Page 83 - A Jacobite Exile

idea of the triple alliance that had been formed against her, the intention of
Denmark to make war was evident enough, for King Christian was

gathering a great naval armament.

"The Duke of Holstein, becoming much alarmed at these preparations,
hastened on the fortifications of Tonningen, on the Eider, three leagues
from its mouth. The garrison of the place was a weak one, and a thousand

Swedish troops were thrown in to strengthen it. The King of Denmark
complained that this was a breach of the treaty, but, as his own preparations

for war were unmistakable, no one could blame the Duke of Holstein for
taking steps to defend his territories.

"As you know, Christian of Denmark died about this time, and was
succeeded by his son Frederick the Fourth.

"Last August, he commenced the war, by sending a naval squadron to cover
the passage of four regiments into Pomerania. Charles of Sweden, seeing

that Holstein must be crushed by its powerful neighbour, called upon
Holland and the Duke of Lunenburg, who were with Sweden guarantors of

the treaty, to enforce its provisions; and a joint protest was sent to the King
of Denmark, who was informed that, if he invaded Holstein, they should
consider it a breach of the Treaty of Altena, and treat him as a common

enemy. Frederick replied by sending some troops into the duchy.

"No active operations took place, until the beginning of this year. Up to that
time, Sweden had not doubted the friendship of the King of Poland, and
Charles, at first, could hardly believe the reports he received from the

governor of Livonia, that the Saxon troops were approaching the frontier.

"A few days later, however, came the news that they were advancing
against Riga. The governor prepared for defence, and hastily mounted
cannon on the walls. His powers of resistance, however, were lessened by

the fact that the river Duna was frozen over. Fleming, who commanded the
Saxon troops, arrived before the town, early in February, with four

thousand men. The governor had set fire to the suburbs on the previous
day; and Fleming was surprised to find that, instead of taking it by surprise,