284 A JACOBITE EXILE

ous evening. The carriage was a simple one, but the three
horses harnessed abreast to it were magnificent animals.
Charlie stood admiring them for some little time.

“T should think,” he said to himself, “the doctor must
be a man of large property, and most likely of noble family,
who has taken up his profession from pure love of it. He
is evidently full of energy, and has an intense desire to see
Russia greater and higher in the rank of nations. I sup-
pose that, like Kelly, he is one of the principal medical
officers in the army. Certainly he must be a man of con-
siderable influence to obtain my transfer here so easily, and
to see that I travelled so comfortably. I wonder where he
is going to take me this morning.”

Four or five minutes later Charlie’s friend appeared at
the door. He was evidently out of temper. He sprung
hastily into the vehicle, as if he had altogether forgotten
that he had asked Charlie to accompany him. ‘Then, as
his eye fell on him, he nodded and said briefly, “Jump
in.” A little surprised at the unceremonious address,
Charlie sprang into the seat beside him without hesitation,
seeing that his companion was evidently so much out of
temper that he was not thinking of what he was doing at
the moment. The coachman cracked his whip, and the
spirited horses went off at a rate of speed that threatened
danger to persons traversing the narrow streets of the town.
The cracking of the coachman’s whip, and an occasional
loud shout and the jangling of the bells, gave, however,
sufficient warning of their approach.

Charlie smiled at the alacrity with which every one sprang
out of the way, and either leapt into doorways or squeezed
themselves against the wall. He was surprised, however,
to see that not only did the townspeople show no resent-
ment at the reckless pace at which the carriage was driven,
but that the soldiers, officers as well as men, cleared out as
quickly, and without any expression of indignation or anger.