Page 259 - A Jacobite Exile

It was past that hour before they were in motion again. Major Sion, with a
peasant from the neighbourhood of Notteburg, rode ahead. Then came the

troop of cavalry, with the guns close behind them, followed by the infantry.
As they approached the Russian lines, the peasant several times went on in

advance, and presently a trooper rode down the line, with the order that the
troops with firearms were to light their matches, and the spearmen to keep
in a compact body.

They were now not far from the Russian lines, and the destruction that had

been wrought during the last ten days was visible to them. Every tree and
bush had been felled, for use in the intrenchments or for the erection of
shelters. A few blackened walls alone showed where houses had stood.

Gardens had been destroyed, and orchards levelled.

Light smoke could be seen rising at many points from the Russian fires,
and, when the troops were halted, they were but half a mile from the
intrenchments.

Word was passed down that the rapid Swedish march was to be moderated,

and that they were to move carelessly and at a slow rate, as if fatigued by a
long march, and that the spears were to be carried at the trail, as they were
so much longer than those used by the Russians that their length would, if

carried erect, at once betray the nationality of the troops. There was no
attempt at concealment, for the cavalry would be visible for a considerable

distance across the flat country. Considerable bodies of men could be seen,
gathered round fires at a distance of not more than a quarter of a mile on
either hand, but, as the column passed between them, there was no sign of

any stir.

In a short time, the order was passed for the troops to form from column
into line, and the cavalry officer who brought it said that there was a
Russian battery erected right across the road, a little more than a quarter of

a mile ahead.

"Things look better, Captain Carstairs," the lieutenant said, as the company,
which happened to be leading, fell into line.