After crossing this mountain, and descending upon the other side towards a thick wood, Evan Dhu held some conference with his Highland attendants, in consequence of which Edward's baggage was shifted from the shoulder of the gamekeeper to those of one of the gillies, and the former was sent off with the other mountaineer in a direction different from that of the three remaining travellers.On asking the meaning of this separation, Waverley was told that the Lowlander must go to a hamlet about three miles off for the night; for unless it was some very particular friend, Donald Bean Lean, the worthy person whom they supposed to be possessed of the cattle, did not much approve of strangers approaching his retreat.This seemed reasonable, and silenced a qualm of suspicion which came across Edward's mind, when he saw himself, at such a place, and such an hour, deprived of his only Lowland companion.And Evan immediately afterwards added, ``that indeed he himself had better get forward and announce their approach to Donald Bean Lean, as the arrival of a _sidier roy_<*> (red soldier) might otherwise * The _sidier roy_ were used to distinguish the regular regiments from * the independent companies raised to protect the peace of the Highlands.
* These last were called _sidier dhu,_ i.e., black soldier; and the 42d Regiment, * which was formed out of these independent companies, is still called the * Black Watch from the dark colour of the tartans.
be a disagreeable surprise.'' And without waiting for an answer, in jockey phrase, he trotted out, and putting himself to a very round pace, was out of sight in an instant.
Waverley was now left to his own meditations, for his attendant with the battle-axe spoke very little English.They were traversing a thick, and, as it seemed, an endless wood of pines, and consequently the path was altogether indiscernible in the murky darkness which surrounded them.The Highlander, however, seemed to trace it by instinct, without the hesitation of a moment, and Edward followed his footsteps as close as he could.
After journeying a considerable time in silence, he could not help asking, ``Was it far to the end of their journey?''
``Ta cove was tree, four mile; but as Duinh<e'>-wassel was a wee taiglit, Donald could, tat is, might---would---should send ta curragh.''
This conveyed no information.The _curragh_ which was promised might be a man, a horse, a cart, or chaise; and no more could be got from the man with the battle-axe, but a repetition of ``Aich ay! ta curragh.''
But in a short time Edward began to conceive his meaning, when, issuing from the wood, he found himself on the banks of a large river or lake, where his conductor gave him to understand they must sit down for a little while.The moon, which now began to rise, showed obscurely the expanse of water which spread before them, and the shapeless and indistinct forms of mountains with which it seemed to be surrounded.The cool and yet mild air of the summer night refreshed Waverley after his rapid and toilsome walk; and the perfume which it wafted from the birch trees,<*> bathed in the evening dew, was exquisitely * It is not the weeping birch, the most common species in the Highlands, * but the woolly-leaved Lowland birch, that is distinguished by this * fragrance.
fragrant.
He had now time to give himself up to the full romance of his situation.Here he sate on the banks of an unknown lake, under the guidance of a wild native, whose language was unknown to him, on a visit to the den of some renowned outlaw, a second Robin Hood perhaps, or Adam o' Gordon, and that at deep midnight, through scenes of difficulty and toil, separated from his attendant, left by his guide.---What a variety of incidents for the exercise of a romantic imagination, and all enhanced by the solemn feeling of uncertainty, at least, if not of danger? The only circumstance which assorted ill with the rest, was the cause of his journey---the Baron's milk-cows!
This degrading incident he kept in the back-ground.
While wrapt in these dreams of imagination, his companion gently touched him, and pointing in a direction nearly straight across the lake, said ``Yon's ta cove.'' A small point of light was seen to twinkle in the direction in which he pointed, and gradually increasing in size and lustre, seemed to flicker like a meteor upon the verge of the horizon.While Edward watched this phenomenon, the distant dash of oars was heard.The measured sound approached near and more near, and presently a loud whistle was heard in the same direction.His friend with the battle-axe immediately whistled clear and shrill, in reply to the signal, and a boat, manned with four or five Highlanders, pushed for a little inlet, near which Edward was sitting.
He advanced to meet them with his attendant, was immediately assisted into the boat by the officious attention of two stout mountaineers, and had no sooner seated himself, than they resumed their oars, and began to row across the lake with great rapidity.