Gustavus Adolphus does not keep them idle, I warrant you."

"I have thought of going a dozen times," Graheme said, "but you see
circumstances have kept me back; but I have all along intended to
cross the seas when Malcolm came of an age to take the charge of
his father's lands. When my brother James was dying from that sword
thrust he got in a fray with the Duffs, I promised him I would be
a father to the boy, and see that he got his rights."

"Well, we will talk of the affair after supper, Graheme, for now
that I have got rid of the cold I begin to perceive that I am well
nigh famished."

As the officer was speaking, the servitors were laying the table,
and supper was soon brought in. After ample justice had been done
to this, and the board was again cleared, the three men drew their
seats round the fire, Malcolm seating himself on a low stool by
his uncle.

"And now to business, Nigel," Colonel Munro said. "We have not come
back to Scotland to see the country, or to enjoy your weather, or
even for the pleasure of swimming your rivers in flood.

"We are commissioned by the King of Sweden to raise some 3000
or 4000 more Scottish troops. I believe that the king intends to
take part in the war in Germany, where the Protestants are getting
terribly mauled, and where, indeed, it is likely that the Reformed
Religion will be stamped out altogether unless the Swedes strike in
to their rescue. My chief object is to fill up to its full strength
of two thousand men the Mackay Regiment, of which I am lieutenant