Page 127 - A Jacobite Exile

suddenly to Charlie.

"No, I have not heard anything about it," Charlie said.

"He offered a captain for you, which you may consider a high honour."

"It is, no doubt," Charlie said, with a smile. "I suppose his majesty thought,

as it was in his special service I was caught, he was bound to get me
released, if he could."

"It was a hunting party, was it not?"

"Yes. There was only the king with four of his officers there, and my
company of foot, and fifty horse. I don't think I can call it an escort, for we

went principally as beaters."

"Rustoff missed a grand chance there, Kelly.

"What regiment do you belong to?"

And he again turned to Charlie.

"The Malmoe Regiment. The company is commanded by an English
gentleman, who is a neighbour and great friend of my father. His son is an

ensign, and my greatest friend. The men are all either Scotch or English,
but most of them Scotch."

"They are good soldiers, the Scotch; none better. There are a good many in
the Russian service, also in that of Austria and France. They are always

faithful, and to be relied upon, even when native troops prove treacherous.
And you like Charles of Sweden?"

"There is not a soldier in his army but likes him," Charlie said
enthusiastically. "He expects us to do much, but he does more himself. All

through the winter, he did everything in his power for us, riding long
distances from camp to camp, to visit the sick and to keep up the spirits of