290 A JACOBITE EXILE

is lying, near the mouth of the river, and will there see you
on board. Should the fortune of war again throw you into
our hands, do not lose an hour in sending a message to
Peter Michaeloff.”

So saying, the czar shook hands with Charlie, beckoned
an officer to him and gave him instructions, and then
moved away among the workmen, while Charlie with his
conductor took their places in the vehicle and drove
rapidly off. An hour later he was on board the Swedish
vessel, whose master and crew were delighted at their
sudden and unlooked for release. ‘The former was over-
joyed, for the vessel was his own property.

“You will find your things in your cabin, sir,” he said.
“They were sent on board this morning, together with
food and wine sufficient for a month’s voyage, whereas
with this wind we ought not to be more than four days.
At which port will you land?”

“JT would rather go to Gottenburg, captain, though it is
farther for you than Stockholm.”

“Tt shall be Gottenburg, sir. It is, thanks to you, that
I have got my liberty and my ship, and a day or two can
make no difference to me.”

Charlie, indeed, had thought the matter over as he drove
along. He would not be able to rejoin the army until it
had gone into winter quarters, and therefore decided that
he would go to Gottenburg, apply for six months’ leave,
and spend the winter with his father. Somewhat puzzled
at the mention of his things having gone on board, he
went into the cabin, and found there a handsome pelisse
trimmed with costly furs, two robes composed of valuable
skins, and a change of clothes. The wind held fair, blow-
ing strongly, and four days later he arrived at Gottenburg.