"Where's the 'Etat Major?'" cried I, in haste, and not heeding his question. "I have a dispatch for the Emperor." "Follow the road," said he, "and you'll come up with them in half an hour." And with these hurried words we passed each other. A sharp pistol report a moment after told me what had befallen the poor Hungarian; but I had little time to think of his fate. Our squadrons were coming on at a sharp pace, while in their rear the jingling clash of horse-artillery resounded. From a gentle rise of the road, I could see a vast distance of country, and perceive that the French columns extended for miles away--the great chaussee being reserved for the heavy artillery, while every by-road and lane was filled with troops of all arms, hurrying onward. It was one of those precipitous movements by which Napoleon so often paralyzed an enemy at once, and finished a campaign by one daring exploit. At such a time it was in vain for me to ask in what direction the staff might be found. All were eager and intent on their own projects; and as squadron after squadron passed, I saw it was a moment for action rather than for thought. Still I did not like to abandon all hope of succeeding after so much of peril and fatigue, and seeing that it was impossible to advance against the flood of horse and artillery that formed along the road, I jumped my horse into a field at the side, and pushed forward. Even here, however, the passage was not quite clear, since many, in their eagerness to get forward, had taken to the same line, and with cheering cries and wild shouts of joy, were galloping on. My showy uniform drew many an eye toward me, and at last a staff-officer cried out to me to stop, pointing with his sabre as he spoke to a hill a short distance off, where a group of officers were standing. This was General Moulon and his staff, under whose order the advanced-guard was placed. "A dispatch--whence from!" cried he, hastily, as I rode up. "No, sir; a plan of the bridge of Landshut, taken from the enemy this morning at Moosburg." "Are they still there?" asked he. "By this time they must be close upon Landshut; they were in full retreat when I left them at day-break." "We'll be able to speak of the bridge without this," said he, laughing, and turning toward his staff, while he handed the sketch carelessly to some one beside him; "and you'll serve the Emperor quite as well, sir, by coming with us as hastening to the rear." I professed myself ready and willing to follow his orders, and away I went with the staff, well pleased to be once more on active service.