Historical fiction; Jacobite Rebellion, 1745-1746 -- Fiction; Scotland -- History -- 18th century -- Fiction
This was the common phrase by which Edward was distinguished on the
estate of Waverley-Honour, and the sound now thrilled to his heart with
the thousand recollections which the well-known accents of his native
country had already contributed to awaken. 'Houghton!' he said, gazing
on the ghastly features which death was fast disfiguring, 'can this be
you?'
'I never thought to hear an English voice again,' said the wounded man;
'they left me to live or die here as I could, when they found I would
say nothing about the strength of the regiment. But, oh, squire! how
could you stay from us so long, and let us be tempted by that fiend of
the pit, Ruffin?--we should have followed you through flood and fire, to
be sure.'
'Ruffin! I assure you, Houghton, you have been vilely imposed upon.'
'I often thought so,' said Houghton, 'though they showed us your very
seal; and so Timms was shot, and I was reduced to the ranks.'
'Do not exhaust your strength in speaking,' said Edward; 'I will get you
a surgeon presently.'
He saw Mac-Ivor approaching, who was now returning from head-quarters,
where he had attended a council of war, and hastened to meet him. 'Brave
news!' shouted the Chief; 'we shall be at it in less than two hours. The
Prince has put himself at the head of the advance, and as he drew his
sword, called out, "My friends, I have thrown away the scabbard." Come,
Waverley, we move instantly.'
'A moment,--a moment; this poor prisoner is dying where shall I find a
surgeon?'
'Why, where should you? We have none, you know, but two or three French
fellows, who, I believe, are little better than GARCONS APOTHICAIRES.'
'But the man will bleed to death.'
'Poor fellow!' said Fergus, in a momentary fit of compassion; then
instantly added, 'But it will be a thousand men's fate before night; so
come along.'
'I cannot; I tell you he is a son of a tenant of my uncle's.'
'Oh, if he's a follower of yours, he must be looked to;
'I'll send Callum to you. But DIAOUL!-CAEDE MILLIA MOLLIGHEART!'
continued the impatient Chieftain,--'what made an old soldier, like
Bradwardine, send dying men here to cumber us?'
Callum came with his usual alertness; and, indeed, Waverley rather
gained than lost in the opinion of the Highlanders, by his anxiety about
the wounded man. They would not have understood the general philanthropy
which rendered it almost impossible for Waverley to have passed any
person in such distress; but, as apprehending that the sufferer was one
of his following, [SCOTTICE for followers.] they unanimously allowed
that Waverley's conduct was that of a kind and considerate chieftain,
who merited the attachment of his people. In about a quarter of an
hour poor Humphry breathed his last, praying his young master, when
he returned to Waverley-Honour, to be kind to old Job Houghton and
his dame, and conjuring him not to fight with these wild petticoat-men
against old England.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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