Tales from the German. Volume I.

by C. F. van der Velde

CHAPTER III.

The Swedish trumpets were sounding and the drums beating an alarm, as Arwed and his groom rode into the camp before Frederickshall. In every direction the footsoldiers were parading before their barracks under arms, and the cavalry were standing by their horses, ready to mount. With great trouble Arwed pressed his steed through the warlike throng, and finally arrived at the quarters of the king,--where he paused, looking in every direction for some one to announce him.

At length, an aged officer, in a general's uniform, came along the passage-way between the tents, bending his steps towards the royal barrack. The sentinel at the door presented arms to him. Acknowledging the courtesy in a kindly manner, his glance fell upon Arwed. 'Do you seek any one here, my son?' asked he in a friendly tone.

'An audience of the king,' answered Arwed: 'of whom I have a personal request to make.'

'The king is now pressingly engaged,' said the general. 'The princes of Hesse and Holstein-Gottorp are with him. If you are willing to entrust your business with me I will faithfully communicate it to him.'

'I thankfully acknowledge your goodness, general,' answered Arwed. 'I am convinced that my request to be enrolled in the army might safely be confided to your hands; but I am very desirous to see the face of my king, a happiness which I have never yet enjoyed. I was not yet born when he left Stockholm.'

'Whither he has never since returned, I know,' said the general with a heavy sigh. 'You look so fresh and true hearted that I will do what you desire. Come with me.'

Arwed followed the general. The door of the royal chamber at that moment opened. A man was standing by a table, upon which were lying a bible, a map of Norway and a plan of Frederickshall. His blue, unornamented riding coat, with large brass buttons, his narrow black neck-stock, his thin locks, which bristled in every direction, the broad yellow leather shoulder-band, from which his long sword depended, and his large cavalry boots, would have led to the conclusion that he was a subaltern officer,--but his tall, noble figure, his beautiful forehead, his large soft blue eyes, and his well formed nose, gave to his whole appearance something so majestic, and so highly distinguished him from two embroidered, starred and ribboned lords who were with him in the room, that Arwed instantly recognized his hitherto unknown king.

'The trenches opened on the fourth,' said the king, fretfully tracing upon the plan with his finger. 'They ought to be further advanced!'

'Certainly, your majesty!' answered Arwed's protector in a sad tone. 'One feels tempted to believe that he who conducts these works either cannot or will not advance them, and it must be conceded that colonel Megret understands his business.'

'I know what you would say, Duecker,' said Charles with a severe countenance. 'But I will give you a useful lesson. You must not speak ill of any one when you are speaking with your king.'

Making an effort to suppress his feelings, and followed by the scornful smile of the eldest prince, Duecker retired,--whilst the other, a youth of about Arwed's age, amused himself with examining the new comer with a far from becoming hauteur.

The king, following the glance of his nephew, perceived Arwed and advanced towards him.

'Who?' asked he with some embarrassment.

'Gyllenstierna,' answered Arwed with a profound inclination: 'a Swedish nobleman, who begs of your majesty that be may be permitted to fight under your banners.'

'Count Gyllenstierna?' inquired Charles, leaning on his giant sword, 'The father is a determined opponent of my administration!' said he to his brother-in-law, as Arwed bowed affirmatively, and a convulsive smile distorted the lips of his well-formed mouth.

'Yet full of devotion for his king and his native land!' earnestly interposed Arwed. 'If your majesty will but permit his son to prove it.'

The king gave him a complacent look. 'I am now about to take the battery called the Golden Lion from the Danes,' said he: 'you can remain by my side.'

'Heaven reward your majesty!' cried Arwed in ecstasies, and seized the hand of the hero to kiss it.

'I like not that,' said the king, hastily withdrawing his hand,--and at that moment adjutant general Siquier, a slender Frenchman, with a cunning but wasted face, entered the room.

'Every thing is in readiness for the attack, your majesty!' announced he.

'God with us, comrades!' exclaimed the king, putting on his immense gauntlets of yellow leather.

'This attack will cost many men!' said Duecker, in an under tone to the young duke.

'Oh!' whispered Siquier, who overheard the remark, 'a great French general under whom I once served was accustomed to say before the slaughter: 'If God will but remain neutral to-day, then shall these Messieurs be finely flogged.''

The king, who was already at the door, once more returned. 'Your great general,' said he to Siquier,--indignant at the quotation of the irreverent speech,--'spoke then like a great fool.'

With a countenance which badly concealed his rage at this unexpected reproof, Siquier cast down his eyes, and the warriors silently followed their heroic leader.