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tuntur; that is, calige are denominated from the ligatures, where with they are bound; whereas socci, which may be analogous to our slippers, are only slipped upon the feet. The words of the charter are also alternative, exuere seu detrahere, that is, to undo, as in the case of sandals or brogues; and to pull off, as we say vernacularly, concerning boots. Yet I would we had more light; but I fear there is little chance of finding hereabout any erudite author de re vestiaria.»

"I should doubt it very much,» said the Chieftain, looking around on the straggling Highlanders,, who were returning loaded with spoils of the slain, though the res vestiaria itself seems to be in some request at present. >>

This remark coming within the Baron's idea of jocularity, he honoured it with a smile, but immediately resumed what to him appeared very serious business.

« Baillie Macwheeble indeed holds an opinion, that this honorary service is due, from its very nature, si petatur tantum; only if his Royal Highness shall require of the great tenant of the crown to perform that personal duty and indeed he pointed out the case in Dirleton's Doubts and Queries, Grippit versus Spicer, anent the eviction of an estate ob non solutum canonem, that is, for not payment of feu-duty of three pepper-corns a-year, whilk were taxt to be worth seven-eighths of a penny

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Scots, in whilk the defender was assoilzid. But I deem it safest, wi' your good favour, to place myself in the way of rendering the Prince this service, and to proffer performance thereof; and I shall cause the baillie to attend with a schedule of a protest, whilk he has here prepared (taking out a paper), intimating, that if his Royal Highness shall accept of other assistance at pulling off his calige (whether the same shall be rendered boots or brogues), save that of the said Baron of Brad wardine, who is in presence ready and willing to perform the same, it shall in no wise impinge or prejudice the right of the said Cosmo Comyne Bradwardine to perform the said service in future; nor shall it give any esquire, valet of the chamber, squire, or page, whose assistance it may please his Royal Highness to employ, any right, title, or ground, for evicting from the said Cosmo Comyne Bradwardine the estate and barony of Bradwardine, and others held as aforesaid, by the due and faithful performance thereof.>>

Fergus highly applauded this arrangement; and the Baron took a friendly leave of them, with a smile of contented importance upon his visage.

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Long live our dear friend, the Baron," exclaimed the Chief, as soon as he was out of hearing, «for the most absurd original that exists north of Tweed! I wish to heaven I had recommended him to attend the circle this

evening with a boot-ketch under his arm. I think he might have adopted the suggestion, if it had been made with suitable gravity.»

« And how can you take pleasure in making a man of his worth so ridiculous?»>

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Begging pardon, my dear Waverley, you are as ridiculous as he. Why, do you not see that the man's whole mind is wrapped up in this ceremony? He has heard and thought of it since infancy, as the most august privilege and ceremony in the world; and I doubt not but the expected pleasure of performing it was a principal motive with him for taking up arms. Depend upon it, had I endeavoured to divert him from exposing himself, he would have treated me as an ignorant, conceited coxcomb, or perhaps might have taken a fancy to cut my throat; a pleasure which he once proposed to himself upon some point of etiquette, not half so important, in his eyes, as this matter of boots or brogues, or whatever the calige shall finally be pronounced by the learned. But I must go to head-quarters, to prepare the Prince for this extraordinary scene. My information will be well taken, for it will give him a hearty laugh at present, and put him on his guard against laughing, when it might be very mal-à-propos. So, au revoir, my dear Waverley.»

CHAPTER II.

The English Prisoner.

THE first occupation of Waverley, after he departed from the Chieftain, was in quest of the officer whose life he had saved. He was guarded, along with his companions in misfortune, who were very numerous, in a gentleman's house near the field of battle.

Upon entering the room, where they stood crowded together, Waverley easily recognised the object of his visit, not only by the peculiar dignity of his appearance, but by the appendage of Dugald Mahony, with his battle-axe, who had stuck to him from the moment of his captivity, as if he had been skewered to his side. This close attendance was, perhaps, for the purpose of securing his promised reward from Edward, but it also operated to save the English gentleman from being plundered in the scene of general confusion; for Dugald sagaciously argued, that the amount of the salvage

which he might be allowed, would be regulated by the state of the prisoner, when he should deliver him over to Waverley. He hastened to assure Waverley, that he had « keepit ta sidier roy haill, and that he was na a plack the waur since the fery moment when his honour forbad her to gie him a bit clamhewit wi' her Lochaber-axe.>>

Waverley assured Dugald of a liberal recompense, and, approaching the English officer, expressed his anxiety to do any thing which might contribute to his convenience under his present unpleasant circumstances.

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<< I am not so inexperienced a soldier, Sir,» answered the Englishman, « as to complain of the fortune of war. I am only grieved to see those scenes acted in our own island, which I have often witnessed elsewhere with comparative indifference.>>

« Another such day as this," said Waverley, « and I trust the cause of your regrets will be removed, and all will again return to peace and order."

The officer smiled, and shook his head. « I must not forget my situation so far as to attempt a formal confutation of that opinion; but, notwithstanding your success, and the valour which won it, you have undertaken a task to which your strength appears wholly inadequate.>>

At this moment Fergus pushed into the press.

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