148 GUSTAVUS A PRISONER. 



Very soon after the last-named action, however, and 

 whilst negotiations were going on between the Regent and 

 Christian, who owing to storms had taken refuge on the 

 Swedish coast, the monarch, by the foulest treachery, seized 

 several of the most distinguished Swedes, and amongst the 

 rest Gustavus himself, and sailed away with them to Den- 

 mark, where they were put in prison, and most harshly 

 treated. At first the Tyrant was advised by his minions to 

 put them all to death ; but this counsel was overruled, and 

 he determined rather to hold them in confinement, as a curb 

 on their relatives and friends at home. 



Fortunately for Gustavus, a Danish nobleman, Erik 

 Baner, who was distantly related to him by the mother's 

 side, compassionated his wretched and forlorn situation, and 

 solicited Christian to permit him to take the young knight to 

 Kallo, in Jutland, the estate on which he himself resided, 

 promising at the same time to be responsible for his keeping. 

 Though much against the Tyrant's inclination, he granted 

 Baner 's petition ; but only on the condition that he was to 

 pay a iine of six thousand rix- dollars a very considerable 

 sum in those days should the prisoner, whom he so much 

 dreaded, make his escape. 



Gustavus, therefore, accompanied his relative, by whom he 

 was most kindly welcomed and entertained ; and on passing 

 his word, written and verbal, that he would not attempt to 

 leave the place, he was allowed very great liberty, so much 

 so, indeed, that at times he would wander for miles from the 

 mansion at first, it is true, always accompanied by a guard ; 

 but after a time the confidence of Baner was so completely 

 won, that he was permitted to go unattended wherever he 

 pleased. 



