CHAPTER V

NARVA

OR the next fortnight drilling went on from morning till
night, the officers receiving instructions privately from
the sergeants, and further learning the words of command
by standing by while the men were being drilled. At the
end of that time both officers and men were sufficiently
instructed to carry out the simple movements which were
alone in use in those days. It was not, however, until two
months later that they were called upon to act. The Eng-
lish and Dutch fleets had arrived, and effected a junction
with that of Sweden, and the Danish fleet had shut them-
selves up in the port of Copenhagen, which was closely
blockaded. A large army had crossed to Zeeland and
repulsed the Danes, who had endeavoured to prevent their
landing, and had then marched up to within sight of the
walls of Copenhagen, which they were preparing to besiege,
when the King of Denmark, alarmed at this unexpected
result of his aggression on Holstein, conceded every point
demanded, and peace was signed.

The negotiations were carried on in Holland, and the
Swedes were extremely angry when they found that they
were baulked of their expected vengeance on their trouble-
some neighbours. ‘The peace, however, left Charles XII.
at liberty to turn his attention to his other foes, and to hurry

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