So they ought to be good." Charlie guessed that the team must have been a present from the czar, and, remembering what Doctor Kelly had said of the czar's personal communications with him, he thought that the ruler of Russia must have a particular liking for doctors, and that the medical profession must be a more honoured and profitable one in Russia than elsewhere.
After driving with great rapidity for upwards of an hour along the banks of the Neva, Charlie saw a great number of people at work on an island in the middle of the river, some distance ahead, and soon afterwards, to his surprise, observed a multitude on the flat, low ground ahead.
"This is what I have brought you to see," his companion said.

"Do you know what they are doing ?" "It seems to me that they are building a fortress on that island." "You are right.

We have got a footing on the sea, and we are going to keep it.

While Charles of Sweden is fooling away his time in Poland, in order to gratify his spite against Augustus, we are strengthening ourselves here, and never again will Sweden wrest Ingria from our hands." "It is marvellous how much has been done already," Charlie said, as he looked at the crowd of workmen.
"Everything was prepared," his companion said.

"While the army was invading Livonia, and driving the remnant of the Swedes into Revel, thousands of carts laden with piles of wood, stone, and cement were moving towards Ingria.