haps dead!" cried
the terrified people.

Suddenly, the mad tumult was interrupted by loud shouts of joy, which
swelled and thundered like an avalanche from the other side of the
square. A fifth courier had arrived, and brought the news of the
complete defeat of the Russians, and a glorious Prussian victory. Now,
one of those memorable, wondrous--grand scenes took place, which no
earthly phantasy could contrive or prepare, to which only Providence
could give form and color. As if driven by the storm-winds of every
powerful earthly passion, this great sea of people fluctuated here and
there. At one point, thousands were weeping over the news which the
unhappy messenger had brought. Near by, thousands were huzzaing and
shouting over the joyful intelligence brought by the fifth courier,
while those who had been near enough to the fourth courier to understand
his words, turned aside to give the sad news to those who were afar off.
Coming at the same time from the other side, they were met by a mighty
mass of men, who announced, with glad cries, the news of victory,
brought by the fifth courier. Here you could see men, with their arms
raised to heaven, thanking God for the hardly-won victory. A little
farther on, pale, frightened creatures, motionless, bowed down, and
grief-stricken. Here were women, with glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes,
shouting over their hero king. There, the people wept and moaned; their
king had disappeared, was a prisoner, or dead. As at the Tower of Babel,
the people spoke in a thousand tongues, and no one listened to another;
every one was lost--blinded by his own passionate hopes and fears.

At last the two couriers were called upon to come face to face and
decide these important questions. Strong men lifted them upon their
shoulders and brought them together; a profound and fearful silence
ensued, every man felt that he stood upon the eve of a mighty
revelation; fifty thousand men were waiting breathlessly for news of
happiness beyond compare, or of unspeakable woe. The conversation of the
two horsemen standing upon the shoulders of their townsmen was quick and
laconic.

"At what hour did the king send you off?" said the fourth courier to the
fifth.

"At six. The king himself commissioned me."

"Where stood our army at that time?" said the fourth courier.

"They stood before the hollow ground, and the Russians had withdrawn
to the intrenchments of Zudenberg; we had taken a hundred and twent