frederick the great and his family-第76章

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the　Russian　hussar。

Again　he　lies　naked；　again　the　muddy　water　forces　into　his　wounds；　and　adds　cruel　torture　to　the　agonies　of　death。　So　lies　he　till　the　next　day；　till　the　enemy　takes　pity　upon　him　and　carries　him　as　a　prisoner　to　Frankfort。　＇Footnote：　Ewald　von　Kleist　died　a　few　days　after　this；　on　the　24th　of　August。　The　Russians　gave　him　an　honorable　burial；　and　as　there　was　no　sword　upon　his　coffin；　Captain　Bulow；　chief　of　the　Russian　dragoons；　took　his　own　from　his　side　and　placed　it　upon　the　bier；　saying；　〃So　worthy　an　officer　shall　not　be　buried　without　every　mark　of　honor。〃Archenholtz；　262。＇

Happy　those　who　meet　with　sudden　death。　It　is　true　all　the　living　did　not　share　the　cruel　fate　of　Ewald　von　Kleist；　but　all　those　thousands　who　were　borne　wounded　and　bleeding　from　the　battle…field　were　conscious　of　their　sufferings　and　their　defeat。

The　little　village　of　Octshef　near　the　battle…field　was　a　hospital。　During　the　battle　all　the　inhabitants　had　fled。　The　wounded　had　taken　possession　of　the　huts　and　the　surgeons　were　hastening　from　house　to　house　giving　relief　where　it　was　possible。　No　one　entered　into　those　two　little　huts　which　lay　at　the　other　end　of　the　village；　somewhat　separated　from　the　others。　And　yet　those　huts　contained　two　wounded　men。　They　had　been　brought　here　during　the　battlethe　surgeon　had　examined　their　wounds　and　gone　out　silently；　never　to　return。　Groaning　from　time　to　time；　these　two　wounded　men　lay　upon　the　straw；　their　eyes　fixed　upon　the　door；　longing　for　the　surgeon　to　bring　them　help；　or　at　least　alleviation。

And　now　the　door　was　indeed　opened；　and　an　officer　entered。　Was　it　the　obscurity　of　twilight；　or　had　blood　and　pain　blinded　the　eyes　of　the　wounded　men　so　that；　they　could　not　recognize　the　stranger？　It　was　true　his　noble　and　generally　cheerful　face　was　now　grave　and　stern；　his　cheeks　were　ashy　pale；　and　his　great；　flashing　eyes　were　dim；　but　there　was　still　something　inexpressibly　majestic　and　commanding　in　his　appearancethough　defeated　and　cast　down；　he　was　still　a　hero；　a　kingFrederick　the　Great！

Frederick　had　come　to　take　up　his　quarters　in　this　lonely　hut；　to　be　alone　in　his　great　grief；　but　when　he　saw　the　two　wounded　men；　his　expression　changed　to　one　of　earnest　sympathy。　With　hasty　steps　he　drew　near　to　the　two　officers；　bowed　over　and　questioned　them　kindly。　They　recognized　his　voicethat　voice　which　had　so　often　inspired　them　to　bold　deeds　in　the　wild　whirl　of　battle；　but　whose　tones　were　now　mild　and　sympathetic。

〃The　king！〃　cried　both　in　joyful　surprise；　and　forgetting　their　wounds　and　helplessness；　they　strove　to　rise；　but　sank　back　with　hollow　groans；　with　the　blood　streaming　anew　from　their　wounds。

〃Poor　children；〃　said　Frederick；　〃you　are　badly　wounded。〃

〃Yes；〃　groaned　Lieutenant　von　Grabow；　〃badly　wounded；　but　that　is　of　small　consequence；　if；　your　majesty；　we　only　knew　that　we　had　gained　the　day。　We　had　taken　two　redoubts；　and　were　storming　the　third；　when　this　misfortune　befell　us。　Tell　us；　your　majesty；　is　it　not　true？　Is　not　the　victory　ours？〃

A　dark　shadow　passed　over　the　face　of　the　king；　but　soon　disappeared。

〃You　must　now　think　only　of　yourselves。　You　have　proved　that　you　are　bravethe　rest　is　accident　or　fate。　Do　not　despond；　all　will　be　well。　Have　your　wounds　been　dressed？　Have　you　been　fed？〃

〃Ah；　sire；　no　devil　will　dress　our　wounds；〃　groaned　Lieutenant　von　Hubenfall。

〃How；〃　cried　the　king；　〃have　they　left　you　here　without　care　and　assistance？〃

〃Yes；　sire；　there　is　no　earthly　hope　for　us。〃

The　king　was　about　to　answer；　when　several　people；　bearing　hand…　barrows；　accompanied　by　a　surgeon；　entered。

〃What　do　you　wish？〃　said　the　king；　angrily。

〃Sire；〃　answered　the　surgeon；　〃we　will　remove　the　wounded；　as　your　majesty　will　make　your　night…quarters　here。〃

The　king　threw　a　scornful　glance　upon　them。

〃And　you　suppose　that　I　will　allow　this？　The　wounded　men　remain　here。　I　will　seek　shelter　elsewhere。　But；　above　all　things；　examine　the　wounds　of　these　two　officers　at　once；　and　dress　them。〃

The　surgeon　advanced；　and　examined　them　carefully；　then　drew　near　the　king。

〃Your　majesty；〃　said　he；　shrugging　his　shoulders；　〃it　would　be　all　in　vain。　A　cannon…ball　has　torn　off　the　right　arm　of　one　of　these　men；　and　he　must　die　of　gangrene。　The　other　has　a　cartridge…load　of　iron　in　his　face　and　in　his　body。　It　is　impossible　to　bind　up　these　wounds。〃

The　king　did　not　answer　him。　He　stepped　hastily　to　the　straw…bed；　and　took　both　the　wounded　men　by　the　hand。　Then；　turning　to　the　surgeon；　he　said

〃Look；　now；　these　two　men　are　young　and　powerfulthey　have　no　fever。　With　such　young　blood　and　fresh　hearts　Nature　often　does　wonders。　Dress　them；　and　bind　up　their　wounds；　and；　above　all　things；　see　that　they　have　nourishmentthey　have　need　of　it。〃

〃Ah；　yes；　your　majesty；　we　have　been　hungry　and　thirsty　a　long　time；〃　said　Grabow。

The　king　smiled。　〃See；　now；　you　think　they　are　lost；　and　yet　they　have　healthy　stomachs；　so　long　as　a　man　is　hungry　he　will　not　die。〃

The　surgeon　opened　his　case　of　instruments　and　commenced　to　dress　the　wounds。　The　king　watched　him　for　a　long　time；　then　stooped　down　and　said；　tenderly；　〃Children；　do　not　despair；　I　will　learn　how　it　goes　with　you；　and　if　you　are　no　longer　fit　for　service；　I　will　take　care　of　you。　Believe　that　I　will　not　forget　you。〃　He　bowed　kindly　and　left　the　room。　His　adjutants　were　awaiting　him　at　the　door　of　the　tent。　＇Footnote：　The　king's　own　words。　The　whole　scene　is　historical。　These　two　officers；　whom　the　king　saved　in　this　way　from　death；　recovered　rapidly。　After　they　were　completely　restored；　they　again　took　part　in　the　contest；　and　were　again　severely　wounded　at　Kolberg。　They　served　until　peace　was　declared；　and　then　retired　on　the　invalid　list；　and；　by　the　express　order　of　the　king；　were　most　kindly　cared　for。See　Nicolai。＇　The　king　signed　to　them　to　follow　him；　and　stepping　rapidly　through　the　village；　he　passed　by　the　huts　from　which　loud　cries　of　anguish　and　low　murmurs　were　heard。

〃Ah；〃　cried　Frederick；　〃Dante　did　not　know　all　the　horrors　of　hell；　or　he　forgot　to　paint　those　I　now　suffer。〃　He　hastened　ononon；　in　the　obscure　twilight　of　the　summer　night；　pursued　by　the　sighs　and　groans　of　his　dying　and　wounded　soldiers；　a　deep；　immeasurable　sadness　lay　upon　his　brow；　his　lips　were　trembling；　cold　perspiration　stood　upon　his　forehead；　his　eyes　wandered　over　the　battle…field；　then　were　raised　to　heaven　with　a　questioning　and　reproachful　expression。　Already　the　village　lay　far　behind　him；　but　he　hurried　on；　he　had　no　aim；　no　object；　he　wished　only　to　escape　this　hell；　this　cry　of　despair　and　woe　from　the　condemned。　An　adjutant　dared　at　last　to　step　forward　and　awake　him　from　his　sad　mood。

〃Sire；〃　said　he；　〃the　Cossacks　are　swarming　in　every　direction；　and　if　your　majesty　goes　on；　the　most　fearful　results　may　be　anticipated。　The　Cossacks　shoot　at　every　man　who　wears　a　good　coat。〃

The　king　shook　his　head　sadly。　〃There　is　no　ball　for　me；〃　said　he　in　a　low　tone；　〃I　have　in　vain　called　upon　death。　I　have　prayed　in　mercy　for　a　ball；　it　came；　but　it　only　grazed　my　breast。　No；　no　there　is　no　ball　for　me！〃　He　advanced；　and　the　adjutant　dared　once　more　to　interrupt　him。

〃Sire；〃　said　he；　〃will　not　your　majesty　seek　night…quarters？〃

Frederick　raised　his　head；　and　was　in　the　act　of　answering　hastily；　then　said：　〃Yes；　I　need　night…quarters。〃　He　looked　around　and　saw　an　empty　peasant's　house　by　the　wayside；　drew　near　and　entered　silently。




CHAPTER　XII。

A　HEROIC　SOUL。


〃I　will　pass　the　night　here；〃　said　he；　〃the　place　appears　deserted；　we　will　disturb　no　one。〃

The　king　was　right。　The　miserable　old　hut　was　empty。　No　one　advanced　to　meet　him　as　he　entered。　In　one　corner　of　the　room　there　was　some　dirty　straw；　in　the　other　a　wooden　table　and　stoolthis　was　all。

〃It　suffices　for　me；〃　said　the　king；　smiling。　〃I　will　pass　the　night　here。　Have　you　my　writing　materials　with　you？〃

〃I　sent　Adjutant　von　Goltz　for　them；　sire；　as　I　did　not　wish　to　leave　you　alone。〃

Goltz　now　entered　with　the　king's　portfolio；　and　informed　him　that　he　had　brought　two　grenadiers　to　guard　the　house。

〃Have　I　still　grenadiers？〃　murmured　the　king；　in　a　trembling　voice。　His　head　fell　upon　his　breast；　and　he　stood　thus　lost　in　deep　thought　for　a　while。　〃Gentlemen；〃　said　he；　at　length；　〃inspect　the　house。　See　if　there　is　a　more　comfortable　room　than　this；　if　not；　I　suppose　we　can　manage　to　sleep　here。　Send　one　of　the　guard　for　some　soldiers；　by　whom　I　can　forward　my　dispatches。〃

The　adjutants　bowed；　and　left　the　room。　The　king　was　alone。　He　could　at　last　give　way　to　his　despairhis　grief。

〃All；　all　is　lost！〃　murmured　the　king；　and　a　voice　within　him　answered：　〃When　all　is　lost；　there　is　no　escape　but　death！　It　is　unworthy　to　continue　a　life　without　fame；　without　glory。　The　grave　alone　is　a　resting…place　for　the　broken…hearted；　humiliated　man！〃

The　king　listened　attentively　to　this　voice。　He　had　borne　with　patience　the　sorrows　and　deprivations　of　the　past　years；　but　he　could　not　survive　the　ruin　of　his　country。　His　country　was　lost。　There　was　no　chance　of　saving　it；　his　army　was　gone。　The　victorious　enemy　had　taken　all　the　neighboring　provinces。　The　Russians　could　now　march　undisturbed　to　Berlin。　They　would　find　no　resistance；　for　the　garrison　there　consisted　of　invalids　and　cripples。

Berlin　was　lost！　Prussia　was　lost！　The　king　was　resolved　to　die；　for　he　was　a　king　without　a　crown；　a　hero　without　laurels。　He　wished　to　die；　for　he　could　not　survive　the　destruction　of　his　country。　But　first　he　must　arrange　his　affairs；　make　his　will；　and　bid　adieu　to　his　friends。　The　king　opened　the　door　hastily；　and　desired　that　a　light　should　be　broughtit　was　no　easy　thing　to　procure　in　this　dismal；　deserted　village。　The　adjutant　succeeded　at　last；　however；　in　getting　a　few　small　tallow　candles；　and　placing　them　in　old　bottles；　in　the　absence　of　candlesticks　of　any　description；　he　carried　them　to　the　king。　Frederick　did　not　observe　him；　he　stood　at　the　open　window；　gazing　earnestly　at　the　starry　firmament。　The　bright　light　aroused　him；　he　turned；　and　approached　the　table。

〃My　last　letters！〃　murmured　he；　sinking　upon　the　wooden　stool；　and　opening　his　portfolio。

How　his　enemies　would　have　rejoiced；　could　they　have　seen　him　in　that　wretched　hovel！　He　first　wrote　to　General　Fink；　to　whom　he　wished　to　leave　the　command　of　his　army。　He　must　fulfil　the　duties　of　state；　before　those　of　friendship。　It　was　not　a　letterrather　an　order　to　General　Fink；　and　read　as　follows：

〃General　Fink　will　find　this　a　weary　and　tedious　commission。　The　army　I　leave　is　no　longer　in　a　condition　to　defend　itself　from　the　Russians。　Haddeck　will　hasten　to　Berlin。　Loudon　also；　I　presume。　If　you　intercept　them；　the　Russians　will　be　in　your　rear；　if　you　remain　by　the　Oder；　Haddeck　will　surround　you。　I　nevertheless　believe；　were　Loudon　to　come　to　Berlin；　you　could　attack　and　defeat　him。　This；　were　it　possible；　would　give　you　time　to　arrange　matters；　and　I　can　assure　you；　time　is　every　thing；　in　such　desperate　circumstances　as　ours。　Koper；　my　secretary；　will　give　you　the　dispatches　from　Torgau　and　Dresden。　You　must　acquaint　my　brother；　whom　I　make　general…in…　chief　of　the　army；　with　all　that　passes。　In　the　mean　time；　his　orders　must