THROUGH RUSSIAN SNOWS

CONTENTS


CHAP. PAGE

I. TWO BROTHERS, 11

II. BEFORE THE JUSTICES, 30

III. IN A FRESH SCRAPE, 48

IV. THE SMUGGLER'S CAVE, 67

V. FOLLOWING A TRAIL, 84

VI. A COMMISSION, 103

VII. A FRENCH PRISON, 122

VIII. PISTOL PRACTICE, 140

IX. A DUEL, 158

X. SMOLENSK, 177

XI. WITH THE RUSSIAN ARMY, 195

XII. BORODINO, 213

XIII. WITH THE REAR-GUARD, 242

XIV. NEY'S RETREAT, 263

XV. IN COMFORTABLE QUARTERS, 292

XVI. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING, 309


CHAPTER I

TWO BROTHERS


When Colonel Wyatt died, all Weymouth agreed that it was a most
unfortunate thing for his sons Julian and Frank. The loss of a father is
always a misfortune to lads, but it was more than usually so in this
case. They had lost their mother years before, and Colonel Wyatt's
sister had since kept house for him. As a housekeeper she was an
efficient substitute, as a mother to the boys she was a complete
failure. How she ever came to be Colonel Wyatt's sister was a puzzle to
all their acquaintances. The Colonel was quick and alert, sharp and
decisive in speech, strong in his opinions, peremptory in his manner,
kindly at heart, but irascible in temper. Mrs. Troutbeck was gentle and
almost timid in manner; report said that she had had a hard time of it
in her married life, and that Troutbeck had frightened out of her any
vestige of spirit that she had ever possessed. Mrs. Troutbeck never
argued, and was always in perfect agreement with any opinion expressed,
a habit that was constantly exciting the wrath and indignation of her
brother.