ntervening Country. But it is overrun with
Russians, more and ever more. A Country of swamps and moors, winter
darkness stealing over it,--illuminated by such a volcano as we see: a
very gloomy waste scene; and traits of stubborn human valor and military
virtue plentiful in it with utter hardship as a constant quantity;
details not permissible here only the main features and epochs, if they
could be indicated.

"The King is greatly interested for Colberg; sends orders to collect
from every quarter supplies at Stettin, and strain every nerve for the
relief of that important little Haven. Which is done by the diligent
Bevern, the collecting part; could only the conveying be accomplished.
But endless Russians are afield, Fermor with a 15,000 of them waylaying;
the conveyance is the difficulty." [_Bericht von den Unternehmungen
der Wurtembergischen Corps in Pommern, vom May 1761 bis December
1761_ (Seyfarth, _Beylagen,_ iii. 147-258). Tempelhof, v. 313-326.
_Helden-Geschichte,_ vi. 669-708.]

But now we must return to Bunzelwitz, and September 25th, in
Head-quarters there.

Chapter VIII.--LOUDON POUNCES UPON SCHWEIDNITZ ONE NIGHT (LAST OF
SEPTEMBER, 1761).

It was September 25th, more properly 26th, [Tempelhof, v. 327.] when
Friedrich quitted Bunzelwitz; we heard on what errand. Early that
morning he marches with all his goods, first to Pilzen (that
fine post on the east side of Schweidnitz); and from that,
straightway,--southwestward, two marches farther,--to Neisse
neighborhood (Gross-Nossen the name of the place); Loudon making little
dispute or none. In Neisse are abundant Magazines: living upon these,
Friedrich intends to alarm Loudon's rearward country, and draw
him towards Bohemia. As must have gradually followed; and would at
once,--had Loudon been given to alarms, which he was not. Loudon, very
privately, has quite different game afield. Loudon merely detaches this
and the other small Corps to look after Friedrich's operations, which
probably he believes to be only a feint:--and, before a week passes,
Friedrich will have news he little expects!

Friedrich, pausing at Gross-Nossen, and perhaps a little surprised to
find no Loudon meddling with him, pushes out, first one party and then
another,--Dalwig, Bulow, towards Landshut Hill-Country, to threaten
Loudon's Bohemian roads;--who, singular to say, do not hear the least
word of Loudon thereabouts. A Loudon strangely indifferent to this new
Enterprise of