Two of the hussars stood over me with drawn swords, the others sat on a bench waiting for their spell of duty. I don't think any of them went to sleep.
About midnight Von Theyer himself paid us a visit; and the guard, springing to their feet, presented arms.
He glanced round the room with an approving smile, and said,--
"Well, sergeant, I think your prisoner will have small chance of stabbing any one to-night."
The sergeant smiled at the compliment to his vigilance, and the colonel came over to my corner.
Not caring to bandy words with him before his men, I closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep, and after a minute or two he went away.
The night passed wearily enough, for although I managed to sleep, my rest was broken by feverish dreams, and I gladly welcomed the coming of another day.
For some reason unknown to me we did not set out till ten o'clock; and when, after an uneventful journey, we rode into the town of Arad, the autumn afternoon was fast blending into evening.
The inhabitants of the old market-town swarmed out to see the Austrian cavalry, and many glances of compassion and pity were directed on the bound and helpless prisoner in their midst.
A few expressed their sympathy audibly, but for the most part men, women, and children stood mournful indeed but silent.