It were better given over for a season to the beasts, of the forest. I apprehend dreadful sufferings for these fine countries.”
The two friends waited long and patiently, not daring to leave their posts. They listened intently to the shouting as the sound swayed hither and thither, rose to a furious height,and then sunk in one direction, and again surged over to another.
“It goes well for Rudolph, I deem,” said Solomon. “I see none of these miscreants returning. Evidently they apprehend no impediment to their plying their vocation from that quarter.”
Early in the afternoon they were surprised to find two of the younger prisoners whom they had liberated in the morning returning from the front. The old man, much refreshed but still looking haggard, approached the group. “Now,” he said, “be accurate, and speak the truth whatever it may be.”
“Until within an hour,” returned the young man addressed, “there has been little advantage on either side. But, the slaughter is great. Kill, kill, is the spirit; none seem to be spared. Several battalions have already been driven into the river, and Otakar greatly weakened at one point. These were Russians, Poles and Bohemians. The center of each line is now the object of attack by the other. The chief commanders on each side are there situated. We witnessed a furious onslaught made against Rudolph in person. He went down, but we cannot tell the result. If he is unharmed, or but wounded, we may now look for the turning point.” “I know what you allude to,” said
