CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS.
Edward was in a most unpleasant and dangerous situation.
He soon lost the sound of the bagpipes; and, what was yet more unpleasant, when, after searching long in vain, and scrambling through many enclosures, he at length approached the high road, he learned, from the unwelcome noise of kettle-drums and trumpets, that the English Cavalry now occupied it, and consequently were between him and the Highlanders.
Precluded, therefore, from advancing in a straight direction, he resolved to avoid the English military, and endeavour to join his friends by making a circuit to the left, for which a beaten path deviating from the main road in that direction, seemed to afford facilities.The path was muddy, and the night dark and cold; but even these inconveniences were hardly felt amidst the apprehensions which falling into the hands of the King's forces reasonably excited in his bosom.
After walking about three miles, he at length reached a hamlet.Conscious that the common people were in general unfavourable to the cause he had espoused, yet desirous, if possible, to procure a horse and guide to Penrith, where he hoped to find the rear, if not the main body, of the Chevalier's army, he approached the alehouse of the place.There was a great noise within: he paused to listen.A round English oath or two, and the burden of a campaign song, convinced him the hamlet also was occupied by the Duke of Cumberland's soldiers.Endeavouring to retire from it as softly as possible, and blessing the obscurity which hitherto he had murmured against, Waverley groped his way the best he could along a small paling, which seemed the boundary of some cottage garden.As he reached the gate of this little enclosure, his outstretched hand was grasped by that of a female, whose voice at the same time uttered, ``Edward, is't thou, man?''
``Here is some unlucky mistake,'' thought Edward, struggling, but gently, to disengage himself.
``Naen o' thy foun, now, man, or the red cwoats will hear thee; they hae been houlerying and poulerying every ane that, past alehouse door this noight to make them drive their waggons and sick loike.Come into feyther's, or they'll do ho a mischief.''
``A good hint,'' thought Waverley, following the girl through the little garden into a brick-paved kitchen, where she set herself to kindle a match at an expiring fire, and with the match to light a candle.She had no sooner looked on Edward, than she dropped the light, with a shrill scream of ``O feyther! feyther! "The father, thus invoked, speedily appeared,---a sturdy old farmer, in a pair of leather breeches and boots pulled on without stockings, having just started from his bed;---the rest of his dress was only a Westmoreland statesman's robe-de-chambre,---that is, his shirt.His figure was displayed to advantage, by a candle which he bore in his left hand; in his right he brandished a poker.
``What hast ho here, wench?''
``O!'' cried the poor girl, almost going off in hysterics, ``Ithought it was Ned Williams, and it is one of the plaid-men!''
``And what was thee ganging to do wi' Ned Williams at this time o' noight?'' To this, which was, perhaps, one of the numerous class of questions more easily asked than answered, the rosy-cheeked damsel made no reply, but continued sobbing and wringing her hands.
``And thee, lad, dost ho know that the dragoons be a town?
Dost ho know that, mon?---ad, they'll sliver thee loike a turnip, mon.''
``I know my life is in great danger,'' said Waverley, ``but if you can assist me, I will reward you handsomely.I am no Scotchman, but an unfortunate English gentleman.''
``Be he Scot or no,'' said the honest farmer, ``I wish thou hadst kept the other side of the hallan.But since thou art here, Jacob Jopson will betray no man's bluid; and the plaids were gey canny, and did not so much mischief when they were here yesterday.'' Accordingly he set seriously about sheltering and refreshing our hero for the night.The fire was speedily rekindled, but with precaution against its light being seen from without.The jolly yeoman cut a rasher of bacon, which Cicely soon broiled, and her father added a swinging tankard of his best ale.It was settled, that Edward should remain there till the troops marched in the morning, then hire or buy a horse from the farmer, and, with the best directions that could be obtained, endeavour to overtake his friends.A clean, though coarse bed, received him after the fatigues of this unhappy day.
With the morning arrived the news that the Highlanders had evacuated Penrith, and marched off towards Carlisle; that the Duke of Cumberland was in possession of Penrith, and that detachments of his army covered the roads in every direction.
To attempt to get through undiscovered, would be an act of the most frantic temerity.Ned Williams (the right Edward)was now called to council by Cicely and her father.Ned, who perhaps did not care that his handsome namesake should remain too long in the same house with his sweetheart, for fear of fresh mistakes, proposed that Waverley, exchanging his uniform and plaid for the dress of the country, should go with him to his father's farm near Ullswater, and remain in that undisturbed retirement until the military movements in the country should have ceased to render his departure hazardous.A price was also agreed upon, at which the stranger might board with Farmer Williams, if he thought proper, till he could depart with safety.
It was of moderate amount; the distress of his situation, among this honest and simple-hearted race, being considered as no reason for increasing their demand.
