st, major; and that will be a
treat, after our long marches during the last campaign. I should
think that we can sleep the best part of the winter away."

"They fasten the shutters pretty securely," Fergus went on. "They
are three inches of solid oak, and you see these bars are all
riveted at each end. I suppose they think that they would have
plenty of time to cut the rivet heads off, before any army could
approach."

In a short time the officer in command of the force came round. He
was very civil and courteous, and said that he had already ordered
a stove to be sent in, and that they should have some straw laid
over the floor.

"You will be permitted to take exercise, when you like, upon the
rampart overhead," he said. "Any reasonable request you make shall
be attended to. I regret that the misfortune of war should have
placed you in my keeping; for we Austrians can appreciate bravery,
and we cannot but admit that no braver men are to be found than
those in the King of Prussia's army.

"As to your rations, they must be plain. A certain sum is allowed
by government for the cost of each prisoner. I make it go as far as
I can, but I often wish that the sum were larger. I may say that
you are permitted to order any additions to your food from without,
upon payment; but I need hardly add that the orders must pass
through the hands of the officer in charge of you, and that
everything brought in is rigidly inspected."

"Have there been any exchanges of prisoners, of late?" one of
Fergus's companions asked.

"No. It is a compliment to you, gentlemen, for our government
apparently places a higher value on you than on us, and is very
chary of swelling Frederick's armies by the release of prisoners.
Somehow your king seems to make double use of his soldiers. He
fights a battle here, then rushes away to meet another enemy, two
or three hundred miles off; while when we get an advantage, we seem
so satisfied with ourselves that we sit still until we have let its
advantages slip from our hands."

"May I ask if, by the last news, Marshal Daun is still near
Hochkirch?"

"He was so, as far as the yesterday's courier brought news. At
first we thought that he had won a tremendous victory, and had
eaten up Frederick's army; but the later news is that the king
marched safely away, and so far from being demolished he is now
perfectly master of his movements; and ready, no doubt, for another
tussle, if we should advance. Howeve