Page 316 - A Jacobite Exile
P. 316
The evening with the duke passed off pleasantly. The general's questions
turned, not so much upon the actual fighting, as upon the organization of
the Swedes, their methods of campaigning, of victualling the army, of
hutting themselves in winter, the maintenance of discipline in camp, and
other military points that would be of service to him in his next campaign.
"Your king is very wise, in so strictly repressing all plundering and
violence," he said. "Only so can a general maintain an army in an enemy's
country. If the peasantry have confidence in him, and know that they will
get a fair price for their produce, they will bring it into the market gladly, in
spite of any orders their own government may issue to the contrary. I am
determined that, if I again lead an English army in the field, I will follow
King Charles' example; though I shall find it more difficult to enforce my
orders than he does, for he is king as well as general, and his Swedes are
quiet, honest fellows, while my army will be composed of
ne'er-do-wells--of men who prefer to wear the queen's uniform to a prison
garment, of debtors who wish to escape their creditors, and of men who
find village life too quiet for them, and prefer to see the world, even at the
risk of being shot, to honest labour on the farms. It requires a stern hand to
make a disciplined army out of such materials, but when the time of
fighting comes, one need wish for no better."
Before parting with them, the duke inquired farther into their arrangements
for the arrest of the highwayman, and said he should expect to see them on
Saturday, and that, if he heard that all had gone well, he would at once take
steps for bringing the matter before a court that would deal with it.
The young men felt restless, as the day approached. They had seen no more
of Tony, but they felt complete confidence in him, and were sure that they
would hear if any difficulties arose; but though, throughout Friday, they did
not quit their lodging, no message reached them.
