"I should like to see that."
"You will see it. Behind those vineyards there is undoubtedly a concealed battery, from which you will receive a cross fire."
"Why do you imagine this?"
"Because it follows naturally from the position."
"Ah! we must not let our apprehensions retain us on such grounds; we have no time to speculate," cried the General, and, shaking off the importunate stranger, he once more galloped forward.
They were now scarcely a thousand paces from the vineyards. A Suabian peasant, whose cart had been overturned in endeavouring to pass the artillery, was standing by the roadside, uttering lamentations over his damaged goods.
"What village is that, good fellow?" asked Perczel out of mere curiosity, pointing to the village at the foot of the vineyards.
"Perczel!" replied the boor.
"That is I," said the General; "but I asked you the name of that village."
"May be your excellency is called after it, for its name has been Perczel since the beginning of the world."