The Corporal had been, and they were about to start on the instant for Stratford.
The fact was that Count Gustavus Adolphus, far from wishing to pick the wing of a fowl, had risen with a horror and loathing for everything in the shape of food, and for any liquor stronger than small beer.

Of this he had drunk a cup, and said he should ride immediately to Stratford; and when, on ordering his horses, he had asked politely of the landlady "why the d---- SHE always came up, and why she did not send the girl," Mrs.Score informed the Count that her Catherine was gone out for a walk along with the young man to whom she was to be married, and would not be visible that day.

On hearing this the Captain ordered his horses that moment, and abused the wine, the bed, the house, the landlady, and everything connected with the "Bugle Inn." Out the horses came: the little boys of the village gathered round; the recruits, with bunches of ribands in their beavers, appeared presently; Corporal Brock came swaggering out, and, slapping the pleased blacksmith on the back, bade him mount his horse; while the boys hurrah'd.

Then the Captain came out, gloomy and majestic; to him Mr.Brock made a military salute, which clumsily, and with much grinning, the recruits imitated.
"I shall walk on with these brave fellows, your honour, and meet you at Stratford," said the Corporal.

"Good," said the Captain, as he mounted.