Page 240 - A Jacobite Exile

"At first, they kept well behind us, but presently we came upon a large
number, who joined in near where we saw an overturned sledge, with the

snow stained with blood all round it. From there we kept up a running fight,
and must have killed a score; but their numbers increased, rather than

diminished, and when a fresh pack came up from ahead, a quarter of a mile
before we saw you, it looked as if our case was hopeless; for the horses,
which had been going at the top of their speed from the time we started,

were beginning to flag, while the wolves were fast closing in upon us, and
were just beginning to attack the horses, when I saw you in the road.

"And now, pray tell us how you came to be there so opportunely, and how
it was that you had that great fire blazing."

Charlie gave the full history of the previous night's adventure.

"Wonderful!" the count and his brother exclaimed; and the former went on:
"I have heard many stories of escapes from wolves, but never one like

yours. It was an admirable thought, indeed, that of at once obtaining heat
and frightening the wolves away, by setting the tree on fire. That thought

saved our lives as well as your own, for our fate would have been the same
as those unfortunate travellers, whose horses you saw, and who brought the
wolves upon you.

"And now, sir, would it be impertinent to ask for what purpose you have

come to Poland? Believe me, I only put the question in order to see if I can
in any way be of assistance to you."

"I do not know, count, whether my avowal will affect you unfavourably,
but I know that it will make no difference in your conduct towards me. I

am, as my servant told you, an Englishman by birth; but I and my father
were obliged, in consequence of political opinions, to leave the country,
and I am now a captain in the service of Charles of Sweden."

Exclamations of surprise broke from his hearers.