Fast as we rode, the Austrians rode still faster; and, but for the superior strength of the Hungarian horses, we should simply have been swept away by the furious shock.
As it was, we charged them gallantly, and soon steel met steel as swords crossed or rang on the polished breast-plates.
Our colonel--evidently a magnificent swordsman, and mounted on a powerful animal--drove his way through the serried ranks; but my passage was barred by the Austrian leader, who seemed to have singled me out specially.
I wondered at this for a moment; then in a flash remembered who this handsome, blue-eyed fellow was.
"Von Theyer!" rose to my lips as, sitting his horse with a natural gracefulness, the former rebel rode straight at me.
From that moment I lost sight of the general conflict.
Round us rose the cries and groans of wounded men, the cheers and counter-cheers of the combatants, the sound of clashing swords; but to all I gave but a passing thought.
This Von Theyer, who by some means--probably reckless bravery--had already risen high in the Austrian service, meant to kill me.
His deadly purpose shone in his eyes, and it was obvious he expected to have an easy task.
However, though he was by far the better master of the sword, I knew the more of horsemanship, and by swerving aside at the proper moment, caused his stroke to fail.