“That is to say,” muttered Ensign Delme, looking round for approval as he spoke, “that our present king is neither liberal nor popular.  Well, Mr. Johnstone, were such an observation to reach the ears of Colonel de Haldimar you would stand a very fair chance of being brought to a court martial.”

“That is to say nothing of the kind, sir,” somewhat fiercely retorted the young Scot; “but any thing I do say you are at liberty to repeat to Colonel de Haldimar, or whom you will.  I cannot understand, Leslie, why you should have made any allusion to the misfortunes of my family at this particular moment, and in this public manner.  I trust it was not with a view to offend me;” and he fixed his large black eyes upon his brother subaltern, as if he would have read every thought of his mind.

“Upon my honour, Johnstone, I meant nothing of the kind,” frankly returned Leslie.  “I merely meant to hint that as you had had your share of service this morning, you might, at least, have suffered me to borrow your spurs, while you reposed for the present on your laurels.”

“There are my gay and gallant Scots,” exclaimed Captain Erskine, as he swallowed off a glass of the old Jamaica which lay before him, and with which he usually neutralised the acidities of a meat breakfast, “Settled like gentlemen and lads of spirit as ye are,” he pursued, as the young men cordially shook each other’s hand across the table.  “What an enviable command is mine, to have a company of brave fellows who would face the devil himself were it necessary; and two hot and impatient subs., who are ready to cut each other’s throat for the pleasure of accompanying me against a set of savages that are little better than so many devils.  Come, Johnstone, you know the Colonel allows us but one sub. at a time, in consequence of our scarcity of officers, therefore it is but fair Leslie should have his turn.  It will not be long, I dare say, before we shall have another brush with the rascals.”

“In my opinion,” observed Captain Blessington, who had been a silent and thoughtful witness of what was passing around him, “neither Leslie nor Johnstone would evince so much anxiety, were they aware of the true-nature of the duty for which our companies have been ordered.  Depend upon it, it is no search after Captain de Haldimar in which we are about to be engaged; for much as the colonel loves his son, he would on no account compromise the safety of the garrison, by sending a party into the forest, where poor De Haldimar, if alive, is at all likely to be found.”

“Faith you are right, Blessington; the governor is not one to run these sort of risks on every occasion.  My chief surprise, indeed, is, that he suffered me to venture even upon the common; but if we are not designed for some hostile expedition, why leave the fort at all?”

“The question will need no answer, if Halloway be found to accompany us.”

“Psha! why should Halloway be taken out for the purpose?  If he be shot at all, he will be shot on the ramparts, in the presence of, and as an example to, the whole garrison.  Still, on reflection, I cannot but think it impossible the sentence should be carried into full effect, after the strong, nay, the almost unprecedented recommendation to mercy recorded on the face of the proceedings.”