n a good account of yourselves,"
Captain Burgh exclaimed; "but while I am talking you are fasting. Here
is a bottle of wine, a cold chicken, and a manchet of bread which I put
in my wallet on starting; let us breakfast, for though I do not pretend
to have been fasting as you have, the morning ride has given me an
appetite. I see your fellows are hard at work already on the viands
which my orderly brought for them in his havresack; but first let us
move away to the tree over yonder, for verily the scent of blood and of
roasted flesh is enough to take away one's appetite, little squeamish as
these wars have taught us to be."

Captain Burgh asked no questions until Malcolm had finished his meal. "I
have plenty more food," he said, "for we have brought three led horses
well laden; but it were better that you eat no more at present, tis ill
overloading a fasting stomach. My men will not be back from the pursuit
for a couple of hours yet, for they will not draw rein so long as their
horses can gallop, so excited are they over the tales of the horrible
cruelties which have been perpetrated on all our men who have fallen
into the hands of the peasants, so now you can tell me in full the tale
of your adventures. I had no time to ask any questions of your sergeant,
for we were called up and sent off five minutes after he arrived with
the news that you with three men were beleaguered here by a party of
peasants."

Malcolm related the whole incidents which had befallen him since he had
been suddenly felled and made captive by the women in the hut in the
village. The Swede laughed over this part of the adventure.

"To think," he said, "of you, a dashing captain of the Green Brigade,
being made captive by a couple of old women. There is more than one
gallant Scot, if reports be true, has fallen a captive to German
maidens, but of another sort; to be taken prisoner and hid in a straw
yard is too good."

"It was no laughing matter, I can tell you," Malcolm said, "though
doubtless it will serve as a standing jest against me for a long time;
however, I am so thankful I have got out of the scrape that those may
laugh who will."

When Malcolm finished his story Captain Burgh said: "You have managed
marvellously well indeed, Graheme, and can well afford to put up with a
little laughter anent that matter of the women, for in truth there
are few who would with three men have held a post against four or five
hundred, as you have done--ay