When the Swedes occupy a Danish manor house, Svend Poulsen decides to help the family to safety. Along the way, Ib is taken prisoner. Svend Poulsen and his gang pretend to be a platoon of Swedish soldiers arriving at the castle where Ib is chained to the roof. During dinner that evening, the Swedish commander becomes suspicious, and soon the soldiers are fighting each other. However, Svend manages to free Ib.

It is the war year of 1658, and the winter in February is so harsh that the belts are frozen. The Swedish King Charles X Gustav, who has arrived in Germany, is now staying in Jutland. He and his army can cross the straits and continue on toward Copenhagen. Svend Gønge is given a particularly difficult task by Frederick III: 50,000 rigsdaler belonging to the king must be brought from Vordingborg Church to Copenhagen.