hting, and the British subsidy
and the British troops will be lost to the king, were Hanover to be
taken by the enemy. If Prince Henry could but join him, it would
bring his army again to a strength with which he could fight either
the Russians or Austrians; but their armies lie between Henry and
the king, and unless Daun makes some grievous mistake--and slow as
he is, Daun seldom makes a mistake--it seems well-nigh impossible
that the prince can get through.

"However, Major Drummond, you are likely to see little fighting
here; while with the king there will be incessant work for you.
Therefore, by all means go to him. He must have lost many of his
staff at Kunersdorf, and will, I doubt not, be glad to have you
with him."

The ride was a shorter one than it had been when going west, for
the king lay little more than fifty miles to the east of Berlin.
Although there was no absolute occasion for great speed, Fergus
rode fast; and on the tenth day after leaving Minden arrived at the
royal camp. The king was unaffectedly glad to see him.

"You have been more fortunate than I have," he said. "You have been
taking part in a victory, while I have been suffering a defeat. I
should like to have seen Minden. That charge of your countrymen was
superb. Nothing finer was ever done. Rash, perhaps; but it is by
rashness that victory is often won. Had it not been done, one would
have said that it was impossible for six battalions in line to hurl
back, again and again, the charges of ten thousand fine cavalry.
But the British division at Fontenoy showed us, not many years ago,
that the British infantry, now, are as good as they were under
Marlborough. I would give much if I had twenty thousand of them
here with my Prussians. It would be the saving of us.

"Did Ferdinand send you back, or did you ask to come?"

"I asked leave to come, sire. I thought that your staff must have
suffered heavily, and that I might be more useful here than with
the duke."

"Much more useful, major; and indeed, I am glad to have you with
me. You have youth and good spirits, and good spirits are very
scarce here. Have you heard the last news?"

"I have heard no news since I left Berlin, sire."

"Dresden is lost. Schmettau surrendered it, and that when relief
was but within ten miles of him. The place should have held out for
a month, at least. It is incredible. However, I will have it back
again before long and, at any rate, it is one place less to