A PRISONER 107

“No; he was just as much surprised as I was when a
sergeant ran up with Schlippenbach’s order that the com-
pany were to fall in.”

Five minutes after they had formed up, three officers
were seen approaching on foot.

“Tt is the colonel himself,” Forbes muttered, as Captain
Jervoise gave the word to the men to stand to attention.
A wiinute later Captain Jervoise gave the order for the
salute, and Harry saw that the tall young officer walking
with the colonel was the king. Without speaking a word,
Charles walked up and down the line narrowly inspecting
the men, then he returned to the front.

“A fine set of fellows, Schlippenbach. I wish that, like
my grandfather, I had some fifteen thousand of such troops
under my orders. Present the captain to me.”

The officers were called up, and Captain Jervoise was
presented.

“Your company does you great credit, Captain Jervoise,”’
the king said. “I would that all my troops looked in as
good health and condition. Colonel Schlippenbach tells
me that you have kept your men in good health all through
the winter by means of sports and games. It is’a good
plan. J will try to get all my officers to adopt it another
winter. Do the men join in them willingly?”

Captain Jervoise and his officers had all, during the nine
months that had passed since they landed in Sweden, done
their best to acquire the language, and could now speak and
understand it thoroughly.

“They like it, your majesty. Our people are fond of
games of this kind. My four officers take part in them
with the men.”

The king nodded. “That is as it should be. It must
create a good feeling on both sides. Present your officers
to me, Captain Jervoise.”

This was done, and the king spoke a few words to each.