regard height of stature as the first element of the
soldier--amongst whom I am not one--would pronounce them magnificent!"

"And are many more available of the same sort?" asked Caffarelli.

"Ten thousand, sir, if you like to pay for them."

"Do these men understand that they are enlisted as soldiers, not engaged
as navvies?" asked Maitland.

"As well as you do. Whatever our friend Caffarelli may think, I can tell
him that my countrymen are no more deficient in acuteness than his own.
These fellows know the cause just as well as they know the bounty."

"I was not inquiring as to their sympathies," said Mait-land,
caustically; "I merely wanted to hear how they understood the contract."

"They are hirelings, of course, as I am, and as you are," said M'Caskey.

"By what presumption, sir, do you speak of me?" said Maitland, rising,
his face dark with passion. "If the accidents of life range us in the
same cause, is there any other tie or bond between us?"

"Once more I declare I will have none of this," said Caffarelli, pushing
Maitland down into his chair. "Count M'Caskey, the Central Committee
have placed you under my orders. These orders are that you report
yourself to General Filangieri at Naples as soon as you can arrive
there; that you duly inform the Minister at War of what steps you have
already taken in the recruitment, putting yourself at his disposition
for further service. Do you want money?" added he in a lower tone, as he
drew the Major aside.

"A man always wants money, sir," said M'Caskey, sententiously.

"I am your banker: what shall it be?" said Caffarelli, drawing out his
pocket-book.

"For the present," said M'Caskey, carelessly, "a couple of thousand
francs will suffice. I have a rather long bill against his Majesty, but
it can wait."

He pocketed the notes without deigning to look at them, and then,
drawing closer to Caffarelli, said, in a whisper, "You 'll have to keep
your friend yonder somewhat 'better in hand,'--you will, really. If not,
I shall have to shoot him."

"The Chevalier Maitland is your superior officer, sir," said Caffarelli,
haughtily. "Take care how you speak of him to any one, but more
especially to me, who am his friend."

"I am at his 'friend's' orders, equally," said the Major; "my case
contains two pistols."

Caffarelli turned away with a shrug of the shoulder, and a look that
unmistakably bespoke disgust.

"Here goes, then, for the stirrup-cup!" said M'Caske