Page 273 - A Jacobite Exile

we get done, what reforms could be carried out!

"However, at present," he went on, changing the subject abruptly, "the
point is supper. I am as hungry as a bear, for I have been at work since

daylight, and have eaten nothing since I broke my fast."

He rang a handbell placed on the table. Two Cossacks entered bearing

dishes, and the doctor and his guest at once fell to on the supper, which was
excellent.

"Hard work deserves good food," the Russian said, in reply to a remark of
Charlie's as to the excellence both of the food and wine. "Your Charles

does not think so, I hear, and lives on the roughest of food. What will be the
consequence? He will wear himself out. His restless activity will exhaust

his powers, and weaken his judgment. I can eat rough food if I can get no
better, but I take the best, when opportunity offers.

"What have you been doing ever since you left Plescow? I inquired after
you the other day, when our troops broke up Schlippenbach's force on the

Embach. I found you were not among the prisoners, and I wondered if you
were among the killed."

"I was not in Livonia at the time. I was with the king's army at Warsaw.
Three regiments were sent off, the day after the battle of Clissow, by boats

down the Vistula, and then by ship to Revel. Mine was one of them, but we
arrived a fortnight too late."

"Then you were present at Charles' third victory? How that young fellow
handles his troops, and what wonderful troops they are! Now we will get

into our easy chairs again, and you shall tell me something about what you
have been doing, since we last met."

Charlie gave a sketch of his adventures.

"So you fought at the Dwina, too? You have had luck in going through
three battles without a wound."