be a pleasure for us all to fight side by
side; and if I know anything of your disposition I am sure you cannot
be contented to be remaining here at the age of nine-and-twenty, rusting
out your life as a Scotch laird, while Hepburn has already won a name
which is known through Europe."

CHAPTER II SHIPWRECKED

Upon the following morning Nigel Graheme told his visitors that he had
determined to accept their offer, and would at once set to work to raise
a company.

"I have," he said, "as you know, a small patrimony of my own, and as
for the last eight years I have been living here looking after Malcolm
I have been laying by any rents, and can now furnish the arms and
accoutrements for a hundred men without difficulty. When Malcolm comes
of age he must act for himself, and can raise two or three hundred men
if he chooses; but at present he will march in my company. I understand
that I have the appointment of my own officers."

"Yes, until you join the regiment," Munro said. "You have the first
appointments. Afterwards the colonel will fill up vacancies. You must
decide how you will arm your men, for you must know that Gustavus'
regiments have their right and left wings composed of musketeers, while
the centre is formed of pikemen, so you must decide to which branch your
company shall belong."

"I would choose the pike," Nigel said, "for after all it must be by the
pike that the battle is decided."

"Quite right, Nigel. I have here with me a drawing of the armour in use
with us. You see they have helmets of an acorn shape, with a rim turning
up in front; gauntlets, buff coats well padded in front, and large
breast plates. The pikes vary from fourteen to eighteen feet long
according to the taste of the commander. We generally use about sixteen.
If your company is a hundred strong you will have two lieutenants and
three ensigns. Be careful in choosing your officers. I will fill in the
king's commission to you as captain of the company, authorizing you to
enlist men for his service and to appoint officers thereto."

An hour or two later Colonel Munro and Captain Hume proceeded on their
way. The news speedily spread through Nithsdale that Nigel Graheme had
received a commission from the King of Sweden to raise a company in his
service, and very speedily men began to pour in. The disbandment of the
Scottish army had left but few careers open at home to the youth of
that country, and very large numbers had consequen