“My dear sir, I’d go with you myself, if I could, with the greatest pleasure. Unfortunately, though, we have no Scotch regiment in the place. Suppose I could give you—say twenty or thirty men, heavy cavalry.” “Well, sir, I think cavalry, joined with our infantry, would be the best escort we could have.” “Very good, sir. Well, now you’ll want an officer to command them.” “Why, sir, the truth is, I wished to consult you on that subject. The present commander of our party is Captain Rattler.” “Your present? Say your late. He’s off.” “He was with me within the last half-hour, sir. Said nothing about leaving.” “Well, I don’t know anything about that. All I know is this—he was here just before you; got his route changed. By this time, I should think, he’s on his way to St Jean Pied de Port. Very well, Mr Y—. Load to-morrow, and start with your present escort. At what hour may I expect you to pass here, in your way through the town?” “Probably about ten o’clock, sir.” “Very well, Mr Y—. Then, to-morrow morning, by ten o’clock, I’ll have your additional escort here in readiness for you. As to the officer that’s to command the party, we’ll talk about that when we meet. Let me see. I hardly know how to settle it. At present, I have only one that’s going to join, and he’s young—your junior, I should say, by three or four years; has never seen service—a cornet, fresh from England. Well, if you can’t have another, you know, you must have him. Very well, Mr Y—; to-morrow morning, if you please, at ten o’clock.” I withdrew, satisfied with the result of my visit, not at all sorry to have got rid of the captain by his own act, and without any complaint on my part—a little surprised, however, at the precipitancy of his retreat, especially after his last words, “_Au revoir._” Suddenly a thought came plump—“My thirty dollars! The caitiff! he’s off, and I am once more a victim!” It didn’t turn out quite so bad as it looked, though. On my return to our office, I was met by Jones, who, with a face of famine, announced “dinner ready,” and handed me the following letter:— “ST JEAN DE LUZ, _March 1814_. “Dear Sir—As unexpected circumstances have induced me to alter my route, I adopt this hurried method of wishing you a safe and pleasant journey to headquarters. It would have afforded me much gratification to accompany you, or at any rate to have said farewell in person. You will, however, I am sure, pardon the little omission, as I am compelled to start without delay. “I have thirty dollars belonging to you in my portmanteau. _They are_ _safe._ I was about to forward them by the bearer of this, but, not feeling entire confidence in such a mode of conveyance, I beg to enclose you an order on England for the amount. Believe me to remain, dear sir, faithfully yours, “R. RATTLER. “P.S.—Excuse haste.