  Produced by Al Haines. [image] Cover [image] "The white-coats poured in their volley. Page [image] "I shook my sword at the retreating figure. Page The By Author of "A Captain of Irregulars," "A Vanished Nation," WITH ILLUSTRATIONS THOMAS NELSON AND SONS By the same Author. THE BATTLE AND THE BREEZE. Price 5s. T. NELSON AND SONS, CONTENTS.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. THE RED, WHITE, AND GREEN. CHAPTER I. WILL THE REGIMENT MARCH? "Cowardly rats, deserting a sinking ship!" exclaimed my brother Stephen; "I would not raise my little finger to help them!" "It seems to me this insurrection will do good to our cause." Stephen pushed his chair back from the breakfast-table, and stood up. "We are Hungarians," said he, "and we fight for our nation. We want no assistance from these Austrian rebels. If they care a kreuzer for their country, why don't they rally round the emperor?" Laughing at Stephen's expression of disgust, I crossed the room to the little window, and looked into the street. It was the morning of October 5, 1848, and still fairly early, yet the people of Vienna were pouring by in hundreds, all eager, restless, and apparently too excited to think of such an ordinary thing as breakfast. Some were mere lads, pale-faced and spectacled, but armed with sword and pistol, and looking very resolute; these were students from the public schools and universities. Mingling with these enthusiastic youths were a few shopkeepers, a more considerable body of respectably-dressed artisans, numbers of National Guards in uniform, and, most significant of all, the men from the slums--bare-headed, dirty, gaunt, but carrying knives, hatchets, clubs, and other death-dealing weapons. Thus far, this year of 1848 had produced most remarkable changes throughout Europe. Louis Philippe, King of the French, had been driven into exile; Sicily had revolted against King Bomba; insurrections had arisen at Madrid; the whole of Germany had been, and was, in a state of turmoil; the Prussians had conquered Poland afresh. Thrones had crumbled into dust, and monarchs and rulers had been swept away like chaff before the wrath of the people. But of all the European countries, none in this wild gale of popular fury was so severely tried as the proud empire of Austria. In northern Italy, the veteran Radetzky was upholding the black and yellow flag of Austria against a host of insurgents; in Bohemia, the Slavs, bent on founding a great Slav nation, were suppressed with difficulty by the Austrian general, Prince Windischgratz; my own gallant land of Hungary had drawn the sword to win back the ancient rights of which it had been deprived by the Viennese government; while here at Vienna, in the very heart of the empire, thousands of men were working their hardest to overthrow their own Kaiser. With these people neither Stephen nor I had the least sympathy. We were Hungarians, but royalists, loving our country with a fond and faithful affection, yet wishful to preserve our loyalty to the emperor-king. News of the dispute between Hungary and Austria had reached us in London, and we had just arrived at Vienna on our homeward journey. My brother Stephen was eighteen years of age, and my senior by twelve months. In figure he was tall and elegant; his face was regularly oval, with a pale complexion; his forehead was high and broad, his mouth small and well formed. His black hair fell in long curls almost to his shoulders; he wore a black moustache in the Hungarian fashion; and his eyes were dark and fiery. A true Magyar, every inch of him, he might have stood beside King Stephen of glorious memory. He came to join me at the little window, and we were still gazing intently at the throngs below, when some one, hurrying up the stairway, knocked at the door. "Come in!" I cried, and turning round added hastily, "Why, it is Rakoczy, looking as miserable as a caged bird! Are the folks too busy demonstrating to get you some breakfast?" The newcomer closed and locked the door, and came over to us. John Rakoczy, or "John the Joyous," as we called him, was, like ourselves, a Hungarian, though there was a slight mixture of German blood in his veins. He was a handsome man, several years older than myself, with chestnut hair, dark-blue eyes, and a frank, open, jovial face. His merry laugh and light-hearted manners had earned him the title of "John the Joyous;" but on this October morning his face was gloomy and troubled. He placed himself between us, so that he could speak to both without raising his voice. "Heard the news?" he asked. "We've heard the row!" I replied. "These poor people will strain their throats." "The city's in a state of insurrection. The students and the Nationals and the Burgher Guards are going to overthrow the government." "Barking dogs never bite," said Stephen sarcastically. "These will soon--they're only sharpening their teeth; and the Richters are to help them." "The Richter Grenadiers?" I exclaimed. "Yes. Our fellows have beaten Jellachich, who is in sore straits; and Latour, the war minister, has ordered the grenadiers to march to his assistance. They are in a state of mutiny, and the citizens are backing them up." Earlier in the year, Croatia, under its Ban or Governor, Baron Jellachich, had revolted from Hungary; and though at first the emperor had denounced the rising, he had now taken Jellachich under his protection. "Count Latour can take care of himself," said Stephen; "he is a man, not a lath." Our companion rubbed his hands together softly, and, lowering his voice to a whisper, said,-- "This affair is serious. Don't ask how I obtained the information, but you can rely on its truth. A secret meeting was held last night in the city. The chiefs of the extreme party were present, and to-morrow, when the regiment marches out, has been fixed for a general rising." "This is interesting to the Viennese," said my brother, "but not to us." "Wait a bit. You know what happened a few days since in Pesth?" Stephen's face flushed with shame, and I hung my head. On September 28, Count Lamberg, the Austrian commander-in-chief, had been seized in the streets of Pesth by an armed rabble, and cruelly put to death--a foul crime that would long stain the fair name of Hungary. "To-morrow," Rakoczy continued, "the victim will be Count Latour, and the butchers will cry, 'Long live Hungary!'" "What do we want with such brutes?" cried Stephen passionately. "Cannot we fight and win our battles with our own swords? We shall be disgraced for ever by this rabble!" "The count must be put on his guard," I exclaimed. "I will go to his hÔtel and inform him of the plot." "It will be useless trouble," said Stephen. "One man cannot fight against thirty thousand, and the count is too brave a veteran to yield." "He must yield or die," said John. "I have learned enough to know that. The chiefs of the revolution have decided to kill him unless he recalls the order for the regiment to march." I put on my hat; the others did the same, and accompanied me into the street. A crowd of students rushing by caught sight of our costume, and surrounding us, cried, "Long live Hungary!" Much to their surprise, we bared our heads and responded by a hearty, "Long live King Ferdinand!" for, although our country was at war with Austria, we remembered that Austria's emperor was Hungary's king. In the square on the north side of the hÔtel we stopped, and I gave my weapons to Stephen, so that the guards might not suspect me of having any design on the life of the minister. "Tell him," said Rokoczy earnestly, "that unless he gives way his life is lost." I left them standing at the corner of the square, and went on alone to the courtyard of the hÔtel. Hundreds of citizens stood about, all armed and gesticulating violently, but as yet offering no personal mischief to any one. Several times I had to stop while they cheered for Hungary and Kossuth; but at length, after considerable pushing and squeezing, I reached the gate. There were few soldiers about, and these could certainly have been overpowered by one determined rush of the mob outside; but the time for that had not yet come. At first the officer on duty made some difficulty about passing me; but at length I was sent under escort across the courtyard, and admitted into the building. Here still further delay occurred. Count Latour was busy; he could not see me; it would be better to call another time, or deliver my message to the count's secretaries. Patience, however, is a useful weapon, and by its aid I found myself at last in the audience-chamber, where the minister was engaged in animated discussion with his colleagues. "Well, young sir?" exclaimed the noble-looking veteran sharply. "Your news must be of extreme importance to justify your persistence." "You shall judge for yourself, count, if these gentlemen will leave us for five minutes." At this the others smiled, and one muttered something about a Magyar adventurer. I had entered the room with peace in my heart; but this insult was abominable, and I loudly demanded to know if they took me for an assassin. A little old man with a white beard and small ferret eyes stopped my high-flown speech by saying, "Remember Lamberg!" and at those words, so full of meaning, I hung my head in shame. Would that fatal act be thrown into the teeth of the Magyars for ever? I think that the count must have pitied me, for he said kindly,-- "What is your name, my young friend? It is needless to ask your nationality." The question restored my self-respect, and I raised my head proudly. "George Botskay has little reason to be ashamed of his name," I said. "A son of the late General Botskay?" I bowed in reply, and the count addressed a few words to his colleagues, who retired one by one with evident reluctance. "Now, my lad," exclaimed the fine old soldier, "what is it you wish to say? I am very busy, and cannot spare much time." "I have come to warn you, count," I began, but at that he stopped me. "The son of General Botskay should have known that I take no warning from rebels," he said sternly, and made a movement to ring the bell. "One moment, count; you must listen to me. I have learned by accident something you ought to know. The city is up in arms"--Latour smiled--"and the grenadiers are to be prevented from marching." "I have issued the order," he said, as if that settled the matter. "It will not be obeyed. The leaders of the insurrection met last night in secret, and made their arrangements. A revolution has been decided on, and you, count, are to be the first victim." "Why do you tell me this?" "That you may be prepared." "Are you on our side?" "No. I must fight for my own country." He took a sheet of note-paper from a drawer, and placing it in my hand, said, "Read!" It was an anonymous letter, warning him that unless he recalled the order, the people would put him to death. "It came this morning," he remarked quietly. "The writer will learn my answer to-morrow." Gazing at the well-knit figure and the calm, proud face of the sturdy veteran, I felt convinced that he would not move a finger to avert the impending tragedy. "You seem sorry," he said, "but there is little to grieve about. I am a soldier, and know how to die at my post. Still, I thank you for trying to help me; and may the time soon come when Austrians and Hungarians will once more join hands as brethren and loyal subjects of the emperor." "Amen to that!" I replied fervently, and the proud old noble, shaking my hand, himself led me to the door. At the head of the stairs I turned and glanced at him again. He waved his hand cordially; his features were calm and unruffled, his air was serene, as though he knew nothing of the dangers which threatened him. Brave old count! After all, he chose the better part! Rakoczy and my brother waited at the corner of the square, but they saw at once that my errand had been in vain. "He will die at his post, if need be," I said, as we got clear of the crowd. "What else could he do?" asked Stephen. "You would not expect the soldier of half a century to run away from the armed rabble." "Well," exclaimed Rakoczy, "we have done our best to save him; now we must look to ourselves. I suppose you two intend joining the army?" "Yes; but we will wait and see what happens to-morrow." "If you could stay a few days longer, we might all go together." This proposal suited me capitally; and as Stephen did not wish to lose the speaker's company, it was agreed that we should remain in Vienna till the end of the week. "We aren't likely to miss much," said Rakoczy. "Kossuth can do nothing till the Honveds have been properly drilled. At present they are no better than these worthy citizens who shout 'Long live Hungary!' so abominably." The Honveds, or Home-Defenders, were practically peasants drawn from the plough, without drill or discipline, or even knowledge of arms beyond their scythes and pikes and cumbrous old-world guns. No general would expect them to stand for an instant against the Austrian veterans; and, as GÖrgei, our great leader, humorously said, he reckoned much more upon their legs than their arms. However, they were brave fellows at bottom, and those who laughed at them had reason to repent of it before the war ended. During the afternoon Rakoczy left us to attend to his private affairs, so Stephen and I strolled about the city watching the actions of the excited people. It was easy to tell that something out of the common was going to happen; and when we returned to our rooms I felt more sorry than ever for the brave old count, who so proudly defied the enemies of his master. But to help him further was beyond our power; we could only wait and watch the events of a new day. It was certain that Latour would not withdraw his order; but whether he would meet force by force and command Count Auersperg to bombard the city, or offer himself as a sacrifice to the fury of the mob, we did not know. From midnight till about three o'clock a dead silence brooded over the town, but when daylight fairly broke Vienna was in arms. Rakoczy joined us at breakfast, and by his advice we ate a substantial meal before venturing out, as the time of our return was very uncertain. "Now," said he, on rising from the table, "pistols in working order? There will be a big kravalle before the day's over." "If it's nothing worse than that, so much the better," I replied. "A street brawl doesn't hurt." Stephen locked the door, put the key in his pocket, and we all three went down into the street, where the people were packed like herrings in a barrel. Men, women, and children of all classes were there--the shopkeeper, the artisan, the labourer, and the dweller in the slums who had come out expressly for plunder, and who would as soon cut a Hungarian as an Austrian throat. One of this last class, however, a brawny fellow, hatless and coatless, with arms bare to the elbow, and carrying a murderous-looking axe, professed great sympathy with the Magyars, and attached himself to Stephen, much to the latter's disgust. John and I walked directly behind, laughing to see my rather fastidious brother in the society of the soi-disant patriot. "Keep a brave heart, young sir!" we heard the unwashed one say, "and trust to us. We'll see you get your rights. Down with the emperor and up with the people! It's our turn now!" and he put one arm affectionately round my brother's waist. "Bravo, comrade!" cried John, winking at me. "The brave Viennese will take care of Hungary!" "Right you are, brother!" shouted back the brawny ruffian. "We'll join hands. Long live Hungary and the Viennese! No more emperors! No more kings! We'll have a republic and be our own masters!" "And not do any more work!" said John. "No; we've had our share. Let the rest take a turn;" and he gave Stephen another squeeze to show his goodwill. Happily for my brother's peace of mind, we had by this time reached the end of the narrow street, and a vigorous push by the crowd parted us from our enthusiastic friend. We had started with the intention of going to the hÔtel of the war minister, but it soon became plain that we had no choice in the matter; we were compelled to go wherever the mob carried us. One thing I noticed which rather astonished me--the National Guards and the armed students had disappeared. Here and there one certainly caught sight of a citizen warrior, but they were very few, and I wondered what had become of the others. "We shall soon find out," said Rakoczy, to whom I put the question. "There's mischief brewing somewhere. Listen to, that!" and a great shout of "Long live the Grenadiers!" rose on the air. The people, sufficiently excited hitherto, now became frantic. They waved their arms, and cheered the mutinous regiment wildly. "Link arms!" exclaimed Rakoczy, and it was well we took his advice. A tremendous rush nearly took us off our feet, and we were carried along in the midst of the tumultuous throng. "Tabor! Tabor!" shouted the crowd. "Make for the bridge of Tabor! That's where they cross! Hurrah for the Grenadiers! Down with the emperor! Death to Latour! Long live the brave Hungarians!" As we approached the bridge of Tabor the excitement became intense. We were pushed this way and that, and, but for the linking of arms, we must quickly have lost sight of one another. "Keep a firm grip," cried John. "Look out! There goes the military!" and instantly the cheers for the Grenadiers redoubled. "There's a cavalry regiment escorting them," I exclaimed; "and look! Some one has brought up a couple of guns!" "They want twenty," said Stephen. "Ah! now for it!" At the farther end of the bridge the National Guards and the University Legion were drawn up in battle array, waiting to oppose the passage of the troops. The mob pressed to and fro like the unquiet waves of the sea; now we were thrown almost bodily into the ranks of the soldiers, again carried back many yards. The windows of all the houses anywhere near were filled by groups of rioters, who levelled their guns ostentatiously at the loyal troops, while the sans-culottes in the streets roared approval. At the moment my brother spoke we had a full view of the situation. The Grenadiers, with their escort, had reached the bridge-head. Behind them were a body of infantry and the artillerymen with a couple of guns. An officer in general's uniform commanded the whole. Suddenly the Grenadiers broke loose, and, with triumphant cries of "Long live Hungary!" crossed the bridge at the pas de charge. The students and Nationals received them with open arms; the general sat on horseback, immovable as a bronze statue. Then a smile, half of pity, half of scorn, appeared on his face. He opened his mouth to give an order, when, from the farther side of the bridge, rang out a sharp report, and the Austrian fell dead. Stephen tore himself from me, his eyes flashing, his handsome face crimson with anger. "You cowards!" he cried, and would have run to the bridge had not Rakoczy dragged him back by main force. Only just in time! Crash! And a storm of grape whizzed through the air as the gunners discharged their two pieces. The insurgents who were advancing to the charge wavered; another dose of iron hail, and they fell back in disorder. But the loyalists were few, their enemy legion. Their brave leader, too, was dead; and, though they fought valiantly for a time, the end was certain. The students especially behaved like madmen. Shot and shell tore through their ranks, making long, narrow gaps, but the survivors pressed on; the mob picked off the loyalists; the men at the windows shot them down; the Nationals eagerly backed up their comrades; the bridge was gained; there was a desperate, confused, hand-to-hand struggle round the guns, and then a loud shout of victory echoed and re-echoed through the exultant multitude. "To the gates! Seize the gates!" they yelled; and presently another cry rose--one which we had been expecting every moment to hear. "Death to Latour!" bawled a huge, hairy-throated fellow; and we recognized our acquaintance of the morning, whose butcher's axe was wet with blood. "That's the word!" cried another. "Death to Latour, and no more ministers!" "Forward! Forward! Long live the republic! Up with the tricolour!" "To the hÔtel!" said Stephen feverishly. "We may yet help to save him." Alas! if we were powerless in the morning, we were equally so now. The mob carried us whithersoever it listed. We were flung bodily from side to side, shot down narrow streets like stones from a catapult, jammed together without power of movement, then pushed forward again by the masses in the rear. Rakoczy soon disappeared. Stephen was yards in front, separated from me by hundreds of yelling madmen. I was panting and breathless, and felt as if some one had beaten me well with a stout stick. A man just before me--a small, pale man with wide-open, frightened eyes--went down, and was lost in the crowd; it was like dropping a pin. Had his life been worth the value of the universe, no one could have saved him; as it was, he simply dropped, like a stone into the water, and the crowd pressed over him. To add to the uproar, the tocsin sounded, and everywhere it seemed as if the soldiers were discharging their muskets. In one street people were busy erecting a barricade. The head of the crowd, seeing this, wished to turn back; they might as well have tried to turn the stars in their course. The street was narrow and sloping; unfortunately, we shot into it from the higher end, and there was no stopping. Those in front raised a cry of despair as they were hurled against the half-built barricade, the workers on the other side of which ran into the houses, while the living torrent swept on. Crash went the structure--logs of wood, bodies of carts, stuffed sacks, piles of stones, and human beings all mingled together! I caught a brief glimpse of Stephen wedged into the corner of a doorway, looking as if he would be squeezed to death, but there was no helping him. I was off my feet, supported only by the bodies of my nearest companions, one of whom moaned in pain. Through the dÉbris we were hurled, swept round the corner to the left, and dropped, panting and bruised and battered, in the Place of St. Stephen. CHAPTER II. A SOLDIER OF THE RIGHT SORT. I stood for several minutes between the palace and the great church trying to draw some breath into my lungs, for the pressure of the crowd had left me like a squeezed lemon. To search for the missing Rakoczy was useless labour, but it might be possible to return to the narrow street where I had last seen my brother. I soon discovered, however, that the short delay had put that also out of the question. The people were pouring into the Place; and, though the terrible stress had been lessened, I was still a prisoner, blocked in on all sides by the tumultuous throng. The huge bell in the tower of St. Stephen's clanged out its brazen peals of warning and menace, and a sharp musketry fire told me that fierce fighting was going on in the very shadow of the sacred edifice. A handful of loyal National Guards, faithful to their oaths, and led by a brave commander, were, like good men and true, sacrificing their lives in the performance of duty. Of course, the contest was a hopeless one; but the men stood their ground bravely, and I guessed from the savage cries of the rioters that the faithful few were selling their lives dearly. From where I stood nothing could be seen save the heads of the populace; but the surging of the crowd backward and forward showed how the fight progressed. Clang! clang! pealed the great bell, swinging high in the air, while below the whirr and rattle of musketry mingled with the frantic shouts of the people. A louder yell than usual proclaimed that something decisive had occurred, and soon the news spread to the very outermost of the packed onlookers. "Now they have them! Into the church! Follow them up! Well done, brave Nationals! Well done, students! Now we'll see who's to be master!" It was even so. The gallant band, overwhelmed by numbers, had fallen back foot by foot, until the insurgents by one wild rush had forced them into the cathedral, where their leader was slain on the high altar itself. All this I learned only from the conversation of the people, being unable to see anything for myself. But from what happened next I might easily have known the end had come. From the middle of the throng a cry rose, and the multitude in their thousands took it up, shouting wildly, "Latour! Death to Latour!" This way and that they rushed, some to the south, some to the north of the Place, seeking any outlet which would lead them to the hÔtel of the minister of war. In an instant I was caught up and hurried off out of the Place, across a wide street, then into a network of narrow ones, until I was stopped with the rest in front of the hÔtel where lived Count Latour. Was he still there? There had been ample time for escape, and I hoped against hope that he had taken advantage of it; but, remembering the calm, proud face of the man, I had my doubts. The gates were closed; the soldiers, scanty in numbers but well disciplined, stood at their posts, eyeing the frenzied mob with contempt. Some of the students at once opened fire; the soldiers replied, and, the target being so broad, every bullet lodged somewhere. Inside the building Count Latour was holding a council of war, and the members, fearful lest in the growing excitement the monarchy itself should be swept away, prevailed on him to issue the order to cease firing. This of course paralyzed the action of the loyal troops, both at the hÔtel and at the barracks, while the spirits of the rebels were proportionately raised. From the conversation of those near me, I gathered that their surprise was equal to their delight, but they gave no thought to the humanity of those in power. The fearful cry, "Death to Latour!" was again raised. The gates were threatened. The soldiers, prevented from firing by the order of the council, were unable to act. Fresh bodies of rioters came swarming from various directions. The pressure grew terrible; the gates--I suppose, as I could see nothing--gave way; the courtyard was filled with the noisy, shouting, bloodthirsty pack; the doors of the great building were smashed like glass; and the crowd, screaming and struggling, surged up the broad staircase. At the first rush some were thrown violently against the outer walls; others, by no power of their own, were carried into the interior of the building, and fate so willed that I belonged to the latter portion. The name of the gallant old count was on the lips of every one, as if he were responsible for all the ills in the world, so easy is it to inflame the passions of a mob which does not think for itself. It was on the first landing that we received a slight check. A few National Guards, still loyal to their pledges, attempted to stem the human torrent. Their success was only momentary, and they were borne back, but not dispersed. Here the crowd broke up, some running one way, some another, but all intent on killing Count Latour. I followed the Nationals, thinking they would most likely retire in the direction of the council chamber. This they did, and that apartment was speedily filled. I caught a glimpse of Latour, round whom the handful of loyalists pressed. His face was pale; otherwise he showed no sign of fear, but gazed calmly on the throng of butchers. Once he made an attempt to speak, but his words were drowned in the tumult. "Kill Latour!" was the savage cry. Beyond that one scarcely heard anything. However, the brave Nationals resolved to make a fight of it, and by a stroke of great good fortune I managed to join them. "Long live Latour! Long live the gallant count!" I cried, with all the strength of my lungs, and his defenders echoed the cry. But the others drowned our shouts with "Kill Latour!" and one man, towering above the rest, sprang at the count with uplifted axe. It was the burly ruffian who had walked with us a short time in the morning, and at sight of me his face grew black as a thunder-cloud. "Traitor!" he shouted, and, swinging round, aimed his axe full at my head. There was little time for action, much less for thought; but, having my pistol free, I levelled it swiftly, and shot the truculent bully dead. The count threw me a glance of gratitude mingled with pity; and in truth it appeared as if I needed the latter. The insurgents rushed at us, bore us back, flung themselves into our midst, and, acting like wedges, split us into small groups. I found myself in front of Latour, where the fighting was fiercest, and emptied my pistol recklessly into the crowd. The bullets cleared a space, but it was soon reoccupied. Most of the loyalists were overpowered and disarmed, and now their opponents came to help seize Latour. Planting my feet firmly on the ground, I stood by the side of the veteran, and did my best to save him. The attempt failed; it was hopeless from the start, and the end came very suddenly. There were scarcely half a dozen of us all told, standing shoulder to shoulder, to stay the rush, and we toppled over like so many wooden pegs. I lay on the floor half stunned, with the body of a man right across my chest. He was badly hurt, and kept moaning feebly. For several minutes I was unable to rise, or even to move, and during that time the noise of the fighting grew less and less distinct, finally dying away altogether. The shouts of the populace, however, continued to ascend from the courtyard, and could be plainly heard through the open windows. As soon as I had recovered a little strength, I shifted the wounded man gently, and stood up. The rioters had left the apartment; only the dead and those seriously injured remained, and amongst these I looked in vain for Latour. Had they spared his life? The idea seemed too good for truth, but it was just possible. Picking up an abandoned sword, I made my way from the chamber to the staircase. Several bodies lay where they had fallen; otherwise the place was empty. I ran down to the first landing, and overtook a frightened, pale-faced man--a servant, probably, belonging to the hÔtel. The fellow looked at me with such a comical expression of woe, that, in spite of the day's work, I could hardly refrain from laughing. "There's nothing to be afraid of," I said, slapping him on the shoulder. "I'm not going to eat you. What have the rebels done with Count Latour?" The man's eyes opened wider than before. He bowed his head and mumbled some words which I could not understand. "Speak up!" I cried sharply, "or, by the honour of a Botskay, I'll throw you over the balustrade." The threat reduced him to a state bordering on imbecility. He made no attempt to speak, but, plucking at my cloak like a chidden dog, led me into a small chamber having a window which overlooked the courtyard. What I saw there held me spellbound; and the man, seeing he was no longer noticed, quietly slipped off. Outside, Count Latour, the minister of war, the veteran general who had carried the black and yellow flag to victory a score of times, who over and over again had risked his life to uphold the honour of his country, hung, battered and dead, suspended from a lamp-post. The mob still lingered about, but in smaller numbers; the most violent had departed to pursue their work of butchery elsewhere. Many of the disloyal National Guards, who found it easier work to insult a dead man than to combat a living one, swaggered about, looking fierce and truculent. Some decently-dressed citizens regarded the murdered count, it appeared to me, with pity and sorrow; even to some of the insurgents remorse had come with terrible swiftness. The students and men of the slums had gone--the former to fight, the latter most likely to plunder. More peaceable people helped to fill up the gap thus caused. I left the room and descended the stairs slowly, thinking of Stephen. Where was he? Had he been killed by that terrible crush in the narrow street? Perhaps he was still there, hurt and unable to move. I must go and find out. On the lower part of the staircase I met numbers of citizens coming to view the scene of the struggle. I stood aside to let them pass, and they, recognizing my nationality, saluted me with the cry of "Long live Hungary!" I thought of the dead man outside, and the blood surged to my face. In the courtyard there was room to move freely, and, anxious on my brother's account, I was hurrying away, when the sound of a girl's voice coming from the left caused me to stop. A low, angry growl from a section of the onlookers told me something was wrong, and I ran to the spot. A young girl, evidently of high birth, stood facing a group of Nationals. Her head was uncovered, and her hair hung down her back in a thick, wavy, chestnut-coloured mass. She had a beautiful face, sweet and fresh as the morning; her features were regular and refined; her dark-blue eyes were of wonderful depth and expression. She was slightly, almost delicately framed, and little more than a child in years; but the inherited pride of centuries burned in her face, and she confronted the citizen soldiers fearlessly. Standing erect, with her head thrown back defiantly, she pointed to the body of the murdered man, and, with a superb gesture of scorn, exclaimed in a ringing voice, "You pitiful cowards!" The crowd murmured, some in sympathy, others in anger. Several of the Nationals moved as if to chastise the speaker, but she did not quail. One, a bigger poltroon than his fellows, placed his hand on her arm; but at that instant I sprang to the girl's side and sent the aggressor sprawling. "It is true!" I cried recklessly. "You are a pack of cowards to murder an aged and unarmed man!" "A Hungarian and a traitor!" shouted a voice from the crowd. "No traitor," I replied, "as I hope my sword may prove; but no assassin either." "Don't be a fool," said the unseen speaker, but using now the Hungarian tongue. "What is the daughter of an Austrian noble to you? These others are our friends, and they have done no worse than we did in Pesth." "Knock him on the head, and the girl too!" cried one of the soldiers; but he kept clear of the sword which I had brought from the council chamber. "Leave me, sir," implored the high-spirited girl. "The butchers will kill you. I do not fear them." I looked at her in smiling admiration, and said, "A Magyar does not leave a lady in distress. Permit me to take you away from this crowd." Thinking perhaps of my danger, she shuddered slightly, and passed her arm within mine, while I prepared to guard her with my life. We might have escaped without further trouble, but for the action of one of the Nationals, who, angered by the girl's taunts, threw himself across our path. I requested him to stand back, but he refused insolently, and endeavoured to run me through with his bayonet. At this several of his comrades came to his assistance, and there was nothing for it but to cut my way out. Some of the citizens now interfered, crying "Shame" on the soldiers for attacking a girl; and, while our opponents stood undecided, I received a welcome though unexpected reinforcement. There was a movement in the crowd as of a person pushing his way through; and all at once I beheld my brother, who, crying, "A Botskay to the rescue!" sprang between us and the soldiers. In either hand he held a loaded pistol, and there was an air of determination in his handsome face which showed he would not hesitate to fire. I had just told the girl who the newcomer was, when a second man broke through the crowd and joined us. A giant of a fellow he was, wearing a round hat and furred coat, and carrying in his hand a ponderous club which would have crushed the skull of an ox. My fair companion cried delightedly, "Franz! Franz!" and the man bowed to her with an air of respectful deference. His countenance was of a ruddy colour, his hair sandy; he had pleasant blue eyes, a cheerful face, and the massive limbs of an athlete. "Make way there!" he cried, twirling his tremendous club as if it had been a soldier's cane; "make way there for the FrÄulein von Arnstein!" A portion of the spectators, crying, "Room for the FrÄulein von Arnstein!" hustled the soldiers, who, being pressed by Franz and Stephen, sullenly began to give ground. The movement was very slow, and we had not made much progress when a young man rode into the courtyard, and was received with round after round of cheering. He was dressed in civilian costume, but wore in addition a broad red sash and a red cockade in his hat. Who or what he was I did not know, but he was plainly a person of importance amongst the rebels. At sight of our companion his face expressed the broadest astonishment, and leaping to the ground he advanced quickly towards her. Speaking in a soft, silky voice and using polished, well-turned phrases, he expressed his regret at the conduct of the Nationals, and offered to accompany her home. "You will encounter neither danger nor insult while with me," he concluded smilingly. The girl looked at him in genuine scorn. "Your offer comes too late," she said coldly. "These two gentlemen and my servant Franz are ready to protect me from all the cut-throats in Vienna, either in or out of uniform." The stranger's face turned white, but his eyes burned like fire, and I prepared for mischief. He controlled his passion, however, bowed low, and made a sign to the Nationals, who stood back, leaving the way to the gates clear. As for the girl, she took no further notice of him, but, still leaning on my arm, walked out haughtily. Franz marched in front with his club, Stephen, who had replaced his pistols, followed, while we two brought up the rear. It was difficult to carry on a conversation, owing to the shouting; and indeed it suited me well enough to walk in silence, and to glance from time to time at the face of my beautiful companion. At last Franz stopped before a large house, and the frÄulein, making a gracious inclination of the head, begged us to enter, that her mother might thank us for what we had done. Stephen, who cared little for the society of ladies, would have declined the honour, but I did not give him the chance, thanking her myself for her courtesy. So the three of us--the lady leading--passed over the threshold, and, traversing a wide hall, mounted a stately staircase, which led to a magnificent apartment, as sumptuously furnished as any I had seen in Paris. Here we were left by our charming guide, who, however, shortly returned with an older lady, grave and ceremonious, but no doubt kindly at heart. This was the Baroness von Arnstein, the mother of the proud yet dainty girl, whom she called Theresa, and the wife of an officer highly placed in the army commanded by Prince Windischgratz. The baroness listened to her daughter's story, and at the end thanked us for having, as she was pleased to say, saved her child's life. Having passed an hour very pleasantly, and promised to repeat our visit, we took our leave of the ladies, and once more found ourselves in the streets of the excited city. It was late evening now, and rapidly growing dusk; but the people were still abroad, shouting, singing the French Marseillaise, and congratulating each other on the result of the day's doings. Many, however, occupied the time in far different fashion. Some paid visits to the principal shops, especially to those containing food or weapons, which they promptly seized. Others, with an eye to the future, were erecting barricades or strengthening old ones, and trying to put the city in a state of defence. "Imbeciles!" exclaimed Stephen angrily. "When Windischgratz arrives he will knock the place about their ears. I wonder what has become of Rakoczy." "She has the most beautiful eyes," I murmured, pursuing my own train of thought, "and of the loveliest blue. And what remarkable bravery to be shown by a girl so young!" "Remarkable folly," replied my brother, "if you are speaking of the Austrian maid; but enough of her. Let us think of Rakoczy. The poor fellow may be dead, or sorely needing our help." "If so, he will take some finding. I haven't seen him since we left the bridge; but I don't think 'The Joyous' will come to any harm. Look at that red light in the sky! There is a big fire somewhere." "It is at the arsenal, my brave Hungarians!" said a wild-looking fellow staggering along beneath a load of plunder. "The students are attacking the arsenal. Never fear, my boys! We'll soon give you your independence!" This speech was particularly galling to Stephen, who moved on quickly, saying, "Come, George; it is likely we shall find Rakoczy there." It was difficult to get near the arsenal, as the streets were crowded, and from some we had to turn back, owing to the erection of barricades. We were hungry, too, having eaten nothing since the early morning; and seeing an open cafÉ, I persuaded Stephen to enter. The place was dirty, and the food not the best; but hunger is a good sauce, and we ate what was set before us without complaining. From the talk of the men in the cafÉ we learned that the soldiers guarding the arsenal were making a stout fight against the students and National Guards, though, unless reinforcements arrived, they were certain to be overpowered by numbers. "Well," said one fellow, chuckling, "we have our revolution at last. There's no drawing back for the faint-hearts now." "Latour's death has let them in up to the neck," said another. "They'll find it mighty hard to pull out of that bog!" "And a good job too!" replied the first speaker. "What's the use of making a revolution in kid gloves? Strike while the iron's hot is my motto. Why should we stop at Latour when there's bigger game to be found at SchÖnbrunn? Why not--" Fortunately by this time we had finished our meal, and were moving to the door; so, linking my arm in Stephen's, I led him out hastily. Though the government called him a Hungarian rebel, he had scanty sympathy with Austrian republicans, and I feared an explosion which would do little good. Once outside the shop, we forgot the incident in looking at the sky, which, near the arsenal, had now become a deep-red colour, made more intensely vivid by the increasing darkness. "The building's on fire!" I said. "The garrison will have to surrender." "Unless the sparks fall on the powder-magazine, and then--" "It will be farewell both to soldiers and students!" A man whose face was blackened by powder, came up the street shouting, "The arsenal's captured! Cheers for the brave students!" and immediately the people set off running. "Let us go too!" said Stephen. "It is possible we may find our friend;" and I, knowing how irresistibly a fight attracted "John the Joyous," willingly agreed. |
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