A PRISONER 105

“T call that a horrible business, Captain Jervoise,”
Charlie said, when the troops had returned to Marienburg.
“There was no real fighting in it.”

“Tt was a surprise, Charlie. But they fought desperately
after they gained the town.”

“Yes, but we did nothing there beyond firing away at
the windows. Of course I had my sword in my hand; but
it might as well have been in its sheath, for I never struck
a blow, and I think it was the same with most of our men.
One could not cut down those poor wretches, who were
scarce awake enough to use their arms. I was glad you
held our company in rear of the others.”

“Yes; I asked the colonel before attacking to put us in
reserve, in case the enemy should rally. I did it on pur-
pose, for I knew that our men, not having, like the Swedes,
any personal animosity against the Russians, would not
like the work. If it had come to storming the convent, I
would have volunteered to lead the assault. At any rate I
am glad that, although a few of the men are wounded, no
lives are lost In our company.”

Harry cordially agreed with his friend. “I like an ex-
pedition, Charlie, if there is fighting to be done; but I
don’t want to have anything more to do with surprises.
However, the cavalry had a good deal more to do with it
than we had; but, as you say, it was a ghastly business.
The only comfort is they began it, and have been robbing
the peasants and destroying their homes for months.”

Many small expeditions were sent out with equally
favourable results; but Captain Jervoise’s company took no
part in these excursions. Charles XII. was passionately
fond of hunting, and in spite of his many occupations
found time occasionally to spend a day or two in the chase.
A few days after the attack upon Pitschur he came to
Marienburg to learn all particulars of the Russian posi-
tion from Colonel Schlippenbach, as he intended in the