“Your offer is a most kind one,” the sergeant said, “but I must think it over in all lights before I answer.  I should miss the company of the lads, but already many of my old comrades are gone; most are still in Paris earning with difficulty their bread, some are under the sod, some have returned home.  Every year the number who rode with me lessens.  They will be countrymen, but no longer comrades.  Certainly I have no thought of returning to Scotland, the people are ower gude for me; besides, the country is all in a stir and the folks are flying at each other’s throats.  I wudna go back, not if they offered me a barony.  Then, on the other hand, I misdoubt me how I should feel among strangers —­ I don’t say foreigners, for I have been so long here that as far as tongue goes I am as much French as I am Scottish.  Still, I would rather be forming troopers in your service than drawing stoups of wine, and the young soldiers do not regard me as the old ones did, and grumble if I will draw them no more.  Most of all, I should like to be with you and in your service, and to know that I had a home in my old age.”

“That you will have whenever you come to claim it, MacIntosh, whether you accept my offer or not.  However, I think that what you say is best, and that it would be well for you to think the matter well over and give me no answer until I return.  I should be sorry indeed if, after giving up your place here and going down to Poitou, you should regret the exchange.  Therefore, we will leave it so.  And now I must be going; we must postpone our chat over old times and the regiment until I return.”

On returning to Conde’s hotel Hector found Paolo awaiting him.

“Paolo, you must go out and buy six horse cloths and five housings; let them be fairly handsome.  I have taken four old soldiers into my service, and should wish their horse appointments to be fit for troopers in one of the royal regiments, but without any insignia or cognizance, say maroon with yellow braiding.  I shall also want four valises for the men, and bags for carrying forage.  You can wrap up the housings that came with the horses; they all bear Enghien’s cognizance, and this must be removed before we can use them.  The men can strap them behind their valises.  Were there pistols in the holsters?”

“Yes, master, they were just as when you rode them.”

“It was a princely gift,” Hector said, “for the horses are all splendid animals.  Have you packed up my things?”

“Yes, master, they are all ready for placing on the sumpter horse.  I bought a dozen of good wine, thinking that you might need it on the way, for some of these country auberges keep but poor stuff.”

“We are getting luxurious all at once,” Hector laughed.  “How about my armour?”

“That is also packed up.  I thought that you would not care to ride heavily accoutred.”

“Certainly not.  Which of the horses do you take to be the best?”