I shall, of course, point
out to him that you will enlist them here. I shall show him the
advantage of these men being gathered together, as their ignorance
of the language makes them, for some time, useless as soldiers if
enrolled in a Swedish regiment. I shall mention that I have twenty
in my own corps, who are at present positively useless, and in fact
a source of great trouble, owing to their understanding nothing
that is said to them, and shall propose that they be at once handed
over to you. As to the exchange, we can manage that quietly between
ourselves. You would have no difficulty with fresh-landed men, as
these will naturally be delighted at joining a company of their own
countrymen."
"Thank you very heartily, Jamieson. This altogether exceeds my
hopes, but I fear that I know nothing of drilling them."
"Two of my men are sergeants, and, having been in the army for some
years, speak Swedish well. They will do the drilling at first. The
manoeuvres are not complicated, and, for a pound or two, they will
be glad to teach you all the orders necessary. I don't know how you
are situated as to money, but I can assure you my purse is at your
service."
"Thank you; I am, in that respect, excellently well provided, as is
my friend Sir Marmaduke.
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