but

of Torstensson’s guns, but it was still dangerous. Within five minutes, several of the engineers had been wounded or killed. Gustav scowled unhappily. Tilly’s men were simply sticking their arquebuses over the ramparts and firing blindly. But an occasional round, he supposed, was bound to find a target.
The king heard the American girl whisper something to Mackay. The Scotsman passed the remark along.
“Your Majesty, Julie says that most of the damage is being done by some skirmishers in the woods.”
Gustav squinted at the line of trees. The term “sniper” was ­unknown in that day, but all armies had contingents of lightly armored skirmishers using hunting pieces. Those weapons, since they were not part of the line and were not concerned with rate of fire, were rifled. Their accuracy was still not great, but it was not laughable either.
“She is certain?”
Mackay nodded. Then, after a moment’s hesitation, he added: “She is also offering to—ah, the expression she favors is ‘take them out.’ ”
The king smiled thinly. “You are afraid I will be offended by