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diff --git a/40137.txt b/40137.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 73d8fdb..0000000 --- a/40137.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13721 +0,0 @@ - THE RED, WHITE, AND GREEN - - - - -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 Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Title: The Red, White, and Green - -Author: Herbert Hayens - -Release Date: July 03, 2012 [EBook #40137] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RED, WHITE, AND GREEN *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - - - - -[Illustration: Cover] - - - -[Illustration: "The white-coats poured in their volley. Page 190.] - - - -[Illustration: "_I shook my sword at the retreating figure._ Page -364.]] - - - - - _The_ - _Red, White, and Green_ - - - _By_ - _HERBERT HAYENS_ - - - _Author of "A Captain of Irregulars," "A Vanished Nation," - "A Fighter in Green," "An Emperor's Doom," - &c. &c._ - - - - _WITH ILLUSTRATIONS_ - - - - - _THOMAS NELSON AND SONS_ - _London, Edinburgh, and New York_ - _1901_ - - - - - By the same Author. - - -THE BATTLE AND THE BREEZE. Price 5s. -A VANISHED NATION. Price 5s. -A CAPTAIN OF IRREGULARS. Price 5s. -A FIGHTER IN GREEN. Price 5s. -IN THE GRIP OF THE SPANIARD. Price 5s. -AN EMPEROR'S DOOM. Price 5s. -CLEVELY SAHIB. Price 5s. -UNDER THE LONE STAR. Price 5s. -THE BRITISH LEGION. Price 3s. 6d. - - - T. NELSON AND SONS, - _London, Edinburgh, and New York._ - - - - CONTENTS. - - - I. WILL THE REGIMENT MARCH? - II. A SOLDIER OF THE RIGHT SORT - III. THE INSURRECTION IN FULL SWING - IV. VIENNA IN FLAMES - V. ARRESTED - VI. HARD WORK AT PESTH - VII. A FIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS - VIII. A DRAWN BATTLE - IX. THE RETREAT - X. ON THE SICK LIST - XI. GOeRGEI TO THE RESCUE - XII. A SORROWFUL VICTORY - XIII. A VISIT FROM STEPHEN - XIV. THE QUARREL WITH COUNT BEULA - XV. HOW STEPHEN CARRIED THE FLAG - XVI. I JOIN THE STAFF - XVII. THE WOUNDING OF GOeRGEI - XVIII. GOeRGEI FORGETS HIS WOUND - XIX. SENT SCOUTING - XX. NEARLY CAPTURED - XXI. THE LAST BLOW - XXII. THE SURRENDER - XXIII. COUNT BEULA DISLIKES HANGING - XXIV. THE END OF COUNT BEULA - XXV. IMPRISONED AT ARAD - XXVI. LED OUT TO EXECUTION - XXVII. AN AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN ALLIANCE - - - - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - - -"THE WHITE-COATS POURED IN THEIR VOLLEY," _Frontispiece_ -"I SHOOK MY SWORD AT THE RETREATING FIGURE," _Vignette_ -"FROM THE WOODS THEY POURED A HOT MUSKETRY FIRE UPON THE DEFENDERS" -"MY HEART LEAPED TO MY MOUTH AS I SAW STEPHEN FOREMOST" -"GOeRGEI AND HIS STAFF RODE TO THE FRONT, WHERE THE RUSSIAN GENERALS MET -THEM" - - - - - THE RED, WHITE, AND GREEN. - - - - CHAPTER I. - - - _WILL THE REGIMENT MARCH?_ - - -"Cowardly rats, deserting a sinking ship!" exclaimed my brother Stephen; -"I would not raise my little finger to help them!" - -"It seems to me this insurrection will do good to our cause." - -Stephen pushed his chair back from the breakfast-table, and stood up. - -"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?" - -Laughing at Stephen's expression of disgust, I crossed the room to the -little window, and looked into the street. - -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. - -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. - -Thus far, this year of 1848 had produced most remarkable changes -throughout Europe. - -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. - -Thrones had crumbled into dust, and monarchs and rulers had been swept -away like chaff before the wrath of the people. - -But of all the European countries, none in this wild gale of popular -fury was so severely tried as the proud empire of Austria. - -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. - -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. - -News of the dispute between Hungary and Austria had reached us in -London, and we had just arrived at Vienna on our homeward journey. - -My brother Stephen was eighteen years of age, and my senior by twelve -months. - -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. - -A true Magyar, every inch of him, he might have stood beside King -Stephen of glorious memory. - -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. - -"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?" - -The newcomer closed and locked the door, and came over to us. - -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. - -He was a handsome man, several years older than myself, with chestnut -hair, dark-blue eyes, and a frank, open, jovial face. - -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. - -He placed himself between us, so that he could speak to both without -raising his voice. - -"Heard the news?" he asked. - -"We've heard the row!" I replied. "These poor people will strain their -throats." - -"The city's in a state of insurrection. The students and the Nationals -and the Burgher Guards are going to overthrow the government." - -"Barking dogs never bite," said Stephen sarcastically. - -"These will soon--they're only sharpening their teeth; and the Richters -are to help them." - -"The Richter Grenadiers?" I exclaimed. - -"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." - -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. - -"Count Latour can take care of himself," said Stephen; "he is a man, not -a lath." - -Our companion rubbed his hands together softly, and, lowering his voice -to a whisper, said,-- - -"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." - -"This is interesting to the Viennese," said my brother, "but not to us." - -"Wait a bit. You know what happened a few days since in Pesth?" - -Stephen's face flushed with shame, and I hung my head. - -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. - -"To-morrow," Rakoczy continued, "the victim will be Count Latour, and -the butchers will cry, 'Long live Hungary!'" - -"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!" - -"The count must be put on his guard," I exclaimed. "I will go to his -hotel and inform him of the plot." - -"It will be useless trouble," said Stephen. "One man cannot fight -against thirty thousand, and the count is too brave a veteran to yield." - -"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." - -I put on my hat; the others did the same, and accompanied me into the -street. - -A crowd of students rushing by caught sight of our costume, and -surrounding us, cried, "Long live Hungary!" - -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. - -In the square on the north side of the hotel 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. - -"Tell him," said Rokoczy earnestly, "that unless he gives way his life -is lost." - -I left them standing at the corner of the square, and went on alone to -the courtyard of the hotel. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Well, young sir?" exclaimed the noble-looking veteran sharply. "Your -news must be of extreme importance to justify your persistence." - -"You shall judge for yourself, count, if these gentlemen will leave us -for five minutes." - -At this the others smiled, and one muttered something about a Magyar -adventurer. - -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. - -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. - -Would that fatal act be thrown into the teeth of the Magyars for ever? - -I think that the count must have pitied me, for he said kindly,-- - -"What is your name, my young friend? It is needless to ask your -nationality." - -The question restored my self-respect, and I raised my head proudly. - -"George Botskay has little reason to be ashamed of his name," I said. - -"A son of the late General Botskay?" - -I bowed in reply, and the count addressed a few words to his colleagues, -who retired one by one with evident reluctance. - -"Now, my lad," exclaimed the fine old soldier, "what is it you wish to -say? I am very busy, and cannot spare much time." - -"I have come to warn you, count," I began, but at that he stopped me. - -"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. - -"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." - -"I have issued the order," he said, as if that settled the matter. - -"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." - -"Why do you tell me this?" - -"That you may be prepared." - -"Are you on our side?" - -"No. I must fight for my own country." - -He took a sheet of note-paper from a drawer, and placing it in my hand, -said, "Read!" - -It was an anonymous letter, warning him that unless he recalled the -order, the people would put him to death. - -"It came this morning," he remarked quietly. "The writer will learn my -answer to-morrow." - -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. - -"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." - -"Amen to that!" I replied fervently, and the proud old noble, shaking my -hand, himself led me to the door. - -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. - -Brave old count! After all, he chose the better part! - -Rakoczy and my brother waited at the corner of the square, but they saw -at once that my errand had been in vain. - -"He will die at his post, if need be," I said, as we got clear of the -crowd. - -"What else could he do?" asked Stephen. "You would not expect the -soldier of half a century to run away from the armed rabble." - -"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?" - -"Yes; but we will wait and see what happens to-morrow." - -"If you could stay a few days longer, we might all go together." - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -No general would expect them to stand for an instant against the -Austrian veterans; and, as Goergei, our great leader, humorously said, -he reckoned much more upon their legs than their arms. - -However, they were brave fellows at bottom, and those who laughed at -them had reason to repent of it before the war ended. - -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. - -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. - -But to help him further was beyond our power; we could only wait and -watch the events of a new day. - -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. - -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. - -"Now," said he, on rising from the table, "pistols in working order? -There will be a big _kravalle_ before the day's over." - -"If it's nothing worse than that, so much the better," I replied. "A -street brawl doesn't hurt." - -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. - -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. - -John and I walked directly behind, laughing to see my rather fastidious -brother in the society of the _soi-disant_ patriot. - -"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. - -"Bravo, comrade!" cried John, winking at me. "The brave Viennese will -take care of Hungary!" - -"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!" - -"And not do any more work!" said John. - -"No; we've had our share. Let the rest take a turn;" and he gave -Stephen another squeeze to show his goodwill. - -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. - -We had started with the intention of going to the hotel 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. - -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. - -"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. - -"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. - -"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!" - -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. - -"Keep a firm grip," cried John. "Look out! There goes the military!" -and instantly the cheers for the Grenadiers redoubled. - -"There's a cavalry regiment escorting them," I exclaimed; "and look! -Some one has brought up a couple of guns!" - -"They want twenty," said Stephen. "Ah! now for it!" - -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. - -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. - -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 _sans-culottes_ in the streets roared approval. - -At the moment my brother spoke we had a full view of the situation. - -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. - -Suddenly the Grenadiers broke loose, and, with triumphant cries of "Long -live Hungary!" crossed the bridge at the _pas de charge_. - -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. - -Stephen tore himself from me, his eyes flashing, his handsome face -crimson with anger. - -"You cowards!" he cried, and would have run to the bridge had not -Rakoczy dragged him back by main force. Only just in time! - -Crash! And a storm of grape whizzed through the air as the gunners -discharged their two pieces. - -The insurgents who were advancing to the charge wavered; another dose of -iron hail, and they fell back in disorder. - -But the loyalists were few, their enemy legion. - -Their brave leader, too, was dead; and, though they fought valiantly for -a time, the end was certain. - -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. - -"To the gates! Seize the gates!" they yelled; and presently another cry -rose--one which we had been expecting every moment to hear. - -"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. - -"That's the word!" cried another. "Death to Latour, and no more -ministers!" - -"Forward! Forward! Long live the republic! Up with the tricolour!" - -"To the hotel!" said Stephen feverishly. "We may yet help to save him." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -To add to the uproar, the tocsin sounded, and everywhere it seemed as if -the soldiers were discharging their muskets. - -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. - -The street was narrow and sloping; unfortunately, we shot into it from -the higher end, and there was no stopping. - -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. - -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. - -I was off my feet, supported only by the bodies of my nearest -companions, one of whom moaned in pain. - -Through the _debris_ we were hurled, swept round the corner to the left, -and dropped, panting and bruised and battered, in the Place of St. -Stephen. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - - _A SOLDIER OF THE RIGHT SORT._ - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -A louder yell than usual proclaimed that something decisive had -occurred, and soon the news spread to the very outermost of the packed -onlookers. - -"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!" - -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. - -All this I learned only from the conversation of the people, being -unable to see anything for myself. - -But from what happened next I might easily have known the end had come. - -From the middle of the throng a cry rose, and the multitude in their -thousands took it up, shouting wildly, "Latour! Death to Latour!" - -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 hotel of the -minister of war. - -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 hotel where lived Count Latour. - -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. - -The gates were closed; the soldiers, scanty in numbers but well -disciplined, stood at their posts, eyeing the frenzied mob with -contempt. - -Some of the students at once opened fire; the soldiers replied, and, the -target being so broad, every bullet lodged somewhere. - -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. - -This of course paralyzed the action of the loyal troops, both at the -hotel and at the barracks, while the spirits of the rebels were -proportionately raised. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -It was on the first landing that we received a slight check. - -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. - -Here the crowd broke up, some running one way, some another, but all -intent on killing Count Latour. - -I followed the Nationals, thinking they would most likely retire in the -direction of the council chamber. - -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. - -"Kill Latour!" was the savage cry. Beyond that one scarcely heard -anything. - -However, the brave Nationals resolved to make a fight of it, and by a -stroke of great good fortune I managed to join them. - -"Long live Latour! Long live the gallant count!" I cried, with all the -strength of my lungs, and his defenders echoed the cry. - -But the others drowned our shouts with "Kill Latour!" and one man, -towering above the rest, sprang at the count with uplifted axe. - -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. - -"Traitor!" he shouted, and, swinging round, aimed his axe full at my -head. - -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. - -The count threw me a glance of gratitude mingled with pity; and in truth -it appeared as if I needed the latter. - -The insurgents rushed at us, bore us back, flung themselves into our -midst, and, acting like wedges, split us into small groups. - -I found myself in front of Latour, where the fighting was fiercest, and -emptied my pistol recklessly into the crowd. - -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. - -Planting my feet firmly on the ground, I stood by the side of the -veteran, and did my best to save him. - -The attempt failed; it was hopeless from the start, and the end came -very suddenly. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The shouts of the populace, however, continued to ascend from the -courtyard, and could be plainly heard through the open windows. - -As soon as I had recovered a little strength, I shifted the wounded man -gently, and stood up. - -The rioters had left the apartment; only the dead and those seriously -injured remained, and amongst these I looked in vain for Latour. - -Had they spared his life? The idea seemed too good for truth, but it -was just possible. - -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. - -I ran down to the first landing, and overtook a frightened, pale-faced -man--a servant, probably, belonging to the hotel. 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. - -"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?" - -The man's eyes opened wider than before. He bowed his head and mumbled -some words which I could not understand. - -"Speak up!" I cried sharply, "or, by the honour of a Botskay, I'll throw -you over the balustrade." - -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. - -What I saw there held me spellbound; and the man, seeing he was no -longer noticed, quietly slipped off. - -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. - -The mob still lingered about, but in smaller numbers; the most violent -had departed to pursue their work of butchery elsewhere. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -On the lower part of the staircase I met numbers of citizens coming to -view the scene of the struggle. - -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. - -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. - -A low, angry growl from a section of the onlookers told me something was -wrong, and I ran to the spot. - -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. - -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. - -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!" - -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. - -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. - -"It is true!" I cried recklessly. "You are a pack of cowards to murder -an aged and unarmed man!" - -"A Hungarian and a traitor!" shouted a voice from the crowd. - -"No traitor," I replied, "as I hope my sword may prove; but no assassin -either." - -"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." - -"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. - -"Leave me, sir," implored the high-spirited girl. "The butchers will -kill you. I do not fear them." - -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." - -Thinking perhaps of my danger, she shuddered slightly, and passed her -arm within mine, while I prepared to guard her with my life. - -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. - -I requested him to stand back, but he refused insolently, and -endeavoured to run me through with his bayonet. - -At this several of his comrades came to his assistance, and there was -nothing for it but to cut my way out. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -I had just told the girl who the newcomer was, when a second man broke -through the crowd and joined us. - -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. - -My fair companion cried delightedly, "Franz! Franz!" and the man bowed -to her with an air of respectful deference. - -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. - -"Make way there!" he cried, twirling his tremendous club as if it had -been a soldier's cane; "make way there for the Fraeulein von Arnstein!" - -A portion of the spectators, crying, "Room for the Fraeulein von -Arnstein!" hustled the soldiers, who, being pressed by Franz and -Stephen, sullenly began to give ground. - -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. - -He was dressed in civilian costume, but wore in addition a broad red -sash and a red cockade in his hat. - -Who or what he was I did not know, but he was plainly a person of -importance amongst the rebels. - -At sight of our companion his face expressed the broadest astonishment, -and leaping to the ground he advanced quickly towards her. - -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. - -"You will encounter neither danger nor insult while with me," he -concluded smilingly. - -The girl looked at him in genuine scorn. - -"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." - -The stranger's face turned white, but his eyes burned like fire, and I -prepared for mischief. - -He controlled his passion, however, bowed low, and made a sign to the -Nationals, who stood back, leaving the way to the gates clear. - -As for the girl, she took no further notice of him, but, still leaning -on my arm, walked out haughtily. - -Franz marched in front with his club, Stephen, who had replaced his -pistols, followed, while we two brought up the rear. - -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. - -At last Franz stopped before a large house, and the fraeulein, making a -gracious inclination of the head, begged us to enter, that her mother -might thank us for what we had done. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Imbeciles!" exclaimed Stephen angrily. "When Windischgratz arrives he -will knock the place about their ears. I wonder what has become of -Rakoczy." - -"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!" - -"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." - -"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." - -"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!" - -This speech was particularly galling to Stephen, who moved on quickly, -saying, "Come, George; it is likely we shall find Rakoczy there." - -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. - -We were hungry, too, having eaten nothing since the early morning; and -seeing an open cafe, 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. - -From the talk of the men in the cafe 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. - -"Well," said one fellow, chuckling, "we have our revolution at last. -There's no drawing back for the faint-hearts now." - -"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!" - -"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 Schoenbrunn? Why not--" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"The building's on fire!" I said. "The garrison will have to -surrender." - -"Unless the sparks fall on the powder-magazine, and then--" - -"It will be farewell both to soldiers and students!" - -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. - -"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. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - - _THE INSURRECTION IN FULL SWING._ - - -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. - -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 hotel 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. - -"Not much chance for the garrison," I said. "All these houses command -the arsenal." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -We could not find Rakoczy; so, after searching a long while, we decided -on returning to our lodging. - -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. - -From the talk of the rioters we learned that the emperor had left -Schoenbrunn 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. - -But for the order to cease firing, these same soldiers would most likely -have nipped the insurrection in the bud. - -Still we did not meet Rakoczy; but a scrap of paper pushed beneath the -door of our room relieved our anxiety concerning him. - -"8 a.m.--Call again later. Don't leave before seeing me.--J.R." - -"Now we can go to bed with easy minds," I said, passing the paper to -Stephen. - -We were both exceedingly tired, and having once fallen asleep, knew -nothing further till awakened by a loud knocking. - -"Rakoczy," murmured Stephen lazily. "Let him in, George. There's no -more rest for us." - -"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. - -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. - -"So the insurgents carried out their threat?" I said, when, some time -later, the three of us sat down to dinner. - -Rakoczy nodded. - -"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." - -"We were separated too," said Stephen, "but met again in front of the -hotel. George had quite an adventure. Rescued a royalist maiden from -the mob; quite like a hero of romance." - -"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. - -"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." - -"What of that?" asked Stephen coldly. - -"A great deal. He is the head of the Hungarian Committee formed to aid -the Viennese in their insurrection." - -"The work ought to suit him," I said carelessly. - -"So it will till the Austrians recapture the town; then he'll change -sides fast enough." - -"Very likely," said Rakoczy. "But that isn't the point. At present the -rebels are victorious, and Count Beula is a man of importance." - -"Well, it has nothing to do with us," observed Stephen rather crossly. - -"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. - -Stephen tore the document in halves, and threw the pieces on the floor. - -"I won't go!" he exclaimed haughtily. - -"Yes, you will." - -My brother sprang to his feet. His face was crimson, and he angrily -demanded what Rakoczy meant. - -"Don't lose your temper. The explanation's simple. Unless you attend, -the committee will brand you either coward or traitor." - -"Rakoczy is right, Stephen. My advice is to go and hear what the count -has to say." - -Stephen examined his pistols and reached down his sword. - -"Very well," he answered grimly; "but I'm afraid the meeting won't be -any the pleasanter for my company. When do we start?" - -"The Joyous" laughed genially. - -"Not for a couple of hours yet; but if you're tired of the house we can -take a stroll through the town." - -Stephen and I considered this a good suggestion, so, having locked the -door, we went out on a tour of inspection. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Several men had already assembled, and others came afterwards, bringing -up the number to perhaps twenty. - -They sat in rows facing a raised desk, and we, being of modest -dispositions, took our seats right at the back. - -"How long before the mummery begins?" asked Stephen. - -"Don't know. Never was here before. Expect they're waiting for the -count. Choice company some of these gentlemen, eh?" - -"Half of them, at least, are not Hungarians," I said. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -This statement produced frantic cheering, and the president had some -difficulty in restoring quiet. - -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. - -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. - -"Now for a thunder-clap!" exclaimed my companion. - -Unlike the president, Stephen spoke in the Hungarian tongue, which -prevented the majority of his hearers from understanding a word he said. - -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. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -Before he had finished speaking, a dozen men placed themselves between -us and the door to bar our passage. - -"Are we to be your next victims?" asked Stephen scornfully. "Well, -every man to his trade." - -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. - -"They will not escape their punishment," he said. "The nation shall -judge them." - -"As it shall judge you," I answered. - -"Come," said Rakoczy, taking my arm; "let us leave before your brother -starts on the war-path again." - -"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." - -"We can go to-morrow, unless the count has given orders to arrest us at -the gates." - -"Perhaps it will be better," exclaimed Stephen. "I am tired of Vienna." - -"I hope the fraeulein will not be hurt in the scuffle." - -"Why not stay behind to protect her?" said Rakoczy in his laughing way, -little dreaming that we should all three be compelled to remain. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Jellachich was actually in sight, and from the roofs of the lofty -buildings we could see the varied uniforms of his motley army. - -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. - -"No running away now," I said. "We must stay and see the end of it." - -Rakoczy laughed. His main regret was that we had no part in the -approaching conflict. - -"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." - -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. - -"They'll wait for Prince Windischgratz, who can bring twenty thousand -men from Bohemia," said Rakoczy, "and then good-bye to the -insurrection." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -Stephen did not greatly appreciate the honour, but he consented to go, -and we passed several very pleasant evenings with the Austrian ladies. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"He certainly knows how to make the men work." - -"Isn't there some gipsy prophecy concerning him?" asked Stephen. - -"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. - -"If the Austrians catch him," said Stephen, "they will put it to the -test by means of a hempen rope." - -"Rather a risky experiment, for Bern," replied our companion with a -humorous twinkle. - -That same night Prince Windischgratz arrived with a fresh army, twenty -thousand strong; and, having joined his colleagues, he summoned the city -to surrender. - -The reply was a curt refusal, and the citizens prepared for the ordeal -of battle. - -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 _generale_ 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. - -It was nearly noon when a signal-shot was fired from the Schwartzenberg -heights, and immediately the bombardment began. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -[Illustration: "_From the woods they poured a hot musketry fire upon the -defenders._" Page 54.]] - -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. - -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. - -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. - -We paused in our work to watch the handsome, bright-eyed fellow as he -stood there, quite cool, the target for hundreds of rifles. - -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. - -Rising slowly, the brave Rakoczy stood for a second, glancing toward the -Prater, then returned to us untouched. - -"Dead," he said briefly; "and the Austrians are preparing for a rush." - -Stephen glanced at the handful of insurgents who still fought doggedly, -but their time was almost come. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -After them marched a regiment of Austrian infantry, well disciplined and -steady as a rock. - -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. - -The Croats swept by like a furious whirlwind, the Austrians followed -more steadily, and we were left to our self-imposed task. - -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. - -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. - -We had just finished our work, and were resting a while, when the -booming of cannon sounded not far off. - -"They're taking the second barricade!" I exclaimed. - -"It will cost them dear," said Rakoczy; "Bern is there!" - -"Let us go and see," said Stephen; "we may be of use." - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - - _VIENNA IN FLAMES._ - - -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. - -The black nozzles of several guns peeped from the huge pile, and the -gunners stood ready with lighted matches. - -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 _sang-froid_ in the hottest of the fire, cheering, -directing, encouraging, and was not hit once. - -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. - -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. - -Once at close quarters, the Viennese would go down before them like ripe -corn beneath the sickle. - -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. - -Of all their number, one alone had reached the goal, and he was a -prisoner. - -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. - -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. - -"The Austrians are going to do the work," said Stephen, who had a strong -prejudice against irregular troops. - -"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. - -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. - -They made a brilliant spectacle, those hardy veterans, with heads erect, -and resolute, determined faces, marching to destruction like one vast -machine. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -Everything there was in confusion. While most of the citizen fighters -clung to their posts, many ran or tried to run away. - -In vain the Polish general exposed himself with the utmost recklessness; -the position was lost. - -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. - -"Forward, forward!" rang out the cry at our feet, and the whole force -advanced at a run. - -The Austrians charged with bayonets levelled; the Croats, discarding -their stanitzas, gripped their handjars, and with loud shouts hurled -themselves against the position. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -We went amongst them, doing the little that was possible to ease their -pain, and helping to remove some into safer quarters. - -To add to the horror, one of the houses caught fire, and it was feared -that the whole street would soon be ablaze. - -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. - -From time to time, too, people brought reports of the fight, and they -all boded ill to the insurgents. - -The railway station of Gloggnitz, the Hotel 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. - -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. - -Red tongues of fire leaped into the sky, forming a grand but terrible -spectacle. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Thus the night passed, and the return of day revealed the horrors of the -scene more plainly still. - -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. - -Daylight restored the true proportion of things, and it was indeed a -sorrowful sight on which we gazed. - -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. - -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. - -The fighting, as far as we could tell, had long since ceased, and was -not renewed. - -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. - -"Bound to submit," said Rakoczy cheerfully, "they can't do anything -else. A revolution seldom succeeds unless the army joins the people." - -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. - -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. - -Rakoczy, who lived in another house, joined us the next morning at -breakfast, and we sat for an hour talking over our plans. - -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. - -"We will go and see the imperialists march in," remarked John; -"afterwards it will be easy to slip away." - -Accordingly we went out, and found the streets filled with excited -people who were shouting tumultuously, "Long live the brave Hungarians!" - -"What's the meaning of this craze?" Stephen asked, looking at us in -surprise. - -"Something up," said Rakoczy, "and something queer too. Let us follow -the crowd; we shall soon learn." - -"Strange there should be so few students and National Guards about," I -remarked. - -"They're on the ramparts and at the gates. They'll stay till the -surrender is formally completed." - -Several men in blouses heard the word "surrender," and immediately -shouted, "No surrender! Down with the Hapsburg butchers! Long live the -brave Hungarians!" - -On all sides the cries were repeated, and we, more astonished than ever, -ran on quickly. - -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. - -We were too far off to hear the exact words, but they were to the effect -that the Austrians were being attacked. - -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. - -"That's no soldier's doing," he said. "No one but an imbecile would pit -our raw recruits against an army of veterans." - -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. - -The capitulation was forgotten; flags were waved, cannon discharged, and -paeans of victory sung. - -Stephen and I talked largely of Hungarian prowess, and of what our -countrymen could do; Rakoczy smiled and said nothing, which showed his -wisdom. - -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. - -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. - -A yell of rage and disappointment greeted the reading of the message. - -Rakoczy's good sense had proved superior to our boasting: the Hungarians -were in full retreat. - -The news produced a startling effect on the Viennese. Obedience to any -power came to an end; the reign of disorder began. - -Shops were looted and private residences sacked; furniture was thrown -into the streets, and the owners were assaulted; the town went mad. - -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. - -"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." - -We found the ladies at home, and very glad they were to see us. - -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. - -"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." - -"Nay," replied Stephen, to whom she spoke. "The Hungarians fight -against men; they do not attack women and children." - -"But," said the young girl, "the rebels acted very unfairly in firing on -the soldiers this morning." - -"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." - -"Meanwhile," said I, blushing boyishly, "if agreeable to you, we propose -to remain here till the danger is over." - -The baroness thanked us warmly for what she was pleased to call our -chivalrous conduct, while the fraeulein's eyes spoke as eloquently as -her mother's lips. - -"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!" - -"Really," exclaimed the fraeulein 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?" - -Rakoczy drew out a locket, which hung round his neck by a fine gold -chain. - -"Do you recognize that picture?" he asked, releasing the spring. - -"Why, it is the emperor himself." - -"It is also the King of Hungary, for whom thousands of Hungarians would -lay down their lives." - -The girl knitted her brows, as if trying to solve some knotty problem. - -"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." - -"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." - -"But I understood you were all republicans," said the baroness. - -"We are royalists, madam," replied Stephen. - -"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." - -"Listen!" I exclaimed. "The street is filled with people." - -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. - -Rakoczy and Stephen ran to aid the servants in case of need, while I -stayed with the ladies. - -I suggested it would be well to draw the curtains, but the baroness -would not consent, so we sat looking down into the street. - -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. - -The baroness gave an expressive little shrug of the shoulders. - -"What poltroons!" she exclaimed contemptuously. "If my husband were -here they would run like a flock of frightened sheep." - -With this remark I could scarcely agree; nevertheless I had sufficient -wisdom to keep my doubts to myself. - -I looked at the fraeulein. Her face was pale, but she was perfectly -cool and collected; as she said afterwards, a soldier's daughter must -learn to face danger. - -"It's only a street brawl," I said. "They will get tired soon and go -away." - -But it is always difficult to reckon on what a mob will do, and this was -a case in point. - -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. - -The effect of that one blow was to change the character of the crowd -entirely. - -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. - -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!" - -The baroness moved nearer to the window, and I placed myself in front of -her, saying,-- - -"This is madness, madam!" - -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. - -The battering at the door and windows stopped while the crowd looked up -curiously. - -In a clear, hard, but passionless voice the baroness said,-- - -"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." - -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. - -"Foolhardiness is not bravery," I said brusquely, and shut the window. - -Then the attack on the door recommenced, and we heard quite distinctly -the thud, thud of the heavy weapons. - -I went to the head of the stairs and looked down. - -Franz stood by the door with his ponderous club in his hand; I pitied -the man who should be first to enter. - -The other servants were on the stairs, and by their looks I judged they -would be of scanty service to their mistress. - -My brother and Rakoczy, sword in one hand, pistol in the other, stood -near Franz. - -"The Joyous" caught sight of me, and laughed. - -"A new way of entertaining guests," he said. "The Baroness von Arnstein -will become famous for her receptions!" - -"The door yields!" exclaimed Franz gravely. "See to the ladies, mein -Herr;" and he took a firmer grip of his club. - -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. - -The baroness looked at her daughter, who smiled back in answer; neither -appeared the least moved. - -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. - -"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!" - -"What cowards!" exclaimed the baroness scornfully. "They will do no -good." - -"They may form shields for braver men," said her daughter. - -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. - -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. - -Uttering a cry of encouragement, I ran down, and, discharging my pistol -into the thick of the crowd, drew my sword. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -In the next chapter I will relate exactly what happened. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - - _ARRESTED._ - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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 hotel of the minister of war. - -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. - -The young fellow removed his cap, and bowed deferentially, almost to the -ground. - -"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." - -The elder lady looked at him in scorn, and said coldly, "Your -ragamuffins have much to answer for, Captain von Theyer." - -"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." - -"Were you in your right place, you would be outside, not inside, the -walls of Vienna," the baroness said with a marked sneer. - -"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." - -"Conditions!" cried the baroness scornfully; "Windischgratz will make no -terms with the rebels!" - -"The night grows late," said Theresa, making him a mock curtsy, "and we -have yet to repair the mischief done by your friends." - -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. - -Besides, it was necessary to set Franz's arm, and Stephen also required -attention, though happily he was not seriously hurt. - -The servants, who during the fight had left us in the lurch, now came -forward to help. - -While one went to fetch a surgeon, others temporarily refixed the -shattered door, and washed the blood-stains from the stairs. - -Rakoczy bound the arm of the valiant Franz, who, after receiving the -thanks and praises of the ladies, was taken to his room. - -We persuaded Stephen to lie down on a couch, where the baroness herself -washed his wounds, while Theresa prepared a cooling drink for him. - -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. - -We did not think it likely that the rioters would return; still it was -possible, and we resolved upon leaving nothing to chance. - -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. - -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 fraeulein -and the dashing young leader of the insurgents. - -The hours dragged by very slowly, but daylight came at last, and I -immediately sent one of the servants into the streets for news. - -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. - -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. - -Franz, too, was doing well, and the knowledge of the capitulation -relieved the mind of our hostess from further fear. - -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. - -The baroness asked to have a window opened, and a white-faced servant -obeyed with trembling fingers. - -"Surely I hear the great bell of St. Stephen's?" exclaimed our hostess -in astonishment. - -"Yes, madam," said Rakoczy; "the tocsin is certainly sounding." - -"The people have broken faith again," said she. "I wonder the prince -stoops to treat with them." - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -It was one o'clock when he came back, and by that time the firing had -ceased. - -"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." - -"It will be rather awkward for the leaders," I remarked, thinking of the -handsome young captain. - -"They are like eels," said the baroness spitefully, "and will manage to -wriggle out of it." - -"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." - -"A tongue of silver is a very good gift, sometimes," observed Rakoczy. - -"I should think a steel blade would be of more importance to a soldier," -retorted Stephen. - -"It cannot do half as much mischief!" cried Theresa merrily. "But, are -you going?" for my brother had risen. - -"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." - -"Which means you are about to join the ranks of our enemies?" - -"We are Hungarians, and should be disgraced if we stood idly by while -our countrymen fought for liberty." - -"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." - -"We shall never forget what you have done for us," said Theresa softly, -and her proud eyes strongly suggested tears. - -We wished them good-bye; and even when in the street I, for one, looked -back to catch a last glimpse of the pretty fraeulein as she waved her -hand from the window in farewell. - -"And now for Hungary!" cried "The Joyous," "though I fear we must travel -afoot: horses are not to be had for love or money." - -"We can walk," replied my brother. "I have had more than enough of -Vienna." - -"I believe George is sorry at leaving the pretty Austrian." - -"And her mother," I added, trying to make a laugh of it. - -At this "The Joyous" smiled, saying I was a hypocrite, and that it would -be well to take me away with all speed. - -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. - -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. - -"Come in!" cried I briskly, and an officer in the Austrian service -entered. - -"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." - -"Very kind of you!" exclaimed Rakoczy. "But isn't there some mistake?" - -The officer took a paper from his pocket. - -"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. - -"Come!" laughed "The Joyous;" "after that it will be uncivil to refuse -our parole." - -"And quite useless," I added in Hungarian. "If we escaped the officer, -we could not leave the city." - -"What do you say, Stephen?" - -"Surrender is a poor way of beginning a fight." - -"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." - -Our captor, who was certainly a very polished gentleman, did all he -could to soften the blow. - -Very few people noticed us as we walked towards the infantry barracks, -where we were to be detained till further orders. - -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. - -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. - -They looked on these enthusiastic youths as the authors of all the -mischief, and to a certain extent they were doubtless right. - -Our prison was a small, square room with whitewashed walls, bare of -furniture, but having benches round the sides. - -"Well," said I in disgust, "what are we to do now?" - -"Go to sleep, and dream we are in Pesth," replied Rakoczy, lying down on -one of the benches. - -Stephen paced backward and forward restlessly. - -"I don't understand it at all," he observed. "Why have they arrested -us? What can we be charged with?" - -"Depends upon who our accusers are," answered Rakoczy. "It is plain -that some kind friend has denounced us by name to the Austrian general." - -At once I thought of Count Beula, but John shook his head. - -"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." - -He looked meaningly at Stephen, who nodded. - -"Don't speak in riddles!" I exclaimed irritably. "Tell me in plain -words what you think!" - -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. - -"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." - -"Well?" I said. - -"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." - -"What has that to do with us?" - -"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 fraeulein." - -"Do you mean the fellow is jealous of us?" I said, blushing crimson. - -"Of me," replied Rakoczy, curling his moustache and looking very grave. - -I half suspected he was quizzing me, but could not feel quite certain, -till I caught him winking at Stephen, when they both laughed. - -"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. - -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. - -Prince Windischgratz, attended by several members of his staff, was in a -room in the officers' quarters. - -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. - -Addressing us in a mild voice, he asked us how it happened that we were -found in Vienna with arms in our hands. - -Rakoczy was about to reply when Stephen forestalled him, which I -regretted, as my brother was not remarkable for the calmness of his -language. - -"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." - -Several of the officers uttered angry exclamations, but the prince -smiled good-naturedly. - -"There is some difference between peaceful travellers and armed rebels," -said he; "and you are suspected of being the latter." - -"It is false!" retorted my brother flatly. - -"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." - -"Hungarians are not assassins," said Stephen coldly. - -"The friends of Count Lamberg speak differently," interrupted one of the -officers with a bitter sneer. - -"You are ungenerous, sir, to taunt the Hungarian nation with the crime -of a handful of ragamuffins," I said. - -"Yes, yes," exclaimed the prince; "but that is not the point. Can you -deny the charges made against you?" - -Stephen glanced round him indifferently; he would not deign to answer, -and I followed his example. - -Rakoczy, however, still smiling and confident, spoke for all. - -"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." - -"Talk is cheap," sneered the officer who had spoken before. "Why, that -very fellow was at the first barricade in the Prater!" - -"Is that so?" asked the prince. - -"Yes," said Rakoczy simply; "I was there." - -"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." - -"At this rate, your highness, it will soon appear that the town was -captured by these heroes," chuckled a grizzled veteran. - -I concluded that the speaker was of high rank, as every one laughed at -his remark, as if he had said something witty. - -They were still enjoying the joke when the door opened and another -officer entered the room. - -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. - -His entrance attracted notice, and the prince himself stepped forward to -greet him. - -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. - -At length the conversation was finished, and the prince, turning to his -staff, said,-- - -"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." - -"That would follow naturally," said Rakoczy, "if every Austrian were a -Prince Windischgratz." - -"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." - -We replied in the same spirit, and, accompanied by Baron von Arnstein, -left the room. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"So we are," said Stephen promptly. "Royalists and loyalists too, if -the emperor will but grant our rights." - -"What do you think, then, would happen, if by any means the war should -end in your favour?" - -"We should force the emperor to restore our constitution, and then -return to our allegiance." - -"Shake hands all round," said Rakoczy genially. - -The baron shook his head. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -The baron saw us in safety to the farthest outpost, where we stopped to -wish him farewell. - -"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." - -We thanked him for his advice, sent back a friendly message to his wife -and daughter, and then set out on our journey. - -"A fine fellow," remarked Rakoczy, throwing a glance back. "I hope we -shall never meet him in a charge." - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - - _HARD WORK AT PESTH._ - - -"Rakoczy! Not dead? Where did you spring from? Vienna? Been helping -the _proletaires_? 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." - -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 Goergei, who was to become, without exception, the most -famous general in Hungary. - -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. - -Rakoczy, who had known Goergei in private life, immediately inquired for -the general, and we were conducted to him. - -"Haven't any refreshments to offer you," he continued, when we were -inside the tent; "but never mind--somebody has." - -He went to the opening, and we heard him say,-- - -"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?" - -"Not at all. They were dumfounded. They couldn't believe it possible -that the Hungarians were running away." - -The general clapped the speaker on the back, and laughed with the most -frank good-humour. - -"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." - -"But what did the other brigades do?" - -Goergei pushed up his spectacles and looked at us with a twinkle. - -"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." - -"Capital chap, this Sturitz, to send borrowing," remarked Rakoczy, -sipping his wine. "He brings good stuff." - -"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." - -"One moment, general," said Stephen. "Can you tell me what we're -supposed to be fighting for?" - -Goergei looked from my brother to Rakoczy, who said,-- - -"In truth, general, things seem a little bit mixed. Over in Vienna they -talk as if we wanted to set up a republic." - -"A republic?" cried Goergei. "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!'" - -"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." - -"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." - -"You aren't going to turn me into a drill-sergeant?" - -"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." - -"Where am I to go?" - -"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?" - -"Take them on your staff," suggested Rakoczy. "They'll get both then." - -"Haven't room for more than one." - -"Let that be Stephen," I exclaimed promptly. - -"Take George. He is the better horseman," said my brother. - -"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." - -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. - -We had drunk another glass of wine to the success of the coming -campaign; and Goergei, having made out the necessary papers, gave -Sturitz orders to furnish us with horses. - -Then, with kindly thought, the general took Rakoczy outside, leaving me -to wish my brother farewell. - -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. - -"There's Sturitz with the animals," said Stephen, as the clatter of -horses' hoofs sounded outside the tent. "Well, good-bye, dear old -fellow." - -"Don't be too venturesome," I replied, and returning the pressure of his -hand, followed him to where the general stood with Rakoczy. - -"Here you are, George," cried the latter gaily. "Thanks to the chief, -we start the war on horseback, however we may finish." - -"Remember," said the general, "drill, drill, drill, and plenty of rifle -practice." - -"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. - -Glancing back, I saw Stephen waving his cap, and Goergei with his hands -behind his back and his head bent forward, already plunged in deep -thought. - -The weather was bitterly cold, and the roads were abominable; but we -rode thoroughbred Magyar horses, which carried us at a rattling pace. - -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. - -"Wonderful man, Goergei," 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." - -"Has he ever seen service?" - -"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." - -"Where are the others?" - -"Don't know; but wherever the hardest work's to be done, you may be -sure. Stephen will find his job tougher than ours." - -"It will please him the more. By the way, I wonder if Count Beula -escaped from Vienna?" - -"Most likely. Bern did. Goergei 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." - -"It's very good of the Poles to help us, but I'd rather see a Hungarian -army led by a Magyar chief." - -"So would I. Still, we ought not to grumble with the bridge that -carries us over the stream." - -Sound advice, no doubt, though it scarcely satisfied me, and I was to -think a good deal more about it before the campaign finished. - -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. - -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. - -However, they were enthusiastic, and if not patient, at least tractable; -so their instructors hoped to make something of them before long. - -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. - -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. - -To a military veteran the spectacle must have afforded ample food for -fun and amusement. Rakoczy laughed without stint. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -In one respect, however, they were all alike--they were dreadfully in -earnest and bent on learning their new trade. - -It was early morning when we went out to the Rakos; the sun had set when -we returned to the city. - -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. - -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. - -Certainly Goergei 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. - -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. - -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. - -Though hearing nothing of Stephen, I did not feel uneasy, as thus far -Goergei had only made a show of fighting to delay the enemy's advance -while we were shaping an army. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The next morning, before starting for Pesth, we learned that Goergei, -having abandoned Raab, was falling back on the capital, and that General -Perczel was being hard pressed by the Croats under Jellachich. - -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. - -Goergei 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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -This was Count Louis Batthiany before the evil days, alas! so soon to -come, fell upon him. - -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. - -Watching his almost royal progress through the brilliant throng, I -thought of the words spoken by Baron von Arnstein, and looked on coldly. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -He wore a plain Honved uniform, over which was thrown a grey mantle. - -The count stepped forward to meet him, and the two talked together -earnestly, but in low tones. - -"Kossuth is a great man!" exclaimed a portly civilian standing near us. - -"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." - -"Kossuth is a splendid talker." - -"Right again, friend," said my companion dryly. "His eloquence has -created the raw material which Goergei will fashion into an army. Some -talk, some fight; let each man stick to his trade." - -"I hope," said the citizen mildly, after a glance at our Honved -uniforms, "that Goergei will be able to make something of you." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -I have mentioned that Rakoczy had a magnificent voice, but until that -night I had not even dreamed of its power. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Then, with a ringing "Elijen Szondi!" in honour of our host, we broke up -and passed singly or in groups into the street. - -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. - -"A wonderful contrast this," I exclaimed, setting off with "The Joyous" -and several other officers for the barracks. - -"As great as that between Hungary united and Hungary divided against -itself," replied one of them. - -"Or as that between Batthiany and Kossuth," suggested Rakoczy, after -which we lapsed into silence. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - - _A FIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS._ - - -"George!" - -I had not been in bed an hour, and it was quite dark, when Rakoczy's -voice wakened me from a sound sleep. - -"Turn out and dress quickly," he continued. "We are ordered to Waitzen; -the men are under arms." - -"All right," I replied sleepily, and tumbling out grazed my shins -against an iron box. - -"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. - -After a vain attempt to dress in the dark, I procured a light, and -having made a hasty toilet hastened to the officers' messroom. - -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. - -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." - -"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?" - -"Don't know," replied Rakoczy innocently. "Ask some one else." - -We were laughing at Rakoczy's pretended simplicity, when another man, -coming in, said,-- - -"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?" - -"Which? The hailstones or the blackness?" asked Rakoczy. - -"This sudden turn-out. A pity we hadn't stayed at Szondi's a couple of -hours later." - -"I heard a rumour that Goergei had sent a messenger to say he was -retreating with the Austrians on his heels." - -"He should imitate the horses and kick out behind." - -"I expect he will show fight at Ofen." - -"With a crowd of peasants? Not likely. His best plan is to fall back." - -"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." - -"There's the bugle, gentlemen! Ach!" as some one opened the door; "what -a blast!" - -I wrapped my mantle round me closely, took another pull at the hot -coffee, and went into the barrack-yard. - -Two or three hundred men were drawn up in waiting. They were to convoy a -huge store of food and ammunition to Waitzen. - -Rather to my disgust, I found that Rakoczy and I were to look after the -carts, and a wretched time of it we had. - -For several hours we trudged along in the blackness of the night, while -the hailstorm beat down upon us in fury. - -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. - -This first spell of active service was hardly to my liking, and even -upon reaching Waitzen things were very little better. - -However, a merry heart is a golden cure for most ills, and it was not -easy to be miserable where Rakoczy was. - -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. - -After waiting two days at Waitzen we learned that Goergei, by a sharp -manoeuvre, had joined hands with Perczel, and that the Austrians were -marching into Pesth. - -Many of us had wondered at being sent with stores to Waitzen, but now we -began to understand something of our leader's foresight. - -Leaving the main army to retreat behind the Theiss, Goergei, 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. - -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. - -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. - -Of the general he spoke enthusiastically. - -"Goergei 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." - -For several days longer we remained at Waitzen picking up recruits from -the north, and then moved on towards Kremnitz. - -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. - -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. - -Having accomplished his object, Goergei 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. - -I was certainly serving a rough apprenticeship to the trade of war. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -As our regiment led the way, we were the first to bear the brunt of this -new danger. - -"Steady, men!" cried Rakoczy. "Plant your feet firmly on the ground and -lock arms, or you'll be carried away." - -The men responded instantly, but for a long time they could make no -headway against the torrent. - -Again and again we led them forward, but each time it was only for a few -paces. - -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. - -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. - -The general himself tried, and failed to put heart into them. Then he -whispered something to Stephen, who, with a smile, turned and -disappeared. - -Suddenly there came a shout from the rear, feeble at first, but rapidly -increasing in volume. - -"Push on! Quick! Quick! The Austrians are on us! The enemy! The -enemy!" - -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. - -However, the Austrians did not put in an appearance; and when I asked -Rakoczy what had become of them, he laughed gaily. - -"Gone back to where they came from, most likely!" he said. - -"Where's that?" - -"Goergei's brain." - -"What? Was it simply a trick?" - -"Ask Stephen when you get a chance; he ought to know." - -"And I've been expecting every minute to see the blaze of their guns -from the heights!" - -"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." - -Three days after this conversation the truth of these words was brought -home to us in a very striking manner. - -Goergei, 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. - -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. - -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. - -The regiment halted; Goergei 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. - -Suddenly the great guns thundered out, and our own replied; the unequal -artillery duel had begun. - -We moved up steadily, and the sharpshooters, running forward and getting -whatever cover they could, picked off the Austrian gunners. - -Our own artillerymen worked their pieces bravely, but were altogether -overmatched. - -The place must be taken by storm, and the assault fell to the share of -the 9th. - -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. - -Now I was in a similar position, and my heart beat quickly as I stood -there waiting for the word of command. - -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. - -Rakoczy's handsome face lit up with his usual smile as he nodded to me -pleasantly. - -At length the artillery fire on our side ceased, the word rang out, the -regiment moved forward. - -The order was that no man should stop to fire; but our fellows were not -veterans, and it was disregarded. - -Still, considering that hardly one of us had been under fire before, we -did not do so badly. - -Goergei gave us a cheer as we passed the staff; Stephen waved his hand -to me, and we were gone. - -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. - -"Forward!" cried the colonel, waving his sword. - -"Forward!" echoed Rakoczy, still smiling; and we ran with such speed -that the first discharge checked only those who fell. - -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. - -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. - -Back they went helter-skelter, tumbling over one another in their -eagerness to seek shelter, Rakoczy's orders being unheeded in the -stampede. - -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. - -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. - -The artillery duel began again, while we re-formed our ranks and looked -about us gloomily. - -On our right and left huge precipices, covered with ice and snow, -towered skyward. - -If only it were practicable to scale them, we might yet drive the -Austrians out. - -I could not keep my eyes from the cliffs, nor dismiss the idea from my -head. - -Fifty good shots perched up there could pick off every artilleryman who -stood by the enemy's guns. - -There were numerous mountaineers in the regiment, and I myself had -always been reckoned a good climber. - -I had just escaped death; but unless some other plan was discovered, -Goergei would fling us at that barrier until those who survived--if -there were any--did get over. In fact, he could not help himself. - -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. - -I went to Rakoczy and told him what was in my head. - -Just for an instant he turned pale, and the smile left his face, but he -soon recovered his composure. - -"There are a hundred chances of death in fifty yards," he said, "and a -thousand when the Austrians see the dodge." - -"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?" - -"I wouldn't order or even ask you to try; but if you're bent on it--" - -"It may save hundreds of lives." - -"Then I'll borrow you a hatchet, and call for volunteers." - -He turned to the regiment. "I want twenty men fond of mountain-climbing -to go on a little excursion with Lieutenant Botskay." - -More than half the regiment stepped to the front, and, selecting a -score, I told them what we were going to do. - -The major sent for some hatchets, and then informed Goergei, who -instantly dispatched a cloud of sharpshooters to distract the enemy's -attention. - -Unbuckling my sword, I gave it to Rakoczy, and, in case of accidents, -wished him good-bye. - -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. - -My twenty men--all muscular, wiry fellows--laid aside their rifles, and, -axe in hand, stood ready to mount. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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." - -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. - -"It will get wider, sir; and once round, the rest will be easy." - -I gave one last thought to my friends and put my foot on the ledge. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Hold tight, sir. Szemere has gone over--missed his footing." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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! - -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. - -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,-- - -"My life is yours, sweet master. Mecsey Sandor is your servant for ever -and ever." - -We in Hungary adopt the plan of placing the surname first; -English-speaking people would call the man Sandor or Alexander Mecsey. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -So plain was this that the leader, while still maintaining a brave show -against Goergei, began to draw off his troops, and from our -vantage-place we watched them sullenly retire. - -Very slowly and steadily they went, while we, springing to our feet, -cheered again and again. - -Down below, our comrades secured the abandoned post, leaving the next -regiment, which had suffered hardly at all, to pursue the enemy. - -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. - -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. - -"Gallant lads, one and all," he said; "yours is to-day's victory." - -We answered with an "Elijen Goergei!" and when he departed, the men of -the regiment crowded round to congratulate their comrades. - -As for me, the "Well done!" of Rakoczy, who was now colonel, and -Stephen's warm embrace, were sufficient reward; but Goergei thought -otherwise, and I, who had entered the pass as a simple lieutenant, left -it as a captain. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - - _A DRAWN BATTLE._ - - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -In addition, the Austrians gave us plenty of employment in the fighting -line, especially near the summit, where they occupied the passes in -force. - -However, as Goergei 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. - -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." - -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. - -He joked with the men on their troubles till the poor fellows almost -began to believe they were grumbling about nothing. - -"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 Goergei.' 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!" - -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. - -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. - -"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!" - -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. - -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. - -The march towards Kaschau was marked by a series of desperate fights -with the troops under the Austrian general Schlick. - -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. - -The last of these assaults was of a very determined nature, and for a -time had every chance of succeeding. - -We were within a day's march of Kaschau, and had covered many weary -miles since the morning. - -A thick fog had come up with the night--so thick, indeed, it was that it -closed us in like a curtain. - -Most of the men fell asleep directly they lay down, and very soon there -was not a sound to be heard in the camp. - -Towards midnight I was awakened by a wild shouting, and springing to my -feet, found that the Austrians were in the midst of us. - -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. - -Rakoczy's voice kept his regiment well together, and owing chiefly to -the steadiness of the 9th Honveds the Austrians were finally repulsed. - -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. - -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. - -Very glad we were when morning came; and having eaten our breakfasts, -which occupied little time, we set out for Kaschau. - -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. - -Rakoczy pointed out the general to me, and said that, next to Goergei, -he was the finest soldier in the army. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"That's Kossuth's idea," said Rakoczy, "and very badly he'll find it -work." - -Stephen, who at last had found time to spare an hour with us, was very -indignant. - -"A Magyar army has no need of a Polish general," he exclaimed, -"especially when it counts such men as Goergei and Klapka among its -leaders." - -"The Pole is a republican," I remarked, thinking of the talk at Vienna. -"Goergei is a royalist." - -"And his proclamation did him little good with the Kossuth party." - -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." - -"If Goergei held up his little finger, the army would sweep Kossuth and -his Poles out of the country!" my brother cried warmly. - -"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." - -What Goergei 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 Goergei as their natural chief. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Compared with this tremendous fight, our encounters with Schlick in the -mountains were little more than playing at war. - -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. - -By means of a field-glass I saw what happened to the first, and the fate -of several others was like it. - -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. - -These greyish-white dots were officers. One carried what might have -been a handkerchief; really it was the famous black and yellow colours. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -I watched him with intense fascination, till once again a thick black -cloud drifted across my lens. - -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. - -Suddenly the movement of the mass increased in speed, but it was still -one body, save for that detached point in the van. - -To it something--I could only guess what--at last happened. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Steady, my boys, steady! Don't fire till you get the word. Remember -our general trusts to the 9th Honveds." - -The words and the cheer that followed them brought me back with a rush -to the reality of my own position. - -That which had engaged my attention as a spectator I was about to take -part in as an actor. - -Two battalions were advancing at the double across the plain, and others -had formed up in support. - -We held one of the keys of the position, and Goergei himself, trusting -to Rakoczy's influence, had placed us there. - -If we retreated, the battle would be lost; and no subsequent victory -could ever wipe out our disgrace. - -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. - -Steadily the men waited, trusting implicitly in their colonel, while the -two battalions crossed the plain and dashed at the heights. - -"Fire!" - -Sharp and clear the word rang out, and every trigger was pulled at the -same instant, as if the regiment had been a machine. - -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. - -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. - -Up they came, scorning death, and contemptuous of the Hungarian peasants -so recently converted into soldiers. - -But "John the Joyous" led us, and we had learned many lessons during our -march over the mountains with Goergei. - -Standing our ground firmly, we poured volley after volley into the midst -of the climbing Austrians. - -Still the survivors advanced, and, fed from below, maintained their -numbers, while many of our fellows began to drop. - -The colonel was everywhere, and his cheery voice encouraged those under -his command. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The enemy were continually reinforced; our losses were not made good, -and the longer the struggle lasted the more unequal it became. - -For myself, I feared that the attack would prove too strong; and, as -Rakoczy told me afterwards, he was of the same opinion. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"You must die where you stand," he had said, "for the honour of the -Magyars," and we had answered with a cheer. - -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. - -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. - -I had twice escaped death myself, through the devotion of Mecsey Sandor, -who, since the affair in the pass, had taken every opportunity to show -his gratitude. - -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. - -Sandor, 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. - -My men cheered as I rose to my feet and again dashed into the thick of -the fight. - -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. - -"Goergei! Goergei! elijen Goergei!" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The reinforcement was few in numbers, but Goergei counted a host in -himself, and the sight of his tall, spare frame and spectacled, -weather-beaten countenance inspired us all with new courage. - -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. - -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. - -The cheers for Goergei 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." - -Then, amidst another wild outburst of cheering, he went back to the -summit. - -While his chief talked thus to Rakoczy, Stephen came to me. - -In the struggle he had not received a scratch; but it was different with -me, and my brother's face looked very grave. - -"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." - -He shook my hand warmly and followed his chief, but I noticed that more -than once he turned and looked back sorrowfully. - -The combat, which had lasted for six hours, now ceased on the two wings, -but continued in the centre with unabated fury. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -As I had told Stephen, my hurts were not dangerous, and directly the -surgeon had bound them up I returned to the front. - -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. - -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. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - - _THE RETREAT._ - - -In spite of the cold I fell asleep at last, and did not waken until the -morning. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Feel equal to another bout?" asked the colonel, coming up to me. - -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. - -"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." - -"Windischgratz won't strike till he can make pretty sure of hitting the -mark. Probably he expects Schlick to join him." - -"According to the scouts, Schlick can't arrive till it's all over." - -"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." - -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. - -Meanwhile the morning advanced, and about seven o'clock the enemy's -heavy guns opened fire at Kapolna. - -Evidently the attack was to be conducted on a different plan, and very -soon the cause of the alteration became plain. - -Our position not being threatened, we were able to look about, and from -the height obtained a good view of the field. - -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?" - -"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?" - -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." - -"Impossible!" cried one of the officers. "His men would all have -dropped on the march." - -In spite of our astonishment, however, the Austrian general was on the -field, and pounding away at our right wing with terrific effect. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -On they went, and with an exulting cry swept into the town, from which -there immediately arose tongues of fire. - -The combat was now hidden from us, and we watched in the greatest -excitement for what would happen. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -It was at this time that Stephen rode up with an order for our colonel, -and instantly the regiment was on the move. - -My brother's face brightened when he saw me, and he stopped to say a -word or two. - -I asked him how the battle was going, and he replied in a whisper, -"Altogether against us; and only Goergei's bravery has kept the right. -Good-bye! In an hour there will be an avalanche." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Steady, my lads!" cried the colonel. "Keep shoulder to shoulder. If -you give way, we're lost." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"A gallant fellow and a gallant deed," I said, thinking of the trooper, -as the hussars galloped off. - -"Well done, lads!" cried Rakoczy. "They will learn to respect the 9th -Honveds." - -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. - -Met each time by a rain of bullets, they wheeled and galloped away, -though twice Von Theyer brought them within touch of the bayonets. - -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. - -Three times we sent them back with many empty saddles, but their -fair-haired young leader was not to be denied. - -"Steady!" exclaimed the colonel. "Keep your fire! Here they come!" - -They made a brilliant show with their shining breastplates and helmets -and nodding plumes as, holding their sabres ready, they thundered down -on us. - -"Fire!" - -Steady as rocks, the Honveds kept their ground; the rifles blazed out; -the hussars were checked. - -No! Here they were amongst us, cutting and slashing; and foremost of -them all rode Von Theyer. - -A superb rider and a fine swordsman, he was the _beau ideal_ of a -cavalry leader, and handled his men splendidly. - -As if I were the special object of attack, he rode straight at me, and -crying, "Remember Vienna!" struck furiously with his sword. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"That fellow meant business," said the colonel, as we continued the -retreat. "See what comes from interfering in the concerns of other -people." - -"What do you mean? I haven't done anything to make him angry." - -"Ha, ha!" laughed Rakoczy. "What about saving the fraeulein'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." - -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. - -Except for our own regiment and the regular cavalry, the Hungarian army -had become a helpless, drifting mob. - -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. - -Had the Austrians followed up their victory, they could have swept us -all, bag and baggage, into the Theiss. - -Fortunately the pursuit was confined to a single brigade, and even that -we had the utmost difficulty in beating off. - -About two miles eastward of Kapolna, Goergei rode up, attended by his -staff, and a ringing cheer greeted his arrival. - -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. - -"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." - -"We'll hold it, general, living or dead," replied Rakoczy. - -"Good! If I can stop any of those wretched runaways, they shall support -you." - -"We'll do it by ourselves, general," cried an old sergeant; and the men, -repeating his words, cheered loudly. - -The general's face lit up with a proud smile. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"A cheer for the hussars, my lads!" cried Rakoczy, and we sent up a -shout that might have been heard a mile off. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -At the same time the Croats, like savage dogs unleashed, bounded across -the open ground. - -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. - -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. - -Our men continued firing till the very last instant, then a hand-to-hand -struggle began. - -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. - -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. - -Every minute after the first rude shock helped us, for the hot fit of -the Croats cooled, while the Magyars fought with increased stubbornness. - -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. - -I watched them go, and then, faint from loss of blood, leaned against a -tree. - -Another victory such as that, I well knew, would clean out the 9th -Honveds, and so did Rakoczy; but he didn't say so. - -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. - -When he caught sight of me he said softly,-- - -"Hurt, George?" - -"Another scratch," I replied faintly; "but, I say, colonel, what has -become of the hussars?" - -"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." - -"No, I shall be all right; but isn't that a cloud of fog?" - -"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. - -Rakoczy had blessed the fog; and, indeed, it proved of the utmost -service to us. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -We tramped on in the midst of the darkness like a regiment of lost -souls. - -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. - -As far as I could tell, we might be marching right into the midst of the -Austrian troops. - -The fog filled our nostrils and throats, almost choking us. - -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. - -The wound in my shoulder, which Mecsey Sandor 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. - -I was ashamed of my weakness, yet it was good to lean upon a strong arm, -and for a time I walked quite steadily. - -An extraordinary accident put an end to my powers of endurance, and left -me with no more strength than that of a baby. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Sometimes they placed me on the ground, where I stayed for hours; then -raising me again they carried me as before. - -The fog went with us all the time, so I could not divide night from day, -and no sound ever broke the weird silence. - -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. - -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. - -After that they took me to some covered place, where, being warm and -comfortable, I straightway fell asleep. - -From then my impressions grew more distinct. I remember seeing -Rakoczy's face, which looked less cheerful than usual, and the -spectacled countenance of Goergei. - -I thought Stephen also looked sorrowfully at me, but that was a dream, -as I afterwards discovered. - -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. - -Several other men were already there, and one in particular groaned most -miserably at every jolt of the clumsy vehicle. - -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. - -That ghostly regiment, gliding through the blackness, unseen, unheard, -had in my weakened state preyed on my nerves. - -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. - -Somewhere on the journey we halted a long, long time, and at length -proceeded very slowly and cautiously. - -We were crossing the Theiss on a narrow and temporary bridge, though the -infantry had gone over on the ice. - -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. - -The next time the wagon halted, a man, clambering into it, brought a -flask, from which several of us drank. - -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. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - - _ON THE SICK LIST._ - - -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. - -The meagre light from two candles showed that I was not the only inmate -of this poverty-stricken dwelling. - -Ranged round the walls were five other figures, each on a bundle of -straw and wrapped in a bunda. - -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. - -However, I felt warm, and warmth in those days was the greatest -happiness. - -I positively shuddered at the mere remembrance of the intense cold of -the last week or two. - -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 Petoefi--"Rise, Magyars, rise!" - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"Shut up, Janko! Can't you see the chap's out of his mind? Let the -poor beggar sing. It does him good." - -"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." - -Meanwhile Petreskey, staring round the room with his wild eyes, broke -out again, and sang till he was too weak to utter another note. - -The two other men had taken no notice of the incident, but lay on their -straw like logs. - -I tried to get into talk with the surly Janko, but he only grunted -morosely and covered his head with his bunda. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"What there is left of him," I answered; "but there doesn't appear to be -much." - -"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." - -I was glad to hear Rakoczy still lived, and inquired anxiously after -Stephen. - -"On General Goergei'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." - -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!" - -Soon after breakfast the door opened, and Rakoczy entered, his face -beaming with smiles, his eyes bright and sparkling. - -Stephen had once compared him with a sunbeam, but to me that morning he -seemed more like a million sunbeams rolled into one. - -At the sight of him even Janko forgot to look sulky, and saluted with -his remaining arm. - -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. - -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. - -His lips twitched nervously, and I believe his eyes were moist; but he -carried the matter off in his usual jocular way. - -"Well, George," he exclaimed, laughing, "I hear the silovitz got into -your head, and you pushed poor Mecsey Sandor into the river. There's -nothing like a cold bath when the brain's heated; but 'twas rather rough -on Sandor, 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." - -"Then it was Mecsey who saved my life?" - -"Truth, you may say that. He hauled you out from under the ice, and -pushed you on to dry land." - -"What a night it was! I should think the whole regiment had a -drenching." - -"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. Goergei says he didn't think you were in such a hurry -to retreat." - -"Don't poke fun, but tell me what happened. Were there many lives -lost?" - -"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." - -"Had quite enough of that at Pesth," I replied, laughing. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"Gentlemen," said the colonel, "I have brought Captain Botskay to share -your apartment." - -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. - -"Glad to see you, captain," said the first, adding quickly, "That is, -sorry you've been hurt, but right glad of your company." - -Dobozy had been wounded in the wood, and I had sent him to the rear, -which he remembered and now gratefully acknowledged. - -"I must be off," said the colonel, "but will look in to-morrow. -Meanwhile I'll send Mecsey Sandor to wait on you; he'll be delighted, -and you can't very well push him into another river." - -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 Sandor arrived, and I -thanked him warmly for what he had done. - -"'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." - -"You saved mine, though, and I shan't forget it." - -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. - -The two lieutenants were already strong enough to hobble about, but -several days passed before I was able to join them. - -Rakoczy called every morning, sometimes in the evening as well, and his -visits did more toward our recovery than all the doctor's stuff. - -One day, however, he came to say good-bye. The regiment had received -orders to recross the Theiss. - -"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." - -"What has Vetter to do with it?" I asked in surprise. - -"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. - -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 Goergei's brigade at that place. - -We questioned Sandor, 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. - -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. - -My brother had altered much in the short time since the war broke out. - -From a boy, he seemed to have become a man all at once, and I cannot say -that I liked the change. - -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. - -The two lieutenants had very considerately gone outside, but now I -called them in and introduced them to my brother. - -"The general gives you little leisure time," Thurzo remarked. - -"Very little," replied Stephen; "but then he gives himself less. I -doubt if even Kossuth works harder." - -"Glad to hear you give the dictator his due." - -"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." - -"Bravo!" cried Dobozy. "Hungary a kingdom is my motto; and not Hungary -a republic." - -"The 9th Honveds are all royalists," remarked Thurzo quietly. - -"And every regiment in the brigade," said Stephen. "Kossuth discovered -that not very long ago." - -"Tell us about it, Stephen. We've only heard just the bare outline." - -"Well, the fuss began at Poroszlo during the retreat. As you know, -Goergei'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 -Goergei 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." - -"What had happened?" - -Stephen smiled grimly; he seemed to have forgotten how to laugh. - -"We promptly shut the Pole up," he said; "and Kossuth found his chief -general a prisoner." - -"And he submitted?" - -"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." - -"Not to Goergei?" - -"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." - -"Well done, 9th Honveds!" exclaimed Thurzo. "Wish I'd been with them!" - -"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." - -I asked him to look in again before they left, and he promised to do so -if Goergei gave him a chance. - -When he had gone, my comrades talked over the news, and it was plain -that, like myself, they foresaw trouble in the future. - -Thurzo put the matter very straight. - -"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." - -"The army is with Goergei," I said. - -"But Kossuth has a powerful following, and the Poles will help him to a -man." - -"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." - -"They wish to help the cause." - -"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." - -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. - -Before the war ended we proved up to the hilt the truth of that old -saying, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." - -Another day passed, and then Stephen came to say good-bye. - -"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." - -"I hope so. It isn't pleasant to be left behind when others are going -to the front." - -"Fortune of war, George, and it's no use grumbling. Well, good-bye; we -shall meet in Pesth." - -I embraced him rather sadly, and, going outside, watched him mount and -ride away. - -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--Goergei and -Klapka in particular--and showed a willing eagerness to be led against -the enemy. - -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. - -We went back to our hovel, where the patient Sandor had prepared supper, -and drank a glass of silovitz to the success of our comrades. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -At Kapolna, the scene of our former defeat, we made a long stay, having -arrived there about noon, and not leaving till next morning. - -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. - -Still, the sufferings of the people had not weakened their loyalty to -the cause, and the leading citizens feasted us generously. - -For the first time since leaving Pesth I slept in a real bed, and the -sensation was quite novel. - -It was so extremely comfortable that I did not wish to turn out the next -morning, but Sandor kept up such a tremendous hammering at the door that -I was compelled to rise. I learned from my host that Goergei, 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. - -Where we should find the 9th Honveds I could not tell, but decided to -join Goergei, on the chance that they were with him. - -After a hearty breakfast, I went into the street, where the men were -already assembled under Thurzo and Dobozy. - -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. - -Many of the inhabitants assembled to give us a parting cheer, and we set -off in high spirits. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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 cure--a very hospitable and obliging -host. - -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 Goergei. - -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 Goergei 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 Goergei 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. - -"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." - -"Our fellows trying to capture a bridge, most likely," observed Dobozy, -which was really the case. - -"Beg pardon, captain," said Sandor, "but there's a man of our regiment -going to the rear; perhaps he can tell us where the colonel is." - -This was a good idea, and I put the question to the man, whose arm was -gashed by a sabre cut. - -"Outside the town, captain," he replied. "In a field to the right." - -After thanking the man, I set my detachment in motion once more, glad at -the thought of again meeting my genial friend. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - - _GOeRGEI TO THE RESCUE._ - - -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 Goergei had found time -to thank them for their bravery, and that paid for everything. - -Some were eating and drinking; others, wrapped in their bundas, were -already fast asleep. The colonel was just returning from visiting the -wounded. - -"Hallo!" he exclaimed; "what are you doing here? Thought you were at -Tisza-Fured. Who are those fellows?" - -"They've just come from hospital to rejoin their regiments. I thought -perhaps you'd tell me what to do with them." - -"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." - -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. - -"Yes," he said cheerfully, in answer to some remark, "things are shaping -well at present. If only Goergei had a free hand, the white-coats would -soon be bundling out of Pesth." - -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. - -It was the second day after the affair at Hatvan when Stephen rode up to -the quarters of the 9th Honveds. - -"I expected to find you here," he exclaimed cheerfully. "Feel all right -again?" - -"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." - -He actually laughed. "Not heard the news? Well, it will be known in an -hour or two. Vetter's resigned, and Goergei has been made chief." - -"Then we can begin to pack up?" - -"Yes. There won't be much rest for any one till we're in Pesth." - -"And not much then." - -"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?" - -I nodded briskly. - -"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." - -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. - -"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." - -"Yes, he makes a dashing cavalry leader; but why should he be so bitter -against us? We haven't harmed the fellow." - -Stephen smiled, and made almost the same remark as Rakoczy at Kapolna. - -"Have you forgotten the fraeulein?" he asked. "No, I see you have not -by the blush on your face. Well, my boy, Von Theyer wants to keep the -fraeulein's favours for himself. Understand?" - -I nodded lightly, and Rakoczy coming up at the moment, the talk took a -fresh turn. - -Stephen's news soon spread, and, in our part of the army at least, gave -general satisfaction. - -Officers and men alike had perfect confidence in Goergei's judgment, and -the only fear expressed was that he would be hampered by the orders of -the civil government. - -For a time, however, we were too busy with the work of preparation to -think much of anything else. - -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. - -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. - -Goergei commanded in person, and under him were Generals Klapka, Aulich, -and Damjanics. - -Our regiment formed part of the first corps, which advanced by the -right, keeping in touch, however, with the two others. Goergei 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. - -"There's the first move," cried young Thurzo excitedly, as away on our -left one of Aulich's batteries opened fire. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -Jellachich was anxiously awaiting aid from the Austrians. Should it not -come, his army would almost certainly be destroyed. - -"Rather uninteresting work this," grumbled Thurzo. "Why, we were almost -as lively down at Tisza-Fured." - -"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." - -"Listen!" I interrupted as a thunderous roar of heavy guns broke out -apparently close upon us. "The Austrians are over the river." - -"Hurrah!" cried Thurzo; "now for our share in the fight!" - -Poor fellow! I have often wondered since if he would have shown such -eagerness had he known what was coming. - -Rakoczy spoke a word to the men, exhorting them to be steady; then we -stood awaiting orders. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -From that moment the horror of the fight began for us. - -Moving out from the low sand-hills that had hitherto sheltered us, we -found ourselves very shortly in the thick of it. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -I have never seen a more peculiar sight. - -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. - -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. - -In an instant a fine body of disciplined soldiers was changed into a -fear-stricken mob flying for dear life. - -Away went bayonet and rifle, cartridge-pouch, and everything that by -impeding flight might lessen the chance of safety. - -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. - -On they came, shouting, yelling, and so blind with fear that I believe -many of them did not recognize us. - -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. - -With heads bent and muscles stretched to breaking-point, they thundered -along, seeing nothing, caring for nothing, except to get away. - -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. - -Now they passed unchallenged; the fugitives heard nothing but the -hissing of those terrible Austrian shells that had cost the column so -dearly. - -Chiefly through the colonel's influence, the regiment stood firm, and, -directly the runaways were past, proceeded to re-form its ranks. - -A moment's glance to the front, however, showed that another disaster -was in store. - -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. - -We were, as I have already said, in the very act of reforming when they -dashed at us. - -With five minutes' grace we might have made somewhat of a stand, but now -they were too quick for us. - -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. - -The cuirassiers were astonished by this warm reception, but they could -not turn back if they would--their speed was too great. - -Helmets and cuirasses flashed in the sunlight as the horsemen sprang -into our ranks, cutting and slashing on all sides. - -There are many safer places than a broken square in a cavalry charge. - -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. - -In such a _melee_ 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. - -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. - -By this time the larger part of the regiment was in full flight, and the -cuirassiers, finding the way open, followed in pursuit. - -We formed ourselves into a square, officers and privates shoulder to -shoulder, with Rakoczy on foot to lead us. - -I had caught the colours as they dropped from the grasp of the man who -bore them, and they still fluttered bravely overhead. - -I have said that Windischgratz sent out two cavalry regiments, and the -second now charged hotly on our poor remnant. - -Amongst the officers Von Theyer showed conspicuously, and, as before, he -paid me special attention, which was flattering but uncomfortable. - -However, we beat the hussars off time and again, and continued to retire -steadily, though not without great loss. - -It was pitiful to see man after man drop dead or grievously wounded, but -the others closed up and ever showed an unbroken front. - -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. - -Poor fellow! He had been much afraid that Aulich's corps would get all -the fighting. - -There he lay dead, and his greatest friend could do no more than give -him the fleetest of passing thoughts. - -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. - -How the battle went elsewhere it was impossible for us to guess, but the -utter rout of our corps was painfully apparent. - -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. - -Another and another followed. The hussars yelled exultingly, and, -nerved by the sight, made another effort to break the square. - -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. - -It was just after this that a shout arose which put heart into the most -depressed. - -From the throats of thousands there leaped a cry of "Goergei! Goergei!" -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. - -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. - -Following them closely, Goergei and his staff rode at the head of -Schwartzenberg's Hungarian regiment. Rakoczy, seizing his opportunity, -led us forward to join them. - -The tide had turned with a vengeance. - -Back went the Austrians--horse, foot, and field-guns--not exactly -broken, yet in extreme disorder, and seeking shelter under their two -fixed batteries. - -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. - -Goergei quickly made up his mind what to do. - -We saw him speak to his staff, and two officers darted off, one towards -us, one towards the rear. - -Our messenger was Stephen, his face flushed, his eyes glowing with -excitement. - -He dashed up to the colonel, saluted, pointed with his sword, delivered -his message, threw me a kindly look in passing, and was gone. - -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." - -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. - -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. - -Then away we went, and at the same moment the veterans from Damjanic's -division started for the second battery. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The horsemen were still a long way off, but they rode hard, and would -reach the guns in time to give us help. - -"Forward! forward!" shouted Rakoczy; and the brave fellow, fleet of foot -as a deer, led the way several yards in advance. - -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. - -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. - -"The flag!" I gasped, overtaking the rear. "Make way for the flag!" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Then we were there, so unexpectedly that I stared amazedly at the long, -black monsters which the gunners could not spike. - -I sprang on one and waved the colours, while the men cheered madly. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -I picked up the sword which had dropped from the nerveless fingers, -while Dobozy cut a curl from the dead lad's raven hair. - -"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." - -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. - -"It will comfort _her_, 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. - -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. - -True, the Austrians had finally been repulsed; but the credit of that -was not ours. That belonged to Goergei and the veterans of the second -division. - -The runaways were sulky and ashamed; the officers--some of whom had been -literally carried off by the crowd of fugitives--were furiously angry. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Dobozy and I lay down side by side, wrapped ourselves in our mantles, -and tried to snatch an hour or two's sleep. - -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. - -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. - -True, he might have rejoined Goergei, 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. - -"Stephen?" he said, in answer to my anxious questioning. "No, I -certainly didn't see him; but what of that? Goergei's _aides_ 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, Goergei -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." - -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. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - - _A SORROWFUL VICTORY._ - - -"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 _must_ conquer!" - -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. - -I understood little of the general's plans, except that at all costs he -purposed keeping Jellachich and the Austrians apart. - -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. - -As we reached our positions, Goergei rode down, attended by his -brilliant staff. - -I looked eagerly for Stephen, and my heart sank when I saw he was not -there. - -Goergei was no orator like Kossuth. As a rule he spoke with his sword, -and very clearly did he make himself understood. - -This morning he treated us to a little harangue. It was not long, but -very effective. - -"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?" - -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 Goergei!" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -A well-directed cavalry charge would at this moment have cut the -regiment in pieces. - -As it happened, Klapka's men were successful all along the line, which -helped us to return without mishap. - -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. - -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. - -Far in advance of us, and on our left, the soldiers of Aulich's division -were pushing the Austrians before them, and thus far Goergei's plans had -proved a success. - -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. - -Goergei's words, however, still rang in our ears, and not a man made a -backward step. - -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. - -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. - -Goergei had hardly gone when our opponents rallied for a final attack. - -It was growing dusk by now, and we felt sure that everything in our part -of the field depended on the next half-hour. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Now," exclaimed our colonel genially, "if Aulich has taken Isaszeg, the -affair is over." - -But had he? No one could tell. His corps had vanished completely, and -the fast-approaching night swallowed everything in gloom. - -Two hours longer we stood to our arms, ready at any moment either to -advance or to repel any fresh attack. - -It was dreary work waiting, and the men were so tired that many fell -asleep while standing in the ranks. - -Suddenly there rose a sound of cheering, a vigorous "Elijen Goergei! -Elijen Aulich!" and the welcome news flashed from regiment to regiment, -from man to man, that Aulich had chased the Austrians out of Isaszeg. - -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. - -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. - -Goergei 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. - -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. - -The town was unfortified; but the Austrian general, Gatz, commanding two -brigades, had resolved upon a vigorous defence, as we soon found. - -The 9th Honveds formed part of the vanguard, and after a sharp struggle -we succeeded in forcing a way into the streets. - -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. - -Across this lane three barricades had been constructed in such a manner -that, while the second commanded the first, the third overawed both. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Meanwhile, the pressure behind being relieved, the colonel rallied the -regiment into something like order again. - -"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." - -This was really the only workmanlike way of doing the business, though -it added much to the horrors of the combat. - -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. - -In this fashion we worked our way to the buildings overlooking the first -barricade, which now became useless, and was immediately abandoned. - -The last man to leave was their leader, and at sight of him my heart -beat fast. - -He stood on the barricade, coolly directing the movements of his men, -while the bullets fell round him like hailstones. - -In one hand was his sword; in the other he carried the black and yellow -flag of his country. - -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. - -He had not seen me; but I recognized him at once, and trembled for his -safety. - -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 fraeulein's eyes again if by any chance my sword -should cross that of her father's? - -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. - -Happily, perhaps, I had little leisure for thinking. The first -barricade being down, the fight continued with redoubled fury. - -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. - -The third barrier must be taken by a rush along the narrow lane, or not -at all. - -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. - -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. - -"Forward!" he cried. "Forward!" echoed the Honveds, and a spectator -would have thought our fierce rush alone must have swept the Austrians -into eternity. - -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. - -I watched him with the keenest interest as he collected his forces to -withstand the shock. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Sad at heart, I returned to the spot where my gallant friend had fallen -and, with the help of Mecsey Sandor, who followed me everywhere like a -shadow, bore his body back. - -It was terrible to think I had not time even to find out if he were -really dead! - -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. - -Very gladly I would have yielded the honour and responsibility to -another; but as that could not be, I resolved to do my best. - -"Will you follow me, my lads?" I cried, when we were again ready. - -"We will!" they answered, with a shout. - -"Then come on! Over the barricade this time!" - -It is curious how a phrase, or sometimes even a word, will work on a -number of men acting together. - -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. - -They sounded high and clear above the noise of the first volley, and as -we pressed on the wounded sent them after us feebly. - -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. - -It was Dobozy carrying the colours; but he missed his footing and fell -down, half stunned, but otherwise unhurt. - -A little, muscular fellow picked up the fallen flag, and sprang with it -to my side, while the others rushed pell-mell after us. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -We had gripped one another, as it were, by the throat, and hung there -like bulldogs. - -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. - -It will always be so, I suppose, though I do not care to see it. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The look which flashed from his eyes to mine occupied the merest -fraction of a second, yet I shall never forget it. - -I read there astonishment and sorrow, then a certain hardness, as if the -brave old warrior were calling duty to his aid. - -With him the struggle ended, and the soldier, not the friend, gained the -victory. - -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? - -Theresa was looking into my eyes, and, as I lowered my weapon, she -smiled upon me approvingly and vanished. - -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. - -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. - -Mecsey Sandor had no scruples in killing any one to save his master's -life, which the faithful fellow undoubtedly had done. - -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. - -Just then a man clapped me lightly on the shoulder, saying, "Thanks, -George!" and, turning, I beheld the colonel. - -The men recognized him too, and broke into hearty cheering. - -"We have suffered so severely," I said, "that I stopped the pursuit." - -"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--" - -"The baron!" I exclaimed. "He lies there, dead or dangerously wounded. -Let me have some men." - -"As many as you please. Dobozy--" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Mecsey Sandor's arm was strong, and in defence of his master he had -struck with all his might. - -The veteran's face was bloodless, but he lay quite still, and I rejoiced -to think he suffered little pain. - -As I bent over him his eyes opened, and he gazed at me languidly, but -without a sign of recognition. - -"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." - -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." - -This I took to be an endearing name for his daughter. - -His strength was soon exhausted, his eyes closed again, and I thought he -was dead. - -"No," said the surgeon, "he will rally at the end; it cannot be far -off." - -"An hour?" - -"More likely two. He is a strong man, or he would have gone before -this." - -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. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - - _A VISIT FROM STEPHEN._ - - -The surgeon, who could do nothing further, slipped out quietly, asking -as he went if he should send any one to bear me company. - -I shook my head, preferring to keep that solemn watch alone. - -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. - -The manner of his death also sorely grieved me. Certainly my hand had -not struck him down, but Sandor had slain him to save my life. - -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. - -The house was very still, and even the noises from the captured town -failed to reach me. - -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. - -"Let it burn!" he muttered. "All the better for us. Ready? Mind your -aim! Fire!" - -His eyes were wide open, gazing with intense keenness across the room. - -"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!" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"George Botskay," I said, trying to help his memory. "Don't you know? -You stood my friend in Vienna." - -He smiled faintly, but with intelligence, and, moving his hand, pointed -to the window, as if wishing to direct my attention to something -outside. - -"The barricade?" I ventured questioningly. - -He smiled again and dropped his hand in mine. - -"Good lad," he murmured; "I saw and understood--afterwards." - -"I am sorry," I began; but he checked me, saying,-- - -"A soldier's death, my boy. That is best--for me." - -He was getting very weak now, and I heard him with great difficulty. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Outside I met the colonel, and returned with him to the room. - -"Poor fellow!" he exclaimed, after gazing a moment at the white face. -"What a blow for the pretty fraeulein! 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. - -The town seemed very quiet after the tremendous uproar of the day. - -The fires had been put out; the Austrians were in retreat; and our army -was chasing them into that very mountain district where Goergei had led -us in January. - -Our own regiment, having suffered so severely, was left behind, and I -really felt glad of the change. - -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. - -Several of the absentees were dead, but the majority were in hospital, -and, though badly wounded, expected to recover. - -"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." - -"Who was the Austrian officer?" asked a sublieutenant. "I hope he -escaped; he was a splendid chap." - -"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." - -"He deserves all the respect we can show him," Dobozy chimed in. - -"There's one thing puzzles me, colonel," I said, "and that is, how you -escaped. I saw you fall, and thought you were dead." - -For the first time that night Rakoczy's face lit up with his genial -smile. - -"I carry a bullet-catcher," he answered pleasantly; and taking a massive -gold watch from his breast-pocket, he handed it to me. - -"They've spoiled it as a time-keeper," he continued, "but it will come -in as a curiosity." - -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. - -The case itself was badly battered and the works smashed. - -I passed it to the other fellows, who examined it in profound -astonishment and warmly congratulated the colonel on his marvellous -escape. - -"Yes," said he brightly; "but for that watch Goergei might have looked -for a new colonel." - -"We prefer to keep our old one, though he does wear a watch that won't -tell the time," I remarked. - -Dobozy asked if it could be mended, but the colonel said he preferred -keeping it as it was, which I certainly should have done. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Fortunately, a soldier on active service has little leisure in which to -indulge his grief, and thus it was with me now. - -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. - -One event, though not exactly bearing on my story, must be chronicled, -since it shows the generosity of Goergei's nature. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Another stroke like the last," said Rakoczy one evening as we sat -chatting in his room, "and the thing will be done." - -"Unless Kossuth's party should try to drive too hard a bargain." - -"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." - -"It isn't much, especially when--" - -A loud banging at the door cut the sentence short, and in walked my -brother, looking flushed and excited. - -Neither of us had seen him since the meeting at Isaszeg, and we had not -the faintest notion he was in Waitzen. - -He shook hands with us warmly, drank a glass of wine which Rakoczy -poured out, and sat down. - -"Care to turn in?" asked the colonel. "My bed's doing nothing, and you -look tired." - -Stephen shook his head. "I'm off in a couple of hours; only waiting to -rest my horse." - -"There's nothing wrong, I hope?" - -"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. - -The colonel spread it on the table, and as he read the contents aloud I -began to understand the meaning of Stephen's words. - -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. - -"What do you think of it?" asked Stephen testily, as if we had drawn up -the proclamation. - -"'Twould be rather more to the point to know what Goergei thinks of it," -the colonel replied in his cool way. "I suppose he wasn't consulted over -this--waste paper?" - -"Yes he was, and went dead against it. Kossuth came to Godolo, and -there was a very stormy meeting, I can tell you." - -"What did Goergei say?" - -"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." - -"It means a Russian invasion," remarked Rakoczy. "It means the loss of -all the Sclavonic states, and Hungary dragooned into another Poland." - -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!" - -"We can't draw back now," I said. - -"That's just it. We must either continue fighting, or desert our -country when it has the greatest need of us." - -"Stuff!" said Stephen. "Were I Goergei, I would settle the matter in a -month." - -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. - -"It's very simple," Stephen replied. "The army is devoted to Goergei, -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." - -"And what of this?" I asked, laying my hand on the declaration of -independence. - -"Pooh! It will be useful to the people for wrapping up parcels." - -"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." - -"The other side doesn't study that." - -"All the more reason why we should. How would you like to help the -Austrians burn down Pesth, because Louis Kossuth was inside it?" - -Stephen turned away with a shudder. "It seems that we must tie our own -hands," he remarked gloomily. - -"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." - -"I'm sorry to hear that. What a blow to his pretty daughter!" - -"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. - -We had barely finished when a clatter of hoofs was heard outside, and a -soldier brought word that Captain Botskay's horses were ready. - -"Then I must go," exclaimed my brother, "though that wretched paper has -taken the heart out of my work." - -"Yes," said the colonel, after he had gone. "This precious document -will work the cause more harm than the loss of a dozen battles." - -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. - -Of Kossuth's genius and marvellous eloquence, of his untiring energy, -his passionate love for Hungary and hatred to Austria, I have already -spoken. - -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. - -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. - -We, the party of the nobles and most of the old soldiers in Goergei'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. - -From the general to the private arose murmurs of discontent, and I -verily believe that, had Goergei done what my brother proposed, he would -have carried the army with him to a man. - -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. - -Much to our surprise, there came with this information an order for the -9th Honveds to fall back on the capital. - -Rakoczy, of course, instantly set about obeying, but he was obviously -ill at ease, as Goergei was still chasing the flying Austrians to -Presburg. - -"It seems to me we ought to march forward to Vienna, not back to Pesth," -he exclaimed. - -I pointed out that the Austrians had probably left a garrison in Buda. - -"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." - -"I daresay you will find me up to the government standard," I replied, -laughing at the wry face he made. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"A fine place to batter the fortress from," I said. - -"Oh! let us forget the war a bit; we shall soon be in harness again." - -"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. - -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. - -"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?" - -"Only by repute," I answered. - -"No; his best work was done before your time. He was Hungary's great -man, George. Kossuth, Batthiany, and Goergei 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." - -We walked on a little way in silence, and then with his usual cheery -smile my companion added,-- - -"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." - -However, the count, whom we had not seen since the revolt in Vienna, had -no mind that we should pass unrecognized. - -He was dressed in the uniform of a staff officer, and walked with a -military swagger that was not without a certain grace. - -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. - -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. - -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 Goergei, and, in fact, as the French say, a Roland for his -Oliver every time. - -"A clever, smooth-tongued rascal," exclaimed he, when at length the -count took himself off. "I wonder where he has been." - -"At Debreczin, most likely; he's just the sort of man to do his -soldiering in the drawing-room." - -"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?" - -"Yes." - -"That comes from Kossuth, you may depend; and if so, all is lost." - -"Unless Goergei interferes." - -"Ah!" said the colonel, "he loves his country too much for that," and we -walked on without further conversation. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - - _THE QUARREL WITH COUNT BEULA._ - - -One result of the declaration of independence was an inrush of -foreigners: Poles, Germans, French, Italians swarmed into the country on -all sides. - -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. - -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. - -At first, however, the real dispute centered on the next step in the -war. Goergei, 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. - -Kossuth, on the other hand, had resolved that Buda should first fall; -and at length the general reluctantly yielded. - -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. - -Amongst ourselves and in the city we talked hotly enough, and many -passionate words were spoken in the heat of anger. - -On our side, none were so furious as Stephen, who had come to Pesth with -his chief. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -One evening he was holding forth to Rakoczy, myself, and several others -in a restaurant, when Count Beula entered with some friends. - -The count nodded to us all very politely, and, seating himself at the -next table, ordered wine for his company. - -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!" - -His friends drank their wine and applauded boisterously, while Stephen, -springing to his feet, exclaimed in ringing tones,-- - -"Gentlemen, this is a free country. Let us drink our own toast, -'Hungary and the constitution of '48!'" - -"Bravo!" I said, feeling compelled to back him up, though not desiring a -quarrel. "That is what we are fighting for." - -"And more than we shall get," added the colonel good-humouredly. - -"Thanks to Kossuth's meddling!" said Stephen. "If he had left the -general alone, we should be over the frontier by now." - -"The young man carries messages for Goergei," the count explained to his -associates in a tone of amusement. "That is how he comes to know so much -about fighting." - -"Even that gives more training than talking rubbish in a back room," I -put in hotly, thinking of the scene at Vienna. - -"Perhaps the count has come out of his shell since then," said Rakoczy, -with a merry twinkle. - -"It must have been to get into a safer one," exclaimed Stephen -contemptuously. - -The quarrel, like a fire, once started, blazed furiously, and but for a -shaggy-haired German, we should speedily have come to blows. - -He was puffing vigorously at a tremendous pipe, and, coming through the -dense volume of smoke, his voice sounded like a fog-horn. - -"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. - -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. - -"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." - -"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." - -"I do not fear for myself," Stephen answered proudly. - -"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." - -"Perhaps," said I quickly, stopping an angry outburst from Stephen, -"that accounts for your coolness." - -"A good thrust, my boy," said the benevolent Teuton.--"Count, he had you -there." - -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." - -"They do more than their leader then," said Dobozy, who formed one of -our party. - -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. - -He saw his triumph, and glanced at us, but particularly at Stephen, with -an insolent patronage for which I could have kicked him. - -"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." - -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." - -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 Goergei's guns have -made the breach our young friend will have had time to repent his hasty -words." - -Then he and his friends went out, and left us looking at one another -gloomily. - -"What's the matter, George?" my brother asked gaily. "One would think I -had been condemned to death." - -"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!" - -"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. - -"How you youngsters chatter!" exclaimed Rakoczy cheerfully. "The place -hasn't been summoned yet, and Hentzi may surrender." - -This, of course, was possible, though not probable, and the very next -day the idea had to be put aside altogether. - -"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." - -That was Hentzi's reply to the summons to surrender, and I could not but -admire the writer of it. - -"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." - -It was the fourth of May when the answer came, and Goergei, who had -established his headquarters at Schwabenberg, immediately gave orders -for the beginning of the siege operations. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -It was the evening of May 17, and several officers, including Stephen, -were watching the heavy guns at work, when Count Beula came up. - -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. - -"Well," said the count, bowing all round in his finicking way, "I hear -that the breach is nearly practicable." - -"We shall most likely start in a few hours." - -"Then you have not drawn back?" - -"My place is with the first column," said Stephen calmly. - -"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. - -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. - -Our regiment, being the farthest off, was to start first; but the -evening wore away, and Rakoczy had not received any definite orders. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Just at the last he left us alone, and it was only then I discovered the -real state of my feelings. - -Stephen, too, was much affected; but he carried it off well--not lightly -or vaingloriously, but as a brave lad should. - -I thought, and think still, he was greatly to blame for getting into -such a scrape; but no one could blame his conduct afterwards. - -"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." - -"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 fraeulein." - -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. - -My brother, of course, went with the stormers, while we followed closely -in support. - -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. - -No one spoke, and hardly a sound was heard as the column wound its -stealthy way along. - -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. - -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. - -All was, however, silent, and I wondered we had come across no sign of -the other columns. - -I don't know why it should have done so, but the truth suddenly flashed -into my mind--we had lost our way. - -I spoke to the colonel, and it was obvious he shared my opinion. - -"Yes," said he quietly. "We certainly ought to be in touch with them by -now. Run forward and question the guides." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -What a triumph for Count Beula! - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -Seeing that for the present all was lost, Rakoczy halted his column, and -in shame and confusion we retraced our steps. - -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. - -Our comrades, whose losses were enormous, had struggled gallantly, and -by common consent the bravest man among them was Count Beula. - -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. - -He had not got his foot inside Buda, but his reputation was established, -and it was acknowledged he had made his vaunt good. - -Rakoczy, who knew how terribly my brother suffered under what he deemed -a disgrace, tried to cheer him. - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -"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." - -The colonel signed to me to let the subject drop, which I did, and -presently we all sat down to breakfast. - -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. - -"He may drop across Beula," whispered the colonel, "and if we're there -the meeting will be less awkward." - -Rakoczy guessed rightly. We found the count near Goergei's tent, the -centre of an admiring group of officers, to whom he was relating the -events of the previous night. - -He carried himself with his usual swagger, and catching sight of us, -cried jovially,-- - -"Ah! here comes my young friend who lost his way in the dark." - -There was a laugh at this, which made me hot and angry; but Stephen's -behaviour was, to my thinking, admirable. - -His face was very white, and his lips twitched a little, but he spoke -quite calmly. - -"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." - -"Well spoken!" said Rakoczy, and a familiar voice behind us echoed the -words. - -The second speaker was Goergei himself, who had come from his tent in -time to hear what was said. - -The count smiled, showing his white teeth. - -"Captain Botskay must have been terribly annoyed at finding himself out -of reach of danger," he said sweetly. - -Here again it was impossible to take offence at his words, though they -might, and most likely did, convey a false meaning. - -Goergei, however, came handsomely to the rescue. - -"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." - -Rakoczy saw his chance of getting in a counter-stroke on the count, and -seized it. - -"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." - -"There's praise for you, count!" cried Goergei 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. - -The colonel and I stayed awhile chatting, but not being over fond of the -count's company, we took the first opportunity to go. - -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. - -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. - -Meanwhile Goergei 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. - -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. - -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. - -"The general means to get in this time," said Rakoczy. "There are nearly -twenty thousand of us, all told, in the trenches." - -"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." - -"But for this folly we should be under the walls of Vienna now." - -"What time is the attempt to be made?" I asked. - -"Midnight, I believe; so we've some time to wait yet." - -After that, relapsing into silence, we sat in the gathering gloom, each -busy with his own thoughts; and sad enough mine, at least, were. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - - _HOW STEPHEN CARRIED THE FLAG._ - - -"George!" - -"All right, old boy," I answered in a whisper, rubbing my eyes. "I -believe I've been asleep." - -"I'm sure you have. But wake up now; the word to be ready has come." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The word had come! What word? Where was I? Ah! my memory returned with -a rush, and I sprang to my feet. - -"Steady, old fellow," said my brother cheerfully; "we mustn't make a -noise yet." - -I pressed his hand and whispered,-- - -"I had forgotten. I was dreaming we were children at home again." - -"Don't, George; you hurt me," said he sharply, as if in pain, though I -only pressed his hand gently. - -It was past midnight, and the men were in their places, while the bands -stood massed behind the lines. - -The colonel came to us, and shook each by the hand. - -"One never knows what may happen," he said. "There will be a fearful -struggle. After Goergei's words the other day, my regiment can't go -back; so, in case of accidents, you know--" And he shook our hands -again. - -Rakoczy seemed much graver than usual, but I think he was filled with -pity on his men's account. - -Stephen was, on the contrary, much more cheerful. - -"George and I had a solemn leave-taking the other night," he said gaily, -"and yet we didn't see a shot fired." - -"Ah!" exclaimed the colonel, responding to his humour; "we have no -chance of missing our way this time." - -He moved off to his place, and again all was still. - -The silence and the darkness got on my nerves. I dreaded yet longed for -the signal at the same time. - -We did not see the count, but he had sent a sarcastic message to Stephen -during the evening, appointing a meeting inside the fortress. - -I leaned on my sword, staring into the darkness. - -"Dreary work this!" exclaimed a voice in my ear, and Dobozy joined me. - -Like the rest of us, he looked forward to a terrible slaughter, and had -come to say a word of farewell. - -"I hope we shall soon go," he continued, after a pause; "the men are -getting nervous." - -"The general's keeping up a tremendous cannonade," I whispered. "The -guns must be nearly red-hot. Why, it's actually getting lighter." - -"Nearly two o'clock," said Stephen. "I suppose the general's been -waiting for the engineer's report." - -Dobozy left us, and we resumed our watching. - -Although two-thirds of May had run out, it was bitterly cold in those -early morning hours, and several times I shivered violently. - -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. - -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. - -We moved forward unopposed; Hentzi was saving his ammunition. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Cries of rage and pain rent the air, almost drowning the rattle of the -musketry and the roar of the cannon. - -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. - -A man at my side exclaimed "Oh!" in a surprised sort of way, and -dropped, while I barely understood he was dead. - -A few paces farther a bursting shell knocked over half a dozen. - -We were rapidly approaching the thick of the firing. - -"Forward! forward!" cried our colonel cheerfully. "The safest place is -at close quarters." - -I remember laughing to myself and thinking it would be even safer at -Debreczin with Kossuth and the members of the Diet. - -Bang! bang! The firing grew heavier, and our losses more considerable; -but, as Rakoczy had said, there was no retreat for the 9th Honveds. - -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. - -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. - -Stephen was with them, his face aflame, his eyes burning with -excitement. - -We were quite near when he got one planted, and instantly began to -climb. - -The light was breaking now, and our fellows cheered madly as they beheld -the lithe, graceful figure springing to the top. - -A group of Croats, led by an officer, waited patiently with bayonets -fixed, and I groaned at the thought of what must happen. - -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. - -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. - -A loud shout on the left proclaimed that something of importance was -happening there, and then it was I beheld Count Beula. - -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. - -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. - -He stood now alone, save for the dead and wounded; but though the -bullets fell around him fast, he never budged an inch. - -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. - -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. - -What occurred next, or who induced the battalion to return, I cannot -say, as the colonel immediately gave the signal for the assault. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The bullets, however, rattled down faster than ever, and man after man -fell. - -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. - -[Illustration: "My heart leaped to my mouth as I saw Stephen foremost." -Page 233.]] - -Plainly he was determined that the count should have no cause to crow -over him this time. - -I caught a brief glimpse of Rakoczy. He had been hurt, but his voice -was still cheerful as he encouraged his men forward. - -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. - -Though numbers dropped, the survivors pressed on doggedly. Whatever our -loss, every one knew now that the assault must prove successful. - -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. - -I was a short distance behind the colonel when he suddenly paused, waved -his sword, and cheered vigorously. - -The Honveds took up the cry, and the sound of their voices drowned all -else, while I stood spell-bound. - -The first of the assailants had put foot inside the fortress; the first -Hungarian flag fluttered on the ramparts. - -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. - -"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. - -Perhaps I lost a second--not more--enjoying my triumph; then I shot past -the colonel, and reached my brother's side. - -He had already received several hurts, but was still gallantly holding -his ground against long odds, when I joined him. - -"Bravo, old fellow!" I cried, parrying a fierce thrust from an Austrian -officer. - -"It's all right now, George! I beat him!" he shouted. - -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. - -A swift glance showed me Mecsey Sandor, who throughout the fight had, as -usual, followed my steps like a dog. - -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. - -A tall, fine-looking veteran, with huge snowy moustaches, led the -charge, cutting his way almost to the walls. - -The others were beaten off; but they came at us again and again, till -scarcely a single officer remained alive to lead them. - -It was cruel work, and I rejoiced with my whole heart when at length the -brave fellows, overwhelmed by numbers, sullenly gave way. - -Stephen, forgetful of his wounds, leaped forward with the flag, and we -all followed, panting like hounds with the quarry in sight. - -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 Sandor and myself next, and the wounded Rakoczy a foot or -so behind. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Dear old George!" he murmured, "I meant to do it, and succeeded." - -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. - -The noise of the conflict ceased. The Croats, yielding their arms, were -granted quarter, and marched off as prisoners. Buda was ours! - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Then a little group approached, the leader being a surgeon, who stooping -down shook his head in grief. - -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. - -I sat stupid with grief beside the wounded lad, nothing rousing me till -I beheld the closely-cropped hair and rugged features of General -Goergei. - -"My poor boy!" said he, in a tone soft and caressing as a woman's. -"Stephen, don't you know me? I am Arthur Goergei. Look at me, my dear -young friend," and he gently chafed my brother's hand. - -At the general's words Stephen opened his eyes, and looked at Goergei -with a feeble smile. - -"It's--all--right--general," he murmured very softly, and his eyes -closed again. - -Goergei stooped and kissed the boyish face tenderly. - -"As gallant a youth as ever fought for Hungary, and worthy of his -honourable name!" said he with deep feeling. - -Then, turning to me, he spoke some kindly words, and, having questioned -the surgeon privately, went his way. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"Do you mean he is dying?" I asked hoarsely. - -"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." - -"Thank you," I said simply, turning again to my task of watching. - -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." - -It was Mecsey Sandor who had brought me food and drink. - -I shook my head. - -"I cannot take it," I said. - -The faithful fellow insisted. - -"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." - -I stretched out my hand for the food eagerly, alarmed by Sandor's -suggestion, as the worthy fellow intended I should be. - -It must have done me good, though I ate and drank mechanically, hardly -knowing, indeed, what I did. - -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. - -Towards the middle of the afternoon I discovered Rakoczy standing near -me. - -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. - -"Is there no hope?" he asked. - -I shook my head. "The surgeon says he will die before the day is out." - -"Poor old Stephen!" - -That was all--not a long rigmarole of words, but just a few that came -from his heart. - -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. - -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? - -So motionless he lay, so still, that I frequently pressed my lips to his -to find if he still breathed. - -Had it been possible, I would willingly have changed places with him; -for Stephen had ever been the object of my fondest love. - -"George!" - -The sound almost brought the tears to my eyes, it was so feeble, and -recalled so vividly the memory of our childhood. - -I gazed lovingly into the dear face, already taking the hue of death. - -"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!" - -I thought he had drawn his last breath, but presently he rallied. - -"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." - -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. - -Just at the last he whispered,-- - -"George, stand by Goergei. He is the true patriot." - -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. - -Rakoczy touched my arm. - -"God has taken your brother to Himself!" he exclaimed solemnly. - -I heard him in a dazed way, and with true thoughtfulness he retired, -leaving me alone to battle with my grief. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - - _I JOIN THE STAFF._ - - -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. - -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. - -A glance at the streets, however, showed that the citizens did not -anticipate any fighting. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"I don't think this triumphal entry shows good taste on his part," I -remarked to Dobozy, after we had halted. - -"Suit him capitally!" declared he. "It's just like a stage-play. Did -you hear how he is coming from Szolnok?" - -"By rail, I suppose." - -"Yes, and in the emperor's private carriage. Anything's good enough for -a thorough-paced republican." - -"I suppose his wife accompanies him?" - -Dobozy laughed and said we should see. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -As Dobozy truly remarked, patriotism required very little sacrifice if -it was satisfied by riding about the streets of the capital in gala -attire. - -However, the procession passed, the hero was withdrawn from sight, and -we were at liberty to return to barracks. - -The festivities continued all day, and in the evening the city was -illuminated in honour of the dictator. - -"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." - -"I can't understand why the general doesn't make a forward move, and -drive the enemy out of Presburg." - -"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 Goergei's success." - -"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." - -"They say we shall have 160,000 Russians, besides the Austrians, to -tackle." - -"That's so," replied the colonel cheerfully; "while we are split up into -two factions, each fighting for a different object." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -However, there were gay doings in Pesth for one day at least, and when -we turned in at night the city was still _en fete_. - -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. - -"Come in," cried Rakoczy pleasantly, as I knocked at the door. - -He was standing by the window overlooking the barrack-yard with another -man, whom I immediately recognized as Goergei. - -"All well?" cried the general genially, stretching out his hand. -"That's right. Bit tedious hanging about Pesth, eh?" - -"I think we should all be glad of a change, general." - -"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. - -"We'd much rather help you get inside Vienna," replied the colonel. - -The general's smile vanished. - -"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?" - -"Fairly well," I answered, not wishing to boast. - -"Would you like to come with me?" - -"The general means on his staff," explained Rakoczy, smiling. - -Now, I should have liked this very much indeed, but for leaving Rakoczy, -and this made me hesitate. - -The colonel, seeing my difficulty, laughed, and said,-- - -"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." - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"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. -Goergei 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." - -"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." - -Rakoczy pressed my hand, and accompanied us to the gates, where Sandor -was already in waiting. - -With another warm hand-shake we left the colonel, and walked sharply to -the embankment. - -Goergei 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. - -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. - -"Jump aboard," he exclaimed sharply. Then, to a sailor, "Help this man -with the baggage. Are you right?--Go ahead, captain." - -The ropes were cast off, as I could tell by the movements of the -steamer, but it was now too dark to see much. - -Goergei disappeared, while I, going to the bow of the boat, gazed ahead -into the gloom. - -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. - -Presently, however, Goergei joined me, and in his company I lost all -sense of weariness and discomfort. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Having made a good meal, I wrapped myself up warmly and lay down, -leaving Goergei poring over some maps and making calculations. - -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. - -About mid-day the steamer slowed down; a boat was lowered, into which -Sandor put my baggage; then Goergei got in, and we followed. - -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. - -Goergei 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. - -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. - -I discovered, too, that the officers were secretly uneasy, and their -anxiety increased when, a few days after my arrival, Goergei's scouts -brought word that a Russian division had joined Haynau at Presburg. - -This was on the fourteenth of June, and two days later witnessed the -beginning of what may be called the second campaign. - -Our engineers had built several bridges over the river Waag, and on the -fifteenth of June the army crossed to the farther side. - -"Ah!" exclaimed one of my new comrades regretfully, "if we could have -done this a month ago!" - -"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." - -The rider approached at a gallop, pulled his horse up sharply, and -having saluted, handed a note to Goergei. - -The general, glancing at the contents, put the crumpled paper into his -pocket. - -"Tell General Klapka I'm much obliged, but I don't think anything -serious will happen to-morrow." - -Bethlen saluted again, nodded to several of his acquaintances, and rode -away at a quieter pace. - -Goergei 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. - -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. - -The battle began with a terrible artillery fire, which was directed -against our centre; and Goergei himself, followed by the staff, galloped -down to encourage the sorely-tried soldiers. - -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. - -"Directly it's done, ride back as hard as you can," he said, and I -dashed off. - -The colonel listened to the order, well pleased. - -"Tell the general we will do it," he said with quiet confidence. - -"He wishes me to stay and take back your report," I answered, and the -colonel kindly agreed that I should ride with him. - -The regiment was composed of seasoned warriors, who hailed the sound of -the trumpet with delight. - -With swords bared, we started at a trot, increasing the pace as we -approached the enemy. - -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. - -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. - -Our horses had got into their stride now, and we were fairly racing over -the level ground. - -It was the first time I had taken part in a cavalry charge, and the -blood ran hot in my veins. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -But Goergei 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. - -"Forward!" shouted the colonel, rising in his stirrups, "and keep -together!" - -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. - -But above all rang out the stirring "Forward!" of the colonel, and -almost at the same instant we were amongst the bayonets. - -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. - -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. - -Our comrades farther along the field, carried away by excitement, dashed -after the runaways, and were soon widely scattered. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The distance to be covered was short, but enough to get our animals well -into their stride before the crash came. - -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. - -As it was, we charged them gallantly, and soon steel met steel as swords -crossed or rang on the polished breast-plates. - -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. - -I wondered at this for a moment; then in a flash remembered who this -handsome, blue-eyed fellow was. - -"Von Theyer!" rose to my lips as, sitting his horse with a natural -gracefulness, the former rebel rode straight at me. - -From that moment I lost sight of the general conflict. - -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. - -This Von Theyer, who by some means--probably reckless bravery--had -already risen high in the Austrian service, meant to kill me. - -His deadly purpose shone in his eyes, and it was obvious he expected to -have an easy task. - -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. - -Before he recovered I had pricked him in the arm. It was a slight -wound, but it drew blood and made him angry. - -This was all in my favour, as he lost his caution, and, throwing away -the advantage of his superior skill, attacked furiously. - -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. - -He threw up his hands with a cry of pain, falling in a heap on his -horse's back. - -At the same instant a shout of alarm was raised; the hussars in advance, -wheeling about, came dashing back, separating me from Von Theyer. - -Since I had left Goergei the aspect of the battle had entirely changed. - -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. - -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. - -It was the rapid approach of these famous horsemen that made us turn -back. - -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. - -So he gave the word, and we retired in good order, but at a gallop. - -Meanwhile the Austrian gunners received their allies with a roar of -welcome, and the cuirassiers in glittering helmets and breastplates -swept proudly on. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - - _THE WOUNDING OF GOeRGEI._ - - -"All right, Sandor. 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." - -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 Sandor had given me -up for lost. - -I was dead tired, and wrapping myself up cosily, lay down, expecting to -fall asleep instantly. - -In this I was wrong, for though my eyes closed, I could not make my -brain rest. - -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. - -The hussars had retreated too quickly for me to find out if I had killed -him. - -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. - -From Von Theyer my mind naturally drifted to the beautiful Theresa, and -I wondered how she had borne the news of her bereavement. - -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. - -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. - -It was not that a single defeat caused me to despair, but I saw clearly -that we had thrown away our chance of victory. - -Against the Austrians alone we might even now recover our position, but -the arrival of the Russians had made the struggle hopeless. - -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. - -Not that I would have you imagine there was more than one party in -Goergei'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. - -Thinking over these things, I lay awake till the dawn, when I at last -managed to fall into a sound and refreshing slumber. - -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. - -Even here Goergei 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. - -I now understood more clearly the kind of life Stephen had enjoyed. - -Goergei was here, there, and everywhere, directing and encouraging the -men, and of course we were with him. - -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. - -Occasionally the cheese went astray and the wine was missing; then we -munched our bread thankfully, and praised the sweetness of the water. - -Goergei'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. - -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. - -Our old opponent Schlick led the pursuit, being well supported by the -veteran Russian division which had caused our defeat on the Waag. - -On the morning of the third of July Goergei halted his troops in the -forest of Harkaly. - -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. - -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. - -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 Sandor just before the -combat began. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Goergei, alert and vigorous, had placed himself at the head; and though -we feared for his life, it was impossible not to admire his courage. - -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. - -Our decoys had served their purpose, and the Austrians, thinking us -still in full retreat, swung along merrily. - -I hastened to the general, and from the look on his face guessed he had -already heard the news. - -"Yes," said he; "it's working out nicely. We'll give Herr Schlick a -little surprise presently." - -And we did. - -The affair was over so quickly that I hardly realized it had begun. - -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. - -The surprise was complete. Before they had time to make a stand they -were running away. - -Hatless, but unhurt, Goergei 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. - -"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." - -I put my horse to the gallop, and having found the chief of artillery, -delivered my message, and rode back. - -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. - -But we reckoned without the Russians. - -Before our artillery could get there, the sandhills were occupied by -Russian guns, whose murderous fire sent our cavalry back. - -At the same time our cuirassiers dashed forward on the right, and then -we saw a body of infantry advancing at the double. - -In half an hour the situation had become critical. Nothing could save us -but the most desperate effort. - -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. - -Twice we dashed at them in gallant style, being thrown back each time; -the third time, we resolved, should pay for all. - -Nicholas Szondi and I rode on either side of the general, who once more -gave the word to charge. - -Away we went in the midst of a cloud of bullets, while our ranks were -ploughed by shot and shell. - -A man somewhere behind me dropped, and his frightened horse, breaking -from the ranks, rushed to the front. - -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. - -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. - -Goergei 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. - -The Muscovite soldiers fought gallantly enough, but I think they would -not have lasted other ten minutes, when a terrible misfortune happened -to us. - -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. - -Instantly I jumped down and ran to him, while Szondi and Mecsey Sandor, -who, unknown to me, had joined in the charge, kept off a crowd of -foot-soldiers. - -I raised Goergei in my arms. His face was covered with blood; he was -quite insensible, or dead. - -A trooper came to my assistance, and between us we lifted him to his -saddle. - -All this time Nicholas Szondi and Sandor 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. - -The trooper held Goergei while I remounted, then Szondi joined me, and -between us we cut our way through the press. - -The news of the disaster quickly spread, and the hussars, disheartened -by the loss of our gallant leader, drew off from the fight. - -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. - -Goergei made neither sound nor movement. He sat huddled up just as we -placed him, and but for our support would have fallen helpless. - -Szondi looked at me questioningly, but I shook my head. It was -impossible for either of us to tell the extent of the mischief. - -We rode fast till we were out of the line of fire, and I then suggested -to my comrade that he should seek Klapka. - -"He is in command now," I said, "and should be told at once." - -Szondi nodded, and asked if I could manage alone; but the faithful -Mecsey, who was close behind, volunteered to take his place. - -This he did; and while Szondi galloped off to find Klapka, we proceeded -with the general. - -Everywhere now the battle was over, and the Muscovites had again saved -their allies from destruction. - -But our men retreated in fairly good order, and it was evident that, -although Goergei had fallen, the army still possessed a capable chief. - -Halfway through the forest the surgeons had set up an ambulance, and -thither we took the general. - -"Goergei?" cried the chief surgeon, when I told him what had occurred. - -"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." - -I started at once to find General Klapka, and on the way spread the -welcome intelligence far and wide. - -The men cheered as heartily as if we had gained a brilliant victory; for -they looked on Goergei 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. - -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. - -"Goergei is just the one man Hungary cannot afford to lose," he said in -his mild way, and turned again to his duties. - -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. - -By nightfall we had completely abandoned the forest of Acz, and the -vanguard had taken up a strong position several miles eastward. - -I did not see Goergei 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. - -It was strange to see him lying in his tent, his head bandaged, his face -white and bloodless, his body still. - -"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?" - -"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--" - -"Klapka saw to him--made him a sergeant. There's your man as well; what -of him? Would he like to have the stripes?" - -I shook my head smilingly. To be a sergeant, Mecsey would have to leave -me, and this I was sure he would not do. - -"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." - -"Is the old regiment coming to join us?" I asked eagerly. - -"No," said he; "but we are rapidly making our way back to Pesth," and he -looked at me with a faint smile. - -"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. - -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. - -The great Russian army, under its famous chief, had captured Kossuth's -stronghold--the headquarters of Hungarian republicanism. - -This was a serious blow, and I did not wonder that our leaders looked -grave. - -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. - -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. - -"Glad to see you busy," he said chaffingly. - -I finished the steaming coffee made by the worthy Sandor, and nodded. - -"General better this morning?" I asked. - -"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." - -"Why not?" I asked curiously. - -"Ah!" exclaimed my comrade eagerly, "I thought you hadn't heard the -news. Count Beula's in the camp." - -"Well?" - -"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." - -"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." - -"Keep your chaff, old fellow. You'll find the finish exciting enough." - -"There is an end then? That's something to be thankful for." - -Szondi took no notice of the interruption, but continued steadily,-- - -"This Count Beula, then, arrived last night, expecting to find the Pole; -but of course we knew nothing of Dembinski." - -"Not likely." - -"He made himself very agreeable, and we had a pleasant evening." - -"While I was sitting on my horse's back for hours, like a dummy!" - -"Well," said Szondi, without even a smile, "that wouldn't be such hard -work--for you." - -"Not half as difficult as listening to this story." - -"The story? Ah! I'm just coming to the climax. What do you think was -in the letter that Beula brought for Dembinski?" - -"One of Kossuth's brand-new bank-notes." - -"Don't talk rubbish, Botskay. The letter is an official document -proclaiming Dembinski commander-in-chief, in succession to Arthur -Goergei, deposed." - -"What?" - -"Thought you'd get interested at the finish," said he, laughing harshly. - -"How have they wrapped it up?" - -"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." - -We looked hard at each other, and I saw my own thoughts reflected in -Szondi's eyes. - -"All right," said he. "I can tell we're both in one mind, and we'll -find a good many others to join us." - -"All the staff for certain." - -"And every man in the army. Dembinski, indeed!" - -"What does Klapka say?" - -"He'll stick to Goergei through thick and thin; so will Nagy Sandor. -I'm off now. See you again this evening, and tell you more about it." - -Szondi's news soon spread amongst the officers, causing the greatest -consternation. - -To remove Goergei was to take away the very life and soul of the army. -To replace him by the Pole would be rank folly. - -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. - -Towards the end of the afternoon Szondi came to take me to a meeting of -the staff. - -"The fellows are furious," he said, "and want to sign a paper refusing -to serve under any one but Goergei. What's your idea?" - -"I'll put my name down fast enough." - -"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." - -The discussion which took place was rather monotonous, as every one -spoke on the same side, and the keynote was that Goergei should not go. - -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. - -"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." - -"Nor a soldier either," added a second man. - -"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." - -Szondi was right. The Diet, interviewed by the two generals, Klapka and -Nagy Sandor, saw it had gone too far; and Goergei 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. - -Goergei 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. - -Meanwhile, matters were becoming very serious in all parts of the -country. - -In the south, Bern, who seemed to grow stronger after each defeat, still -made headway against the enemy, but elsewhere our prospects were -cheerless. - -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. - -Certainly our entrenchments were very strong, and every day--for Goergei -had a great belief in pick and spade--made them stronger; but they could -not keep out Haynau and the Russians. - -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. - -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. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - - _GOeRGEI FORGETS HIS WOUND._ - - -"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." - -Szondi and I were standing behind Goergei 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. - -"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." - -Our hearts beat high as the cavalry passed in numerous bodies, our hopes -being largely placed on these gallant fellows. - -Klapka had posted twenty batteries in the forest of Harkaly, and it was -his plan, or rather Goergei's, by a combined attack of infantry, horse, -and artillery, to break the Austrian centre, and push it back beyond the -village of Czern. - -It was nine o'clock in the morning when the infantry moved out, and very -soon we heard the thunder of the heavy guns. - -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. - -Goergei stood looking intently through his glass, occasionally giving a -smile of satisfaction as the troops took up their positions. - -"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--" - -I did not hear the rest, being already on my way to General Klapka. - -The battle was now in full swing, but the thick volumes of smoke made it -difficult to see what was going on. - -Soon I met wounded men dropping to the rear, and from one of them -gathered that the Austrian centre was getting a terrific pounding. - -"They'll have to go, captain," said the man. "Flesh and blood can't -stand it much longer." - -After giving him a drink from my flask, I rode on, finding myself at -length amongst Klapka's staff. - -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. - -Everything around me was bustle and excitement. Men came and went in -endless succession, and almost without a pause. - -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. - -The general said something to him, but he shook his head, smiled gaily, -and was off again in spite of his broken limb. - -Meanwhile the fight in the centre was fast approaching a crisis. - -That the Austrians would break I felt sure, my only wonder being how -they had managed to hold out so long. - -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. - -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. - -Another officer darted off like lightning; and we, looking on, saw our -cavalry draw up in one immense body. - -We could not hear, but we knew they were cheering, and then we watched -them move forward. - -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. - -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. - -So certain was the result that I asked Klapka's permission to follow, -knowing how eager Goergei would be to learn every detail. - -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. - -Back they went, helter-skelter, anyhow--men and guns and horses all -mixed together! - -Here half a company; there part of a squadron; yonder a field-gun, the -horses clattering and tearing along like mad. - -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 Goergei. - -"Make or break," Szondi had said. Well, we were made, and the Austrians -were broken. - -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. - -Cheer, my lads! You have the right. There's the general! How pleased -he will be at the news! - -I dashed up, breathless, while my horse trembled all over. - -"Czern is ours, sir!" I panted. "The Austrians are in flight!" - -There were several officers near, but my head was so dizzy that I could -scarcely distinguish them. - -One, whom I took to be Szondi, then helped me to dismount. - -The ride, the excitement, and possibly an accidental blow, though I -could not remember one, had made me feel quite strange. - -The men around me became shadowy figures, their conversation mere -disjointed scraps, such as, "Klapka--key of position--pay for -Acz--Vienna--next to Goergei," which I heard without understanding. - -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. - -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. - -Some of the officers had disappeared; others remained; and these, like -the general, were filled with joy. - -Into the huge gap which I had seen made our fellows were pouring at the -double, and the battlefield rang with shouts of victory. - -I had put my arm through the bridle, and stood leaning against a hillock -of sand, waiting for the next order. - -Suddenly there came the sound of a report so tremendous that the earth -shook, and we gazed at one another aghast. - -Again and again it broke forth, while the field was hidden from sight by -dense curtains of thick smoke. - -At a word from the general Szondi darted off, but almost before he had -gone a mounted officer dashed up to us. - -He came from Klapka, and told his tale briefly. - -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. - -Eighty pieces of cannon were vomiting death; thousands of rifles were -pouring deadly volleys into our vanguard. - -What the Austrians had suffered during the earlier part of the morning -our people were suffering now, only on a more fearful scale. - -Yet we gathered from the messenger that they had not retreated a foot, -though it was impossible for them to advance. - -Our sole hope now lay in Prince Leiningen and the reserve which he -commanded. - -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. - -Goergei 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! - -I jumped into the saddle and went with the others. - -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. - -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. - -The story of the fight, as it thus came to us piecemeal, was a -succession of ups and downs. - -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. - -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. - -At the Waag, at Acz, and now here, the Muscovites had actually snatched -victory from our grasp. - -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 "Goergei! Goergei!" - -Had it been possible to save the battle, the presence of this one man -would have accomplished the feat; but it was not. - -The men died willingly enough, but they could not advance in face of -those awful guns. - -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. - -Of my personal share in the fight there is little to tell. - -Goergei, forgetful of his wound, threw himself into the thick of it, and -where he went I followed. - -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. - -The staff had their fill of fighting for once, but to no avail. - -Even Goergei acknowledged the truth at last, and reluctantly gave the -order to withdraw. - -We were fairly beaten, but not routed; and the enemy had been too -severely handled to follow up their success. - -Taking our wounded, we retired slowly, the men, in spite of their -terrible punishment, being unwilling to leave the field. - -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. - -Fortune had dealt less kindly with several of our comrades, and we -missed more than one familiar face. - -"That's the worst bout I've ever been in," said Szondi. "I thought at -one time not a man would come out alive." - -"We might as well have stayed out there," said Mizvy gruffly. "The -game's up." - -"Oh, come!" I cried cheerfully. "It surely isn't as bad as that!" - -"Well, my young wiseacre, if you can show me one single loophole, you've -more brains than I ever gave you credit for." - -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 Goergei to do with the rest? Fight -Haynau and Paskewitch together?" - -"There's our army in the south," I began, but Mizvy pulled me up. - -"Army in the south!" he echoed scornfully; "why, Bern, brave old fellow -as he is, can hardly hold his own head above water!" - -"But there's Dembinski. He'll make a big effort to join us." - -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." - -Several of the officers cried "Shame!" but Mizvy took this mark of -displeasure with admirable coolness. - -"All right," he said quietly. "But just wait till any of those fellows -venture north." - -"What then?" I asked, laughing. - -"Why, then you can sew me up in a sack and drop me into any river that's -handy!" - -"We'll do that with pleasure," said Szondi. "But there's the general -beckoning to you." - -Mizvy took himself off, but he left an unpleasant sensation behind him. - -He was a level-headed man, with plenty of shrewd sense, and having no -prejudices to warp his judgment. - -I am not sure that personally he cared the toss of a button for either -Goergei or Kossuth, the constitution of '48, or independence; but he was -a thorough soldier, and did care very much about beating the enemy. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -Nicholas Szondi summed up the case very clearly. - -"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 Goergei, or he with -them. Now, if we joined forces--and that's the only way to save -Hungary--we should only want one chief." - -"Well, Goergei isn't likely to yield his command to the Poles." - -"Just so; and they won't be too eager to serve under him. That's where -the difficulty lies." - -"If old Mizvy's plan were in working order," said one man lazily, -"'twould save a lot of bother at present." - -"We certainly shouldn't suffer from having too many generals." - -Szondi agreed laughingly. "Goergei and Klapka look very solemn over -there." - -"They're discussing the new plans, and it's my belief we shall find -Mizvy wasn't far out in his forecast." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Two days later, having picked up various bodies of troops on the route, -we halted a few hours' distance from Waitzen. - -Here the 9th Honveds were assembled, and as soon as the general had -finished with me, I rushed off to find Rakoczy. - -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. - -"The accounts from the front frightened us a bit," said Dobozy. "We -began to think you would have been better off in Pesth." - -"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?" - -"Still, I don't know that I like it any better than at first. By the -way, have you seen Count Beula lately?" - -"Cleared out the same time as Kossuth. Paid you a visit at Raab, didn't -he?" - -"Yes, with a proclamation from the Diet in his pocket. But I had better -begin at the beginning, and tell you the story properly." - -"Much better. Make yourself comfortable. You may be sure of an -interested audience, though a small one." - -He was right in that remark, for both he and Dobozy listened most -attentively, only interrupting by an occasional exclamation. - -"You certainly can't complain of having been dull yonder," said Rakoczy -at the finish. - -"Did you kill that Von Theyer fellow?" asked Dobozy. - -"I hope not, though I'm afraid he got a nasty slash across the face." - -"Pity that, being a handsome sort of chap. 'Twill spoil his beauty." - -"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." - -"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." - -"That Russian division seems to be the mainstay of the army." - -"It has been, so far; but now tell me what you've been doing in Pesth." - -"Putting the regiment straight again," said the colonel. - -"And forming guards of honour," added Dobozy. "We've had a very pleasant -and agreeable time." - -"A wonder you left." - -"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." - -"Yes. We heard that." - -"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." - -"How was it you didn't go south with the others?" - -"Because, fortunately, we had orders to join Goergei here." - -"Shall we make a stand at Waitzen?" - -The colonel shook his head. "May stay for a bit of a fight," he -replied. "Nothing more." - -"Then what do you think Goergei will do?" - -"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!" - -"If we aren't caught here," said Dobozy, "which seems rather likely." - -"I see you are still wearing the baron's ring," remarked Rakoczy, as I -rose to go. - -"Yes. I thought it would be as safe on my finger as anywhere else, till -I am able to take it to Vienna." - -"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." - -"They would be counting without Mecsey Sandor, 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. - -The first man I met was Nicholas Szondi, who had just returned from a -long ride with Nagy Sandor. - -"Better get a bit of supper and a nap while you've the chance," he said. -"We're likely to be off before long." - -"Anything serious?" - -"Only that the Russian cavalry are close at hand." - -"Then we're in for another fight?" - -"I expect so, unless the general prefers to run." - -Taking my comrade's advice, I had some supper; and wrapping my mantle -around me, I lay down to snatch an hour's sleep. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - - _SENT SCOUTING._ - - -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. - -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. - -Most of the work was finished when Goergei's scouts came in with the -information that the Russian cavalry, supported by an infantry brigade, -was approaching. - -"They're just come to have a look," said Szondi cheerfully. "They aren't -likely to attack till their main body arrives." - -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. - -On our side the battle was fought by the artillery, and the bravest -cannot stand before a cannon-ball. - -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. - -"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." - -"I thought we should probably slip away during the night." - -"That's possible, of course; but I fancy Goergei intends trying to hold -the town. However, we shall see before long." - -The Russians had been so badly beaten that they made no further effort -to molest us, and the night passed away peacefully. - -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. - -"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. - -"They make stubborn fighters," growled Mizvy. - -"Just like dogs," added another fellow: "as long as you whistle them on, -they'll go." - -These Muscovites were indeed wonderful soldiers, and far different from -our own men. - -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. - -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. - -It was a weird sight to witness one of these regiments, compact and -grey-coated, come gliding up towards the guns. - -As Szondi put it, one forgot the men in watching the movements of the -machine. - -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. - -Farther along, another machine, similarly constructed, was going through -exactly the same performance, becoming smaller in the same manner. - -One such I saw more distinctly still, having carried a message from the -general to the artillery chief just as it approached. - -The fate of that regiment was so terrible that even now I sometimes -shudder at the remembrance. - -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! - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"The men must hold the field till dark," was the order passed round to -the different leaders; and Goergei knew that, whatever happened, it -would be obeyed. - -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. - -They had indeed got to hand-to-hand fighting, being repulsed only after -a desperate encounter. - -How our poor fellows out there on the ridges must have prayed for the -coming of night! - -Meanwhile, carts and wagons were rolling through the town and away into -the mountainous country beyond. - -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. - -The bullets were dropping around, but of these he took no notice, though -two of the staff had already been seriously hurt. - -"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. - -I could not see the 9th Honveds--they were somewhere on the left--but I -earnestly hoped my two friends were safe. - -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. - -The Russians naturally were the more fatigued, but when the last shot -was fired many of our own fellows sank down exhausted. - -Yet the general could grant them but small time for rest. - -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. - -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. - -It was night before I learned anything of Rakoczy; and then, to my great -joy, I discovered that both he and Dobozy were unhurt. - -Our position had now become practically hopeless. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Goergei himself shared this view, though it did not prevent him from -doing all in his power to avert the calamity. - -"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." - -But could we? - -That was a question time alone could answer. - -One corps was toiling hard after us through the mountains, but what was -Paskewitch doing with the rest of his army? - -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. - -"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." - -Taking Mecsey Sandor 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. - -Knowing that Paskewitch had stopped his southward march, we concluded he -would try to prevent Goergei crossing the Theiss. - -My best course evidently was to ride due south, questioning the country -people as I passed. - -"We shall learn something at Gyongyos," said Mecsey, "and we ought to -reach there by nightfall." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -His speech told me he was a Magyar, and by his dress I judged him to be -a servant in some nobleman's family. - -At first he glanced at us suspiciously; but, discovering I was an -officer in Goergei's army, he became very friendly, and answered my -questions readily enough. - -"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." - -"Will they come this way?" - -The Magyar shook his head. "No," he replied; "I wish they would. It -would keep them clear of my master's estate." - -"Is your master with our army?" - -"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." - -"But it might lead him into trouble." - -"Not at all. The Russians are not likely to pay us a visit. If they -do, we can easily hide you." - -"And Paskewitch will march that way?" - -"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 Goergei, and will be delighted to see one of his officers." - -"You have not told me who your master is." - -"Count Arnim Kemeny." - -"Well, Mecsey," I said, "what do you think? Shall we be likely to run -the count into any danger?" - -"How? The Russians will be gone to-morrow." - -"Then if you will ride on," I said to the servant, "we will follow." - -"In one minute. I have a little business to transact first," and making -a respectful bow, he went into the house. - -"All right, Mecsey?" I asked. - -My servant tapped his pistol significantly. "I'm sorry for our friend -if it isn't," he answered. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -She greeted me with ease and graciousness, and I knew in a moment that -the welcome was a genuine one. - -"I must apologize for my husband," she said sweetly. "He is, alas! an -invalid, and I must welcome the guests of the house." - -"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 Goergei. This is my servant, and we are in -the neighbourhood on special duty." - -"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." - -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. - -The house was a one-storied building, very similar to my own at -Gyula--built on much the same plan, but rather more extensive. - -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. - -As before, the countess stepped forward, smiling, and led me to her -husband. - -"Arnim dear," said she sweetly, "this is Captain Botskay, whom a lucky -chance has sent us as a guest." - -While she spoke, I gazed with the deepest emotion at the count. - -He partly sat, partly reclined in a wheeled chair drawn close to the -table. - -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. - -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 -Goergei. - -"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." - -"I shall not readily forget madam's kindness," I replied. - -"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. - -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. - -This was unusual experience for a soldier in Goergei's army while on -active service. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Of course I was pleased to find the count was of my way of thinking, and -had no sympathy with the republican party. - -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. - -"Goergei 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." - -"That is what I wish to find out. Your man tells me they will be en -route again to-morrow." - -"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--" - -"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." - -The count looked at his wife and smiled. - -"Do not fear for us," said she. "We have hiding-places here that would -not be discovered even if they burned the house down." - -"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." - -"But if they find me in the Eagle's Nest?" - -"They will shoot you and ask no questions, so I hope you'll not be -discovered." - -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. - -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. - -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." - -"It's very kind of you," I answered, "and really I would rather sit here -and talk, but I might feel drowsy to-morrow." - -"And we do not wish you to fall out of the Eagle's Nest," said my -hostess merrily. - -"I fear the general would obtain little information from me afterwards." - -Bidding them good-night, I went to my room, and once more enjoyed the -luxury of lying down in a real bed. - -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. - -Then, too, I wondered how the next day's adventure would turn out, and -whether Goergei had been forced to stand at bay again. - -At length my brain ceased working, and I fell into a sound sleep. - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - - - _NEARLY CAPTURED._ - - -I seemed to have slept scarcely five minutes when a knocking at the door -wakened me, and I rubbed my eyes dreamily. - -It was Nicholas, with the information that breakfast was ready; so, -jumping out of bed, I quickly washed and dressed. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The faithful Mecsey was waiting in one of the rooms through which we -passed, and he begged very hard to go with me. - -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. - -Nothing could save me if the Russians discovered I was there; if they -did not, I was perfectly safe. - -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. - -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. - -The new day was breaking gloriously as we entered the wood; hundreds of -songsters carolled gaily, and the undergrowth was alive with game. - -"Your master has plenty of shooting," I remarked to my companion. - -"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." - -Accordingly we walked faster, Nicholas leading me by tracks well known -to him and the rest of the count's household. - -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." - -He took off the wallet, strapped it on my back, and waited to see me -climb the tree. - -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 Goergei from crossing -the Theiss. - -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. - -An hour passed uneventfully, and then in the west there rose up a cloud -of dust, which swept towards me at a rapid pace. - -It was a body of cavalry--Cossack irregulars, by the look of -them--mounted on shaggy, little horses and armed with long lances. - -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. - -Those rough, uncouth riders formed the head of a procession that -occupied all the day in filing past. - -It was a splendid spectacle, but my eyes grew tired of gazing at it. - -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. - -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. - -The halt lasted two hours, when the march began again, and evening had -fallen before the last stragglers went by. - -Then I put away my notebook, strapped the empty wallet to my back, and -prepared to descend. - -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. - -However, I succeeded, and found Nicholas ready to pilot me back to the -house. - -"Your master has not been troubled by the Russians?" I asked. - -"A friendly visit from half a dozen officers," replied he; "nothing -more." - -"And Mecsey Sandor?" - -"Kept in the background while they stayed." - -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. - -"Get the horses saddled," I said, before entering the house. "We shall -start soon." - -"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." - -"And I would very much like to stay; but in a matter of duty a soldier -has no choice." - -"That is what Arnim feared you would say. However, you cannot go until -after dinner." - -"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?" - -"No. Thanks to your kindness, I can take the general the fullest -particulars of the enemy's force." - -"And Captain Botskay wishes to go at once," said my hostess. - -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?" - -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. - -After dinner I sat half an hour longer, while Mecsey got the horses -ready, and then I was reluctantly compelled to say farewell. - -"Take care of yourself," said the count, "and come and see us whenever -you have a chance. We are rather lonely here." - -"Good-bye, Captain Botskay," said his wife; "and I hope sincerely that -no harm will come to you in this cruel war." - -I promised to visit them again should opportunity arise, and, with a -last hand-shake, joined Mecsey, who had the horses ready. - -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. - -Mecsey and Nicholas were good company for each other. I rode a short -distance behind them, wondering if I should find Goergei in time for my -information to be of use. - -The night was fine, calm, and still. There was no moon, but the stars -glittered in myriads overhead, serving to show the route. - -In those days our best roads were shocking to a stranger, but the cuts -across country were simply abominable. - -Several times that night I escaped a nasty--perhaps fatal--accident -solely through the intelligence of my horse. - -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. - -"He's dreadfully afraid of leaving the count long at a time," said -Mecsey. "He looks on himself as a sort of bodyguard." - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -By this time I was so tired that my eyes would hardly stay open, and -Mecsey pressed me to have an hour's sleep. - -"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." - -"And what about yourself?" - -"I had a long sleep yesterday." - -"Then keep a good lookout for the enemy, give the horses a feed, and -call me in an hour." - -I lay down, drew my cloak round me, and lost consciousness almost before -my head touched the ground. - -Mecsey wakened me, according to promise; we then ate a hurried -breakfast, and started again, now in broad daylight. - -The brief halt had done me a world of good. I was much brighter, and -felt capable of riding all day. - -As it chanced, however, the Russians did not give me the opportunity of -trying. - -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. - -"What is it?" I asked in a whisper, getting close to him. - -"Soldiers!" he answered promptly. "Russians!" - -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. - -Mecsey's sharp ears had detected the noise made by the soldiers before -they were in sight. - -"They are behind us," I said quietly. - -"And on our right. There must be a regiment." - -"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." - -Mecsey shook his head, saying, "We can try." - -This did not sound very promising; but Mecsey, though brave as a lion, -was not the most cheerful of men. - -"Let us go," I said. "It's our only chance." - -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. - -A loud shout and the discharge of many muskets proclaimed that we were -discovered. - -"Push on!" I exclaimed. "We must get through somehow." - -It was a poor place for fast travelling, but we went as rapidly as our -horses could take us. - -The shouts from the cliffs were now repeated in our rear, and several -bullets whistled unpleasantly about our ears. - -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. - -There was little need for questioning or speech of any kind; a body of -grey-coated infantry was drawn across the narrow exit. - -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. - -Without speaking, we turned and rode back in our tracks. - -We could now see the head of the column approaching, and I felt like a -rat in a trap. - -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. - -"Let me have the book for the general," said Mecsey, "and I will try to -escape. If you surrender they won't harm you." - -"But what can you do?" - -"Leave the horse and try to scale the cliffs." - -"All right. We'll both try. I mean Goergei to have that list. Swing -yourself off. Now!" - -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. - -Directly the Russians saw our plan, those on the opposite cliffs -discharged their muskets, while the head of the column quickened its -pace. - -Whiz! whiz! came the bullets, singing overhead or chipping the rocks -beside us--much too near in either case for comfort. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Suddenly Mecsey's foot slipped and he fell, but he was up again in an -instant. - -"Hurt?" I asked anxiously. - -"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." - -I did look, and saw a huge fissure in the cliffs several yards in length -and about six feet in depth. - -Certainly it might help us, but I hardly thought so. - -The soldiers would see us enter, and would follow. It was not as if -they numbered only a half-dozen or so. - -Still, it might be worth trying for; and we pushed on recklessly, -running, climbing, jumping, scrambling--any fashion, so as to get there. - -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,-- - -"Surrender yourselves! I pledge my word that you shall not be hurt." - -"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." - -"For the last time," cried the Russian officer; "will you surrender?" - -We were inside the cavern now, but I showed myself at the mouth and -asked for five minutes' grace. - -For myself there was but one course open--to return to Goergei. Death -alone could absolve me from that duty; but there was no need to -sacrifice my trusty servant. - -Accordingly, I told him of the Russian's offer, and urged him to accept -it. - -"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." - -Mecsey looked at me proudly. "I am a Magyar," he said, as if that -settled the question. - -And it did with me. - -I urged him no more, but turned again to the enemy. - -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. - -The officer was well in advance, and I saw by his face that he would -gladly save our lives. - -"You will surrender?" he questioned; but I shook my head. - -"That is stupid. You cannot escape. I shall send my men in there, and -you will be-- Ach! what folly!" - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -Had this immense rock-chamber a second outlet? - -I asked myself this question as we rushed over the damp, uneven floor, -and a sharp exclamation of joy from Mecsey answered it. - -Just as the Russians entered, we made our exit by way of a narrow -passage, through which a stream ran. - -We dashed on, followed by, perhaps, twenty of the enemy, who carried -torches; the others were searching the cavern. - -Gradually the passage became wider, then it contracted once more, and -finally opened into a second chamber, from which two passages branched. - -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. - -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. - -Mecsey nodded. It was for me to give orders, for him to obey. - -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. - -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. - -They were creeping nearer and nearer, while Mecsey was slackening his -pace. - -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. - -The river had taken a sudden dip downwards and disappeared. The chamber -had come to an end; we were caught. - -"We can kill three or four," said Mecsey quietly. - -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. - -"Mecsey," I said, "do you hear me?" - -"Yes, captain." - -"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." - -"Where are you going, captain?" - -"To Goergei or to death. I don't know which." - -"I am not to fight?" - -"No. Put your weapons down, and mine." - -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. - -"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." - -He was a nice fellow, that Russian officer, and I learned later that his -courage equalled his generosity. - -His German was far from good, but I understood him, and smiled. - -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. - -Before striking the water I had filled my lungs with air, and it was -well for me that I had done so. - -I was a strong swimmer, but strength could avail nothing in this -desperate venture. - -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. - -Once, and to my recollection only once, my head was above the water, and -I took a good deep breath. - -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. - -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. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - - _THE LAST BLOW._ - - -"What shall I do with this Russian, captain?" - -It was Mecsey talking, Mecsey very wet and bedraggled, but prompt and -soldier-like. - -"Russian!" I echoed, sitting up. "What Russian?" - -Mecsey pointed to a half-drowned figure at his feet, and I recognized -the officer who had led the pursuit in the caverns. - -"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. - -"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." - -My faithful follower now helped me to rise, and once fairly on my feet, -I felt very little the worse for the adventure. - -With the Russian, however, things had gone much worse, and it took us -the best part of half an hour to restore him. - -He was very weak and dazed, but sensible; and pointing to his jacket, -said, "Vodka." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Travelling at his pace I should not reach Goergei 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. - -Mecsey must stay with him. I could see no solution but that, and yet I -had depended on Mecsey to guide me to Miskolcz. - -However, it had to be done; and at the first halt I explained the matter -to the Russian. - -"It is very kind of you to think of me at all," he said. "I am -grateful." - -"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." - -"I promise that willingly." - -"Then I will say good-bye; it is possible we may not meet again." - -"I hope we shall, if only that I may have the chance to return your -kindness. Will you not tell me your name? - -"George Botskay." - -"And mine is Michael Popkoff." - -"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." - -He laughed at that, and we parted very good friends. - -Mecsey, of course, disliked the arrangement; but, as the only -alternative was to leave the Russian to die, he loyally accepted the -inevitable. - -I left them there on the lonely mountain side, and set off resolutely -with my face towards Miskolcz. - -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. - -It proceeded now with a rush and a rattle towards the plain, and its -rocky course reminded me of my shoeless feet. - -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. - -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. - -Then my thoughts wandered to Mecsey and his companion, and I could not -help laughing. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -If they would not give me a dinner, I would buy one; and after a good -deal of angry squabbling we made a bargain. - -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. - -Elsewhere it would have been a dear dinner, but under the circumstances -I was quite content. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -When the plate was empty, I rose to go, and no one even took the trouble -to say good-day. - -"Lucky that Goergei 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. - -However, the hot food had set me up, and I walked rapidly, keeping a -sharp lookout for any signs of my friends. - -Afternoon had passed into evening, and darkness was falling, when an -alert "Who goes there?" in Hungarian brought me to a halt. - -"A friend," I answered promptly. - -"Advance, friend, and give the countersign." - -"Pass the word for your officer," I said. "I am Captain Botskay of -General Goergei's staff." - -"Stand quite still. If you move an inch I'll shoot you." - -I could not see the speaker, but his voice told me he was a man of his -word, so I stood still. - -Presently I heard the clatter of hoofs, and in a few minutes a party of -horsemen rode up. - -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!" - -The light showed my strange attire, and the general, in spite of his -genuine distress, could not forego his joke. - -"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. - -"Thanks, general," I replied gratefully. "That feels more comfortable." - -"Have you brought any information? Yes?--Szondi, lend Botskay your -horse. He can tell me his news as we go back." - -My brother-officer jumped down at once, and I mounted in his stead. - -"Now," said Goergei, as he and I rode in advance, "what have you -learned?" - -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. - -He listened very attentively, put numerous questions, most of which I -was able to answer, and appeared exceedingly thoughtful. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -After supper we lingered for a half-hour's chat, and the general asked -me to relate the story of my personal adventures. - -At the part where we abandoned the horses, Goergei 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." - -"It's the wrong time of year for wolves, general." - -"Ach, so it is. Well, go on, Botskay. We're all wondering what it -means." - -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. - -"That Mecsey is a servant worth having," said Goergei; "and the Russian -proved a very plucky fellow." - -"His men showed the white feather, though," growled Mizvy, who always -fastened on the seamy side of things. - -"I think I should have done the same," cried Szondi, with a laugh. -"This underground travelling isn't much to my liking." - -"Some of these Muscovites would have been none the worse for a good -bath," chimed in another fellow. - -"But Mecsey Sandor and the Russian--what became of them?" inquired the -general. - -"Oh, Mecsey saved my life;" and I told how the trusty fellow had dragged -both Popkoff and myself from the river. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Mecsey had not yet returned, but his absence did not alarm me, as -Colonel Popkoff was not in a condition to travel very fast. - -During the retreat I had seen Rakoczy several times, and also Dobozy, -who had recently been made major. - -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. - -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. - -They were not republicans, and if Goergei had had a free hand, all they -wanted would have been granted long before. - -Still, they trusted implicitly in their great leader, and if he told -them to fight on, why, fight they would. - -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. - -Yet we all felt that, whatever the result of the campaign in that -quarter, it could have little effect on the real struggle. - -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. - -However, Goergei persevered, and, leaving Nagy Sandor 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. - -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. - -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 -Sandor. - -"Another journey, Botskay?" cried Szondi, as I rode past. "Don't forget -to bring your clothes back this time." - -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. - -Indeed many years went by before I heard the last of that unlucky -incident. - -I answered their chaff in the same strain, and rode off in good spirits, -though sorry that the trusty Mecsey was not with me. - -Everything went well on the journey. There was no likelihood of meeting -with the Russians, and my worst enemies were the bad roads. - -At night I slept three or four hours in a peasant's hut, entering -Debreczin about noon next day. - -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. - -Being fairly well acquainted with the district, I expected to find Nagy -Sandor posted on the sandhills about a mile from and covering the town. - -I had just cleared the city when a tremendous cannonade opened from the -hills. It was Nagy Sandor's artillery showering grape and canister upon -the enemy's advanced guard. - -Spurring my horse vigorously I overtook the general, with several -officers, riding to the scene of conflict. - -He glanced at Goergei'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. - -Forty guns were belching forth canister and grape on the advancing -Russians, who appeared to be taken by surprise. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"We're getting well used to it," muttered his comrade, laughing harshly. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - -Nagy Sandor saw it too, and his face grew black as night. - -"Paskewitch has brought up his reserves," he exclaimed, "and we have -only a handful to oppose them. Well, we must do what we can." - -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. - -I bowed, and rode off to find Torot. - -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. - -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. - -With a heavy heart I told Torot what was happening, and glanced -disconsolately at his small body of troops. - -"The Muscovites will swallow us up," said he cheerfully. "However, -there's the order; so off we go." - -I placed myself with the cavalry, and we moved out in good order from -the shelter of the hills. - -In the centre our guns maintained an equal conflict, but our right was -terribly weakened, and incapable of resisting this fresh attack. - -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. - -I do not know who led the cavalry charge, but he was a gallant fellow -and deserved a better fate. - -The nearest battery was our goal, and few of us that survived will ever -forget that terrible ride. - -It was almost the last blow we were to strike in defence of our flag, -though we did not know it then. - -The colonel pointed to the battery that was dealing out death to our -comrades. - -"My lads," he said simply, "it is for us to take those guns." - -The men shook their swords, answering by a savage cheer. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The colonel was a horse's length in front, going straight for the -battery, when the first crash came. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -I dared not look behind, I dared not even think. I could only shake my -sword and cry "Forward!" - -Then we were in the midst of the guns, slashing at the artillerymen, who -fought us till the very end. - -But we did what we had been sent to do, and cheered exultingly as we -emerged on the other side. - -Alas! that cheer was the death-knell of many. - -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. - -Broken by our charge, disordered, panting, we waited a moment -irresolutely, then tried to form up and return. - -Only the maddest of madmen would have faced this fresh enemy. - -But the horror was not yet at an end. - -As we rode back, a mere handful of wearied men, a dense mass of heavy -cavalry barred our path. - -Flight was impossible. There were but two alternatives--surrender or -death. - -The Magyars chose the latter, and, gripping our swords firmly, we went -straight at the grey-coated mass, and were instantly swallowed up. - -There was no time for parrying of blows; we had to take our chance, and, -cutting and thrusting, try to force a passage. - -"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. - -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. - -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. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - - _THE SURRENDER._ - - -It seemed perfectly natural that the first face to meet my waking senses -should be that of Mecsey Sandor. - -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. - -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." - -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. - -"Hang the Russian officer!" I exclaimed; "tell me where I am and how I -came here." - -"A few miles from Debreczin," Sandor answered gravely. "I found you in -the town light-headed, charging a Russian battery that wasn't there." - -"Where's our army?" - -Sandor puckered his lips and blew; he could not have given a more -significant answer. - -"Then it's all over?" - -"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." - -I groaned at this, and closed my eyes. - -"General Klapka has done well, though," Mecsey continued in his stolid -way. - -I opened my eyes again, saying, "Klapka is shut up in Comorn." - -"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." - -"Well done, Klapka!" I cried delightedly. - -"Of course it won't make any difference in the end," said Mecsey -composedly; and his words were like a douche of cold water. - -"Go away, you rascal!" I cried. "But no; tell me first what became of -Dembinski after he was driven from Szegedin." - -"I don't know. Perhaps he's trying to join the general at Arad." - -"If so, we still have a chance. Now help me to dress; we must find our -way back to the army." - -"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." - -This was perfectly true, and I let Mecsey have his own way. - -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 Goergei's army--at least she hoped so. - -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. - -The people of the villages, who freely gave us food and shelter, were -filled with strange rumours which totally contradicted one another. - -At one place we heard that Kossuth was at Arad with Goergei; 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. - -At last we struck the trail of Goergei's army, and all our informants -agreed that the fearful forced marches had told on the troops terribly. - -They were short of provisions and forage; the men were half-starved, the -horses like skeletons. - -This we learned from the villagers, while I knew for certain there could -be but a small supply of ammunition. - -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. - -Following this came the news that Kossuth had resigned his office and -fled, leaving Goergei to act as he thought proper. - -"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." - -I laughed at this prophecy, little dreaming how my heart would ache at -its fulfilment. - -Long afterwards Rakoczy told me that my servant was far from being alone -in his foresight. - -Many gallant officers thought the general should refuse to be made the -figure-head, now that everything was in ruins; but Goergei was a true -patriot. He thought of the welfare of his distracted country, and -manfully threw himself into the breach. - -He had sacrificed everything for his countrymen; now he was prepared to -lose even their goodwill and esteem. - -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; Goergei'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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -And it was mournful in the extreme. - -To a high-spirited nation this blow was almost worse than death. - -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 -Goergei, felt a spasm of indignation that he had not chosen to sacrifice -his country rather than consent to such humiliation. - -Yet the sight of his broken army showed he could have done nothing else. - -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? - -There was only one answer, which came from a woman--hardly more than a -girl, in fact--who stood near me. - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -"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!" - -"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." - -This plain talk would have provoked disorder; but just then our -attention was distracted by the sight of Goergei riding alone to meet -the Russian general. - -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. - -The staff followed, conspicuous in short green attilas, with heavy gold -trimmings, and with herons' plumes in their hats. - -The Russian leader, similarly accompanied, advanced from his lines, and -we watched the two generals exchange hand-clasps. - -I sat my horse and gazed spellbound while they talked, pitying the -chivalrous Goergei from my heart. - -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. - -The conference between the leaders ceased; they returned to their posts, -and we waited impatiently for the end. - -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. - -Once again Goergei and his staff rode to the front, where the Russian -generals met them. - -[Illustration: "_Goergei and his staff rode to the front, where the -Russian generals met them._" Page 338]] - -The two leaders saluted, and then along the whole line sounded the -beating of drums. - -My eyes ached, my brain grew dizzy, my heart throbbed violently as I -strained forward, eagerly watching. - -That rolling of drums was the death-knell of all our hopes. - -At its signal the Russians presented arms, proudly but not -vaingloriously, and then-- - -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. - -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. - -As for me, I crouched low, hiding my face in my horse's mane. - -I have known much of happiness since then, but no joy has ever effaced -the impression made on that sorrowful day. - -Even now, as I sit dreaming many years after the event, the picture -rises before me fresh as ever. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -I hear, too, the first whisper, which afterwards swelled into a loud -roar, that Goergei is a traitor, and has sold his country to the -Russians. My ears burn like fire, and I blush for my countrymen. - -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. - -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. - -"It's all over," he said brusquely; "and now that the prey is secured, -the Austrian jackal will come to pick the bones." - -"The Austrians will not dare," I began; but he stopped me with a -mirthless laugh. - -"Goergei has saved the army at the expense of the officers," he said. -"There will be a fine feast of death before long." - -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. - -I expressed my fears to Mecsey, who promptly proposed that we should -discover where the colonel had been taken. - -This, however, was more easily said than done, as we soon found. - -Russian troops in charge of their prisoners were marching in all -directions, and it was impossible to scan them all. - -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. - -They were all looking miserable and dejected; but one, catching sight of -me, ran up eagerly. - -"From the colonel, sir," he cried joyfully; "though neither of us ever -expected I should have the luck to meet you." - -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. - -The dear, unselfish fellow, indifferent to his own fate, had used the -last moments of his freedom to send me a warning. - -"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." - -Not a word either of hope or fear for himself; all his cares were for -me. - -That was just like "John the Joyous," and my eyes were dim as I placed -the paper in my pocket. - -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. - -"Have you found him, captain?" - -The speaker was Mecsey, and when I shook my head sadly he immediately -began to question the soldiers. - -Here, again, we were at fault. No one really knew where the colonel -was, some asserting he had been taken to Gros-Wardein with Goergei, -others saying he had gone south with his regiment to Nagy Kikinda. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -"All right, my trusty fellow; I shall keep my eyes open, though I'm not -tall enough for the Austrians to cut down." - -So we parted, guessing little of the events which would happen before we -met again. - -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. - -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. - -At sunrise I started again, leading the animal by its bridle, until a -lucky chance brought me to a village. - -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. - -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. - -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." - -They smiled at one another, and one taking my horse led it through the -courtyard into the stable behind the inn. - -Another spoke my name, and though I could not remember their features, -they claimed to belong to the old regiment. - -He who had attended to my horse was the keeper of the inn, which he now -respectfully invited me to enter. - -Bidding the others come too, I questioned them concerning their colonel, -while the hostess prepared a meal. - -Fate was, perhaps, against me, for they could tell little beyond what I -already knew. - -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. - -All this they told me eagerly; but as to Colonel Rakoczy they could tell -nothing. - -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. - -At the end of that time my host wakened me, and I rose, greatly -refreshed by the brief rest. - -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. - -"Take care you don't run against the Austrians, captain," the man -answered. "From what I hear, their cavalry can't be far off." - -"All right, my good fellow; though they aren't likely to interfere with -me." - -The innkeeper shook his head. He had little faith in the mercy of the -Austrians. - -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. - -It was a glorious day, and under other circumstances I should have -enjoyed the ride immensely; but my good spirits sank at thought of -Goergei's surrender, and of John Rakoczy's personal danger. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -A huge hound lying in the courtyard barked violently, the noise bringing -out several men, who eyed me with suspicion. - -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. - -The men followed closely, and by the light of the candles I was able to -see the kind of company I had got amongst. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"An officer of the staff who has escaped from the Russians!" cried one. -"We must tell the chief." - -"Where is he?" I asked. - -"At supper in the inner room, my master." - -"Then tell him Captain Botskay will be pleased to bear him company." - -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. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - _COUNT BEULA DISLIKES HANGING._ - - -Batori Gabor stood at the door of the inner room, and with the -instinctive courtesy of the Magyar bade me welcome. - -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. - -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. - -"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?" - -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. - -At the outlaw's words he rose, and, turning toward me, showed the blue -eyes and handsome, cynical features of Count Beula. - -"This is a surprise, count," I said coldly. "I thought a clever man -like yourself would by now be over the border with Kossuth." - -"How strange!" he answered lightly. "I concluded you had found refuge -with Goergei's Russian friends." - -"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." - -"Not I, my dear Gabor," murmured Beula sweetly. "I appreciate your -courage too much." - -"And my knowledge of the country," added Gabor slyly. - -"Well, yes. I think that may be turned to very good account, till -Haynau has grown tired of his butcher's knife." - -"Which will not be soon. We are, however, keeping Captain Botskay from -his supper--an unpardonable offence." - -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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -My own animal had received an ample allowance of food, and, after a -night's rest, would, I reckoned, be in capital trim. - -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. - -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. - -"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. - -"I should feel easier if we were twenty miles farther on," answered the -count. - -"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. - -"The tale will not take long in telling," I said. "The general sent me -to Nagy Sandor 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." - -"But after that?" - -"I started for Nagy Kikinda, where they say the 9th Honveds have been -taken." - -"Looking for Rakoczy?" asked the count, and I nodded. - -"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." - -"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." - -"Still, I intend trying." - -Batori Gabor shrugged his shoulders. The count laughed in the sneering -manner which always made me anxious to pitch him out of the window. - -"You must be fonder of a hempen rope than I," he said; "but perhaps your -name isn't on the proscribed list?" - -"I don't know." - -"Well, mine is." - -"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." - -"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." - -"You came pretty near it yesterday." - -The count shuddered. - -"Don't," said he; "it gives me an ague fit to think of it." - -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. - -Batori shook his head. - -"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." - -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 Goergei was in the right of it, surrendering to the Russians. - -"He would have done a sharper thing by slipping into Turkey with Kossuth -and his friends," I made answer. - -"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." - -"I am going to look for Colonel Rakoczy in the morning." - -"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." - -"You may spare your breath," sneered Count Beula. "He'll go his own way -in the end. He comes of an obstinate race." - -"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." - -He lay down in a corner of the room, pulled his cloak round him, and in -less than two minutes was sleeping soundly. - -"Behold!" exclaimed the count, laughing in his detestable manner, "the -beauty of possessing an easy conscience." - -I made no reply, being engaged in wrapping myself up; and apparently no -reply was expected. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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!" - -I looked for the count. He had already disappeared. - -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. - -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. - -Thinking he meant mischief, I touched my sword; but his action was the -effect of fear. - -"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." - -"You have a kind face, my sweet master," added the trembling woman; "may -your heart match it." - -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. - -In the midst of it the door was flung open violently, and quick as -thought I drew my pistol and covered the intruder. - -It was the outlaw, who had come to seek me. - -"Well," cried he; "of all the fools!" Then, checking himself, he got -another coil of rope and bound the inn-keeper deftly. - -"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." - -The band was mounted, and one of them at his leader's command had -saddled my horse. - -They looked a rough set with their lances and loaded axes and lassos, -which they carried before them on their saddles. - -The chief sprang into his seat; I followed suit, and off we went--Count -Beula well to the fore. - -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. - -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. - -A pistol shot or two came singing after us, but without doing mischief, -and Batori laughed derisively at the enemy's efforts. - -"Take it easy, my lads," he shouted. "Those old screws wouldn't catch -us between this and Debreczin, if we walked all the way." - -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. - -Even Beula noticed this, and, though his face was still pale, he dropped -back to us. - -"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. - -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." - -"Bah!" cried the robber in disgust; "if you had not gained praise from -Bern, I should say you were a rank coward." - -"As a bandit, perhaps I am," he replied; a remark at which Batori, -instead of showing anger, only laughed. - -That Count Beula could on occasion be brave as a lion I already knew, -and he was yet to give me another proof. - -We were, as I have said, distancing the cavalry in our rear, when a loud -shout proclaimed a new and more serious danger. - -The Austrians, by dividing their forces, had cleverly placed us between -two fires. - -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. - -The robber chief took in the situation at a glance. - -"Trapped!" said he; "and in the very worst place. Smart fellow, that -Austrian." - -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. - -At the first sight of the enemy we had, almost without thinking, -slackened our pace, and now Batori halted us altogether. - -Riding to the front, he turned to his men. - -"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. - -"Elijen Batori!" shouted the bandits, and their leader smiled. - -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? - -I had taken part in more than one cavalry charge against long odds, and -to me the feat seemed impossible. - -Batori, however, showed little anxiety; while his men were almost as -cool as he was. - -Sword in hand, Count Beula took his place on the right of the leader; I -rode at his left. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Crash we went into the midst of them, the long lances boring a passage -for their owners. - -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. - -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. - -A loud cry announced that one man had got through. - -It was Batori; but he dashed back into the _melee_ in order to rescue a -wounded follower. - -His men, raised to the highest pitch of enthusiasm by this sight, shook -their opponents off and spurred to the spot. - -A young Austrian officer--a sublieutenant, I judged--rode at me -furiously, leaving me barely time to parry his stroke. - -Turning, he came again, when a terrific blow from a loaded hatchet -brought his horse to the ground--dead. - -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. - -We two were the last to leave the press, and the Austrians were hot on -our heels. - -Von Theyer led the van, though he had been badly wounded, and his face -was covered with blood. - -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. - -He spurred his horse cruelly, until the animal, maddened by pain, darted -ahead, and I was left alone. - -Von Theyer, yards in advance of his hussars, galloped on; and I heard -him shouting, but could not distinguish the words. - -Fortunately, my pistols were still loaded, and, drawing one from the -holster, I turned in my saddle and fired. - -Von Theyer was not hit; but his gallant horse, staggering forward a -dozen paces, reeled and fell. - -The hussars stayed to extricate their leader, and the delay gave me a -little breathing space. - -Once again I wheeled and rode on in pursuit of Count Beula, while a shot -from a carbine whistled past my head. - -Two others followed in quick succession, doing no harm--at least, that -was my impression. - -Rather strangely though, it appeared to me that the count was slackening -speed, and soon I became certain of it. - -The distance between us decreased. I was catching him up hand over -hand; the thing was amazing. - -I hoped at first his manhood had come back to him, and that he waited -purposely for me; but soon I recognized the truth. - -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. - -The bandits--at least those who survived--were a little ahead of us; the -pursuers were closing up again; my companion was doomed. - -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. - -"They will hang me, Botskay," he wailed--"hang me like a common thief on -the roadside." - -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. - -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. - -A shout from the Austrians greeted this downfall, and the count's white -face looked up appealingly. - -"They will hang me, Botskay!" he cried, and I regarded the cry as one -for help. - -The Austrians were close upon us. There was barely time even to set him -free; and what then? - -Was I to die because the man I hated asked an impossible thing? - -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. - -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. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - - _THE END OF COUNT BEULA._ - - -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. - -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. - -No, I am fully persuaded in my own mind that Count Beula did not fear -death, but only the manner of it. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -My horse quivered with excitement, but did not move while I, after -several attempts, set the count free. - -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. - -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. - -He glanced at the approaching Austrians and shuddered; then, without a -word of warning, he leaped into my saddle and was gone. - -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. - -Wild, unreasoning anger succeeded stupor, and I shook my sword at the -retreating figure; then anger yielded to pity. - -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? - -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! - -For the count's own sake I almost wished that a shot from the enemy -would bring him down. - -Had I been able to look into the future, the half-wish would have -changed into a whole-hearted prayer. - -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. - -All this takes long in the telling; in reality it lasted but a little -time, though to me it seemed an age. - -With Count Beula and my horse had vanished every hope of escape. - -Flight was impossible, and how could I stand against a hundred hussars? - -Then I remembered Von Theyer, and gnashed my teeth at the thought of how -he would gloat over my capture. - -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. - -The bandits had disappeared, and I was standing beside the body of the -count's dead horse when the leading hussars galloped up. - -Von Theyer was not amongst them, I saw at a glance, and smiled. - -The leader was the young sublieutenant who had attacked me so furiously -in the fight. - -He had mounted a fresh horse, but his sword was sheathed, and he looked -at me quite good-naturedly. - -"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." - -He spoke in German, and I replied in the same tongue, giving him my -sword, and acknowledging myself his prisoner. - -Just then Von Theyer arrived, and with a savage scowl exclaimed -harshly,-- - -"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." - -Ober, a spare but muscular hussar, saluted respectfully, and, helped by -another fellow, tied my arms tightly. - -Then they lifted me into the saddle; Ober sprang up behind, and we were -all galloping hard after Batori and his men. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -It was a ghastly object, and my blood ran cold at sight of it. - -From the bough of the very first tree we reached Count Beula hung -lifeless. - -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." - -"The brigand has saved us a job," exclaimed Von Theyer. "If we catch -him we'll hang him on the same tree." - -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. - -"Buried!" cried Von Theyer scornfully. "Let the dog hang. The kites -will bury him fast enough when we are gone." - -"You are a brute!" I cried hotly, caring little in my indignation for -the consequences. - -He raised his hand to strike me, but dropped it again. - -"We will square our account later," he said, and gave the word to trot. - -We rode on accordingly, but I could not drag my mind from that dreadful -place. - -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. - -I never met Batori again, but one of his men years afterwards related -just how the tragedy happened. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"Or beam," added Batori coolly. - -"Tree or beam," answered the count. "That's the order which refers to -both of us." - -"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!" - -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. - -Here the robber-captain called a halt, and making a sign that some of -the party should surround the count, said to him,-- - -"This is where the Austrians would have hung you; but now, perhaps, they -will hang Captain Botskay instead." - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -The unhappy man begged piteously--not for his life, but that he might be -shot. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -But how was I to work this miracle? - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"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." - -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. - -However, my disappointment was not very keen, as I had hardly allowed -myself to hope for success. - -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. - -Towards evening we entered the village where I had stayed the previous -day, and Von Theyer ordered a halt. - -The brigands had disappeared entirely, leaving no trace, and our horses -were thoroughly done up. - -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. - -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. - -"Put him in there," said he, pointing to the kitchen of the inn. "And -don't forget it's your life or his." - -Ober saluted and grinned. - -"I'll take precious care it isn't mine, colonel," he answered.--"Here, -Franz, lend me a hand." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -He spoke a word to Ober, but took no more notice of me than if I had -been a log of wood. - -"Colonel's in one of his black fits," grumbled Ober to his comrade. -"He'll make us smart for not catching that brigand." - -"Wait till he does. Time enough to grumble then," replied the other -coolly. "Who's going to take the first watch--you or I?" - -Ober leaned over to examine my fastenings. - -"Ach!" growled he. "We might as well both go to sleep. The Magyar's -safe enough, and I'm as tired as a dog." - -"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. - -Ober did the same on the other side, and then lay down so that I was -between the pair of them. - -Presently the door opened, and half a dozen hussars coming in, wrapped -themselves in their long coats, and settled down to sleep. - -I cannot say how they had fared in the matter of food, but their breath -made it plain they had discovered plenty of liquor. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -It was strange that Von Theyer had not hanged me at once, and I wondered -why he should wish to save my life. - -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. - -Just here my reverie was broken by an astounding circumstance. - -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. - -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. - -I lay perfectly still, save for the violent beating of my heart, which -would not be controlled. - -What did this by-play mean? - -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? - -No, it could not be Von Theyer; but that only deepened the mystery. - -Very stealthily a hand crept from the folds of the cloak, and in the -fingers was something which glistened. - -At this my heart gave one great throb, and then seemed to cease beating. - -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. - -"Be still!" - -The words were spoken in Hungarian, hardly above a breath, and I fancied -there was a somewhat familiar ring in the voice. - -I lay quite quiet, not attempting to speak, and the knife, creeping -down, began to rub edgewise against the cords that fastened my wrists. - -The steel was sharp, the worker a master-hand, and the hempen threads -fell apart as if by magic. - -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. - -Then he turned over again and was as soundly asleep as ever. - -It was a terrible moment for the three of us, but most terrible of all -for the unconscious Franz. - -The dark figure at my head lay motionless, but the hand underneath that -innocent-looking coat held, firmly grasped, a sharp, keen blade. - -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. - -My excitement grew to an intense pitch; I had to force myself into -silence. I wanted to jump up and scream aloud. - -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. - -One link alone remained, and I thought my brain must give way under the -strain. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"This way!" shouted my rescuer, and I darted after him towards the door. - -The troopers jumping up tried to stop us, but the stranger knocked down -several with some heavy weapon, and cleared a passage. - -The confusion was tremendous, and the officers, coming from their -apartment, vainly endeavoured to find its cause. - -We were at the door, outside, free! - -"Follow!" cried the stranger, without wasting words; but as he turned -for the open country, dozens of troopers poured into the street. - -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. - -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. - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - - - _IMPRISONED AT ARAD._ - - -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. - -Candles and flaring torches burned in the kitchen, and by their light I -saw three men, all badly wounded, lying side by side. - -At the farther end of the apartment lay Ober, and the hussars pulled and -hustled me towards his body. - -Poor fellow! He was quite dead, and close by I saw the keen blade, now -stained with blood, that had slain him. - -His comrades uttered loud threats of vengeance, and one man, pressing -the muzzle of his pistol against my forehead, swore he would shoot me. - -Another pulled him back, saying he might safely leave me to the colonel, -who would not fail to avenge the dead hussar. - -For myself, I was in a state of utter bewilderment, and looked at the -brawny, rough-voiced men like a dazed child. - -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. - -Then above the babel of sounds I heard a voice ordering in tones of -command that my arms should be bound afresh. - -This the men did very willingly, and in their anger they tied the knots -so tightly that the pain almost caused me to faint. - -Then two of them led me into the next room, where Von Theyer sat, with a -pair of pistols on the table beside him. - -"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." - -The men saluted and withdrew, leaving me facing their colonel. - -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. - -"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." - -At this implied accusation of a cowardly crime my face flushed, and I -cried hotly,-- - -"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." - -Von Theyer laughed, and his lips assumed a cruel curve that was not -pleasant to see. - -"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. - -"I am truly sorry for your disfigurement," I replied, "but it happened -in the heat of battle and with no malice on my part." - -"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, Fraeulein -Theresa may not be quite so proud of her Hungarian friend." - -"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. - -Von Theyer saw this, and was beginning to laugh, when he caught sight of -the locket, which showed through my disordered apparel. - -Apparently he recognized it, as he sprang forward to remove it; and then -he saw the baron's ring. - -"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." - -Dragging the ring from my finger, he called his men to take me away and -guard me closely. - -By this time day was breaking; and the soldiers, unable to sleep, got -ready their morning meal. - -As no one offered me any, I went without, which was not an agreeable -method of beginning the day. - -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. - -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. - -Talking amongst themselves, the hussars declared that the daring -intruder must have been Batori Gabor, and I held that opinion too. - -Rakoczy was a prisoner, and Mecsey Sandor far away, so that unless one -of the disbanded soldiers had performed the deed, the robber-captain was -the only person left to suspect. - -However, the scheme had failed, and I was more strongly guarded than -before. - -Von Theyer gave the strictest orders to the two troopers, one of whom -was Franz, the comrade of the dead Ober. - -This man eyed me most maliciously, and I felt sure he would be a -splendid tool in furthering the colonel's scheme. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The halt lasted perhaps two hours, when the bugles sounded, and we were -again in motion. - -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. - -Our new quarters were in a fair-sized village, and I was rather amused -by the precautions taken to ensure my safety. - -Six men were placed in the same room, and a sentry was posted outside -the door. - -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. - -Poor fellows! In spite of my own risky position I pitied them; they -were like men suffering from a bad form of nightmare. - -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. - -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. - -About midnight Von Theyer himself paid us a visit; and the guard, -springing to their feet, presented arms. - -He glanced round the room with an approving smile, and said,-- - -"Well, sergeant, I think your prisoner will have small chance of -stabbing any one to-night." - -The sergeant smiled at the compliment to his vigilance, and the colonel -came over to my corner. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -A few expressed their sympathy audibly, but for the most part men, -women, and children stood mournful indeed but silent. - -Alas! the glory of the Magyar had departed. Henceforth my unhappy -countrymen must bend beneath the whips of their Austrian masters. - -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." - -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. - -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. - -Others also guessed the secret, and Franz riding up to the colonel -whispered something in his ear. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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 -Sandor. - -He had discarded his uniform, and was dressed in civilian costume, -though he could not altogether disguise his military carriage. - -His eyes looked straight into mine, and by a kind of dumb show he made -me understand that Rakoczy was confined in Gros-Wardein. - -Then our little cavalcade swept by, the gates were thrown open, and we -passed behind the frowning walls of the fortress. - -Here Von Theyer left us, and I soon received ample proof of how -effectually he had blackened my character to the governor. - -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. - -For this last attention I was extremely grateful, and ate my lump of dry -black bread in an almost cheerful spirit. - -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. - -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. - -At first I dreamed of making my escape, but this idea was soon -abandoned, as I saw how hopeless any attempt must be. - -The cell door was of iron, the walls were strong and massive, and I had -not so much as a nail to work with. - -Almost my sole dependence lay in Mecsey Sandor, yet what he could do I -could not imagine. - -However, I tried hard not to despair, and resolved, if need be, to meet -my fate bravely. - -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. - -The key turned in the massive lock, the door opened, and I was harshly -ordered to step outside. - -A number of soldiers with bayonets fixed waited. I was placed in the -midst of them and hurried away. - -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. - -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. - -An antechamber was filled with soldiers, fully armed and standing at -attention, while their faces were about as human as chiselled stone. - -Passing through, we entered a second apartment, where a dozen officers -were seated round a baize-covered table littered with writing material. - -Recognizing that these men held my life in their hands, I looked at them -eagerly. - -The president's chair was occupied by a tall old man with -slightly-stooping shoulders, scanty white hair, and long, drooping, -white moustaches. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -"George Botskay," I proudly answered. - -"Captain in the rebel army?" he went on, reading from a slip of paper. - -"Captain on the staff of General Goergei, commander-in-chief of the -Hungarian national forces," I replied. - -One of the stone griffins started into life at this, but the president -petrified him again by a wave of the hand. - -"Why did you not surrender with your leader?" - -"Because I was absent on special duty." - -"It is stated here," said he, tapping the paper, "that you were at -Vilagos on the thirteenth of August." - -"I was, but not with the army." - -The other stone men showed signs of life now, and the old warrior -continued his examination. - -"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?" - -"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." - -"You preferred instead to join the band of a notorious robber?" - -"That is false," I cried--"utterly false!" - -The president, though he did not look like a merciful man, was -exceedingly polite. - -"I am afraid," he said, "that the facts are against you. Colonel von -Theyer, one of our best officers--" - -"A rebel turncoat," I interrupted angrily. - -"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?" - -"I cannot; but my being there was the result of blind chance." - -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." - -"It is the truth for all that," I said stoutly. - -"Did Count Beula meet the robbers by accident also?" - -"I cannot say. I know nothing of him." - -"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?" - -The ground seemed to be slipping from under me. - -"Count Beula was never a friend of mine," I said. - -"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?" - -"That is easily explained," I began. "When--" - -"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?" - -"If you will not allow me to explain, I shall refuse to answer at all," -I exclaimed. - -"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. - -"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." - -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. - -Here again I was confronted by further proof of how finely my enemy had -woven the meshes of my net. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -It seemed gloomy and hopeless enough, and turn which way I would, the -only outlook was towards the scaffold. - -As far as I could understand, the Austrians claimed the right to hang me -on either of two grounds--the refusal to surrender with Goergei at -Vilagos, and the fact that I was caught in the company of a notorious -band of robbers. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -My visitor was the jailer, and as he placed my breakfast on the ground, -I burst into a peal of hysterical laughter. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - - _LED OUT TO EXECUTION._ - - -I pass rapidly over the period of suspense which succeeded my -examination. - -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. - -Yet night and morning came and went, and I still remained in the dark -cell, unable to learn anything concerning my fate. - -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. - -A whole week passed in this way, and then I was again taken from the -cell and marched to another part of the fortress. - -At every step I gazed round anxiously, expecting to see the preparations -for my execution. - -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. - -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. - -Only two of the escort had entered with the officer, and these stood -with fixed bayonets. - -The florid man left his chair, and pointing to another, said coldly,-- - -"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." - -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. - -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. - -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. - -A quarter of an hour passed, and I still sat staring stupidly at my -blank sheet of paper. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -Another week passed--a week of heart-wearing suspense--before I was -again called to attend the court. - -A single glance at the faces of my judges extinguished the tiny spark of -hope which struggled to keep alive in my breast. - -The president spoke in impressive tones, every word sounding distinctly -in the quiet room. - -It was a long speech, but the whole of it might easily have been -compressed into a dozen sentences. - -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. - -After this, one would have thought the rest to be of little interest, -but the president gravely continued his remarks. - -The unlawful killing of Ober was also considered proved, and on the -various other charges laid against me the court expressed no opinion. - -"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." - -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." - -"Speak on, Herr Botskay. It may be in our power to grant it." - -"Then I ask that you will at least permit me to die the death of a -soldier, and not that of a criminal." - -"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. - -Back again in the lonely cell, my first feeling was one of relief that -the period of suspense had ended. - -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. - -But the next day, as I sat measuring off the hours by guess-work, a -revulsion of feeling set in. - -Life was sweet, and all the throbbing vigour of my youth protested hotly -against this violent and disgraceful death. - -Had it come when I charged with Goergei 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! - -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. - -Would she believe the untruths which Von Theyer would but too surely -circulate? - -I shuddered to think what terrible stories his fertile brain might -invent when I was no longer able to give them the lie. - -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. - -Night came at length, and the surly jailer brought my last supper, which -I forced myself to eat. - -Then, after a solemn hour spent in prayer, I lay down on my hard bench -and slept peacefully as a child. - -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. - -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. - -The air was keen, though the sun shone brightly overhead, as we -proceeded slowly to the courtyard, where the soldiers halted. - -Two other detachments now joined us, and in the midst of each a prisoner -walked bareheaded. - -They were both officers in Bern's army of Transylvania, so I did not -know them, but we exchanged glances of pity and goodwill. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The soldiers closed up their ranks, the order was issued, and we set -out, my escort being the last of the three. - -I tried hard to march with steady step and unfaltering countenance, but -it was hard work. - -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. - -A lump rose in my throat as we passed through the gateway, but I -remembered I was a Magyar, and choked it down. - -The pain and misery would soon be at an end, and the white-coats must -not think me a coward. - -At minute intervals a gun was fired from the ramparts, and the -church-bells of the town tolled mournfully in response. - -Crossing the one bridge which had not been destroyed during the war, we -entered the town proper. - -I was astounded at the spectacle. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -There, during the preceding night, an enormous wooden stage had been -erected, and in the centre was a tall gallows. - -At the sight of this, I confess freely, my heart sank, and I feared that -my courage would desert me. - -Now just at this moment I saw the face of the gallant Mecsey Sandor, -which acted on my nerves like a strong tonic. - -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. - -He was very mournful, yet the look in his eyes expressed something more -than sorrow. - -"Courage, my sweet master, and God bless you!" cried he boldly, while I, -turning my head, smiled to show I understood. - -"Courage, George Botskay!" exclaimed a second voice. "The Austrians -cannot kill your name, which will never die in Magyar-land." - -The man who spoke was standing next Mecsey, and I stared in amazement at -beholding Dobozy. - -What was he doing there? - -If he were free, why not "John the Joyous?" - -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. - -Several other voices now cried, "God bless you, captain!" and I became -aware that many men of my old regiment were grouped around Mecsey Sandor -and Dobozy. - -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. - -Right round the ghastly structure a cordon of troops had been drawn, the -space inside being occupied by a regiment of hussars. - -Even before meeting him I knew instinctively that Von Theyer was at -their head, and the knowledge gave me added courage. - -He, at least, should never guess the tortures that I suffered. - -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. - -His eyes, full of cruel hatred, met mine; but I trust they detected no -sign of fear or blenching in my face. - -I mounted the steps, and as the soldiers placed me beneath the gallows a -low, deep hum of pity rose from the crowd. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The fatal moment was fast approaching, and I cast a farewell glance at -Mecsey and his companions. - -The faithful fellow was in a state of terrible excitement, those around -him being hardly less moved. - -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. - -Waiting for what? - -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? - -From my heart I hoped and prayed this was not the secret of their -excitement. - -The thing was utterly impossible, and could only lead to the shedding of -much innocent blood. - -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. - -Yet I was powerless to avert the evil, if, indeed, the trusty Mecsey had -planned such a mad project. - -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. - -I kept my head steadfastly turned from the cruel scene, as did the vast -majority of the crowd. - -The firing parties advanced. - -"Long live Hungary!" cried the younger soldier. - -"Long live Poland!" cried the veteran, the voices of both being equally -cool and collected. - -"Fire!" - -The report of the volleys rang out, and a groan burst from the -spectators. - -From the victims themselves there came not a sound. - -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. - -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. - -Yet, all unknown to me, the question of my life or death hung on the -length of time occupied by that pompous old man. - -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. - -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. - -What was the signal they waited for? - -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. - -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. - -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. - -During those few moments I must have suffered more agony than falls to -the lot of many men in a lifetime. - -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. - -At the same time the infantry faced about and presented a steel-girt -barrier to the crowd. - -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!" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -As one in a dream I watched him approach the governor and hand him the -mysterious missive. - -Then he turned to me, and I forgot all about death, for the strange -messenger was "John the Joyous." - -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. - -I could not think or reason--in fact there was no necessity, for John -Rakoczy had come. - -The crowd shouted lustily until the governor, waving the white envelope, -went to the edge of the platform. - -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 Goergei. - -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. - -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. - -Then the old man harshly told me I was at liberty; and he, too, went -away, leaving me with my chivalrous friend. - -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. - -"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." - -"Aren't you coming?" - -"In a day or two. There is a little business in Arad to be settled -first." - -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. - -At one of the inns Mecsey waited with a carriage, and many of the old -Honveds stood in front of the house. - -Dobozy was there too, and the true-hearted kindness of my former -companions brought tears of gratitude to my eyes. - -"The Joyous" wrapped me up comfortably, and giving Mecsey, who was to -ride inside, many injunctions, shook my hand in a parting grasp. - -"Rouse yourself!" cried he. "Dobozy and I are coming in a few days, and -we don't want to be entertained by an invalid." - -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. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - - _AN AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN ALLIANCE._ - - -"The Joyous" was certainly not acting up to his reputation. - -We had just adjourned to the drawing-room after supper, and were sipping -our coffee. - -The light from the central lamp fell on Baron von Arnstein's ring and -miniature. - -"Von Theyer was wearing them, poor fellow!" exclaimed Rakoczy gloomily. -"See! there is a bloodstain on the miniature!" - -"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." - -"The general opinion; though Schlick thought that, as the emperor's -special messenger, I acted rightly." - -"At all events, you saved my life, John," I interrupted. - -"And now," Dobozy answered merrily, "he regrets it!" - -"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." - -"He was the finest cavalry leader in the Austrian service," I said. - -"And tried his very hardest to get you hanged," laughed Dobozy. - -"That's so!" exclaimed Rakoczy. "Still, I would rather have slain him -on the battlefield than in a duel." - -"While he preferred that Botskay should hang," observed Dobozy. - -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. - -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. - -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. - -A duel was accordingly arranged, in which Von Theyer fell, whereupon -General Schlick forbade the officers of the regiment from carrying the -matter farther. - -All this had been talked over after supper, but the sight of the ring -and miniature brought up the subject afresh. - -At last, however, Rakoczy, shaking off his depression, settled down to -explain how my pardon was obtained from the emperor. - -"In the first place," he began, "everything is owing to Mecsey Sandor, -who is the best and trustiest of servants." - -Dobozy caused an interruption here by his emphatic approval of the -remark. - -"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. Goergei was in -prison, though pardoned, and I had no influence with the Austrian -leaders. Here, again, Mecsey Sandor 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." - -"Then 'twas the fraeulein who saved my life?" I cried. - -"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." - -"Go on!" I cried impatiently. "So you reached Vienna." - -"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." - -"And Theresa?" - -"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." - -"And they agreed to petition him?" - -"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. - -"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." - -"Then the emperor received her?" - -"Or you would not be here now. I intended to advise her what to say, -but, bless you, she had it all mapped out." - -"Trust a woman, old or young, for that," remarked Dobozy. - -"'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.'" - -"And the last is not the least," said I, delighted to find she had -thought about it all. - -"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." - -"These people," exclaimed Dobozy with an air of wisdom, "never obtrude -their feelings in public." - -"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. - -"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 _abandon_ that must have shocked her mother. - -"'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. - -"I was going to comfort her, but she dried her eyes, declared she was -stupid, and skipped off to the carriage. - -"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." - -By his mention of _others_ 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. - -"How will Theresa learn that your journey ended successfully?" I asked. - -"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." - -"Which I most certainly will do. Now tell me, please, whom you meant by -the _others_." - -"That's Dobozy's yarn, not mine." - -"Or rather Mecsey's." - -"And it had something to do with a public rescue?" - -Dobozy laughed. - -"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." - -"But the plan?" I exclaimed. "There must have been at least some -glimmering of a plan?" - -"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. - -"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." - -"What an awful thing it would have been!" I exclaimed with a shudder. - -"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." - -"Now, George," exclaimed Rakoczy, when he had finished laughing at the -idea of General Mecsey Sandor, "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." - -"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." - -"Yes; and the reason," said Rakoczy warmly. - -"Well, instead of helping you out of a scrape, I got into one," and I -related my adventures while with the band of robbers. - -Both my listeners expressed astonishment at the conduct of Count Beula, -and Dobozy frankly praised the bandit-chief for having hanged him. - -"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." - -"He must be a daring fellow," exclaimed Dobozy with enthusiasm. "That -was a bold venture, to creep into the kitchen amongst all those -hussars." - -"Almost as bold as Mecsey," I answered with a laugh; "but it is perhaps -as well neither of them succeeded." - -"Better," said Rakoczy, "as success in either case would have made you -an outlaw; whereas you are now a free man." - -"With liberty to visit Vienna whenever you like," laughed Dobozy; "but -isn't it almost bed-time?" - -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. - -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. - -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. - -The redoubtable Mecsey Sandor, 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. - -Mecsey is perfectly happy and comfortable, and spends his leisure time -in describing over and over again the stirring events of the great -campaign. - -Occasionally Arthur Goergei--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. - -Some men--but none on my estates--call him a traitor, and assert that he -sold our country to the Russians. If Goergei betrayed his country, we -of his army were accomplices in his treachery, and this is the proof. - -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 Goergei. - -If such deeds as these were acts of treachery, then indeed were we all -traitors, and our leader was far and away the greatest. - -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! - -It is the usual rule that the losers should be called on to pay for the -game, and our opponents adhered to it closely. - -With the exception of Goergei and Klapka, our chiefs were seized by the -Austrians, and, after a mock trial, sentenced to death. Aulich, -Damjanics, Nagy Sandor, 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. - -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. - -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. - -"John the Joyous" was with us, and though his hair was sprinkled with -white streaks, his heart had never felt lighter. - -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. - -To them it was a splendid procession; to us it was the fruition of hopes -long deferred. - -We thought of Goergei, 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. - -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. - -We felt that in the years long past our loyalty to the red, white, and -green flag had not been altogether in vain. - - - - - THE END. - - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RED, WHITE, AND GREEN *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/40137 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. 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