“That it would, sir,” burst from them simultaneously.

“Of course, there will be some other advantages beyond that of pay.  When the time comes that you get beyond active service in the field, I shall be able to provide you with easier posts at la Villar, and there you will find a comfortable home in your old age, if you prefer to stay with me rather than to return to Scotland.”

“No further word need be spoken, colonel,” Allan Macpherson said; “we are your men, and shall be proud to follow you, were there no question of pay at all, but just our rations and a home to look forward to when our arms get weak and eyes dim.”

“Then, men, if so say you all, the service begins from the present time.  You have your armour and headpieces, your doublets and jackboots, so there is not much to buy.  I have horses ready for you.  You have pistols.”

“Yes, we have all pistols and swords, colonel, but the musketoons belonged to the regiment.”

“There will be no occasion for you to carry them.  Get for yourselves four long cloaks well lined and serviceable —­ ’tis best that they should be all of a colour, dark blue or gray —­ and broad hats to match the cloaks; have in each a small red feather.  I would that you should make a decent show, for we shall start in two hours for Poitou.  Here are twenty crowns.  See that you have ammunition for your pistols.  Be at the Hotel Conde in two hours from the present time.  Your dinner here is ready for you, eat heartily, but do not drink too deeply in honour of your new service.

“Now, MacIntosh, I have a word or two further to speak to you.”

They went into an inner room.

“Now, old friend, are you tired of this life of keeper of a cabaret? because I shall want you down in Poitou.  Your house was mine when I sorely needed it, and mine shall be yours now.  You are as yet but fifty-five, and I take it that you can do a man’s work still, for you no longer suffer from that wound that disabled you ten years ago.  Now, I shall require someone to drill the fifty men who will form my contingent, if all vassals of the king are called upon to take the field.  Of course they will not always be under arms; most of them will be the sons of tenants, or substitutes provided by them, and will only give two or three days’ service a month.  It is probable, however, that half will be regular retainers at the castle.  I know nothing about the castle at present, or how large it is, or whether it is defensible or not; still, it was spoken of as a castle, and ’tis, I suppose, one to a certain degree.

“At any rate, I desire that if I do put a troop in the field they shall be as well drilled and as well equipped as are the Scottish regiment of musketeers.  I suppose that there must be an official to act as my agent when I am away, and to act as castellan, but in any case the captain of my troop will be in charge of all matters connected with its defence.  Now, old friend, the post is yours if you like to take it.  As a soldier, none can be better fitted for the post than a sergeant of the Scottish regiment; as a man, there is no one I could rely on better than you.  Your duties would not be heavy, your position an honourable one.  The castle would be your home as well as mine, and when I am there you would have the four troopers to crack with.”