f his
officers, joined General Meidel and charged the foragers, killing
many, taking others prisoners, and putting the rest to flight. He
followed close upon their heels, and rode right up to the mouth of
the pass, in spite of the heavy fire of artillery and musketry
opened by the Russians.

He at once determined to take advantage of the alarm produced by
the defeat of the Russian cavalry, and, although darkness was now
drawing on, brought up some of his infantry and artillery, and
attacked with such vigour that the Russians fled, after offering a
very feeble resistance.

A battalion of foot were ordered to occupy the pass, while the rest
of the army piled their arms, and lay down where they stood. In the
morning, they were astonished at the strength of the position that
had been gained so easily. The defile was deep and narrow, a rapid
stream ran through it, and the ground was soft and marshy. A few
determined men should have been able to bar the advance of an army.

The troops were in high spirits at the result of this, their first
action against the enemy, and were the more pleased that they
found, in the Russian camp, sufficient provisions to replace those
they had used. After a hearty meal, they again advanced at a brisk
march. The defile was captured on the evening of the 17th November,
and, early in the morning of the 20th, the army reached Lagena, a
league and a half from Narva, and, ordering the troops to follow,
the king rode forward to reconnoitre the Russian position.

The troops were weary with their long marches, and many of those
who had, but recently, recovered from fever were scarce able to
drag themselves along, while great numbers were unfit to take part
in a battle, until after two or three days of rest. The officers of
the Malmoe Regiment, for it had taken its name from the camp where
it had been formed, were gathered in a group at its head,
discussing the situation. Most of the officers were of opinion
that, to attack at once, with men and horses worn out with fatigue,
was to ensure destruction; but there were others who thought that,
in face of so great an army as that gathered in front of them, the
only hope was in an immediate attack. Major Jamieson was one of
these.

"The king is right," he said. "If the Russian army have time to
form, and to advance against us in order of battle, we must be
annihilated. At present, their camp is an extensive one, for, as I
hear, it extends in a great s