We formed ourselves into a square, officers and privates shoulder to shoulder, with Rakoczy on foot to lead us.
I had caught the colours as they dropped from the grasp of the man who bore them, and they still fluttered bravely overhead.
I have said that Windischgratz sent out two cavalry regiments, and the second now charged hotly on our poor remnant.
Amongst the officers Von Theyer showed conspicuously, and, as before, he paid me special attention, which was flattering but uncomfortable.
However, we beat the hussars off time and again, and continued to retire steadily, though not without great loss.
It was pitiful to see man after man drop dead or grievously wounded, but the others closed up and ever showed an unbroken front.
Poor Thurzo, whom I had learned to like well, and who marched out so gaily to the fight that morning, met his death here. Two troopers dashed at him with uplifted sabres: one he shot dead with his pistol; the other cleft him from head to chin.
Poor fellow! He had been much afraid that Aulich's corps would get all the fighting.
There he lay dead, and his greatest friend could do no more than give him the fleetest of passing thoughts.
Back we went steadily; and, though death was busy in our ranks, yet the square grew larger, for many fugitives belonging both to our own and other regiments joined us.