“You don’t share this time,” the latter said to Charlie; “but next time, of course, you and your comrade will each have your portion.”

When this was done, the men were told off in parties of six or seven, and instructions given as to the point of rendezvous.  Each band chose its own leader, and, in an hour from the reception of the news, the place was deserted, and the parties were making their way in different directions through the forest.

Charlie and Stanislas formed part of the captain’s own force, which numbered ten in all.

“Do you think they will all turn up at the meeting place?” Charlie asked the leader, whose name he now ascertained was Ladislas Koffski.

“They may,” he said.  “But it is seldom that bands, when they once disperse like this, ever come together again.  It is impossible to content everyone, and any man who is chosen leader of a party may, if he is dissatisfied, persuade those with him to join some other band.  Even if they do not go in a body, many are sure to break off and make for their homes, to enjoy the booty they have gathered.

“But, upon the other hand, as we go we shall gather up fresh recruits.  With so many disbanded soldiers and discontented men roaming the country, there is no difficulty in getting as many men as one cares to keep together.

“Fifty is the outside that is advisable, for with more, even if one makes a good haul, it comes to so little, a head, that the men are dissatisfied.  Of course they work in small parties, but this does not succeed so well as when a small band are under a single leader.”

“How long have you been at this work?”

“Since last autumn.”

“And you find it pay?”

“We do not get much in money.  As you saw, there were but four rix dollars a head, and that is the result of a month’s work.  Still, that is not bad for men who might otherwise starve.  Sometimes we do worse and sometimes better, but that is about the average.  Still, the life is a pleasant one, and unless we disbanded soldiers took to it, what would there be for us to do?  If government would keep us on regular pay, there would soon be no brigands left, except the men who have escaped from justice.  But the treasury is empty, and, even at the best of times, the troops are badly and irregularly paid, and are forced to plunder to keep life together.  They are almost in rags, and though we Poles do not mind fighting, there is generally a difficulty in getting sufficient infantry.  As for the cavalry, they are nobles, and draw no pay.

“How do you feel today?”

“Better.  The night’s rest, and a wash and change of clothes this morning, have made me feel another man.  How far do you intend to march?”

“We shall go slowly for a day or two.  The other parties have all pushed on ahead fast, but by taking matters quietly, and by keeping a sharp lookout, we need have no great fear of being surprised.  I know the forest well, and its thickest hiding places, so we can afford to travel slowly, and as you become accustomed to it you will be able to make longer journeys.”