"His soldiers have indeed the reputation of being good and gentle, as they are valiant and strong," replied the haughty Ernestine; "but we are now prisoners, and at the mercy of these uncourteous pistoliers----" "Mention my name to any one who would insult you; and believe me, madame, it will be a sufficient protection in the Danish camp." "Oh yes!" said Gabrielle, bustling up in her saddle, "I will just say our friend is Herr Kombeek--or M'Combeek, is it?" "The Highlanders call me M'Combich, because I am the friend of their chief; but my proper name----" Here the baron uttered an impatient cough. "Klosterfiord," said I; "you will protect these ladies, and see them conveyed to a place of safety." "Undoubtedly--I have commanded a baggage guard before this." "In both I have discovered friends----" "What! is one the señora Prud----" "Pshaw!" I exclaimed, placing my glove before his mouth; "treat them with every respect; to-morrow we shall have a cartel for their release. They are the daughters of the great Count of Carlstein, camp-master and colonel-general of the Imperial horse." "Der teufel! the holder of my fief in Luneburg!" "The same." "By Jove! my boy, I shall take most particular care of them," replied the baron, twirling his mustaches; "they are my prisoners, and the price of ransom lies with me. This is a fortunate stroke of the goddess--that blind jade with the wheel. Ha! ha! Sir Count--thou hast my domain, with its parks and woods; my house, with its library, its wine-cellar, and other appendages--I have thy daughters. Let us see which we value most. 'Pon my soul, as things go I would rather have the women than the old house." Knowing the baron to be somewhat of a gay man, and a roué, I felt my anger rise at his remarks; while he, probably piqued at the familiar terms on which I stood with his fair captives, said suddenly-- "You will halt here, my friend, until orders are sent to you to withdraw, and fear not for the ladies. I have had the care of all the women of an army before this----" "Now, Karl, I must protest against this appropriation." "Der teufel! appropriation--are they not my prisoners? ha! ha! ha! Do you want both, my unconscionable Scot! Wait till to-morrow, and we may share the spoil in fair camaraderie, but not till then. Pistoliers--forward--trot!" The troop moved off towards Heilinghafen; I received a wave of the hand from Ernestine; Gabrielle brandished her whip, and then the whole group disappeared into the smoke which still rested on the face of the peninsula, for we occupied but a narrow headland which jutted out into the Baltic.