a village vineyard. Perczel saw
the last dragoon disappear behind the acacia trees which skirted it,
and, striking his spurs into his horse, he ordered his troops to
advance, that the enemy might not escape them.

At that moment he was arrested by a stranger, who unceremoniously rode
up to him, and, seizing his mantle, accosted him in French.

"_N'allez pas la!_" said the unknown, pointing to the vineyards.

The General looked at him in astonishment. The stranger was an old
man, simply attired _en civile_, but there was something peculiarly
striking in his martial air and keen glance.

"And why should I not go there?" asked Perczel.

"The enemy will bring you into a snare!"

"I should like to see that."

"You will see it. Behind those vineyards there is undoubtedly a
concealed battery, from which you will receive a cross fire."

"Why do you imagine this?"

"Because it follows naturally from the position."

"Ah! we must not let our apprehensions retain us on such grounds; we
have no time to speculate," cried the General, and, shaking off the
importunate stranger, he once more galloped forward.

They were now scarcely a thousand paces from the vineyards. A Suabian
peasant, whose cart had been overturned in endeavouring to pass the
artillery, was standing by the roadside, uttering lamentations over
his damaged goods.

"What village is that, good fellow?" asked Perczel out of mere
curiosity, pointing to the village at the foot of the vineyards.

"Perczel!" replied the boor.

"That is I," said the General; "but I asked you the name of that
village."

"May be your excellency is called after it, for its name has been
Perczel since the beginning of the world."

The General stopped short. The words of the somnambulist recurred to
him; he looked round for the old man--he was riding among the troops.

Perczel motioned to him to approach, and said, "Do you really believe
that there is a battery concealed behind those vineyards?"

"I am certain of it. The slightest experience in tactics might
determine that."

"And accordingly you consider the position unattainable."

"On the contrary--but on such occasions it is usual to make a
_detour_."

"For which a very rapid movement were requisite, and our infantry is
too much fatigued."

"We can manage that; intrust me with a battalion of infantry and two
squadrons of cavalry, and wait here in reserve until I start the game
from its cover."

"Do so," said the