"You will save your life," I said, "and there is really no sense in your getting killed. Let me tell the Russian officer that you surrender."
Mecsey looked at me proudly. "I am a Magyar," he said, as if that settled the question.
And it did with me.
I urged him no more, but turned again to the enemy.
They, meanwhile, by command of their leader, had halted, and were gazing at us curiously. It seemed strange to them to be called off their prey at the moment of running it to earth.
The officer was well in advance, and I saw by his face that he would gladly save our lives.
"You will surrender?" he questioned; but I shook my head.
"That is stupid. You cannot escape. I shall send my men in there, and you will be-- Ach! what folly!"
"Many thanks for your offer," I said lightly, "but we must refuse. Now you are at liberty to fire," and I sprang back into the shadow.
As far as I could judge, we were in a cavern of vast extent, having a low roof; and I began to think that, after all, we stood a good chance of escaping.