to Herries.

As there had been two vacancies among the officers Malcolm would
naturally have been promoted to the duties of lieutenant, but at his
urgent request his uncle chose for the purpose a young gentleman of good
family who had fought in the ranks, and had much distinguished himself
in both the contests. Two others were also promoted to fill up the
vacancies as ensigns.

The troops after the capture of Colberg marched to Stettin, around which
town they encamped for a time, while Gustavus completed his preparations
for his march into Germany. While a portion of his army had been
besieging Colberg, Gustavus had been driving the Imperialists out of the
whole of Pomerania. Landing on the 24th of June with an army in all of
15,000 infantry, 2000 cavalry, and about 3000 artillery, he had, after
despatching troops to aid Munro and besiege Colberg, marched against the
Imperialists under Conti. These, however, retreated in great disorder
and with much loss of men, guns, and baggage, into Brandenburg; and in
a few weeks after the Swedish landing only Colberg, Greifswald, and
Demming held out. In January Gustavus concluded a treaty with France,
who agreed to pay him an annual subsidy of 400,000 thalers on the
condition that Gustavus maintained in the field an army of 30,000
infantry and 6000 cavalry, and assured to the princes and peoples whose
territory he might occupy the free exercise of their religion. England
also promised a subsidy, and the Marquis of Hamilton was to bring over
6000 infantry; but as the king did not wish openly to take part in
the war this force was not to appear as an English contingent. Another
regiment of Highlanders was brought over by Colonel John Munro of
Obstell, and also a regiment recruited in the Lowlands by Colonel Sir
James Lumsden.

Many other parties of Scotch were brought over by gentlemen of rank.
Four chosen Scottish regiments, Hepburn's regiment, Lord Reay's
regiment, Sir James Lumsden's musketeers, and Stargate's corps, were
formed into one brigade under the command of Hepburn. It was called the
Green Brigade, and the doublets, scarfs, feathers, and standards were
of that colour. The rest of the infantry were divided into the Yellow,
Blue, and White Brigades.

One evening when the officers of Reay's regiment were sitting round the
campfire Lieutenant Farquhar said to Colonel Munro:

"How is it that Sir John Hepburn has, although still so young, risen to
such high honour in the