THE BATTLE OF CLISSOW 267

for the cavalry would be visible for a considerable distance
across the flat country. Considerable bodies of men
could be seen gathered round fires at a distance of not
more than a quarter of a mile on either hand, but as the
column passed between them there was no sign of any
stir.

In a short time the order was passed for the troops to
form from column into line, and the cavalry officer who
brought it said that there was a Russian battery erected
right across the road a little more than a quarter of a mile
ahead.

“Vhings look better, Captain Carstairs,” the lieutenant
said, as the company, which happened to be leading, fell
into line.

“Yes, I have no doubt we shall take their battery, com-
ing down, as we do, upon its rear. The question is, Are
there any intrenchments ahead? Major Sion told us when
we halted that the peasant assured him that there were no
works beyond it, and that it was the weakest point of the.
line; but it is three days since he came out from Notte-
burg, and working hard as the Russians evidently do, they
may have pushed on their intrenchments far in advance of
the battery by this time.”

The force halted fora moment. The guns were unlim-
bered, turned round, and loaded. Then the line of cavalry
opened right and left, the four pieces poured a discharge
of grape into the Russians clustered thickly in the battery
four hundred yards away, and then with a shout the Swed-
ish cavalry charged, the infantry coming on at a run behind
them. ‘The surprise was complete. With cries of terror
the Russians for the most part leapt from the battery and
fled, and the few who attempted to defend their guns were
sabred by the cavalry.

“There are other works ahead!’’ Major Sion exclaimed,
as sitting on his horse he looked over the parapet, “and