laws and forms differed in many respects from those] Morton; "or who holds church government and of England, and had been taught to believe however ceremonies as the exclusive gage of Christian faith or erroneously, that the liberty and rights of the subject moral virtue." were less carefully protected. A sentiment of bitter- "But," continued Waverley, " I cannot perceive ness rose in his mind against the government, which why I should trouble you with a detail of particulars, be considered as the cause of his embarrassment and out of which, after revolving them as carefully as peril, and he cursed internally his scrupulous rejec- possible in my recollection, I find myself unable to tion of Mac-Ivor's invitation to accompany him to explain much of what is charged against me. I the field. know, indeed, that I am innocent,, but I hardly see how I can hope to prove myself so. Why did not I," he said to himself, "like other And welcome home again discarded faith, "It is for that very reason, Mr. Waverley," said the clergyman, "that I venture to solicit your confidence. My knowledge of individuals in this country is pretty general, and can upon occasion be extended. Your situation will, I fear, preclude your taking those active steps for recovering intelligence, or tracing imAll that has been recorded of excellence and worth in posture, which I would willingly undertake in your the house of Waverley has been founded upon their behalf; and if you are not benefited by my exerloyal faith to the house of Stewart. From the inter- tions, at least they cannot be prejudicial to you." pretation which this Scotch magistrate has put upon Waverley, after a few minutes' reflection, was conthe letters of my uncle and father, it is plain that I vinced that his reposing confidence in Mr. Morton, ought to have understood them as marshalling me to so far as he himself was concerned, could hurt neithe course of my ancestors; and it has been my gross ther Mr. Bradwardine nor Fergus Mac-Ivor, both of dulness, joined to the obscurity of expression which whom had openly assumed armis against the govern they adopted for the sake of security, that has con-ment, and that it might possibly, if the professions of founded my judgment. Had I yielded to the first ge- his new friend corresponded in sincerity with the nerous impulse of indignation, when I learned that earnestness of his expression, be of some service to my honour was practised upon, how different had himself. He therefore ran briefly over most of the been my present situation! I had then been free and events with which the reader is already acquainted, in arms, fighting, like my forefathers, for love, for suppressing his attachment to Flora, and indeed neiloyalty, and for fame. And now I am here, netted ther mentioning her nor Rose Bradwardine in the and in the toils, at the disposal of a suspicious, stern, course of his narrative. and cold-hearted man, perhaps to be turned over to the solitude of a dungeon, or the infamy of a public execution. O, Fergus! how true has your prophecy proved; and how speedy, how very speedy, has been its accomplishment!" While Edward was ruminating on these painful subjects of contemplation, and very naturally, though not quite so justly, bestowing upon the reigning dynasty that blame which was due to chance, or, in part at least, to his own unreflecting conduct, Mr. Morton availed himself of Major Melville's permission to pay him an early visit. Mr. Morton seemed particularly struck with the account of Waverley's visit to Donald Bean Lean. I am glad," he said, "you did not mention this circumstance to the Major. It is capable of great misconstruction on the part of those who do not consider the power of curiosity and the influence of romance as motives of youthful conduct. When I was a young man like you, Mr. Waverley, any such hairbrained expedition (I beg your pardon for the expres sion) would have had inexpressible charms for me. But there are men in the world who will not believe that danger and fatigue are often incurred without Waverley's first impulse was to intimate a desire any very adequate cause, and therefore who are somethat he might not be disturbed with questions or con- times led to assign motives of action entirely foreign versation; but he suppressed it upon observing the to the truth. This man Bean Lean is renowned benevolent and reverend appearance of the clergy-through the country as a sort of Robin Hood, and man who had rescued him from the immediate vio-the stories which are told of his address and enterlence of the villagers. "I believe, sir," said the unfortunate young man, that in any other circumstances, I should have had as much gratitude to express to you as the safety of my life may be worth; but such is the present tumult of my mind, and such is my anticipation of what am yet likely to endure, that I can hardly offer you thanks for your interposition." I prise are the common tales of the winter fire-side. He certainly possesses talents beyond the rude sphere in which he moves; and, being neither destitute of ambition nor encumbered with scruples, he will probably attempt, by every means, to distinguish himself during the period of these unhappy commotions." Mr. Morton then made a careful memorandum of the various particulars of Waverley's interview with Donald Bean, and the other circumstances which he had communicated. Mr. Morton replied, "that, far from making any claim upon his good opinion, his only wish and the sole purpose of his visit was to find out the means of The interest which this good man seemed to take deserving it. My excellent friend, Major Melville," in his misfortunes, above all, the full confidence he he continued, "has feelings and duties as a soldier appeared to repose in his innocence, had the natural and public functionary, by which I am not fettered; effect of softening Edward's heart, whom the coldnor can I always coincide in opinions which he ness of Major Melville had taught to believe that the forms, perhaps with too little allowance for the im-world was leagued to oppress him. He shook Mr. perfections of human nature." He paused, and then Morton warmly by the hand, and, assuring him that proceeded: "I do not intrude myself on your confi- his kindness and sympathy had relieved his mind of dence, Mr. Waverley, for the purpose of learning any a heavy load, told him, that whatever might be his circumstances, the knowledge of which can be pre-own fate, he belonged to a family who had both grajudicial either to yourself or to others; but I own my titude and the power of displaying it. The earnestearnest wish is, that you would intrust me with any ness of his thanks called drops to the eyes of the particulars which could lead to your exculpation. I worthy clergyman, who was doubly interested in the can solemnly assure you they will be deposited with cause for which he had volunteered his services, by a faithful, and, to the extent of his limited powers, a observing the genuine and undissembled feelings of zealous agent." his young friend. Edward now inquired if Mr. Morton knew what was likely to be his destination. You are, sir, I presume, a Presbyterian clergyman-Mr. Morton bowed-"Were I to be guided by the prepossessions of education, I might distrust "Stirling Castle," replied his friend; "and so far your friendly professions in my case; but I have ob- I am well pleased for your sake, for the governor is served that similar prejudices are nourished in this a man of honour and humanity. But I am more country against your professional brethren of the doubtful of your treatment upon the road; Major Episcopal persuasion, and I am willing to believe Melville is involuntarily obliged to intrust the custhem equally unfounded in both cases." tody of your person to another." "Evil to him that thinks otherwise," said Mr. | "I am glad of it," answered Waverley. "I detest am." "I believe a person called Gilfillan, one of the sect who are termed Cameronians." that cold-blooded calculating Scotch magistrate. I was the course which was likely to be most agreeable hope he and I shall never meet more: he had neither to others. He remembered the same policy had desympathy with my innocence nor with my wretch-tained them in the north in the year 1715, and he anedness; and the petrifying accuracy with which he ticipated a similar termination to the insurrection, as attended to every form of civility, while he tortured upon that occasion. me by his questions, his suspicions, and his inferen- This news put him in such good-humour, that he ces, was as tormenting as the racks of the Inquisi- readily acquiesced in Mr. Morton's proposal to pay tion. Do not vindicate him, my dear sir, for that I some hospitable attention to his unfortunate guest, cannot bear with patience; tell me rather who is to and voluntarily added, he hoped the whole affair have the charge of so important a state prisoner as I would prove a youthful escapade, which might be easily atoned by a short confinement. The kind mediator had some trouble to prevail on his young friend to accept the invitation. He dared not urge to him the real motive, which was a good-natured wish to secure a favourable report of Waverley's case from Major Melville to Governor Blakeney. He remarked, from the flashes of our hero's spirit, that touching upon this topic would be sure to defeat his purpose. Major's disbelief of any part of the accusation which was inconsistent with Waverley's conduct as a soldier and man of honour, and that to decline his courtesy might be interpreted into a consciousness that it was unmerited. In short, he so far satisfied Edward that the manly and proper course was to meet the Major on easy terms, that, suppressing his strong dislike again to encounter his cold and punctilious civility, Waverley agreed to be guided by his new friend. "I never heard of them before." "They claim," said the clergyman, "to represent the more strict and severe Presbyterians, who, in Charles Second's and James Second's days, refused to profit by the Toleration, or Indulgence, as it was called, which was extended to others of that religion. He therefore pleaded, that the invitation argued the They held conventicles in the open fields, and being treated with great violence and cruelty by the Scottish government, more than once took arms during those reigns. They take their name from their leader, Richard Cameron." "I recollect," said Waverley;--"but did not the triumph of Presbytery at the revolution extinguish that sect?" By no means," replied Morton; "that great event fell yet far short of what they proposed, which was nothing less than the complete establishment of the The meeting, at first, was stiff and formal enough. Presbyterian Church, upon the grounds of the old But Edward having accepted the invitation, and his Solemn League and Covenant. Indeed, I believe mind being really soothed and relieved by the kindthey scarce knew what they wanted; but being a ness of Morton, held himself bound to behave with numerous body of men, and not unacquainted with ease, though he could not affect cordiality. The Major the use of arms, they kept themselves together as a was somewhat of a bon rirant, and his wine was separate party in the state, and at the time of the excellent. He told his old campaign stories, and disUnion had nearly formed a most unnatural league played much knowledge of men and manners, Mr. with their old enemies, the Jacobites, to oppose that Morton had an internal fund of placid and quiet important national measure. Since that time their gayety, which seldom failed to enliven any small numbers have gradually diminished; but a good party in which he found himself pleasantly seated. many are still to be found in the western counties, Waverley, whose life was a dream, gave ready way and several, with a better temper than in 1707, have to the predominating impulse, and became the most now taken arms for government. This person, whom lively of the party. He had at all times remarkable they call Gifted Gilfillan, has been long a leader natural powers of conversation, though easily silenced among them, and now heads a small party, which by discouragement. On the present occasion, he will pass here to-day, or to-morrow, on their march piqued himself upon leaving on the minds of his comtowards Stirling, under whose escort Major Melville panions a favourable impression of one who, under proposes you shall travel. I would willingly speak to such disastrous circumstances, could sustain his misGilfillan in your behalf; but, having deeply imbibed fortunes with ease and gayety. His spirits, though all the prejudices of his sect, and being of the same not unyielding, were abundantly elastic, and soon fierce disposition, he would pay little regard to the seconded his efforts. The trio were engaged in very remonstrances of an Erastian divine, as he would lively discourse, apparently delighted with each other, politely term me.-And now, farewell, my young and the kind host was pressing a third bottle of Burfriend; for the present, I must not weary out the gundy, when the sound of a drum was heard at some Major's indulgence, that I may obtain his permission distance. The Major, who, in the glee of an old solto visit you again in the course of the day." dier, had forgot the duties of a magistrate, cursed, with a muttered military oath, the circumstances which recalled him to his official functions. He rose and went towards the window, which commanded a very near view of the high-road, and he was followed by his guests. CHAPTER XXXIV. THINGS MEND A LITTLE. ABOUT noon, Mr. Morton returned, and brought an The drum advanced, beating no measured martial invitation from Major Melville that Mr. Waverley tune, but a kind of rub-a-dub-dub, like that with which would honour him with his company to dinner, not- the fire-drum startles the slumbering artizans of a withstanding the unpleasant affair which detained Scotch burgh. It is the object of this history to do him at Cairnvreckan, from which he should heartily justice to all men; I must therefore record, in justice rejoice to see Mr. Waverley completely extricated. to the drummer, that he protested he could beat any The truth was, that Mr. Morton's favourable report known march or point of war known in the British and opinion had somewhat staggered the preconcep- army, and had accordingly commenced with "Dumtions of the old soldier concerning Edward's supposed barton's Drums," when he was silenced by Gifted accession to the mutiny in the regiment; and in the Gilfillan, the commander of the party, who refused unfortunate state of the country, the mere suspicion to permit his followers to move to this profane, and of disaffection, or an inclination to join the insurgent even, as he said, persecutive tune, and commanded Jacobites, might infer criminality indeed, but cer- the drummer to beat the 119th Psalm. As this was tainly not dishonour. Besides, a person whom the beyond the capacity of the drubber of sheepskin, he Major trusted had reported to him, (though, as it was fain to have recourse to the inoffensive row-dowproved, inaccurately,) a contradiction of the agitating dow, as a harmless substitute for the sacred music news of the preceding evening. According to this which his instrument or skill were unable to achieve. second edition of the intelligence, the Highlanders This may be held a trifling anecdote, but the drumhad withdrawn from the Lowland frontier with the mer in question was no less than town-drummer of purpose of following the army in their march to In- Anderton. I remember his successor in office a verness. The Major was at a loss, indeed, to recon- member of that enlightened body, the British Concile his information with the well-known abilities of vention: Be his meniory, therefore, treated with due .ome of the gentlemen in the Highland army, yet it respect. CHAPTER XXXV. A VOLUNTEER SIXTY YEARS SINCE. "It was not of creature-comforts I spake," answer. ed the Covenanter, regarding Major Melville with something like a smile of contempt; "howbeit, I thank you; but the people remained waiting upon the precious Mr. Jabesh Rentowel, for the out-pouring of the afternoon exhortation." And have you, sir," said the Major, "when the rebels are about to spread themselves through this country, actually left a great part of your command at a field-preaching?" On hearing the unwelcome sound of the drum, Major Melville hastily opened a sashed door, and stepped out upon a sort of terrace, which divided his house from the high-road from which the martial music proceeded. Waverley and his new friend fol lowed him, though probably he would have dispensed with their attendance. They soon recognised in solemn march, first, the performer upon the drum; Gilfillan again smiled scornfully as he made this secondly, a large flag of four compartments, on which indirect answer,-"Even thus are the children of this were inscribed the words, CoVENANT, KIRK, KING, world wiser in their generation than the children of KINGDOMS. The person who was honoured with light!" this charge was followed by the commander of the "However, sir," said the Major, "as you are to party, a thin, dark, rigid-looking man, about sixty take charge of this gentleman to Stirling, and deyears old. The spiritual pride, which, in mine Host liver him, with these papers, into the hands of Govof the Candlestick, mantled in a sort of supercilious ernor Blakeney, I beseech you to observe some rules hypocrisy, was, in this man's face, elevated and yet of military discipline upon your march. For exaindarkened by genuine and undoubting fanaticism. It ple, I would advise you to keep your men more was impossible to behold him without imagination closely together, and that each, in his march, should placing him in some strange crisis, where religious cover his file-leader, instead of straggling like geese zeal was the ruling principle. A martyr at the stake, upon a common; and, for fear of surprise, I further a soldier in the field, a lonely and banished wanderer recommend to you to form a small advance-party of consoled by the intensity and supposed purity of his your best men, with a single vidette in front of the faith under every earthly privation; perhaps a perse- whole march, so that when you approach a village or cuting inquisitor, as terrific in power as unyielding in a wood" (Here the Major interrupted himself)adversity; any of these seemed congenial characters "But as I don't observe you listen to me, Mr. Gilfilto this personage. With these high traits of energy, lan, I suppose I need not give myself the trouble to there was something in the affected precision and so- say more upon the subject. You are a better judge, lemnity of his deportment and discourse, that border- unquestionably, than I am, of the measures to be ed upon the ludicrous; so that, according to the mood pursued; but one thing I would have you well aware of the spectator's mind, and the light under which Mr. of, that you are to treat this gentleman, your priGufillan presented himself, one might have feared, ad-soner, with no rigour nor incivility, and are to subject mired, or laughed at him. His dress was that of a him to no other restraint than is necessary for his west-country peasant, of better materials indeed than security." that of the lower rank, but in no respect affecting "I have looked into my commission," said Mr. either the mode of the age, or of the Scottish gentry at Gilfillan, "subscribed by a worthy and professing noany period. His arms were a broadsword and pistols, bleman, William, Earl of Glencairn; nor do I find which, from the antiquity of their appearance, might it therein set down, that I am to receive any charges have seen the rout of Pentland, or Bothwell Brigg. or commands anent my doings from Major William As he came up a few steps to meet Major Melville, Melville of Cairnvreckan." and touched solemnly, but slightly, his huge and over Major Melville reddened even to the well-powdered brimmed blue bonnet, in answer to the Major, who ears which appeared beneath his neat military sidehad courteously raised a small triangular gold-laced curls, the more so as he observed Mr. Morton smile hat, Waverley was irresistibly impressed with the idea at the same moment, "Mr. Gilfillan," he answered, that he beheld a leader of the Roundheads of yore, with some asperity, "I beg ten thousand pardons for in conference with one of Marlborough's captains, interfering with a person of your importance. I The group of about thirty armed men who followed thought, however, that as you have been bred a grathis gifted commander, was of a motley description. zier, if I mistake not, there might be occasion to reThey were in ordinary Lowland dresses, of different mind you of the difference between Highlanders and colours, which, contrasted with the arms they bore, Highland cattle; and if you should happen to meet rave them an irregular and mobbish appearance; so with any gentleman who has seen service, and is much is the eye accustomed to connect uniformity of disposed to speak upon the subject, I should still imadress with the military character. In front were a gine that listening to him would do you no sort of few who apparently partook of their leader's enthusi- harm. But I have done, and have only once more to asm; men obviously to be feared in a combat where recommend this gentleman to your civility, as well their natural courage was exalted by religious zeal. as to your custody.-Mr. Waverley, I am truly sorry Others puffed and strutted, filled with the importance we should part in this way; but I trust, when you of carrying arms, and all the novelty of their situa- are again in this country, I may have an opportunity tion, while the rest, apparently fatigued with their to render Cairnvreckan more agreeable than circummarch, dragged their limbs listlessly along, or strag- stances have permitted on this occasion." Eed from their companions to procure such refresh- So saying, he shook our hero by the hand. Morments as the neighbouring cottages and alehouses ton also took an affectionate farewell, and Waverley, afforded.-Six grenadiers of Ligonier's, thought the having mounted his horse, with musketeer leading Mayor to himself, as his mind reverted to his own it by the bridle, and a file upon each side to prevent military experience, would have sent all these fellows his escape, set forward upon the march with Gilfillan to the right about. and his party. Through the little village they were Greeting, however, Mr. Gilfillan civilly, he request-accompanied with the shouts of the children, who ed to know if he had received the letter he had sent cried out, "Eh! see to the Southland gentleman, to him upon his march, and could undertake the that's gaun to be hanged for shooting lang John charge of the state prisoner whom he there mentioned, Mucklewrath, the smith!" as far as Stirling Castle. "Yea," was the concise reply of the Cameronian leader, in a voice which seemed to issue from the very penetralia of his person. "But your escort, Mr. Gilfillan, is not so strong as I expected," said Major Melville. Some of the people," replied Gilfillan, "hungered and were athirst by the way, and tarried until their poor souls were refreshed with the word." CHAPTER XXXVI. AN INCIDENT. THE dinner hour of Scotland Sixty Years since was two o'clock. It was therefore about four o'clock of a delightful autumn afternoon that Mr. Gilfillan "I am sorry, sir," replied the Major, "you did not commenced his march, in hopes, although Stirling trust to your refreshing your men at Cairnvreckan; was eighteen miles distant, he might be able, by dewhatever my house contains is at the command of coming a borrower of the night for an hour or two, persons employed in the service." K to reach it that evening. He therefore put forth his 82 WAVERLEY. strength, and marched stoutly along at the head of whilk I am so designated. While I live, I am and will Ah," said the pedlar, "I have seen your land about Mauchlin-a fertile spot! your lines have fallen in pleasant places!-And siccan a breed o' cattle is not in ony laird's land in Scotland." "A Presbyterian clergyman," answered Waverley. "Ye say right,-ye say right, friend," retorted Gil"Presbyterian!" answered Gilfillan contemptuously; "a wretched Erastian, or rather an obscured fillan eagerly, for he was not inaccessible to flattery Prelatist, a favourer of the black Indulgence; ane of upon this subject,-"Ye say right; they are the real thae dumb dogs that canna bark: they tell ower a Lancashire, and there's no the like o' them even at clash o' terror and a clatter o' comfort in their ser- the Mains of Kilmaurs;" and he then entered into a mons, without ony sense, or savour, or life-Ye've discussion of their excellences, to which our readers will probably be as indifferent as our hero. After this been fed in siccan a fauld, belike?" "No; I am of the Church of England," said Wa- excursion, the leader returned to his theological discussions, while the pedlar, less profound upon those verley. And they're just neighbour-like," replied the Co-mystic points, contented himself with groaning, and venanter; and nae wonder they gree sae weel. Wha expressing his edification at suitable intervals. What a blessing it would be to the puir blinded wad hae thought the goodly structure of the Kirk of Scotland, built up by our fathers in 1642, wad hae popish nations among whom I hae sojourned, to been defaced by carnal ends and the corruptions of have siccan a light to their paths! I hae been as far the time--ay, wha wad hae thought the carved as Muscovia in my sma' trading way, as a travelling work of the sanctuary would hae been sae soon cut merchant; and I hae been through France, and the Low Countries, and a' Poland, and maist feck o' down!" Germany, and Ó! it would grieve your honour's soul to see the murmuring, and the singing, and massing, that's in the kirk, and the piping that's in the quire, and the heathenish dancing and dicing upon the Sab bath!" To this lamentation, which one or two of the assistants chorussed with a deep groan, our hero thought it unnecessary to make any reply. Whereupon Mr. Gilfillan, resolving that he should be a hearer at least, if not a disputant, proceeded in his Jeremiade. This set Gilfillan off upon the Book of Sports and "And now is it wonderful, when, for lack of exereise anent the call to the service of the altar and the the Covenant, and the Engagers, and the Protesters, duty of the day, ministers fall into sinful complian- and the Whiggamore's Raid, and the Assembly of ces with patronage, and indemnities, and oaths, and Divines at Westminster, and the Longer and Shorter bonds, and other corruptions,-is it wonderful, I say, Catechism, and the Excommunication at Torwood, that you, sir, and other sic-like unhappy persons, and the slaughter of Archbishop Sharp. This last should labour to build up your auld Babel of iniquity, topic, again, led him into the lawfulness of defensive as in the bluidy persecuting saint-killing times? I arms, on which subject he uttered much more sense trow, gin ye werena blinded wi' the graces and fa- than could have been expected from some other parts vours, and services and enjoyments, and employ- of his harangue, and attracted even Waverley's attenments and inheritances, of this wicked world, I could tion, who had hitherto been lost in his own sad reprove to you, by the Scripture, in what a filthy rag flections. Mr. Gilfillan then considered the lawfulness ye put your trust; and that your surplices, and your of a private man's standing forth as the avenger of copes and vestments, are but cast-off garments of the public oppression, and as he was labouring with great muckle harlot, that sitteth upon seven hills, and earnestness the cause of Mas James Mitchell, who drinketh of the cup of abomination. But, I trow, ye fired at the Archbishop of St. Andrews some years are deaf as adders upon that side of the head; ay, ye before the prelate's assassination on Magus Muir, an are deceived with her enchantments, and ye traffic incident occurred which interrupted his harangue. with her merchandise, and ye are drunk with the cup of her fornication!" The rays of the sun were lingering on the very verge of the horizon, as the party ascended a hollow and How much longer this military theologist might somewhat steep path, which led to the summit of a have continued his invective, in which he spared no- rising ground. The country was unenclosed, being body but the scattered remnant of hill-folk, as he part of a very extensive heath or common; but it was called them, is absolutely uncertain. His matter was far from level, exhibiting in many places hollows filled copious, his voice powerful, and his memory strong; so that there was little chance of his ending his exhortation till the party had reached Stirling, had not his attention been attracted by a pedlar who had joined the march from a cross-road, and who sighed or groaned with great regularity at all fitting pauses of his homily. "And what may ye be, friend?" said the Gifted Gilfillan. "A puir pedlar, that's bound for Stirling, and craves the protection of your honour's party in these kittle times. Ah! your honour has a notable faculty in searching and explaining the secret,-ay, the secret and obscure and incomprehensible causes of the backslidings of the land; ay, your honour touches the root o' the matter." "Friend," said Gilfillan, with a more complacent voice than he had hithert) used, "honour not me. I do not go out to park-dikes, and to steadings, and to market-towns, to have herds and cottars, and burghers pull off their bonnets to me as they do to Major Melville o' Cairnvreckan, and ca' me laird, or captain, or honour;-no; my sma' means, whilk are not aboon twenty thousand merk, have had the blessing of increase, but the pride of my heart has not increased with them; nor do I delight to be called captain, though I have the subscribed commission of that gospel-searching nobleman, the Earl of Glencairn, in with furze and broom; in others, little dingles of stunted brushwood. A thicket of the latter description crowned the hill up which the party ascended. The foremost of the band, being the stoutest and most active, had pushed on, and, having surmounted the ascent, were out of ken for the present. Gilfillan, with the pedlar, and the small party who were Waverley's more immediate guard, were near the top of the ascent, and the remainder straggled after them at a considerable interval. Such was the situation of matters, when the pedlar, missing, as he said, a little doggie which belonged to him, began to halt and whistle for the animal. This signal, repeated more than once, gave offence to the rigour of his companion, the rather because it appeared to indicate inattention to the treasures of theological and controversial knowledge which was pouring out for his edification. He therefore signified gruffly, that he could not waste his time in waiting for an useless cur. "But if your honour wad consider the case of Tobit" "Tobit!" exclaimed Gilfillan, with great heat; "Tobit and his dog baith are altogether heathenish and apocryphal, and none but a prelatist or a papist would draw them into question. I doubt I hae been mista'en in you, friend.' "Very likely," answered the pedlar, with great com. posure; "but ne'ertheless, I shall take leave to whistle of a considerable body of water, although its stream again upon puir Bawty." was invisible in the darkness,) the party again stopThis last signal was answered in an unexpected ped before a small and rudely-constructed hovel. The manner; for six or eight stout Highlanders, who door was open, and the inside of the premises appearlurked among the copse and brushwood, sprung into ed as uncomfortable and rude as its situation and the hollow way, and began to lay about them with exterior foreboded. There was no appearance of a their claymores. Gilfillan, unappalled at this unde- floor of any kind; the roof seemed rent in several sirable apparition, cried out manfully, "The sword of places; the walls were composed of loose stones and the Lord and of Gideon!" and, drawing his broad- turf, and the thatch of branches of trees. The fire sword, would probably have done as much credit to was in the centre, and filled the whole wigwam with the good old cause as any of its doughty champions smoke, which escaped as much through the door as at Drumclog, when, behold! the pedlar, snatching a by means of a circular aperture in the roof. An old musket from the person who was next him, bestow- Highland sibyl, the only inhabitant of this forlorn ed the but of it with such emphasis on the head of mansion, appeared busy in the preparation of some his late instructor in the Cameronian creed, that he food. By the light which the fire afforded, Waverley was forthwith levelled to the ground. In the confu- could discover that his attendants were not of the sion which ensued, the horse which bore our hero clan of Ivor, for Fergus was particularly strict in rewas shot by one of Gilfillan's party, as he discharged quiring from his followers that they should wear the his firelock at random. Waverley fell with, and in- tartan striped in the mode peculiar to their race; a deed under, the animal, and sustained some severe mark of distinction anciently general through the contusions. But he was almost instantly extricated Highlands, and still maintained by those Chiefs who from the fallen steed by two Highlanders, who, each were proud of their lineage, or jealous of their sepaseizing him by the arm, hurried him away from the rate and exclusive authority. scumle and from the high-road. They ran with great Edward had lived at Glennaquoich long enough to speed, half supporting and half dragging our hero, be aware of a distinction which he had repeatedly who could, however, distinguish a few dropping shots heard noticed, and now satisfied that he had no intefired about the spot which he had left. This, as he rest with his attendants, he glanced a disconsolate afterwards learned, proceeded from Gilfillan's party, eye around the interior of the cabin. The only furniwho had now assembled, the stragglers in front and ture, excepting a washing-tub, and a wooden press, rear having joined the others. At their approach the called in Scotland an ambry, sorely decayed, was a Highlanders drew off, but not before they had rifled large wooden bed, planked, as is usual, all around, Gilfillan and two of his people, who remained on the and opening by a sliding panel. In this recess the spot grievously wounded. A few shots were ex- Highlanders deposited Waverley, after he had by changed betwixt them and the Westlanders; but the signs declined any refreshment. His slumbers were hatter, now without a commander, and apprehensive broken and unrefreshing; strange visions passed beof a second ambush, did not make any serious effort fore his eyes, and it required constant and reiterated to recover their prisoner, judging it more wise to pro- efforts of mind to dispel them. Shivering, violent ced on their journey to Stirling, carrying with them headach, and shooting pains in his limbs, succeeded their wounded captain and comrades. CHAPTER XXXVII. WAVERLEY IS STILL IN DISTRESS. these symptoms; and in the morning it was evident to his Highland attendants or guard, for he knew not in which light to consider them, that Waverley was quite unfit to travel. After a long consultation among themselves, six of the party left the hut with their arms, leaving behind THE velocity, and indeed violence, with which Wa- an old and a young man. The former addressed Waverley was hurried along, nearly deprived him of sen- verley, and bathed the contusions, which swelling sation; for the injury he had received from his fall and livid colour now made conspicuous. His own prevented him from aiding himself so effectually as portmanteau, which the Highlanders had not failed he might otherwise have done. When this was ob- to bring off, supplied him with linen, and to his great served by his conductors, they called to their aid two surprise, was, with all its undiminished contents, or three others of the party, and swathing our hero's freely resigned to his use. The bedding of his couch body in one of their plaids, divided his weight by that seemed clean and comfortable, and his aged attendmeans among them, and transported him at the ant closed the door of the bed, for it had no curtain, same rapid rate as before, without any exertion of his after a few words of Gaelic, from which Waverley own. They spoke little, and that in Gaelic; and did gathered that he exhorted him to repose. So behold not slacken their pace till they had run nearly two our hero for a second time the patient of a Highland miles, when they abated their extreme rapidity, but Esculapius, but in a situation much more uncomfortcontinued still to walk very fast, relieving each other able than when he was the guest of the worthy ToOccasionally. manrait. Our hero now endeavoured to address them, but The symptomatic fever which accompanied the was only answered with Cha n'eil Beurl, agam," injuries he had sustained, did not abate till the third ie. I have no English," being, as Waverley well day, when it gave way to the care of his attendants knew, the constant reply of a Highlander, when he and the strength of his constitution, and he could ather does not understand, or does not choose to re- now raise himself in his bed, though not without ply to, an Englishman or Lowlander. He then men- pain. He observed, however, that there was a great toned the name of Vich Ian Vohr, concluding that disinclination, on the part of the old woman who be was indebted to his friendship for his rescue from acted as his nurse, as well as on that of the elderly the clutches of Gifted Gilfillan; but neither did this Highlander, to permit the door of the bed to be left produce any mark of recognition from his escort. open, so that he might amuse himself with observing The twilight had given place to moonshine when their motions; and at length, after Waverley had rethe party halted upon the brink of a precipitous glen, peatedly drawn open, and they had as frequently shut, which, as partly enlightened by the moon-beams, the hatchway of his cage, the old gentleman put an seemed full of trees and tangled brushwood. Two of end to the contest, by securing it on the outside with the Highlanders dived into it by a small foot-path, as a nail so effectually, that the door could not be drawn if to explore its recesses, and one of them returning till this exterior impediment was removed. in a few minutes, said something to his companions, While musing upon the cause of this contradictory who instantly raised their burden, and bore him, with spirit in persons whose conduct intimated no purpose great attention and care, down the narrow and abrupt of plunder, and who, in all other points, appeared to descent. Notwithstanding their precautions, how-consult his welfare and his wishes, it occurred to our ever. Waverley's person came more than once into hero, that, during the worst crisis of his illness, a fecontact, rudely enough, with the projecting stumps male figure, younger than his old Highland nurse, had and branches which overhung the pathway. appeared to flit around his couch. Of this, indeed, At the bottom of the descent, and as it seemed, by he had but a very indistinct recollection, but his susthe side of a brook, (for Waverley heard the rushing picions were confirmed when, attentively listening. |