A splendid gun, pistols, and a sword, with the hilt studded with gems, completed his outfit; while Stanislas had been presented with a heavy purse of money.
The whole of the retainers of the castle were assembled to see them start, and the count and countess, at parting, made him promise to come and pay them another visit, if the fortune of war should bring him within the possibility of reaching them.
The journey was a delightful one.

Each night they put up at the chateau of some nobleman.

To many of these Count John Staroski was personally known; at the others, his name secured at once a hearty welcome for himself and his companion.

Travelling only by day, and at the full speed of the horses, they escaped interruption by the marauding bands, and in fourteen days after starting they drove into the town where Charles of Sweden had his headquarters, after being twice stopped and questioned by bodies of Swedish horse.
The town was crowded with troops, and they had some difficulty in finding a lodging for themselves, and stabling for the horses.

As soon as this was done, Charlie proceeded alone to the quarters of Count Piper..