shook off the attack it
left him so weak and feeble that he was altogether unfit for duty.
The army was still lying in its swampy quarters, and the leech who had
attended him declared that he could never recover his strength in such
an unhealthy air. Nigel Graheme, who had now rejoined the regiment cured
of his wound, reported the surgeon's opinion to Munro.

"I am not surprised," the colonel said, "and there are many others in
the same state; but whither can I send them? The Elector of Brandenburg
is so fickle and treacherous that he may at any moment turn against us."

"I was speaking to Malcolm," Nigel replied, "and he said that he would
he could go for a time to recruit his health in that village among the
hills where he had the fight with the freebooters who made him captive.
He said he was sure of a cordial welcome there, and it is but three
days' march from here."

"'Tis an out-of-the-way place," Munro said, "and if we move west
we shall be still further removed from it. There are Imperial bands
everywhere harrying the country unguarded by us, and one of these might
at any moment swoop down into that neighbourhood."

"That is true; but, after all, it would be better that he should run
that risk than sink from weakness as so many have done here after
getting through the first attack of fever."

"That is so, Nigel, and if you and Malcolm prefer that risk to the other
I will not say you nay; but what is good for him is good for others, and
I will ask the surgeon to make me a list of twenty men who are strong
enough to journey by easy stages, and who yet absolutely require to get
out of this poisonous air to enable them to effect their recovery. We
will furnish them with one of the baggage wagons of the regiment, so
that they can ride when they choose. Tell the paymaster to give each
man in advance a month's pay, that they may have money to pay what they
need. Horses are scarce, so we can give them but two with the wagon, but
that will be sufficient as they will journey slowly. See that a steady
and experienced driver is told off with them. They had best start at
daybreak tomorrow morning."

At the appointed time the wagon was in readiness, and those who had to
accompany Malcolm gathered round, together with many of their comrades
who had assembled to wish them Godspeed. The pikes and muskets, helmets
and breast pieces were placed in the wagon, and then the fever stricken
band formed up before it.

Munro, Ni