us pretences and disguises, they were scattered
abroad--even in the highest court circles of Berlin they were zealously
at work. By flattery, and bribery, and glittering promises, they made
friends and adherents, and in the capital of Prussia they found ready
supporters and informers. They were not satisfied with this--they were
haughty and bold enough to seek for allies among the Prussians, and
hoped to obtain entrance into the walls of the cities, and possession of
the fortresses by treachery.

The Austrian and Russian prisoners confined in the fortress of Kustrin
conspired to give it up to the enemy. The number of Russian prisoners
sent to the fortress of Kustrin after the battle of Zorndorf, was
twice as numerous as the garrison, and if they could succeed in getting
possession of the hundred cannon captured at Zorndorf, and placed as
victorious trophies in the market-place, it would be an easy thing to
fall upon and overcome the garrison.

This plan was all arranged, and about to be carried out, but it was
discovered the day before its completion. The Prussian commander doubled
the guard before the casemates in which three thousand Russian prisoners
were confined, and arrested the Russian officers. Their leader,
Lieutenant von Yaden of Courland, was accused, condemned by the
court-martial, and, by the express command of the king, broken upon the
wheel. Even this terrible example bore little fruit. Ever new attempts
were being made--ever new conspiracies discovered amongst the prisoners;
and whilst the armies of the allies were attacking Prussia outwardly,
the prisoners were carrying on a not less dangerous guerilla war--the
more to be feared because it was secret--not in the open field and by
day, but under the shadow of night and the veil of conspiracy.

Nowhere was this warfare carried on more vigorously than in Berlin. All
the French taken at Rossbach, all the Austrians captured at Leuthen, and
the Russian officers of high rank taken at Zorndorf, had been sent by
the king to Berlin. They had the most enlarged liberty; the whole city
was their prison, and only their word of honor bound them not to leave
the walls of Berlin. Besides this, all were zealous to alleviate the
sorrows of the "poor captives," and by fetes and genial amusements to
make them forget their captivity. The doors of all the first houses
were opened to the distinguished strangers--everywhere they were welcome
guests, and there was no assembly