- But Don't Expect I Shall Take
The Pains To Write It Over Again, Or Even Tell You The Subject On Which
It Turned.
Horatio cooly said, he could not but confess he had been to blame, and
must therefore allow the justice of her proceeding.
As none present
besides himself, his bedfellow, and Mullern, knew the truth of this
affair, what passed between them was taken by the others as literally
spoken, and little suspected to couch the mystery it really did.
Mullern, after this, by the assistance of Horatio and the old officer,
had frequent opportunities of gratifying his own and the amorous
Mattakesa's desires. - The testimonies she gave him how well she was
pleased with his conversation, were for the common good of his
companions. - Horatio was easy in finding himself out of all danger of
any solicitations he was determined never to acquiesce in; and those
three who were in the secret passed their time pleasantly enough,
whenever they had an opportunity of talking on this adventure, without
any of the others being witnesses of what they said.
CHAP. XXI.
The prisoners expectations raised: a terrible disappointment: some of
the chief carried to prince Menzikoff's palace: their usage there.
Horatio set at liberty, and the occasion.
Our captives had soon after a new matter of rejoicing: a Polander in the
service of Muscovy, who had been taken prisoner by the Swedes, and was
discharged and sent home, with a great number of others, by the
unparallell'd generosity of Charles XII. was one of the guards who now
did duty in the prison. It was often his turn to bring them their poor
allowance of provision; and having some pity for their condition, as
well as gratitude for a people who had used him and his companions in a
different manner, told them, that they might be of good heart, for, said
he, you will soon be set at liberty: - our emperor has enough to do to
keep his ground in Ukraina: Charles is as victorious as ever: - the
prince of the Cosaques, one of the bravest men on earth, next to
himself, has entered into an alliance with him: - king Stanislaus is
sending him succours from Poland: - a powerful reinforcement is coming to
him from Lithuania; and when these armies are joined, as I believe they
already are, nothing can withstand them: - you will hear the Swedish
march beat from this prison walls, - and perhaps see your present
conquerors change places with you; and, to confirm the truth of what I
say, continued he, I can further assure you that the czar, before I left
the camp, was in the utmost confusion: - his council, as well as army,
were at a stand, and he had twice made overtures of peace, and
been refused.
This was an intelligence which might well be transporting to the king of
Sweden's officers: - the thought; of seeing him enter Petersburgh a
conqueror, - of once more embracing their old friends and companions, and
of triumphing over those who had so cruelly abused the power the chance
of war had put into their hands, made them all, in their turns, hug and
bless the kind informer: - they also asked him several questions
concerning the generals; and each being more particular concerning those
they had the greatest interest in, received from this honest soldier all
the satisfaction they could desire.
As couriers were continually arriving from the army, there passed few
days without hearing some farther confirmation of their most sanguine
expectations; but at length the guard being again changed, they lost all
further intelligence, and were for several months without being able to
hear any thing of what passed. They doubted not, however, but as things
were in so good a disposition, every day brought them nearer to the
completion of their wishes; and it was this pleasing prospect which
addressed their misfortunes, and enabled them to sustain cheerfully
those hardships which, almost ever since the withdrawing of Edella's
bounty, they had laboured under. - Mattakesa, in the beginning of her
amours with Mullern, had indeed made him some presents, which he shared
with his companions; but either the natural inconstancy of her temper
making her grow weary of this intrigue for the sake of another, or her
circumstances not allowing her to continue such Donations, she soon grew
sparing of them, and at length totally desisted her visits at
the prison.
As, ever since the compassionate Edella had procured them to be
removed from the dungeon, they had enjoyed the privilege of walking on
the leads, and going up to the round tower, which being of a very great
height, not only overlooked the town, but the country round for a
considerable distance, they frequently made use of this indulgence, at
first for no other purpose than to have the benefit of the open air, but
now in hope of seeing their beloved prince at the head of a victorious
army approaching to give them liberty and relief. - But, alas! how
terrible a reverse of their high-raised expectations had inconstant
fortune in store for them. - One day as they were sitting together,
discoursing on the usual topics with which they entertained each other,
and endeavoured to beguile the tedious time, they heard a confused noise
as of some sudden tumult. - Tho' they had now been above a year in
Russia, none of them could speak the language well enough to be
understood, so could receive no information from the guard, even should
they have proved good-natured enough to be willing to satisfy their
curiosity, so they all run hastily up to the round tower, whence they
easily perceived the town in great confusion, and the people running in
such crowds, that in the hurry many were trampled to death in
endeavouring to pass the gates: - at a distance they perceived standards
waving in the air, but could not yet distinguish what arms they bore. - A
certain shivering and palpitation, the natural consequence of suspence,
ran thro' all their nerves, divided as they were at this sight, between
hope and fear; but when it drew more near, - when, instead of Swedish
colours they beheld those of Russia; - when, in the place where they
expected to see their gallant king coming to restore them once more to
freedom, they saw the implacable czar enter in triumph, followed by
those heroes, the least of whom had lately made him tremble, now in
chains, and exposed to the ribald mirth and derision of the gaping
crowd, they lost at once their fortitude, and even all sense of
expressing their grief at this misfortune:
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