frederick the great and his family-第81章

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le　to　come　to　Germany　and　speak　this　gibberish；　not　a　word　of　which　can　be　understood？　In　Germany　men　should　be　obliged　to　speak　German；　and　not　Russian。〃

〃They　did　not　speak　Russian；　but　French；〃　said　Charles　Henry；　〃I　understood　it　all。〃

Fritz　Kober　stopped　suddenly；　and　stared　at　his　friend。　〃You　say　you　understood　French？〃

〃Yes；　I　was　at　home　on　the　French　borders。　My　mother　was　from　Alsace；　and　there　I　learned　French。〃

〃You　understand　every　thing；〃　murmured　Fritz；　〃but　for　myself；　I　am　a　poor　stupid　blockhead；　and　the　king　will　laugh　at　me；　for　I　have　nothing　to　tell。　I　shall　not　get　my　commission。〃

〃Then　neither　will　I；　Fritz；　and；　besides；　as　to　what　we　have　seen；　you　have　as　much　to　tell　as　I。　You　heard　with　your　eyes　and　I　with　my　ears；　and　the　great　point　arrived　at　you　know　as　much　about　as　I　do。　The　Russians　and　Austrians　are　sleeping　quietly；　not　thinking　of　pursuing　us。　That's　the　principal　point。〃

〃Yes；　that's　true；　that　I　can　also　assure　the　kingthat　will　please　him　best。　Look！　Charles　Henry；　the　day　is　breaking！　Let　us　hasten　on　to　the　king。　When　he　knows　that　the　Austrians　and　Russians　sleep；　he　will　think　it　high　time　for　the　Prussians　to　be　awake。〃




CHAPTER　XV。

A　HERO　IN　MISFORTUNE。


The　two　grenadiers　returned　unharmed　to　the　village　where　the　king　had　at　present　established　his　headquarters。　The　first　rays　of　the　morning　sun　were　falling　upon　the　wretched　hut　which　was　occupied　by　his　majesty。　The　peaceful　morning　quiet　was　unbroken　by　the　faintest　sound；　and；　as　if　Nature　had　a　certain　reverence　for　the　hero's　slumber；　even　the　birds　were　hushed；　and　the　morning　breeze　blew　softly　against　the　little　window；　as　if　it　would　murmur　a　sleeping　song　to　the　king。　There　were　no　sentinels　before　the　door；　the　bright　morning　sun　alone　was　guarding　the　holy　place　where　the　unfortunate　hero　reposed。

Lightly；　and　with　bated　breath；　the　two　grenadiers　crept　into　the　open　hut。　The　utter　silence　disturbed　them。　It　seemed　incredible　that　they　should　find　the　king　in　this　miserable　place；　alone　and　unguarded。　They　thought　of　the　hordes　of　Cossacks　which　infested　that　region；　and　that　a　dozen　of　them　would　suffice　to　surround　this　little　hut；　and　make　prisoners　of　the　king　and　his　adjutants。

〃I　have　not　the　courage　to　open　the　door；〃　whispered　Fritz　Kober。　〃I　fear　that　the　king　is　no　longer　here。　The　Cossacks　have　captured　him。〃

〃God　has　not　permitted　that；〃　said　Charles　Henry；　solemnly；　〃I　believe　that　He　has　guarded　the　king　in　our　absence。　Come；　we　will　go　to　his　majesty。〃

They　opened　the　door　and　entered；　and　then　both　stood　motionless；　awed　and　arrested　by　what　they　beheld。

There；　on　the　straw　that　was　scantily　scattered　on　the　dirty　floor；　lay　the　king；　his　hat　drawn　partially　over　his　face；　his　unsheathed　sword　in　his　hand；　sleeping　as　quietly　as　if　he　were　at　his　bright　and　beautiful　Sans…Souci。

〃Look！〃　whispered　Charles　Henry；　〃thus　sleeps　a　king；　over　whom　God　watches！　But　now　we　must　awaken　him。〃

He　advanced　to　the　king；　and　kneeling　beside　him；　whispered：　〃Your　majesty；　we　have　returned；　we　bring　intelligence　of　the　Russians　and　Austrians。〃

The　king　arose　slowly；　and　pushed　his　hat　back　from　his　brow。

〃Good　or　bad　news？〃　he　asked。

〃Good　news！〃　said　Fritz。　〃The　Austrians　and　Russians　have　both　gone　to　bed；　they　were　sleepy。〃

〃And　they　have　no　idea　of　pursuing　your　majesty；〃　continued　Charles　Henry。　〃Loudon　wished　it；　but　Soltikow　refused；　he　will　do　nothing　until　Daun　acts。〃

〃So　you　sat　with　them　in　the　council　of　war？〃　asked　the　king；　smiling。

〃Yes；　we　were　present；〃　said　Fritz　Kober；　with　evident　delight；　〃I　saw　the　council；　and　Charles　Henry　heard　them。〃

The　king　stood　up。　〃You　speak　too　loud！〃　he　said；　〃you　will　waken　these　two　gentlemen；　who　are　sleeping　so　well。　We　will　go　outside；　and　you　can　continue　your　report。〃

He　crossed　the　room　noiselessly；　and　left　the　hut。　Then　seating　himself　before　the　door；　on　a　small　bench；　he　told　the　two　grenadiers　to　give　him　an　exact　account　of　what　they　had　seen　and　heard。

Long　after　they　had　finished　speaking；　the　king　sat　silent；　and　apparently　lost　in　thought。　His　eyes　raised　to　heaven；　he　seemed　to　be　in　holy　communion　with　the　Almighty。　As　his　eyes　slowly　sank；　his　glance　fell　upon　the　two　grenadiers　who　stood　before　him；　silently　respectful。

〃I　am　pleased　with　you；　children；　and　this　time　the　promise　shall　be　kept。　You　shall　become　subordinate　officers。〃

〃In　the　same　company？〃　asked　Fritz　Kober。

〃In　the　same　company。　That　is；〃　continued　the　king；　〃if　I　am　ever　able　to　form　companies　and　regiments　again。〃

〃We　are　not　so　badly　off　as　your　majesty　thinks；〃　said　Fritz　Kober。　〃Our　troops　have　already　recovered　from　their　first　terror；　and　as　we　returned　we　saw　numbers　of　them　entering　the　village。　In　a　few　hours　the　army　can　be　reorganized。〃

〃God　grant　that　you　may　be　right；　my　son！〃　said　the　king；　kindly。　〃Go；　now；　into　the　village；　and　repeat　the　news　you　brought　me　to　the　soldiers。　It　will　encourage　them　to　hear　that　the　enemy　sleep；　and　do　not　think　of　pursuing　us。　I　will　prepare　your　commissions　for　you　to…day。　Farewell；　my　children！〃

He　bent　his　head　slightly；　and　then　turned　to　re…enter　the　hut　and　awaken　his　two　adjutants。　With　a　calm　voice　he　commanded　them　to　go　into　the　village；　and　order　the　generals　and　higher　officers　to　assemble　the　remnants　of　their　regiments　before　the　hut。

〃A　general　march　must　be　sounded；〃　said　the　king。　〃The　morning　air　will　bear　the　sound　into　the　distance；　and　when　my　soldiers　hear　it；　perhaps　they　will　return　to　their　colors。〃

When　the　adjutants　left　him；　the　king　commenced　pacing　slowly　up　and　down；　his　hands　crossed　behind　him。

〃All　is　lost；　all！〃　he　murmured；　〃but　I　must　wait　and　watch。　If　the　stupidity　or　rashness　of　the　enemy　should　break　a　mesh　in　the　net　within　which　I　am　enclosed；　it　is　my　duty　to　slip　through　with　my　army。　Ah！　how　heavily　this　crown　presses　upon　my　head；　it　leaves　me　no　moment　of　repose。　How　hard　is　life；　and　how　terribly　are　the　bright　illusions　of　our　earlier　years　destroyed！〃

At　the　sound　of　the　drum；　the　king　shivered；　and　murmured　to　himself：　〃I　feel　now；　what　I　never　thought　to　feel。　I　am　afraid　my　heart　trembles　at　the　thought　of　this　encounter；　as　it　never　did　in　battle。　The　drums　and　trumpets　call　my　soldiers；　but　they　will　not　come。　They　are　stretched　upon　the　field　of　battle；　or　fleeing　before　the　enemy。　They　will　not　come；　and　the　sun　will　witness　my　shame　and　wretchedness。〃

The　king；　completely　overcome；　sank　upon　the　bench；　and　buried　his　face　in　his　hands。　He　sat　thus　for　a　long　time。　The　sounds　before　the　door　became　louder　and　louder；　but　the　king　heard　them　not；　he　still　held　his　hands　before　his　face。　He　could　not　see　the　bright　array　of　uniforms　that　had　assembled　before　the　window；　nor　that　the　soldiers　were　swarming　in　from　all　sides。　He　did　not　hear　the　beating　of　drums；　the　orders　to　the　soldiers；　or　military　signals。　Neither　did　he　hear　the　door；　which　was　gently　opened　by　his　adjutants；　who　had　returned　to　inform　him　that　his　orders　had　been　obeyed；　and　that　the　generals　and　staff　officers　were　awaiting　him　outside　the　hut。

〃Sire；〃　whispered　at　length　one　of　the　adjutants；　〃your　commands　have　been　fulfilled。　The　generals　await　your　majesty's　pleasure。〃

The　king　allowed　his　hands　to　glide　slowly　from　his　face。　〃And　the　troops？〃　he　asked。

〃They　are　beginning　to　form。〃

〃They　are　also　just　placing　the　cannon；〃　said　the　second　adjutant。

The　king　turned　angrily　to　him。　〃Sir；〃　he　cried；　〃you　lie！　I　have　no　cannon。〃

〃Your　majesty　has；　God　be　praised；　more　than　fifty　cannon；〃　said　the　adjutant；　firmly。

A　ray　of　light　overspread　the　countenance　of　the　king；　and　a　slight　flush　arose　to　his　pale　cheek。　Standing　up；　he　bowed　kindly　to　the　adjutants；　and　passed　out　among　the　generals；　who　saluted　him　respectfully；　and　pressed　back　to　make　way　for　their　king。　The　king　walked　silently　through　their　ranks；　and　then　turning　his　head；　he　said：

〃Gentlemen；　let　us　see　what　yesterday　has　left　us。　Assemble　your　troops。〃

The　generals　and　staff　officers　hurried　silently　away；　to　place　themselves　at　the　head　of　their　regiments；　and　lead　them　before　the　king。

The　king　stood　upright；　his　unsheathed　sword　in　his　right　hand；　as　in　the　most　ceremonious　parade。　The　marching　of　the　troops　began；　but　it　was　a　sad　spectacle　for　their　king。　How　little　was　left　of　the　great　and　glorious　army　which　he　had　led　yesterday　to　battle！　More　than　twenty　thousand　men　were　either　killed　or　wounded。　Thousands　were　flying　and　scattered。　A　few　regiments　had　been　formed　with　great　trouble；　barely　five　thousand　men　were　now　assembled。　The　king　looked　on　with　a　firm　eye；　but　his　lips　were　tightly　compressed；　and　his　breath　came　heavily。　Suddenly　he　turned　to　Count　Dolmer；　the　adjutant　of　the　Grand　Duke　Ferdinand　of　Brunswick；　who　had　arrived　a　few　days　before　with　the　intelligence　of　a　victory　gained　at　Minden。　The　king　had　invited　him　to　remain；　〃I　am　about　to　overpower　the　Russians；　remain　until　I　can　give　you　a　like　message。〃　The　king　was　reminded　of　this　as　he　saw　the　count　near　him。

〃Ah；〃　he　said；　with　a　troubled　smile；　〃you　are　waiting　for　the　message　I　promised。　I　am　distressed　that　I　cannot　make　you　the　bearer　of　better　news。　If；　however；　you　arrive　safely　at　the　end　of　your　journey；　and　do　not　find　Daun　already　in　Berlin；　and　Contades　in　Magdeburg；　you　can　assure　the　Grand　Duke　Ferdinand　from　me　that　all　is　not　lost。　Farewell；　sir。〃

Then；　bowing　slightly；　he　advanced　with　a　firm　step　to　the　generals。　His　eyes　glowed　and　flashed　once　more；　and　his　whole　being　reassumed　its　usual　bold　and　energetic　expression。

〃Gentlemen；〃　he　said；　in　a　clear　voice；　〃fortune　did　not　favor　us　yesterday；　but　there　is　no　reason　to　despair。　A　day　will　come　when　we　shall　repay　the　enemy　with　bloody　interest。　I　at　least　expect　such　a　day；　I　will　live　for　its　coming；　and　all　my　thoughts　and　plans　shall　be　directed　toward　that　object。　I　strive　for　no　other　glory　than　to　deliver　Prussia　from　the　conspiracy　into　which　the　whole　of　Europe　has　entered　against　her。　I　will　obtain　peace　for　my　native　land；　but　it　shall　be　a　great　and　honorable　peace。　I　will　accept　no　other：　I　would　rather　be　buried　under　the　ruins　of　my　cannon；　than　accept　a　peace　that　would　bring　no　advantages　to　Prussia；　no　fame　to　us　Honor　is　the　highest；　the　holiest　possession　of　individuals；　as　it　is　of　nations；　and　Prussia；　who　has　placed　her　honor　in　our　hands；　must　receive　it　from　us　pure　and　spotless。　If　you　agree　with　me；　gentlemen；　join　me　in　this　cry；　'Long　live　Prussia！　Long　live　Prussia's　honor！'〃

The　generals　and　officers　joined　enthusiastically　in　this　cry；　and　like　a　mighty　torrent　it　spread　from　mouth　to　mouth；　until　it　reached　the　regiments；　where　it　was　repeated　again　and　again。　The　color…bearers　unfurled　their　tattered　banners；　and　the　shout　arose　from　thousands　of　throats；　〃Long　live　Prussia's　honor！〃

The　king's　countenance　was　bright；　but　a　tear　seemed　to　glitter　in　his　eye。　He　raised　his　glance　to　heaven　and　murmured：

〃I　swear　to　live　so　long　as　there　is　hope；　so　long　as　I　am　free！　I　swear　only　to　think　of　death　when　my　liberty　is　threatened！〃　Slowly　his　glance　returned　to　earth；　and　then　in　a　powerful　voice；　he　cried：　〃Onwar