Toward evening Karl Gustav arrived at Grabov, joyous and in good humor. He was just preparing for sleep when Aschemberg announced through the officer of the day that he wished greatly to see the king. After a while he entered the royal quarters, not alone, but with a captain of dragoons. The king, who had a quick eye and a memory so enormous that he remembered nearly every soldier’s name, recognized the captain at once. “What is the news, Freed?” asked he. “Has Dubois returned?” “Dubois is killed.” The king was confused; only now did he notice that the captain looked as if he had been taken from the grave; and his clothes were torn. “But the dragoons?” inquired he, “those two regiments?” “All cut to pieces. I alone was let off alive.” The dark face of the king became still darker; with his hands he placed his locks behind his ears. “Who did this?” “Charnyetski.” Karl Gustav was silent, and looked with amazement at Aschemberg; but he only nodded as if wishing to repeat: “Charnyetski, Charnyetski, Charnyetski!” “All this is incredible,” said the king, after a while. “Have you seen him with your own eyes?” “As I see your Royal Grace. He commanded me to bow to you, and to declare that now he will recross the Vistula, but will soon be on our track again. I know not whether he told the truth.” “Well,” said the king, “had he many men with him?” “I could not estimate exactly, but I saw about four thousand, and beyond the forest was cavalry of some kind. We were surrounded near Krasichyn, to which Colonel Dubois went purposely from the highroad, for he was told that there were some men there. Now, I think that Charnyetski sent an informant to lead us into ambush, since no one save me came out alive. The peasants killed the wounded. I escaped by a miracle.” “That man must have made a compact with hell,” said the king, putting his hand to his forehead; “for to rally troops after such a defeat, and be on our neck again, is not human power.” “It has happened as Marshal Wittemberg foresaw,” put in Aschemberg. “You all know how to foresee,” burst out the king, “but how to advise you do not know.” Aschemberg grew pale and was silent. Karl Gustav, when joyous, seemed goodness itself; but when once he frowned he roused indescribable fear in those nearest him, and birds do not hide so before an eagle as the oldest and most meritorious generals hid before him. But this time he moderated quickly, and asked Captain Freed again,— “Has Charnyetski good troops?” “I saw some unrivalled squadrons, such cavalry as the Poles have.” “They are the same that attacked with such fury in Golamb; they must be old regiments. But Charnyetski himself,—was he cheerful, confident?”