m all sides. In five minutes the Swedes cleared
the works of them, but, as they prepared to advance again, they saw
a large body of horse riding down to bar their advance, while
numbers of footmen were running to occupy some intrenchments ahead
of them. Trumpets were sounding to the right, left, and rear.

"We cannot force our way farther," the major said to Charlie. "We
knew nothing of these works, and they are fatal to our enterprise.
We must retreat while we can. Do you not think so?"

"Yes, sir, I think the enterprise is quite hopeless."

The order was given. The troops faced about, formed into closer
order, and at the double retraced their steps, the spearmen of each
company forming its front line, and the musketeers the second.

Already it was growing dusk. The cavalry, riding ahead, scattered
the small bodies of men who threw themselves in their way, and the
battery they had first taken was entered without loss. There was a
momentary halt here, for the men to recover their wind. Then the
musketeers poured a volley into a dark line advancing upon them,
the horsemen charged in among them, the long pikes of the front
line cleared the way, and, with a shout, the Swedes passed through
their foes and pressed forward.

But more troops were gathering to bar their way, and the major
changed the line of march sharply to the right, sweeping along by
the side of the force through which they had just cut their way,
the musketeers on the flank firing into them as they passed. The
movement was an adroit one, for in the gathering darkness the enemy
in front would not be able to distinguish friends from foes, or to
perceive the nature of the movement. For a few minutes they were
unmolested, then the course was again changed, and Charlie was
beginning to think that, in the darkness, they would yet make their
escape, when a dull heavy sound was heard in their rear.

"That's the Russian cavalry, Bowyer. Take the musketeers on with
you, and keep close to the company ahead. I will break them up with
the pikemen. If they do come up to you, give them a volley and then
continue your retreat with the rest."

While the captains of the other two companies had placed their
pikemen in the front line, Charlie had placed his in the rear, in
order to repel any attack of cavalry from that direction. He now
formed them in a close clump, taking his place among them. The
Russian squadrons came along with a deep roll like that of thunder.
Th