Still we kept going until Mecsey came in sight of the outlet from the gorge; then he pulled up once more with a gesture of despair.
There was little need for questioning or speech of any kind; a body of grey-coated infantry was drawn across the narrow exit.
Just for one moment I thought of making a dash at these stolid warriors and trying to cut my way through; but I had sufficient sense left to recognize the madness of the scheme.
Without speaking, we turned and rode back in our tracks.
We could now see the head of the column approaching, and I felt like a rat in a trap.
The Russians, understanding how completely we were in their power, treated the matter as a rich joke, and the men on the cliffs stopped firing.
"Let me have the book for the general," said Mecsey, "and I will try to escape. If you surrender they won't harm you."
"But what can you do?"
"Leave the horse and try to scale the cliffs."
"All right. We'll both try. I mean Görgei to have that list. Swing yourself off. Now!"