d
movement of theirs, under cloud of night, in the intricate Hill-and-Dale
Country; to post themselves to the best advantage for their double
object, of covering Breslau and Neisse both; Kappel LOQUITUR; abridged
by Kuster, whom we abridge:--

"MONDAY NIGHT, OCTOBER 5th, 1761, The King, with two or three
attendants, still ahead of his Army, appeared at Schonbrunn, a Schloss
and Village, five or six miles south from Strehlen; [THIS is the
Warkotsch Schonbrunn; not the other near Schweidnitz, as Archenholtz
believes: see ARCHENHOLTZ, ii. 287, and the bit of myth he has gone into
in consequence.] and did the owner, Baron von Warkotsch, an acquaintance
of his, the honor of lodging there. Before bedtime,--if indeed the King
intended bed at all, meaning to be off in four hours hence,--Friedrich
inquired of Warkotsch for 'a trusty man, well acquainted with the roads
in this Country.' Warkotsch mentioned Kappel, his own Groom; one who
undoubtedly knew every road of the Country; and who had always behaved
as a trusty fellow in the seven years he had been with him. 'Let me
see him,' said the King. Kappel was sent up, about midnight, King still
dressed; sitting on a sofa, by the fire; Kappel's look was satisfactory;
Kappel knows several roads to Strehlen, in the darkest night. 'It is
the footpath which goes so-and-so that I want' (for Friedrich knows this
Country intimately: readers remember his world-famous Camp of Strehlen,
with all the diplomacies of Europe gathered there, through summer, in
the train of Mollwitz). 'JA, IHRO MAJESTAT, I know it!' 'Be ready, then,
at 4.'

"Before the stroke of 4, Kappel was at the door, on Master's best horse;
the King's Groom too, and led horse, a nimble little gray, were waiting.
As 4 struck, Friedrich came down, Warkotsch with him. 'Unspeakable the
honor you have done my poor house!' Besides the King's Groom, there were
a Chamberlain, an Adjutant and two mounted Chasers (REITENDE JAGER),
which latter had each a lighted lantern: in all seven persons, including
Kappel and the King. 'Go before us on foot with your lanterns,' said the
King. Very dark it was. And overnight the Army had arrived all about;
some of them just coming in, on different roads and paths. The King
walked above two miles, and looked how the Regiments were, without
speaking a word. At last, as the cannons came up, and were still in
full motion, the King said: 'Sharp, sharp, BURSCHE; it will be MARCH
directly.' 'March? The D