’My innocence, my rank, my father’s intimacy with Lord M—­, General G—­, &c., will be a sufficient protection,’ said Waverley.

‘You will find the contrary,’ replied the Chieftain;—­’these gentlemen will have enough to do about their own matters.  Once more, will you take the plaid, and stay a little while with us among the mists and the crows, in the bravest cause ever sword was drawn in?’ [A Highland rhyme on Glencairn’s Expedition, in 1650, has these lines—­

     We’ll hide a while among ta crows,
     ’We’ll wiske ta sword and bend ta bows.]

‘For many reasons, my dear Fergus, you must hold me excused.’

‘Well, then,’ said Mac-Ivor, ’I shall certainly find you exerting your poetical talents in elegies upon a prison, or your antiquarian researches in detecting the Oggam [The Oggam is a species of the old Irish character.  The idea of the correspondence betwixt the Celtic and Punic, founded on a scene in Plautus, was not started till General Vallancey set up his theory, long after the date of Fergus Mac-Ivor.] character, or some Punic hieroglyphic upon the key-stones of a vault, curiously arched.  Or what say you to un Petit PENDEMENT bien JOLI? against which awkward ceremony I don’t warrant you, should you meet a body of the armed west-country Whigs.’

‘And why should they use me so?’ said Waverley.

‘For a hundred good reasons,’ answered Fergus:  ’First, you are an Englishman; secondly, a gentleman; thirdly, a prelatist abjured; and, fourthly, they have not had an opportunity to exercise their talents on such a subject this long while.  But don’t be cast down, beloved:  all will be done in the fear of the Lord.’

‘Well, I must run my hazard,’

‘You are determined, then?’

‘I am.’

’Wilful will do ‘t,’ said Fergus;—­’but you cannot go on foot and I shall want no horse, as I must march on foot at the head of the children of Ivor; you shall have Brown Dermid.’

‘If you will sell him, I shall certainly be much obliged.’

’If your proud English heart cannot be obliged by a gift or loan, I will not refuse money at the entrance of a campaign:  his price is twenty guineas, [Remember, reader, it was Sixty Years since.] And when do you propose to depart?’

‘The sooner the better,’ answered Waverley.

’You are right, since go you must, or rather, since go you will:  I will take Flora’s pony, and ride with you as far as Bally-Brough.—­Callum Beg, see that our horses are ready, with a pony for yourself, to attend and carry Mr. Waverley’s baggage as far as—­(naming a small town), where he can have a horse and guide to Edinburgh.  Put on a Lowland dress, Callum, and see you keep your tongue close, if you would not have me cut it out:  Mr. Waverley rides Dermid,’ Then turning to Edward, ’You will take leave of my sister?’

‘Surely—­that is, if Miss Mac-Ivor will honour me so far.’