Page 154 - A Jacobite Exile

are probably quite as good as our best Swedish regiments. They have had
plenty of fighting in Ireland and elsewhere, and I doubt whether the

Jacobite gentlemen, however numerous, but without training or discipline,
could any more make head against them than the masses of Muscovites

could against the Swedish battalions at Narva. All this means that it is
necessary that we should, if possible, carve out a fortune here. So far, I
certainly have no reason to grumble. On the contrary, I have had great luck.

I am a lieutenant at seventeen, and, if I am not shot or carried off by fever, I
may, suppose the war goes on and the army is not reduced, be a colonel at

the age of forty.

"Now you, on the other hand, have, by that happy suggestion of yours,

attracted the notice of the king, and he is pleased to nominate you to a
mission in which there is a chance of your distinguishing yourself in

another way, and of being employed in other and more important business.
All this will place you much farther on the road towards making a fortune,
than marching and fighting with your company would be likely to do in the

course of twenty years, and I think it would be foolish in the extreme for
you to exhibit any disinclination to undertake the duty."

"I suppose you are right, Harry, and I am much obliged to you for your
advice, which certainly puts the matter in a light in which I had not before

seen it. If I thought that I could do it well, I should not so much mind, for,
as you say, there will be some fun to be got out of it, and some excitement,

and there seems little chance of doing anything here for a long time. But
what am I to say to the fellows? How can I argue with them? Besides, I
don't talk Polish."

"I don't suppose there are ten men in the army who do so, probably not five.

As to what to say, Count Piper will no doubt give you full instructions as to
the line you are to take, the arguments you are to use, and the inducements
you are to hold out. That is sure to be all right."

"Well, do not say anything about it, Harry, when you get back. I still hope

the colonel will dissuade the king."