The Austrians rapidly closed in upon
all sides, and for nine weeks a constant series of skirmishes were
maintained with them.
At the end of that time Sir John Hepburn arrived from Spruce,
having pushed forward by order of Oxenstiern by forced marches to
their relief. Loud and hearty was the cheering when the two Scotch
regiments united, and the friends, Munro and Hepburn, clasped hands.
Not only had they been at college together, but they had, after
leaving St. Andrews, travelled in companionship on the Continent
for two or three years before taking service, Munro entering that
of France, while Hepburn joined Sir Andrew Gray as a volunteer when
he led a band to succour the Prince Palatine at the commencement
of the war.
"I have another old friend in my regiment, Hepburn," the colonel
said after the first greeting was over --"Nigel Graheme, of course
you remember him."
"Certainly I do," Hepburn exclaimed cordially, "and right glad will
I be to see him again; but I thought your regiment was entirely
from the north."
"It was originally," Munro said; "but I have filled up the gaps
with men from Nithsdale and the south. I was pressed for time, and
our glens of Farre and Strathnaver had already been cleared of all
their best men. The other companies are all commanded by men who
were with us at St. Andrews -- Balfour, George Hamilton, and James
Scott.
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