"Lucky fellow!" remarked Szondi, as I repassed him on my way back. "You're well out of it;" and, seeing how the general was exposing himself, I thought so too.
I could not see the 9th Honveds--they were somewhere on the left--but I earnestly hoped my two friends were safe.
Once more the fury of the battle lessened. It was growing dusk, and even had the light lasted, neither side could have fought much longer.
The Russians naturally were the more fatigued, but when the last shot was fired many of our own fellows sank down exhausted.
Yet the general could grant them but small time for rest.
Many, indeed, tired and hungry as they were, marched straight off the ground. All the night through, the streets of Waitzen echoed to the tramp of infantry, the rumbling of baggage-wagons, the clatter of horses' feet, and the roll of artillery.
Hour after hour, while the Muscovites lay wrapped in peaceful slumber, the sad procession filed through the town, and daylight revealed to the astonished enemy only an abandoned camp.
It was night before I learned anything of Rakoczy; and then, to my great joy, I discovered that both he and Dobozy were unhurt.
Our position had now become practically hopeless.
The allies had joined hands in the centre of the country, while our armies were scattered in all directions, and completely out of touch one with the other.