Historical fiction; Jacobite Rebellion, 1745-1746 -- Fiction; Scotland -- History -- 18th century -- Fiction
“Eleven from haunch to heel, seven round the waist. I give your honour
leave to hang Shemus, if there’s a pair of sheers in the Highlands that
has a baulder sneck than her’s ain at the _cumadh an truais_” (shape of
the trews).
“Get a plaid of Mac-Ivor tartan and sash,” continued the Chieftain,
“and a blue bonnet of the Prince’s pattern, at Mr. Mouat’s in the
Crames. My short green coat, with silver lace and silver buttons, will
fit him exactly, and I have never worn it. Tell Ensign Maccombich to
pick out a handsome target from among mine. The Prince has given Mr.
Waverley broadsword and pistols, I will furnish him with a dirk and
purse; add but a pair of low-heeled shoes, and then, my dear Edward
(turning to him), you will be a complete son of Ivor.”
These necessary directions given, the Chieftain resumed the subject of
Waverley’s adventures. “It is plain,” he said, “that you have been in
the custody of Donald Bean Lean. You must know that, when I marched
away my clan to join the Prince, I laid my injunctions on that worthy
member of society to perform a certain piece of service, which done, he
was to join me with all the force he could muster. But, instead of
doing so, the gentleman, finding the coast clear, thought it better to
make war on his own account, and has scoured the country, plundering, I
believe, both friend and foe, under pretence of levying blackmail,
sometimes as if by my authority, and sometimes (and be cursed to his
consummate impudence) in his own great name! Upon my honour, if I live
to see the cairn of Benmore again, I shall be tempted to hang that
fellow! I recognise his hand particularly in the mode of your rescue
from that canting rascal Gilfillan, and I have little doubt that Donald
himself played the part of the pedlar on that occasion; but how he
should not have plundered you, or put you to ransom, or availed himself
in some way or other of your captivity for his own advantage, passes my
judgment.”
“When and how did you hear the intelligence of my confinement?” asked
Waverley.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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