ol shot, which
would have brought his career to a close.

"You are right," he said quietly; "but in these times it is not safe
always to state one's errand to all comers. I am a Scotch officer in the
army of the King of Sweden. I was in New Brandenburg when it was stormed
by Tilly. I disguised myself, and, passing unnoticed, was forced to
accompany his army as a teamster. The second night I escaped, and am now
making my way to Schwedt, where I hope to find the army."

The man replaced his pistol.

"You are an outspoken lad," he said laughing, "and a fearless one. I
believe that your story is true, for no German boor would have looked
me in the face and answered so quietly; but I have heard that the Scotch
scarce know what danger is, though they will find Tilly and Pappenheim
very different customers to the Poles."

"Which side do you fight on?" Malcolm asked.

"A frank question and a bold one!" the leader laughed. "What say you,
men? Whom are we for just at present? We were for the Imperialists the
other day, but now they have marched away, and as it may be the Swedes
will be coming in this direction, I fancy that we shall soon find
ourselves on the side of the new religion."

The men laughed. "What shall we do with this boy? To begin with, if he
is what he says, no doubt he has some money with him."

Malcolm at once drew out his purse. "Here are nine gold pieces," he
said. "They are all I have, save some small change."

"That is better than nothing," the leader said, pocketing the purse.
"And now what shall we do with him?"

"He is a Protestant," one of the men replied; "best shoot him."

"I should say," another said, "that we had best make him our cook. Old
Rollo is always grumbling at being kept at the work, and his cooking
gets worse and worse. I could not get my jaws into the meat this
morning."

A murmur of agreement was raised by the other horsemen.

"So be it," the leader said. "Dost hear, lad? You have the choice
whether you will be cook to a band of honourable gentlemen or be shot at
once."

"The choice pleases me not," Malcolm replied. "Still, if it must
needs be, I would prefer for a time the post of cook to the other
alternative."

"And mind you," the leader said sharply, "at the first attempt to escape
we string you up to the nearest bough. Carl, do you lead him back and
set him to work, and tell the men there to keep a sharp watch upon him."

One of the men turned his horse, and, with M