s eyes beamed with delight, as he exclaimed:

"At length I have attained the desired goal, and in spite of the whole
of Europe. I have my allies!"

Then turning once more to Mustapha Aga, he dismissed him for the day,
and gave him permission to occupy the magnificent tent which had been
presented to him by the Khan, during the remainder of his visit.

Mustapha Aga then withdrew with his interpreter, leaving the king alone
with the Baron von Rexin, who now presented to him the papers which it
was necessary he should sign, to establish the long-desired alliance
with Turkey. This treaty assured to Prussia all the privileges which
Turkey accorded to the other European powers: free navigation, the
rights of ambassadors and consuls, and the personal liberty of any
Prussian subjects who might have been seized as slaves.

The king signed the treaty, and named Baron von Rexin his minister
plenipotentiary, and commanded him to return with the ambassador from
Tartary and present the signed treaty to the Grand Sultan.

"Now the struggle can begin anew," said Frederick, when he was once more
alone. "I will recommence with the new year; I will battle as I have
already done; I will consider nothing but my honor and the glory of
Prussia. I will not live to see the moment when I will consent to a
disgraceful peace. No representations, no eloquence shall bring me to
acknowledge my own shame. I will be buried under the ruins of my native
land, or if this consolation be denied me by my unfortunate fate, I will
know how to end my misfortunes. Honor alone has led my footsteps, and
I will follow no other guide. I sacrificed my youth to my father, my
manhood to my country, and I have surely gained the right to dispose of
my old age. There are people who are docile and obedient toward fate.
I am not one of them. Having lived for others, I dare at least die
for myself, careless what the world may say. Nothing shall force me to
prefer a weak old age to death. I will dare all for the accomplishment
of my plans; they failing, I will die an honorable death. But no! no!"
said the king, smiling after a short pause. "I will not indulge in such
sad and despairing thoughts on the day which has shown me the first ray
of sunlight after so many storms. Perhaps the year sixty-two will be
more fortunate than the one just passed. I stand no longer alone; I have
my friends and my allies. Why should I carp, that the world calls them
unbelievers? I have seen