Page 109 - A Jacobite Exile

awake enough to use their arms. I was glad you held our company in rear of
the others."

"Yes; I asked the colonel before attacking to put us in reserve, in case the

enemy should rally. I did it on purpose, for I knew that our men, not
having, like the Swedes, any personal animosity against the Russians,
would not like the work. If it had come to storming the convent, I would

have volunteered to lead the assault. At any rate, I am glad that, although a
few of the men are wounded, no lives are lost in our company."

Harry cordially agreed with his friend. "I like an expedition, Charlie, if
there is fighting to be done; but I don't want to have anything more to do

with surprises. However, the cavalry had a good deal more to do with it
than we had; but, as you say, it was a ghastly business. The only comfort is

they began it, and have been robbing the peasants and destroying their
homes for months."

Many small expeditions were sent out with equally favourable results; but
Captain Jervoise's company took no part in these excursions.

Charles the Twelfth was passionately fond of hunting and, in spite of his
many occupations, found time occasionally to spend a day or two in the

chase. A few days after the attack upon Pitschur, he came to Marienburg to
learn all particulars of the Russian position from Colonel Schlippenbach, as

he intended, in the spring, to attack the triangle formed by three fortresses,
in order to drive the Russians farther back from the frontier.

"I hear that there are many wolves and bears in the forest, five leagues to
the north. I want a party of about fifty footmen to drive the game, and as

many horse, in case we come across one of the parties of Russians. I want
some hearty, active men for the march. I will send the foot on this
afternoon, and ride with the horse so as to get there by daybreak. Which is

your best company of infantry?"

"My best company is one composed chiefly of Scotchmen, though there are
some English among them. It belongs to the Malmoe Regiment, and is