but they will be underground!'"

"Only think," said Fritz, "they were flying before us, and the impudent
scamps, when we captured them, would still twit us with the winter
quarters they had intended to rob us of. How could I help cutting them
to pieces?"

"But he spared those who cried 'Pardon,' your majesty," said Charles
Henry, "he only took them prisoners. Nine prisoners did Fritz Kober take
at Rossbach." [Footnote: The Prussians had been told that the Frenchmen
intended to take possession of their winter quarters, and this enraged
them greatly. When the French cavalry were flying at Rossbach, they used
the German word quartier, thinking they would be better understood.
The Prussians looked upon this as an insolent jest, and gave no
quarter.--Nicolai's Characteristics and Anecdotes ] "I suppose the five
prisoners you took were men of straw, that you say nothing of them,"
cried Fritz.

The king looked well pleased from one to the other.

"It appears to me you are both brave soldiers, and the braver be cause
you do not boast of your deeds. Are you always such good friends as to
seek to do each other kindly service?"

"Your majesty, Charles Henry is my truest friend, and if you wish to do
me a service, make him an officer."

"But he says he will not be made an officer unless you are made one, so
there is nothing left for me to do but to promote both! If in the battle
to-morrow you fight like heroes, you shall both be made officers. Now,
children, be quiet, let me rest a little. I do not want to sleep--cannot
you tell me some little story, some pretty little fairy tale to keep my
heavy eyes from closing?"

"Charles knows many fairy tales, sir king, and if you command it he must
relate one."

"Oh, yes, your majesty, I know the history of a fairy who knew and
loved the brave son of a king, and when the prince went into battle she
transformed herself into a sword, that she might be always by the side
of him she loved."

"Tell me this pretty story, my son."

Charles Henry began to relate. Deep silence reigned about the camp. Here
and there a word was spoken in sleep, a loud snore, or the neighing of a
horse. The fires were burned down, and the coals glowed like fire-flies
upon the dark ground.

The moon stood over the camp and illuminated the strange and
parti-colored scene with her soft rays, and called out the most
wonderful contrasts of light and shade. Far, far away, in the dim
distance, one blood-red poi