Waverley; Or 'Tis Sixty Years Since — Complete

by Walter Scott

  CHAPTER XXVIII

  A LETTER FROM TULLY-VEOLAN

  In the morning, when Waverley's troubled reflections had for some timegiven way to repose, there came music to his dreams, but not the voiceof Selma. He imagined himself transported back to Tully-Veolan, andthat he heard Davie Gellatley singing in the court those matins whichused generally to be the first sounds that disturbed his repose while aguest of the Baron of Bradwardine. The notes which suggested thisvision continued, and waxed louder, until Edward awoke in earnest. Theillusion, however, did not seem entirely dispelled. The apartment wasin the fortress of lan nan Chaistel, but it was still the voice ofDavie Gellatley that made the following lines resound under thewindow:--

  My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here, My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer; A-chasing the wild deer, and following the roe, My heart's in the Highlands wherever I go.

  [Footnote: These lines form the burden of an old song to which Burnswrote additional verses.]

  Curious to know what could have determined Mr. Gellatley on anexcursion of such unwonted extent, Edward began to dress himself in allhaste, during which operation the minstrelsy of Davie changed its tunemore than once:--

  There's nought in the Highlands but syboes and leeks, And lang-leggit callants gaun wanting the breeks, Wanting the breeks, and without hose and shoon, But we'll a'win the breeks when King Jamie comes hame.

  [Footnote: These lines are also ancient, and I believe to the tune ofWe'll never hae peace till Jamie comes hame, to which Burns likewisewrote some verses.]

  By the time Waverley was dressed and had issued forth, David hadassociated himself with two or three of the numerous Highland loungerswho always graced the gates of the castle with their presence, and wascapering and dancing full merrily in the doubles and full career of aScotch foursome reel, to the music of his own whistling. In this doublecapacity of dancer and musician he continued, until an idle piper, whoobserved his zeal, obeyed the unanimous call of seid suas (i.e. blowup), and relieved him from the latter part of his trouble. Young andold then mingled in the dance as they could find partners. Theappearance of Waverley did not interrupt David's exercise, though hecontrived, by grinning, nodding, and throwing one or two inclinationsof the body into the graces with which he performed the Highland fling,to convey to our hero symptoms of recognition. Then, while busilyemployed in setting, whooping all the while, and snapping his fingersover his head, he of a sudden prolonged his side-step until it broughthim to the place where Edward was standing, and, still keeping time tothe music like Harlequin in a pantomime, he thrust a letter into ourhero's hand, and continued his saltation without pause or intermission.Edward, who perceived that the address was in Rose's hand-writing,retired to peruse it, leaving the faithful bearer to continue hisexercise until the piper or he should be tired out.

  The contents of the letter greatly surprised him. It had originallycommenced with 'Dear Sir'; but these words had been carefully erased,and the monosyllable 'Sir' substituted in their place. The rest of thecontents shall be given in Rose's own language.

  I fear I am using an improper freedom by intruding upon you, yet Icannot trust to any one else to let you know some things which havehappened here, with which it seems necessary you should be acquainted.Forgive me, if I am wrong in what I am doing; for, alas! Mr. Waverley,I have no better advice than that of my own feelings; my dear father isgone from this place, and when he can return to my assistance andprotection, God alone knows. You have probably heard that, inconsequence of some troublesome news from the Highlands, warrants weresent out for apprehending several gentlemen in these parts, and, amongothers, my dear father. In spite of all my tears and entreaties that hewould surrender himself to the government, he joined with Mr. Falconerand some other gentlemen, and they have all gone northwards, with abody of about forty horsemen. So I am not so anxious concerning hisimmediate safety as about what may follow afterwards, for thesetroubles are only beginning. But all this is nothing to you, Mr.Waverley, only I thought you would be glad to learn that my father hasescaped, in case you happen to have heard that he was in danger.

  The day after my father went off there came a party of soldiers toTully-Veolan, and behaved very rudely to Bailie Macwheeble; but theofficer was very civil to me, only said his duty obliged him to searchfor arms and papers. My father had provided against this by taking awayall the arms except the old useless things which hung in the hall, andhe had put all his papers out of the way. But O! Mr. Waverley, howshall I tell you, that they made strict inquiry after you, and askedwhen you had been at Tully-Veolan, and where you now were. The officeris gone back with his party, but a non-commissioned officer and fourmen remain as a sort of garrison in the house. They have hithertobehaved very well, as we are forced to keep them in good-humour. Butthese soldiers have hinted as if, on your falling into their hands, youwould be in great danger; I cannot prevail on myself to write whatwicked falsehoods they said, for I am sure they are falsehoods; but youwill best judge what you ought to do. The party that returned carriedoff your servant prisoner, with your two horses, and everything thatyou left at Tully-Veolan. I hope God will protect you, and that youwill get safe home to England, where you used to tell me there was nomilitary violence nor fighting among clans permitted, but everythingwas done according to an equal law that protected all who were harmlessand innocent. I hope you will exert your indulgence as to my boldnessin writing to you, where it seems to me, though perhaps erroneously,that your safety and honour are concerned. I am sure--at least I think,my father would approve of my writing; for Mr. Rubrick is fled to hiscousin's at the Duchran, to to be out of danger from the soldiers andthe Whigs, and Bailie Macwheeble does not like to meddle (he says) inother men's concerns, though I hope what may serve my father's friendat such a time as this cannot be termed improper interference.Farewell, Captain Waverley! I shall probaby never see you more; for itwould be very improper to wish you to call at Tully-Veolan just now,even if these men were gone; but I will always remember with gratitudeyour kindness in assisting so poor a scholar as myself, and yourattentions to my dear, dear father.

  I remain, your obliged servant,

  ROSE COMYNE BRADWARDINE.

  P.S.--I hope you will send me a line by David Gellatley, just to sayyou have received this and that you will take care of yourself; andforgive me if I entreat you, for your own sake, to join none of theseunhappy cabals, but escape, as fast as possible, to your own fortunatecountry. My compliments to my dear Flora and to Glennaquoich. Is shenot as handsome and accomplished as I have described her?

  Thus concluded the letter of Rose Bradwardine, the contents of whichboth surprised and affected Waverley. That the Baron should fall underthe suspicions of government, in consequence of the present stir amongthe partisans of the house of Stuart, seemed only the naturalconsequence of his political predilections; but how HE himself shouldhave been involved in such suspicions, conscious that until yesterdayhe had been free from harbouring a thought against the prosperity ofthe reigning family, seemed inexplicable. Both at Tully-Veolan andGlennaquoich his hosts had respected his engagements with the existinggovernment, and though enough passed by accidental innuendo that mightinduce him to reckon the Baron and the Chief among those disaffectedgentlemen who were still numerous in Scotland, yet until his ownconnection with the army had been broken off by the resumption of hiscommission, he had no reason to suppose that they nourished anyimmediate or hostile attempts against the present establishment. Stillhe was aware that, unless he meant at once to embrace the proposal ofFergus Mac-Ivor, it would deeply concern him to leave the suspiciousneighbourhood without delay, and repair where his conduct might undergoa satisfactory examination. Upon this he the rather determined, asFlora's advice favoured his doing so, and because he felt inexpressiblerepugnance at the idea of being accessary to the plague of civil war.Whatever were the original rights of the Stuarts, calm reflection toldhim that, omitting the question how far James the Second could forfeitth
ose of his posterity, he had, according to the united voice of thewhole nation, justly forfeited his own. Since that period four monarchshad reigned in peace and glory over Britain, sustaining and exaltingthe character of the nation abroad and its liberties at home. Reasonasked, was it worth while to disturb a government so long settled andestablished, and to plunge a kingdom into all the miseries of civilwar, for the purpose of replacing upon the throne the descendants of amonarch by whom it had been wilfully forfeited? If, on the other hand,his own final conviction of the goodness of their cause, or thecommands of his father or uncle, should recommend to him allegiance tothe Stuarts, still it was necessary to clear his own character byshowing that he had not, as seemed to be falsely insinuated, taken anystep to this purpose during his holding the commission of the reigningmonarch,

  The affectionate simplicity of Rose and her anxiety for his safety, hissense too of her unprotected state, and of the terror and actualdangers to which she might be exposed, made an impression upon hismind, and he instantly wrote to thank her in the kindest terms for hersolicitude on his account, to express his earnest good wishes for herwelfare and that of her father, and to assure her of his own safety.The feelings which this task excited were speedily lost in thenecessity which he now saw of bidding farewell to Flora Mac-Ivor,perhaps for ever. The pang attending this reflection was inexpressible;for her high-minded elevation of character, her self-devotion to thecause which she had embraced, united to her scrupulous rectitude as tothe means of serving it, had vindicated to his judgment the choiceadopted by his passions. But time pressed, calumny was busy with hisfame, and every hour's delay increased the power to injure it. Hisdeparture must be instant.

  With this determination he sought out Fergus, and communicated to himthe contents of Rose's letter, with his own resolution instantly to goto Edinburgh, and put into the hands of some one or other of thosepersons of influence to whom he had letters from his father hisexculpation from any charge which might be preferred against him.

  'You run your head into the lion's mouth,' answered Mac-Ivor. 'You donot know the severity of a government harassed by just apprehensions,and a consciousness of their own illegality and insecurity. I shallhave to deliver you from some dungeon in Stirling or Edinburgh Castle.'

  'My innocence, my rank, my father's intimacy with Lord M--, GeneralG--, etc., will be a sufficient protection,' said Waverley.

  'You will find the contrary,' replied the Chieftain, 'these gentlemenwill have enough to do about their own matters. Once more, will youtake the plaid, and stay a little while with us among the mists and thecrows, in the bravest cause ever sword was drawn in?'

  [Footnote: A Highland rhyme on Glencairn's Expedition, in 1650, hasthese lines--

  We'll bide a while amang ta crows, We'll wiske ta sword and bend ta bows]

  'For many reasons, my dear Fergus, you must hold me excused.'

  'Well then,' said Mac-Ivor, 'I shall certainly find you exerting yourpoetical talents in elegies upon a prison, or your antiquarianresearches in detecting the Oggam [Footnote: The Oggam is a species ofthe old Irish character. The idea of the correspondence betwixt theCeltic and Punic, founded on a scene in Plautus, was not started tillGeneral Vallancey set up his theory, long after the date of FergusMac-Ivor] character or some Punic hieroglyphic upon the keystones of avault, curiously arched. Or what say you to un petit pendement bienjoli? against which awkward ceremony I don't warrant you, should youmeet a body of the armed West-Country Whigs.'

  'And why should they use me so?' said Waverley.

  'For a hundred good reasons,' answered Fergus. 'First, you are anEnglishman; secondly, a gentleman; thirdly, a prelatist abjured; and,fourthly, they have not had an opportunity to exercise their talents onsuch a subject this long while. But don't be cast down, beloved; allwill be done in the fear of the Lord.'

  'Well, I must run my hazard.'

  'You are determined, then?'

  'I am.'

  'Wilful will do't' said Fergus. 'But you cannot go on foot, and I shallwant no horse, as I must march on foot at the head of the children ofIvor; you shall have brown Dermid.'

  'If you will sell him, I shall certainly be much obliged.'

  'If your proud English heart cannot be obliged by a gift or loan, Iwill not refuse money at the entrance of a campaign: his price istwenty guineas. [Remember, reader, it was Sixty Years Since.] And whendo you propose to depart?'

  'The sooner the better,' answered Waverley.

  'You are right, since go you must, or rather, since go you will. I willtake Flora's pony and ride with you as far as Bally-Brough. Callum Beg,see that our horses are ready, with a pony for yourself, to attend andcarry Mr. Waverley's baggage as far as--(naming a small town), where hecan have a horse and guide to Edinburgh. Put on a Lowland dress,Callum, and see you keep your tongue close, if you would not have mecut it out. Mr. Waverley rides Dermid.' Then turning to Edward, 'Youwill take leave of my sister?'

  'Surely--that is, if Miss Mac-Ivor will honour me so far.'

  'Cathleen, let my sister know Mr. Waverley wishes to bid her farewellbefore he leaves us. But Rose Bradwardine, her situation must bethought of; I wish she were here. And why should she not? There are butfour red-coats at Tully-Veolan, and their muskets would be very usefulto us.'

  To these broken remarks Edward made no answer; his ear indeed receivedthem, but his soul was intent upon the expected entrance of Flora. Thedoor opened. It was but Cathleen, with her lady's excuse, and wishesfor Captain Waverley's health and happiness.