Sees the vanguard of Daun himself approaching Dippoldiswalde, cannonading his meal-carts as they issue there; on all sides his enemies encompassing him like bees;--and has a sphinx-riddle on his mind, such as soldier seldom had.

Shall he manoeuvre himself out, and march away, bread-carts, baggages and all entire?
There is still time, and perfect possibility, by Dippoldiswalde there, or by other routes and methods.

But again, did not his Majesty expect, do not these words "a bout" still seem to expect, a bit of fighting with somebody or other?
Finck was an able soldier, and his skill and courage well known; but probably another kind of courage was wanted this day, of which Finck had not enough.

Finck was not king of this matter; Finck was under a King who perhaps misjudged the matter.

If Finck saw no method of doing other than hurt and bad service to his King by staying here, Finck should have had the courage to come away, and front the King's unreasonable anger, expecting redress one day, or never any redress.
That was Finck's duty: but everybody sees how hard it was for flesh and blood.
Finck, truer to the letter than to the spirit, determined to remain.
Did, all that Monday, his best to prepare himself; called in his outposts ("Was not I ordered ?" thinks Finck, too literally); and sees his multitudes of enemies settle round him;--Daun alone has 27,000 men, who take camp at Dippoldiswalde; and in sum-total they are as 4 to 1 of Finck:--a Finck still resolute of face, though internally his thoughts may be haggard enough.