“We cannot force our way farther,” the major said to Charlie.  “We knew nothing of these works, and they are fatal to our enterprise.  We must retreat while we can.  Do you not think so?”

“Yes, sir, I think the enterprise is quite hopeless.”

The order was given.  The troops faced about, formed into closer order, and at the double retraced their steps, the spearmen of each company forming its front line, and the musketeers the second.

Already it was growing dusk.  The cavalry, riding ahead, scattered the small bodies of men who threw themselves in their way, and the battery they had first taken was entered without loss.  There was a momentary halt here, for the men to recover their wind.  Then the musketeers poured a volley into a dark line advancing upon them, the horsemen charged in among them, the long pikes of the front line cleared the way, and, with a shout, the Swedes passed through their foes and pressed forward.

But more troops were gathering to bar their way, and the major changed the line of march sharply to the right, sweeping along by the side of the force through which they had just cut their way, the musketeers on the flank firing into them as they passed.  The movement was an adroit one, for in the gathering darkness the enemy in front would not be able to distinguish friends from foes, or to perceive the nature of the movement.  For a few minutes they were unmolested, then the course was again changed, and Charlie was beginning to think that, in the darkness, they would yet make their escape, when a dull heavy sound was heard in their rear.

“That’s the Russian cavalry, Bowyer.  Take the musketeers on with you, and keep close to the company ahead.  I will break them up with the pikemen.  If they do come up to you, give them a volley and then continue your retreat with the rest.”

While the captains of the other two companies had placed their pikemen in the front line, Charlie had placed his in the rear, in order to repel any attack of cavalry from that direction.  He now formed them in a close clump, taking his place among them.  The Russian squadrons came along with a deep roll like that of thunder.  They were but thirty yards away when they perceived the little cluster of men with levelled lances.  A few, unable to check their horses, rushed upon the points, but most of them reined in their little steeds in time.  In a moment, the Swedes were surrounded by a wall of yelling horsemen, some of whom tried to break through the hedge of spears, while others discharged their pistols.

Charlie listened anxiously for the roll of a volley of musketry, but no sound came, and he felt sure that the whole body of cavalry had halted round him, and that his movement had saved the rest, who would now, if fortunate, be able to make their way off in the darkness.  But the men were falling now from the pistol fire of the Cossacks, and, feeling that the work had been done, he determined to make one effort to save the men with him.