the
deep dents effected by sword, pike, and bullet were hammered out, the
rust removed, and the stains of blood and bivouac obliterated; fresh
doublets and jerkins were served out from the ample stores captured from
the enemy, and the army looked as gay and brilliant as when it first
landed in North Germany.

Malcolm spent much of his spare time with the Count and Countess of
Mansfeld, who, irrespective of their gratitude for the assistance he had
rendered them in time of need, had taken a strong liking to the young
Scotchman.

"You are becoming quite a court gallant, Graheme," one of his comrades
said at a court ball where Malcolm had been enjoying himself greatly,
having, thanks to the Countess of Mansfeld, no lack of partners, while
many of the officers were forced to look on without taking part in the
dancing, the number of ladies being altogether insufficient to furnish
partners to the throng of officers, Swedish, German, and Scottish.
Beyond the scarf and feathers which showed the brigade to which officers
belonged, there was, even when in arms, but slight attempt at uniformity
in their attire, still less so when off duty. The scene at these balls
was therefore gay in the extreme, the gallants being all attired in
silk, satin, or velvet of brilliant colours slashed with white or some
contrasting hue. The tailors at Maintz had had a busy time of it, for in
so rapid a campaign much baggage had been necessarily lost, and many of
the officers required an entirely new outfit before they could take part
in the court festivities.

There was, however, no lack of money, for the booty and treasure
captured had been immense, and each officer having received a fixed
share, they were well able to renew their wardrobes. Some fresh
reinforcements arrived during their stay here, and the vacancies which
battle and disease had made in the ranks were filled up.

But although the Green Brigade did not march from Maintz till the 5th
of March, 1632, the whole army did not enjoy so long a rest. In February
Gustavus despatched three hundred of Ramsay's regiment under Lieutenant
Colonel George Douglas against the town of Creutzenach, together with a
small party of English volunteers under Lord Craven. Forty-seven of
the men were killed while opening the trenches, but the next day they
stormed one of the gates and drove the garrison, which was composed of
six hundred Walloons and Burgundians, out of the town into the castle of
Kausem