"I will make things as smooth as I can." He walked quickly to the little house where the king had taken up his quarters.

There was no sentry at the door, or other sign that the house contained an occupant of special rank.

He knocked at the door, and hearing a shout of "Enter," opened it and went in.
"Ah, my young ensign; is it you ?" the king said, rising from a low settle on which he was sitting by the fire, talking with Colonel Schlippenbach.
"Hurt somewhat, I see, but not badly, I hope.

I was sure that you would not have been taken prisoner, unless you had been injured." "I was cut down by a blow that clove my helmet, your majesty, and stunned me for some time; but, beyond making a somewhat long gash on my skull, it did me no great harm." "That speaks well for the thickness of your skull, lad, and I am heartily glad it is no worse.

Now, tell me, how did they treat you ?" "It was a somewhat rough cell into which I was thrown, sir, but I was most kindly tended by an Irish doctor high in the czar's service, and, when the czar himself arrived, and learned that I had not been lodged as well as he thought necessary, I hear he was so angered that he disgraced the general, deprived him of his command, and sent him to take charge of some fortress in the interior of Russia; and I was, by his orders, allowed to occupy the doctor's quarters, and a bedroom was assigned to me next to his.