“I shall do so gladly, most gladly!” cried George William, delighted.  “I could desire no more pleasant diversion for the present day than a little hunting party, and you know that well, Adam, and understand splendidly how to guess at my wishes.  Yes, we shall hunt—­but I have no dogs.  Mine were all left behind in Prussian, and the head huntsman informs me that the pack of dogs in this place is in very bad condition.  I want a hunter and a strong fellow, such a capital boarhound as I have long wished for but have never been able to find.”

“I hope that I have found such an one for your highness,” said the count, smiling.  “I have had inquiries instituted everywhere, and learned that there was a capital animal at Stargard, in Pomerania.  I immediately dispatched a special messenger to Herr von Schwiebus, to whom the animal belongs, and in your highness’s name asked the purchase price of the boarhound, and requested that they would send the creature along for your inspection.”

“And he is here, the boarhound?” asked the Elector, with sparkling eyes.  “Adam, you do indeed understand how to rejoice my heart and guess my wishes.  Where is the boarhound?  Let me see him.”

“Most gracious sir, Herr von Schwiebus seems perfectly wrapped up in this animal, and at first would not hear at all of parting with him; indeed, he was quite angry with Count Henkel for having told me of his precious possession.  Only when he heard that it was your Electoral Grace who wished to make the purchase, he softened down a little, and sent a picture which he has had taken of his favorite, in order that your highness might form an idea of the animal and decide whether it would really please you.”

“Have you the picture with you, Adam?” asked the Elector eagerly.

The count hurried to the door and took from the little table standing there a roll of paper, which he had laid there on his entrance.  He unfolded it, spread it out on a table, and on each corner of the paper placed a weight.

“I entreat your highness just to observe the portrait of the beautiful animal,” he begged.

The Elector hastily approached, and an expression of joyful surprise escaped from his lips at the sight of this picture, which, executed with tolerable artistic skill in water colors, represented a large and finely shaped hound, with massive head, clipped ears, and long tail.

“Adam, that is a wonderful animal!” cried the Elector, after a pause of mute rapture.  “That boarhound I must have, let it cost what it will.  Tell me the price, Adam, the price for this divine creature.”

“Most gracious Elector, Herr von Schwiebus seems to be a queer fellow.  He said the dog would not seem dear to him in exchange for all the money in the world.  If, however, your highness insisted upon buying him, he would give him up on condition that in payment for the dog he might cut down in the electoral forests three thousand trees of his own selection."[16]