James was well received by the officers of his regiment, and soon found himself perfectly at home with them.  He had to devote some hours, every day, to acquiring the mysteries of drill.  It was, to him, somewhat funny to see the pains expended in assuring that each movement should be performed with mechanical accuracy; but he understood that, although useless for such warfare as that which they had before them, great accuracy in details was necessary, for ensuring uniformity of movement among large masses of men in an open country.

Otherwise, the time passed very pleasantly.  James soon became a favourite in the regiment, and the young officers were never tired of questioning him concerning the redskins, and their manner of fighting.  There were plenty of amusements.  The snow was deep on the ground, now, and the officers skated, practised with snowshoes, and drove in sleighs.  Occasionally they got up a dance, and the people of Albany, and the settlers round, vied with each other in their hospitality to the officers.

One day, in February, an orderly brought a message to James Walsham, that the colonel wished to speak to him.

“Walsham,” he said, “I may tell you, privately, that the regiment is likely to form part of the expedition which is being fitted out, in England, against Louisbourg in Cape Breton, the key of Canada.  A considerable number of the troops from the province will accompany it.”

“But that will leave the frontier here altogether open to the enemy,” James said in surprise.

“That is my own opinion, Walsham.  Louisbourg is altogether outside the range of the present struggle, and it seems to me that the British force should be employed at striking at a vital point.  However, that is not to the purpose.  It is the Earl of Loudon’s plan.  However, it is manifest, as you say, that the frontier will be left terribly open, and therefore two companies of each of the regiments going will be left.  Naturally, as you are the only officer in the regiment who has had any experience in this forest warfare, you would be one of those left here; but as an ensign you would not have much influence, and I think that it would be at once more useful to the service, and more pleasant for yourself, if I can obtain for you something like a roving commission.  What do you think of that?”

“I should greatly prefer that, sir,” James said gratefully.

“The general is a little vexed, I know,” the colonel went on, “at the numerous successes, and daring feats, gained by Rogers and the other leaders of the companies of scouts, while the regulars have not had an opportunity to fire a shot:  and I think that he would, at once, accept the proposal were I to make it to him, that a company, to be called the Royal Scouts, should be formed of volunteers taken from the various regiments, and that you should have the command.”