Page:Poet Lore, volume 27, 1916.djvu/394

 He talks because it is necessary).—We came riding from Nagy-Szeben—in Hungary—six weeks we are in the saddle and we know nothing at all; only when we reached Moravia we learned that there would be war—we are quartered at a mill and sit there whetting our sabres on the millstones and making merry with the country lassies—Last midnight we reach Skalitz and we still know nothing. Since dawn we are lying back of a railroad and sand-heaps and no one is allowed to pass out and see what is happening—we lie here the entire forenoon. Midday comes, then afternoon, then the cannonading furiously breaks loose and we still have the sandpile in front of our noses and must not look out. Then all of a sudden a “Trarara” and we fly out underneath the railroad viaduct. I see nothing, clay is flying all about me, we are galloping across dead potato fields and the horses’ hoofs are kicking up dead stalks—that much I know—but nothing else. Then I hear just one volley of shots—It burst—then I knew nothing whatever. When I come to, I am prone on the ground. My horse is weighing down my foot. The poor beast is cold and stiff, shot through its belly. And all about me there are dead comrades and horses, but it’s quiet and I am all alone. Not a scratch on me but my horse is gone and the battle is over.

(He is silent, the others do not sympathize or listen.)

Levinsky.—I’d like to know if we are going to keep babbling like old women—or what?

Spravil.—We can lie down since everyone else is doing it.

Levinsky.—Well and good but if the Prussians come I’ll surrender.

Soukup (Startled—gloomily).—Not I.

Levinsky.—Well, what then?

( is silent.)

Levinsky.—It’s easy to reproach—but to advise is hard.

(It’s quiet and gloomy again.)

Levinsky.—It’s idiotic to remain here. Instead of thanking the Lord for permitting us to escape out there, you throw yourself obstinately into some new danger. But what for—for whom—these two?

(For a while there is no answer.)

Spravil.—I have no horse. And what should I do? An unmounted cavalry man.

Levinsky.—Well, in the morning you’ll be captured.

Spravil.—No.