sharply to mind my own business, which was with the sick and
wounded. I said, as the prisoner was wounded, I thought it was a
matter that did come to some extent under my control."
"What did the pig say?"
"He grumbled something between his teeth, that I did not catch,
and, as I thought the prisoner would not be kept there long, and
was not unaccustomed to roughing it, it was not worthwhile pressing
the matter further."
"Have you heard that an officer has been here this afternoon, with
a flag of truce, to treat for your exchange?" Doctor Michaeloff
said, turning suddenly to Charlie.
"No, I have not heard anything about it," Charlie said.
"He offered a captain for you, which you may consider a high
honour."
"It is, no doubt," Charlie said, with a smile. "I suppose his
majesty thought, as it was in his special service I was caught, he
was bound to get me released, if he could."
"It was a hunting party, was it not?"
"Yes. There was only the king with four of his officers there, and
my company of foot, and fifty horse. I don't think I can call it an
escort, for we went principally as beaters."
"Rustoff missed a grand chance there, Kelly.
"What regiment do you belong to?"
And he again turned to Charlie.
"The Malmoe Regiment. The company is commanded by an English
gentleman, who is a neighbour and great friend of my father. His
son is an ensign, and my greatest friend. The men are all either
Scotch or English, but most of them Scotch."
"They are good soldiers, the Scotch; none better. There are a good
many in the Russian service, also in that of Austria and France.
They are always faithful, and to be relied upon, even when native
troops prove treacherous. And you like Charles of Sweden?"
"There is not a soldier in his army but likes him," Charlie said
enthusiastically. "He expects us to do much, but he does more
himself. All through the winter, he did everything in his power for
us, riding long distances from camp to camp, to visit the sick and
to keep up the spirits of the men. If we live roughly, so does he,
and, on the march, he will take his meals among the soldiers, and
wrap himself up in his cloak, and sleep on the bare ground, just as
they do. And as for his bravery, he exposes his life recklessly--too
recklessly, we all think--and it seemed a miracle that, always in the
front as he was, he should have got through Narva without a scratch."
"Yes, that was a bad bit of business, that Nar
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