“I was Captain Macpherson, sir,” the other answered, “a moment since, but what I am now I hardly know till my wits come back. You have a strange way of forcing your company on your neighbours.” “Such sudden acquaintanceship was wholly unexpected, I assure you, sir,” the young man answered, with a pleasant smile that lit up his handsome face. “I was directed to meet you here. My name is Orme.” The old soldier, without speaking, retired into the embrasure of the window followed by the younger man, and then turned round sternly. “Mr. Orme, you must know it hath struck five by the Town clock. A soldier´s first duty is discipline, and here have I, your commanding officer, for such I take myself to be, been awaiting your coming a full quarter of an hour. I have been in countries where the provost-marshal would have known how to deal with such offences. Cities have been sacked and great battles lost and won, by less delay than that.” “I have left the Colonel but now, sir. He said nothing of the time, but told me that I should meet you here.” “Very like, very like,” growled the other. “I know the breed of old. Feather-bed soldiers who need a warming-pan in camp. They take no heed of time. I was brought up in a different school, and would have you know that while you keep me company, you must learn my ways. How long have you served?” He asked the question abruptly, bending on his companion a keen and penetrating look that nothing seemed to escape. “I have carried the colours for nearly two years in Mountjoy´s regiment.” "And never seen man stricken in fair fight, I warrant; that is before you and will come speedily. Hath Colonel Lundy spoken of the work we are about to take in hand?" “Only that I was to receive my instructions from you, and place myself under your orders.” “That is well, at any rate. You are green and tender for the business, but you may show the right stuff when the time comes. Things are going crookedly here in Londonderry and elsewhere, Mr. Orme. We go neither back nor forward, but stand swaying like men who know not whether to turn to the right hand or to the left. We would fight but we dare not; we would flee but we cannot. And all the while there are stout fellows here who would handle a musket or trail a pike with the best troops in Europe, if there were a man to lead them. These cursed councils and divided plans breed nothing but failure. You will see Hamilton with his levies across the Bann and round the wall of Londonderry, before the month is out.” “I humbly trust not, but if we do never fear but we shall give a good account of ourselves.”