about 3000 artillery, he had, after despatching troops to aid Munro
and besiege Colberg, marched against the Imperialists under Conti.
These, however, retreated in great disorder and with much loss of
men, guns, and baggage, into Brandenburg; and in a few weeks after
the Swedish landing only Colberg, Greifswald, and Demming held out.
In January Gustavus concluded a treaty with France, who agreed to
pay him an annual subsidy of 400,000 thalers on the condition that
Gustavus maintained in the field an army of 30,000 infantry and
6000 cavalry, and assured to the princes and peoples whose territory
he might occupy the free exercise of their religion. England also
promised a subsidy, and the Marquis of Hamilton was to bring over
6000 infantry; but as the king did not wish openly to take part
in the war this force was not to appear as an English contingent.
Another regiment of Highlanders was brought over by Colonel John
Munro of Obstell, and also a regiment recruited in the Lowlands by
Colonel Sir James Lumsden.

Many other parties of Scotch were brought over by gentlemen of rank.
Four chosen Scottish regiments, Hepburn's regiment, Lord Reay's
regiment, Sir James Lumsden's musketeers, and Stargate's corps,
were formed into one brigade under the command of Hepburn. It was
called the Green Brigade, and the doublets, scarfs, feathers, and
standards were of that colour. The rest of the infantry were divided
into the Yellow, Blue, and White Brigades.

One evening when the officers of Reay's regiment were sitting round
the campfire Lieutenant Farquhar said to Colonel Munro:

"How is it that Sir John Hepburn has, although still so young,
risen to such high honour in the counsel of the king; how did he