Perhaps the baron would have drawn back; but he was in the very act of delivering his stroke, and I nerved myself to meet it.
The sword shone red in the glow of the flames; but before it descended another piece of steel flashed past me, and pierced the baron's chest.
Mecsey Sándor had no scruples in killing any one to save his master's life, which the faithful fellow undoubtedly had done.
At the fall of their chief the Austrians abandoned the position, upon which I ordered the regiment to fall in a little beyond the burning houses.
Just then a man clapped me lightly on the shoulder, saying, "Thanks, George!" and, turning, I beheld the colonel.
The men recognized him too, and broke into hearty cheering.
"We have suffered so severely," I said, "that I stopped the pursuit."
"Quite right. Let others follow; we must see to the wounded, or they will be burned to death. The barricade's in a blaze, and--"
"The baron!" I exclaimed. "He lies there, dead or dangerously wounded. Let me have some men."
"As many as you please. Dobozy--"