92 A JACOBITE EXILE

The troops were weary with their long marches, and many
of those who had but recently recovered from fever were
scarce able to drag themselves along, while great numbers
were unfit to take part in a battle until after two or three
days of rest.

The officers of the Malmoe Regiment, for it had taken
its name from the camp where it had been formed, were
gathered in a group at its head discussing the situation.
Most of the officers were of opinion that to attack at once
with men and horses worn out with fatigue was to ensure
destruction, but there were others who thought that in face
of so great an army as that gathered in front of them, the
only hope was in an immediate attack. Major Jamieson
was one of these.

“The king is right,” he said. “Tf the Russian army
have time to form and to advance against us in order of
battle, we must be annihilated. At present their camp is
an extensive one, for, as I hear, it extends in a great semi-
circle four or five miles long, with the ends resting on the
river. ‘hey cannot believe that we intend to attack them,
and if we go straight at them we may possibly gain a foot-
ing in their intrenchments before the whole army can
gather to aid those at the point of attack. It will be almost
asurprise, and [ think the king is right to attempt it, for it
is only by a quick and sudden stroke that we can gain a
success over $O great an army.”

The halt was but a short one, and as soon as the regi-
ments had arrived at the positions assigned to them they
advanced. As soon as they appeared on a rise of ground
facing the intrenchments the enemy opened fire. ‘The king
had already reconnoitred a portion of their position,
exposing himself recklessly to their shot, and as soon as
the troops came up he issued orders for them to prepare
to attack in two columns. First, however, several of the
regiments were ordered to fall out and to cut down bushes