t is certain none of
us would do, should we meet with a repulse at daybreak."

"Your reasons are very just, Captain Carstairs. Though certainly my
opinion was in accordance with that given by your fellow officers,
I am bound to say that your argument seems unanswerable.

"What say you, gentlemen? I have two objects in view--the first to
reinforce the garrison of Notteburg, the second to save the troops
under my command, if I should fail in doing so. I know the country
well, but its features will be considerably altered. Trees will
have been cut down, houses levelled, intrenchments thrown up, camps
scattered here and there, and I own that in the dark, I might, as
Captain Carstairs says, very easily miss my way. I think his
proposal therefore unites the greatest chances of getting through
their line and entering the town, with a possibility of drawing off
the troops without great loss, in case of failure."

The other three officers at once agreed, and orders were issued for
the men to lie down until five o'clock and rest themselves before
pursuing their march.

It was past that hour before they were in motion again. Major Sion,
with a peasant from the neighbourhood of Notteburg, rode ahead.
Then came the troop of cavalry, with the guns close behind them,
followed by the infantry. As they approached the Russian lines, the
peasant several times went on in advance, and presently a trooper
rode down the line, with the order that the troops with firearms
were to light their matches, and the spearmen to keep in a compact
body.

They were now not far from the Russian lines, and the destruction
that had been wrought during the last ten days was visible to them.
Every tree and bush had been felled, for use in the intrenchments
or for the erection of shelters. A few blackened walls alone showed
where houses had stood. Gardens had been destroyed, and orchards
levelled.

Light smoke could be seen rising at many points from the Russian
fires, and, when the troops were halted, they were but half a mile
from the intrenchments.

Word was passed down that the rapid Swedish march was to be
moderated, and that they were to move carelessly and at a slow
rate, as if fatigued by a long march, and that the spears were to
be carried at the trail, as they were so much longer than those
used by the Russians that their length would, if carried erect, at
once betray the nationality of the troops. There was no attempt at
concealment, for t