Lic-house which presented itself, the num bers of old women, in tartan screens and red cloaks, who streamed from the barnresembling building, debating as they went the comparative merits of the blessed youth Jabesh Rentowel, and that chosen vessel Maister Goukthrapple, induced Callum to assure his temporary master," that it was either ta mickle Sunday hersell, or ta little government Sunday that they ca'd ta fast."

Upon alighting at the sign of the Sevenbranched Golden Candlestick, which, for the further delectation of the guests, was graced with a short Hebrew motto, they were received by mine host, a tall thin puritanical figure, who seemed to debate with himself whether he ought to give shelter to those who travelled on such a day. Refleeting, however, in all probability, that he possessed the power of mulcting them for this irregularity, a penalty which they might escape by passing into Gregor Duncanson's, at the sign of the Highlander

and the Hawick Gill, Mr Ebenezer Cruickshanks condescended to admit them into

carry

To this sanctified person Waverley addressed his request, that he would procure him a guide, with a saddle-horse to his portmanteau to Edinburgh.ot "And whare may ye be coming from?" demanded mine host of the Candlestick. "I have told you, where I wish to go: I do not conceive any further information necessary either for the guide or his saddle-horse."

"Hem! Ahem!" returned he of the Candlestick, somewhat disconcerted at this rebuff. "It's the general fast, sir, and I cannot enter into ony carnal transactions on sick a day, when the people should be humbled, and the backsliders should return, as worthy Mr. Goukthrapple said; and moreover when, as the precious Mr Jabesh Rentowel did well observe, the land was mourning for covenants burnt, broken, and buried,'

My good friend, if you cannot let me have a horse and a guide, my servant shall

seek them elsewhere."

- A weel! Your servant? and what for gangs he not forward with you himsell? 9620 y

off

2

Waverley had but very little of a captain of horse's spirit within him-I mean that sort of spirit which I have been obliged to, when I happened, in a mailcoach or diligence, to meet some milita ry man who has kindly taken upon him the disciplining of the waiters, and the taxing of reckonings. of reckonings. Some of this useful talent our hero had, however, acquired during his military service, and on this Tuto gross provocation it began seriously to arise. "Look ye, sir, I came here for my own accommodation, and not to answer impertinent questions. Either say you can, or cannot, get me what I want; I shall pursue my course in either case."

Mr Ebenezer Cruickshanks left the room with some indistinct muttering, but

whether negative or acquiescent, Edward could not well distinguish. The hostess, a civil, quiet, laborious drudge, came to take his orders for dinner, but declined to make answer upon the subject of the horse and guide, for the Salique law, it seems, extended to the stables of the Golden Candlestick.

From a window which overlooked the dark and narrow court in which Callum Beg dressed the horses after their journey, Waverley heard the following dialogue betwixt the subtle foot-page of Vich Ian Vohr and his landlord.

"Ye'll be frae the north, young man ?? began the latter.

"And ye may say that," answered Callum.

"And ye'll hae ridden a lang way today, it may weel be?”

"Sae lang that I could weel tak a dram."

"Gudewife, bring the gill stoup."

1 Here some compliments passed fitting

the occasion, when my host of the Golden Candlestick, having, as he thought, opened his guest's heart by this hospitable propitiation, resumed his scrutiny.

"Ye'll no hae mickle better whisky than that aboon the pass?".

A

"I am nae from aboon the pass." "Ye're a Highlandman by your tongue?" "Na, I am but just Aberdeen-a-way. "And did your master come from Aberdeen wi' you?"

"Ay-that's when I left it mysel," answered the cool and impenetrable Callum Beg.d

"And what kind of a gentleman is he?" "I believe he is ane o' King George's state officers; at least he's aye for ganging on to the south, and he has a hantle silver, and never grudges ony thing till a poor body, or in the way of lawing."

17

"He wants a guide and a horse from hence to Edinburgh?"

"Ay, and ye maun find it him forthwith." "Ahem! It will be chargeable."