ns in the name of the city.

The crowd drew back respectfully before the worthy city fathers, and
opened a path for them, then fixed their eyes again upon the balcony
where Minister Herrberg again appeared, and called for silence.

He will give us the news of the second courier. The victory is absolute.
The Russians completely defeated. They had retreated to Kunersdorf. In
this village they proposed to defend themselves. But the Prussians were
unceasingly pressing upon them. Seven redoubts, Kirchhof, Spitzberg, and
one hundred and eighty-six cannon had been taken. The enemy had suffered
a monstrous loss, and was in the greatest confusion. The fate of the
day seemed conclusive. This was owing to the heroic courage of the army,
whom neither the blazing heat of the sun nor the unexampled slaughter
could for a moment restrain. At six o'clock, when the king sent off this
second courier, the enemy had retreated behind his last
intrenchments, and taken refuge at Gudenberg. [Footnote: Frederick the
Great.--Thiebault]

A loud hurrah broke from the people as Herzberg finished and left the
balcony. Now there was no room for doubt. The enemy was overwhelmed and
had fled to his last intrenchment. Would the king leave him unmolested,
and would he not still drive the hated enemy further?

While groups of men were assembled here and there, discussing these
weighty questions, and others, intoxicated, drunk with joy at this great
victory over their hereditary enemy, were making eloquent addresses to
the people, a third courier appeared in sight.

Breathless with expectation and anxiety, they would not give him time to
reach the castle. They must--they would know the news he brings. There
should be no delay, no temporizing, no mysteries. The people were one
great family. They awaited the message of their father. They demanded
news of their distant sons and brothers.

The third courier brings renewed assurances. The Russians are routed.
The king will give them no rest. He will drive them from their last
stronghold. With his whole army, with cavalry and militia, with all his
cannon, he was in the act of storming Gudenberg. This is the message of
the third courier.

The people are proud and happy. No one thinks of going home. In fact,
they have no home but the streets. Every house would be too small
for this great family which feels a thirst to express its joy and its
rapture to each other. And then it was possible the king might send