“I am not surprised,” the colonel said, “and there are many others in the same state; but whither can I send them?  The Elector of Brandenburg is so fickle and treacherous that he may at any moment turn against us.”

“I was speaking to Malcolm,” Nigel replied, “and he said that he would he could go for a time to recruit his health in that village among the hills where he had the fight with the freebooters who made him captive.  He said he was sure of a cordial welcome there, and it is but three days’ march from here.”

“’Tis an out-of-the-way place,” Munro said, “and if we move west we shall be still further removed from it.  There are Imperial bands everywhere harrying the country unguarded by us, and one of these might at any moment swoop down into that neighbourhood.”

“That is true; but, after all, it would be better that he should run that risk than sink from weakness as so many have done here after getting through the first attack of fever.”

“That is so, Nigel, and if you and Malcolm prefer that risk to the other I will not say you nay; but what is good for him is good for others, and I will ask the surgeon to make me a list of twenty men who are strong enough to journey by easy stages, and who yet absolutely require to get out of this poisonous air to enable them to effect their recovery.  We will furnish them with one of the baggage wagons of the regiment, so that they can ride when they choose.  Tell the paymaster to give each man in advance a month’s pay, that they may have money to pay what they need.  Horses are scarce, so we can give them but two with the wagon, but that will be sufficient as they will journey slowly.  See that a steady and experienced driver is told off with them.  They had best start at daybreak tomorrow morning.”

At the appointed time the wagon was in readiness, and those who had to accompany Malcolm gathered round, together with many of their comrades who had assembled to wish them Godspeed.  The pikes and muskets, helmets and breast pieces were placed in the wagon, and then the fever stricken band formed up before it.

Munro, Nigel, and most of the officers came down to bid farewell to Malcolm, and to wish him a speedy return in good health.  Then he placed himself at the head of the band and marched off, the wagon following in the rear.  Before they had been gone a mile several of the men had been compelled to take their places in the wagon, and by the time three miles had been passed the rest had one by one been forced to give in.

Malcolm was one of the last.  He took his seat by the driver, and the now heavily freighted wagon moved slowly across the country.  A store of provisions sufficient for several days had been placed in the wagon, and after proceeding fifteen miles a halt was made at a deserted village, and two of the houses in the best condition were taken possession of, Malcolm and the sergeant of the party, a young fellow named Sinclair, occupying the one, and the men taking up their quarters in another.