[Transcriber's Note:I feel that it is important to note that this book is partof the Caledonian series. The Caledonian series is a groupof 50 books comprising all of Sir Walter Scott's works. ]

WAVERLEY

BY SIR WALTER SCOTT

VOLUME II

WAVERLEY

OR 'TIS SIXTY YEARS SINCE

CHAPTER XXXVI

AN INCIDENT

The dinner hour of Scotland Sixty Years Since was two o'clock. Itwas therefore about four o'clock of a delightful autumn afternoonthat Mr. Gilfillan commenced his march, in hopes, althoughStirling was eighteen miles distant, he might be able, by becominga borrower of the night for an hour or two, to reach it thatevening. He therefore put forth his strength, and marched stoutlyalong at the head of his followers, eyeing our hero from time totime, as if he longed to enter into controversy with him. Atlength, unable to resist the temptation, he slackened his pacetill he was alongside of his prisoner's horse, and after marchinga few steps in silence abreast of him, he suddenly asked--'Can yesay wha the carle was wi' the black coat and the mousted head, that was wi' the Laird of Cairnvreckan?'

'A Presbyterian clergyman, ' answered Waverley. 

'Presbyterian!' answered Gilfillan contemptuously; 'a wretchedErastian, or rather an obscure Prelatist, a favourer of the blackindulgence, ane of thae dumb dogs that canna bark; they tell owera clash o' terror and a clatter o' comfort in their sermons, without ony sense, or savour, or life. Ye've been fed in siccan afauld, belike?'

'No; I am of the Church of England, ' said Waverley. 

'And they're just neighbour-like, ' replied the Covenanter; 'andnae wonder they gree sae weel. Wha wad hae thought the goodlystructure of the Kirk of Scotland, built up by our fathers in1642, wad hae been defaced by carnal ends and the corruptions ofthe time;--ay, wha wad hae thought the carved work of thesanctuary would hae been sae soon cut down!'

To this lamentation, which one or two of the assistants chorussedwith a deep groan, our hero thought it unnecessary to make anyreply. Whereupon Mr. Gilfillan, resolving that he should be ahearer at least, if not a disputant, proceeded in his Jeremiade. 

'And now is it wonderful, when, for lack of exercise anent thecall to the service of the altar and the duty of the day, ministers fall into sinful compliances with patronage, andindemnities, and oaths, and bonds, and other corruptions, --is itwonderful, I say, that you, sir, and other sic-like unhappypersons, should labour to build up your auld Babel of iniquity, asin the bluidy persecuting saint-killing times? I trow, gin yewerena blinded wi' the graces and favours, and services andenjoyments, and employments and inheritances, of this wickedworld, I could prove to you, by the Scripture, in what a filthyrag ye put your trust; and that your surplices, and your copes andvestments, are but cast-off garments of the muckle harlot thatsitteth upon seven hills and drinketh of the cup of abomination. But, I trow, ye are deaf as adders upon that side of the head; ay, ye are deceived with her enchantments, and ye traffic with hermerchandise, and ye are drunk with the cup of her fornication!'

How much longer this military theologist might have continued hisinvective, in which he spared nobody but the scattered remnant ofHILL-FOLK, as he called them, is absolutely uncertain. His matterwas copious, his voice powerful, and his memory strong; so thatthere was little chance of his ending his exhortation till theparty had reached Stirling, had not his attention been attractedby a pedlar who had joined the march from a cross-road, and whosighed or groaned with great regularity at all fitting pauses ofhis homily. 

'And what may ye be, friend?' said the Gifted Gilfillan. 

'A puir pedlar, that's bound for Stirling, and craves theprotection of your honour's party in these kittle times. Ah' yourhonour has a notable faculty in searching and explaining thesecret, --ay, the secret and obscure and incomprehensible causes ofthe backslidings of the land; ay, your honour touches the root o'the matter. '

'Friend, ' said Gilfillan, with a more complacent voice than he hadhitherto used, 'honour not me. I do not go out to park-dikes andto steadings and to market-towns to have herds and cottars andburghers pull off their bonnets to me as they do to Major Melvilleo' Cairnvreckan, and ca' me laird or captain or honour. No; mysma' means, whilk are not aboon twenty thousand merk, have had theblessing of increase, but the pride of my heart has not increasedwith them; nor do I delight to be called captain, though I havethe subscribed commission of that gospel-searching nobleman, theEarl of Glencairn, fa whilk I am so designated. While I live I amand will be called Habakkuk Gilfillan, who will stand up for thestandards of doctrine agreed on by the ance famous Kirk ofScotland, before she trafficked with the accursed Achan, while hehas a plack in his purse or a drap o' bluid in his body. '

'Ah, ' said the pedlar, 'I have seen your land about Mauchlin. Afertile spot! your lines have fallen in pleasant places! Andsiccan a breed o' cattle is not in ony laird's land in Scotland. '

'Ye say right, --ye say right, friend' retorted Gilfillan eagerly, for he was not inaccessible to flattery upon this subject, --'yesay right; they are the real Lancashire, and there's no the likeo' them even at the mains of Kilmaurs'; and he then entered into adiscussion of their excellences, to which our readers willprobably be as indifferent as our hero. After this excursion theleader returned to his theological discussions, while the pedlar, less profound upon those mystic points, contented himself withgroaning and expressing his edification at suitable intervals. 

'What a blessing it would be to the puir blinded popish nationsamong whom I hae sojourned, to have siccan a light to their paths!I hae been as far as Muscovia in my sma' trading way, as atravelling merchant, and I hae been through France, and the LowCountries, and a' Poland, and maist feck o' Germany, and O! itwould grieve your honour's soul to see the murmuring and thesinging and massing that's in the kirk, and the piping that's inthe quire, and the heathenish dancing and dicing upon theSabbath!'

This set Gilfillan off upon the Book of Sports and the Covenant, and the Engagers, and the Protesters, and the Whiggamore's Raid, and the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, and the Longer andShorter Catechism, and the Excommunication at Torwood, and theslaughter of Archbishop Sharp. This last topic, again, led himinto the lawfulness of defensive arms, on which subject he utteredmuch more sense than could have been expected from some otherparts of his harangue, and attracted even Waverley's attention, who had hitherto been lost in his own sad reflections. Mr. Gilfillan then considered the lawfulness of a private man'sstanding forth as the avenger of public oppression, and as he waslabouring with great earnestness the cause of Mas James Mitchell, who fired at the Archbishop of Saint Andrews some years before theprelate's assassination on Magus Muir, an incident occurred whichinterrupted his harangue. 

The rays of the sun were lingering on the very verge of thehorizon as the party ascended a hollow and somewhat steep pathwhich led to the summit of a rising ground. The country wasuninclosed, being part of a very extensive heath or common; but itwas far from level, exhibiting in many places hollows filled withfurze and broom; in others, little dingles of stunted brushwood. Athicket of the latter description crowned the hill up which theparty ascended. The foremost of the band, being the stoutest andmost active, had pushed on, and, having surmounted the ascent, were out of ken for the present. Gilfillan, with the pedlar andthe small party who were Waverley's more immediate guard, werenear the top of the ascent, and the remainder straggled after themat a considerable interval. 

Such was the situation of matters when the pedlar, missing, as hesaid, a little doggie which belonged to him, began to halt andwhistle for the animal. This signal, repeated more than once, gaveoffence to the rigour of his companion, the rather because itappeared to indicate inattention to the treasures of theologicaland controversial knowledge which were pouring out for hisedification. He therefore signified gruffly that he could notwaste his time in waiting for an useless cur. 

'But if your honour wad consider the case of Tobit--'

'Tobit!' exclaimed Gilffflan, with great heat; 'Tobit and his dogbaith are altogether heathenish and apocryphal, and none but aprelatist or a papist would draw them into question. I doubt I haebeen mista'en in you, friend. '

'Very likely, ' answered the pedlar, with great composure; 'butne'ertheless, I shall take leave to whistle again upon puirBawty. '

This last signal was answered in an unexpected manner; for six oreight stout Highlanders, who lurked among the copse and brushwood, sprung into the hollow way and began to lay about them with theirclaymores. Gilfillan, unappalled at this undesirable apparition, cried out manfully, 'The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!' and, drawing his broadsword, would probably have done as much credit tothe good old cause as any of its doughty champions at Drumclog, when, behold! the pedlar, snatching a musket from the person whowas next him bestowed the butt of it with such emphasis on thehead of his late instructor in the Cameronian creed that he wasforthwith levelled to the ground. In the confusion which ensuedthe horse which bore our hero was shot by one of Gilfillan'sparty, as he discharged his firelock at random. Waverley fellwith, and indeed under, the animal, and sustained some severecontusions. But he was almost instantly extricated from the fallensteed by two Highlanders, who, each seizing him by the arm, hurried him away from the scuffle and from the highroad. They ranwith great speed, half supporting and half dragging our hero, whocould, however, distinguish a few dropping shots fired about thespot which he had left. This, as he afterwards learned, proceededfrom Gilfillan's party, who had now assembled, the stragglers infront and rear having joined the others. At their approach theHighlanders drew off, but not before they had rifled Gilfillan andtwo of his people, who remained on the spot grievously wounded. Afew shots were exchanged betwixt them and the Westlanders; but thelatter, now without a commander, and apprehensive of a secondambush, did not make any serious effort to recover their prisoner, judging it more wise to proceed on their journey to Stirling, carrying with them their wounded captain and comrades. 

CHAPTER XXXVII

WAVERLEY IS STILL IN DISTRESS

The velocity, and indeed violence, with which Waverley was hurriedalong nearly deprived him of sensation; for the injury he hadreceived from his fall prevented him from aiding himself soeffectually as he might otherwise have done. When this wasobserved by his conductors, they called to their aid two or threeothers of the party, and, swathing our hero's body in one of theirplaids, divided his weight by that means among them, andtransported him at the same rapid rate as before, without anyexertion of his own. They spoke little, and that in Gaelic; anddid not slacken their pace till they had run nearly two miles, when they abated their extreme rapidity, but continued still towalk very fast, relieving each other occasionally. 

Our hero now endeavoured to address them, but was only answeredwith 'Cha n'eil Beurl agam' i. E. 'I have no English, ' being, asWaverley well knew, the constant reply of a Highlander when heeither does not understand or does not choose to reply to anEnglishman or Lowlander. He then mentioned the name of Vich lanVohr, concluding that he was indebted to his friendship for hisrescue from the clutches of Gifted Gilfillan, but neither did thisproduce any mark of recognition from his escort. 

The twilight had given place to moonshine when the party haltedupon the brink of a precipitous glen, which, as partly enlightenedby the moonbeams, seemed full of trees and tangled brushwood. Twoof the Highlanders dived into it by a small foot-path, as if toexplore its recesses, and one of them returning in a few minutes, said something to his companions, who instantly raised theirburden and bore him, with great attention and care, down thenarrow and abrupt descent. Notwithstanding their precautions, however, Waverley's person came more than once into contact, rudely enough, with the projecting stumps and branches whichoverhung the pathway. 

At the bottom of the descent, and, as it seemed, by the side of abrook (for Waverley heard the rushing of a considerable body ofwater, although its stream was invisible in the darkness), theparty again stopped before a small and rudely-constructed hovel. The door was open, and the inside of the premises appeared asuncomfortable and rude as its situation and exterior foreboded. There was no appearance of a floor of any kind; the roof seemedrent in several places; the walls were composed of loose stonesand turf, and the thatch of branches of trees. The fire was in thecentre, and filled the whole wigwam with smoke, which escaped asmuch through the door as by means of a circular aperture in theroof. An old Highland sibyl, the only inhabitant of this forlornmansion, appeared busy in the preparation of some food. By thelight which the fire afforded Waverley could discover that hisattendants were not of the clan of Ivor, for Fergus wasparticularly strict in requiring from his followers that theyshould wear the tartan striped in the mode peculiar to their race;a mark of distinction anciently general through the Highlands, andstill maintained by those Chiefs who were proud of their lineageor jealous of their separate and exclusive authority. 

Edward had lived at Glennaquoich long enough to be aware of adistinction which he had repeatedly heard noticed, and nowsatisfied that he had no interest with, his attendants, he glanceda disconsolate eye around the interior of the cabin. The onlyfurniture, excepting a washing-tub and a wooden press, called inScotland an ambry, sorely decayed, was a large wooden bed, planked, as is usual, all around, and opening by a sliding panel. In this recess the Highlanders deposited Waverley, after he had bysigns declined any refreshment. His slumbers were broken andunrefreshing; strange visions passed before his eyes, and itrequired constant and reiterated efforts of mind to dispel them. Shivering, violent headache, and shooting pains in his limbssucceeded these symptoms; and in the morning it was evident to hisHighland attendants or guard, for he knew not in which light toconsider them, that Waverley was quite unfit to travel. 

After a long consultation among themselves, six of the party leftthe hut with their arms, leaving behind an old and a young man. The former addressed Waverley, and bathed the contusions, whichswelling and livid colour now made conspicuous. His ownportmanteau, which the Highlanders had not failed to bring off, supplied him with linen, and to his great surprise was, with allits undiminished contents, freely resigned to his use. The beddingof his couch seemed clean and comfortable, and his aged attendantclosed the door of the bed, for it had no curtain, after a fewwords of Gaelic, from which Waverley gathered that he exhorted himto repose. So behold our hero for a second time the patient of aHighland Esculapius, but in a situation much more uncomfortablethan when he was the guest of the worthy Tomanrait. 

The symptomatic fever which accompanied the injuries he hadsustained did not abate till the third day, when it gave way tothe care of his attendants and the strength of his constitution, and he could now raise himself in his bed, though not withoutpain. He observed, however, that there was a great disinclinationon the part of the old woman who acted as his nurse, as well as onthat of the elderly Highlander, to permit the door of the bed tobe left open, so that he might amuse himself with observing theirmotions; and at length, after Waverley had repeatedly drawn openand they had as frequently shut the hatchway of his cage, the oldgentleman put an end to the contest by securing it on the outsidewith a nail so effectually that the door could not be drawn tillthis exterior impediment was removed. 

While musing upon the cause of this contradictory spirit inpersons whose conduct intimated no purpose of plunder, and who, inall other points, appeared to consult his welfare and his wishes, it occurred to our hero that, during the worst crisis of hisillness, a female figure, younger than his old Highland nurse, hadappeared to flit around his couch. Of this, indeed, he had but avery indistinct recollection, but his suspicions were confirmedwhen, attentively listening, he often heard, in the course of theday, the voice of another female conversing in whispers with hisattendant. Who could it be? And why should she apparently desireconcealment? Fancy immediately aroused herself and turned to FloraMac-Ivor. But after a short conflict between his eager desire tobelieve she was in his neighbourhood, guarding, like an angel ofmercy, the couch of his sickness, Waverley was compelled toconclude that his conjecture was altogether improbable; since, tosuppose she had left her comparatively safe situation atGlennaquoich to descend into the Low Country, now the seat ofcivil war, and to inhabit such a lurking-place as this, was athing hardly to be imagined. Yet his heart bounded as he sometimescould distinctly hear the trip of a light female step glide to orfrom the door of the hut, or the suppressed sounds of a femalevoice, of softness and delicacy, hold dialogue with the hoarseinward croak of old Janet, for so he understood his antiquatedattendant was denominated. 

Having nothing else to amuse his solitude, he employed himself incontriving some plan to gratify his curiosity, in despite of thesedulous caution of Janet and the old Highland janizary, for hehad never seen the young fellow since the first morning. Atlength, upon accurate examination, the infirm state of his woodenprison-house appeared to supply the means of gratifying hiscuriosity, for out of a spot which was somewhat decayed he wasable to extract a nail. Through this minute aperture he couldperceive a female form, wrapped in a plaid, in the act ofconversing with Janet. But, since the days of our grandmother Eve, the gratification of inordinate curiosity has generally borne itspenalty in disappointment. The form was not that of Flora, nor wasthe face visible; and, to crown his vexation, while he labouredwith the nail to enlarge the hole, that he might obtain a morecomplete view, a slight noise betrayed his purpose, and the objectof his curiosity instantly disappeared, nor, so far as he couldobserve, did she again revisit the cottage. 

All precautions to blockade his view were from that timeabandoned, and he was not only permitted but assisted to rise, andquit what had been, in a literal sense, his couch of confinement. But he was not allowed to leave the hut; for the young Highlanderhad now rejoined his senior, and one or other was constantly onthe watch. Whenever Waverley approached the cottage dooi thesentinel upon duty civilly, but resolutely, placed himself againstit and opposed his exit, accompanying his action with signs whichseemed to imply there was danger in the attempt and an enemy inthe neighbourhood. Old Janet appeared anxious and upon the watch;and Waverley, who had not yet recovered strength enough to attemptto take his departure in spite of the opposition of his hosts, wasunder the necessity of remaining patient His fare was, in everypoint of view, better than he could have conceived, for poultry, and even wine, were no strangers to his table. The Highlandersnever presumed to eat with him, and, unless in the circumstance ofwatching him, treated him with great respect. His sole amusementwas gazing from the window, or rather the shapeless aperture whichwas meant to answer the purpose of a window, upon a large andrough brook, which raged and foamed through a rocky channel, closely canopied with trees and bushes, about ten feet beneath thesite of his house of captivity. 

Upon the sixth day of his confinement Waverley found himself sowell that he began to meditate his escape from this dull andmiserable prison-house, thinking any risk which he might incur inthe attempt preferable to the stupefying and intolerableuniformity of Janet's retirement. The question indeed occurred, whither he was to direct his course when again at his owndisposal. Two schemes seemed practicable, yet both attended withdanger and difficulty. One was to go back to Glennaquoich and joinFergus Mac-Ivor, by whom he was sure to be kindly received; and inthe present state of his mind, the rigour with which he had beentreated fully absolved him, in his own eyes, from his allegianceto the existing government. The other project was to endeavour toattain a Scottish seaport, and thence to take shipping forEngland. His mind wavered between these plans, and probably, if hehad effected his escape in the manner he proposed, he would havebeen finally determined by the comparative facility by whicheither might have been executed. But his fortune had settled thathe was not to be left to his option. 

Upon the evening of the seventh day the door of the hut suddenlyopened, and two Highlanders entered, whom Waverley recognised ashaving been a part of his original escort to this cottage. Theyconversed for a short time with the old man and his companion, andthen made Waverley understand, by very significant signs, that hewas to prepare to accompany them. This was a joyful communication. What had already passed during his confinement made it evidentthat no personal injury was designed to him; and his romanticspirit, having recovered during his repose much of that elasticitywhich anxiety, resentment, disappointment, and the mixture ofunpleasant feelings excited by his late adventures had for a timesubjugated, was now wearied with inaction. His passion for thewonderful, although it is the nature of such dispositions to beexcited by that degree of danger which merely gives dignity to thefeeling of the individual exposed to it, had sunk under theextraordinary and apparently insurmountable evils by which heappeared environed at Cairnvreckan. In fact, this compound ofintense curiosity and exalted imagination forms a peculiar speciesof courage, which somewhat resembles the light usually carried bya miner--sufficiently competent, indeed, to afford him guidanceand comfort during the ordinary perils of his labour, but certainto be extinguished should he encounter the more formidable hazardof earth damps or pestiferous vapours. It was now, however, oncemore rekindled, and with a throbbing mixture of hope, awe, andanxiety, Waverley watched the group before him, as those who werejust arrived snatched a hasty meal, and the others assumed theirarms and made brief preparations for their departure. 

As he sat in the smoky hut, at some distance from the fire, aroundwhich the others were crowded, he felt a gentle pressure upon hisarm. He looked round; it was Alice, the daughter of Donald BeanLean. She showed him a packet of papers in such a manner that themotion was remarked by no one else, put her finger for a second toher lips, and passed on, as if to assist old Janet in packingWaverley's clothes in his portmanteau. It was obviously her wishthat he should not seem to recognise her, yet she repeatedlylooked back at him, as an opportunity occurred of doing sounobserved, and when she saw that he remarked what she did, shefolded the packet with great address and speed in one of hisshirts, which she deposited in the portmanteau. 

Here then was fresh food for conjecture. Was Alice his unknownwarden, and was this maiden of the cavern the tutelar genius thatwatched his bed during his sickness? Was he in the hands of herfather? and if so, what was his purpose? Spoil, his usual object, seemed in this case neglected; for not only Waverley's propertywas restored, but his purse, which might have tempted thisprofessional plunderer, had been all along suffered to remain inhis possession. All this perhaps the packet might explain; but itwas plain from Alice's manner that she desired he should consultit in secret. Nor did she again seek his eye after she hadsatisfied herself that her manoeuvre was observed and understood. On the contrary, she shortly afterwards left the hut, and it wasonly as she tript out from the door, that, favoured by theobscurity, she gave Waverley a parting smile and nod ofsignificance ere she vanished in the dark glen. 

The young Highlander was repeatedly despatched by his comrades asif to collect intelligence. At length, when he had returned forthe third or fourth time, the whole party arose and made signs toour hero to accompany them. Before his departure, however, heshook hands with old Janet, who had been so sedulous in hisbehalf, and added substantial marks of his gratitude for herattendance. 

'God bless you! God prosper you, Captain Waverley!' said Janet, ingood Lowland Scotch, though he had never hithero heard her utter asyllable, save in Gaelic. But the impatience of his attendantsprohibited his asking any explanation. 

CHAPTER XXXVIII

A NOCTURNAL ADVENTURE

There was a moment's pause when the whole party had got out of thehut; and the Highlander who assumed the command, and who, inWaverley's awakened recollection, seemed to be the same tallfigure who had acted as Donald Bean Lean's lieutenant, by whispersand signs imposed the strictest silence. He delivered to Edward asword and steel pistol, and, pointing up the track, laid his handon the hilt of his own claymore, as if to make him sensible theymight have occasion to use force to make good their passage. Hethen placed himself at the head of the party, who moved up thepathway in single or Indian file, Waverley being placed nearest totheir leader. He moved with great precaution, as if to avoidgiving any alarm, and halted as soon as he came to the verge ofthe ascent. Waverley was soon sensible of the reason, for he heardat no great distance an English sentinel call out 'All's well. 'The heavy sound sunk on the night-wind down the woody glen, andwas answered by the echoes of its banks. A second, third, andfourth time the signal was repeated fainter and fainter, as if ata greater and greater distance. It was obvious that a party ofsoldiers were near, and upon their guard, though not sufficientlyso to detect men skilful in every art of predatory warfare, likethose with whom he now watched their ineffectual precautions. 

When these sounds had died upon the silence of the night, theHighlanders began their march swiftly, yet with the most cautioussilence. Waverley had little time, or indeed disposition, forobservation, and could only discern that they passed at somedistance from a large building, in the windows of which a light ortwo yet seemed to twinkle. A little farther on the leadingHighlander snuffed the wind like a setting spaniel, and then madea signal to his party again to halt. He stooped down upon allfours, wrapped up in his plaid, so as to be scarce distinguishablefrom the heathy ground on which he moved, and advanced in thisposture to reconnoitre. In a short time he returned, and dismissedhis attendants excepting one; and, intimating to Waverley that hemust imitate his cautious mode of proceeding, all three creptforward on hands and knees. 

After proceeding a greater way in this inconvenient manner thanwas at all comfortable to his knees and shins, Waverley perceivedthe smell of smoke, which probably had been much soonerdistinguished by the more acute nasal organs of his guide. Itproceeded from the corner of a low and ruinous sheep-fold, thewalls of which were made of loose stones, as is usual in Scotland. Close by this low wall the Highlander guided Waverley, and, inorder probably to make him sensible of his danger, or perhaps toobtain the full credit of his own dexterity, he intimated to him, by sign and example, that he might raise his head so as to peepinto the sheep-fold. Waverley did so, and beheld an outpost offour or five soldiers lying by their watch-fire. They were allasleep except the sentinel, who paced backwards and forwards withhis firelock on his shoulder, which glanced red in the light ofthe fire as he crossed and re-crossed before it in his short walk, casting his eye frequently to that part of the heavens from whichthe moon, hitherto obscured by mist, seemed now about to make herappearance. 

In the course of a minute or two, by one of those sudden changesof atmosphere incident to a mountainous country, a breeze aroseand swept before it the clouds which had covered the horizon, andthe night planet poured her full effulgence upon a wide andblighted heath, skirted indeed with copse-wood and stunted treesin the quarter from which they had come, but open and bare to theobservation of the sentinel in that to which their course tended. The wall of the sheep-fold indeed concealed them as they lay, butany advance beyond its shelter seemed impossible without certaindiscovery. 

The Highlander eyed the blue vault, but far from blessing theuseful light with Homer's, or rather Pope's benighted peasant, hemuttered a Gaelic curse upon the unseasonable splendour of Mac-Farlane's buat (i. E. Lantern) [Footnote: See Note 1]. He lookedanxiously around for a few minutes, and then apparently took hisresolution. Leaving his attendant with Waverley, after motioningto Edward to remain quiet, and giving his comrade directions in abrief whisper, he retreated, favoured by the irregularity of theground, in the same direction and in the same manner as they hadadvanced. Edward, turning his head after him, could perceive himcrawling on all fours with the dexterity of an Indian, availinghimself of every bush and inequality to escape observation, andnever passing over the more exposed parts of his track until thesentinel's back was turned from him. At length he reached thethickets and underwood which partly covered the moor in thatdirection, and probably extended to the verge of the glen whereWaverley had been so long an inhabitant. The Highlanderdisappeared, but it was only for a few minutes, for he suddenlyissued forth from a different part of the thicket, and, advancingboldly upon the open heath as if to invite discovery, he levelledhis piece and fired at the sentinel. A wound in the arm proved adisagreeable interruption to the poor fellow's meteorologicalobservations, as well as to the tune of 'Nancy Dawson, ' which hewas whistling. He returned the fire ineffectually, and hiscomrades, starting up at the alarm, advanced alertly towards thespot from which the first shot had issued. The Highlander, aftergiving them a full view of his person, dived among the thickets, for his ruse de guerre had now perfectly succeeded. 

While the soldiers pursued the cause of their disturbance in onedirection, Waverley, adopting the hint of his remaining attendant, made the best of his speed in that which his guide originallyintended to pursue, and which now (the attention of the soldiersbeing drawn to a different quarter) was unobserved and unguarded. When they had run about a quarter of a mile, the brow of a risingground which they had surmounted concealed them from further riskof observation. They still heard, however, at a distance theshouts of the soldiers as they hallooed to each other upon theheath, and they could also hear the distant roll of a drum beatingto arms in the same direction. But these hostile sounds were nowfar in their rear, and died away upon the breeze as they rapidlyproceeded. 

When they had walked about half an hour, still along open andwaste ground of the same description, they came to the stump of anancient oak, which, from its relics, appeared to have been at onetime a tree of very large size. In an adjacent hollow they foundseveral Highlanders, with a horse or two. They had not joined themabove a few minutes, which Waverley's attendant employed, in allprobability, in communicating the cause of their delay (for thewords 'Duncan Duroch' were often repeated), when Duncan himselfappeared, out of breath indeed, and with all the symptoms ofhaving run for his life, but laughing, and in high spirits at thesuccess of the stratagem by which he had baffled his pursuers. This indeed Waverley could easily conceive might be a matter of nogreat difficulty to the active mountaineer, who was perfectlyacquainted with the ground, and traced his course with a firmnessand confidence to which his pursuers must have been strangers. Thealarm which he excited seemed still to continue, for a droppingshot or two were heard at a great distance, which seemed to serveas an addition to the mirth of Duncan and his comrades. 

The mountaineer now resumed the arms with which he had entrustedour hero, giving him to understand that the dangers of the journeywere happily surmounted. Waverley was then mounted upon one of thehorses, a change which the fatigue of the night and his recentillness rendered exceedingly acceptable. His portmanteau wasplaced on another pony, Duncan mounted a third, and they setforward at a round pace, accompanied by their escort. No otherincident marked the course of that night's journey, and at thedawn of morning they attained the banks of a rapid river. Thecountry around was at once fertile and romantic. Steep banks ofwood were broken by corn-fields, which this year presented anabundant harvest, already in a great measure cut down. 

On the opposite bank of the river, and partly surrounded by awinding of its stream, stood a large and massive castle, the half-ruined turrets of which were already glittering in the first raysof the sun. [Footnote: See Note 2. ] It was in form an oblongsquare, of size sufficient to contain a large court in the centre. The towers at each angle of the square rose higher than the wallsof the building, and were in their turn surmounted by turrets, differing in height and irregular in shape. Upon one of these asentinel watched, whose bonnet and plaid, streaming in the wind, declared him to be a Highlander, as a broad white ensign, whichfloated from another tower, announced that the garrison was heldby the insurgent adherents of the House of Stuart. 

Passing hastily through a small and mean town, where theirappearance excited neither surprise nor curiosity in the fewpeasants whom the labours of the harvest began to summon fromtheir repose, the party crossed an ancient and narrow bridge ofseveral arches, and, turning to the left up an avenue of huge oldsycamores, Waverley found himself in front of the gloomy yetpicturesque structure which he had admired at a distance. A hugeiron-grated door, which formed the exterior defence of thegateway, was already thrown back to receive them; and a second, heavily constructed of oak and studded thickly with iron nails, being next opened, admitted them into the interior court-yard. Agentleman, dressed in the Highland garb and having a white cockadein his bonnet, assisted Waverley to dismount from his horse, andwith much courtesy bid him welcome to the castle. 

The governor, for so we must term him, having conducted Waverleyto a half-ruinous apartment, where, however, there was a smallcamp-bed, and having offered him any refreshment which he desired, was then about to leave him. 

'Will you not add to your civilities, ' said Waverley, after havingmade the usual acknowledgment, 'by having the kindness to informme where I am, and whether or not I am to consider myself as aprisoner?'

'I am not at liberty to be so explicit upon this subject as Icould wish. Briefly, however, you are in the Castle of Doune, inthe district of Menteith, and in no danger whatever. '

'And how am I assured of that?'

'By the honour of Donald Stewart, governor of the garrison, andlieutenant-colonel in the service of his Royal Highness PrinceCharles Edward. ' So saying, he hastily left the apartment, as ifto avoid further discussion. 

Exhausted by the fatigues of the night, our hero now threw himselfupon the bed, and was in a few minutes fast asleep. 

CHAPTER XXXIX

THE JOURNEY IS CONTINUED

Before Waverley awakened from his repose, the day was faradvanced, and he began to feel that he had passed many hourswithout food. This was soon supplied in form of a copiousbreakfast, but Colonel Stewart, as if wishing to avoid the queriesof his guest, did not again present himself. His compliments were, however, delivered by a servant, with an offer to provide anythingin his power that could be useful to Captain Waverley on hisjourney, which he intimated would be continued that evening. ToWaverley's further inquiries, the servant opposed the impenetrablebarrier of real or affected ignorance and stupidity. He removedthe table and provisions, and Waverley was again consigned to hisown meditations. 

As he contemplated the strangeness of his fortune, which seemed todelight in placing him at the disposal of others, without thepower of directing his own motions, Edward's eye suddenly restedupon his portmanteau, which had been deposited in his apartmentduring his sleep. The mysterious appearance of Alice in thecottage of the glen immediately rushed upon his mind, and he wasabout to secure and examine the packet which she had depositedamong his clothes, when the servant of Colonel Stewart again madehis appearance, and took up the portmanteau upon his shoulders. 

'May I not take out a change of linen, my friend?'

'Your honour sall get ane o' the Colonel's ain ruffled sarks, butthis maun gang in the baggage-cart. '

And so saying, he very coolly carried off the portmanteau, withoutwaiting further remonstrance, leaving our hero in a state wheredisappointment and indignation struggled for the mastery. In a fewminutes he heard a cart rumble out of the rugged court-yard, andmade no doubt that he was now dispossessed, for a space at least, if not for ever, of the only documents which seemed to promisesome light upon the dubious events which had of late influencedhis destiny. With such melancholy thoughts he had to beguile aboutfour or five hours of solitude. 

When this space was elapsed, the trampling of horse was heard inthe court-yard, and Colonel Stewart soon after made his appearanceto request his guest to take some further refreshment before hisdeparture. The offer was accepted, for a late breakfast had by nomeans left our hero incapable of doing honour to dinner, which wasnow presented. The conversation of his host was that of a plaincountry gentleman, mixed with some soldier-like sentiments andexpressions. He cautiously avoided any reference to the militaryoperations or civil politics of the time; and to Waverley's directinquiries concerning some of these points replied, that he was notat liberty to speak upon such topics. 

When dinner was finished the governor arose, and, wishing Edward agood journey, said that, having been informed by Waverley'sservant that his baggage had been sent forward, he had taken thefreedom to supply him with such changes of linen as he might findnecessary till he was again possessed of his own. With thiscompliment he disappeared. A servant acquainted Waverley aninstant afterwards that his horse was ready. 

Upon this hint he descended into the court-yard, and found atrooper holding a saddled horse, on which he mounted and salliedfrom the portal of Doune Castle, attended by about a score ofarmed men on horseback. These had less the appearance of regularsoldiers than of individuals who had suddenly assumed arms fromsome pressing motive of unexpected emergency. Their uniform, whichwas blue and red, an affected imitation of that of Frenchchasseurs, was in many respects incomplete, and sate awkwardlyupon those who wore it. Waverley's eye, accustomed to look at awell-disciplined regiment, could easily discover that the motionsand habits of his escort were not those of trained soldiers, andthat, although expert enough in the management of their horses, their skill was that of huntsmen or grooms rather than oftroopers. The horses were not trained to the regular pace sonecessary to execute simultaneous and combined movements andformations; nor did they seem bitted (as it is technicallyexpressed) for the use of the sword. The men, however, were stout, hardy-looking fellows, and might be individually formidable asirregular cavalry. The commander of this small party was mountedupon an excellent hunter, and, although dressed in uniform, hischange of apparel did not prevent Waverley from recognising hisold acquaintance, Mr. Falconer of Balmawhapple. 

Now, although the terms upon which Edward had parted with thisgentleman were none of the most friendly, he would have sacrificedevery recollection of their foolish quarrel for the pleasure ofenjoying once more the social intercourse of question and answer, from which he had been so long secluded. But apparently theremembrance of his defeat by the Baron of Bradwardine, of whichEdward had been the unwilling cause, still rankled in the mind ofthe low-bred and yet proud laird. He carefully avoided giving theleast sign of recognition, riding doggedly at the head of his men, who, though scarce equal in numbers to a sergeant's party, weredenominated Captain Falconer's troop, being preceded by a trumpet, which sounded from time to time, and a standard, borne by CornetFalconer, the laird's younger brother. The lieutenant, an elderlyman, had much the air of a low sportsman and boon companion; anexpression of dry humour predominated in his countenance overfeatures of a vulgar cast, which indicated habitual intemperance. His cocked hat was set knowingly upon one side of his head, andwhile he whistled the 'Bob of Dumblain, ' under the influence ofhalf a mutchkin of brandy, he seemed to trot merrily forward, witha happy indifference to the state of the country, the conduct ofthe party, the end of the journey, and all other sublunary matterswhatever. 

From this wight, who now and then dropped alongside of his horse, Waverley hoped to acquire some information, or at least to beguilethe way with talk. 

'A fine evening, sir, ' was Edward's salutation. 

'Ow, ay, sir! a bra' night, ' replied the lieutenant, in broadScotch of the most vulgar description. 

'And a fine harvest, apparently, ' continued Waverley, following uphis first attack. 

'Ay, the aits will be got bravely in; but the farmers, deil burstthem, and the corn-mongers will make the auld price gude againstthem as has horses till keep. '

'You perhaps act as quartermaster, sir?'

'Ay, quartermaster, riding-master, and lieutenant, ' answered thisofficer of all work. 'And, to be sure, wha's fitter to look afterthe breaking and the keeping of the poor beasts than mysell, thatbought and sold every ane o' them?'

'And pray, sir, if it be not too great a freedom, may I beg toknow where we are going just now?'

'A fule's errand, I fear, ' answered this communicative personage. 

'In that case, ' said Waverley, determined not to spare civility, 'I should have thought a person of your appearance would not havebeen found on the road. '

'Vera true, vera true, sir, ' replied the officer, 'but every whyhas its wherefore. Ye maun ken, the laird there bought a' thirbeasts frae me to munt his troop, and agreed to pay for themaccording to the necessities and prices of the time. But then hehadna the ready penny, and I hae been advised his bond will not beworth a boddle against the estate, and then I had a' my dealers tosettle wi' at Martinmas; and so, as he very kindly offered me thiscommission, and as the auld Fifteen [Footnote: The Judges of theSupreme Court of Session in Scotland are proverbially termed amongthe country people, The Fifteen. ] wad never help me to my sillerfor sending out naigs against the government, why, conscience!sir, I thought my best chance for payment was e'en to GAE OUT[Footnote: See Note 3. ] mysell; and ye may judge, sir, as I haedealt a' my life in halters, I think na mickle o' putting my craigin peril of a Saint John-stone's tippet. '

'You are not, then, by profession a soldier?' said Waverley. 

'Na, na; thank God, ' answered this doughty partizan, 'I wasna bredat sae short a tether, I was brought up to hack and manger. I wasbred a horse-couper, sir; and if I might live to see you atWhitson-tryst, or at Stagshawbank, or the winter fair at Hawick, and ye wanted a spanker that would lead the field, I'se be cautionI would serve ye easy; for Jamie Jinker was ne'er the lad toimpose upon a gentleman. Ye're a gentleman, sir, and should ken ahorse's points; ye see that through--ganging thing thatBalmawhapple's on; I selled her till him. She was bred out ofLick-the-ladle, that wan the king's plate at Caverton-Edge, byDuke Hamilton's White-Foot, ' etc. , etc. , etc. 

But as Jinker was entered full sail upon the pedigree ofBalmawhapple's mare, having already got as far as great-grandsireand great-grand-dam, and while Waverley was watching for anopportunity to obtain from him intelligence of more interest, thenoble captain checked his horse until they came up, and then, without directly appearing to notice Edward, said sternly to thegenealogist, 'I thought, lieutenant, my orders were preceese, thatno one should speak to the prisoner?'

The metamorphosed horse-dealer was silenced of course, and slunkto the rear, where he consoled himself by entering into a vehementdispute upon the price of hay with a farmer who had reluctantlyfollowed his laird to the field rather than give up his farm, whereof the lease had just expired. Waverley was therefore oncemore consigned to silence, foreseeing that further attempts atconversation with any of the party would only give Balmawhapple awished-for opportunity to display the insolence of authority, andthe sulky spite of a temper naturally dogged, and rendered more soby habits of low indulgence and the incense of servile adulation. 

In about two hours' time the party were near the Castle ofStirling, over whose battlements the union flag was brightened asit waved in the evening sun. To shorten his journey, or perhaps todisplay his importance and insult the English garrison, Balmawhapple, inclining to the right, took his route through theroyal park, which reaches to and surrounds the rock upon which thefortress is situated. 

With a mind more at ease Waverley could not have failed to admirethe mixture of romance and beauty which renders interesting thescene through which he was now passing--the field which had beenthe scene of the tournaments of old--the rock from which theladies beheld the contest, while each made vows for the success ofsome favourite knight--the towers of the Gothic church, wherethese vows might be paid--and, surmounting all, the fortressitself, at once a castle and palace, where valour received theprize from royalty, and knights and dames closed the evening amidthe revelry of the dance, the song, and the feast. All these wereobjects fitted to arouse and interest a romantic imagination. 

But Waverley had other objects of meditation, and an incident soonoccurred of a nature to disturb meditation of any kind. Balmawhapple, in the pride of his heart, as he wheeled his littlebody of cavalry round the base of the Castle, commanded histrumpet to sound a flourish and his standard to be displayed. Thisinsult produced apparently some sensation; for when the cavalcadewas at such distance from the southern battery as to admit of agun being depressed so as to bear upon them, a flash of fireissued from one of the embrazures upon the rock; and ere thereport with which it was attended could be heard, the rushingsound of a cannon-ball passed over Balmawhapple's head, and thebullet, burying itself in the ground at a few yards' distance, covered him with the earth which it drove up. There was no need tobid the party trudge. In fact, every man, acting upon the impulseof the moment, soon brought Mr. Jinker's steeds to show theirmettle, and the cavaliers, retreating with more speed thanregularity, never took to a trot, as the lieutenant afterwardsobserved, until an intervening eminence had secured them from anyrepetition of so undesirable a compliment on the part of StirlingCastle. I must do Balmawhapple, however, the justice to say thathe not only kept the rear of his troop, and laboured to maintainsome order among them, but, in the height of his gallantry, answered the fire of the Castle by discharging one of his horse-pistols at the battlements; although, the distance being nearlyhalf a mile, I could never learn that this measure of retaliationwas attended with any particular effect. 

The travellers now passed the memorable field of Bannockburn andreached the Torwood, a place glorious or terrible to therecollections of the Scottish peasant, as the feats of Wallace orthe cruelties of Wude Willie Grime predominate in hisrecollection. At Falkirk, a town formerly famous in Scottishhistory, and soon to be again distinguished as the scene ofmilitary events of importance, Balmawhapple proposed to halt andrepose for the evening. This was performed with very little regardto military discipline, his worthy quarter-master being chieflysolicitous to discover where the best brandy might be come at. Sentinels were deemed unnecessary, and the only vigils performedwere those of such of the party as could procure liquor. A fewresolute men might easily have cut off the detachment; but of theinhabitants some were favourable, many indifferent, and the restoverawed. So nothing memorable occurred in the course of theevening, except that Waverley's rest was sorely interrupted by therevellers hallooing forth their Jacobite songs, without remorse ormitigation of voice. 

Early in the morning they were again mounted and on the road toEdinburgh, though the pallid visages of some of the troop betrayedthat they had spent a night of sleepless debauchery. They haltedat Linlithgow, distinguished by its ancient palace, which SixtyYears Since was entire and habitable, and whose venerable ruins, NOT QUITE SIXTY YEARS SINCE, very narrowly escaped the unworthyfate of being converted into a barrack for French prisoners. Mayrepose and blessings attend the ashes of the patriotic statesmanwho, amongst his last services to Scotland, interposed to preventthis profanation!

As they approached the metropolis of Scotland, through a champaignand cultivated country, the sounds of war began to be heard. Thedistant yet distinct report of heavy cannon, fired at intervals, apprized Waverley that the work of destruction was going forward. Even Balmawhapple seemed moved to take some precautions, bysending an advanced party in front of his troop, keeping the mainbody in tolerable order, and moving steadily forward. 

Marching in this manner they speedily reached an eminence, fromwhich they could view Edinburgh stretching along the ridgy hillwhich slopes eastward from the Castle. The latter, being in astate of siege, or rather of blockade, by the northern insurgents, who had already occupied the town for two or three days, fired atintervals upon such parties of Highlanders as exposed themselves, either on the main street or elsewhere in the vicinity of thefortress. The morning being calm and fair, the effect of thisdropping fire was to invest the Castle in wreaths of smoke, theedges of which dissipated slowly in the air, while the centralveil was darkened ever and anon by fresh clouds poured forth fromthe battlements; the whole giving, by the partial concealment, anappearance of grandeur and gloom, rendered more terrific whenWaverley reflected on the cause by which it was produced, and thateach explosion might ring some brave man's knell. 

Ere they approached the city the partial cannonade had whollyceased. Balmawhapple, however, having in his recollection theunfriendly greeting which his troop had received from the batteryat Stirling, had apparently no wish to tempt the forbearance ofthe artillery of the Castle. He therefore left the direct road, and, sweeping considerably to the southward so as to keep out ofthe range of the cannon, approached the ancient palace of Holyroodwithout having entered the walls of the city. He then drew up hismen in front of that venerable pile, and delivered Waverley to thecustody of a guard of Highlanders, whose officer conducted himinto the interior of the building. 

A long, low, and ill-proportioned gallery, hung with pictures, affirmed to be the portraits of kings, who, if they everflourished at all, lived several hundred years before theinvention of painting in oil colours, served as a sort of guardchamber or vestibule to the apartments which the adventurousCharles Edward now occupied in the palace of his ancestors. Officers, both in the Highland and Lowland garb, passed andrepassed in haste, or loitered in the hall as if waiting fororders. Secretaries were engaged in making out passes, musters, and returns. All seemed busy, and earnestly intent upon somethingof importance; but Waverley was suffered to remain seated in therecess of a window, unnoticed by any one, in anxious reflectionupon the crisis of his fate, which seemed now rapidly approaching. 

CHAPTER XL

AN OLD AND A NEW ACQUAINTANCE

While he was deep sunk in his reverie, the rustle of tartans washeard behind him, a friendly arm clasped his shoulders, and afriendly voice exclaimed, 'Said the Highland prophet sooth? Or must second-sight go fornothing?'

Waverley turned, and was warmly embraced by Fergus Mac-Ivor. 'Athousand welcomes to Holyrood, once more possessed by herlegitimate sovereign! Did I not say we should prosper, and thatyou would fall into the hands of the Philistines if you partedfrom us?'

'Dear Fergus!' said Waverley, eagerly returning his greeting. 'Itis long since I have heard a friend's voice. Where is Flora?'

'Safe, and a triumphant spectator of our success. '

'In this place?' said Waverley. 

'Ay, in this city at least, ' answered his friend, 'and you shallsee her; but first you must meet a friend whom you little thinkof, who has been frequent in his inquiries after you. '

Thus saying, he dragged Waverley by the arm out of the guardchamber, and, ere he knew where he was conducted, Edward foundhimself in a presence room, fitted up with some attempt at royalstate. 

A young man, wearing his own fair hair, distinguished by thedignity of his mien and the noble expression of his well-formedand regular features, advanced out of a circle of militarygentlemen and Highland chiefs by whom he was surrounded. In hiseasy and graceful manners Waverley afterwards thought he couldhave discovered his high birth and rank, although the star on hisbreast and the embroidered garter at his knee had not appeared asits indications. 

'Let me present to your Royal Highness, ' said Fergus, bowingprofoundly--

'The descendant of one of the most ancient and loyal families inEngland, ' said the young Chevalier, interrupting him. 'I beg yourpardon for interrupting you, my dear Mac-Ivor; but no master ofceremonies is necessary to present a Waverley to a Stuart. '

Thus saying, he extended his hand to Edward with the utmostcourtesy, who could not, had he desired it, have avoided renderinghim the homage which seemed due to his rank, and was certainly theright of his birth. 'I am sorry to understand, Mr. Waverley, that, owing to circumstances which have been as yet but ill explained, you have suffered some restraint among my followers in Perthshireand on your march here; but we are in such a situation that wehardly know our friends, and I am even at this moment uncertainwhether I can have the pleasure of considering Mr. Waverley asamong mine. '

He then paused for an instant; but before Edward could adjust asuitable reply, or even arrange his ideas as to its purport, thePrince took out a paper and then proceeded:--'I should indeed haveno doubts upon this subject if I could trust to this proclamation, set forth by the friends of the Elector of Hanover, in which theyrank Mr. Waverley among the nobility and gentry who are menacedwith the pains of high-treason for loyalty to their legitimatesovereign. But I desire to gain no adherents save from affectionand conviction; and if Mr. Waverley inclines to prosecute hisjourney to the south, or to join the forces of the Elector, heshall have my passport and free permission to do so; and I canonly regret that my present power will not extend to protect himagainst the probable consequences of such a measure. But, 'continued Charles Edward, after another short pause, 'if Mr. Waverley should, like his ancestor, Sir Nigel, determine toembrace a cause which has little to recommend it but its justice, and follow a prince who throws himself upon the affections of hispeople to recover the throne of his ancestors or perish in theattempt, I can only say, that among these nobles and gentlemen hewill find worthy associates in a gallant enterprise, and willfollow a master who may be unfortunate, but, I trust, will neverbe ungrateful. '

The politic Chieftain of the race of Ivor knew his advantage inintroducing Waverley to this personal interview with the royaladventurer. Unaccustomed to the address and manners of a polishedcourt, in which Charles was eminently skilful, his words and hiskindness penetrated the heart of our hero, and easily outweighedall prudential motives. To be thus personally solicited forassistance by a prince whose form and manners, as well as thespirit which he displayed in this singular enterprise, answeredhis ideas of a hero of romance; to be courted by him in theancient halls of his paternal palace, recovered by the sword whichhe was already bending towards other conquests, gave Edward, inhis own eyes, the dignity and importance which he had ceased toconsider as his attributes. Rejected, slandered, and threatenedupon the one side, he was irresistibly attracted to the causewhich the prejudices of education and the political principles ofhis family had already recommended as the most just. Thesethoughts rushed through his mind like a torrent, sweeping beforethem every consideration of an opposite tendency, --the time, besides, admitted of no deliberation, --and Waverley, kneeling toCharles Edward, devoted his heart and sword to the vindication ofhis rights!

The Prince (for, although unfortunate in the faults and follies ofhis forefathers, we shall here and elsewhere give him the titledue to his birth) raised Waverley from the ground and embraced himwith an expression of thanks too warm not to be genuine. He alsothanked Fergus Mac-Ivor repeatedly for having brought him such anadherent, and presented Waverley to the various noblemen, chieftains, and officers who were about his person as a younggentleman of the highest hopes and prospects, in whose bold andenthusiastic avowal of his cause they might see an evidence of thesentiments of the English families of rank at this importantcrisis. [Footnote: See Note 4. ] Indeed, this was a point muchdoubted among the adherents of the house of Stuart; and as a well-founded disbelief in the cooperation of the English Jacobites keptmany Scottish men of rank from his standard, and diminished thecourage of those who had joined it, nothing could be moreseasonable for the Chevalier than the open declaration in hisfavour of the representative of the house of Waverley-Honour, solong known as Cavaliers and Royalists. This Fergus had foreseenfrom the beginning. He really loved Waverley, because theirfeelings and projects never thwarted each other; he hoped to seehim united with Flora, and he rejoiced that they were effectuallyengaged in the same cause. But, as we before hinted, he alsoexulted as a politician in beholding secured to his party apartizan of such consequence; and he was far from being insensibleto the personal importance which he himself gained with the Princefrom having so materially assisted in making the acquisition. 

Charles Edward, on his part, seemed eager to show his attendantsthe value which he attached to his new adherent, by enteringimmediately, as in confidence, upon the circumstances of hissituation. 'You have been secluded so much from intelligence, Mr. Waverley, from causes of which I am but indistinctly informed, that I presume you are even yet unacquainted with the importantparticulars of my present situation. You have, however, heard ofmy landing in the remote district of Moidart, with only sevenattendants, and of the numerous chiefs and clans whose loyalenthusiasm at once placed a solitary adventurer at the head of agallant army. You must also, I think, have learned that thecommander-in-chief of the Hanoverian Elector, Sir John Cope, marched into the Highlands at the head of a numerous and well-appointed military force with the intention of giving us battle, but that his courage failed him when we were within three hours'march of each other, so that he fairly gave us the slip andmarched northward to Aberdeen, leaving the Low Country open andundefended. Not to lose so favourable an opportunity, I marched onto this metropolis, driving before me two regiments of horse, Gardiner's and Hamilton's, who had threatened to cut to piecesevery Highlander that should venture to pass Stirling; and whilediscussions were carrying forward among the magistracy andcitizens of Edinburgh whether they should defend themselves orsurrender, my good friend Lochiel (laying his hand on the shoulderof that gallant and accomplished chieftain) saved them the troubleof farther deliberation by entering the gates with five hundredCamerons. Thus far, therefore, we have done well; but, in themeanwhile, this doughty general's nerves being braced by the keenair of Aberdeen, he has taken shipping for Dunbar, and I have justreceived certain information that he landed there yesterday. Hispurpose must unquestionably be to march towards us to recoverpossession of the capital. Now there are two opinions in mycouncil of war: one, that being inferior probably in numbers, andcertainly in discipline and military appointments, not to mentionour total want of artillery and the weakness of our cavalry, itwill be safest to fall back towards the mountains, and thereprotract the war until fresh succours arrive from France, and thewhole body of the Highland clans shall have taken arms in ourfavour. The opposite opinion maintains, that a retrogrademovement, in our circumstances, is certain to throw utterdiscredit on our arms and undertaking; and, far from gaining usnew partizans, will be the means of disheartening those who havejoined our standard. The officers who use these last arguments, among whom is your friend Fergus Mac-Ivor, maintain that, if theHighlanders are strangers to the usual military discipline ofEurope, the soldiers whom they are to encounter are no lessstrangers to their peculiar and formidable mode of attack; thatthe attachment and courage of the chiefs and gentlemen are not tobe doubted; and that, as they will be in the midst of the enemy, their clansmen will as surely follow them; in fine, that havingdrawn the sword we should throw away the scabbard, and trust ourcause to battle and to the God of battles. Will Mr. Waverleyfavour us with his opinion in these arduous circumstances?'

Waverley coloured high betwixt pleasure and modesty at thedistinction implied in this question, and answered, with equalspirit and readiness, that he could not venture to offer anopinion as derived from military skill, but that the counsel wouldbe far the most acceptable to him which should first afford him anopportunity to evince his zeal in his Royal Highness's service. 

'Spoken like a Waverley!' answered Charles Edward; 'and that youmay hold a rank in some degree corresponding to your name, allowme, instead of the captain's commission which you have lost, tooffer you the brevet rank of major in my service, with theadvantage of acting as one of my aides-de-camp until you can beattached to a regiment, of which I hope several will be speedilyembodied. '

'Your Royal Highness will forgive me, ' answered Waverley (for hisrecollection turned to Balmawhapple and his scanty troop), 'if Idecline accepting any rank until the time and place where I mayhave interest enough to raise a sufficient body of men to make mycommand useful to your Royal Highness's service. In the meanwhile, I hope for your permission to serve as a volunteer under my friendFergus Mac-Ivor. '

'At least, ' said the Prince, who was obviously pleased with thisproposal, 'allow me the pleasure of arming you after the Highlandfashion. ' With these words, he unbuckled the broadsword which hewore, the belt of which was plaited with silver, and the steelbasket-hilt richly and curiously inlaid. 'The blade, ' said thePrince, 'is a genuine Andrea Ferrara; it has been a sort of heir-loom in our family; but I am convinced I put it into better handsthan my own, and will add to it pistols of the same workmanship. Colonel Mac-Ivor, you must have much to say to your friend; I willdetain you no longer from your private conversation; but rememberwe expect you both to attend us in the evening. It may be perhapsthe last night we may enjoy in these halls, and as we go to thefield with a clear conscience, we will spend the eve of battlemerrily. '

Thus licensed, the Chief and Waverley left the presence-chamber. 

CHAPTER XLI

THE MYSTERY BEGINS TO BE CLEARED UP

'How do you like him?' was Fergus's first question, as theydescended the large stone staircase. 

'A prince to live and die under' was Waverley's enthusiasticanswer. 

'I knew you would think so when you saw him, and I intended youshould have met earlier, but was prevented by your sprain. And yethe has his foibles, or rather he has difficult cards to play, andhis Irish officers, [Footnote: See Note 5. ] who are much abouthim, are but sorry advisers: they cannot discriminate among thenumerous pretensions that are set up. Would you think it--I havebeen obliged for the present to suppress an earl's patent, grantedfor services rendered ten years ago, for fear of exciting thejealousy, forsooth, of C----and M----? But you were very right, Edward, to refuse the situation of aide-de-camp. There are twovacant, indeed, but Clanronald and Lochiel, and almost all of us, have requested one for young Aberchallader, and the Lowlanders andthe Irish party are equally desirous to have the other for themaster of F--. Now, if either of these candidates were to besuperseded in your favour, you would make enemies. And then I amsurprised that the Prince should have offered you a majority, whenhe knows very well that nothing short of lieutenant-colonel willsatisfy others, who cannot bring one hundred and fifty men to thefield. "But patience, cousin, and shuffle the cards!" It is allvery well for the present, and we must have you properly equippedfor the evening in your new costume; for, to say truth, youroutward man is scarce fit for a court. '

'Why, ' said Waverley, looking at his soiled dress, 'my shootingjacket has seen service since we parted; but that probably you, myfriend, know as well or better than I. '

'You do my second-sight too much honour, ' said Fergus. 'We were sobusy, first with the scheme of giving battle to Cope, andafterwards with our operations in the Lowlands, that I could onlygive general directions to such of our people as were left inPerthshire to respect and protect you, should you come in theirway. But let me hear the full story of your adventures, for theyhave reached us in a very partial and mutilated manner. '

Waverley then detailed at length the circumstances with which thereader is already acquainted, to which Fergus listened with greatattention. By this time they had reached the door of his quarters, which he had taken up in a small paved court, retiring from thestreet called the Canongate, at the house of a buxom widow offorty, who seemed to smile very graciously upon the handsome youngChief, she being a person with whom good looks and good-humourwere sure to secure an interest, whatever might be the party's"political opinions". Here Callum Beg received them with a smileof recognition. 'Callum, ' said the Chief, 'call Shemus an Snachad'(James of the Needle). This was the hereditary tailor of Vich lanVohr. 'Shemus, Mr. Waverley is to wear the cath dath (battlecolour, or tartan); his trews must be ready in four hours. Youknow the measure of a well-made man--two double nails to the smallof the leg--'

'Eleven from haunch to heel, seven round the waist. I give yourhonour leave to hang Shemus, if there's a pair of sheers in theHighlands that has a baulder sneck than her's ain at the cumadh antruais' (shape of the trews). 

'Get a plaid of Mac-Ivor tartan and sash, ' continued theChieftain, 'and a blue bonnet of the Prince's pattern, at Mr. Mouat's in the Crames. My short green coat, with silver lace andsilver buttons, will fit him exactly, and I have never worn it. Tell Ensign Maccombich to pick out a handsome target from amongmine. The Prince has given Mr. Waverley broadsword and pistols, Iwill furnish him with a dirk and purse; add but a pair of low-heeled shoes, and then, my dear Edward (turning to him), you willbe a complete son of Ivor. '

These necessary directions given, the Chieftain resumed thesubject of Waverley's adventures. 'It is plain, ' he said, 'that youhave been in the custody of Donald Bean Lean. You must know that, when I marched away my clan to join the Prince, I laid myinjunctions on that worthy member of society to perform a certainpiece of service, which done, he was to join me with all the forcehe could muster. But, instead of doing so, the gentleman, findingthe coast clear, thought it better to make war on his own account, and has scoured the country, plundering, I believe, both friendand foe, under pretence of levying blackmail, sometimes as if bymy authority, and sometimes (and be cursed to his consummateimpudence) in his own great name! Upon my honour, if I live to seethe cairn of Benmore again, I shall be tempted to hang thatfellow! I recognise his hand particularly in the mode of yourrescue from that canting rascal Gilfillan, and I have little doubtthat Donald himself played the part of the pedlar on thatoccasion; but how he should not have plundered you, or put you toransom, or availed himself in some way or other of your captivityfor his own advantage, passes my judgment. '

'When and how did you hear the intelligence of my confinement?'asked Waverley. 

'The Prince himself told me, ' said Fergus, 'and inquired veryminutely into your history. He then mentioned your being at thatmoment in the power of one of our northern parties--you know Icould not ask him to explain particulars--and requested my opinionabout disposing of you. I recommended that you should be broughthere as a prisoner, because I did not wish to prejudice youfarther with the English government, in case you pursued yourpurpose of going southward. I knew nothing, you must recollect, ofthe charge brought against you of aiding and abetting hightreason, which, I presume, had some share in changing youroriginal plan. That sullen, good-for-nothing brute, Balmawhapple, was sent to escort you from Doune, with what he calls his troop ofhorse. As to his behaviour, in addition to his natural antipathyto everything that resembles a gentleman, I presume his adventurewith Bradwardine rankles in his recollection, the rather that Idaresay his mode of telling that story contributed to the evilreports which reached your quondam regiment. '

'Very likely, ' said Waverley; 'but now surely, my dear Fergus, youmay find time to tell me something of Flora. '

'Why, ' replied Fergus, 'I can only tell you that she is well, andresiding for the present with a relation in this city. I thoughtit better she should come here, as since our success a good manyladies of rank attend our military court; and I assure you thatthere is a sort of consequence annexed to the near relative ofsuch a person as Flora Mac-Ivor, and where there is such ajustling of claims and requests, a man must use every fair meansto enhance his importance. '

There was something in this last sentence which grated onWaverley's feelings. He could not bear that Flora should beconsidered as conducing to her brother's preferment by theadmiration which she must unquestionably attract; and although itwas in strict correspondence with many points of Fergus'scharacter, it shocked him as selfish, and unworthy of his sister'shigh mind and his own independent pride. Fergus, to whom suchmanoeuvres were familiar, as to one brought up at the Frenchcourt, did not observe the unfavourable impression which he hadunwarily made upon his friend's mind, and concluded by saying, 'that they could hardly see Flora before the evening, when shewould be at the concert and ball with which the Prince's partywere to be entertained. She and I had a quarrel about her notappearing to take leave of you. I am unwilling to renew it bysoliciting her to receive you this morning; and perhaps my doingso might not only be ineffectual, but prevent your meeting thisevening. '

While thus conversing, Waverley heard in the court, before thewindows of the parlour, a well-known voice. 'I aver to you, myworthy friend, ' said the speaker, 'that it is a total derelictionof military discipline; and were you not as it were a tyro, yourpurpose would deserve strong reprobation. For a prisoner of war ison no account to be coerced with fetters, or debinded inergastulo, as would have been the case had you put this gentlemaninto the pit of the peel-house at Balmawhapple. I grant, indeed, that such a prisoner may for security be coerced in carcere, thatis, in a public prison. '

The growling voice of Balmawhapple was heard as taking leave indispleasure, but the word 'land-louper' alone was distinctlyaudible. He had disappeared before Waverley reached the house inorder to greet the worthy Baron of Bradwardine. The uniform inwhich he was now attired, a blue coat, namely, with gold lace, ascarlet waistcoat and breeches, and immense jack-boots, seemed tohave added fresh stiffness and rigidity to his tall, perpendicularfigure; and the consciousness of military command and authorityhad increased, in the same proportion, the self-importance of hisdemeanour and the dogmatism of his conversation. 

He received Waverley with his usual kindness, and expressedimmediate anxiety to hear an explanation of the circumstancesattending the loss of his commission in Gardiner's dragoons;'not, ' he said, 'that he had the least apprehension of his youngfriend having done aught which could merit such ungeneroustreatment as he had received from government, but because it wasright and seemly that the Baron of Bradwardine should be, in pointof trust and in point of power, fully able to refute all calumniesagainst the heir of Waverley-Honour, whom he had so much right toregard as his own son. '

Fergus Mac-Ivor, who had now joined them, went hastily over thecircumstances of Waverley's story, and concluded with theflattering reception he had met from the young Chevalier. TheBaron listened in silence, and at the conclusion shook Waverleyheartily by the hand and congratulated him upon entering theservice of his lawful Prince. 'For, ' continued he, 'although ithas been justly held in all nations a matter of scandal anddishonour to infringe the sacramentum militare, and that whetherit was taken by each soldier singly, whilk the Romans denominatedper conjurationem, or by one soldier in name of the rest, yet noone ever doubted that the allegiance so sworn was discharged bythe dimissio, or discharging of a soldier, whose case would be ashard as that of colliers, salters, and other adscripti glebes, orslaves of the soil, were it to be accounted otherwise. This issomething like the brocard expressed by the learned Sanchez in hiswork "De Jure-jurando" which you have questionless consulted uponthis occasion. As for those who have calumniated you by leasing-making, I protest to Heaven I think they have justly incurred thepenalty of the "Memnonia Lex, " also called "Lex Rhemnia, " which isprelected upon by Tullius in his oration "In Verrem. " I shouldhave deemed, however, Mr. Waverley, that before destining yourselfto any special service in the army of the Prince, ye might haveinquired what rank the old Bradwardine held there, and whether hewould not have been peculiarly happy to have had your services inthe regiment of horse which he is now about to levy. ' Edwardeluded this reproach by pleading the necessity of giving animmediate answer to the Prince's proposal, and his uncertainty atthe moment whether his friend the Baron was with the army orengaged upon service elsewhere. 

This punctilio being settled, Waverley made inquiry after MissBradwardine, and was informed she had come to Edinburgh with FloraMac-Ivor, under guard of a party of the Chieftain's men. This stepwas indeed necessary, Tully-Veolan having become a veryunpleasant, and even dangerous, place of residence for anunprotected young lady, on account of its vicinity to theHighlands, and also to one or two large villages which, fromaversion as much to the caterans as zeal for presbytery, haddeclared themselves on the side of government, and formedirregular bodies of partizans, who had frequent skirmishes withthe mountaineers, and sometimes attacked the houses of theJacobite gentry in the braes, or frontier betwixt the mountain andplain. 

'I would propose to you, ' continued the Baron, 'to walk as far asmy quarters in the Luckenbooths, and to admire in your passage theHigh Street, whilk is, beyond a shadow of dubitation, finer thanany street whether in London or Paris. But Rose, poor thing, issorely discomposed with the firing of the Castle, though I haveproved to her from Blondel and Coehorn, that it is impossible abullet can reach these buildings; and, besides, I have it incharge from his Royal Highness to go to the camp, or leaguer ofour army, to see that the men do condamare vasa, that is, truss uptheir bag and baggage for tomorrow's march. '

'That will be easily done by most of us, ' said Mac-Ivor, laughing. 

'Craving your pardon, Colonel Mac-Ivor, not quite so easily as yeseem to opine. I grant most of your folk left the Highlandsexpedited as it were, and free from the incumbrance of baggage;but it is unspeakable the quantity of useless sprechery which theyhave collected on their march. I saw one fellow of yours (cravingyour pardon once more) with a pier-glass upon his back. '

'Ay, ' said Fergus, still in good-humour, 'he would have told you, if you had questioned him, "a ganging foot is aye getting. " Butcome, my dear Baron, you know as well as I that a hundred Uhlans, or a single troop of Schmirschitz's Pandours, would make morehavoc in a country than the knight of the mirror and all the restof our clans put together. '

'And that is very true likewise, ' replied the Baron; 'they are, asthe heathen author says, ferociores in aspectu, mitiores in actu, of a horrid and grim visage, but more benign in demeanour thantheir physiognomy or aspect might infer. But I stand here talkingto you two youngsters when I should be in the King's Park. '

'But you will dine with Waverley and me on your return? I assureyou, Baron, though I can live like a Highlander when needs must, Iremember my Paris education, and understand perfectly faire lameilleure chere. '

'And wha the deil doubts it, ' quoth the Baron, laughing, 'when yebring only the cookery and the gude toun must furnish thematerials? Weel, I have some business in the toun too; but I'lljoin you at three, if the vivers can tarry so long. '

So saying, he took leave of his friends and went to look after thecharge which had been assigned him. 

CHAPTER XLII

A SOLDIER'S DINNER

James of the Needle was a man of his word when whisky was no partyto the contract; and upon this occasion Callum Beg, who stillthought himself in Waverley's debt, since he had declinedaccepting compensation at the expense of mine host of theCandlestick's person, took the opportunity of discharging theobligation, by mounting guard over the hereditary tailor ofSliochd nan Ivor; and, as he expressed himself, 'targed himtightly' till the finishing of the job. To rid himself of thisrestraint, Shemus's needle flew through the tartan like lightning;and as the artist kept chanting some dreadful skirmish of FinMacoul, he accomplished at least three stitches to the death ofevery hero. The dress was, therefore, soon ready, for the shortcoat fitted the wearer, and the rest of the apparel requiredlittle adjustment. 

Our hero having now fairly assumed the 'garb of old Gaul, ' wellcalculated as it was to give an appearance of strength to a figurewhich, though tall and well-made, was rather elegant than robust, I hope my fair readers will excuse him if he looked at himself inthe mirror more than once, and could not help acknowledging thatthe reflection seemed that of a very handsome young fellow. Infact, there was no disguising it. His light-brown hair--for hewore no periwig, notwithstanding the universal fashion of thetime--became the bonnet which surmounted it. His person promisedfirmness and agility, to which the ample folds of the tartan addedan air of dignity. His blue eye seemed of that kind, Which melted in love, and which kindled in war;

and an air of bashfulness, which was in reality the effect of wantof habitual intercourse with the world, gave interest to hisfeatures, without injuring their grace or intelligence. 

'He's a pratty man, a very pratty man, ' said Evan Dhu (now EnsignMaccombich) to Fergus's buxom landlady. 

'He's vera weel, ' said the Widow Flockhart, 'but no naething saeweel-far'd as your colonel, ensign. '

'I wasna comparing them, ' quoth Evan, 'nor was I speaking abouthis being weel-favoured; but only that Mr. Waverley looks clean-made and deliver, and like a proper lad o' his quarters, that willnot cry barley in a brulzie. And, indeed, he's gleg aneuch at thebroadsword and target. I hae played wi' him mysell atGlennaquoich, and sae has Vich lan Vohr, often of a Sundayafternoon. '

'Lord forgie ye, Ensign Maccombich, ' said the alarmedPresbyterian; 'I'm sure the colonel wad never do the like o'that!'

'Hout! hout! Mrs. Flockhart, ' replied the ensign, 'we're youngblude, ye ken; and young saints, auld deils. '

'But will ye fight wi' Sir John Cope the morn, Ensign Maccombich?'demanded Mrs. Flockhart of her guest. 

'Troth I'se ensure him, an he'll bide us, Mrs. Flockhart, ' repliedthe Gael. 

'And will ye face thae tearing chields, the dragoons, EnsignMaccombich?' again inquired the landlady. 

'Claw for claw, as Conan said to Satan, Mrs. Flockhart, and thedeevil tak the shortest nails. '

'And will the colonel venture on the bagganets himsell?'

'Ye may swear it, Mrs. Flockhart; the very first man will he be, by Saint Phedar. '

'Merciful goodness! and if he's killed amang the redcoats!'exclaimed the soft-hearted widow. 

'Troth, if it should sae befall, Mrs. Flockhart, I ken ane thatwill no be living to weep for him. But we maun a' live the day, and have our dinner; and there's Vich lan Vohr has packed hisdorlach, and Mr. Waverley's wearied wi' majoring yonder afore themuckle pier-glass; and that grey auld stoor carle, the Baron o'Bradwardine that shot young Ronald of Ballenkeiroch, he's comingdown the close wi' that droghling coghling bailie body they ca'Macwhupple, just like the Laird o' Kittlegab's French cook, wi'his turnspit doggie trindling ahint him, and I am as hungry as agled, my bonny dow; sae bid Kate set on the broo', and do ye puton your pinners, for ye ken Vich lan Vohr winna sit down till yebe at the head o' the table;--and dinna forget the pint bottle o'brandy, my woman. '

This hint produced dinner. Mrs. Flockhart, smiling in her weedslike the sun through a mist, took the head of the table, thinkingwithin herself, perhaps, that she cared not how long the rebellionlasted that brought her into company so much above her usualassociates. She was supported by Waverley and the Baron, with theadvantage of the Chieftain vis-a-vis. The men of peace and of war, that is, Bailie Macwheeble and Ensign Maccombich, after manyprofound conges to their superiors and each other, took theirplaces on each side of the Chieftain. Their fare was excellent, time, place, and circumstances considered, and Fergus's spiritswere extravagantly high. Regardless of danger, and sanguine fromtemper, youth, and ambition, he saw in imagination all hisprospects crowned with success, and was totally indifferent to theprobable alternative of a soldier's grave. The Baron apologizedslightly for bringing Macwheeble. They had been providing, hesaid, for the expenses of the campaign. 'And, by my faith, ' saidthe old man, 'as I think this will be my last, so I just end whereI began: I hae evermore found the sinews of war, as a learnedauthor calls the caisse mttitaire, mair difficult to come by thaneither its flesh, blood, or bones. '

'What! have you raised our only efficient body of cavalry and gotye none of the louis-d'or out of the Doutelle [Footnote: TheDoutelle was an armed vessel which brought a small supply of moneyand arms from France for the use of the insurgents. ] to help you?'

'No, Glennaquoich; cleverer fellows have been before me. '

'That's a scandal, ' said the young Highlander; 'but you will sharewhat is left of my subsidy; it will save you an anxious thoughttonight, and will be all one tomorrow, for we shall all beprovided for, one way or other, before the sun sets. ' Waverley, blushing deeply, but with great earnestness, pressed the samerequest. 

'I thank ye baith, my good lads, ' said the Baron, 'but I will notinfringe upon your peculium. Bailie Macwheeble has provided thesum which is necessary. '

Here the Bailie shifted and fidgeted about in his seat, andappeared extremely uneasy. At length, after several preliminaryhems, and much tautological expression of his devotion to hishonour's service, by night or day, living or dead, he began toinsinuate, 'that the banks had removed a' their ready cash intothe Castle; that, nae doubt, Sandie Goldie, the silversmith, woulddo mickle for his honour; but there was little time to get thewadset made out; and, doubtless, if his honour Glennaquoich or Mr. Wauverley could accommodate--'

'Let me hear of no such nonsense, sir, ' said the Baron, in a tonewhich rendered Macwheeble mute, 'but proceed as we accorded beforedinner, if it be your wish to remain in my service. '

To this peremptory order the Bailie, though he felt as ifcondemned to suffer a transfusion of blood from his own veins intothose of the Baron, did not presume to make any reply. Afterfidgeting a little while longer, however, he addressed himself toGlennaquoich, and told him, if his honour had mair ready sillerthan was sufficient for his occasions in the field, he could putit out at use for his honour in safe hands and at great profit atthis time. 

At this proposal Fergus laughed heartily, and answered, when hehad recovered his breath--'Many thanks, Bailie; but you must know, it is a general custom among us soldiers to make our landlady ourbanker. Here, Mrs. Flockhart, ' said he, taking four or five broadpieces out of a well-filled purse and tossing the purse itself, with its remaining contents, into her apron, 'these will serve myoccasions; do you take the rest. Be my banker if I live, and myexecutor if I die; but take care to give something to the Highlandcailliachs [Footnote: Old women, on whom devolved the duty oflamenting for the dead, which the Irish call keening. ] that shallcry the coronach loudest for the last Vich lan Vohr. '

'It is the testamentum militare, ' quoth the Baron, 'whilk, amangthe Romans, was privilegiate to be nuncupative. ' But the softheart of Mrs. Flockhart was melted within her at the Chieftain'sspeech; she set up a lamentable blubbering, and positively refusedto touch the bequest, which Fergus was therefore obliged toresume. 

'Well, then, ' said the Chief, 'if I fall, it will go to thegrenadier that knocks my brains out, and I shall take care heworks hard for it. '

Bailie Macwheeble was again tempted to put in his oar; for wherecash was concerned he did not willingly remain silent. 'Perhaps hehad better carry the gowd to Miss Mac-Ivor, in case of mortalityor accidents of war. It might tak the form of a mortis causadonation in the young leddie's favour, and--wad cost but thescrape of a pen to mak it out. '

'The young lady, ' said Fergus, 'should such an event happen, willhave other matters to think of than these wretched louis-d'or. '

'True--undeniable--there's nae doubt o' that; but your honour kensthat a full sorrow--'

'Is endurable by most folk more easily than a hungry one? True, Bailie, very true; and I believe there may even be some who wouldbe consoled by such a reflection for the loss of the wholeexisting generation. But there is a sorrow which knows neitherhunger nor thirst; and poor Flora--' He paused, and the wholecompany sympathised in his emotion. 

The Baron's thoughts naturally reverted to the unprotected stateof his daughter, and the big tear came to the veteran's eye. 'If Ifall, Macwheeble, you have all my papers and know all my affairs;be just to Rose. '

The Bailie was a man of earthly mould, after all; a good deal ofdirt and dross about him, undoubtedly, but some kindly and justfeelings he had, especially where the Baron or his young mistresswere concerned. He set up a lamentable howl. 'If that doleful dayshould come, while Duncan Macwheeble had a boddle it should beMiss Rose's. He wald scroll for a plack the sheet or she kenn'dwhat it was to want; if indeed a' the bonnie baronie o'Bradwardine and Tully-Veolan, with the fortalice and manor-placethereof (he kept sobbing and whining at every pause), tofts, crofts, mosses, muirs--outfield, infield--buildings--orchards--dove-cots--with the right of net and coble in the water and lochof Veolan--teinds, parsonage and vicarage--annexis, connexis--rights of pasturage--feul, feal and divot--parts, pendicles, andpertinents whatsoever--(here he had recourse to the end of hislong cravat to wipe his eyes, which overflowed, in spite of him, at the ideas which this technical jargon conjured up)--all as morefully described in the proper evidents and titles thereof--andlying within the parish of Bradwardine and the shire of Perth--if, as aforesaid, they must a' pass from my master's child to Inch-Grabbit, wha's a Whig and a Hanoverian, and be managed by hisdoer, Jamie Howie, wha's no fit to be a birlieman, let be abailie--'

The beginning of this lamentation really had something affecting, but the conclusion rendered laughter irresistible. 'Never mind, Bailie, ' said Ensign Maccombich, 'for the gude auld times ofrugging and riving (pulling and tearing) are come back again, an'Sneckus Mac-Snackus (meaning, probably, annexis, connexis), and a'the rest of your friends, maun gie place to the langest claymore. '

'And that claymore shall be ours, Bailie, ' said the Chieftain, whosaw that Macwheeble looked very blank at this intimation. 

 'We'll give them the metal our mountain affords, Lillibulero, bullen a la, And in place of broad-pieces, we'll pay with broadswords, Lero, lero, etc. With duns and with debts we will soon clear our score, Lillibulero, etc. For the man that's thus paid will crave payment no more, Lero, lero, etc. 

[Footnote: These lines, or something like them, occur in an oldmagazine of the period. ]

But come, Bailie, be not cast down; drink your wine with a joyousheart; the Baron shall return safe and victorious to Tully-Veolan, and unite Killancureit's lairdship with his own, since thecowardly half-bred swine will not turn out for the Prince like agentleman. '

'To be sure, they lie maist ewest, ' said the Bailie, wiping hiseyes, 'and should naturally fa' under the same factory. '

'And I, ' proceeded the Chieftain, 'shall take care of myself, too;for you must know, I have to complete a good work here, bybringing Mrs. Flockhart into the bosom of the Catholic church, orat least half way, and that is to your Episcopal meeting-house. OBaron! if you heard her fine counter-tenor admonishing Kate andMatty in the morning, you, who understand music, would tremble atthe idea of hearing her shriek in the psalmody of Haddo's Hole. '

'Lord forgie you, colonel, how ye rin on! But I hope your honourswill tak tea before ye gang to the palace, and I maun gang andmask it for you. '

So saying, Mrs. Flockhart left the gentlemen to their ownconversation, which, as might be supposed, turned chiefly upon theapproaching events of the campaign. 

CHAPTER XLIII

THE BALL

Ensign MacCombich having gone to the Highland camp upon duty, andBailie Macwheeble having retired to digest his dinner and EvanDhu's intimation of martial law in some blind change-house, Waverley, with the Baron and the Chieftain, proceeded to HolyroodHouse. The two last were in full tide of spirits, and the Baronrallied in his way our hero upon the handsome figure which his newdress displayed to advantage. 'If you have any design upon theheart of a bonny Scotch lassie, I would premonish you, when youaddress her, to remember and quote the words of Virgilius:--

 Nunc insanus amor duri me Martis in armis, Tela inter media atque adversos detinet hostes;

whilk verses Robertson of Struan, Chief of the Clan Donnochy(unless the claims of Lude ought to be preferred primo loco), hasthus elegantly rendered:--

 For cruel love had gartan'd low my leg, And clad my hurdies in a philabeg. 

Although, indeed, ye wear the trews, a garment whilk I approvemaist of the twa, as mair ancient and seemly. ' 'Or rather, ' saidFergus, 'hear my song:--

 She wadna hae a Lowland laird, Nor be an English lady; But she's away with Duncan Grame, And he's row'd her in his plaidy. '

By this time they reached the palace of Holyrood, and wereannounced respectively as they entered the apartments. 

It is but too well known how many gentlemen of rank, education, and fortune took a concern in the ill-fated and desperateundertaking of 1745. The ladies, also, of Scotland very generallyespoused the cause of the gallant and handsome young Prince, whothrew himself upon the mercy of his countrymen rather like a heroof romance than a calculating politician. It is not, therefore, tobe wondered that Edward, who had spent the greater part of hislife in the solemn seclusion of Waverley-Honour, should have beendazzled at the liveliness and elegance of the scene now exhibitedin the long deserted halls of the Scottish palace. Theaccompaniments, indeed, fell short of splendour, being such as theconfusion and hurry of the time admitted; still, however, thegeneral effect was striking, and, the rank of the companyconsidered, might well be called brilliant. 

It was not long before the lover's eye discovered the object ofhis attachment. Flora Mac-Ivor was in the act of returning to herseat, near the top of the room, with Rose Bradwardine by her side. Among much elegance and beauty, they had attracted a great degreeof the public attention, being certainly two of the handsomestwomen present. The Prince took much notice of both, particularlyof Flora, with whom he danced, a preference which she probablyowed to her foreign education and command of the French andItalian languages. 

When the bustle attending the conclusion of the dance permitted, Edward almost intuitively followed Fergus to the place where MissMac-Ivor was seated. The sensation of hope with which he hadnursed his affection in absence of the beloved object seemed tovanish in her presence, and, like one striving to recover theparticulars of a forgotten dream, he would have given the world atthat moment to have recollected the grounds on which he hadfounded expectations which now seemed so delusive. He accompaniedFergus with downcast eyes, tingling ears, and the feelings of thecriminal who, while the melancholy cart moves slowly through thecrowds that have assembled to behold his execution, receives noclear sensation either from the noise which fills his ears or thetumult on which he casts his wandering look. Flora seemed alittle--a very little--affected and discomposed at his approach. 'I bring you an adopted son of Ivor, ' said Fergus. 

'And I receive him as a second brother, ' replied Flora. 

There was a slight emphasis on the word, which would have escapedevery ear but one that was feverish with apprehension. It was, however, distinctly marked, and, combined with her whole tone andmanner, plainly intimated, 'I will never think of Mr. Waverley asa more intimate connexion. ' Edward stopped, bowed, and looked atFergus, who bit his lip, a movement of anger which proved that healso had put a sinister interpretation on the reception which hissister had given his friend. 'This, then, is an end of my day-dream!' Such was Waverley's first thought, and it was soexquisitely painful as to banish from his cheek every drop ofblood. 

'Good God!' said Rose Bradwardine, 'he is not yet recovered!'

These words, which she uttered with great emotion, were overheardby the Chevalier himself, who stepped hastily forward, and, takingWaverley by the hand, inquired kindly after his health, and addedthat he wished to speak with him. By a strong and sudden effort;which the circumstances rendered indispensable, Waverley recoveredhimself so far as to follow the Chevalier in silence to a recessin the apartment. 

Here the Prince detained him some time, asking various questionsabout the great Tory and Catholic families of England, theirconnexions, their influence, and the state of their affectionstowards the house of Stuart. To these queries Edward could not atany time have given more than general answers, and it may besupposed that, in the present state of his feelings, his responseswere indistinct even to confusion. The Chevalier smiled once ortwice at the incongruity of his replies, but continued the samestyle of conversation, although he found himself obliged to occupythe principal share of it, until he perceived that Waverley hadrecovered his presence of mind. It is probable that this longaudience was partly meant to further the idea which the Princedesired should be entertained among his followers, that Waverleywas a character of political influence. But it appeared, from hisconcluding expressions, that he had a different and good-naturedmotive, personal to our hero, for prolonging the conference. 'Icannot resist the temptation, ' he said, 'of boasting of my owndiscretion as a lady's confidant. You see, Mr. Waverley, that Iknow all, and I assure you I am deeply interested in the affair. But, my good young friend, you must put a more severe restraintupon your feelings. There are many here whose eyes can see asclearly as mine, but the prudence of whose tongues may not beequally trusted, '

So saying, he turned easily away and joined a circle of officersat a few paces' distance, leaving Waverley to meditate upon hisparting expression, which, though not intelligible to him in itswhole purport, was sufficiently so in the caution which the lastword recommended. Making, therefore, an effort to show himselfworthy of the interest which his new master had expressed, byinstant obedience to his recommendation, he walked up to the spotwhere Flora and Miss Bradwardine were still seated, and havingmade his compliments to the latter, he succeeded, even beyond hisown expectation, in entering into conversation upon generaltopics. 

If, my dear reader, thou hast ever happened to take post-horsesat----or at----(one at least of which blanks, or more probablyboth, you will be able to fill up from an inn near your ownresidence), you must have observed, and doubtless with sympatheticpain, the reluctant agony with which the poor jades at first applytheir galled necks to the collars of the harness. But when theirresistible arguments of the post-boy have prevailed upon them toproceed a mile or two, they will become callous to the firstsensation; and being warm in the harness, as the said post-boy mayterm it, proceed as if their withers were altogether unwrung. Thissimile so much corresponds with the state of Waverley's feelingsin the course of this memorable evening, that I prefer it(especially as being, I trust, wholly original) to any moresplendid illustration with which Byshe's 'Art of Poetry' mightsupply me. 

Exertion, like virtue, is its own reward; and our hero had, moreover, other stimulating motives for persevering in a displayof affected composure and indifference to Flora's obviousunkindness. Pride, which supplies its caustic as an useful, thoughsevere, remedy for the wounds of affection, came rapidly to hisaid. Distinguished by the favour of a prince; destined, he hadroom to hope, to play a conspicuous part in the revolution whichawaited a mighty kingdom; excelling, probably, in mentalacquirements, and equalling at least in personal accomplishments, most of the noble and distinguished persons with whom he was nowranked; young, wealthy, and high-born, --could he, or ought he, todroop beneath the frown of a capricious beauty?

 O nymph, unrelenting and cold as thou art, My bosom is proud as thine own. 

With the feeling expressed in these beautiful lines (which, however, were not then written), [Footnote: They occur in MissSeward's fine verses, beginning--'To thy rocks, stormy Lannow, adieu. '] Waverley determined upon convincing Flora that he was notto be depressed by a rejection in which his vanity whispered thatperhaps she did her own prospects as much injustice as his. And, to aid this change of feeling, there lurked the secret andunacknowledged hope that she might learn to prize his affectionmore highly, when she did not conceive it to be altogether withinher own choice to attract or repulse it. There was a mystic toneof encouragement, also, in the Chevalier's words, though he fearedthey only referred to the wishes of Fergus in favour of an unionbetween him and his sister. But the whole circumstances of time, place, and incident combined at once to awaken his imagination andto call upon him for a manly and decisive tone of conduct, leavingto fate to dispose of the issue. Should he appear to be the onlyone sad and disheartened on the eve of battle, how greedily wouldthe tale be commented upon by the slander which had been alreadybut too busy with his fame! Never, never, he internally resolved, shall my unprovoked enemies possess such an advantage over myreputation. 

Under the influence of these mixed sensations, and cheered attimes by a smile of intelligence and approbation from the Princeas he passed the group, Waverley exerted his powers of fancy, animation, and eloquence, and attracted the general admiration ofthe company. The conversation gradually assumed the tone bestqualified for the display of his talents and acquisitions. Thegaiety of the evening was exalted in character, rather thanchecked, by the approaching dangers of the morrow. All nerves werestrung for the future, and prepared to enjoy the present. Thismood of mind is highly favourable for the exercise of the powersof imagination, for poetry, and for that eloquence which is alliedto poetry. Waverley, as we have elsewhere observed, possessed attimes a wonderful flow of rhetoric; and on the present occasion, he touched more than once the higher notes of feeling, and thenagain ran off in a wild voluntary of fanciful mirth. He wassupported and excited by kindred spirits, who felt the sameimpulse of mood and time; and even those of more cold andcalculating habits were hurried along by the torrent. Many ladiesdeclined the dance, which still went forward, and under variouspretences joined the party to which the 'handsome youngEnglishman' seemed to have attached himself. He was presented toseveral of the first rank, and his manners, which for the presentwere altogether free from the bashful restraint by which, in amoment of less excitation, they were usually clouded, gaveuniversal delight. 

Flora Mac-Ivor appeared to be the only female present who regardedhim with a degree of coldness and reserve; yet even she could notsuppress a sort of wonder at talents which, in the course of theiracquaintance, she had never seen displayed with equal brilliancyand impressive effect. I do not know whether she might not feel amomentary regret at having taken so decisive a resolution upon theaddresses of a lover who seemed fitted so well to fill a highplace in the highest stations of society. Certainly she hadhitherto accounted among the incurable deficiencies of Edward'sdisposition the mauvaise honte which, as she had been educated inthe first foreign circles, and was little acquainted with theshyness of English manners, was in her opinion too nearly relatedto timidity and imbecility of disposition. But if a passing wishoccurred that Waverley could have rendered himself uniformly thusamiable and attractive, its influence was momentary; forcircumstances had arisen since they met which rendered in her eyesthe resolution she had formed respecting him final andirrevocable. 

With opposite feelings Rose Bradwardine bent her whole soul tolisten. She felt a secret triumph at the public tribute paid toone whose merit she had learned to prize too early and too fondly. Without a thought of jealousy, without a feeling of fear, pain, ordoubt, and undisturbed by a single selfish consideration, sheresigned herself to the pleasure of observing the general murmurof applause. When Waverley spoke, her ear was exclusively filledwith his voice, when others answered, her eye took its turn ofobservation, and seemed to watch his reply. Perhaps the delightwhich she experienced in the course of that evening, thoughtransient, and followed by much sorrow, was in its nature the mostpure and disinterested which the human mind is capable ofenjoying. 

'Baron, ' said the Chevalier, 'I would not trust my mistress in thecompany of your young friend. He is really, though perhapssomewhat romantic, one of the most fascinating young men whom Ihave ever seen. '

'And by my honour, sir, ' replied the Baron, 'the lad can sometimesbe as dowff as a sexagenary like myself. If your Royal Highnesshad seen him dreaming and dozing about the banks of Tully-Veolanlike an hypochondriac person, or, as Burton's "Anatomia" hath it, a phrenesiac or lethargic patient, you would wonder where he hathsae suddenly acquired all this fine sprack festivity andjocularity. '

'Truly, ' said Fergus Mac-Ivor, 'I think it can only be theinspiration of the tartans; for, though Waverley be always a youngfellow of sense and honour, I have hitherto often found him a veryabsent and inattentive companion. '

'We are the more obliged to him, ' said the Prince, 'for havingreserved for this evening qualities which even such intimatefriends had not discovered. But come, gentlemen, the nightadvances, and the business of tomorrow must be early thought upon. Each take charge of his fair partner, and honour a smallrefreshment with your company. '

He led the way to another suite of apartments, and assumed theseat and canopy at the head of a long range of tables with an airof dignity, mingled with courtesy, which well became his highbirth and lofty pretensions. An hour had hardly flown away whenthe musicians played the signal for parting so well known inScotland. [Footnote: Which is, or was wont to be, the old air of'Good-night and joy be wi' you a'. ]

'Good-night, then, ' said the Chevalier, rising; 'goodnight, andjoy be with you! Good-night, fair ladies, who have so highlyhonoured a proscribed and banished Prince! Good-night, my bravefriends; may the happiness we have this evening experienced be anomen of our return to these our paternal halls, speedily and intriumph, and of many and many future meetings of mirth andpleasure in the palace of Holyrood!'

When the Baron of Bradwardine afterwards mentioned this adieu ofthe Chevalier, he never failed to repeat, in a melancholy tone, 'Audiit, et voti Phoebus succedere partem Mente dedit; partem volucres dispersit in auras;

which, ' as he added, 'is weel rendered into English metre by myfriend Bangour:--

 Ae half the prayer wi' Phoebus grace did find, The t'other half he whistled down the wind. '

CHAPTER XLIV

THE MARCH

The conflicting passions and exhausted feelings of Waverley hadresigned him to late but sound repose. He was dreaming ofGlennaquoich, and had transferred to the halls of lan nan Chaistelthe festal train which so lately graced those of Holyrood. Thepibroch too was distinctly heard; and this at least was nodelusion, for the 'proud step of the chief piper' of the 'chlainMacIvor' was perambulating the court before the door of hisChieftain's quarters, and as Mrs. Flockhart, apparently no friendto his minstrelsy, was pleased to observe, 'garring the verystane-and-lime wa's dingle wi' his screeching. ' Of course it soonbecame too powerful for Waverley's dream, with which it had atfirst rather harmonised. 

The sound of Callum's brogues in his apartment (for Mac-Ivor hadagain assigned Waverley to his care) was the next note of parting. 'Winna yer honour bang up? Vich lan Vohr and ta Prince are awa tothe lang green glen ahint the clachan, tat they ca' the King'sPark, [Footnote: The main body of the Highland army encamped, orrather bivouacked, in that part of the King's Park which liestowards the village of Duddingston. ] and mony ane's on his ainshanks the day that will be carried on ither folk's ere night. '

Waverley sprung up, and, with Callum's assistance andinstructions, adjusted his tartans in proper costume. Callum toldhim also, ' tat his leather dorlach wi' the lock on her was comefrae Doune, and she was awa again in the wain wi' Vich Ian Vohr'swalise. '

By this periphrasis Waverley readily apprehended his portmanteauwas intended. He thought upon the mysterious packet of the maid ofthe cavern, which seemed always to escape him when within his verygrasp. But this was no time for indulgence of curiosity; andhaving declined Mrs. Flockhart's compliment of a MORNING, i. E. Amatutinal dram, being probably the only man in the Chevalier'sarmy by whom such a courtesy would have been rejected, he made hisadieus and departed with Callum. 

'Callum, ' said he, as they proceeded down a dirty close to gainthe southern skirts of the Canongate, 'what shall I do for ahorse?'

'Ta deil ane ye maun think o', ' said Callum. 'Vich Ian Vohr'smarching on foot at the head o' his kin (not to say ta Prince, whadoes the like), wi' his target on his shoulder; and ye maun e'enbe neighbour-like. '

'And so I will, Callum, give me my target; so, there we are fixed. How does it look?'

'Like the bra' Highlander tat's painted on the board afore themickle change-house they ca' Luckie Middlemass's, ' answeredCallum; meaning, I must observe, a high compliment, for in hisopinion Luckie Middlemass's sign was an exquisite specimen of art. Waverley, however, not feeling the full force of this politesimile, asked him no further questions. 

Upon extricating themselves from the mean and dirty suburbs of themetropolis, and emerging into the open air, Waverley felt arenewal of both health and spirits, and turned his recollectionwith firmness upon the events of the preceding evening, and withhope and resolution towards those of the approaching day. 

When he had surmounted a small craggy eminence called St. Leonard's Hill, the King's Park, or the hollow between themountain of Arthur's Seat and the rising grounds on which thesouthern part of Edinburgh is now built, lay beneath him, anddisplayed a singular and animating prospect. It was occupied bythe army of the Highlanders, now in the act of preparing for theirmarch. Waverley had already seen something of the kind at thehunting-match which he attended with Fergus MacIvor; but this wason a scale of much greater magnitude, and incomparably deeperinterest. The rocks, which formed the background of the scene, andthe very sky itself, rang with the clang of the bagpipers, summoning forth, each with his appropriate pibroch, his chieftainand clan. The mountaineers, rousing themselves from their couchunder the canopy of heaven with the hum and bustle of a confusedand irregular multitude, like bees alarmed and arming in theirhives, seemed to possess all the pliability of movement fitted toexecute military manoeuvres. Their motions appeared spontaneousand confused, but the result was order and regularity; so that ageneral must have praised the conclusion, though a martinet mighthave ridiculed the method by which it was attained. 

The sort of complicated medley created by the hasty arrangementsof the various clans under their respective banners, for thepurpose of getting into the order of march, was in itself a gayand lively spectacle. They had no tents to striket havinggenerally, and by choice, slept upon the open field, although theautumn was now waning and the nights began to be frosty. For alittle space, while they were getting into order, there wasexhibited a changing, fluctuating, and confused appearance ofwaving tartans and floating plumes, and of banners displaying theproud gathering word of Clanronald, Ganion Coheriga (Gainsay whodares), Loch-Sloy, the watchword of the MacFarlanes; Forth, fortune, and fill the fetters, the motto of the Marquis ofTullibardine; Bydand, that of Lord Lewis Gordon, and theappropriate signal words and emblems of many other chieftains andclans. 

At length the mixed and wavering multitude arranged themselvesinto a narrow and dusky column of great length, stretching throughthe whole extent of the valley. In the front of the column thestandard of the Chevalier was displayed, bearing a red cross upona white ground, with the motto Tandem Triumphans. The few cavalry, being chiefly Lowland gentry, with their domestic servants andretainers, formed the advanced guard of the army; and theirstandards, of which they had rather too many in respect of theirnumbers, were seen waving upon the extreme verge of the horizon. Many horsemen of this body, among whom Waverley accidentallyremarked Balmawhapple and his lieutenant, Jinker (which last, however, had been reduced, with several others, by the advice ofthe Baron of Bradwardine, to the situation of what he calledreformed officers, or reformadoes), added to the liveliness, though by no means to the regularity, of the scene, by gallopingtheir horses as fast forward as the press would permit, to jointheir proper station in the van. The fascinations of the Circes ofthe High Street, and the potations of strength with which they hadbeen drenched over night, had probably detained these heroeswithin the walls of Edinburgh somewhat later than was consistentwith their morning duty. Of such loiterers, the prudent took thelonger and circuitous, but more open, route to attain their placein the march, by keeping at some distance from the infantry, andmaking their way through the inclosures to the right, at theexpense of leaping over or pulling down the drystone fences. Theirregular appearance and vanishing of these small parties ofhorsemen, as well as the confusion occasioned by those whoendeavoured, though generally without effect, to press to thefront through the crowd of Highlanders, maugre their curses, oaths, and opposition, added to the picturesque wildness what ittook from the military regularity of the scene. 

While Waverley gazed upon this remarkable spectacle, rendered yetmore impressive by the occasional discharge of cannon-shot fromthe Castle at the Highland guards as they were withdrawn from itsvicinity to join their main body, Callum, with his usual freedomof interference, reminded him that Vich lan Vohr's folk werenearly at the head of the column of march which was still distant, and that 'they would gang very fast after the cannon fired. ' Thusadmonished, Waverley walked briskly forward, yet often casting aglance upon the darksome clouds of warriors who were collectedbefore and beneath him. A nearer view, indeed, rather diminishedthe effect impressed on the mind by the more distant appearance ofthe army. The leading men of each clan were well armed with broad-sword, target, and fusee, to which all added the dirk, and mostthe steel pistol. But these consisted of gentlemen, that is, relations of the chief, however distant, and who had an immediatetitle to his countenance and protection. Finer and hardier mencould not have been selected out of any army in Christendom; whilethe free and independent habits which each possessed, and whicheach was yet so well taught to subject to the command of hischief, and the peculiar mode of discipline adopted in Highlandwarfare, rendered them equally formidable by their individualcourage and high spirit, and from their rational conviction of thenecessity of acting in unison, and of giving their national modeof attack the fullest opportunity of success. 

But, in a lower rank to these, there were found individuals of aninferior description, the common peasantry of the Highlandcountry, who, although they did not allow themselves to be socalled, and claimed often, with apparent truth, to be of moreancient descent than the masters whom they served, bore, nevertheless, the livery of extreme penury, being indifferentlyaccoutred, and worse armed, half naked, stinted in growth, andmiserable in aspect. Each important clan had some of those Helotsattached to them: thus, the MacCouls, though tracing their descentfrom Comhal, the father of Finn or Fingal, were a sort ofGibeonites, or hereditary servants to the Stewarts of Appin; theMacbeths, descended from the unhappy monarch of that name, weresubjects to the Morays and clan Donnochy, or Robertsons of Athole;and many other examples might be given, were it not for the riskof hurting any pride of clanship which may yet be left, andthereby drawing a Highland tempest into the shop of my publisher. Now these same Helots, though forced into the field by thearbitrary authority of the chieftains under whom they hewed woodand drew water, were in general very sparingly fed, ill dressed, and worse armed. The latter circumstance was indeed owing chieflyto the general disarming act, which had been carried into effectostensibly through the whole Highlands, although most of thechieftains contrived to elude its influence by retaining theweapons of their own immediate clansmen, and delivering up thoseof less value, which they collected from these inferiorsatellites. It followed, as a matter of course, that, as we havealready hinted, many of these poor fellows were brought to thefield in a very wretched condition. 

From this it happened that, in bodies, the van of which wereadmirably well armed in their own fashion, the rear resembledactual banditti. Here was a pole-axe, there a sword without ascabbard; here a gun without a lock, there a scythe set straightupon a pole; and some had only their dirks, and bludgeons orstakes pulled out of hedges. The grim, uncombed, and wildappearance of these men, most of whom gazed with all theadmiration of ignorance upon the most ordinary productions ofdomestic art, created surprise in the Lowlands, but it alsocreated terror. So little was the condition of the Highlands knownat that late period that the character and appearance of theirpopulation, while thus sallying forth as military adventurers, conveyed to the South-Country Lowlanders as much surprise as if aninvasion of African Negroes or Esquimaux Indians had issued forthfrom the northern mountains of their own native country. It cannottherefore be wondered if Waverley, who had hitherto judged of theHighlanders generally from the samples which the policy of Fergushad from time to time exhibited, should have felt damped andastonished at the daring attempt of a body not then exceeding fourthousand men, and of whom not above half the number, at theutmost, were armed, to change the fate and alter the dynasty ofthe British kingdoms. 

As he moved along the column, which still remained stationary, aniron gun, the only piece of artillery possessed by the army whichmeditated so important a revolution, was fired as the signal ofmarch. The Chevalier had expressed a wish to leave this uselesspiece of ordnance behind him; but, to his surprise, the Highlandchiefs interposed to solicit that it might accompany their march, pleading the prejudices of their followers, who, little accustomedto artillery, attached a degree of absurd importance to thisfield-piece, and expected it would contribute essentially to avictory which they could only owe to their own muskets andbroadswords. Two or three French artillerymen were thereforeappointed to the management of this military engine, which wasdrawn along by a string of Highland ponies, and was, after all, only used for the purpose of firing signals. [Footnote: See Note6. ]

No sooner was its voice heard upon the present occasion than thewhole line was in motion. A wild cry of joy from the advancingbatallions rent the air, and was then lost in the shrill clangourof the bagpipes, as the sound of these, in their turn, waspartially drowned by the heavy tread of so many men put at onceinto motion. The banners glittered and shook as they movedforward, and the horse hastened to occupy their station as theadvanced guard, and to push on reconnoitring parties to ascertainand report the motions of the enemy. They vanished from Waverley'seye as they wheeled round the base of Arthur's Seat, under theremarkable ridge of basaltic rocks which fronts the little lake ofDuddingston. 

The infantry followed in the same direction, regulating their paceby another body which occupied a road more to the southward. Itcost Edward some exertion of activity to attain the place whichFergus's followers occupied in the line of march. 

CHAPTER XLV

AN INCIDENT GIVES RISE TO UNAVAILING REFLECTIONS

When Waverley reached that part of the column which was filled bythe clan of Mac-Ivor, they halted, formed, and received him with atriumphant flourish upon the bagpipes and a loud shout of the men, most of whom knew him personally, and were delighted to see him inthe dress of their country and of their sept. 'You shout, ' said aHighlander of a neighbouring clan to Evan Dhu, 'as if theChieftain were just come to your head. '

'_Mar e Bran is e a brathair_, If it be not Bran, it is Bran'sbrother, ' was the proverbial reply of Maccombich. [Footnote: Bran, the well-known dog of Fingal. Is often the theme of Highlandproverb as well as song. ]

'O, then, it is the handsome Sassenach duinhe-wassel that is to bemarried to Lady Flora?'

'That may be, or it may not be; and it is neither your matter normine, Gregor. '

Fergus advanced to embrace the volunteer, and afford him a warmand hearty welcome; but he thought it necessary to apologize forthe diminished numbers of his battalion (which did not exceedthree hundred men) by observing he had sent a good many out uponparties. 

The real fact, however, was, that the defection of Donald BeanLean had deprived him of at least thirty hardy fellows, whoseservices he had fully reckoned upon, and that many of hisoccasional adherents had been recalled by their several chiefs tothe standards to which they most properly owed their allegiance. The rival chief of the great northern branch, also, of his ownclan had mustered his people, although he had not yet declaredeither for the government or for the Chevalier, and by hisintrigues had in some degree diminished the force with whichFergus took the field. To make amends for these disappointments, it was universally admitted that the followers of Vich Ian Vohr, in point of appearance, equipment, arms, and dexterity in usingthem, equalled the most choice troops which followed the standardof Charles Edward. Old Ballenkeiroch acted as his major; and, withthe other officers who had known Waverley when at Glennaquoich, gave our hero a cordial reception, as the sharer of their futuredangers and expected honours. 

The route pursued by the Highland army, after leaving the villageof Duddingston, was for some time the common post-road betwixtEdinburgh and Haddington, until they crossed the Esk atMusselburgh, when, instead of keeping the low grounds towards thesea, they turned more inland, and occupied the brow of theeminence called Carberry Hill, a place already distinguished inScottish history as the spot where the lovely Mary surrenderedherself to her insurgent subjects. This direction was chosenbecause the Chevalier had received notice that the army of thegovernment, arriving by sea from Aberdeen, had landed at Dunbar, and quartered the night before to the west of Haddington, with theintention of falling down towards the sea-side, and approachingEdinburgh by the lower coast-road. By keeping the height, whichoverhung that road in many places, it was hoped the Highlandersmight find an opportunity of attacking them to advantage. The armytherefore halted upon the ridge of Carberry Hill, both to refreshthe soldiers and as a central situation from which their marchcould be directed to any point that the motions of the enemy mightrender most advisable. While they remained in this position amessenger arrived in haste to desire Mac-Ivor to come to thePrince, adding that their advanced post had had a skirmish withsome of the enemy's cavalry, and that the Baron of Bradwardine hadsent in a few prisoners. 

Waverley walked forward out of the line to satisfy his curiosity, and soon observed five or six of the troopers who, covered withdust, had galloped in to announce that the enemy were in fullmarch westward along the coast. Passing still a little farther on, he was struck with a groan which issued from a hovel. Heapproached the spot, and heard a voice, in the provincial Englishof his native county, which endeavoured, though frequentlyinterrupted by pain, to repeat the Lord's Prayer. The voice ofdistress always found a ready answer in our hero's bosom. Heentered the hovel, which seemed to be intended for what is called, in the pastoral counties of Scotland, a smearing-house; and in itsobscurity Edward could only at first discern a sort of red bundle;for those who had stripped the wounded man of his arms and part ofhis clothes had left him the dragoon-cloak in which he wasenveloped. 

'For the love of God, ' said the wounded man, as he heardWaverley's step, 'give me a single drop of water!'

'You shall have it, ' answered Waverley, at the same time raisinghim in his arms, bearing him to the door of the hut, and givinghim some drink from his flask. 

'I should know that voice, ' said the man; but looking onWaverley's dress with a bewildered look--'no, this is not theyoung squire!'

This was the common phrase by which Edward was distinguished onthe estate of Waverley-Honour, and the sound now thrilled to hisheart with the thousand recollections which the well-known accentsof his native country had already contributed to awaken. 'Houghton!' he said, gazing on the ghastly features which deathwas fast disfiguring, 'can this be you?'

'I never thought to hear an English voice again, ' said the woundedman;'they left me to live or die here as I could, when they foundI would say nothing about the strength of the regiment. But, Osquire! how could you stay from us so long, and let us be temptedby that fiend of the pit, Rufinn? we should have followed youthrough flood and fire, to be sure. '

'Rufin! I assure you, Houghton, you have been vilely imposedupon. '

'I often thought so, ' said Houghton, 'though they showed us yourvery seal; and so Tims was shot and I was reduced to the ranks. '

'Do not exhaust your strength in speaking, ' said Edward; 'I willget you a surgeon presently. '

He saw Mac-Ivor approaching, who was now returning fromheadquarters, where he had attended a council of war, and hastenedto meet him. 'Brave news!'shouted the Chief; 'we shall be at it inless than two hours. The Prince has put himself at the head of theadvance, and, as he drew his sword, called out, "My friends, Ihave thrown away the scabbard. " Come, Waverley, we moveinstantly. '

'A moment--a moment; this poor prisoner is dying; where shall Ifind a surgeon?'

'Why, where should you? We have none, you know, but two or threeFrench fellows, who, I believe, are little better than _garqonsapothecaires_. '

'But the man will bleed to death. '

'Poor fellow!' said Fergus, in a momentary fit of compassion; theninstantly added, 'But it will be a thousand men's fate beforenight; so come along. '

'I cannot; I tell you he is a son of a tenant of my uncle's. '

'O, if he's a follower of yours he must be looked to; I'll sendCallum to you; but _diaoul! ceade millia mottigheart_, ' continuedthe impatient Chieftain, 'what made an old soldier likeBradwardine send dying men here to cumber us?'

Callum came with his usual alertness; and, indeed, Waverley rathergained than lost in the opinion of the Highlanders by his anxietyabout the wounded man. They would not have understood the generalphilanthropy which rendered it almost impossible for Waverley tohave passed any person in such distress; but, as apprehending thatthe sufferer was one of his _following_ they unanimously allowedthat Waverley's conduct was thatof akind and consideratechieftain, who merited the attachment of his people. In about aquarter of an hour poor Humphrey breathed his last, praying hisyoung master, when he returned to Waverley-Honour, to be kind toold Job Houghton and his dame, and conjuring him not to fight withthese wild petticoat-men against old England. 

When his last breath was drawn, Waverley, who had beheld withsincere sorrow, and no slight tinge of remorse, the final agoniesof mortality, now witnessed for the first time, commanded Callumto remove the body into the hut. This the young Highlanderperformed, not without examining the pockets of the defunct, which, however, he remarked had been pretty well spunged. He tookthe cloak, however, and proceeding with the provident caution of aspaniel hiding a bone, concealed it among some furze and carefullymarked the spot, observing that, if he chanced to return that way, it would be an excellent rokelay for his auld mother Elspat. 

It was by a considerable exertion that they regained their placein the marching column, which was now moving rapidly forward tooccupy the high grounds above the village of Tranent, betweenwhich and the sea lay the purposed march of the opposite army. 

This melancholy interview with his late sergeant forced manyunavailing and painful reflections upon Waverley's mind. It wasclear from the confession of the man that Colonel Gardiner'sproceedings had been strictly warranted, and even renderedindispensable, by the steps taken in Edward's name to induce thesoldiers of his troop to mutiny. The circumstance of the seal henow, for the first time, recollected, and that he had lost it inthe cavern of the robber, Bean Lean. That the artful villain hadsecured it, and used it as the means of carrying on an intrigue inthe regiment for his own purposes, was sufficiently evident; andEdward had now little doubt that in the packet placed in hisportmanteau by his daughter he should find farther light upon hisproceedings. In the meanwhile the repeated expostulation ofHoughton--'Ah, squire, why did you leave us?' rung like a knell inhis ears. 

'Yes, ' he said, 'I have indeed acted towards you with thoughtlesscruelty. I brought you from your paternal fields, and theprotection of a generous and kind landlord, and when I hadsubjected you to all the rigour of military discipline, I shunnedto bear my own share of the burden, and wandered from the duties Ihad undertaken, leaving alike those whom it was my business toprotect, and my own reputation, to suffer under the artifices ofvillainy. O, indolence and indecision of mind, if not inyourselves vices--to how much exquisite misery and mischief do youfrequently prepare the way!'

CHAPTER XLVI

THE EVE OF BATTLE

Although the Highlanders marched on very fast, the sun wasdeclining when they arrived upon the brow of those high groundswhich command an open and extensive plain stretching northward tothe sea, on which are situated, but at a considerable distancefrom each other, the small villages of Seaton and Cockenzie, andthe larger one of Preston. One of the low coastroads to Edinburghpassed through this plain, issuing upon it from the enclosures ofSeaton House, and at the town or village of Preston again enteringthe denies of an enclosed country. By this way the English generalhad chosen to approach the metropolis, both as most commodious forhis cavalry, and being probably of opinion that by doing so hewould meet in front with the Highlanders advancing from Edinburghin the opposite direction. In this he was mistaken; for the soundjudgment of the Chevalier, or of those to whose advice helistened, left the direct passage free, but occupied the strongground by which it was overlooked and commanded. 

When the Highlanders reached the heights above the plaindescribed, they were immediately formed in array of battle alongthe brow of the hill. Almost at the same instant the van of theEnglish appeared issuing from among the trees and enclosures ofSeaton, with the purpose of occupying the level plain between thehigh ground and the sea; the space which divided the armies beingonly about half a mile in breadth. Waverley could plainly see thesquadrons of dragoons issue, one after another, from the defiles, with their videttes in front, and form upon the plain, with theirfront opposed to that of the Prince's army. They were followed bya train of field-pieces, which, when they reached the flank of thedragoons, were also brought into line and pointed against theheights. The march was continued by three or four regiments ofinfantry marching in open column, their fixed bayonets showinglike successive hedges of steel, and their arms glancing likelightning, as, at a signal given, they also at once wheeled up, and were placed in direct opposition to the Highlanders. A secondtrain of artillery, with another regiment of horse, closed thelong march, and formed on the left flank of the infantry, thewhole line facing southward. 

While the English army went through these evolutions, theHighlanders showed equal promptitude and zeal for battle. As fastas the clans came upon the ridge which fronted their enemy, theywere formed into line, so that both armies got into complete orderof battle at the same moment. When this was accomplished, theHighlanders set up a tremendous yell, which was re-echoed by theheights behind them. The regulars, who were in high spirits, returned a loud shout of defiance, and fired one or two of theircannon upon an advanced post of the Highlanders. The latterdisplayed great earnestness to proceed instantly to the attack, Evan Dhu urging to Fergus, by way of argument, that 'the SIDIERROY was tottering like an egg upon a staff, and that they had a'the vantage of the onset, for even a haggis (God bless her!) couldcharge down hill. '

But the ground through which the mountaineers must have descended, although not of great extent, was impracticable in itscharacter, being not only marshy but intersected with walls of drystone, and traversed in its whole length by a very broad and deepditch, circumstances which must have given the musketry of theregulars dreadful advantages before the mountaineers could haveused their swords, on which they were taught to rely. Theauthority of the commanders was therefore interposed to curb theimpetuosity of the Highlanders, and only a few marksmen were sentdown the descent to skirmish with the enemy's advanced posts andto reconnoitre the ground. 

Here, then, was a military spectacle of no ordinary interest orusual occurrence. The two armies, so different in aspect anddiscipline, yet each admirably trained in its own peculiar mode ofwar, upon whose conflict the temporary fate at least of Scotlandappeared to depend, now faced each other like two gladiators inthe arena, each meditating upon the mode of attacking their enemy. The leading officers and the general's staff of each army could bedistinguished in front of their lines, busied with spy-glasses towatch each other's motions, and occupied in despatching the ordersand receiving the intelligence conveyed by the aides-de-camp andorderly men, who gave life to the scene by galloping along indifferent directions, as if the fate of the day depended uponthe speed of their horses. The space between the armies was attimes occupied by the partial and irregular contest of individualsharp-shooters, and a hat or bonnet was occasionally seen tofall, as a wounded man was borne off by his comrades. These, however, were but trifling skirmishes, for it suited the viewsof neither party to advance in that direction. From theneighbouring hamlets the peasantry cautiously showed themselves, as if watching the issue of the expected engagement; and at nogreat distance in the bay were two square-rigged vessels, bearingthe English flag, whose tops and yards were crowded with lesstimid spectators. 

When this awful pause had lasted for a short time, Fergus, withanother chieftain, received orders to detach their clans towardsthe village of Preston, in order to threaten the right flank ofCope's army and compel him to a change of position. To enable himto execute these orders, the Chief of Glennaquoich occupied thechurch-yard of Tranent, a commanding situation, and a convenientplace, as Evan Dhu remarked, 'for any gentleman who might have themisfortune to be killed, and chanced to be curious about Christianburial. ' To check or dislodge this party, the English generaldetached two guns, escorted by a strong party of cavalry. Theyapproached so near that Waverley could plainly recognise thestandard of the troop he had formerly commanded, and hear thetrumpets and kettle-drums sound the signal of advance which he hadso often obeyed. He could hear, too, the well-known word given inthe English dialect by the equally well-distinguished voice of thecommanding officer, for whom he had once felt so much respect. Itwas at that instant, that, looking around him, he saw the wilddress and appearance of his Highland associates, heard theirwhispers in an uncouth and unknown language, looked upon his owndress, so unlike that which he had worn from his infancy, andwished to awake from what seemed at the moment a dream, strange, horrible, and unnatural. 'Good God!' he muttered, 'am I then atraitor to my country, a renegade to my standard, and a foe, asthat poor dying wretch expressed himself, to my native England!'

Ere he could digest or smother the recollection, the tall militaryform of his late commander came full in view, for the purpose ofreconnoitring. 'I can hit him now, ' said Callum, cautiouslyraising his fusee over the wall under which he lay couched, atscarce sixty yards' distance. 

Edward felt as if he was about to see a parricide committed in hispresence; for the venerable grey hair and striking countenance ofthe veteran recalled the almost paternal respect with which hisofficers universally regarded him. But ere he could say 'Hold!' anaged Highlander who lay beside Callum Beg stopped his arm. 'Spareyour shot, ' said the seer, 'his hour is not yet come. But let himbeware of to-morrow; I see his winding-sheet high upon hisbreast. '

Callum, flint to other considerations, was penetrable tosuperstition. He turned pale at the words of the _taishatr_, andrecovered his piece. Colonel Gardiner, unconscious of the dangerhe had escaped, turned his horse round and rode slowly back to thefront of his regiment. 

By this time the regular army had assumed a new line, with oneflank inclined towards the sea and the other resting upon thevillage of Preston; and, as similar difficulties occurred inattacking their new position, Fergus and the rest of thedetachment were recalled to their former post. This alterationcreated the necessity of a corresponding change in General Cope'sarmy, which was again brought into a line parallel with that ofthe Highlanders. In these manoeuvres on both sides the daylightwas nearly consumed, and both armies prepared to rest upon theirarms for the night in the lines which they respectively occupied. 

'There will be nothing done to-night, ' said Fergus to his friendWaverley; 'ere we wrap ourselves in our plaids, let us go see whatthe Baron is doing in the rear of the line. '

When they approached his post, they found the good old carefulofficer, after having sent out his night patrols and posted hissentinels, engaged in reading the Evening Service of the EpiscopalChurch to the remainder of his troop. His voice was loud andsonorous, and though his spectacles upon his nose, and theappearance of Saunders Saunderson, in military array, performingthe functions of clerk, had something ludicrous, yet thecircumstances of danger in which they stood, the military costumeof the audience, and the appearance of their horses saddled andpicqueted behind them, gave an impressive and solemn effect to theoffice of devotion. 

'I have confessed to-day, ere you were awake, ' whispered Fergus toWaverley; 'yet I am not so strict a Catholic as to refuse to joinin this good man's prayers. '

Edward assented, and they remained till the Baron had concludedthe service. 

As he shut the book, 'Now, lads, ' said he, 'have at them in themorning with heavy hands and light consciences. ' He then kindlygreeted Mac-Ivor and Waverley, who requested to know his opinionof their situation. Why, you know Tacitus saith, "In rebusbellicis maxime dominalur Fortuna, " which is equiponderate withour vernacular adage, "Luck can maist in the mellee. " But creditme, gentlemen, yon man is not a deacon o' his craft. He damps thespirits of the poor lads he commands by keeping them on thedefensive, whilk of itself implies inferiority or fear. Now willthey lie on their arms yonder as anxious and as ill at ease as atoad under a harrow, while our men will be quite fresh and blithefor action in the morning. Well, good-night. One thing troublesme, but if to-morrow goes well off, I will consult you about it, Glennaquoich. '

'I could almost apply to Mr. Bradwardine the character which Henrygives of Fluellen, ' said Waverley, as his friend and he walkedtowards their bivouac:

 'Though it appears a little out of fashion, There is much care and valour in this "Scotchman. "'

'He has seen much service, ' answered Fergus, 'and one is sometimesastonished to find how much nonsense and reason are mingled in hiscomposition. I wonder what can be troubling his mind; probablysomething about Rose. Hark! the English are setting their watch. '

The roll of the drum and shrill accompaniment of the fifes swelledup the hill--died away--resumed its thunder--and was at lengthhushed. The trumpets and kettle-drums of the cavalry were nextheard to perform the beautiful and wild point of war appropriatedas a signal for that piece of nocturnal duty, and then finallysunk upon the wind with a shrill and mournful cadence. 

The friends, who had now reached their post, stood and lookedround them ere they lay down to rest. The western sky twinkledwith stars, but a frost-mist, rising from the ocean, covered theeastern horizon, and rolled in white wreaths along the plain wherethe adverse army lay couched upon their arms. Their advanced postswere pushed as far as the side of the great ditch at the bottom ofthe descent, and had kindled large fires at different intervals, gleaming with obscure and hazy lustre through the heavy fog whichencircled them with a doubtful halo. 

The Highlanders, 'thick as leaves in Vallombrosa, ' lay stretchedupon the ridge of the hill, buried (excepting their sentinels) inthe most profound repose. 'How many of these brave fellows willsleep more soundly before to-morrow night, Fergus!' said Waverley, with an involuntary sigh. 

'You must notthink of that, ' answered Fergus, whose ideas wereentirely military. 'You must only think of your sword, and by whomit was given. All other reflections are now TOO LATE. '

With the opiate contained in this undeniable remark Edwardendeavoured to lull the tumult of his conflicting feelings. TheChieftain and he, combining their plaids, made a comfortable andwarm couch. Callum, sitting down at their head (for it was hisduty to watch upon the immediate person of the Chief), began along mournful song in Gaelic, to a low and uniform tune, which, like the sound of the wind at a distance, soon lulled them tosleep. 

CHAPTER XLVII

THE CONFLICT

When Fergus Mac-Ivor and his friend had slept for a few hours, they were awakened and summoned to attend the Prince. The distantvillage clock was heard to toll three as they hastened to theplace where he lay. He was already surrounded by his principalofficers and the chiefs of clans. A bundle of pease-straw, whichhad been lately his couch, now served for his seat. Just as Fergusreached the circle, the consultation had broken up. 'Courage, mybrave friends!' said the Chevalier, 'and each one put himselfinstantly at the head of his command; a faithful friend [Footnote:See Note 7. ] has offered to guide us by a practicable, thoughnarrow and circuitous, route, which, sweeping to our right, traverses the broken ground and morass, and enables us to gain thefirm and open plain upon which the enemy are lying. Thisdifficulty surmounted, Heaven and your good swords must do therest. '

The proposal spread unanimous joy, and each leader hastened to gethis men into order with as little noise as possible. The army, moving by its right from off the ground on which they had rested, soon entered the path through the morass, conducting their marchwith astonishing silence and great rapidity. The mist had notrisen to the higher grounds, so that for some time they had theadvantage of star-light. But this was lost as the stars fadedbefore approaching day, and the head of the marching column, continuing its descent, plunged as it were into the heavy ocean offog, which rolled its white waves over the whole plain, and overthe sea by which it was bounded. Some difficulties were now to beencountered, inseparable from darkness, a narrow, broken, andmarshy path, and the necessity of preserving union in the march. These, however, were less inconvenient to Highlanders, from theirhabits of life, than they would have been to any other troops, andthey continued a steady and swift movement. 

As the clan of Ivor approached the firm ground, following thetrack of those who preceded them, the challenge of a patrol washeard through the mist, though they could not see the dragoon bywhom it was made--'Who goes there?'

'Hush!' cried Fergus, 'hush! let none answer, as he values hislife; press forward'; and they continued their march with silenceand rapidity. 

The patrol fired his carabine upon the body, and the report wasinstantly followed by the clang of his horse's feet as he gallopedoff. 'Hylax in limine latrat, ' said the Baron of Bradwardine, whoheard the shot;'that loon will give the alarm. '

The clan of Fergus had now gained the firm plain, which had latelyborne a large crop of corn. But the harvest was gathered in, andthe expanse was unbroken by tree, bush, or interruption of anykind. The rest of the army were following fast, when they heardthe drums of the enemy beat the general. Surprise, however, hadmade no part of their plan, so they were not disconcerted by thisintimation that the foe was upon his guard and prepared to receivethem. It only hastened their dispositions for the combat, whichwere very simple. 

The Highland army, which now occupied the eastern end of the wideplain, or stubble field, so often referred to, was drawn up in twolines, extending from the morass towards the sea. The first wasdestined to charge the enemy, the second to act as a reserve. Thefew horse, whom the Prince headed in person, remained between thetwo lines. The adventurer had intimated a resolution to charge inperson at the head of his first line; but his purpose wasdeprecated by all around him, and he was with difficulty inducedto abandon it. 

Both lines were now moving forward, the first prepared for instantcombat. The clans of which it was composed formed each a sort ofseparate phalanx, narrow in front, and in depth ten, twelve, orfifteen files, according to the strength of the following. Thebest-armed and best-born, for the words were synonymous, wereplaced in front of each of these irregular subdivisions. Theothers in the rear shouldered forward the front, and by theirpressure added both physical impulse and additional ardour andconfidence to those who were first to encounter the danger. 

'Down with your plaid, Waverley, ' cried Fergus, throwing off hisown; 'we'll win silks for our tartans before the sun is above thesea. '

The clansmen on every side stript their plaids, prepared theirarms, and there was an awful pause of about three minutes, duringwhich the men, pulling off their bonnets, raised their faces toheaven and uttered a short prayer; then pulled their bonnets overtheir brows and began to move forward, at first slowly. Waverleyfelt his heart at that moment throb as it would have burst fromhis bosom. It was not fear, it was not ardour: it was a compoundof both, a new and deeply energetic impulse that with its firstemotion chilled and astounded, then fevered and maddened his mind. The sounds around him combined to exalt his enthusiasm; the pipesplayed, and the clans rushed forward, each in its own dark column. As they advanced they mended their pace, and the muttering soundsof the men to each other began to swell into a wild cry. 

At this moment the sun, which was now risen above the horizon, dispelled the mist. The vapours rose like a curtain, and showedthe two armies in the act of closing. The line of the regulars wasformed directly fronting the attack of the Highlanders; itglittered with the appointments of a complete army, and wasflanked by cavalry and artillery. But the sight impressed noterror on the assailants. 

'Forward, sons of Ivor, ' cried their Chief, 'or the Camerons willdraw the first blood!' They rushed on with a tremendous yell. 

The rest is well known. The horse, who were commanded to chargethe advancing Highlanders in the flank, received an irregular firefrom their fusees as they ran on and, seized with a disgracefulpanic, wavered, halted, disbanded, and galloped from the field. The artillery men, deserted by the cavalry, fled after dischargingtheir pieces, and the Highlanders, who dropped their guns whenfired and drew their broadswords, rushed with headlong furyagainst the infantry. 

It was at this moment of confusion and terror that Waverleyremarked an English officer, apparently of high rank, standing, alone and unsupported, by a fieldpiece, which, after the flight ofthe men by whom it was wrought, he had himself levelled anddischarged against the clan of Mac-Ivor, the nearest group ofHighlanders within his aim. Struck with his tall, martial figure, and eager to save him from inevitable destruction, Waverleyoutstripped for an instant even the speediest of the warriors, and, reaching the spot first, called to him to surrender. Theofficer replied by a thrust with his sword, which Waverleyreceived in his target, and in turning it aside the Englishman'sweapon broke. At the same time the battle-axe of Dugald Mahony wasin the act of descending upon the officer's head. Waverleyintercepted and prevented the blow, and the officer, perceivingfurther resistance unavailing, and struck with Edward's generousanxiety for his safety, resigned the fragment of his sword, andwas committed by Waverley to Dugald, with strict charge to use himwell, and not to pillage his person, promising him, at the sametime, full indemnification for the spoil. 

On Edward's right the battle for a few minutes raged fierce andthick. The English infantry, trained in the wars in Flanders, stood their ground with great courage. But their extended fileswere pierced and broken in many places by the close masses of theclans; and in the personal struggle which ensued the nature of theHighlanders' weapons, and their extraordinary fierceness andactivity, gave them a decided superiority over those who had beenaccustomed to trust much to their array and discipline, and feltthat the one was broken and the other useless. Waverley, as hecast his eyes towards this scene of smoke and slaughter, observedColonel Gardiner, deserted by his own soldiers in spite of all hisattempts to rally them, yet spurring his horse through the fieldto take the command of a small body of infantry, who, with theirbacks arranged against the wall of his own park (for his house wasclose by the field of battle), continued a desperate andunavailing resistance. Waverley could perceive that he had alreadyreceived many wounds, his clothes and saddle being marked withblood. To save this good and brave man became the instant objectof his most anxious exertions. But he could only witness his fall. Ere Edward could make his way among the Highlanders, who, furiousand eager for spoil, now thronged upon each other, he saw hisformer commander brought from his horse by the blow of a scythe, and beheld him receive, while on the ground, more wounds thanwould have let out twenty lives. When Waverley came up, however, perception had not entirely fled. The dying warrior seemed torecognize Edward, for he fixed his eye upon him with anupbraiding, yet sorrowful, look, and appeared to struggle, forutterance. But he felt that death was dealing closely with him, and resigning his purpose, and folding his hands as if indevotion, he gave up his soul to his Creator. The look with whichhe regarded Waverley in his dying moments did not strike him sodeeply at that crisis of hurry and confusion as when it recurredto his imagination at the distance of some time. [Footnote: SeeNote 8. ]

Loud shouts of triumph now echoed over the whole field. The battlewas fought and won, and the whole baggage, artillery, and militarystores of the regular army remained in possession of the victors. Never was a victory more complete. Scarce any escaped from thebattle, excepting the cavalry, who had left it at the very onset, and even these were broken into different parties and scatteredall over the country. So far as our tale is concerned, we haveonly to relate the fate of Balmawhapple, who, mounted on a horseas headstrong and stiff-necked as his rider, pursued the flight ofthe dragoons above four miles from the field of battle, when somedozen of the fugitives took heart of grace, turned round, andcleaving his skull with their broadswords, satisfied the worldthat the unfortunate gentleman had actually brains, the end of hislife thus giving proof of a fact greatly doubted during itsprogress. His death was lamented by few. Most of those who knewhim agreed in the pithy observation of Ensign Maccombich, thatthere 'was mair tint (lost) at Sheriff-Muir. ' His friend, Lieutenant Jinker, bent his eloquence only to exculpate hisfavourite mare from any share in contributing to the catastrophe. 'He had tauld the laird a thousand times, ' he said, 'that it was aburning shame to put a martingale upon the puir thing, when hewould needs ride her wi' a curb of half a yard lang; and that hecould na but bring himsell (not to say her) to some mischief, byflinging her down, or otherwise; whereas, if he had had a wee bitrinnin ring on the snaffle, she wad ha' rein'd as cannily as acadger's pownie. '

Such was the elegy of the Laird of Balmawhapple. [Footnote: SeeNote 9. ]

CHAPTER XLVIII

AN UNEXPECTED EMBARRASSMENT

When the battle was over, and all things coming into order, theBaron of Bradwardine, returning from the duty of the day, andhaving disposed those under his command in their proper stations, sought the Chieftain of Glennaquoich and his friend EdwardWaverley. He found the former busied in determining disputes amonghis clansmen about points of precedence and deeds of valour, besides sundry high and doubtful questions concerning plunder. Themost important of the last respected the property of a gold watch, which had once belonged to some unfortunate English officer. Theparty against whom judgment was awarded consoled himself byobserving, 'She (i. E. The watch, which he took for a livinganimal) died the very night Vich lan Vohr gave her to Murdoch';the machine, having, in fact, stopped for want of winding up. 

It was just when this important question was decided that theBaron of Bradwardine, with a careful and yet important expressionof countenance, joined the two young men. He descended from hisreeking charger, the care of which he recommended to one of hisgrooms. 'I seldom ban, sir, ' said he to the man; 'but if you playany of your hound's-foot tricks, and leave puir Berwick beforehe's sorted, to rin after spuilzie, deil be wi' me if I do notgive your craig a thraw. ' He then stroked with great complacencythe animal which had borne him through the fatigues of the day, and having taken a tender leave of him--' Weel, my good youngfriends, a glorious and decisive victory, ' said he; 'but theseloons of troopers fled ower soon. I should have liked to haveshown you the true points of the pralium equestre, or equestriancombat, whilk their cowardice has postponed, and which I hold tobe the pride and terror of warfare. Weel--I have fought once morein this old quarrel, though I admit I could not be so far BEN asyou lads, being that it was my point of duty to keep together ourhandful of horse. And no cavalier ought in any wise to begrudgehonour that befalls his companions, even though they are orderedupon thrice his danger, whilk, another time, by the blessing ofGod, may be his own case. But, Glennaquoich, and you, Mr. Waverley, I pray ye to give me your best advice on a matter ofmickle weight, and which deeply affects the honour of the house ofBradwardine. I crave your pardon, Ensign Maccombich, and yours, Inveraughlin, and yours, Edderalshendrach, and yours, sir. '

The last person he addressed was Ballenkeiroch, who, rememberingthe death of his son, loured on him with a look of savagedefiance. The Baron, quick as lightning at taking umbrage, hadalready bent his brow when Glennaquoich dragged his major from thespot, and remonstrated with him, in the authoritative tone of achieftain, on the madness of reviving a quarrel in such a moment. 

'The ground is cumbered with carcasses, ' said the old mountaineer, turning sullenly away; 'ONE MORE would hardly have been kenn'duponit; and if it wasna for yoursell, Vich lan Vohr, that one shouldbe Bradwardine's or mine. '

The Chief soothed while he hurried him away; and then returned tothe Baron. 'It is Ballenkeiroch, ' he said, in an under andconfidential voice, 'father of the young man who fell eight yearssince in the unlucky affair at the mains. '

'Ah!' said the Baron, instantly relaxing the doubtful sternness ofhis features, 'I can take naickle frae a man to whom I haveunhappily rendered sic a displeasure as that. Ye were right toapprise me, Glennaquoich; he may look as black as midnight atMartinmas ere Cosmo Comyne Bradwardine shall say he does himwrang. Ah! I have nae male lineage, and I should bear with one Ihave made childless, though you are aware the blood-wit was madeup to your ain satisfaction by assythment, and that I have sinceexpedited letters of slains. Weel, as I have said, I have no maleissue, and yet it is needful that I maintain the honour of myhouse; and it is on that score I prayed ye for your peculiar andprivate attention. '

The two young men awaited to hear him, in anxious curiosity. 

'I doubt na, lads, ' he proceeded, 'but your education has been saeseen to that ye understand the true nature of the feudal tenures?'

Fergus, afraid of an endless dissertation, answered, 'Intimately, Baron, ' and touched Waverley as a signal to express no ignorance. 

'And ye are aware, I doubt not, that the holding of the barony ofBradwardine is of a nature alike honourable and peculiar, beingblanch (which Craig opines ought to be Latinated blancum, orrather francum, a free holding) pro sermtio detrahendi, seuexuendi, caligas regis post battalliam. ' Here Fergus turned hisfalcon eye upon Edward, with an almost imperceptible rise of hiseyebrow, to which his shoulders corresponded in the same degree ofelevation. 'Now, twa points of dubitation occur to me upon thistopic. First, whether this service, or feudal homage, be at anyevent due to the person of the Prince, the words being, perexpressum, caligas REGIS, the boots of the king himself; and Ipray your opinion anent that particular before we proceedfarther. '

'Why, he is Prince Regent, ' answered Mac-Ivor, with laudablecomposure of countenance; 'and in the court of France all thehonours are rendered to the person of the Regent which are due tothat of the King. Besides, were I to pull off either of theirboots, I would render that service to the young Chevalier tentimes more willingly than to his father. '

' Ay, but I talk not of personal predilections. However, yourauthority is of great weight as to the usages of the court ofFrance; and doubtless the Prince, as alter ego, may have a rightto claim the homagium of the great tenants of the crown, since allfaithful subjects are commanded, in the commission of regency, torespect him as the King's own person. Far, therefore, be it fromme to diminish the lustre of his authority by withholding this actof homage, so peculiarly calculated to give it splendour; for Iquestion if the Emperor of Germany hath his boots taken off by afree baron of the empire. But here lieth the second difficulty--the Prince wears no boots, but simply brogues and trews. '

This last dilemma had almost disturbed Fergus's gravity. 

'Why, ' said he, 'you know, Baron, the proverb tells us, "It's illtaking the breeks off a Highlandman, " and the boots are here inthe same predicament. '

'The word caligce, however, ' continued the Baron, 'though I admitthat, by family tradition, and even in our ancient evidents, it isexplained "lie-boots, " means, in its primitive sense, rathersandals; and Caius Caesar, the nephew and successor of CaiusTiberius, received the agnomen of Caligula, a caligulis sinecaligis levioribus, quibus adolescentior usus fuerat in exercituGermanici patris sui. And the caligce were also proper to themonastic bodies; for we read in an ancient glossarium upon therule of Saint Benedict, in the Abbey of Saint Amand, that caligaewere tied with latchets. '

'That will apply to the brogues, ' said Fergus. 

'It will so, my dear Glennaquoich, and the words are express:Caligae, dicta sunt quia ligantur; nam socci non ligantur, sedtantum intromittuntur; that is, caligae are denominated from theligatures wherewith they are bound; whereas socci, which may beanalogous to our mules, whilk the English denominate slippers, areonly slipped upon the feet. The words of the charter are alsoalternative, exuere seu detrahere; that is, to undo, as in thecase of sandals or brogues, and to pull of, as we say vernacularlyconcerning boots. Yet I would we had more light; but I fear thereis little chance of finding hereabout any erudite author de revestiaria. '

'I should doubt it very much, ' said the Chieftain, looking aroundon the straggling Highlanders, who were returning loaded withspoils of the slain, 'though the res vestiaria itself seems to bein some request at present. '

This remark coming within the Baron's idea of jocularity, hehonoured it with a smile, but immediately resumed what to himappeared very serious business. 

'Bailie Macwheeble indeed holds an opinion that this honoraryservice is due, from its very nature, si petatur tantum; only ifhis Royal Highness shall require of the great tenant of the crownto perform that personal duty; and indeed he pointed out the casein Dirleton's Doubts and Queries, Grippit versus Spicer, anent theeviction of an estate ob non solutum canonem; that is, for non-payment of a feu-duty of three pepper-corns a year, whilk weretaxt to be worth seven-eighths of a penny Scots, in whilk thedefender was assoilzied. But I deem it safest, wi' your goodfavour, to place myself in the way of rendering the Prince thisservice, and to proffer performance thereof; and I shall cause theBailie to attend with a schedule of a protest, whilk he has hereprepared (taking out a paper), intimating, that if it shall be hisRoyal Highness's pleasure to accept of other assistance at pullingoff his caligae (whether the same shall be rendered boots orbrogues) save that of the said Baron of Bradwardine, who is inpresence ready and willing to perform the same, it shall in nowise impinge upon or prejudice the right of the said Cosmo ComyneBradwardine to perform the said service in future; nor shall itgive any esquire, valet of the chamber, squire, or page, whoseassistance it may please his Royal Highness to employ, any right, title, or ground for evicting from the said Cosmo ComyneBradwardine the estate and barony of Bradwardine, and others heldas aforesaid, by the due and faithful performance thereof. '

Fergus highly applauded this arrangement; and the Baron took afriendly leave of them, with a smile of contented importance uponhis visage. 

'Long live our dear friend the Baron, ' exclaimed the Chief, assoon as he was out of hearing, 'for the most absurd original thatexists north of the Tweed! I wish to heaven I had recommended himto attend the circle this evening with a boot-ketch under his arm. I think he might have adopted the suggestion if it had been madewith suitable gravity. '

'And how can you take pleasure in making a man of his worth soridiculous?'

'Begging pardon, my dear Waverley, you are as ridiculous as he. Why, do you not see that the man's whole mind is wrapped up inthis ceremony? He has heard and thought of it since infancy as themost august privilege and ceremony in the world; and I doubt notbut the expected pleasure of performing it was a principal motivewith him for taking up arms. Depend upon it, had I endeavoured todivert him from exposing himself he would have treated me as anignorant, conceited coxcomb, or perhaps might have taken a fancyto cut my throat; a pleasure which he once proposed to himselfupon some point of etiquette not half so important, in his eyes, as this matter of boots or brogues, or whatever the caliga shallfinally be pronounced by the learned. But I must go toheadquarters, to prepare the Prince for this extraordinary scene. My information will be well taken, for it will give him a heartylaugh at present, and put him on his guard against laughing whenit might be very mal-a-propos. So, au revoir, my dear Waverley. '

CHAPTER XLIX

THE ENGLISH PRISONER

The first occupation of Waverley, after he departed from theChieftain, was to go in quest of the officer whose life he hadsaved. He was guarded, along with his companions in misfortune, who were very numerous, in a gentleman's house near the field ofbattle. 

On entering the room where they stood crowded together, Waverleyeasily recognised the object of his visit, not only by thepeculiar dignity of his appearance, but by the appendage of DugaldMahony, with his battleaxe, who had stuck to him from the momentof his captivity as if he had been skewered to his side. Thisclose attendance was perhaps for the purpose of securing hispromised reward from Edward, but it also operated to save theEnglish gentleman from being plundered in the scene of generalconfusion; for Dugald sagaciously argued that the amount of thesalvage which he might be allowed would be regulated by the stateof the prisoner when he should deliver him over to Waverley. Hehastened to assure Waverley, therefore, with more words than heusually employed, that he had 'keepit ta sidier roy haill, andthat he wasna a plack the waur since the fery moment when hishonour forbad her to gie him a bit clamhewit wi' her Lochaber-axe. '

Waverley assured Dugald of a liberal recompense, and, approachingthe English officer, expressed his anxiety to do anything whichmight contribute to his convenience under his present unpleasantcircumstances. 

'I am not so inexperienced a soldier, sir, ' answered theEnglishman, 'as to complain of the fortune of war. I am onlygrieved to see those scenes acted in our own island which I haveoften witnessed elsewhere with comparative indifference. '

'Another such day as this, ' said Waverley, 'and I trust the causeof your regrets will be removed, and all will again return topeace and order. '

The officer smiled and shook his head. 'I must not forget mysituation so far as to attempt a formal confutation of thatopinion; but, notwithstanding your success and the valour whichachieved it, you have undertaken a task to which your strengthappears wholly inadequate. '

At this moment Fergus pushed into the press. 

'Come, Edward, come along; the Prince has gone to Pinkie House forthe night; and we must follow, or lose the whole ceremony of thecaligae. Your friend, the Baron, has been guilty of a great pieceof cruelty; he has insisted upon dragging Bailie Macwheeble out tothe field of battle. Now, you must know, the Bailie's greatesthorror is an armed Highlander or a loaded gun; and there hestands, listening to the Baron's instructions concerning theprotest, ducking his head like a sea-gull at the report of everygun and pistol that our idle boys are firing upon the fields, andundergoing, by way of penance, at every symptom of flinching asevere rebuke from his patron, who would not admit the dischargeof a whole battery of cannon, within point-blank distance, as anapology for neglecting a discourse in which the honour of hisfamily is interested. '

'But how has Mr. Bradwardine got him to venture so far?' saidEdward. 

'Why, he had come as far as Musselburgh, I fancy, in hopes ofmaking some of our wills; and the peremptory commands of the Barondragged him forward to Preston after the battle was over. Hecomplains of one or two of our ragamuffins having put him in perilof his life by presenting their pieces at him; but as they limitedhis ransom to an English penny, I don't think we need trouble theprovost-marshal upon that subject. So come along, Waverley. '

'Waverley!' said the English officer, with great emotion;' thenephew of Sir Everard Waverley, of----shire?'

'The same, sir, ' replied our hero, somewhat surprised at the tonein which he was addressed. 

'I am at once happy and grieved, ' said the prisoner, 'to have metwith you. '

'I am ignorant, sir, ' answered Waverley, 'how I have deserved somuch interest. '

'Did your uncle never mention a friend called Talbot?'

'I have heard him talk with great regard of such a person, 'replied Edward; 'a colonel, I believe, in the army, and thehusband of Lady Emily Blandeville; but I thought Colonel Talbothad been abroad. '

'I am just returned, ' answered the officer; 'and being inScotland, thought it my duty to act where my services promised tobe useful. Yes, Mr. Waverley, I am that Colonel Talbot, thehusband of the lady you have named; and I am proud to acknowledgethat I owe alike my professional rank and my domestic happiness toyour generous and noble-minded relative. Good God! that I shouldfind his nephew in such a dress, and engaged in such a cause!'

'Sir, ' said Fergus, haughtily, 'the dress and cause are those ofmen of birth and honour. '

'My situation forbids me to dispute your assertion, ' said ColonelTalbot; 'otherwise it were no difficult matter to show thatneither courage nor pride of lineage can gild a bad cause. But, with Mr. Waverley's permission and yours, sir, if yours also mustbe asked, I would willingly speak a few words with him on affairsconnected with his own family. '

'Mr. Waverley, sir, regulates his own motions. You will follow me, I suppose, to Pinkie, ' said Fergus, turning to Edward, 'when youhave finished your discourse with this new acquaintance?' Sosaying, the Chief of Glennaquoich adjusted his plaid with rathermore than his usual air of haughty assumption and left theapartment. 

The interest of Waverley readily procured for Colonel Talbot thefreedom of adjourning to a large garden belonging to his place ofconfinement. They walked a few paces in silence, Colonel Talbotapparently studying how to open what he had to say; at length headdressed Edward. 

'Mr. Waverley, you have this day saved my life; and yet I would toGod that I had lost it, ere I had found you wearing the uniformand cockade of these men. '

'I forgive your reproach, Colonel Talbot; it is well meant, andyour education and prejudices render it natural. But there isnothing extraordinary in finding a man whose honour has beenpublicly and unjustly assailed in the situation which promisedmost fair to afford him satisfaction on his calumniators. '

'I should rather say, in the situation most likely to confirm thereports which they have circulated, ' said Colonel Talbot, 'byfollowing the very line of conduct ascribed to you. Are you aware, Mr. Waverley, of the infinite distress, and even danger, whichyour present conduct has occasioned to your nearest relatives?'

'Danger!'

'Yes, sir, danger. When I left England your uncle and father hadbeen obliged to find bail to answer a charge of treason, to whichthey were only admitted by the exertion of the most powerfulinterest. I came down to Scotland with the sole purpose ofrescuing you from the gulf into which you have precipitatedyourself; nor can I estimate the consequences to your family ofyour having openly joined the rebellion, since the very suspicionof your intention was so perilous to them. Most deeply do I regretthat I did not meet you before this last and fatal error. '

'I am really ignorant, ' said Waverley, in a tone of reserve, 'whyColonel Talbot should have taken so much trouble on my account. '

'Mr. Waverley, ' answered Talbot, 'I am dull at apprehending irony;and therefore I shall answer your words according to their plainmeaning. I am indebted to your uncle for benefits greater thanthose which a son owes to a father. I acknowledge to him the dutyof a son; and as I know there is no manner in which I can requitehis kindness so well as by serving you, I will serve you, ifpossible, whether you will permit me or no. The personalobligation which you have this day laid me under (although, incommon estimation, as great as one human being can bestow onanother) adds nothing to my zeal on your behalf; nor can that zealbe abated by any coolness with which you may please to receiveit. '

'Your intentions may be kind, sir, ' said Waverley, drily; 'butyour language is harsh, or at least peremptory. '

'On my return to England, ' continued Colonel Talbot, 'after longabsence, I found your uncle, Sir Everard Waverley, in the custodyof a king's messenger, in consequence of the suspicion broughtupon him by your conduct. He is my oldest friend--how often shallI repeat it?--my best benefactor! he sacrificed his own views ofhappiness to mine; he never uttered a word, he never harboured athought, that benevolence itself might not have thought or spoken. I found this man in confinement, rendered harsher to him by hishabits of life, his natural dignity of feeling, and--forgive me, Mr. Waverley--by the cause through which this calamity had comeupon him. I cannot disguise from you my feelings upon thisoccasion; they were most painfully unfavorable to you. Having bymy family interest, which you probably know is not inconsiderable, succeeded in obtaining Sir Everard's release, I set out forScotland. I saw Colonel Gardiner, a man whose fate alone issufficient to render this insurrection for ever execrable. In thecourse of conversation with him I found that, from latecircumstances, from a reexamination of the persons engaged in themutiny, and from his original good opinion of your character, hewas much softened towards you; and I doubted not that, if I couldbe so fortunate as to discover you, all might yet be well. Butthis unnatural rebellion has ruined all. I have, for the firsttime in a long and active military life, seen Britons disgracethemselves by a panic flight, and that before a foe without eitherarms or discipline. And now I find the heir of my dearest friend--the son, I may say, of his' affections--sharing a triumph forwhich he ought the first to have blushed. Why should I lamentGardiner? his lot was happy compared to mine!'

There was so much dignity in Colonel Talbot's manner, such amixture of military pride and manly sorrow, and the news of SirEverard's imprisonment was told in so deep a tone of feeling, thatEdward stood mortified, abashed, and distressed in presence of theprisoner who owed to him his life not many hours before. He wasnot sorry when Fergus interrupted their conference a second time. 

'His Royal Highness commands Mr. Waverley's attendance. ' ColonelTalbot threw upon Edward a reproachful glance, which did notescape the quick eye of the Highland Chief. 'His immediateattendance, ' he repeated, with considerable emphasis. Waverleyturned again towards the Colonel. 

'We shall meet again, ' he said; 'in the meanwhile, every possibleaccommodation--'

'I desire none, ' said the Colonel; 'let me fare like the meanestof those brave men who, on this day of calamity, have preferredwounds and captivity to flight; I would almost exchange placeswith one of those who have fallen to know that my words have madea suitable impression on your mind. '

'Let Colonel Talbot be carefully secured, ' said Fergus to theHighland officer who commanded the guard over the prisoners; 'itis the Prince's particular command; he is a prisoner of the utmostimportance. '

'But let him want no accommodation suitable to his rank, ' saidWaverley. 'Consistent always with secure custody, ' reiteratedFergus. The officer signified his acquiescence in both commands, and Edward followed Fergus to the garden-gate, where Callum Beg, with three saddle-horses, awaited them. Turning his head, he sawColonel Talbot reconducted to his place of confinement by a fileof Highlanders; he lingered on the threshold of the door and madea signal with his hand towards Waverley, as if enforcing thelanguage he had held towards him. 

'Horses, ' said Fergus, as he mounted, 'are now as plenty asblackberries; every man may have them for the catching. Come, letCallum adjust your stirrups and let us to Pinkie House [Footnote:Charles Edward took up his quarters after the battle at PinkieHouse, adjoining to Musselburgh. ] as fast as these ci-devantdragoon-horses choose to carry us. '

CHAPTER L

RATHER UNIMPORTANT

'I was turned back, ' said Fergus to Edward, as they galloped fromPreston to Pinkie House, 'by a message from the Prince. But Isuppose you know the value of this most noble Colonel Talbot as aprisoner. He is held one of the best officers among the red-coats, a special friend and favourite of the Elector himself, and of thatdreadful hero, the Duke of Cumberland, who has been summoned fromhis triumphs at Fontenoy to come over and devour us poorHighlanders alive. Has he been telling you how the bells of St. James's ring? Not "turn again, Whittington, " like those of Bow, inthe days of yore?'

'Fergus!' said Waverley, with a reproachful look. 

'Nay, I cannot tell what to make of you, ' answered the Chief ofMac-Ivor, 'you are blown about with every wind of doctrine. Herehave we gained a victory unparalleled in history, and yourbehaviour is praised by every living mortal to the skies, and thePrince is eager to thank you in person, and all our beauties ofthe White Rose are pulling caps for you;--and you, the preuxchevalier of the day, are stooping on your horse's neck like abutter-woman riding to market, and looking as black as a funeral!'

'I am sorry for poer Colonel Gardiner's death; he was once verykind to me. '

'Why, then, be sorry for five minutes, and then be glad again; hischance to-day may be ours to-morrow; and what does it signify? Thenext best thing to victory is honourable death; but it is a PIS-ALLER, and one would rather a foe had it than one's self. '

'But Colonel Talbot has informed me that my father and uncle areboth imprisoned by government on my account. '

'We'll put in bail, my boy; old Andrew Ferrara [Footnote: See Note10] shall lodge his security; and I should like to see him put tojustify it in Westminster Hall!'

'Nay, they are already at liberty, upon bail of a more civicdisposition. '

'Then why is thy noble spirit cast down, Edward? Dost think thatthe Elector's ministers are such doves as to set their enemies atliberty at this critical moment if they could or durst confine andpunish them? Assure thyself that either they have no chargeagainst your relations on which they can continue theirimprisonment, or else they are afraid of our friends, the jollyCavaliers of old England. At any rate, you need not beapprehensive upon their account; and we will find some means ofconveying to them assurances of your safety. '

Edward was silenced but not satisfied with these reasons. He hadnow been more than once shocked at the small degree of sympathywhich Fergus exhibited for the feelings even of those whom heloved, if they did not correspond with his own mood at the time, and more especially if they thwarted him while earnest in afavourite pursuit. Fergus sometimes indeed observed that he hadoffended Waverley, but, always intent upon some favourite plan orproject of his own, he was never sufficiently aware of the extentor duration of his displeasure, so that the reiteration of thesepetty offences somewhat cooled the volunteer's extreme attachmentto his officer. 

The Chevalier received Waverley with his usual favour, and paidhim many compliments on his distinguished bravery. He then tookhim apart, made many inquiries concerning Colonel Talbot, and whenhe had received all the information which Edward was able to giveconcerning him and his connexions, he proceeded--'I cannot butthink, Mr. Waverley, that since this gentleman is so particularlyconnected with our worthy and excellent friend, Sir EverardWaverley, and since his lady is of the house of Blandeville, whosedevotion to the true and loyal principles of the Church of Englandis so generally known, the Colonel's own private sentiments cannotbe unfavorable to us, whatever mask he may have assumed toaccommodate himself to the times. '

'If I am to judge from the language he this day held to me, I amunder the necessity of differing widely from your Royal Highness. '

'Well, it is worth making a trial at least. I therefore entrustyou with the charge of Colonel Talbot, with power to actconcerning him as you think most advisable; and I hope you willfind means of ascertaining what are his real dispositions towardsour Royal Father's restoration. '

'I am convinced, ' said Waverley, bowing, 'that if Colonel Talbotchooses to grant his parole, it may be securely depended upon; butif he refuses it, I trust your Royal Highness will devolve on someother person than the nephew of his friend the task of laying himunder the necessary restraint. '

'I will trust him with no person but you, ' said the Prince, smiling, but peremptorily repeating his mandate; 'it is ofimportance to my service that there should appear to be a goodintelligence between you, even if you are unable to gain hisconfidence in earnest. You will therefore receive him into yourquarters, and in case he declines giving his parole, you mustapply for a proper guard. I beg you will go about this directly. We return to Edinburgh tomorrow. '

Being thus remanded to the vicinity of Preston, Waverley lost theBaron of Bradwardine's solemn act of homage. So little, however, was he at this time in love with vanity, that he had quiteforgotten the ceremony in which Fergus had laboured to engage hiscuriosity. But next day a formal 'Gazette' was circulated, containing a detailed account of the battle of Gladsmuir, as theHighlanders chose to denominate their victory. It concluded withan account of the court afterwards held by the Chevalier at PinkieHouse, which contained this among other high-flown descriptiveparagraphs:--

'Since that fatal treaty which annihilates Scotland as anindependent nation, it has not been our happiness to see herprinces receive, and her nobles discharge, those acts of feudalhomage which, founded upon the splendid actions of Scottishvalour, recall the memory of her early history, with the manly andchivalrous simplicity of the ties which united to the Crown thehomage of the warriors by whom it was repeatedly upheld anddefended. But on the evening of the 20th our memories wererefreshed with one of those ceremonies which belong to the ancientdays of Scotland's glory. After the circle was formed, CosmoComyne Bradwardine of that ilk, colonel in the service, etc. , etc. , etc. , came before the Prince, attended by Mr. D. Macwheeble, the Bailie of his ancient barony of Bradwardine (who, weunderstand, has been lately named a commissary), and, under formof instrument, claimed permission to perform to the person of hisRoyal Highness, as representing his father, the service used andwont, for which, under a charter of Robert Bruce (of which theoriginal was produced and inspected by the Masters of his RoyalHighness's Chancery for the time being), the claimant held thebarony of Bradwardine and lands of Tully-Veolan. His claim beingadmitted and registered, his Royal Highness having placed his footupon a cushion, the Baron of Bradwardine, kneeling upon his rightknee, proceeded to undo the latchet of the brogue, or low-heeledHighland shoe, which our gallant young hero wears in compliment tohis brave followers. When this was performed, his Royal Highnessdeclared the ceremony completed; and, embracing the gallantveteran, protested that nothing but compliance with an ordinanceof Robert Bruce could have induced him to receive even thesymbolical performance of a menial office from hands which hadfought so bravely to put the crown upon the head of his father. The Baron of Bradwardine then took instruments in the hands of Mr. Commissary Macwheeble, bearing that all points and circumstancesof the act of homage had been rite et solenniter acta et peracta;and a corresponding entry was made in the protocol of the LordHigh Chamberlain and in the record of Chancery. We understand thatit is in contemplation of his Royal Highness, when his Majesty'spleasure can be known, to raise Colonel Bradwardine to thepeerage, by the title of Viscount Bradwardine of Bradwardine andTully-Veolan, and that, in the meanwhile, his Royal Highness, inhis father's name and authority, has been pleased to grant him anhonourable augmentation to his paternal coat of arms, being abudget or boot-jack, disposed saltier-wise with a nakedbroadsword, to be borne in the dexter cantle of the shield; and, as an additional motto, on a scroll beneath, the words, "Draw anddraw off. "'

'Were it not for the recollection of Fergus's raillery, ' thoughtWaverley to himself, when he had perused this long and gravedocument, ' how very tolerably would all this sound, and how littleshould I have thought of connecting it with any ludicrous idea!Well, after all, everything has its fair as well as its seamyside; and truly I do not see why the Baron's boot-jack may notstand as fair in heraldry as the water-buckets, waggons, cart-wheels, plough-socks, shuttles, candlesticks, and otherordinaries, conveying ideas of anything save chivalry, whichappear in the arms of some of our most ancient gentry. '

This, however, is an episode in respect to the principal story. 

When Waverley returned to Preston and rejoined Colonel Talbot, hefound him recovered from the strong and obvious emotions withwhich a concurrence of unpleasing events had affected him. He hadregained his natural manner, which was that of an Englishgentleman and soldier, manly, open and generous, but notunsusceptible of prejudice against those of a different country, or who opposed him in political tenets. When Waverley acquaintedColonel Talbot with the Chevalier's purpose to commit him to hischarge, 'I did not think to have owed so much obligation to thatyoung gentleman, ' he said, 'as is implied in this destination. Ican at least cheerfully join in the prayer of the honestPresbyterian clergyman, that, as he has come among us seeking anearthly crown, his labours may be speedily rewarded with aheavenly one. [Footnote: The clergyman's name was Mac-Vicar. Protected by the cannon of the Castle, he preached every Sunday inthe West Kirk while the Highlanders were in possession ofEdinburgh, and it was in presence of some of the Jacobites that heprayed for Prince Charles Edward in the terms quoted in the text. ]I shall willingly give my parole not to attempt an escape withoutyour knowledge, since, in fact, it was to meet you that I came toScotland; and I am glad it has happened even under thispredicament. But I suppose we shall be but a short time together. Your Chevalier (that is a name we may both give to him), with hisplaids and blue caps, will, I presume, be continuing his crusadesouthward?'

'Not as I hear; I believe the army makes some stay in Edinburgh tocollect reinforcements. '

'And to besiege the Castle?' said Talbot, smiling sarcastically. 'Well, unless my old commander, General Preston, turn false metal, or the Castle sink into the North Loch, events which I deemequally probable, I think we shall have some time to make up ouracquaintance. I have a guess that this gallant Chevalier has adesign that I should be your proselyte; and, as I wish you to bemine, there cannot be a more fair proposal than to afford us fairconference together. But, as I spoke today under the influence offeelings I rarely give way to, I hope you will excuse my enteringagain upon controversy till we are somewhat better acquainted. '

CHAPTER LI

INTRIGUES OF LOVE AND POLITICS

It is not necessary to record in these pages the triumphantentrance of the Chevalier into Edinburgh after the decisive affairat Preston. One circumstance, however, may be noticed, because itillustrates the high spirit of Flora Mac-Ivor. The Highlanders bywhom the Prince was surrounded, in the license and extravagance ofthis joyful moment, fired their pieces repeatedly, and one ofthese having been accidentally loaded with ball, the bullet grazedthe young lady's temple as she waved her handkerchief from abalcony. [Footnote: See Note II. ] Fergus, who beheld the accident, was at her side in an instant; and, on seeing that the wound wastrifling, he drew his broadsword with the purpose of rushing downupon the man by whose carelessness she had incurred so muchdanger, when, holding him by the plaid, 'Do not harm the poorfellow, ' she cried; 'for Heaven's sake, do not harm him! but thankGod with me that the accident happened to Flora Mac-Ivor; for hadit befallen a Whig, they would have pretended that the shot wasfired on purpose. '

Waverley escaped the alarm which this accident would haveoccasioned to him, as he was unavoidably delayed by the necessityof accompanying Colonel Talbot to Edinburgh. 

They performed the journey together on horseback, and for sometime, as if to sound each other's feelings and sentiments, theyconversed upon general and ordinary topics. 

When Waverley again entered upon the subject which he had most atheart, the situation, namely, of his father and his uncle, ColonelTalbot seemed now rather desirous to alleviate than to aggravatehis anxiety. This appeared particularly to be the case when heheard Waverley's history, which he did not scruple to confide tohim. 

'And so, ' said the Colonel, 'there has been no malice prepense, aslawyers, I think, term it, in this rash step of yours; and youhave been trepanned into the service of this Italian knight-errantby a few civil speeches from him and one or two of his Highlandrecruiting sergeants? It is sadly foolish, to be sure, but notnearly so bad as I was led to expect. However, you cannot desert, even from the Pretender, at the present moment; that seemsimpossible. But I have little doubt that, in the dissensionsincident to this heterogeneous mass of wild and desperate men, some opportunity may arise, by availing yourself of which you mayextricate yourself honourably from your rash engagement before thebubble burst. If this can be managed, I would have you go to aplace of safety in Flanders which I shall point out. And I think Ican secure your pardon from government after a few months'residence abroad. '

'I cannot permit you, Colonel Talbot, ' answered Waverley, 'tospeak of any plan which turns on my deserting an enterprise inwhich I may have engaged hastily, but certainly voluntarily, andwith the purpose of abiding the issue. '

'Well, ' said Colonel Talbot, smiling, 'leave me my thoughts andhopes at least at liberty, if not my speech. But have you neverexamined your mysterious packet?'

'It is in my baggage, ' replied Edward; 'we shall find it inEdinburgh. '

In Edinburgh they soon arrived. Waverley's quarters had beenassigned to him, by the Prince's express orders, in a handsomelodging, where there was accommodation for Colonel Talbot. Hisfirst business was to examine his portmanteau, and, after a veryshort search, out tumbled the expected packet. Waverley opened iteagerly. Under a blank cover, simply addressed to E. Waverley, Esq. , he found a number of open letters. The uppermost were twofrom Colonel Gardiner addressed to himself. The earliest in datewas a kind and gentle remonstrance for neglect of the writer'sadvice respecting the disposal of his time during his leave ofabsence, the renewal of which, he reminded Captain Waverley, wouldspeedily expire. 'Indeed, ' the letter proceeded, 'had it beenotherwise, the news from abroad and my instructions from the WarOffice must have compelled me to recall it, as there is greatdanger, since the disaster in Flanders, both of foreign invasionand insurrection among the disaffected at home. I thereforeentreat you will repair as soon as possible to the headquarters ofthe regiment; and I am concerned to add that this is still themore necessary as there is some discontent in your troop, and Ipostpone inquiry into particulars until I can have the advantageof your assistance. '

The second letter, dated eight days later, was in such a style asmight have been expected from the Colonel's receiving no answer tothe first. It reminded Waverley of his duty as a man of honour, anofficer, and a Briton; took notice of the increasingdissatisfaction of his men, and that some of them had been heardto hint that their Captain encouraged and approved of theirmutinous behaviour; and, finally, the writer expressed the utmostregret and surprise that he had not obeyed his commands byrepairing to headquarters, reminded him that his leave of absencehad been recalled, and conjured him, in a style in which paternalremonstrance was mingled with military authority, to redeem hiserror by immediately joining his regiment. 'That I may becertain, ' concluded the letter, 'that this actually reaches you, Idespatch it by Corporal Tims of your troop, with orders to deliverit into your own hand. '

Upon reading these letters Waverley, with great bitterness offeeling, was compelled to make the amende honorable to the memoryof the brave and excellent writer; for surely, as Colonel Gardinermust have had every reason to conclude they had come safely tohand, less could not follow, on their being neglected, than thatthird and final summons, which Waverley actually received atGlennaquoich, though too late to obey it. And his beingsuperseded, in consequence of his apparent neglect of this lastcommand, was so far from being a harsh or severe proceeding, thatit was plainly inevitable. The next letter he unfolded was fromthe major of the regiment, acquainting him that a report to thedisadvantage of his reputation was public in the country, stating, that one Mr. Falconer of Ballihopple, or some such name, hadproposed in his presence a treasonable toast, which he permittedto pass in silence, although it was so gross an affront to theroyal family that a gentleman in company, not remarkable for hiszeal for government, had never theless taken the matter up, andthat, supposing the account true, Captain Waverley had thussuffered another, comparatively unconcerned, to resent an affrontdirected against him personally as an officer, and to go out withthe person by whom it was offered. The major concluded that no oneof Captain Waverley's brother officers could believe thisscandalous story, but that it was necessarily their joint opinionthat his own honour, equally with that of the regiment, dependedupon its being instantly contradicted by his authority, etc. Etc. Etc. 

'What do you think of all this?' said Colonel Talbot, to whomWaverley handed the letters after he had perused them. 

'Think! it renders thought impossible. It is enough to drive memad. '

'Be calm, my young friend; let us see what are these dirty scrawlsthat follow. '

The first was addressed, --

'For Master W. Ruffin, These. '--

'Dear sur, sum of our yong gulpins will not bite, thof I tuoldthem you shoed me the squoire's own seel. But Tims will deliveryou the lettrs as desired, and tell ould Addem he gave them tosquoir's bond, as to be sure yours is the same, and shall be readyfor signal, and hoy for Hoy Church and Sachefrel, as fadur singsat harvestwhome. Yours, deer Sur, 'H. H. 

'Poscriff. --Do'e tell squoire we longs to heer from him, and hasdootings about his not writing himself, and Lifetenant Bottler issmoky. '

'This Ruffin, I suppose, then, is your Donald of the Cavern, whohas intercepted your letters, and carried on a correspondence withthe poor devil Houghton, as if under your authority?'

'It seems too true. But who can Addem be?'

'Possibly Adam, for poor Gardiner, a sort of pun on his name. '

The other letters were to the same purpose; and they soon receivedyet more complete light upon Donald Bean's machinations. 

John Hodges, one of Waverley's servants, who had remained with theregiment and had been taken at Preston, now made his appearance. He had sought out his master with the purpose of again enteringhis service. From this fellow they learned that some time afterWaverley had gone from the headquarters of the regiment, a pedlar, called Ruthven, Rufnn, or Rivane, known among the soldiers by thename of Wily Will, had made frequent visits to the town of Dundee. He appeared to possess plenty of money, sold his commodities verycheap, seemed always willing to treat his friends at the ale-house, and easily ingratiated himself with many of Waverley'stroop, particularly Sergeant Houghton and one Tims, also a non-commissioned officer. To these he unfolded, in Waverley's name, aplan for leaving the regiment and joining him in the Highlands, where report said the clans had already taken arms in greatnumbers. The men, who had been educated as Jacobites, so far asthey had any opinion at all, and who knew their landlord, SirEverard, had always been supposed to hold such tenets, easily fellinto the snare. That Waverley was at a distance in the Highlandswas received as a sufficient excuse for transmitting his lettersthrough the medium of the pedlar; and the sight of his well-knownseal seemed to authenticate the negotiations in his name, wherewriting might have been dangerous. The cabal, however, began totake air, from the premature mutinous language of those concerned. Wily Will justified his appellative; for, after suspicion arose, he was seen no more. When the 'Gazette' appeared in which Waverleywas superseded, great part of his troop broke out into actualmutiny, but were surrounded and disarmed by the rest of theregiment In consequence of the sentence of a court-martial, Houghton and Tims were condemned to be shot, but afterwardspermitted to cast lots for life. Houghton, the survivor, showedmuch penitence, being convinced, from the rebukes and explanationsof Colonel Gardiner, that he had really engaged in a very heinouscrime. It is remarkable that, as soon as the poor fellow wassatisfied of this, he became also convinced that the instigatorhad acted without authority from Edward, saying, 'If it wasdishonourable and against Old England, the squire could knownought about it; he never did, or thought to do, anythingdishonourable, no more didn't Sir Everard, nor none of them aforehim, and in that belief he would live and die that Ruffin had doneit all of his own head. '

The strength of conviction with which he expressed himself uponthis subject, as well as his assurances that the letters intendedfor Waverley had been delivered to Ruthven, made that revolutionin Colonel Gardiner's opinion which he expressed to Talbot. 

The reader has long since understood that Donald Bean Lean playedthe part of tempter on this occasion. His motives were shortlythese. Of an active and intriguing spirit, he had been longemployed as a subaltern agent and spy by those in the confidenceof the Chevalier, to an extent beyond what was suspected even byFergus Mac-Ivor, whom, though obliged to him for protection, heregarded with fear and dislike. To success in this politicaldepartment he naturally looked for raising himself by some boldstroke above his present hazardous and precarious trade of rapine. He was particularly employed in learning the strength of theregiments in Scotland, the character of the officers, etc. , andhad long had his eye upon Waverley's troop as open to temptation. Donald even believed that Waverley himself was at bottom in theStuart interest, which seemed confirmed by his long visit to theJacobite Baron of Bradwardine. When, therefore, he came to hiscave with one of Glennaquoich's attendants, the robber, who couldnever appreciate his real motive, which was mere curiosity, was sosanguine as to hope that his own talents were to be employed insome intrigue of consequence, under the auspices of this wealthyyoung Englishman. Nor was he undeceived by Waverley's neglectingall hints and openings afforded for explanation. His conductpassed for prudent reserve, and somewhat piqued Donald Bean, who, supposing himself left out of a secret where confidence promisedto be advantageous, determined to have his share in the drama, whether a regular part were assigned him or not. For this purposeduring Waverley's sleep he possessed himself of his seal, as atoken to be used to any of the troopers whom he might discover tobe possessed of the captain's confidence. His first journey toDundee, the town where the regiment was quartered, undeceived himin his original supposition, but opened to him a new field ofaction. He knew there would be no service so well rewarded by thefriends of the Chevalier as seducing a part of the regular army tohis standard. For this purpose he opened the machinations withwhich the reader is already acquainted, and which form a clue toall the intricacies and obscurities of the narrative previous toWaverley's leaving Glennaquoich. 

By Colonel Talbot's advice, Waverley declined detaining in hisservice the lad whose evidence had thrown additional light onthese intrigues. He represented to him, that it would be doing theman an injury to engage him in a desperate undertaking, and that, whatever should happen, his evidence would go some length at leastin explaining the circumstances under which Waverley himself hadembarked in it. Waverley therefore wrote a short state of what hadhappened to his uncle and his father, cautioning them, however, inthe present circumstances, not to attempt to answer his letter. Talbot then gave the young man a letter to the commander of one ofthe English vessels of war cruising in the frith, requesting himto put the bearer ashore at Berwick, with a pass to proceed to----shire. He was then furnished with money to make an expeditiousjourney, and directed to get on board the ship by means of bribinga fishing-boat, which, as they afterwards learned, he easilyeffected. 

Tired of the attendance of Callum Beg, who, he thought, had somedisposition to act as a spy on his motions, Waverley hired as aservant a simple Edinburgh swain, who had mounted the whitecockade in a fit of spleen and jealousy, because Jenny Jop haddanced a whole night with Corporal Bullock of the Fusileers. 

CHAPTER LII

INTRIGUES OF SOCIETY AND LOVE

Colonel Talbot became more kindly in his demeanour towardsWaverley after the confidence he had reposed in him, and, as theywere necessarily much together, the character of the Colonel rosein Waverley's estimation. There seemed at first something harsh inhis strong expressions of dislike and censure, although no one wasin the general case more open to conviction. The habit ofauthority had also given his manners some peremptory hardness, notwithstanding the polish which they had received from hisintimate acquaintance with the higher circles. As a specimen ofthe military character, he differed from all whom Waverley had asyet seen. The soldiership of the Baron of Bradwardine was markedby pedantry; that of Major Melville by a sort of martinetattention to the minutiae and technicalities of discipline, rathersuitable to one who was to manoeuvre a battalion than to him whowas to command an army; the military spirit of Fergus was so muchwarped and blended with his plans and political views, that it wasless that of a soldier than of a petty sovereign. But ColonelTalbot was in every point the English soldier. His whole soul wasdevoted to the service of his king and country, without feelingany pride in knowing the theory of his art with the Baron, or itspractical minutiae with the Major, or in applying his science tohis own particular plans of ambition, like the Chieftain ofGlennaquoich. Added to this, he was a man of extended knowledgeand cultivated taste, although strongly tinged, as we have alreadyobserved, with those prejudices which are peculiarly English. 

The character of Colonel Talbot dawned upon Edward by degrees; forthe delay of the Highlanders in the fruitless siege of EdinburghCastle occupied several weeks, during which Waverley had little todo excepting to seek such amusement as society afforded. He wouldwillingly have persuaded his new friend to become acquainted withsome of his former intimates. But the Colonel, after one or twovisits, shook his head, and declined farther experiment. Indeed hewent farther, and characterised the Baron as the most intolerableformal pedant he had ever had the misfortune to meet with, and theChief of Glennaquoich as a Frenchified Scotchman, possessing allthe cunning and plausibility of the nation where he was educated, with the proud, vindictive, and turbulent humour of that of hisbirth. 'If the devil, ' he said, 'had sought out an agent expresslyfor the purpose of embroiling this miserable country, I do notthink he could find a better than such a fellow as this, whosetemper seems equally active, supple, and mischievous, and who isfollowed, and implicitly obeyed, by a gang of such cut-throats asthose whom you are pleased to admire so much. '

The ladies of the party did not escape his censure. He allowedthat Flora Mac-Ivor was a fine woman, and Rose Bradwardine apretty girl. But he alleged that the former destroyed the effectof her beauty by an affectation of the grand airs which she hadprobably seen practised in the mock court of St. Germains. As forRose Bradwardine, he said it was impossible for any mortal toadmire such a little uninformed thing, whose small portion ofeducation was as ill adapted to her sex or youth as if she hadappeared with one of her father's old campaign-coats upon herperson for her sole garment. Now much of this was mere spleen andprejudice in the excellent Colonel, with whom the white cockade onthe breast, the white rose in the hair, and the Mac at thebeginning of a name would have made a devil out of an angel; andindeed he himself jocularly allowed that he could not have enduredVenus herself if she had been announced in a drawing-room by thename of Miss Mac-Jupiter. 

Waverley, it may easily be believed, looked upon these youngladies with very different eyes. During the period of the siege hepaid them almost daily visits, although he observed with regretthat his suit made as little progress in the affections of theformer as the arms of the Chevalier in subduing the fortress. Shemaintained with rigour the rule she had laid down of treating himwith indifference, without either affecting to avoid him or toshun intercourse with him. Every word, every look, was strictlyregulated to accord with her system, and neither the dejection ofWaverley nor the anger which Fergus scarcely suppressed couldextend Flora's attention to Edward beyond that which the mostordinary politeness demanded. On the other hand, Rose Bradwardinegradually rose in Waverley's opinion. He had several opportunitiesof remarking that, as her extreme timidity wore off, her mannersassumed a higher character; that the agitating circumstances ofthe stormy time seemed to call forth a certain dignity of feelingand expression which he had not formerly observed; and that sheomitted no opportunity within her reach to extend her knowledgeand refine her taste. 

Flora Mac-Ivor called Rose her pupil, and was attentive to assisther in her studies, and to fashion both her taste andunderstanding. It might have been remarked by a very closeobserver that in the presence of Waverley she was much moredesirous to exhibit her friend's excellences than her own. But Imust request of the reader to suppose that this kind anddisinterested purpose was concealed by the most cautious delicacy, studiously shunning the most distant approach to affectation. Sothat it was as unlike the usual exhibition of one pretty womanaffecting to proner another as the friendship of David andJonathan might be to the intimacy of two Bond Street loungers. Thefact is that, though the effect was felt, the cause could hardlybe observed. Each of the ladies, like two excellent actresses, were perfect in their parts, and performed them to the delight ofthe audience; and such being the case, it was almost impossible todiscover that the elder constantly ceded to her friend that whichwas most suitable to her talents. 

But to Waverley Rose Bradwardine possessed an attraction which fewmen can resist, from the marked interest which she took ineverything that affected him. She was too young and tooinexperienced to estimate the full force of the constant attentionwhich she paid to him. Her father was too abstractedly immersed inlearned and military discussions to observe her partiality, andFlora Mac-Ivor did not alarm her by remonstrance, because she sawin this line of conduct the most probable chance of her friendsecuring at length a return of affection. 

The truth is, that in her first conversation after their meetingRose had discovered the state of her mind to that acute andintelligent friend, although she was not herself aware of it. Fromthat time Flora was not only determined upon the final rejectionof Waverley's addresses, but became anxious that they should, ifpossible, be transferred to her friend. Nor was she lessinterested in this plan, though her brother had from time to timetalked, as between jest and earnest, of paying his suit to MissBradwardine. She knew that Fergus had the true continentallatitude of opinion respecting the institution of marriage, andwould not have given his hand to an angel unless for the purposeof strengthening his alliances and increasing his influence andwealth. The Baron's whim of transferring his estate to the distantheir-male, instead of his own daughter, was therefore likely to bean insurmountable obstacle to his entertaining any seriousthoughts of Rose Bradwardine. Indeed, Fergus's brain was aperpetual workshop of scheme and intrigue, of every possible kindand description; while, like many a mechanic of more ingenuitythan steadiness, he would often unexpectedly, and without anyapparent motive, abandon one plan and go earnestly to work uponanother, which was either fresh from the forge of his imaginationor had at some former period been flung aside half finished. Itwas therefore often difficult to guess what line of conduct hemight finally adopt upon any given occasion. 

Although Flora was sincerely attached to her brother, whose highenergies might indeed have commanded her admiration even withoutthe ties which bound them together, she was by no means blind tohis faults, which she considered as dangerous to the hopes of anywoman who should found her ideas of a happy marriage in thepeaceful enjoyment of domestic society and the exchange of mutualand engrossing affection. The real disposition of Waverley, on theother hand, notwithstanding his dreams of tented fields andmilitary honour, seemed exclusively domestic. He asked andreceived no share in the busy scenes which were constantly goingon around him, and was rather annoyed than interested by thediscussion of contending claims, rights, and interests which oftenpassed in his presence. All this pointed him out as the personformed to make happy a spirit like that of Rose, whichcorresponded with his own. 

She remarked this point in Waverley's character one day while shesat with Miss Bradwardine. 'His genius and elegant taste, 'answered Rose, 'cannot be interested in such trifling discussions. What is it to him, for example, whether the Chief of theMacindallaghers, who has brought out only fifty men, should be acolonel or a captain? and how could Mr. Waverley be supposed tointerest himself in the violent altercation between your brotherand young Corrinaschian whether the post of honour is due to theeldest cadet of a clan or the youngest?'

'My dear Rose, if he were the hero you suppose him he wouldinterest himself in these matters, not indeed as important inthemselves, but for the purpose of mediating between the ardentspirits who actually do make them the subject of discord. You sawwhen Corrinaschian raised his voice in great passion, and laid hishand upon his sword, Waverley lifted his head as if he had justawaked from a dream, and asked with great composure what thematter was. '

'Well, and did not the laughter they fell into at his absence ofmind serve better to break off the dispute than anything he couldhave said to them?'

'True, my dear, ' answered Flora; 'but not quite so creditably forWaverley as if he had brought them to their senses by force ofreason. '

'Would you have him peacemaker general between all the gunpowderHighlanders in the army? I beg your pardon, Flora, your brother, you know, is out of the question; he has more sense than half ofthem. But can you think the fierce, hot, furious spirits of whosebrawls we see much and hear more, and who terrify me out of mylife every day in the world, are at all to be compared toWaverley?'

'I do not compare him with those uneducated men, my dear Rose. Ionly lament that, with his talents and genius, he does not assumethat place in society for which they eminently fit him, and thathe does not lend their full impulse to the noble cause in which hehas enlisted. Are there not Lochiel, and P--, and M--, and G--, all men of the highest education as well as the first talents, --why will he not stoop like them to be alive and useful? I oftenbelieve his zeal is frozen by that proud cold-blooded Englishmanwhom he now lives with so much. '

'Colonel Talbot? he is a very disagreeable person, to be sure. Helooks as if he thought no Scottish woman worth the trouble ofhanding her a cup of tea. But Waverley is so gentle, so wellinformed--'

'Yes, ' said Flora, smiling, 'he can admire the moon and quote astanza from Tasso. '

'Besides, you know how he fought, ' added Miss Bradwardine. 

'For mere fighting, ' answered Flora, ' I believe all men (that is, who deserve the name) are pretty much alike; there is generallymore courage required to run away. They have besides, whenconfronted with each other, a certain instinct for strife, as wesee in other male animals, such as dogs, bulls, and so forth. Buthigh and perilous enterprise is not Waverley's forte. He wouldnever have been his celebrated ancestor Sir Nigel, but only SirNigel's eulogist and poet. I will tell you where he will be athome, my dear, and in his place--in the quiet circle of domestichappiness, lettered indolence, and elegant enjoyments of Waverley-Honour. And he will refit the old library in the most exquisiteGothic taste, and garnish its shelves with the rarest and mostvaluable volumes; and he will draw plans and landscapes, and writeverses, and rear temples, and dig grottoes; and he will stand in aclear summer night in the colonnade before the hall, and gaze onthe deer as they stray in the moonlight, or lie shadowed by theboughs of the huge old fantastic oaks; and he will repeat versesto his beautiful wife, who will hang upon his arm;--and he will bea happy man. '

And she will be a happy woman, thought poor Rose. But she onlysighed and dropped the conversation. 

CHAPTER LIII

FERGUS A SUITOR

Waverley had, indeed, as he looked closer into the state of theChevalier's court, less reason to be satisfied with it. Itcontained, as they say an acorn includes all the ramifications ofthe future oak, as many seeds of tracasserie and intrigue as mighthave done honour to the court of a large empire. Every person ofconsequence had some separate object, which he pursued with a furythat Waverley considered as altogether disproportioned to itsimportance. Almost all had their reasons for discontent, althoughthe most legitimate was that of the worthy old Baron, who was onlydistressed on account of the common cause. 

'We shall hardly, ' said he one morning to Waverley when they hadbeen viewing the Castle--'we shall hardly gain the obsidionalcrown, which you wot well was made of the roots or grain whichtakes root within the place besieged, or it may be of the herbwoodbind, parietaria, or pellitory; we shall not, I say, gain itby this same blockade or leaguer of Edinburgh Castle. ' For thisopinion he gave most learned and satisfactory reasons, that thereader may not care to hear repeated. 

Having escaped from the old gentleman, Waverley went to Fergus'slodgings by appointment, to await his return from Holyrood House. 'I am to have a particular audience to-morrow, ' said Fergus toWaverley overnight, 'and you must meet me to wish me joy of thesuccess which I securely anticipate. '

The morrow came, and in the Chief's apartment he found EnsignMaccombich waiting to make report of his turn of duty in a sort ofditch which they had dug across the Castle-hill and called atrench. In a short time the Chief's voice was heard on the stairin a tone of impatient fury: 'Callum! why, Callum Beg! Diaoul!' Heentered the room with all the marks of a man agitated by atowering passion; and there were few upon whose features rageproduced a more violent effect. The veins of his forehead swelledwhen he was in such agitation; his nostril became dilated; hischeek and eye inflamed; and hislook that of a demoniac. Theseappearances of half-suppressed rage were the more frightfulbecause they were obviously caused by a strong effort to temperwith discretion an almost ungovernable paroxysm of passion, andresulted from an internal conflict of the most dreadful kind, which agitated his whole frame of mortality. 

As he entered the apartment he unbuckled his broadsword, andthrowing it down with such violence that the weapon rolled to theother end of the room, 'I know not what, ' he exclaimed, 'withholdsme from taking a solemn oath that I will never more draw it in hiscause. Load my pistols, Callum, and bring them hither instantly--instantly!' Callum, whom nothing ever startled, dismayed, ordisconcerted, obeyed very coolly. Evan Dhu, upon whose brow thesuspicion that his Chief had been insulted called up acorresponding storm, swelled in sullen silence, awaiting to learnwhere or upon whom vengeance was to descend. 

'So, Waverley, you are there, ' said the Chief, after a moment'srecollection. 'Yes, I remember I asked you to share my triumph, and you have come to witness my disappointment we shall call it. 'Evan now presented the written report he had in his hand, whichFergus threw from him with great passion. 'I wish to God, ' hesaid, 'the old den would tumble down upon the heads of the foolswho attack and the knaves who defend it! I see, Waverley, youthink I am mad. Leave us, Evan, but be within call. '

'The Colonel's in an unco kippage, ' said Mrs. Flockhart to Evan ashe descended; 'I wish he may be weel, --the very veins on his brentbrow are swelled like whipcord; wad he no tak something?'

'He usually lets blood for these fits, ' answered the Highlandancient with great composure. 

When this officer left the room, the Chieftain gradually reassumedsome degree of composure. 'I know, Waverley, ' he said, 'thatColonel Talbot has persuaded you to curse ten times a day yourengagement with us; nay, never deny it, for I am at this momenttempted to curse my own. Would you believe it, I made this verymorning two suits to the Prince, and he has rejected them both;what do you think of it?'

'What can I think, ' answered Waverley, 'till I know what yourrequests were?' 'Why, what signifies what they were, man? I tellyou it was I that made them--I to whom he owes more than to anythree who have joined the standard; for I negotiated the wholebusiness, and brought in all the Perthshire men when not one wouldhave stirred. I am not likely, I think, to ask anything veryunreasonable, and if I did, they might have stretched a point. Well, but you shall know all, now that I can draw my breath againwith some freedom. You remember my earl's patent; it is dated someyears back, for services then rendered; and certainly my merit hasnot been diminished, to say the least, by my subsequent behaviour. Now, sir, I value this bauble of a coronet as little as you can, or any philosopher on earth; for I hold that the chief of such aclan as the Sliochd nan Ivor is superior in rank to any earl inScotland. But I had a particular reason for assuming this cursedtitle at this time. You must know that I learned accidentally thatthe Prince has been pressing that old foolish Baron of Bradwardineto disinherit his male heir, or nineteenth or twentieth cousin, who has taken a command in the Elector of Hanover's militia, andto settle his estate upon your pretty little friend Rose; andthis, as being the command of his king and overlord, who may alterthe destination of a fief at pleasure, the old gentleman seemswell reconciled to. '

'And what becomes of the homage?'

'Curse the homage! I believe Rose is to pull off the queen'sslipper on her coronation-day, or some such trash. Well, sir, asRose Bradwardine would always have made a suitable match for mebut for this idiotical predilection of her father for the heir-male, it occurred to me there now remained no obstacle unless thatthe Baron might expect his daughter's husband to take the name ofBradwardine (which you know would be impossible in my case), andthat this might be evaded by my assuming the title to which I hadso good a right, and which, of course, would supersede thatdifficulty. If she was to be also Viscountess Bradwardine in herown right after her father's demise, so much the better; I couldhave no objection. '

'But, Fergus, ' said Waverley, 'I had no idea that you had anyaffection for Miss Bradwardine, and you are always sneering at herfather. '

'I have as much affection for Miss Bradwardine, my good friend, asI think it necessary to have for the future mistress of my familyand the mother of my children. She is a very pretty, intelligentgirl, and is certainly of one of the very first Lowland families;and, with a little of Flora's instructions and forming, will makea very good figure. As to her father, he is an original, it istrue, and an absurd one enough; but he has given such severelessons to Sir Hew Halbert, that dear defunct the Laird ofBalmawhapple, and others, that nobody dare laugh at him, so hisabsurdity goes for nothing. I tell you there could have been noearthly objection--none. I had settled the thing entirely in myown mind. '

'But had you asked the Baron's consent, ' said Waverley, 'orRose's?'

'To what purpose? To have spoke to the Baron before I had assumedmy title would have only provoked a premature and irritatingdiscussion on the subject of the change of name, when, as Earl ofGlennaquoich, I had only to propose to him to carry his d--d bearand bootjack party per pale, or in a scutcheon of pretence, or ina separate shield perhaps--any way that would not blemish my owncoat of arms. And as to Rose, I don't see what objection she couldhave made if her father was satisfied. '

'Perhaps the same that your sister makes to me, you beingsatisfied. '

Fergus gave a broad stare at the comparison which this suppositionimplied, but cautiously suppressed the answer which rose to histongue. 'O, we should easily have arranged all that. So, sir, Icraved a private interview, and this morning was assigned; and Iasked you to meet me here, thinking, like a fool, that I shouldwant your countenance as bride's-man. Well, I state my pretension--they are not denied; the promises so repeatedly made and thepatent granted--they are acknowledged. But I propose, as a naturalconsequence, to assume the rank which the patent bestowed. I havethe old story of the jealousy of C----and M----trumped upagainst me. I resist this pretext, and offer to procure theirwritten acquiescence, in virtue of the date of my patent as priorto their silly claims; I assure you I would have had such aconsent from them, if it had been at the point of the sword. Andthen out comes the real truth; and he dares to tell me to my facethat my patent must be suppressed for the present, for fear ofdisgusting that rascally coward and faineant (naming the rivalchief of his own clan), who has no better title to be a chieftainthan I to be Emperor of China, and who is pleased to shelter hisdastardly reluctance to come out, agreeable to his promise twentytimes pledged, under a pretended jealousy of the Prince'spartiality to me. And, to leave this miserable driveller without apretence for his cowardice, the Prince asks it as a personalfavour of me, forsooth, not to press my just and reasonablerequest at this moment. After this, put your faith in princes!'

'And did your audience end here?'

'End? O no! I was determined to leave him no pretence for hisingratitude, and I therefore stated, with all the composure Icould muster, --for I promise you I trembled with passion, --theparticular reasons I had for wishing that his Royal Highness wouldimpose upon me any other mode of exhibiting my duty and devotion, as my views in life made what at any other time would have been amere trifle at this crisis a severe sacrifice; and then Iexplained to him my full plan. '

'And what did the Prince answer?'

'Answer? why--it is well it is written, "Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought!"--why, he answered that truly he was glad Ihad made him my confidant, to prevent more grievousdisappointment, for he could assure me, upon the word of a prince, that Miss Bradwardine's affections were engaged, and he was undera particular promise to favour them. "So, my dear Fergus, " saidhe, with his most gracious cast of smile, "as the marriage isutterly out of question, there need be no hurry, you know, aboutthe earldom. " And so he glided off and left me plante la. '

'And what did you do?'

'I'll tell you what I COULD have done at that moment--sold myselfto the devil or the Elector, whichever offered the dearestrevenge. However, I am now cool. I know he intends to marry her tosome of his rascally Frenchmen or his Irish officers, but I willwatch them close; and let the man that would supplant me look wellto himself. Bisogna coprirsi, Signor. '

After some further conversation, unnecessary to be detailed, Waverley took leave of the Chieftain, whose fury had now subsidedinto a deep and strong desire of vengeance, and returned home, scarce able to analyse the mixture of feelings which the narrativehad awakened in his own bosom. 

CHAPTER LIV

'TO ONE THING CONSTANT NEVER'

'I am the very child of caprice, 'said Waverley to himself, as hebolted the door of his apartment and paced it with hasty steps. 'What is it to me that Fergus Mac-Ivor should wish to marry RoseBradwardine? I love her not; I might have been loved by herperhaps; but rejected her simple, natural, and affectingattachment, instead of cherishing it into tenderness, anddedicated myself to one who will never love mortal man, unless oldWarwick, the King-maker, should arise from the dead The Baron too--I would not have cared about his estate, and so the name wouldhave been no stumbling-block. The devil might have taken thebarren moors and drawn off the royal caligae for anything I wouldhave minded. But, framed as she is for domestic affection andtenderness, for giving and receiving all those kind and quietattentions which sweeten life to those who pass it together, sheis sought by Fergus Mac-Ivor. He will not use her ill, to be sure;of that he is incapable. But he will neglect her after the firstmonth; he will be too intent on subduing some rival chieftain orcircumventing some favourite at court, on gaining some heathy hilland lake or adding to his bands some new troop of caterans, toinquire what she does, or how she amuses herself. 

 And then will canker sorrow eat her bud, And chase the native beauty from her cheek; And she will look as hollow as a ghost, And dim and meagre as an ague fit, And so she'll die. 

And such a catastrophe of the most gentle creature on earth mighthave been prevented if Mr. Edward Waverley had had his eyes! Uponmy word, I cannot understand how I thought Flora so much, that is, so very much, handsomer than Rose. She is taller indeed, and hermanner more formed; but many people think Miss Bradwardine's morenatural; and she is certainly much younger. I should think Florais two years older than I am. I will look at them particularlythis evening. '

And with this resolution Waverley went to drink tea (as thefashion was Sixty Years Since) at the house of a lady of qualityattached to the cause of the Chevalier, where he found, as heexpected, both the ladies. All rose as he entered, but Floraimmediately resumed her place and the conversation in which shewas engaged. Rose, on the contrary, almost imperceptibly made alittle way in the crowded circle for his advancing the corner of achair. 'Her manner, upon the whole, is most engaging, ' saidWaverley to himself. 

A dispute occurred whether the Gaelic or Italian language was mostliquid, and best adapted for poetry; the opinion for the Gaelic, which probably might not have found supporters elsewhere, was herefiercely defended by seven Highland ladies, who talked at the topof their lungs, and screamed the company deaf with examples ofCeltic euphonia. Flora, observing the Lowland ladies sneer at thecomparison, produced some reasons to show that it was notaltogether so absurd; but Rose, when asked for her opinion, gaveit with animation in praise of Italian, which she had studied withWaverley's assistance. "She has a more correct ear than Flora, though a less accomplished musician, " said Waverley to himself. 'Isuppose Miss Mac-Ivor will next compare Mac-Murrough nan Fonn toAriosto!'

Lastly, it so befell that the company differed whether Fergusshould be asked to perform on the flute, at which he was an adept, or Waverley invited to read a play of Shakspeare; and the lady ofthe house good-humouredly undertook to collect the votes of thecompany for poetry or music, under the condition that thegentleman whose talents were not laid under contribution thatevening should contribute them to enliven the next. It chancedthat Rose had the casting vote. Now Flora, who seemed to impose itas a rule upon herself never to countenance any proposal whichmight seem to encourage Waverley, had voted for music, providingthe Baron would take his violin to accompany Fergus. 'I wish youjoy of your taste, Miss Mac-Ivor, ' thought Edward, as they soughtfor his book. 'I thought it better when we were at Glennaquoich;but certainly the Baron is no great performer, and Shakspeare isworth listening to. '

'Romeo and Juliet' was selected, and Edward read with taste, feeling, and spirit several scenes from that play. All the companyapplauded with their hands, and many with their tears. Flora, towhom the drama was well known, was among the former; Rose, to whomit was altogether new, belonged to the latter class of admirers. 'She has more feeling too, ' said Waverley, internally. 

The conversation turning upon the incidents of the play and uponthe characters, Fergus declared that the only one worth naming, asa man of fashion and spirit, was Mercutio. 'I could not, ' he said, 'quite follow all his old-fashioned wit, but he must have been avery pretty fellow, according to the ideas of his time. '

'And it was a shame, ' said Ensign Maccombich, who usually followedhis Colonel everywhere, 'for that Tibbert, or Taggart, or whateverwas his name, to stick him under the other gentleman's arm whilehe was redding the fray. '

The ladies, of course, declared loudly in favour of Romeo, butthis opinion did not go undisputed. The mistress of the house andseveral other ladies severely reprobated the levity with which thehero transfers his affections from Rosalind to Juliet. Floraremained silent until her opinion was repeatedly requested, andthen answered, she thought the circumstance objected to not onlyreconcilable to nature, but such as in the highest degree evincedthe art of the poet. 'Romeo is described, ' said she, 'as a youngman peculiarly susceptible of the softer passions; his love is atfirst fixed upon a woman who could afford it no return; this herepeatedly tells you, --

 From love's weak, childish bow she lives unharmed, and again--

 She hath forsworn to love. 

Now, as it was impossible that Romeo's love, supposing him areasonable being, could continue to subsist without hope, the poethas, with great art, seized the moment when he was reducedactually to despair to throw in his way an object moreaccomplished than her by whom he had been rejected, and who isdisposed to repay his attachment. I can scarce conceive asituation more calculated to enhance the ardour of Romeo'saffection for Juliet than his being at once raised by her from thestate of drooping melancholy in which he appears first upon thescene to the ecstatic state in which he exclaims--

 --come what sorrow can, It cannot countervail the exchange of joy That one short moment gives me in her sight. '

'Good now, Miss Mac-Ivor, ' said a young lady of quality, 'do youmean to cheat us out of our prerogative? will you persuade us lovecannot subsist without hope, or that the lover must become fickleif the lady is cruel? O fie! I did not expect such anunsentimental conclusion. '

'A lover, my dear Lady Betty, ' said Flora, 'may, I conceive, persevere in his suit under very discouraging circumstances. Affection can (now and then) withstand very severe storms ofrigour, but not a long polar frost of downright indifference. Don't, even with YOUR attractions, try the experiment upon anylover whose faith you value. Love will subsist on wonderfullylittle hope, but not altogether without it. '

'It will be just like Duncan Mac-Girdie's mare, ' said Evan, 'ifyour ladyships please, he wanted to use her by degrees to livewithout meat, and just as he had put her on a straw a day the poorthing died!'

Evan's illustration set the company a-laughing, and the discoursetook a different turn. Shortly afterwards the party broke up, andEdward returned home, musing on what Flora had said. 'I will lovemy Rosalind no more, ' said he; 'she has given me a broad enoughhint for that; and I will speak to her brother and resign my suit. But for a Juliet--would it be handsome to interfere with Fergus'spretensions? though it is impossible they can ever succeed; andshould they miscarry, what then? why then alors comme alors. ' Andwith this resolution of being guided by circumstances did our herocommit himself to repose. 

CHAPTER LV

A BRAVE MAN IN SORROW

Ifmy fair readers should be of opinion that my hero's levity inlove is altogether unpardonable, I must remind them that all hisgriefs and difficulties did not arise from that sentimentalsource. Even the lyric poet who complains so feelingly of thepains of love could not forget, that at the same time he was 'indebt and in drink, ' which, doubtless, were great aggravations ofhis distress. There were, indeed, whole days in which Waverleythought neither of Flora nor Rose Bradwardine, but which werespent in melancholy conjectures on the probable state of mattersat Waverley-Honour, and the dubious issue of the civil contest inwhich he was pledged. Colonel Talbot often engaged him indiscussions upon the justice of the cause he had espoused. 'Not, 'he said, 'that it is possible for you to quit it at this presentmoment, for, come what will, you must stand by your rashengagement. But I wish you to be aware that the right is not withyou; that you are fighting against the real interests of yourcountry; and that you ought, as an Englishman and a patriot, totake the first opportunity to leave this unhappy expedition beforethe snowball melts. '

In such political disputes Waverley usually opposed the commonarguments of his party, with which it is unnecessary to troublethe reader. But he had little to say when the Colonel urged him tocompare the strength by which they had undertaken to overthrow thegovernment with that which was now assembling very rapidly for itssupport. To this statement Waverley had but one answer: 'If thecause I have undertaken be perilous, there would be the greaterdisgrace in abandoning it. ' And in his turn he generally silencedColonel Talbot, and succeeded in changing the subject. 

One night, when, after a long dispute of this nature, the friendshad separated and our hero had retired to bed, he was awakenedabout midnight by a suppressed groan. He started up and listened;it came from the apartment of Colonel Talbot, which was dividedfrom his own by a wainscotted partition, with a door ofcommunication. Waverley approached this door and distinctly heardone or two deep-drawn sighs. What could be the matter? The Colonelhad parted from him apparently in his usual state of spirits. Hemust have been taken suddenly ill. Under this impression he openedthe door of communication very gently, and perceived the Colonel, in his night-gown, seated by a table, on which lay a letter and apicture. He raised his head hastily, as Edward stood uncertainwhether to advance or retire, and Waverley perceived that hischeeks were stained with tears. 

As if ashamed at being found giving way to such emotion, ColonelTalbot rose with apparent displeasure and said, with somesternness, 'I think, Mr. Waverley, my own apartment and the hourmight have secured even a prisoner against--'

'Do not say INTRUSION, Colonel Talbot; I heard you breathe hardand feared you were ill; that alone could have induced me to breakin upon you. '

'I am well, ' said the Colonel, 'perfectly well. '

'But you are distressed, ' said Edward; 'is there anything can bedone?'

'Nothing, Mr. Waverley; I was only thinking of home, and someunpleasant occurrences there. '

'Good God, my uncle!' exclaimed Waverley. 

'No, it is a grief entirely my own. I am ashamed you should haveseen it disarm me so much; but it must have its course at times, that it may be at others more decently supported. I would havekept it secret from you; for I think it will grieve you, and yetyou can administer no consolation. But you have surprised me, --Isee you are surprised yourself, --and I hate mystery. Read thatletter. '

The letter was from Colonel Talbot's sister, and in these words:--

'I received yours, my dearest brother, by Hodges. Sir E. W. AndMr. R. Are still at large, but are not permitted to leave London. I wish to Heaven I could give you as good an account of matters inthe square. But the news of the unhappy affair at Preston cameupon us, with the dreadful addition that you were among thefallen. You know Lady Emily's state of health, when yourfriendship for Sir E. Induced you to leave her. She was muchharassed with the sad accounts from Scotland of the rebellionhaving broken out; but kept up her spirits, as, she said, itbecame your wife, and for the sake of the future heir, so longhoped for in vain. Alas, my dear brother, these hopes are nowended! Notwithstanding all my watchful care, this unhappy rumourreached her without preparation. She was taken ill immediately;and the poor infant scarce survived its birth. Would to God thiswere all! But although the contradiction of the horrible report byyour own letter has greatly revived her spirits, yet Dr. ----apprehends, I grieve to say, serious, and even dangerous, consequences to her health, especially from the uncertainty inwhich she must necessarily remain for some time, aggravated by theideas she has formed of the ferocity of those with whom you are aprisoner. 

'Do therefore, my dear brother, as soon as this reaches you, endeavour to gain your release, by parole, by ransom, or any waythat is practicable. I do not exaggerate Lady Emily's state ofhealth; but I must not--dare not--suppress the truth. Ever, mydear Philip, your most affectionate sister, 'Lucy TALBOT. '

Edward stood motionless when he had perused this letter; for theconclusion was inevitable, that, by the Colonel's journey in questof him, he had incurred this heavy calamity. It was severe enough, even in its irremediable part; for Colonel Talbot and Lady Emily, long without a family, had fondly exulted in the hopes which werenow blasted. But this disappointment was nothing to the extent ofthe threatened evil; and Edward, with horror, regarded himself asthe original cause of both. 

Ere he could collect himself sufficiently to speak, Colonel Talbothad recovered his usual composure of manner, though his troubledeye denoted his mental agony. 

'She is a woman, my young friend, who may justify even a soldier'stears. ' He reached him the miniature, exhibiting features whichfully justified the eulogium; 'and yet, God knows, what you see ofher there is the least of the charms she possesses--possessed, Ishould perhaps say--but God's will be done. '

' You must fly--you must fly instantly to her relief. It is not--it shall not be too late. '

'Fly? how is it possible? I am a prisoner, upon parole. '

'I am your keeper; I restore your parole; I am to answer for you. '

'You cannot do so consistently with your duty; nor can I accept adischarge from you, with due regard to my own honour; you would bemade responsible. '

'I will answer it with my head, if necessary, ' said Waverleyimpetuously. 'I have been the unhappy cause of the loss of yourchild, make me not the murderer of your wife. '

'No, my dear Edward, ' said Talbot, taking him kindly by the hand, 'you are in no respect to blame; and if I concealed this domesticdistress for two days, it was lest your sensibility should view itin that light. You could not think of me, hardly knew of myexistence, when I left England in quest of you. It is aresponsibility, Heaven knows, sufficiently heavy for mortality, that we must answer for the foreseen and direct result of ouractions; for their indirect and consequential operation the greatand good Being, who alone can foresee the dependence of humanevents on each other, hath not pronounced his frail creaturesliable. '

'But that you should have left Lady Emily, ' said Waverley, withmuch emotion, 'in the situation of all others the most interestingto a husband, to seek a--'

'I only did my duty, ' answered Colonel Talbot, calmly, 'and I donot, ought not, to regret it. If the path of gratitude and honourwere always smooth and easy, there would be little merit infollowing it; but it moves often in contradiction to our interestand passions, and sometimes to our better affections. These arethe trials of life, and this, though not the least bitter' (thetears came unbidden to his eyes), 'is not the first which it hasbeen my fate to encounter. But we will talk of this to-morrow, 'he said, wringing Waverley's hands. 'Good-night; strive to forgetit for a few hours. It will dawn, I think, by six, and it is nowpast two. Good-night. '

Edward retired, without trusting his voice with a reply. 

CHAPTER LVI

EXERTION

When Colonel Talbot entered the breakfast-parlour next morning, helearned from Waverley's servant that our hero had been abroad atan early hour and was not yet returned. The morning was welladvanced before he again appeared. He arrived out of breath, butwith an air of joy that astonished Colonel Talbot. 

'There, ' said he, throwing a paper on the table, 'there is mymorning's work. Alick, pack up the Colonel's clothes. Make haste, make haste. '

The Colonel examined the paper with astonishment. It was a passfrom the Chevalier to Colonel Talbot, to repair to Leith, or anyother port in possession of his Royal Highness's troops, and thereto embark for England or elsewhere, at his free pleasure; he onlygiving his parole of honour not to bear arms against the house ofStuart for the space of a twelve-month. 

'In the name of God, ' said the Colonel, his eyes sparkling witheagerness, 'how did you obtain this?'

'I was at the Chevalier's levee as soon as he usually rises. Hewas gone to the camp at Duddingston. I pursued him thither, askedand obtained an audience--but I will tell you not a word more, unless I see you begin to pack. '

'Before I know whether I can avail myself of this passport, or howit was obtained?'

'O, you can take out the things again, you know. Now I see youbusy, I will go on. When I first mentioned your name, his eyessparkled almost as bright as yours did two minutes since. "Hadyou, " he earnestly asked, "shown any sentiments favourable to hiscause?" "Not in the least, nor was there any hope you would doso. " His countenance fell. I requested your freedom. "Impossible, "he said; "your importance as a friend and confidant of such andsuch personages made my request altogether extravagant. " I toldhim my own story and yours; and asked him to judge what myfeelings must be by his own. He has a heart, and a kind one, Colonel Talbot, you may say what you please. He took a sheet ofpaper and wrote the pass with his own hand. "I will not trustmyself with my council, " he said; "they will argue me out of whatis right. I will not endure that a friend, valued as I value you, should be loaded with the painful reflections which must afflictyou in case of further misfortune in Colonel Talbot's family; norwill I keep a brave enemy a prisoner under such circumstances. Besides, " said he, "I think I can justify myself to my prudentadvisers by pleading the good effect such lenity will produce onthe minds of the great English families with whom Colonel Talbotis connected. "'

'There the politician peeped out, ' said the Colonel. 

'Well, at least he concluded like a king's son: "Take thepassport; I have added a condition for form's sake; but if theColonel objects to it, let him depart without giving any parolewhatever. I come here to war with men, but not to distress orendanger women. "'

'Well, I never thought to have been so much indebted to thePretend--'

'To the Prince, ' said Waverley, smiling. 

'To the Chevalier, ' said the Colonel; 'it is a good travellingname, and which we may both freely use. Did he say anything more?'

'Only asked if there was anything else he could oblige me in; andwhen I replied in the negative, he shook me by the hand, andwished all his followers were as considerate, since some friendsof mine not only asked all he had to bestow, but many things whichwere entirely out of his power, or that of the greatest sovereignupon earth. Indeed, he said, no prince seemed, in the eyes of hisfollowers, so like the Deity as himself, if you were to judge fromthe extravagant requests which they daily preferred to him. '

'Poor young gentleman, ' said the Colonel, 'I suppose he begins tofeel the difficulties of his situation. Well, dear Waverley, thisis more than kind, and shall not be forgotten while Philip Talbotcan remember anything. My life--pshaw--let Emily thank you forthat; this is a favour worth fifty lives. I cannot hesitate ongiving my parole in the circumstances; there it is (he wrote itout in form). And now, how am I to get off?'

'All that is settled: your baggage is packed, my horses wait, anda boat has been engaged, by the Prince's permission, to put you onboard the Fox frigate. I sent a messenger down to Leith onpurpose. '

'That will do excellently well. Captain Beaver is my particularfriend; he will put me ashore at Berwick or Shields, from whence Ican ride post to London; and you must entrust me with the packetof papers which you recovered by means of your Miss Bean Lean. Imay have an opportunity of using them to your advantage. But I seeyour Highland friend, Glen ---- what do you call his barbarous name?and his orderly with him; I must not call him his orderly cut-throat any more, I suppose. See how he walks as if the world werehis own, with the bonnet on one side of his head and his plaidpuffed out across his breast! I should like now to meet that youthwhere my hands were not tied: I would tame his pride, or he shouldtame mine. '

'For shame, Colonel Talbot! you swell at sight of tartan as thebull is said to do at scarlet. You and Mac-Ivor have some pointsnot much unlike, so far as national prejudice is concerned. '

The latter part of this discourse took place in the street. Theypassed the Chief, the Colonel and he sternly and punctiliouslygreeting each other, like two duellists before they take theirground. It was evident the dislike was mutual. 'I never see thatsurly fellow that dogs his heels, ' said the Colonel, after he hadmounted his horse, 'but he reminds me of lines I have somewhereheard--upon the stage, I think:--

 Close behind him Stalks sullen Bertram, like a sorcerer's fiend, Pressing to be employed. 

'I assure you, Colonel, ' said Waverley, 'that you judge too harshlyof the Highlanders. '

'Not a whit, not a whit; I cannot spare them a jot; I cannot batethem an ace. Let them stay in their own barren mountains, and puffand swell, and hang their bonnets on the horns of the moon, ifthey have a mind; but what business have they to come where peoplewear breeches, and speak an intelligible language? I meanintelligible in comparison to their gibberish, for even theLowlanders talk a kind of English little better than the Negroesin Jamaica. I could pity the Pr----, I mean the, Chevalierhimself, for having so many desperadoes about him. And they learntheir trade so early. There is a kind of subaltern imp, forexample, a sort of sucking devil, whom your friend Glena----Glenamuck there, has sometimes in his train. To look at him, he isabout fifteen years; but he is a century old in mischief andvillainy. He was playing at quoits the other day in the court; agentleman, a decent-looking person enough, came past, and as aquoit hit his shin, he lifted his cane; but my young bravo whipsout his pistol, like Beau Clincher in the "Trip to the Jubilee, "and had not a scream of Gardez l'eau from an upper window set allparties a-scampering for fear of the inevitable consequences, thepoor gentleman would have lost his life by the hands of thatlittle cockatrice. '

'A fine character you'll give of Scotland upon your return, Colonel Talbot. '

'O, Justice Shallow, ' said the Colonel, 'will save me the trouble--"Barren, barren, beggars all, beggars all. Marry, good air, "--andthat only when you are fairly out of Edinburgh, and not yet cometo Leith, as is our case at present. '

In a short time they arrived at the seaport. 

 The boat rock'd at the pier of Leith, Full loud the wind blew down the ferry; The ship rode at the Berwick Law. 

'Farewell, Colonel; may you find all as you would wish it! Perhapswe may meet sooner than you expect; they talk of an immediateroute to England. '

'Tell me nothing of that, ' said Talbot; 'I wish to carry no newsof your motions. '

'Simply, then, adieu. Say, with a thousand kind greetings, allthat is dutiful and affectionate to Sir Everard and Aunt Rachel. Think of me as kindly as you can, speak of me as indulgently asyour conscience will permit, and once more adieu. '

'And adieu, my dear Waverley; many, many thanks for your kindness. Unplaid yourself on the first opportunity. I shall ever think onyou with gratitude, and the worst of my censure shall be, Quediable alloit--il faire dans cette galere?'

And thus they parted, Colonel Talbot going on board of the boatand Waverley returning to Edinburgh. 

CHAPTER LVII

THE MARCH

It is not our purpose to intrude upon the province of history. Weshall therefore only remind our readers that about the beginningof November the Young Chevalier, at the head of about six thousandmen at the utmost, resolved to peril his cause on an attempt topenetrate into the centre of England, although aware of the mightypreparations which were made for his reception. They set forwardon this crusade in weather which would have rendered any othertroops incapable of marching, but which in reality gave theseactive mountaineers advantages over a less hardy enemy. Indefiance of a superior army lying upon the Borders, under Field-Marshal Wade, they besieged and took Carlisle, and soon afterwardsprosecuted their daring march to the southward. 

As Colonel Mac-Ivor's regiment marched in the van of the clans, heand Waverley, who now equalled any Highlander in the endurance offatigue, and was become somewhat acquainted with their language, were perpetually at its head. They marked the progress of thearmy, however, with very different eyes. Fergus, all air and fire, and confident against the world in arms, measured nothing but thatevery step was a yard nearer London. He neither asked, expected, nor desired any aid except that of the clans to place the Stuartsonce more on the throne; and when by chance a few adherents joinedthe standard, he always considered them in the light of newclaimants upon the favours of the future monarch, who, heconcluded, must therefore subtract for their gratification so muchof the bounty which ought to be shared among his Highlandfollowers. 

Edward's views were very different. He could not but observe thatin those towns in which they proclaimed James the Third, 'no mancried, God bless him. ' The mob stared and listened, heartless, stupefied, and dull, but gave few signs even of that boisterousspirit which induces them to shout upon all occasions for the mereexercise of their most sweet voices. The Jacobites had been taughtto believe that the north-western counties abounded with wealthysquires and hardy yeomen, devoted to the cause of the White Rose. But of the wealthier Tories they saw little. Some fled from theirhouses, some feigned themselves sick, some surrendered themselvesto the government as suspected persons. Of such as remained, theignorant gazed with astonishment, mixed with horror and aversion, at the wild appearance, unknown language, and singular garb of theScottish clans. And to the more prudent their scanty numbers, apparent deficiency in discipline, and poverty of equipment seemedcertain tokens of the calamitous termination of their rashundertaking. Thus the few who joined them were such as bigotry ofpolitical principle blinded to consequences, or whose brokenfortunes induced them to hazard all on a risk so desperate. 

The Baron of Bradwardine, being asked what he thought of theserecruits, took a long pinch of snuff, and answered drily, 'that hecould not but have an excellent opinion of them, since theyresembled precisely the followers who attached themselves to thegood King David at the cave of Adullam--videlicet, every one thatwas in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every onethat was discontented, which the vulgate renders bitter of soul;and doubtless, ' he said, 'they will prove mighty men of theirhands, and there is much need that they should, for I have seenmany a sour look cast upon us. '

But none of these considerations moved Fergus. He admired theluxuriant beauty of the country, and the situation of many of theseats which they passed. 'Is Waverley-Honour like that house, Edward?'

'It is one-half larger. '

'Is your uncle's park as fine a one as that?'

'It is three times as extensive, and rather resembles a forestthan a mere park. '

'Flora will be a happy woman. '

'I hope Miss Mac-Ivor will have much reason for happinessunconnected with Waverley-Honour. '

'I hope so too; but to be mistress of such a place will be apretty addition to the sum total. '

'An addition, the want of which, I trust, will be amply suppliedby some other means. '

'How, ' said Fergus, stopping short and turning upon Waverley--'howam I to understand that, Mr. Waverley? Had I the pleasure to hearyou aright?'

'Perfectly right, Fergus. '

'And am I to understand that you no longer desire my alliance andmy sister's hand?'

'Your sister has refused mine, ' said Waverley, 'both directly andby all the usual means by which ladies repress undesiredattentions. '

'I have no idea, ' answered the Chieftain, 'of a lady dismissing ora gentleman withdrawing his suit, after it has been approved of byher legal guardian, without giving him an opportunity of talkingthe matter over with the lady. You did not, I suppose, expect mysister to drop into your mouth like a ripe plum the first momentyou chose to open it?'

'As to the lady's title to dismiss her lover, Colonel, ' repliedEdward, 'it is a point which you must argue with her, as I amignorant of the customs of the Highlands in that particular. Butas to my title to acquiesce in a rejection from her without anappeal to your interest, I will tell you plainly, without meaningto undervalue Miss Mac-Ivor's admitted beauty and accomplishments, that I would not take the hand of an angel, with an empire for herdowry, if her consent were extorted by the importunity of friendsand guardians, and did not flow from her own free inclination. '

'An angel, with the dowry of an empire, ' repeated Fergus, in atone of bitter irony, 'is not very likely to be pressed upon a ----shire squire. But, sir, ' changing his tone, 'if Flora Mac-Ivorhave not the dowry of an empire, she is MY sister; and that issufficient at least to secure her against being treated withanything approaching to levity. '

'She is Flora Mac-Ivor, sir, ' said Waverley, with firmness, 'whichto me, were I capable of treating ANY woman with levity, would bea more effectual protection. '

The brow of the Chieftain was now fully clouded; but Edward felttoo indignant at the unreasonable tone which he had adopted toavert the storm by the least concession. They both stood stillwhile this short dialogue passed, and Fergus seemed half disposedto say something more violent, but, by a strong effort, suppressedhis passion, and, turning his face forward, walked sullenly on. Asthey had always hitherto walked together, and almost constantlyside by side, Waverley pursued his course silently in the samedirection, determined to let the Chief take his own time inrecovering the good-humour which he had so unreasonably discarded, and firm in his resolution not to bate him an inch of dignity. 

After they had marched on in this sullen manner about a mile, Fergus resumed the discourse in a different tone. 'I believe I waswarm, my dear Edward, but you provoke me with your want ofknowledge of the world. You have taken pet at some of Flora'sprudery, or high-flying notions of loyalty, and now, like achild, you quarrel with the plaything you have been crying for, and beat me, your faithful keeper, because my arm cannot reach toEdinburgh to hand it to you. I am sure, if I was passionate, themortification of losing the alliance of such a friend, after yourarrangement had been the talk of both Highlands and Lowlands, andthat without so much as knowing why or wherefore, might wellprovoke calmer blood than mine. I shall write to Edinburgh and putall to rights; that is, if you desire I should do so; as indeed Icannot suppose that your good opinion of Flora, it being such asyou have often expressed to me, can be at once laid aside. '

'Colonel Mac-Ivor, ' said Edward, who had no mind to be hurriedfarther or faster than he chose in a matter which he had alreadyconsidered as broken off, 'I am fully sensible of the value ofyour good offices; and certainly, by your zeal on my behalf insuch an affair, you do me no small honour. But as Miss Mac-Ivorhas made her election freely and voluntarily, and as all myattentions in Edinburgh were received with more than coldness, Icannot, in justice either to her or myself, consent that sheshould again be harassed upon this topic. I would have mentionedthis to you some time since, but you saw the footing upon which westood together, and must have understood it. Had I thoughtotherwise I would have earlier spoken; but I had a naturalreluctance to enter upon a subject so painful to us both. '

'O, very well, Mr. Waverley, ' said Fergus, haughtily, 'the thingis at an end. I have no occasion to press my sister upon any man. '

'Nor have I any occasion to court repeated rejection from the sameyoung lady, ' answered Edward, in the same tone. 

'I shall make due inquiry, however, ' said the Chieftain, withoutnoticing the interruption, 'and learn what my sister thinks of allthis, we will then see whether it is to end here. '

'Respecting such inquiries, you will of course be guided by yourown judgment, ' said Waverley. 'It is, I am aware, impossible MissMac-Ivor can change her mind; and were such an unsupposable caseto happen, it is certain I will not change mine. I only mentionthis to prevent any possibility of future misconstruction. '

Gladly at this moment would Mac-Ivor have put their quarrel to apersonal arbitrement, his eye flashed fire, and he measured Edwardas if to choose where he might best plant a mortal wound. Butalthough we do not now quarrel according to the modes and figuresof Caranza or Vincent Saviola, no one knew better than Fergus thatthere must be some decent pretext for a mortal duel. For instance, you may challenge a man for treading on your corn in a crowd, orfor pushing you up to the wall, or for taking your seat in thetheatre; but the modern code of honour will not permit you tofound a quarrel upon your right of compelling a man to continueaddresses to a female relative which the fair lady has alreadyrefused. So that Fergus was compelled to stomach this supposedaffront until the whirligig of time, whose motion he promisedhimself he would watch most sedulously, should bring about anopportunity of revenge. 

Waverley's servant always led a saddle-horse for him in the rearof the battalion to which he was attached, though his masterseldom rode. But now, incensed at the domineering and unreasonableconduct of his late friend, he fell behind the column and mountedhis horse, resolving to seek the Baron of Bradwardine, and requestpermission to volunteer in his troop instead of the Mac-Ivorregiment. 

'A happy time of it I should have had, ' thought he, after he wasmounted, 'to have been so closely allied to this superb specimenof pride and self-opinion and passion. A colonel! why, he shouldhave been a generalissimo. A petty chief of three or four hundredmen! his pride might suffice for the Cham of Tartary--the GrandSeignior--the Great Mogul! I am well free of him. Were Flora anangel, she would bring with her a second Lucifer of ambition andwrath for a brother-in-law. '

The Baron, whose learning (like Sancho's jests while in the SierraMorena) seemed to grow mouldy for want of exercise, joyfullyembraced the opportunity of Waverley's offering his service in hisregiment, to bring it into some exertion. The good-natured oldgentleman, however, laboured to effect a reconciliation betweenthe two quondam friends. Fergus turned a cold ear to hisremonstrances, though he gave them a respectful hearing; and asfor Waverley, he saw no reason why he should be the first incourting a renewal of the intimacy which the Chieftain had sounreasonably disturbed. The Baron then mentioned the matter to thePrince, who, anxious to prevent quarrels in his little army, declared he would himself remonstrate with Colonel Mac-Ivor on theunreasonableness of his conduct. But, in the hurry of their march, it was a day or two before he had an opportunity to exert hisinfluence in the manner proposed. 

In the meanwhile Waverley turned the instructions he had receivedwhile in Gardiner's dragoons to some account, and assisted theBaron in his command as a sort of adjutant. 'Parmi les aveugles unborgne est roi, ' says the French proverb; and the cavalry, whichconsisted chiefly of Lowland gentlemen, their tenants andservants, formed a high opinion of Waverley's skill and a greatattachment to his person. This was indeed partly owing to thesatisfaction which they felt at the distinguished Englishvolunteer's leaving the Highlanders to rank among them; for therewas a latent grudge between the horse and foot, not only owing tothe difference of the services, but because most of the gentlemen, living near the Highlands, had at one time or other had quarrelswith the tribes in their vicinity, and all of them looked with ajealous eye on the Highlanders' avowed pretensions to superiorvalour and utility in the Prince's service. 

CHAPTER LVIII

THE CONFUSION OF KING AGRAMANT'S CAMP

Itwas Waverley's custom sometimes to ride a little apart from themain body, to look at any object of curiosity which occurred onthe march. They were now in Lancashire, when, attracted by acastellated old hall, he left the squadron for half an hour totake a survey and slight sketch of it. As he returned down theavenue he was met by Ensign Maccombich. This man had contracted asort of regard for Edward since the day of his first seeing him atTully-Veolan and introducing him to the Highlands. He seemed toloiter, as if on purpose to meet with our hero. Yet, as he passedhim, he only approached his stirrup and pronounced the single word'Beware!' and then walked swiftly on, shunning all furthercommunication. 

Edward, somewhat surprised at this hint, followed with his eyesthe course of Evan, who speedily disappeared among the trees. Hisservant, Alick Polwarth, who was in attendance, also looked afterthe Highlander, and then riding up close to his master, said, --

'The ne'er be in me, sir, if I think you're safe amang thaeHighland rinthereouts. '

'What do you mean, Alick?' said Waverley. 

'The Mac-Ivors, sir, hae gotten it into their heads that ye haeaffronted their young leddy, Miss Flora; and I hae heard mae thanane say, they wadna tak muckle to mak a black-cock o' ye; and yeken weel eneugh there's mony o' them wadna mind a bawbee theweising a ball through the Prince himsell, an the Chief gae themthe wink, or whether he did or no, if they thought it a thing thatwould please him when it was dune. '

Waverley, though confident that Fergus Mac-Ivor was incapable ofsuch treachery, was by no means equally sure of the forbearance ofhis followers. He knew that, where the honour of the Chief or hisfamily was supposed to be touched, the happiest man would be hethat could first avenge the stigma; and he had often heard themquote a proverb, 'That the best revenge was the most speedy andmost safe. ' Coupling this with the hint of Evan, he judged it mostprudent to set spurs to his horse and ride briskly back to thesquadron. Ere he reached the end of the long avenue, however, aball whistled past him, and the report of a pistol was heard. 

'It was that deevil's buckle, Callum Beg, ' said Alick; 'I saw himwhisk away through amang the reises. '

Edward, justly incensed at this act of treachery, galloped out ofthe avenue, and observed the battalion of Mac-Ivor at somedistance moving along the common in which it terminated. He alsosaw an individual running very fast to join the party; this heconcluded was the intended assassin, who, by leaping an enclosure, might easily make a much shorter path to the main body than hecould find on horseback. Unable to contain himself, he commandedAlick to go to the Baron of Bradwardine, who was at the head ofhis regiment about half a mile in front, and acquaint him withwhat had happened. He himself immediately rode up to Fergus'sregiment. The Chief himself was in the act of joining them. He wason horseback, having returned from waiting on the Prince. Onperceiving Edward approaching, he put his horse in motion towardshim. 

'Colonel Mac-Ivor, ' said Waverley, without any farther salutation, 'I have to inform you that one of your people has this instantfired at me from a lurking-place. '

'As that, ' answered Mac-Ivor, 'excepting the circumstance of alurking-place, is a pleasure which I presently propose to myself, I should be glad to know which of my clansmen dared to anticipateme. '

'I shall certainly be at your command whenever you please; thegentleman who took your office upon himself is your page there, Callum Beg. '

'Stand forth from the ranks, Callum! Did you fire at Mr. Waverley?'

'No, ' answered the unblushing Callum. 

'You did, ' said Alick Polwarth, who was already returned, havingmet a trooper by whom he despatched an account of what was goingforward to the Baron of Bradwardine, while he himself returned tohis master at full gallop, neither sparing the rowels of his spursnor the sides of his horse. 'You did; I saw you as plainly as Iever saw the auld kirk at Coudingham. '

'You lie, ' replied Callum, with his usual impenetrable obstinacy. The combat between the knights would certainly, as in the days ofchivalry, have been preceded by an encounter between the squires(for Alick was a stout-hearted Merseman, and feared the bow ofCupid far more than a Highlander's dirk or claymore), but Fergus, with his usual tone of decision, demanded Callum's pistol. Thecock was down, the pan and muzzle were black with the smoke; ithad been that instant fired. 

'Take that, ' said Fergus, striking the boy upon the head with theheavy pistol-butt with his whole force--'take that for actingwithout orders, and lying to disguise it. ' Callum received theblow without appearing to flinch from it, and fell without sign oflife. 'Stand still, upon your lives!' said Fergus to the rest ofthe clan; 'I blow out the brains of the first man who interferesbetween Mr. Waverley and me. ' They stood motionless; Evan Dhualone showed symptoms of vexation and anxiety. Callum lay on theground bleeding copiously, but no one ventured to give him anyassistance. It seemed as if he had gotten his death-blow. 

'And now for you, Mr. Waverley; please to turn your horse twentyyards with me upon the common. ' Waverley complied; and Fergus, confronting him when they were a little way from the line ofmarch, said, with great affected coolness, 'I could not butwonder, sir, at the fickleness of taste which you were pleased toexpress the other day. But it was not an angel, as you justlyobserved, who had charms for you, unless she brought an empire forher fortune. I have now an excellent commentary upon that obscuretext. '

'I am at a loss even to guess at your meaning, Colonel Mac-Ivor, unless it seems plain that you intend to fasten a quarrel uponme. '

'Your affected ignorance shall not serve you, sir. The Prince--thePrince himself has acquainted me with your manoeuvres. I littlethought that your engagements with Miss Bradwardine were thereason of your breaking off your intended match with my sister. Isuppose the information that the Baron had altered the destinationof his estate was quite a sufficient reason for slighting yourfriend's sister and carrying off your friend's mistress. '

'Did the Prince tell you I was engaged to Miss Bradwardine?' saidWaverley. 'Impossible. '

'He did, sir, ' answered Mac-Ivor; 'so, either draw and defendyourself or resign your pretensions to the lady. ' 'This isabsolute madness, ' exclaimed Waverley, 'or some strange mistake!'

'O! no evasion! draw your sword!' said the infuriated Chieftain, his own already unsheathed. 

'Must I fight in a madman's quarrel?'

'Then give up now, and forever, all pretensions to MissBradwardine's hand. '

'What title have you, ' cried Waverley, utterly losing command ofhimself--'what title have you, or any man living, to dictate suchterms to me?' And he also drew his sword. 

At this moment the Baron of Bradwardine, followed by several ofhis troop, came up on the spur, some from curiosity, others totake part in the quarrel which they indistinctly understood hadbroken out between the Mac-Ivors and their corps. The clan, seeingthem approach, put themselves in motion to support theirChieftain, and a scene of confusion commenced which seamed likelyto terminate in bloodshed. A hundred tongues were in motion atonce. The Baron lectured, the Chieftain stormed, the Highlandersscreamed in Gaelic, the horsemen cursed and swore in LowlandScotch. At length matters came to such a pass that the Baronthreatened to charge the Mac-Ivors unless they resumed theirranks, and many of them, in return, presented their firearms athim and the other troopers. The confusion was privately fosteredby old Ballenkeiroch, who made no doubt that his own day ofvengeance was arrived, when, behold! a cry arose of 'Room! makeway! place a Monseigneur! place a Monseigneur!' This announced theapproach of the Prince, who came up with a party of Fitz-James'sforeign dragoons that acted as his body-guard. His arrivalproduced some degree of order. The Highlanders reassumed theirranks, the cavalry fell in and formed squadron, and the Baron andChieftain were silent. 

The Prince called them and Waverley before him. Having heard theoriginal cause of the quarrel through the villainy of Callum Beg, he ordered him into custody of the provost-marshal for immediateexecution, in the event of his surviving the chastisementinflicted by his Chieftain. Fergus, however, in a tone betwixtclaiming a right and asking a favour, requested he might be leftto his disposal, and promised his punishment should be exemplary. To deny this might have seemed to encroach on the patriarchalauthority of the Chieftains, of which they were very jealous, andthey were not persons to be disobliged. Callum was therefore leftto the justice of his own tribe. 

The Prince next demanded to know the new cause of quarrel betweenColonel Mac-Ivor and Waverley. There was a pause. Both gentlemenfound the presence of the Baron of Bradwardine (for by this timeall three had approached the Chevalier by his command) aninsurmountable barrier against entering upon a subject where thename of his daughter must unavoidably be mentioned. They turnedtheir eyes on the ground, with looks in which shame andembarrassment were mingled with displeasure. The Prince, who hadbeen educated amongst the discontented and mutinous spirits of thecourt of St. Germains, where feuds of every kind were the dailysubject of solicitude to the dethroned sovereign, had served hisapprenticeship, as old Frederick of Prussia would have said, tothe trade of royalty. To promote or restore concord among hisfollowers was indispensable. Accordingly he took his measures. 

'Monsieur de Beaujeu!'

'Monseigneur!' said a very handsome French cavalry officer who wasin attendance. 

'Ayez la bonte d'aligner ces montagnards la, ainsi que lacavalerie, s'il vous plait, et de les remettre a la marche. Vousparlez si bien l'Anglois, cela ne vous donneroit pas beaucoup depeine. '

'Ah! pas du tout, Monseigneur, ' replied Mons. Le Comte de Beaujeu, his head bending down to the neck of his little prancing highly-managed charger. Accordingly he piaffed away, in high spirits andconfidence, to the head of Fergus's regiment, althoughunderstanding not a word of Gaelic and very little English. 

'Messieurs les sauvages Ecossois--dat is, gentilmans savages, havethe goodness d'arranger vous. '

The clan, comprehending the order more from the gesture than thewords, and seeing the Prince himself present, hastened to dresstheir ranks. 

'Ah! ver well! dat is fort bien!' said the Count de Beaujeu. 'Gentilmans sauvages! mais, tres bien. Eh bien! Qu'est ce que vousappelez visage, Monsieur?' (to a lounging trooper who stood byhim). 'Ah, oui! face. Je vous remercie, Monsieur. Gentilshommes, have de goodness to make de face to de right par file, dat is, byfiles. Marsh! Mais, tres bien; encore, Messieurs; il faut vousmettre a la marche. ... Marchez done, au nom de Dieu, parcequej'ai oublie le mot Anglois; mais vous etes des braves gens, et mecomprenez tres bien. '

The Count next hastened to put the cavalry in motion. 'Gentilmanscavalry, you must fall in. Ah! par ma foi, I did not say fall off!I am a fear de little gross fat gentilman is moche hurt. Ah, monDieu! c'est le Commissaire qui nous a apporte les premieresnouvelles de ce maudit fracas. Je suis trop fache, Monsieur!'

But poor Macwheeble, who, with a sword stuck across him, and awhite cockade as large as a pancake, now figured in the characterof a commissary, being overturned in the bustle occasioned by thetroopers hastening to get themselves in order in the Prince'spresence, before he could rally his galloway, slunk to the rearamid the unrestrained laughter of the spectators. 

'Eh bien, Messieurs, wheel to de right. Ah! dat is it! Eh, Monsieur de Bradwardine, ayez la bonte de vous mettre a la tete devotre regiment, car, par Dieu, je n'en puis plus!'

The Baron of Bradwardine was obliged to go to the assistance ofMonsieur de Beaujeu, after he had fairly expended his few Englishmilitary phrases. One purpose of the Chevalier was thus answered. The other he proposed was, that in the eagerness to hear andcomprehend commands issued through such an indistinct medium inhis own presence, the thoughts of the soldiers in both corps mightget a current different from the angry channel in which they wereflowing at the time. 

Charles Edward was no sooner left with the Chieftain and Waverley, the rest of his attendants being at some distance, than he said, 'If I owed less to your disinterested friendship, I could be mostseriously angry with both of you for this very extraordinary andcauseless broil, at a moment when my father's service so decidedlydemands the most perfect unanimity. But the worst of my situationis, that my very best friends hold they have liberty to ruinthemselves, as well as the cause they are engaged in, upon theslightest caprice. '

Both the young men protested their resolution to submit everydifference to his arbitration. 'Indeed, ' said Edward, 'I hardlyknow of what I am accused. I sought Colonel Mac-Ivor merely tomention to him that I had narrowly escaped assassination at thehand of his immediate dependent, a dastardly revenge which I knewhim to be incapable of authorising. As to the cause for which heis disposed to fasten a quarrel upon me, I am ignorant of it, unless it be that he accuses me, most unjustly, of having engagedthe affections of a young lady in prejudice of his pretensions. '

'If there is an error, ' said the Chieftain, 'it arises from aconversation which I held this morning with his Royal Highnesshimself. '

'With me?' said the Chevalier; 'how can Colonel Mac-Ivor have sofar misunderstood me?'

He then led Fergus aside, and, after five minutes' earnestconversation, spurred his horse towards Edward. 'Is it possible--nay, ride up, Colonel, for I desire no secrets--is it possible, Mr. Waverley, that I am mistaken in supposing that you are anaccepted lover of Miss Bradwardine? a fact of which I was bycircumstances, though not by communication from you, so absolutelyconvinced that I alleged it to Vich Ian Vohr this morning as areason why, without offence to him, you might not continue to beambitious of an alliance which, to an unengaged person, eventhough once repulsed, holds out too many charms to be lightly laidaside. '

'Your Royal Highness, ' said Waverley, 'must have founded oncircumstances altogether unknown to me, when you did me thedistinguished honour of supposing me an accepted lover of MissBradwardine. I feel the distinction implied in the supposition, but I have no title to it. For the rest, my confidence in my ownmerit is too justly slight to admit of my hoping for success inany quarter after positive rejection. '

The Chevalier was silent for a moment, looking steadily at themboth, and then said, 'Upon my word, Mr. Waverley, you are a lesshappy man than I conceived I had very good reason to believe you. But now, gentlemen, allow me to be umpire in this matter, not asPrince Regent but as Charles Stuart, a brother adventurer with youin the same gallant cause. Lay my pretensions to be obeyed by youentirely out of view, and consider your own honour, and how far itis well or becoming to give our enemies the advantage and ourfriends the scandal of showing that, few as we are, we are notunited. And forgive me if I add, that the names of the ladies whohave been mentioned crave more respect from us all than to be madethemes of discord. '

He took Fergus a little apart and spoke to him very earnestly fortwo or three minutes, and then returning to Waverley, said, 'Ibelieve I have satisfied Colonel Mac-Ivor that his resentment wasfounded upon a misconception, to which, indeed, I myself gaverise; and I trust Mr. Waverley is too generous to harbour anyrecollection of what is past when I assure him that such is thecase. You must state this matter properly to your clan, Vich IanVohr, to prevent a recurrence of their precipitate violence. 'Fergus bowed. 'And now, gentlemen, let me have the pleasure to seeyou shake hands. '

They advanced coldly, and with measured steps, each apparentlyreluctant to appear most forward in concession. They did, however, shake hands, and parted, taking a respectful leave of theChevalier. 

Charles Edward [Footnote: See Note 12. ] then rode to the head ofthe MacIvors, threw himself from his horse, begged a drink out ofold Ballenkeiroch's cantine, and marched about half a mile alongwith them, inquiring into the history and connexions of Sliochdnan Ivor, adroitly using the few words of Gaelic he possessed, andaffecting a great desire to learn it more thoroughly. He thenmounted his horse once more, and galloped to the Baron's cavalry, which was in front, halted them, and examined their accoutrementsand state of discipline; took notice of the principal gentlemen, and even of the cadets; inquired after their ladies, and commendedtheir horses; rode about an hour with the Baron of Bradwardine, and endured three long stories about Field-Marshal the Duke ofBerwick. 

'Ah, Beaujeu, mon cher ami, ' said he, as he returned to his usualplace in the line of march, 'que mon metier de prince errant estennuyant, par fois. Mais, courage! c'est le grand jeu, aprestout. '

CHAPTER LIX

A SKIRMISH

Theeader need hardly be reminded that, after a council of warheld at Derby on the 5th of December, the Highlanders relinquishedtheir desperate attempt to penetrate farther into England, and, greatly to the dissatisfaction of their young and daring leader, positively determined to return northward. They commenced theirretreat accordingly, and, by the extreme celerity of theirmovements, outstripped the motions of the Duke of Cumberland, whonow pursued them with a very large body of cavalry. 

This retreat was a virtual resignation of their towering hopes. None had been so sanguine as Fergus MacIvor; none, consequently, was so cruelly mortified at the change of measures. He argued, orrather remonstrated, with the utmost vehemence at the council ofwar; and, when his opinion was rejected, shed tears of grief andindignation. From that moment his whole manner was so much alteredthat he could scarcely have been recognised for the same soaringand ardent spirit, for whom the whole earth seemed too narrow buta week before. The retreat had continued for several days, whenEdward, to his surprise, early on the 12th of December, received avisit from the Chieftain in his quarters, in a hamlet about half-way between Shap and Penrith. 

Having had no intercourse with the Chieftain since their rupture, Edward waited with some anxiety an explanation of this unexpectedvisit; nor could he help being surprised, and somewhat shocked, with the change in his appearance. His eye had lost much of itsfire; his cheek was hollow, his voice was languid, even his gaitseemed less firm and elastic than it was wont; and his dress, towhich he used to be particularly attentive, was now carelesslyflung about him. He invited Edward to walk out with him by thelittle river in the vicinity; and smiled in a melancholy mannerwhen he observed him take down and buckle on his sword. 

As soon as they were in a wild sequestered path by the side of thestream, the Chief broke out--'Our fine adventure is now totallyruined, Waverley, and I wish to know what you intend to do;--nay, never stare at me, man. I tell you I received a packet from mysister yesterday, and, had I got the information it containssooner, it would have prevented a quarrel which I am always vexedwhen I think of. In a letter written after our dispute, Iacquainted her with the cause of it; and she now replies to methat she never had, nor could have, any purpose of giving youencouragement; so that it seems I have acted like a madman. PoorFlora! she writes in high spirits; what a change will the news ofthis unhappy retreat make in her state of mind!'

Waverley, who was really much affected by the deep tone ofmelancholy with which Fergus spoke, affectionately entreated himto banish from his remembrance any unkindness which had arisenbetween them, and they once more shook hands, but now with sincerecordiality. Fergus again inquired of Waverley what he intended todo. 'Had you not better leave this luckless army, and get downbefore us into Scotland, and embark for the Continent from some ofthe eastern ports that are still in our possession? When you areout of the kingdom, your friends will easily negotiate yourpardon; and, to tell you the truth, I wish you would carry RoseBradwardine with you as your wife, and take Flora also under yourjoint protection. '--Edward looked surprised. --'She loves you, andI believe you love her, though, perhaps, you have not found itout, for you are not celebrated for knowing your own mind verypointedly. ' He said this with a sort of smile. 

'How, ' answered Edward, 'can you advise me to desert theexpedition in which we are all embarked?'

'Embarked?' said Fergus; 'the vessel is going to pieces, and it isfull time for all who can to get into the long-boat and leaveher. '

'Why, what will other gentlemen do?' answered Waverley, 'and whydid the Highland Chiefs consent to this retreat if it is soruinous?'

'O, ' replied Mac-Ivor, 'they think that, as on former occasions, the heading, hanging, and forfeiting will chiefly fall to the lotof the Lowland gentry; that they will be left secure in theirpoverty and their fastnesses, there, according to their proverb, "to listen to the wind upon the hill till the waters abate. " Butthey will be disappointed; they have been too often troublesome tobe so repeatedly passed over, and this time John Bull has been tooheartily frightened to recover his good-humour for some time. TheHanoverian ministers always deserved to be hanged for rascals; butnow, if they get the power in their hands, --as, sooner or later, they must, since there is neither rising in England nor assistancefrom France, --they will deserve the gallows as fools if they leavea single clan in the Highlands in a situation to be againtroublesome to government. Ay, they will make root-and-branch-work, I warrant them. '

'And while you recommend flight to me, ' said Edward, --'a counselwhich I would rather die than embrace, --what are your own views?'

'O, ' answered Fergus, with a melancholy air, 'my fate is settled. Dead or captive I must be before tomorrow. '

'What do you mean by that, my friend?' said Edward. 'The enemy isstill a day's march in our rear, and if he comes up, we are stillstrong enough to keep him in check. Remember Gladsmuir. '

'What I tell you is true notwithstanding, so far as I amindividually concerned. '

'Upon what authority can you found so melancholy a prediction?'asked Waverley. 

'On one which never failed a person of my house. I have seen, ' hesaid, lowering his voice, 'I have seen the Bodach Glas. '

'Bodach Glas?'

'Yes; have you been so long at Glennaquoich, and never heard ofthe Grey Spectre? though indeed there is a certain reluctanceamong us to mention him. '

'No, never. '

'Ah! it would have been a tale for poor Flora to have told you. Or, if that hill were Benmore, and that long blue lake, which yousee just winding towards yon mountainous country, were Loch Tay, or my own Loch an Ri, the tale would be better suited withscenery. However, let us sit down on this knoll; even Saddlebackand Ulswater will suit what I have to say better than the Englishhedgerows, enclosures, and farmhouses. You must know, then, thatwhen my ancestor, Ian nan Chaistel, wasted Northumberland, therewas associated with him in the expedition a sort of SouthlandChief, or captain of a band of Lowlanders, called Halbert Hall. Intheir return through the Cheviots they quarrelled about thedivision of the great booty they had acquired, and came from wordsto blows. The Lowlanders were cut off to a man, and their chieffell the last, covered with wounds by the sword of my ancestor. Since that time his spirit has crossed the Vich Ian Vohr of theday when any great disaster was impending, but especially beforeapproaching death. My father saw him twice, once before he wasmade prisoner at Sheriff-Muir, another time on the morning of theday on which he died. '

'How can you, my dear Fergus, tell such nonsense with a graveface?'

' I do not ask you to believe it; but I tell you the truth, ascertained by three hundred years' experience at least, and lastnight by my own eyes. '

'The particulars, for heaven's sake!' said Waverley, witheagerness. 

'I will, on condition you will not attempt a jest on the subject. Since this unhappy retreat commenced I have scarce ever been ableto sleep for thinking of my clan, and of this poor Prince, whomthey are leading back like a dog in a string, whether he will orno, and of the downfall of my family. Last night I felt sofeverish that I left my quarters and walked out, in hopes the keenfrosty air would brace my nerves--I cannot tell how much I dislikegoing on, for I know you will hardly believe me. However--Icrossed a small footbridge, and kept walking backwards andforwards, when I observed with surprise by the clear moonlight atall figure in a grey plaid, such as shepherds wear in the southof Scotland, which, move at what pace I would, kept regularlyabout four yards before me. '

'You saw a Cumberland peasant in his ordinary dress, probably. '

'No; I thought so at first, and was astonished at the man'saudacity in daring to dog me. I called to him, but received noanswer. I felt an anxious throbbing at my heart, and to ascertainwhat I dreaded, I stood still and turned myself on the same spotsuccessively to the four points of the compass. By Heaven, Edward, turn where I would, the figure was instantly before my eyes, atprecisely the same distance! I was then convinced it was theBodach Glas. My hair bristled and my knees shook. I manned myself, however, and determined to return to my quarters. My ghastlyvisitant glided before me (for I cannot say he walked) until hereached the footbridge; there he stopped and turned full round. Imust either wade the river or pass him as close as I am to you. Adesperate courage, founded on the belief that my death was near, made me resolve to make my way in despite of him. I made the signof the cross, drew my sword, and uttered, "In the name of God, Evil Spirit, give place!" "Vich Ian Vohr, " it said, in a voicethat made my very blood curdle, "beware of to-morrow!" It seemedat that moment not half a yard from my sword's point; but thewords were no sooner spoken than it was gone, and nothing appearedfurther to obstruct my passage. I got home and threw myself on mybed, where I spent a few hours heavily enough; and this morning, as no enemy was reported to be near us, I took my horse and rodeforward to make up matters with you. I would not willingly falluntil I am in charity with a wronged friend. '

Edward had little doubt that this phantom was the operation of anexhausted frame and depressed spirits, working on the beliefcommon to all Highlanders in such superstitions. He did not theless pity Fergus, for whom, in his present distress, he felt allhis former regard revive. With the view of diverting his mind fromthese gloomy images, he offered, with the Baron's permission, which he knew he could readily obtain, to remain in his quarterstill Fergus's corps should come up, and then to march with them asusual. The Chief seemed much pleased, yet hesitated to accept theoffer. 

'We are, you know, in the rear, the post of danger in a retreat. '

'And therefore the post of honour. '

'Well, ' replied the Chieftain, 'let Alick have your horse inreadiness, in case we should be overmatched, and I shall bedelighted to have your company once more. '

The rear-guard were late in making their appearance, having beendelayed by various accidents and by the badness of the roads. Atlength they entered the hamlet. When Waverley joined the clan Mac-Ivor, arm-in-arm with their Chieftain, all the resentment they hadentertained against him seemed blown off at once. Evan Dhureceived him with a grin of congratulation; and even Callum, whowas running about as active as ever, pale indeed, and with a greatpatch on his head, appeared delighted to see him. 

'That gallows-bird's skull, ' said Fergus, 'must be harder thanmarble; the lock of the pistol was actually broken. '

'How could you strike so young a lad so hard?' said Waverley, withsome interest. 

'Why, if I did not strike hard sometimes, the rascals would forgetthemselves. '

They were now in full march, every caution being taken to preventsurprise. Fergus's people, and a fine clan regiment from Badenoch, commanded by Cluny Mac-Pherson, had the rear. They had passed alarge open moor, and were entering into the enclosures whichsurround a small village called Clifton. The winter sun had set, and Edward began to rally Fergus upon the false predictions of theGrey Spirit. 'The ides of March are not past, ' said Mac-Ivor, witha smile; when, suddenly casting his eyes back on the moor, a largebody of cavalry was indistinctly seen to hover upon its brown anddark surface. To line the enclosures facing the open ground andthe road by which the enemy must move from it upon the village wasthe work of a short time. While these manoeuvres wereaccomplishing, night sunk down, dark and gloomy, though the moonwas at full. Sometimes, however, she gleamed forth a dubious lightupon the scene of action. 

The Highlanders did not long remain undisturbed in the defensiveposition they had adopted. Favoured by the night, one large bodyof dismounted dragoons attempted to force the enclosures, whileanother, equally strong, strove to penetrate by the highroad. Bothwere received by such a heavy fire as disconcerted their ranks andeffectually checked their progress. Unsatisfied with the advantagethus gained, Fergus, to whose ardent spirit the approach of dangerseemed to restore all its elasticity, drawing his sword andcalling out 'Claymore!' encouraged his men, by voice and example, to break through the hedge which divided them and rush down uponthe enemy. Mingling with the dismounted dragoons, they forcedthem, at the sword-point, to fly to the open moor, where aconsiderable number were cut to pieces. But the moon, whichsuddenly shone out, showed to the English the small number ofassailants, disordered by their own success. Two squadrons ofhorse moving to the support of their companions, the Highlandersendeavoured to recover the enclosures. But several of them, amongst others their brave Chieftain, were cut off and surroundedbefore they could effect their purpose. Waverley, looking eagerlyfor Fergus, from whom, as well as from the retreating body of hisfollowers, he had been separated in the darkness and tumult, sawhim, with Evan Dhu and Callum, defending themselves desperatelyagainst a dozen of horsemen, who were hewing at them with theirlong broadswords. The moon was again at that moment totallyoverclouded, and Edward, in the obscurity, could neither bring aidto his friends nor discover which way lay his own road to rejointhe rear-guard. After once or twice narrowly escaping being slainor made prisoner by parties of the cavalry whom he encountered inthe darkness, he at length reached an enclosure, and, clamberingover it, concluded himself in safety and on the way to theHighland forces, whose pipes he heard at some distance. For Fergushardly a hope remained, unless that he might be made prisonerRevolving his fate with sorrow and anxiety, the superstition ofthe Bodach Glas recurred to Edward's recollection, and he said tohimself, with internal surprise 'What, can the devil speak truth?'[Footnote: See Note 13. ]

CHAPTER LX

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS

Edward was in a most unpleasant and dangerous situation. He soonlost the sound of the bagpipes; and, what was yet more unpleasant, when, after searching long in vain and scrambling through manyenclosures, he at length approached the highroad, he learned, fromthe unwelcome noise of kettledrums and trumpets, that the Englishcavalry now occupied it, and consequently were between him and theHighlanders. Precluded, therefore, from advancing in a straightdirection, he resolved to avoid the English military and endeavourto join his friends by making a circuit to the left, for which abeaten path, deviating from the main road in that direction, seemed to afford facilities. The path was muddy and the night darkand cold; but even these inconveniences were hardly felt amidstthe apprehensions which falling into the hands of the King'sforces reasonably excited in his bosom. 

After walking about three miles, he at length reached a hamlet. Conscious that the common people were in general unfavourable tothe cause he had espoused, yet desirous, if possible, to procure ahorse and guide to Penrith, where he hoped to find the rear, ifnot the main body, of the Chevalier's army, he approached thealehouse of the place. There was a great noise within; he pausedto listen. A round English oath or two, and the burden of acampaign song, convinced him the hamlet also was occupied by theDuke of Cumberland's soldiers. Endeavouring to retire from it assoftly as possible, and blessing the obscurity which hitherto hehad murmured against, Waverley groped his way the best he couldalong a small paling, which seemed the boundary of some cottagegarden. As he reached the gate of this little enclosure, hisoutstretched hand was grasped by that of a female, whose voice atthe same time uttered, 'Edward, is't thou, man?'

'Here is some unlucky mistake, ' thought Edward, struggling, butgently, to disengage himself. 

'Naen o' thy foun, now, man, or the red cwoats will hear thee;they hae been houlerying and poulerying every ane that pastalehouse door this noight to make them drive their waggons andsick loike. Come into feyther's, or they'll do ho a mischief. '

'A good hint, ' thought Waverley, following the girl through thelittle garden into a brick-paved kitchen, where she set herself tokindle a match at an expiring fire, and with the match to light acandle. She had no sooner looked on Edward than she dropped thelight, with a shrill scream of 'O feyther, feyther!'

The father, thus invoked, speedily appeared--a sturdy old farmer, in a pair of leather breeches, and boots pulled on withoutstockings, having just started from his bed; the rest of his dresswas only a Westmoreland statesman's robe-de-chambre--that is, hisshirt. His figure was displayed to advantage by a candle which hebore in his left hand; in his right he brandished a poker. 

'What hast ho here, wench?'

'O!' cried the poor girl, almost going off in hysterics, 'Ithought it was Ned Williams, and it is one of the plaid-men. '

'And what was thee ganging to do wi' Ned Williams at this time o'noight?' To this, which was, perhaps, one of the numerous class ofquestions more easily asked than answered, the rosy-cheeked damselmade no reply, but continued sobbing and wringing her hands. 

'And thee, lad, dost ho know that the dragoons be a town? dost hoknow that, mon? ad, they'll sliver thee loike a turnip, mon. '

'I know my life is in great danger, ' said Waverley, 'but if youcan assist me, I will reward you handsomely. I am no Scotchman, but an unfortunate English gentleman. '

'Be ho Scot or no, ' said the honest farmer, 'I wish thou hadstkept the other side of the hallan. But since thou art here, JacobJopson will betray no man's bluid; and the plaids were gay canny, and did not do so much mischief when they were here yesterday. 'Accordingly, he set seriously about sheltering and refreshing ourhero for the night. The fire was speedily rekindled, but withprecaution against its light being seen from without. The jollyyeoman cut a rasher of bacon, which Cicely soon broiled, and herfather added a swingeing tankard of his best ale. It was settledthat Edward should remain there till the troops marched in themorning, then hire or buy a horse from the farmer, and, with thebest directions that could be obtained, endeavour to overtake hisfriends. A clean, though coarse, bed received him after thefatigues of this unhappy day. 

With the morning arrived the news that the Highlanders hadevacuated Penrith, and marched off towards Carlisle; that the Dukeof Cumberland was in possession of Penrith, and that detachmentsof his army covered the roads in every direction. To attempt toget through undiscovered would be an act of the most frantictemerity. Ned Williams (the right Edward) was now called tocouncil by Cicely and her father. Ned, who perhaps did not carethat his handsome namesake should remain too long in the samehouse with his sweetheart, for fear of fresh mistakes, proposedthat Waverley, exchanging his uniform and plaid for the dress ofthe country, should go with him to his father's farm nearUllswater, and remain in that undisturbed retirement until themilitary movements in the country should have ceased to renderhis departure hazardous. A price was also agreed upon, at whichthe stranger might board with Farmer Williams if he thoughtproper, till he could depart with safety. It was of moderateamount; the distress of his situation, among this honest andsimple-hearted race, being considered as no reason for increasingtheir demand. 

The necessary articles of dress were accordingly procured, and, byfollowing by-paths known to the young farmer, they hoped to escapeany unpleasant rencontre. A recompense for their hospitality wasrefused peremptorily by old Jopson and his cherry-cheekeddaughter; a kiss paid the one and a hearty shake of the hand theother. Both seemed anxious for their guest's safety, and tookleave of him with kind wishes. 

In the course of their route Edward, with his guide, traversedthose fields which the night before had been the scene of action. A brief gleam of December's sun shone sadly on the broad heath, which, towards the spot where the great north-west road enteredthe enclosures of Lord Lonsdale's property, exhibited dead bodiesof men and horses, and the usual companions of war, a number ofcarrion-crows, hawks, and ravens. 

'And this, then, was thy last field, ' said Waverley to himself, his eye filling at the recollection of the many splendid points ofFergus's character, and of their former intimacy, all his passionsand imperfections forgotten--'here fell the last Vich Ian Vohr, on a nameless heath; and in an obscure night-skirmish was quenchedthat ardent spirit, who thought it little to cut a way for hismaster to the British throne! Ambition, policy, bravery, all farbeyond their sphere, here learned the fate of mortals. The solesupport, too, of a sister whose spirit, as proud and unbending, was even more exalted than thine own; here ended all thy hopes forFlora, and the long and valued line which it was thy boast toraise yet more highly by thy adventurous valour!'

As these ideas pressed on Waverley's mind, he resolved to go uponthe open heath and search if, among the slain, he could discoverthe body of his friend, with the pious intention of procuring forhim the last rites of sepulture. The timorous young man whoaccompanied him remonstrated upon the danger of the attempt, butEdward was determined. The followers of the camp had alreadystripped the dead of all they could carry away; but the countrypeople, unused to scenes of blood, had not yet approached thefield of action, though some stood fearfully gazing at a distance. About sixty or seventy dragoons lay slain within the firstenclosure, upon the highroad, and on the open moor. Of theHighlanders, not above a dozen had fallen, chiefly those who, venturing too far on the moor, could not regain the strong ground. He could not find the body of Fergus among the slain. On a littleknoll, separated from the others, lay the carcasses of threeEnglish dragoons, two horses, and the page Callum Beg, whose hardskull a trooper's broadsword had, at length, effectually cloven. It was possible his clan had carried off the body of Fergus; butit was also possible he had escaped, especially as Evan Dhu, whowould never leave his Chief, was not found among the dead; or hemight be prisoner, and the less formidable denunciation inferredfrom the appearance of the Bodach Glas might have proved the trueone. The approach of a party sent for the purpose of compellingthe country people to bury the dead, and who had already assembledseveral peasants for that purpose, now obliged Edward to rejoinhis guide, who awaited him in great anxiety and fear under shadeof the plantations. 

After leaving this field of death, the rest of their journey washappily accomplished. At the house of Farmer Williams, Edwardpassed for a young kinsman, educated for the church, who was cometo reside there till the civil tumults permitted him to passthrough the country. This silenced suspicion among the kind andsimple yeomanry of Cumberland, and accounted sufficiently for thegrave manners and retired habits of the new guest. The precautionbecame more necessary than Waverley had anticipated, as a varietyof incidents prolonged his stay at Fasthwaite, as the farm wascalled. 

A tremendous fall of snow rendered his departure impossible formore than ten days. When the roads began to become a littlepracticable, they successively received news of the retreat of theChevalier into Scotland; then, that he had abandoned thefrontiers, retiring upon Glasgow; and that the Duke of Cumberlandhad formed the siege of Carlisle. His army, therefore, cut off allpossibility of Waverley's escaping into Scotland in thatdirection. On the eastern border Marshal Wade, with a large force, was advancing upon Edinburgh; and all along the frontier, partiesof militia, volunteers, and partizans were in arms to suppressinsurrection, and apprehend such stragglers from the Highland armyas had been left in England. The surrender of Carlisle, and theseverity with which the rebel garrison were threatened, soonformed an additional reason against venturing upon a solitary andhopeless journey through a hostile country and a large army, tocarry the assistance of a single sword to a cause which seemedaltogether desperate. In this lonely and secluded situation, without the advantage of company or conversation with men ofcultivated minds, the arguments of Colonel Talbot often recurredto the mind of our hero. A still more anxious recollection hauntedhis slumbers--it was the dying look and gesture of ColonelGardiner. Most devoutly did he hope, as the rarely occurring postbrought news of skirmishes with various success, that it mightnever again be his lot to draw his sword in civil conflict. Thenhis mind turned to the supposed death of Fergus, to the desolatesituation of Flora, and, with yet more tender recollection, tothat of Rose Bradwardine, who was destitute of the devotedenthusiasm of loyalty, which to her friend hallowed and exaltedmisfortune. These reveries he was permitted to enjoy, undisturbedby queries or interruption; and it was in many a winter walk bythe shores of Ullswater that he acquired a more complete masteryof a spirit tamed by adversity than his former experience hadgiven him; and that he felt himself entitled to say firmly, thoughperhaps with a sigh, that the romance of his life was ended, andthat its real history had now commenced. He was soon called uponto justify his pretensions by reason and philosophy. 

CHAPTER LXI

A JOURNEY TO LONDON

Theamily at Fasthwaite were soon attached to Edward. He had, indeed, that gentleness and urbanity which almost universallyattracts corresponding kindness; and to their simple ideas hislearning gave him consequence, and his sorrows interest. The lasthe ascribed, evasively, to the loss of a brother in the skirmishnear Clifton; and in that primitive state of society, where theties of affection were highly deemed of, his continued depressionexcited sympathy, but not surprise. 

In the end of January his more lively powers were called out bythe happy union of Edward Williams, the son of his host, withCicely Jopson. Our hero would not cloud with sorrow the festivityattending the wedding of two persons to whom he was so highlyobliged. He therefore exerted himself, danced, sung, played at thevarious games of the day, and was the blithest of the company. Thenext morning, however, he had more serious matters to think of. 

The clergyman who had married the young couple was so much pleasedwith the supposed student of divinity, that he came next day fromPenrith on purpose to pay him a visit. This might have been apuzzling chapter had he entered into any examination of our hero'ssupposed theological studies; but fortunately he loved better tohear and communicate the news of the day. He brought with him twoor three old newspapers, in one of which Edward found a piece ofintelligence that soon rendered him deaf to every word which theReverend Mr. Twigtythe was saying upon the news from the north, and the prospect of the Duke's speedily overtaking and crushingthe rebels. This was an article in these, or nearly these words:--

'Died at his house, in Hill Street, Berkeley Square, upon the 10thinst. , Richard Waverley, Esq. , second son of Sir Giles Waverley ofWaverley-Honour, etc. Etc. He died of a lingering disorder, augmented by the unpleasant predicament of suspicion in which hestood, having been obliged to find bail to a high amount to meetan impending accusation of high-treason. An accusation of the samegrave crime hangs over his elder brother, Sir Everard Waverley, the representative of that ancient family; and we understand theday of his trial will be fixed early in the next month, unlessEdward Waverley, son of the deceased Richard, and heir to theBaronet, shall surrender himself to justice. In that case we areassured it is his Majesty's gracious purpose to drop furtherproceedings upon the charge against Sir Everard. This unfortunateyoung gentleman is ascertained to have been in arms in thePretender's service, and to have marched along with the Highlandtroops into England. But he has not been heard of since theskirmish at Clifton, on the 18th December last. '

Such was this distracting paragraph. 'Good God!' exclaimedWaverley, 'am I then a parricide? Impossible! My father, who nevershowed the affection of a father while he lived, cannot have beenso much affected by my supposed death as to hasten his own; no, Iwill not believe it, it were distraction to entertain for a momentsuch a horrible idea. But it were, if possible, worse thanparricide to suffer any danger to hang over my noble and generousuncle, who has ever been more to me than a father, if such evilcan be averted by any sacrifice on my part!'

While these reflections passed like the stings of scorpionsthrough Waverley's sensorium, the worthy divine was startled in along disquisition on the battle of Falkirk by the ghastlinesswhich they communicated to his looks, and asked him if he was ill?Fortunately the bride, all smirk and blush, had just entered theroom. Mrs. Williams was none of the brightest of women, but shewas good-natured, and readily concluding that Edward had beenshocked by disagreeable news in the papers, interfered sojudiciously, that, without exciting suspicion, she drew off Mr. Twigtythe's attention, and engaged it until he soon after took hisleave. Waverley then explained to his friends that he was underthe necessity of going to London with as little delay as possible. 

One cause of delay, however, did occur, to which Waverley had beenvery little accustomed. His purse, though well stocked when hefirst went to Tully-Veolan, had not been reinforced since thatperiod; and although his life since had not been of a nature toexhaust it hastily, for he had lived chiefly with his friends orwith the army, yet he found that, after settling with his kindlandlord, he should be too poor to encounter the expense oftravelling post. The best course, therefore, seemed to be to getinto the great north road about Boroughbridge, and there take aplace in the northern diligence, a huge old-fashioned tub, drawnby three horses, which completed the journey from Edinburgh toLondon (God willing, as the advertisement expressed it) in threeweeks. Our hero, therefore, took an affectionate farewell of hisCumberland friends, whose kindness he promised never to forget, and tacitly hoped ene day to acknowledge by substantial proofs ofgratitude. After some petty difficulties and vexatious delays, andafter putting his dress into a shape better befitting his rank, though perfectly plain and simple, he accomplished crossing thecountry, and found himself in the desired vehicle vis-a-vis toMrs. Nosebag, the lady of Lieutenant Nosebag, adjutant and riding-master of the--dragoons, a jolly woman of about fifty, wearing ablue habit, faced with scarlet, and grasping a silver-mountedhorse-whip. 

This lady was one of those active members of society who take uponthem faire lefrais de la conversation. She had just returned fromthe north, and informed Edward how nearly her regiment had cut thepetticoat people into ribands at Falkirk, 'only somehow there wasone of those nasty, awkward marshes, that they are never withoutin Scotland, I think, and so our poor dear little regimentsuffered something, as my Nosebag says, in that unsatisfactoryaffair. You, sir, have served in the dragoons?' Waverley was takenso much at unawares that he acquiesced. 

'O, I knew it at once; I saw you were military from your air, andI was sure you could be none of the foot-wobblers, as my Nosebagcalls them. What regiment, pray?' Here was a delightful question. Waverley, however, justly concluded that this good lady had thewhole army-list by heart; and, to avoid detection by adhering totruth, answered, 'Gardiner's dragoons, ma'am; but I have retiredsome time. '

'O aye, those as won the race at the battle of Preston, as myNosebag says. Pray, sir, were you there?'

'I was so unfortunate, madam, ' he replied, 'as to witness thatengagement. '

'And that was a misfortune that few of Gardiner's stood towitness, I believe, sir--ha! ha! ha! I beg your pardon; but asoldier's wife loves a joke. '

'Devil confound you, ' thought Waverley: 'what infernal luck haspenned me up with this inquisitive hag!'

Fortunately the good lady did not stick long to one subject. 'Weare coming to Ferrybridge now, ' she said, 'where there was a partyof OURS left to support the beadles, and constables, and justices, and these sort of creatures that are examining papers and stoppingrebels, and all that. ' They were hardly in the inn before shedragged Waverley to the window, exclaiming, 'Yonder comes CorporalBridoon, of our poor dear troop; he's coming with the constableman. Bridoon's one of my lambs, as Nosebag calls 'ern. Come, Mr. --a--a--pray, what's your name, sir?'

'Butler, ma'am, ' said Waverley, resolved rather to make free withthe name of a former fellow-officer than run the risk of detectionby inventing one not to be found in the regiment. 

'O, you got a troop lately, when that shabby fellow, Waverley, went over to the rebels? Lord, I wish our old cross Captain Crumpwould go over to the rebels, that Nosebag might get the troop!Lord, what can Bridoon be standing swinging on the bridge for?I'll be hanged if he a'nt hazy, as Nosebag says. Come, sir, as youand I belong to the service, we'll go put the rascal in mind ofhis duty. '

Waverley, with feelings more easily conceived than described, sawhimself obliged to follow this doughty female commander. Thegallant trooper was as like a lamb as a drunk corporal ofdragoons, about six feet high, with very broad shoulders, and verythin legs, not to mention a great scar across his nose, could wellbe. Mrs. Nosebag addressed him with something which, if not anoath, sounded very like one, and commanded him to attend to hisduty. 'You be d--d for a----, ' commenced the gallant cavalier; but, looking up in order to suit the action to the words, and also toenforce the epithet which he meditated with an adjectiveapplicable to the party, he recognised the speaker, made hismilitary salaam, and altered his tone. 'Lord love your handsomeface, Madam Nosebag, is it you? Why, if a poor fellow does happento fire a slug of a morning, I am sure you were never the lady tobring him to harm. '

'Well, you rascallion, go, mind your duty; this gentleman and Ibelong to the service; but be sure you look after that shy cock inthe slouched hat that sits in the corner of the coach. I believehe's one of the rebels in disguise. '

'D--n her gooseberry wig, ' said the corporal, when she was out ofhearing, 'that gimlet-eyed jade--mother adjutant, as we call her--is a greater plague to the regiment than provost-marshal, sergeant-major, and old Hubble-de-Shuff, the colonel, into thebargain. Come, Master Constable, let's see if this shy cock, asshe calls him (who, by the way, was a Quaker from Leeds, with whomMrs. Nosebag had had some tart argument on the legality of bearingarms), will stand godfather to a sup of brandy, for your Yorkshireale is cold on my stomach. '

The vivacity of this good lady, as it helped Edward out of thisscrape, was like to have drawn him into one or two others. Inevery town where they stopped she wished to examine the corps degarde, if there was one, and once very narrowly missed introducingWaverley to a recruiting-sergeant of his own regiment. Then sheCaptain'd and Butler'd him till he was almost mad with vexationand anxiety; and never was he more rejoiced in his life at thetermination of a journey than when the arrival of the coach inLondon freed him from the attentions of Madam Nosebag. 

CHAPTER LXII

WHAT'S TO BE DONE NEXT?

Itwas twilight when they arrived in town; and having shaken offhis companions, and walked through a good many streets to avoidthe possibility of being traced by them, Edward took a hackney-coach and drove to Colonel Talbot's house, in one of the principalsquares at the west end of the town. That gentleman, by the deathof relations, had succeeded since his marriage to a large fortune, possessed considerable political interest, and lived in what iscalled great style. 

When Waverley knocked at his door he found it at first difficultto procure admittance, but at length was shown into an apartmentwhere the Colonel was at table. Lady Emily, whose very beautifulfeatures were still pallid from indisposition, sate opposite tohim. The instant he heard Waverley's voice, he started up andembraced him. 'Frank Stanley, my dear boy, how d'ye do? Emily, mylove, this is young Stanley. '

The blood started to the lady's cheek as she gave Waverley areception in which courtesy was mingled with kindness, while hertrembling hand and faltering voice showed how much she wasstartled and discomposed. Dinner was hastily replaced, and whileWaverley was engaged in refreshing himself, the Colonel proceeded--'I wonder you have come here, Frank; the Doctors tell me the airof London is very bad for your complaints. You should not haverisked it. But I am delighted to see you, and so is Emily, thoughI fear we must not reckon upon your staying long. '

'Some particular business brought me up, ' muttered Waverley. 

'I supposed so, but I shan't allow you to stay long. Spontoon' (toan elderly military-looking servant out of livery), 'take awaythese things, and answer the bell yourself, if I ring. Don't letany of the other fellows disturb us. My nephew and I have businessto talk of. '

When the servants had retired, 'In the name of God, Waverley, whathas brought you here? It may be as much as your life is worth. '

'Dear Mr. Waverley, ' said Lady Emily, 'to whom I owe so much morethan acknowledgments can ever pay, how could you be so rash?'

'My father--my uncle--this paragraph, '--he handed the paper toColonel Talbot. 

'I wish to Heaven these scoundrels were condemned to be squeezedto death in their own presses, ' said Talbot. 'I am told there arenot less than a dozen of their papers now published in town, andno wonder that they are obliged to invent lies to find sale fortheir journals. It is true, however, my dear Edward, that you havelost your father; but as to this flourish of his unpleasantsituation having grated upon his spirits and hurt his health--thetruth is--for though it is harsh to say so now, yet it willrelieve your mind from the idea of weighty responsibility--thetruth then is, that Mr. Richard Waverley, through this wholebusiness, showed great want of sensibility, both to your situationand that of your uncle; and the last time I saw him, he told me, with great glee, that, as I was so good as to take charge of yourinterests, he had thought it best to patch up a separatenegotiation for himself, and make his peace with governmentthrough some channels which former connexions left still open tohim. '

'And my uncle, my dear uncle?'

'Is in no danger whatever. It is true (looking at the date of thepaper) there was a foolish report some time ago to the purporthere quoted, but it is entirely false. Sir Everard is gone down toWaverley-Honour, freed from all uneasiness, unless upon your ownaccount. But you are in peril yourself; your name is in everyproclamation; warrants are out to apprehend you. How and when didyou come here?'

Edward told his story at length, suppressing his quarrel withFergus; for, being himself partial to Highlanders, he did not wishto give any advantage to the Colonel's national prejudice againstthem. 

'Are you sure it was your friend Glen's foot-boy you saw dead inClifton Moor?'

'Quite positive. '

'Then that little limb of the devil has cheated the gallows, forcut-throat was written in his face; though (turning to Lady Emily)it was a very handsome face too. But for you, Edward, I wish youwould go down again to Cumberland, or rather I wish you had neverstirred from thence, for there is an embargo in all the seaports, and a strict search for the adherents of the Pretender; and thetongue of that confounded woman will wag in her head like theclack of a mill, till somehow or other she will detect CaptainButler to be a feigned personage. '

'Do you know anything, ' asked Waverley, 'of my fellow-traveller?'

'Her husband was my sergeant-major for six years; she was a buxomwidow, with a little money; he married her, was steady, and got onby being a good drill. I must send Spontoon to see what she isabout; he will find her out among the old regimental connections. To-morrow you must be indisposed, and keep your room from fatigue. Lady Emily is to be your nurse, and Spontoon and I yourattendants. You bear the name of a near relation of mine, whomnone of my present people ever saw, except Spontoon, so there willbe no immediate danger. So pray feel your head ache and your eyesgrow heavy as soon as possible, that you may be put upon the sick-list; and, Emily, do you order an apartment for Frank Stanley, with all the attentions which an invalid may require. '

In the morning the Colonel visited his guest. 'Now, ' said he, 'Ihave some good news for you. Your reputation as a gentleman andofficer is effectually cleared of neglect of duty and accession tothe mutiny in Gardiner's regiment. I have had a correspondence onthis subject with a very zealous friend of yours, your Scottishparson, Morton; his first letter was addressed to Sir Everard; butI relieved the good Baronet of the trouble of answering it. Youmust know, that your free-booting acquaintance, Donald of theCave, has at length fallen into the hands of the Philistines. Hewas driving off the cattle of a certain proprietor, called Killan--something or other--'

'Killancureit?'

'The same. Now the gentleman being, it seems, a great farmer, andhaving a special value for his breed of cattle, being, moreover, rather of a timid disposition, had got a party of soldiers toprotect his property. So Donald ran his head unawares into thelion's mouth, and was defeated and made prisoner. Being orderedfor execution, his conscience was assailed on the one hand by aCatholic priest, on the other by your friend Morton. He repulsedthe Catholic chiefly on account of the doctrine of extremeunction, which this economical gentleman considered as anexcessive waste of oil. So his conversion from a state ofimpenitence fell to Mr. Morton's share, who, I daresay, acquittedhimself excellently, though I suppose Donald made but a queer kindof Christian after all. He confessed, however, before amagistrate, one Major Melville, who seems to have been a correct, friendly sort of person, his full intrigue with Houghton, explaining particularly how it was carried on, and fullyacquitting you of the least accession to it. He also mentioned hisrescuing you from the hands of the volunteer officer, and sendingyou, by orders of the Pret--Chevalier, I mean--as a prisoner toDoune, from whence he understood you were carried prisoner toEdinburgh. These are particulars which cannot but tell in yourfavour. He hinted that he had been employed to deliver and protectyou, and rewarded for doing so; but he would not confess by whom, alleging that, though he would not have minded breaking anyordinary oath to satisfy the curiosity of Mr. Morton, to whosepious admonitions he owed so much, yet, in the present case he hadbeen sworn to silence upon the edge of his dirk, [Footnote: SeeNote 14. ] which, it seems, constituted, in his opinion, aninviolable obligation. '

'And what is become of him?'

'Oh, he was hanged at Stirling after the rebels raised the siege, with his lieutenant and four plaids besides; he having theadvantage of a gallows more lofty than his friends. '

'Well, I have little cause either to regret or rejoice at hisdeath; and yet he has done me both good and harm to a veryconsiderable extent. '

'His confession, at least, will serve you materially, since itwipes from your character all those suspicions which gave theaccusation against you a complexion of a nature different fromthat with which so many unfortunate gentlemen, now or lately inarms against the government, may be justly charged. Their treason--I must give it its name, though you participate in its guilt--isan action arising from mistaken virtue, and therefore cannot beclassed as a disgrace, though it be doubtless highly criminal. Where the guilty are so numerous, clemency must be extended to farthe greater number; and I have little doubt of procuring aremission for you, providing we can keep you out of the claws ofjustice till she has selected and gorged upon her victims; for inthis, as in other cases, it will be according to the vulgarproverb, "First come, first served. " Besides, government aredesirous at present to intimidate the English Jacobites, amongwhom they can find few examples for punishment. This is avindictive and timid feeling which will soon wear off, for of allnations the English are least blood-thirsty by nature. But itexists at present, and you must therefore be kept out of the wayin the mean-time. '

Now entered Spontoon with an anxious countenance. By hisregimental acquaintances he had traced out Madam Nosebag, andfound her full of ire, fuss, and fidget at discovery of animpostor who had travelled from the north with her under theassumed name of Captain Butler of Gardiner's dragoons. She wasgoing to lodge an information on the subject, to have him soughtfor as an emissary of the Pretender; but Spontoon (an oldsoldier), while he pretended to approve, contrived to make herdelay her intention. No time, however, was to be lost: theaccuracy of this good dame's description might probably lead tothe discovery that Waverley was the pretended Captain Butler, anidentification fraught with danger to Edward, perhaps to hisuncle, and even to Colonel Talbot. Which way to direct his coursewas now, therefore, the question. 

'To Scotland, ' said Waverley. 

'To Scotland?' said the Colonel; 'with what purpose? not to engageagain with the rebels, I hope?'

'No; I considered my campaign ended when, after all my efforts, Icould not rejoin them; and now, by all accounts, they are gone tomake a winter campaign in the Highlands, where such adherents as Iam would rather be burdensome than useful. Indeed, it seems likelythat they only prolong the war to place the Chevalier's person outof danger, and then to make some terms for themselves. To burdenthem with my presence would merely add another party, whom theywould not give up and could not defend. I understand they leftalmost all their English adherents in garrison at Carlisle, forthat very reason. And on a more general view, Colonel, to confessthe truth, though it may lower me in your opinion, I am heartlytired of the trade of war, and am, as Fletcher's HumorousLieutenant says, "even as weary of this fighting-'"

'Fighting! pooh, what have you seen but a skirmish or two? Ah! ifyou saw war on the grand scale--sixty or a hundred thousand men inthe field on each side!'

'I am not at all curious, Colonel. "Enough, " says our homelyproverb, "is as good as a feast. " The plumed troops and the bigwar used to enchant me in poetry, but the night marches, vigils, couches under the wintry sky, and such accompaniments of theglorious trade, are not at all to my taste in practice; then fordry blows, I had MY fill of fighting at Clifton, where I escapedby a hair's-breadth half a dozen times; and you, I should think--'He stopped. 

'Had enough of it at Preston? you mean to say, ' answered theColonel, laughing; 'but 'tis my vocation, Hal. '

'It is not mine, though, ' said Waverley; 'and having honourablygot rid of the sword, which I drew only as a volunteer, I am quitesatisfied with my military experience, and shall be in no hurry totake it up again. '

'I am very glad you are of that mind; but then what would you doin the north?'

'In the first place, there are some seaports on the eastern coastof Scotland still in the hands of the Chevalier's friends; shouldI gain any of them, I can easily embark for the Continent. '

'Good, your second reason?'

'Why, to speak the very truth, there is a person in Scotland uponwhom I now find my happiness depends more than I was always aware, and about whose situation I am very anxious. '

'Then Emily was right, and there is a love affair in the caseafter all? And which of these two pretty Scotchwomen, whom youinsisted upon my admiring, is the distinguished fair? not MissGlen--I hope. '

'No. '

'Ah, pass for the other; simplicity may be improved, but pride andconceit never. Well, I don't discourage you; I think it willplease Sir Everard, from what he said when I jested with him aboutit; only I hope that intolerable papa, with his brogue, and hissnuff, and his Latin, and his insufferable long stories about theDuke of Berwick, will find it necessary hereafter to be aninhabitant of foreign parts. But as to the daughter, though Ithink you might find as fitting a match in England, yet if yourheart be really set upon this Scotch rosebud, why the Baronet hasa great opinion of her father and of his family, and he wishesmuch to see you married and settled, both for your own sake andfor that of the three ermines passant, which may otherwise passaway altogether. But I will bring you his mind fully upon thesubject, since you are debarred correspondence for the present, for I think you will not be long in Scotland before me. '

'Indeed! and what can induce you to think of returning toScotland? No relenting longings towards the land of mountains andfloods, I am afraid. '

'None, on my word; but Emily's health is now, thank God, reestablished, and, to tell you the truth, I have little hopes ofconcluding the business which I have at present most at heartuntil I can have a personal interview with his Royal Highness theCommander-in-Chief; for, as Fluellen says, "the duke doth love mewell, and I thank heaven I have deserved some love at his hands. "I am now going out for an hour or two to arrange matters for yourdeparture; your liberty extends to the next room, Lady Emily'sparlour, where you will find her when you are disposed for music, reading, or conversation. We have taken measures to exclude allservants but Spontoon, who is as true as steel. '

In about two hours Colonel Talbot returned, and found his youngfriend conversing with his lady; she pleased with his manners andinformation, and he delighted at being restored, though but for amoment, to the society of his own rank, from which he had been forsome time excluded. 

'And now, ' said the Colonel, 'hear my arrangements, for there islittle time to lose. This youngster, Edward Waverley, aliasWilliams, alias Captain Butler, must continue to pass by hisfourth ALIAS of Francis Stanley, my nephew; he shall set out to-morrow for the North, and the chariot shall take him the first twostages. Spontoon shall then attend him; and they shall ride postas far as Huntingdon; and the presence of Spontoon, well known onthe road as my servant, will check all disposition to inquiry. AtHuntingdon you will meet the real Frank Stanley. He is studying atCambridge; but, a little while ago, doubtful if Emily's healthwould permit me to go down to the North myself, I procured him apassport from the secretary of state's office to go in my stead. As he went chiefly to look after you, his journey is nowunnecessary. He knows your story; you will dine together atHuntingdon; and perhaps your wise heads may hit upon some plan forremoving or diminishing the danger of your farther progress north-ward. And now (taking out a morocco case), let me put you in fundsfor the campaign. '

'I am ashamed, my dear Colonel--'

'Nay, ' said Colonel Talbot, 'you should command my purse in anyevent; but this money is your own. Your father, considering thechance of your being attainted, left me his trustee for youradvantage. So that you are worth above L15, 000, besides Brere-WoodLodge--a very independent person, I promise you. There are billshere for L200; any larger sum you may have, or credit abroad, assoon as your motions require it. '

The first use which occurred to Waverley of his newly acquiredwealth was to write to honest Farmer Jopson, requesting hisacceptance of a silver tankard on the part of his friend Williams, who had not forgotten the night of the eighteenth December last. He begged him at the same time carefully to preserve for him hisHighland garb and accoutrements, particularly the arms, curious inthemselves, and to which the friendship of the donors gaveadditional value. Lady Emily undertook to find some suitable tokenof remembrance likely to flatter the vanity and please the tasteof Mrs. Williams; and the Colonel, who was a kind of farmer, promised to send the Ullswater patriarch an excellent team ofhorses for cart and plough. 

One happy day Waverley spent in London; and, travelling in themanner projected, he met with Frank Stanley at Huntingdon. The twoyoung men were acquainted in a minute. 

'I can read my uncle's riddle, ' said Stanley;'the cautious oldsoldier did not care to hint to me that I might hand over to youthis passport, which I have no occasion for; but if it shouldafterwards come out as the rattle-pated trick of a young Cantab, cela ne tire a rien. You are therefore to be Francis Stanley, withthis passport. ' This proposal appeared in effect to alleviate agreat part of the difficulties which Edward must otherwise haveencountered at every turn; and accordingly he scrupled not toavail himself of it, the more especially as he had discarded allpolitical purposes from his present journey, and could not beaccused of furthering machinations against the government whiletravelling under protection of the secretary's passport. 

The day passed merrily away. The young student was inquisitiveabout Waverley's campaigns, and the manners of the Highlands, andEdward was obliged to satisfy his curiosity by whistling apibroch, dancing a strathspey, and singing a Highland song. Thenext morning Stanley rode a stage northward with his new friend, and parted from him with great reluctance, upon the remonstrancesof Spontoon, who, accustomed to submit to discipline, was rigid inenforcing it. 

CHAPTER LXIII

DESOLATION

Waverley riding post, as was the usual fashion of the period, without any adventure save one or two queries, which the talismanof his passport sufficiently answered, reached the borders ofScotland. Here he heard the tidings of the decisive battle ofCulloden. It was no more than he had long expected, though thesuccess at Falkirk had thrown a faint and setting gleam over thearms of the Chevalier. Yet it came upon him like a shock, by whichhe was for a time altogether unmanned. The generous, thecourteous, the noble-minded adventurer was then a fugitive, with aprice upon his head; his adherents, so brave, so enthusiastic, sofaithful, were dead, imprisoned, or exiled. Where, now, was theexalted and high-souled Fergus, if, indeed, he had survived thenight at Clifton? Where the pure-hearted and primitive Baron ofBradwardine, whose foibles seemed foils to set off thedisinterestedness of his disposition, the genuine goodness of hisheart, and his unshaken courage? Those who clung for support tothese fallen columns, Rose and Flora, where were they to besought, and in what distress must not the loss of their naturalprotectors have involved them? Of Flora he thought with the regardof a brother for a sister; of Rose with a sensation yet more deepand tender. It might be still his fate to supply the want of thoseguardians they had lost. Agitated by these thoughts heprecipitated his journey. 

When he arrived in Edinburgh, where his inquiries must necessarilycommence, he felt the full difficulty of his situation. Manyinhabitants of that city had seen and known him as EdwardWaverley; how, then, could he avail himself of a passport asFrancis Stanley? He resolved, therefore, to avoid all company, andto move northward as soon as possible. He was, however, obliged towait a day or two in expectation of a letter from Colonel Talbot, and he was also to leave his own address, under his feignedcharacter, at a place agreed upon. With this latter purpose hesallied out in the dusk through the well-known streets, carefullyshunning observation, but in vain: one of the first persons whomhe met at once recognised him. It was Mrs. Flockhart, Fergus Mac-Ivor's good-humoured landlady. 

'Gude guide us, Mr. Waverley, is this you? na, ye needna be fearedfor me. I wad betray nae gentleman in your circumstances. Eh, lack-a-day! lack-a-day! here's a change o' markets; how merryColonel MacIvor and you used to be in our house!' And the good-natured widow shed a few natural tears. As there was no resistingher claim of acquaintance, Waverley acknowledged it with a goodgrace, as well as the danger of his own situation. 'As it's nearthe darkening, sir, wad ye just step in by to our house and tak adish o' tea? and I am sure if ye like to sleep in the little room, I wad tak care ye are no disturbed, and naebody wad ken ye; forKate and Matty, the limmers, gaed aff wi' twa o' Hawley'sdragoons, and I hae twa new queans instead o' them. '

Waverley accepted her invitation, and engaged her lodging for anight or two, satisfied he should be safer in the house of thissimple creature than anywhere else. When he entered the parlourhis heart swelled to see Fergus's bonnet, with the white cockade, hanging beside the little mirror. 

'Ay, ' said Mrs. Flockhart, sighing, as she observed the directionof his eyes, 'the puir Colonel bought a new ane just the daybefore they marched, and I winna let them tak that ane doun, butjust to brush it ilka day mysell; and whiles I look at it till Ijust think I hear him cry to Callum to bring him his bonnet, as heused to do when he was ganging out. It's unco silly--theneighbours ca' me a Jacobite, but they may say their say--I amsure it's no for that--but he was as kind-hearted a gentleman asever lived, and as weel-fa'rd too. Oh, d'ye ken, sir, when he isto suffer?'

'Suffer! Good heaven! Why, where is he?'

'Eh, Lord's sake! d'ye no ken? The poor Hieland body, DugaldMahony, cam here a while syne, wi' ane o' his arms cuttit off, anda sair clour in the head--ye'll mind Dugald, he carried aye an axeon his shouther--and he cam here just begging, as I may say, forsomething to eat. Aweel, he tauld us the Chief, as they ca'd him(but I aye ca' him the Colonel), and Ensign Maccombich, that yemind weel, were ta'en somewhere beside the English border, when itwas sae dark that his folk never missed him till it was ower late, and they were like to gang clean daft. And he said that littleCallum Beg (he was a bauld mischievous callant that) and yourhonour were killed that same night in the tuilzie, and mony maebraw men. But he grat when he spak o' the Colonel, ye never sawthe like. And now the word gangs the Colonel is to be tried, andto suffer wi' them that were ta'en at Carlisle. '

'And his sister?'

'Ay, that they ca'd the Lady Flora--weel, she's away up toCarlisle to him, and lives wi' some grand Papist lady thereaboutsto be near him. '

'And, ' said Edward, 'the other young lady?'

'Whilk other? I ken only of ae sister the Colonel had. '

'I mean Miss Bradwardine, ' said Edward. 

'Ou, ay; the laird's daughter' said his landlady. 'She was a verybonny lassie, poor thing, but far shyer than Lady Flora. '

'Where is she, for God's sake?'

'Ou, wha kens where ony o' them is now? puir things, they're sairta'en doun for their white cockades and their white roses; but shegaed north to her father's in Perthshire, when the governmenttroops cam back to Edinbro'. There was some prettymen amang them, and ane Major Whacker was quartered on me, a very ceevilgentleman, --but O, Mr. Waverley, he was naething sae weel fa'rdas the puir Colonel. '

'Do you know what is become of Miss Bradwardine's father?'

'The auld laird? na, naebody kens that. But they say he foughtvery hard in that bluidy battle at Inverness; and Deacon Clank, the whit-iron smith, says that the government folk are sair aganehim for having been out twice; and troth he might hae ta'enwarning, but there's nae Me like an auld fule. The puir Colonelwas only out ance. '

Such conversation contained almost all the good-natured widow knewof the fate of her late lodgers and acquaintances; but it wasenough to determine Edward, at all hazards, to proceed instantlyto Tully-Veolan, where he concluded he should see, or at leasthear, something of Rose. He therefore left a letter for ColonelTalbot at the place agreed upon, signed by his assumed name, andgiving for his address the post-town next to the Baron'sresidence. 

From Edinburgh to Perth he took post-horses, resolving to make therest of his journey on foot; a mode of travelling to which he waspartial, and which had the advantage of permitting a deviationfrom the road when he saw parties of military at a distance. Hiscampaign had considerably strengthened his constitution andimproved his habits of enduring fatigue. His baggage he sentbefore him as opportunity occurred. 

As he advanced northward, the traces of war became visible. Brokencarriages, dead horses, unroofed cottages, trees felled forpalisades, and bridges destroyed or only partially repaired--allindicated the movements of hostile armies. In those places wherethe gentry were attached to the Stuart cause, their houses seemeddismantled or deserted, the usual course of what may be calledornamental labour was totally interrupted, and the inhabitantswere seen gliding about, with fear, sorrow, and dejection on theirfaces. 

It was evening when he approached the village of Tully-Veolan, with feelings and sentiments--how different from those whichattended his first entrance! Then, life was so new to him that adull or disagreeable day was one of the greatest misfortunes whichhis imagination anticipated, and it seemed to him that his timeought only to be consecrated to elegant or amusing study, andrelieved by social or youthful frolic. Now, how changed! howsaddened, yet how elevated was his character, within the course ofa very few months! Danger and misfortune are rapid, though severeteachers. 'A sadder and a wiser man, ' he felt in internalconfidence and mental dignity a compensation for the gay dreamswhich in his case experience had so rapidly dissolved. 

As he approached the village he saw, with surprise and anxiety, that a party of soldiers were quartered near it, and, what wasworse, that they seemed stationary there. This he conjectured froma few tents which he beheld glimmering upon what was called theCommon Moor. To avoid the risk of being stopped and questioned ina place where he was so likely to be recognised, he made a largecircuit, altogether avoiding the hamlet, and approaching the uppergate of the avenue by a by-path well known to him. A single glanceannounced that great changes had taken place. One half of thegate, entirely destroyed and split up for firewood, lay in piles, ready to be taken away; the other swung uselessly about upon itsloosened hinges. The battlements above the gate were broken andthrown down, and the carved bears, which were said to have donesentinel's duty upon the top for centuries, now, hurled from theirposts, lay among the rubbish. The avenue was cruelly wasted. Several large trees were felled and left lying across the path;and the cattle of the villagers, and the more rude hoofs ofdragoon horses, had poached into black mud the verdant turf whichWaverley had so much admired. 

Upon entering the court-yard, Edward saw the fears realised whichthese circumstances had excited. The place had been sacked by theKing's troops, who, in wanton mischief, had even attempted to burnit; and though the thickness of the walls had resisted the fire, unless to a partial extent, the stables and out-houses weretotally consumed. The towers and pinnacles of the main buildingwere scorched and blackened; the pavement of the court broken andshattered, the doors torn down entirely, or hanging by a singlehinge, the windows dashed in and demolished, and the court strewedwith articles of furniture broken into fragments. The accessariesof ancient distinction, to which the Baron, in the pride of hisheart, had attached so much importance and veneration, weretreated with peculiar contumely. The fountain was demolished, andthe spring which had supplied it now flooded the court-yard. Thestone basin seemed to be destined for a drinking-trough forcattle, from the manner in which it was arranged upon the ground. The whole tribe of bears, large and small, had experienced aslittle favour as those at the head of the avenue, and one or twoof the family pictures, which seemed to have served as targets forthe soldiers, lay on the ground in tatters. With an aching heart, as may well be imagined, Edward viewed this wreck of a mansion sorespected. But his anxiety to learn the fate of the proprietors, and his fears as to what that fate might be, increased with everystep. When he entered upon the terrace new scenes of desolationwere visible. The balustrade was broken down, the walls destroyed, the borders overgrown with weeds, and the fruit-trees cut down orgrubbed up. In one compartment of this old-fashioned garden weretwo immense horse-chestnut trees, of whose size the Baron wasparticularly vain; too lazy, perhaps, to cut them down, thespoilers, with malevolent ingenuity, had mined them and placed aquantity of gunpowder in the cavity. One had been shivered topieces by the explosion, and the fragments lay scattered around, encumbering the ground it had so long shadowed. The other mine hadbeen more partial in its effect. About one-fourth of the trunk ofthe tree was torn from the mass, which, mutilated and defaced onthe one side, still spread on the other its ample and undiminishedboughs. [Footnote: A pair of chestnut trees, destroyed, the oneentirely and the other in part, by such a mischievous and wantonact of revenge, grew at Invergarry Castle, the fastness ofMacDonald of Glengarry. ]

Amid these general marks of ravage, there were some which moreparticularly addressed the feelings of Waverley. Viewing the frontof the building thus wasted and defaced, his eyes naturally soughtthe little balcony which more properly belonged to Rose'sapartment, her troisieme, or rather cinquieme, etage. It waseasily discovered, for beneath it lay the stage-flowers and shrubswith which it was her pride to decorate it, and which had beenhurled from the bartizan; several of her books were mingled withbroken flower-pots and other remnants. Among these Waverleydistinguished one of his own, a small copy of Ariosto, andgathered it as a treasure, though wasted by the wind and rain. 

While, plunged in the sad reflections which the scene excited, hewas looking around for some one who might explain the fate of theinhabitants, he heard a voice from the interior of the buildingsinging, in well-remembered accents, an old Scottish song:--

 They came upon us in the night, And brake my bower and slew my knight; My servants a' for life did flee, And left us in extremitie. 

 They slew my knight, to me sae dear; They slew my knight, and drave his gear; The moon may set, the sun may rise, But a deadly sleep has closed his eyes. 

[Footnote: The first three couplets are from an old ballad, calledthe Border Widow's Lament. ]

'Alas, ' thought Edward, 'is it thou? Poor helpless being, art thoualone left, to gibber and moan, and fill with thy wild andunconnected scraps of minstrelsy the halls that protected thee?'He then called, first low, and then louder, 'Davie--DavieGellatley!'

The poor simpleton showed himself from among the ruins of a sortof greenhouse, that once terminated what was called the terrace-walk, but at first sight of a stranger retreated, as if in terror. Waverley, remembering his habits, began to whistle a tune to whichhe was partial, which Davie had expressed great pleasure inlistening to, and had picked up from him by the ear. Our hero'sminstrelsy no more equalled that of Blondel than poor Davieresembled Coeur de Lion; but the melody had the same effect ofproducing recognition. Davie again stole from his lurking-place, but timidly, while Waverley, afraid of frightening him, stoodmaking the most encouraging signals he could devise. 'It's hisghaist, ' muttered Davie; yet, coming nearer, he seemed toacknowledge his living acquaintance. The poor fool himselfappeared the ghost of what he had been. The peculiar dress inwhich he had been attired in better days showed only miserablerags of its whimsical finery, the lack of which was oddly suppliedby the remnants of tapestried hangings, window-curtains, andshreds of pictures with which he had bedizened his tatters. Hisface, too, had lost its vacant and careless air, and the poorcreature looked hollow-eyed, meagre, half-starved, and nervous toa pitiable degree. After long hesitation, he at length approachedWaverley with some confidence, stared him sadly in the face, andsaid, 'A' dead and gane--a' dead and gane. '

'Who are dead?' said Waverley, forgetting the incapacity of Davieto hold any connected discourse. 

'Baron, and Bailie, and Saunders Saunderson, and Lady Rose thatsang sae sweet--a' dead and gane--dead and gane;

 But follow, follow me, While glowworms light the lea, I'll show ye where the dead should be-- Each in his shroud, While winds pipe loud, And the red moon peeps dim through the cloud. Follow, follow me; Brave should he be That treads by night the dead man's lea. '

With these words, chanted in a wild and earnest tone, he made asign to Waverley to follow him, and walked rapidly towards thebottom of the garden, tracing the bank of the stream which, it maybe remembered, was its eastern boundary. Edward, over whom aninvoluntary shuddering stole at the import of his words, followedhim in some hope of an explanation. As the house was evidentlydeserted, he could not expect to find among the ruins any morerational informer. 

Davie, walking very fast, soon reached the extremity of thegarden, and scrambled over the ruins of the wall that once haddivided it from the wooded glen in which the old tower of Tully-Veolan was situated. He then jumped down into the bed of thestream, and, followed by Waverley, proceeded at a great pace, climbing over some fragments of rock and turning with difficultyround others. They passed beneath the ruins of the castle;Waverley followed, keeping up with his guide with difficulty, forthe twilight began to fall. Following the descent of the stream alittle lower, he totally lost him, but a twinkling light which henow discovered among the tangled copse-wood and bushes seemed asurer guide. He soon pursued a very uncouth path; and by itsguidance at length reached the door of a wretched hut. A fiercebarking of dogs was at first heard, but it stilled at hisapproach. A voice sounded from within, and he held it most prudentto listen before he advanced. 

'Wha hast thou brought here, thou unsonsy villain, thou?' said anold woman, apparently in great indignation. He heard DavieGellatley in answer whistle a part of the tune by which he hadrecalled himself to the simpleton's memory, and had now nohesitation to knock at the door. There was a dead silenceinstantly within, except the deep growling of the dogs; and henext heard the mistress of the hut approach the door, not probablyfor the sake of undoing a latch, but of fastening a bolt. Toprevent this Waverley lifted the latch himself. 

In front was an old wretched-looking woman, exclaiming, 'Wha comesinto folk's houses in this gate, at this time o' the night?' Onone side, two grim and half-starved deer greyhounds laid asidetheir ferocity at his appearance, and seemed to recognise him. Onthe other side, half concealed by the open door, yet apparentlyseeking that concealment reluctantly, with a cocked pistol in hisright hand and his left in the act of drawing another from hisbelt, stood a tall bony gaunt figure in the remnants of a fadeduniform and a beard of three weeks' growth. It was the Baron ofBradwardine. It is unnecessary to add, that he threw aside hisweapon and greeted Waverley with a hearty embrace. 

CHAPTER LXIV

COMPARING OF NOTES

Thearon's story was short, when divested of the adages andcommonplaces, Latin, English, and Scotch, with which his eruditiongarnished it. He insisted much upon his grief at the loss ofEdward and of Glennaquoich, fought the fields of Falkirk andCulloden, and related how, after all was lost in the last battle, he had returned home, under the idea of more easily findingshelter among his own tenants and on his own estate thanelsewhere. A party of soldiers had been sent to lay waste hisproperty, for clemency was not the order of the day. Theirproceedings, however, were checked by an order from the civilcourt. The estate, it was found, might not be forfeited to thecrown to the prejudice of Malcolm Bradwardine of Inch-Grabbit, theheir-male, whose claim could not be prejudiced by the Baron'sattainder, as deriving no right through him, and who, therefore, like other heirs of entail in the same situation, entered uponpossession. But, unlike many in similar circumstances, the newlaird speedily showed that he intended utterly to exclude hispredecessor from all benefit or advantage in the estate, and thatit was his purpose to avail himself of the old Baron's evilfortune to the full extent. This was the more ungenerous, as itwas generally known that, from a romantic idea of not prejudicingthis young man's right as heir-male, the Baron had refrained fromsettling his estate on his daughter. 

This selfish injustice was resented by the country people, whowere partial to their old master, and irritated against hissuccessor. In the Baron's own words, 'The matter did not coincidewith the feelings of the commons of Bradwardine, Mr. Waverley; andthe tenants were slack and repugnant in payment of their mails andduties; and when my kinsman came to the village wi' the newfactor, Mr. James Howie, to lift the rents, some wanchancy person--I suspect John Heatherblutter, the auld gamekeeper, that was outwi' me in the year fifteen--fired a shot at him in the gloaming, whereby he was so affrighted, that I may say with Tullius InCatilinam, "Abiit, evasit, erupit, effugit. " He fled, sir, as onemay say, incontinent to Stirling. And now he hath advertised theestate for sale, being himself the last substitute in the entail. And if I were to lament about sic matters, this would grieve memair than its passing from my immediate possession, whilk, by thecourse of nature, must have happened in a few years; whereas nowit passes from the lineage that should have possessed it inscecula saculorum. But God's will be done, humana perpessi sumus. Sir John of Bradwardine--Black Sir John, as he is called--who wasthe common ancestor of our house and the Inch-Grabbits, littlethought such a person would have sprung from his loins. Mean time, he has accused me to some of the primates, the rulers for thetime, as if I were a cut-throat, and an abettor of bravoes andassassinates and coupe-jarrets. And they have sent soldiers hereto abide on the estate, and hunt me like a partridge upon themountains, as Scripture says of good King David, or like ourvaliant Sir William Wallace--not that I bring myself intocomparison with either. I thought, when I heard you at the door, they had driven the auld deer to his den at last; and so I e'enproposed to die at bay, like a buck of the first head. But now, Janet, canna ye gie us something for supper?' 'Ou ay, sir, I'llbrander the moor-fowl that John Heatherblutter brought in thismorning; and ye see puir Davie's roasting the black hen's eggs. Idaur say, Mr. Wauverley, ye never kend that a' the eggs that weresae weel roasted at supper in the Ha'-house were aye turned by ourDavie? there's no the like o' him ony gate for powtering wi' hisfingers amang the het peat-ashes and roasting eggs. ' Davie allthis while lay with his nose almost in the fire, nuzzling amongthe ashes, kicking his heels, mumbling to himself, turning theeggs as they lay in the hot embers, as if to confute the proverb, that 'there goes reason to roasting of eggs, ' and justify theeulogium which poor Janet poured out upon

 Him whom she loved, her idiot boy. 

'Davie's no sae silly as folk tak him for, Mr. Wauverley; he wadnahae brought you here unless he had kend ye was a friend to hisHonour; indeed the very dogs kend ye, Mr. Wauverley, for ye wasaye kind to beast and body. I can tell you a story o' Davie, wi'his Honour's leave. His Honour, ye see, being under hiding in thaesair times--the mair's the pity--he lies a' day, and whiles a'night, in the cove in the dern hag; but though it's a bieldyeneugh bit, and the auld gudeman o' Corse-Cleugh has panged it wi'a kemple o' strae amaist, yet when the country's quiet, and thenight very cauld, his Honour whiles creeps doun here to get a warmat the ingle and a sleep amang the blankets, and gangs awa in themorning. And so, ae morning, siccan a fright as I got! Twa unluckyred-coats were up for black-fishing, or some siccan ploy--for theneb o' them's never out o' mischief--and they just got a glisk o'his Honour as he gaed into the wood, and banged aff a gun at him. I out like a jer-falcon, and cried--"Wad they shoot an honestwoman's poor innocent bairn?" And I fleyt at them, and threepit itwas my son; and they damned and swuir at me that it was the auldrebel, as the villains ca'd his Honour; and Davie was in the wood, and heard the tuilzie, and he, just out o' his ain head, got upthe auld grey mantle that his Honour had flung off him to gang thefaster, and he cam out o' the very same bit o' the wood, majoringand looking about sae like his Honour, that they were cleanbeguiled, and thought they had letten aff their gun at crack-brained Sawney, as they ca' him; and they gae me saxpence, and twasaumon fish, to say naething about it. Na, na, Davie's no justlike other folk, puir fallow; but he's no sae silly as folk takhim for. But, to be sure, how can we do eneugh for his Honour, when we and ours have lived on his ground this twa hundred years;and when he keepit my puir Jamie at school and college, and evenat the Ha'-house, till he gaed to a better place; and when hesaved me frae being ta'en to Perth as a witch--Lord forgi'e themthat would touch sic a puir silly auld body!--and has maintainedpuir Davie at heck and manger maist feck o' his life?'

Waverley at length found an opportunity to interrupt Janet'snarrative by an inquiry after Miss Bradwardine. 

'She's weel and safe, thank God! at the Duchran, ' answered theBaron; 'the laird's distantly related to us, and more nearly to mychaplain, Mr. Rubrick; and, though he be of Whig principles, yethe's not forgetful of auld friendship at this time. The Bailie'sdoing what he can to save something out of the wreck for puirRose; but I doubt, I doubt, I shall never see her again, for Imaun lay my banes in some far country. '

'Hout na, your Honour, ' said old Janet, 'ye were just as ill affin the feifteen, and got the bonnie baronie back, an' a'. And nowthe eggs is ready, and the muir-cock's brandered, and there's ilkane a trencher and some saut, and the heel o' the white loaf thatcam frae the Bailie's, and there's plenty o' brandy in thegreybeard that Luckie Maclearie sent doun, and winna ye besuppered like princes?'

'I wish one Prince, at least, of our acquaintance may be no worseoff, ' said the Baron to Waverley, who joined him in cordial hopesfor the safety of the unfortunate Chevalier. 

They then began to talk of their future prospects. The Baron'splan was very simple. It was, to escape to France, where, by theinterest of his old friends, he hoped to get some militaryemployment, of which he still conceived himself capable. Heinvited Waverley to go with him, a proposal in which heacquiesced, providing the interest of Colonel Talbot should failin procuring his pardon. Tacitly he hoped the Baron would sanctionhis addresses to Rose, and give him a right to assist him in hisexile; but he forbore to speak on this subject until his own fateshould be decided. They then talked of Glennaquoich, for whom theBaron expressed great anxiety, although, he observed, he was 'thevery Achilles of Horatius Flaccus, --

Impiger, iracundus, inexorabilis, acer; which, ' he continued, 'hasbeen thus rendered (vernacularly) by Struan Robertson:--

 A fiery etter-cap, a fractious chiel, As het as ginger, and as stieve as steel. '

Flora had a large and unqualified share of the good old man'ssympathy. 

It was now wearing late. Old Janet got into some kind of kennelbehind the hallan; Davie had been long asleep and snoring betweenBan and Buscar. These dogs had followed him to the hut after themansion-house was deserted, and there constantly resided; andtheir ferocity, with the old woman's reputation of being a witch, contributed a good deal to keep visitors from the glen. With thisview, Bailie Macwheeble provided Janet underhand with meal fortheir maintenance, and also with little articles of luxury for hispatron's use, in supplying which much precaution was necessarilyused. After some compliments, the Baron occupied his usual couch, and Waverley reclined in an easy chair of tattered velvet, whichhad once garnished the state bed-room of Tully-Veolan (for thefurniture of this mansion was now scattered through all thecottages in the vicinity), and went to sleep as comfortably as ifhe had been in a bed of down. 

CHAPTER LXV

MORE EXPLANATION

With the first dawn of day, old Janet was scuttling about thehouse to wake the Baron, who usually slept sound and heavily. 

'I must go back, ' he said to Waverley, 'to my cove; will you walkdown the glen wi' me?' They went out together, and followed anarrow and entangled foot-path, which the occasional passage ofanglers or wood-cutters had traced by the side of the stream. Ontheir way the Baron explained to Waverley that he would be underno danger in remaining a day or two at Tully-Veolan, and even inbeing seen walking about, if he used the precaution of pretendingthat he was looking at the estate as agent or surveyor for anEnglish gentleman who designed to be purchaser. With this view herecommended to him to visit the Bailie, who still lived at thefactor's house, called Little Veolan, about a mile from thevillage, though he was to remove at next term. Stanley's passportwould be an answer to the officer who commanded the military; andas to any of the country people who might recognise Waverley, theBaron assured him he was in no danger of being betrayed by them. 

'I believe, ' said the old man, 'half the people of the barony knowthat their poor auld laird is somewhere hereabout; for I see theydo not suffer a single bairn to come here a bird-nesting; apractice whilk, when I was in full possession of my power asbaron, I was unable totally to inhibit. Nay, I often find bits ofthings in my way, that the poor bodies, God help them! leavethere, because they think they may be useful to me. I hope theywill get a wiser master, and as kind a one as I was. '

A natural sigh closed the sentence; but the quiet equanimity withwhich the Baron endured his misfortunes had something in itvenerable and even sublime. There was no fruitless repining, noturbid melancholy; he bore his lot, and the hardships which itinvolved, with a good-humored, though serious composure, and usedno violent language against the prevailing party. 

'I did what I thought my duty, ' said the good old man, 'andquestionless they are doing what they think theirs. It grieves mesometimes to look upon these blackened walls of the house of myancestors; but doubtless officers cannot always keep the soldier'shand from depredation and spuilzie, and Gustavus Adolphus himself, as ye may read in Colonel Munro his "Expedition with the WorthyScotch Regiment called Mackay's Regiment" did often permit it. Indeed I have myself seen as sad sights as Tully-Veolan now iswhen I served with the Marechal Duke of Berwick. To be sure we maysay with Virgilius Maro, Fuimus Troes--and there's the end of anauld sang. But houses and families and men have a' stood langeneugh when they have stood till they fall with honour; and now Ihae gotten a house that is not unlike a domus ultima'--they werenow standing below a steep rock. 'We poor Jacobites, ' continuedthe Baron, looking up, 'are now like the conies in Holy Scripture(which the great traveller Pococke calleth Jerboa), a feeblepeople, that make our abode in the rocks. So, fare you well, mygood lad, till we meet at Janet's in the even; for I must get intomy Patmos, which is no easy matter for my auld stiff limbs. '

With that he began to ascend the rock, striding, with the help ofhis hands, from one precarious footstep to another, till he gotabout half-way up, where two or three bushes concealed the mouthof a hole, resembling an oven, into which the Baron insinuated, first his head and shoulders, and then, by slow gradation, therest of his l ong body; his legs and feet finally disappearing, coiled up like a huge snake entering his retreat, or a longpedigree introduced with care and difficulty into the narrowpigeon-hole of an old cabinet. Waverley had the curiosity toclamber up and look in upon him in his den, as the lurking-placemight well be termed. Upon the whole, he looked not unlike thatingenious puzzle called 'a reel in a bottle, ' the marvel ofchildren (and of some grown people too, myself for one), who canneither comprehend the mysteryhowit has got in or how it is to betaken out. The cave was very narrow, too low in the roof to admitof his standing, or almost of his sitting up, though he made someawkward attempts at the latter posture. His sole amusement was theperusal of his old friend Titus Livius, varied by occasionallyscratching Latin proverbs and texts of Scripture with his knife onthe roof and walls of his fortalice, which were of sandstone. Asthe cave was dry, and filled with clean straw and withered fern, 'it made, ' as he said, coiling himself up with an air of snugnessand comfort which contrasted strangely with his situation, 'unlesswhen the wind was due north, a very passable gite for an oldsoldier. ' Neither, as he observed, was he without sentries for thepurpose of reconnoitring. Davie and his mother were constantly onthe watch to discover and avert danger; and it was singular whatinstances of address seemed dictated by the instinctive attachmentof the poor simpleton when his patron's safety was concerned. 

With Janet, Edward now sought an interview. He had recognised herat first sight as the old woman who had nursed him during hissickness after his delivery from Gifted Gilfillan. The hut also, although a little repaired and somewhat better furnished, wascertainly the place of his confinement; and he now recollected onthe common moor of Tully-Veolan the trunk of a large decayed tree, called the try sting-tree, which he had no doubt was the same atwhich the Highlanders rendezvoused on that memorable night. Allthis he had combined in his imagination the night before; butreasons which may probably occur to the reader prevented him fromcatechising Janet in the presence of the Baron. 

He now commenced the task in good earnest; and the first questionwas, Who was the young lady that visited the hut during hisillness? Janet paused for a little; and then observed, that tokeep the secret now would neither do good nor ill to anybody. 

' It was just a leddy that hasna her equal in the world--MissRose Bradwardine!'

'Then Miss Rose was probably also the author of my deliverance, 'inferred Waverley, delighted at the confirmation of an idea whichlocal circumstances had already induced him to entertain. 

'I wot weel, Mr. Wauverley, and that was she e'en; but sair, sairangry and affronted wad she hae been, puir thing, if she hadthought ye had been ever to ken a word about the matter; for shegar'd me speak aye Gaelic when ye was in hearing, to mak ye trowwe were in the Hielands. I can speak it weil eneugh, for my motherwas a Hieland woman. '

A few more questions now brought out the whole mystery respectingWaverley's deliverance from the bondage in which he leftCairnvreckan. Never did music sound sweeter to an amateur than thedrowsy tautology with which old Janet detailed every circumstancethrilled upon the ears of Waverley. But my reader is not a loverand I must spare his patience, by attempting to condense withinreasonable compass the narrative which old Janet spread through aharangue of nearly two hours. 

When Waverley communicated to Fergus the letter he had receivedfrom Rose Bradwardine by Davie Gellatley, giving an account ofTully-Veolan being occupied by a small party of soldiers, thatcircumstance had struck upon the busy and active mind of theChieftain. Eager to distress and narrow the posts of the enemy, desirous to prevent their establishing a garrison so near him, andwilling also to oblige the Baron--for he often had the idea ofmarriage with Rose floating through his brain--he resolved to sendsome of his people to drive out the red-coats and to bring Rose toGlennaquoich. But just as he had ordered Evan with a small partyon this duty, the news of Cope's having marched into theHighlands, to meet and disperse the forces of the Chevalier erethey came to a head, obliged him to join the standard with hiswhole forces. 

He sent to order Donald Bean to attend him; but that cautiousfreebooter, who well understood the value of a separate command, instead of joining, sent various apologies which the pressure ofthe times compelled Fergus to admit as current, though not withoutthe internal resolution of being revenged on him for hisprocrastination, time and place convenient. However, as he couldnot amend the matter, he issued orders to Donald to descend intothe Low Country, drive the soldiers from Tully-Veolan, and, payingall respect to the mansion of the Baron, to take his abodesomewhere near it, for protection of his daughter and family, andto harass and drive away any of the armed volunteers or smallparties of military which he might find moving about the vicinity. As this charge formed a sort of roving commission, which Donaldproposed to interpret in the way most advantageous to himself, ashe was relieved from the immediate terrors of Fergus, and as hehad, from former secret services, some interest in the councils ofthe Chevalier, he resolved to make hay while the sun shone. Heachieved without difficulty the task of driving the soldiers fromTully-Veolan; but, although he did not venture to encroach uponthe interior of the family, or to disturb Miss Rose, beingunwilling to make himself a powerful enemy in the Chevalier'sarmy, For well he knew the Baron's wrath was deadly;

yet he set about to raise contributions and exactions upon thetenantry, and otherwise to turn the war to his own advantage. Meanwhile he mounted the white cockade, and waited upon Rose witha pretext of great devotion for the service in which her fatherwas engaged, and many apologies for the freedom he mustnecessarily use for the support of his people. It was at thismoment that Rose learned, by open-mouthed fame, with all sorts ofexaggeration, that Waverley had killed the smith at Cairnvreckan, in an attempt to arrest him; had been cast into a dungeon by MajorMelville of Cairnvreckan, and was to be executed by martial lawwithin three days. In the agony which these tidings excited sheproposed to Donald Bean the rescue of the prisoner. It was thevery sort of service which he was desirous to undertake, judgingit might constitute a merit of such a nature as would make amendsfor any peccadilloes which he might be guilty of in the country. He had the art, however, pleading all the while duty anddiscipline, to hold off, until poor Rose, in the extremity of herdistress, offered to bribe him to the enterprise with somevaluable jewels which had been her mother's. 

Donald Bean, who had served in France, knew, and perhaps over-estimated, the value of these trinkets. But he also perceivedRose's apprehensions of its being discovered that she had partedwith her jewels for Waverley's liberation. Resolved this scrupleshould not part him and the treasure, he voluntarily offered totake an oath that he would never mention Miss Rose's share in thetransaction; and, foreseeing convenience in keeping the oath andno probable advantage in breaking it, he took the engagement--inorder, as he told his lieutenant, to deal handsomely by the younglady--in the only mode and form which, by a mental paction withhimself, he considered as binding: he swore secrecy upon his drawndirk. He was the more especially moved to this act of good faithby some attentions that Miss Bradwardine showed to his daughterAlice, which, while they gained the heart of the mountain damsel, highly gratified the pride of her father. Alice, who could nowspeak a little English, was very communicative in return forRose's kindness, readily confided to her the whole papersrespecting the intrigue with Gardiner's regiment, of which she wasthe depositary, and as readily undertook, at her instance, torestore them to Waverley without her father's knowledge. For 'theymay oblige the bonnie young lady and the handsome younggentleman, ' said Alice, 'and what use has my father for a whinbits o' scarted paper?'

The reader is aware that she took an opportunity of executing thispurpose on the eve of Waverley's leaving the glen. 

How Donald executed his enterprise the reader is aware. But theexpulsion of the military from Tully-Veolan had given alarm, andwhile he was lying in wait for Gilfillan, a strong party, such asDonald did not care to face, was sent to drive back the insurgentsin their turn, to encamp there, and to protect the country. Theofficer, a gentleman and a disciplinarian, neither intrudedhimself on Miss Bradwardine, whose unprotected situation herespected, nor permitted his soldiers to commit any breach ofdiscipline. He formed a little camp upon an eminence near thehouse of Tully-Veolan, and placed proper guards at the passes inthe vicinity. This unwelcome news reached Donald Bean Lean as hewas returning to Tully-Veolan. Determined, however, to obtain theguerdon of his labour, he resolved, since approach to Tully-Veolanwas impossible, to deposit his prisoner in Janet's cottage, aplace the very existence of which could hardly have been suspectedeven by those who had long lived in the vicinity, unless they hadbeen guided thither, and which was utterly unknown to Waverleyhimself. This effected, he claimed and received his reward. Waverley's illness was an event which deranged all theircalculations. Donald was obliged to leave the neighbourhood withhis people, and to seek more free course for his adventureselsewhere. At Rose's entreaty, he left an old man, a herbalist, who was supposed to understand a little of medicine, to attendWaverley during his illness. 

In the meanwhile, new and fearful doubts started in Rose's mind. They were suggested by old Janet, who insisted that, a rewardhaving been offered for the apprehension of Waverley, and his ownpersonal effects being so valuable, there was no saying to whatbreach of faith Donald might be tempted. In an agony of grief andterror, Rose took the daring resolution of explaining to thePrince himself the danger in which Mr. Waverley stood, judgingthat, both as a politician and a man of honour and humanity, Charles Edward would interest himself to prevent his falling intothe hands of the opposite party. This letter she at first thoughtof sending anonymously, but naturally feared it would not in thatcase be credited. She therefore subscribed her name, though withreluctance and terror, and consigned it in charge to a young man, who at leaving his farm to join the Chevalier's army, made it hispetition to her to have some sort of credentials to theadventurer, from whom he hoped to obtain a commission. 

The letter reached Charles Edward on his descent to the Lowlands, and, aware of the political importance of having it supposed thathe was in correspondence with the English Jacobites, he caused themost positive orders to be transmitted to Donald Bean Lean totransmit Waverley, safe and uninjured, in person or effects, tothe governor of Doune Castle. The freebooter durst not disobey, for the army of the Prince was now so near him that punishmentmight have followed; besides, he was a politician as well as arobber, and was unwilling to cancel the interest created throughformer secret services by being refractory on this occasion. Hetherefore made a virtue of necessity, and transmitted orders tohis lieutenant to convey Edward to Doune, which was safelyaccomplished in the mode mentioned in a former chapter. Thegovernor of Doune was directed to send him to Edinburgh as aprisoner, because the Prince was apprehensive that Waverley, ifset at liberty, might have resumed his purpose of returning toEngland, without affording him an opportunity of a personalinterview. In this, indeed, he acted by the advice of theChieftain of Glennaquoich, with whom it may be remembered theChevalier communicated upon the mode of disposing of Edward, though without telling him how he came to learn the place of hisconfinement. 

This, indeed, Charles Edward considered as a lady's secret; foralthough Rose's letter was couched in the most cautious andgeneral terms, and professed to be written merely from motives ofhumanity and zeal for the Prince's service, yet she expressed soanxious a wish that she should not be known to have interfered, that the Chevalier was induced to suspect the deep interest whichshe took in Waverley's safety. This conjecture, which was wellfounded, led, however, to false inferences. For the emotion whichEdward displayed on approaching Flora and Rose at the ball ofHolyrood was placed by the Chevalier to the account of the latter;and he concluded that the Baron's views about the settlement ofhis property, or some such obstacle, thwarted their mutualinclinations. Common fame, it is true, frequently gave Waverley toMiss Mac-Ivor; but the Prince knew that common fame is veryprodigal in such gifts; and, watching attentively the behaviour ofthe ladies towards Waverley, he had no doubt that the youngEnglishman had no interest with Flora, and was beloved by RoseBradwardine. Desirous to bind Waverley to his service, and wishingalso to do a kind and friendly action, the Prince next assailedthe Baron on the subject of settling his estate upon his daughter. Mr. Bradwardine acquiesced; but the consequence was that Ferguswas immediately induced to prefer his double suit for a wife andan earldom, which the Prince rejected in the manner we have seen. The Chevalier, constantly engaged in his own multiplied affairs, had not hitherto sought any explanation with Waverley, thoughoften meaning to do so. But after Fergus's declaration he saw thenecessity of appearing neutral between the rivals, devoutly hopingthat the matter, which now seemed fraught with the seeds ofstrife, might be permitted to lie over till the termination of theexpedition. When, on the march to Derby, Fergus, being questionedconcerning his quarrel with Waverley, alleged as the cause thatEdward was desirous of retracting the suit he had made to hissister, the Chevalier plainly told him that he had himselfobserved Miss Mac-Ivor's behaviour to Waverley, and that he wasconvinced Fergus was under the influence of a mistake in judgingof Waverley's conduct, who, he had every reason to believe, wasengaged to Miss Bradwardine. The quarrel which ensued betweenEdward and the Chieftain is, I hope, still in the remembrance ofthe reader. These circumstances will serve to explain such pointsof our narrative as, according to the custom of story-tellers, wedeemed it fit to leave unexplained, for the purpose of excitingthe reader's curiosity. 

When Janet had once finished the leading facts of this narrative, Waverley was easily enabled to apply the clue which they affordedto other mazes of the labyrinth in which he had been engaged. ToRose Bradwardine, then, he owed the life which he now thought hecould willingly have laid down to serve her. A little reflectionconvinced him, however, that to live for her sake was moreconvenient and agreeable, and that, being possessed ofindependence, she might share it with him either in foreigncountries or in his own. The pleasure of being allied to a man ofthe Baron's high worth, and who was so much valued by his uncleSir Everard, was also an agreeable consideration, had anythingbeen wanting to recommend the match. His absurdities, which hadappeared grotesquely ludicrous during his prosperity, seemed, inthe sunset of his fortune, to be harmonised and assimilated withthe noble features of his character, so as to add peculiaritywithout exciting ridicule. His mind occupied with such projects offuture happiness, Edward sought Little Veolan, the habitation ofMr. Duncan Macwheeble. 

CHAPTER LXVI

 Now is Cupid a child of conscience--he makes restitution. 

 SHAKSPEARE

Mr. Duncan MacWheeble, no longer Commissary or Bailie, thoughstill enjoying the empty name of the latter dignity, had escapedproscription by an early secession from the insurgent party and byhis insignificance. 

Edward found him in his office, immersed among papers andaccounts. Before him was a large bicker of oatmeal porridge, andat the side thereof a horn spoon and a bottle of two-penny. Eagerly running his eye over a voluminous law-paper, he from timeto time shovelled an immense spoonful of these nutritive viandsinto his capacious mouth. A pot-bellied Dutch bottle of brandywhich stood by intimated either that this honest limb of the lawhad taken his morning already, or that he meant to season hisporridge with such digestive; or perhaps both circumstances mightreasonably be inferred. His night-cap and morning-gown, hadwhilome been of tartan, but, equally cautious and frugal, thehonest Bailie had got them dyed black, lest their original ill-omened colour might remind his visitors of his unlucky excursionto Derby. To sum up the picture, his face was daubed with snuff upto the eyes, and his fingers with ink up to the knuckles. Helooked dubiously at Waverley as he approached the little greenrail which fenced his desk and stool from the approach of thevulgar. Nothing could give the Bailie more annoyance than the ideaof his acquaintance being claimed by any of the unfortunategentlemen who were now so much more likely to need assistance thanto afford profit. But this was the rich young Englishman; who knewwhat might be his situation? He was the Baron's friend too; whatwas to be done?

While these reflections gave an air of absurd perplexity to thepoor man's visage, Waverley, reflecting on the communication hewas about to make to him, of a nature so ridiculously contrastedwith the appearance of the individual, could not help bursting outa-laughing, as he checked the propensity to exclaim with Syphax--

 Cato's a proper person to intrust A love-tale with. 

As Mr. Macwheeble had no idea of any person laughing heartily whowas either encircled by peril or oppressed by poverty, thehilarity of Edward's countenance greatly relieved theembarrassment of his own, and, giving him a tolerably heartywelcome to Little Veolan, he asked what he would choose forbreakfast. His visitor had, in the first place, something for hisprivate ear, and begged leave to bolt the door. Duncan by no meansliked this precaution, which savoured of danger to be apprehended;but he could not now draw back. 

Convinced he might trust this man, as he could make it hisinterest to be faithful, Edward communicated his present situationand future schemes to Macwheeble. The wily agent listened withapprehension when he found Waverley was still in a state ofproscription; was somewhat comforted by learning that he had apassport; rubbed his hands with glee when he mentioned the amountof his present fortune; opened huge eyes when he heard thebrilliancy of his future expectations; but when he expressed hisintention to share them with Miss Rose Bradwardine, ecstasy hadalmost deprived the honest man of his senses. The Bailie startedfrom his three-footed stool like the Pythoness from her tripod;flung his best wig out of the window, because the block on whichit was placed stood in the way of his career; chucked his cap tothe ceiling, caught it as it fell; whistled 'Tullochgorum'; danceda Highland fling with inimitable grace and agility, and then threwhimself exhausted into a chair, exclaiming, 'Lady Wauverley! tenthousand a year the least penny! Lord preserve my poorunderstanding!'

'Amen with all my heart, ' said Waverley; 'but now, Mr. Macwheeble, let us proceed to business. ' This word had somewhat a sedativeeffect, but the Bailie's head, as he expressed himself, was still'in the bees. ' He mended his pen, however, marked half a dozensheets of paper with an ample marginal fold, whipped down Dallasof St. Martin's 'Styles' from a shelf, where that venerable workroosted with Stair's 'Institutions, ' Dirleton's 'Doubts, 'Balfour's 'Practiques, ' and a parcel of old account-books, openedthe volume at the article Contract of Marriage, and prepared tomake what he called a'sma' minute to prevent parties fraeresiling. '

With some difficulty Waverley made him comprehend that he wasgoing a little too fast. He explained to him that he should wanthis assistance, in the first place, to make his residence safe forthe time, by writing to the officer at Tully-Veolan that Mr. Stanley, an English gentleman nearly related to Colonel Talbot, was upon a visit of business at Mr. Macwheeble's, and, knowing thestate of the country, had sent his passport for Captain Foster'sinspection. This produced a polite answer from the officer, withan invitation to Mr. Stanley to dine with him, which was declined(as may easily be supposed) under pretence of business. 

Waverley's next request was, that Mr. Macwheeble would despatch aman and horse to----, the post-town at which Colonel Talbot was toaddress him, with directions to wait there until the post shouldbring a letter for Mr. Stanley, and then to forward it to LittleVeolan with all speed. In a moment the Bailie was in search of hisapprentice (or servitor, as he was called Sixty Years Since), JockScriever, and in not much greater space of time Jock was on theback of the white pony. 'Tak care ye guide him weel, sir, for he'saye been short in the wind since--ahem--Lord be gude to me! (in alow voice), I was gaun to come out wi'--since I rode whip and spurto fetch the Chevalier to redd Mr. Wauverley and Vich lan Vohr;and an uncanny coup I gat for my pains. Lord forgie your honour! Imight hae broken my neck; but troth it was in a venture, mae waysnor ane; but this maks amends for a'. Lady Wauverley! ten thousanda year! Lord be gude unto me!'

'But you forget, Mr. Macwheeble, we want the Baron's consent--thelady's--'

'Never fear, I'se be caution for them; I'se gie you my personalwarrandice. Ten thousand a year! it dings Balmawhapple out andout--a year's rent's worth a' Balmawhapple, fee and life-rent!Lord make us thankful!'

To turn the current of his feelings, Edward inquired if he hadheard anything lately of the Chieftain of Glennaquoich. 

'Not one word, ' answered Macwheeble, 'but that he was still inCarlisle Castle, and was soon to be panelled for his life. I dinnawish the young gentleman ill, ' he said, 'but I hope that they thathae got him will keep him, and no let him back to this Hielandborder to plague us wi' black-mail and a' manner o' violent, wrongous, and masterfu' oppression and spoliation, both by himselfand others of his causing, sending, and hounding out; and hecouldna tak care o' the siller when he had gotten it neither, butflung it a' into yon idle quean's lap at Edinburgh; but light comelight gane. For my part, I never wish to see a kilt in the countryagain, nor a red-coat, nor a gun, for that matter, unless it wereto shoot a paitrick; they're a' tarr'd wi' ae stick. And when theyhave done ye wrang, even when ye hae gotten decreet of spuilzie, oppression, and violent profits against them, what better are ye?They hae na a plack to pay ye; ye need never extract it. '

With such discourse, and the intervening topics of business, thetime passed until dinner, Macwheeble meanwhile promising to devisesome mode of introducing Edward at the Duchran, where Rose atpresent resided, without risk of danger or suspicion; which seemedno very easy task, since the laird was a very zealous friend togovernment. The poultry-yard had been laid under requisition, andcockyleeky and Scotch collops soon reeked in the Bailie's littleparlour. The landlord's cork-screw was just introduced into themuzzle of a pint bottle of claret (cribbed possibly from thecellars of Tully-Veolan), when the sight of the grey pony passingthe window at full trot induced the Bailie, but with dueprecaution, to place it aside for the moment. Enter Jock Scrieverwith a packet for Mr. Stanley; it is Colonel Talbot's seal, andEdward's ringers tremble as he undoes it. Two official papers, folded, signed, and sealed in all formality, drop out. They werehastily picked up by the Bailie, who had a natural respect foreverything resembling a deed, and, glancing slily on their titles, his eyes, or rather spectacles, are greeted with 'Protection byhis Royal Highness to the person of Cosmo Comyne Bradwardine, Esq. , of that ilk, commonly called Baron of Bradwardine, forfeitedfor his accession to the late rebellion. ' The other proves to be aprotection of the same tenor in favour of Edward Waverley, Esq. Colonel Talbot's letter was in these words:--

'My DEAR EDWARD, 'I am just arrived here, and yet I have finished my business; ithas cost me some trouble though, as you shall hear. I waited uponhis Royal Highness immediately on my arrival, and found him in novery good humour for my purpose. Three or four Scotch gentlemenwere just leaving his levee. After he had expressed himself to mevery courteously; "Would you think it, " he said, "Talbot, herehave been half a dozen of the most respectable gentlemen and bestfriends to government north of the Forth, Major Melville ofCairnvreckan, Rubrick of Duchran, and others, who have fairlywrung from me, by their downright importunity, a presentprotection and the promise of a future pardon for that stubbornold rebel whom they call Baron of Bradwardine. They allege thathis high personal character, and the clemency which he showed tosuch of our people as fell into the rebels' hands, should weigh inhis favour, especially as the loss of his estate is likely to be asevere enough punishment. Rubrick has undertaken to keep him athis own house till things are settled in the country; but it's alittle hard to be forced in a manner to pardon such a mortal enemyto the House of Brunswick. " This was no favourable moment foropening my business; however, I said I was rejoiced to learn thathis Royal Highness was in the course of granting such requests, asit emboldened me to present one of the like nature in my own name. He was very angry, but I persisted; I mentioned the uniformsupport of our three votes in, the house, touched modestly onservices abroad, though valuable only in his Royal Highness'shaving been pleased kindly to accept them, and founded prettystrongly on his own expressions of friendship and good-will. Hewas embarrassed, but obstinate. I hinted the policy of detaching, on all future occasions, the heir of such a fortune as youruncle's from the machinations of the disaffected. But I made noimpression. I mentioned the obligations which I lay under to SirEverard and to you personally, and claimed, as the sole reward ofmy services, that he would be pleased to afford me the means ofevincing my gratitude. I perceived that he still meditated arefusal, and, taking my commission from my pocket, I said (as alast resource) that, as his Royal Highness did not, under thesepressing circumstances, think me worthy of a favour which he hadnot scrupled to grant to other gentlemen whose services I couldhardly judge more important than my own, I must beg leave todeposit, with all humility, my commission in his Royal Highness'shands, and to retire from the service. He was not prepared forthis; he told me to take up my commission, said some handsomethings of my services, and granted my request. You are thereforeonce more a free man, and I have promised for you that you will bea good boy in future, and remember what you owe to the lenity ofgovernment. Thus you see my prince can be as generous as yours. Ido not pretend, indeed, that he confers a favour with all theforeign graces and compliments of your Chevalier errant; but hehas a plain English manner, and the evident reluctance with whichhe grants your request indicates the sacrifice which he makes ofhis own inclination to your wishes. My friend, the adjutant-general, has procured me a duplicate of the Baron's protection(the original being in Major Melville's possession), which I sendto you, as I know that if you can find him you will have pleasurein being the first to communicate the joyful intelligence. He willof course repair to the Duchran without loss of time, there toride quarantine for a few weeks. As for you, I give you leave toescort him thither, and to stay a week there, as I understand acertain fair lady is in that quarter. And I have the pleasure totell you that whatever progress you can make in her good graceswill be highly agreeable to Sir Everard and Mrs. Rachel, who willnever believe your views and prospects settled, and the threeermines passant in actual safety, until you present them with aMrs. Edward Waverley. Now, certain love-affairs of my own--a goodmany years since--interrupted some measures which were thenproposed in favour of the three ermines passant; so I am bound inhonour to make them amends. Therefore make good use of your time, for, when your week is expired, it will be necessary that you goto London to plead your pardon in the law courts. 

'Ever, dear Waverley, yours most truly, 'PHILIP TALBOT. '

CHAPTER LXVII

 Happy's the wooing That's not long a doing

When the first rapturous sensation occasioned by these excellenttidings had somewhat subsided, Edward proposed instantly to godown to the glen to acquaint the Baron with their import. But thecautious Bailie justly observed that, if the Baron were to appearinstantly in public, the tenantry and villagers might becomeriotous in expressing their joy, and give offence to 'the powersthat be, ' a sort of persons for whom the Bailie always hadunlimited respect. He therefore proposed that Mr. Waverley shouldgo to Janet Gellatley's and bring the Baron up under cloud ofnight to Little Veolan, where he might once more enjoy the luxuryof a good bed. In the meanwhile, he said, he himself would go toCaptain Foster and show him the Baron's protection, and obtain hiscountenance for harbouring him that night, and he would havehorses ready on the morrow to set him on his way to the Duchranalong with Mr. Stanley, 'whilk denomination, I apprehend, yourhonour will for the present retain, ' said the Bailie. 

'Certainly, Mr. Macwheeble; but will you not go down to the glenyourself in the evening to meet your patron?'

'That I wad wi' a' my heart; and mickle obliged to your honour forputting me in mind o' mybounden duty. But it will be past sunsetafore I get back frae the Captain's, and at these unsonsy hoursthe glen has a bad name; there's something no that canny aboutauld Janet Gellatley. The Laird he'll no believe thae things, buthe was aye ower rash and venturesome, and feared neither man nordeevil, an sae's seen o't. But right sure am I Sir GeorgeMackenyie says, that no divine can doubt there are witches, sincethe Bible says thou shalt not suffer them to live; and that nolawyer in Scotland can doubt it, since it is punishable with deathby our law. So there's baith law and gospel for it. An his honourwinna believe the Leviticus, he might aye believe the Statute-book; but he may tak his ain way o't; it's a' ane to DuncanMacwheeble. However, I shall send to ask up auld Janet this e'en;it's best no to lightly them that have that character; and we'llwant Davie to turn the spit, for I'll gar Eppie put down a fatgoose to the fire for your honours to your supper. '

When it was near sunset Waverley hastened to the hut; and he couldnot but allow that superstition had chosen no improper locality, or unfit object, for the foundation of her fantastic terrors. Itresembled exactly the description of Spenser:--

 There, in a gloomy hollow glen, she found A little cottage built of sticks and reeds, In homely wise, and wall'd with sods around, In which a witch did dwell in loathly weeds, And wilful want, all careless of her needs, So choosing solitary to abide Far from all neighbours, that her devilish deeds, And hellish arts, from people she might hide, And hurt far off, unknown, whomsoever she espied. 

He entered the cottage with these verses in his memory. Poor oldJanet, bent double with age and bleared with peat-smoke, wastottering about the hut with a birch broom, muttering to herselfas she endeavoured to make her hearth and floor a little clean forthe reception of her expected guests. Waverley's step made herstart, look up, and fall a-trembling, so much had her nerves beenon the rack for her patron's safety. With difficulty Waverley madeher comprehend that the Baron was now safe from personal danger;and when her mind had admitted that joyful news, it was equallyhard to make her believe that he was not to enter again uponpossession of his estate. 'It behoved to be, ' she said, 'he wadget it back again; naebody wad be sae gripple as to tak his gearafter they had gi'en him a pardon: and for that Inch-Grabbit, Icould whiles wish mysell a witch for his sake, if I werena fearedthe Enemy wad tak me at my word. ' Waverley then gave her somemoney, and promised that her fidelity should be rewarded. 'How canI be rewarded, sir, sae weel as just to see my auld maister andMiss Rose come back and bruik their ain?'

Waverley now took leave of Janet, and soon stood beneath theBaron's Patmos. At a low whistle he observed the veteran peepingout to reconnoitre, like an old badger with his head out of hishole. 'Ye hae come rather early, my good lad, ' said he, descending; 'I question if the red-coats hae beat the tattoo yet, and we're not safe till then. '

'Good news cannot be told too soon, ' said Waverley; and withinfinite joy communicated to him the happy tidings. The old manstood for a moment in silent devotion, then exclaimed, 'Praise beto God! I shall see my bairn again. '

'And never, I hope, to part with her more, ' said Waverley. 

'I trust in God not, unless it be to win the means of supportingher; for my things are but in a bruckle state;--but what signifieswarld's gear?'

'And if, ' said Waverley modestly, 'there were a situation in lifewhich would put Miss Bradwardine beyond the uncertainty offortune, and in the rank to which she was born, would you objectto it, my dear Baron, because it would make one of your friendsthe happiest man in the world?' The Baron turned and looked at himwith great earnestness. 'Yes, ' continued Edward, 'I shall notconsider my sentence of banishment as repealed unless you willgive me permission to accompany you to the Duchran, and--'

The Baron seemed collecting all his dignity to make a suitablereply to what, at another time, he would have treated as thepropounding a treaty of alliance between the houses of Bradwardineand Waverley. But his efforts were in vain; the father was toomighty for the Baron; the pride of birth and rank were swept away;in the joyful surprise a slight convulsion passed rapidly over hisfeatures, as he gave way to the feelings of nature, threw his armsaround Waverley's neck, and sobbed out--'My son, my son! if I hadbeen to search the world, I would have made my choice here. 'Edward returned the embrace with great sympathy of feeling, andfor a little while they both kept silence. At length it was brokenby Edward. 'But Miss Bradwardine?'

'She had never a will but her old father's; besides, you are alikely youth, of honest principles and high birth; no, she neverhad any other will than mine, and in my proudest days I could nothave wished a mair eligible espousal for her than the nephew of myexcellent old friend, Sir Everard. But I hope, young man, ye dealna rashly in this matter? I hope ye hae secured the approbation ofyour ain friends and allies, particularly of your uncle, who is inloco parentis? Ah! we maun tak heed o' that. ' Edward assured himthat Sir Everard would think himself highly honoured in theflattering reception his proposal had met with, and that it hadhis entire approbation; in evidence of which he put ColonelTalbot's letter into the Baron's hand. The Baron read it withgreat attention. 'Sir Everard, ' he said, 'always despised wealthin comparison of honour and birth; and indeed he hath no occasionto court the Diva Pecunia. Yet I now wish, since this Malcolmturns out such a parricide, for I can call him no better, as tothink of alienating the family inheritance--I now wish (his eyesfixed on a part of the roof which was visible above the trees)that I could have left Rose the auld hurley-house and the riggsbelanging to it. And yet, ' said he, resuming more cheerfully, 'it's maybe as weel as it is; for, as Baron of Bradwardine, Imight have thought it my duty to insist upon certain compliancesrespecting name and bearings, whilk now, as a landless laird wi' atocherless daughter, no one can blame me for departing from. '

'Now, Heaven be praised!' thought Edward, 'that Sir Everard doesnot hear these scruples! The three ermines passant and rampantbear would certainly have gone together by the ears. ' He then, with all the ardour of a young lover, assured the Baron that hesought for his happiness only in Rose's heart and hand, andthought himself as happy in her father's simple approbation as ifhe had settled an earldom upon his daughter. 

They now reached Little Veolan. The goose was smoking on thetable, and the Bailie brandished his knife and fork. A joyousgreeting took place between him and his patron. The kitchen, too, had its company. Auld Janet was established at the ingle-nook;Davie had turned the spit to his immortal honour; and even Ban andBuscar, in the liberality of Macwheeble's joy, had been stuffed tothe throat with food, and now lay snoring on the floor. 

The next day conducted the Baron and his young friend to theDuchran, where the former was expected, in consequence of thesuccess of the nearly unanimous application of the Scottishfriends of government in his favour. This had been so general andso powerful that it was almost thought his estate might have beensaved, had it not passed into the rapacious hands of his unworthykinsman, whose right, arising out of the Baron's attainder, couldnot be affected by a pardon from the crown. The old gentleman, however, said, with his usual spirit, he was more gratified by thehold he possessed in the good opinion of his neighbours than hewould have been in being rehabilitated and restored in integrum, had it been found practicable. '

We shall not attempt to describe the meeting of the father anddaughter, loving each other so affectionately, and separated undersuch perilous circumstances. Still less shall we attempt toanalyse the deep blush of Rose at receiving the compliments ofWaverley, or stop to inquire whether she had any curiosityrespecting the particular cause of his journey to Scotland at thatperiod. We shall not even trouble the reader with the humdrumdetails of a courtship Sixty Years Since. It is enough to saythat, under so strict a martinet as the Baron, all things wereconducted in due form. He took upon himself, the morning aftertheir arrival, the task of announcing the proposal of Waverley toRose, which she heard with a proper degree of maiden timidity. Fame does, however, say that Waverley had the evening before foundfive minutes to apprise her of what was coming, while the rest ofthe company were looking at three twisted serpents which formed a, jet d'eau in the garden. 

My fair readers will judge for themselves; but, for my part, Icannot conceive how so important an affair could be communicatedin so short a space of time; at least, it certainly took a fullhour in the Baron's mode of conveying it. 

Waverley was now considered as a received lover in all the forms. He was made, by dint of smirking and nodding on the part of thelady of the house, to sit next Miss Bradwardine at dinner, to beMiss Bradwardine's partner at cards. If he came into the room, sheof the four Miss Rubricks who chanced to be next Rose was sure torecollect that her thimble or her scissors were at the other endof the room, in order to leave the seat nearest to MissBradwardine vacant for his occupation. And sometimes, if papa andmamma were not in the way to keep them on their good behaviour, the misses would titter a little. The old Laird of Duchran wouldalso have his occasional jest, and the old lady her remark. Eventhe Baron could not refrain; but here Rose escaped everyembarrassment but that of conjecture, for his wit was usuallycouched in a Latin quotation. The very footmen sometimes grinnedtoo broadly, the maidservants giggled mayhap too loud, and aprovoking air of intelligence seemed to pervade the whole family. Alice Bean, the pretty maid of the cavern, who, after her father'smisfortune, as she called it, had attended Rose as fille-de-chambre, smiled and smirked with the best of them. Rose andEdward, however, endured all these little vexatious circumstancesas other folks have done before and since, and probably contrivedto obtain some indemnification, since they are not supposed, onthe whole, to have been particularly unhappy during Waverley's sixdays' stay at the Duchran. 

It was finally arranged that Edward should go to Waverley-Honourto make the necessary arrangements for his marriage, thence toLondon to take the proper measures for pleading his pardon, andreturn as soon as possible to claim the hand of his plightedbride. He also intended in his journey to visit Colonel Talbot;but, above all, it was his most important object to learn the fateof the unfortunate Chief of Glennaquoich; to visit him atCarlisle, and to try whether anything could be done for procuring, if not a pardon, a commutation at least, or alleviation, of thepunishment to which he was almost certain of being condemned; and, in case of the worst, to offer the miserable Flora an asylum withRose, or otherwise to assist her views in any mode which mightseem possible. The fate of Fergus seemed hard to be averted. Edward had already striven to interest his friend, Colonel Talbot, in his behalf; but had been given distinctly to understand by hisreply that his credit in matters of that nature was totallyexhausted. 

The Colonel was still in Edinburgh, and proposed to wait there forsome months upon business confided to him by the Duke ofCumberland. He was to be joined by Lady Emily, to whom easytravelling and goat's whey were recommended, and who was tojourney northward under the escort of Francis Stanley. Edward, therefore, met the Colonel at Edinburgh, who wished him joy in thekindest manner on his approaching happiness, and cheerfullyundertook many commissions which our hero was necessarily obligedto delegate to his charge. But on the subject of Fergus he wasinexorable. He satisfied Edward, indeed, that his interferencewould be unavailing; but, besides, Colonel Talbot owned that hecould not conscientiously use any influence in favour of thatunfortunate gentleman. 'Justice, ' he said, 'which demanded somepenalty of those who had wrapped the whole nation in fear and inmourning, could not perhaps have selected a fitter victim. He cameto the field with the fullest light upon the nature of hisattempt. He had studied and understood the subject. His father'sfate could not intimidate him; the lenity of the laws which hadrestored to him his father's property and rights could not melthim. That he was brave, generous, and possessed many goodqualities only rendered him the more dangerous; that he wasenlightened and accomplished made his crime the less excusable;that he was an enthusiast in a wrong cause only made him the morefit to be its martyr. Above all, he had been the means of bringingmany hundreds of men into the field who, without him, would neverhave broken the peace of the country. 

'I repeat it, ' said the Colonel, 'though Heaven knows with a heartdistressed for him as an individual, that this young gentleman hasstudied and fully understood the desperate game which he hasplayed. He threw for life or death, a coronet or a coffin; and hecannot now be permitted, with justice to the country, to drawstakes because the dice have gone against him. '

Such was the reasoning of those times, held even by brave andhumane men towards a vanquished enemy. Let us devoutly hope that, in this respect at least, we shall never see the scenes or holdthe sentiments that were general in Britain Sixty Years Since. 

CHAPTER LXVIII

 To morrow? O that's sudden!--Spare him, spare him'

 SHAKSPEARE

Edward, attended by his former servant Alick Polwarth, who hadreentered his service at Edinburgh, reached Carlisle while thecommission of Oyer and Terminer on his unfortunate associates wasyet sitting. He had pushed forward in haste, not, alas! with themost distant hope of saving Fergus, but to see him for the lasttime. I ought to have mentioned that he had furnished funds forthe defence of the prisoners in the most liberal manner, as soonas he heard that the day of trial was fixed. A solicitor and thefirst counsel accordingly attended; but it was upon the samefooting on which the first physicians are usually summoned to thebedside of some dying man of rank--the doctors to take theadvantage of some incalculable chance of an exertion of nature, the lawyers to avail themselves of the barely possible occurrenceof some legal flaw. Edward pressed into the court, which wasextremely crowded; but by his arriving from the north, and hisextreme eagerness and agitation, it was supposed he was a relationof the prisoners, and people made way for him. It was the thirdsitting of the court, and there were two men at the bar. Theverdict of GUILTY was already pronounced. Edward just glanced atthe bar during the momentous pause which ensued. There was nomistaking the stately form and noble features of Fergus Mac-Ivor, although his dress was squalid and his countenance tinged with thesickly yellow hue of long and close imprisonment. By his side wasEvan Maccombich. Edward felt sick and dizzy as he gazed on them;but he was recalled to himself as the Clerk of Arraigns pronouncedthe solemn words: 'Fergus Mac-Ivor of Glennaquoich, otherwisecalled Vich Ian Vohr, and Evan Mac-Ivor, in the Dhu ofTarrascleugh, otherwise called Evan Dhu, otherwise called EvanMaccombich, or Evan Dhu MacCombich--you, and each of you, standattainted of high treason. What have you to say for yourselves whythe Court should not pronounce judgment against you, that you dieaccording to law?'

Fergus, as the presiding Judge was putting on the fatal cap ofjudgment, placed his own bonnet upon his head, regarded him with asteadfast and stern look, and replied in a firm voice, 'I cannotlet this numerous audience suppose that to such an appeal I haveno answer to make. But what I have to say you would not bear tohear, for my defence would be your condemnation. Proceed, then, inthe name of God, to do what is permitted to you. Yesterday and theday before you have condemned loyal and honourable blood to bepoured forth like water. Spare not mine. Were that of all myancestors in my veins, I would have perilled it in this quarrel. 'He resumed his seat and refused again to rise. 

Evan Maccombich looked at him with great earnestness, and, risingup, seemed anxious to speak; but the confusion of the court, andthe perplexity arising from thinking in a language different fromthat in which he was to express himself, kept him silent. Therewas a murmur of compassion among the spectators, from the ideathat the poor fellow intended to plead the influence of hissuperior as an excuse for his crime. The Judge commanded silence, and encouraged Evan to proceed. 'I was only ganging to say, mylord, ' said Evan, in what he meant to be an insinuating manner, 'that if your excellent honour and the honourable Court would letVich Ian Vohr go free just this once, and let him gae back toFrance, and no to trouble King George's government again, that onysix o' the very best of his clan will be willing to be justifiedin his stead; and if you'll just let me gae down to Glennaquoich, I'll fetch them up to ye mysell, to head or hang, and you maybegin wi' me the very first man. '

Notwithstanding the solemnity of the occasion, a sort of laugh washeard in the court at the extraordinary nature of the proposal. The Judge checked this indecency, and Evan, looking sternlyaround, when the murmur abated, 'If the Saxon gentlemen arelaughing, ' he said, 'because a poor man, such as me, thinks mylife, or the life of six of my degree, is worth that of Vich IanVohr, it's like enough they may be very right; but if they laughbecause they think I would not keep my word and come back toredeem him, I can tell them they ken neither the heart of aHielandman nor the honour of a gentleman. '

There was no farther inclination to laugh among the audience, anda dead silence ensued. 

The Judge then pronounced upon both prisoners the sentence of thelaw of high treason, with all its horrible accompaniments. Theexecution was appointed for the ensuing day. 'For you, Fergus Mac-Ivor, ' continued the Judge, 'I can hold out no hope of mercy. Youmust prepare against to-morrow for your last sufferings here, andyour great audit hereafter. '

'I desire nothing else, my lord, ' answered Fergus, in the samemanly and firm tone. 

The hard eyes of Evan, which had been perpetually bent on hisChief, were moistened with a tear. 'For you, poor ignorant man, 'continued the Judge, 'who, following the ideas in which you havebeen educated, have this day given us a striking example how theloyalty due to the king and state alone is, from your unhappyideas of clanship, transferred to some ambitious individual whoends by making you the tool of his crimes--for you, I say, I feelso much compassion that, if you can make up your mind to petitionfor grace, I will endeavour to procure it for you. Otherwise--'

'Grace me no grace, ' said Evan; 'since you are to shed Vich IanVohr's blood, the only favour I would accept from you is to bidthem loose my hands and gie me my claymore, and bide you just aminute sitting where you are!'

'Remove the prisoners, ' said the Judge; 'his blood be upon his ownhead. '

Almost stupefied with his feelings, Edward found that the rush ofthe crowd had conveyed him out into the street ere he knew what hewas doing. His immediate wish was to see and speak with Fergusonce more. He applied at the Castle where his unfortunate friendwas confined, but was refused admittance. 'The High Sheriff, ' anon-commissioned officer said, 'had requested of the governor thatnone should be admitted to see the prisoner excepting hisconfessor and his sister. '

'And where was Miss Mac-Ivor?' They gave him the direction. It wasthe house of a respectable Catholic family near Carlisle. 

Repulsed from the gate of the Castle, and not venturing to makeapplication to the High Sheriff or Judges in his own unpopularname, he had recourse to the solicitor who came down in Fergus'sbehalf. This gentleman told him that it was thought the publicmind was in danger of being debauched by the account of the lastmoments of these persons, as given by the friends of thePretender; that there had been a resolution, therefore, to excludeall such persons as had not the plea of near kindred for attendingupon them. Yet he promised (to oblige the heir of Waverley-Honour)to get him an order for admittance to the prisoner the nextmorning, before his irons were knocked off for execution. 

'Is it of Fergus Mac-Ivor they speak thus, ' thought Waverley, 'ordo I dream? Of Fergus, the bold, the chivalrous, the free-minded, the lofty chieftain of a tribe devoted to him? Is it he, that Ihave seen lead the chase and head the attack, the brave, theactive, the young, the noble, the love of ladies, and the theme ofsong, --is it he who is ironed like a malefactor, who is to bedragged on a hurdle to the common gallows, to die a lingering andcruel death, and to be mangled by the hand of the most outcast ofwretches? Evil indeed was the spectre that boded such a fate asthis to the brave Chief of Glennaquoich!'

With a faltering voice he requested the solicitor to find means towarn Fergus of his intended visit, should he obtain permission tomake it. He then turned away from him, and, returning to the inn, wrote a scarcely intelligible note to Flora Mac-Ivor, intimatinghis purpose to wait upon her that evening. The messenger broughtback a letter in Flora's beautiful Italian hand, which seemedscarce to tremble even under this load of misery. 'Miss Flora Mac-Ivor, ' the letter bore, 'could not refuse to see the dearestfriend of her dear brother, even in her present circumstances ofunparalleled distress. '

When Edward reached Miss Mac-Ivor's present place of abode he wasinstantly admitted. In a large and gloomy tapestried apartmentFlora was seated by a latticed window, sewing what seemed to be agarment of white flannel. At a little distance sat an elderlywoman, apparently a foreigner, and of a religious order. She wasreading in a book of Catholic devotion, but when Waverley enteredlaid it on the table and left the room. Flora rose to receive him, and stretched out her hand, but neither ventured to attemptspeech. Her fine complexion was totally gone; her personconsiderably emaciated; and her face and hands as white as thepurest statuary marble, forming a strong contrast with her sabledress and jet-black hair. Yet, amid these marks of distress therewas nothing negligent or ill-arranged about her attire; even herhair, though totally without ornament, was disposed with her usualattention to neatness. The first words she uttered were, 'Have youseen him?'

'Alas, no, ' answered Waverley, 'I have been refused admittance. '

'It accords with the rest, ' she said; 'but we must submit. Shallyou obtain leave, do you suppose?'

'For--for--tomorrow, ' said Waverley; but muttering the last wordso faintly that it was almost unintelligible. 

'Ay, then or never, ' said Flora, 'until'--she added, lookingupward--'the time when, I trust, we shall all meet. But I hope youwill see him while earth yet bears him. He always loved you at hisheart, though--but it is vain to talk of the past. '

'Vain indeed!' echoed Waverley. 

'Or even of the future, my good friend, ' said Flora, 'so far asearthly events are concerned; for how often have I pictured tomyself the strong possibility of this horrid issue, and taskedmyself to consider how I could support my part; and yet how farhas all my anticipation fallen short of the unimaginablebitterness of this hour!'

'Dear Flora, if your strength of mind--'

'Ay, there it is, ' she answered, somewhat wildly; 'there is, Mr. Waverley, there is a busy devil at my heart that whispers--but itwere madness to listen to it--that the strength of mind on whichFlora prided herself has murdered her brother!'

'Good God! how can you give utterance to a thought so shocking?'

'Ay, is it not so? but yet it haunts me like a phantom; I know itis unsubstantial and vain; but it will be present; will intrudeits horrors on my mind; will whisper that my brother, as volatileas ardent, would have divided his energies amid a hundred objects. It was I who taught him to concentrate them and to gage all onthis dreadful and desperate cast. Oh that I could recollect that Ihad but once said to him, "He that striketh with the sword shalldie by the sword"; that I had but once said, "Remain at home;reserve yourself, your vassals, your life, for enterprises withinthe reach of man. " But O, Mr. Waverley, I spurred his fierytemper, and half of his ruin at least lies with his sister!'

The horrid idea which she had intimated, Edward endeavoured tocombat by every incoherent argument that occurred to him. Herecalled to her the principles on which both thought it their dutyto act, and in which they had been educated. 

'Do not think I have forgotten them, ' she said, looking up witheager quickness; 'I do not regret his attempt because it waswrong!--O no! on that point I am armed--but because it wasimpossible it could end otherwise than thus. '

'Yet it did not always seem so desperate and hazardous as it was;and it would have been chosen by the bold spirit of Fergus whetheryou had approved it or no; your counsels only served to give unityand consistence to his conduct; to dignify, but not toprecipitate, his resolution. ' Flora had soon ceased to listen toEdward, and was again intent upon her needlework. 

'Do you remember, ' she said, looking up with a ghastly smile, 'youonce found me making Fergus's bride-favours, and now I am sewinghis bridal garment. Our friends here, ' she continued, withsuppressed emotion, 'are to give hallowed earth in their chapel tothe bloody relics of the last Vich Ian Vohr. But they will not allrest together; no--his head!--I shall not have the last miserableconsolation of kissing the cold lips of my dear, dear Fergus!'

The unfortunate Flora here, after one or two hysterical sobs, fainted in her chair. The lady, who had been attending in theante-room, now entered hastily, and begged Edward to leave theroom, but not the house. 

When he was recalled, after the space of nearly half an hour, hefound that, by a strong effort, Miss Mac-Ivor had greatly composedherself. It was then he ventured to urge Miss Bradwardine's claimto be considered as an adopted sister, and empowered to assist herplans for the future. 

'I have had a letter from my dear Rose, ' she replied, 'to the samepurpose. Sorrow is selfish and engrossing, or I would have writtento express that, even in my own despair, I felt a gleam ofpleasure at learning her happy prospects, and at hearing that thegood old Baron has escaped the general wreck. Give this to mydearest Rose; it is her poor Flora's only ornament of value, andwas the gift of a princess. ' She put into his hands a casecontaining the chain of diamonds with which she used to decorateher hair. 'To me it is in future useless. The kindness of myfriends has secured me a retreat in the convent of the ScottishBenedictine nuns in Paris. Tomorrow--if indeed I can survivetomorrow--I set forward on my journey with this venerable sister. And now, Mr. Waverley, adieu! May you be as happy with Rose asyour amiable dispositions deserve; and think sometimes on thefriends you have lost. Do not attempt to see me again; it would bemistaken kindness. '

She gave him her hand, on which Edward shed a torrent of tears, and with a faltering step withdrew from the apartment, andreturned to the town of Carlisle. At the inn he found a letterfrom his law friend intimating that he would be admitted to Fergusnext morning as soon as the Castle gates were opened, andpermitted to remain with him till the arrival of the Sheriff gavesignal for the fatal procession. 

CHAPTER LXIX

 A darker departure is near, The death drum is muffled, and sable the bier

 CAMPBELL

After a sleepless night, the first dawn of morning found Waverleyon the esplanade in front of the old Gothic gate of CarlisleCastle. But he paced it long in every direction before the hourwhen, according to the rules of the garrison, the gates wereopened and the draw-bridge lowered. He produced his order to thesergeant of the guard and was admitted. 

The place of Fergus's confinement was a gloomy and vaultedapartment in the central part of the Castle; a huge old tower, supposed to be of great antiquity, and surrounded by outworks, seemingly of Henry VIII's time, or somewhat later. The grating ofthe large old-fashioned bars and bolts, withdrawn for the purposeof admitting Edward, was answered by the clash of chains, as theunfortunate Chieftain, strongly and heavily fettered, shuffledalong the stone floor of his prison to fling himself into hisfriend's arms. 

'My dear Edward, ' he said, in a firm and even cheerful voice, 'thisis truly kind. I heard of your approaching happiness with thehighest pleasure. And how does Rose? and how is our old whimsicalfriend the Baron? Well, I trust, since I see you at freedom. Andhow will you settle precedence between the three ermines passantand the bear and boot-jack?'

'How, O how, my dear Fergus, can you talk of such things at such amoment!'

'Why, we have entered Carlisle with happier auspices, to be sure;on the 16th of November last, for example, when we marched in sideby side, and hoisted the white flag on these ancient towers. But Iam no boy, to sit down and weep because the luck has gone againstme. I knew the stake which I risked; we played the game boldly andthe forfeit shall be paid manfully. And now, since my time isshort, let me come to the questions that interest me most--thePrince? has he escaped the bloodhounds?'

'He has, and is in safety. '

'Praised be God for that! Tell me the particulars of his escape. '

Waverley communicated that remarkable history, so far as it hadthen transpired, to which Fergus listened with deep interest. Hethen asked after several other friends; and made many minuteinquiries concerning the fate of his own clansmen. They hadsuffered less than other tribes who had been engaged in theaffair; for, having in a great measure dispersed and returned homeafter the captivity of their Chieftain, according to the universalcustom of the Highlanders, they were not in arms when theinsurrection was finally suppressed, and consequently were treatedwith less rigour. This Fergus heard with great satisfaction. 

'You are rich, ' he said, 'Waverley, and you are generous. When youhear of these poor Mac-Ivors being distressed about theirmiserable possessions by some harsh overseer or agent ofgovernment, remember you have worn their tartan and are an adoptedson of their race, The Baron, who knows our manners and lives nearour country, will apprise you of the time and means to be theirprotector. Will you promise this to the last Vich Ian Vohr?'

Edward, as may well be believed, pledged his word; which heafterwards so amply redeemed that his memory still lives in theseglens by the name of the Friend of the Sons of Ivor. 

'Would to God, ' continued the Chieftain, 'I could bequeath to youmy rights to the love and obedience of this primitive and braverace; or at least, as I have striven to do, persuade poor Evan toaccept of his life upon their terms, and be to you what he hasbeen to me, the kindest, the bravest, the most devoted--'

The tears which his own fate could not draw forth fell fast forthat of his foster-brother. 

'But, ' said he, drying them, 'that cannot be. You cannot be to themVich Ian Vohr; and these three magic words, ' said he, halfsmiling, 'are the only Open Sesame to their feelings andsympathies, and poor Evan must attend his foster-brother in death, as he has done through his whole life. '

'And I am sure, ' said Maccombich, raising himself from the floor, on which, for fear of interrupting their conversation, he had lainso still that, in the obscurity of the apartment, Edward was notaware of his presence--'I am sure Evan never desired or deserved abetter end than just to die with his Chieftain. '

'And now, ' said Fergus, 'while we are upon the subject ofclanship--what think you now of the prediction of the BodachGlas?' Then, before Edward could answer, 'I saw him again lastnight: he stood in the slip of moonshine which fell from that highand narrow window towards my bed. "Why should I fear him?" Ithought; "to-morrow, long ere this time, I shall be as immaterialas he. " "False spirit, " I said, "art thou come to close thy walkson earth and to enjoy thy triumph in the fall of the lastdescendant of thine enemy?" The spectre seemed to beckon and tosmile as he faded from my sight. What do you think of it? I askedthe same question of the priest, who is a good and sensible man;he admitted that the church allowed that such apparitions werepossible, but urged me not to permit my mind to dwell upon it, asimagination plays us such strange tricks. What do you think ofit?'

'Much as your confessor, ' said Waverley, willing to avoid disputeupon such a point at such a moment. A tap at the door nowannounced that good man, and Edward retired while he administeredto both prisoners the last rites of religion, in the mode whichthe Church of Rome prescribes. 

In about an hour he was re-admitted; soon after, a file ofsoldiers entered with a blacksmith, who struck the fetters fromthe legs of the prisoners. 

'You see the compliment they pay to our Highland strength andcourage; we have lain chained here like wild beasts, till our legsare cramped into palsy, and when they free us they send sixsoldiers with loaded muskets to prevent our taking the castle bystorm!'

Edward afterwards learned that these severe precautions had beentaken in consequence of a desperate attempt of the prisoners toescape, in which they had very nearly succeeded. 

Shortly afterwards the drums of the garrison beat to arms. 'Thisis the last turn-out, ' said Fergus, 'that I shall hear and obey. And now, my dear, dear Edward, ere we part let us speak of Flora--a subject which awakes the tenderest feeling that yet thrillswithin me'

'We part not here!' said Waverley. 

'O yes, we do; you must come no farther. Not that I fear what isto follow for myself, ' he said proudly. 'Nature has her torturesas well as art, and how happy should we think the man who escapesfrom the throes of a mortal and painful disorder in the space of ashort half hour? And this matter, spin it out as they will, cannotlast longer. But what a dying man can suffer firmly may kill aliving friend to look upon. This same law of high treason, ' hecontinued, with astonishing firmness and composure, 'is one of theblessings, Edward, with which your free country has accommodatedpoor old Scotland; her own jurisprudence, as I have heard, wasmuch milder. But I suppose one day or other--when there are nolonger any wild Highlanders to benefit by its tender mercies--theywill blot it from their records as levelling them with a nation ofcannibals. The mummery, too, of exposing the senseless head--theyhave not the wit to grace mine with a paper coronet; there wouldbe some satire in that, Edward. I hope they will set it on theScotch gate though, that I may look, even after death, to the bluehills of my own country, which I love so dearly. The Baron wouldhave added, Moritur, et moriens dukes reminiscitur Argos. '

A bustle, and the sound of wheels and horses' feet, was now heardin the court-yard of the Castle. 'As I have told you why you mustnot follow me, and these sounds admonish me that my time fliesfast, tell me how you found poor Flora. '

Waverley, with a voice interrupted by suffocating sensations, gavesome account of the state of her mind. 

'Poor Flora!' answered the Chief, 'she could have borne her ownsentence of death, but not mine. You, Waverley, will soon know thehappiness of mutual affection in the married state--long, long mayRose and you enjoy it!--but you can never know the purity offeeling which combines two orphans like Flora and me, left aloneas it were in the world, and being all in all to each other fromour very infancy. But her strong sense of duty and predominantfeeling of loyalty will give new nerve to her mind after theimmediate and acute sensation of this parting has passed away. Shewill then think of Fergus as of the heroes of our race, upon whosedeeds she loved to dwell. '

'Shall she not see you then?' asked Waverley. 'She seemed toexpect it. '

'A necessary deceit will spare her the last dreadful parting. Icould not part with her without tears, and I cannot bear thatthese men should think they have power to extort them. She wasmade to believe she would see me at a later hour, and this letter, which my confessor will deliver, will apprise her that all isover. '

An officer now appeared and intimated that the High Sheriff andhis attendants waited before the gate of the Castle to claim thebodies of Fergus Mac-Ivor and Evan Maccombich. 'I come, ' saidFergus. Accordingly, supporting Edward by the arm and followed byEvan Dhu and the priest, he moved down the stairs of the tower, the soldiers bringing up the rear. The court was occupied by asquadron of dragoons and a battalion of infantry, drawn up inhollow square. Within their ranks was the sledge or hurdle onwhich the prisoners were to be drawn to the place of execution, about a mile distant from Carlisle. It was painted black, anddrawn by a white horse. At one end of the vehicle sat theexecutioner, a horrid-looking fellow, as beseemed his trade, withthe broad axe in his hand; at the other end, next the horse, wasan empty seat for two persons. Through the deep and dark Gothicarchway that opened on the drawbridge were seen on horseback theHigh Sheriff and his attendants, whom the etiquette betwixt thecivil and military powers did not permit to come farther. 'This iswell GOT UP for a closing scene, ' said Fergus, smilingdisdainfully as he gazed around upon the apparatus of terror. EvanDhu exclaimed with some eagerness, after looking at the dragoons, 'These are the very chields that galloped off at Gladsmuir, beforewe could kill a dozen o' them. They look bold enough now, however. ' The priest entreated him to be silent. 

The sledge now approached, and Fergus, turning round, embracedWaverley, kissed him on each side of the face, and stepped nimblyinto his place. Evan sat down by his side. The priest was tofollow in a carriage belonging to his patron, the Catholicgentleman at whose house Flora resided. As Fergus waved his handto Edward the ranks closed around the sledge, and the wholeprocession began to move forward. There was a momentary stop atthe gateway, while the governor of the Castle and the High Sheriffwent through a short ceremony, the military officer theredelivering over the persons of the criminals to the civil power. 'God save King George!' said the High Sheriff. When the formalityconcluded, Fergus stood erect in the sledge, and, with a firm andsteady voice, replied, ' God save King JAMES!' These were the lastwords which Waverley heard him speak. 

The procession resumed its march, and the sledge vanished frombeneath the portal, under which it had stopped for an instant. Thedead march was then heard, and its melancholy sounds were mingledwith those of a muffled peal tolled from the neighbouringcathedral. The sound of military music died away as the processionmoved on; the sullen clang of the bells was soon heard to soundalone. 

The last of the soldiers had now disappeared from under thevaulted archway through which they had been filing for severalminutes; the court-yard was now totally empty, but Waverley stillstood there as if stupefied, his eyes fixed upon the dark passwhere he had so lately seen the last glimpse of his friend. Atlength a female servant of the governor's, struck with compassion, at the stupefied misery which his countenance expressed, asked himif he would not walk into her master's house and sit down? She wasobliged to repeat her question twice ere he comprehended her, butat length it recalled him to himself. Declining the courtesy by ahasty gesture, he pulled his hat over his eyes, and, leaving theCastle, walked as swiftly as he could through the empty streetstill he regained his inn, then rushed into an apartment and boltedthe door. 

In about an hour and a half, which seemed an age of unutterablesuspense, the sound of the drums and fifes performing a livelyair, and the confused murmur of the crowd which now filled thestreets, so lately deserted, apprised him that all was finished, and that the military and populace were returning from thedreadful scene. I will not attempt to describe his sensations. 

In the evening the priest made him a visit, and informed him thathe did so by directions of his deceased friend, to assure him thatFergus Mac-Ivor had died as he lived, and remembered hisfriendship to the last. He added, he had also seen Flora, whosestate of mind seemed more composed since all was over. With herand sister Theresa the priest proposed next day to leave Carlislefor the nearest seaport from which they could embark for France. Waverley forced on this good man a ring of some value and a sum ofmoney to be employed (as he thought might gratify Flora) in theservices of the Catholic church for the memory of his friend. 'Fun-garque inani munere, ' he repeated, as the ecclesiasticretired. 'Yet why not class these acts of remembrance with otherhonours, with which affection in all sects pursues the memory ofthe dead?'

The next morning ere daylight he took leave of the town ofCarlisle, promising to himself never again to enter its walls. Hedared hardly look back towards the Gothic battlements of thefortified gate under which he passed, for the place is surroundedwith an old wall. 'They're no there, ' said Alick Polwarth, whoguessed the cause of the dubious look which Waverley castbackward, and who, with the vulgar appetite for the horrible, wasmaster of each detail of the butchery--'the heads are ower theScotch yate, as they ca' it. It's a great pity of Evan Dhu, whowas a very weel-meaning, good-natured man, to be a Hielandman;and indeed so was the Laird o' Glennaquoich too, for that matter, when he wasna in ane o' his tirrivies. '

CHAPTER LXX

DULCE DOMUM

The impression of horror with which Waverley left Carlislesoftened by degrees into melancholy, a gradation which wasaccelerated by the painful yet soothing task of writing to Rose;and, while he could not suppress his own feelings of the calamity, he endeavoured to place it in a light which might grieve herwithout shocking her imagination. The picture which he drew forher benefit he gradually familiarised to his own mind, and hisnext letters were more cheerful, and referred to the prospects ofpeace and happiness which lay before them. Yet, though his firsthorrible sensations had sunk into melancholy, Edward had reachedhis native country before he could, as usual on former occasions, look round for enjoyment upon the face of nature. 

He then, for the first time since leaving Edinburgh, began toexperience that pleasure which almost all feel who return to averdant, populous, and highly cultivated country from scenes ofwaste desolation or of solitary and melancholy grandeur. But howwere those feelings enhanced when he entered on the domain so longpossessed by his forefathers; recognised the old oaks of Waverley-Chace; thought with what delight he should introduce Rose to allhis favourite haunts; beheld at length the towers of the venerablehall arise above the woods which embowered it, and finally threwhimself into the arms of the venerable relations to whom he owedso much duty and affection!

The happiness of their meeting was not tarnished by a single wordof reproach. On the contrary, whatever pain Sir Everard and Mrs. Rachel had felt during Waverley's perilous engagement with theyoung Chevalier, it assorted too well with the principles in whichthey had been brought up to incur reprobation, or even censure. Colonel Talbot also had smoothed the way with great address forEdward's favourable reception by dwelling upon his gallantbehaviour in the military character, particularly his bravery andgenerosity at Preston; until, warmed at the idea of their nephew'sengaging in single combat, making prisoner, and saving fromslaughter so distinguished an officer as the Colonel himself, theimagination of the Baronet and his sister ranked the exploits ofEdward with those of Wilibert, Hildebrand, and Nigel, the vauntedheroes of their line. 

The appearance of Waverley, embrowned by exercise and dignified bythe habits of military discipline, had acquired an athletic andhardy character, which not only verified the Colonel's narration, but surprised and delighted all the inhabitants of Waverley-Honour. They crowded to see, to hear him, and to sing his praises. Mr. Pembroke, who secretly extolled his spirit and courage inembracing the genuine cause of the Church of England, censured hispupil gently, nevertheless, for being so careless of hismanuscripts, which indeed, he said, had occasioned him somepersonal inconvenience, as, upon the Baronet's being arrested by aking's messenger, he had deemed it prudent to retire to aconcealment called 'The Priest's Hole, ' from the use it had beenput to in former days; where, he assured our hero, the butler hadthought it safe to venture with food only once in the day, so thathe had been repeatedly compelled to dine upon victuals eitherabsolutely cold or, what was worse, only half warm, not to mentionthat sometimes his bed had not been arranged for two daystogether. Waverley's mind involuntarily turned to the Patmos ofthe Baron of Bradwardine, who was well pleased with Janet's fareand a few bunches of straw stowed in a cleft in the front of asand-cliff; but he made no remarks upon a contrast which couldonly mortify his worthy tutor. 

All was now in a bustle to prepare for the nuptials of Edward, anevent to which the good old Baronet and Mrs. Rachel looked forwardas if to the renewal of their own youth. The match, as ColonelTalbot had intimated, had seemed to them in the highest degreeeligible, having every recommendation but wealth, of which theythemselves had more than enough. Mr. Clippurse was thereforesummoned to Waverley-Honour, under better auspices than at thecommencement of our story. But Mr. Clippurse came not alone; for, being now stricken in years, he had associated with him a nephew, a younger vulture (as our English Juvenal, who tells the tale ofSwallow the attorney, might have called him), and they now carriedon business as Messrs. Clippurse and Hookem. These worthygentlemen had directions to make the necessary settlements on themost splendid scale of liberality, as if Edward were to wed apeeress in her own right, with her paternal estate tacked to thefringe of her ermine. 

But before entering upon a subject of proverbial delay, I mustremind my reader of the progress of a stone rolled downhill by anidle truant boy (a pastime at which I was myself expert in my morejuvenile years), it moves at first slowly, avoiding by inflectionevery obstacle of the least importance; but when it has attainedits full impulse, and draws near the conclusion of its career, itsmokes and thunders down, taking a rood at every spring, clearinghedge and ditch like a Yorkshire huntsman, and becoming mostfuriously rapid in its course when it is nearest to beingconsigned to rest for ever. Even such is the course of a narrativelike that which you are perusing. The earlier events arestudiously dwelt upon, that you, kind reader, may be introduced tothe character rather by narrative than by the duller medium ofdirect description; but when the story draws near its close, wehurry over the circumstances, however important, which yourimagination must have forestalled, and leave you to suppose thosethings which it would be abusing your patience to relate atlength. 

We are, therefore, so far from attempting to trace the dullprogress of Messrs. Clippurse and Hookem, or that of their worthyofficial brethren who had the charge of suing out the pardons ofEdward Waverley and his intended father-in-law, that we can buttouch upon matters more attractive. The mutual epistles, forexample, which were exchanged between Sir Everard and the Baronupon this occasion, though matchless specimens of eloquence intheir way, must be consigned to merciless oblivion. Nor can I tellyou at length how worthy Aunt Rachel, not without a delicate andaffectionate allusion to the circumstances which had transferredRose's maternal diamonds to the hands of Donald Bean Lean, stockedher casket with a set of jewels that a duchess might have envied. Moreover, the reader will have the goodness to imagine that JobHoughton and his dame were suitably provided for, although theycould never be persuaded that their son fell otherwise thanfighting by the young squire's side; so that Alick, who, as alover of truth, had made many needless attempts to expound thereal circumstances to them, was finally ordered to say not a wordmore upon the subject. He indemnified himself, however, by theliberal allowance of desperate battles, grisly executions, andraw-head and bloody-bone stories with which he astonished theservants' hall. 

But although these important matters may be briefly told innarrative, like a newspaper report of a Chancery suit, yet, withall the urgency which Waverley could use, the real time which thelaw proceedings occupied, joined to the delay occasioned by themode of travelling at that period, rendered it considerably morethan two months ere Waverley, having left England, alighted oncemore at the mansion of the Laird of Duchran to claim the hand ofhis plighted bride. 

The day of his marriage was fixed for the sixth after his arrival. The Baron of Bradwardine, with whom bridals, christenings, andfunerals were festivals of high and solemn import, felt a littlehurt that, including the family of the Duchran and all theimmediate vicinity who had title to be present on such anoccasion, there could not be above thirty persons collected. 'Whenhe was married, ' he observed, 'three hundred horse of gentlemenborn, besides servants, and some score or two of Highland lairds, who never got on horseback, were present on the occasion. '

But his pride found some consolation in reflecting that, he andhis son-in-law having been so lately in arms against government, it might give matter of reasonable fear and offence to the rulingpowers if they were to collect together the kith, kin, and alliesof their houses, arrayed in effeir of war, as was the ancientcustom of Scotland on these occasions--'And, without dubitation, 'he concluded with a sigh, 'many of those who would have rejoicedmost freely upon these joyful espousals are either gone to abetter place or are now exiles from their native land. '

The marriage took place on the appointed day. The Reverend Mr. Rubrick, kinsman to the proprietor of the hospitable mansion whereit was solemnised, and chaplain to the Baron of Bradwardine, hadthe satisfaction to unite their hands; and Frank Stanley acted asbridesman, having joined Edward with that view soon after hisarrival. Lady Emily and Colonel Talbot had proposed being present;but Lady Emily's health, when the day approached, was foundinadequate to the journey. In amends it was arranged that EdwardWaverley and his lady, who, with the Baron, proposed an immediatejourney to Waverley-Honour, should in their way spend a few daysat an estate which Colonel Talbot had been tempted to purchase inScotland as a very great bargain, and at which he proposed toreside for some time. 

CHAPTER LXXI

 This is no mine ain house, I ken by the bigging o't

 Old Song. 

The nuptial party travelled in great style. There was a coach andsix after the newest pattern, which Sir Everard had presented tohis nephew, that dazzled with its splendour the eyes of one halfof Scotland; there was the family coach of Mr. Rubrick;--boththese were crowded with ladies, --and there were gentlemen onhorseback, with their servants, to the number of a round score. Nevertheless, without having the fear of famine before his eyes, Bailie Macwheeble met them in the road to entreat that they wouldpass by his house at Little Veolan. The Baron stared, and said hisson and he would certainly ride by Little Veolan and pay theircompliments to the Bailie, but could not think of bringing withthem the 'haill comitatus nuptialis, or matrimonial procession. 'He added, 'that, as he understood that the barony had been sold byits unworthy possessor, he was glad to see his old friend Duncanhad regained his situation under the new Dominus, or proprietor. 'The Bailie ducked, bowed, and fidgeted, and then again insistedupon his invitation; until the Baron, though rather piqued at thepertinacity of his instances, could not nevertheless refuse toconsent without making evident sensations which he was anxious toconceal. 

He fell into a deep study as they approached the top of theavenue, and was only startled from it by observing that thebattlements were replaced, the ruins cleared away, and (mostwonderful of all) that the two great stone bears, those mutilatedDagons of his idolatry, had resumed their posts over the gateway. 'Now this new proprietor, ' said he to Edward, 'has shown mairgusto, as the Italians call it, in the short time he has had thisdomain, than that hound Malcolm, though I bred him here mysell, has acquired vita adhuc durante. And now I talk of hounds, is notyon Ban and Buscar who come scouping up the avenue with DavieGellatley?'

'I vote we should go to meet them, sir, ' said Waverley, 'for Ibelieve the present master of the house is Colonel Talbot, whowill expect to see us. We hesitated to mention to you at firstthat he had purchased your ancient patrimonial property, and evenyet, if you do not incline to visit him, we can pass on to theBailie's. '

The Baron had occasion for all his magnanimity. However, he drew along breath, took a long snuff, and observed, since they hadbrought him so far, he could not pass the Colonel's gate, and hewould be happy to see the new master of his old tenants. Healighted accordingly, as did the other gentlemen and ladies; hegave his arm to his daughter, and as they descended the avenuepointed out to her how speedily the 'Diva Pecunia of the Southron--their tutelary deity, he might call her--had removed the marks ofspoliation. '

In truth, not only had the felled trees been removed, but, theirstumps being grubbed up and the earth round them levelled and sownwith grass, every mark of devastation, unless to an eye intimatelyacquainted with the spot, was already totally obliterated. Therewas a similar reformation in the outward man of Davie Gellatley, who met them, every now and then stopping to admire the new suitwhich graced his person, in the same colours as formerly, butbedizened fine enough to have served Touchstone himself. He dancedup with his usual ungainly frolics, first to the Baron and then toRose, passing his hands over his clothes, crying, 'Bra', bra'Davie, ' and scarce able to sing a bar to an end of his thousand-and-one songs for the breathless extravagance of his joy. The dogsalso acknowledged their old master with a thousand gambols. 'Uponmy conscience, Rose, ' ejaculated the Baron, 'the gratitude o' thaedumb brutes and of that puir innocent brings the tears into myauld een, while that schellum Malcolm--but I'm obliged to ColonelTalbot for putting my hounds into such good condition, andlikewise for puir Davie. But, Rose, my dear, we must not permitthem to be a life-rent burden upon the estate. '

As he spoke, Lady Emily, leaning upon the arm of her husband, metthe party at the lower gate with a thousand welcomes. After theceremony of introduction had been gone through, much abridged bythe ease and excellent breeding of Lady Emily, she apologised forhaving used a little art to wile them back to a place which mightawaken some painful reflections--'But as it was to change masters, we were very desirous that the Baron--'

'Mr. Bradwardine, madam, if you please, ' said the old gentleman. 

'--Mr. Bradwardine, then, and Mr. Waverley should see what we havedone towards restoring the mansion of your fathers to its formerstate. '

The Baron answered with a low bow. Indeed, when he entered thecourt, excepting that the heavy stables, which had been burntdown, were replaced by buildings of a lighter and more picturesqueappearance, all seemed as much as possible restored to the statein which he had left it when he assumed arms some months before. The pigeon-house was replenished; the fountain played with itsusual activity, and not only the bear who predominated over itsbasin, but all the other bears whatsoever, were replaced on theirseveral stations, and renewed or repaired with so much care thatthey bore no tokens of the violence which had so lately descendedupon them. While these minutiae had been so needfully attended to, it is scarce necessary to add that the house itself had beenthoroughly repaired, as well as the gardens, with the strictestattention to maintain the original character of both, and toremove as far as possible all appearance of the ravage they hadsustained. The Baron gazed in silent wonder; at length headdressed Colonel Talbot--

'While I acknowledge my obligation to you, sir, for therestoration of the badge of our family, I cannot but marvel thatyou have nowhere established your own crest, whilk is, I believe, a mastiff, anciently called a talbot; as the poet has it, A talbot strong, a sturdy tyke. 

At least such a dog is the crest of the martial and renowned Earlsof Shrewsbury, to whom your family are probably blood-relations. '

'I believe, ' said the Colonel, smiling, 'our dogs are whelps ofthe same litter; for my part, if crests were to disputeprecedence, I should be apt to let them, as the proverb says, "fight dog, fight bear. "'

As he made this speech, at which the Baron took another long pinchof snuff, they had entered the house, that is, the Baron, Rose, and Lady Emily, with young Stanley and the Bailie, for Edward andthe rest of the party remained on the terrace to examine a newgreenhouse stocked with the finest plants. The Baron resumed hisfavourite topic--'However it may please you to derogate from thehonour of your burgonet, Colonel Talbot, which is doubtless yourhumour, as I have seen in other gentlemen of birth and honour inyour country, I must again repeat it as a most ancient anddistinguished bearing, as well as that of my young friend FrancisStanley, which is the eagle and child. '

'The bird and bantling they call it in Derbyshire, sir, ' saidStanley. 

'Ye're a daft callant, sir, ' said the Baron, who had a greatliking to this young man, perhaps because he sometimes teased him--'Ye're a daft callant, and I must correct you some of thesedays, ' shaking his great brown fist at him. 'But what I meant tosay, Colonel Talbot, is, that yours is an ancient prosapia, ordescent, and since you have lawfully and justly acquired theestate for you and yours which I have lost for me and mine, I wishit may remain in your name as many centuries as it has done inthat of the late proprietor's. '

'That, ' answered the Colonel, 'is very handsome, Mr. Bradwardine, indeed. '

'And yet, sir, I cannot but marvel that you, Colonel, whom I notedto have so much of the amor patritz when we met in Edinburgh aseven to vilipend other countries, should have chosen to establishyour Lares, or household gods, procul a patrice finibus, and in amanner to expatriate yourself. '

'Why really, Baron, I do not see why, to keep the secret of thesefoolish boys, Waverley and Stanley, and of my wife, who is nowiser, one old soldier should continue to impose upon another. Youmust know, then, that I have so much of that same prejudice infavour of my native country, that the sum of money which Iadvanced to the seller of this extensive barony has only purchasedfor me a box in----shire, called Brere-wood Lodge, with abouttwo hundred and fifty acres of land, the chief merit of which is, that it is within a very few miles of Waverley-Honour. '

'And who, then, in the name of Heaven, has bought this property?'

'That, ' said the Colonel, 'it is this gentleman's profession toexplain. '

The Bailie, whom this reference regarded, and who had all thiswhile shifted from one foot to another with great impatience, 'like a hen, ' as he afterwards said, 'upon a het girdle'; andchuckling, he might have added, like the said hen in all the gloryof laying an egg, now pushed forward. 'That I can, that I can, your honour, ' drawing from his pocket a budget of papers, anduntying the red tape with a hand trembling with eagerness. 'Hereis the disposition and assignation by Malcolm Bradwardine of Inch-Grabbit, regularly signed and tested in terms of the statute, whereby, for a certain sum of sterling money presently contentedand paid to him, he has disponed, alienated, and conveyed thewhole estate and barony of Bradwardine, Tully-Veolan, and others, with the fortalice and manor-place--'

'For God's sake, to the point, sir; I have all that by heart, 'said the Colonel. 

'--To Cosmo Comyne Bradwardme, Esq. , ' pursued the Bailie, 'hisheirs and assignees, simply and irredeemably, to be held either ame vel de me--'

'Pray read short, sir. '

'On the conscience of an honest man, Colonel, I read as short asis consistent with style--under the burden and reservation always--'

'Mr. Macwheeble, this would outlast a Russian winter; give meleave. In short, Mr. Bradwardine, your family estate is your ownonce more in full property, and at your absolute disposal, butonly burdened with the sum advanced to re-purchase it, which Iunderstand is utterly disproportioned to its value. '

'An auld sang--an auld sang, if it please your honours, ' cried theBailie, rubbing his hands; 'look at the rental book. '

'--Which sum being advanced, by Mr. Edward Waverley, chiefly fromthe price of his father's property which I bought from him, issecured to his lady your daughter and her family by thismarriage. '

'It is a catholic security, ' shouted the Bailie, ' to Rose ComyneBradwardine, alias Wauverley, in life-rent, and the children ofthe said marriage in fee; and I made up a wee bit minute of anantenuptial contract, intuitu matrimonij, so it cannot be subjectto reduction hereafter, as a donation inter virum et uxorem. '

It is difficult to say whether the worthy Baron was most delightedwith the restitution of his family property or with the delicacyand generosity that left him unfettered to pursue his purpose indisposing of it after his death, and which avoided as much aspossible even the appearance of laying him under pecuniaryobligation. When his first pause of joy and astonishment was over, his thoughts turned to the unworthy heir-male, who, he pronounced, had sold his birthright, like Esau, for a mess o' pottage. 

'But wha cookit the parritch for him?' exclaimed the Bailie; 'Iwad like to ken that;--wha but your honour's to command, DuncanMacwheeble? His honour, young Mr. Wauverley, put it a' into myhand frae the beginning--frae the first calling o' the summons, asI may say. I circumvented them--I played at bogle about the bushwi' them--I cajolled them; and if I havena gien Inch-Grabbit andJamie Howie a bonnie begunk, they ken themselves. Him a writer! Ididna gae slapdash to them wi' our young bra' bridegroom, to garthem baud up the market. Na, na; I scared them wi' our wildtenantry, and the Mac-Ivors, that are but ill settled yet, tillthey durstna on ony errand whatsoever gang ower the doorstaneafter gloaming, for fear John Heatherblutter, or some siccan dare-the-deil, should tak a baff at them; then, on the other hand, Ibeflummed them wi' Colonel Talbot; wad they offer to keep up theprice again' the Duke's friend? did they na ken wha was master?had they na seen eneugh, by the sad example of mony a puirmisguided unhappy body--'

'Who went to Derby, for example, Mr. Macwheeble?' said the Colonelto him aside. 

'O whisht, Colonel, for the love o' God! let that flee stick i'the wa'. There were mony good folk at Derby; and it's ill speakingof halters'--with a sly cast of his eye toward the Baron, who wasin a deep reverie. 

Starting out of it at once, he took Macwheeble by the button andled him into one of the deep window recesses, whence onlyfragments of their conversation reached the rest of the party. Itcertainly related to stamp-paper and parchment; for no othersubject, even from the mouth of his patron, and he once more anefficient one, could have arrested so deeply the Bailie's reverentand absorbed attention. 

'I understand your honour perfectly; it can be dune as easy astaking out a decreet in absence. '

'To her and him, after my demise, and to their heirs-male, butpreferring the second son, if God shall bless them with two, whois to carry the name and arms of Bradwardine of that ilk, withoutany other name or armorial bearings whatsoever. '

'Tut, your honour!' whispered the Bailie, 'I'll mak a slightjotting the morn; it will cost but a charter of resignation infavorem; and I'll hae it ready for the next term in Exchequer. '

Their private conversation ended, the Baron was now summoned to dothe honours of Tully-Veolan to new guests. These were MajorMelville of Cairnvreckan and the Reverend Mr. Morton, followed bytwo or three others of the Baron's acquaintances, who had beenmade privy to his having again acquired the estate of his fathers. The shouts of the villagers were also heard beneath in the court-yard; for Saunders Saunderson, who had kept the secret for severaldays with laudable prudence, had unloosed his tongue uponbeholding the arrival of the carriages. 

But, while Edward received Major Melville with politeness and theclergyman with the most affectionate and grateful kindness, hisfather-in-law looked a little awkward, as uncertain how he shouldanswer the necessary claims of hospitality to his guests, andforward the festivity of his tenants. Lady Emily relieved him byintimating that, though she must be an indifferent representativeof Mrs. Edward Waverley in many respects, she hoped the Baronwould approve of the entertainment she had ordered in expectationof so many guests; and that they would find such otheraccommodations provided as might in some degree support theancient hospitality of Tully-Veolan. It is impossible to describethe pleasure which this assurance gave the Baron, who, with an airof gallantry half appertaining to the stiff Scottish laird andhalf to the officer in the French service, offered his arm to thefair speaker, and led the way, in something between a stride and aminuet step, into the large dining parlour, followed by all therest of the good company. 

By dint of Saunderson's directions and exertions, all here, aswell as in the other apartments, had been disposed as much aspossible according to the old arrangement; and where new movableshad been necessary, they had been selected in the same characterwith the old furniture. There was one addition to this fine oldapartment, however, which drew tears into the Baron's eyes. It wasa large and spirited painting, representing Fergus Mac-Ivor andWaverley in their Highland dress, the scene a wild, rocky, andmountainous pass, down which the clan were descending in thebackground. It was taken from a spirited sketch, drawn while theywere in Edinburgh by a young man of high genius, and had beenpainted on a full-length scale by an eminent London artist. Raeburn himself (whose 'Highland Chiefs' do all but walk out ofthe canvas) could not have done more justice to the subject; andthe ardent, fiery, and impetuous character of the unfortunateChief of Glennaquoich was finely contrasted with thecontemplative, fanciful, and enthusiastic expression of hishappier friend. Beside this painting hung the arms which Waverleyhad borne in the unfortunate civil war. The whole piece was beheldwith admiration and deeper feelings. 

Men must, however, eat, in spite both of sentiment and vertu; andthe Baron, while he assumed the lower end of the table, insistedthat Lady Emily should do the honours of the head, that theymight, he said, set a meet example to the YOUNG FOLK. After apause of deliberation, employed in adjusting in his own brain theprecedence between the Presbyterian kirk and Episcopal church ofScotland, he requested Mr. Morton, as the stranger, would crave ablessing, observing that Mr. Rubrick, who was at HOME, wouldreturn thanks for the distinguished mercies it had been his lot toexperience. The dinner was excellent. Saunderson attended in fullcostume, with all the former domestics, who had been collected, excepting one or two, that had not been heard of since the affairof Culloden. The cellars were stocked with wine which waspronounced to be superb, and it had been contrived that the Bearof the Fountain, in the courtyard, should (for that night only)play excellent brandy punch for the benefit of the lower orders. 

When the dinner was over the Baron, about to propose a toast, casta somewhat sorrowful look upon the sideboard, which, however, exhibited much of his plate, that had either been secreted orpurchased by neighbouring gentlemen from the soldiery, and by themgladly restored to the original owner. 

"In the late times, " he said, "those must be thankful who havesaved life and land; yet when I am about to pronounce this toast, I cannot but regret an old heirloom, Lady Emily, a POCULUMPOTATORIUM, Colonel Talbot--"

Here the Baron's elbow was gently touched by his major-domo, and, turning round, he beheld in the hands of Alexander ab Alexandrothe celebrated cup of Saint Duthac, the Blessed Bear ofBradwardine! I question if the recovery of his estate afforded himmore rapture. "By my honour, " he said, "one might almost believein brownies and fairies, Lady Emily, when your ladyship is inpresence!"

"I am truly happy, " said Colonel Talbot, "that, by the recovery ofthis piece of family antiquity, it has fallen within my power togive you some token of my deep interest in all that concerns myyoung friend Edward. But that you may not suspect Lady Emily for asorceress, or me for a conjuror, which is no joke in Scotland, Imust tell you that Frank Stanley, your friend, who has been seizedwith a tartan fever ever since he heard Edward's tales of oldScottish manners, happened to describe to us at second-hand thisremarkable cup. My servant, Spontoon, who, like a true oldsoldier, observes everything and says little, gave me afterwardsto understand that he thought he had seen the piece of plate Mr. Stanley mentioned in the possession of a certain Mrs. Nosebag, who, having been originally the helpmate of a pawnbroker, hadfound opportunity during the late unpleasant scenes in Scotland totrade a little in her old line, and so became the depositary ofthe more valuable part of the spoil of half the army. You maybelieve the cup was speedily recovered; and it will give me verygreat pleasure if you allow me to suppose that its value is notdiminished by having been restored through my means. "

A tear mingled with the wine which the Baron filled, as heproposed a cup of gratitude to Colonel Talbot, and 'The Prosperityof the united Houses of Waverley-Honour and Bradwardine!'

It only remains for me to say that, as no wish was ever utteredwith more affectionate sincerity, there are few which, allowingfor the necessary mutability of human events, have been upon thewhole more happily fulfilled. 

CHAPTER LXXII

A POSTSCRIPT WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PREFACE

Our journey is now finished, gentle reader; and if your patiencehas accompanied me through these sheets, the contract is, on yourpart, strictly fulfilled. Yet, like the driver who has receivedhis full hire, I still linger near you, and make, with becomingdiffidence, a trifling additional claim upon your bounty and goodnature. You are as free, however, to shut the volume of the onepetitioner as to close your door in the face of the other. 

This should have been a prefatory chapter, but for two reasons:First, that most novel readers, as my own conscience reminds me, are apt to be guilty of the sin of omission respecting that samematter of prefaces; Secondly, that it is a general custom withthat class of students to begin with the last chapter of a work;so that, after all, these remarks, being introduced last in order, have still the best chance to be read in their proper place. 

There is no European nation which, within the course of half acentury or little more, has undergone so complete a change as thiskingdom of Scotland. The effects of the insurrection of 1745, --thedestruction of the patriarchal power of the Highland chiefs, --theabolition of the heritable jurisdictions of the Lowland nobilityand barons, --the total eradication of the Jacobite party, which, averse to intermingle with the English, or adopt their customs, long continued to pride themselves upon maintaining ancientScottish manners and customs, --commenced this innovation. Thegradual influx of wealth and extension of commerce have sinceunited to render the present people of Scotland a class of beingsas different from their grandfathers as the existing English arefrom those of Queen Elizabeth's time. 

The political and economical effects of these changes have beentraced by Lord Selkirk with great precision and accuracy. But thechange, though steadily and rapidly progressive, has neverthelessbeen gradual; and, like those who drift down the stream of a deepand smooth river, we are not aware of the progress we have madeuntil we fix our eye on the now distant point from which we havebeen drifted. Such of the present generation as can recollect thelast twenty or twenty-five years of the eighteenth century will befully sensible of the truth of this statement; especially if theiracquaintance and connexions lay among those who in my younger timewere facetiously called 'folks of the old leaven, ' who stillcherished a lingering, though hopeless, attachment to the house ofStuart. 

This race has now almost entirely vanished from the land, and withit, doubtless, much absurd political prejudice; but also manyliving examples of singular and disinterested attachment to theprinciples of loyalty which they received from their fathers, andof old Scottish faith, hospitality, worth, and honour. 

It was my accidental lot, though not born a Highlander (which maybe an apology for much bad Gaelic), to reside during my childhoodand youth among persons of the above description; and now, for thepurpose of preserving some idea of the ancient manners of which Ihave witnessed the almost total extinction, I have embodied inimaginary scenes, and ascribed to fictitious characters, a part ofthe incidents which I then received from those who were actors inthem. Indeed, the most romantic parts of this narrative areprecisely those which have a foundation in fact. 

The exchange of mutual protection between a Highland gentleman andan officer of rank in the king's service, together with thespirited manner in which the latter asserted his right to returnthe favour he had received, is literally true. The accident by amusket shot, and the heroic reply imputed to Flora, relate to alady of rank not long deceased. And scarce a gentleman who was 'inhiding' after the battle of Culloden but could tell a tale ofstrange concealments and of wild and hair'sbreadth'scapes asextraordinary as any which I have ascribed to my heroes. Of this, the escape of Charles Edward himself, as the most prominent, isthe most striking example. The accounts of the battle of Prestonand skirmish at Clifton are taken from the narrative ofintelligent eye-witnesses, and corrected from the 'History of theRebellion' by the late venerable author of 'Douglas. ' The LowlandScottish gentlemen and the subordinate characters are not given asindividual portraits, but are drawn from the general habits of theperiod, of which I have witnessed some remnants in my youngerdays, and partly gathered from tradition. 

It has been my object to describe these persons, not by acaricatured and exaggerated use of the national dialect, but bytheir habits, manners, and feelings, so as in some distant degreeto emulate the admirable Irish portraits drawn by Miss Edgeworth, so different from the 'Teagues' and 'dear joys' who so long, withthe most perfect family resemblance to each other, occupied thedrama and the novel. 

I feel no confidence, however, in the manner in which I haveexecuted my purpose. Indeed, so little was I satisfied with myproduction, that I laid it aside in an unfinished state, and onlyfound it again by mere accident among other waste papers in an oldcabinet, the drawers of which I was rummaging in order toaccommodate a friend with some fishing-tackle, after it had beenmislaid for several years. 

Two works upon similar subjects, by female authors whose genius ishighly creditable to their country, have appeared in the interval;I mean Mrs. Hamilton's 'Glenburnie' and the late account of'Highland Superstitions. ' But the first is confined to the ruralhabits of Scotland, of which it has given a picture with strikingand impressive fidelity; and the traditional records of therespectable and ingenious Mrs. Grant of Laggan are of a naturedistinct from the fictitious narrative which I have hereattempted. 

I would willingly persuade myself that the preceding work will notbe found altogether uninteresting. To elder persons it will recallscenes and characters familiar to their youth; and to the risinggeneration the tale may present some idea of the manners of theirforefathers. 

Yet I heartily wish that the task of tracing the evanescentmanners of his own country had employed the pen of the only man inScotland who could have done it justice--of him so eminentlydistinguished in elegant literature, and whose sketches of ColonelCaustic and Umphraville are perfectly blended with the finertraits of national character. I should in that case have had morepleasure as a reader than I shall ever feel in the pride of asuccessful author, should these sheets confer upon me that envieddistinction. And, as I have inverted the usual arrangement, placing these remarks at the end of the work to which they refer, I will venture on a second violation of form, by closing the wholewith a Dedication--

THESE VOLUMES BEING RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED TO OUR SCOTTISHADDISON, HENRY MACKENZIE, BY AN UNKNOWN ADMIRER OF HIS GENIUS. 

THE END

NOTES

NOTE I, p. 19

The clan of Mac-Farlane, occupying the fastnesses of the westernside of Loch Lomond, were great depredators on the Low Country, and as their excursions were made usually by night, the moon wasproverbially called their lantern. Their celebrated pibroch ofHoggil nam Bo, which is the name of their gathering tune, intimates similar practices, the sense being:--

 We are bound to drive the bullocks, All by hollows, hirsts, and hillocks, Through the sleet, and through the rain. When the moon is beaming low On frozen lake and hills of snow, Bold and heartily we go; And all for little gain. 

NOTE 2, p. 22

This noble ruin is dear to my recollection, from associationswhich have been long and painfully broken. It holds a commandingstation on the banks of the river Teith, and has been one of thelargest castles in Scotland. Murdoch, Duke of Albany, the founderof this stately pile, was beheaded on the Castle-hill of Stirling, from which he might see the towers of Doune, the monument of hisfallen greatness. 

In 1745-46, as stated in the text, a garrison on the part of theChevalier was put into the castle, then less ruinous than atpresent. It was commanded by Mr. Stewart of Balloch, as governorfor Prince Charles; he was a man of property near Callander. Thiscastle became at that time the actual scene of a romantic escapemade by John Home, the author of Douglas, and some otherprisoners, who, having been taken at the battle of Falkirk, wereconfined there by the insurgents. The poet, who had in his ownmind a large stock of that romantic and enthusiastic spirit ofadventure which he has described as animating the youthful hero ofhis drama, devised and undertook the perilous enterprise ofescaping from his prison. He inspired his companions with hissentiments, and when every attempt at open force was deemedhopeless, they resolved to twist their bed-clothes into ropes andthus to descend. Four persons, with Home himself, reached theground in safety. But the rope broke with the fifth, who was atall, lusty man. The sixth was Thomas Barrow, a brave youngEnglishman, a particular friend of Home's. Determined to take therisk, even in such unfavourable circumstances, Barrow committedhimself to the broken rope, slid down on it as far as it couldassist him, and then let himself drop. His friends beneathsucceeded in breaking his fall. Nevertheless, he dislocated hisankle and had several of his ribs broken. His companions, however, were able to bear him off in safety. 

The Highlanders next morning sought for their prisoners with greatactivity. An old gentleman told the author he remembered seeingthe commandant Stewart

 Bloody with spurring, fiery red with haste, riding furiously through the country in quest of the fugitives. 

NOTE 3, p. 28

To go out, or to have been out, in Scotland was a conventionalphrase similar to that of the Irish respecting a man having beenup, both having reference to an individual who had been engaged ininsurrection. It was accounted ill-breeding in Scotland aboutforty years since to use the phrase rebellion or rebel, whichmight be interpreted by some of the parties present as a personalinsult. It was also esteemed more polite, even for stanch Whigs, to denominate Charles Edward the Chevalier than to speak of him asthe Pretender; and this kind of accommodating courtesy was usuallyobserved in society where individuals of each party mixed onfriendly terms. 

NOTE 4, p. 38

The Jacobite sentiments were general among the western countiesand in Wales. But although the great families of the Wynnes, theWyndhams, and others had come under an actual obligation to joinPrince Charles if he should land, they had done so under theexpress stipulation that he should be assisted by an auxiliaryarmy of French, without which they foresaw the enterprise would bedesperate. Wishing well to his cause, therefore, and watching anopportunity to join him, they did not, nevertheless, thinkthemselves bound in honour to do so, as he was only supported by abody of wild mountaineers, speaking an uncouth dialect, andwearing a singular dress. The race up to Derby struck them withmore dread than admiration. But it is difficult to say what theeffect might have been had either the battle of Preston or Falkirkbeen fought and won during the advance into England. 

NOTE 5, p. 43

Divisions early showed themselves in the Chevalier's little army, not only amongst the independent chieftains, who were far tooproud to brook subjection to each other, but betwixt the Scotchand Charles's governor O'Sullivan, an Irishman by birth, who, withsome of his countrymen bred in the Irish Brigade in the service ofthe King of France, had an influence with the Adventurer muchresented by the Highlanders, who were sensible that their ownclans made the chief or rather the only strength of hisenterprise. There was a feud, also, between Lord George Murray andJohn Murray of Broughton, the Prince's secretary, whose disuniongreatly embarrassed the affairs of the Adventurer. In general, athousand different pretensions divided their little army, andfinally contributed in no small degree to its overthrow. 

NOTE 6, p. 78

This circumstance, which is historical, as well as the descriptionthat precedes it, will remind the reader of the war of La Vendee, in which the royalists, consisting chiefly of insurgent peasantry, attached a prodigious and even superstitious interest to thepossession of a piece of brass ordnance, which they called MarieJeanne. 

The Highlanders of an early period were afraid of cannon, with thenoise and effect of which they were totally unacquainted. It wasby means of three or four small pieces of artillery that the Earlsof Huntly and Errol, in James VI's time, gained a great victory atGlenlivat, over a numerous Highland army, commanded by the Earl ofArgyle. At the battle of the Bridge of Dee, General Middletonobtained by his artillery a similar success, the Highlanders notbeing able to stand the discharge of Musket's Mother, which wasthe name they bestowed on great guns. In an old ballad on thebattle of the Bridge of Dee these verses occur:--

 The Highlandmen are pretty men For handling sword and shield, But yet they are but simple men To stand a stricken field. 

 The Highlandmen are pretty men For target and claymore, But yet they are but naked men To face the cannon's roar. 

 For the cannons roar on a summer night Like thunder in the air; Was never man in Highland garb Would face the cannon fair

But the Highlanders of 1745 had got far beyond the simplicity oftheir forefathers, and showed throughout the whole war how littlethey dreaded artillery, although the common people still attachedsome consequence to the possession of the field-piece which led tothis disquisition. 

NOTE 7, p. 93

The faithful friend who pointed out the pass by which theHighlanders moved from Tranent to Seaton was Robert Anderson, junior, of Whitburgh, a gentleman of property in East Lothian. Hehad been interrogated by the Lord George Murray concerning thepossibility of crossing the uncouth and marshy piece of groundwhich divided the armies, and which he described as impracticable. When dismissed, he recollected that there was a circuitous pathleading eastward through the marsh into the plain, by which theHighlanders might turn the flank of Sir John Cope's positionwithout being exposed to the enemy's fire. Having mentioned hisopinion to Mr. Hepburn of Keith, who instantly saw its importance, he was encouraged by that gentleman to awake Lord George Murrayand communicate the idea to him. Lord George received theinformation with grateful thanks, and instantly awakened PrinceCharles, who was sleeping in the field with a bunch of pease underhis head. The Adventurer received with alacrity the news thatthere was a possibility of bringing an excellently provided armyto a decisive battle with his own irregular forces. His joy on theoccasion was not very consistent with the charge of cowardicebrought against him by Chevalier Johnstone, a discontentedfollower, whose Memoirs possess at least as much of a romantic asa historical character. Even by the account of the Chevalierhimself, the Prince was at the head of the second line of theHighland army during the battle, of which he says, 'It was gainedwith such rapidity that in the second line, where I was still bythe side of the Prince, we saw no other enemy than those who werelying on the ground killed and wounded, though we were not morethan fifty paces behind our first line, running always as fast aswe could to overtake them. '

This passage in the Chevalier's Memoirs places the Prince withinfifty paces of the heat of the battle, a position which wouldnever have been the choice of one unwilling to take a share of itsdangers. Indeed, unless the chiefs had complied with the youngAdventurer's proposal to lead the van in person, it does notappear that he could have been deeper in the action. 

NOTE 8, p. 100

The death of this good Christian and gallant man is thus given byhis affectionate biographer, Doctor Doddridge, from the evidenceof eye-witnesses:--

'He continued all night under arms, wrapped up in his cloak, andgenerally sheltered under a rick of barley which happened to be inthe field. About three in the morning he called his domesticservants to him, of which there were four in waiting. He dismissedthree of them with most affectionate Christian advice, and suchsolemn charges relating to the performance of their duty, and thecare of their souls, as seemed plainly to intimate that heapprehended it was at least very probable he was taking his lastfarewell of them. There is great reason to believe that he spentthe little remainder of the time, which could not be much above anhour, in those devout exercises of soul which had been so longhabitual to him, and to which so many circumstances did thenconcur to call him. The army was alarmed by break of day by thenoise of the rebels' approach, and the attack was made beforesunrise, yet when it was light enough to discern what passed. Assoon as the enemy came within gun-shot they made a furious fire;and it is said that the dragoons which constituted the left wingimmediately fled. The Colonel at the beginning of the onset, whichin the whole lasted but a few minutes, received a wound by abullet in his left breast, which made him give a sudden spring inhis saddle; upon which his servant, who led the horse, would havepersuaded him to retreat, but he said it was only a wound in theflesh, and fought on, though he presently after received a shot inhis right thigh. In the mean time, it was discerned that some ofthe enemy fell by him, and particularly one man who had made him atreacherous visit but a few days before, with great professions ofzeal for the present establishment. 

'Events of this kind pass in less time than the description ofthem can be written, or than it can be read. The Colonel was for afew moments supported by his men, and particularly by that worthyperson Lieutenant-Colonel Whitney, who was shot through the armhere, and a few months after fell nobly at the battle of Falkirk, and by Lieutenant West, a man of distinguished bravery, as also byabout fifteen dragoons, who stood by him to the last. But after afaint fire, the regiment in general was seized with a panic; andthough their Colonel and some other gallant officers did what theycould to rally them once or twice, they at last took a precipitateflight. And just in the moment when Colonel Gardiner seemed to bemaking a pause to deliberate what duty required him to do in suchcircumstances, an accident happened, which must, I think, in thejudgment of every worthy and generous man, be allowed a sufficientapology for exposing his life to so great hazard, when hisregiment had left him. He saw a party of the foot, who were thenbravely fighting near him, and whom he was ordered to support, hadno officer to head them; upon which he said eagerly, in thehearing of the person from whom I had this account, "These bravefellows will be cut to pieces for want of a commander, " or wordsto that effect; which while he was speaking he rode up to them andcried out, "Fire on, my lads, and fear nothing. " But just as thewords were out of his mouth, a Highlander advanced towards himwith a scythe fastened to a long pole, with which he gave him sodreadful a wound on his right arm, that his sword dropped out ofhis hand; and at the same time several others coming about himwhile he was thus dreadfully entangled with that cruel weapon, hewas dragged off from his horse. The moment he fell, anotherHighlander, who, if the king's evidence at Carlisle may becredited (as I know not why they should not, though the unhappycreature died denying it), was one Mac-Naught, who was executedabout a year after, gave him a stroke either with a broadsword ora Lochaber-axe (for my informant could not exactly distinguish) onthe hinder part of his head, which was the mortal blow. All thathis faithful attendant saw farther at this time was that, as hishat was fallen off, he took it in his left hand and waved it as asignal to him to retreat, and added, what were the last words heever heard him speak, "Take care of yourself"; upon which theservant retired. '--Some Remarkable Passages in the Life of ColonelJames Gardiner. By P. Doddridge, D. D. London, 1747, P. 187. 

I may remark on this extract, that it confirms the account givenin the text of the resistance offered by some of the Englishinfantry. Surprised by a force of a peculiar and unusualdescription, their opposition could not be long or formidable, especially as they were deserted by the cavalry, and those whoundertook to manage the artillery. But, although the affair wassoon decided, I have always understood that many of the infantryshowed an inclination to do their duty. 

NOTE 9, p. 101

It is scarcely necessary to say that the character of this brutalyoung Laird is entirely imaginary. A gentleman, however, whoresembled Balmawhapple in the article of courage only, fell atPreston in the manner described. A Perthshire gentleman of highhonour and respectability, one of the handful of cavalry whofollowed the fortunes of Charles Edward, pursued the fugitivedragoons almost alone till near Saint Clement's Wells, where theefforts of some of the officers had prevailed on a few of them tomake a momentary stand. Perceiving at this moment that they werepursued by only one man and a couple of servants, they turned uponhim and cut him down with their swords. I remember when a child, sitting on his grave, where the grass long grew rank and green, distinguishing it from the rest of the field. A female of thefamily then residing at Saint Clement's Wells used to tell me thetragedy, of which she had been an eye-witness, and showed me inevidence one of the silver clasps of the unfortunate gentleman'swaistcoat. 

NOTE 10, p. 118

The name of Andrea de Ferrara is inscribed on all the Scottishbroadswords which are accounted of peculiar excellence. Who thisartist was, what were his fortunes, and when he flourished, havehitherto defied the research of antiquaries; only it is in generalbelieved that Andrea de Ferrara was a Spanish or Italianartificer, brought over by James IV or V to instruct the Scots inthe manufacture of sword blades. Most barbarous nations excel inthe fabrication of arms; and the Scots had attained greatproficiency in forging swords so early as the field of Pinkie; atwhich period the historian Patten describes them as 'all notablybroad and thin, universally made to slice, and of such exceedinggood temper that, as I never saw any so good, so I think it hardto devise better. '--Account of Somerset's Expedition. 

It may be observed that the best and most genuine Andrea Ferrarashave a crown marked on the blade. 

NOTE 11, p. 124

The incident here said to have happened to Flora Mac-Ivor actuallybefell Miss Nairne, a lady with whom the author had the pleasureof being acquainted. As the Highland army rushed into Edinburgh, Miss Nairne, like other ladies who approved of their cause, stoodwaving her handkerchief from a balcony, when a ball from aHighlander's musket, which was discharged by accident, grazed herforehead. 'Thank God, ' said she, the instant she recovered, 'thatthe accident happened to me, whose principles are known. Had itbefallen a Whig, they would have said it was done on purpose. '

NOTE 12, p. 185

The Author of Waverley has been charged with painting the youngAdventurer in colours more amiable than his character deserved. But having known many individuals who were near his person, he hasbeen described according to the light in which those eye-witnessessaw his temper and qualifications. Something must be allowed, nodoubt, to the natural exaggerations of those who remembered him asthe bold and adventurous Prince in whose cause they had braveddeath and ruin; but is their evidence to give place entirely tothat of a single malcontent?

I have already noticed the imputations thrown by the ChevalierJohnstone on the Prince's courage. But some part at least of thatgentleman's tale is purely romantic. It would not, for instance, be supposed that at the time he is favouring us with the highlywrought account of his amour with the adorable Peggie, theChevalier Johnstone was a married man, whose grandchild is nowalive; or that the whole circumstantial story concerning theoutrageous vengeance taken by Gordon of Abbachie on a Presbyterianclergyman is entirely apocryphal. At the same time it may beadmitted that the Prince, like others of his family, did notesteem the services done him by his adherents so highly as heought. Educated in high ideas of his hereditary right, he has beensupposed to have held every exertion and sacrifice made in hiscause as too much the duty of the person making it to meritextravagant gratitude on his part. Dr. King's evidence (which hisleaving the Jacobite interest renders somewhat doubtful) goes tostrengthen this opinion. 

The ingenious editor of Johnstone's Memoirs has quoted a storysaid to be told by Helvetius, stating that Prince Charles Edward, far from voluntarily embarking on his daring expedition, was, literally bound hand and foot, and to which he seems disposed toyield credit. Now, it being a fact as well known as any in hishistory, and, so far as I know, entirely undisputed, that thePrince's personal entreaties and urgency positively forcedBoisdale and Lochiel into insurrection, when they were earnestlydesirous that he would put off his attempt until he could obtain asufficient force from France, it will be very difficult toreconcile his alleged reluctance to undertake the expedition withhis desperately insisting upon carrying the rising into effectagainst the advice and entreaty of his most powerful and most sagepartizans. Surely a man who had been carried bound on board thevessel which brought him to so desperate an enterprise would havetaken the opportunity afforded by the reluctance of his partizansto return to France in safety. 

It is averred in Johnstone's Memoirs that Charles Edward left thefield of Culloden without doing the utmost to dispute the victory;and, to give the evidence on both sides, there is in existence themore trustworthy testimony of Lord Elcho, who states that hehimself earnestly exhorted the Prince to charge at the head of theleft wing, which was entire, and retrieve the day or die withhonour. And on his counsel being declined, Lord Elcho took leaveof him with a bitter execration, swearing he would never look onhis face again, and kept his word. 

On the other hand, it seems to have been the opinion of almost allthe other officers that the day was irretrievably lost, one wingof the Highlanders being entirely routed, the rest of the armyoutnumbered, outflanked, and in a condition totally hopeless. Inthis situation of things the Irish officers who surroundedCharles's person interfered to force him off the field. A cornetwho was close to the Prince left a strong attestation that he hadseen Sir Thomas Sheridan seize the bridle of his horse and turnhim round. There is some discrepancy of evidence; but the opinionof Lord Elcho, a man of fiery temper and desperate at the ruinwhich he beheld impending, cannot fairly be taken in prejudice ofa character for courage which is intimated by the nature of theenterprise itself, by the Prince's eagerness to fight on alloccasions, by his determination to advance from Derby to London, and by the presence of mind which he manifested during theromantic perils of his escape. The author is far from claiming forthis unfortunate person the praise due to splendid talents; but hecontinues to be of opinion that at the period of his enterprise hehad a mind capable of facing danger and aspiring to fame. 

That Charles Edward had the advantages of a graceful presence, courtesy, and an address and manner becoming his station, theauthor never heard disputed by any who approached his person, nordoes he conceive that these qualities are overcharged in thepresent attempt to sketch his portrait. 

The following extracts corroborative of the general opinionrespecting the Prince's amiable disposition are taken from amanuscript account of his romantic expedition, by James Maxwell ofKirkconnell, of which I possess a copy, by the friendship of J. Menzies, Esq. , of Pitfoddells. The author, though partial to thePrince, whom he faithfully followed, seems to have been a fair andcandid man, and well acquainted with the intrigues among theadventurer's council:--

'Everybody was mightily taken with the Prince's figure andpersonal behaviour. There was but one voice about them. Those whominterest or prejudice made a runaway to his cause could not helpacknowledging that they wished him well in all other respects, andcould hardly blame him for his present undertaking. Sundry thingshad concurred to raise his character to the highest pitch, besidesthe greatness of the enterprise and the conduct that had hithertoappeared in the execution of it. 

'There were several instances of good nature and humanity that hadmade a great impression on people's minds. I shall confine myselfto two or three. 

'Immediately after the battle, as the Prince was riding along theground that Cope's army had occupied a few minutes before, one ofthe officers came up to congratulate him, and said, pointing tothe killed, "Sir, there are your enemies at your feet. " ThePrince, far from exulting, expressed a great deal of compassionfor his father's deluded subjects, whom he declared he washeartily sorry to see in that posture. 

'Next day, while the Prince was at Pinkie House, a citizen ofEdinburgh came to make some representation to Secretary Murrayabout the tents that city was ordered to furnish against a certainday. Murray happened to be out of the way, which the Princehearing of called to have the gentleman brought to him, saying, hewould rather despatch the business, whatever it was, himself thanhave the gentleman wait, which he did, by granting everything thatwas asked. So much affability in a young prince flushed withvictory drew encomiums even from his enemies. 

'But what gave the people the highest idea of him was the negativehe gave to a thing that very nearly concerned his interest, andupon which the success of his enterprise perhaps depended. It wasproposed to send one of the prisoners to London to demand of thatcourt a cartel for the exchange of prisoners taken, and to betaken, during this war, and to intimate that a refusal would belooked upon as a resolution on their part to give no quarter. Itwas visible a cartel would be of great advantage to the Prince'saffairs; his friends would be more ready to declare for him ifthey had nothing to fear but the chance of war in the field; andif the court of London refused to settle a cartel, the Prince wasauthorised to treat his prisoners in the same manner the Electorof Hanover was determined to treat such of the Prince's friends asmight fall into his hands; it was urged that a few examples wouldcompel the court of London to comply. It was to be presumed thatthe officers of the English army would make a point of it. Theyhad never engaged in the service but upon such terms as are in useamong all civilised nations, and it could be no stain upon theirhonour to lay down their commissions if these terms were notobserved, and that owing to the obstinacy of their own Prince. Though this scheme was plausible, and represented as veryimportant, the Prince could never be brought into it, it was belowhim, he said, to make empty threats, and he would never put suchas those into execution; he would never in cold blood take awaylives which he had saved in heat of action at the peril of hisown. These were not the only proofs of good nature the Prince gaveabout this time. Every day produced something new of this kind. These things softened the rigour of a military government whichwas only imputed to the necessity of his affairs, and which heendeavoured to make as gentle and easy as possible. '

It has been said that the Prince sometimes exacted more state andceremonial than seemed to suit his condition; but, on the otherhand, some strictness of etiquette was altogether indispensablewhere he must otherwise have been exposed to general intrusion. Hecould also endure, with a good grace, the retorts which hisaffectation of ceremony sometimes exposed him to. It is said, forexample, that Grant of Glenmoriston having made a hasty march tojoin Charles, at the head of his clan, rushed into the Prince'spresence at Holyrood with unceremonious haste, without havingattended to the duties of the toilet. The Prince received himkindly, but not without a hint that a previous interview with thebarber might not have been wholly unnecessary. 'It is notbeardless boys, ' answered the displeased Chief, 'who are to doyour Royal Highness's turn. ' The Chevalier took the rebuke in goodpart. 

On the whole, if Prince Charles had concluded his life soon afterhis miraculous escape, his character in history must have stoodvery high. As it was, his station is amongst those a certainbrilliant portion of whose life forms a remarkable contrast to allwhich precedes and all which follows it. 

NOTE 13, p. 195

The following account of the skirmish at Clifton is extracted fromthe manuscript Memoirs of Evan Macpherson of Cluny, Chief of theclan Macpherson, who had the merit of supporting the principalbrunt of that spirited affair. The Memoirs appear to have beencomposed about 1755, only ten years after the action had takenplace. They were written in France, where that gallant chiefresided in exile, which accounts for some Gallicisms which occurin the narrative. 

'In the Prince's return from Derby back towards Scotland, my LordGeorge Murray, Lieutenant-General, cheerfully charg'd himself withthe command of the rear, a post which, altho' honourable, wasattended with great danger, many difficulties, and no smallfatigue; for the Prince, being apprehensive that his retreat toScotland might be cut off by Marischall Wade, who lay to thenorthward of him with an armie much supperior to what H. R. H. Had, while the Duke of Comberland with his whole cavalrie followed hardin the rear, was obliged to hasten his marches. It was not, therefore, possible for the artilirie to march so fast as thePrince's army, in the depth of winter, extremely bad weather, andthe worst roads in England; so Lord George Murray was obligedoften to continue his marches long after it was dark almost everynight, while at the same time he had frequent allarms anddisturbances from the Duke of Comberland's advanc'd parties. 

'Towards the evening of the twentie-eight December 1745 the Princeentered the town of Penrith, in the Province of Comberland. But asLord George Murray could not bring up the artilirie so fast as hewou'd have wish'd, he was oblig'd to pass the night six milesshort of that town, together with the regiment of MacDonel ofGlengarrie, which that day happened to have the arrear guard. ThePrince, in order to refresh his armie, and to give My Lord Georgeand the artilirie time to come up, resolved to sejour the 29th atPenrith; so ordered his little army to appear in the morning underarms, in order to be reviewed, and to know in what manner thenumbers stood from his haveing entered England. It did not at thattime amount to 5000 foot in all, with about 400 cavalrie, compos'dof the noblesse who serv'd as volunteers, part of whom form'd afirst troop of guards for the Prince, under the command of My LordElchoe, now Comte de Weems, who, being proscribed, is presently inFrance. Another part formed a second troup of guards under thecommand of My Lord Balmirino, who was beheaded at the Tower ofLondon. A third part serv'd under My Lord le Comte de Kilmarnock, who was likewise beheaded at the Tower. A fourth part serv'd underMy Lord Pitsligow, who is also proscribed; which cavalrie, tho'very few in numbers, being all noblesse, were very brave, and ofinfinite advantage to the foot, not only in the day of battle, butin serving as advanced guards on the several marches, and inpatroling dureing the night on the different roads which ledtowards the towns where the army happened to quarter. 

'While this small army was out in a body on the 2Qth December, upon a riseing ground to the northward of Penrith, passing review, Mons. De Cluny, with his tribe, was ordered to the Bridge ofClifton, about a mile to southward of Penrith, after having pass'din review before Mons. Pattullo, who was charged with theinspection of the troops, and was likeways Quarter-Master-Generalof the army, and is now in France. They remained under arms at thebridge, waiting the arrival of My Lord George Murray with theartilirie, whom Mons. De Cluny had orders to cover in passing thebridge. They arrived about sunsett closly pursued by the Duke ofComberland with the whole body of his cavalrie, reckoned upwardsof 3000 strong, about a thousand of whom, as near as might becomputed, dismounted, in order to cut off the passage of theartilirie towards the bridge, while the Duke and the othersremained on horseback in order to attack the rear. 

'My Lord George Murray advanced, and although he found Mons. DeCluny and his tribe in good spirits under arms, yet thecircumstance appear'd extremely delicate. The numbers were vastlyunequall, and the attack seem'd very dangerous; so My Lord Georgedeclin'd giving orders to such time as he ask'd Mons. De Cluny'soppinion. "I will attack them with all my heart, " says Mons. DeCluny, "if you order me. " "I do order it then, " answered My LordGeorge, and immediately went on himself along with Mons. De Cluny, and fought sword in hand on foot at the head of the single tribeof Macphersons. They in a moment made their way through a stronghedge of thorns, under the cover whereof the cavalrie had takentheir station, in the strugle of passing which hedge My LordGeorge Murray, being dressed en montagnard, as all the army were, lost his bonet and wig; so continued to fight bare-headed duringthe action. They at first made a brisk discharge of their firearmson the enemy, then attacked them with their sabres, and made agreat slaughter a considerable time, which obliged Comberland andhis cavalrie to fly with precipitation and in great confusion; inso much that, if the Prince had been provided in a sufficientnumber of cavalrie to have taken advantage of the disorder, it isbeyond question that the Duke of Comberland and the bulk of hiscavalrie had been taken prisoners. 

'By this time it was so dark that it was not possible to view ornumber the slain who filled all the ditches which happened to beon the ground where they stood. But it was computed that, besidesthose who went off wounded, upwards of a hundred at least wereleft on the spot, among whom was Colonel Honywood, who commandedthe dismounted cavalrie, whose sabre of considerable value Mons. De Cluny brought off and still preserves; and his tribe lykewaysbrought off many arms;--the Colonel was afterwards taken up, and, his wounds being dress'd, with great difficultie recovered. Mons. De Cluny lost only in the action twelve men, of whom some haveingbeen only wounded, fell afterwards into the hands of the enemy, and were sent as slaves to America, whence several of themreturned, and one of them is now in France, a sergeant in theRegiment of Royal Scots. How soon the accounts of the enemiesapproach had reached the Prince, H. R. H. Had immediately orderedMi-Lord le Comte de Nairne, Brigadier, who, being proscribed, isnow in France, with the three batalions of the Duke of Athol, thebatalion of the Duke of Perth, and some other troups under hiscommand, in order to support Cluny, and to bring off theartilirie. But the action was entirely over before the Comte deNairne, with his command, cou'd reach nigh to the place. Theytherefore return'd all to Penrith, and the artilirie marched up ingood order. 

'Nor did the Duke of Comberland ever afterwards dare to comewithin a day's march of the Prince and his army dureing the courseof all that retreat, which was conducted with great prudence andsafety when in some manner surrounded by enemies. '

NOTE 14, p. 215

As the heathen deities contracted an indelible obligation if theyswore by Styx, the Scottish Highlanders had usually some peculiarsolemnity attached to an oath which they intended should bebinding on them. Very frequently it consisted in laying theirhand, as they swore, on their own drawn dirk; which dagger, becoming a party to the transaction, was invoked to punish anybreach of faith. But by whatever ritual the oath was sanctioned, the party was extremely desirous to keep secret what the especialoath was which he considered as irrevocable. This was a matter ofgreat convenience, as he felt no scruple in breaking hisasseveration when made in any other form than that which heaccounted as peculiarly solemn; and therefore readily granted anyengagement which bound him no longer than he inclined. Whereas, ifthe oath which he accounted inviolable was once publicly known, noparty with whom he might have occasion to contract would haverested satisfied with any other. 

Louis XI of France practised the same sophistry, for he also had apeculiar species of oath, the only one which he was ever known torespect, and which, therefore, he was very unwilling to pledge. The only engagement which that wily tyrant accounted binding uponhim was an oath by the Holy Cross of Saint Lo d'Angers, whichcontained a portion of the True Cross. If he prevaricated aftertaking this oath Louis believed he should die within the year. TheConstable Saint Paul, being invited to a personal conference withLouis, refused to meet the king unless he would agree to ensurehim safe conduct under sanction of this oath. But, says Comines, the king replied, he would never again pledge that engagement tomortal man, though he was willing to take any other oath whichcould be devised. The treaty broke oft, therefore, after muchchaffering concerning the nature of the vow which Louis was totake. Such is the difference between the dictates of superstitionand those of conscience. 

GLOSSARY

A', all. 

ABOON, abune, above. 

AE, one. 

AFF, off. 

AFORE, before. 

AHINT, behind. 

AIN, own. 

AITS, oats. 

AMAIST, almost. 

AMBRY, a cupboard, a pantry. 

AN, if. 

ANE, one. 

ANEUCH, enough. 

ARRAY, annoy, trouble. 

ASSOILZIED, absolved, acquitted. 

ASSYTHMENT, satisfaction, AULD, old. 

BAFF, a blow. 

BAGGANET, a bayonet. 

BAILIE, a city magistrate in Scotland. 

BAIRN, a child. 

BAITH, both. 

BANES, bones. 

BANG-UP, get up quickly, bounce. 

BARLEY, a parley, a truce. 

BAULD, bold. 

BAULDER, bolder. 

BAWBEE, a halfpenny. 

BAWTY, sly, cunning. 

BEES, in the, bewildered, stupefied. 

BEFLUMM'D, flattered, cajoled. 

BEGUNK, a trick, a cheat. 

BEN, within, inside. 

BENEMPT, named. 

BICKER, a wooden dish. 

BIDE, stay, endure. 

BIELDY, affording shelter. 

BIGGING, building. 

BIRLIEMAN, a peace officer. 

BLACK-COCK, the black grouse. 

BLACK-FISHING, ashing by torchlight, poaching. 

BLUDE, bluid, blood. 

BODDLE, bodle, a copper coin, worth one third of an English penny. 

BOGLE ABOUT THE BUSH, beat about the bush, a children's game. 

BONNIE, beautiful, comely, fine, BOUNE, prepared. 

BRA', fine, handsome, showy. 

BRANDER, broil. 

BREEKS, breeches. 

BRENT, smooth, unwrinkled. 

BROGUES, Highland shoes. 

BROO, brew, broth. 

BRUCKLE, brittle, infirm. 

BRUIK, enjoy. 

BRULZIE, bruilzie, a broil, a fray. 

BUCKIE, a perverse or refractory person. 

BUTTOCK-MAIL, a fine for fornication. 

BYDAND, awaiting. 

CA', call. 

CADGER, a country carrier. 

CAILLIACHS, old women on whom devolved the duty of lamenting forthe dead, which the Irish call keening. 

CALLANT, a stripling, a fine fellow. 

CANNILY, prudently. 

CANNY, cautious, lucky. 

CARLE, a churl, an old man. 

CATERAN, a freebooter. 

CHIEL, a young man. 

CLACHAN, a village, a hamlet. 

CLAMYHEWIT, a blow, a drubbing. 

CLASH, chatter, gossip. 

CLATTER, tattle, noisy talk. 

CLOSE, a narrow passage. 

CLOUR, a bump, a bruise. 

COCKY-LEEKY, a soup made of a cock, seasoned with leeks. 

COGHLING AND DROGHLING, wheezing and blowing. 

CORONACH, a dirge. 

CORRIE, a mountain hollow. 

COUP, fall. 

COW YER CRACKS, cut short your talk, hold your tongues. 

CRACK, boast. 

CRAIG, the neck, the throat. 

CRAMES, merchants' shops, booths. 

CUT-LUGGED, crop-eared. 

DAFT, foolish, mad, crazy. 

DAUR, dare. 

DEAVING, deafening. 

DECREET, an order of decree. 

DELIVER, light, agile. 

DERN, hidden, concealed, secret. 

DING, knock, beat, surpass. 

DINGLE, dinnle, tingle, vibrate with sound. 

DOER, an agent, a manager. 

DOG-HEAD, the hammer of a gun. 

DOILED, crazed, silly. 

DOITED, having the faculties impaired. 

DORLACH, a bundle. 

DOW, a dove. 

DOWF, dowff, dull, spiritless. 

DRAPPIE, a little drop, a small quantity of drink. 

EFFEIR, what is becoming. 

ENEUGH, enough. 

ETTER-CAP, a spider, an ill-natured person. 

EVITE, avoid, escape. 

EWEST, ewast, contiguous. 

FALLOW, a fellow. 

FAULD, fold. 

FEARED, afraid. 

FECK, a quantity. 

FLEYT, frightened, shy. 

FRAE, from. 

GAD, a goad, a rod. 

GANE, gone; gang, go. 

GAR, make. 

GATE, way. 

GAUN, going. 

GEAR, goods. 

GHAIST, a ghost. 

GIN, if. 

GITE, crazy, a noodle, GLED, a kite. 

GLEG, quick, clever. 

GLISK, a glimpse. 

GOWD, gold. 

GRANING, groaning. 

GRAT, wept. 

GREE, agree. 

GREYBEARD, a stone bottle or jug. 

GRICE, gryce, gris, a pig. 

GRIPPLE, griping, niggardly. 

GUDE, guid, good. 

GULPIN, a simpleton. 

HA', hall. 

HAG, a portion of copse marked off for cutting. 

HAGGIS, a pudding peculiar to Scotland, containing oatmeal, suet, minced sheep's liver, heart, etc. , seasoned with onions, pepper, and salt, the whole mixture boiled in a sheep's stomach. 

HAIL, whole. 

HECK, a hay rack; at heck and manger, in plenty. 

HET, hot. 

HOG, a young sheep before its first shearing. 

HORSE-COUPER, horse-cowper, a horse-dealer. 

HURDLES, the buttocks. 

HURLEY-HOUSE, a large house fallen into disrepair. 

 ILK, same; of that ilk, of the same name or place, ILKA, every. 

INGLE, a fire burning upon the hearth. 

IN THE BEES, stupefied. 

KEEPIT, kept. 

KEMPLE, a Scotch measure of straw or hay. 

KEN, know. 

KIPPAGE, disorder, confusion. 

KIRK, church. 

KITTLE, tickle, ticklish. 

LAIRD, lord of the manor. 

LANDLOUPER, a wanderer, a vagabond. 

LEDDY, a lady. 

LIGHTLY, make light of, disparage. 

LIMMER, a hussy, a jade. 

LOON, a worthless fellow, a lout. 

LOUP, leap, start. 

LUG, an ear. 

LUNZIE, the loins, the waist. 

MAE, more. 

MAINS, the chief farm of an estate. 

MAIR, more. 

MAIST, most, almost. MART, beef salted down for winter. 

MASK, mash, infuse. 

MAUN, must. 

MERK, an old silver coin worth 13 1/3 pence, English. 

MICKLE, large, much. 

MORN, tomorrow. 

MOUSTED, powdered. 

MUCKLE, great, much. 

MUNT, mount. 

MUTCHKIN, a measure equal to about three quarters of an imperialpint. 

NA, nae, no, not. 

NAIGS, horses. 

NAIL, the sixteenth part of a yard. 

NATHELESS, nevertheless. 

NEB, nose, tip. 

NE'ER BE IN ME, devil be in me. 

OLD TO DO, great doings. 

OWER, over. 

PAITRICK, a partridge. 

PANGED, crammed. 

PARRITCH, oatmeal porridge. 

PAUNIE, a peacock. 

PECULIUM, private property. 

PINNERS, a headdress for women. 

PLACK, a copper coin worth one third of a penny. 

PLAIDY, an outer covering for the body. 

PLENISH, furnish. 

PLOY, an entertainment, a pastime. 

POTTINGER, an apothecary. 

POWNIE, a pony. 

POWTERING, poking, stirring. 

PRETTY MAN, a stout, warlike fellow. 

QUEAN, a young woman. 

REDD, part, separate. 

REISES, twigs, branches. 

RESILING, retracting, withdrawing. 

RIGGS, ridges, ploughed ground. 

RINTHEROUT, a roving person, a vagabond. 

ROW, roll. 

ROWED, rolled. 

ROWT, cried out, bellowed, ROYNISH, scurvy, coarse. 

SAE, so. 

ST. JOHNSTONE'S TIPPET, a rope or halter for hanging. 

SAIR, sore, very. 

SALL, shall. 

SARK, a shirt. 

SAUMON, a salmon. 

SAUT, salt. 

SCARTED, scratched, scribbled over. 

SCHELLUM, a rascal. 

SCROLL, engross, copy. 

SHANKS, legs. 

SHEERS, shears. 

SHOUTHER, the shoulder. 

SICCAN, sic, such. 

SILLER, money. 

SILLY, weak. 

SKIG, the least quantity of anything. 

SMA', small. 

SMOKY, suspicious. 

SNECK, cut. 

SORTED, put in proper order, adjusted. 

SOWENS, the seeds of oatmeal soured. 

SPEER, ask, investigate. 

SPENCE, the place where provisions are kept. 

SPRACK, lively. 

SPRECHERY, movables of an unimportant sort. 

SPUILZIE, spoil. 

SPUNG, pick one's pocket. 

STIEVE, firm. 

STOOR, rough, harsh. 

STRAE, straw. 

STREEKS, stretches, lies. 

SWAIR, swore. 

SYNE, before, now, ago. 

TAIGLIT, harassed, encumbered, loitered. 

TAULD, told. 

THAE, those. 

THIR, these. 

THOLE, bear, suffer. 

THRAW, twist, wrench. 

THREEPIT, maintained obstinately. 

THROSTLE, the thrush. 

TILL, to. 

TIRRIVIES, hasty fits of passion, TOCHERLESS, without dowry. 

TOUN, a town, a hamlet, a farm. 

TOY, an old-fashioned cap for women. 

TREWS, trousers. 

TRINDLING, rolling. 

TROW, believe. 

TUILZIE, a quarrel

TUME, toom, empty. 

TURNSPIT DOGGIE, a kind of dog, long-bodied and short-legged, formerly used in turning a treadmill. 

TYKE, a dog, a rough fellow. 

UMQUHILE, formerly, late. 

UNCO, strange, very, UNSONSY, unlucky. 

USQUEBAUGH, whiskey. 

VENY, venue, a bout. 

VIVERS, victuals. 

WA', wall

WAD, would. 

WADSET, a deed conveying property to a creditor

WAIN, a wagon; to remove. 

WALISE, a portmanteau, saddlebags. 

WAN, won. 

WANCHANCY, unlucky. 

WARE, spend. 

WEEL-FARD, weel-faur'd, having a good appearance. 

WEISING, inclining, directing. 

WHA, who. 

WHAR, where, WHAT FOR, why. 

WHEEN, a few. 

WHILE SYNE, a while ago. 

WHILES, sometimes. 

WHILK, which. 

WHIN, a few. 

WHINGEING, whining. 

WINNA, will not. 

WISKE, whisk. 

YATE, gate.