I wish a shell or bullet would settle the matter!" But the footsteps he imagined to be the tramp of marching men--on account of his ear being so close to the ground and thus, of course, magnifying the sound--were only those of the faithful Gelert, who with the instinct of a well-trained retriever was searching for his new-found friend.

He had tracked his path over the valley from the advanced post which the regiment had occupied in the morning, and where the dog had been kept by Fritz to watch his camp equipments until he should return.
Gelert evidently considered that he had waited long enough for duty's sake; and, that, as his adopted master did not come to fetch him, he ought to start to seek for him instead, one good turn deserving another! At the moment, therefore, when Fritz expected to have the remaining breath trampled out of him by a rush of opposing battalions across his poor prone body, he felt the dog licking his face, whining and whimpering in recognition and mad with joy at discovering him.
"Dear old Gelert, you brave, good doggie," he ejaculated feebly, in panting whispers.

"You'll have to try and find a third master now!" and then, overcome by the effort, which taxed what little strength was left in him, he swooned away like a dead man--the last distinct impression he had being that of seeing a bright star twinkle out from the opal sky above him as he lay on the battlefield, which seemed to be winking and blinking at him as if beckoning him up to heaven! His awakening was very different.
On coming to his consciousness again, he felt nice and warm and comfortable, just as if he were in bed; and, opening his eyes, he saw the sweet face of a young girl bending over him.
"I must be dreaming," he murmured to himself lazily.

He felt so utterly free from pain and at ease that he did not experience the slightest anxiety or perplexity to know where he was.

He was perfectly satisfied to take what came.