Part 39 (1/2)

Clouds of dust and smoke again veiled the combatants, and nothing could be seen but the two banners--now pressing forward, now r.e.t.a.r.ded, but slowly approaching, and cutting a deadly pa.s.sage towards each other.

Old Gergo was engaged with two cuira.s.siers, his ardour unmingled with the impetuosity of youth; and even in the midst of the fray he found time to instruct the young recruit, ill.u.s.trating his theory by many a prompt example.

A troop of hussars now dashed forward and were met by an equal number of cuira.s.siers; their leaders, being on the right of their troops, had not yet met face to face, but, foremost to the charge, they showed a good example, while each man fought as if he alone were responsible for the honour of his party. The right flank on either side pressing back the foe's left, they both turned round the centre, like a stiff axle--the hussars occupying the place of the cuira.s.siers, and the latter that of the hussars.

In the heat of the action, their leaders recognised each other--Laszlo and Gejza! But the discovery produced no wavering--both were determined to conquer or to die.

Meanwhile another troop came up to the a.s.sistance of the cuira.s.siers, and the hussar captain was obliged to cut his way out from between two fires, and thus came face to face with his antagonist.

”Surrender, comrade!” cried Laszlo.

”Never!” cried the hussar, as he galloped to the charge.

The sword of death was raised in either hand, their glances darted fire; for a moment they remained motionless, as if spell-bound, their swords still raised--the next both turned with one accord upon the nearest foes. Laszlo's sword pierced the heart of a hussar, while Gejza dealt such a blow on a cuira.s.sier's helmet that he fell without a groan, and then, without turning, he cut his way through the enemy's ranks--”Hurrah! hurrah!--rajta!” And the battle-cry mingled with the clash of swords and the groans of the dying.

Meanwhile a division of cuira.s.siers marched rapidly through Szolnok to take the hussars in the rear.

Suddenly, at the turn of a street, two hundred red-caps stood before them. Both parties were taken by surprise at the unexpected encounter.

It was but a moment. The next, an engagement took place of which we find few instances in history, namely, infantry attacking cavalry. The two hundred red-caps suddenly fired on the cuira.s.siers, and then, shouting wildly, rushed upon them with their bayonets; and the veteran troops, who had stood so many fires, whose valour alone had turned the day at Mor, were obliged to retreat before the fearful attack.

This circ.u.mstance occurred but twice during the whole campaign.

Gorgei was the first who attempted it, with the Inczed battalion, at the time of his first retreat; that same battalion (eleventh) which so gallantly defended the bridge of Piski,[60] where more than half their number fell.

[Footnote 60: In Transylvania.]

An old Polish soldier who witnessed the combat, made the following remark:--”I have seen the battles of the _ancienne garde_, and fought with the Polish legion, but I never saw men fight like the red-caps!”

By this attack the cuira.s.siers were cut off from their head forces, and, pressed by Vecsey on the opposite side, they retreated hastily, without having time to save their cannon or destroy the bridge after them.

The imperial forces, thus pressed between two fires, were obliged to evacuate Szolnok, and retreat among the Zagyva mora.s.ses.

After their desperate conflict with the red-caps, the cuira.s.siers were again routed by a fresh regiment of hussars, and driven into the Zagyva; but few of the weary horses had strength to struggle through the water, and their heavy armour prevented the men from swimming: thus many sank in the stream.

It was evening when the battle was over. Horses without riders were galloping about the plain, while here and there a wounded steed neighed mournfully, as if searching for his master. Powder-waggons and cannon lay overturned on the field, which was strewed with the dead and dying.

The trumpet sounded the retreat, and the hussars a.s.sembled from every side, their horses rearing and prancing as if they had come out for the first time that day.

An hour afterwards, the sound of music was heard in every _guinguette_, and the hussars' spurs clinked to the gay cymbal and clarionet. The battle was forgotten; it was now the time for mirth.

Old Gergo treated his comrades. He was rich enough--for he had killed an officer of rank; and though his pupil the recruit could scarcely keep his feet, he continued to treat him in spite of his resistance.

”But if we drink it all now, corporal, we shall have nothing left for to-morrow.”

”Don't argue with me, but drink; that's the order now, and to-morrow will take care of itself;” and the soldiers drank on, while their companions danced and shouted to the gay sounds. All was feasting and revelry within the town.