delivered to the Croats, and every man of it put
to the sword. 'The Garrison will expect that (WIRD DAS ERWARTEN),' said
Kollas, statue-like; and withdrew, with the proper bow. [Tempelhof, iii.
211.] Something interesting to us in these Military diplomatic passages,
with their square-elbowed fashions, and politeness stiff as iron!

"Not till three of the afternoon does the Written Answer reach
Schmettau: 'Such Terms never could be accepted.'--'Good,' answers
Schmettau: 'To our last breath no others will be offered.' And commences
cannonading again, not very violently, but with the order, 'Go on, then,
night and day!'

"About 10 at night, General Guasco, a truculent kind of man, whom I have
met with up and down, but not admitted to memory, beats Appeal on
the Bridge: 'Inform the Commandant that there will now straightway 13
batteries of cannon, and 5 ditto of howitzers open on him, unless he
bethinks himself!' Which dreadful message is taken to Schmettau. 'Wish
the gentleman good-evening,' orders Schmettau; 'and say we will answer
with 100 guns.' Upon which Guasco vanishes;--but returns in not many
minutes, milder in tone; requests 'a sight of that Written Paper of
Terms again.' 'There it still is,' answers Schmettau, 'not altered, nor
ever shall be.' And there is Armistice again:--and the Siege, as turns
out, has fired its last shot; and is painfully expiring in paroxysms
of negotiation, which continue a good many hours. Schmettau strives
to understand clearly that his terms (of the King's own suggesting, as
Schmettau flatters himself) are accepted: nor does Durchlaucht take
upon him to refuse in any point; but he is strangely slow to sign, still
hoping to mend matters.

"Much hithering and thithering there was, till 4 next morning
(Durchlaucht has important news from Torgau, at that moment); till 11
next day; till 4 in the afternoon and later,--Guasco and others coming
with message after message, hasty and conciliatory: (Durchlaucht at such
a distance, his signature not yet come; but be patient; all is right,
upon my honor!' Very great hurry evident on the part of Guasco and
Company; but, nothing suspected by Schmettau. Till, dusk or darkness
threatening now to supervene, Maguire and Schmettau with respective
suites have a Conference on the Bridge,--'rain falling very heavy.'
Durchlaucht's signature, Maguire is astonished to say, has not yet come;
hut Maguire pledges his honor 'that all shall be kept without chicane;