rrived from Spruce, having
pushed forward by order of Oxenstiern by forced marches to their relief.
Loud and hearty was the cheering when the two Scotch regiments united,
and the friends, Munro and Hepburn, clasped hands. Not only had they
been at college together, but they had, after leaving St. Andrews,
travelled in companionship on the Continent for two or three years
before taking service, Munro entering that of France, while Hepburn
joined Sir Andrew Gray as a volunteer when he led a band to succour the
Prince Palatine at the commencement of the war.

"I have another old friend in my regiment, Hepburn," the colonel
said after the first greeting was over--"Nigel Graheme, of course you
remember him."

"Certainly I do," Hepburn exclaimed cordially, "and right glad will I
be to see him again; but I thought your regiment was entirely from the
north."

"It was originally," Munro said; "but I have filled up the gaps with men
from Nithsdale and the south. I was pressed for time, and our glens of
Farre and Strathnaver had already been cleared of all their best men.
The other companies are all commanded by men who were with us at St.
Andrews--Balfour, George Hamilton, and James Scott."

"That is well," Hepburn said. "Whether from the north or the south
Scots fight equally well; and with Gustavus 'tis like being in our own
country, so large a proportion are we of his majesty's army. And now,
Munro, I fear that I must supersede you in command, being senior to
you in the service, and having, moreover, his majesty's commission as
governor of the town and district."

"There is no one to whom I would more willingly resign the command. I
have seen some hard fighting, but have yet my name to win; while you,
though still only a colonel, are famous throughout Europe."

"Thanks to my men rather than to myself," Hepburn said, "though, indeed,
mine is no better than the other Scottish regiments in the king's
service; but we have had luck, and in war, you know, luck is
everything."

There were many officers in both regiments who were old friends and
acquaintances, and there was much feasting that night in the Scotch
camp. In the morning work began again. The peasants of the district,
8000 strong, were mustered and divided into companies, armed and
disciplined, and with these and the two Scotch regiments Hepburn
advanced through Pomerania to the gates of Colberg, fifty miles away,
clearing the country of the Austrians, who offered