When they approached his post, they found the good old careful officer, after having sent out his night patrols, and posted his sentinels, engaged in reading the Evening Service of the Episcopal Church to the remainder of his troop.His voice was loud and sonorous, and though his spectacles upon his nose, and the appearance of Saunders Saunderson, in military array, performing the functions of clerk, had something ludicrous, yet the circumstances of danger in which they stood, the military costume of the audience, and the appearance of their horses, saddled and picketed behind them, gave an impressive and solemn effect to the office of devotion.
``I have confessed to-day, ere you were awake,'' whispered Fergus to Waverley; ``yet I am not so strict a Catholic as to refuse to join in this good man's prayers.''
Edward assented, and they remained till the Baron had concluded the service.
As he shut the book, ``Now lads,'' said he, ``have at them in the morning, with heavy hands and light consciences.'' He then kindly greeted Mac-Ivor and Waverley, who requested to know his opinion of their situation.``Why, you know, Tacitus saith `_In rebus bellicis maxime dominatur Fortuna,+' which is equiponderate with our vernacular adage, `Luck can maist in the mellee.' But credit me, gentlemen, yon man is not a deacon o' his craft.He damps the spirits of the poor lads he commands, by keeping them on the defensive, whilk of itself implies inferiority or fear.Now will they lie on their arms yonder, as anxious and as ill at ease as a toad under a harrow, while our men will be quite fresh and blithe for action in the morning.Well, good night.---One thing troubles me, but if to-morrow goes well off, I will consult you about it, Glennaquoich.''
``I could almost apply to Mr.Bradwardine the character which Henry gives of Fluellen,'' said Waverley, as his friend and he walked towards their _bivouac:_Though it appears a little out of fashion, There is much care and valour in this `Scotchman.' ''
``He has seen much service,'' answered Fergus, ``and one is sometimes astonished to find how much nonsense and reason are mingled in his composition.I wonder what can be troubling his mind---probably something about Rose.---Hark! the English are setting their watch.''
The roll of the drum and shrill accompaniment of the fifes swelled up the hill---died away---resumed its thunder---and was at length hushed.The trumpets and kettle-drums of the cavalry were next heard to perform the beautiful and wild point of war appropriated as a signal for that piece of nocturnal duty, and then finally sunk upon the wind with a shrill and mournful cadence.
The friends, who had now reached their post, stood and looked round them ere they lay down to rest.The western sky twinkled with stars, but a frost-mist, rising from the ocean, covered the eastern horizon, and rolled in white wreaths along the plain where the adverse army lay couched upon their arms.
Their advanced posts were pushed as far as the side of the great ditch at the bottom of the descent, and had kindled large fires at different intervals, gleaming with obscure and hazy lustre through the heavy fog which encircled them with a doubtful halo.
The Highlanders, ``thick as leaves in Vallambrosa,'' lay stretched upon the ridge of the hill, buried (excepting their sentinels) in the most profound repose.``How many of these brave fellows will sleep more soundly before to-morrow night, Fergus?'' said Waverley, with an involuntary sigh.
``You must not think of that,'' answered Fergus, whose ideas were entirely military.``You must only think of your sword, and by whom it was given.All other reflections are now =too late.=''
With the opiate contained in this undeniable remark, Edward endeavoured to lull the tumult of his conflicting feelings.The Chieftain and he, combining their plaids, made a comfortable and warm couch.Callum, sitting down at their head, (for it was his duty to watch upon the immediate person of the Chief,)began a long mournful song in Gaelic, to a low and uniform tune, which, like the sound of the wind at a distance, soon lulled them to sleep.
