The prince, hastening into the house, came back with a kettle full of hot water, and he soon mixed the old general a glass of grog, with such a homoeopathic allowance of water that his cheerfulness quite returned. A loud hurrah resounded from the stable-like buildings at one side of the house, and the Crown Prince Ernest Augustus hurried from them and joined the breakfast party. He carried his handkerchief carefully tied together in one hand, and his cap in the other. "Guess what I have here, gentlemen!" he cried, raising both hands above his head. "Fresh eggs--just laid. Is it not a glorious find?" And he emptied the cap and the handkerchief upon the table. "Now, shall we boil them, or shall we make an omelette?" "Why any preparation?" said General Brandis, seizing an egg, decapitating it with his sword, and hastily drinking the contents. "It is easy to see that the present generation are unaccustomed to the rigours of war." Count Ingelheim followed his example. "It would be great fun, though, to make an omelette!" cried the crown prince, holding his hands over the rest of his spoil. "Alas! we have plenty of time," murmured General Brandis. "Listen!" cried Meding, springing to his feet. "A cannon shot," said Count Ingelheim, putting his hand to his car. "Impossible!" remarked the adjutant-general; "where should it come from? The general staff does not expect an attack." A short, heavy, distant sound was heard. "Those are certainly guns!" cried Count Wedel. "I think they are beginning to growl," said General Brandis, rising and drinking off the rest of his grog with a look of satisfaction. "It would be as well to mount!" "Shall his majesty be awakened?" asked Count Wedel. "It will be time enough to call him if anything serious really appears," said Colonel Dammers. "I will go up to the top of the house, from whence one can overlook the whole plain." He entered the house; Prince Hermann followed him, and the others listened anxiously to the sound of firing, which grew louder and more distinct every moment. "After all, an omelette would be too much trouble," said the crown prince, putting his eggs into the kettle, the contents of which had not been much diminished by the general's grog. He placed it on the chafing-dish and blew the charcoal, listening attentively for the water to boil. After a short time Colonel Dammers returned. "Some strong columns are visible on the distant horizon; I can see their arms glittering through the dust!" he cried. "His majesty must be called." Count Wedel hurried into the house. Signals were heard from the plain. A general march was beginning in various parts of the camp. George V. came out of the Pfarrhaus. They all approached the king. "Your majesty," cried General Brandis, "I hear with joy the well-known voice of cannon; it makes my old heart young again." The king's face expressed high courage and calm determination. He held out his hand to the general.