As it was, while pressing his charger to the utmost, he was still some fifty yards in rear of Fergus.
As soon as he came up, the latter said: "We must cut our way through the Austrians.

Ride close to me.

We will ease our horses a little, until we are within fifty yards, and then go at them at full speed.

If I fall and you get through, carry the orders to retire to the general commanding the cavalry." The Austrian cavalry had formed up in two troops, one twenty yards behind the other, and each in line two deep, extending across the road by which Fergus was riding.

Seeing, by the speed at which he was travelling, that the Prussian staff officer had no intention of surrendering, the Austrian in command gave the order to charge, when they were some fifty yards away.
"Now, Karl, boot to boot.