The idea which suddenly flashed across my mind made me tremble. Was it possible that these great-hearted men were mad enough to dream of a rescue?
From my heart I hoped and prayed this was not the secret of their excitement.
The thing was utterly impossible, and could only lead to the shedding of much innocent blood.
Life had never seemed so glorious a possession as it did just then, but I would have forfeited it a hundred times rather than expose those thousands of men and women to the horrors of an Austrian butchery.
Yet I was powerless to avert the evil, if, indeed, the trusty Mecsey had planned such a mad project.
However, in a few brief moments now everything would be decided. My fellow-victims were to suffer first, and, kneeling in the positions appointed, they submitted to the bandaging of their eyes.
I kept my head steadfastly turned from the cruel scene, as did the vast majority of the crowd.
The firing parties advanced.
"Long live Hungary!" cried the younger soldier.
"Long live Poland!" cried the veteran, the voices of both being equally cool and collected.