Time goes on, my dear, and I am beginning to feel not so young as I was.

Tell Rupert that the men are all fit, and longing to get out to him.

They are certainly a fine lot of men.
I don't think I ever saw a finer.

I have had them drilled and trained as soldiers, and, in addition, have had them taught a lot of trades just as they selected themselves.

So he shall have nigh him men who can turn their hands to anything--not, of course, that they all know every trade, but amongst them there is someone who can do whatever may be required.