Page 248 - A Jacobite Exile

cloaks, rugs, and most costly furs. A splendid gun, pistols, and a sword,
with the hilt studded with gems, completed his outfit; while Stanislas had

been presented with a heavy purse of money.

The whole of the retainers of the castle were assembled to see them start,
and the count and countess, at parting, made him promise to come and pay
them another visit, if the fortune of war should bring him within the

possibility of reaching them.

The journey was a delightful one. Each night they put up at the chateau of
some nobleman. To many of these Count John Staroski was personally
known; at the others, his name secured at once a hearty welcome for

himself and his companion. Travelling only by day, and at the full speed of
the horses, they escaped interruption by the marauding bands, and in

fourteen days after starting they drove into the town where Charles of
Sweden had his headquarters, after being twice stopped and questioned by
bodies of Swedish horse.

The town was crowded with troops, and they had some difficulty in finding

a lodging for themselves, and stabling for the horses. As soon as this was
done, Charlie proceeded alone to the quarters of Count Piper.