"`Our will and pleasure is, and we do hereby fully authorise, strictly require, and expressly command, our loving subjects to rise in arms and make war upon the Prince of Orange, the usurper of our throne, and all his adherents, and to seize for our use all such forts, towns, and strongholds within our dominion of England as may serve to further our interest, and to do from time to time such other acts of hostility against the Prince of Orange and his adherents as may conduce most to our service. We judge this the properest, justest, and most effectual means of procuring the Restoration and their deliverance, and we do hereby indemnify them for what they shall act in pursuance of this our royal command, given at our court of Saint Germain-en-Laye, the 27th of December, 1695.' "This will, I hope, satisfy you, gentlemen, that we are not acting without due authority; moreover, you should be aware that the Duke of Berwick came over to England a few months ago, and visited many of the principal adherents of King James, who are all ready, on the signal which we shall make them, to rise in arms, and raise the standard of our lawful king. He is also at the present moment prepared to put himself at the head of an army of 20,000 French soldiers, who are drawn out of the different garrisons of the neighbourhood of Calais. There is also a fleet ready to bring them across as soon as they receive the signal which we are preparing to give. The French king has promised to support King James, and will follow with another army, which will be as soon as possible collected." "That appears a well-arranged, straightforward scheme, such as soldiers and men of honour can engage in," observed another speaker. "I am glad you think so, Captain," observed Sir George; "and I feel very sure, that as soon as the signal I have spoken of is given, we shall have hundreds like yourselves flocking to the royal standard." "But what is to be that signal, may I ask?" inquired another, who had not before spoken. "I am willing to draw my sword at the command of the King, but I never like to take a leap in the dark, and am better pleased when all matters are explained clearly beforehand." "It is not usual for a general to give a sketch of his campaign to his subordinates," answered Sir George, in a haughty tone. "There are certain matters of which it is better that as few as possible should be informed. I trust that this reply will satisfy you." "It must, by my faith!" mattered the old officer; "but, for my part, I have no taste for these secret plots; I would rather a band of brave fellows had been collected together, and that King James's standard had been raised, and that then we had marched through the country, gathering strength in our progress." "To be cut to pieces by Dutch William's soldiers, or to be surrounded and strung up like foot-pads!" observed another speaker. "There are difficulties in our way, but they are such as brave men will gladly encounter."