Page 242 - A Jacobite Exile

passed as a countryman of his, who had come out to enter his business. One
of the objects of my mission was to endeavour to induce the foreign

merchants in Warsaw to do what they could to promote a feeling in favour
of peace with the Swedes, and the substitution of another king in place of

Augustus."

"It is not very clear, Captain Carstairs, how you can be fulfilling that object

by passing your winter with a party of robbers--for I suppose your
disbanded soldiers were little better--in a forest on the confines of Russia."

Charlie laughed.

"It is rather a long story, count. Perhaps you will kindly tell me the news
about public affairs, first."

"By no means," the count said. "That is a long story, too, and my wife
would much rather hear yours than listen to it. She has not yet recovered

from the events of this morning. But we will wait until we are at the village.
We have left the forest behind us, and another half hour will take us to

Stromoff, where we can get pretty good accommodation."

The horses, a splendid pair of animals, had, during their passage through

the forest, shown every sign of fear; starting nervously, swerving, and
going in sharp, sudden rushes, and always needing a constant strain on the

reins to keep them from bolting. Once away from the trees, however, they
settled down into a fast trot, and the seven miles to Stromoff were done in
less than half an hour.

No sooner did the landlord of the inn learn the name of his guest, than he,

his wife, and sons bustled about in the greatest haste to make things
comfortable for them. Huge fires were lighted in the guest rooms, and the
common room was cleared of the other customers, until the chamber should

be sufficiently warmed for occupation; while in the kitchen preparations
were made for a meal, to which, in half an hour from their arrival, the party

in the sledge sat down. When this was over, settles were placed round the
fire, and Charlie then gave a full account of his adventures, from the time