e little army that dared to oppose them.
By the Austrian generals, smiling so contemptuously upon their weak
opponents, one thing had been forgotten. The Austrians, confident of
success, were not in the least enthusiastic; the Prussians, aware of
their danger, and inspired by love for their king, had nerved themselves
to the contest. The armies now stood before each other in battle array.
The king was at the front, the generals were flying here and there,
delivering their orders. In obedience to these orders, the army suddenly
changed its position, and so strange, so unsuspected was the change,
that General Daun, turning to the Prince Lothringen, said:

"The Prussians are retreating! we will not attack them."

Certain of this fact, they were off their guard, and disorder reigned in
their camp. This security was suddenly changed to terror. They saw the
Prussians rapidly approaching, threatening at once both wings of their
army. Messenger upon messenger was sent, imploring help from General
Daun and Charles of Lothringen. The Prussians were upon them, felling
them to the earth, regardless of danger regardless of the numerous
cannon which were playing upon them. Daun, with a part of his command,
hurried to the aid of General Luchesi, but he was too late; Luchesi
had fallen, and terror and disorder were rapidly spreading in the
right wing, while from the left, Nadasky had already dispatched ten
messengers, imploring assistance from Charles of Lothringen. In doubt
as to which most needed help, he at last determined upon the right wing,
whose ranks were thinning rapidly; he sent them aid, and took no notice
of Nadasky's messengers. And now the Prussians fell upon the left wing
of the Austrians. This attack was made with fury, and the Austrians
retreated in wild disorder. It was in vain that other regiments came
to their aid; they had no time to arrange themselves before they were
forced back. They stumbled upon one another, the flying overtaking
and trampling upon the flying. Again and again the imperial guards
endeavored to place themselves in line of battle; they were at once
overpowered by the Prussian cavalry, who, intoxicated with victory,
threw themselves upon them with demoniac strength. Yes, intoxicated--mad
with victory, were these Prussians. With perfect indifference they saw
their friends, their comrades, fall beside them; they did not mourn over
them, but revenged their death tenfold upon the enemy. Those even who