me was Charles XII. He was a mere boy,
being only at that time eighteen years of age, and he had just
succeeded to the throne. He was, however, a prince of remarkable
talents and energy, and in his subsequent campaigns against Peter and
his allies he distinguished himself so much that he acquired great
renown, and finally took his place among the most illustrious military
heroes in history.

The first operation of the war was the siege of the city of Narva.
Narva was a port on the Baltic; the situation of it, as well as that of
the other places mentioned in this chapter, is seen by the adjoining
map, which shows the general features of the Russian and Swedish
frontier as it existed at that time.

[Illustration: Map of the Russian and Swedish frontier.]

Narva, as appears by the map, is situated on the sea-coast, near the
frontier--much nearer than Riga. Peter expected that by the conquest
of this city he should gain access to the sea, and so be able to build
ships which would aid him in his ulterior operations. He also
calculated that when Narva was in his hands the way would be open for
him to advance on Riga. Indeed, at the same time while he was
commencing the siege of Narva, his ally, the King of Poland, advanced
from his own dominions to Riga, and was now prepared to attack that
city at the same time that the Czar was besieging Narva.

In the mean while the news of these movements was sent by couriers to
the King of Sweden, and the conduct of Peter in thus suddenly making
war upon him, and invading his dominions, made him exceedingly
indignant. The only cause of quarrel which Peter pretended to have
against the king was the uncivil treatment which he had received at the
hands of the Governor of Riga in refusing to allow him to see the
fortifications when he passed through that city on his tour. Peter
had, it is true, complained of this insult, as he called it, and had
sent commissioners to Sweden to demand satisfaction; and certain
explanations had been made, though Peter professed not to be satisfied
with them. Still, the negotiations had not been closed, and the
government of Sweden had no idea that the misunderstanding would lead
to war. Indeed, the commissioners were still at the Swedish court,
continuing the negotiations, when the news arrived that Peter had at
once brought the question to an issue by declaring war and invading the
Swedish territory. The king immediately collected a large army, a