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loud snore； or the neighing of a horse。 The fires were burned down； and the coals glowed like fire…flies upon the dark ground。
The moon stood over the camp and illuminated the strange and parti… colored scene with her soft rays； and called out the most wonderful contrasts of light and shade。 Far； far away； in the dim distance； one blood…red point could be seen； it looked like a crimson star in the east。 This was the camp…fire of the Austrians。 This mighty army was encamped behind Leuthen。 The king gazed in that direction with eager expectation； and listened with painful attention to every distant sound。
The silence of death reigned there； no sound or voice was heard。 The king； being convinced of this； sank back once more upon the straw； and listened to Charles Henry Buschman。
It was indeed a beautiful fairy tale； so wild and so fantastic that Fritz listened with eyes extended and almost breathless to every word。 At last； as the handsome prince was drawing his last breath； the lovely fairy sprang from his sword and brought the dead to life with her warm kisses； Fritz was in an ecstasy of excitement； and interrupted Charles by an outcry of rapture。
〃This is a true story； sir king！〃 cried he； passionately； 〃every word is true； and he who don't believe it is a puppy！〃
〃Well； well；〃 said the king； 〃I believe every word； friend。〃
Charles Henry went on with his fairy tales； but； notwithstanding the wonders he related； sleep at last overcame his friend！ Fritz's eyes closed； but he murmured in his sleep： 〃It is all trueall true！〃
Charles Henry himself； wearied by the exertions of the last few days； felt his eyelids to be as heavy as lead； his words came slowly； then ceased altogether。
The king looked at his slumbering soldiers； then far away toward the watch…fires of the Austrian camp。
Silence still reigned。 The moon showed distant objects in the clearest light； and nothing suspicious or alarming could be seen。 〃It was false intelligence which was brought to me；〃 said the king。 〃It is not true that the Austrians are on the march and intend to surprise me。 They sleep！we will not see them till tomorrow。 I will withdraw to my quarters。〃
King Frederick stepped slowly through the ranks of the sleepers； and gave a sign to the officer and the four soldiers who had accompanied him； but remained at a distance from the fire； to move lightly and awaken no one。
CHAPTER XIV。
THE BATTLE OF LEUTHEN。
Early the next morning the king left his tent。 The generals were anxiously awaiting him。 His countenance glowed with energy and determination； and his brilliant eyes flashed with a sparkling light。 Inspired by the appearance of their hero； the clouded brows of the assembled generals became clearer。 They felt that his lofty brow was illumined by genius； and that the laurels which crowned it could never fade。 They were now confident； courageous； ready for the battle； and； although they had at first disapproved of the king's plan of attacking the enemy who had twice overcome them； now that he was in their midst they felt secure of success。
Spies reported that the Austrian army had left their camp at sunrise and advanced toward Leuthen； they spoke much and loudly of the strength of the enemy； and of the eagerness of the soldiers to fall upon the weak Prussian army。
At a sign from the king； Seidlitz approached him； and informed him of the latest rumors。
〃It is a fearful army we are to attack；〃 said Seidlitz； 〃more than twice our number。〃
〃I am aware of the strength of the enemy；〃 said the king； quietly； 〃but nothing is left for me but victory or death。 Were they stationed upon the church…tower of Breslau I would attack them。〃
Then approaching the other generals； he continued in a loud voice：
〃You are aware； gentlemen； that Prince Charles； of Lothringen； succeeded in taking Schweidnitz； defeating the Duke of Bevern； and has made himself master of Breslau； while I was protecting Berlin from the French army。 The capital of Silesia； and all the munitions of war stowed there； have been lost。 All these circumstances are calculated to distress me deeply； had I not a boundless confidence in your courage； your resolution； and your devoted love to your country。 There is； I think； not one among us who has not been distinguished for some great； some noble deed。 I feel assured that your courage will not now fail in this hour of direst need。 I would feel as if I had accomplished nothing were I to leave Silesia in the possession of the Austrians。 Against all acknowledged rules of war； I am determined to attack the army of Charles of Lothringen； though it is three times as strong as my own。 Notwithstanding the number of the enemy； or its advantageous position； I feel confident of success。 This step must be taken； or all is lost！ We must defeat the Austrians； or fall beneath their batteries！ This is my opinion； and thus I shall act。 Make my determination known to every officer。 Acquaint the soldiers with the events that will soon occurtell them that I require unconditional obedience！ Remember that you are Prussians！do not show yourselves unworthy of the name！ But should there be any among you who fear to share these dangers with us； they can leave at once； and shall not be reproached by me。〃
The king ceased speaking； and looked inquiringly at his listeners。 Upon every countenance he read determination； courage； and inspiration； but here and there were some whose brows became clouded at the king's last suggestion； and tears were sparkling in old General Rohr's eyes。 The king pressed the general's hand almost tenderly。
〃Ah； my dear friend；〃 said he； 〃I did not suspect you。 But I again say； that if any amongst you wishes leave of absence； he shall have it。〃
Profound quiet followed these words。 No one approached the kingno sound disturbed the solemn stillness。 At a distance； the loud shouts and hurrahs of the soldiers； preparing for battle； could be heard。 The king's countenance became clear； and he continued with enthusiasm：
〃I knew beforehand that none of you would leave me。 I counted upon your assistance； with it； I shall be victorious。 Should I fall in this battle； you must look to your country for reward； and now； away to the camp； and repeat to your men what I have said to you。 Farewell； gentlemen； before long we will either have defeated the enemy； or we will see one another no more。〃
And now there arose from the generals and officers loud； joyous shouts。
〃We will conquer or die！〃 cried Seidlitz； whose daring； youthful countenance sparkled with delight。 〃We will conquer or die！〃 was repeated by all。
At last the brave words reached the camp； and were re…echoed by thirty thousand lusty throats。 There was universal joy。 Old gray… headed warriors； who had followed the king into many battles； who had conquered repeatedly with him； shook hands with and encouraged each other； and warned the younger soldiers to be brave and fearless。
Resting upon his horse； the king had been a joyful witness to all this enthusiasm。 At this moment； a troop of soldiers； numbering about fifty； approached him。 The commanding officer was greeted with a kindly smile。
〃You are Lieutenant von Frankenberg？〃 said the king。 And as the lieutenant bowed in answer； he continued： 〃General Kleist has spoken of you as being a brave and trustworthy officer。 I have therefore a strange commission for you。 Listen well！ do not lose a word of what I say。 Come nearer。 And now；〃 said the king； in a low voice； 〃be attentive。 In the approaching battle； I will have to expose myself more than usual； you and your fifty men shall guard me。 You must watch over me； and be careful that I fall not into the hands of the enemy。 Should I fall； cover my body with your mantle； and carry me to the wagon； which shall be stationed behind the first battalion。 Leave me there； and tell no one of what has occurred。 The battle must continuethe enemy must be defeated。〃
When the king had thus made his testament； he dismissed the lieutenant； and advanced toward his body…guard。
〃Good…morning！〃 cried the king； cheerfully。
〃Good…morning； father！〃 was the universal answer。 Then the old graybeards； standing beside the king； said again：
〃Good…morning； father！