"
"That is well," Hepburn said. "Whether from the north or the south
Scots fight equally well; and with Gustavus 'tis like being in our
own country, so large a proportion are we of his majesty's army.
And now, Munro, I fear that I must supersede you in command, being
senior to you in the service, and having, moreover, his majesty's
commission as governor of the town and district."
"There is no one to whom I would more willingly resign the command.
I have seen some hard fighting, but have yet my name to win; while
you, though still only a colonel, are famous throughout Europe."
"Thanks to my men rather than to myself," Hepburn said, "though,
indeed, mine is no better than the other Scottish regiments in the
king's service; but we have had luck, and in war, you know, luck
is everything."
There were many officers in both regiments who were old friends
and acquaintances, and there was much feasting that night in the
Scotch camp. In the morning work began again. The peasants of the
district, 8000 strong, were mustered and divided into companies,
armed and disciplined, and with these and the two Scotch regiments
Hepburn advanced through Pomerania to the gates of Colberg, fifty
miles away, clearing the country of the Austrians, who offered,
indeed, but a faint resistance.
The Lord of Kniphausen, a general in the Swedish service, now arrived
with some Swedish troops, and prepared to besiege the town.
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