colonel. The rest of the recruits whom we may get will go as drafts
to fill up the vacancies in the other regiments. So you see here
we are, and it is our intention to beat up all our friends and
relations, and ask them each to raise a company or half a company
of recruits, of which, of course, they would have the command.

"We landed at Berwick, and wrote to several of our friends that
we were coming. Scott of Jedburgh has engaged to raise a company.
Balfour of Lauderdale, who is a cousin of mine, has promised to
bring another; they were both at St. Andrew's with us, as you may
remember, Graheme. Young Hamilton, who had been an ensign in my
regiment, left us on the way. He will raise a company in Douglasdale.
Now, Graheme, don't you think you can bring us a band of the men
of Nithsdale?"

"I don't know," Graheme said hesitatingly. "I should like it of all
things, for I am sick of doing nothing here, and my blood often runs
hot when I read of the persecutions of the Protestants in Germany;
but I don't think I can manage it."

"Oh, nonsense, Nigel!" said Hume; "you can manage it easily enough
if you have the will. Are you thinking of the lad there? Why not
bring him with you? He is young, certainly, but he could carry a
colour; and as for his spirit and bravery, Munro and I will vouch
for it."

"Oh, do, uncle," the lad exclaimed, leaping to his feet in his
excitement. "I promise you I would not give you any trouble; and
as for marching, there isn't a man in Nithsdale who can tire me
out across the mountains."