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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 edition. Excerpt:... first and last in danger himself, gaining his officers' love in being the companion both of their labours and dangers," etc. He was impatient, too, of excuses. A soldier complained to him that the ground was frozen; the digging could not be done in time. "Necessity" said the King "admits of no such excuses." The want of good maps made frequent recognisances necessary. In these the King was ever foremost, often to his own great danger. Before Demmin when he was engaged in this work he tumbled through the ice on a marsh and was immersed to his middle, whereon Monro's Captain Dumaine went towards him to help him out. His Majesty "wagged his hand that the Captain might retire, which the enemy perceiving shot above a thousand shot of musket at his Majesty, who at last wrought himself loose, coming off without hurt, and sat awhile by our guard fire." Whereupon the bold Dumaine remonstrated with him for hazarding his person, on whom the eyes of Europe were fixed; "what would become of us," he said, "the brave cavaliers of fortune, if anything should happen to your Majesty?" The King was grateful for the warning, and confessed his fault, and then "before he had changed his wet clothes in a cold tent, called for meat and dined grossely, and taking a great draught of wine went and changed his clothes." Savelli was in command at Demmin, which was immensely strong, yet before the Swedes had taken any of the approaches, except two small sconces, he agreed to surrender (February 13th), and thus Gustavus was free either to advance into Mecklenburg or to turn upon Tilly. For his plan had succeeded. He had drawn Tilly after him. Tilly considered that his troops, 15,000 strong, were now sufficiently...