Part 39 (1/2)

”He will, if he has not yet done so,” cried old Buschman.

”Children, our king will conquer all his enemies; he is a hero, and has only brave fellows to fight for him. Just think of the thirty n.o.ble boys that our village alone gave him!”

”Read, Anna, read!” cried the curious crowd. And Anna, ready to please them, walked under the linden, and stepped upon the wooden beach that surrounded the tree.

Father Buschman placed himself at her feet, and several old men and women followed his example. The young people gathered around in groups, and gazed respectfully at the youthful girl, whose bright, beautiful face glowed as if lighted by the evening sun. The little boys, who had followed their parents from curiosity, were amusing themselves in turning somersets.

Anna now raised her voice and began to read in a bright tone. It was a brilliant and inspiring account of the battle of Losovitz, and Anna read it in breathless haste and burning cheeks. As she read how the Prussians were at first defeated by the powerful army of the Austrians under General Brown, whose terrific artillery sent death and ruin into the Prussian ranks, the women sobbed softly, and the men could hardly suppress their sighs. They breathed more freely when they heard that the king, adopting a new expedient, advanced a part of his cavalry into the centre of his weakened infantry, and thus turned the tide of battle.

Their courage failed on hearing that this advantage was soon lost, the enemy still advanced in unbroken columns, and almost forced the Prussians to retreat. The left wing of infantry, commanded by the Duke of Severn, which had fired unceasingly, had exhausted their ammunition, while the Austrian General Wied, who defended the post of Losovitz, kept up a brisk cannonading. The Prussian warriors pleaded loudly for powder and shot.

Anna stopped reading, her heart beat loudly, she leaned her head against the tree and closed her eyes in terror. The old people sitting at her feet prayed and wept aloud, and from the crowd there arose sounds of grief and despair. In their terror they had forgotten that it was of a victory and not a defeat they were to hear, and that the battle must at last have ended to their advantage.

”Read on, Anna,” said the old shepherd, after a long pause. ”Are we such cowards as not to be able even to hear an account of this murderous battle in which our sons were brave enough to fight?”

”Read on, read on!” was heard here and there.

Anna unclosed her eyes and raised the paper. Breathless stillness reigned anew. Anna read,

”In this fearful moment the Duke of Bevern felt that a decisive step must be taken, and springing in front of his troops with drawn sword, he cried, 'Boys, you have no more ammunition! Do not be discouraged! Fight with your bayonets!' These words, spoken by a brave and beloved leader, gave heart to all. They closed their ranks, and inspired by the example of their officer, attacked the enemy boldly. In vain Baron Stahremberg hastened forward with his six battalions--uselessly Baron Wied tried to defend the house of Losovitz in which his grenadiers had taken refuge.

Nothing could withstand the Prussians. Like a raging hurricane they fell upon the enemy, who were forced to give way to them. A part of the Austrian force sprang into the Elbe, and tried to save their lives by swimming. Losovitz was tired, and all its defenders fled. The Prussians had gained a complete victory.” [Footnote: ”Characteristics of the Seven Years' War,” vol. i., p. 63]

Anna Sophia could read no further. The delight of all was intense--wives embraced their husbands with tears of joy--old men thanked G.o.d aloud--and the boys, who had ceased their play and been listening attentively, made bolder and higher somersets and shouted more l.u.s.tily.

Anna Sophia alone said nothing. Her tall, slender, but full form was leaning against the tree--an inspired smile was on her lip, and her eyes, raised to heaven, beamed with holy fire. She stood as if in a dream, and at first did not hear old Buschman ask her to read on. When he repeated his request, she was startled, and turned her glance slowly down from heaven upon the joyful crowd that surrounded her.

”What do you wish, father?” she asked.

The old shepherd arose, and, taking his cap from his gray head, said solemnly, ”You have read us of the victory, Anna Sophia; now read us of those who gave their lives for it. Tell us of the dead.”

”Yes, read us a list of the dead!” cried the others, uncovering their heads respectfully.

Anna sought for the list, and read slowly the names of the fallen.

Their faces brightened more and more, none belonging to them were dead.

Suddenly Anna paused, and uttered a low cry, then looked at Father Buschman with a terrified expression. Perhaps the old man understood her, for he trembled a little, and his head fell upon his breast, but he raised it proudly again. Looking almost commandingly at Anna, he said,

”Read on, my daughter.”

But Anna could not read. The paper trembled in her hand, and her face was pale as death.

”Read on,” repeated the old man--”read on, I, your father, command you to read!”

Anna sighed deeply. ”I will obey,” she said, and casting a glance of inexpressible sorrow at the old man, two new names fell from her lips and tears to consecrate them. ”Anton Buschman, Frederick Buschman,” and then taking advantage of the breathless stillness, she added, ”The two brothers were the first to attack the enemy--they died the death of heroes!” She ceased. The paper dropped from her trembling hands and fell at the old man's feet.

The weeping eyes of the crowd were turned upon old Buschman. As if crushed by the storm, he had staggered to the bench; he bowed his head upon his breast that no one might see the expression of his face; his trembling hands clasped on his knees, made a touching picture of silent sorrow.

His son Henry, who had been standing with the others, stepped softly to him, and kneeling down, put his arms around the old man's neck and spoke to him tenderly.

The old man started up with terror--his glance turned from his son to the crowd, and met everywhere sympathizing and troubled faces. ”Well,”