"It might have been a good deal worse, your majesty. I think that one who has got off with only the loss of his left arm has no reason to complain."
"No, it might have been worse," the king replied. "I have lost many good friends, and thousands of brave soldiers. However, I too must not complain; for it has saved Prussia.
"Don't hurry to rejoin too soon, Drummond. Another month, and we shall all be in winter quarters."
[Chapter 21]: Home.
Fergus remained at Torgau for six weeks. He had, two days after the battle, sent Karl off to carry a letter to Thirza; telling her that he had been wounded, but that she need have no uneasiness about him; the surgeon saying that the wound was going on well, and that, should it not break out bleeding in the course of another week, he would make a quick cure, and would be fit for service again, long before the spring.
Karl had not found his horse again, but had bought, for a trifle, an Austrian officer's horse that was found riderless; and had become the prize of a trooper, who was glad to part with it at a quarter of its value. He took with him the disguise of a countryman, to put on when he approached the ground held by the Austrians near Dresden; and, leaving his horse fifteen miles away, had no difficulty in making his way in on foot. Karl went round to the back of the house. The servants recognized him as soon as he entered.
"Will one of you ask the count to see me? Let him have the message quietly, when he is alone."
"Your master is not killed?" one of the women exclaimed, in consternation.
"Killed! No, Colonel Drummond is not so easily killed," he replied scornfully. "I have a letter from him in my pocket. But he has been somewhat hurt, and it were best that I saw the count first, and that he should himself give the letter to the Countess Thirza."
In two or three minutes the man returned, and led Karl to a room where the count was awaiting him, with a look of great anxiety on his face.