“Why have you kept aloof, brigadier?” asked the earl.
“Because your lordship has others of mair importance to attend to than an auld trooper, who has only his sword to offer you.”
“Hout awa! your sword is worth a thousand men, brigadier, and that ye ken fu' weel. You are the man of all others I must have with me, heart and hand.”
“I am a man of few words as your lordship kens—I am ready to do your bidding.”
“Aweel then, your kinsman, Colonel Mackintosh, has promised to raise a regiment of six or seven hundred Highland men.”
“And so wad I, if I could only find the callants. But they are few and far to seek at Borlum.”
“What say you to taking the command of the Clan Chattan?”
“That belongs to our chief, unless——”
“He chooses to resign it to another, and I approve his choice. Will you take it?”
“Gladly,” replied the brigadier, his eyes sparkling with satisfaction. “Is this a' your lordship has to say to me, at present?”