Page 104 - A Jacobite Exile

provisions to carry if we had it."

On the 13th of December, the king quitted Narva with the army, and on the
19th arrived at Lais, an old castle six miles from Derpt, and here

established his headquarters. A few of the troops were stationed in villages,
but the greater part in rough huts in the neighbourhood, and along the
frontier.

It was not long before Major Jamieson's predictions were verified. A low

fever, occasioned by the fatiguing marches and the hardships they had
endured, added to the misery from the cold and wet that penetrated the
wretched huts, spread rapidly through the army. Many died, and great

numbers were absolutely prostrated.

The king was indefatigable in his efforts to keep up the spirits of the troops.
He constantly rode about from camp to camp, entering the huts, chatting
cheerfully with the soldiers, and encouraging them by kind words and

assurances that, when the spring came, they would soon gain strength
again.

At Narva the four young officers had all purchased horses. Most of the
Swedish officers were mounted; and the king encouraged this, as, on

occasion, he could thereby collect at once a body of mounted men ready for
any enterprise; but their own colonel preferred that, on the march, the

lieutenants and ensigns should be on foot with their men, in order to set
them an example of cheerful endurance. Those who wished it, however,
were permitted to have horses, which were, on such occasions, led in the

rear of the regiment.

Captain Jervoise had approved of the purchase of the horses, which were
got very cheaply, as great numbers had been captured.

"If we can get over the difficulty of the forage," he said, "you will find
them very useful for preserving your health during the winter. A ride will

set your blood in motion, and, wherever we are quartered, there are sure to
be camps within riding distance. The king approves of officers taking part