them as if he had been only a lieutenant with nothing but his
sword for his fortune, instead of a great noble. When he was with
de la Valette and Weimar, and the army had to fall back and were
well nigh starved, Turenne sold his plate and his carriages to buy
food for the men. He had his own baggage thrown out of the wagons
to make room for those who were too weak to march; and on one
occasion gave up his own horse to a soldier who was sinking from
fatigue and hunger, and himself marched on foot. He always leads
his troops in battle, and wherever he goes they will follow. He
was right in saying that he does not spare himself. The soldiers
believe that he does without any sleep when on a campaign, for he
is for ever going round seeing that everything is in order, that
the outposts are properly placed and vigilant, and that the soldiers
have food, and such comfort as can be obtained. Now let us go in
and tell my comrades of your good fortune. There is not a man in
the regiment who will not be glad to hear of it. I will go across
with you myself to the colonel's lodging."

"But please, sergeant, do not say a word about my folly; only say
that the general, coming across a party of us playing at war,
questioned me, and finding that I was the son of a Scottish officer
who had been killed at La Rochelle, and that I had worked hard
at getting up the history of the wars, and longed much to go into
the army, had promised to come round the next day, and said that
he might be able to aid me."

"I understand, lad. Yes, it is better that your foolishness should
not be known."

The colonel was greatly pleased when he heard of what had happened.