f--"

"Stop, stop, Fritz; I will hold my head so that the same ball will carry
it off!"

"If you do that, I will be very angry with you," cried Fritz. "You are
too young to die, and I will be glad even in my grave to know that you
are walking on the green earth. In order to do well, you must have gold;
therefore you must be my heir. If I fall, these beautiful gold pieces
belong to you; you shall not put a tombstone over me. Buy yourself a few
acres, Charles Henry, and when your corn grows and blossoms, that shall
be my monument."

Charles took his hand, and his eyes were filled with tears. "Speak no
more of death," said he, softly; "it makes my heart heavy, and I shall
lose my courage in the battle to-morrow when I think of all you have
said. Ugh! how cold it is! My soul feels frosted!"

"I will go and seek a little more wood," said Fritz, springing up, "and
make a good fire, and then you shall be warmed."

He hurried off, and Charles remained alone by the tire, looking gravely
on the glowing coals; he smiled from time to time, and then he breathed
heavily, as if oppressed by some weighty secret. Suddenly he heard a
voice behind him.

"Ah! I have found the fire again! Good-evening, children."

"Good-evening, sir king. Comrades, wake up; the king is here!"

"No, no; let your comrades sleep," said the king, softly. "The fire will
do me good. I found the right path to the fire, as I said Your dragoons
have uncovered my quarters, and the cold blasts of wind whistle through
them and freeze the water in my room. I prefer to sit by the fire and
warm myself." He was about to seat himself on the straw near the fire,
when a harsh voice called out:

"March on!--every lazy scamp wants a place by the fire, but not one of
them brings a splinter of wood."

Fritz Kober was behind them with the wood; he had found it with great
difficulty, and he was angry when he saw a strange soldier in his place
by the side of Charles Henry.

The king turned to him quietly.

"You are right, my son!--come on! I will make room for you."

"It is the king!" exclaimed Fritz, turning as if to fly. But the king
held him.

"Remain where you are, my son; you brought the wood, and you have the
best right. I only wish to warm myself a little, and I think there is
room for us all."

He seated himself upon the straw, and nodded to Fritz Kober to take a
seat by him. Fritz tremblingly obeyed, and Charles stirred the fire,
which flamed up beautifu