Very gladly I would have yielded the honour and responsibility to another; but as that could not be, I resolved to do my best.
"Will you follow me, my lads?" I cried, when we were again ready.
"We will!" they answered, with a shout.
"Then come on! Over the barricade this time!"
It is curious how a phrase, or sometimes even a word, will work on a number of men acting together.
There is nothing very striking in "Over the barricade this time!" yet the words were caught up by the soldiers, repeated again and again, and more than one man died with them on his lips.
They sounded high and clear above the noise of the first volley, and as we pressed on the wounded sent them after us feebly.
I really believe they kept us going after the next volley fired at close range, and certainly they were roared out most lustily as the first of the stormers appeared on the stronghold.
It was Dobozy carrying the colours; but he missed his footing and fell down, half stunned, but otherwise unhurt.
A little, muscular fellow picked up the fallen flag, and sprang with it to my side, while the others rushed pell-mell after us.