I looked down the road, expecting to see the Austrians; but, thanks to Batori's sentries, we had fully two minutes' start before they appeared.
There were perhaps fifty of them, and they rode like men secure of their prey; but our horses were fresh, and, being all picked animals, easily increased their lead.
A pistol shot or two came singing after us, but without doing mischief, and Batori laughed derisively at the enemy's efforts.
"Take it easy, my lads," he shouted. "Those old screws wouldn't catch us between this and Debreczin, if we walked all the way."
This, of course, was not exactly correct; but there could be little doubt that, by putting our animals to their utmost speed, we could shake off our pursuers at almost any time.
Even Beula noticed this, and, though his face was still pale, he dropped back to us.
"Another miss of the halter, count," cried the brigand cheerfully; "you're in luck's way. But I'll tell you what it is--you set my men a very bad example;" and I fancied there was a note of anger in his voice.
The count shook off his strange fear for a moment, saying with some of his old jauntiness, "They are more familiar with the noose than I."
"Bah!" cried the robber in disgust; "if you had not gained praise from Bern, I should say you were a rank coward."
"As a bandit, perhaps I am," he replied; a remark at which Batori, instead of showing anger, only laughed.