"They halt," said Count Kielmansegge, still looking through his glass,--"our battalions form,--they are going down to the river--into it--hurrah!" he cried, "they are advancing to the attack."
"And we are standing still here," cried von Wendenstein, whilst he drew his sword half out of the scabbard, and put it back with a clang.
At this moment Colonel de Vaux galloped up with the brigade staff.
"The guards are crossing the Unstrut," cried Count Kielmansegge, as they came up.
"So I see!" exclaimed Colonel de Vaux, "and devil take me if I stand still here; now the die must be cast. It is bad enough that we shall have to retake all the positions we have so quietly abandoned to the enemy! What regiments are close here?" he enquired of his adjutant.
"The first battalion of the second regiment, and the first Jäger battalion," he replied.
"Bring them here at once."
The adjutant galloped to the columns close by, and led them at quick march up to the colonel.
He dismounted and placed himself at their head.
"And what shall I do?" asked Count Kielmansegge.