occupied by the hardships of his own lot, and by thoughts of the
home from which he had been torn, to seek for the companionship of
his comrades in misfortune.

As soon, however, as Malcolm heard the report of Tilly's intentions,
he saw that it was of the utmost importance that the King of Sweden
should be informed of the Imperialist plans as early as possible,
and he determined at once to start and endeavour to make his way
across the country. At nightfall the train with the baggage and
plunder was as usual so placed that it was surrounded by the camps
of the various brigades of the army in order to prevent desertion.
The previous night an escape would have been comparatively easy, for
the soldiers were worn out by their exertions at the siege of New
Brandenburg, and were still heavy from the drink they had obtained
there; but discipline was now restored, and the sentries were on
the alert. A close cordon of these was placed around the baggage
train; and when this was passed, there would still be the difficulty
of escaping through the camps of soldiery, and of passing the
outposts. Malcolm waited until the camp became quiet, or rather
comparatively quiet, for the supplies of wine were far from
exhausted, and revelling was still going on in various parts of the
camp, for the rigid discipline in use in modern armies was at that
time unknown, and except when on duty in the ranks a wide amount
of license was permitted to the soldiers. The night was fine and
bright, and Malcolm saw that it would be difficult to get through
the line of sentries who were stationed some thirty or forty yards
apart.

After thinking for some time he went up to a group of eight or ten
horses which were fastened by their bridles to a large store wagon