If only it were practicable to scale them, we might yet drive the Austrians out.
I could not keep my eyes from the cliffs, nor dismiss the idea from my head.
Fifty good shots perched up there could pick off every artilleryman who stood by the enemy's guns.
There were numerous mountaineers in the regiment, and I myself had always been reckoned a good climber.
I had just escaped death; but unless some other plan was discovered, Görgei would fling us at that barrier until those who survived--if there were any--did get over. In fact, he could not help himself.
And if death came while I was scaling the cliff, why, the result was no worse than if it met me in the narrow path.
I went to Rakoczy and told him what was in my head.
Just for an instant he turned pale, and the smile left his face, but he soon recovered his composure.
"There are a hundred chances of death in fifty yards," he said, "and a thousand when the Austrians see the dodge."
"There are five thousand in front of us," I answered. "Still, that isn't the point. Will you give me an axe and leave to go?"