"I have thought that my ball has never yet missed its man, and what a rich man I might become if I were to free Austria from its worst enemy. I was turning this over in my mind yesterday, when here comes the king on his gray horse, and halts directly in front of me. He held a cane in his hand, and pointed with it toward our encampment, and beat the air with it, as though he were showing his officers how he was going to thrash the Austrian army. When I saw this, my blood began to boil, and I rose half up, and cocked my gun. Many a Bosnian have I brought down with it."
"Go on," said the emperor, as the soldier paused, and threw an admiring glance upon his musket.
"Yes, sire, I raised my gun, and took aim, when I began to reflect that—"
"That what?" exclaimed Joseph, upon whose forehead great drops of sweat had begun to gather.
"That it would be better first to ask the emperor's permission, and get the promise of a reward," said the hussar, with a salute.
"Ah!" cried the emperor, breathing freely, "that was a lucky thought of yours."
The soldier bowed low. "I put down my musket, and when the hour came round for me to be relieved, I asked leave of my captain to come here to see an old acquaintance. And, indeed, your majesty, I was not telling a lie, for you once slept under my father's roof, and paid him so well for the night's lodging, that he was able to buy some land to settle me upon it, and thereupon I married my sweetheart. So that I did come to see an old acquaintance; and now, your majesty, I have a firm hand and a sharp eye, and if you say so, Frederick shall bite the dust before this day week."
"What said your captain to such a proposal?"
"Does your majesty suppose that I am such a fool as to give another man the chance of stepping in my shoes?"
"It follows thence that I am the only person in your confidence," said
Joseph, much relieved.