Well, so let it be; I am willing to
be offered up for my fatherland! Let us go onward, duke." He drew his
bridle and they rode forward.

The king remained immovable in the same spot, his proud head erect, and
his icy glance fixed steadily upon them.

As they drew nearer, and could no longer doubt that he recognized them,
the king moved slowly round, and turned his back upon them. They were
greatly embarrassed--undecided what to do; they looked to the prince,
in the hope that he would advance and announce himself to the king, and
compel him to notice them. Prince Augustus William did not advance; he
stood firm and immovable, as if moulded in brass. No muscle of his face
moved, but his pale and tightly-compressed lips slightly trembled. The
generals followed his example. Silently, immovably they stood behind
him, their eyes fixed upon the king, who remained still with his back
turned to them.

There was a long and painful pause; not a word was spoken. Those who
were arranging the tents for the king's troops were moving actively
about, and now they drew near with their measuring-line, exactly to the
spot upon which the king stood. He was forced to take another position;
he turned his horse, and stood exactly in front of his generals. His
countenance was not calm and cold, it flashed with rage. The Prince of
Prussia had the courage to brave his anger, and, drawing near, he bowed
profoundly.

The king did not answer his greeting, and, indeed, appeared not to see
him. A black cloud was on his brow, and it became still blacker as the
other generals dared to approach and salute him. Suddenly, in that tone
of voice he was accustomed to use only upon the field of battle the king
called out:

"Goltz, come here!"

The general advanced from the circle, with a firm military bearing, and
approached the king.

"Goltz," said he, loudly, and looking as if he wished to crush the
unhappy general--"Goltz, tell my brother and the other generals that if
I did justice, I would take off their heads--Winterfeldt only excepted."
[Footnote: The king's own words--"Characteristics of the Seven Years'
War."]

A murmur of discontent was heard amongst the generals, and every eye was
fixed angrily upon Winterfeldt. He turned deadly pale, and looked down,
as if ashamed of the exception the king had made, and dared not gaze
upon those whose guilt he shared, and whose punishment he escaped.

The king fixed his eye so piercingly upon the murmur