 CHAPTER XXII Highland Minstrelsy When the first salutations had passed, Fergus said to his sister, My dear Flora, before I return to the barbarous ritual of our forefathers, I must tell you that Captain Waverly is a worshipper of the Celtic muse, not the less so perhaps that he does not understand a word of her language. I have told him you are imminent as a translator of Highland poetry, and that McMurray admires your version of his songs upon the same principle that Captain Waverly admires the original, because he does not comprehend them. Will you have the goodness to read or recite to our guest in English the extraordinary string of names which McMurray has tacked together in Gaelic? My life to a more foul feather, you are provided with a version, for I know you are in all the bard's councils and acquainted with his songs long before he rehearses them in the hall. How can you say so, Fergus? You know how little these verses can possibly interest an English stranger, even if I could translate them as you pretend. Not less than they interest me, Lady Fair. Today, your joint composition, for I insist you had a share in it, has cost me the last silver cup in the castle, and I suppose will cost me something else next time I hold Cour Plainier. If the muse descends on McMurray, for you know our proverb, when the hand of the chief ceases to bestow the breath of the bard is frozen in the utterance, well I would it were even so. There are three things that are useless to a modern Highlander, a sword which he must not draw, a bard to sing of deeds which he dare not imitate, and a large goat-skin purse without a Louis-dour to put into it. Well, brother, since you betray my secrets, you cannot expect me to keep yours. I assure you, Captain Waverly, that Fergus is too proud to exchange his broadsword for a maricol's baton, that he esteems McMurray a far greater poet than Homer, and would not give up his goat-skin purse for all the Louis-dour which it could contain. Well pronounced, Flora, blow for blow, as Conan said to the Devil. Footnote, C-note, 23. Note, 23. In the Irish balance relating to Feon, the Fingal of MacPherson, there occurs as in the primitive poetry of most nations, a cycle of heroes each of whom has some distinguishing attribute upon these qualities, and the adventures of those possessing them many problems are formed which are still current in the Highlands. Among other characters, Conan is distinguished as, in some respects, a kind of Thercities. But brave and daring, even to rashness, he made a vow that he would never take a blow without returning it, and having, like other heroes of antiquity, descended to the infertinal regions, he received a cuff from the archfiend who presided there, which he instantly returned, using the expression in the text. Sometimes the proverb is worded thus, claw for claw, and the Devil take the shortest nails, as Conan said to the Devil. End of note, 23. Now do you, too, talk of bards and poetry, if not of purses and claymores, while I return to do the final honors to the senators of the tribe of Iver. So saying, he left the room. The conversation continued between Flora and Waverly, for two well-dressed young women, whose character seemed to hover between that of companions and dependents, took no share in it. They were both pretty girls, but served only as foils to the grace and beauty of their patroness. The discourse followed the turn which the chieftain had given it, and Waverly was equally amused and surprised with the account which the lady gave him of Celtic poetry. The recitation, she said, of poems recording the feats of heroes, the complaints of lovers in the wars of contending tribes, forms the chief amusement of a winter fireside in the Highlands. Some of these are said to be very ancient, and if they are ever translated into any of the languages of civilized Europe, cannot fail to produce a deep and general sensation. Others are more modern, the composition of those family bards whom the chieftains of more distinguished name and power retain as the poets and historians of their tribes. These, of course, possess various degrees of merit, but much of it must evaporate in translation or be lost on those who do not sympathize with the feelings of the poet. And your bard, whose effusions seem to produce such effect upon the company today, is he reckoned among the favorite poets of the mountains? That is a trying question. His reputation is high among his countrymen, and you must not expect me to depreciate it. Footnote. The Highland poet almost always was an improvisatory. Captain Burt met one of them at Lebut's table. End of footnote. But the song, Miss McGiver, seemed to awaken all those warriors, both young and old. The song is little more than a catalogue of names of the Highland clans under their distinctive peculiarities and an exhortation to them to remember and to emulate the actions of their forefathers. And am I wrong in conjecturing, however extraordinary the guest appears, that there was some allusion to me in the verses which he recited? You have a quick observation, Captain Waverly, which in this instance has not deceived you. The Gaelic language, being uncommonly vocolic, is well adapted for sudden and extemporaneous poetry, and a bard seldom fails to augment the effects of a premeditated song by throwing in any stances which may be suggested by the circumstances attending the recitation. I would give my best horse to know what the Highland bard could find to say of such an unworthy self when it is myself. It shall not even cost you a lock of his mane. Una, my vornin, she spoke a few words to one of the young girls in attendance who instantly curtsied and tripped out of the room. I have sent Una to learn from the bard the expressions he used, and you shall command my skill as Dragomon. Una returned in a few minutes and repeated to her mistress a few lines in Gaelic. Flora seemed to think for a moment, and then slightly coloring, she turned to Waverly. It is impossible to gratify your curiosity, Captain Waverly, without exposing my own presumption. If you will give me a few moments for consideration, I will endeavor to engraft the meaning of these lines upon a rude English translation, which I have attempted of a part of the original. The duties of the tea table seem to be concluded, and as the evening is delightful, Una will show you the way to one of my favorite haunts, and Kathleen and I will join you there. Una, having received instructions in her native language, conducted Waverly out by a passage different from that through which he had entered the apartment. At a distance he heard the hall of the chief still resounding with the clang of bagpipes and the high applause of his guests. Having gained the open air by a post turn door, they walked a little way up the wild bleak and narrow valley in which the house was situated, following the course of the stream that winded through it. In a spot about a quarter of a mile from the castle, two brooks which formed the Little River had their junction. The larger of the two came down the Long Bear Valley, which extended apparently without any change or elevation of character, as far as the hills which formed its boundary permitted the eye to reach. But the other stream, which had its source among the mountains on the left hand of the strath, seemed to issue from a very narrow and dark opening betwixt two large rocks. These streams were different also in character. The larger was Placid and even Solon in its course, wheeling in deep eddies, or sleeping in dark blue pools. But the motions of the Lesser Brook were rapid and furious, issuing between precipices, like a maniac from his confinement, all foam and uproar. It was up the course of this last stream that waverly, like a night of romance, was conducted by the fair Highland Damsel, his silent guide. A small path, which had been rendered easy in many places for Flora's accommodation, led him through scenery of a very different description from that which he had just quitted. Around the castle all was coal, bare, and desolate, yet tame even in desolation. But this narrow glen at so short a distance seemed to open into the land of romance. The rocks assumed a thousand peculiar and varied forms. In one place a crag of huge size presented its gigantic bulk, as if to forbid the passengers farther progress. And it was not until he approached its very base that waverly discerned the sudden and acute turn by which the pathway wheeled its course around its formidable obstacle. In another spot the projecting rocks from the opposite sides of the chasm had approached so near to each other that two pine trees laid across and covered with turf formed a rustic bridge at the height of at least one hundred and fifty feet. It had no ledges and was barely three feet in breadth. While gazing at this pass of peril, which crossed like a single black line the small portion of blue sky not intercepted by the projecting rocks on either side, it was with a sensation of horror that waverly beheld Flora and her attendant appear like inhabitants of another region, propped as it were in mid-air upon this trembling structure. She stopped upon observing him below and with an air of graceful ease which made him shudder waved her handkerchief to him by way of signal. He was unable from the sense of dizziness which her situation conveyed to return the salute and was never more relieved than when the fair apparition passed on from the precarious eminence which she seemed to occupy with so much indifference and disappeared on the other side. Advancing a few yards and passing under the bridge which he had viewed with so much terror, the path ascended rapidly from the edge of the brook and the glen widened into a sylvan amphitheater, waving with birch, young oaks and hazels, with here and there a scattered yew tree. The rocks now receded but still showed their gray and shaggy crest rising among the cop's wood. Still higher rose eminences and peaks, some bare, some clothed with wood, some round and purple with heath, and others splintered into rocks and crags, at a short turning the path which had for some furlongs lost side of the brook, suddenly placed waverly in front of a romantic waterfall. It was not so remarkable either for great height or quantity of water as for the beautiful accompaniments which made the spot interesting. After a broken cataract of about twenty feet, the stream was received in a large natural basin filled to the brim with water, which where the bubbles of the fall subsided was so exquisitely clear that although it was of great depth, the eye could discern each pebble at the bottom. Eddying round this reservoir, the brook found its way as if over a broken part of the ledge and formed a second fall, which seemed to seek the very abyss. Then wheeling out beneath from among the smooth dark rocks which had polished for ages, it wandered murmuring down the glen forming the stream up which waverly had just ascended. Footnote, C-note 24. Note 24. The description of the waterfall mentioned in this chapter is taken from that of Ledeard at the farm so called on the northern side of Lockhart and near the head of the lake four or five miles from Aberfoil. It is upon a small scale but otherwise one of the most exquisite cascades it is possible to behold. The appearance of flora with the harp as described has been justly censured as too theatrical and affected for the ladylike simplicity of her character, but something may be allowed to her French education in which point and striking effect always make a considerable object. End of note 24. The borders of this romantic reservoir corresponded in beauty, but it was beauty of a stern and commanding cast as if in the act of expanding into grandeur. Mossy banks of turf were broken and interrupted by huge fragments of rock and decorated with trees and shrubs some of which had been planted under the direction of flora but so cautiously that they added to the grace without diminishing the romantic wildness of the scene. Here like one of those lovely forms which decorate the landscapes of Poussin. Waverly found flora gazing on the waterfall. Two paces further back stood Kathleen holding a small Scottish harp the use of which had been taught to flora by Rory Dahl, one of the last harpers of the western highlands. The sun now stooping in the west gave a rich and varied tinge to all the objects which surrounded Waverly and seemed to add more than human brilliancy to the full expressive darkness of flora's eye exalted the richness and purity of her complexion and enhanced the dignity and grace of her beautiful form. Edward thought he had never even in his wildest dreams imagined a figure of such exquisite and interesting loveliness. The wild beauty of the retreat bursting upon him as if by magic augmented the mangled feeling of delight and awe with which he approached her. Like a fair enchantress of Bordeaux or Arioste, by whose nod the scenery around seemed to have been created an Eden in the wilderness, flora like every beautiful woman was conscious of her own power and pleased with its effects which she could easily discern from the respectful yet confused dress of the young soldier. But as she possessed excellent sense she gave the romance of the scene and other accidental circumstances full weight in appreciating the feelings with which Waverly seemed obviously to be impressed and unacquainted with the fanciful and susceptible peculiarities of his character considered his homage as the passing tribute which a woman of even inferior charms might have expected in such a situation. She therefore quietly led the way to a spot at such a distance from the cascade that its sound should rather accompany than interrupt that of her voice and instrument. In sitting down upon a mossy fragment of rock she took the harp from Kathleen. I have given you the trouble of walking to the spot, Captain Waverly, both because I thought the scenery would interest you and because a Highland song would suffer still more from my imperfect translation were I to introduce it without its own wild and appropriate accompaniments. To speak in the poetical language of my country the seat of the Celtic muse is in the midst of the secret and solitary hill and her voice in the murmur of the mountain stream. He who woos her must love the barren rock more than the fertile valley and the solitude of the desert better than the festivity of the hall. Few could have heard this lovely woman make this declaration where the voice where harmony was exalted by pathos without exclaiming that the muse whom she invoked could never find a more appropriate representative. But Waverly, though the thought rushed on his mind, found no courage to utter it. Indeed, the wild feeling of romantic delight with which he heard the first few notes she drew from her instrument amounted almost to a sense of pain. He would not for worlds have quitted his place by her side, yet he almost longed for solitude that he might decipher and examine at leisure the complication of emotions which now agitated his bosom. Flora had exchanged the measured and monotonous recitative of the bard for a lofty and uncommon highland air which had been a battle song in former ages. A few irregular strains introduced a prelude of a wild and peculiar tone which harmonized well with the distant waterfall and the soft sigh of the evening breeze and the rustling leaves of an aspen which overhung the seat of the fair harpress. The following verses convey but little idea of the feelings with which, so sung and accompanied, they were heard by Waverly. There is mist on the mountain and night on the veil, but more dark is the sleep of the sons of the Gale. A stranger commanded, it sunk on the land, it has frozen each heart and benumbed every hand. The dirk and the target lie sorted with dust, the bloodless claymore is but reddened with rust. On the hill or the glen, if a gun should appear, it is only to war with the Heathcock or deer. The deeds of our sires, if our bard should rehearse, let a blush or a blow be the mead of their verse. Be mute every string and be hushed every tone that shall bid us remember the fame that has flown. But the dark hours of night and of slumber are past, the mourn on our mountains is dawning at last. Glen Alladale's peaks are illuminated with the rays and the streams of glenfinan leap bright in the blaze. Footnote. The young and daring adventurer Charles Edward landed at Glen Alladale in Moidart and displayed his standard in the valley of glenfinan mustering around it, the McDonald's, the Camerans, and other less numerous clans whom he had prevailed on to join him. There is a monument erected on the spot with a Latin inscription by the late Dr. Gregory. End of footnote. Oh, high-minded meray the exiled the deer in the blush of the dawning the standard uprear. Wide, wide on the winds of the north let it fly like the sun's latest flash when the tempest is nigh. Footnote. The marquee of Tillibardine's elder brother who long exiled returned to Scotland with Charles Edward in 1745. End of footnote. Ye sons of the strong when that dawning shall break need the harp of the aged remind you to wake. That dawn never beamed on your forefather's eye but it roused each high chieftain to vanquish or die. Oh, sprung from the kings who in a slay kept state. Proud chiefs of Clan Renaud, Glingory, and Sleet. Combined like three streams from one mountain of snow and resistless and union rushed down on the foe. True son of Sir Evan, undaunted Loch Heal, place thy targe on my shoulder and burnish thy steel. Rough Keppock, give breath to thy bugle's bold swell till far courieric resound to the knell. Stern son of Lord Kenneth High, chief of Kentale, let the stag and thy standard bound wild in the gale. May the race of Clan Gillian, the fearless and free, remember Glyn Livet, Harlaw, and Dundee. Let the clan of Grey Fingon, whose offspring has given such heroes to earth and such martyrs to heaven, unite with the race of renowned Rory Mora to launch the long galley and stretch to the oar. How Maximay will joy when their chief shall display the eukrested bonnet or tresses of grey. How the race of wronged Alpine and the murdered Glynco shall shout for revenge when they pour on the foe. You sons of Brown Dermot who slew the wild boar resume the pure faith of the great Calamore. McNeil of the islands and Moy of the lake for honor, for freedom, for vengeance awake. Here a large greyhound, bounding up the Glyn, jumped upon Flora and interrupted her music by his importunate caresses. At a distant whistle, he turned and shot down the path again with the rapidity of an arrow. That is Fergus's faithful attendant, Captain Waverly, and that was his signal. He likes no poetry, but what is humorous and comes in good time to interrupt my long catalogue of the tribes, whom one of your saucy English poets calls our bootless host of high-born beggars McLeans, McKenzie's, and McGregors. Waverly expressed his regret at the interruption. Oh, you cannot guess how much you have lost. The bard, as in duty bound, has addressed three long stanzas to Vicky and Vor of the banners, enumerating all his great properties and not forgetting his being a cheerer of the harper and bard, the giver of bounteous gifts. Besides, you should have heard a practical admonition to the fair-haired son of the stranger, who lives in the land where the grass is always green, the rider on the shining pampered steed, whose hue is like the raven and whose nay is like the scream of the eagle for battle. This valiant horseman is affectionately conjured to remember that his ancestors were distinguished by their loyalty, as well as by their courage. All this you have lost, but since your curiosity is not satisfied, I judge, from the distant sound of my brother's whistle, I may have time to sing the concluding stanzas before he comes to laugh at my translation. Awake on your hills, on your islands awake, brave sons of the mountain, the frith and the lake. Tis the bugle, but not for the chase is the call. Tis the Pibbrook shrill summons, but not to the hall. It is the summons of heroes for conquest or death, when the banners are blazing on mountain and heath. They call to the dirk, the claymore, and the targe, to the march and the muster, the line and the charge. Be the brand of each chieftain, like fins in his ire. May the blood through his veins flow like currents of fire. Burst the base foreign yoke as your sires did of your, or die like your sires, and endure it no more. End of section 27. Section 28 of Waverly, volume 1. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Waverly, or to 60 years since, volume 1, by Sir Walter Scott. Section 28. Chapter 23. Waverly continues at Glenicoich. As Flora concluded her song, Ferga stood before them. I knew I should find you here, even without the assistance of my friend Bran. A simple and unsublime to taste now, like my own, would prefer a jet d'eau at Versailles to this cascade, with all its accompaniments of rock and roar. But this is Flora's Parnassus, Captain Waverly, and that fountain her Helicon. It would be greatly for the benefit of my cellar if she could teach her co-adjutor, McMurrow, the value of its influence. He has just drunk a pint of Yuskibah to correct, he said, the coldness of the claret. Let me try its virtues. He sipped a little water in the hollow of his hand, and immediately commenced, with a theatrical air, a lady of the desert, Hale, that love us the harping of the Gale, though fair and fertile regions borne, where never yet grew grass or corn. But English poetry will never succeed under the influence of a Highland Helicon. Allons, courage! Au vous, kibouvet, attasse pliée, à cette hiruse fontaine, où on ne voit sur les ravages qu'est quelque vélan trapeau, sous vie des nemphées de village, qui l'escoutant sans c'est beau. A truce, dear Fergus, spare us those most tedious and insipid persons of all Arcadia. Do not, for heaven's sake, bring down Corridon and Lindor upon us. Nay, if you cannot relish la houlette et les chaleimos, have with you in heroic strains. Dear Fergus, you have certainly partaken of the inspiration of McMurrow's cup, rather than of mine. I disclaim it, ma bella demoiselle, although I protest it would be the more congenial of the two, which of your crack-brained Italian romancers is it that says Footnote, good soothe, I wreck not of your helicon, drink water whoso will, in faith I will drink none. But if you prefer Gaelic, Captain Waverly, here is little Kathleen shall sing you dream and do. Come, Kathleen, Astore, i.e., my dear, begin. No apologies to the sea and kin. Kathleen sung with much liveliness a little Gaelic song, the burlesque elegy of a countryman on the loss of his cow, the comic tones of which, though he did not understand the language, made Waverly laugh more than once. Footnote, this ancient Gaelic ditty is still well known, both in the Highlands and in Ireland. It was translated into English and published, if I mistake not, under the auspices of the facetious Tom Durfey, by the title of Collie, my cow. Admirable, Kathleen cried the chieftain, I must find you a handsome husband among the clansmen one of these days. Kathleen laughed, blushed, and sheltered herself behind her companion. In the progress of their return to the castle, the chieftain warmly pressed Waverly to remain for a week or two, in order to see a grand hunting party, in which he and some other Highland gentlemen proposed to join. The charms of melody and beauty were too strongly impressed in Edward's breast to permit his declining an invitation so pleasing. It was agreed, therefore, that he should write a note to the Baron of Bradwardine, expressing his intention to stay a fortnight at Glenacwych, and requesting him to forward by the bearer, a ghillie of the chieftains, any letters which might have arrived for him. This turned the discourse upon the baron, whom Fergus highly extolled as a gentleman and a soldier. His character was touched with yet more discrimination by Flora, who observed he was the very model of the old Scottish Cavalier, with all his excellencies and peculiarities. It is a character, Captain Waverly, which is fast disappearing, for its best point was a self-respect which was never lost sight of till now. But in the present time, the gentlemen whose principles do not permit them to pay court to the existing government are neglected and degraded, and many conduct themselves accordingly. And, like some of the persons you have seen at Tully Violin, adopt habits and companions inconsistent with their birth and breeding. The ruthless prescription of party seems to degrade the victims whom it brands, however unjustly. But let us hope a brighter day is approaching when a Scottish country gentleman may be a scholar without the pendentry of our friend the baron, a sportsman without the low habits of Mr. Falconer, and a judicious improver of his property without becoming a boorish, two-legged steer like killing Curite. Thus did Flora prophecy a revolution, which time indeed has produced, but in a manner very different from what she had in her mind. The amiable Rose was next mentioned, with the warmest and comium on her person, manners, and mind. That man, said Flora, will find an inestimable treasure in the affections of Rose, Bradward Dine, who shall be so fortunate as to become their object. Her very soul is in home, and in the discharge of all those quiet virtues of which home is the centre. Her husband will be to her what her father now is, the object of all her care, solicitude, and affection. She will see nothing, and connect herself with nothing, but by him and through him. If he is a man of sense and virtue, she will sympathize in his sorrows, divert his fatigue, and share his pleasures. If she becomes the property of a cherlish or negligent husband, she will suit his taste also, for she will not long survive his unkindness. And, alas, how great is the chance that some such unworthy lot may be that of my poor friend. Oh, that I were queen this moment, and could command the most amiable and worthy youth of my kingdom to accept happiness with the hand of Rose, Bradward Dine. I wish you would command her to accept mine on a tendon, said Fergus, laughing. I don't know by what caprice it was that this wish, however jocularly expressed, rather jarred on Edward's feelings, not withstanding his growing inclination to Flora and his indifference to miss Bradward Dine. This is one of the inexplicabilities of human nature, which we leave without comment. Yours, Brother, answered Flora, regarding him steadily. No, you have another bride, honor, and the dangers you must run in pursuit of her rival would break poor Rose's heart. With this discourse they reached the castle, and waverly soon prepared his dispatches for Tully Violin. As he knew the Baron was punctilious in such matters, he was about to impress his billet with a seal on which his armorial bearings were engraved, but he did not find it at his watch, and thought he must have left it at Tully Violin. He mentioned his loss, borrowing at the same time the family seal of the chieftain. Surely, said Miss MacIvor, Donald Bean Lean would not. My life for him in such circumstances, answered her brother. Besides, he would never have left the watch behind. After all, Fergus said Flora, and with every allowance, I am surprised you can countenance that man. I countenance him? This kind sister of mine would persuade you, Captain Waverly, that I take what the people of old used to call a stake-raid, that is, a call-up of the foray, or, in plainer words, a portion of the robber's booty, paid by him to the Laird, or chief, through whose grounds he drove his prey. Oh, it is certain that, unless I find some way to charm Flora's tongue, General Blackenet will send a sergeant's party from Stirling. This, he said with a haughty and emphatic irony, to seize Vich Lanvor, as they nickname me, in his own castle. Now, Fergus, must not our guest be sensible that all this is folly and affectation. You have meant enough to serve you without enlisting Benditi, and your honor is above taint. Why don't you send this Donald Bean Lean, whom I hate for his smoothness and duplicity even more than for his repine, out of your country at once? No cause should induce me to tolerate such a character. No cause, Flora, said the chief insignificant. No cause, Fergus, not even that which is nearest to my heart. Spare it the omen of such evil supporters. Oh, but, sister, rejoin the chief gaily. You don't consider my respect for la belle passion. Evan Dumakomich is in love with Donald's daughter, Alice, and you cannot expect me to disturb him in his amours. Why, the whole clan would cry shame on me. You know it is one of their wise sayings that a kinsman is part of a man's body, but a foster brother is a piece of his heart. Well, Fergus, there's no disputing with you, but I would all this may end well. Devoutly prayed, my dear and prophetic sister, and the best way in the world to close Adubius' argument. But here ye not the pipes, Captain Waverly. Perhaps you will like better to dance to them in the hall than to be deafened with their harmony without taking part in the exercise they invite us to. Waverly took Flora's hand. The dance, song, and merry making proceeded, and closed the day's entertainment at the castle of Vich Ian Vor. Edward at length retired, his mind agitated by a variety of new and conflicting feelings, which detained him from rest for some time, in that not-unpleasing state of mind in which fancy takes the helm, and the soul rather drifts passively along with the rapid and confused tide of reflections then exerts itself to encounter, systematize, or examine them. At a late hour he fell asleep and dreamed of Flora MacIvor. Section 29 Chapter 24 A Stag Hunt and Its Consequences Shall this be a long or a short chapter? This is a question in which you, gentle reader, have no vote, however much you may be interested in the consequences. Just as you may, like myself, probably have nothing to do with the imposing a new tax, accepting the trifling circumstance of being obliged to pay it. More happy, surely in the present case, since though it lies within my arbitrary power to extend my materials as I think proper, I cannot call you into exchequer if you do not think proper to read my narrative. Let me therefore consider. It is true that the annals and documents in my hands say but little of this highland chase, but then I can find copious materials for description elsewhere. There is old Lindsay of Pitscotty ready at my elbow, with his Athol hunting, and his lofted and joisted Palace of Green Timber, with all kind of drink to be had in borough and lamb, as ale, beer, wine, muskadel, malvés, hippocrats, and aquavitae, with Greek bread, main bread, gingerbread, beef, mutton, lamb, veal, venison, goose, grice, capen, coni, crane, swan, partridge, plover, duck, drake, bristlecock, ponies, blackcock, murefowl, and capricailies. Not forgetting the costly bedding vessel and napre, and least of all the excelling stewards, cunning bactress, excellent cooks and pottingers, with confections and drugs for the desserts. Besides the particulars which may be then gleaned for this highland feast, the splendour of which induced the pope's legate to dissent from an opinion which he had hitherto held, that Scotland namely was the latter end of the world, besides these, might I not illuminate my pages with tailor-the-water poets hunting in the braze of mar? Where? Through heather, moss, mong frogs, and bogs, and fogs, mongst craggy cliffs and thunder-battered hills, hares, hinds, bucks, rows are chased by men and dogs, where two hours hunting forescore fat deer kills. Lowland, your sports are low as is your seat. The highland games and mines are high and great. But without further tyranny over my readers, or display of the extent of my own reading, I shall content myself with borrowing a single incident from the memorable hunting at Lude, commemorated in the ingenious Mr. Gunn's Essie on the Caledonian Harp, and so proceed in my story with all the brevity that my natural style of composition, partaking of what scholars call a periphrastic and ambagatory, and the vulgar the curcumbendibus will permit me. The solemn hunting was delayed from various causes for about three weeks. The interval was spent by Waverly with great satisfaction at Glenacoy. For the impression which Flora had made on his mind at their first meeting grew daily stronger. She was precisely the character to fascinate a youth of romantic imagination. Her manners, her language, her talents for poetry and music gave additional and varied influence to her eminent personal charms. Even in her hours of gaiety she was in his fancy exalted above the ordinary daughters of Eve, and seemed only to stoop for an instant to those topics of amusement and gallantry which others appear to live for. In the neighbourhood of this enchantress, while sport consumed the morning and music and the dance led on the hours of evening, Waverly became daily more delighted with his hospitable landlord, and more enamoured of his bewitching sister. At length the period fixed for the grand hunting arrived, and Waverly and the chieftain departed for the place of Rendezvous, which was a day's journey to the northward of Glenacoy. Fergus was attended on this occasion by about three hundred of his clan, well armed and accoutered in their best fashion. Waverly complied so far with the custom of the country as to adopt the trues, he could not be reconciled to the kilt, Brogues and Bonnet, as the fittest dress for the exercise in which he was to be engaged, and which least exposed him to be stared at as a stranger when they should reach the place of Rendezvous. They found on the spot appointed several powerful chiefs, to all of whom Waverly was formally presented, and by all cordially received. Their vassals and clansmen, a part of whose feudal duty it was to attend on these parties, appeared in such numbers as amounted to a small army. These act of assistance spread through the country far and near, forming a circle, technically called a tinchill, which gradually closing, drove the deer and herds together towards the Glen where the chiefs and principal sportsmen lay and wait for them. In the meanwhile, these distinguished personages, Beauvais act among the flowery heath, wrapped up in their plaids, a mode of passing a summer's night which Waverly found by no means unpleasant. For many hours after sunrise, the mountain ridgies and passies retained their ordinary appearance of silence and solitude, and the chiefs, with their followers, amused themselves with various pastimes, in which the joys of the shell, as Ossian has it, were not forgotten. Others apart sat on a hill, retired, probably as deeply engaged in the discussion of politics and news as Milton spirits in metaphysical disquisition. At length, signals of the approach of the game were decried and heard. Distant shouts resounded from valley to valley, as the various parties of highlanders, climbing rocks, struggling through corpses, wading brooks and traversing thickets, approached more and more near to each other, and compelled the astonished deer, with the other wild animals that fled before them, into a narrower circuit. Every now and then the report of muskets was heard, repeated by a thousand echoes. The baying of the dogs was soon added to the chorus, which grew ever louder and more loud. At length, the advanced parties of the deer began to show themselves, and as the stragglers came bounding down the pass by two or three at a time, the chiefs showed their skill by distinguishing the fattest deer and their dexterity in bringing them down with their guns. Fergus exhibited remarkable address, and Edward was also so fortunate as to attract the notice and applause of the sportsman. But now the main body of the deer appeared at the head of the glen, compelled into a very narrow compass, and presenting such a formidable phalanx that their antlers appeared at a distance, over the ridge of the steep pass, like a leafless grove. Their number was very great, and from a desperate stand which they made, with the tallest of the red deer stags arranged in front in a sort of battle array, gazing on the group which barred their passage down the glen, the more experienced sportsman began to auger danger. The work of destruction, however, now commenced in all sites. Dogs and hunters were at work, and muskets and fusees resounded from every quarter. The deer, driven to desperation, made at length a fearful charge right upon the spot where the more distinguished sportsman had taken their stand. The word was given in Gaelic to fling themselves upon their faces, but waverly, on whose English ears the signal was lost, had almost fallen a sacrifice to his ignorance of the ancient language in which it was communicated. Fergus, observing his danger, sprung up and pulled him with violence to the ground, just as the whole herd broke down upon them. The tide being absolutely irresistible and wounds from a stag's horn highly dangerous, the activity of the chieftain may be considered, on this occasion, as having saved his guest's life. He detained him with a firm grasp until the whole herd of deer had fairly run over them. Waverly then attempted to rise, but found that he had suffered several very severe confusions, and upon a further examination discovered that he had sprained his ankle violently. Footnote The thrust from the tines or branches of the stag's horns was accounted far more dangerous than those of the boar's tusk. If thou be hurt with horn of stag, it brings thee to thy beer, but Barber's hand shall boar's hurt heal, thereof have thou no fear. This checked the mirth of the meeting, although the Highlanders accustomed to such incidents and prepared for them had suffered no harm themselves. A wigwam was erected almost in an instant, where Edward was deposited on a couch of heather. The surgeon, or he who assumed the office, appeared to unite the characters of a leech and a conjurer. He was an old, smoke-dried Highlander, wearing a venerable grey beard, and having for his sole garment a tart and frock, the skirts of which descended to the knee, and being undivided in front made the vestment serve at once for doublet and breeches. Footnote This garb which resembled a dress often put on children in Scotland, called a polony, i.e. polonaise, is a very ancient modification of the Highland garb. It was in fact the hoberg, or shirt of mail, only composed of cloth instead of rings of armour. He observed great ceremony in approaching Edward, and though our hero was rising with pain, would not proceed to any operation which might assuage it, until he had perambulated his couch three times, moving from east to west according to the course of the sun. This which was called making the diesel, footnote, old Highlanders will still make the diesel around those whom they wish well to, to go round a person in the opposite direction, or withershins, German withershins, is unlucky and a sort of incantation. Both the leech and the assistant seem to consider as a matter of the last importance to the accomplishment of a cure, and Waverly whom pain rendered incapable of expostulation, and who indeed saw no chance of it being attended to, submitted in silence. After this ceremony was duly performed, the old Esculapius let his patient's blood with a cupping glass with great dexterity, and proceeded muttering all the while to himself in Gaelic, to boil in the fire certain herbs with which he compounded an imprecation. He then fomented the parts which had sustained injury, never failing to murmur prayers or spells, which of the two Waverly could not distinguish, as his ear only caught the words Gasper, Melchior, Balthazar, Max, Prax, Fax, and similar gibberish. The fomentation had a speedy effect in alleviating the pain and swelling, which our hero imputed to the virtue of the herbs, or the effect of the chafing, but which was by the bystanders unanimously ascribed to the spells with which the operation had been accompanied. Edward was given to understand that not one of the ingredients had been gathered except during the full moon, and that the herbalist had, while collecting them, uniformly recited a charm which in English ran thus. Hail to thee, them holy herb, that sprung on holy ground, all in the Mount Olivet, first where thou found. Thou art boot for many a bruise, and healest many a wound. In our Lady's blessed name I take thee from the ground. Footnote. This metrical spell, or something very like it, is preserved by Reginald Scott in his work on witchcraft. Edward observed with some surprise that even Fergus, notwithstanding his knowledge and education, seemed to fall in with the superstitious ideas of his countrymen, either because he deemed it impolitic to affect skepticism on a matter of general belief, or more probably because like most men who do not think deeply or accurately on such subjects, he had in his mind a reserve of superstition, which balanced the freedom of his expressions and practice upon other occasions. Waverly made no commentary, therefore, on the manner of the treatment, but rewarded the Professor of Medicine with a liberality beyond the utmost conception of his wildest hopes. He uttered on the occasion so many incoherent blessings in Gaelic and English, that Macaeva, rather scandalised at the excess of his acknowledgments, cut them short by exclaiming, qid mil val chot, i.e. a hundred thousand curses on you, and so pushed the helper of men out of the cabin. After Waverly was left alone, the exhaustion of pain and fatigue, for the whole day's exercise had been severe, threw him into a profound but yet a feverish sleep, which he chiefly owed to an opiate draft administered by the old Highlander from some decoction of herbs in his pharmacopeia. Early the next morning, the purpose of their meeting being over and their sports damped by the untoward accident, in which Fergus and all his friends expressed the greatest sympathy, it became a question how to dispose of the disabled sportsman. This was settled by Macaeva, who had a litter prepared, of Birch and Hazel Grey, footnote, on the morrow they made their beers of Birch and Hazel Grey, Chevy Chase, which was borne by his people with such caution and dexterity as renders it not improbable that they may have been the ancestors of some of those sturdy gale, who have now the happiness to transport the bells of Edinburgh in their sedan shares to ten routes in one evening. When Edward was elevated upon their shoulders, he could not help being gratified with the romantic effect produced by the breaking up of the Sylvan camp, footnote, sea note 25. The various tribes assembled each at the peabrock of their native clan and each headed by their patriarchal ruler. Some who had already begun to retire were seen winding up the hills or descending the passes which led to the scene of action, the sound of their bagpipes dying upon the ear. Others made still a moving picture upon the narrow plain, forming various changeful groups, their feathers and loose plades waving in the morning breeze and their arms glittering in the rising sun. Most of the chiefs came to take farewell of Waverly and to express their anxious hope they might again and speedily meet, but the care of Fergus abridged the ceremony of taking leave, at length his own men being completely assembled and mustard. McIver commenced his march but not towards the quarter from which they had come. He gave Edward to understand that the greater part of his followers now on the field were bound on a distant expedition and that when he had deposited him in the house of a gentleman who he was sure would pay him every attention he himself should be under the necessity of accompanying them the greater part of the way but would lose no time in rejoining his friend. Waverly was rather surprised that Fergus had not mentioned his ulterior destination when they set out upon the hunting party but his situation did not admit of many interrogatories. The greater part of the Klansman went forward under the guidance of old Balon Kiroch and Evan Dew McCombich apparently in high spirits. A few remained for the purpose of escorting the chieftain who walked by the side of Edward's litter and attended him with the most affectionate assituity. About noon after a journey which the nature of the conveyance the pain of his bruises and the roughness of the way rendered inexpressibly painful Waverly was hospitably received into the house of a gentleman related to Fergus who had prepared for him every accommodation which the simple habits of living then universal in the Highlands put in his power. In this person an old man about seventy Edward admired a relic of primitive simplicity. He wore no dress but what is his state afforded? The cloth was the fleece of his own sheep woven by his own servants and stained into tartan by the dice produced from the herbs and lichens of the hills around him. His linen was spun by his daughters and maid-servants from his own flax. Nor did his table though plentiful and varied with game and fish offer an article but what was of native produce? Claiming himself no rights of clanship or vassalage he was fortunate in the alliance and protection of Vicky and Vor and other bold and enterprising chieftains who protected him in the quiet unambitious life he loved. It is true the youth born on his grounds were often enticed to leave him for the service of his more active friends but a few old servants and tenants used to shake their gray locks when they heard their master censured for want of spirit and observed when the wind is still a shower falls soft. This good old man whose charity and hospitality were unbounded would have received waverly with kindness had he been the meanest Saxon peasant since his situation required assistance but his attention to a friend and guest of Vicky and Vor was anxious and unremitted. Other embracations were applied to the injured limb and new spells were put in practice. At length, after more solicitude than was perhaps for the advantage of his health Fergus took farewell of Edward for a few days when he said he would return to Tommen rate and hoped by that time waverly would be able to ride one of the Highland ponies of his landlord and in that manner returned to Glenachwych. The next day when his good old host appeared Edward learned that his friend had departed with the dawn leaving none of his followers except Callum Begg the sort of foot page who used to attend his person and who had now in charge to wait upon waverly. When asking his host if he knew where the chieftain was gone the old man looked fixededly at him with something mysterious and sad in the smile which was his only reply. Waverly repeated his question to which his host answered in a proverb what sent the messengers to hell was asking what they knew full well. Footnote Corresponding to the lowland saying Monnie Ayn spears the gate they ken foe wheel. He was about to proceed but Callum Begg said rather percly as Edward thought that Tatyrnacht i.e. the chief did not like Tasasnacht doon wasle to be pingled with Mickel speaking as she was not tat wheel. From this Waverly concluded he should disablage his friend by inquiring of a stranger the object of a journey which he himself had not communicated. It is unnecessary to trace the progress of our hero's recovery. The sixth morning had arrived and he was able to walk about with a staff when Fergus returned with about a score of his men. He seemed in the highest spirits congratulated Waverly on his progress towards recovery and finding he was able to sit on horseback proposed their immediate return to Glenocoich. Waverly joyfully exceeded for the form of its fair mistress had lived in his dreams during all the time of his confinement. Now he is ridden or moor and moss or hill and many a glen. Fergus all the while with his myrmidons striding stitely by his side or diverging to get a shot at a row or a heathcock. Waverly's bosom beat thick when they approached the old tower of Ian Nan Castel and could distinguish the fair form of its mistress advancing to meet them. Fergus began immediately with his usual high spirits to exclaim open your gates in comparable princess to the wounded Moor Abindareth whom Rodrigo de Narveth Constable of Antiquera can face to your castle or open them if you like it better to the renowned Marquis of Mantua the sad attendant of his half slain friend Baldovinos of the mountain. Ah long rest to thy soul Cervantes without quoting I remnants how should I frame my language to be fit romantic years. Flora now advanced and welcoming Waverly with much kindness expressed her regret for his accident of which she had already heard particulars and her surprise that her brother should not have taken better care to put a stranger on his guard against the perils of the sport in which he engaged him. Edward easily exculpated the chieftain who indeed at his own personal risk had probably saved his life. This greeting over Fergus said three or four words to his sister in Gaelic. The tears instantly sprung to her eyes but they seemed to be tears of devotion and joy for she looked up to heaven and folded her hands as in a solemn expression of prayer or gratitude. After the pause of a minute she presented to Edward some letters which had been forwarded from Tully Violin during his absence and at the same time delivered some to her brother. To the latter she likewise gave three or four numbers of the Caledonian Mercury the only newspaper which was then published to the north of the Tweet. Both gentlemen retired to examine their dispatches and Edward speedily found that those which she had received contained matters of very deep interest Note 25 The author has been sometimes accused of confounding fiction with reality. He therefore thinks it necessary to state that the circumstance of the hunting described in the text as preparatory to the insurrection of 1745 is, so far as he knows, entirely imaginary. But it is well known such a great hunting was held in the forest of Braymar under the auspices of the Earl of Mar as preparatory to the rebellion of 1715 and most of the Highland chieftains who afterwards engaged in that civil commotion were present on this occasion. End of section 29 Chapter 25 News from England The letters which Waverly had hitherto received from his relations in England were not such as required any particular notice in this narrative. His father usually wrote to him with a pompous affectation of one who was too much oppressed by public affairs to find leisure to attend to those of his own family. Now and then he mentioned persons of rank in Scotland to whom he wished his son would pay some attention. But Waverly hitherto occupied by the amusements which he had found at Tully V. Olin and Glenocoic dispensed with paying any attention to hints so coldly thrown out, especially as distance, shortness of leave of absence and so forth furnished a ready apology. But laterly the burden of Mr. Richard Waverly's paternal epistles consisted in certain mysterious hints of greatness and influence which he was speedily to attain and which would ensure his sons obtaining the most rapid promotion should he remain in the military service. Sir Everard's letters were of a different tenor. They were short, for the good baronet was none of your illimitable correspondence whose manuscript overflows the folds of their large post-paper and leaves no room for the seal. But they were kind and affectionate and seldom concluded without some allusion to our hero's stud. Some question about the state of his purse and a special inquiry after such of his recruits as had preceded him from Waverly honour. Aunt Rachel charged him to remember his principles of religion, to take care of his health, to beware of scotched mists which she had heard would wet an Englishman through and through, never to go out at night without his great coat and above all to wear flannel next to his skin. Mr. Pembroke only wrote to our hero one letter, but it was of the bulk of six epistles of these degenerate days containing in the moderate compass of ten folio pages closely written a praisey of a supplementary quarto manuscript of Edenda delenda et cor agenda in reference to the two tracks with which he had presented Waverly. This he considered as a mere sop in the pen to stay the appetite of Edward's curiosity until he should find an opportunity as sending down the volume itself which was much too heavy for the post and which he proposed to accompany with certain interesting pamphlets lately published by his friend in Little Britain with whom he had kept up a sort of literary correspondence in virtue of which the library shells of Waverly Honour were loaded with much trash and a good round bill seldom summed in fewer than three figures was yearly transmitted in which Sir Everard Waverly of Waverly Honour, Barnett, was marked-edder to Jonathan Grubbott, bookseller and stationer, Little Britain. Such had hitherto been the style of the letters which Edward had received from England, but the packet delivered to him at Glencoeic was of a different and more interesting complexion. It would be impossible for the reader, even were I to insert the letters at full length, to comprehend the real cause of their being written without a glance into the interior of the British cabinet at the period in question. The ministers of the day happened, no very singular event, to be divided into two parties, the weakest of which making up by assiduity of intrigue, their inferiority in real consequence, had of late acquired some new proselytes, and with them the hope of superseding their rivals in the favour of their sovereign and overpowering them in the House of Commons. Amongst others they had thought it worthwhile to practice upon Richard Waverly. This honest gentleman by a grave mysterious demeanor and attention to the etiquette of business rather more than to its essence. A facility in making long dull speeches consisting of truisms and commonplaces hashed up with a technical jargon of office which prevented the inanity of his orations from being discovered had acquired a certain name and credit in public life and even established with many the character of a profound politician. None of your shining orators indeed whose talents evaporate in tropes of rhetoric and flashes of wit but one possessed of steady parts for business which would wear well, as the ladies say in choosing their silks, and ought in all reason to be good for common and everyday use since they were confessively formed of no holiday texture. This faith had become so general that the insurgent party in the cabinet of which we have made mention after sounding Mr. Richard Waverly were so satisfied with his sentiments and abilities as to propose that. In case of a certain revolution in the ministry he should take an ostensible place in the new order of things not indeed of the very first rank but greatly higher in point both of emolument and influence than that which he now enjoyed. There was no resisting so tempting a proposal notwithstanding that the great man under whose patronage he had enlisted and by whose banner he had hitherto stood firm was the principal object of the proposed attack by the new allies. Unfortunately this fair scheme of ambition was blighted in the very bud by a premature movement. All the official gentlemen concerned in it who hesitated to take the part of a voluntary resignation were informed that the king had no further occasion for their services and in Richard Waverly's case which the minister considered as aggravated by ingratitude dismissal was accompanied by something like personal contempt and contumely the public and even the party of whom he shared the fall sympathized little in the disappointment of this selfish and interested statesman and he retired to the country under the comfortable reflection that he had lost at the same time character credit and what he at least equally deplored emolument Richard Waverly's letter to his son upon this occasion was a masterpiece of its kind Aristides himself could not have made out a harder case an unjust monarch in an ungrateful country were the burden of each rounded paragraph he spoke of long services and unrequited sacrifices though the former had been overpaid by his salary and nobody could guess in what the latter consisted unless it were in his deserting not from conviction but for the lucre of gain the Tory principles of his family in the conclusion his resentment was brought to such an excess by the force of his own oratory that he could not repress some threats of vengeance however vague and evident and finally acquainted his son with his pleasure that he should testify a sense of the ill treatment he had sustained by throwing up his commission as soon as the letter reached him this he said was also his uncle's desire as he would himself intimate in due course accordingly the next letter which Edward opened was from Sir Everard his brother's disgrace seemed to have removed from his well-natured bosom all recollection of their differences and remote as he was from every means of learning that Richard's disgrace was in reality only the just as well as natural consequence of his own unsuccessful intrigues the good but credulous baronette at once set it down as a new and enormous instance of the injustice of the existing government it was true he said and he must not disguise it even from Edward that his father could not have sustained such an insult as was now for the first time offered to one of his house unless he had subjected himself to it by accepting of an employment under the present system Sir Everard had no doubt that he now both saw and felt the magnitude of this error and it should be his Sir Everard's business to take care that the cause of his regret should not extend itself to pecuniary consequences it was enough for a waverly to have sustained the public disgrace the patrimonial injury could easily be obviated by the head of their family but it was both the opinion of Mr. Richard Waverly and his own that Edward, the representative of the family of Waverly honor should not remain in a situation which subjected him also to such treatment as that with which his father had been stigmatized he requested his nephew therefore to take the fittest and at the same time the most speedy opportunity of transmitting his resignation to the war office and hinted, moreover, that little ceremony was necessary where so little had been used to his father he sent multitudinous greetings to the Baron of Bradwarding a letter from Aunt Rachel spoke out even more plainly she considered the disgrace of Brother Richard as the just reward of his forfeiting his allegiance to a lawful though exiled sovereign and taking the o's to an alien a concession which her grandfather Sir Nigel Waverly refused to make either to the round head parliament or to Cromwell when his life and fortune stood in the utmost extremity she hoped her dear Edward would follow the footsteps of his ancestors and as speedily as possible get rid of the badge of servitude to the usurping family and regard the wrongs sustained by his father as an admonition from heaven that every desertion of the line of loyalty becomes its own punishment she also concluded with her respects to Mr. Bradwarding and Beg Waverly would inform her whether his daughter, Ms. Brose, was old enough to wear a pair of very handsome earrings which he proposed to send as a token of her affection the good lady also desired to be informed whether Mr. Bradwarding took as much scotch snuff and danced as unwirriedly as he did when he was at Waverly honor about 30 years ago these letters as might have been expected highly excited Waverly's indignation from the desultory style of his studies he had not any fixed political opinion to place an opposition to the movements of indignation which he felt at his father's supposed wrongs of the real cause of his disgrace Edward was totally ignorant nor had his habits at all led him to investigate the politics of the period in which he lived or remarked the intrigues in which his father had been so actively engaged indeed any impressions which he had accidentally adopted concerning the parties of the times were owing to the society in which he had lived at Waverly honor of a nature rather unfavorable to the existing government and dynasty he entered therefore without hesitation into the resentful feeling of the relations who had the best title to dictate his conduct and not perhaps the less willingly when he remembered the tedium of his quarters and the inferior figure which he had made among the officers of his regiment if he could have had any doubt upon the subject it would have been decided by the following letter from his commanding officer which as it is very short shall be inserted verbatim Sir having carried somewhat beyond the line of my duty and indulgence which even the lights of nature and much more those of Christianity direct towards heirs which may arise from youth and inexperience and that all together without effect I am reluctantly compelled at the present crisis to use the only remaining remedy which is in my power you are therefore hereby commanded to repair to blank the headquarters of the regiment within three days after the date of this letter if you shall fail to do so I must report you to the war office as absent without leave and also take other steps which will be disagreeable to you as well as to Sir your obedient servant Jay Gardner Lieutenant Colonel commanding the blank regiment dragoons Edward's blood boiled within him as he read this letter he had been accustomed from his very infancy to possess in a great measure the disposal of his own time and thus acquired habits which rendered the rules of military discipline as unpleasing to him in this as they were in some other respects an idea that in his own case they would not be enforced in a very rigid manner had also obtained full possession of his mind and had hitherto been sanctioned by the indulgent conduct of his Lieutenant Colonel neither had anything occurred to his knowledge that should have induced his commanding officer without any other warning than the hints we noticed at the end of the fourteenth chapter so suddenly to assume a harsh and as Edward deemed it so insolent a tone of dictatorial authority connecting it with the letters he had just received from his family he could not but suppose that it was designed to make him feel in his present situation the same pressure of authority which had been exercised in his father's case and that the whole was a concerted scheme to depress and degrade every member of the Waverly family without a pause therefore Edward wrote a few cold lines thinking his Lieutenant Colonel for past civilities and expressing regret that he should have chosen to efface the remembrance of them by assuming a different tone towards him the strain of his letter as well as what he Edward conceived to be his duty in the present crisis called upon him to lay down his commission and he therefore enclosed the formal resignation of a situation which subjected him to so unpleasant a correspondence and requested Colonel Gardner would have the goodness to forward it to the proper authorities having finished this magnanimous epistle he felt somewhat uncertain concerning the terms in which his resignation ought to be expressed upon which subject he resolved to consult Fergus MacGyver it may be observed in passing that the bold and prompt habits of thinking acting and speaking which distinguished the young chieftain had given him a considerable ascendancy over the mind of Waverly endowed with at least equal powers of understanding and with much finer genius Edward yet stooped to the bold and decisive activity of an intellect which was sharpened by the habit of acting on a preconceived and regular system as well as by extensive knowledge of the world when Edward found his friend the letter had still in his hand the newspaper which he had perused and advanced to meet him with the embarrassment of one who has unpleasing news to communicate do your letters Captain Waverly confirmed the unpleasing information which I find in this paper he put the paper into his hand where his father's disgrace was registered in the most bitter terms transferred probably from some London journal at the end of the paragraph was this remarkable innuendo we understand that this same Richard who have done all this is not the only example of the wavering honor of Waverly honor see the gazette of this day with hurried and feverish apprehension our hero turned to the place referred to and found therein recorded Edward Waverly captain in blank regiment dragoons superseded for absence without leave and in the list of military promotions referring to the same regiment he discovered this father article lieutenant Julius Butler to be Captain vice Edward Waverly superseded our heroes bosom glowed with the resentment which undeserved and apparently premeditated insult was calculated to excite in the bosom of one who had aspired after honor and was thus wantonly held up to public scorn and disgrace upon comparing the date of his colonel's letter with that of the article in the gazette he perceived that his threat of making the report upon his absence had been literally fulfilled and without inquiry as it seemed whether Edward had either received his summons or was disposed to comply with it the whole therefore appeared a formed plan to degrade him in the eyes of the public and the idea of its having succeeded filled him with such bitter emotions that after various attempts to conceal them he at length threw himself into MacGyver's arms and gave vent to tears of shame and indignation it was none of this chieftain's faults to be indifferent to the wrongs of his friends and for Edward independent of certain plans with which he was connected he felt a deep and sincere interest the proceeding appeared as extraordinary to him as it had done to Edward he indeed knew of more motives than Waverly was privy to for the preemptory order that he should join his regiment but that without further inquiry into the circumstances of a necessary delay the commanding officer in contradiction to his known and established character should have proceeded in so harsh and unusual a manner was a mystery which he could not penetrate he soothed our hero however to the best of his power and began to turn his thoughts on revenge for his insulted honor Edward eagerly grasped at the idea will you carry a message for me to Colonel Gardner my dear Fergus and oblige me forever Fergus paused it is an act of friendship which you should command could it be useful or lead to the writing of your honor but in the present case I doubt if your commanding officer would give you the meeting on account of his having taken measures which however harsh and exasperating were still within the strict bounds of his duty besides Gardner is a precise Huguenot and has adopted certain ideas about the sinfulness of such a contrast from which it would be impossible to make him depart especially as his courage is beyond all suspicion and besides I I to say the truth I dare not at this moment for some very weighty reasons go near any of the military quarters or garrisons belonging to this government and am I said waverly to sit down quiet and contented under the injury I have received that will I never advise my friend replied MacIver but I would have vengeance to fall on the head not on the hand on the tyrannical and oppressive government which designed and directed these premeditated and reiterated insults not on the tools of office which they employed in the execution of the injuries they aimed at you on the government said waverly yes replied the impetuous Highlander on the usurping house of Hanover whom your grandfather would no more have served than he would have taken wages of red hot gold from the great fiend of hell but since the time of my grandfather two generations of this dynasty have possessed the throne said Edward Cooley true replied the chieftain and because we have passively given them so long the means of showing their native character because both you and I myself have lived in quiet submission have even truckled to the time so far as to accept commissions under them and thus have given them an opportunity of disgracing us publicly by resuming them are we not on that account to resent injuries which our fathers only apprehended but which we have actually sustained or is the cause of the unfortunate Stuart family become less just because their title has devolved upon an heir who is innocent of the charges of misgovernment brought against his father do you remember the lines of your favorite poet had Richard unconstrained resigned the throne a king can give no more than is his own the title stood entailed had Richard had a son you see my dear waverly I can quote poetry as well as flora and you but come clear your moody brow and trust to me to show you an honorable road to a speedy and glorious revenge let us seek flora who perhaps has more news to tell us of what has occurred during our absence she will rejoice to hear that you are relieved of your servitude but first add a postscript to your letter marking the time when you receive this Calvinist colonels first summons and express your regret that the hastiness of his proceedings prevented your anticipating them by sending your resignation then let him blush for his injustice the letter was sealed accordingly covering a formal resignation of the commission and the diver dispatched it with some letters of his own by a special messenger with a charge to put them into the nearest post office in the lowlands and a section 30 section 31 of waverly volume one this is the LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org waverly or to 60 years since volume one by Sir Walter Scott section 31 chapter 26 and Acklesy Small the hint which the chieftain had thrown out respecting flora was not unpremeditated he had observed with great satisfaction the growing attachment of Waverly to his sister nor did he see any bar to their union accepting the situation which Waverly's father held in the ministry and Edward's own commission in the army of George II these obstacles were now removed and in a manner which apparently paved the way for the sons becoming reconciled to another allegiance in every other respect the match would be most eligible the safety happiness and honorable provision of a sister whom he dearly loved appeared to be ensured by the proposed union and his heart swelled when he considered how his own interest would be exalted in the eyes of the ex monarch to whom he had dedicated his service by an alliance with one of those ancient powerful and wealthy English families of the steady Cavalier faith to awaken whose decayed attachment to the Stuart family was now a matter of such vital importance to the Stuart cause nor could Fergus perceive any obstacle to such a scheme Waverly's attachment was evident and as his person was handsome and his taste apparently coincided with her own he anticipated no opposition on the part of flora indeed between his ideas of patriarchal power and those which he had acquired in France respecting the disposal of females in marriage any opposition from his sister dear as she was to him would have been the last obstacle on which he would have calculated even had the union been less eligible influenced by these feelings the chief now led Waverly in quest of Miss McIver not without the hope that the present agitation of his guest's spirits might give him courage to cut short what Fergus termed the romance of the courtship they found flora with her faithful attendants you know and Kathleen busied in preparing what appeared to Waverly to be white bridal favors disguising as well as he could the agitation of his mind Waverly asked for what joyful occasion Miss McIver made such ample preparation it is for Fergus's bridal she said smiling indeed said Edward he has kept a secret well I hope you will allow me to be his bridesman that is a man's office but not yours as Beatrice says retorted flora and who is the fair lady may I be permitted to ask Miss McIver did not I tell you long since that Fergus would no bride but honor answered flora and am I then incapable of being his assistant and counselor in the pursuit of honor said our hero coloring deeply do I rank so low in your opinion far from it captain Waverly I would to God you were of our determination and made use of the expression which displeased you solely because you are not of our quality but stand against us as an enemy that time as past sister said Fergus and you may wish Edward Waverly no longer captain joy of being freed from the slavery to and usurper implied in that sable and ill omened emblem yes said Waverly undoing the cockade from his hat it has pleased the king who bestowed this badge upon me to resume it in a manner which leaves me little reason to regret his service thank god for that cried the enthusiast and oh that they may be blind enough to treat every man of honor who serves them with the same indignity that I may have less to sigh for when the struggle approaches and now sister said at the chieftain replaces cockade with one of a more lively color I think it was the fashion of the ladies of yore to arm and send forth their knights to high achievement not replied the lady till the night adventurer had well weighed the justice and the danger of the cause Fergus Mr Waverly is just now too much agitated by feelings of recent emotion for me to press upon him a resolution of consequence Waverly felt half alarmed at the thought of adopting the badge of what was by the majority of the kingdom esteemed rebellion yet he could not disguise his chagrin at the coldest with which Flora parried her brother's hint miss macaiva I perceive thinks the night unworthy of her encouragement and favor said he somewhat bitterly not so Mr Waverly she replied with great sweetness why should I refuse my brother's valued friend a boon which I am distributing to his whole clan most willingly would I enlist every man of honor in the cause to which my brother has devoted himself but Fergus has taken his measures with his eyes open his life has been devoted to this cause from his cradle with him it's call is sacred where it even a summons to the tomb but how can I wish you Mr Waverly so new to the world so far from every friend who might advise and ought to influence you in a moment too of sudden peak and indignation how can I wish you to plunge yourself at once into so desperate and enterprise Fergus who did not understand these delicacies strode through the apartment biting his lip and then with a constrained smile said well sister I leave you to act your new character of mediator between the Elector of Hanover and the subjects of your lawful sovereign and benefactor and left the room there was a painful pause which was at length broken by Miss McIver my brother is unjust she said because he can bear no interruption that seems to thought his loyal zeal and do you not share his ardor asked Waverly do I not answered flora god knows mine exceeds as if that be possible but I am not like him wrapped by the bustle of military preparation and the infinite detail necessary to the present undertaking beyond consideration of the grand principles of justice and truth on which our enterprise is grounded and these I am certain can only be furthered by measures in themselves true and just to operate upon your present feelings my dear Mr Waverly to induce you to an irretrievable step of which you have not considered either the justice or the danger is in my poor judgment neither the one nor the other incomparable flora said Edward taking her hand how much do I need such a monitor a better one by far said flora gently withdrawing her hand mr Waverly will always find in his own bosom when he will give its small still voice leisure to be heard no miss McIver I dare not hope it a thousand circumstances of fatal self indulgence have made me the creature rather of imagination than reason just I but hope could I but think that you would deign to be to me that affectionate that condescending friend who would strengthen me to redeem my errors my future life hush my dear sir now you carry your joy at escaping the hands of a Jacobite recruiting officer to an unparalleled excess of gratitude nay dear flora travel with me no longer you cannot mistake the meaning of those feelings which I have almost involuntarily expressed and since I have broken the barry of silence let me profit by my audacity or may I with your permission mention to your brother not for the world mr Waverly what am I to understand said Edward is there any fatal bar has any preposition none sir answered flora I owe it to myself to say that I never yet saw the person on whom I thought with reference to the present subject the shortness of our acquaintance perhaps if miss McIver will deign to give me time I have not even that excuse captain Waverly's character is so open is in short of that nature that it cannot be misconstrued either in its strength or its weakness and for that weakness you despise me said Edward forgive me mr Waverly and remember it is but within this half hour that there existed between us a barrier of a nature to me insurmountable since I never could think of an officer in the service of the elector of Hanover in any other light than as a casual acquaintance permit me then to arrange my ideas upon so unexpected a topic and in less than an hour I will be ready to give you such reasons for the resolution I shall express as may be satisfactory at least if not pleasing to you so saying flora withdrew leaving Waverly to meditate upon the manner in which she had received his addresses he could make up his mind whether to believe his suit had been acceptable or no Fergus re-entered the apartment what unamor Waverly he cried come down with me to the court and you shall see a sight with all the tirades of your romances and hundred firelocks my friend and as many broadswords just arrived from good friends and two or three hundred stout fellows almost fighting which shall first possess them but let me look at you closer why a true Highlander would say you had been blighted by an evil eye or can it be this silly girl that has thus blanked your spirit never mind her dear Edward the wisest of her sex are fools in what regards the business of life indeed my good friend answered Waverly all that I can charge against your sister is that she is too sensible too reasonable if that be all I ensure you for a Louis door against the mood lasting for in 20 hours no woman was ever steadily sensible for that period and I will engage if that will please you flora shall be as unreasonable tomorrow as any of her sex you must learn my dear Edward to consider women on musketeer so saying he seized Waverly's arm and dragged him off to review his military preparations end of section 31 recording by Felicity Campbell Fonganui, New Zealand this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Waverly or to 60 years since volume 1 by Sir Walter Scott section 32 chapter 27 upon the same subject, Fergus McIver had too much tact and delicacy to renew the subject which he had interrupted his head was or appeared to be so full of guns broadswords bonnets canteens and tartan hose that Waverly could not for some time draw his attention to any other topic are you to take the field so soon Fergus he asked that you are making all these martial preparations when we have settled that you go with me you shall know all but otherwise the knowledge might rather be prejudicial to you but are you serious in your purpose with such inferior forces to rise against an established government that is me frenzy et se faire à Don Antoine I shall take good care of myself we shall at least use the compliment of Conan who never got a stroke but he gave one I would not however continue the chieftain have you think me mad enough to stir till a favorable opportunity I will not slip my dog before the games afoot but once more will you join with us and you shall know all how can I said Waverly I who have so lately held that commission which is now posting back to those that gave it my accepting it implied a promise of fidelity and an acknowledgement of the legality of the government a rash promise answered Fergus is not a steel handcuff it may be shaken off especially when it was given under deception and has been repaid by insult but if you cannot immediately make up your mind to a glorious revenge go to England and air you cross the tweet you will hear tidings that will make the world ring and if Sir Everett be the gallant old cavalier I have heard him described by some of our honest gentlemen of the year 1715 he will find you a better horse troop and a better cause than you have lost but your sister Fergus out hyperbolic or fiend replied the chief laughing oh fexes the valvus man speak as though of nothing but of ladies nay be serious my dear friend said Waverly I feel that the happiness of my future life must depend upon the answer which Ms McIver shall make to what I ventured to tell her this morning and is this your very sober earnest said Fergus more gravely or are we in the land of romance and fiction my earnest undoubtedly how could you suppose me jesting on such a subject then in very sober earnest answered his friend I am very glad to hear it and so highly do I think of flora that you are the only man in England for whom I would say so much but before you shake my hand so warmly there is more to be considered your own family will they approve your connecting yourself with the sister of a high-born Highland beggar my uncle's situation said Waverly his general opinions and his uniform indulgence entitle me to say that birth and personal qualities are all he would look to in such a connection and where can I find both united in such excellence as in your sister oh nowhere Selavan son dear replied Fergus with a smile but your father will expect a father's prerogative in being consulted surely but his late breach with the ruling powers removes all apprehension of objection on his part especially as I am convinced that my uncle will be warm in my cause religion perhaps said Fergus may make obstacles though we are not bigoted Catholics my grandmother was of the church of Rome and her religion was never objected to by my family do not think of my friends dear Fergus let me rather have your influence where it may be more necessary to remove obstacles I mean with your lovely sister my lovely sister replied Fergus like her loving brother is very apt to have a pretty decisive will of her own by which in this case you must be ruled but you shall not want my interest at nor my counsel and in the first place I will give you one hint loyalty is her ruling passion and since she could spell an English book she has been in love with the memory of the gallant captain wogan who renounced the service of the usurp a Cromwell to join the standard of chance the second marched a handful of cavalry from London to the Highlands to join Middleton then in arms for the king and at length died gloriously in the royal cause ask her to show you some verses she made on his history and fate they have been much admired I assure you the next point is I think I saw flora go up towards the waterfall a short time since follow man follow don't allow the garrison time to strengthen its purposes of resistance alert a la muralla seek flora out and learn her decision as soon as you can and keep it go with you while I go to look overbelts and cartouche boxes Waverly ascended to the glen with an anxious and throbbing heart love with all its romantic train of hopes fears and wishes was mingled with other feelings of a nature less easily defined he could not but remember how much this morning had changed his fate and into what a complication of her complexity was likely to plunge him sunrise had seen him possessed of an esteemed rank in the honourable profession of arms his father to all appearance rising rapidly in the favour of a sovereign or this had passed away like a dream he himself was dishonoured his father disgraced and he had become involuntarily the confidant at least if not the accomplice of plans dark deep and dangerous which must infer either the subversion of the government he had so lately served or the destruction of all who had participated in them should flora even listen to his suit favourably what prospect was there of its being brought to a happy termination amid the tumult of an impending insurrection or how could he make the selfish request that she should leave furgus to whom she was so much attached and retiring with him to england wait as a distant spectator the success of her brother's undertaking or the ruin of all his hopes and fortunes or on the other hand to engage himself with no other aid than his single arm in the dangerous and precipitous councils of the chieftain to be whirled along by him the partaker of all his desperate and impetuous motions renouncing almost the power of judging or deciding upon the rectitude or prudence of his actions this was no pleasing prospect for the secret pride of Waverly to stoop to and yet what other conclusion remained saving the rejection of his addresses by flora an alternative not to be thought of in the present high wrought state of his feelings with anything short of mental agony pondering the doubtful and dangerous prospect before him he at length arrived near the cascade where as furgus had augured he found flora seated she was quite alone and as soon as she observed his approach she rose and came to meet him edward attempted to say something within the verge of ordinary compliment and conversation but found himself unequaled to the task flora seemed at first equally embarrassed but recovered herself more speedily and an unfavorable augury for Waverly's suit was the first to enter upon the subject of their last interview it is too important in every point of view Mr Waverly to permit me to leave you in doubt on my sentiments do not speak them speedily said Waverly much agitated unless they are such as I fear from your manner I must not dare to anticipate let time let my future conduct let your brother's influence forgive me Mr Waverly said flora her complexion a little heightened but her voice firm and composed I should incur my own heavy censure did I delay expressing my sincere conviction that I can never regard you otherwise than as a valued friend I should do you the highest injustice did I conceal my sentiments for a moment I see I distress you and I grieve for it but better now than later and oh better a thousand times Mr Waverly that you should feel a present momentary disappointment than the long and heart-sickening griefs which attend a rash and ill-assorted marriage good god explained Waverly why should you anticipate such consequences from a union where birth is equal where fortune is favorable where if I may venture to say so the taste is similar where you allege no preference for another where you even express a favorable opinion of him whom you reject Mr Waverly I have that favorable opinion answered flora and so strongly that though I would rather have been silent on the grounds of my resolution you shall command them if you exact such a mark of my esteem and confidence she sat down upon a fragment of rock and Waverly placing himself near her anxiously pressed for the explanation she offered I dare hardly she said tell you the situation of my feelings they are so different from those usually ascribed to young women at my period of life and I dare hardly touch upon what I conjecture to be the nature of yours lest I should give offense where I would willingly administer consolation for myself from my infancy till this day I have had but one wish the restoration of my royal benefactors to their rightful throne it is impossible to express to you the devotion of my feelings to this single subject and I will frankly confess that it has so occupied my mind as to exclude every thought respecting what is called my own settlement in life let me but live to see the day of that happy restoration and a highland cottage a French convent or an English palace will be a like indifferent to me but dearest flora how is your enthusiastic zeal for the exiled family inconsistent with my happiness because you seek or ought to seek in the object of your attachment a heart whose principal delight should be in augmenting your domestic felicity and returning your affection even to the height of romance to a man of less keen sensibility and less enthusiastic tenderness of disposition flora MacCybert might give content if not happiness for were the irrevocable words spoken never would she be deficient in the duties which she vowed and why why miss MacCybert should you think yourself a more valuable treasure to one who is less capable of loving of admiring you than to me simply because the tone of our affections would be more in unison and because his more blunted sensibility would not require the return of enthusiasm which I have not to bestow but you Mr Waverly would forever refer to the idea of domestic happiness which your imagination is capable of painting and whatever fell short of that ideal representation would be construed into coolness and indifference while you might consider the enthusiasm with which I regarded the success of the royal family as defrauding your affection of its due return in other words miss MacCybert you cannot love me said her suitor dejectedly I could esteem you Mr Waverly as much perhaps more than any man I have ever seen but I cannot love you as you ought to be loved oh do not for your own sake desire so hazardous an experiment the woman whom you marry ought to have affections and opinions moulded upon yours her studies ought to be your studies her wishes her feelings her hopes her fears should all mingle with yours she should enhance your pleasures share your sorrows and cheer your melancholy and why will not you miss MacCybert who can so well describe a happy union why will not you be yourself the person you describe is it possible you do not yet comprehend me answered flora have I not told you that every keenest sensation of my mind is bent exclusively towards an event upon which indeed I have no power but those of my earnest prayers and might not the granting the suit I solicit said Waverly to earnest on his purpose to consider what he was about to say even advance the interest to which you have devoted yourself my family is wealthy and powerful inclined in principles to the steward race and should a favorable opportunity a favorable opportunity said flora somewhat scornfully inclined in principles can such lukewarm adherence be honorable to yourselves or gratifying to your lawful sovereign think from my present feelings what I should suffer when I held the place of member in a family where the rights which I hold most sacred are subjected to cold discussion and only deemed worthy of support when they shall appear on the point of triumphant without it your doubts quickly replied Waverly are unjust as far as concerns myself the cause that I shall assert I dare support through every danger as undauntedly as the boldest who draws sword in its behalf of that answered flora I cannot doubt for a moment but consult your own good sense and reason rather than a preposition hastily adopted probably only because you have met a young woman possessed of the usual accomplishments in a sequestered and romantic situation let your part in this great and perilous drama rest upon conviction and not on a hurried and probably a temporary feeling Waverly attempted to reply but his words failed him every sentiment that flora had uttered vindicated the strength of his attachment for even her loyalty although wildly enthusiastic was generous and noble and disdained to avail itself of any indirect means of supporting the cause to which she was devoted after walking a little way in silence down the path flora thus resumed the conversation one word more Mr Waverly air we bid fair well to this topic forever and forgive my boldness if that word have the air of advice my brother Fergus is anxious that you should join him in his present enterprise but do not consent to this you could not buy your single exertions further his success and you would inevitably share his fall if it be God's pleasure that fall he must your character would also suffer irretrievably let me beg you will return to your own country and having publicly freed yourself from every tie to the userving government I trust you will see cause and find opportunity to serve your injured sovereign with effect and stand forth as your loyal ancestors at the head of your natural followers and adherents a worthy representative of the house of Waverly and should I be so happy as thus to distinguish myself might I not hope forgive my interruption said flora the present time only is ours and I can but explain to you with candor the feelings which I now entertain how they might be altered by a train of events too favorable perhaps to be hoped for it were in vain even to conjecture only be assured Mr Waverly that after my brother's honor and happiness there is none which I shall more sincerely pray for than for yours with these words she parted from him for they were now arrived to where two paths separated Waverly reached the castle amidst a medley of conflicting passions he avoided any private interview with Fergus as he did not find himself able either to encounter his railery or reply to his solicitations the wild revelry of the feast for MacCyver kept open table for his clan served in some degree to stun reflection when their festivity was ended he began to consider how he should again meet Ms MacCyver after the painful and interesting explanation of the morning but flora did not appear Fergus whose eyes flashed when he was told by Kathleen that her mistress designed to keep her apartment that evening went himself in quest of her but apparently his remonstrances were in vain for he returned with a heightened complexion and manifest symptoms of displeasure the rest of the evening passed on without any illusion on the part either of Fergus or Waverly to the subject which engrossed the reflections of the latter and perhaps of both when retired to his own apartment Edward endeavoured to sum up the business of the day that the repulse he had received from flora would be persisted in for the present there was no doubt but could he hope for ultimate success in case circumstances permitted the renewal of his suit would the enthusiastic loyalty which at this animating moment left no room for a softer passion survive at least in its engrossing force the success or the failure of the present political machinations and if so could he hope that the interest which he had acknowledged him to possess in her favour might be improved into a warmer attachment he text his memory to recall every word she had used with the appropriate looks and gestures which had enforced them and ended by finding himself in the same state of uncertainty it was very late before sleep brought relief to the tumult of his mind after the most painful and agitating day which he had ever passed end of section 32 recording by Felicity Campbell, Whanganui, New Zealand