Bethlen saluted again, nodded to several of his acquaintances, and rode away at a quieter pace.
Görgei had made his calculations accurately, and although several desperate outpost affairs occurred, it was not until the morning of the seventeenth that the two armies really joined battle.
On the very same date, although we did not know it then, Field-Marshal Paskewitch emerged from the Carpathians on his march into Central Hungary.
The battle began with a terrible artillery fire, which was directed against our centre; and Görgei himself, followed by the staff, galloped down to encourage the sorely-tried soldiers.
At the same time he sent me to the colonel of a hussar regiment with an order to break up a mass of infantry, which was preparing to hurl itself on our weakened centre.
"Directly it's done, ride back as hard as you can," he said, and I dashed off.
The colonel listened to the order, well pleased.
"Tell the general we will do it," he said with quiet confidence.
"He wishes me to stay and take back your report," I answered, and the colonel kindly agreed that I should ride with him.
The regiment was composed of seasoned warriors, who hailed the sound of the trumpet with delight.