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“Tt was a somewhat rough cell into which I was thrown,
sir, but I was most kindly tended by an Irish doctor high
in the ezar’s service, and when the czar himself arrived
and learned that I had not been lodged as well as he
thought necessary, | hear he was so angered that he dis-
graced the general, deprived him of his command, and
sent him to take charge of some fortress in the interior of
Russia, and I was by his orders allowed to occupy the
doctor’s quarters, and a bed-room was assigned to me next
to his. I heard that the czar spoke in terms of the warm-
est appreciation of your treatment of your prisoners, and
said that any of your officers who fell into his hands should
be treated with equal courtesy.”

Charles looked gratified. “I am glad to hear it,” he
said. “In the field, if necessary, blood must flow like
water, but there is no reason why we should not behave
towards each other with courtesy when the fighting is over.
You know nothing of the force there at present?”

“No, sir, I heard nothing. I did not exchange a word
with anyone save the doctor and another medical man;
and as the former treated me as a friend rather than as an
enemy, I did not deem it right to question him, and had |
done so I am sure that he would have given me no answer.”

“Well, you can return to your quarters, sir. Your com-
pany did me good service in that fight, and Colonel Schlip-
penbach did not speak in any way too warmly in their
favour. I would that I had more of these brave English-
men and Scotchmen in my service.”

Charlie’s head, however, was not as hard as he had be-
lieved it to be; and the long ride brought on inflammation
of the wound, so that on the following morning he was in
a high state of fever. It was a fortnight before he was
convalescent, and the surgeon then recommended that he
should have rest and quiet for a time, as he was sorely
pulled down and unfit to bear the hardships of a campaign ;