Charlie at once chose the latter alternative.
"Very well, Captain Carstairs, you can rejoin when you like, but
remember I may claim your services again. You see, now that you
have acquired a knowledge of Polish, your value for this sort of
work is largely increased."
As soon as the frost had broken, the Swedish army commenced its
advance. Skirmishes frequently took place, but Augustus had, as
yet, no army with which he could meet them in the field, and he
summoned a diet at Warsaw, in hopes of persuading the Poles to
decide upon calling out the whole national force.
In this he failed altogether. The citizens, led by the foreign
traders, were already openly opposed to him, and their attitude so
encouraged his opponents in the diet, that many of these rose and
openly denounced the government, and the conduct of the king, that
had brought the country into its present difficulties.
As the Swedish army advanced, they were joined by the Duke of
Holstein, and, in spite of the efforts of a considerable body of
the enemy, under Prince Wisniowiski, progressed steadily, crossed
the river Memel, and, when near Grodno, were met by an embassy sent
by the diet, to endeavour to persuade Charles not to advance
further.
An interview took place between the king, the Poles, and his
ministers, the conversation on both sides being in Latin.
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