“I hear that there are many wolves and bears in the forest, five leagues to the north.  I want a party of about fifty footmen to drive the game, and as many horse, in case we come across one of the parties of Russians.  I want some hearty, active men for the march.  I will send the foot on this afternoon, and ride with the horse so as to get there by daybreak.  Which is your best company of infantry?”

“My best company is one composed chiefly of Scotchmen, though there are some English among them.  It belongs to the Malmoe Regiment, and is commanded by Captain Jervoise, an Englishman.  I do not say that they are braver than our Swedes; they have not been tested in any desperate service; but they are healthier and more hardy, for their officers, since the battle of Narva, have kept them engaged in sports of all kinds—­mimic battles, foot races, and other friendly contests.  I have marked them at it several times, and wondered sometimes at the rough play.  But it has had its effect.  While the rest of Suborn’s regiment suffered as much from fever as the other troops, scarce a man in this company was sick, and they have, all the winter, been fit for arduous service at any moment.”

“That is good indeed, and I will remember it, and will see that, another winter, similar games are carried on throughout the army.  Let the company be paraded at once.  I will, myself, inspect them.”

The company’s call was sounded, and, surprised at a summons just as they were cooking their dinners, the troops fell in, in front of their quarters, and the officers took their places in front of them, and waited for orders.

“I wonder what is up now,” Nigel Forbes said to Harry.  “You have not heard anything, from your father, of our being wanted, have you?”

“No; he was just as much surprised as I was, when a sergeant ran up with Schlippenbach’s order that the company were to fall in.”

Five minutes after they had formed up, three officers were seen approaching on foot.

“It is the colonel himself,” Forbes muttered, as Captain Jervoise gave the word to the men to stand to attention.

A minute later, Captain Jervoise gave the order for the salute, and Harry saw that the tall young officer, walking with the colonel, was the king.  Without speaking a word, Charles walked up and down the line, narrowly inspecting the men, then he returned to the front.

“A fine set of fellows, Schlippenbach.  I wish that, like my grandfather, I had some fifteen thousand of such troops under my orders.  Present the captain to me.”

The officers were called up, and Captain Jervoise was presented.

“Your company does you great credit, Captain Jervoise,” the king said.  “I would that all my troops looked in as good health and condition.  Colonel Schlippenbach tells me that you have kept your men in good health, all through the winter, by means of sports and games.  It is a good plan.  I will try to get all my officers to adopt it another winter.  Do the men join in them willingly?”