, but the
-last word certainly made an impression, for a happy smile
-lit up his wan face, and he murmured to himself what
-sounded like "Tessie."</p>
-<p class="pnext">This I took to be an endearing name for his daughter.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His strength was soon exhausted, his eyes closed again,
-and I thought he was dead.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"No," said the surgeon, "he will rally at the end; it
-cannot be far off."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"An hour?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"More likely two. He is a strong man, or he would
-have gone before this."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Borrowing a piece of paper from the owner of the house,
-I wrote a note to Rakoczy, requesting leave to stay with
-the baron, and sent it by a soldier. Then I sat down by
-the bedside to wait for the end.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="a-visit-from-stephen">CHAPTER XIII.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">A VISIT FROM STEPHEN.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">The surgeon, who could do nothing further, slipped
-out quietly, asking as he went if he should send
-any one to bear me company.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I shook my head, preferring to keep that solemn watch
-alone.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In truth, my heart was exceedingly sad both for the
-dying man and for his dear ones in Vienna, who would
-await his return in vain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The manner of his death also sorely grieved me.
-Certainly my hand had not struck him down, but Sándor had
-slain him to save my life.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was foolish, perhaps, to dwell on the thought, but I
-could not thrust it out. I felt that but for me the baron
-would still have been at the head of his regiment.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The house was very still, and even the noises from the
-captured town failed to reach me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fires in the street had been extinguished, but now
-the glowing crimson of the setting sun flooded the room,
-and as its light fell athwart the bed the dying man moved
-restlessly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Let it burn!" he muttered. "All the better for us.
-Ready? Mind your aim! Fire!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">His eyes were wide open, gazing with intense keenness
-across the room.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Ach!" he continued. "They have it now! Who?
-The colonel? That will stop them! Sorry--knew him--Vienna.
-What? Again? Steady now! Here they come!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">His brow was wet with perspiration, and, as I bent over
-to wipe it off, the dying glory of the sun shone full into
-my face.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At this the baron's excitement increased, and he muttered
-to himself at a great rate, while I, dipping a rag in water,
-bathed his forehead continually.</p>
-<p class="pnext">By degrees he became calmer; the wild light died from
-his eyes; he ceased to mutter, and presently looked into
-my face with a reasoning though puzzled expression.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"George Botskay," I said, trying to help his memory.
-"Don't you know? You stood my friend in Vienna."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He smiled faintly, but with intelligence, and, moving his
-hand, pointed to the window, as if wishing to direct my
-attention to something outside.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The barricade?" I ventured questioningly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He smiled again and dropped his hand in mine.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Good lad," he murmured; "I saw and understood--afterwards."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I am sorry," I began; but he checked me, saying,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A soldier's death, my boy. That is best--for me."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was getting very weak now, and I heard him with
-great difficulty.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Some words I did not hear at all, and others only
-imperfectly; but I managed to understand what he wished
-done, and promised to do it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His requests, poor fellow, were very simple. He desired
-only that the miniature of his wife, which hung round his
-neck, should be given to Theresa, and his massive
-wedding-ring to the baroness.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As I gently drew the latter from his finger, his mind
-wandered once more, and he talked to himself of bygone
-days and events of which I knew nothing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From the delights of peace he passed to the horrors of
-the battlefield, and then right back to the time of his
-childhood, when he was a happy, careless boy at his
-mother's side.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here he ended, and, rather to my surprise, just as the
-last gleam of the setting sun faded, he died with the sacred
-name of "mother" on his lips.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Taking a long look at the face now so calm and still, I
-covered it reverently, and went away on tiptoe, as if the
-noise of my footsteps could disturb the dead.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Outside I met the colonel, and returned with him to the
-room.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Poor fellow!" he exclaimed, after gazing a moment at
-the white face. "What a blow for the pretty fräulein!
-I'll warrant he made an idol of her. War's an awful
-thing, George, when you come to strip the gilding off.
-I would not like to have the responsibility of one on
-my shoulders, though I'm a soldier born and bred. How
-many thousands of widows and orphans are cursing us at
-this very moment! Well, well; we must give the baron a
-decent funeral in the morning," and he led me away.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The town seemed very quiet after the tremendous
-uproar of the day.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fires had been put out; the Austrians were in
-retreat; and our army was chasing them into that very
-mountain district where Görgei had led us in January.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our own regiment, having suffered so severely, was left
-behind, and I really felt glad of the change.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel had taken up his quarters in a decent house,
-and there at supper we were joined by the surviving
-officers of the regiment.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several of the absentees were dead, but the majority
-were in hospital, and, though badly wounded, expected to
-recover.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Just like our luck!" said the colonel, as we sat
-chatting over what had happened. "We took the very
-strongest street in the town. The other fellows had a pleasure
-jaunt, compared with our march."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Who was the Austrian officer?" asked a sublieutenant.
-"I hope he escaped; he was a splendid chap."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That was Baron von Arnstein," the colonel replied.
-"I'm sorry to say he was killed. I mean to bury him
-to-morrow with military honours."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He deserves all the respect we can show him," Dobozy
-chimed in.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There's one thing puzzles me, colonel," I said, "and
-that is, how you escaped. I saw you fall, and thought
-you were dead."</p>
-<p class="pnext">For the first time that night Rakoczy's face lit up with
-his genial smile.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I carry a bullet-catcher," he answered pleasantly; and
-taking a massive gold watch from his breast-pocket, he
-handed it to me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They've spoiled it as a time-keeper," he continued,
-"but it will come in as a curiosity."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The watch had a double cover, and was enclosed in a
-bag of thick chamois leather, a part of which had been
-forced into the case by the impact of the bullet.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The case itself was badly battered and the works
-smashed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I passed it to the other fellows, who examined it in
-profound astonishment and warmly congratulated the colonel
-on his marvellous escape.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes," said he brightly; "but for that watch Görgei
-might have looked for a new colonel."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We prefer to keep our old one, though he does wear a
-watch that won't tell the time," I remarked.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Dobozy asked if it could be mended, but the colonel
-said he preferred keeping it as it was, which I certainly
-should have done.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We did not sit long, having to rise early; and in the
-morning, as soon as it could be managed, Rakoczy turned
-out the regiment to pay the last honours to our valiant
-opponent.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We buried him in the Catholic cemetery, where I made
-arrangements for a handsome stone to be erected in his
-memory. It stands there to this day.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When all was over, the men marched back to the strains
-of martial music, while I felt as sorrowful as if we had
-been assisting to bury a valued friend.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Fortunately, a soldier on active service has little leisure
-in which to indulge his grief, and thus it was with me
-now.</p>
-<p class="pnext">So greatly had the regiment lost in officers that the
-survivors were compelled to do more than double duty, and
-for several days I had not an hour to myself.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One event, though not exactly bearing on my story,
-must be chronicled, since it shows the generosity of Görgei's
-nature.</p>
-<p class="pnext">During the fierce fighting on the ninth of April the
-Austrian general, Gatz, had fallen while at the head of his
-men, and our chief, anxious to honour the memory of a
-gallant adversary, did on a large scale what we had done
-for Von Arnstein, and accorded him a magnificent military
-funeral.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The display was of a most imposing description, and
-when the body of the brave Austrian had been laid to rest,
-the ceremony was concluded by the discharge of a hundred
-guns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Meanwhile, grave events were taking place. Just as
-the battle of Isaszeg had cut off the Austrian right wing,
-so now their left was completely broken up, and it
-became plain that Windischgratz must evacuate Pesth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Another stroke like the last," said Rakoczy one evening
-as we sat chatting in his room, "and the thing will
-be done."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Unless Kossuth's party should try to drive too hard a
-bargain."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Oh no," replied the colonel cheerfully. "The Austrians
-know exactly what we want. The emperor has only to be
-crowned King of Hungary, and swear to restore our
-ancient rights. He will do that as soon as our army appears
-under the walls of Vienna."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It isn't much, especially when--"</p>
-<p class="pnext">A loud banging at the door cut the sentence short, and
-in walked my brother, looking flushed and excited.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Neither of us had seen him since the meeting at Isaszeg,
-and we had not the faintest notion he was in Waitzen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He shook hands with us warmly, drank a glass of wine
-which Rakoczy poured out, and sat down.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Care to turn in?" asked the colonel. "My bed's
-doing nothing, and you look tired."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen shook his head. "I'm off in a couple of hours;
-only waiting to rest my horse."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There's nothing wrong, I hope?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Nothing wrong!" exclaimed my brother. "Everything's
-wrong! Haven't you heard the news from
-Debreczin? Here, read this!" and he drew a printed
-paper from his pocket.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel spread it on the table, and as he read the
-contents aloud I began to understand the meaning of
-Stephen's words.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The document, signed by the members of the National
-Diet, proclaimed in vigorous language the independence of
-Hungary. The House of Hapsburg-Lorraine was deposed,
-its members banished from the country, and Hungary, as a
-free state, was to be governed by Kossuth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What do you think of it?" asked Stephen testily, as
-if we had drawn up the proclamation.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"'Twould be rather more to the point to know what
-Görgei thinks of it," the colonel replied in his cool way.
-"I suppose he wasn't consulted over this--waste paper?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes he was, and went dead against it. Kossuth came
-to Godolo, and there was a very stormy meeting, I can
-tell you."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What did Görgei say?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That we didn't want a republic, and wouldn't have
-one. That our soldiers were royalists, and in arms to
-defend the constitution--not to depose the king. In
-short, that Kossuth's scheme would plunge the country
-into misery."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It means a Russian invasion," remarked Rakoczy. "It
-means the loss of all the Sclavonic states, and Hungary
-dragooned into another Poland."</p>
-<p class="pnext">My brother tossed his head contemptuously. "We
-would chance all that," he said. "A Magyar doesn't stop
-to count the odds against him; but we aren't going to
-spill blood like water, just to make Kossuth dictator!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We can't draw back now," I said.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That's just it. We must either continue fighting, or
-desert our country when it has the greatest need of us."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Stuff!" said Stephen. "Were I Görgei, I would
-settle the matter in a month."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy bubbled over with laughter; but, seeing how
-much in earnest my brother was, he tried hard to keep
-a straight face, and asked how he proposed to do it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It's very simple," Stephen replied. "The army is
-devoted to Görgei, and will do what he wishes. Let
-him swoop down on the Austrians, win another battle--which
-would be easy enough--and then offer to close the
-war, on condition that our ancient rights are restored."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And what of this?" I asked, laying my hand on the
-declaration of independence.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Pooh! It will be useful to the people for wrapping
-up parcels."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I believe the plan would work out all right," said
-Rakoczy thoughtfully, "but we mustn't try it. Don't
-you see, my boy, that it would open a civil war, and we
-should have to join the Austrians in crushing our own
-people. No, no. Rather let Hungary become an
-Austrian fief than that Magyar should destroy Magyar."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The other side doesn't study that."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"All the more reason why we should. How would you
-like to help the Austrians burn down Pesth, because Louis
-Kossuth was inside it?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen turned away with a shudder. "It seems that
-we must tie our own hands," he remarked gloomily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You've hit it exactly; but we can untie them to fight
-against the enemy. By the way, our acquaintance, Baron
-von Arnstein, is dead."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I'm sorry to hear that. What a blow to his pretty
-daughter!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And to the baroness. But come; in the general
-excitement I quite forgot to ask you to eat," and the
-colonel ordered supper to be laid immediately.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We had barely finished when a clatter of hoofs was
-heard outside, and a soldier brought word that Captain
-Botskay's horses were ready.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then I must go," exclaimed my brother, "though
-that wretched paper has taken the heart out of my work."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes," said the colonel, after he had gone. "This
-precious document will work the cause more harm than
-the loss of a dozen battles."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now I would not have you suppose we bore any ill-will
-to Louis Kossuth and his party; but we did not belong
-to them, their aims were not ours, and, in addition, we
-believed they were grasping at more than they were
-able to hold.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Of Kossuth's genius and marvellous eloquence, of his
-untiring energy, his passionate love for Hungary and
-hatred to Austria, I have already spoken.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He caused the raw material of armies to start from
-the soil; he created money, manufactured guns, turned
-the ploughshares into swords and bayonets, stored
-ammunition, roused the people to the highest pitch of
-enthusiasm, and was, in short, the mainspring of the revolution
-amongst the civilians.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He did not profess to be a soldier, and the taunts that
-he never appeared on the battle-field, except to run away,
-I held to be both unjust and ungenerous. His place was
-at the council chamber, not in the camp. Whether he
-was ambitious for himself, I know not; and it matters
-little, as the gulf between us was so vast that it could
-not be bridged.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We, the party of the nobles and most of the old
-soldiers in Görgei's army, wished only to regain our ancient
-rights. Kossuth and his friends openly endeavoured to
-make Hungary into a republic. In the days of our
-adversity the little rift was not seen; now it suddenly became
-a yawning chasm.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From the general to the private arose murmurs of
-discontent, and I verily believe that, had Görgei done what
-my brother proposed, he would have carried the army
-with him to a man.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Some even to this day blame him for not exerting his
-strength at the critical moment; but when I think of the
-awful misery which must have followed, I am glad that he
-acted as he did. Each day now brought us news of some
-further success. Everywhere the Austrians fell back, until
-at length we heard that our centre had entered Pesth,
-which the enemy had evacuated on the previous day.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Much to our surprise, there came with this information
-an order for the 9th Honveds to fall back on the capital.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy, of course, instantly set about obeying, but he
-was obviously ill at ease, as Görgei was still chasing the
-flying Austrians to Presburg.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It seems to me we ought to march forward to Vienna,
-not back to Pesth," he exclaimed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I pointed out that the Austrians had probably left a
-garrison in Buda.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well? What of it?" he asked. "You don't suppose
-we're going to waste precious time there, while the
-imperialists rally? Why, all we have to do now is to keep
-them running till they reach Vienna. I really thought
-you were a better soldier than that, George."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I daresay you will find me up to the government
-standard," I replied, laughing at the wry face he made.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several of the officers and many of the men were by
-this time fit to resume duty, but numerous familiar faces
-were still missing when the regiment started on its way
-to Pesth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We found the capital filled with citizens and soldiers in
-a state of high glee. Now that the Austrians had really
-disappeared, they thought that the war was over and done
-with.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our regiment, which received quite an ovation from the
-crowd, was quartered in the barracks, and during several
-days we had leisure to roam about the bright and beautiful city.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The red, white, and green stripes fluttered proudly from
-the tops of the magnificent palaces. Nobles and ladies
-rode by in handsome carriages drawn by fine Hungarian
-horses. The streets were crowded by soldiers in uniform
-and citizens dressed in the national costume. Every one
-was in the highest spirits and the utmost good-humour.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One blot existed on the pleasant scene--the black and
-yellow flag floating from the Buda fortress (on the other
-side of the river), which sheltered General Hentzi with
-3,000 veterans and 90 guns; but for the moment it was
-ignored.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What a magnificent spectacle!" exclaimed Rakoczy,
-as we strolled one morning along the river embankments,
-and gazed at the blue waters of the mighty Danube. "I
-sometimes think there can scarcely be a finer sight in the
-world than the twin cities present. Look at the
-Blocksberg on the other side of the river."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A fine place to batter the fortress from," I said.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Oh! let us forget the war a bit; we shall soon be in
-harness again."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Very well. We'll talk about the feats of civilization.
-There's a fine example!" and I pointed to that triumph
-of engineering skill, the noble suspension bridge built by
-an Englishman named Clarke; it joins the two cities by
-spanning the river.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had rarely seen my friend so strangely moved. His
-face became quite sad, his eyes were dim, and when he
-spoke his voice was husky.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Hungary owes that, as she owes almost everything
-else in modern years, to as true a patriot as ever lived,"
-he said softly. "You did not know Count Stephen
-Szechenyi?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Only by repute," I answered.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"No; his best work was done before your time. He
-was Hungary's great man, George. Kossuth, Batthiany,
-and Görgei have simply entered into the fruits of his
-labour. He built the foundations sure, and firm, and
-strong. It was in '25 that he rose in the Diet, and
-addressed the assembly in the Magyar tongue; till then
-the debates had been conducted in Latin. He toiled early
-and late, in season and out of season. He gave his
-fortune, his brains, his leisure, to his country; even his reason
-was sacrificed; and now, a broken and helpless wreck, he
-is an inmate of an Austrian lunatic asylum. Patriot and
-martyr, he has been cast aside like a broken reed. The
-people have a fresh hero now--one who can tickle their
-fancies and flatter their vanity by his burning
-eloquence--a brand-new hero, my boy. Let the old one go rot."</p>
-<p class="pnext">We walked on a little way in silence, and then with his
-usual cheery smile my companion added,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The fit doesn't come often, and is soon over, but it's
-hot while it lasts. Really, though, when I think of
-Count Stephen's ruined life, and how he was tossed aside
-at last, I feel awfully wild. Now let us turn back;
-there's still time for a stroll in the town before we are
-due at the barracks. Hallo! there's Count Beula. Pass
-him with a nod if you can; I don't like that fellow."</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, the count, whom we had not seen since the
-revolt in Vienna, had no mind that we should pass unrecognized.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was dressed in the uniform of a staff officer, and
-walked with a military swagger that was not without a
-certain grace.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At first he affected astonishment at seeing us in the
-Honved uniform, saying he thought we had joined the
-Austrians. Then he congratulated us on the declaration
-of independence, and hoped we should have a part in the
-capture of Buda.</p>
-<p class="pnext">All this he spoke in the smoothest tones, choosing his
-words so that they might wound and yet afford no handle
-for offence, smiling when he hurt us most, pretending he
-thought we were pleased, and inquiring for Stephen,
-whom he hated, as if the two were the closest friends.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I, being young, could not conceal my annoyance; but
-Rakoczy gave the count smile for smile, jest for jest,
-praise of Kossuth in return for praise of Görgei, and, in
-fact, as the French say, a Roland for his Oliver every
-time.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A clever, smooth-tongued rascal," exclaimed he, when
-at length the count took himself off. "I wonder where
-he has been."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"At Debreczin, most likely; he's just the sort of man
-to do his soldiering in the drawing-room."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I'm not so sure of that. A boaster isn't always a
-coward. Did you hear what he said about the taking of
-Buda?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That comes from Kossuth, you may depend; and if
-so, all is lost."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Unless Görgei interferes."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Ah!" said the colonel, "he loves his country too much
-for that," and we walked on without further conversation.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="the-quarrel-with-count-beula">CHAPTER XIV.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">THE QUARREL WITH COUNT BEULA.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">One result of the declaration of independence was
-an inrush of foreigners: Poles, Germans, French,
-Italians swarmed into the country on all sides.</p>
-<p class="pnext">These men were all red-hot republicans, and, except the
-Poles, fought not so much out of love to Hungary as from
-hatred to the Austrian government.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Naturally they helped to swell Kossuth's party, and
-talked loudly of maintaining the struggle till Hungary was
-acknowledged an independent republic; while some, going
-still farther, demanded that the Russians should be
-expelled from Poland, and the two countries joined together.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At first, however, the real dispute centered on the next
-step in the war. Görgei, who had returned to Pesth,
-pointed out that by staying to capture Buda we should
-lose our only opportunity of crushing the Austrians while
-they were still weak and feeble.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Kossuth, on the other hand, had resolved that Buda
-should first fall; and at length the general reluctantly
-yielded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was a great mistake, and we of the army felt it to
-be such; but a soldier's duty is to obey, and not to
-question.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Amongst ourselves and in the city we talked hotly
-enough, and many passionate words were spoken in the
-heat of anger.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On our side, none were so furious as Stephen, who had
-come to Pesth with his chief.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He expressed his opinions freely, gaining thereby no
-love from the foreigners, and openly boasted that he
-would not be chained to the triumphal car of Louis
-Kossuth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several times I begged him to moderate his language;
-but he only laughed, saying that, now Kossuth had made
-Hungary free, there was no need for him to be silent.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was the more amazed at my brother's behaviour,
-because it was so much out of harmony with his real
-character; but there seemed to be a kind of spell on him,
-which he was unable to shake off.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One evening he was holding forth to Rakoczy, myself,
-and several others in a restaurant, when Count Beula
-entered with some friends.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The count nodded to us all very politely, and, seating
-himself at the next table, ordered wine for his company.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Whether the man really meant to create a disturbance
-or not I cannot say, but, filling his glass, he cried, "Here's
-to the Hungarian republic!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">His friends drank their wine and applauded boisterously,
-while Stephen, springing to his feet, exclaimed in ringing
-tones,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Gentlemen, this is a free country. Let us drink our
-own toast, 'Hungary and the constitution of '48!'"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Bravo!" I said, feeling compelled to back him up,
-though not desiring a quarrel. "That is what we are
-fighting for."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And more than we shall get," added the colonel
-good-humouredly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Thanks to Kossuth's meddling!" said Stephen. "If
-he had left the general alone, we should be over the
-frontier by now."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The young man carries messages for Görgei," the
-count explained to his associates in a tone of amusement.
-"That is how he comes to know so much about fighting."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Even that gives more training than talking rubbish in
-a back room," I put in hotly, thinking of the scene at
-Vienna.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Perhaps the count has come out of his shell since
-then," said Rakoczy, with a merry twinkle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It must have been to get into a safer one," exclaimed
-Stephen contemptuously.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The quarrel, like a fire, once started, blazed furiously,
-and but for a shaggy-haired German, we should speedily
-have come to blows.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was puffing vigorously at a tremendous pipe, and,
-coming through the dense volume of smoke, his voice
-sounded like a fog-horn.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Ach!" he grunted, "the quarrel is stupid; let it rest.
-The count has made his reputation with General Bern; he
-can afford to laugh. As for the boys, they seem very nice
-boys--ach!" and the oracle faded behind a cloud of
-smoke of his own construction. This was like a douche of
-cold water on the fire; but though the flames were put
-out, the embers smouldered, and presently sprang into a
-fresh blaze.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I hardly know how it happened, but the conversation
-once more turned upon the siege of Buda, and Stephen
-maintained, quite rightly, as after events proved, that
-even a successful assault must be attended by immense
-slaughter.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The boy speaks sense there!" growled the smoke-hidden
-Teuton. "I know Hentzi well; he's just the man
-to strike hard and to strike often."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, well. Our young friend need not be afraid,"
-broke in the count sneeringly. "We shall find men
-stout-hearted enough to storm the breach when it's made."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I do not fear for myself," Stephen answered proudly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"No, no," said the count, laughing insolently. "It
-isn't likely, since you won't be there till the danger's over.
-Most men are brave enough when they haven't to do the
-fighting."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Perhaps," said I quickly, stopping an angry outburst
-from Stephen, "that accounts for your coolness."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A good thrust, my boy," said the benevolent
-Teuton.--"Count, he had you there."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Count Beula laughed again, showing his white teeth,
-refilled his glass, and answered brightly, "The thrust was
-parried before it was delivered. I have already been
-named as the leader of one of the storming parties
-whenever a breach is practicable. Kossuth's friends fight as
-well as talk."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They do more than their leader then," said Dobozy,
-who formed one of our party.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The count's statement fell on me like a thunderbolt.
-I had thought him an arrogant, conceited fellow, having
-nothing of the soldier about him but his uniform and his
-swagger, yet here he spoke calmly of leading a forlorn hope.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He saw his triumph, and glanced at us, but particularly
-at Stephen, with an insolent patronage for which I could
-have kicked him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Oh no," he said loftily, in answer to a remark from a
-companion; "I take no merit for it. The opportunity
-offered, and I accepted--nothing more. Of course our
-young friend has his fixed duties, otherwise we might have
-seen him at the breach."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The words were simple and harmless, but the sneer was
-so open that it could not be mistaken, and my brother's
-face flushed crimson. "And so you shall," he cried hotly.
-"I cannot claim so high an honour as Count Beula, but I
-can and will enter the fortress as soon as he."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The count smiled, drained his glass, rose to go, and
-then, looking round at the company, said pleasantly, "A
-challenge before so many witnesses must be accepted;
-but"--maliciously--"perhaps before Görgei's guns have
-made the breach our young friend will have had time to
-repent his hasty words."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then he and his friends went out, and left us looking at
-one another gloomily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What's the matter, George?" my brother asked gaily.
-"One would think I had been condemned to death."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Not at all," I answered, shaking off my gloom. "I
-was only thinking how we were deceived in that fellow.
-Fancy Beula at the head of a body of stormers!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It will be a night attack, so perhaps he'll lose his way
-in the dark," my brother answered, and later on the words
-acquired a strange significance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"How you youngsters chatter!" exclaimed Rakoczy
-cheerfully. "The place hasn't been summoned yet, and
-Hentzi may surrender."</p>
-<p class="pnext">This, of course, was possible, though not probable,
-and the very next day the idea had to be put aside
-altogether.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The emperor, my august master, has entrusted to me
-the keys of Buda; I will return them to him alone.
-Meanwhile my honour and my duty command me to
-defend the fortress, and I will do so to the last man.
-Should the twin cities perish in the conflict, I declare you
-responsible for their ruin. I appeal to God, my right, and
-my sword."</p>
-<p class="pnext">That was Hentzi's reply to the summons to surrender,
-and I could not but admire the writer of it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Brave words these," said Rakoczy, "and he's a brave
-man if he makes them good, though I don't exactly see
-why he should bombard Pesth, when our guns will be on
-the Blocksberg."</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was the fourth of May when the answer came, and
-Görgei, who had established his headquarters at
-Schwabenberg, immediately gave orders for the beginning of the
-siege operations.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For the next week the fighting was mainly confined to
-outpost engagements, in which our regiment had little
-share; then the batteries were opened between the
-Stuhl-Weissenberg and Vienna gates.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This being the weakest part of the defence, Hentzi had
-strengthened it with twenty-five guns, which thundered
-away at our artillery day and night.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For the greater part of another week the terrible
-cannonade continued, and as we lay on the hillside we
-saw with intense grief the beautiful twin cities wrapped
-in flames.</p>
-<p class="pnext">During the second week we had much more of Stephen's
-company than usual, and I heard with regret that the
-general had given him leave to volunteer for the attack.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He rallied me on my sober looks, saying it was no more
-dangerous for him than for me, as the 9th Honveds were
-to form one of the assaulting columns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was the evening of May 17, and several officers,
-including Stephen, were watching the heavy guns at work,
-when Count Beula came up.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The story of the quarrel in the restaurant had spread
-widely, and the officers waited with much curiosity to see
-how the meeting would go off.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well," said the count, bowing all round in his finicking
-way, "I hear that the breach is nearly practicable."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We shall most likely start in a few hours."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then you have not drawn back?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"My place is with the first column," said Stephen calmly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Ah! I lead the fourth. I am going now to see the
-general, but, as you say, we shall meet in the fortress," and
-he lounged off.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As the count had stated, the breach was considered
-practicable, but the great guns thundered on, doing as
-much damage as was possible before the assault took place.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our regiment, being the farthest off, was to start first;
-but the evening wore away, and Rakoczy had not received
-any definite orders.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Always careful of his men, he made them turn in early;
-but we officers sat or stood about in groups, talking over
-the chances of the coming assault.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was nearly midnight when Stephen, who had been
-sent for by the chief, returned, and we crowded eagerly
-round him, anxious to know what had been decided.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My brother first delivered his message to the colonel;
-but as no secret was made of it, we soon learned that the
-assault was fixed for the first streak of dawn.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several of the officers now went to get an hour's rest,
-but Stephen and I passed the time with the colonel, who
-maintained a cheerful conversation.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Just at the last he left us alone, and it was only then I
-discovered the real state of my feelings.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen, too, was much affected; but he carried it off
-well--not lightly or vaingloriously, but as a brave lad
-should.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I thought, and think still, he was greatly to blame for
-getting into such a scrape; but no one could blame his
-conduct afterwards.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Let us say farewell, dear old fellow," he whispered,
-"in case one of us should not return. If I fall, remember
-you are the head of the Botskay family, and that our
-father died fighting for his king."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I don't forget; and if my time has come, take this
-ring and portrait to the ladies at Vienna, and say a word
-of farewell to the fräulein."</p>
-<p class="pnext">At this he threw off his grave air, and joked me
-pleasantly, so that when the signal was made to fall in,
-we took our places in quite a cheerful humour.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My brother, of course, went with the stormers, while we
-followed closely in support.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was still dark, but we trusted the guides to keep us
-straight, and calculated on arriving at the breach as soon
-as dawn broke.</p>
-<p class="pnext">No one spoke, and hardly a sound was heard as the
-column wound its stealthy way along.</p>
-<p class="pnext">By this time the cannonade had ceased, and it seemed
-also as if the sorely-harassed garrison had ventured to take
-a short rest. Tramp, tramp, we marched along, pausing
-at intervals to give the rear of the column time to close up.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men with the scaling-ladders were out of sight, but
-we kept on in the weird and eerie darkness, expecting
-every moment to see the flash of the rockets, and to hear
-the thunder of the guns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">All was, however, silent, and I wondered we had come
-across no sign of the other columns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I don't know why it should have done so, but the
-truth suddenly flashed into my mind--we had lost our way.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I spoke to the colonel, and it was obvious he shared my
-opinion.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes," said he quietly. "We certainly ought to be in
-touch with them by now. Run forward and question the
-guides."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I did so with difficulty, but might have spared myself
-the trouble. They had lost their heads completely, and
-were painfully groping their way, now in this direction,
-now that.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Remembering Stephen's scornful words about Count
-Beula losing the route in the dark, I dared not speak to
-my brother, but hurried back to Rakoczy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had barely told him the story, when far on the left
-the guns roared out. Bright flashes of flame leaped
-from their muzzles, telling us that the garrison was on
-the alert, and that we were not at hand to help our
-comrades.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I hardly heard the colonel's orders. My head was in a
-whirl. I walked or ran just when and where the others
-did, wondering all the time what Stephen would do.</p>
-<p class="pnext">What a triumph for Count Beula!</p>
-<p class="pnext">Hitherto I had feared for my brother's life; now I would
-have cheerfully laid down mine that he might have a
-chance of risking his. Guided by the flashes of light and
-the sound of the guns, we ran on, hoping we might yet be
-in time to strike one blow.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The dawn was breaking; we could see our way more
-clearly, and were getting near enough to hear the shouts
-and cries of the combatants.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Forward, my brave lads! forward!" I cried excitedly.
-"We shall do it yet!" But alas for my hopes! Suddenly
-there came a wave of cheering, and then, as if to
-herald the first pink streak of the opening day, the
-triumphant notes were heard of a song well known to
-most of us. The attack had failed. The victorious
-garrison were jubilantly singing the Austrian National
-Anthem, "Heil, unser Kaiser, heil!" as our three
-shattered columns hastily fled.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Seeing that for the present all was lost, Rakoczy halted
-his column, and in shame and confusion we retraced our
-steps.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Really it was a fortunate circumstance we had thus
-blundered, as the breach was not fit, and the
-scaling-ladders had been found too short for their purpose.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our comrades, whose losses were enormous, had
-struggled gallantly, and by common consent the bravest
-man among them was Count Beula.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Everywhere we heard the most marvellous tales of his
-daring and recklessness. He had fought in the very front,
-had cheered his men again and again to the attack, and,
-while they fell around him in scores, had himself remained
-unharmed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He had not got his foot inside Buda, but his reputation
-was established, and it was acknowledged he had made his
-vaunt good.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy, who knew how terribly my brother suffered
-under what he deemed a disgrace, tried to cheer him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Don't fret about it, my boy," he exclaimed brightly;
-"'twas not your fault. The count had the luck--that's
-all. No one who knows you will question your courage."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It's very kind of you to speak like that," my brother
-replied, "but all the talking in the world won't alter the
-facts. Perhaps I shall feel better after the next attempt."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There's no need to try again," I said stoutly. "You
-did your best, and can't be blamed because the guides
-missed the route."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Do you think I will let a shadow of reproach rest on
-our name?" he said. "Don't try to turn me, George; it
-is useless. My mind is made up, and, with or without the
-general's leave, I mean to take part in the next assault."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel signed to me to let the subject drop, which
-I did, and presently we all sat down to breakfast.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After the meal and an hour's sleep, Stephen said he
-must report himself to the general, and Rakoczy made an
-excuse for us to go with him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He may drop across Beula," whispered the colonel,
-"and if we're there the meeting will be less awkward."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy guessed rightly. We found the count near
-Görgei's tent, the centre of an admiring group of officers,
-to whom he was relating the events of the previous night.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He carried himself with his usual swagger, and catching
-sight of us, cried jovially,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Ah! here comes my young friend who lost his way in
-the dark."</p>
-<p class="pnext">There was a laugh at this, which made me hot and
-angry; but Stephen's behaviour was, to my thinking,
-admirable.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His face was very white, and his lips twitched a little,
-but he spoke quite calmly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Count Beula," he said, "permit me to add my
-congratulations to those of your brother officers. What you
-did last night will never be forgotten by this army. We
-are not good friends, you and I, but that doesn't prevent
-me from admiring your bravery. Last night I failed to
-keep my promise; next time I may be more successful."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well spoken!" said Rakoczy, and a familiar voice
-behind us echoed the words.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The second speaker was Görgei himself, who had come
-from his tent in time to hear what was said.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The count smiled, showing his white teeth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Captain Botskay must have been terribly annoyed at
-finding himself out of reach of danger," he said sweetly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here again it was impossible to take offence at his words,
-though they might, and most likely did, convey a false
-meaning.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei, however, came handsomely to the rescue.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It would be something of a novelty," he said bluntly.
-"I doubt if he has been out of danger before since the
-war began.--But I say, colonel, somebody made a horrible
-mess of it last night. You'll have to put your fellows in
-the front next time."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy saw his chance of getting in a counter-stroke
-on the count, and seized it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes," he said, smiling pleasantly, "I was afraid the
-affair would fall through without us, though I hear Count
-Beula did not fail through want of trying."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There's praise for you, count!" cried Görgei with a
-broad laugh. "But we'll have another try soon, and then,
-if you don't succeed, I'll lead the stormers myself.--Captain
-Botskay, you're just in time to take a message to Pesth;"
-and he carried Stephen off to his tent.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel and I stayed awhile chatting, but not being
-over fond of the count's company, we took the first
-opportunity to go.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As soon as the wounded were brought in, the gunners
-resumed the bombardment, while Hentzi, on his side, not
-only replied to our fire, but sent hundreds of shells
-hurtling across the water into the town.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen told us that the state of the city was pitiable.
-Whole quarters had been destroyed, and hundreds of people,
-not only homeless but in imminent danger of their lives,
-were camping on the Rakos, whither they had carried the
-wounded soldiers, both Hungarian and Austrian.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Meanwhile Görgei thundered day and night at the
-walls, while the stout-hearted garrison worked like slaves,
-repairing the breaches, erecting breastworks, and doing
-everything possible to strengthen their position.</p>
-<p class="pnext">All the officers who were not of Kossuth's party grumbled
-openly at this waste of time and loss of valuable lives; but
-since the fortress had to be taken, every one felt the sooner
-the better.</p>
-<p class="pnext">During the evening of the twenty-first of May we
-marched to the trenches and lay on our arms, once more
-waiting for the signal to rush forward.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The general means to get in this time," said Rakoczy.
-"There are nearly twenty thousand of us, all told, in the
-trenches."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He can't afford to risk a second repulse," remarked my
-brother, who, in spite of all our efforts, had insisted on
-joining us. "By the way, Aulich has driven the Austrians
-back to Presburg."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"But for this folly we should be under the walls of
-Vienna now."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What time is the attempt to be made?" I asked.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Midnight, I believe; so we've some time to wait yet."</p>
-<p class="pnext">After that, relapsing into silence, we sat in the
-gathering gloom, each busy with his own thoughts; and sad
-enough mine, at least, were.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="how-stephen-carried-the-flag">CHAPTER XV.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">HOW STEPHEN CARRIED THE FLAG.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">"George!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"All right, old boy," I answered in a whisper,
-rubbing my eyes. "I believe I've been asleep."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I'm sure you have. But wake up now; the word to
-be ready has come."</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the very moment of waking I knew something was
-wrong, but it was not until my brother spoke the second
-time that I remembered where we were.</p>
-<p class="pnext">By some odd chance I had been dreaming of the years
-gone by, when Stephen and I were merry children playing
-in the old home at Gyula.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The past had returned to me so vividly--the sound of
-my father's voice, the picture of my mother's beautiful face
-and loving smile--that even now I could scarcely grasp
-the truth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had forgotten all about the cruel war, the trenches,
-the coming assault, and the near danger of death, so that
-the shock of awakening unnerved me for the moment.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The word had come! What word? Where was I?
-Ah! my memory returned with a rush, and I sprang to
-my feet.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Steady, old fellow," said my brother cheerfully; "we
-mustn't make a noise yet."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I pressed his hand and whispered,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I had forgotten. I was dreaming we were children at
-home again."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Don't, George; you hurt me," said he sharply, as if
-in pain, though I only pressed his hand gently.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was past midnight, and the men were in their places,
-while the bands stood massed behind the lines.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel came to us, and shook each by the hand.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"One never knows what may happen," he said. "There
-will be a fearful struggle. After Görgei's words the other
-day, my regiment can't go back; so, in case of accidents,
-you know--" And he shook our hands again.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy seemed much graver than usual, but I think he
-was filled with pity on his men's account.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen was, on the contrary, much more cheerful.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"George and I had a solemn leave-taking the other
-night," he said gaily, "and yet we didn't see a shot
-fired."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Ah!" exclaimed the colonel, responding to his humour;
-"we have no chance of missing our way this time."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He moved off to his place, and again all was still.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The silence and the darkness got on my nerves. I
-dreaded yet longed for the signal at the same time.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We did not see the count, but he had sent a sarcastic
-message to Stephen during the evening, appointing a
-meeting inside the fortress.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I leaned on my sword, staring into the darkness.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Dreary work this!" exclaimed a voice in my ear, and
-Dobozy joined me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Like the rest of us, he looked forward to a terrible
-slaughter, and had come to say a word of farewell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I hope we shall soon go," he continued, after a pause;
-"the men are getting nervous."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The general's keeping up a tremendous cannonade," I
-whispered. "The guns must be nearly red-hot. Why,
-it's actually getting lighter."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Nearly two o'clock," said Stephen. "I suppose the
-general's been waiting for the engineer's report."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Dobozy left us, and we resumed our watching.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Although two-thirds of May had run out, it was bitterly
-cold in those early morning hours, and several times I
-shivered violently.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The night was passing, and we could now see our own
-men, the still shadowy outlines of surrounding objects, and
-the ramparts of the fortress.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At length the moment arrived. A flight of shells and
-fiery rockets went hissing and trailing over the stronghold;
-our men changed from figures of shadow-land into beings
-of flesh and blood; a hoarse whisper of command
-circulated through the trenches; the massed bands stationed
-behind broke into soul-stirring music; almost without
-knowing it we were advancing. Stephen, with a last
-hand-shake, a murmured good-bye, darted to the front. I
-headed the company; Rakoczy, to whose eyes the sparkle
-had returned, led the regiment.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We moved forward unopposed; Hentzi was saving his
-ammunition.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Of the conflict to the right and left I am not
-competent to speak; I know only the doings of our own
-regiment, and of the battalion led by Count Beula, which
-chance or fate brought close to us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Concerning the Austrians, or rather Croats, who held
-the fortress, it would be unjust to attempt to belittle their
-stubborn bravery. At the beginning of the siege General
-Hentzi had made a proud boast, and no man ever fulfilled
-a vaunt more truly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As the men with the scaling-ladders ran to plant their
-burdens, the great guns of the fortress boomed out, and
-instantly the place became like a babel.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Cries of rage and pain rent the air, almost drowning the
-rattle of the musketry and the roar of the cannon.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Through the smoke-cloud that shut out our view the
-white flashes pierced more and more quickly, as if the
-artillerymen were not giving themselves one moment's
-breathing space.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A man at my side exclaimed "Oh!" in a surprised sort
-of way, and dropped, while I barely understood he was
-dead.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A few paces farther a bursting shell knocked over half
-a dozen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were rapidly approaching the thick of the firing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Forward! forward!" cried our colonel cheerfully.
-"The safest place is at close quarters."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I remember laughing to myself and thinking it would
-be even safer at Debreczin with Kossuth and the members
-of the Diet.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Bang! bang! The firing grew heavier, and our losses
-more considerable; but, as Rakoczy had said, there was no
-retreat for the 9th Honveds.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After the mess we had made of it before, we were bound
-to get inside the fortress--that is, if any of us survived to
-reach the walls, which seemed doubtful.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Meanwhile most of the ladder-men were dead or
-disabled. The stormers had taken their places, and were
-trying to rear the ladders against the ramparts.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen was with them, his face aflame, his eyes
-burning with excitement.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were quite near when he got one planted, and
-instantly began to climb.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The light was breaking now, and our fellows cheered
-madly as they beheld the lithe, graceful figure springing to
-the top.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A group of Croats, led by an officer, waited patiently
-with bayonets fixed, and I groaned at the thought of what
-must happen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Inspired by his example, the men crowded behind him
-eagerly--too eagerly, as it proved; for the ladder,
-groaning and creaking beneath their weight, snapped
-off, and the whole party dropped with a crash to the
-ground.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several never moved again, and I must confess I hoped
-Stephen was hurt, since it would save him from a sadder
-fate. To our astonishment, however, he jumped up from
-the wriggling mass, and was soon cheering on the survivors
-to fresh efforts.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A loud shout on the left proclaimed that something of
-importance was happening there, and then it was I beheld
-Count Beula.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Croats were yelling with savage joy. Out of a
-dozen ladders not one remained upright, and the remnant
-of the assailants was in retreat, with the exception of the
-count.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I always disliked the man, and indeed to this day I
-hate him, yet I must admit that here at Buda and
-elsewhere he proved himself a first-class fighting man.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He stood now alone, save for the dead and wounded;
-but though the bullets fell around him fast, he never
-budged an inch.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The distance was too great for me to see his face clearly,
-but I felt quite sure his lips were curled in a sarcastic
-sneer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Enemy of mine though he was, I cheered with the rest
-when, as if tired of waiting for the runaways to come
-back, he coolly advanced alone.</p>
-<p class="pnext">What occurred next, or who induced the battalion to
-return, I cannot say, as the colonel immediately gave the
-signal for the assault.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men responded with a cheer. They burned to be
-on the walls, where they could meet the defenders on more
-equal terms, and the regiment bounded forward like one
-man.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now, too, I missed Stephen, for the fighting became so
-fierce and confused that it was impossible to see anything
-beyond what took place close at hand.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fire from the great guns continued steadily; but it
-was less violent, and we afterwards learned that three of
-the pieces had blown up.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The bullets, however, rattled down faster than ever, and
-man after man fell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The rest of us rushed on. We were at the breach.
-Already some of the stormers were entering, and my heart
-leaped to my mouth as I saw Stephen foremost.</p>
-<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 61%" id="figure-35">
-<span id="my-heart-leaped-to-my-mouth-as-i-saw-stephen-foremost"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-233.jpg" />
-<div class="caption figure">
-"My heart leaped to my mouth as I saw Stephen foremost." Page 233.]</div>
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">Plainly he was determined that the count should have
-no cause to crow over him this time.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I caught a brief glimpse of Rakoczy. He had been
-hurt, but his voice was still cheerful as he encouraged
-his men forward.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On and up we went, sometimes packed together, then
-separated into small groups, while frequently one of the
-foremost came crashing backward, falling at the foot of
-the battlements.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Though numbers dropped, the survivors pressed on
-doggedly. Whatever our loss, every one knew now that the
-assault must prove successful.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Vainly the Croats poured in their murderous volleys;
-they could not keep us back. We were getting into close
-touch with them, where steel would take the place of lead.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was a short distance behind the colonel when he
-suddenly paused, waved his sword, and cheered vigorously.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Honveds took up the cry, and the sound of their
-voices drowned all else, while I stood spell-bound.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The first of the assailants had put foot inside the fortress;
-the first Hungarian flag fluttered on the ramparts.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For one moment I was the proudest, as I was soon to
-be the most miserable lad in Hungary; for the flag
-belonged to the 9th Honveds, and the soldier guarding it
-was my brother.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That's one better than Count Beula!" shouted Dobozy,
-when another cheer arose. A little to the left the count
-appeared--the second to mount the walls.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Perhaps I lost a second--not more--enjoying my
-triumph; then I shot past the colonel, and reached my
-brother's side.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He had already received several hurts, but was still
-gallantly holding his ground against long odds, when I
-joined him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Bravo, old fellow!" I cried, parrying a fierce thrust
-from an Austrian officer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It's all right now, George! I beat him!" he shouted.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the same moment a savage-looking Croat sprang at
-him; but there was the rapid gleam of a bayonet, a sharp
-cry, and the fellow fell dead.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A swift glance showed me Mecsey Sándor, who throughout
-the fight had, as usual, followed my steps like a dog.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Every moment now strengthened us, while it weakened
-the enemy, who, seeing this, made a desperate effort to hurl
-us back before the rest of our forces arrived.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A tall, fine-looking veteran, with huge snowy moustaches,
-led the charge, cutting his way almost to the walls.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The others were beaten off; but they came at us again
-and again, till scarcely a single officer remained alive to
-lead them.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was cruel work, and I rejoiced with my whole heart
-when at length the brave fellows, overwhelmed by
-numbers, sullenly gave way.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Stephen, forgetful of his wounds, leaped forward with
-the flag, and we all followed, panting like hounds with the
-quarry in sight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Count Beula, who had fought his way well to the front
-without receiving a scratch, ran with the main body; but
-in front of every one was my brother, with Sándor and
-myself next, and the wounded Rakoczy a foot or so behind.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The flag danced and waved in the reddening dawn; then
-suddenly it fell, rising again the next instant as proudly
-as before, but now, alas! stained with newly-shed blood.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Croats, as if ashamed of retreating--though they
-had little cause for shame--once more drew together, and
-those who had loaded rifles fired into the midst of us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A few men fell, but they were mere drops in the ocean.
-The crowd closed up solid and compact as before, and it
-was seen that the enemy had made their final effort.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A wild cheer greeted the hoisting of a white flag on the
-summit of the citadel; a wilder one still was raised when
-Stephen planted the glorious red, white, and green colours
-beside it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My loved brother stood there a few moments, his face
-white, save where the red blood trickled, his eyes bright
-and burning, his bearing proud and defiant.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But, alas! I saw that he held the staff with effort, and,
-climbing up, was just in time to catch his swaying body
-as it fell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Dear old George!" he murmured, "I meant to do it,
-and succeeded."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then his eyes closed, his head sank, and I laid him
-gently on the ground in the shadow of the flag he had
-borne to victory.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The noise of the conflict ceased. The Croats, yielding
-their arms, were granted quarter, and marched off as
-prisoners. Buda was ours!</p>
-<p class="pnext">I heard later how fearful the struggle had been. Of
-the twenty-five guns near the breach but one remained of
-service, and near the spot where we forced an entrance lay
-a group of no less than thirty-six Austrian officers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The foremost was Hentzi himself, who, in the very
-front of the fight, had gained imperishable renown, both
-for himself and the flag he had so stubbornly defended.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Many hard words had been said of him when, lying out
-on the hillside, we had watched our beautiful Pesth half
-ruined by his artillery; but he had fought and died like
-a brave soldier and loyal subject of his emperor.</p>
-<p class="pnext">These things were far enough from my mind on the
-morning of the storming; in fact, I forgot all else in
-tending my wounded brother.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several men came and looked at him sorrowfully.
-Rakoczy was one, I know; and I believe, but am not sure,
-that one was Count Beula.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then a little group approached, the leader being a
-surgeon, who stooping down shook his head in grief.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The others brought water and bandages, and he washed
-away the blood, leaving the face wan and colourless. Then
-he loosened my brother's jacket, uttering a hasty
-exclamation at sight of something beneath.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I sat stupid with grief beside the wounded lad, nothing
-rousing me till I beheld the closely-cropped hair and rugged
-features of General Görgei.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"My poor boy!" said he, in a tone soft and caressing
-as a woman's. "Stephen, don't you know me? I am
-Arthur Görgei. Look at me, my dear young friend," and
-he gently chafed my brother's hand.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the general's words Stephen opened his eyes, and
-looked at Görgei with a feeble smile.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It's--all--right--general," he murmured very softly,
-and his eyes closed again.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei stooped and kissed the boyish face tenderly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"As gallant a youth as ever fought for Hungary,
-and worthy of his honourable name!" said he with deep
-feeling.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then, turning to me, he spoke some kindly words, and,
-having questioned the surgeon privately, went his way.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The master of legions has little time for private griefs;
-and indeed this visit to my brother, taking place as it
-did before anything else was done, furnished matter for
-much talk in the army.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When the general had gone, the surgeon came to me.
-He had a pleasant face, and the horrors of war had failed
-to blunt the natural kindness of his heart.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Captain Botskay," he began, "this is a very sad event;
-but you must be brave, and nerve yourself to bear the
-blow. Your brother is seriously hurt--so seriously indeed
-that I dare not venture to move him."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Do you mean he is dying?" I asked hoarsely.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"One ought never to despair," he answered; "and yet I
-cannot hold out false hopes to you. Only a miracle, my
-poor boy, can save your brother's life. I have done what
-I can for him. He is not in pain, but his wounds are
-fatal. It may not be for an hour or two, but certainly
-he cannot live through the day."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Thank you," I said simply, turning again to my task
-of watching.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the end of an hour some one placed an open flask
-in my hand, saying, "Drink, my sweet master; it will keep
-up your strength."</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was Mecsey Sándor who had brought me food and
-drink.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I shook my head.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I cannot take it," I said.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The faithful fellow insisted.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You are weak, my sweet master," he urged. "In a
-little time you will become faint for want of food, you
-will grow delirious, and perhaps just then the captain will
-ask for you."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I stretched out my hand for the food eagerly, alarmed
-by Sándor's suggestion, as the worthy fellow intended I
-should be.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It must have done me good, though I ate and drank
-mechanically, hardly knowing, indeed, what I did.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The morning passed very slowly. Twice the
-kind-hearted surgeon returned; but, as he had said, nothing
-could be done--we had only to wait for the end.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Towards the middle of the afternoon I discovered
-Rakoczy standing near me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He had been badly wounded, and his proper place was
-in the hospital; but, like a stanch friend, he had come
-directly his hurts were dressed to share my grief.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Is there no hope?" he asked.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I shook my head. "The surgeon says he will die before
-the day is out."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Poor old Stephen!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">That was all--not a long rigmarole of words, but just a
-few that came from his heart.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then we sat and watched the dying lad in silence. Even
-now the pain I felt was more like that caused by a horrid
-nightmare than by a proper understanding of the truth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Could this swathed and bandaged figure really be my
-bonny brother--he who so short a time back was full of
-life, and hope, and energy?</p>
-<p class="pnext">So motionless he lay, so still, that I frequently pressed
-my lips to his to find if he still breathed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Had it been possible, I would willingly have changed
-places with him; for Stephen had ever been the object of
-my fondest love.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"George!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">The sound almost brought the tears to my eyes, it
-was so feeble, and recalled so vividly the memory of our
-childhood.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I gazed lovingly into the dear face, already taking the
-hue of death.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I am dying, George, but don't grieve for me. With a
-good conscience, death is not hard, and I have tried to do
-my duty. Our father is smiling on me, and I am content.
-Is that Rakoczy? Dear old friend! True as steel! Is
-it evening? My sight is dim. Closer, brother; let me
-feel you. Ah!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">I thought he had drawn his last breath, but presently
-he rallied.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Rakoczy," he said very feebly, "good-bye! Tell the
-general. Remember me sometimes. What's that? John,
-you are weeping! 'John the Joyous' in tears--and for
-me? Good-bye, brother; God bless you."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I placed my arm tenderly round his neck, and kissed
-him. I could not make answer in any other way; the
-words choked in my throat.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Just at the last he whispered,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"George, stand by Görgei. He is the true patriot."</p>
-<p class="pnext">As we bent over him, he smiled at us with infinite
-tenderness; then his eyes closed, and his breathing became
-hard; he tried to speak, but only one word escaped his
-lips, and that so faint we could not tell if it were my
-name or the general's.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy touched my arm.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"God has taken your brother to Himself!" he exclaimed
-solemnly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I heard him in a dazed way, and with true thoughtfulness
-he retired, leaving me alone to battle with my grief.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I will not dwell upon the despair that wellnigh
-overwhelmed me. There are secrets of the heart that one
-does not betray even to the dearest of friends; but all
-who have lost some loved one will readily enter into my
-sufferings.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When Rakoczy returned, I wiped away my tears and
-stood up, ready, though my heart was nearly breaking,
-to act in a manner worthy of him who had gone from me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The general, who, since the opening of the campaign, had
-grown very fond of my brother, gave orders that he should
-have a grand military funeral, and assisted at the
-ceremony himself.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We wrapped the dead lad in the flag he had carried so
-bravely to the front, and buried him on the very spot
-where he fell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They told me afterwards that Count Beula was there to
-show respect to his late opponent; but I did not see him,
-and had no wish to do so.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I cannot pretend that Stephen was blameless in the
-matter, but, rightly or wrongly, I looked on the count as
-being partly responsible for my brother's death, and hated
-him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The last volley was fired, the band struck up a spirited
-air, the troops marched off the ground, and after a while
-I was left alone to indulge my grief at the side of the
-newly-made grave.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="i-join-the-staff">CHAPTER XVI.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">I JOIN THE STAFF.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">The fortress of Buda fell on the twenty-second of
-May. It was now the fifth of June, and the twin
-cities, though sorely scarred by the terrible bombardments,
-had dressed themselves in gala costume.</p>
-<p class="pnext">All the troops--the 9th Honveds amongst them--stationed
-in the two towns were assembled under arms;
-and the men of the artillery on both sides of the Danube
-stood to their guns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A glance at the streets, however, showed that the
-citizens did not anticipate any fighting.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The scene was a most animated one, and under happier
-circumstances I should doubtless have enjoyed the brilliant
-spectacle. Hundreds of gay flags--the red, white, and
-green stripes predominant--fluttered from the cupolas of
-the buildings; arches of garlands stretched across the
-streets; the people, dressed in their best finery, and many
-of them carrying splendid bouquets, promenaded to and
-fro, or occupied good positions from which to view the
-coming pageant.</p>
-<p class="pnext">All along the route from the railway station the
-windows were crowded by richly-dressed ladies and
-children, craning their necks to catch the first sight
-of the hero.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As our regiment marched to take its place, I could not
-help thinking of the many ruined families and the
-hundreds of wounded soldiers to whom this pageant must
-seem little more than a hollow mockery.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I don't think this triumphal entry shows good taste on
-his part," I remarked to Dobozy, after we had halted.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Suit him capitally!" declared he. "It's just like a
-stage-play. Did you hear how he is coming from
-Szolnok?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"By rail, I suppose."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes, and in the emperor's private carriage. Anything's
-good enough for a thorough-paced republican."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I suppose his wife accompanies him?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Dobozy laughed and said we should see.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Suddenly the guns roared out their brazen welcome;
-the people, waving their flags, cheered loudly; the bands
-played Rakotzy's patriotic march, and a company of
-guards issued from the station. Then the cheering became
-louder and wilder, and shouts of "Elijen Kossuth!" rose
-as Count Karoly's handsome chariot, drawn by four
-magnificent Hungarian horses, made its appearance. In it,
-his head crowned with laurel, sat the observed of all
-beholders, Louis Kossuth, Dictator of Hungary, and on his
-right a tall, haughty-looking woman with black hair and
-eyes, pointed nose, long chin, and regular mouth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This was the dictator's wife, Madame Theresa Kossuth,
-and I thought, though perhaps wrongly, that the light in
-her eyes was one of satisfied pride.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Behind the chariot rode a long line of Magyar nobles,
-making a brilliant show in their national costume, though,
-for the country's sake, I would rather have seen them at
-the front in simple uniform.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As Dobozy truly remarked, patriotism required very
-little sacrifice if it was satisfied by riding about the streets
-of the capital in gala attire.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, the procession passed, the hero was withdrawn
-from sight, and we were at liberty to return to barracks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The festivities continued all day, and in the evening
-the city was illuminated in honour of the dictator.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Foolish people!" said the colonel sadly, as we strolled
-along the river-bank that night. "One would think, to
-see their transports, that the war is over, while it is really
-only beginning."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I can't understand why the general doesn't make a
-forward move, and drive the enemy out of Presburg."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Because he's waiting for ammunition and men," put in
-Dobozy, who was walking with us. "I saw Juranics
-yesterday--just come from the front, wounded in some
-outpost affair, I believe. He says only half the recruits
-have been sent on, and they don't even know their drill.
-Besides, they haven't any weapons, if they knew how to
-use them. Lively sort of army, eh? Juranics said
-plainly he believed Kossuth's party was jealous of Görgei's
-success."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They're afraid he'll topple their brand-new republic
-over," said the colonel; "which is just what he would do
-if the Austrians were cleared out. However, it's too late
-now. While we've been wasting our time, the enemy has
-been getting ready."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They say we shall have 160,000 Russians, besides the
-Austrians, to tackle."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That's so," replied the colonel cheerfully; "while we
-are split up into two factions, each fighting for a different
-object."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Matters were, indeed, in a more desperate state than we
-thought. The Austrians, thoroughly frightened for the
-safety of the empire, had begged the assistance of Russia.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They had already twice changed their chief, and were
-now led by Baron Haynau, an officer who had won
-distinction in several campaigns, but whose name was
-hereafter to be linked with acts of savage cruelty against
-which all Europe cried out in horror. He was now at
-Presburg with 60,000 men, waiting for the arrival of a
-veteran Russian division, which had been dispatched to his
-assistance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The principal Russian army, 76,000 strong, and led
-by the famous field-marshal, Paskewitch, was in Galicia,
-ready to descend on Central Hungary by way of the
-Carpathians. A third Russian army was to invade
-Transylvania, while Jellachich covered Croatia.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, there were gay doings in Pesth for one day
-at least, and when we turned in at night the city was still
-<em class="italics">en fête</em>.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I think it was the third evening after Kossuth's
-triumphal reception when the colonel sent word that
-he wished to see me. Being off duty, I returned with
-the messenger, little dreaming how great a change in my
-prospects the next half-hour would produce.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Come in," cried Rakoczy pleasantly, as I knocked at
-the door.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was standing by the window overlooking the
-barrack-yard with another man, whom I immediately
-recognized as Görgei.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"All well?" cried the general genially, stretching out
-his hand. "That's right. Bit tedious hanging about
-Pesth, eh?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I think we should all be glad of a change, general."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You'll all get one soon, when the white-coats drive you
-out, and even then you'll grumble--eh, colonel?" and he
-gave Rakoczy a playful dig in the ribs.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We'd much rather help you get inside Vienna," replied
-the colonel.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The general's smile vanished.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Too late!" he said shortly. "That should have been
-done a month ago. Take my word for it, old comrade,
-the game is lost; but we'll play it right out all the same,
-and only give in when we must.--Botskay, can you ride?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Fairly well," I answered, not wishing to boast.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Would you like to come with me?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The general means on his staff," explained Rakoczy,
-smiling.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now, I should have liked this very much indeed, but
-for leaving Rakoczy, and this made me hesitate.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel, seeing my difficulty, laughed, and said,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I'll answer for him, general. The berth will suit him
-capitally. The campaign has made him pretty hardy, and
-he'll soon learn to do without sleep."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well," said the general kindly, laying his hand on my
-shoulder, "I shall be glad to have you. I was very fond
-of your brother, and miss him more than you would think.
-So just pack up anything you may want. I'm leaving by
-the steamer in an hour."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I hurried to my room and called for Mecsey, who
-received the order to pack without betraying the least
-surprise. He would have taken it quite as a matter of
-course had I been appointed commander-in-chief.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then I went to say farewell to the officers of my
-regiment, had a last chat with Dobozy, who was sorry to
-lose me, and finally returned to the colonel's room.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Good-bye, George," exclaimed my old friend warmly.
-"Sorry we're parting, but it will be better for you.
-Besides, we shall often see each other, and the war can't last
-long. From what the general tells me, we haven't the
-slightest chance. His army's in a wretched state, and the
-other leaders are all pulling different ways. However,
-we must keep our heads up and do the best we can; but
-don't take too many risks, my boy. Görgei will keep you
-well occupied, and there's no sense in knocking your head
-against a stone wall just for the fun of the thing."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Not a bit!" cried the general, coming in at the
-moment, "even if you have a wooden one. Well, good-bye,
-old fellow. We shall soon begin to move now, one
-way or the other. Get the regiment into trim as soon as
-you can; every man will be wanted.--Ready, Botskay?
-Come on then."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy pressed my hand, and accompanied us to the
-gates, where Sándor was already in waiting.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With another warm hand-shake we left the colonel, and
-walked sharply to the embankment.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei had thrown an ample grey mantle over his
-sombre uniform, and had pulled his hat over his brow as if
-not particularly wishing to be recognized.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He did not speak till we reached the landing-place, where
-a boat lay with steam up, ready to cast off at a moment's
-notice.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Jump aboard," he exclaimed sharply. Then, to a
-sailor, "Help this man with the baggage. Are you
-right?--Go ahead, captain."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The ropes were cast off, as I could tell by the movements
-of the steamer, but it was now too dark to see
-much.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei disappeared, while I, going to the bow of the
-boat, gazed ahead into the gloom.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here and there a light shining from the river's bank
-roused my interest for the moment; but taking it altogether,
-it was dreary work, and I thought regretfully of the snug
-barracks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Presently, however, Görgei joined me, and in his
-company I lost all sense of weariness and discomfort.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Though burdened by such a load of care, and ready at
-any moment to assume the sternness of the chief, he
-laughed and joked with me as if we were equals, his
-cheerful gaiety making the time pass quite pleasantly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Indeed the general was a splendid companion, but he
-had two foibles--he thought sleep was a mistake, and
-eating a luxury one should try to do without.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With these opinions I did not altogether hold, so I
-inwardly blessed the captain of the boat when he suggested
-we should go below and have a snack of supper.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Having made a good meal, I wrapped myself up warmly
-and lay down, leaving Görgei poring over some maps and
-making calculations.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I cannot say what occurred during the night, but when
-I awoke next morning the general was still intent on his
-work and looking fresh as ever.</p>
-<p class="pnext">About mid-day the steamer slowed down; a boat was
-lowered, into which Sándor put my baggage; then Görgei
-got in, and we followed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were not near any town, but the general had
-evidently made his arrangements, for as the sailors pulled
-us ashore, a body of soldiers--some on foot, others on
-horseback--came down to the water's edge.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei sprang out briskly, and held a hurried conversation
-with the leader of the party. Then he directed a
-soldier to give me his horse, mounted his own--a beautiful
-grey--and we all set off for headquarters.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The appearance of the army confirmed my feeling of
-despondency. The men who had served throughout the
-campaign were in good trim, but those newly drafted to
-make up for our previous losses looked anything but soldiers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I discovered, too, that the officers were secretly uneasy,
-and their anxiety increased when, a few days after my
-arrival, Görgei's scouts brought word that a Russian
-division had joined Haynau at Presburg.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This was on the fourteenth of June, and two days later
-witnessed the beginning of what may be called the second
-campaign.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our engineers had built several bridges over the river
-Waag, and on the fifteenth of June the army crossed to
-the farther side.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Ah!" exclaimed one of my new comrades regretfully,
-"if we could have done this a month ago!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We should be in Vienna now," said another gaily; "but
-we aren't, and it's no use grumbling. Here comes Bethlen.
-Klapka has sent him with an important message, to judge
-by the state of his horse's flanks."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The rider approached at a gallop, pulled his horse up
-sharply, and having saluted, handed a note to Görgei.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The general, glancing at the contents, put the crumpled
-paper into his pocket.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Tell General Klapka I'm much obliged, but I don't
-think anything serious will happen to-morrow."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Bethlen saluted again, nodded to several of his acquaintances,
-and rode away at a quieter pace.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei had made his calculations accurately, and
-although several desperate outpost affairs occurred, it
-was not until the morning of the seventeenth that the
-two armies really joined battle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On the very same date, although we did not know it
-then, Field-Marshal Paskewitch emerged from the
-Carpathians on his march into Central Hungary.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The battle began with a terrible artillery fire, which was
-directed against our centre; and Görgei himself, followed
-by the staff, galloped down to encourage the sorely-tried
-soldiers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the same time he sent me to the colonel of a hussar
-regiment with an order to break up a mass of infantry,
-which was preparing to hurl itself on our weakened
-centre.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Directly it's done, ride back as hard as you can," he
-said, and I dashed off.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel listened to the order, well pleased.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Tell the general we will do it," he said with quiet
-confidence.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He wishes me to stay and take back your report," I
-answered, and the colonel kindly agreed that I should ride
-with him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The regiment was composed of seasoned warriors, who
-hailed the sound of the trumpet with delight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With swords bared, we started at a trot, increasing the
-pace as we approached the enemy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The ground for the most part was flat, but there were
-several sandhills or banks, and from one of these a storm
-of shot ploughed into us as we rode by.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fire was so severe and unexpected that a regiment
-of young soldiers would have been thrown into confusion;
-but these veterans only shook their fists, vowing to capture
-the battery on their return.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our horses had got into their stride now, and we were
-fairly racing over the level ground.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was the first time I had taken part in a cavalry
-charge, and the blood ran hot in my veins.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel rode upright as a dart and stiff as a poker,
-but I, more accustomed to a horse's back on the broad
-plains than in a military riding-school, rode in a much
-easier though less dignified position.</p>
-<p class="pnext">That men and horses were thoroughly well drilled one
-glance would have shown. In spite of the artillery fire
-and the speed at which we rode, there were no gaps.
-The horses raced neck by neck, with equal strides, and
-the whole regiment went forward like a piece of machinery.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Austrian battalions stood quite firm to receive us,
-and as we got nearer I doubted very much if we could
-break through that solid mass.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But Görgei had not sent us to do the work alone. On
-our left, farther down the field, several squadrons, springing
-up unexpectedly, were riding straight at the battalions,
-and we, seeing this, cheered excitedly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Forward!" shouted the colonel, rising in his stirrups,
-"and keep together!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Whatever was going on elsewhere, the Austrians before
-us stood like a stone wall till we were well within range.
-Then came a blinding flash, a loud report, a greyish cloud
-of smoke, and, from behind me, fierce shouts and cries
-of pain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But above all rang out the stirring "Forward!" of the
-colonel, and almost at the same instant we were amongst
-the bayonets.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Crash! we went, driving into the very centre of the
-mass, splitting it up into groups, pushing it this way and
-that, till a ringing cheer announced that the enemy were
-in full flight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The hussars, flushed and excited, would have gone
-pell-mell in pursuit, but fortunately the leader had his men
-well in hand, and made them re-form their ranks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our comrades farther along the field, carried away by
-excitement, dashed after the runaways, and were soon
-widely scattered.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then, through a gap in the sandhills beyond, there
-suddenly issued a close, compact body of cavalry, which
-charged down upon us like an avalanche.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our horses were already blown; we ourselves were
-spent by the fierce fight; our losses had been severe, and
-many of the men still in the ranks were wounded; yet the
-colonel did not hesitate.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Flight would result in our being cut to pieces; to stand
-still would give the enemy a tremendous advantage; there
-was nothing for it but to charge afresh.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel, waving his sword, sprang to the front; the
-bugles rang out; the men, cheering loudly, dug their spurs
-into their horses' flanks. Once more the regiment was in
-motion.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The distance to be covered was short, but enough to get
-our animals well into their stride before the crash came.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Fast as we rode, the Austrians rode still faster; and, but
-for the superior strength of the Hungarian horses, we
-should simply have been swept away by the furious shock.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As it was, we charged them gallantly, and soon steel
-met steel as swords crossed or rang on the polished
-breast-plates.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our colonel--evidently a magnificent swordsman, and
-mounted on a powerful animal--drove his way through the
-serried ranks; but my passage was barred by the Austrian
-leader, who seemed to have singled me out specially.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I wondered at this for a moment; then in a flash
-remembered who this handsome, blue-eyed fellow was.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Von Theyer!" rose to my lips as, sitting his horse
-with a natural gracefulness, the former rebel rode straight
-at me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From that moment I lost sight of the general conflict.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Round us rose the cries and groans of wounded men,
-the cheers and counter-cheers of the combatants, the
-sound of clashing swords; but to all I gave but a passing
-thought.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This Von Theyer, who by some means--probably reckless
-bravery--had already risen high in the Austrian service,
-meant to kill me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His deadly purpose shone in his eyes, and it was obvious
-he expected to have an easy task.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, though he was by far the better master of the
-sword, I knew the more of horsemanship, and by swerving
-aside at the proper moment, caused his stroke to fail.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Before he recovered I had pricked him in the arm. It was
-a slight wound, but it drew blood and made him angry.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This was all in my favour, as he lost his caution, and,
-throwing away the advantage of his superior skill, attacked
-furiously.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Again and again I avoided his weapon almost by a
-miracle; but at last I made a fierce cut which he failed to
-parry, and my sword slashed him right across the face.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He threw up his hands with a cry of pain, falling in a
-heap on his horse's back.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the same instant a shout of alarm was raised; the
-hussars in advance, wheeling about, came dashing back,
-separating me from Von Theyer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Since I had left Görgei the aspect of the battle had
-entirely changed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">While we had broken the Austrian battalions, our
-centre, fearfully weakened by a heavy cannonade from
-twenty-four guns, and furiously assailed by two brigades
-on its right flank, had given way.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Worse still, the Russian general, seeing that the tide
-was turning, sent a splendid body of cuirassiers and two
-field-batteries to change the retreat into rout.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was the rapid approach of these famous horsemen
-that made us turn back.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel was angry, but he could not hope to pit his
-broken regiment successfully against the cuirassiers, while
-a prompt retreat might enable him to cover the flight of
-the infantry.</p>
-<p class="pnext">So he gave the word, and we retired in good order, but
-at a gallop.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Meanwhile the Austrian gunners received their allies
-with a roar of welcome, and the cuirassiers in glittering
-helmets and breastplates swept proudly on.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With a message from the colonel, I made the best of my
-way to the chief, who as usual was in the thick of the
-fight, risking his life as freely as the humblest soldier.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But the day was lost. We were outnumbered both in
-men and guns, and the Russian division had converted a
-possible victory into a disastrous defeat.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For a time we made a desperate attempt to hold the
-village of Pered, but it was simply throwing men's lives
-away to no purpose; and at length the general, who,
-however much he objected to be beaten, did not believe in
-knocking his head against the wall, issued orders for a
-retreat.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Find General Klapka," said he to me, "and tell him to
-withdraw his men across the Waag; but he must do his
-best to hold the bridges. If he doesn't, the enemy will
-chase us back to Pesth without a stop."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I turned my horse's head, and dashed off along the line
-of fire; but time being precious, I could not afford to go
-a long way round.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="the-wounding-of-gorgei">CHAPTER XVII.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">THE WOUNDING OF GÖRGEI.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">"All right, Sándor. It's only a pin-prick; but I've had
-it bandaged, though the surgeon said 'twas a waste
-of lint. Rub the horse down, and give it a good feed;
-there may be fresh work soon."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The battle was over. The army, including Klapka's
-division, had retired beyond the river, though we still held
-possession of the bridges. I had just returned from my
-dangerous ride, and the worthy Sándor had given me up
-for lost.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was dead tired, and wrapping myself up cosily, lay
-down, expecting to fall asleep instantly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In this I was wrong, for though my eyes closed, I
-could not make my brain rest.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I thought of my chivalrous brother lying wrapped in his
-country's flag in the citadel at Buda; I thought, too, of
-the gallant Rakoczy at Pesth, and wished the old regiment
-had been in the field that day; but, most of all, my mind
-dwelt upon the Austrian leader with whom I had been in
-deadly conflict.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The hussars had retreated too quickly for me to find out
-if I had killed him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Somehow I hoped the poor fellow was not dead; though,
-had the case been reversed, I suppose he would not have
-wasted a thought on me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From Von Theyer my mind naturally drifted to the
-beautiful Theresa, and I wondered how she had borne the
-news of her bereavement.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At least it would be some comfort when I could restore
-the baron's memento, and tell how we had buried him
-in the quiet little churchyard.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My heart grew sadder and sadder as I lingered over
-the details of this cruel war, which the day's fighting
-conclusively showed we could not carry to a successful
-issue.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was not that a single defeat caused me to despair,
-but I saw clearly that we had thrown away our chance of
-victory.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Against the Austrians alone we might even now recover
-our position, but the arrival of the Russians had made the
-struggle hopeless.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Even united we should fail now, and we were not united.
-Envy, jealousy, and distrust had crept into our councils,
-and every day the breach between the two parties became
-wider.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Not that I would have you imagine there was more
-than one party in Görgei's army. We were all of one
-mind; but the general was hampered by the orders of the
-Diet, and in addition had to shape his course by the
-movements of Dembinski.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Thinking over these things, I lay awake till the dawn,
-when I at last managed to fall into a sound and refreshing
-slumber.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The days following our defeat at Waag were days of
-extreme misery. All the time we fell back, pressed by
-Haynau's victorious troops and their Russian allies, till we
-reached Raab.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Even here Görgei could do no more than make a feint
-of defending the place, which delayed the enemy two or
-three days, while our main army pushed on towards Waitzen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I now understood more clearly the kind of life Stephen
-had enjoyed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei was here, there, and everywhere, directing and
-encouraging the men, and of course we were with him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We slept where and when we could, and did not expect
-dainties--to any great extent, at least--at meal-times.
-Our banquets were for the most part consumed in the
-saddle, and consisted of bread or biscuit, cheese, and a
-drink of wine.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Occasionally the cheese went astray and the wine was
-missing; then we munched our bread thankfully, and
-praised the sweetness of the water.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei's spirits never once gave way, though I believe
-that from the hour of turning our backs on the river
-Waag he knew in his heart the contest was hopeless.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Careful of his men, he was utterly reckless of his own
-safety, and several times during the retreat his staff were
-within an ace of being cut off.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our old opponent Schlick led the pursuit, being well
-supported by the veteran Russian division which had
-caused our defeat on the Waag.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On the morning of the third of July Görgei halted his
-troops in the forest of Harkaly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">During the previous night he and I, unknown to
-almost every one, had retraced our steps as far as the
-village of Acz, which we found occupied in force by the
-Austrians.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Having by good-luck managed to return safely, the
-general spent the rest of the night making plans for
-striking a blow at the dogged Schlick, who seemed to be
-ever-lastingly hanging on our rear.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I do not know if any one else on the staff went to bed,
-but I lay down for an hour in the morning, and was
-wakened by Sándor just before the combat began.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Some of the troops were sent on ahead, where they could
-be seen by the enemy; while the main body of infantry,
-with the guns, had been secretly posted in advantageous
-positions.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The first blow was to be struck by the cavalry, and the
-various regiments presented a magnificent sight as they
-waited in the cover of the forest for the word to advance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The mere notion of a fight had restored the men's spirits.
-They might be beaten again, but anything was better than
-the continual running away we had practised for the last
-fortnight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei, alert and vigorous, had placed himself at the
-head; and though we feared for his life, it was impossible
-not to admire his courage.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He had sent me with a message to General Klapka, and
-while returning I caught a glimpse of Schlick's corps
-moving up from Acz through the open country.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our decoys had served their purpose, and the Austrians,
-thinking us still in full retreat, swung along merrily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I hastened to the general, and from the look on his face
-guessed he had already heard the news.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes," said he; "it's working out nicely. We'll give
-Herr Schlick a little surprise presently."</p>
-<p class="pnext">And we did.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The affair was over so quickly that I hardly realized it
-had begun.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the word of command we issued from the forest, broke
-into a trot, then a gallop, finally bursting with a loud
-cheer upon the astonished foe.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The surprise was complete. Before they had time to
-make a stand they were running away.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Hatless, but unhurt, Görgei pulled up; sent Nicholas
-Szondi with an order to Klapka; ordered the pursuit to be
-continued as far as the village of Acz; and rising in his
-stirrups, took a further survey of the field.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Botskay," said he quickly, "we must have half a dozen
-guns planted on those sandhills. See them? Off you go,
-then, to Benitzky, and don't lose a second."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I put my horse to the gallop, and having found the
-chief of artillery, delivered my message, and rode back.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At this moment the day was ours. Schlick's corps was
-routed, our fellows were hot in pursuit, and a few
-enthusiasts were already dreaming of Vienna.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But we reckoned without the Russians.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Before our artillery could get there, the sandhills were
-occupied by Russian guns, whose murderous fire sent our
-cavalry back.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the same time our cuirassiers dashed forward on the
-right, and then we saw a body of infantry advancing at
-the double.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In half an hour the situation had become critical.
-Nothing could save us but the most desperate effort.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our general, as usual, rose to the occasion. Placing
-himself in front of the hussars, he delivered a short
-but stirring address, and led them against the Russian
-infantry.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Twice we dashed at them in gallant style, being thrown
-back each time; the third time, we resolved, should pay
-for all.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Nicholas Szondi and I rode on either side of the general,
-who once more gave the word to charge.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Away we went in the midst of a cloud of bullets, while
-our ranks were ploughed by shot and shell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A man somewhere behind me dropped, and his frightened
-horse, breaking from the ranks, rushed to the front.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With a cry of pain the colonel of the regiment fell, but
-I afterwards heard that the gallant fellow used what
-strength he had left to urge on his men.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Crash! It seemed too good to be true, but we really
-had driven the charge home; and the riderless horse, the
-first to make a gap, was lashing out furiously with its
-heels.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei was the first man inside, but Nicholas Szondi and
-I followed closely, while it seemed as if the whole regiment
-was treading on our heels.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Muscovite soldiers fought gallantly enough, but I
-think they would not have lasted other ten minutes, when
-a terrible misfortune happened to us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The general, as I before remarked, was fighting like a
-common trooper, and several Muscovites had already felt
-the weight of his arm, when, suddenly slipping from his
-saddle, he fell to the ground.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Instantly I jumped down and ran to him, while Szondi
-and Mecsey Sándor, who, unknown to me, had joined in the
-charge, kept off a crowd of foot-soldiers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I raised Görgei in my arms. His face was covered with
-blood; he was quite insensible, or dead.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A trooper came to my assistance, and between us we
-lifted him to his saddle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">All this time Nicholas Szondi and Sándor fought like
-demons in order to preserve breathing space, and by the
-time we got the general on his horse they were joined by
-several others.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The trooper held Görgei while I remounted, then Szondi
-joined me, and between us we cut our way through the
-press.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The news of the disaster quickly spread, and the hussars,
-disheartened by the loss of our gallant leader, drew off from
-the fight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On the other hand, the Muscovites, imbued with fresh
-spirit, redoubled their efforts; the infantry resumed their
-advance, firing volley after volley into our retreating
-ranks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei made neither sound nor movement. He sat
-huddled up just as we placed him, and but for our support
-would have fallen helpless.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Szondi looked at me questioningly, but I shook my head.
-It was impossible for either of us to tell the extent of the
-mischief.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We rode fast till we were out of the line of fire, and I
-then suggested to my comrade that he should seek Klapka.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He is in command now," I said, "and should be told
-at once."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Szondi nodded, and asked if I could manage alone; but
-the faithful Mecsey, who was close behind, volunteered to
-take his place.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This he did; and while Szondi galloped off to find
-Klapka, we proceeded with the general.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Everywhere now the battle was over, and the Muscovites
-had again saved their allies from destruction.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But our men retreated in fairly good order, and it was
-evident that, although Görgei had fallen, the army still
-possessed a capable chief.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Halfway through the forest the surgeons had set up an
-ambulance, and thither we took the general.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Görgei?" cried the chief surgeon, when I told him
-what had occurred.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Here, Moritz! Take him gently--so. Now let us
-see. Plenty of blood, at all events. Bring me some water.
-Open his jacket, Moritz, and see if the heart beats. Yes?
-That takes a load off my mind. Now to find the wound.
-Ah! I thought so.--Don't look so scared, Captain Botskay:
-the general will be all right in a fortnight or so. The
-blow has made him senseless for a time, but there ought
-not to be any real danger. I would let the soldiers know,
-if I were you; 'twill raise their spirits."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I started at once to find General Klapka, and on the
-way spread the welcome intelligence far and wide.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men cheered as heartily as if we had gained a
-brilliant victory; for they looked on Görgei not only as
-a general, but as a personal friend, and there were few
-amongst them who would not willingly have given their
-lives to save his.</p>
-<p class="pnext">General Klapka was busy directing the retreat, but he
-found time to question me closely about his wounded chief,
-and was unaffectedly glad on hearing the surgeon's report.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Görgei is just the one man Hungary cannot afford to
-lose," he said in his mild way, and turned again to his duties.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Having failed to stop the pursuit, the only course open
-to us now was to fall back upon the entrenched camp
-before Comorn, and this Klapka at once set about doing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">By nightfall we had completely abandoned the forest of
-Acz, and the vanguard had taken up a strong position
-several miles eastward.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I did not see Görgei again till the last man had turned
-into the camp at Comorn, as Klapka kept me pretty busy
-during the march; but I heard from time to time he was
-progressing favourably, and that the doctors had no doubt
-of his recovery.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was strange to see him lying in his tent, his head
-bandaged, his face white and bloodless, his body still.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Ah, Botskay!" said he, smiling, when I went in the
-first time, "I have to thank you. Szondi's been here and
-told me all about it. Lucky for me that I took you away
-from Rakoczy, eh?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Szondi had as much to do with it as I, general--more,
-in fact, for he kept the Russians off while I picked you up.
-There's a trooper, too, who--"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Klapka saw to him--made him a sergeant. There's
-your man as well; what of him? Would he like to have
-the stripes?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">I shook my head smilingly. To be a sergeant, Mecsey
-would have to leave me, and this I was sure he would
-not do.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Never mind!" exclaimed the general. "I'll find some
-means of doing him a good turn. He's a fine fellow, and
-not over free with his tongue. Well, it seems likely
-you'll soon meet Rakoczy again."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Is the old regiment coming to join us?" I asked
-eagerly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"No," said he; "but we are rapidly making our way
-back to Pesth," and he looked at me with a faint
-smile.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We shall turn westward again soon," I exclaimed;
-but he shook his head with the air of a man who had
-no wish to disguise the truth from himself.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The very morning after this conversation a rumour
-crept through the camp, though no one seemed able to
-trace its origin, that Field-Marshal Paskewitch, driving
-Moritz Perczel's troops before him like a flock of sheep,
-had entered Debreczin in triumph. In the men's presence
-the truth of the story was contemptuously scouted, but
-before night the officers of the staff were made aware that
-for once rumour had not lied.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The great Russian army, under its famous chief, had
-captured Kossuth's stronghold--the headquarters of
-Hungarian republicanism.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This was a serious blow, and I did not wonder that our
-leaders looked grave.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With Paskewitch at Debreczin, and Haynau forcing us
-back upon Pesth, we were awkwardly placed, the more
-especially as we could only look to ourselves for help.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But this peril was absolutely trivial compared with the
-astounding information that Nicholas Szondi brought me
-one morning. I had been out all night seeking news of
-the enemy's movements, and was breakfasting alone, when
-my new crony joined me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Glad to see you busy," he said chaffingly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I finished the steaming coffee made by the worthy
-Sándor, and nodded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"General better this morning?" I asked.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Much. Able to walk about and give directions. Can't
-ride yet, though; can't stand the jolting. Going to have
-another smack at the Austrians in a day or two--at least
-that's what he intended; but I suppose it won't come off
-now."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Why not?" I asked curiously.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Ah!" exclaimed my comrade eagerly, "I thought you
-hadn't heard the news. Count Beula's in the camp."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Comes from the Diet, or Kossuth--one and the same
-thing, I fancy--with a letter or proclamation, or whatever
-you call it. Expected to find Dembinski here, it appears."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You make a first-class story-teller, Szondi, only you're
-in such a dreadful hurry to get to the end. Still, the
-narrative's wonderfully exciting, so far."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Keep your chaff, old fellow. You'll find the finish
-exciting enough."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There is an end then? That's something to be thankful for."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Szondi took no notice of the interruption, but continued
-steadily,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"This Count Beula, then, arrived last night, expecting
-to find the Pole; but of course we knew nothing of
-Dembinski."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Not likely."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He made himself very agreeable, and we had a pleasant
-evening."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"While I was sitting on my horse's back for hours, like
-a dummy!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well," said Szondi, without even a smile, "that wouldn't
-be such hard work--for you."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Not half as difficult as listening to this story."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The story? Ah! I'm just coming to the climax.
-What do you think was in the letter that Beula brought
-for Dembinski?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"One of Kossuth's brand-new bank-notes."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Don't talk rubbish, Botskay. The letter is an official
-document proclaiming Dembinski commander-in-chief, in
-succession to Arthur Görgei, deposed."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Thought you'd get interested at the finish," said he,
-laughing harshly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"How have they wrapped it up?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You may be sure they've sugared the pill nicely. His
-wound's the excuse, and he's to be made war minister, or
-something of that sort."</p>
-<p class="pnext">We looked hard at each other, and I saw my own
-thoughts reflected in Szondi's eyes.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"All right," said he. "I can tell we're both in one
-mind, and we'll find a good many others to join us."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"All the staff for certain."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And every man in the army. Dembinski, indeed!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What does Klapka say?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He'll stick to Görgei through thick and thin; so will
-Nagy Sándor. I'm off now. See you again this evening,
-and tell you more about it."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Szondi's news soon spread amongst the officers, causing
-the greatest consternation.</p>
-<p class="pnext">To remove Görgei was to take away the very life and
-soul of the army. To replace him by the Pole would be
-rank folly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As the day wore on, I became convinced that unless the
-Diet--or Kossuth, as rightly or wrongly the officers would
-have it--withdrew the order, there would be mischief.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Towards the end of the afternoon Szondi came to take
-me to a meeting of the staff.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The fellows are furious," he said, "and want to sign a
-paper refusing to serve under any one but Görgei. What's
-your idea?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I'll put my name down fast enough."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"So will the others. Then we'll take it to Klapka, and
-he'll bring Kossuth, or whoever the mover of the affair is,
-to reason. Here we are at Mizvy's tent."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The discussion which took place was rather monotonous,
-as every one spoke on the same side, and the keynote was
-that Görgei should not go.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After that Mizvy drew up a counter-proclamation, and
-I, being the youngest officer present, was invited to sign
-first, which I did. The others appended their signatures,
-and then Mizvy was deputed to carry the document to
-General Klapka, and explain matters.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The general is sure to be with us," said one man, "but,
-if he needs stiffening, tell him there isn't an officer in the
-army who wouldn't gladly put his name to the paper."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Nor a soldier either," added a second man.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That will make some of them draw long faces over at
-Pesth," said Szondi gaily. "I don't think we shall hear
-much more of Dembinski as commander-in-chief."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Szondi was right. The Diet, interviewed by the two
-generals, Klapka and Nagy Sándor, saw it had gone too
-far; and Görgei was restored to his rank, almost without
-knowing he had been deprived of it. But the more I
-looked at the incident the less I liked it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei was the great chief to whom all who did not
-wish separation from Austria looked for guidance; and
-the attempt to take him from the army showed very
-clearly the wide gulf between the two sections of the
-Hungarian nation.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Meanwhile, matters were becoming very serious in all
-parts of the country.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In the south, Bern, who seemed to grow stronger after
-each defeat, still made headway against the enemy, but
-elsewhere our prospects were cheerless.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Field-Marshal Paskewitch was making a military
-promenade with his army, and it was likely that we should
-soon be crushed between him and Haynau.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Certainly our entrenchments were very strong, and every
-day--for Görgei had a great belief in pick and spade--made
-them stronger; but they could not keep out Haynau
-and the Russians.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The chief was still prevented by his wound from riding
-about; but he had long and anxious talks with Klapka,
-and it was finally decided we should make one more
-attempt to defeat the Austrians before Paskewitch could
-send them help.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was the tenth of July when this decision was made,
-and none of the staff went to sleep that night till
-everything had been put in trim for the approaching conflict.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="gorgei-forgets-his-wound">CHAPTER XVIII.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">GÖRGEI FORGETS HIS WOUND.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">"It's make or break to-day, Botskay. Of course we
-shall keep on fighting, but unless our fellows smash
-Haynau up our chance is gone."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Szondi and I were standing behind Görgei on a piece of
-rising ground from which we could obtain a view of the
-battle. The chief's face showed how annoyed he was at
-having to remain behind, and I nudged my comrade, who
-shrugged his shoulders.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Wound or no wound," he whispered, "if the fight goes
-against us you'll see him in the thick of it. Look! He's
-waving his hand to the hussars we charged with the other
-day. They'd be glad to have him at their head now."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our hearts beat high as the cavalry passed in numerous
-bodies, our hopes being largely placed on these gallant
-fellows.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Klapka had posted twenty batteries in the forest of
-Harkaly, and it was his plan, or rather Görgei's, by a
-combined attack of infantry, horse, and artillery, to break
-the Austrian centre, and push it back beyond the village
-of Czern.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was nine o'clock in the morning when the infantry
-moved out, and very soon we heard the thunder of the
-heavy guns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This was the beginning; I asked myself what would
-be the end. The soldiers knew how much depended on
-their exertions, and I judged by their set faces that
-the enemy would have all their work cut out to beat
-them.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei stood looking intently through his glass, occasionally
-giving a smile of satisfaction as the troops took up
-their positions.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It ought to answer," he muttered. "Upon my word,
-I believe we shall beat them; Klapka's handling his men
-beautifully. They want more guns, though, on the right.
-Szondi, tell Benitzky to move some of his guns to the
-edge of the forest.--Botskay, ride to General Klapka,
-and wait to see what happens in the centre. Come back
-the instant he drives the Austrians from the village.--Mizvy,
-tell Prince Leiningen to hold--"</p>
-<p class="pnext">I did not hear the rest, being already on my way to
-General Klapka.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The battle was now in full swing, but the thick volumes
-of smoke made it difficult to see what was going on.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Soon I met wounded men dropping to the rear, and
-from one of them gathered that the Austrian centre was
-getting a terrific pounding.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They'll have to go, captain," said the man. "Flesh
-and blood can't stand it much longer."</p>
-<p class="pnext">After giving him a drink from my flask, I rode on,
-finding myself at length amongst Klapka's staff.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I delivered my message to the general, who said
-smilingly, "I don't think you will have long to wait;" and
-turning to one of his officers, he sent him off somewhere
-with an order.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Everything around me was bustle and excitement. Men
-came and went in endless succession, and almost without a
-pause.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One young fellow, whose horse's nostrils were laced
-with foam, dashed up at a gallop, and saluted with his
-left arm, his right being shattered by a musket-ball.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The general said something to him, but he shook his
-head, smiled gaily, and was off again in spite of his broken
-limb.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Meanwhile the fight in the centre was fast approaching
-a crisis.</p>
-<p class="pnext">That the Austrians would break I felt sure, my only
-wonder being how they had managed to hold out so long.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Shot and shell made gaps in their ranks, a fearful
-musketry fire swept them away in scores, while hussars
-and dragoons thundered down upon them almost without
-intermission.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As the wounded Magyar had said, flesh and blood could
-not stand it much longer, and Klapka's keen eye saw that
-the critical moment had arrived.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Another officer darted off like lightning; and we, looking
-on, saw our cavalry draw up in one immense body.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We could not hear, but we knew they were cheering,
-and then we watched them move forward.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Walk, trot, gallop! It was a superb spectacle as the
-sun shone down on the beautiful horses, the forest of
-glittering swords, the lithe and muscular horsemen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We held our breath as they flew over the ground, and
-in our intense excitement almost felt the shock as they
-crashed into the enemy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">So certain was the result that I asked Klapka's
-permission to follow, knowing how eager Görgei would be to
-learn every detail.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As I expected, that last charge broke the Austrian
-centre through and through; and the men who had
-stood up so bravely against the pick of our army were
-thoroughly beaten.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Back they went, helter-skelter, anyhow--men and guns
-and horses all mixed together!</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here half a company; there part of a squadron; yonder
-a field-gun, the horses clattering and tearing along like
-mad.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Back they went pell-mell into their lines, into the
-village, and through it; at which I turned my horse's
-head, and rode, cheering like a maniac, to Görgei.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Make or break," Szondi had said. Well, we were
-made, and the Austrians were broken.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Good little horse! On you go, straight as the crow
-flies. Never mind obstacles. We'll think of these
-to-morrow; for we're carrying good news, my beauty.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Cheer, my lads! You have the right. There's the
-general! How pleased he will be at the news!</p>
-<p class="pnext">I dashed up, breathless, while my horse trembled all over.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Czern is ours, sir!" I panted. "The Austrians are in
-flight!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">There were several officers near, but my head was so
-dizzy that I could scarcely distinguish them.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One, whom I took to be Szondi, then helped me to dismount.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The ride, the excitement, and possibly an accidental
-blow, though I could not remember one, had made me
-feel quite strange.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men around me became shadowy figures, their
-conversation mere disjointed scraps, such as, "Klapka--key
-of position--pay for Acz--Vienna--next to Görgei,"
-which I heard without understanding.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then Szondi put a flask to my lips, and I took a deep
-draught of something which stopped the shivering in my
-limbs, and enabled me to stand firm.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A messenger had arrived from Klapka. He was telling
-the story of the Austrian flight, but with more detail, and
-our general's face beamed with delight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Some of the officers had disappeared; others remained;
-and these, like the general, were filled with joy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Into the huge gap which I had seen made our fellows
-were pouring at the double, and the battlefield rang with
-shouts of victory.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had put my arm through the bridle, and stood leaning
-against a hillock of sand, waiting for the next order.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Suddenly there came the sound of a report so tremendous
-that the earth shook, and we gazed at one another
-aghast.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Again and again it broke forth, while the field was
-hidden from sight by dense curtains of thick smoke.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At a word from the general Szondi darted off, but
-almost before he had gone a mounted officer dashed up
-to us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He came from Klapka, and told his tale briefly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Every man and every gun of the Austrian reserve,
-every man and every gun of the Russian division, had
-been flung across the path of our victorious columns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Eighty pieces of cannon were vomiting death; thousands
-of rifles were pouring deadly volleys into our vanguard.</p>
-<p class="pnext">What the Austrians had suffered during the earlier part
-of the morning our people were suffering now, only on a
-more fearful scale.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Yet we gathered from the messenger that they had not
-retreated a foot, though it was impossible for them to
-advance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our sole hope now lay in Prince Leiningen and the
-reserve which he commanded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Klapka had already sent to him, and now Szondi
-returned with the information that the prince was advancing
-with reckless bravery against the Austrian left.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei could no longer contain himself. Go forward he
-must; go forward he would; and if his wound burst out
-afresh and killed him, as the doctors feared, well--he
-would not be the only man to die!</p>
-<p class="pnext">I jumped into the saddle and went with the others.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The awful cannonade continued without intermission,
-and every man who had ever seen a battle felt his
-heart sink at the thought of the havoc it was committing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But we did not altogether ride without hope. Another
-messenger had found the general to tell him that the
-gallant Leiningen had broken the Austrian left, and we
-cheered the news heartily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The story of the fight, as it thus came to us piecemeal,
-was a succession of ups and downs.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Ill news, it is said, travels apace; and hardly had we
-finished cheering when a fresh officer brought word that
-the Russians, by a sharp manoeuvre, had trained their guns
-on our reserve, and were decimating it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Perhaps it was as well that those who forced us to
-waste those precious weeks before the arrival of the
-Russians were not on the battlefield outside Comorn.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the Waag, at Acz, and now here, the Muscovites had
-actually snatched victory from our grasp.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As we plunged together into the conflict the soldiers
-caught sight of their gallant leader, and for a moment
-ceased fighting, while they rent the air with shouts of
-"Görgei! Görgei!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Had it been possible to save the battle, the presence of
-this one man would have accomplished the feat; but it
-was not.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men died willingly enough, but they could not
-advance in face of those awful guns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In vain our artillerymen worked at their batteries like
-slaves, vainly footmen and cavalry threw themselves
-against the solid mass; they came back every time baffled,
-broken, and in sadly-diminished numbers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Of my personal share in the fight there is little to tell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei, forgetful of his wound, threw himself into the
-thick of it, and where he went I followed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now we charged at the head of a shattered remnant of
-a cavalry regiment; again we were in the midst of an
-infantry square, encouraging the men to stand firm; then
-we were making a desperate attempt on a battery.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The staff had their fill of fighting for once, but to no
-avail.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Even Görgei acknowledged the truth at last, and
-reluctantly gave the order to withdraw.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were fairly beaten, but not routed; and the enemy
-had been too severely handled to follow up their success.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Taking our wounded, we retired slowly, the men, in
-spite of their terrible punishment, being unwilling to
-leave the field.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had lost sight of Szondi in the heat of the conflict,
-but he returned later to the entrenchments unhurt, save
-for an odd scratch or two of little account.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Fortune had dealt less kindly with several of our
-comrades, and we missed more than one familiar face.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That's the worst bout I've ever been in," said Szondi.
-"I thought at one time not a man would come out alive."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We might as well have stayed out there," said Mizvy
-gruffly. "The game's up."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Oh, come!" I cried cheerfully. "It surely isn't as bad
-as that!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, my young wiseacre, if you can show me one
-single loophole, you've more brains than I ever gave you
-credit for."</p>
-<p class="pnext">There was a laugh at this, but Mizvy went on sulkily,
-"We can't stay here--that's certain; and where are we to
-go? It will take 20,000 men to garrison Comorn, and
-what's Görgei to do with the rest? Fight Haynau and
-Paskewitch together?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There's our army in the south," I began, but Mizvy
-pulled me up.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Army in the south!" he echoed scornfully; "why,
-Bern, brave old fellow as he is, can hardly hold his own
-head above water!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"But there's Dembinski. He'll make a big effort to
-join us."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mizvy looked at me with a grin. "Dembinski's off to
-Szegedin with the Diet," he said. "It's a handy place to
-slip over into Turkey from, when the crash comes."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several of the officers cried "Shame!" but Mizvy took
-this mark of displeasure with admirable coolness.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"All right," he said quietly. "But just wait till any
-of those fellows venture north."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What then?" I asked, laughing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Why, then you can sew me up in a sack and drop me
-into any river that's handy!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We'll do that with pleasure," said Szondi. "But
-there's the general beckoning to you."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mizvy took himself off, but he left an unpleasant
-sensation behind him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was a level-headed man, with plenty of shrewd
-sense, and having no prejudices to warp his judgment.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I am not sure that personally he cared the toss of a
-button for either Görgei or Kossuth, the constitution of
-'48, or independence; but he was a thorough soldier, and
-did care very much about beating the enemy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In his eyes, a man's chief if not sole merit lay in his
-ability to win battles, and I remember hearing him more
-than once unfold his pet theory about the treatment of
-generals.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mizvy had little sympathy with unsuccessful leaders,
-and his scheme would hardly have proved popular amongst
-men of weak minds; yet, as Szondi often pointed out to
-scoffers, promotion would become rapid.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The foundation of the theory was that no responsible
-officer should ever be beaten; if he so far forgot himself,
-the authorities were to have him shot, and give his
-command to another.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Cruel?" growled Mizvy, when a listener offered that
-objection. "Not half as cruel as the present system. It
-would soon weed out all the duffers, and the peacocks,
-whose only idea of soldiering is to strut about in gold
-lace. Now, here's a fellow--goodness knows where he
-comes from, but he has influence; give him a brigade,
-and set him to do something. Back he comes in a day or
-two with a handful of men; the enemy has accounted for
-the others. He wouldn't do that trick often, if you shot
-him the first time. Think a second duffer would want to
-fill the vacancy? Hardly. None but the best men would
-try to get the pick of the berths in my army, I can tell
-you."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mizvy was not exactly popular with his fellows, but
-he was a man whose opinions claimed some attention,
-and his remarks concerning our allies were far from
-comforting.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We did not dream for an instant, of course, that any of
-them would be frightened, but at the same time there
-were various little matters concerning which we felt
-doubtful.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Nicholas Szondi summed up the case very clearly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There's no question of Bern's courage," he said, "or of
-Dembinski's either; but we needn't pretend they're in love
-with Görgei, or he with them. Now, if we joined forces--and
-that's the only way to save Hungary--we should only
-want one chief."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, Görgei isn't likely to yield his command to the
-Poles."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Just so; and they won't be too eager to serve under
-him. That's where the difficulty lies."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"If old Mizvy's plan were in working order," said one
-man lazily, "'twould save a lot of bother at present."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We certainly shouldn't suffer from having too many
-generals."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Szondi agreed laughingly. "Görgei and Klapka look
-very solemn over there."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They're discussing the new plans, and it's my belief
-we shall find Mizvy wasn't far out in his forecast."</p>
-<p class="pnext">That same night our general told us he had resolved on
-retreating to Waitzen with a portion of the army, while
-Klapka, with 76 guns and 18,000 men, was to throw
-himself into Comorn.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I now learned that one Austrian army corps was
-marching straight on Pesth, from which our troops had
-withdrawn, and I looked forward with pleasure to again
-meeting my old friends of the 9th Honved regiment.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Since joining the staff I had not heard from Rakoczy,
-but as there had been no fighting at the capital I
-concluded he was still alive and well.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Early on the morning succeeding the stubborn fight
-we said farewell to our friends in Klapka's division, and
-before it was really light began the march.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Two days later, having picked up various bodies of
-troops on the route, we halted a few hours' distance from
-Waitzen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here the 9th Honveds were assembled, and as soon as
-the general had finished with me, I rushed off to find
-Rakoczy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I really don't know which of us was the more pleased
-at the meeting, though the genial colonel could not forego
-his chaff, and pretended it was a great honour to receive a
-visit from one of the staff. Then he took me into his tent
-and sent for Dobozy, from whom I had another warm
-welcome.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The accounts from the front frightened us a bit," said
-Dobozy. "We began to think you would have been better
-off in Pesth."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Been pretty warm, hasn't it?" asked Rakoczy. "But
-there, you shall tell us all about it. You must be getting
-pretty used to playing a losing game by now, eh?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Still, I don't know that I like it any better than at
-first. By the way, have you seen Count Beula lately?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Cleared out the same time as Kossuth. Paid you a
-visit at Raab, didn't he?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes, with a proclamation from the Diet in his pocket.
-But I had better begin at the beginning, and tell you the
-story properly."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Much better. Make yourself comfortable. You may
-be sure of an interested audience, though a small one."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was right in that remark, for both he and Dobozy
-listened most attentively, only interrupting by an
-occasional exclamation.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You certainly can't complain of having been dull
-yonder," said Rakoczy at the finish.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Did you kill that Von Theyer fellow?" asked Dobozy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I hope not, though I'm afraid he got a nasty slash
-across the face."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Pity that, being a handsome sort of chap. 'Twill spoil
-his beauty."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"In that case," said the colonel, "our friend Botskay
-must take care of himself. This Von Theyer, though a
-splendid soldier, is vainer than any woman, and he won't
-easily forgive the man who disfigured him."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Aren't we getting on a bit too fast? The fellow may
-be dead and buried, for aught I know. When our troopers
-came back from the Russian guns, they didn't give me too
-much time for investigation."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That Russian division seems to be the mainstay of
-the army."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It has been, so far; but now tell me what you've
-been doing in Pesth."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Putting the regiment straight again," said the colonel.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And forming guards of honour," added Dobozy.
-"We've had a very pleasant and agreeable time."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A wonder you left."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We had such very pressing invitations to leave that
-the colonel could hardly refuse. The Diet, you know, has
-gone to Szegedin with the army of the north."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes. We heard that."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, directly Haynau had you beaten up yonder, he
-sent an army corps hot-foot for Pesth. At the same time
-Paskewitch dispatched a Russian corps from the east, and
-we thought it time to move."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"How was it you didn't go south with the others?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Because, fortunately, we had orders to join Görgei
-here."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Shall we make a stand at Waitzen?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel shook his head. "May stay for a bit of a
-fight," he replied. "Nothing more."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then what do you think Görgei will do?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Retreat through the mountains, and threaten to strike
-at Galicia. That will bring Paskewitch back in double
-quick time, and Dembinski will have only the Austrians
-to tackle. Oh, we shall lead them a lively dance yet!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"If we aren't caught here," said Dobozy, "which seems
-rather likely."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I see you are still wearing the baron's ring," remarked
-Rakoczy, as I rose to go.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes. I thought it would be as safe on my finger as
-anywhere else, till I am able to take it to Vienna."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Unless you happen to be badly wounded and left on the
-field. There are a good many prowlers who would willingly
-finish you for the sake of a stone like that."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They would be counting without Mecsey Sándor, who
-follows me everywhere like a dog; but I really must go
-now. We shall move again at daybreak;" and, bidding
-my two friends good-bye, I walked across to the general's
-quarters.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The first man I met was Nicholas Szondi, who had just
-returned from a long ride with Nagy Sándor.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Better get a bit of supper and a nap while you've the
-chance," he said. "We're likely to be off before long."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Anything serious?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Only that the Russian cavalry are close at hand."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then we're in for another fight?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I expect so, unless the general prefers to run."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Taking my comrade's advice, I had some supper; and
-wrapping my mantle around me, I lay down to snatch an
-hour's sleep.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="sent-scouting">CHAPTER XIX.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">SENT SCOUTING.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">As Szondi had predicted, reveille sounded before day had
-fairly broken, and an hour after dawn the whole
-army moved to the ridge of low hills outside the town
-of Waitzen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here we halted, and immediately set to work making
-our position as strong as possible. The artillery was
-posted on the hills, earthworks were hastily thrown up,
-extra ammunition was served out, and everything prepared
-to give the enemy a warm reception.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Most of the work was finished when Görgei's scouts
-came in with the information that the Russian cavalry,
-supported by an infantry brigade, was approaching.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They're just come to have a look," said Szondi cheerfully.
-"They aren't likely to attack till their main body
-arrives."</p>
-<p class="pnext">This was the general opinion, and we could hardly
-believe our senses when the Russians were seen preparing
-for an assault. I suppose it was a very gallant action, but
-it certainly had not the slightest chance of success from
-the beginning.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On our side the battle was fought by the artillery, and
-the bravest cannot stand before a cannon-ball.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Again and again the Russians charged desperately, only
-to be hurled back in utter confusion; and at length their
-leader admitted his mistake by drawing his men off altogether.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"So far, so good," remarked Rakoczy, with whom I
-spent half an hour that evening, "but we mustn't expect
-to win so easily to-morrow."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I thought we should probably slip away during the
-night."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That's possible, of course; but I fancy Görgei intends
-trying to hold the town. However, we shall see before
-long."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Russians had been so badly beaten that they made
-no further effort to molest us, and the night passed away
-peacefully.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Nor did they renew the struggle in the early morning,
-but waited for the arrival of the main body, which had
-made a forced march of eight German or forty English
-miles in twelve hours.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They make a fine show," exclaimed Szondi, as we stood
-on a hill with the general, watching the heads of the
-columns as they approached.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They make stubborn fighters," growled Mizvy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Just like dogs," added another fellow: "as long as you
-whistle them on, they'll go."</p>
-<p class="pnext">These Muscovites were indeed wonderful soldiers, and
-far different from our own men.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Magyars were full of fire and dash. They rushed
-to death with a cheer and a shout, or to the rattle of a
-song. When the warning blast rang out, their faces flushed,
-their eyes burned with a fiery glow, the hot blood sped
-more swiftly through their veins--they were real live
-human beings.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On the other hand, it seemed to us, as we gazed from
-the hill, that there were no individual Russians--only
-companies, or regiments, or brigades.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was a weird sight to witness one of these regiments,
-compact and grey-coated, come gliding up towards the
-guns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As Szondi put it, one forgot the men in watching the
-movements of the machine.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It advanced silently, steadily, and in one piece; it--not
-they--moved faster; suddenly a curious shiver passed
-through it, a curtain of smoke was spread over it, and
-presently you saw the one piece, only very much smaller,
-moving back again, leaving bits of grey lying here and
-there, as if chipped from the mass.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Farther along, another machine, similarly constructed,
-was going through exactly the same performance, becoming
-smaller in the same manner.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One such I saw more distinctly still, having carried a
-message from the general to the artillery chief just as it
-approached.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fate of that regiment was so terrible that even
-now I sometimes shudder at the remembrance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Like the others, it came on regularly and without
-noise. The great guns at my feet roared out as if in
-fright; the smoke cleared away, showing the grey mass
-diminished in size, but nearer; the guns cried out again,
-the smoke-cloud settled and lifted, discovering the grey
-mass very much smaller, but still moving nearer, until at
-length it reached the very muzzles of the guns, and
-then--well, then it simply vanished!</p>
-<p class="pnext">Some parts of it doubtless returned in safety, though to
-me, watching from behind the cannon, it seemed as if the
-whole body had been swept away.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Yet, although the Russians lost men so terribly, it
-was plain that in the end they would be able to oust
-us from our position, and our chief began to make
-arrangements for the retreat. Owing to this, I saw little
-more of the battle, having been sent into Waitzen by the
-general.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here, while our comrades held the Muscovites back,
-we were sending off the sick and wounded, provisions,
-ammunition, and the troops that could be spared from the
-fighting.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From time to time we heard news of the combat, which
-grew fiercer with every hour; yet, in spite of the most
-furious assaults, the Magyars stood their ground.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The men must hold the field till dark," was the
-order passed round to the different leaders; and Görgei
-knew that, whatever happened, it would be obeyed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">During the early part of the afternoon the noise of the
-battle died away, but the lull was only for a time. The
-uproar began again, increased in volume, and came so near
-to us in the town that we thought the enemy had carried
-the defences.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They had indeed got to hand-to-hand fighting, being
-repulsed only after a desperate encounter.</p>
-<p class="pnext">How our poor fellows out there on the ridges must have
-prayed for the coming of night!</p>
-<p class="pnext">Meanwhile, carts and wagons were rolling through the
-town and away into the mountainous country beyond.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Once riding out with some special message to the general,
-I found him standing with his arms behind his back and
-his head bent forward, surveying the fight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The bullets were dropping around, but of these he took
-no notice, though two of the staff had already been seriously
-hurt.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Lucky fellow!" remarked Szondi, as I repassed him on
-my way back. "You're well out of it;" and, seeing how
-the general was exposing himself, I thought so too.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I could not see the 9th Honveds--they were somewhere
-on the left--but I earnestly hoped my two friends were safe.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Once more the fury of the battle lessened. It was
-growing dusk, and even had the light lasted, neither
-side could have fought much longer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Russians naturally were the more fatigued, but
-when the last shot was fired many of our own fellows
-sank down exhausted.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Yet the general could grant them but small time for rest.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Many, indeed, tired and hungry as they were, marched
-straight off the ground. All the night through, the streets
-of Waitzen echoed to the tramp of infantry, the rumbling
-of baggage-wagons, the clatter of horses' feet, and the roll
-of artillery.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Hour after hour, while the Muscovites lay wrapped in
-peaceful slumber, the sad procession filed through the town,
-and daylight revealed to the astonished enemy only an
-abandoned camp.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was night before I learned anything of Rakoczy; and
-then, to my great joy, I discovered that both he and
-Dobozy were unhurt.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our position had now become practically hopeless.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The allies had joined hands in the centre of the country,
-while our armies were scattered in all directions, and
-completely out of touch one with the other.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Bern still battled hard in Transylvania; Dembinski was
-on the borders of Croatia; while we, trudging through the
-lower spurs of the Carpathians, were separated from both
-by over 100,000 veterans.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy and a few of his stamp still put on a brave
-show, talked cheerily to their men, and prophesied that
-Dembinski was about to do great things; but most of the
-officers privately admitted that our final defeat was certain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Görgei himself shared this view, though it did not
-prevent him from doing all in his power to avert the
-calamity.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We're bound to draw the Russians after us," he said
-cheerfully, "and that will take them from Dembinski's
-shoulders. If only we can outmarch the Russians and
-join the Pole anywhere near Debreczin, there may still be
-a chance."</p>
-<p class="pnext">But could we?</p>
-<p class="pnext">That was a question time alone could answer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One corps was toiling hard after us through the mountains,
-but what was Paskewitch doing with the rest of his army?</p>
-<p class="pnext">One morning, about the fifth day of the retreat, the
-general suddenly told me to go and find where the Russian
-chief was, and what he was doing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The reports of the scouts are very unsatisfactory," he
-said. "I can't make head or tail of them. Just find out
-all you can for yourself, and catch me up at Miskolcz."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Taking Mecsey Sándor with me, as he knew the country
-much better than I did, I started immediately, being in a
-short time out of sight and sound of the retreating army.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Knowing that Paskewitch had stopped his southward
-march, we concluded he would try to prevent Görgei
-crossing the Theiss.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My best course evidently was to ride due south,
-questioning the country people as I passed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We shall learn something at Gyongyos," said Mecsey,
-"and we ought to reach there by nightfall."</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was a dreary and disheartening journey. Of men
-we saw hardly a sign; only women and children remained
-in the little villages, or worked hard in the fields to save
-the ripening crops from destruction.</p>
-<p class="pnext">These poor people could tell me nothing of the enemy.
-They only knew that their own men-folk were far away
-fighting for the land of their birth, or haply already lying
-at peace beneath the sod.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Evening fell before we reached Gyongyos, but I resolved
-to push on in the gathering darkness, although Mecsey
-very much doubted if we could find the way.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the village of Kis-Palaty we learned that the Russians
-were in the neighbourhood, but whether they constituted
-an army or only a scouting party it was hard to tell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here, as elsewhere, the population consisted of women
-and children, and a few old men who shook their heads
-sadly, and mumbled words that had no meaning.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After a long talk with the most intelligent of the
-women, I came to the conclusion that the enemy were
-simply a cavalry detachment out scouting. Then came
-the question what was best to be done.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It seemed equally dangerous to go or stay, and I was
-still turning the question over in my mind when a man
-on a splendid horse galloped up to the inn door.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His speech told me he was a Magyar, and by his dress
-I judged him to be a servant in some nobleman's family.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At first he glanced at us suspiciously; but, discovering
-I was an officer in Görgei's army, he became very friendly,
-and answered my questions readily enough.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You cannot venture into Gyongyos," he said. "The
-town is filled with Russians. The general is there with
-his principal officers, but I hear they start for Kapolna in
-the morning."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Will they come this way?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Magyar shook his head. "No," he replied; "I wish
-they would. It would keep them clear of my master's estate."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Is your master with our army?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Alas, no! My sweet master is a cripple, paralyzed.
-He never leaves the house. But why not ride there with
-me? The count, my master, is a great patriot, and will
-make you welcome."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"But it might lead him into trouble."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Not at all. The Russians are not likely to pay us a
-visit. If they do, we can easily hide you."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And Paskewitch will march that way?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The Russian general? Yes; the highroad passes the
-edge of the pine-wood. You had better come. The count
-thinks a great deal of General Görgei, and will be delighted
-to see one of his officers."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You have not told me who your master is."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Count Arnim Kemeny."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, Mecsey," I said, "what do you think? Shall we
-be likely to run the count into any danger?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"How? The Russians will be gone to-morrow."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then if you will ride on," I said to the servant, "we
-will follow."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"In one minute. I have a little business to transact
-first," and making a respectful bow, he went into the house.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"All right, Mecsey?" I asked.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My servant tapped his pistol significantly. "I'm sorry
-for our friend if it isn't," he answered.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When the count's man came out again it was quite
-dark, and we had some difficulty in following him over the
-execrable roads. It was even worse when, leaving the
-highway, he struck across country; but after a couple of
-hours' hard riding we arrived at his master's residence.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We rode into the courtyard amidst the barking of
-numerous dogs; but the servant silenced them, and several
-men came running quickly to take charge of our horses.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then our guide led the way to the front of the house,
-and ushered us into a small room which served as an ante-chamber.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I go to inform my mistress," he said, and in two or
-three minutes there entered the room one of the loveliest
-women in Hungary. She was a brunette, with a
-complexion so clear that the warm blood could be seen beneath
-the delicate skin. Her hair was beautifully wavy, her
-eyes were large and shaded with long, silky lashes, her lips
-red as a rose, her teeth glistened like pearls.</p>
-<p class="pnext">She greeted me with ease and graciousness, and I knew
-in a moment that the welcome was a genuine one.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I must apologize for my husband," she said sweetly.
-"He is, alas! an invalid, and I must welcome the guests of
-the house."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It is I who should apologize for thus intruding," I
-replied, "but that I see it will not be necessary. I am
-George Botskay, a captain in the army commanded by
-General Görgei. This is my servant, and we are in the
-neighbourhood on special duty."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Exactly," said my hostess, "and you must be in need
-of refreshment. Supper is almost ready, and meanwhile
-you would like to go to your room."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey was now handed over to the care of our guide,
-and a servant conducted me to a bedroom, where I was
-able to make myself more presentable.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The house was a one-storied building, very similar to
-my own at Gyula--built on much the same plan, but
-rather more extensive.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After I had washed and dressed, a servant showed me
-to the dining-room--a fine, spacious apartment, the walls
-of which were hung with pictures painted by Hungarian
-artists.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As before, the countess stepped forward, smiling, and
-led me to her husband.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Arnim dear," said she sweetly, "this is Captain Botskay,
-whom a lucky chance has sent us as a guest."</p>
-<p class="pnext">While she spoke, I gazed with the deepest emotion at
-the count.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He partly sat, partly reclined in a wheeled chair drawn
-close to the table.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was a wonderfully handsome and athletic-looking
-man, with a massive, well-shaped head firmly set on broad,
-sturdy shoulders. His face was frank and open, his eyes
-smiled, though with a suggestion of sadness, his mouth was
-firm, his chin square and determined.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I pictured him charging at the head of a squadron of
-horse, and thought what a magnificent cavalry leader he
-would make. As it happened, the poor fellow could not
-cross the room, could not put foot to the ground, could not
-move a single muscle of his legs; from the waist
-downwards he was practically dead. Yet he made no moan,
-no complaint, but once, and then it was to regret that his
-infirmity prevented him from joining Görgei.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Forgive my apparent lack of courtesy, Captain Botskay,"
-said he; "but I am somewhat of an invalid, and my wife
-kindly does the honours of the house in my stead."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I shall not readily forget madam's kindness," I replied.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Nay," answered the countess, "it is we who are your
-debtors, since you will be able to tell my husband the
-truth about the war; but first we will have supper," and
-she rang the bell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was certainly very hungry, and did ample justice to
-the good things placed before me, while the pleasure was
-heightened by the appearance of the table with its cloth
-of snowy whiteness, beautifully-cut glasses, nicely-chased
-silver, and tastefully-arranged flowers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This was unusual experience for a soldier in Görgei's
-army while on active service.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was delightful also to watch how fondly my hostess
-waited on her crippled husband, how swift she was to
-anticipate his wants, how lovingly she performed every
-little service--every action showing how thoroughly the
-invalid was centered in her heart.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then, when we rose from the table, it was her hand that
-guided his chair into the drawing-room; her pretty fingers
-that made him comfortable; her eyes that looked lovingly
-into his, questioning if there was aught else that could be
-done for him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On his part, the count worshipped this beautiful woman
-who thought only of him. His eyes followed her
-everywhere; and when, drawing forward a cosy chair, she sat
-down beside him, his face lit up with a smile of sweet
-content.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Of course I was pleased to find the count was of my
-way of thinking, and had no sympathy with the republican party.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He listened with the greatest interest to the story of the
-campaign, and asked several questions which showed he
-was not ignorant of military matters.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Görgei has made a wonderful fight of it," he remarked;
-"but, in my opinion, he can do very little more. This
-Field-Marshal Paskewitch is a clever general, and, from
-what I hear, he has an overwhelming number of men."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That is what I wish to find out. Your man tells me
-they will be en route again to-morrow."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Nicholas is generally right, and in that case you will
-have a fine chance of obtaining your information with
-little risk. A quarter of a mile away the wood stretches
-right down to the main road. The trees are close together,
-and just now, of course, are in full leaf. One in particular,
-which we generally speak of as the Eagle's Nest, would
-afford you fine shelter, and from it you could see everything
-which passed. It will be a tedious affair, but--"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Oh, that's nothing!" I exclaimed quickly. "The only
-thing I'm afraid of is a chance visit of the enemy to you.
-My horse would tell tales, and there is my man to be considered."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The count looked at his wife and smiled.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Do not fear for us," said she. "We have hiding-places
-here that would not be discovered even if they burned the
-house down."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The trappings of the horses can be put in one of these,"
-added the count, "and in case of danger we can put your
-servant there as well."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"But if they find me in the Eagle's Nest?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They will shoot you and ask no questions, so I hope
-you'll not be discovered."</p>
-<p class="pnext">After a little further conversation it was arranged that
-my host's servant should call me at daybreak, and take
-me to the Eagle's Nest before the Russians began their
-march.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey was to remain at the house, as he could not be
-of any use in the tree, and might possibly do harm by
-attracting attention.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Having settled this matter, we sat chatting another
-hour, when my host said pleasantly, "Captain, I am going
-to play the commanding officer and order you to bed. As
-it is, you will have a short rest, while there is a heavy
-day's work in front of you. Of course, if I considered
-myself only, I should wish the pleasure of your company
-half the night."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It's very kind of you," I answered, "and really I would
-rather sit here and talk, but I might feel drowsy to-morrow."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And we do not wish you to fall out of the Eagle's
-Nest," said my hostess merrily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I fear the general would obtain little information from
-me afterwards."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Bidding them good-night, I went to my room, and once
-more enjoyed the luxury of lying down in a real bed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As the count had observed, there was not much time
-for sleep, and a portion of that I wasted thinking of my
-host's terrible affliction and his wife's goodness.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then, too, I wondered how the next day's adventure
-would turn out, and whether Görgei had been forced to
-stand at bay again.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At length my brain ceased working, and I fell into a
-sound sleep.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="nearly-captured">CHAPTER XX.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">NEARLY CAPTURED.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">I seemed to have slept scarcely five minutes when a
-knocking at the door wakened me, and I rubbed my
-eyes dreamily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was Nicholas, with the information that breakfast was
-ready; so, jumping out of bed, I quickly washed and
-dressed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In spite of the early hour, the countess had risen to see
-that I had a comfortable meal, and to wish me success in
-my enterprise.</p>
-<p class="pnext">While I ate she superintended the packing of a wallet
-which was to bear me company to the Eagle's Nest, and
-for which, later in the day, I felt very grateful.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After a hearty breakfast I thanked my kind hostess
-again, and promising, if all went well, to return at dusk,
-joined Nicholas, who had slung the wallet over his shoulder.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The faithful Mecsey was waiting in one of the rooms
-through which we passed, and he begged very hard to go
-with me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I would have taken him gladly, but he could do no good.
-There was no question of fighting or even of strategy. I
-had simply to sit in a tree and watch.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Nothing could save me if the Russians discovered I was
-there; if they did not, I was perfectly safe.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey was shrewd enough to see the reasonableness of
-this, but he had attached himself so strongly to my fortunes
-that he hated the idea of my going into possible danger
-alone.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He yielded at last, however, kissed my hand, and stood
-on the top of the steps gazing mournfully at me as I
-trudged off with Nicholas.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The new day was breaking gloriously as we entered the
-wood; hundreds of songsters carolled gaily, and the
-undergrowth was alive with game.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Your master has plenty of shooting," I remarked to my
-companion.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Ah!" replied he, with a wise shake of the head, "the
-count has been a mighty hunter. But we must hurry; it
-will be broad daylight soon, and you must be in the Nest
-before then."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Accordingly we walked faster, Nicholas leading me by
-tracks well known to him and the rest of the count's
-household.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At last he stopped and, pointing to a giant tree,
-exclaimed, "There is the Eagle's Nest! Near the top you
-will find a snug sitting-place formed by the branches, which
-will give you a splendid view of the highroad."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He took off the wallet, strapped it on my back, and
-waited to see me climb the tree.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had done little climbing for years, and the unusual
-exercise made my muscles ache; but I had not altogether
-lost my old skill, and gradually mounted to the spot which
-Nicholas had described. Perhaps it was a trifle less
-comfortable than his memory pictured, but in one matter at
-any rate he had been right--there was a splendid view of
-the route the Russians must take if they were trying
-to prevent Görgei from crossing the Theiss.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I removed the wallet, and fastened it carefully to one of
-the branches; then I took out the notebook which Count
-Kemeny had provided, and waited.</p>
-<p class="pnext">An hour passed uneventfully, and then in the west there
-rose up a cloud of dust, which swept towards me at a rapid
-pace.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was a body of cavalry--Cossack irregulars, by the
-look of them--mounted on shaggy, little horses and armed
-with long lances.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I caught a glimpse as they dashed up, a fuller one as
-they passed beneath me; then the sand-cloud swept on to
-the east, and the van of the Russian army vanished in the
-distance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Those rough, uncouth riders formed the head of a
-procession that occupied all the day in filing past.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was a splendid spectacle, but my eyes grew tired of
-gazing at it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Provision-wagons, baggage, ammunition, and stores were
-followed by field-guns, large masses of infantry, hussars,
-lancers, and dragoons; then more guns, wagons,
-foot-soldiers, and cavalry in what promised to be an
-interminable succession.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As they passed I calculated their numbers, making my
-entries accordingly; while, about noon, a sudden stoppage
-of the procession gave me a capital opportunity of
-investigating the interior of the wallet.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The halt lasted two hours, when the march began again,
-and evening had fallen before the last stragglers went by.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then I put away my notebook, strapped the empty
-wallet to my back, and prepared to descend.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I moved very slowly and with the utmost caution, as my
-limbs were terribly cramped, and I was half afraid of
-missing my footing and slipping to the bottom.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, I succeeded, and found Nicholas ready to pilot
-me back to the house.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Your master has not been troubled by the Russians?"
-I asked.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A friendly visit from half a dozen officers," replied he;
-"nothing more."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And Mecsey Sándor?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Kept in the background while they stayed."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey ran out from the courtyard at my approach to
-make sure I had returned unhurt; but once certain of that,
-he became stolid as ever.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Get the horses saddled," I said, before entering the
-house. "We shall start soon."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Not to-night, captain, surely?" cried my hostess, whom
-I had not noticed standing on the steps. "The count will
-be so disappointed. He has reckoned so much on your
-company this evening."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And I would very much like to stay; but in a matter
-of duty a soldier has no choice."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That is what Arnim feared you would say. However,
-you cannot go until after dinner."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It's rather a queer way of entertaining one's guest,"
-laughed the count as we entered--"to set him on a perch
-all day long. I hope you have not suffered martyrdom in
-vain?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"No. Thanks to your kindness, I can take the general
-the fullest particulars of the enemy's force."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And Captain Botskay wishes to go at once," said my
-hostess.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The count sighed. "We must not keep him," he said.
-"His information may be of the utmost importance to the
-general. But you will dine before going, captain, will
-you not?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now to this I readily consented, as it gave me a little
-further time with my host, for whom I was beginning to
-feel a warm friendship.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After dinner I sat half an hour longer, while Mecsey got
-the horses ready, and then I was reluctantly compelled to
-say farewell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Take care of yourself," said the count, "and come and
-see us whenever you have a chance. We are rather lonely
-here."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Good-bye, Captain Botskay," said his wife; "and I hope
-sincerely that no harm will come to you in this cruel war."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I promised to visit them again should opportunity arise,
-and, with a last hand-shake, joined Mecsey, who had the
-horses ready.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Nicholas, too, came to guide us a few miles on the
-road, and amidst the cheers of the domestics the three of us
-set off.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey and Nicholas were good company for each other.
-I rode a short distance behind them, wondering if I should
-find Görgei in time for my information to be of use.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The night was fine, calm, and still. There was no moon,
-but the stars glittered in myriads overhead, serving to show
-the route.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In those days our best roads were shocking to a stranger,
-but the cuts across country were simply abominable.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several times that night I escaped a nasty--perhaps
-fatal--accident solely through the intelligence of my horse.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Having accompanied us five or six miles, and given
-Mecsey full directions as to the way, Nicholas pulled up,
-wished us farewell, and started for home.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He's dreadfully afraid of leaving the count long at a
-time," said Mecsey. "He looks on himself as a sort of
-bodyguard."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He's evidently an affectionate and faithful servant.
-Now, if you know the road, we'll go a little faster. The
-horses have had a splendid rest and plenty of corn; they
-ought to carry us well."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Of course there was always the danger of falling in with
-a detachment of the enemy's troops, but I thought this less
-likely to happen at night than in the daytime.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From his own knowledge of the district, and helped by
-some directions from Nicholas, Mecsey found the way with
-little difficulty, and for several hours we rode at a brisk
-pace over a broad plain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Thanks to the kindness of the beautiful countess, we had
-plenty of provisions for man and beast, and about six o'clock
-we stopped for rest and breakfast.</p>
-<p class="pnext">By this time I was so tired that my eyes would hardly
-stay open, and Mecsey pressed me to have an hour's sleep.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We shall save time in the end," he urged. "The animals
-will be fresher for an hour's rest; in fact, they won't travel
-much farther without."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And what about yourself?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I had a long sleep yesterday."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then keep a good lookout for the enemy, give the
-horses a feed, and call me in an hour."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I lay down, drew my cloak round me, and lost consciousness
-almost before my head touched the ground.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey wakened me, according to promise; we then
-ate a hurried breakfast, and started again, now in broad
-daylight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The brief halt had done me a world of good. I was
-much brighter, and felt capable of riding all day.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As it chanced, however, the Russians did not give me the
-opportunity of trying.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We had left the great plain and entered a mountainous
-district when Mecsey, who was in front, suddenly stopped
-his horse and held up a finger in warning.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What is it?" I asked in a whisper, getting close to him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Soldiers!" he answered promptly. "Russians!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were half-way through a narrow gorge, with huge
-limestone cliffs on either side of us, and with no way of
-escape but by going straight on or turning back.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey's sharp ears had detected the noise made by the
-soldiers before they were in sight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They are behind us," I said quietly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And on our right. There must be a regiment."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, there's no going back, so we must keep straight
-on. If once we get out of the gorge they can whistle
-for us."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey shook his head, saying, "We can try."</p>
-<p class="pnext">This did not sound very promising; but Mecsey, though
-brave as a lion, was not the most cheerful of men.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Let us go," I said. "It's our only chance."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Russian leader, unfortunately for us, was a man
-who knew his business; and, before the main body of his
-troops marched through the gorge, he had sent a detachment
-along the cliffs in search of a possible ambuscade.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A loud shout and the discharge of many muskets
-proclaimed that we were discovered.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Push on!" I exclaimed. "We must get through somehow."</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was a poor place for fast travelling, but we went
-as rapidly as our horses could take us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The shouts from the cliffs were now repeated in our rear,
-and several bullets whistled unpleasantly about our ears.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Still we kept going until Mecsey came in sight of the
-outlet from the gorge; then he pulled up once more with
-a gesture of despair.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There was little need for questioning or speech of any
-kind; a body of grey-coated infantry was drawn across the
-narrow exit.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Just for one moment I thought of making a dash at
-these stolid warriors and trying to cut my way through;
-but I had sufficient sense left to recognize the madness of
-the scheme.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Without speaking, we turned and rode back in our tracks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We could now see the head of the column approaching,
-and I felt like a rat in a trap.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Russians, understanding how completely we were in
-their power, treated the matter as a rich joke, and the men
-on the cliffs stopped firing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Let me have the book for the general," said Mecsey,
-"and I will try to escape. If you surrender they won't
-harm you."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"But what can you do?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Leave the horse and try to scale the cliffs."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"All right. We'll both try. I mean Görgei to have
-that list. Swing yourself off. Now!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">I did not like abandoning the gallant animal that had
-carried me through so many dangers, but there was no
-help for it; and, indeed, I had little time to spend in
-regrets.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Directly the Russians saw our plan, those on the opposite
-cliffs discharged their muskets, while the head of the column
-quickened its pace.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Whiz! whiz! came the bullets, singing overhead or
-chipping the rocks beside us--much too near in either case
-for comfort.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At first we managed to dodge them pretty well behind
-the boulders, but we should soon have to move out into a
-more exposed position, and it did not require an extra
-amount of brains to foretell what would happen then.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, we were having a try for our lives, and that
-was more satisfactory than sitting still to be killed; but
-we were rapidly approaching the end of our tether.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men on the opposite cliffs could not fire now for
-fear of hurting their comrades, who came after us in full
-cry for all the world like dogs on the track of a boar.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Suddenly Mecsey's foot slipped and he fell, but he was
-up again in an instant.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Hurt?" I asked anxiously.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It's nothing," he said--"nothing. Look! Look just
-above us! There is a hole in the rocks. If we could get
-inside there we might hide."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I did look, and saw a huge fissure in the cliffs several
-yards in length and about six feet in depth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Certainly it might help us, but I hardly thought so.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The soldiers would see us enter, and would follow. It
-was not as if they numbered only a half-dozen or so.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Still, it might be worth trying for; and we pushed on
-recklessly, running, climbing, jumping, scrambling--any
-fashion, so as to get there.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Russians had been shouting and jabbering behind
-us, and it was much easier to understand the meaning of
-the bullets than of the words; but now the noise stopped,
-and a strong, clear voice shouted in German,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Surrender yourselves! I pledge my word that you
-shall not be hurt."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Come, captain," cried Mecsey, who did not understand
-this offer; "here we are. In you go. It's dark at first,
-but you'll soon get used to it."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"For the last time," cried the Russian officer; "will you
-surrender?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were inside the cavern now, but I showed myself
-at the mouth and asked for five minutes' grace.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For myself there was but one course open--to return
-to Görgei. Death alone could absolve me from that duty;
-but there was no need to sacrifice my trusty servant.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Accordingly, I told him of the Russian's offer, and urged
-him to accept it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You will save your life," I said, "and there is really
-no sense in your getting killed. Let me tell the Russian
-officer that you surrender."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey looked at me proudly. "I am a Magyar," he
-said, as if that settled the question.</p>
-<p class="pnext">And it did with me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I urged him no more, but turned again to the enemy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They, meanwhile, by command of their leader, had
-halted, and were gazing at us curiously. It seemed
-strange to them to be called off their prey at the moment
-of running it to earth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The officer was well in advance, and I saw by his face
-that he would gladly save our lives.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You will surrender?" he questioned; but I shook my
-head.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That is stupid. You cannot escape. I shall send my
-men in there, and you will be-- Ach! what folly!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Many thanks for your offer," I said lightly, "but we
-must refuse. Now you are at liberty to fire," and I sprang
-back into the shadow.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As far as I could judge, we were in a cavern of vast
-extent, having a low roof; and I began to think that,
-after all, we stood a good chance of escaping.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was hardly likely that a large body of soldiers would
-be set to search long for two runaways; and, of course,
-I was well aware that some of these limestone caves
-extended for miles into the very heart of the mountains.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Had this immense rock-chamber a second outlet?</p>
-<p class="pnext">I asked myself this question as we rushed over the
-damp, uneven floor, and a sharp exclamation of joy from
-Mecsey answered it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Just as the Russians entered, we made our exit by way
-of a narrow passage, through which a stream ran.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We dashed on, followed by, perhaps, twenty of the
-enemy, who carried torches; the others were searching
-the cavern.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Gradually the passage became wider, then it contracted
-once more, and finally opened into a second chamber, from
-which two passages branched.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We had little time for choice. The Russians, yelling
-and waving their torches, were not far in our rear.
-Whatever we did must be done at once.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey was for turning to the right; but I, pointing
-to the stream, said, "Where that goes we can go," which
-was true, but not in the sense I meant.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey nodded. It was for me to give orders, for him
-to obey.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We ran on, with the roar of the water in our ears, the
-yell of the enemy behind us, but in front a chance of
-safety.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Russians had traversed the narrow passage; they
-were in the second chamber. I looked back and saw
-their torches, some turning to the right, but the majority,
-unfortunately, keeping straight on our track.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They were creeping nearer and nearer, while Mecsey
-was slackening his pace.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The long ride and the absence of sleep had told upon
-him; he was tired; he could not keep on; surely he was
-stopping--had stopped. I sprang forward to catch him
-in case he fell, and my heart almost ceased beating.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The river had taken a sudden dip downwards and
-disappeared. The chamber had come to an end; we were
-caught.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We can kill three or four," said Mecsey quietly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At sight of us standing there the Russians set up
-a yell of triumph, waving their torches wildly; but we
-were not in their hands as yet.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Mecsey," I said, "do you hear me?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes, captain."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We've come to the end of our tether, and you must
-give yourself up. That's not advice, but an order from
-your officer. The Russians will treat you kindly; and
-when you are set free, carry news of me to the general
-and to Colonel Rakoczy."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Where are you going, captain?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"To Görgei or to death. I don't know which."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I am not to fight?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"No. Put your weapons down, and mine."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Russian officer must have seen this performance, as
-I heard him calling off his men; and though I had not
-intended to deceive him, his mistake gave me a little extra
-time. This I utilized to take off my boots, a proceeding
-which greatly interested Mecsey; and then the Russian
-leader approached us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You have made a plucky attempt," he said in
-German, "but the luck is against you. Now, you yield
-yourself prisoner, and we will return together like good
-friends."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was a nice fellow, that Russian officer, and I learned
-later that his courage equalled his generosity.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His German was far from good, but I understood him,
-and smiled.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then, with a last word of farewell to Mecsey and a
-friendly gesture to my courteous enemy, I jumped into
-the river, which disappeared beneath the rocks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Before striking the water I had filled my lungs with
-air, and it was well for me that I had done so.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was a strong swimmer, but strength could avail
-nothing in this desperate venture.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The waters seized and swept me along, whither I knew
-not. There was a roar of thunder in my ears; my lungs
-felt like bursting.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Once, and to my recollection only once, my head was
-above the water, and I took a good deep breath.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The black flood caught me again and rushed on,
-swirling and eddying, holding me helpless as an infant in its
-grasp. Then, when the agony became wellnigh
-insupportable, I was able to breathe again, and, to my
-astonishment, saw the blue sky above my head.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At this I tried to smile; but all was suddenly blotted
-out. Something seemed to take me under the shoulders,
-to give me a push forward, and after that I lost consciousness.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="the-last-blow">CHAPTER XXI.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">THE LAST BLOW.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">"What shall I do with this Russian, captain?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was Mecsey talking, Mecsey very wet and
-bedraggled, but prompt and soldier-like.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Russian!" I echoed, sitting up. "What Russian?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey pointed to a half-drowned figure at his feet, and
-I recognized the officer who had led the pursuit in the
-caverns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He followed us, then?" said I, in a tone of wonder,
-for I had not dreamed of any one being foolhardy enough
-to jump after me into that horrible pit.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We came together," replied Mecsey, nearly laughing.
-"He leaped at my throat as I went over the side, and
-only loosened his hold when we shot out from the
-mountain."</p>
-<p class="pnext">My faithful follower now helped me to rise, and
-once fairly on my feet, I felt very little the worse for
-the adventure.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With the Russian, however, things had gone much
-worse, and it took us the best part of half an hour to
-restore him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was very weak and dazed, but sensible; and pointing
-to his jacket, said, "Vodka."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I nodded in answer, and searching his pockets discovered
-a flask filled with spirits, of which he swallowed a mouthful,
-and by signs intimated that we should do the same.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was fiery stuff, and took away my breath; but Mecsey
-appeared to relish it, though it was very unusual for
-him to drink anything half so strong.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, the liquor was warming, and I thought it
-would be well, while its effect lasted, to take our new
-companion on with us, believing that the exercise would
-the better restore his circulation.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At first he leaned all his weight upon us, but gradually
-his steps became firmer, and before long he walked with
-very little assistance. Still, it was evident he could not go
-far, and this made the situation awkward.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Travelling at his pace I should not reach Görgei for
-days, when my information would be useless; yet I could
-not leave the brave fellow utterly alone in a strange land,
-where he would be far more likely to meet with enemies
-than friends.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey must stay with him. I could see no solution
-but that, and yet I had depended on Mecsey to guide me
-to Miskolcz.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, it had to be done; and at the first halt I
-explained the matter to the Russian.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It is very kind of you to think of me at all," he said.
-"I am grateful."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You seemed so very anxious for my society," I said,
-laughing, "that I am bound to take an interest in you;
-but, seriously, my man will remain to look after you. He
-is an honest fellow, and to be trusted. Of course, there is
-a chance of falling in with your own people. In that
-case, I trust you to do everything in your power to set
-him free."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I promise that willingly."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then I will say good-bye; it is possible we may not
-meet again."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I hope we shall, if only that I may have the chance
-to return your kindness. Will you not tell me your
-name?</p>
-<p class="pnext">"George Botskay."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And mine is Michael Popkoff."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I shall remember it; but now I must go. I am on
-special service; and since you have deprived me of my
-horse, I must do the journey on foot."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He laughed at that, and we parted very good friends.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey, of course, disliked the arrangement; but, as
-the only alternative was to leave the Russian to die, he
-loyally accepted the inevitable.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I left them there on the lonely mountain side, and set
-off resolutely with my face towards Miskolcz.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey believed this mountain stream which had so
-nearly cost us our lives flowed into the Sajo River; if so,
-I had but to walk along its bank--unless, indeed, it took
-another subterranean excursion, when it would lose my
-company.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It proceeded now with a rush and a rattle towards the
-plain, and its rocky course reminded me of my shoeless
-feet.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For a staff officer, I was in a pretty plight. My cap,
-of course, had gone; my feet were bare; I had flung off
-my attila with my weapons; and I was wringing wet.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The notebook was a mass of pulp, and so entirely useless
-that I threw it into the stream; but I had previously
-committed the most important facts to memory, so that
-its loss mattered little.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then my thoughts wandered to Mecsey and his
-companion, and I could not help laughing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My servant knew not a word of any language save
-Magyar; his companion, in addition to Russian, could only
-speak bad German, and I wondered how they would
-get on.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The ludicrousness of their position kept me merry for
-a long time; and when the stream, leaving the mountains
-behind, debouched into an open plain, the journey became
-much pleasanter.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was now growing desperately hungry, but even in this
-matter good fortune stood by me, as I had the luck to
-stumble against a zingari encampment.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The gipsies were wretchedly poor, their tents were
-patched and dirty, they themselves were clothed in rags
-and tatters, but they had a fire and a big round pot with
-something savoury in it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They did not wish to share their meal with me, and
-warned me off with scowling looks and surly words; but
-I was far too hungry to be got rid of so easily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">If they would not give me a dinner, I would buy one;
-and after a good deal of angry squabbling we made a
-bargain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The wrinkled old dame in charge of the cooking
-operations ladled out enough of the hot stew to fill a huge
-platter, in exchange for which I gave the head man of the
-party my gold-braided jacket.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Elsewhere it would have been a dear dinner, but under
-the circumstances I was quite content.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In addition, they told me that by following the stream
-I should certainly come up with the army before
-nightfall, which was very cheering news.</p>
-<p class="pnext">These poor folk were often on the verge of starvation
-themselves, and they showed no surprise at the ravenous
-way in which I gobbled up the plateful of food.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men sat about lazily and smoked; the women
-continued their labours; the naked children played their
-uncouth games without even a glance in my direction.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When the plate was empty, I rose to go, and no one
-even took the trouble to say good-day.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Lucky that Görgei is so near," I thought, "if every
-meal is to cost me a garment," for I was now reduced to
-a shirt and pair of trousers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, the hot food had set me up, and I walked
-rapidly, keeping a sharp lookout for any signs of my
-friends.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Afternoon had passed into evening, and darkness was
-falling, when an alert "Who goes there?" in Hungarian
-brought me to a halt.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A friend," I answered promptly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Advance, friend, and give the countersign."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Pass the word for your officer," I said. "I am
-Captain Botskay of General Görgei's staff."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Stand quite still. If you move an inch I'll shoot you."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I could not see the speaker, but his voice told me he
-was a man of his word, so I stood still.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Presently I heard the clatter of hoofs, and in a few
-minutes a party of horsemen rode up.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I guessed at once that the general was visiting the
-outposts, and it was no surprise to hear him calling, "Botskay,
-where are you? Come this way!--Bring a torch, some
-one. Quick!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">The light showed my strange attire, and the general, in
-spite of his genuine distress, could not forego his joke.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Ach, Botskay!" cried he good-humouredly, "I'm
-afraid we've disturbed you. Just going to bed, eh? Here,
-take this," and removing the bunda which lay across his
-saddle, he threw it over my shoulders.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Thanks, general," I replied gratefully. "That feels
-more comfortable."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Have you brought any information? Yes?--Szondi,
-lend Botskay your horse. He can tell me his news as we
-go back."</p>
-<p class="pnext">My brother-officer jumped down at once, and I mounted
-in his stead.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Now," said Görgei, as he and I rode in advance, "what
-have you learned?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">In reply I related how I had watched the march of the
-Russian army, and gave him the approximate numbers of
-their men, horses, and guns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He listened very attentively, put numerous questions,
-most of which I was able to answer, and appeared exceedingly
-thoughtful.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, well," he at last exclaimed, "we must do our
-best; but unless Dembinski joins us from the south, I
-don't see how we're to escape. Other three weeks, my
-boy, will see the end of it."</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was perfectly plain that the general's common-sense
-prevented him from hoping any longer, but he kept his
-knowledge to himself; and when, later on, we gathered
-round his table for an hour, he was the life and soul of
-the party.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Fortunately, my personal effects were in the camp,
-so that I was able to join the others properly dressed,
-though, of course, I had to endure much good-humoured
-raillery.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After supper we lingered for a half-hour's chat, and the
-general asked me to relate the story of my personal
-adventures.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the part where we abandoned the horses, Görgei
-exclaimed laughingly, "Now we are on the track, gentlemen.
-It seems to me that our friend has been hunted by
-wolves. First, he sacrifices the animals; then he empties
-his pistols; next, his servant gives up his life; then,
-one by one, he discards his garments to the ravening
-pack."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It's the wrong time of year for wolves, general."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Ach, so it is. Well, go on, Botskay. We're all
-wondering what it means."</p>
-<p class="pnext">As the story unfolded bit by bit, the fellows craned
-forward eagerly, being loud in their applause when I told
-how Mecsey and Popkoff followed me into the dark waters.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That Mecsey is a servant worth having," said Görgei;
-"and the Russian proved a very plucky fellow."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"His men showed the white feather, though," growled
-Mizvy, who always fastened on the seamy side of things.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I think I should have done the same," cried Szondi,
-with a laugh. "This underground travelling isn't much
-to my liking."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Some of these Muscovites would have been none the
-worse for a good bath," chimed in another fellow.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"But Mecsey Sándor and the Russian--what became of
-them?" inquired the general.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Oh, Mecsey saved my life;" and I told how the
-trusty fellow had dragged both Popkoff and myself from
-the river.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the idea of Mecsey and the Russian, neither of whom
-understood a word the other said, being left together,
-they all laughed heartily, being no less amused at my
-method of procuring a dinner.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, in spite of their fun, I knew they were very
-pleased at my safe return; and the general's "Well done,
-Botskay!" as I left his tent, was ample reward for what
-I had gone through.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Early the next morning we were again in retreat, and
-on the twenty-fifth of July crossed the Theiss at Poroszlo,
-after a sharp engagement with the Russian advanced
-guard, commanded by Prince Gortschakoff.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey had not yet returned, but his absence did not
-alarm me, as Colonel Popkoff was not in a condition to
-travel very fast.</p>
-<p class="pnext">During the retreat I had seen Rakoczy several times,
-and also Dobozy, who had recently been made major.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The former retained his joyous spirits, came up with a
-cheery smile after each misfortune, and professed to believe
-that before long we should gain a tremendous victory, and
-drive both Austrians and Russians out of the country.</p>
-<p class="pnext">All this was only for outside consumption, but Dobozy
-assured me that the colonel really had not the slightest
-hope of success. In fact, a general depression settled down
-on the army. The soldiers began to grumble and to ask why
-they were fighting. The old grievance broke out afresh,
-and men said openly it was a folly to sacrifice their lives
-for a cause in which they had no part.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They were not republicans, and if Görgei had had a free
-hand, all they wanted would have been granted long before.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Still, they trusted implicitly in their great leader, and if
-he told them to fight on, why, fight they would.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Occasionally we heard accounts of Bern's gallant exploits
-in Transylvania, where in the face of heavy odds he
-astounded his opponents both by his daring bravery and
-his military skill.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Yet we all felt that, whatever the result of the campaign
-in that quarter, it could have little effect on the real
-struggle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">If we could join our forces with those of Dembinski,
-there remained a chance of striking at the Austrian and
-Russian armies separately, but it was as difficult to join the
-Pole as to avoid the enemy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, Görgei persevered, and, leaving Nagy Sándor
-to cover the approach to Debreczin with 18,000 men,
-continued his march, hoping by a wide circuit to deceive the
-Russians and reach the fortress of Arad.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There, if anywhere, we should be joined by Dembinski;
-and if he could not or would not meet us, we could either
-surrender or die where we stood.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was, if I remember rightly, on the fourth morning
-after leaving the Theiss that the general sent me back in
-hot haste with a note for Nagy Sándor.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Another journey, Botskay?" cried Szondi, as I rode
-past. "Don't forget to bring your clothes back this time."</p>
-<p class="pnext">There was a hearty laugh at this from his comrades, and
-one said it would be easy to track me, were I missing, by
-looking for my abandoned garments.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Indeed many years went by before I heard the last of
-that unlucky incident.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I answered their chaff in the same strain, and rode off
-in good spirits, though sorry that the trusty Mecsey was
-not with me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Everything went well on the journey. There was no
-likelihood of meeting with the Russians, and my worst
-enemies were the bad roads.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At night I slept three or four hours in a peasant's hut,
-entering Debreczin about noon next day.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The city was in the greatest uproar. The people
-crowded the streets talking excitedly, and the word
-"Russians" was on the tongue of every speaker.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Being fairly well acquainted with the district, I expected
-to find Nagy Sándor posted on the sandhills about a mile
-from and covering the town.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had just cleared the city when a tremendous cannonade
-opened from the hills. It was Nagy Sándor's artillery
-showering grape and canister upon the enemy's advanced
-guard.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Spurring my horse vigorously I overtook the general,
-with several officers, riding to the scene of conflict.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He glanced at Görgei's note, thrust it into his pocket,
-told me to wait till the end of the battle, and dashed on to
-the hills where he had posted his masked battery.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Forty guns were belching forth canister and grape on
-the advancing Russians, who appeared to be taken by
-surprise.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They came on, however, in dense columns; but the iron
-hail was too much for them, and at last they went back
-beaten, amidst the cheers of our infantry massed behind
-the guns.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The advantage, however, did not remain with us long.
-Four heavy batteries, placed in good positions, replied
-to our guns, and a short time afterwards we saw the
-horse artillery galloping to the front.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The odds are too great," said the man next me
-savagely. "The enemy must have forty against our
-eighteen thousand, and we shall be beaten again."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We're getting well used to it," muttered his comrade,
-laughing harshly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Our fellows are sticking to their guns grandly for all
-that," I said; and indeed for several hours the cannonade
-continued without the Russians gaining a step.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Having no special duty to perform, I busied myself in
-attending to the wounded, for the enemy's fire was
-committing havoc in our ranks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Late in the afternoon I again found myself near the
-general, who had sent off all his aides-de-camp, when I
-saw a movement on our right which told me that the
-battle was lost.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Nagy Sándor saw it too, and his face grew black as
-night.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Paskewitch has brought up his reserves," he exclaimed,
-"and we have only a handful to oppose them. Well, we
-must do what we can."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He looked round for a messenger, and, seeing me, said,
-"Botskay, ride to the rear and tell Torot to bring up
-every man he has. You see that?" and he pointed to the
-Russian movement on our right.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I bowed, and rode off to find Torot.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Two infantry divisions, supported by four field-batteries,
-were preparing to attack us in our weakest place; while
-far away on the right a column of infantry and a division
-of cavalry were marching by a wide circuit towards the town.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As for us, every man except the reserve had been
-fighting for hours against overwhelming odds, and there was
-not one to be spared from his place.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With a heavy heart I told Torot what was happening,
-and glanced disconsolately at his small body of troops.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The Muscovites will swallow us up," said he cheerfully.
-"However, there's the order; so off we go."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I placed myself with the cavalry, and we moved out in
-good order from the shelter of the hills.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In the centre our guns maintained an equal conflict, but
-our right was terribly weakened, and incapable of resisting
-this fresh attack.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The poor fellows so sadly harassed greeted us with loud
-cheers, though really we could do little more than swell
-the number of dead and wounded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I do not know who led the cavalry charge, but he was a
-gallant fellow and deserved a better fate.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The nearest battery was our goal, and few of us that
-survived will ever forget that terrible ride.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was almost the last blow we were to strike in defence
-of our flag, though we did not know it then.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel pointed to the battery that was dealing out
-death to our comrades.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"My lads," he said simply, "it is for us to take those
-guns."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men shook their swords, answering by a savage cheer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The battle had got on their nerves. They were desperate,
-and cared nothing at all for the fact that three-fourths
-of us were going to meet death.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was the culminating point of the fight. All around
-rose the roar of the guns, the cheers and groans of the
-combatants, the tramp of rushing feet, the rattle of artillery.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A blaze of light on the left marked where a powder
-tumbrel had exploded. Yells of victory and defiance came
-from the same spot, but we rode on steadily with the fixed
-idea of capturing the guns in front of us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A decimated infantry regiment, going goodness knows
-where, paused to cheer us; but we sped onward, gathering
-speed at every stride--gathering such momentum that I
-doubt if we could have stopped.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The colonel was a horse's length in front, going straight
-for the battery, when the first crash came.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The shot tore holes through our ranks, and men shrieked
-with pain; but the survivors never drew rein, and in an
-instant our dead were left behind.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the second discharge the gallant colonel reeled to and
-fro in his saddle; but he kept his seat, though I knew he
-must be mortally wounded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Again the guns spoke, and this time both horse and man
-dropped; but I took our leader's place, and still we went on
-like a company of mad furies.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I dared not look behind, I dared not even think. I
-could only shake my sword and cry "Forward!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then we were in the midst of the guns, slashing at the
-artillerymen, who fought us till the very end.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But we did what we had been sent to do, and cheered
-exultingly as we emerged on the other side.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Alas! that cheer was the death-knell of many.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Whiz! whiz! sang the bullets as a battalion of
-infantry, hitherto hidden by a depression in the ground,
-sprang to their feet and poured volley after volley into us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Broken by our charge, disordered, panting, we waited a
-moment irresolutely, then tried to form up and return.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Only the maddest of madmen would have faced this
-fresh enemy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But the horror was not yet at an end.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As we rode back, a mere handful of wearied men, a
-dense mass of heavy cavalry barred our path.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Flight was impossible. There were but two
-alternatives--surrender or death.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Magyars chose the latter, and, gripping our swords
-firmly, we went straight at the grey-coated mass, and were
-instantly swallowed up.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There was no time for parrying of blows; we had to
-take our chance, and, cutting and thrusting, try to force a
-passage.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Follow me, my lads! follow me!" I shouted, as long
-as my voice held out, but before the end of the fight I was
-past speaking.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I do not know how many of us got through. My head
-was dizzy, my sight dim. I heard a babel of sounds
-without being able to distinguish one, and sat my horse only
-by mechanically gripping the pommel of my saddle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then a number of black figures surrounded me; and in
-the midst of this, to me, phantom army I swept on into
-the land of darkness.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="the-surrender">CHAPTER XXII.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">THE SURRENDER.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">It seemed perfectly natural that the first face to meet
-my waking senses should be that of Mecsey Sándor.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was lying on a bed in a little room, rather bare of
-furniture, but scrupulously clean, and my trusty servant
-stood looking at me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On seeing my open eyes, he placed himself at attention,
-made a rigid military salute, and said with all seriousness,
-"I am sorry to report, Captain Botskay, that the Russian
-officer left in my charge has been rescued by his friends."</p>
-<p class="pnext">At first I stared hard at him without understanding,
-then I broke into a hearty laugh that must have done me
-a world of good.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Hang the Russian officer!" I exclaimed; "tell me where
-I am and how I came here."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A few miles from Debreczin," Sándor answered gravely.
-"I found you in the town light-headed, charging a Russian
-battery that wasn't there."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Where's our army?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Sándor puckered his lips and blew; he could not have
-given a more significant answer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then it's all over?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Thereabout, unless Dembinski can reach Arad. Bern's
-troops have been broken into little bits at Hermanstadt,
-and Dembinski has been chased out of Szegedin."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I groaned at this, and closed my eyes.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"General Klapka has done well, though," Mecsey
-continued in his stolid way.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I opened my eyes again, saying, "Klapka is shut up in
-Comorn."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"So the Austrians thought till the general taught them
-better. The day you were being beaten at Debreczin he
-came out of the fortress, smashed the Austrians, chased
-them to Presburg, took a thousand prisoners, thirty pieces
-of cannon, and enough ammunition to last him a year."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well done, Klapka!" I cried delightedly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Of course it won't make any difference in the end,"
-said Mecsey composedly; and his words were like a douche
-of cold water.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Go away, you rascal!" I cried. "But no; tell me first
-what became of Dembinski after he was driven from
-Szegedin."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I don't know. Perhaps he's trying to join the general
-at Arad."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"If so, we still have a chance. Now help me to dress;
-we must find our way back to the army."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Not to-day," replied Mecsey, "nor to-morrow. The
-next day, perhaps, if you're stronger. Just at present,
-twenty miles in the saddle would leave you weaker than
-a child."</p>
-<p class="pnext">This was perfectly true, and I let Mecsey have his own
-way.</p>
-<p class="pnext">So for three days longer I lay in my comfortable bed,
-waited on by Mecsey and the good woman of the house,
-whose husband and two sons were in Görgei's army--at
-least she hoped so.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then, early in the morning of the fourth day, we set out
-to ride to Arad by a circuitous route, as the main road was
-barred by the Russians.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The people of the villages, who freely gave us food and
-shelter, were filled with strange rumours which totally
-contradicted one another.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At one place we heard that Kossuth was at Arad with
-Görgei; at the next it was believed he had fled into
-Turkey. Each man, I think, believed the report which
-best fitted in with his inclination.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At last we struck the trail of Görgei's army, and all our
-informants agreed that the fearful forced marches had told
-on the troops terribly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They were short of provisions and forage; the men
-were half-starved, the horses like skeletons.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This we learned from the villagers, while I knew for
-certain there could be but a small supply of ammunition.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then shock followed shock in quick succession.
-Dembinski, who had never tried to reach Arad at all, was
-totally defeated by the Austrians under the walls of
-Temesvar, which had held out against part of our forces
-for one hundred and seven days.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Following this came the news that Kossuth had resigned
-his office and fled, leaving Görgei to act as he thought
-proper.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That's a good dodge," said Mecsey. "Our general's
-bound to surrender unless he wants all his men slaughtered;
-and then everybody will throw mud at him--call him a
-traitor, very likely."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I laughed at this prophecy, little dreaming how my
-heart would ache at its fulfilment.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Long afterwards Rakoczy told me that my servant was
-far from being alone in his foresight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Many gallant officers thought the general should refuse
-to be made the figure-head, now that everything was in
-ruins; but Görgei was a true patriot. He thought of the
-welfare of his distracted country, and manfully threw
-himself into the breach.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He had sacrificed everything for his countrymen; now
-he was prepared to lose even their goodwill and esteem.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The chance had come too late. Paskewitch, with his
-two corps of veterans, was pressing on one side; General
-Luders barred the way into Transylvania; Görgei's old
-opponent, Schlick, at the head of the Austrian advanced
-guard, was hurrying from Temesvar to hem him in, and
-there was none to help.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On the twelfth of August he wrote a letter to the
-Russian general, offering to capitulate, and laid it before
-his chief officers, who sorrowfully acknowledged that
-nothing else could be done, unless they were willing to
-fight a battle which would be only a massacre.</p>
-<p class="pnext">These details were told me later by Rakoczy, for at the
-time of their happening I was riding with Mecsey over
-villanous by-roads to Arad, and only arrived on the
-morning of the thirteenth of August, the date fixed for
-the surrender.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey urged me to turn back at once; but although I
-could do no good, I determined to proceed to Vilagos,
-where the laying down of arms was to take place.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As it chanced, a robe which Mecsey had procured
-completely hid my uniform, and I was wearing a kalpag--a
-round fur cap ornamented by a white heron's plume.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Crowds of peasants swarmed in the country roads, while
-people of higher degree rode on horseback or in light
-latticed-side wagons to witness the mournful spectacle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">And it was mournful in the extreme.</p>
-<p class="pnext">To a high-spirited nation this blow was almost worse
-than death.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Hardly a word was spoken among all the sad company.
-Women wept, strong men bowed their heads and shuffled
-along like felons. Even I, who loved Görgei, felt a spasm
-of indignation that he had not chosen to sacrifice his
-country rather than consent to such humiliation.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Yet the sight of his broken army showed he could have
-done nothing else.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Ragged, shoeless, half-starved, without ammunition,
-exhausted by hundreds of miles of terrible marching, hemmed
-in on all sides by the victorious enemy, what could these
-brave fellows have done?</p>
-<p class="pnext">There was only one answer, which came from a woman--hardly
-more than a girl, in fact--who stood near me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They should have died!" she cried passionately. "I
-have a brother and a sweetheart over there, and I would
-willingly have lost them to spare our country such disgrace."</p>
-<p class="pnext">A murmur of applause arose from the bystanders, and
-when one--an old man who had seen many years and
-much sorrow--ventured to object, I thought the crowd
-would have torn him in pieces.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The disputes, the endless squabbles, the different aims of
-the insurgents, the bitter enmity between the national
-party and the republicans, were all forgotten in this sad
-hour.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"O land of the Magyars! land of the Magyars! that
-it should ever come to this!" cried another woman in
-heart-breaking accents. "I would give husband, father,
-brother, sons, everything to wipe out this eternal shame
-from my native land!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And cry your eyes out for them afterwards!"
-exclaimed Mecsey roughly. "What good will twenty
-thousand dead men do Hungary? Let them live, woman, and
-bide their time. The turn of the black and yellow dogs
-will come."</p>
-<p class="pnext">This plain talk would have provoked disorder; but just
-then our attention was distracted by the sight of Görgei
-riding alone to meet the Russian general.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was simply dressed, the only bit of colour being the
-collar of gold braid attached to his brown blouse. His
-heavy riding-boots reached above the knee, and he wore a
-round black hat, with a waving white feather.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The staff followed, conspicuous in short green attilas,
-with heavy gold trimmings, and with herons' plumes in
-their hats.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Russian leader, similarly accompanied, advanced
-from his lines, and we watched the two generals exchange
-hand-clasps.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I sat my horse and gazed spellbound while they talked,
-pitying the chivalrous Görgei from my heart.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Meanwhile, the Hungarian troops were still marching to
-their appointed places, while the Russian army stood in
-two long lines on the plain of Vilagos.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The conference between the leaders ceased; they returned
-to their posts, and we waited impatiently for the end.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At length all was ready. The Magyars were drawn up
-in two lines opposite their Muscovite foes--the infantry in
-the first, with the cavalry on the wings; the artillery in
-the second.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Once again Görgei and his staff rode to the front, where
-the Russian generals met them.</p>
-<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 62%" id="figure-36">
-<span id="gorgei-and-his-staff-rode-to-the-front-where-the-russian-generals-met-them"></span><img class="align-center" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-338.jpg" />
-<div class="caption figure">
-"<em class="italics">Görgei and his staff rode to the front, where the Russian generals met them.</em>" Page 338]</div>
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">The two leaders saluted, and then along the whole line
-sounded the beating of drums.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My eyes ached, my brain grew dizzy, my heart throbbed
-violently as I strained forward, eagerly watching.</p>
-<p class="pnext">That rolling of drums was the death-knell of all our
-hopes.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At its signal the Russians presented arms, proudly but
-not vaingloriously, and then--</p>
-<p class="pnext">There was a low wail, a cry of despair from the
-spectators, an outburst of grief such as I had never heard,
-shall never hear again.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Strong men shook with grief, women sobbed as if their
-hearts were broken, as our gallant infantry laid their
-useless weapons on the ground, the cavalry on their saddles.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As for me, I crouched low, hiding my face in my horse's
-mane.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I have known much of happiness since then, but no joy
-has ever effaced the impression made on that sorrowful day.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Even now, as I sit dreaming many years after the event,
-the picture rises before me fresh as ever.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With eyes open or shut, I see as in reality the pyramids
-of muskets; the cannon drawn close together, and without
-gunners; the dismounted cavalry, with their swords on the
-pommels of their saddles; the loved flags and standards,
-that had fluttered so proudly on many battlefields, lying
-in the dust.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I see the glorious red, white, and green stripes dirty
-and in rags, and think of the one that wraps all that
-remains of my gallant brother. I see the thousands of
-brave men who have fought and bled for Hungary, now
-disarmed and impotent, but still undaunted even in that
-hour of bitterness.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then again the rolling of drums pierces my ears, and I
-see the breaking of the ranks as the men, under strong
-escorts, are marched off to their various destinations.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I hear, too, the first whisper, which afterwards swelled
-into a loud roar, that Görgei is a traitor, and has sold his
-country to the Russians. My ears burn like fire, and I
-blush for my countrymen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It is not given to us to probe the secrets of the human
-heart, and I was absent from my general in the latter days;
-but I had marched with him, toiled with him, fought at
-his side, seen him go again and again to almost certain
-death, in order to rally his failing soldiers, and I judge a
-man by his actions.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But my dreams run away with me. I must return to
-that sorrowful evening of August 13, when Mecsey, plucking
-at my sleeve, brought me back to real life.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It's all over," he said brusquely; "and now that the
-prey is secured, the Austrian jackal will come to pick the
-bones."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The Austrians will not dare," I began; but he stopped
-me with a mirthless laugh.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Görgei has saved the army at the expense of the officers,"
-he said. "There will be a fine feast of death before long."</p>
-<p class="pnext">These words added to my misery, for I thought of my
-light-hearted friend Rakoczy, and wondered if he would be
-counted amongst the victims.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I expressed my fears to Mecsey, who promptly proposed
-that we should discover where the colonel had been taken.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This, however, was more easily said than done, as we
-soon found.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Russian troops in charge of their prisoners were marching
-in all directions, and it was impossible to scan them all.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We went about hither and thither, asking questions of
-the crowd to little purpose; but at length we had the good
-fortune to meet with a number of soldiers belonging to
-the 9th Honveds, who had slipped from the ranks at the
-very moment of surrender.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They were all looking miserable and dejected; but one,
-catching sight of me, ran up eagerly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"From the colonel, sir," he cried joyfully; "though
-neither of us ever expected I should have the luck to meet
-you."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He took a folded paper from his pocket, and I pounced
-on it quickly. Here, no doubt, was the very information
-we sought; but in this I was disappointed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The dear, unselfish fellow, indifferent to his own fate,
-had used the last moments of his freedom to send me a
-warning.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Look out for yourself," the note ran; "your name
-alone will get you into trouble. Give Gyula [that was
-my home] a wide berth till the wolves are gorged.--J.R."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Not a word either of hope or fear for himself; all his
-cares were for me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">That was just like "John the Joyous," and my eyes were
-dim as I placed the paper in my pocket.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The faded characters, barely legible now, meet my eyes
-as I write; for that scrap of soiled paper remains one of my
-most sacred treasures, and it lies in a little golden casket
-on my desk.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Have you found him, captain?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">The speaker was Mecsey, and when I shook my head
-sadly he immediately began to question the soldiers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here, again, we were at fault. No one really knew
-where the colonel was, some asserting he had been taken
-to Gros-Wardein with Görgei, others saying he had gone
-south with his regiment to Nagy Kikinda.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We spent another hour in questioning various men who
-had escaped from Vilagos, but could gain no news of the
-colonel, though several stated positively that the 9th
-Honveds had marched southward under a strong escort.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then I held council with Mecsey, and we decided to
-separate, he to reconnoitre Gros-Wardein, while I followed
-my old regiment. At the end of a week we were to meet
-again at Arad, by which time it was likely that one of us
-would have discovered my missing friend.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Good-bye, captain," said Mecsey, grasping the hand I
-held out to him, "and take the colonel's advice. It's easier
-to get into an Austrian prison than out of one."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"All right, my trusty fellow; I shall keep my eyes open,
-though I'm not tall enough for the Austrians to cut down."</p>
-<p class="pnext">So we parted, guessing little of the events which would
-happen before we met again.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Night was fast closing in by now, and in the darkness
-I missed the bridge over the Maros River, which made me
-lose nearly two hours, and prevented me from striking the
-trail of the 9th Honveds.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, I found the bridge at last, and, crossing to
-the other side, pursued my way at hap-hazard as long as
-my horse could keep going; then I sat down by the
-roadside and waited for the morning.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At sunrise I started again, leading the animal by its
-bridle, until a lucky chance brought me to a village.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was a small place, containing not more than twenty
-houses at the outside; but it boasted an inn, where I might
-haply procure food for myself and horse.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Four men dressed in peasants' clothes, but having a
-distinctly military bearing, sat on the "word-bearer"--the
-bench placed against the wall of most Hungarian country
-houses--gossiping. At sight of my uniform (for I had
-unfastened my mantle) they sprang to their feet and
-approached me with bare heads.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My suspicions were at once verified, and I exclaimed,
-"You have done well, my lads. A free Magyar is worth
-more than an imprisoned one. Only, should the Austrians
-pass through, slouch your shoulders and stoop a little; you
-bear the marks of the drill-sergeant too plainly."</p>
-<p class="pnext">They smiled at one another, and one taking my horse led
-it through the courtyard into the stable behind the inn.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Another spoke my name, and though I could not remember
-their features, they claimed to belong to the old
-regiment.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He who had attended to my horse was the keeper of
-the inn, which he now respectfully invited me to enter.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Bidding the others come too, I questioned them concerning
-their colonel, while the hostess prepared a meal.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Fate was, perhaps, against me, for they could tell little
-beyond what I already knew.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The 9th Honveds had passed through in the night
-without a halt, and all the country round was covered
-with our disarmed troops marching to prison in charge of
-their Russian captors.</p>
-<p class="pnext">All this they told me eagerly; but as to Colonel Rakoczy
-they could tell nothing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Naturally I was much disappointed; but comforting
-myself with the thought that I was at least on the track of
-the regiment, I made a hearty breakfast, took a look at
-my horse, and having sent the men to act as sentries, lay
-down for a couple of hours' sleep.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the end of that time my host wakened me, and I
-rose, greatly refreshed by the brief rest.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My horse, too, was all the better for its food and grooming;
-and I mounted quite gaily, having first thanked the
-keeper of the inn for his kindness.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Take care you don't run against the Austrians, captain,"
-the man answered. "From what I hear, their cavalry can't
-be far off."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"All right, my good fellow; though they aren't likely
-to interfere with me."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The innkeeper shook his head. He had little faith in
-the mercy of the Austrians.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The other men now came to say a word in parting, and
-then I rode slowly past the little gabled, whitewashed
-houses, and so again into the open country.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was a glorious day, and under other circumstances
-I should have enjoyed the ride immensely; but my good
-spirits sank at thought of Görgei's surrender, and of John
-Rakoczy's personal danger.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Everywhere the people whom I met or overtook were
-ready to answer my questions; but the day ended
-without my having seen any sign of the 9th Honveds.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From time to time, however, it was told me that the
-Russians were in the neighbourhood; so towards night I
-went warily, not wishing to be taken prisoner.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Between nine and ten o'clock I entered the street of
-another village, and pulled up at the inn--the only house
-that showed a light.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A huge hound lying in the courtyard barked violently,
-the noise bringing out several men, who eyed me with
-suspicion.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Inquiring in sharp tones for the landlord, I ordered him
-to take my horse to the stables, and without paying any
-attention to the others entered the kitchen of the inn.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men followed closely, and by the light of the
-candles I was able to see the kind of company I had got
-amongst.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There were six of them altogether, each wearing a
-cuirass and armed with a pair of pistols; while the room
-was littered with sharp lances and loaded hatchets.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fellows stood looking at me with broad grins, as if
-amused at my surprise; while I, on the other hand, had
-more than a passing doubt as to what might be the upshot
-of this adventure.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It would be rather a melancholy end to my campaigning
-if I were knocked on the head by these "poor lads,"
-as the country folk called the bandits, whose profession
-my new companions evidently followed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Thinking the sight of my uniform might inspire
-respect, I unfastened my mantle carelessly; and, as I had
-half expected, the men at once assumed a respectful
-bearing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"An officer of the staff who has escaped from the
-Russians!" cried one. "We must tell the chief."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Where is he?" I asked.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"At supper in the inner room, my master."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then tell him Captain Botskay will be pleased to bear
-him company."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The man knocked at the door separating the kitchen
-from the next apartment, held a conversation with some
-one inside, and returned to say that Batori Gabor would
-be happy to give me greeting.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="count-beula-dislikes-hanging">CHAPTER XXIII.</p>
-<p class="center medium pnext"><em class="italics">COUNT BEULA DISLIKES HANGING.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">Batori Gabor stood at the door of the inner room,
-and with the instinctive courtesy of the Magyar
-bade me welcome.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This famous brigand, who for years had lived an outlaw's
-life, was tall and strongly built, with massive limbs
-and deep, capacious chest. His face was bronzed and
-rugged; his black hair hung in curls over his shoulders;
-his eyes were dark, fiery, and searching.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He had laid aside his steel cuirass; but a brace of
-pistols peeped from his richly-ornamented girdle, and I
-doubted not they were both loaded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The Austrians overload me with favours," he exclaimed
-laughingly. "You are the second guest I am indebted
-to them for.--Count, I think you said Captain Botskay
-was an acquaintance of yours?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Hitherto I had not noticed that Batori Gabor had a
-companion in the room; now I saw a man in military
-uniform sitting at the table.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the outlaw's words he rose, and, turning toward me,
-showed the blue eyes and handsome, cynical features of
-Count Beula.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"This is a surprise, count," I said coldly. "I thought
-a clever man like yourself would by now be over the
-border with Kossuth."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"How strange!" he answered lightly. "I concluded you
-had found refuge with Görgei's Russian friends."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yet you are both with Batori Gabor," broke in the
-brigand cheerfully; "which is stranger still, since a month
-ago either of you would have had him shot like a dog."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Not I, my dear Gabor," murmured Beula sweetly. "I
-appreciate your courage too much."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And my knowledge of the country," added Gabor slyly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, yes. I think that may be turned to very good
-account, till Haynau has grown tired of his butcher's
-knife."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Which will not be soon. We are, however, keeping
-Captain Botskay from his supper--an unpardonable
-offence."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Opening the door, he ordered an extra knife and fork.
-Then he invited me to sit, saying, "The table's rather
-crowded, captain; but we have all our courses laid at
-once. It isn't a banquet, but you'll find it better than
-black bread and bacon. Help yourself. I can recommend
-the salmon, because one of my fellows caught it
-this evening. I fancy the veal has done a breadth or
-two of ploughing in its time; but the chicken's tender."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The outlaw certainly proved a most attentive and courteous
-host, and enlivened the meal by relating some of the
-most humorous and inoffensive of his adventures.</p>
-<p class="pnext">During the war he had turned patriot, and had really
-done the enemy a great deal of mischief by cutting off
-convoys and intercepting mounted messengers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After supper he went to give his orders for the night;
-and I, not caring to remain alone with Count Beula,
-borrowed a lantern, and strolled out to the shed which served
-as a stable.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There were nine or ten horses in the place, and I noticed
-that saddles and bridles were all hung so that they might
-readily be got at.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My own animal had received an ample allowance of
-food, and, after a night's rest, would, I reckoned, be in
-capital trim.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I might have stayed longer to get a better look at the
-robbers' horses, but the big dog sniffed so longingly at my
-legs that I thought it best to remove temptation from his
-path.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Batori Gabor returned at the same time, and one of the
-band brought in some wine of a quality rarely found
-outside a nobleman's house.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Been to look at your horse, captain?" he asked.
-"Sensible that, seeing you may have to trust your life to
-its speed.--Well, count, I think we may reckon on a quiet
-night. Andras has returned, and says the Austrians are
-sound asleep.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I should feel easier if we were twenty miles farther
-on," answered the count.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"So should I, for that matter; but the horses were
-bound to have a long rest. Meanwhile we may as well
-make ourselves comfortable.--Captain Botskay, a glass of
-wine? By the way, you have not yet told us how you
-come to be in this part of the country. I should fancy
-this a very unhealthy spot for persons of your habits of
-life," and he laughed at his little joke quite pleasantly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The tale will not take long in telling," I said. "The
-general sent me to Nagy Sándor at Debreczin, where I had
-a nasty knock which laid me up for several days. Then I
-followed the army, arriving at Vilagos just in time to see
-the surrender."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"But after that?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I started for Nagy Kikinda, where they say the 9th
-Honveds have been taken."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Looking for Rakoczy?" asked the count, and I nodded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You wouldn't guess what a hero our friend is," remarked
-the count to Batori Gabor. "He is actually risking
-his life on the chance of finding out what has become
-of John Rakoczy, colonel of the 9th Honveds."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then you're a very gallant fellow, Captain Botskay,"
-said the outlaw; "though I must stop you from playing
-such a mad prank. Do you know that every road in
-your path is barred by Austrian troops? You cannot
-possibly get past them; and if you could, the journey
-would be useless."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Still, I intend trying."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Batori Gabor shrugged his shoulders. The count
-laughed in the sneering manner which always made me
-anxious to pitch him out of the window.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You must be fonder of a hempen rope than I," he said;
-"but perhaps your name isn't on the proscribed list?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I don't know."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, mine is."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And mine," laughed Gabor. "It's been there for
-years. It doesn't hurt me in the least. I look on it as
-an honour."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Every man to his taste," said the count. "I have no
-fancy to die in a hempen collar. I am no coward, but
-the thought of being hanged like a dog by these Austrian
-butchers puts me in a bath of perspiration."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You came pretty near it yesterday."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The count shuddered.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Don't," said he; "it gives me an ague fit to think of it."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I pointed out that he was probably alarming himself
-without reason, as the Austrians were not likely to do
-more than put him in prison for a few months.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Batori shook his head.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You're wrong there, captain," cried he. "The count
-and I row in the same boat, and capture means death.
-We are to be strung up to the nearest tree or beam
-capable of bearing our weight by those who catch us. The
-very notion of it puts the count into a flutter."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now I had once thought Count Beula a coward, and
-had been obliged to own my mistake; yet at this talk of
-Austrian vengeance his face became white, and he trembled
-like a leaf. He tried to laugh it off, saying that
-Görgei was in the right of it, surrendering to the Russians.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He would have done a sharper thing by slipping into
-Turkey with Kossuth and his friends," I made answer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There you are," exclaimed our bandit friend. "That's
-what lost the war before it began. Two sets of leaders,
-and two objects to fight for; why, it's worse than having
-two captains over one band. However, it's done now, and
-not worth quarrelling about. We have to save our
-heads--a far more important matter."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I am going to look for Colonel Rakoczy in the
-morning."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Are you? Well, excuse the plain speech, captain--you're
-a fool. The exercise of my profession has made
-me acquainted with this part of the country, and even
-I could not venture a mile southward without being
-captured. The Austrians are stopping every pass and blocking
-every hole; they think Kossuth is still in the district.
-Why, but for me, our friend here would at this very
-moment be swinging in the wind, and, at the best, we half
-foundered our horses in getting him away. However,
-they are recovering, and to-morrow night will see us safe.
-You'd better join us, and wait your chance."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You may spare your breath," sneered Count Beula.
-"He'll go his own way in the end. He comes of an
-obstinate race."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, well, we'll give him the chance to ride with us,"
-replied Batori. "If he prefers being killed, that's his
-affair. Now I'm going to sleep for an hour, and advise
-you to do the same."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He lay down in a corner of the room, pulled his cloak
-round him, and in less than two minutes was sleeping
-soundly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Behold!" exclaimed the count, laughing in his detestable
-manner, "the beauty of possessing an easy conscience."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I made no reply, being engaged in wrapping myself up;
-and apparently no reply was expected.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The count was evidently in a state of great anxiety,
-and several times during our brief rest wakened me by
-passing into the next room, as if he went to see that
-all was right.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I could not understand the man. He was so different
-from the Count Beula who had displayed such gallantry
-at the storming of Buda. In the breach no danger
-had unnerved him; here he blenched at the hint of
-it, and I attributed the difference to his dread of being
-hanged.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, in spite of his restlessness, I managed at last
-to fall into a sound sleep, and was dreaming that Rakoczy
-and I were safe at Gyula, when some one pulled me
-roughly to my feet.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The candles had burned out, but the dawn was stealing
-through the one little window, and by its light I
-recognized Batori Gabor. His face was flushed and excited;
-he had put on his cap and cuirass, had buckled on his
-sword, and was equally ready to fight or fly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Quick!" cried he, not in panic, but in such tones as
-you might expect from a man accustomed to carry his life
-in his hands. "To the stables! The Austrians are out!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">I looked for the count. He had already disappeared.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Picking up my mantle, I ran into the kitchen. It was
-empty, save for the frightened innkeeper and his wife, who
-stood half-dressed, wringing their hands and shivering.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was rushing to the door when the man, as if in
-desperation, seized a piece of rope which lay in the corner
-and flung himself before me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Thinking he meant mischief, I touched my sword; but
-his action was the effect of fear.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"My lord," he cried, "we shall be murdered. Have
-mercy, for the sake of Heaven, and bind us. Then they
-will know that we harboured the 'poor lads' unwillingly."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You have a kind face, my sweet master," added the
-trembling woman; "may your heart match it."</p>
-<p class="pnext">I thought the proposed stratagem a clumsy one; but the
-poor people were in such deadly earnest that I took the
-rope and proceeded to tie the woman.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In the midst of it the door was flung open violently,
-and quick as thought I drew my pistol and covered the
-intruder.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was the outlaw, who had come to seek me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well," cried he; "of all the fools!" Then, checking
-himself, he got another coil of rope and bound the
-inn-keeper deftly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"One makes more," said he, finishing as soon as I.
-"Come on. There's no time for philanthropy. The men
-are howling with impatience, and Count Beula's nearly off
-his head."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The band was mounted, and one of them at his leader's
-command had saddled my horse.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They looked a rough set with their lances and loaded
-axes and lassos, which they carried before them on their
-saddles.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The chief sprang into his seat; I followed suit, and off
-we went--Count Beula well to the fore.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I looked down the road, expecting to see the Austrians;
-but, thanks to Batori's sentries, we had fully two minutes'
-start before they appeared.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There were perhaps fifty of them, and they rode like
-men secure of their prey; but our horses were fresh, and,
-being all picked animals, easily increased their lead.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A pistol shot or two came singing after us, but without
-doing mischief, and Batori laughed derisively at the enemy's
-efforts.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Take it easy, my lads," he shouted. "Those old screws
-wouldn't catch us between this and Debreczin, if we
-walked all the way."</p>
-<p class="pnext">This, of course, was not exactly correct; but there
-could be little doubt that, by putting our animals to their
-utmost speed, we could shake off our pursuers at almost
-any time.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Even Beula noticed this, and, though his face was still
-pale, he dropped back to us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Another miss of the halter, count," cried the brigand
-cheerfully; "you're in luck's way. But I'll tell you what
-it is--you set my men a very bad example;" and I fancied
-there was a note of anger in his voice.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The count shook off his strange fear for a moment,
-saying with some of his old jauntiness, "They are more
-familiar with the noose than I."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Bah!" cried the robber in disgust; "if you had not
-gained praise from Bern, I should say you were a rank
-coward."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"As a bandit, perhaps I am," he replied; a remark at
-which Batori, instead of showing anger, only laughed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">That Count Beula could on occasion be brave as a lion
-I already knew, and he was yet to give me another proof.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were, as I have said, distancing the cavalry in our
-rear, when a loud shout proclaimed a new and more serious
-danger.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Austrians, by dividing their forces, had cleverly
-placed us between two fires.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A second body, instead of entering the village, had
-worked round to the right, and now debouched into the
-road in front of us; while their comrades, who had
-purposely held their horses back, dashed up at full speed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The robber chief took in the situation at a glance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Trapped!" said he; "and in the very worst place.
-Smart fellow, that Austrian."</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the certainty of a desperate fight Count Beula lost
-his paleness. His face glowed with healthy excitement;
-he looked round on the band of brigands as if he were
-leading a regiment.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the first sight of the enemy we had, almost without
-thinking, slackened our pace, and now Batori halted us
-altogether.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Riding to the front, he turned to his men.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"My lads," said he, "we're in a hole; but it isn't the
-first. You know what happens on these occasions. Those
-who get out will ride with me again; those who don't--" And
-he concluded with a pantomimic gesture which made
-Beula shudder.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Elijen Batori!" shouted the bandits, and their leader
-smiled.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Austrians in the rear were spurring hard; but we
-took no notice of them, our attention being fixed on those
-in front. Could we break them?</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had taken part in more than one cavalry charge
-against long odds, and to me the feat seemed impossible.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Batori, however, showed little anxiety; while his men
-were almost as cool as he was.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Sword in hand, Count Beula took his place on the right
-of the leader; I rode at his left.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There were no unnecessary orders. Every man knew
-he had to pierce that body of cavalry somehow, or be
-hanged to the nearest tree; and if the knowledge did not
-bring true courage, it at least sent every one into the fight
-with a determination to get through.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The bandits couched their lances, and dug their spurs
-deeply into the horses' sides. Batori, who was evidently
-a superb horseman, rode without using the reins, having a
-sword in one hand and a loaded pistol in the other.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Austrians bided their time; and, as we drew nearer,
-it flashed into my mind that their leader, who, but for a
-terrible scar across his face, would have been a handsome
-man, was none other than my old opponent, Von Theyer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There was likely to be a very short shrift for me if
-I fell into his hands; and, unfortunately, my uniform
-rendered me conspicuous. However, I had little time to
-think about what might happen; I was too much engaged
-in what was happening.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Count Beula struck the enemy first, and, but for a shot
-from Batori's pistol, that moment would have ended his
-career. I wished later it had.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Crash we went into the midst of them, the long lances
-boring a passage for their owners.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Von Theyer made a dash at me, but was thrown back;
-and we did not get within sword-arm of each other during
-the fight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Still, I had ample work without troubling the Austrian
-leader, as several hussars, attracted no doubt by my
-uniform, made a desperate attempt to hem me in.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A loud cry announced that one man had got through.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was Batori; but he dashed back into the <em class="italics">mêlée</em> in
-order to rescue a wounded follower.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His men, raised to the highest pitch of enthusiasm by
-this sight, shook their opponents off and spurred to the
-spot.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A young Austrian officer--a sublieutenant, I judged--rode
-at me furiously, leaving me barely time to parry
-his stroke.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Turning, he came again, when a terrific blow from
-a loaded hatchet brought his horse to the ground--dead.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The youngster scrambled to his feet and attacked his
-new enemy; but the bandit pushed on to join his leader,
-and I followed with Count Beula.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We two were the last to leave the press, and the
-Austrians were hot on our heels.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Von Theyer led the van, though he had been badly
-wounded, and his face was covered with blood.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now that the brunt of the fight was over, my companion
-seemed again to fall under the spell of his strange
-fear, being blind to everything except escaping.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He spurred his horse cruelly, until the animal, maddened
-by pain, darted ahead, and I was left alone.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Von Theyer, yards in advance of his hussars, galloped
-on; and I heard him shouting, but could not distinguish
-the words.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Fortunately, my pistols were still loaded, and, drawing
-one from the holster, I turned in my saddle and fired.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Von Theyer was not hit; but his gallant horse,
-staggering forward a dozen paces, reeled and fell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The hussars stayed to extricate their leader, and the
-delay gave me a little breathing space.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Once again I wheeled and rode on in pursuit of Count
-Beula, while a shot from a carbine whistled past my
-head.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Two others followed in quick succession, doing no
-harm--at least, that was my impression.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rather strangely though, it appeared to me that the
-count was slackening speed, and soon I became certain
-of it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The distance between us decreased. I was catching him
-up hand over hand; the thing was amazing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I hoped at first his manhood had come back to him, and
-that he waited purposely for me; but soon I recognized
-the truth.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One of the shots intended for me had struck his horse
-in the haunches, and the poor animal, losing blood at every
-stride, was growing feebler each succeeding moment.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The bandits--at least those who survived--were a little
-ahead of us; the pursuers were closing up again; my
-companion was doomed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He knew it too. His face had become ashy grey, his
-eyes were wild and staring; the Count Beula of the
-breach and the battlefield had disappeared.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They will hang me, Botskay," he wailed--"hang me
-like a common thief on the roadside."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The terror of the hempen noose, about which Batori had
-chaffed him, had affected his brain--upset his balance, so
-to speak. I can give no other explanation of his strange
-behaviour or of what happened immediately afterwards.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Batori, looking back, waved his arm to bid us ride
-faster; but Beula's horse was totally exhausted, and with
-one last ineffectual stagger forward it rolled over,
-entangling its rider in the reins.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A shout from the Austrians greeted this downfall, and
-the count's white face looked up appealingly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"They will hang me, Botskay!" he cried, and I regarded
-the cry as one for help.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Austrians were close upon us. There was barely
-time even to set him free; and what then?</p>
-<p class="pnext">Was I to die because the man I hated asked an impossible thing?</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was monstrous; it was out of all reason. I would
-push on and save my own life. Count Beula had no claim
-on me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The struggle was keen and full of bitter anguish, but it
-was over in a second; the next I had slipped to the
-ground and was tugging at the fallen man.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="the-end-of-count-beula">CHAPTER XXIV.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">THE END OF COUNT BEULA.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">You who have read my story know that from the very
-beginning I disliked this Count Beula; and the
-death of my gallant brother, which rightly or wrongly I
-laid at his door, changed my dislike into downright hatred.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Yet throughout this narrative I have, I trust, never
-shown myself unfair to him. I have told freely how Bern,
-himself the most reckless of fighters, had praised his
-courage, and in my account of the storming of Buda I made
-no attempt to hide his gallantry. Even in this last fight
-I have mentioned how bravely he rode at the Austrian
-hussars, and how the glow of health had returned to his
-cheeks as he bared his weapon for the fray.</p>
-<p class="pnext">No, I am fully persuaded in my own mind that Count
-Beula did not fear death, but only the manner of it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Leading or repelling a desperate charge, cheering his
-men to the deadly breach, or hurling the enemy from the
-ramparts of an assaulted town, he would have met death
-cheerfully and without flinching.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here, on this lonely road, he was not even a soldier.
-The Austrians regarded him merely as a plotter, an
-accomplice of the conspirators in Vienna, an instigator of Count
-Latour's murder, the boon companion of a brigand whose
-life was forfeit even to Hungarian laws.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Thus the fiat had gone forth that Count Beula, the
-representative of a noble family, the head of a house
-celebrated long before the days of Arpad, was to be taken and
-hanged straightway like the vilest malefactor in the land.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The very thought of this terrible disgrace had, as he
-admitted, unnerved him; its imminent approach drove him
-crazy. This, I am fully convinced, was the real reason
-for his astounding conduct.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The robbers were by this time too far off to render
-any aid, though several glanced over their shoulders to see
-what was happening. The hussars had got very close to us.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My horse quivered with excitement, but did not move
-while I, after several attempts, set the count free.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Exactly what was to be done I had not determined,
-though it occurred to me that my animal must carry
-double, or that while Beula rode I must hang on by the
-stirrups.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In either case, no doubt, I should have been killed or
-taken prisoner; but the count solved the difficulty in his
-own way. He looked a strange object as he sprang to his
-feet. Blood from a wound in the head trickled down his
-ashy-grey cheeks; his blue eyes stared wildly; he seemed
-like a man possessed, as I really believe he was.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He glanced at the approaching Austrians and shuddered;
-then, without a word of warning, he leaped into my saddle
-and was gone.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It all happened so suddenly that I stood dumfounded.
-That one of my race and nation could be guilty of such
-black treachery had never entered my head.</p>
-<p class="pnext" id="id2">Wild, unreasoning anger succeeded stupor, and I shook
-my sword at the retreating figure; then anger yielded to pity.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Poor fellow! When the cloud had passed from his
-mind, what would life be worth to him, even if the story
-of his cowardice were never made known?</p>
-<p class="pnext">What misery each recurring day would bring, as he
-thought of the terrible price he had paid for his
-life--manhood, honour, chivalry, all irretrievably lost in that
-one mad moment!</p>
-<p class="pnext">For the count's own sake I almost wished that a shot
-from the enemy would bring him down.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Had I been able to look into the future, the half-wish
-would have changed into a whole-hearted prayer.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But apparently luck was with the count. My horse,
-having recovered his wind, bore him gallantly, gaining at
-every stride upon the last of the robbers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">All this takes long in the telling; in reality it lasted
-but a little time, though to me it seemed an age.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With Count Beula and my horse had vanished every
-hope of escape.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Flight was impossible, and how could I stand against a
-hundred hussars?</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then I remembered Von Theyer, and gnashed my teeth
-at the thought of how he would gloat over my capture.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Would he kill me? It was likely enough, since I had
-been found in company with a notorious outlaw, and not
-many questions are asked concerning the victims of an
-unsuccessful revolution.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The bandits had disappeared, and I was standing beside
-the body of the count's dead horse when the leading hussars
-galloped up.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Von Theyer was not amongst them, I saw at a glance,
-and smiled.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The leader was the young sublieutenant who had
-attacked me so furiously in the fight.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He had mounted a fresh horse, but his sword was
-sheathed, and he looked at me quite good-naturedly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You must surrender!" cried he genially. "You have
-made a good fight, but the odds are against you. One
-man, though a Magyar, cannot overthrow a hundred."</p>
-<p class="pnext">He spoke in German, and I replied in the same tongue,
-giving him my sword, and acknowledging myself his
-prisoner.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Just then Von Theyer arrived, and with a savage scowl
-exclaimed harshly,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Tie that fellow up. Make sure of him, Ober, and put
-him on your horse. If he gets away, you'll swing in his
-place."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Ober, a spare but muscular hussar, saluted respectfully,
-and, helped by another fellow, tied my arms tightly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then they lifted me into the saddle; Ober sprang up
-behind, and we were all galloping hard after Batori and
-his men.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Von Theyer was in the front again, where I could not
-see his face; but the one glance had shown I need expect
-no mercy from him. Even if he forgave my making
-friends with the pretty Theresa, he must always hate the
-author of that disfiguring scar across his cheeks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The wound had in truth spoiled his good looks for ever,
-and Von Theyer had been a very handsome youth in the
-days of the insurrection.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The excitement of the ride, however, soon blew these
-thoughts out of my head; and, as well as my cramped
-position would allow, I looked eagerly for any signs of
-the fugitives. Of Batori and his men we did not catch
-another glimpse; but the brigand chief left us a specimen
-of his handiwork on the roadside. Von Theyer was the
-first to see it, and as he stopped the others did the same.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was a ghastly object, and my blood ran cold at sight
-of it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From the bough of the very first tree we reached
-Count Beula hung lifeless.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Across his breast was fastened a sheet of paper, on
-which some one had written in Hungarian and German
-characters the words: "Hungary has no need of cowards."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The brigand has saved us a job," exclaimed Von
-Theyer. "If we catch him we'll hang him on the same
-tree."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now you may be sure I had no wish to ask a favour of
-Von Theyer, yet the spectacle of the hapless count
-swinging there in the breeze nerved me to ask that the body
-might be cut down and decently buried.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Buried!" cried Von Theyer scornfully. "Let the dog
-hang. The kites will bury him fast enough when we are
-gone."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You are a brute!" I cried hotly, caring little in my
-indignation for the consequences.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He raised his hand to strike me, but dropped it again.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"We will square our account later," he said, and gave
-the word to trot.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We rode on accordingly, but I could not drag my mind
-from that dreadful place.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I saw nothing of the country through which we passed.
-I could only see the grey face of the dead count staring
-down upon me from that primitive gallows.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I never met Batori again, but one of his men years
-afterwards related just how the tragedy happened.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The bandits, seeing me jump down to the count's assistance
-when his horse fell, and thinking my animal would
-have to carry the two of us, slackened their speed, so that
-we might the more easily catch them up.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When Count Beula arrived by himself, and they, looking
-back, saw me standing alone beside the dead horse, it was
-easy to guess what had happened.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The count, who was dreadfully excited, made no attempt
-to hide what he had done, but explained that had the
-Austrians captured him they would have hanged him on
-the nearest tree.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Or beam," added Batori coolly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Tree or beam," answered the count. "That's the order
-which refers to both of us."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well," said the brigand, with the laugh his men
-dreaded to hear, "we shall have to ride a bit farther before
-we find one or the other. Come on, count! I'll pledge
-my word that the Austrians shall never hang you!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Count Beula, little dreaming of the inner meaning of
-these words, galloped along with the band, and not
-another word was spoken till they reached the first tree.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here the robber-captain called a halt, and making a
-sign that some of the party should surround the count,
-said to him,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"This is where the Austrians would have hung you;
-but now, perhaps, they will hang Captain Botskay instead."</p>
-<p class="pnext">At this Beula, discovering a little shame, replied
-falteringly that they would only imprison me for a while; but
-as for him, he would never have got one step past that tree.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As soon as he had made an end of speaking, Batori
-raised his hand. The count was seized, torn from his horse,
-bound, a noose put round his neck, and he was placed
-directly beneath the fatal bough.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Count Beula," cried the bandit, "you are a coward,
-and Hungary has no need of cowards. You have left that
-lad, who risked his life for you, to die. Now you shall
-die yourself. Though the Austrians have not caught you,
-you shall be hanged all the same."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The unhappy man begged piteously--not for his life, but
-that he might be shot.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Batori, however, remained inexorable, and while the
-poor wretch was still pleading gave the order. The men
-pulled at the rope, and the body of Count Beula hung
-swinging in the wind for the vultures and carrion crows
-to devour.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Thus, in the strangest way imaginable, it came to pass
-that Count Beula did hang like a common criminal by the
-roadside, though the Austrians were not his executioners.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I pitied the poor fellow from my heart, feeling sure that
-when he left me to face the enemy alone excitement had
-carried him out of his right senses.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As we rode from the spot I could of course only guess
-at the details of the tragedy, and indeed years passed
-before I met one of the actors; but the outline of it was
-so bold and clear that no one could mistake the general
-drift of the story, especially with Batori's sign-manual to
-help.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It gladdened me in after years to learn that the
-unfortunate count did not really fear death, but only the
-manner of it, as that was how I had read his conduct.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Wrapped in thoughts of this terrible tragedy, I did not
-at first notice that my captor's horse had dropped to the
-rear; for though neither Ober nor I carried any superfluous
-flesh, the double weight told heavily upon the animal.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The difference was more marked when Von Theyer
-changed the trot into a gallop; and I suddenly became
-alive to the fact that were my arms free, I might yet make
-an effort to escape.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But how was I to work this miracle?</p>
-<p class="pnext">The cords were strong, the knots skilfully tied, my arms
-were in a vice, while close behind me sat the Austrian
-trooper armed with sword and pistol.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, life is sweet, and I set to work under cover
-of the horse's movements to try, by contracting my muscles,
-to ease the bonds.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I cannot say how long the attempt lasted, but the
-knots on my wrist were certainly looser, when a grim
-"Very sorry, captain, but the game won't work" blew my
-newly-formed hopes to the winds.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It isn't that I want you hanged," continued the hussar,
-"but I'd rather see the rope round your neck than mine,
-and the colonel's in such a very ugly temper there's no
-knowing what might happen."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fellow spoke so coolly that I could hardly keep
-from laughing, though, from my point of view, there was
-little humour in the situation.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, my disappointment was not very keen, as I
-had hardly allowed myself to hope for success.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Austrian, frightened a bit perhaps at seeing I did
-not think escape an impossibility, urged on his horse,
-resolved to keep within easy reach of his comrades.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Towards evening we entered the village where I had
-stayed the previous day, and Von Theyer ordered a halt.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The brigands had disappeared entirely, leaving no trace,
-and our horses were thoroughly done up.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I looked round eagerly in search of my four acquaintances,
-but in the whole place there was not a man except
-the landlord of the inn to be seen; evidently the male
-villagers did not appreciate a visit from the Austrian
-cavalry.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Von Theyer was, as my jailer had remarked, in a very
-ugly temper, and scowled at me savagely as Ober pulled
-up his weary horse.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Put him in there," said he, pointing to the kitchen of
-the inn. "And don't forget it's your life or his."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Ober saluted and grinned.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I'll take precious care it isn't mine, colonel," he
-answered.--"Here, Franz, lend me a hand."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The hussars dispersed, and entered the cottages in search
-of food, while I was pushed into the kitchen and dumped
-down not too softly on the floor.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Ober and the man called Franz remained on guard, and
-very kindly gave me a share of the black bread, fat bacon,
-and sour wine which formed their supper.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The food was hardly suitable for delicate stomachs, but
-my last meal had been supper on the previous night, and
-I was not in a mood to be particular.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Von Theyer, I suppose, went to see that everything was
-made safe, as he did not come in till nearly dark, and then
-passed with two other officers to the inner room.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He spoke a word to Ober, but took no more notice of
-me than if I had been a log of wood.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Colonel's in one of his black fits," grumbled Ober to
-his comrade. "He'll make us smart for not catching that
-brigand."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Wait till he does. Time enough to grumble then,"
-replied the other coolly. "Who's going to take the first
-watch--you or I?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Ober leaned over to examine my fastenings.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Ach!" growled he. "We might as well both go to
-sleep. The Magyar's safe enough, and I'm as tired as a dog."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"All right. It's your head at stake--not mine. But
-we'll make doubly sure;" and getting some more rope, he
-tied me to himself.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Ober did the same on the other side, and then lay
-down so that I was between the pair of them.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Presently the door opened, and half a dozen hussars
-coming in, wrapped themselves in their long coats, and
-settled down to sleep.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I cannot say how they had fared in the matter of food,
-but their breath made it plain they had discovered plenty
-of liquor.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Night came. The sound of conversation in the colonel's
-room died away. In the kitchen all was silent save the
-loud snoring of the half-drunken men.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In the silence and darkness I made an effort to set
-myself free; but a few trials convinced me that Ober
-had made no mistake.</p>
-<p class="pnext">True, he and Franz were so exhausted by their forced
-marches that even a smart tug failed to waken them; but,
-on the other hand, the knots were so skilfully tied that it
-was impossible to loosen them.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At last I abandoned the attempt and tried to sleep, but
-the haunting face of the dead count and anxiety on my
-own behalf made that no easy matter.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was strange that Von Theyer had not hanged me
-at once, and I wondered why he should wish to save my life.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I felt sure it was not out of kindness, and concluded he
-was governed by the same feelings that lead a cat to play
-with its victim.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Just here my reverie was broken by an astounding circumstance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One of the hussars, turning about in his sleep, had brought
-himself close to the feet of the Austrian Franz, and by
-a series of wriggling movements was constantly changing
-his position.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Of course I could not see him plainly, but I could tell
-that the dark figure was moving, though very, very slowly,
-until it reached my head.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I lay perfectly still, save for the violent beating of my
-heart, which would not be controlled.</p>
-<p class="pnext">What did this by-play mean?</p>
-<p class="pnext">Naturally, perhaps, my first thoughts flew to Von
-Theyer. But then he had no need of foul play. By twisting
-his orders a little he could easily justify himself in
-swinging me up, and who was ever likely to question his
-action?</p>
-<p class="pnext">No, it could not be Von Theyer; but that only
-deepened the mystery.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Very stealthily a hand crept from the folds of the cloak,
-and in the fingers was something which glistened.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At this my heart gave one great throb, and then seemed
-to cease beating.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The glittering object was a long, straight knife, and as
-the sheen of it fell across my eyes I tried, but tried in vain,
-to shout for help.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Be still!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">The words were spoken in Hungarian, hardly above a
-breath, and I fancied there was a somewhat familiar ring
-in the voice.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I lay quite quiet, not attempting to speak, and the knife,
-creeping down, began to rub edgewise against the cords
-that fastened my wrists.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The steel was sharp, the worker a master-hand, and
-the hempen threads fell apart as if by magic.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A sharp jerk would have set my wrists free, when
-Franz stirred uneasily, and though not even half awake,
-tugged at the rope which bound me to him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then he turned over again and was as soundly asleep
-as ever.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was a terrible moment for the three of us, but most
-terrible of all for the unconscious Franz.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The dark figure at my head lay motionless, but the
-hand underneath that innocent-looking coat held, firmly
-grasped, a sharp, keen blade.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, the danger past, the knife again slid down
-and finished its work. The fellow then wriggled round to
-our feet, and cut the cords on my legs; only the ropes
-binding me to my guards remained to be severed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My excitement grew to an intense pitch; I had to force
-myself into silence. I wanted to jump up and scream
-aloud.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My unknown rescuer had apparently no nerves. The
-steel was pushed forward steadily, without a tremor, and
-the rope which bound me to Franz was cut.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One link alone remained, and I thought my brain must
-give way under the strain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several of the hussars tossed restlessly, muttering unintelligible
-words, while here in the very midst of them, within a
-few yards of their leader himself, was this daring adventurer
-calmly setting free the victim of that leader's vengeance.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Twice, owing to a trooper's restlessness, he had to stop;
-but my unknown saviour was as patient as daring, and
-after each halt he resumed his work.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With the snapping of the last thread I felt as if I
-really must break into a fit of hysterical laughter, or
-waken Von Theyer by a defiant taunt; but, alas! my
-childish glee was soon over. As I was stealing cautiously
-away, Ober sprang to his feet.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In an instant two dark figures were grappling with each
-other, swaying this way and that; then a loud cry of
-"Treachery!" came from the Austrian; there was a swift
-flash of steel, and poor Ober sank, groaning.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"This way!" shouted my rescuer, and I darted after
-him towards the door.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The troopers jumping up tried to stop us, but the
-stranger knocked down several with some heavy weapon,
-and cleared a passage.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The confusion was tremendous, and the officers, coming
-from their apartment, vainly endeavoured to find its cause.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We were at the door, outside, free!</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Follow!" cried the stranger, without wasting words;
-but as he turned for the open country, dozens of troopers
-poured into the street.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My guide dashed away, and was lost in the darkness,
-and I should have got clear but for one of the hussars,
-who flung himself right across my path.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Down I went with a crash, and though rising quickly, a
-smart blow on the head behind sent me sprawling, and
-the next instant I was in the midst of the angry crowd.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="imprisoned-at-arad">CHAPTER XXV.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">IMPRISONED AT ARAD.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">Von Theyer met me at the inn door, but he was
-busy giving orders that a detachment of troops
-should mount and scour the district.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Candles and flaring torches burned in the kitchen, and
-by their light I saw three men, all badly wounded, lying
-side by side.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the farther end of the apartment lay Ober, and the
-hussars pulled and hustled me towards his body.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Poor fellow! He was quite dead, and close by I saw
-the keen blade, now stained with blood, that had slain
-him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His comrades uttered loud threats of vengeance, and one
-man, pressing the muzzle of his pistol against my forehead,
-swore he would shoot me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Another pulled him back, saying he might safely leave
-me to the colonel, who would not fail to avenge the dead
-hussar.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For myself, I was in a state of utter bewilderment, and
-looked at the brawny, rough-voiced men like a dazed child.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The long-continued excitement and the dramatic close of
-the incident had for the time clouded my brain, and,
-beyond the fact that Ober was dead, I grasped nothing
-clearly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then above the babel of sounds I heard a voice ordering
-in tones of command that my arms should be bound afresh.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This the men did very willingly, and in their anger
-they tied the knots so tightly that the pain almost caused
-me to faint.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then two of them led me into the next room, where
-Von Theyer sat, with a pair of pistols on the table beside
-him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That will do," he exclaimed harshly. "Leave him
-there. Now go outside and wait. Don't be frightened if
-you hear the report of a pistol. I'm in no danger."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The men saluted and withdrew, leaving me facing their
-colonel.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the sight of that face with the hideous scar my
-senses and my manhood returned to me. I remembered
-that I came of a race of Magyar nobles, and resolved to
-show myself worthy to bear their name.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"George Botskay, once a so-called captain in the rebel
-army, but now an associate of thieves and murderers, I
-demand to know the name of the villain by whose aid you
-have stabbed an unoffending man to death."</p>
-<p class="pnext">At this implied accusation of a cowardly crime my face
-flushed, and I cried hotly,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I throw the lie in your teeth, Colonel von Theyer.
-My hands are free from innocent blood, as you well know,
-though it may suit your purpose to declare otherwise."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Von Theyer laughed, and his lips assumed a cruel curve
-that was not pleasant to see.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You are right," said he coldly. "It does suit my
-purpose. Can you guess why I did not hang you by the
-side of your friend Count Beula? I had another plan, and
-this night's work has made its success certain. Look at
-me, George Botskay, and see for what I have to thank you.
-In Vienna you worked me harm enough, but this, this--" And
-he half choked as he laid his hand on his scarred cheek.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I am truly sorry for your disfigurement," I replied,
-"but it happened in the heat of battle and with no malice
-on my part."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Perhaps when I have made you suffer I shall be sorry
-too," he said flippantly. "We shall see. I could hang
-you now--your life is forfeit to the laws; but that is not
-my wish. I am going to brand your name, so that it shall
-be carried to Vienna as the name of a common thief and
-assassin. I will make the Austrian government your judge
-and your executioner. When you have been publicly
-disgraced and hung, Fräulein Theresa may not be quite so
-proud of her Hungarian friend."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You are a coward and a scoundrel," I cried contemptuously,
-"and may do as you please;" but for all my brave
-words the barbed shaft had struck home.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Von Theyer saw this, and was beginning to laugh, when
-he caught sight of the locket, which showed through my
-disordered apparel.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Apparently he recognized it, as he sprang forward to
-remove it; and then he saw the baron's ring.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Oh, oh!" he cried; "this is famous! So you have
-been robbing the dead! I think this will add an extra
-spice to my revenge."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Dragging the ring from my finger, he called his men to
-take me away and guard me closely.</p>
-<p class="pnext">By this time day was breaking; and the soldiers, unable
-to sleep, got ready their morning meal.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As no one offered me any, I went without, which was
-not an agreeable method of beginning the day.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, they gave me plenty of rope instead, and I
-was firmly fastened on Ober's horse, while two men with
-levelled pistols rode one on either side of me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The detachment sent out during the night met us
-a few miles from the village, and the officer reported
-they had been unable to find any trace of the mysterious
-stranger.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Talking amongst themselves, the hussars declared that
-the daring intruder must have been Batori Gabor, and I
-held that opinion too.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Rakoczy was a prisoner, and Mecsey Sándor far away,
-so that unless one of the disbanded soldiers had performed
-the deed, the robber-captain was the only person left to
-suspect.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, the scheme had failed, and I was more
-strongly guarded than before.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Von Theyer gave the strictest orders to the two troopers,
-one of whom was Franz, the comrade of the dead Ober.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This man eyed me most maliciously, and I felt sure he
-would be a splendid tool in furthering the colonel's scheme.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From boyhood, riding had been one of my chief
-pleasures; but this new style, tied hand and foot and
-bound to a horse's back, was a novelty I did not appreciate.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Towards noon we halted beside a pleasant stream, a tributary
-of the Maros; and having attended to the animals,
-the men sat down to their frugal dinner.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now, since there is no satisfaction to be obtained in
-hanging a dead man, Von Theyer was compelled to give
-me some food; and this, with the temporary freedom of
-my arms, was a great relief.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Having finished their black bread and cheese, most of
-the men began to smoke. Some rolled out their greatcoats
-and went to sleep, while others played strange games
-with packs of well-thumbed cards.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The halt lasted perhaps two hours, when the bugles
-sounded, and we were again in motion.</p>
-<p class="pnext">By this time Von Theyer had evidently abandoned all
-hope of catching the robbers, as we rode at a sober pace,
-and finished the day's march long before sunset.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Our new quarters were in a fair-sized village, and I was
-rather amused by the precautions taken to ensure my
-safety.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Six men were placed in the same room, and a sentry
-was posted outside the door.</p>
-<p class="pnext">If any accident occurred during the night, the colonel
-promised to hang them all without exception; and as Von
-Theyer was a man of his word, the troopers regarded his
-threat with respect.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Poor fellows! In spite of my own risky position I
-pitied them; they were like men suffering from a bad
-form of nightmare.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After a meagre supper, quickly dispatched, my arms
-were rebound, and I was bundled into a corner, the sergeant
-in charge of the guard warning me not to move, which was
-rather unnecessary advice.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Two of the hussars stood over me with drawn swords,
-the others sat on a bench waiting for their spell of duty.
-I don't think any of them went to sleep.</p>
-<p class="pnext">About midnight Von Theyer himself paid us a visit;
-and the guard, springing to their feet, presented arms.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He glanced round the room with an approving smile,
-and said,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, sergeant, I think your prisoner will have small
-chance of stabbing any one to-night."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The sergeant smiled at the compliment to his vigilance,
-and the colonel came over to my corner.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Not caring to bandy words with him before his men, I
-closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep, and after a minute
-or two he went away.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The night passed wearily enough, for although I managed
-to sleep, my rest was broken by feverish dreams, and I
-gladly welcomed the coming of another day.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For some reason unknown to me we did not set out till
-ten o'clock; and when, after an uneventful journey, we
-rode into the town of Arad, the autumn afternoon was
-fast blending into evening.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The inhabitants of the old market-town swarmed out to
-see the Austrian cavalry, and many glances of compassion
-and pity were directed on the bound and helpless prisoner
-in their midst.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A few expressed their sympathy audibly, but for the
-most part men, women, and children stood mournful indeed
-but silent.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Alas! the glory of the Magyar had departed. Henceforth
-my unhappy countrymen must bend beneath the
-whips of their Austrian masters.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Once we were startled by a mocking laugh from some
-one in the crowd, and Von Theyer frowned angrily as a
-clear voice sang out, "Let the colonel look to his guards.
-'Twill be his turn next."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The Austrian dashed towards the spot whence the words
-came, but he met only the innocent faces of terrified people,
-and for very shame's sake he dared not punish them.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The voice roused me, for it was that of the man who
-had slain Ober in the kitchen of the inn; and now I knew
-the daring intruder had been Batori, the robber-captain.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Others also guessed the secret, and Franz riding up to
-the colonel whispered something in his ear.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Immediately the troopers were ordered to disperse, and
-in small parties to search every nook and cranny in both
-the old and the new town.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Meanwhile Von Theyer, with half a dozen men who
-acted as my escort, rode to the bridge which spans one arm
-of the Maros, and connects Arad with the spit of land on
-which the fortress is built.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The last time I had passed that way the red, white, and
-green stripes waved proudly from the ramparts. Now the
-black and yellow flag hung from the walls--an outward
-and visible sign of our defeat.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A group of citizens stood on the river-bank to watch us
-go past, and my heart gave a great leap as I recognized
-amongst them the faithful Mecsey Sándor.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He had discarded his uniform, and was dressed in
-civilian costume, though he could not altogether disguise
-his military carriage.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His eyes looked straight into mine, and by a kind of
-dumb show he made me understand that Rakoczy was
-confined in Gros-Wardein.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then our little cavalcade swept by, the gates were
-thrown open, and we passed behind the frowning walls of
-the fortress.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here Von Theyer left us, and I soon received ample
-proof of how effectually he had blackened my character to
-the governor.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Instead of being treated as an honourable though beaten
-enemy, I was roughly thrust into a small, dark cell, bare of
-furniture, and left to my own reflections till the morning,
-when a jailer, attended by several soldiers, brought me
-some food and untied my bonds.</p>
-<p class="pnext">For this last attention I was extremely grateful, and ate
-my lump of dry black bread in an almost cheerful spirit.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But as day followed day without change, the gloom
-and monotony oppressed me like a heavy weight. I grew
-moody and depressed, and in spite of a hard struggle was
-gradually driven to look upon the dark side of things.</p>
-<p class="pnext">No news of any kind came to me in my narrow prison.
-The jailer refused to answer a question, saying the
-only matter I need trouble about was the date of my
-execution.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At first I dreamed of making my escape, but this idea
-was soon abandoned, as I saw how hopeless any attempt
-must be.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The cell door was of iron, the walls were strong and
-massive, and I had not so much as a nail to work with.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Almost my sole dependence lay in Mecsey Sándor, yet
-what he could do I could not imagine.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, I tried hard not to despair, and resolved, if
-need be, to meet my fate bravely.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In this manner more than a fortnight passed, when one
-morning, about two hours after my breakfast of black
-bread and water, I was surprised to hear the tramp of
-marching feet, which stopped opposite my cell.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The key turned in the massive lock, the door opened,
-and I was harshly ordered to step outside.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A number of soldiers with bayonets fixed waited. I was
-placed in the midst of them and hurried away.</p>
-<p class="pnext">These men belonged to an infantry regiment, and were
-strangers to me, but it was plain they had formed a very
-unfavourable opinion of my character.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Crossing the square, they halted in front of a low door,
-and the officer in command of the party signed to me to
-follow him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">An antechamber was filled with soldiers, fully armed
-and standing at attention, while their faces were about
-as human as chiselled stone.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Passing through, we entered a second apartment, where
-a dozen officers were seated round a baize-covered table
-littered with writing material.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Recognizing that these men held my life in their hands,
-I looked at them eagerly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The president's chair was occupied by a tall old man
-with slightly-stooping shoulders, scanty white hair, and
-long, drooping, white moustaches.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His face was bronzed, and his breast covered with
-numerous ribbons and medals, but his blue eyes were
-rather dreamy, and I thought he had much ado to keep
-himself awake.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The officers who flanked him on either side of the table
-were of various ages, and belonged to different branches of
-the service, but they all sat as immovable as statues.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The silence was so weird and oppressive that I welcomed
-the sound of the president's voice when he began the
-proceedings by asking my name.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"George Botskay," I proudly answered.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Captain in the rebel army?" he went on, reading from
-a slip of paper.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Captain on the staff of General Görgei, commander-in-chief
-of the Hungarian national forces," I replied.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One of the stone griffins started into life at this, but the
-president petrified him again by a wave of the hand.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Why did you not surrender with your leader?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Because I was absent on special duty."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It is stated here," said he, tapping the paper, "that
-you were at Vilagos on the thirteenth of August."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I was, but not with the army."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The other stone men showed signs of life now, and the
-old warrior continued his examination.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Was it not your duty, as a soldier of honour, to obey
-your chief's orders, and to give yourself up to the proper
-authorities?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That view of the question did not strike me," I
-answered, and quite honestly too. "I was not with the
-army, and therefore did not consider myself included in
-the surrender."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"You preferred instead to join the band of a notorious
-robber?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That is false," I cried--"utterly false!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">The president, though he did not look like a merciful
-man, was exceedingly polite.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I am afraid," he said, "that the facts are against you.
-Colonel von Theyer, one of our best officers--"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A rebel turncoat," I interrupted angrily.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I do not think, Herr Botskay, that abuse of a trusted
-officer will do your case any good. His report expressly
-states that you were discovered with this band of robbers.
-Do you deny the truth of the charge?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I cannot; but my being there was the result of blind
-chance."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The griffins actually smiled, which convinced me I was
-getting deeper into the mire, and that feeling was not
-lessened when the president said softly, "An unlucky
-chance for you, Herr Botskay, I fear."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"It is the truth for all that," I said stoutly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Did Count Beula meet the robbers by accident also?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I cannot say. I know nothing of him."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Here again my information differs from your statement.
-The count was well known as an abettor of the massacres
-in Vienna, and it is laid down here that you were in
-personal communication with him at the beginning of the
-insurrection. Is that so?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">The ground seemed to be slipping from under me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Count Beula was never a friend of mine," I said.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"One does not always make a friend of an accomplice,"
-replied the president suavely. "But here is another
-question. Is it true that on any single occasion you
-attended a meeting of the Hungarian Committee?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That is easily explained," I began. "When--"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Pardon me, general," interrupted one of my judges,
-"but I should like the prisoner to give a direct answer--yes
-or no--to the question. It is a simple matter. Did he
-or did he not, in October of 1848, attend a meeting of the
-Hungarian Committee?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"If you will not allow me to explain, I shall refuse to
-answer at all," I exclaimed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then," said the man who had spoken, "we shall be
-forced to draw our own conclusions;" and he sat down very
-red, but triumphant, amid a hum of approval.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"There is one other matter on which you might like to
-say a word," remarked the president blandly, "and that is
-the doing to death of the trooper Ober."</p>
-<p class="pnext">To this I replied that the unfortunate man had not met
-his death at my hands, nor was I in any way responsible
-for the striking of the fatal blow.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here again I was confronted by further proof of how
-finely my enemy had woven the meshes of my net.</p>
-<p class="pnext">According to the sworn evidence of the man Franz, he
-had seen the knife in my hand, and he had also seen me
-stab the hapless trooper to the heart.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On the evidence supplied to them my judges could so
-easily find me guilty of almost any crime that I took little
-interest in the rest of the proceedings.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Von Theyer had made such a skilful blend of fact and
-fiction that his story had all the appearance of unadulterated
-truth. On one point alone he had not fulfilled his
-threat; there was no allusion to the ring and miniature of
-the dead baron.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I believe the president did mention vaguely some other
-charges, but as I could not be shot or hung twice over,
-these did not much matter.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When he had finished his speech I bowed courteously,
-saluted the officers in military fashion, and followed the
-leader of the escort from the room.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Once again I was placed in the midst of the soldiers,
-and marched back to my cell, where they left me without
-a word. I sat down on the wooden bench which was
-my sole article of furniture, and tried to think over my
-position.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It seemed gloomy and hopeless enough, and turn which
-way I would, the only outlook was towards the scaffold.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As far as I could understand, the Austrians claimed the
-right to hang me on either of two grounds--the refusal to
-surrender with Görgei at Vilagos, and the fact that I was
-caught in the company of a notorious band of robbers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The other points, such as my acquaintance with Count
-Beula and the slaying of the hussar, were mere garnishings,
-added by the wily Von Theyer to prejudice my judges,
-and prevent them tempering justice by mercy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In this there could be no doubt he succeeded perfectly,
-and I felt certain that whatever I might put forward in
-my defence would prove of no avail.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Indeed it was likely enough my sentence had already
-been pronounced, and that at any moment I might be led
-out to execution. Every sound which reached my ears
-startled me, and a dozen times I stood up trying to calm
-the beatings of my heart.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But the day passed, and at night the jailer brought my
-black bread and water, and went away again as usual
-without saying a word. I ate and drank feverishly, and
-then lay down on the narrow bench wondering what would
-happen before the next setting of the sun. Very slowly
-and wearily the dark hours crawled along, until, utterly
-worn out, I fell asleep, to be awakened, it seemed almost
-immediately, by the rattling of keys and the creaking of
-the iron door. In an instant I sprang to my feet, and
-waited with taut-strung nerves for the final ordeal.</p>
-<p class="pnext">My visitor was the jailer, and as he placed my breakfast
-on the ground, I burst into a peal of hysterical laughter.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="led-out-to-execution">CHAPTER XXVI.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">LED OUT TO EXECUTION.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">I pass rapidly over the period of suspense which
-succeeded my examination.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Even now it is painful to look back on the time when
-I fully expected every hour of each ensuing day to be
-my last.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Yet night and morning came and went, and I still
-remained in the dark cell, unable to learn anything
-concerning my fate.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The only relief to the monotony was the coming of the
-jailer, and he was such a surly fellow that his visits gave
-me more pain than pleasure.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A whole week passed in this way, and then I was again
-taken from the cell and marched to another part of the
-fortress.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At every step I gazed round anxiously, expecting to see
-the preparations for my execution.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Young, strong, and healthy, I had no wish to die; yet
-this horrible uncertainty, this alternation of hope and fear,
-was actually worse than death.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The faces of the soldiers were stolid and
-impassive--nothing could be learned from them; while the officer did
-not even look at me. We crossed the courtyard, and my
-pulses throbbed with fresh hope as I was led into a spacious
-room, where a stout, florid man in military uniform sat at
-a table writing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Only two of the escort had entered with the officer, and
-these stood with fixed bayonets.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The florid man left his chair, and pointing to another,
-said coldly,--</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Sit down there, Herr Botskay. By order of the general
-commanding, you are to answer these questions in writing,
-an hour being given you for the task."</p>
-<p class="pnext">To all appearance I was quite cool, but the blood surged
-through my veins like a rushing torrent, and I could not
-see the questions on the paper for dizziness.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Apathy and despair vanished. The latent spark of hope
-kindled into a fresh flame. Here was another chance of
-life and freedom. Alas! my new and beautiful castle
-was built on very frail foundations.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The questions numbered nearly a dozen, and were framed
-in such a manner that by answering them without adding
-the fullest explanations I should only make my case worse.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A quarter of an hour passed, and I still sat staring
-stupidly at my blank sheet of paper.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The soldiers stood grimly at attention, the officer leaned
-on his sword, the stout man sat writing stolidly; no sound
-but the monotonous ticking of the clock and the beating of
-my own heart broke the silence.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At last, seizing the pen, I began to write--not in answer
-to the questions, but a short account of what had passed
-between Von Theyer and myself, and an explanation of
-how I came to be in the company of Batori Gabor.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was rather a lame performance, its chief merit being
-to afford a reason for Von Theyer's persecution; and when
-the official came to witness my signature, I felt it would
-do me but little good.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Another week passed--a week of heart-wearing
-suspense--before I was again called to attend the court.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A single glance at the faces of my judges extinguished
-the tiny spark of hope which struggled to keep alive in
-my breast.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The president spoke in impressive tones, every word
-sounding distinctly in the quiet room.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was a long speech, but the whole of it might easily
-have been compressed into a dozen sentences.</p>
-<p class="pnext">On the first two counts--refusing to surrender at Vilagos,
-and joining a band of notorious outlaws--I was unanimously
-found guilty, and sentenced to death.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After this, one would have thought the rest to be of
-little interest, but the president gravely continued his
-remarks.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The unlawful killing of Ober was also considered proved,
-and on the various other charges laid against me the court
-expressed no opinion.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Therefore," concluded the president in a solemn voice,
-"it becomes my painful duty to tell you, George Botskay.
-that on the second morning from this you will be led out
-to execution in the market-place of this town, that your
-death may act as a warning to all those who vainly hope
-to oppose the imperial government."</p>
-<p class="pnext">My limbs trembled, the blood left my face, but, managing
-to control my voice, I said calmly, "As a soldier,
-general, you will know a soldier's feelings. I do not plead
-for mercy, but there is one favour I would like to beg."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Speak on, Herr Botskay. It may be in our power to
-grant it."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then I ask that you will at least permit me to die
-the death of a soldier, and not that of a criminal."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That," responded the old man, "is impossible, since you
-ceased to be a soldier when you joined Batori Gabor. As
-a brigand you were captured, as a brigand you must suffer;"
-and he waved his hand, directing that I should be removed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Back again in the lonely cell, my first feeling was one
-of relief that the period of suspense had ended.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I could no longer be tortured by swift alternations of
-hopes and fears. The worst had come, and with it a
-feeling of apathetic stupor.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But the next day, as I sat measuring off the hours by
-guess-work, a revulsion of feeling set in.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Life was sweet, and all the throbbing vigour of my
-youth protested hotly against this violent and disgraceful
-death.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Had it come when I charged with Görgei at the head of
-our cavalry, or when beside my noble-hearted brother
-I scaled the ramparts of Buda, the glow of patriotism, of
-devotion to my outraged country, would have removed half
-its terrors; but now, in this guise!</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then my thoughts turned to the faithful Mecsey; to
-John Rakoczy, my true and gallant friend, whom I should
-never again see; finally passing to the Austrian maiden,
-whose fair face had never faded from my memory.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Would she believe the untruths which Von Theyer
-would but too surely circulate?</p>
-<p class="pnext">I shuddered to think what terrible stories his fertile
-brain might invent when I was no longer able to give
-them the lie.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Yet, through it all, I never quite lost hope that the
-beautiful girl would keep her faith in my truth and honour;
-and this feeling sufficed to raise me from the slough of
-misery into which I was sinking.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Night came at length, and the surly jailer brought my
-last supper, which I forced myself to eat.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then, after a solemn hour spent in prayer, I lay down
-on my hard bench and slept peacefully as a child.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I had no means of telling the time, but the jailer
-apparently wakened me earlier than usual, and I was led
-into a room where, instead of the usual bread and water, a
-proper breakfast was laid. The apartment was filled with
-soldiers; and when I had finished, two of them, stepping
-forward, pinioned my arms tightly behind my back.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was, as near as I could judge, about ten o'clock when
-the governor entered, and, after a brief talk with one of
-the officers, ordered the procession to be formed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The air was keen, though the sun shone brightly overhead,
-as we proceeded slowly to the courtyard, where the
-soldiers halted.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Two other detachments now joined us, and in the midst
-of each a prisoner walked bareheaded.</p>
-<p class="pnext">They were both officers in Bern's army of Transylvania,
-so I did not know them, but we exchanged glances of pity
-and goodwill.</p>
-<p class="pnext">One was an old man with scarred face and white,
-flowing beard, a veteran Pole, who had spent his life in
-warfare against the enemies of his country.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His fellow-victim was quite young, hardly older than
-myself; but he bore himself as proudly as his comrade,
-gazing at the Austrians without a tremor.</p>
-<p class="pnext">After a delay of ten minutes the arrangements were
-completed, and the booming of a big gun announced to the
-townsfolk that the mournful procession was about to issue
-from the gates of the fortress.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The soldiers closed up their ranks, the order was issued,
-and we set out, my escort being the last of the three.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I tried hard to march with steady step and unfaltering
-countenance, but it was hard work.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fresh morning air, the bright October sun, the
-merry flight of birds overhead, even the gaudy uniforms of
-the soldiers, spoke of life, and I was going to lose it.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A lump rose in my throat as we passed through the
-gateway, but I remembered I was a Magyar, and choked it down.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The pain and misery would soon be at an end, and the
-white-coats must not think me a coward.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At minute intervals a gun was fired from the ramparts,
-and the church-bells of the town tolled mournfully in
-response.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Crossing the one bridge which had not been destroyed
-during the war, we entered the town proper.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was astounded at the spectacle.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Two lines of soldiers with loaded rifles guarded the route
-to the market-place, and kept back the crowds of people
-who stood on tiptoe and craned their necks in eager anxiety
-to catch a last view of those about to die.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Not the populace of the town alone had assembled, but
-the inhabitants of all the surrounding districts had come
-in thousands to show respect to the victims of Austrian
-cruelty.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The women sobbed as we went by, and looked at us
-with a yearning pity that almost broke down my composure.
-The eyes of the men flashed with fierce hate, and
-I thought it well that these brave Magyars had no weapons.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Little children were held up in the arms of their fathers
-to see us, and were that day taught a lesson which they
-would not forget in many years.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The nearer we approached our destination the denser
-the crowd became, while the market-place itself was so
-packed that several persons died of suffocation.</p>
-<p class="pnext">There, during the preceding night, an enormous wooden
-stage had been erected, and in the centre was a tall gallows.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the sight of this, I confess freely, my heart sank, and
-I feared that my courage would desert me.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Now just at this moment I saw the face of the gallant
-Mecsey Sándor, which acted on my nerves like a strong
-tonic.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The faithful fellow stood in the very foremost of the
-crowd, immediately behind the soldiers, and opposite the
-steps by which the wide platform was reached.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He was very mournful, yet the look in his eyes expressed
-something more than sorrow.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Courage, my sweet master, and God bless you!" cried
-he boldly, while I, turning my head, smiled to show I
-understood.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Courage, George Botskay!" exclaimed a second voice.
-"The Austrians cannot kill your name, which will never
-die in Magyar-land."</p>
-<p class="pnext">The man who spoke was standing next Mecsey, and
-I stared in amazement at beholding Dobozy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">What was he doing there?</p>
-<p class="pnext">If he were free, why not "John the Joyous?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">So great a longing suddenly seized me to look on the
-dear fellow's face once more that I was unnerved, and only
-by a great effort kept myself from stumbling.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Several other voices now cried, "God bless you, captain!"
-and I became aware that many men of my old regiment
-were grouped around Mecsey Sándor and Dobozy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I smiled a last farewell at them, but my aching eyes
-sought in vain for the noble figure of their colonel, and
-I concluded he was still a prisoner, or dead.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Right round the ghastly structure a cordon of troops
-had been drawn, the space inside being occupied by a
-regiment of hussars.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Even before meeting him I knew instinctively that Von
-Theyer was at their head, and the knowledge gave me
-added courage.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He, at least, should never guess the tortures that I
-suffered.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I walked firmly, with head erect, gazing boldly at my
-bitter enemy. He was on horseback, almost at the
-foot of the wooden steps which led to the scaffold, so
-that but for my guard I should have brushed against
-him in passing.</p>
-<p class="pnext">His eyes, full of cruel hatred, met mine; but I trust they
-detected no sign of fear or blenching in my face.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I mounted the steps, and as the soldiers placed me
-beneath the gallows a low, deep hum of pity rose from
-the crowd.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The two officers from Bern's army were stationed some
-distance away on my right, and the governor, stepping to
-the front, began reading in a loud, clear voice some official
-document.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It was a wonderful and impressive scene. The huge
-platform, with half a dozen high officials and two firing
-parties; the bronzed hussars, in brilliant uniforms, sitting
-their horses like statues; the ring of infantry, with the
-sun shining on their bright, steel bayonets the hushed
-crowd beyond, angry but impotent--furnished a spectacle
-that those who beheld never forgot while life lasted.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The governor continued to read, and as he read a little
-bird with cherry-coloured throat and gay plumage came
-and perched itself near me on the frowning gallows.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I was watching the tiny fellow with interest when a
-cry from the crowd, as of pain wrung from some animal,
-greeted the end of the governor's speech.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The fatal moment was fast approaching, and I cast a
-farewell glance at Mecsey and his companions.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The faithful fellow was in a state of terrible excitement,
-those around him being hardly less moved.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Their faces alternated with hope and fear, grief, rage,
-despair, anxiety--in short, all the passions that the human
-face is capable of expressing. But, above all, it seemed to
-me they were waiting.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Waiting for what?</p>
-<p class="pnext">The idea which suddenly flashed across my mind made
-me tremble. Was it possible that these great-hearted men
-were mad enough to dream of a rescue?</p>
-<p class="pnext">From my heart I hoped and prayed this was not the
-secret of their excitement.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The thing was utterly impossible, and could only lead to
-the shedding of much innocent blood.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Life had never seemed so glorious a possession as it did
-just then, but I would have forfeited it a hundred times
-rather than expose those thousands of men and women to
-the horrors of an Austrian butchery.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Yet I was powerless to avert the evil, if, indeed, the
-trusty Mecsey had planned such a mad project.</p>
-<p class="pnext">However, in a few brief moments now everything would
-be decided. My fellow-victims were to suffer first, and,
-kneeling in the positions appointed, they submitted to the
-bandaging of their eyes.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I kept my head steadfastly turned from the cruel scene,
-as did the vast majority of the crowd.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The firing parties advanced.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Long live Hungary!" cried the younger soldier.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Long live Poland!" cried the veteran, the voices of
-both being equally cool and collected.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Fire!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">The report of the volleys rang out, and a groan burst
-from the spectators.</p>
-<p class="pnext">From the victims themselves there came not a sound.</p>
-<p class="pnext">When next I looked round, the two bodies had been
-removed, and the governor was beginning to read from a
-second paper. It was a recital of my various crimes, and
-the sentence pronounced by the military tribunal.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Slowly, expressively, giving each word with due
-distinctness, he read on, while I watched Mecsey's face, and
-prayed that the speech might come to an end before
-mischief was done.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Yet, all unknown to me, the question of my life or
-death hung on the length of time occupied by that
-pompous old man.</p>
-<p class="pnext">It could not be said I had abandoned hope, since, after
-the finding of the court-martial, I had never entertained
-any; all my suspense now was centered in the action of
-Mecsey and his companions.</p>
-<p class="pnext">That their presence, and the selection of their particular
-position, was due to some settled purpose, there could
-be little doubt; and I felt equally sure that every man
-of that desperate party was in possession of hidden
-weapons.</p>
-<p class="pnext">What was the signal they waited for?</p>
-<p class="pnext">Suddenly, in the midst of the reading, there came a cry
-from the outskirts of the crowd--a cry caught up and
-repeated by thousands of voices, till the volume of sound
-rolled over the whole market-place.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey and his confederates threw their caps high into
-the air, and yelled like madmen; the governor, deadly
-pale, stopped his reading and called to Von Theyer, who
-hastily mounted the platform; the infantry, waiting for
-orders, gripped their rifles with grim resolution; the
-hussars bared their swords and prepared for the word to
-charge.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Yet the people made no attempt at a rescue; only in
-one place they formed a lane along which a horseman
-galloped frantically amidst such a wild outburst of
-cheering as Arad never knew before or since.</p>
-<p class="pnext">During those few moments I must have suffered more
-agony than falls to the lot of many men in a lifetime.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Of what was happening I had not the slightest idea,
-only I saw Von Theyer return to his men, and heard his
-short, quick words of command.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the same time the infantry faced about and
-presented a steel-girt barrier to the crowd.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Yet the cheering did not cease--it grew louder; and
-now we on the platform could hear such words as "The
-Kaiser! Long live Francis Josef! Long live the Kaiser!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">At the first sign of danger the soldiers on the platform
-surrounded me in a body, and the executioner was already
-arranging the noose when the horseman reached the line of
-infantry.</p>
-<p class="pnext">What he said I knew not, but those sturdy warriors
-opened their ranks. He dashed through, and when in the
-open space Von Theyer would have turned him back, he
-struck him from the saddle, at the same time shouting out
-something in a loud tone.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Springing to the ground, he left his horse with heaving
-flanks and spume-flaked nostrils, and scrambled up the
-wooden steps, crying aloud and waving a large white
-envelope.</p>
-<p class="pnext">As one in a dream I watched him approach the governor
-and hand him the mysterious missive.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then he turned to me, and I forgot all about death, for
-the strange messenger was "John the Joyous."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Never had the name fitted him more admirably. His
-cheeks were flushed with happiness; his eyes bright and
-sparkling; every feature had part in the joyous smile that
-overspread his handsome face.</p>
-<p class="pnext">I could not think or reason--in fact there was no
-necessity, for John Rakoczy had come.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The crowd shouted lustily until the governor, waving
-the white envelope, went to the edge of the platform.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then the cheering ceased and all was silent save for the
-voice of the governor as he read from a sheet of paper the
-free pardon of His Most Gracious Majesty, Kaiser Francis
-Josef, to George Botskay, sometime captain on the staff
-of General Arthur Görgei.</p>
-<p class="pnext">He added some further words, to which the people responded
-with a wild cheer, and then began to disperse, while
-I stood dumfounded with the rope yet round my neck.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The market-place emptied slowly; the infantry formed
-up in companies and marched to the fortress; the hussars,
-headed by Von Theyer looking black and scowling, trotted
-off; only the governor's personal escort remained.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Then the old man harshly told me I was at liberty;
-and he, too, went away, leaving me with my chivalrous
-friend.</p>
-<p class="pnext">This startling swing back from the very brink of the
-grave left me weak and dazed. I had hardly sufficient
-strength to thank the man who had saved my life.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Wait a bit," said he smilingly. "There will be plenty
-of time for all that. We have many things to tell each
-other, but you must get back a little strength first. Come,
-lean on me. Mecsey has a carriage ready, and I am going
-to send you to Gyula."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Aren't you coming?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"In a day or two. There is a little business in Arad to
-be settled first."</p>
-<p class="pnext">So greatly had my nerves been weakened by the shock
-that I did not guess what the business was, and permitted
-him to lead me away without protest.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At one of the inns Mecsey waited with a carriage, and
-many of the old Honveds stood in front of the house.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Dobozy was there too, and the true-hearted kindness of
-my former companions brought tears of gratitude to my
-eyes.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The Joyous" wrapped me up comfortably, and giving
-Mecsey, who was to ride inside, many injunctions, shook
-my hand in a parting grasp.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Rouse yourself!" cried he. "Dobozy and I are
-coming in a few days, and we don't want to be entertained
-by an invalid."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Dobozy added some lively badinage to cheer my spirits,
-the two waved their hands in farewell, the coachman
-cracked his whip, and we were off to the lonely
-homestead I had not visited during the last two years.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center large pfirst" id="an-austro-hungarian-alliance">CHAPTER XXVII.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="center medium pfirst"><em class="italics">AN AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN ALLIANCE.</em></p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em">
-</div>
-<p class="pfirst">"The Joyous" was certainly not acting up to his
-reputation.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We had just adjourned to the drawing-room after
-supper, and were sipping our coffee.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The light from the central lamp fell on Baron von
-Arnstein's ring and miniature.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Von Theyer was wearing them, poor fellow!" exclaimed
-Rakoczy gloomily. "See! there is a bloodstain
-on the miniature!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Poor fellow, indeed!" cried Dobozy. "I've no patience
-with you. He is as much to be regretted as a vicious old
-tusker! Besides, after such a knock-down blow, you were
-bound to fight."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"The general opinion; though Schlick thought that, as
-the emperor's special messenger, I acted rightly."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"At all events, you saved my life, John," I interrupted.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And now," Dobozy answered merrily, "he regrets it!"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"No, no!" cried John. "I would kill a hundred Von
-Theyers if they threatened George's safety. Still, this
-hussar was a splendid soldier, and brave as a lion."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He was the finest cavalry leader in the Austrian
-service," I said.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And tried his very hardest to get you hanged,"
-laughed Dobozy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That's so!" exclaimed Rakoczy. "Still, I would
-rather have slain him on the battlefield than in a duel."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"While he preferred that Botskay should hang,"
-observed Dobozy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">In my dazed state at Arad I had not thought of the
-consequences which must follow Rakoczy's blow, but he
-and Dobozy knew the Austrian would be satisfied with
-nothing less than a duel to the death.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Indeed, my carriage had barely departed when several
-officers galloped up with demands for the most abject
-apology, unless my friend wished to receive challenges
-from all the officers of the regiment in succession.</p>
-<p class="pnext">To this Rakoczy replied good-humouredly that he had
-no quarrel with any one save their colonel, whom he
-would fight, and referred them to Dobozy as his friend.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A duel was accordingly arranged, in which Von Theyer
-fell, whereupon General Schlick forbade the officers of the
-regiment from carrying the matter farther.</p>
-<p class="pnext">All this had been talked over after supper, but the sight
-of the ring and miniature brought up the subject afresh.</p>
-<p class="pnext">At last, however, Rakoczy, shaking off his depression,
-settled down to explain how my pardon was obtained
-from the emperor.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"In the first place," he began, "everything is owing to
-Mecsey Sándor, who is the best and trustiest of servants."</p>
-<p class="pnext">Dobozy caused an interruption here by his emphatic
-approval of the remark.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Seeing you in the hands of Von Theyer," Rakoczy
-continued, "he at once scented mischief, and returned to
-Gros-Wardein. There he hung about till I was set free,
-when he told me what had happened. Now, it struck
-me that unless the Austrian had a strong case, you would
-not have lived to reach the fortress. I scarcely knew how
-to act. Görgei was in prison, though pardoned, and I
-had no influence with the Austrian leaders. Here, again,
-Mecsey Sándor came to the rescue. 'Does not my master
-know some powerful ladies in Vienna?' he asked. That
-question furnished me with a key to undo all the locks."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then 'twas the fräulein who saved my life?" I cried.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Or her mother," answered Rakoczy slyly. "But you
-are in a desperate hurry to reach the end of the story,
-which isn't a compliment to the teller."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Go on!" I cried impatiently. "So you reached Vienna."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"But not in a second, my friend. The journey took
-time. However, I did get there, and found the ladies in
-mourning for the baron. Poor little Theresa was pale as
-a ghost, and her eyes were red with much weeping.
-Really it seemed cruel, to burden them with fresh
-sorrow. But your life was at stake, my boy, so I cast
-scruples to the winds and told them the story. They only
-knew the baron was dead; and when I related how you
-had nursed and afterwards buried him, even the baroness
-thawed and called on God to bless you."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And Theresa?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"She only spoke with her eyes, and some day you may
-discover for yourself what they said. To push on with
-the story, however--Dobozy's positively yawning!--I told
-them how you had spoiled Von Theyer's beauty, winding
-up with an account of your imprisonment and almost
-certain execution, unless the emperor himself would interfere."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And they agreed to petition him?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes. At first the baroness threw cold water on the
-scheme, saying it could not succeed; but Theresa wept and
-prayed so earnestly that her mother consented, and we all
-three set out immediately for the palace.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"By my advice Theresa sought an audience for herself
-only. Any woman in distress has influence over a man;
-but when one's petitioner is young and beautiful--well,
-there! You know more about these things than I do."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then the emperor received her?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Or you would not be here now. I intended to advise
-her what to say, but, bless you, she had it all mapped out."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Trust a woman, old or young, for that," remarked
-Dobozy.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"'There are four chief points,' she said to me. 'The
-attempt to save Count Latour, which ought to count for
-much; his protection of my mother and myself; his
-kindness to my father, who was a great favourite with the
-young archduke before he ascended the throne; and his
-steady opposition to the scheme of separation.'"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And the last is not the least," said I, delighted to find
-she had thought about it all.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, we waited in the courtyard of the palace, the
-baroness seated in her comfortable carriage, I on
-horseback. About sixty times an hour I opened my watch--not
-the battered one--and wondered what was happening
-in the audience-chamber. Every time a door opened or a
-servant of the palace moved, my heart leaped to my mouth.
-The baroness, stately and dignified, sat bolt upright, as if
-nothing under the sun could trouble her, though I believe
-she felt keenly, nevertheless."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"These people," exclaimed Dobozy with an air of
-wisdom, "never obtrude their feelings in public."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"A second hour passed," continued Rakoczy, "and half
-of the third, when a door was opened, and Theresa,
-accompanied by a perfect escort of high functionaries, made her
-appearance. The first glance assured me all was right.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"She had been weeping--the tear-stains being still on
-her face--but her eyes were bright and sparkling now,
-and she ran to my horse's head with an <em class="italics">abandon</em> that
-must have shocked her mother.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"'Ride, Herr Rakoczy!' she exclaimed. 'Do not waste
-a second! Here is your friend's pardon, signed by the
-emperor's own hand. No, don't stop to thank me. If--if--oh,
-it would be too terrible!' and without a moment's
-warning she burst into tears.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"I was going to comfort her, but she dried her eyes,
-declared she was stupid, and skipped off to the carriage.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Then I doffed my hat to the ladies, wished them
-farewell, and galloped off. Luckily for you--and
-others--I arrived at Arad just in time."</p>
-<p class="pnext">By his mention of <em class="italics">others</em> I guessed there still remained
-something to be cleared up. But first I wished to make
-sure about a little matter which caused me some anxiety.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"How will Theresa learn that your journey ended
-successfully?" I asked.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"From the palace, no doubt. However, I took the
-liberty of sending a trusty messenger with a letter in
-which I stated that, as soon as you were strong enough,
-you would pay your thanks in person."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Which I most certainly will do. Now tell me, please,
-whom you meant by the <em class="italics">others</em>."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"That's Dobozy's yarn, not mine."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Or rather Mecsey's."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"And it had something to do with a public rescue?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Dobozy laughed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"About the maddest idea that ever occurred to any man
-outside the walls of a lunatic asylum. I never spent such
-a bad half-hour in my life. But for the colonel's arrival,
-I really can't say what would have happened. Mecsey
-was in deadly earnest, and he had so worked on the men
-of your old regiment that they were ready for anything."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"But the plan?" I exclaimed. "There must have been
-at least some glimmering of a plan?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, you see, this servant of yours believes in
-having two strings to his bow. According to him, the
-colonel's mission might or might not prove a success; so
-it was as well not to depend on it altogether. People say
-one fool makes many, and it was certainly so in this case.
-Learning that the 9th Honveds were to be dismissed,
-Mecsey pounced on the men, and wheedled them into
-promising their help. Then he came to me, explained
-what was going on, and asked me to lead. I pointed out
-the wickedness and folly of the scheme, but Mecsey was
-far superior to arguments. With a proper leader, he said,
-the men would win; without one they would fail; and if
-I wanted the thing to be wrecked, of course I wouldn't
-join. Well, to cut a long story short, I agreed. We got
-together all the weapons we could--long knives and axes
-mostly, though some of us had pistols--and waited.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Mecsey was just urging me to give the signal for a
-rush at the platform, when some one in the secret sighted
-the colonel, and we knew it was all right."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"What an awful thing it would have been!" I exclaimed
-with a shudder.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well," said Dobozy, "the colonel saved the situation
-by about two minutes. I really believe though that Mecsey
-was a bit disappointed. He had a swift horse in waiting,
-and all we had to do was to rush the platform, knock over
-the soldiers, and carry you off before the Austrians were
-aware of what was taking place. Mecsey would have
-made a great general."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Now, George," exclaimed Rakoczy, when he had
-finished laughing at the idea of General Mecsey Sándor,
-"remember we haven't heard yet how you came to fall
-into the hands of the Austrians. It was rumoured in
-camp, before the surrender, that you were killed at
-Debreczin."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Rumour would probably have proved true, but for the
-inestimable Mecsey," I replied. "He turned up as usual
-in the right place at the right moment, nursed me in the
-house of a good Samaritan, and journeyed with me to
-Vilagos. There we parted, as I expect he's told you."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yes; and the reason," said Rakoczy warmly.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Well, instead of helping you out of a scrape, I got into
-one," and I related my adventures while with the band of
-robbers.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Both my listeners expressed astonishment at the conduct
-of Count Beula, and Dobozy frankly praised the bandit-chief
-for having hanged him.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Yet he bore himself like a thorough soldier in the
-field," said Rakoczy, who rarely looked at the dark spots,
-even in the sun. "You may depend his nerves were
-overstrung. As to this Batori Gabor, I knew him well years
-ago. He belongs to a good family, but he fell foul of the
-Austrian police over some political matters, and took to
-the plains. I understand he did the enemy no end of
-damage during the war."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"He must be a daring fellow," exclaimed Dobozy with
-enthusiasm. "That was a bold venture, to creep into the
-kitchen amongst all those hussars."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Almost as bold as Mecsey," I answered with a laugh;
-"but it is perhaps as well neither of them succeeded."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"Better," said Rakoczy, "as success in either case would
-have made you an outlaw; whereas you are now a free man."</p>
-<p class="pnext">"With liberty to visit Vienna whenever you like,"
-laughed Dobozy; "but isn't it almost bed-time?"</p>
-<p class="pnext">Here, practically, my adventures with the red, white,
-and green flag come to an end. From that night in my
-old home with Dobozy and "John the Joyous" I date the
-beginning of a new life.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Gratitude, of course, and my promise to the dying baron
-took me to Vienna, where my reception encouraged me to
-pay several further visits, and in process of time my old
-friend's forecast was fulfilled. Theresa became my wife
-after her mother's death, and now there is no keener
-Magyar in all Hungary than Madame Botskay.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Every year we spend a couple of months in beautiful
-Pesth, and generally another month with the paralyzed
-Count Arnim and his wife, with both of whom Theresa is
-a great favourite, as indeed she is with most people.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The redoubtable Mecsey Sándor, who makes as faithful
-a steward as a soldier-servant, fairly worships her; and this
-is the more wonderful, because the honest fellow heartily
-detests the whole German race.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Mecsey is perfectly happy and comfortable, and spends
-his leisure time in describing over and over again the
-stirring events of the great campaign.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Occasionally Arthur Görgei--now a poor man living in
-retirement--comes to see us, and I need hardly say that
-no one save "John the Joyous" himself is ever more
-heartily welcomed.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Some men--but none on my estates--call him a traitor,
-and assert that he sold our country to the Russians. If
-Görgei betrayed his country, we of his army were
-accomplices in his treachery, and this is the proof.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We marched hundreds of miles, often bare-footed, over
-rough and stony ground; we half froze in the winter's
-cold, and fainted beneath the scorching heat of summer;
-for weeks together we lived on a scanty ration of black
-bread and water; we stormed fortresses and fought
-terrible battles when the odds were all against us; and
-the man whose spirit, courage, and leadership made these
-things possible was Arthur Görgei.</p>
-<p class="pnext">If such deeds as these were acts of treachery, then
-indeed were we all traitors, and our leader was far and
-away the greatest.</p>
-<p class="pnext">But the men who spoke thus wildly applauded Louis
-Kossuth as the most glorious patriot in history, and
-Kossuth was a fugitive in the land of the Turks!</p>
-<p class="pnext">It is the usual rule that the losers should be called on to
-pay for the game, and our opponents adhered to it closely.</p>
-<p class="pnext">With the exception of Görgei and Klapka, our chiefs
-were seized by the Austrians, and, after a mock trial,
-sentenced to death. Aulich, Damjanics, Nagy Sándor,
-with ten others, all perished on one day; while at Pesth
-the high-spirited Batthiany, the true leader of the national
-party, was shot in the presence of several thousands of
-his sorrowing countrymen.</p>
-<p class="pnext">Hungary indeed lay crushed under the heel of her
-Russian and Austrian conquerors, but since that day many
-events have happened. Our liberties have been restored,
-and now our country takes its rightful place as the ally
-and not the vassal of the haughty Hapsburg dominion.</p>
-<p class="pnext">A quarter of a century later, when my own boys,
-Stephen and John, were springing into early manhood,
-we all journeyed to Pesth to see the Emperor Francis
-Josef crowned King of Hungary.</p>
-<p class="pnext">"John the Joyous" was with us, and though his hair
-was sprinkled with white streaks, his heart had never felt
-lighter.</p>
-<p class="pnext">The boys were chiefly occupied in gazing at the gorgeous
-spectacle--the ermine-trimmed velvet cloaks of the
-councillors, the flashing mail of the nobles, the sparkling
-diamonds and precious stones, the magnificent horses, the
-robes and mitres of the officiating priests.</p>
-<p class="pnext">To them it was a splendid procession; to us it was
-the fruition of hopes long deferred.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We thought of Görgei, of my brother Stephen, and of
-all the gallant men who had laid down their lives for the
-cause, and I think it was something more than the sun's
-rays which brought the water to our eyes.</p>
-<p class="pnext">And when the Austrian Emperor, robed in the embroidered
-mantle of St. Stephen, and crowned with the sacred
-crown, swore as King of Hungary to guard her rights and
-liberties against all foes, our hearts were full.</p>
-<p class="pnext">We felt that in the years long past our loyalty to the
-red, white, and green flag had not been altogether in vain.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em">
-</div>
-<p class="center pfirst small">THE END.</p>
-<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em">
-</div>
-<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- -->
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