unceasingly, had exhausted their ammunition, while the Austrian
General Wied, who defended the post of Losovitz, kept up a brisk
cannonading. The Prussian warriors pleaded loudly for powder and
shot.

Anna stopped reading, her heart beat loudly, she leaned her head
against the tree and closed her eyes in terror. The old people
sitting at her feet prayed and wept aloud, and from the crowd there
arose sounds of grief and despair. In their terror they had
forgotten that it was of a victory and not a defeat they were to
hear, and that the battle must at last have ended to their
advantage.

"Read on, Anna," said the old shepherd, after a long pause. "Are we
such cowards as not to be able even to hear an account of this
murderous battle in which our sons were brave enough to fight?"

"Read on, read on!" was heard here and there.

Anna unclosed her eyes and raised the paper. Breathless stillness
reigned anew. Anna read,

"In this fearful moment the Duke of Bevern felt that a decisive step
must be taken, and springing in front of his troops with drawn
sword, he cried, 'Boys, you have no more ammunition! Do not be
discouraged! Fight with your bayonets!' These words, spoken by a
brave and beloved leader, gave heart to all. They closed their
ranks, and inspired by the example of their officer, attacked the
enemy boldly. In vain Baron Stahremberg hastened forward with his
six battalions--uselessly Baron Wied tried to defend the house of