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“and, indeed, the cell was a palace after the miserable
huts in which we have passed the winter. I am glad,
however, the czar gave the general a wigging, for he spoke
brutally to me on my arrival. You may be sure now that
any prisoners that may be taken will be well treated; for
Doctor Kelly, who has been extremely kind to me, will
certainly take good care of them. As to my wound, it is
of little consequence. It fell on my steel cap, and I think
I was stunned by its force rather than rendered insensible
by the cut itself.”

After three hours’ riding they came to a village. As
soon as they were seen approaching there was a stir there.
A man riding ahead waved the white flag that he carried,
and when they entered the village they found a party of
fifty Swedish cavalry in the saddle. ‘The Russian escort,
as soon as the Swedish officer and Charlie had joined their
friends, turned and rode off. A meal was in readiness,
and when Charlie, who was still feeling somewhat weak
from the effects of his wound, had partaken of it, the party
proceeded on their way, and rode into Marienburg before
nightfall. ‘Two or three miles outside the town they met
Harry Jervoise. Two soldiers had been sent on at full
speed directly Charlie reached the village, to report that he
had arrived there and was not seriously wounded, and know-
ing about the time they would arrive, Harry had ridden
out to meet his friend.

“You are looking white,” he said after the first hearty
greeting.

“Tam feeling desperately tired, Harry. The wound is
of no consequence, but I lost a good deal of blood, and it
is as much as I can do to keep my saddle, though we have
been coming on quietly on purpose. However, I shall
soon be all right again, and I need hardly say that I am
heartily glad to be back.”

“We have all been in a great way about you, Charlie,