94 A JACOBITE EXILE

The Russians were so astounded at this sudden attack
that they lost heart altogether. The Swedish left, as soon
as it entered the intrenchments, swept along them, the
Russians abandoning their guns and batteries and making
for their bridge across the river. Unfortunately for them
their huts were built close behind the works, and in rear
was another intrenchment designed to repel assaults from
the town, and the terrified crowd, unable to make their
way rapidly along over ground encumbered by their huts,
crossed the interior intrenchments, thinking to make their
way faster through the fields to the bridge. The Swedish
king, however, placed himself at the head of his body-
guard, and, followed by the rest of his horse, charged
right upon them, cutting down great numbers, and driving
the rest before them towards the river, while the infantry
kept up a heavy fire upon the fugitives in the intrench-
ments.

The panic had spread quickly, and the Russian troops
nearest to the bridge were already pouring over when the
mass of the fugitives arrived. ‘hese pressed upon the
bridge in such numbers that it speedily gave way, cutting
off the retreat of their comrades behind. Ignorant of the
result the terrified crowd pushed on, pressing those in
front of them into the river, and the number of drowned
was no less than that of those who fell beneath the bullets,
pikes, and sabres of the Swedes. In their despair the
Russians, rallied by some of their generals, now attempted
to defend themselves, and by occupying some houses and
barracks, and barricading the passages between these with
overturned waggons, they fought bravely and repulsed for
some time every effort of the Swedes.

Darkness was now falling, and the king hastened to the
spot where the battle was fiercely raging. As he ran
towards it he fell into a morass, from which he was res-
cued with some difficulty, leaving his sword and one boot