I should think I might start in a week." The surgeon, however, would not hear of this; and it was the end of the third week in September before Fergus rode from Frankfort.

The news from the south was so far satisfactory that he had fidgeted less than he would otherwise have done.

Daun had, in fact, retired hastily from Meissen, and had taken post in an almost impregnable position at Stolpen.

Neisse was being besieged and must be relieved, but Daun now blocked Frederick's way at Stolpen, both to that town and to Bautzen--cut him off, indeed, from Silesia, and for the moment the royal army and that of Prince Maurice were lying at Dresden.

Fergus, therefore, was content to follow the doctor's orders, and to spend four days on the journey down to Dresden.
Keith was there, and received him joyfully.