Then, when news arrive of the approach of the rebels, he sets out in a sort of disguise, refusing to tell his name; and if yon old fanatic tell truth, attended by a very suspicious character, and mounted on a horse known to have belonged to Glennaquoich, and bearing on his person letters from his family expressing high rancour against the house of Brunswick, and a copy of verses in praise of one Wogan, who abjured the service of the Parliament to join the Highland insurgents, when in arms to restore the house of Stuart, with a body of English cavalry---the very counterpart of his own plot---and summed up with a `Go thou and do likewise,' from that loyal subject, and most safe and peaceable character, Fergus Mac-Ivor of Glennaquoich, Vich Ian Vohr, and so forth.And, lastly,''
continued Major Melville, warming in the detail of his arguments, ``where do we find this second edition of Cavalier Wogan? Why, truly, in the very track most proper for execution of his design, and pistoling the first of the king's subjects who ventures to question his intentions.''
Mr.Morton prudently abstained from argument, which he perceived would only harden the magistrate in his opinion, and merely asked how he intended to dispose of the prisoner?
``It is a question of some difficulty, considering the state of the country,'' said Major Melville.
``Could you not detain him (being such a gentleman-like young man) here in your own house, out of harm's way, till this storm blow over?''
``My good friend,'' said Major Melville, ``neither your house nor mine will be long out of harm's way, even were it legal to confine him here.I have just learned that the commander-in-chief, who marched into the Highlands to seek out and disperse the insurgents, has declined giving them battle at Corryerick, and marched on northward with all the disposable force of Government to Inverness, John-o'-Groat's House, or the devil, for what I know, leaving the road to the Low Country open and undefended to the Highland army.''
``Good God!'' said the clergyman.``Is the man a coward, a traitor, or an idiot?''
``None of the three, I believe,'' answered Melville.``Sir John has the common-place courage of a common soldier, is honest enough, does what he is commanded, and understands what is told him, but is as fit to act for himself in circumstances of importance, as I, my dear parson, to occupy your pulpit.''
This important public intelligence naturally diverted the discourse from Waverley for some time; at length, however, the subject was resumed.
``I believe,'' said Major Melville, ``that I must give this young man in charge to some of the detached parties of armed volunteers, who were lately sent out to overawe the disaffected districts.They are now recalled towards Stirling, and a small body comes this way to-morrow or next day, commanded by the westland man,---what's his name?---You saw him, and said he was the very model of one of Cromwell's military saints.''
``Gilfillan, the Cameronian,'' answered Mr.Morton.``I wish the young gentleman may be safe with him.Strange things are done in the heat and hurry of minds in so agitating a crisis, and I fear Gilfillan is of a sect which has suffered persecution without learning mercy.''
``He has only to lodge Mr.Waverley in Stirling Castle,'' said the Major: ``I will give strict injunctions to treat him well.
I really cannot devise any better mode for securing him, and Ifancy you would hardly advise me to encounter the responsibility of setting him at liberty.''
``But you will have no objection to my seeing him to-morrow in private?'' said the minister.
``None, certainly; your loyalty and character are my warrant.
But with what view do you make the request?''
``Simply,'' replied Mr.Morton, ``to make the experiment whether he may not be brought to communicate to me some circumstances which may hereafter be useful to alleviate, if not to exculpate his conduct.''
The friends now parted and retired to rest, each filled with the most anxious reflections on the state of the country.