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 mêlée 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.