would become us to weep if they were cowards
and fled in battle. But Anna Sophia told us they died the death of
heroes. Therefore, let us think of them with love and pride. 'Blessed
are the dead, for they see God!'"

He sank upon his knees and murmured low prayers for the repose of the
dead, and now he wept for the first time. At his side knelt his son and
Anna Sophia; and the crowd, overcome by emotion and sympathy, followed
their example, and with bended knees murmured the pious prayers of the
Church for the dead.

The solemn stillness was broken by the beating of drums and the tramping
of horses. A company of infantry, headed by the drummer and fifer,
marched up the street and approached the villagers, who, rising from
their knees, gazed anxiously at the troops.

"They are Prussians," said the mayor, who was amongst the crowd.

"They are Prussians," repeated the crowd, with brightening faces.

Headed by the mayor, they went forward to meet and conduct them to the
middle of the square, where they halted. The mayor then approached the
officer and asked him what he desired.

The officer, after making the drummer a sign, who beat the roll
powerfully, drew out a roll of paper and unfolded it. The villagers
pushed forward and waited with breathless attention. Close to the
officer stood the old shepherd, next to him his son and Anna Sophia, who
was staring, pale and trembling, at the officer, who now began to read.

This paper commanded the unmarried men of the village to place
themselves under the king's flag, and to take their places in the ranks
of those who fought for their country. Harvest was at an end, and the
king could now demand the fighting men of villages and cities to join
him and share with him his dangers and his victories. The officer then
commanded the mayor to give him early the next morning a list of the
unmarried men in the village, that he might call them out and conduct
them to Cleve for further orders.

A hollow murmur ran through the crowd when the officer had finished. The
joyful and inspired emotion they had just felt gave way to discontent
and gloom. All had been ready to celebrate the victory, but found it far
from desirable to enter the ranks.

The old shepherd looked angrily at the despairing crowd, and an
expression of pious peace spread over his venerable countenance. Turning
to the officer, he said, in a loud voice,

"I had six sons in the army; two fell in the battle of Losovitz