possibility ahead. And by this
time (what is much worth noting), Hyndford, silently quitting Breslau,
has got back to these scenes of war, occasionally visible in Friedrich's
Camp again;--on important mysterious business; which will have results.
Valori also is here in Camp; these two Excellencies jealously eying one
another; both of them with teeth rather on edge,--Europe having suddenly
got into such a plunge (as if the highest mountains were falling
into the deepest seas) since Friedrich began this Neipperg problem of
his;--in which, after twelve days, he sees mere impossibility ahead.

On the twelfth day, Friedrich privately collects himself for a new
method: marches, soon after midnight, [26th September, 2 A.M.: Orlich,
i. 144.] fifteen miles down the River (which goes northward in this
part, as the reader may remember); crosses, with all his appurtenances,
unmolested; and takes camp a few miles inland, or on the right bank, and
facing towards Neisse again. He intends to be in upon Neipperg front the
rear quarter; and cut him off from Mahren and his daily convoys of food.
"Daily food cut off,--the thickest-skinned rhinoceros, the wildest lion,
cannot stand that: here, for Neipperg, is one point on which all his
embankments and mud-dams will not suffice him!" thinks Friedrich.
Certain preliminary operations, and military indispensabilities, there
first are for Friedrich,--Town of Oppeln to be got, which commands the
Oder, our rearward highway; Castle of Friedland, and the country between
Oder and Neisse Rivers:--while these preliminary things are being
done (September 28th-October 3d), Friedrich in person gradually pushes
forward towards Neipperg, reconnoitring, bickering with Croats: October
3d, preliminaries done, Neipperg's rear had better look to itself.

Neipperg, well enough seeing what was meant, has by this time come out
of his mud-dams and impregnabilities; and advanced a few miles towards
Friedrich. Neipperg lies now encamped in the Hamlet of Griesau, a little
way behind Steinau,--poor Steinau, which the reader saw on fire one
night, when Friedrich and we were in those parts, in Spring last.
Friedrich's Camp is about five miles from Neipperg's on the other side
of Steinau. A tolerable champaign country; I should think, mostly in
stubble at this season. Nearly midway between these two Camps is a
pretty Schloss called Klein-Schnellendorf, occupied by Neipperg's Croats
just now, of which Prince Lobkowitz (he,