Ronald carried for the first time the regimental colour, which bore evident marks of service, being pierced in many places by musket-shot. It was a laborious affair to sustain, especially during a breeze, being large, and of rich yellow silk, fringed round with bullion. The sphinx,—the badge of Egypt, (the pride of the major’s heart,) surrounded by a wreath of the brave old thistle, and the honourable mottoes ’_Egmont-op-Zee_,’ ’_Mandora_,’ and ’_Bergen-op-Zoom_,’[*] all sewn, as usual, by fair hands, and done in massive gold embroidery, appeared in the centre of the standard, which the Duchess of Gordon had presented to the clan-regiment of her son. [*] Such, with many additions, are still the badges of the Gordon Highlanders. For the information of unmilitary readers I may state, that every corps has two colours,—a king’s and regimental; the first carried by the senior, and the latter by the junior ensign. "Stuart, I see you are casting longing looks back to Merida," said Alister in his usual jesting manner, as he marched by Ronald’s side with the gaudy king’s colour sloped on his shoulder. "There is some attraction in our rear, I perceive; you are ever looking that way." "Ay, yonder comes Don Alvaro and his troop of lances; how gallant they appear! But they are almost hidden in the dust raised by the rear of the column." "Look above the colours of the 71st, and you will see the roof which contains the fair Catalina; it was for that you were searching so narrowly. I can read your thoughts, you see, without being a conjuror. Stuart, my boy, you are very green in these matters, otherwise you would not blush as scarlet as your coat, which, by the by, is rapidly becoming purple." "What stuff you talk, Macdonald! What is Catalina to me?" "Pshaw! now you need not bristle up so fiercely. Were you not making downright love to her last night? And the don himself would have seen it, but had drunk too much Malaga." "Impossible, Alister! You must dream, or this is some of your usual nonsense. I have no recollection of speaking to Donna Catalina otherwise than I would have done to any lady,—and Campbell heard me." "The major had over much sherry under his belt, and made too much noise about Egypt,—the pyramids,—Pompey’s pillar,—the battle of Alexandria, and Heaven knows all what, to hear any one speaking but himself. We spent the night in glorious style, however; but the taste of that horrible garlic——Heavens above! what is this?" Alister’s sudden exclamation was not given without sufficient reason. A carbine flashed from among the dark evergreens which overhung the road, and Ronald Stuart, staggering backwards, fell prostrate and bleeding at the feet of his comrades, from whom burst a wild shout of rage and surprise; but the strictness of British discipline prevented any man from moving in search of the assassin.