And all the lads joined in with a sort of desperate enthusiasm, and the song of the noble knight rose from their young lips like a peal of rejoicing.

But gradually one little trembling voice after another fell, by degrees the song grew lower and shriller, and became lost in a trembling whisper; then it would rise into an unnatural and terrified scream, or sink into a whining sob or trembling wail.

Suddenly little Ramin stopped, and a cry of pain, like the sound of a snapped string, burst from his breast.  “I cannot sing any more,” sighed he.  “Hunger is killing me.”  And he sank down on his knees, and raised his little arms beseechingly to one of the Austrian soldiers, who was marching beside him, comfortably consuming a roast chicken.

“Oh! give me a bit of bread, only a mouthful, to keep me from starving to death.”

“Have pity on us, do not let us starve!”

With similar piteous lamentations, the whole corps of trembling, weeping, starving little cadets threw themselves on their knees, and filled the air with their cries and prayers.

“Well, if you positively insist upon eating, you shall have something to appease your hunger,” said the officer who commanded the chasseurs, and he whispered a few words to his corporal, who received them with a loud laugh, and then rode off.

“Now, be quiet, and wait,” commanded the Austrian officer.  “I have sent the corporal and some soldiers into the village to get food for you.  Only wait now, and be satisfied.”  And the children dried their eyes, and comforted each other with encouraging words.

With what impatience, what painful longing, did they look forward to the promised food!  How they thanked God, in the gladness of their hearts, that He had had pity on them, and had not allowed them to die of hunger!

They all seemed revived, and strained their hopeful eyes toward the quarter whence the corporal was to return.  And now, with one voice, they broke out into a cry of joy; they had espied him returning, accompanied by soldiers who seemed to be bringing a heavy load.

They approached nearer and nearer.  “Form a ring,” commanded the officer, and they obeyed in expectant gladness; and around the thickly crowded ring the Austrian officers and the troop of soldiers took their stand.  In silent waiting stood the cadets, and their hearts leaped for joy.

“Attention! your dinner is coming,” cried the officer.

The ring opened.  Ah! now the corporal and the soldiers are going to bring in the dinner.

But no!  The dinner came walking along by itself.  With a dignified step it marched in and gave utterance to an expressive bleat.  It was a live sheep, which was to be given to the poor lads who were faint from hunger.  An outburst of boisterous laughter from the Austrians greeted the dignified wether, and drowned the cries of the bitterly disappointed cadets.