“Then he dismissed the rest of them, and afterwards sat down and chatted with me, just as if we had been of the same rank, puffing a pipe furiously, and drinking amazing quantities of wine.  Indeed, my head feels the effects of it this morning, although I was quite unable to drink cup for cup with him, for, had I done so, I should have been under the table long before he rose from it, seemingly quite unmoved by the quantity he had drank.  I have no doubt he summoned me especially to hear his rebuke to the general, so that I could take word to the king how earnest he was, in his regrets for your treatment.”

“There was nothing much to complain of,” Charlie said; “and, indeed, the cell was a palace after the miserable huts in which we have passed the winter.  I am glad, however, the czar gave the general a wigging, for he spoke brutally to me on my arrival.  You may be sure, now, that any prisoners that may be taken will be well treated; for Doctor Kelly, who has been extremely kind to me, will certainly take good care of them.  As to my wound, it is of little consequence.  It fell on my steel cap, and I think I was stunned by its force, rather than rendered insensible by the cut itself.”

After three hours’ riding they came to a village.  As soon as they were seen approaching, there was a stir there.  A man riding ahead waved the white flag that he carried, and, when they entered the village, they found a party of fifty Swedish cavalry in the saddle.

The Russian escort, as soon as the Swedish officer and Charlie had joined their friends, turned and rode off.  A meal was in readiness, and when Charlie, who was still feeling somewhat weak from the effects of his wound, had partaken of it, the party proceeded on their way, and rode into Marienburg before nightfall.

Two or three miles outside the town, they met Harry Jervoise.  Two soldiers had been sent on at full speed, directly Charlie reached the village, to report that he had arrived there and was not seriously wounded, and, knowing about the time they would arrive, Harry had ridden out to meet his friend.

“You are looking white,” he said, after the first hearty greeting.

“I am feeling desperately tired, Harry.  The wound is of no consequence, but I lost a good deal of blood, and it is as much as I can do to keep my saddle, though we have been coming on quietly on purpose.  However, I shall soon be all right again, and I need hardly say that I am heartily glad to be back.”

“We have all been in a great way about you, Charlie, for we made sure that you were very badly wounded.  I can tell you, it was a relief when the men rode in three hours ago, with the news that you had arrived, and were not badly hurt.  The men seemed as pleased as we were, and there was a loud burst of cheering when we told them the news.  Cunningham and Forbes would have ridden out with me; but Cunningham is on duty, and Forbes thought that we should like to have a chat together.”