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animation than he had evinced since his illness. “I have
been so accustomed to be attended to in every way that |
was quite looking forward with dread to the journey among
strangers; still, if you are all going, it will be a different
thing altogether. I don’t think you will be long in raising
the regiment. We only were a week in getting the com-
pany together, and if they have been refusing to accept
the services of our people, there must be numbers of them
at Gottenburg.”

‘arly on the following morning Charlie and the men
unable to march were placed in waggons, and the company
started on its march to Revel. It was a heavy journey, for
the frost had broken up and the roads were in a terrible
state from the heavy traffic passing. ‘There was no delay
when they reached the port, as they at once marched on
board a ship, which was the next day to start for Sweden.
Orders from the king had already been received that the
company was to be conveyed direct to Gottenburg, and they
entered the port on the fifth day after sailing. The change,
the sea air, and the prospect of seeing his father again
greatly benefited Charlie, and while the company was
marched to a large building assigned to their use, he was
able to make his way on foot to his father’s, assisted by his
soldier-servant Jock Armstrong.

“Why, Charlie,” Sir Marmaduke Carstairs exclaimed as
he entered, “who would have thought of seeing you? You
are looking ill, lad; ill and weak. What has happened to
you?”

Charlie briefly related the events that had brought about
his return to Gottenburg, of which Sir Marmaduke was
entirely ignorant. Postal communications were rare and
uncertain, and Captain Jervoise had not taken advantage of
the one opportunity that offered after Charlie had been
wounded, thinking it better to delay till the lad could write
and give a good account of himself.