Page:Gregor The story of Bohemia.pdf/99

 of Bohemians, and clad in steel armor from head to foot.

In the spring of 1260 the two great armies met upon the opposite banks of the Danube, where they remained for several days facing each other, neither daring to run the risk of crossing the river. At length, Ottokar sent messengers to the Hungarian camp, asking King Bela, either to let the Bohemian army cross the river, or to cross it themselves, he pledging his honor that they should not be molested until they were safely over, when both armies could fight with the same advantage. King Bela decided to cross, whereupon Ottokar withdrew with his army to give the enemy abundance of room for landing. While thus falling back, his regiments became separated from each other, and the Hungarians, perceiving this, thought it a favorable moment to make an attack and gain an easy victory. Thus Stephen, the son of Bela, unmindful that the truce had not yet expired, most treacherously fell upon the main division of the Bohemian army, which, for a moment was thrown into confusion. But the alarm being sounded, the regiments were soon in the place of danger, ready to meet the foe. Just as they were about to make the attack, the sun came out, the fog that had before obscured their vision vanished, and the whole army saw before them the iron seven thousand waving the banner of St. Václav. This was a good omen: St. Václav would fight for them. A wild shout burst from the soldiers, and, as if by inspiration, the vast army united in singing the old Slavonic hymn, “Hospodine pomiluj ny”—(Lord, have mercy upon us). Then they rushed to battle with so much enthusiasm and impetuosity that the enemy soon began to fall