You have just got back in time to pay my enemies back for it." The prospect was not a cheerful one, when the Swedes arrived on the banks of the Dwina.

The Saxons were somewhat superior in force, and it would be a desperate enterprise to cross the river, in the teeth of their cannon and musketry.

Already the king had caused a number of large flat boats to be constructed.

The sides were made very high, so as to completely cover the troops from musketry, and were hinged so as to let down and act as gangways, and facilitate a landing.
Charlie was standing on the bank, looking at the movements of the Saxon troops across the river, and wondering how the passage was to be effected, when a hand was placed on his shoulder.

Looking round, he saw it was the king, who, as was his custom, was moving about on foot, unattended by any of his officers.
"Wondering how we are to get across, lieutenant ?" "That is just what I was thinking over, your majesty." "We want another snowstorm, as we had at Narva," the king said.
"The wind is blowing the right way, but there is no chance of such another stroke of luck, at this time of year." "No, sir; but I was thinking that one might make an artificial fog." "How do you mean ?" the king asked quickly.
"Your majesty has great stacks of straw here, collected for forage for the cattle.