A few blackened walls alone showed where houses had stood.

Gardens had been destroyed, and orchards levelled.
Light smoke could be seen rising at many points from the Russian fires, and, when the troops were halted, they were but half a mile from the intrenchments.
Word was passed down that the rapid Swedish march was to be moderated, and that they were to move carelessly and at a slow rate, as if fatigued by a long march, and that the spears were to be carried at the trail, as they were so much longer than those used by the Russians that their length would, if carried erect, at once betray the nationality of the troops.

There was no attempt at concealment, for the cavalry would be visible for a considerable distance across the flat country.

Considerable bodies of men could be seen, gathered round fires at a distance of not more than a quarter of a mile on either hand, but, as the column passed between them, there was no sign of any stir.
In a short time, the order was passed for the troops to form from column into line, and the cavalry officer who brought it said that there was a Russian battery erected right across the road, a little more than a quarter of a mile ahead.
"Things look better, Captain Carstairs," the lieutenant said, as the company, which happened to be leading, fell into line.
"Yes, I have no doubt we shall take their battery, coming down, as we do, upon its rear.

The question is, are there any intrenchments ahead?
Major Sion told us, when we halted, that the peasant assured him that there were no works beyond it, and that it was the weakest point of the line; but it is three days since he came out from Notteburg, and, working hard as the Russians evidently do, they may have pushed on their intrenchments far in advance of the battery by this time." The force halted for a moment.