he cavalry would be visible for a considerable
distance across the flat country. Considerable bodies of men could
be seen, gathered round fires at a distance of not more than a
quarter of a mile on either hand, but, as the column passed between
them, there was no sign of any stir.

In a short time, the order was passed for the troops to form from
column into line, and the cavalry officer who brought it said that
there was a Russian battery erected right across the road, a little
more than a quarter of a mile ahead.

"Things look better, Captain Carstairs," the lieutenant said, as
the company, which happened to be leading, fell into line.

"Yes, I have no doubt we shall take their battery, coming down, as
we do, upon its rear. The question is, are there any intrenchments
ahead? Major Sion told us, when we halted, that the peasant assured
him that there were no works beyond it, and that it was the weakest
point of the line; but it is three days since he came out from
Notteburg, and, working hard as the Russians evidently do, they may
have pushed on their intrenchments far in advance of the battery by
this time."

The force halted for a moment. The guns were unlimbered, turned
round, and loaded. Then the line of cavalry opened right and left,
the four pieces poured a discharge of grape into the Russians,
clustered thickly in the battery four hundred yards away, and then,
with a shout, the Swedish cavalry charged, the infantry coming on
at a run behind them.

The surprise was complete. With cries of terror, the Russians for
the most part leapt from the battery and fled, and the few who
attempted to defend their guns were sabred by the cavalry.

"There are other works ahead!" Major Sion exclaimed, as, sitting on
his horse, he looked over the parapet, "and 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, running up fro