Hector gave an involuntary exclamation of horror at the thought of
the freedom with which he had the day before discoursed with this
famous commander. Military officers at that time did not wear any
set uniforms, and indeed there was very considerable latitude
among the soldiers, and it was only because he was followed by two
attendants that the boy had taken him to be an officer, probably
a young captain. The quietness of his dress had not even led him
to believe that he belonged to a noble family.

"This lad tells me that he is the son of Captain Campbell of the
Scottish regiment?"

"That is so, general."

"And also that you were a sergeant in his father's company, and
have since taken care of him."

"I have done the best I could for him, general; but indeed the
officers of the regiment allow me quite as much as the lad's food
costs."

"He seems to be a careful student of military history, sergeant?"

"That he is, sir. I don't think there has been a battle, or even a
skirmish, in the past ten years which he cannot tell you the ins
and outs of. He will sit here for hours as quiet as a mouse when
some soldiers from the wars come in, and sometimes he gets books
lent him with the plans of battles and sieges, and when he is not
doing that he is in the barrack yard watching the men drill. I