Provision-wagons, baggage, ammunition, and stores were followed by field-guns, large masses of infantry, hussars, lancers, and dragoons; then more guns, wagons, foot-soldiers, and cavalry in what promised to be an interminable succession.
As they passed I calculated their numbers, making my entries accordingly; while, about noon, a sudden stoppage of the procession gave me a capital opportunity of investigating the interior of the wallet.
The halt lasted two hours, when the march began again, and evening had fallen before the last stragglers went by.
Then I put away my notebook, strapped the empty wallet to my back, and prepared to descend.
I moved very slowly and with the utmost caution, as my limbs were terribly cramped, and I was half afraid of missing my footing and slipping to the bottom.
However, I succeeded, and found Nicholas ready to pilot me back to the house.
"Your master has not been troubled by the Russians?" I asked.
"A friendly visit from half a dozen officers," replied he; "nothing more."
"And Mecsey Sándor?"
"Kept in the background while they stayed."