"I think that I would rather have a sharp boy than a man.

Being but a boy myself, I could appreciate and put up with more in the way of mischief than a man could." "I will tell my groom to bring him round to your quarters in the morning," the officer said; "but mind, I in no way recommend your taking him.

You won't keep him a week if you do." The next morning Hector's orderly told him that a man desired to speak to him.
"Has he a boy with him ?" "Yes, lieutenant." "Bring them in here, then." In a minute a man entered, followed by a boy.

The former was a good looking young Savoyard of some four- or five-and-twenty years; the latter was a lad of about the same height as Hector but somewhat older.
He had black hair which fell over his forehead down to his eyebrows.

His face bore an expression of extreme humility, which, however, was marred by the merry twinkle of his dark eyes.
"My master has bid me bring my brother with me, Lieutenant Campbell," the man said, "and I have done so, but I fear greatly that he will hardly suit you as a servant.