I have had trials enough in his service, and if he say I have not killed enough of the enemy, I can tell him that the commander who can boast of his clean sword is your true hero.  I confess, he sent me rascals enough to destroy the morals of a dozen kingdoms or more; but what matters that when I have not a dollar in my pocket to buy shoes to my feet; and even the paltry sum he promised has never seen the way to my pocket.  I swear, then, to give up all these longings, and, though stripped of my coat, get speedily to my home, comfort my family, and live like a man.”

The forlorn general was interrupted in these reveries by a rustling noise in the bushes.  And fearing he might have been discovered by robbers (for he knew they infested that part of the country), he drew up his mule and was about to mount and be off.  But a female voice suddenly struck up a song, which rang silvery through the grove, and in such sweet cadences that the very trees seemed enchanted.  Pausing, the general stood as if bound in admiration, whilst the priest’s gown dropped from his shoulders, unfortunately leaving him in his doublet and breeches.  Looking in the direction of the music, he espied emerging from a cluster of bushes, and tripping gaily towards him, two young persons he would have sworn were lovers, for the man had his arm about the waist of the damsel, a girl just in the bud of womanhood, who looked lovingly into his face, as she sang for his entertainment.  I may mention that she was of what novel-writers call medium size, with features exquisitely regular, eyes ravishingly black, and a deep olive complexion, which though charms enough for one, were enhanced by tresses of black, silky hair, that fell down below her waist.

The touching sweetness of the song cheered the general’s heart, and was like a gleam of sunshine lighting up the dark and adverse events of his life.  The singer and her companion suddenly stopped, and as the thrills of her song died away among the whispering branches, they stood gazing fixedly at the newly discovered object in the grove.  As the man was not dressed in the garb common to the country, General Roger Potter resolved within himself not to give way to his fears, as perhaps he might be a soldier of his retreating army.  While the lovers, on the other hand, were not a little puzzled as to the true character of the strange figure before them; for while he wore on his head the hat of a priest, his breeches and doublet were those of a mountebank.  “Heavenly, stranger, if you be not an enemy, you can render me great service.  And as I stand in much need of food and raiment, draw near that I may commend myself to you ;” spoke the general.  And so perfect was the stillness of the grove that the words were distinctly echoed to the lovers.  Indeed, the man was seen to express surprise and astonishment.  But if he was astonished, the general stood confounded when he saw his arms fall from the damsel’s waist, and heard the echo of these words, in return:  “Heavens! if my ears do not deceive me, it is our general’s voice.”