eons were still at work with the more serious cases, while the
soldiers roughly bandaged each other's wounds; but as, gradually,
the distant firing increased in fury, and seemed to grow in
distinctness, men who had lain down sat up to listen. There was no
longer any talking, and a hush fell upon the forest.

"It is certainly coming closer, colonel," Karl said at last. "It
seems that Ziethen has woke up in earnest. May the good God grant
that he win his way up on to the heights!"

"If he does, we shall have the Austrians, in the morning. If he
doesn't, we shall have a poor chance with them."

"I am afraid we sha'n't, colonel; but it certainly sounds as if
Ziethen was making way."

At nine o'clock a cavalry officer came riding along. He drew rein
at the fire.

"Can anyone tell me where I can find the king?"

"He is at Elsnig, captain," Karl said, rising and saluting. "May I
ask what is the news, sir?"

"The news is good. Ziethen has gained the heights. We can see the
flash of fire round the Siptitz hill."

A cheer broke from all the Prussians within hearing. There was not
a man but knew that the fate of Prussia hung on the result of this
battle, and for the moment wounds were forgotten. Men shook hands,
with tears of joy streaming down their rugged cheeks; and as others
came running up from the other fires, to know what was the news,
and then hurried off again to tell their companions, the forest
rang with their cheering.

All was not over yet. For a time the firing was louder and heavier
than before, but towards ten o'clock news came that Ziethen was
firmly established on the Siptitz hill, and that the Austrian
battalions were drawing off. Then all lay down to sleep, rejoiced
and thankful; and even the Austrians, disconcerted as they were,
were not altogether sorry that they must now consider themselves
prisoners; and free, for a long time to come, from further risk of
battle.

The news, in the morning, that the Austrian army had already
crossed the river and was in full retreat southwards, afforded the
most intense satisfaction. There was now a hope of shelter and rest
in Torgau, instead of the prospect of remaining in the forest,
drenched to the skin by the rain that had come down, without
intermission, for the last twenty-four hours.

An hour later Major Kaulbach again rode up, accompanied by four
infantry men bearing a stretcher.

"The king has already gone on to Torgau, and he has given me orders
t