第3章
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  CHAPTERII。

  HismothercouldforhimascradlesetHerhusband\'srustyironcorselet;

  Whosejanglingsoundcouldhushherbabetorest,Thatneverplain\'dofhisuneasynest;

  Thendidhedreamofdrearywarsathand,Andwoke,andfought,andwon,erehecouldstand。HALL\'SSATIRES

  Itwastowardsthecloseofasummer\'sevening,duringtheanxiousperiodwhichwehavecommemorated,thatayounggentlemanofquality,wellmountedandarmed,andaccompaniedbytwoservants,oneofwhomledasumpterhorse,rodeslowlyuponeofthosesteeppasses,bywhichtheHighlandsareaccessiblefromtheLowlandsofPerthshire。[ThebeautifulpassofLeny,nearCallander,inMonteith,would,insomerespects,answerthisdescription。]Theircoursehadlainforsometimealongthebanksofalake,whosedeepwatersreflectedthecrimsonbeamsofthewesternsun。Thebrokenpathwhichtheypursuedwithsomedifficulty,wasinsomeplacesshadedbyancientbirchesandoak—

  trees,andinothersoverhungbyfragmentsofhugerock。

  Elsewhere,thehill,whichformedthenorthernsideofthisbeautifulsheetofwater,aroseinsteep,butlessprecipitousacclivity,andwasarrayedinheathofthedarkestpurple。Inthepresenttimes,ascenesoromanticwouldhavebeenjudgedtopossessthehighestcharmsforthetraveller;butthosewhojourneyindaysofdoubtanddread,paylittleattentiontopicturesquescenery。

  Themasterkept,asoftenasthewoodpermitted,abreastofoneorbothofhisdomestics,andseemedearnestlytoconversewiththem,probablybecausethedistinctionsofrankarereadilysetasideamongthosewhoaremadetobesharersofcommondanger。

  Thedispositionsoftheleadingmenwhoinhabitthiswildcountry,andtheprobabilityoftheirtakingpartinthepoliticalconvulsionsthatweresoonexpected,werethesubjectsoftheirconversation。

  Theyhadnotadvancedabovehalfwayupthelake,andtheyounggentlemanwaspointingtohisattendantsthespotwheretheirintendedroadturnednorthwards,and,leavingthevergeoftheloch,ascendedaravinetotherighthand,whentheydiscoveredasinglehorsemancomingdowntheshore,asiftomeetthem。Thegleamofthesunbeamsuponhishead—pieceandcorsletshowedthathewasinarmour,andthepurposeoftheothertravellersrequiredthatheshouldnotpassunquestioned。\"Wemustknowwhoheis,\"saidtheyounggentleman,\"andwhitherheisgoing。\"Andputtingspurstohishorse,herodeforwardasfastastheruggedstateoftheroadwouldpermit,followedbyhistwoattendants,untilhereachedthepointwherethepassalongthesideofthelakewasintersectedbythatwhichdescendedfromtheravine,securingthusagainstthepossibilityofthestrangereludingthem,byturningintothelatterroadbeforetheycameupwithhim。

  Thesinglehorsemanhadmendedhispace,whenhefirstobservedthethreeridersadvancerapidlytowardshim;butwhenhesawthemhaltandformafront,whichcompletelyoccupiedthepath,hecheckedhishorse,andadvancedwithgreatdeliberation;sothateachpartyhadanopportunitytotakeafullsurveyoftheother。Thesolitarystrangerwasmounteduponanablehorse,fitformilitaryservice,andforthegreatweightwhichhehadtocarry,andhisrideroccupiedhisdemipique,orwar—saddle,withanairthatshoweditwashisfamiliarseat。Hehadabrightburnishedhead—piece,withaplumeoffeathers,togetherwithacuirass,thickenoughtoresistamusket—ball,andaback—pieceoflightermaterials。Thesedefensivearmsheworeoverabuffjerkin,alongwithapairofgauntlets,orsteelgloves,thetopsofwhichreacheduptohiselbow,andwhich,liketherestofhisarmour,wereofbrightsteel。Atthefrontofhismilitarysaddlehungacaseofpistols,farbeyondtheordinarysize,nearlytwofeetinlength,andcarryingbulletsoftwentytothepound。Abuffbelt,withabroadsilverbuckle,sustainedononesidealongstraightdouble—edgedbroadsword,withastrongguard,andabladecalculatedeithertostrikeorpush。Ontherightsidehungadaggerofabouteighteeninchesinlength;ashoulder—beltsustainedathisbackamusketoonorblunderbuss,andwascrossedbyabandeliercontaininghischargesofammunition。Thigh—piecesofsteel,thentermedtaslets,metthetopsofhishugejack—boots,andcompletedtheequipageofawell—armedtrooperoftheperiod。

  Theappearanceofthehorsemanhimselfcorrespondedwellwithhismilitaryequipage,towhichhehadtheairofhavingbeenlonginured。Hewasabovethemiddlesize,andofstrengthsufficienttobearwitheasetheweightofhisweapons,offensiveanddefensive。Hisagemightbefortyandupwards,andhiscountenancewasthatofaresoluteweather—beatenveteran,whohadseenmanyfields,andbroughtawayintokenmorethanonescar。Atthedistanceofaboutthirtyyardshehaltedandstoodfast,raisedhimselfonhisstirrups,asiftoreconnoitreandascertainthepurposeoftheoppositeparty,andbroughthismusketoonunderhisrightarm,readyforuse,ifoccasionshouldrequireit。Ineverythingbutnumbers,hehadtheadvantageofthosewhoseemedinclinedtointerrupthispassage。

  Theleaderofthepartywas,indeed,wellmountedandcladinabuffcoat,richlyembroidered,thehalf—militarydressoftheperiod;buthisdomesticshadonlycoarsejacketsofthickfelt,whichcouldscarcebeexpectedtoturntheedgeofasword,ifwieldedbyastrongman;andnoneofthemhadanyweapons,saveswordsandpistols,withoutwhichgentlemen,ortheirattendants,duringthosedisturbedtimes,seldomstirredabroad。

  Whentheyhadstoodatgazeforaboutaminute,theyoungergentlemangavethechallengewhichwasthencommoninthemouthofallstrangerswhometinsuchcircumstances——\"Forwhomareyou?\"

  \"Tellmefirst,\"answeredthesoldier,\"forwhomareyou?——thestrongestpartyshouldspeakfirst。\"

  \"WeareforGodandKingCharles,\"answeredthefirstspeaker。——\"

  Nowtellyourfaction,youknowours。\"

  \"IamforGodandmystandard,\"answeredthesinglehorseman。

  \"Andforwhichstandard?\"repliedthechiefoftheotherparty——\"CavalierorRoundhead,KingorConvention?\"

  \"Bymytroth,sir,\"answeredthesoldier,\"Iwouldbeloathtoreplytoyouwithanuntruth,asathingunbecomingacavalieroffortuneandasoldier。Buttoansweryourquerywithbeseemingveracity,itisnecessaryIshouldmyselfhaveresolvedtowhilkofthepresentdivisionsofthekingdomIshallultimatelyadhere,beingamatterwhereonmymindisnotasyetpreceeselyascertained。\"

  \"Ishouldhavethought,\"answeredthegentleman,\"that,whenloyaltyandreligionareatstake,nogentlemanormanofhonourcouldbelonginchoosinghisparty。\"

  \"Truly,sir,\"repliedthetrooper,\"ifyespeakthisinthewayofvituperation,asmeaningtoimpugnmyhonourorgenteelity,I

  wouldblithelyputthesametoissue,venturinginthatquarrelwithmysinglepersonagainstyouthree。Butifyouspeakitinthewayoflogicalratiocination,whilkIhavestudiedinmyyouthattheMareschal—CollegeofAberdeen,IamreadytoprovetoyeLOGICE,thatmyresolutiontodefer,foracertainseason,thetakinguponmeeitherofthesequarrels,notonlybecomethmeasagentlemanandamanofhonour,butalsoasapersonofsenseandprudence,oneimbuedwithhumanelettersinhisearlyyouth,andwho,fromthenceforward,hasfollowedthewarsunderthebanneroftheinvincibleGustavus,theLionoftheNorth,andundermanyotherheroicleaders,bothLutheranandCalvinist,PapistandArminian。\"

  Afterexchangingawordortwowithhisdomestics,theyoungergentlemanreplied,\"Ishouldbeglad,sir,tohavesomeconversationwithyouuponsointerestingaquestion,andshouldbeproudifIcandetermineyouinfavourofthecauseIhavemyselfespoused。Iridethiseveningtoafriend\'shousenotthreemilesdistant,whither,ifyouchoosetoaccompanyme,youshallhavegoodquartersforthenight,andfreepermissiontotakeyourownroadinthemorning,ifyouthenfeelnoinclinationtojoinwithus。\"

  \"WhosewordamItotakeforthis?\"answeredthecautioussoldier——\"Amanmustknowhisguarantee,orhemayfallintoanambuscade。\"

  \"Iamcalled,\"answeredtheyoungerstranger,\"theEarlofMenteith,and,Itrust,youwillreceivemyhonourasasufficientsecurity。\"

  \"Aworthynobleman,\"answeredthesoldier,\"whoseparoleisnottobedoubted。\"Withonemotionhereplacedhismusketoonathisback,andwithanothermadehismilitarysalutetotheyoungnobleman,andcontinuingtotalkasherodeforwardtojoinhim——\"And,Itrust,\"saidhe,\"myownassurance,thatIwillbeBON

  CAMARADOtoyourlordshipinpeaceorinperil,duringthetimeweshallabidetogether,willnotbealtogethervilipendedinthesedoubtfultimes,when,astheysay,aman\'sheadissaferinasteel—capthaninamarblepalace。\"

  \"Iassureyou,sir,\"saidLordMenteith,\"thattojudgefromyourappearance,Imosthighlyvaluetheadvantageofyourescort;

  but,Itrust,weshallhavenooccasionforanyexerciseofvalour,asIexpecttoconductyoutogoodandfriendlyquarters。\"

  \"Goodquarters,mylord,\"repliedthesoldier,\"arealwaysacceptable,andareonlytobepostponedtogoodpayorgoodbooty,——nottomentionthehonourofacavalier,ortheneedfulpointsofcommandedduty。Andtruly,mylord,yournobleprofferisnotthelesswelcome,inthatIknewnotpreceeselythisnightwhereIandmypoorcompanion\"(pattinghishorse)\"weretofindlodgments。\"

  \"MayIbepermittedtoask,then,\"saidLordMenteith,\"towhomI

  havethegoodfortunetostandquarter—master?\"

  \"Truly,mylord,\"saidthetrooper,\"mynameisDalgetty——DugaldDalgetty,Ritt—masterDugaldDalgettyofDrumthwacket,atyourhonourableservicetocommand。ItisanameyoumayhaveseeninGALLOBELGICUS,theSWEDISHINTELLIGENCER,or,ifyoureadHighDutch,intheFLIEGENDENMERCOEURofLeipsic。Myfather,mylord,havingbyunthriftycoursesreducedafairpatrimonytoanonentity,Ihadnobettershift,whenIwaseighteenyearsauld,thantocarrythelearningwhilkIhadacquiredattheMareschal—

  CollegeofAberdeen,mygentlebluidanddesignationofDrumthwacket,togetherwithapairofstalwartharms,andlegsconform,totheGermanwars,theretopushmywayasacavalieroffortune。Mylord,mylegsandarmsstoodmeinmoresteadthaneithermygentlekinormybook—lear,andIfoundmyselftrailingapikeasaprivategentlemanunderoldSirLudovickLeslie,whereIlearnedtherulesofservicesotightly,thatI

  willnotforgettheminahurry。Sir,Ihavebeenmadetostandguardeighthours,beingfromtwelveatnoontoeighto\'clockofthenight,atthepalace,armedwithbackandbreast,head—pieceandbracelets,beingirontotheteeth,inabitterfrost,andtheicewasashardaseverwasflint;andallforstoppinganinstanttospeaktomylandlady,whenIshouldhavegonetoroll—

  call。\"

  \"And,doubtless,sir,\"repliedLordMenteith,\"youhavegonethroughsomehotservice,aswellasthissamecolddutyyoutalkof?\"

  \"Surely,mylord,itdothnotbecomemetospeak;buthethathathseenthefieldsofLeipsicandofLutzen,maybesaidtohaveseenpitchedbattles。AndonewhohathwitnessedtheintakingofFrankfort,andSpanheim,andNuremberg,andsoforth,shouldknowsomewhataboutleaguers,storms,onslaughtsandoutfalls。\"

  \"Butyourmerit,sir,andexperience,weredoubtlessfollowedbypromotion?\"

  \"Itcameslow,mylord,doomsslow,\"repliedDalgetty;\"butasmyScottishcountrymen,thefathersofthewar,andtheraisersofthosevalorousScottishregimentsthatwerethedreadofGermany,begantofallprettythick,whatwithpestilenceandwhatwiththesword,whywe,theirchildren,succeededtotheirinheritance。Sir,Iwassixyearsfirstprivategentlemanofthecompany,andthreeyearslancespeisade;disdainingtoreceiveahalberd,asunbecomingmybirth。WhereforeIwasultimatelypromotedtobeafahndragger,astheHighDutchcallit(whichsignifiesanancient),intheKing\'sLeifRegimentofBlack—

  Horse,andthereafterIarosetobelieutenantandritt—master,underthatinvinciblemonarch,thebulwarkoftheProtestantfaith,theLionoftheNorth,theterrorofAustria,GustavustheVictorious。\"

  \"Andyet,ifIunderstandyou,CaptainDalgetty,——Ithinkthatrankcorrespondswithyourforeigntitleofritt—master——\"

  \"Thesamegradepreceesely,\"answeredDalgetty;\"ritt—mastersignifyingliterallyfile—leader。\"

  \"Iwasobserving,\"continuedLordMenteith,\"that,ifI

  understoodyouright,youhadlefttheserviceofthisgreatPrince。\"

  \"Itwasafterhisdeath——itwasafterhisdeath,sir,\"saidDalgetty,\"whenIwasinnoshapeboundtocontinuemineadherence。Therearethings,mylord,inthatservice,thatcannotbutgoagainstthestomachofanycavalierofhonour。Inespecial,albeitthepaybenoneofthemostsuperabundant,beingonlyaboutsixtydollarsa—monthtoaritt—master,yettheinvincibleGustavusneverpaidaboveone—thirdofthatsum,whilkwasdistributedmonthlybywayofloan;although,whenjustlyconsidered,itwas,infact,aborrowingbythatgreatmonarchoftheadditionaltwo—thirdswhichwereduetothesoldier。AndI

  haveseensomewholeregimentsofDutchandHolsteinersmutinyonthefieldofbattle,likebasescullions,cryingoutGelt,gelt,signifyingtheirdesireofpay,insteadoffallingtoblowslikeournobleScottishblades,whoeverdisdained,mylord,postponingofhonourtofilthylucre。\"

  \"Butwerenotthesearrears,\"saidLordMenteith,\"paidtothesoldieryatsomestatedperiod?\"

  \"Mylord,\"saidDalgetty,\"Itakeitonmyconscience,thatatnoperiod,andbynopossibleprocess,couldonecreutzerofthemeverberecovered。ImyselfneversawtwentydollarsofmyownallthetimeIservedtheinvincibleGustavus,unlessitwasfromthechanceofastormorvictory,orthefetchinginsometownordoorp,whenacavalieroffortune,whoknowstheusageofwars,seldomfailethtomakesomesmallprofit。\"

  \"Ibeginrathertowonder,sir,\"saidLordMenteith,\"thatyoushouldhavecontinuedsolongintheSwedishservice,thanthatyoushouldhaveultimatelywithdrawnfromit。\"

  \"NeitherIshould,\"answeredtheRitt—master;\"butthatgreatleader,captain,andking,theLionoftheNorth,andthebulwarkoftheProtestantfaith,hadawayofwinningbattles,takingtowns,over—runningcountries,andlevyingcontributions,whilkmadehisserviceirresistiblydelectabletoalltrue—bredcavalierswhofollowthenobleprofessionofarms。SimpleasI

  ridehere,mylord,IhavemyselfcommandedthewholestiftofDunklespielontheLowerRhine,occupyingthePalsgrave\'spalace,consuminghischoicewineswithmycomrades,callingincontributions,requisitions,andcaduacs,andnotfailingtolickmyfingers,asbecameagoodcook。Buttrulyallthisgloryhastenedtodecay,afterourgreatmasterhadbeenshotwiththreebulletsonthefieldofLutzen;wherefore,findingthatFortunehadchangedsides,thattheborrowingsandlendingswentonasbeforeoutofourpay,whilethecaduacsandcasualtieswereallcutoff,Ie\'engaveupmycommission,andtookservicewithWallenstein,inWalterButler\'sIrishregiment。\"

  \"AndmayIbegtoknowofyou,\"saidLordMenteith,apparentlyinterestedintheadventuresofthissoldieroffortune,\"howyoulikedthischangeofmasters?\"

  \"Indifferentwell,\"saidtheCaptain——\"veryindifferentwell。I

  cannotsaythattheEmperorpaidmuchbetterthanthegreatGustavus。Forhardknocks,wehadplentyofthem。Iwasoftenobligedtorunmyheadagainstmyoldacquaintances,theSwedishfeathers,whilkyourhonourmustconceivetobedouble—pointedstakes,shodwithironateachend,andplantedbeforethesquadofpikestopreventanonfallofthecavalry。ThewhilkSwedishfeathers,althoughtheylookgaytotheeye,resemblingtheshrubsorlessertreesofaneforest,asthepuissantpikes,arrangedinbattaliabehindthem,correspondtothetallpinesthereof,yet,nevertheless,arenotaltogethersosofttoencounterastheplumageofagoose。Howbeit,indespiteofheavyblowsandlightpay,acavalieroffortunemaythriveindifferentlywellintheImperialservice,inrespecthisprivatecasualtiesarenothingsocloselylookedtoasbytheSwede;andsothatanofficerdidhisdutyonthefield,neitherWallensteinnorPappenheim,noroldTillybeforethem,wouldlikelylistentotheobjurgationsofboorsorburghersagainstanycommanderorsoldado,bywhomtheychancedtobesomewhatcloselyshorn。Sothatanexperiencedcavalier,knowinghowtolay,asourScottishphraseruns,\'theheadofthesowtothetailofthegrice,\'mightgetoutofthecountrythepaywhilkhecouldnotobtainfromtheEmperor。\"

  \"Withafullhand,sir,doubtless,andwithinterest,\"saidLordMenteith。

  \"Indubitably,mylord,\"answeredDalgetty,composedly;\"foritwouldbedoublydisgracefulforanysoldadoofranktohavehisnamecalledinquestionforanypettydelinquency。\"

  \"Andpray,Sir,\"continuedLordMenteith,\"whatmadeyouleavesogainfulaservice?\"

  \"Why,truly,sir,\"answeredthesoldier,\"anIrishcavalier,calledO\'Quilligan,beingmajorofourregiment,andIhavinghadwordswithhimthenightbefore,respectingtheworthandprecedenceofourseveralnations,itpleasedhimthenextdaytodeliverhisorderstomewiththepointofhisbatoonadvancedandheldaloof,insteadofdecliningandtrailingthesame,asisthefashionfromacourteouscommandingofficertowardshisequalinrank,though,itmaybe,hisinferiorinmilitarygrade。Uponthisquarrel,sir,wefoughtinprivaterencontre;andas,intheperquisitionswhichfollowed,itpleasedWalterButler,ouroberst,orcolonel,togivethelighterpunishmenttohiscountryman,andtheheaviertome,whereupon,ill—stomachingsuchpartiality,IexchangedmycommissionforoneundertheSpaniard。\"

  \"Ihopeyoufoundyourselfbetteroffbythechange?\"saidLordMenteith。

  \"Ingoodsooth,\"answeredtheRitt—master,\"Ihadbutlittletocomplainof。Thepaywassomewhatregular,beingfurnishedbytherichFlemingsandWaloonsoftheLowCountry。Thequarterswereexcellent;thegoodwheatenloavesoftheFlemingswerebetterthantheProvantrye—breadoftheSwede,andRhenishwinewasmoreplentywithusthaneverIsawtheblack—beerofRostockinGustavus\'scamp。Servicetherewasnone,dutytherewaslittle;andthatlittlewemightdo,orleaveundone,atourpleasure;anexcellentretirementforacavaliersomewhatwearyoffieldandleaguer,whohadpurchasedwithhisbloodasmuchhonourasmightservehisturn,andwasdesirousofalittleeaseandgoodliving。\"

  \"AndmayIask,\"saidLordMenteith,\"whyyou,Captain,being,asIsuppose,inthesituationyoudescribe,retiredfromtheSpanishservicealso?\"

  \"Youaretoconsider,mylord,thatyourSpaniard,\"repliedCaptainDalgetty,\"isapersonaltogetherunparalleledinhisownconceit,where—throughhemakethnotfitaccountofsuchforeigncavaliersofvalourasarepleasedtotakeservicewithhim。Andagallingthingitistoeveryhonourablesoldado,tobeputaside,andpostponed,andobligedtoyieldpreferencetoeverypuffingsignor,who,wereitthequestionwhichshouldfirstmountabreachatpushofpike,mightbeapttoyieldwillingplacetoaScottishcavalier。Moreover,sir,Iwasprickedinconsciencerespectingamatterofreligion。\"

  \"Ishouldnothavethought,CaptainDalgetty,\"saidtheyoungnobleman,\"thatanoldsoldier,whohadchangedservicesooften,wouldhavebeentooscrupulousonthathead。\"

  \"NomoreIam,mylord,\"saidtheCaptain,\"sinceIholdittobethedutyofthechaplainoftheregimenttosettlethosemattersforme,andeveryotherbravecavalier,inasmuchashedoesnothingelsethatIknowofforhispayandallowances。Butthiswasaparticularcase,mylord,aCASUSIMPROVISUS,asImaysay,inwhilkIhadnochaplainofmyownpersuasiontoactasmyadviser。Ifound,inshort,thatalthoughmybeingaProtestantmightbewinkedat,inrespectthatIwasamanofaction,andhadmoreexperiencethanalltheDonsinourTERTIAputtogether,yet,wheningarrison,itwasexpectedIshouldgotomasswiththeregiment。Now,mylord,asatrueScottishman,andeducatedattheMareschal—CollegeofAberdeen,Iwasboundtoupholdthemasstobeanactofblindedpapistryandutteridolatry,whilkI

  wasaltogetherunwillingtohomologatebymypresence。Trueitis,thatIconsultedonthepointwithaworthycountrymanofmyown,oneFatherFatsides,oftheScottishCovenantinWurtzburg——\"

  \"AndIhope,\"observedLordMenteith,\"youobtainedaclearopinionfromthissameghostlyfather?\"

  \"Asclearasitcouldbe,\"repliedCaptainDalgetty,\"consideringwehaddrunksixflasksofRhenish,andabouttwomutchkinsofKirchenwasser。FatherFatsidesinformedme,that,asnearlyashecouldjudgeforahereticlikemyself,itsignifiednotmuchwhetherIwenttomassornot,seeingmyeternalperditionwassignedandsealedatanyrate,inrespectofmyimpenitentandobdurateperseveranceinmydamnableheresy。Beingdiscouragedbythisresponse,IappliedtoaDutchpastorofthereformedchurch,whotoldme,hethoughtImightlawfullygotomass,inrespectthattheprophetpermittedNaaman,amightymanofvalour,andanhonourablecavalierofSyria,tofollowhismasterintothehouseofRimmon,afalsegod,oridol,towhomhehadvowedservice,andtobowdownwhenthekingwasleaninguponhishand。Butneitherwasthisanswersatisfactorytome,bothbecausetherewasanuncodifferencebetweenananointedKingofSyriaandourSpanishcolonel,whomIcouldhaveblownawaylikethepeelingofaningan,andchieflybecauseIcouldnotfindthethingwasrequiredofmebyanyofthearticlesofwar;neitherwasIprofferedanyconsideration,eitherinperquisiteorpay,forthewrongImighttherebydotomyconscience。\"

  \"Soyouagainchangedyourservice?\"saidLordMenteith。

  \"IntrothdidI,mylord;andaftertryingforashortwhiletwoorthreeotherpowers,IeventookonforatimewiththeirHighMightinessestheStatesofHolland。\"

  \"Andhowdidtheirservicejumpwithyourhumour?\"againdemandedhiscompanion。

  \"O!mylord,\"saidthesoldier,inasortofenthusiasm,\"theirbehaviouronpay—daymightbeapatterntoallEurope——noborrowings,nolendings,nooffsetsnoarrears——allbalancedandpaidlikeabanker\'sbook。Thequarters,too,areexcellent,andtheallowancesunchallengeable;butthen,sir,theyareapreceese,scrupulouspeople,andwillallownothingforpeccadilloes。Sothatifaboorcomplainsofabrokenhead,orabeer—sellerofabrokencan,oradaftwenchdoesbutsqueakloudenoughtobeheardaboveherbreath,asoldierofhonourshallbedragged,notbeforehisowncourt—martial,whocanbestjudgeofandpunishhisdemerits,hutbeforeabasemechanicalburgo—

  master,whoshallmenacehimwiththerasp—house,thecord,andwhatnot,asifhewereoneoftheirownmean,amphibious,twenty—breechedboors。Sonotbeingabletodwelllongeramongthoseungratefulplebeians,who,althoughunabletodefendthemselvesbytheirproperstrength,willneverthelessallowthenobleforeigncavalierwhoengageswiththemnothingbeyondhisdrywages,whichnohonourablespiritwillputincompetitionwithaliberallicenseandhonourablecountenance,IresolvedtoleavetheserviceoftheMynheers。Andhearingatthistime,tomyexceedingsatisfaction,thatthereissomethingtobedoingthissummerinmywayinthismydearnativecountry,Iamcomehither,astheysay,likeabeggartoabridal,inordertogivemylovingcountrymentheadvantageofthatexperiencewhichI

  haveacquiredinforeignparts。Soyourlordshiphasanoutlineofmybriefstory,exceptingmydeportmentinthosepassagesofactioninthefield,inleaguers,storms,andonslaughts,whilkwouldbewearisometonarrate,andmight,peradventure,betterbefitanyothertonguethanmineown。\"

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