off another bigger; Lacy namely, with 15,000,
pretending to be thither,--but who, the instant they were out of
Friedrich's sight, have whirled, at a rapid pace, quite into the
opposite direction: as will shortly be seen! Daun has now other irons in
the fire. Daun, ever since this fatal Dead-lock in the Hills, has been
shrieking hoarsely to the Russians, day and night; who at last take pity
on him,--or find something feasible in his proposals.

THE RUSSIANS MAKE A RAID ON BERLIN, FOR RELIEF OF DAUN AND THEIR OWN
BEHOOF (October 3d-12th, 1760).

Powerful entreaties, influences are exercised at Petersburg, and here in
the Russian Camp: "Noble Russian Excellencies, for the love of Heaven,
take this man off my windpipe! A sally into Brandenburg: oh, could not
you? Lacy shall accompany; seizure of Berlin, were it only for one day!"
Soltikof has falleu sick,--and, indeed, practically vanishes from our
affairs at this point;--Fermor, who has command in the interim, finally
consents: "Our poor siege of Colberg, what an end is come to it! What
an end is the whole Campaign like to have! Let us at least try this of
Berlin, since our hands are empty." The joy of Daun, of Montalembert,
and of everybody in Austrian Court and Camp may be conceived.

Russians to the amount of 20,000, Czernichef Commander; Tottleben Second
in command, a clever soldier, who knows Berlin: these are to start from
Sagan Country, on this fine Expedition, and to push on at the very
top of their speed. September 20th, Tottleben, with 3,000 of them as
Vanguard, does accordingly cross Oder, at Beuthen in Sagan Country; and
strides forward direct upon Berlin: Lacy, with 15,000, has started from
Silesia, we saw how, above a week later (September 29th), but at a
still more furious rate of speed. Soltikof,--theoretically Soltikof,
but practically Fermor, should the dim German Books be ambiguous to
any studious creature,--with the Main Army (which by itself is still a
20,000 odd), moves to Frankfurt, to support the swift Expedition, and
be within two marches of it. Here surely is a feasibility! Berlin, for
defence, has nothing but weak palisades; and of effective garrison 1,200
men.

And feasible, in a sort, this thing did prove; indisputably delivering
Daun from strangulation in the Silesian Mountains; filling the Gazetteer
mind with loud emotion of an empty nature; and very much affecting many
poor people in Berlin and neighborhood. Making a big Chapter in