254 A JACOBITE EXILE

that a refusal would hurt and mortify his kind hosts. He
had, on his arrival, been provided with an ample wardrobe
of clothes of all kinds, and to these were now added dol-
mans, cloaks, rugs, and most costly furs; a splendid gun,
pistols, and a sword, with the hilt studded with gems, com-
pleted his outfit; while Stanislas had been presented with a
heavy purse of money. ‘he whole of the retainers of the
castle were assembled to see them start, and the count and
countess at parting made him promise to come and pay
them another visit if the fortune of war should bring him
within the possibility of reaching them.

The journey was a delightful one. Each night they put
up at the chateau of some nobleman. ‘To many of these
Count John Staroski was personally known; at the others
his name secured at once a hearty welcome for himself and
his companion. Travelling only by day, and at the full
speed of the horses, they escaped interruption by the
marauding bands, and in fourteen days after starting they
drove into the town where Charles of Sweden had his head-
quarters, after being twice stopped and questioned by bodies
of Swedish horse. The town was crowded with troops, and
they had some difficulty in finding a lodging for themselves
and stabling for the horses. As soon as this was done
Charlie proceeded alone to the quarters of Count Piper.