Page 282 - A Jacobite Exile

Michaeloff was the czar, that I knew that he had kept you in ignorance of it
until the end.

"I should have liked to have kept you as my guest for a time, but winter

comes on early and suddenly, and if you did not go now you might be
detained here until the spring. I have therefore given orders that one of the
Swedish vessels we captured on the lake should be got in readiness, and its

crew placed on board again. You shall embark in an hour, and it shall carry
you to any port in Sweden you may choose. The wind is from the east, and

you have every chance of a quick run thither."

Charlie expressed his warm thanks to the czar for his thoughtful kindness.

"I have much to do now," the czar said, "and must hand you over to the

care of one of my officers. He will accompany you, in my carriage, to the
spot where the vessel is lying, near the mouth of the river, and will there
see you on board. Should the fortune of war again throw you into our

hands, do not lose an hour in sending a message to Peter Michaeloff."

So saying, the czar shook hands with Charlie, beckoned an officer to him
and gave him instructions, and then moved away among the workmen,
while Charlie, with his conductor, took their places in the vehicle and drove

rapidly off.

An hour later, he was on board the Swedish vessel, whose master and crew
were delighted at their sudden and unlooked for release. The former was
overjoyed, for the vessel was his own property.

"You will find your things in your cabin, sir," he said. "They were sent on

board this morning, together with food and wine sufficient for a month's
voyage, whereas, with this wind, we ought not to be more than four days.
At which port will you land?"

"I would rather go to Gottenburg, captain, though it is farther for you than

Stockholm."