"The lookout saw a wagon coming across the plain with three or four men walking beside it, and he thought that many more were seated in it; so thinking that this might be a ruse of some freebooting band, I had the alarm bell rung, and prepared to give them a hot reception." "I have brought some sick comrades with me," Malcolm said.

"I have no thought of quartering them on you.

That would be nigh as bad as the arrival of a party of marauders, for they are getting strength, and will, I warrant you, have keen appetites ere long; but we have brought tents, and will pay for all we have." "Do not talk of payment," the farmer said heartily.

"As long as there is flour in the storehouse and bacon on the beams, any Scottish soldier of Gustavus is welcome to it, still more if they be comrades of thine." "Thanks, indeed," Malcolm replied.

"I left them at the edge of the wood, for I knew not what welcome you might have prepared here; and seeing so many men you might have shot at them before waiting to ask a question." "That is possible enough," the farmer said, "for indeed we could hardly look for friends.