Behind the chariot rode a long line of Magyar nobles, making a brilliant show in their national costume, though, for the country's sake, I would rather have seen them at the front in simple uniform.
As Dobozy truly remarked, patriotism required very little sacrifice if it was satisfied by riding about the streets of the capital in gala attire.
However, the procession passed, the hero was withdrawn from sight, and we were at liberty to return to barracks.
The festivities continued all day, and in the evening the city was illuminated in honour of the dictator.
"Foolish people!" said the colonel sadly, as we strolled along the river-bank that night. "One would think, to see their transports, that the war is over, while it is really only beginning."
"I can't understand why the general doesn't make a forward move, and drive the enemy out of Presburg."
"Because he's waiting for ammunition and men," put in Dobozy, who was walking with us. "I saw Juranics yesterday--just come from the front, wounded in some outpost affair, I believe. He says only half the recruits have been sent on, and they don't even know their drill. Besides, they haven't any weapons, if they knew how to use them. Lively sort of army, eh? Juranics said plainly he believed Kossuth's party was jealous of Görgei's success."
"They're afraid he'll topple their brand-new republic over," said the colonel; "which is just what he would do if the Austrians were cleared out. However, it's too late now. While we've been wasting our time, the enemy has been getting ready."
"They say we shall have 160,000 Russians, besides the Austrians, to tackle."
"That's so," replied the colonel cheerfully; "while we are split up into two factions, each fighting for a different object."