He himself remained with them,
and, while his wife received the French officers, and informed them that
her husband was not at home, the good old man was sitting in the
hay-loft beside his guests, nursing them with the kindness of a father
and the skill of an experienced physician. He had locked the door of his
asylum, and a loaded gun and unsheathed sword were within his reach, in
order forcibly to drive back the French, in case they should try to
penetrate into this hiding-place.
But the danger passed, and the fever abated. Four days afterward the two
Prussians were strong enough to continue their journey. The clergyman
himself drove them in his carriage to the neighboring town, where they
bought two horses and departed--not together, however, but by different
routes. Count Pueckler took the road to Breslau; Ferdinand von Schill
turned toward Kolberg.
Before parting, they cordially shook hands once more.
"Let us remember the oath under the German oak," said Schill.
"Yes," replied Pueckler. "We shall not desert the fatherland, but serve
it with our whole strength, and after that is exhausted, we know how to
die."
CHAPTER IV.
IN BERLIN.
The utmost uneasiness and suspense prevailed in Berlin. Several rumors
had already reached the capital. It was reported that, on the 14th of
October, a battle had taken place between the Prussians and French
forces.
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