To his disgust the two officers rose and saluted formally, as he came in.
"We wish," Captain Stauffen said, "to express to you our deep regret at the unworthy way in which we received your request, this morning, to lay aside the distinction of rank while we are prisoners here.

We were both under an error.

Our regiments having only joined from Berlin a short time before the king marched with us to Hochkirch, we were altogether ignorant of the manner in which you had gained your rank, and had thought that it was the result of favouritism.

We now know your highly distinguished services, and how worthily you have gained each step; and we both sincerely hope that you will overlook our boorish conduct, and will endeavour to forget the manner in which we received your kindly advances." "Say no more about it, gentlemen," Fergus replied heartily.

"I have had luck, and availed myself of it, as assuredly you would have done had the same opportunities occurred to you.