m about with him against the French.[54] And no
regulation of the _Landsturm_ ordinance was so zealously obeyed by the
rising generation, as the provision that every _Landsturmer_ should, if
possible, carry a shrill-sounding pipe with him, in order to recognise
others in the dark, and come to an understanding. By the greatest
industry the boys learnt to produce shrill tones from every kind of
signal pipe, and there is reason to believe that the present use of the
pipe in street rows was first adopted by our youths from hatred to the
French. Seldom were the _Landsturm_ employed in military service in
1813; they were more often employed in clearing the districts of
marauding rabble, and as watchers, or in the messenger service; their
only serious military service against the enemy was performed at that
Bueren, which under Frederic II. had driven back its flying sons to the
King's army. There, after the peace, all the men wore the military
medal. Up to the present day the people retain the memory of this
feature of the great war; it has been more enduring than many others of
more importance. Still do old people boast that though not in the
field, yet at home they had borne arms for the Fatherland; it also is
fitting that their sons should remember it. The time may come when in
another form, and with stricter discipline, the general armament of the
people will be an important part of German military power.

But whilst here the dangerous game was not carried on in its terrible
reality, yet all eyes and ears were incessantly directed to the
distance. The war had begun in earnest. Those who were left behind were
in continual anxiety concerning the fate of those they loved, and of
Fatherland. No day passed without some report, no post came without the
announcement of some important event; life seemed to fly amidst the
longing and the expectation with which they looked forth beyond their
city walls. Every little success filled them with transport; it was
announced at the door of the town hall, in the church, and in the
theatre, wherever men were collected together. On the 5th April was the
conflict, at Zehdenick, the first undoubted victory of the Prussians;
far and wide through the provinces did people hasten to the church
towers to endeavour to descry the first intelligence; and when the
thunder of cannon had ceased, and the joyful news ran through the
country, there was no bounds to the general exultation; everything that
was