is
head back proudly, he called Prince Moritz von Dessau and the Duke of
Bevern to his side.

"Sirs," said he, firmly; "the fate of to-day is decided. All that now
remains for us to do, is to deprive the enemy of the advantages of this
victory. Collect our scattered regiments, and lead the army through the
defile of Plainan, back to Nimburg. There we will decide what is best to
do. I go on before you, and wish no one to accompany me."

He turned his horse, rode slowly down the hill, then took the road
leading to Nimburg. Lost in deep thought, he continued his way. He was
followed by his faithful body-guard, who, at a sign from Prince von
Dessau, had hastened after him. A few flying officers and sergeants
joined him. These were the followers of Prussia's hero-king; but they
were suddenly scattered. A soldier galloped up to them, and stated that
he had just encountered a regiment of the enemy's hussars, who were
pursuing them. There was a cry of terror throughout the guards, and
then, as if with one accord, putting spurs to their horses, they fled in
wild disorder.

The king continued his way, slowly and quietly--slowly and quietly a few
of his guard followed him. In funereal silence they passed through the
defile of Plainan, and reached at last Nimburg, the king's appointed
place of meeting.

The king now reined in his horse, and, looking back, he became aware of
his followers. Beckoning to his adjutant, he ordered him to get quarters
for the soldiers, and then to inform the generals that he awaited them.

"Where?" asked the astonished adjutant.

"Here!" said the king, pointing to a fallen pump, a few steps from where
he stood. He dismounted, and, when the adjutant had disappeared, he
threw himself upon the old pump, and rested his head upon his cane. Thus
he remained a long while, thinking painfully of the occurrences of
the past day. He remembered that he had appointed the site of to-day's
battle, without listening to the warnings of his experienced generals,
and that Moritz von Dessau had implored him to put his army in another
position, before attacking the enemy. He remembered the prince saying to
him--"It would be impossible for an attack from this point to succeed,"
and his entreating him to draw back and change his position. He
remembered, also, his riding up to the prince, with his naked sword, and
inquiring, in a threatening tone, "whether he meant to obey or not?"
And Prince Moritz von Dessau had obeyed