Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XIII. Reign of Charles XII, 1697–1718 - B. Opening of the Great Northern War - C. War with Russia
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War with Russia 221
impression that he never ceased to despise these
princes and never trusted them any more.
Denmark Forced to Make Peace. With confidence
Charles proceeded to face the danger. He left his capi-
tal, which he was destined never to see again, to pre-
pare in person an attack on Denmark and thus aid
his ally. He landed on Seeland, where Frederick IV
had not expected an attack. After a short fight the in-
ferior forces of the enemy were driven back. There
is a saying that when Charles landed and heard the
bullets whiz about him, he exclaimed, "This shall hence-
forth be my music.’
7
Denmark hastened to make peace with the Duke of
Holstein-Gottorp in Traventhal, a castle on the Trave,
in 1700. Denmark pledged herself not to molest Hoi-
stein nor assist the enemies of Sweden. Charles then
left Seeland to proceed against the Russians.
C. THE WAR WITH RUSSIA
The Battle of Narva, 1700. Charles soon reached the
eastern shores of the Baltic. Peter besieged the city
of Narva with a force of 40,000 men. Charles advanced
with an army of 10,000 men over roads made well-nigh
impassable by fall rains, and through a country rav-
aged by the enemy. During the last four days the men
had starved, and their horses had scarcely had a straw.
But Charles would listen to no talk of waiting for sup-
plies. "I know," he said, "that God is with me, and I
have a righteous cause."
Just as the Swedes moved against the enemy’s lines,
a sudden snowstorm arose and drove the snow and
sleet into the faces of the Russians, and when the
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