his old father, for, thank God, I still have strength to support
myself. Go, then, my son Charles Henry, the king calls you; and if
it must be so, lie down like your brothers in a heroic grave."

He ceased and laid his hand, as if with a blessing, upon his son's
head; but Henry did not partake of his father's enthusiasm. His face
was pale as death, and his powerful frame trembled as if with fever.

Anna Sophia saw it; her beaming face paled, and her eye sank down
with shame.

The officer, who had noticed the dejection of the people, wished to
give them time to recover.

"Leave every thing alone until tomorrow," he said. "Tomorrow, sir
mayor, you will hand me the list, and I am sure that the unmarried
boys will obey their king's call with joy. Now, sir mayor, I beg you
to conduct me to the courthouse, where I will pass the night, and
see that my soldiers find good quarters there, and in the village."

He nodded kindly to the people, and accompanied by the mayor, moved
onward. The crowd followed them silently, and the gay village boys
danced gleefully around the fine procession.




CHAPTER III.

THE CERTIFICATE OF ENLISTMENT.