Edward observed, with some surprise, that even Fergus, notwithstanding his knowledge and education, seemed to fall in with the superstitious ideas of his countrymen, either because he deemed it impolitic to affect scepticism on a matter of general belief, or more probably because, like most men who do not think deeply or accurately on such subjects, he had in his mind a reserve of superstition which balanced the freedom of his expressions and practice upon other occasions.Waverley made no commentary, therefore, on the manner of the treatment, but rewarded the professor of medicine with a liberality beyond the utmost conception of his wildest hopes.He uttered on the occasion, so many incoherent blessings in Gaelic and English, that Mac-Ivor, rather scandalized at the excess of his acknowledgments, cut them short by exclaiming, ``_Ceud mile mhalloich ort!_'' _i.e.,_ ``A hundred thousand curses on you!'' and so pushed the helper of men out of the cabin.
After Waverley was left alone, the exhaustion of pain and fatigue---for the whole day's exercise had been severe---threw him into a profound, but yet a feverish sleep, which he chiefly owed to an opiate draught administered by the old Highlander from some decoction of herbs in his pharmacopoeia.
Early the next morning, the purpose of their meeting being over, and their sports damped by the untoward accident, in which Fergus and all his friends expressed the greatest sympathy, it became a question how to dispose of the disabled sportsman.
This was settled by Mac-Ivor, who had a litter prepared, of ``birch and hazel-grey,''<*> which was borne by his people with * On the morrow they made their biers, * Of birch and hazel grey.---_Chevy Chase._such caution and dexterity as renders it not improbable that they may have been the ancestors of some of those sturdy Gael, who have now the happiness to transport the belles of Edinburgh, in their sedan-chairs, to ten routs in one evening.When Edward was elevated upon their shoulders, he could not help being gratified with the romantic effect produced by the breaking up of this sylvan camp.<*>
* The Author has been sometimes accused of confounding fiction with * reality.He therefore thinks it necessary to state, that the circumstances * of the hunting described in the text as preparatory to the insurrection of * 1745, is, so far as he knows, entirely imaginary.But it is well known * such a great hunting was held in the Forest of Braemar, under the auspices * of the Earl of Mar, as preparatory to the Rebellion of 1715; and most of * the Highland Chieftains who afterwards engaged in that civil commotion * ware present on this occasion.
The various tribes assembled, each at the pibroch of their native clan, and each headed by their patriarchal ruler.Some, who had already begun to retire, were seen winding up the hills, or descending the passes which led to the scene of action, the sound of their bagpipes dying upon the ear.Others made still a moving picture upon the narrow plain, forming various changeful groups, their feathers and loose plaids waving in the morning breeze, and their arms glittering in the rising sun.
Most of the Chiefs came to take farewell of Waverley, and to express their anxious hope they might again, and speedily, meet; but the care of Fergus abridged the ceremony of taking leave.At length, his own men being completely assembled and mustered, Mac-Ivor commenced his march, but not towards the quarter from which they had come.He gave Edward to understand, that the greater part of his followers, now on the field, were bound on a distant expedition, and that when he had deposited him in the house of a gentleman, who he was sure would pay him every attention, he himself should be under the necessity of accompanying them the greater part of the way, but would lose no time in rejoining his friend.
Waverley was rather surprised that Fergus had not mentioned this ulterior destination when they set out upon the hunting-party;but his situation did not admit of many interrogatories.
The greater part of the clansmen went forward under the guidance of old Ballenkeiroch, and Evan Dhu Maccombich, apparently in high spirits.A few remained for the purpose of escorting the Chieftain, who walked by the side of Edward's litter, and attended him with the most affectionate assiduity.
About noon, after a journey which the nature of the conveyance, the pain of his bruises, and the roughness of the way, rendered inexpressibly painful, Waverley was hospitably received into the house of a gentleman related to Fergus, who had prepared for him every accommodation which the simple habits of living, then universal in the Highlands, put in his power.In this person, an old man about seventy, Edward admired a relic of primitive simplicity.He wore no dress but what his estate afforded.
