Waverley; Or, 'Tis Sixty Years Since Read online

  CHAPTER XXIX

  WAVERLEY'S RECEPTION IN THE LOWLANDS AFTER HIS HIGHLAND TOUR

  It was noon when the two friends stood at the top of the pass ofBally-Brough. 'I must go no farther,' said Fergus Mac-Ivor, who duringthe journey had in vain endeavoured to raise his friend's spirits, 'Ifmy cross-grained sister has any share in your dejection, trust me shethinks highly of you, though her present anxiety about the public causeprevents her listening to any other subject. Confide your interest tome; I will not betray it, providing you do not again assume that vilecockade.'

  'No fear of that, considering the manner in which it has been recalled.Adieu, Fergus; do not permit your sister to forget me.'

  'And adieu, Waverley; you may soon hear of her with a prouder title. Gethome, write letters, and make friends as many and as fast as you can;there will speedily be unexpected guests on the coast of Suffolk, or mynews from France has deceived me.' [The sanguine Jacobites, during theeventful years 1745-6, kept up the spirits of their party by the rumourof descents from France on behalf of the Chevalier St. George.]

  Thus parted the friends; Fergus returning back to his castle, whileEdward, followed by Callum Beg, the latter transformed from point topoint into a Low-country groom, proceeded to the little town of--.

  Edward paced on under the painful and yet not altogether embitteredfeelings which separation and uncertainty produce in the mind of ayouthful lover. I am not sure if the ladies understand the full value ofthe influence of absence, nor do I think it wise to teach it them, lest,like the Clelias and Mandanes of yore, they should resume the humour ofsending their lovers into banishment. Distance, in truth, produces inidea the same effect as in real prospective. Objects are softened, androunded, and rendered doubly graceful; the harsher and more ordinarypoints of character are mellowed down, and those by which it isremembered are the more striking outlines that mark sublimity, grace,or beauty. There are mists, too, in the mental, as well as the naturalhorizon, to conceal what is less pleasing in distant objects, and thereare happy lights, to stream in full glory upon those points which canprofit by brilliant illumination.

  Waverley forgot Flora Mac-Ivor's prejudices in her magnanimity,and almost pardoned her indifference towards his affection, when herecollected the grand and decisive object which seemed to fill her wholesoul. She, whose sense of duty so wholly engrossed her in the cause ofa benefactor,--what would be her feelings in favour of the happyindividual who should be so fortunate as to awaken them? Then came thedoubtful question, whether he might not be that happy man,--a questionwhich fancy endeavoured to answer in the affirmative, by conjuring upall she had said in his praise, with the addition of a comment much moreflattering than the text warranted. All that was commonplace--all thatbelonged to the everyday world--was melted away and obliterated in thosedreams of imagination, which only remembered with advantage the pointsof grace and dignity that distinguished Flora, from the generality ofher sex, not the particulars which she held in common with them,Edward was, in short, in the fair way of creating a goddess out of ahigh-spirited, accomplished, and beautiful young woman; and the time waswasted in castle-building, until, at the descent of a steep hill, he sawbeneath him the market-town of--.

  The Highland politeness of Callum Beg--there are few nations, by theway, who can boast of so much natural politeness as the Highlanders[The Highlander, in former times, had always a high idea, of his owngentility, and was anxious to impress the same upon those with whomhe conversed. His language abounded in the phrases of courtesy andcompliment; and the habit of carrying arms, and mixing with thosewho did so, made if particularly desirable they should use cautiouspoliteness in their intercourse with each other.]--the Highland civilityof his attendant had not permitted him to disturb the reveries of ourhero. But observing him rouse himself at the sight of the village,Callum pressed closer to his side, and hoped 'When they cam to thepublic, his honour wad not say nothing about Vich Ian Vohr, for tapeople were bitter Whigs, deil burst tem.'

  Waverley assured the prudent page that he would be cautious; and as henow distinguished, not indeed the ringing of bells, but the tinklingof something like a hammer against the side of an old messy, green,inverted porridge-pot, that hung in an open booth, of the size andshape of a parrot's cage, erected to grace the east end of a buildingresembling an old barn, he asked Callum Beg if it were Sunday.

  'Could na say just preceesely--Sunday seldom cam aboon the pass ofBally-Brough.'

  On entering the town, however, and advancing towards the most apparentpublic house which presented itself, the numbers of old women, in tartanscreens and red cloaks, who streamed from the barn-resembling building,debating, as they went, the comparative merits of the blessed youthJabesh Rentowel, and that chosen vessel Maister Goukthrapple, inducedCallum to assure his temporary master, 'that it was either ta muckleSunday hersell, or ta little government Sunday that they ca'd ta fast.'

  On alighting at the sign of the Seven-branched Golden Candlestick,which, for the further delectation of the guests, was graced witha short Hebrew motto, they were received by mine host, a tall, thinpuritanical figure, who seemed to debate with himself whether he oughtto give shelter to those who travelled on such a day. Reflecting,however, in all probability, that he possessed the power of mulctingthem for this irregularity, a penalty which they might escape by passinginto Gregor Duncanson's, at the sign of the Highlander and the HawickGill, Mr. Ebenezer Cruickshanks condescended to admit them into hisdwelling.

  To this sanctified person Waverley addressed his request that he wouldprocure him a guide, with a saddle-horse, to carry his portmanteau toEdinburgh.

  'And whar 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 furtherinformation necessary either for the guide or his saddle-horse.'

  'Hem! Ahem!' returned he of the Candlestick, somewhat disconcerted atthis rebuff. 'It's the general fast, sir, and I cannot enter into onycarnal transactions on sic a day, when the people should be humbled,and the back sliders should return, as worthy Mr. Goukthrapple said; andmoreover when, as the precious Mr. Jabesh Rentowel did weel observe, theland was mourning for covenants burnt, broken, and buried.'

  'My good friend,' said Waverley, 'if you cannot let me have a horse andguide, my servant shall seek them elsewhere.'

  'Aweel! Your servant?--and what for gangs he not forward wi' youhimsell?'

  Waverley had but very little of a captain of horse's spirit withinhim--I mean of that sort of spirit which I have been obliged to when Ihappened, in a mail-coach, or diligence, to meet some military manwho has kindly taken upon him the disciplining of the waiters, and thetaxing of reckonings. Some of this useful talent our hero had, however,acquired during his military service, and on this gross provocationit began seriously to arise. 'Look ye, sir; I came here for my ownaccommodation, and not to answer impertinent questions. Either say youcan, or cannot, get me what I want; I shall pursue my course in eithercase.'

  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 ordersfor dinner, but declined to make answer on the subject of the horse andguide; for the Salique law, it seems, extended to the stables of theGolden Candlestick.

  From a window which overlooked the dark and narrow court in which CallumBeg rubbed down the horses after their journey, Waverley heard thefollowing dialogue betwixt the subtle foot-page of Vich Ian Vohr and hislandlord:--

  '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 the day, it may weel be?'

  'Sae lang, that I could weel tak a dram,'

  'Gudewife, bring the gill stoup.'

  Here some compliments passed, fitting the occasion, when my host of theGolden Candlestick, having, as he thought, opened his guest's heart bythis hospitable propitiation, r
esumed his scrutiny.

  'Ye'll no hae mickle better whisky than that aboon the Pass?'

  'I am nae frae aboon the Pass.'

  'Ye're a Highlandman by your tongue?'

  'Na; I am but just Aberdeen-a-way.'

  'And did your master come frae Aberdeen wi' you?'

  'Aye--that's when I left it mysell,' answered the cool and impenetrableCallum Beg.

  'And what kind of a gentleman is he?'

  'I believe he is ane o' King George's state officers; at least he'saye for ganging on to the south; and he has a hantle siller, and nevergrudges ony thing till a poor body, or in the way of a lawing.'

  'He wants a guide and a horse frae hence to Edinburgh?'

  'Aye, and ye maun find it him forthwith.'

  'Ahem! It will be chargeable.'

  'He cares na for that a bodle.'

  'Aweel, Duncan--did ye say your name was Duncan, or Donald?'

  'Na, man--Jamie--Jamie Steenson--I telt ye before.'

  This last undaunted parry altogether foiled Mr. Cruickshanks, who,though not quite satisfied either with the reserve of the master, orthe extreme readiness of the man, was contented to lay a tax on thereckoning and horse-hire, that might compound for his ungratifiedcuriosity. The circumstance of its being the fast-day was not forgottenin the charge, which, on the whole, did not, however, amount to muchmore than double what in fairness it should have been.

  Callum Beg soon after announced in person the ratification of thistreaty, adding, 'Ta auld deevil was ganging to ride wi' ta Duinhe-wasselhersell.'

  'That will not be very pleasant, Callum, nor altogether safe, for ourhost seems a person of great curiosity; but a traveller must submit tothese inconveniences. Meanwhile, my good lad, here is a trifle for youto drink Vich Ian Vohr's health.'

  The hawk's eye of Callum flashed delight upon a golden guinea, withwhich these last words were accompanied. He hastened, not without acurse on the intricacies of a Saxon breeches pocket, or SPLEUCHAN, ashe called it, to deposit the treasure in his fob; and then, as if heconceived the benevolence called for some requital on his part,he gathered close up to Edward, with an expression of countenancepeculiarly knowing, and spoke in an undertone, 'If his honour thought taauld deevil Whig carle was a bit dangerous, she could easily provide forhim, and tell ane ta wiser.'

  'How, and in what manner?'

  'Her ain sell,' replied Callum, 'could wait for him a wee bit frae thetoun, and kittle his quarters wi' her SKENE-OCCLE.'

  'Skene-occle! what's that?'

  Callum unbuttoned his coat, raised his left arm, and, with an emphaticnod, pointed to the hilt of a small dirk, snugly deposited under it,in the lining of his jacket. Waverley thought he had misunderstood hismeaning; he gazed in his face, and discovered in Callum's very handsome,though embrowned features, just the degree of roguish malice with whicha lad of the same age in England would have brought forward a plan forrobbing an orchard.

  'Good God, Callum, would you take the man's life?'

  'Indeed,' answered the young desperado, 'and I think he has had just alang enough lease o't, when he's for betraying honest folk, that come tospend siller at his public.'

  Edward saw nothing was to be gained by argument, and therefore contentedhimself with enjoining Callum to lay aside all practices against theperson of Mr. Ebenezer Cruickshanks; in which injunction the page seemedto acquiesce with an air of great indifference.

  'Ta Duinhe-wassel might please himsell; ta auld rudas loon had neverdone Callum nae ill. But here's a bit line frae ta Tighearna, tat hebade me gie your honour ere I came back.'

  The letter from the Chief contained Flora's lines on the fate of CaptainWogan, whose enterprising character is so well drawn by Clarendon. Hehad originally engaged in the service of the Parliament, but had abjuredthat party upon the execution of Charles I; and upon hearing that theroyal standard was set up by the Earl of Glencairn and General Middletonin the Highlands of Scotland, took leave of Charles II, who was thenat Paris, passed into England, assembled a body of cavaliers in theneighbourhood of London, and traversed the kingdom, which had been solong under domination of the usurper, by marches conducted with suchskill, dexterity, and spirit, that he safely united his handful ofhorsemen with the body of Highlanders then in arms. After several monthsof desultory warfare, in which Wogan's skill and courage gained him thehighest reputation, he had the misfortune to be wounded in a dangerousmanner, and no surgical assistance being within reach, he terminated hisshort but glorious career.

  Where were obvious reasons why the politic Chieftain was desirous toplace the example of this young hero under the eye of Waverley, withwhose romantic disposition it coincided so peculiarly. But his letterturned chiefly upon some trifling commissions which Waverley hadpromised to execute for him in England, and it was only toward theconclusion that Edward found these words: 'I owe Flora a grudge forrefusing us her company yesterday; and as I am giving you the troubleof reading these lines, in order to keep in your memory your promise toprocure me the fishing-tackle and cross-bow from London, I will encloseher verses on the Grave of Wogan. This I know will tease her; for, totell you the truth, I think her more in love with the memory of thatdead hero, than she is likely to be with any living one, unless heshall tread a similar path. But English squires of our day keep theiroak-trees to shelter their deer-parks, or repair the losses of anevening at White's, and neither invoke them to wreathe their brows norshelter their graves. Let me hope for one brilliant exception in a dearfriend, to whom I would most gladly give a dearer title.'

  The verses were inscribed,

  TO AN OAK TREE

  IN THE CHURCHYARD OF--, IN THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND, SAID TO MARK THEGRAVE OF CAPTAIN WOGAN, KILLED IN 1649.

  Emblem of England's ancient faith, Full proudly may thy branches wave, Where loyalty lies low in death, And valour fills a timeless grave.

  And thou, brave tenant of the tomb! Repine not if our clime deny, Above thine honoured sod to bloom, The flowerets of a milder sky.

  These owe their birth to genial May; Beneath a fiercer sun they pine, Before the winter storm decay-- And can their worth be type of thine?

  No! for 'mid storms of Fate opposing, Still higher swelled thy dauntless heart, And, while Despair the scene was closing, Commenced thy brief but brilliant part.

  Twas then thou sought'st on Albyn's hill, (When England's sons the strife resigned), A rugged race, resisting still, And unsubdued though unrefined.

  Thy death's hour heard no kindred wail, No holy knell thy requiem rung; Thy mourners were the plaided Gael; Thy dirge the clamorous pibroch sung.

  Yet who, in Fortune's summer-shine, To waste life's longest term away, Would change that glorious dawn of thine, Though darkened ere its noontide day?

  Be thine the Tree whose dauntless boughs Brave summer's drought and winter's gloom! Rome bound with oak her patriots' brows, As Albyn shadows Wogan's tomb.

  Whatever might be the real merit of Flora Mac-Ivor's poetry,the enthusiasm which it intimated was well calculated to make acorresponding impression upon her lover. The lines were read--readagain--then deposited in Waverley's bosom--then again drawn out, andread line by line, in a low and smothered voice, and with frequentpauses which, prolonged the mental treat, as an epicure protracts, bysipping slowly the enjoyment of a delicious beverage. The entranceof Mrs. Cruickshanks, with the sublunary articles of dinner and wine,hardly interrupted this pantomime of affectionate enthusiasm.

  At length the tall, ungainly figure and ungracious visage of Ebenezerpresented themselves. The upper part of his form, notwithstanding theseason required no such defence, was shrouded in a large great-coat,belted over his under habiliments, and crested with a huge cowl ofthe same stuff, which, when drawn over the head and hat, completelyover-shadowed both, and being buttoned beneath the chin, was called aTROT-COZY. His hand grasped a huge jockey-whip, garnished with brassmou
nting. His thin legs tenanted a pair of gambadoes, fastened at thesides with rusty clasps. Thus accoutred, he stalked into the midst ofthe apartment, and announced his errand in brief phrase:--

  'Yerhorses are ready.'

  'You go with me yourself then, landlord?'

  'I do, as far as Perth; where you may be supplied With a guide toEmbro', as your occasions shall require.'

  Thus saying, he placed under Waverley's eye the bill which he held inhis hand; and at the same time, self-invited, filled a glass of wine,and drank devoutly to a blessing on their journey. Waverley staredat the man's impudence, but, as their connexion was to be short, andpromised to be convenient, he made no observation upon it; and, havingpaid his reckoning, expressed his intention to depart immediately.He mounted Dermid accordingly, and sallied forth from the GoldenCandlestick, followed by the puritanical figure we have described,after he had, at the expense of some time and difficulty, and by theassistance of a 'louping-on-stane,' or structure of masonry erected forthe traveller's convenience in front of the house, elevated his personto the back of a long-backed, raw-boned, thin-gutted phantom of abroken-down blood-horse, on which Waverley's portmanteau was deposited.Our hero, though not in a very gay humour, could hardly help laughingat the appearance of his new squire, and at imagining the astonishmentwhich his person and equipage would have excited at Waverley-Honour.

  Edward's tendency to mirth did not escape mine host of the Candlestick,who, conscious of the cause, infused a double portion of souring intothe pharisaical leaven of his countenance, and resolved internallythat in one way or other the young ENGLISHER should pay dearly for thecontempt with which he seemed to regard him. Callum also stood at thegate, and enjoyed, with undissembled glee, the ridiculous figure ofMr. Cruickshanks. As Waverley passed him, he pulled off his hatrespectfully, and approaching his stirrup, bade him 'Tak heed the auldWhig deevil played him nae cantrip.'

  Waverley once more thanked, and bade him farewell, and then rode brisklyonward, not sorry to be out of hearing of the shouts of the children,as they beheld old Ebenezer rise and sink in his stirrups, to avoidthe concussions occasioned by a hard trot upon a half-paved street. Thevillage of--was soon several miles behind him.