THE PASSAGE OF THE DWINA 141

the condition of our company, and he has ordered that in
future all the Swedish troops shall take part in such games
and amusements when in winter-quarters. Of course,
Charlie has told you we are going to have a regiment
entirely composed of Scots and Englishmen. I put the
Scots first, since they, will be by far the most numerous.
‘There are always plenty of active spirits who find but small
opening for their energy at home, and are ready to take
foreign service whenever the chance opens. Besides, there
are always feuds there. In the old days it was chief against
chief, now it is religion against religion; and now as then
there are numbers of young fellows glad to exchange the
troubles at home for service abroad. ‘here have been
quite a crowd of men round our quarters, for directly the
news spread that the company was landing, our countrymen
flocked round, each eager to learn how many vacancies
there were in the ranks, and whether we would receive
recruits. heir joy was extreme when it became known
that Jamieson had authority to raise a whole regiment. I
doubt not that many of the poor fellows are in great
straits.””

“That I can tell you they are,” Sir Marmaduke broke in.
“We have been doing what we can for them, for it was
grievous that so many men should be wandering without
means or employment in a strange country. But the
number was too great for our money to go far among them,
and I know that many of them are destitute and well-nigh
starving. We had hoped to ship some of them back to
Scotland, and have been treating with the captain of a
vessel sailing in two or three days to carry them home.”

“Tt is unfortunate, but they have none to blame but
themselves. They should have waited until an invitation
for foreigners to enlist was issued by the Swedish govern-
ment, or until gentlemen of birth raised companies and
regiments for service here. However, we are the gainers,