frederick the great and his family-第56章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！



〃Is　that　true？〃　said　the　king；　gayly；　to　Charles。

〃He　will　say　'No；'　sir　king；　he　cannot　bear　to　be　praised。　But　the　truth　remains；　the　truth　even　when　deniedCharles　is　the　bravest　and　wisest　soldier　in　the　army；　and　if　there　is　justice　in　the　world　he　will　be　made　an　officer。〃

〃You　must　get　your　commission　first；　Fritz；〃　said　Charles；　indifferently；　〃you　earned　it　long　ago；　and　if　the　king　only　knew　all　that　you　did　at　Rossbach；　you　would　have　it　now。〃

〃What　did　he　do？〃　said　the　king。

〃Nothing；　your　majesty；〃　said　Fritz。

〃Yes；　your　majesty；〃　said　Charles；　zealously；　〃he　hewed　right　and　left　until　the　sparks　flew　in　every　direction。　Our　commander　had　told　us　the　disgusting　Frenchmen　wanted　to　take　our　winter　quarters；　and　even　when　Fritz　Kober's　sword　was　still　whizzing　among　them；　they　had　the　insolence　to　cry　out；　'Quartier！　quartier！'then　was　Fritz　enraged；　and　cut　them　down　like　corn…stalks；　and　cried　out；　'Yes；　yes！　I　will　give　you　quarters；　but　they　will　be　underground！'〃

〃Only　think；〃　said　Fritz；　〃they　were　flying　before　us；　and　the　impudent　scamps；　when　we　captured　them；　would　still　twit　us　with　the　winter　quarters　they　had　intended　to　rob　us　of。　How　could　I　help　cutting　them　to　pieces？〃

〃But　he　spared　those　who　cried　'Pardon；'　your　majesty；〃　said　Charles　Henry；　〃he　only　took　them　prisoners。　Nine　prisoners　did　Fritz　Kober　take　at　Rossbach。〃　＇Footnote：　The　Prussians　had　been　told　that　the　Frenchmen　intended　to　take　possession　of　their　winter　quarters；　and　this　enraged　them　greatly。　When　the　French　cavalry　were　flying　at　Rossbach；　they　used　the　German　word　quartier；　thinking　they　would　be　better　understood。　The　Prussians　looked　upon　this　as　an　insolent　jest；　and　gave　no　quarter。Nicolai's　Characteristics　and　Anecdotes　＇　〃I　suppose　the　five　prisoners　you　took　were　men　of　straw；　that　you　say　nothing　of　them；〃　cried　Fritz。

The　king　looked　well　pleased　from　one　to　the　other。

〃It　appears　to　me　you　are　both　brave　soldiers；　and　the　braver　be　cause　you　do　not　boast　of　your　deeds。　Are　you　always　such　good　friends　as　to　seek　to　do　each　other　kindly　service？〃

〃Your　majesty；　Charles　Henry　is　my　truest　friend；　and　if　you　wish　to　do　me　a　service；　make　him　an　officer。〃

〃But　be　says　he　will　not　be　made　an　officer　unless　you　are　made　one；　so　there　is　nothing　left　for　me　to　do　but　to　promote　both！　If　in　the　battle　to…morrow　you　fight　like　heroes；　you　shall　both　be　made　officers。　Now；　children；　be　quiet；　let　me　rest　a　little。　I　do　not　want　to　sleepcannot　you　tell　me　some　little　story；　some　pretty　little　fairy　tale　to　keep　my　heavy　eyes　from　closing？〃

〃Charles　knows　many　fairy　tales；　sir　king；　and　if　you　command　it　he　must　relate　one。〃

〃Oh；　yes；　your　majesty；　I　know　the　history　of　a　fairy　who　knew　and　loved　the　brave　son　of　a　king；　and　when　the　prince　went　into　battle　she　transformed　herself　into　a　sword；　that　she　might　be　always　by　the　side　of　him　she　loved。〃

〃Tell　me　this　pretty　story；　my　son。〃

Charles　Henry　began　to　relate。　Deep　silence　reigned　about　the　camp。　Here　and　there　a　word　was　spoken　in　sleep；　a　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：