Page 140 - A Jacobite Exile

heavy journey, for the frost had broken up, and the roads were in a terrible
state from the heavy traffic passing. There was no delay when they reached

the port, as they at once marched on board a ship, which was the next day
to start for Sweden. Orders from the king had already been received that the

company was to be conveyed direct to Gottenburg, and they entered the
port on the fifth day after sailing.

The change, the sea air, and the prospect of seeing his father again greatly
benefited Charlie, and, while the company was marched to a large building

assigned to their use, he was able to make his way on foot to his father's,
assisted by his soldier servant, Jock Armstrong.

"Why, Charlie," Sir Marmaduke Carstairs exclaimed as he entered, "who
would have thought of seeing you? You are looking ill, lad; ill and weak.

What has happened to you?"

Charlie briefly related the events that had brought about his return to

Gottenburg, of which Sir Marmaduke was entirely ignorant. Postal
communications were rare and uncertain, and Captain Jervoise had not

taken advantage of the one opportunity that offered, after Charlie had been
wounded, thinking it better to delay till the lad could write and give a good
account of himself.

"So Jervoise, and his son, and that good fellow Jamieson are all back again?

That is good news, Charlie; and you have been promoted? That is capital
too, after only a year in the service. And you have been wounded, and a
prisoner among the Russians? You have had adventures, indeed! I was

terribly uneasy when the first news of that wonderful victory at Narva
came, for we generally have to wait for the arrival of the despatches giving

the lists of the killed and wounded. I saw that the regiment had not been in
the thick of it, as the lists contained none of your names. I would have
given a limb to have taken part in that wonderful battle. When you get as

old as I am, my boy, you will feel a pride in telling how you fought at
Narva, and helped to destroy an entire Russian army with the odds ten to

one against you.