268 A JACOBITE EXILE

bodies of troops scattered all about. Push forward, men,
at a double, and do you, Captain Sherlbach, cut a way for
us with your cavalry.”

The sun had set a few minutes before the guns were fired,
and Charlie, as he led his men over the earthwork and saw
the Russian lines in front, congratulated himself upon the
fact that in another half hour it would be quite dark. As
they approached the next line of works a scattering fire of
musketry opened upon them, but the aim was wide, and
without loss they reached the work. The Russians, though
inferior in numbers, defended themselves obstinately, and
continually received reinforcements of bodies of men run-
ning up from allsides. In five minutes the Swedes cleared
the works of them, but as they prepared to advance again
they saw a large body of horse riding down to bar their
advance, while numbers of footmen were running to occupy
some intrenchments ahead of them. ‘Trumpets were
sounding to the right, left, and rear.

“We cannot force our way farther,” the major said to
Charlie. “We knew nothing of these works, and they are
fatal to our enterprise. We must retreat while we can.
Do you not think so?”

“Ves, sir, I think the enterprise is quite hopeless.”

The order was given; the troops faced about, formed
into closer order, and at the double retraced their steps,
the spearmen of each company forming its front line and
the musketeers the second. Already it was growing dusk.
The cavalry riding ahead scattered the small bodies of men
who threw themselves in their way, and the battery they
had first taken was entered without loss. There was a
momentary halt here for the men to recover their wind.
Then the musketeers poured a volley into a dark line ad-
vancing upon them, the horsemen charged in among them,
the long pikes of the front line cleared the way, and with
a shout the Swedes passed through their foes and pressed
forward.