by Mór Jókai
CHAPTER IV
When De Fervlans's men saw that their leader had fallen they retreatedtoward the bridge, where a portion of the troop alighted and held at baytheir pursuers, while the rest tore up and flung into the stream theplanks of the bridge. Then the men who had prevented the Volons fromfollowing crossed on foot the narrow lengthwise beam to the oppositeshore--a feat impossible for a man on horseback.
The spot where the fiercest fighting had occurred was already clearedwhen Katharina arrived upon it. She shuddered with horror, and staggeredlike one who walks in his sleep as she moved about the desert place.
Suddenly she came upon a large wild-rose bush covered with bloom. Closeby it lay a horse with the hilt of a sword protruding from his breast.Near the dead animal lay a metal helmet ornamented with the gildedimperial eagle, and a little farther on lay a mud-stained form in auniform of coarse gray cloth, with a gaping wound in his head; his lefthand clutched the rushes among which he had fallen. As Katharina, in herpeasant gown, moved timidly across the open space, she heard a voice sayfaintly in Hungarian:
"For God's sake, good woman, give me a drink of water."
Without stopping to question whether he was friend or foe, Katharinacaught up the metal helmet to fetch the water.
There was water everywhere about her, but it was the filthy water ofthe morass.
Katharina remembered having heard that the shepherds of the Hansag, whenthey were thirsty, cut a reed and thrust it deep into the swampy earth,when clear, drinkable water would rise from the lower soil. Shetherefore thrust a long cane into the moist earth, then put her lips toit, and sucked up the water. On removing her lips a clear stream shotupward from the cane. She held the helmet under this improvised fountainuntil it was full, then returned with it to the rose-bush.
The wounded man was lying on his back, his bloodstained face upturnedtoward the sky. Katharina knelt by his side, and held the helmet to hislips.
"Themire!" gasped the wounded man.
At sound of the name a sudden fury seemed to seize the woman.
"De Fervlans!" she cried, in a hoarse voice. "_You!_ you, the accurseddestroyer of my daughter! May God refuse to forgive you for making of methe wretched creature I am!"
As she spoke she raised the helmet, of water above her head, as if shewould dash it upon the dying man's face; but he turned his head awayfrom her furious gaze, and did not stir again.
Slowly Katharina lowered the helmet, and struggled with her excitedfeelings. She looked about her, and saw another motionless form lyingacross a clump of turf. Perhaps he was still alive. Perhaps she mighthelp him.
She stepped quickly to his side with the helmet of water and washed theblood and mud-stains from his face. Ah, what a hideous face it was! Allthe same, she carefully washed it, then bathed the gaping wounds in hishead. They were horribly deep, and she was almost overcome by thefearful sight. But she looked upward for a moment, and it seemed to heras if she recognized amid the fleecy clouds a snow-white form, and heardan encouraging voice say:
"That is right, mother. I, too, performed such work."
Then she took her handkerchief and bound it around the wounded man'shead. While so doing her eyes fell on the steel ring on his thumb.
"Satan Laczi!" she exclaimed.
She put her arms around him, and lifted him to a more comfortableposition, wondering the while how he came to be there. Had he failed tofind Marie, whom he was to accompany to Raab? Had Cambray, perhaps,prevented her from leaving the castle?
She bent over the wounded man and said:
"Satan Laczi, awake! Look up--come back to life!"
And Satan Laczi was such an obedient fellow, he opened his eyes and sawthe lady kneeling by his side.
Then he opened his lips, and said in a very weak voice:
"I should like a drink of water."
Katharina made haste to fill the helmet again at her fountain.
"Thank you, sister."
"Look at me, Laczi bacsi;" commanded Katharina, in a cheerful tone."Don't you know me? I am the woman who gave shelter to your wife andchild. I am little Laczko's foster-mother."
The wounded man smiled faintly, and murmured: "Yes, yes--Laczko--Laczkois a fine lad! He came near--shooting me because--because of the maid."
"Tell me what you know about the maid," eagerly questioned Katharina."Where is she?"
The wounded man opened his eyes, and seemed to be trying to recallsomething. After a pause, he said slowly, and with evident difficulty:
"You need n't--trouble about the--pretty maid. Laczko is a bravelad--and my wife--my wife is--an honest woman."
"Yes, yes, I know," returned Katharina. "A good lad, and an honestwoman. But tell me, in heaven's name, where is the maid?"
"The maid--Sophie Botta went with--my wife to Raab--they are therenow--and Laczko too."
How gently the lady bathed the wounded man's face and hands! Howcarefully she renewed the bandages on the horrible wounds!
Ludwig Vavel, who hart approached noiselessly, stood and watched herperform the labor of love. He saw, heard, and admired. Then he cameclose to the kneeling woman, and clasped his arms around her.
"My Katharina! Oh, what a woman art thou!"