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commission was demanded of me, which I did not possess.

It was declared that I could not be accepted with a rank higher than Ensign, to which I firmly refused, and after some deliberation I was promised the rank of Lieutenant.

My Dutch ducats lay scattered on country roads and in inns.

A few indeed remained, so that I could buy a pair of boots, but from where were further monies to be obtained for a costly outfitting?

One of my former friends, with an illustrious name and poor finances, had left the service of the fatherland and travelled to Estonia to make the acquaintance of relatives of the same name.

He had recently married, acquired considerable wealth, and lived near Reval.

He had travelled to Petersburg on business, and by a strange occurrence I met him in the street.

What a sight for me?

Within two hours I had, at my hosts' house, a bag containing 200 silver roubles, and when I met him thereafter, he gave me a draft upon a merchant house, where I could draw as much money as I might further require, though on the condition that I seek a posting with an Infantry Regiment then serving in Reval.

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