Page 170 - A Jacobite Exile

"I do not say that, at all," the man said gravely. "In the first place, Warsaw
is held by Saxon soldiers, who would show you but scant mercy, were you

known to be a Swedish officer; and, in the second place, the lower classes
are ever ready to make tumults; and, if worked upon by the archbishop, or

the nobles of the king's party, they would readily enough tear a stranger to
pieces.

"Going as you do as a Scotchman, there is, I hope, little danger, especially
if you are received into a Scottish household."

The journey passed without incident, until they were within a few miles of
Warsaw, when Charlie, after formally thanking Baron Seckers for the

protection his escort had afforded him, fell behind with his servant. Several
parties of armed men had been met with, but they knew better than to

interfere with the little body of Swedish cavalry; while, in the towns
through which they passed, the baron was respectfully received as the
envoy of the dreaded King of Sweden.

"Is there another gate to the city, on this side of the town, beside that by

which the Swedes will enter? If so, it would be as well to use it, so that
there should seem to be no connection between us and them," said Charlie.

There was another gate, and by this they rode into Warsaw, at that time a
city of far greater importance than it is at present. The gate was unguarded,

and they passed through without question. The citizens were talking
excitedly in groups, evidently discussing the question of the arrival of the
Swedish envoy, and the chances of peace; and no attention was paid to the

travellers, whose appearance denoted them to be persons of no importance.
Richly-attired nobles, in costumes of almost oriental magnificence,

galloped through the streets on splendid horses, scattering the groups of
citizens, and paying no attention whatever to the angry murmurs that
followed them.

Charlie stopped at a small inn, and there the horses were put up. Stanislas

made inquiries for the shop of Allan Ramsay, mentioning that his employer
was a relation of the Scottish merchant, and had come out to be with him,