"The advance guard, with a whole division behind."
"We have only our horses to thank for it that we are here now," added Héderváry.
"Have not I forbidden all provoking of encounters until we have all our troops assembled?" said the King.
"And there was no provocation—on our part," replied Ugrin, in anything but an amiable tone; "but if we don't get information for ourselves as to the enemy's movements——"
The King cut him short. "I know all about them!" said he, "more than you gentlemen do."
Ugrin and Héderváry shrugged their shoulders, and both put the King's coolness down to irresolution, or even fear.
"I know," said the King, "that they have not only approached our towns, but that at this moment they are before Vácz, if they have not stormed it."
"Before Vácz!" exclaimed Ugrin, "and your Majesty is still waiting! waiting now! when one bold stroke might annihilate them before the Khan himself comes up."
"Batu is close at hand," said the King, "and if we don't wish to risk all, we must be prudent, and act only on the defensive until the rest of the troops arrive."
"Ah!" cried Ugrin, forgetting for a moment the respect due to the King, "I suppose your Majesty means to wait until Vácz is in flames! By Heaven! I won't wait—not if I perish for it!"