Page 210 - A Jacobite Exile

As soon, indeed, as the outlaw received the tidings, he issued orders for the
band to prepare for instant departure.

"A party of five or six men together," he said to Charlie, "might hide in this

forest for years. But a band of fifty is too large to be long concealed. To
begin with, they must get food, and must either buy it or hunt for it; and in
the second, there are a considerable number of men living in the forest,

charcoal burners and herders of goats and swine, and any of these, if
questioned by the troops, might mention that they had seen a considerable

number of men passing. As it is, we will break up into parties of seven or
eight, and appoint a rendezvous where we may meet again."

The band was speedily mustered, for, with the exception of those who were
watching the forest through which the troops at the hut must march to reach

them, the whole were close at hand. A messenger was sent off to call in the
scouts. Then the booty that had been taken during their late excursions was
brought out, and emptied on the ground. It consisted of money and

jewellery. It was divided into equal portions, of which each member took
one, the lieutenants of the band two, and the captain three.

"You don't share this time," the latter said to Charlie; "but next time, of
course, you and your comrade will each have your portion."

When this was done, the men were told off in parties of six or seven, and

instructions given as to the point of rendezvous. Each band chose its own
leader, and, in an hour from the reception of the news, the place was
deserted, and the parties were making their way in different directions

through the forest.

Charlie and Stanislas formed part of the captain's own force, which
numbered ten in all.

"Do you think they will all turn up at the meeting place?" Charlie asked the
leader, whose name he now ascertained was Ladislas Koffski.