The Russians' cannon are bombarding it, night and day, and more batteries are in course of erection, and Schlippenbach the governor, who is, I believe, a brother of the general, has but a few pieces to reply to them.
"Were there an army advancing to the relief of the place, it would be different altogether, for our reinforcement might be of vital importance in repelling assaults, until aid arrived.

But there is no hope of aid.

The king's army is some nine hundred miles away, and his hands are full.

General Schlippenbach has sent as many men as he could spare.

They say there are at least twenty thousand Russians round the town, and where is an army to come from that can compel them to raise the siege?
To my mind, we shall either be destroyed making our way into the town, or, if we do get in, shall be made prisoners of war, if not massacred--for the Russians have but vague ideas as to giving quarter--when the town falls, which may be a fortnight hence." "It seems a bad lookout, altogether," the lieutenant remarked.
"Very much so.