Page 102 - A Jacobite Exile

surprise when we suddenly appeared at the side of the ditch, while we were
across before they could gather any force sufficient to defend it.

"After that, panic did the rest. The commander in chief fell early into our

hands. There was no one to give orders, no one to rally them, and I expect
the Russian soldiers gave us credit for having brought on that storm, to
cover our assault, by the aid of malign spirits.

"Well, lads, and how did you feel when the shots were whistling about?"

"I did not like it at all, major," Charlie said. "It seemed such a strange thing,
marching along in the thick of that snowstorm, hearing the rush of

cannonballs overhead, and the boom of guns, and yet be unable to see
anything but the rear files of the company in front."

"It was an uncanny feeling, Charlie. I felt it myself, and was very grateful
that we were hidden from the enemy, who, of course, were blazing away in

the direction in which they had last seen us. We only lost three killed and
twelve wounded, altogether, and I think those were, for the most part, hit by

random shots.

"Well, if this is the way the king means to carry on war, we shall have

enough of it before we are done."

The sick and wounded were sent into the town, the first thing, but it was not
until the Russians had all crossed the river that the king, himself, rode
triumphantly into the place, surrounded by his staff, amid the wild

enthusiasm of the inhabitants, whom his victory had saved from ruin and
massacre.

The town, although strongly fortified, was not a large one, and its houses
were so dilapidated, from the effects of the Russian bombardment, that but

few of the troops could be accommodated there. The rest were quartered in
the Russian huts. On the 26th, a solemn service of thanksgiving for the

victory was celebrated, with a salute from all the cannon of the town and
camp, and by salvos of musketry from the troops.