CHAPTER II.

NEWS OF BATTLE.


The inhabitants of the village had already assembled on the square,
under the great linden, and as old Buschman now approached,
supported by Anna Sophia's arm, they were joyfully greeted.

Anna waved the paper like a white flag in the air, and, hastening
the old man forward impatiently, she exclaimed,

"Our king has won a battle!"

Shouts of triumph were the result.

"Did he whip the French, or the Austrians?" asked one of the
peasants, as he drew close to Anna, and tried to seize the paper.

Anna drew it back hastily.

"The steward sent it to me, to read to the community, and I shall do
so."

"Tell us, Anna," said another, "has he beaten the Russians or the
cunning Saxons? I wish he could trample them all under foot."