Page 138 - A Jacobite Exile

deprived him of his command, and sent him to take charge of some fortress
in the interior of Russia; and I was, by his orders, allowed to occupy the

doctor's quarters, and a bedroom was assigned to me next to his. I heard
that the czar spoke in terms of the warmest appreciation of your treatment

of your prisoners, and said that any of your officers who fell into his hands
should be treated with equal courtesy."

Charles looked gratified.

"I am glad to hear it," he said. "In the field, if necessary, blood must flow
like water, but there is no reason why we should not behave towards each
other with courtesy, when the fighting is over. You know nothing of the

force there, at present?"

"No, sir, I heard nothing. I did not exchange a word with anyone, save the
doctor and another medical man; and as the former treated me as a friend,
rather than as an enemy, I did not deem it right to question him, and, had I

done so, I am sure that he would have given me no answer."

"Well, you can return to your quarters, sir. Your company did me good
service in that fight, and Colonel Schlippenbach did not speak in any way
too warmly in their favour. I would that I had more of these brave

Englishmen and Scotchmen in my service."

Charlie's head, however, was not as hard as he had believed it to be; and the
long ride brought on inflammation of the wound, so that, on the following
morning, he was in a high state of fever. It was a fortnight before he was

convalescent, and the surgeon then recommended that he should have rest
and quiet for a time, as he was sorely pulled down, and unfit to bear the

hardships of a campaign; and it was settled that he should go down with the
next convoy to Revel, and thence take ship for Sweden.

He was so weak, that although very sorry to leave the army just as spring
was commencing, he himself felt that he should be unable to support the

fatigues of the campaign, until he had had entire rest and change. A few
hours after the decision of the surgeon had been given, Major Jamieson and