It was past midnight, and the men were in their places, while the bands stood massed behind the lines.
The colonel came to us, and shook each by the hand.
"One never knows what may happen," he said. "There will be a fearful struggle. After Görgei's words the other day, my regiment can't go back; so, in case of accidents, you know--" And he shook our hands again.
Rakoczy seemed much graver than usual, but I think he was filled with pity on his men's account.
Stephen was, on the contrary, much more cheerful.
"George and I had a solemn leave-taking the other night," he said gaily, "and yet we didn't see a shot fired."
"Ah!" exclaimed the colonel, responding to his humour; "we have no chance of missing our way this time."
He moved off to his place, and again all was still.
The silence and the darkness got on my nerves. I dreaded yet longed for the signal at the same time.
We did not see the count, but he had sent a sarcastic message to Stephen during the evening, appointing a meeting inside the fortress.