paper; well, I will make it verbally! I will wake some of my
comrades, and they shall witness my last will and testament." He reached
over to the sleeping soldiers, who lay near him on the ground, but
Charles held him back.

"Let them sleep, friend," said he, pleadingly; "it is not necessary you
should have witnesses. God, and the moon, and a thousand stars hear
what we say to each other; and why speak of your will and your fortune,
friend? Do you think I would care for that miserable gold, if you were
no longer by my side? Do you think I would use it for any other purpose
than to buy your tombstone, and write on it in golden letters?"

"What? a tombstone!" said Fritz Kober, with an astonished look; "and
why would you place a tombstone over a poor, simple, unknown fellow
like myself, Charles Henry? Many gallant generals and officers fall in
battle; the earth drinks their blood, and no one knows where they lie.
And with golden letters, did you say, Charles? Well, I am curious to
know what you would place upon my tombstone."

"I will tell you, Fritz. I will write on your tombstone--'Here lies
Fritz Kober; the most faithful friend, the best soul, the most honest
heart; good and simple as a child, brave as a hero, constant as a dove,
and true as a hound.'"

"But am I all that?" said Fritz, amazed.

"Yes, you are all that!" said Charles, with a trembling voice. "You have
been more than this to me, and I will never forget it. I was a poor,
shrinking youth when I came to this camp; I knew nothing--could do
nothing. My comrades, who soon found me out, mocked and complained of
me, and played all manner of jokes upon me. They ridiculed me, because I
had no beard; they mimicked me, because my voice was soft and unsteady;
they asserted that I would make a miserable soldier, because I
grew deadly pale at parade. Who was it took pity on me, and opposed
themselves to my rude, unfeeling companions? Who scolded and threatened
to strike them, if they did not allow me to go my own way, in peace
and quiet? Who was patient with my stupidity, and taught me how to go
through with my military duties creditably, and how to manage my horse?
You! you, dear Fritz! you alone. You were always at my side, when others
threatened. You were patient as a mother when she teaches her dear
little boy his letters, and looks kindly upon him, and is good to him,
even when he is dull and inattentive."

"Well," said Fritz Kober, thoughtfully, "one can do