Page 214 - A Jacobite Exile

doubt, as we agreed before starting, that there is not much more to be done
in this part of the country. What with the civil wars, and the bands of

soldiers without a leader, and others like ourselves who do not mean to
starve, the peasants have been wrought up into a state of desperation. They

have little left to lose, but what they have got they are ready to fight to the
death for, and, lately, at the first alarm they have sounded the bells and
assembled for miles round, and, equipped with scythes and flails, routed

those who meddled with them. We had more than one hot fight, and lost
many good men. Besides, many of the nobles who have suffered have

turned out, with their followers, and struck heavy blows at some of the
bands; so that the sooner we get out of this country, which is becoming a
nest of hornets, the better, for there is little booty and plenty of hard blows

to be got.

"We will go on, as we agreed, till near the eastern frontier. The country is
well covered with forest there, and we can sally out on which side we like,
for, if there is not much gold to be had in the Russian villages, there is

plenty of vodka, and sometimes things worth taking in their churches. The
priests and headmen, too, have generally got a little store, which can be got

at with the aid of a few hot coals, or a string twisted tight enough round a
thumb. At any rate we sha'n't starve; but we must move on pretty fast, for
we shall have to get up a warm hut in the forest, and to lay in a stock of

provisions before the winter sets in. So we must only stop to gather a little
plunder when a good opportunity offers."