76 A JACOBITE EXILE

King of Poland, and the Czar of Russia. Both these
monarchs were doubtless desirous of extending their
dominions at the cost of Sweden, whose continental pos-
sessions are considerable.

“Augustus is not yet very firmly seated on the throne of
Poland; there are several parties opposed to him, and
these united in obtaining from the diet a refusal to pay
the Saxon troops Augustus had brought with him. ‘The
king no doubt considered that these could be employed
for the conquest of Livonia, and that the addition of so
large a territory to Poland would so add to his popularity
that he would have no further troubles in his kingdom.

“Charles XII., being in ignorance of this secret agree-
ment, sent an embassy to Russia to announce his accession
to the throne. ‘The ambassadors were kept a long time
waiting for an audience, as the czar was bringing a war
with the Turks to a conclusion, and did not wish to throw
off the mask until he was free to use his whole force against
Sweden. ‘The ambassadors were at last received civilly,
but the czar evaded taking the usual oaths of friendship,
and after long delays the embassy returned to Sweden feel-
ing somewhat disquieted as to the intentions of the czar,
but having no sure knowledge of them.

“The King of Poland was more successful in disguising
his leaning towards Denmark, sending the warmest assur-
ances to Charles, requesting him to act as mediator in the
quarrel between himself and the Duke of Brandenburg, and
signing a treaty of alliance with Sweden. But while
sweden had no 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 forti-
fications of ‘Tonningen, on the Iider, 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.