n that we should break up the camp at once," said Soltikow;
"that we should not grant to our poor, exhausted soldiers a single hour
of sleep, but lead them out again to battle and to death? No, no, sir
general; the blood of my brave Russians is worth as much as the blood
of other men, and I will not make of them a wall behind which the noble
Dutchmen place themselves in comfortable security, while we offer up for
them our blood and our life. I think we Russians have done enough; we
do not need another victory to prove that we are brave. When I fight
another such battle as I have fought to-day, with my staff in my hand
and alone I must carry the news to Petersburg, for I shall have no
soldiers left.[Footnote: "Frederick the Great."--Geschow, p. 200.]
I have nothing to say against you, General Loudon. You have been a
faithful ally; we have fought, bled, and conquered together, although
not protected by a consecrated hat and sword like Field-Marshal Daun,
who ever demands new victories from us while he himself is undecided and
completely inactive."

"Your excellency seems to be somewhat embittered against Daun," said
Loudon, with a smile he could not wholly suppress.

"Yes," said Soltikow, "I am embittered against this modern Fabius
Cunctator, who finds it so easy to become renowned--who remains in
Vienna and reaps the harvest which belongs rightly to you, General
Loudon. You act, while he hesitates--you are full of energy and ever
ready for the strife; Daun is dilatory, and while he is resolving
whether to strike or not, the opportunity is lost."

"The empress, my exalted sovereign, has honored him with her especial
confidence," said Loudon; "he must therefore merit it."

"Yes; and in Vienna they have honored you and myself with their especial
distrust," said Soltikow, stormily, and swallowing a full cup of wine.
"You, I know, receive rare and scanty praise; eulogies must be reserved
for Daun. We are regarded with inimical and jealous eyes, and our zeal
and our good-will are forever suspected."

"This is true," said Loudon, smiling; "it is difficult for us to believe
in the sincere friendship of the Russians, perhaps, because we so
earnestly desire it."

"Words, words!" said Soltikow, angrily. "The German has ever a secret
aversion to the Russian--you look upon us as disguised tigers, ever
ready to rob and devour your glorious culture and accomplishments. For
this reason you gladly place a glass shade over yourselve