Imagens da página
PDF
ePub

that made the following lines resound under the window:

My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer;
A-chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe,
My heart's in the Highlands wherever I go..

Curious to know what could ha vedeter mined Mr Gellatly on an excursion of such unwonted extent, Edward began to dress himself in all haste, during which operation the minstrelsy of Davie changed its tune more than once,

There's nought in the Highlands but syboes and leeks,
And lang-leggit callans gaun wanting the breeks;
Wanting the breeks, and without hose and shoon,
But we'll a' win the breeks when King Jamie comes
hame.

By the time Waverley was dressed and had issued forth, David had associated himself with two or three of the numerous Highland loungers who always graced the gates of the castle with their presence, and was capering and dancing full merrily

in the doubles and full career of a Scotch foursome reel, to the music of his own whistling. In this double capacity of dancer and musician, he continued until an idle piper, who observed his zeal, obeyed the unanimous call of Seid suas, (i, e, blow up) and relieved him from the latter part of his trouble. Young and old then mingled in the dance as they could find partners. The appearance of Waverley did not interrupt David's exercise, though he contrived, by grinning, nodding, and throwing one or two inclinations of the -body into the graces with which he performed the Highland fling, to convey to our hero symptoms of recognition. Then, while busily employed in setting, whooping all the while and snapping his fingers over his head, he of a sudden prolonged his side-step until it brought him to the place where Edward was standing, and, still keeping time to the music like harlequin in a pantomime, he thrust a letter into our hero's hand, and continued his

saltation without pause or intermission. Edward, who perceived that the address was in Rose's hand-writing, retired to peruse it, leaving the faithful bearer to continue his exercise until the piper or he should be tired out.

The contents of the letter greatly surprised him. It had originally commenced with, Dear Sir; but these words had been carefully erased, and the monosyllable, Sir, substituted in their place. The rest of the contents shall be given in Rose's own language.

"I fear I am using an improper freedom by intruding upon you, yet I cannot trust to any one else to let you know some things which have happened here, with which it seems necessary you should be acquainted. Forgive me, if I am wrong in what I am doing; for, alas! Mr Waverley, I have no better advice than that of my own feelings;-my dear father is gone from this place, and when he can return to my assistance and protection, God

alone knows. : You have probably heard, that, in consequence of some troublesome news from the Highlands, warrants were sent out for apprehending several gentlemen in these parts, and among others, my dear father. In spite of all my tears and entreaties that he would surrender himself to the government, he joined with Mr Falconer and some other gentlemen, and they have all gone northwards, with a bo dy of about forty horsemen. So I am not so much anxious concerning his immediate safety, as about what may follow afterwards, for these troubles are only beginning. But all this is nothing to you, Mr Waverley, only I thought you would be glad to learn that my father had escaped, in case you happen to have heard that he was in danger.

،، But the day after my father went off, there came a party of soldiers to TullyVeolan, and behaved very rudely to Baillie Macwheeble; but the officer was very civil to me, only said his duty obliged him

to search for arms and papers. My father had provided against this by taking away all the arms except the old useless things. which hung in the hall, and he had put all his papers out of the way. But O! Mr Waverley, how shall I tell you that they made strict enquiry after you, and asked when you had been at Tully-Veolan, and where you now were. The officer is gone back with his party, but a non-commissioned officer and four men remain as a sort of garrison in the house. They have hitherto behaved very well, as we are forced to keep them in good humour. But these soldiers have hinted as if upon your falling into their hands you would be in great danger; I cannot prevail on myself to write what wicked falsehoods they said, for I am sure they are falsehoods; but you will best judge what you ought to do. The party that returned carried off your ser vant prisoner, with your two horses, and every thing that you left at Tully-Veolan.. Lhope God will protect you, and that you

« AnteriorContinuar »