Thave confessed to-day, ere you were awake," whispered Fergus to Waverley,

"

yet I am not so strict a catholic as to fefuse to join in this good man's prayers.” Edward assented, and they remained till the Baron had concluded the service. 992

As he shut the book, "Now, lads," said he," have at them in the morning with heavy hands and light consciences." He then kindly greeted Mac Ivor and Waverley, who requested to know his opinion of their situation. "Why, you know Tacitus saith, 'In rebus bellicis maxime dominas tur Fortuna,' which is equiponderate with our vernacular adage, Luck can maist in the mellee.' But credit me, gentlemen, you man is not a deacon of his craft. He damps the spirits of the poor lads he commands, by keeping them on the defensive, whilk of itself implies inferiority or fear. Now will they lie on their arms yonder, as an xious and ill at ease as a toad under a harrow, while our men will be quite fresh and blithe for action in the morning.

Well, good night One thing troubles me, but if to-morrow goes well off, I will consult you about it, Glennaquoich.” ̈1 qu

1200

"I could almost apply to Mr Bradwardine the character which Henry gives of Fluellen," said Waverley, as his friend and yol yadı he walked towards their bivouac grian Jam-teç 15 Tui „21632 anw bɔldarnt 0.590 sdt moit

Though it appears a little out of fashion,

There is much care and valour in this Scotchman."

yol yana set9vhe 908 9150W dulq İsy-i 9d.

He has seen much service," answered

>

Fergus," and one is sometimes astonished

to find how much nonsense and reason 903 je dopib J6919 war bed bas

is mingled in his composition. I wonder what can be troubling his mind-probably something about Rose.Hark! the Eng

lish are setting their watch." ng their watch."39 of 691894

The roll of the drums and shrill accompaniment of the fifes swelled up the hilldied away resumed its thunder and was at length hushed. The trumpets and kettle drums of the cavalry were next heard to perform the beautiful and wild point of

war appropriated as signal for that piece of nocturnal duty, and then finally sunk upon the wind with a shrill and n

mournful

The friends, who had now reached their to evig post, stood and looked round them ere they lay down to rest. The western sky twinkled with stars, but a frost-mist rising from the ocean, covered the eastern horizon, and rolled in white wreaths along the level plain where the adverse army lay couched upon their arms. Their advanced posts were pushed as far as the side of the great ditch at the bottom of the descent, and had kindled large fires at different iner

brow

tervals, gleaming with obscure and hazy, lustre through the heavy fog which saps? peared to encircle them with a doubtful halo.

mojoa thude has emurbad to or I The Highlanders," thick as leaves in Valambrosa," lay stretched upon the ridge of the hill, buried (excepting their sentinels) in the most profound repose.How many of these brave fellows will sleep

more soundly before to-morrow night, Fergus !"

"You must not think of that. You must only think of your sword, and by whom it was given. All other reflections are now TOO LATE.”

1

With the opiate contained in this undeniable remark, Edward endeavoured to lull the tumult of his conflicting feelings. The Chieftain and he combining their plaids, made a comfortable and warm couch. Callum, sitting down at their head (for it was his duty to watch upon the immediate person of the Chief,) began a long mourns ful song in Gaelic, to a low and uniform tune, which, like the sound of the wind at a distance, soon lulled them to sleep, wor 40: wit baderst

2

CHAPTER XXIV.

The Conflict.

WHEN they had slept for a few hours, they were awakened, and summoned to attend the Prince. The distant village clock was heard to toll three as they hastened to the place where he lay. He was already surrounded by his principal officers and the chiefs of clans. A bundle of

peasestraw, which had been lately his couch, now served for his seat. Just as Fergus reached the circle, the consultation had broken up. "Courage, my brave friends!" said the Chevalier, and each one put himself instantly at the head of his command; a faithful friend has offered to guide us by a practicable, though narrow and circuitous route, which, sweeping to our