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 fräulein's life? Do you think this young gallant likes you any the better for getting into the lady's good graces? I'm glad to see you blush; it shows there is some blood left in your body, which I began to doubt."
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.