rons
of horse and four small cannon, with the blue-coated Dutch cannoniers as
stiff as their own ramrods, brought up the rear. A long train of carts
and of waggons which had followed the army were led into the fields
outside the walls and there quartered.

When the last soldier had passed through the Shuttern Gate, Monmouth and
his leaders rode slowly in, the Mayor walking by the King's charger.
As we saluted they all faced round to us, and I saw a quick flush of
surprise and pleasure come over Monmouth's pale face as he noted our
close lines and soldierly bearing.

'By my faith, gentlemen,' he said, glancing round at his staff, 'our
worthy friend the Mayor must have inherited Cadmus's dragon teeth. Where
raised ye this pretty crop, Sir Stephen? How came ye to bring them
to such perfection too, even, I declare, to the hair powder of the
grenadiers?'

'I have fifteen hundred in the town,' the old wool-worker answered
proudly; 'though some are scarce as disciplined.

These men come from Wiltshire, and the officers from Hampshire. As to
their order, the credit is due not to me, but to the old soldier Colonel
Decimus Saxon, whom they have chosen as their commander, as well as to
the captains who serve under him.'

'My thanks are due to you, Colonel,' said the King, turning to Saxon,
who bowed and sank the point of his sword to the earth, 'and to you
also, gentlemen. I shall not forget the warm loyalty which brought you
from Hampshire in so short a time. Would that I could find the same
virtue in higher places! But, Colonel Saxon, you have, I gather, seen
much service abroad. What think you of the army which hath just passed
before you?'

'If it please your Majesty,' Saxon answered, 'it is like so much
uncarded wool, which is rough enough in itself, and yet may in time come
to be woven into a noble garment.'

'Hem! There is not much leisure for the weaving,' said Monmouth. 'But
they fight well. You should have seen them fall on at Axminster! We hope
to see you and to hear your views at the council table. But how is this?
Have I not seen this gentleman's face before?'

'It is the Honourable Sir Gervas Jerome of the county of Surrey,' quoth
Saxon.

'Your Majesty may have seen me at St. James's,' said the baronet,
raising his hat, 'or in the balcony at Whitehall. I was much at Court
during the latter years of the late king.'

'Yes, yes. I remember the name as well as the face,' cried Monmouth.
'You see, gentlemen,