Page 155 - A Jacobite Exile

"Then you are singularly hopeful, Charlie, that is all I can say. You might
persuade a brick wall to move out of your way, as easily as induce the King

of Sweden to give up a plan he has once formed. However, I will say
nothing about it."

At nine o'clock, an orderly came to the hut with a message that the colonel
wished to speak to Lieutenant Carstairs. Harry gave his friend a comical

look, as the latter rose and buckled on his sword.

"What is the joke, Harry?" his father asked, when Charlie had left. "Do you
know what the colonel can want him for, at this time of the evening? It is
not his turn for duty."

"I know, father; but I must not say."

"The lad has not been getting into a scrape, I hope?"

"Nothing serious, I can assure you; but really, I must not say anything until
he comes back."

Harry's positive assurance, as to the impossibility of changing the king's
decision, had pretty well dispelled any hopes Charlie might before have

entertained, and he entered the colonel's room with a grave face.

"You know why I have sent for you, Carstairs?"

"Yes, sir; I am afraid that I do."

"Afraid? That is to say, you don't like it."

"Yes, sir; I own that I don't like it."

"Nor do I, lad, and I told his majesty so. I said you were too young for so
risky a business. The king scoffed at the idea. He said, 'He is not much

more than two years younger than I am, and if I am old enough to
command an army, he is old enough to carry out this mission. We know