[The Lion of the North by G.A. Henty]@TWC D-Link bookThe Lion of the North CHAPTER II SHIPWRECKED 18/20
"Whether from the north or the south Scots fight equally well; and with Gustavus 'tis like being in our own country, so large a proportion are we of his majesty's army.
And now, Munro, I fear that I must supersede you in command, being senior to you in the service, and having, moreover, his majesty's commission as governor of the town and district." "There is no one to whom I would more willingly resign the command.
I have seen some hard fighting, but have yet my name to win; while you, though still only a colonel, are famous throughout Europe." "Thanks to my men rather than to myself," Hepburn said, "though, indeed, mine is no better than the other Scottish regiments in the king's service; but we have had luck, and in war, you know, luck is everything." There were many officers in both regiments who were old friends and acquaintances, and there was much feasting that night in the Scotch camp.
In the morning work began again.
The peasants of the district, 8000 strong, were mustered and divided into companies, armed and disciplined, and with these and the two Scotch regiments Hepburn advanced through Pomerania to the gates of Colberg, fifty miles away, clearing the country of the Austrians, who offered, indeed, but a faint resistance. The Lord of Kniphausen, a general in the Swedish service, now arrived with some Swedish troops, and prepared to besiege the town.
<<Back Index Next>> D-Link book Top TWC mobile books
|