We have both made provision for unexpected
contingencies."
"Then, if you will call tomorrow after breakfast, I shall probably
have your commission ready. As a matter of course, you will have
the appointment of your own officers, and will only have to send in
their names. Each company is from a hundred and forty to a hundred
and fifty strong, and has a captain, two lieutenants, and two
ensigns."
Mr. Jervoise's news was, on his return to the inn, received with
delight by the two lads; and Sir Marmaduke said:
"I wish I could shake off twenty of my years, Jervoise, and join
also. Well, well, I daresay I shall get on comfortably enough. I
know there are a good many English and Scotch Jacobites settled in
the town or neighbourhood, and I shall not be long before I meet
someone I know.
"As the matter seems settled, I should advise you lads to go down,
the first thing in the morning, to the wharves. There is no saying
when ships may come in. Moreover, it is likely enough that you may
light upon young fellows who have landed within the last few weeks,
and who have been kept so far, by their ignorance of the language,
from enlisting."
"That is a very good idea," Mr. Jervoise said. "They will be
delighted to hear a friendly voice, and be only too glad to enlist
in a Scottish company.
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