ruit they fancied. Under
these circumstances they rapidly picked up strength, and in a week after
their arrival would hardly have been recognized as the feeble band who
had left the Swedish camp at Old Brandenburg.

On Sunday the pastor arrived. He did not live permanently at the
village, but ministered to the inhabitants of several villages scattered
among the hills, holding services in them by turns, and remaining a few
days in each. As the congregation was too large for the room in the farm
house the service was held in the open air. The Scotch soldiers were all
present, and joined heartily in the singing, although many of them were
ignorant of the language, and sang the words of Scotch hymns to the
German tunes.

Even the roughest of them, and those who had been longest away from
their native country, were much moved by the service. The hush and
stillness, the air of quiet and peace which prevailed, the fervour with
which all joined in the simple service, took them back in thought to the
days of their youth in quiet Scottish glens, and many a hand was passed
hastily across eyes which had not been moistened for many a year.

The armour and arms were now cleaned and polished, and for a short time
each day Malcolm exercised them. The martial appearance and perfect
discipline of the Scots struck the villagers with admiration the first
time they saw them under arms, and they earnestly begged Malcolm that
they might receive from him and Sergeant Sinclair some instruction in
drill.

Accordingly every evening when work was done the men of the village were
formed up and drilled. Several of the soldiers took their places with
them in the ranks in order to aid them by their example. After the drill
there was sword and pike exercise, and as most of the men had already
some knowledge of the use of arms they made rapid progress, and felt an
increased confidence in their power to defend the village against the
attacks of any small bands of plunderers. To Malcolm the time passed
delightfully. His kind hosts vied with each other in their efforts to
make him comfortable, and it was in vain that he assured them that he
no longer needed attention and care. A seat was always placed for him
in the coolest nook in the room, fresh grapes and other fruit stood in
readiness on a table hard by. The farmer's daughters, busy as they were
in their household avocations, were always ready to sit and talk with
him when he was indoors, and of an