As soon as they had fallen in, Malcolm joined them.
"Men," he said, "I am sorry to disturb you on your last evening here, but there is business on hand.

A party of Pappenheim's dragoons are about to attack the town of Mansfeld, where the people are of the Reformed Religion.

The siege will begin in the morning, and ere that time we must be there.

We have all got fat and lazy, and a little fighting will do us good." The thought of a coming fray reconciled the men to their departure from their quiet and happy resting place.

Armour was donned, buckles fastened, and arms inspected, and in half an hour, after a cordial adieu from their kind hosts, the detachment marched off, their guide with a lighted torch leading the way.