"
"I was speaking to Malcolm," Nigel replied, "and he said that he
would he could go for a time to recruit his health in that village
among the hills where he had the fight with the freebooters who
made him captive. He said he was sure of a cordial welcome there,
and it is but three days' march from here."
"'Tis an out-of-the-way place," Munro said, "and if we move west we
shall be still further removed from it. There are Imperial bands
everywhere harrying the country unguarded by us, and one of these
might at any moment swoop down into that neighbourhood."
"That is true; but, after all, it would be better that he should
run that risk than sink from weakness as so many have done here
after getting through the first attack of fever."
"That is so, Nigel, and if you and Malcolm prefer that risk to
the other I will not say you nay; but what is good for him is good
for others, and I will ask the surgeon to make me a list of twenty
men who are strong enough to journey by easy stages, and who yet
absolutely require to get out of this poisonous air to enable them
to effect their recovery. We will furnish them with one of the
baggage wagons of the regiment, so that they can ride when they
choose. Tell the paymaster to give each man in advance a month's
pay, that they may have money to pay what they need. Horses are
scarce, so we can give them but two with the wagon, but that will
be sufficient as they will journey slowly.
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