NARVA 91

It was the intention of the king to encamp that evening
near the pass, and when within three or four miles of it,
General Meidel, who had with him the quarter-master of
the army and four hundred cavalry, rode on ahead to choose
a site for the camp. He presently saw a large body of
Russian foragers in front of him, and sent back to the king
for permission to attack them. Charles ordered the army
to continue its march, and hurrying forward with some of
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 2oth the army reached Lagena, a league
and a half from Narva, and ordering the troops to fol-
low, the king rode forward to reconnoitre the Russian
position.