The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

216 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
"Dictate the answer yourself then, friend," said the magistrate, " and the
clerk will take it down from your own mouth."
"Ay, ay," said Edie - " that's what I ca' fair play; I'se do that without
loss o' time. Sac, neighbour, ye may just write down, that Edie Ochiltree,
the declarant, stands up for the liberty-na,'I maunna say that neither —I
am nae liberty-boy —I hae fought again' them in the riots in Dublin -
besides, I have ate the King's bread mony a day. Stay, let me see. Aywrite that Edie Ochiltree, the Blue-Gown, stands up for the prerogative
- (see that ye spell that word right —it's a lang ane) -for the prerogative
of the subjects of the land, and winna answer a single word that sall be
asked at him this day, unless he sees a reason for't. Put down that, young
man."
"Then, Edie," said the magistrate, " since you will give me no information on the subject, I must send you back to prison till you shall be delivered
in due course of law."
"Aweel, sir, if it's Heaven's will and man's will, nae doubt I maun
submit," replied the mendicant. "I hae nae great objection to the prison,
only that a body canna win out o't; and if it wad please you as weel, Bailie,
I wad gie you my word to appear afore the Lords at the Circuit, or in ony
other court ye like, on ony day ye are pleased to appoint."
" I rather think, my good friend," answered Bailie Littlejohn, " your word
might be a slender security where your neck may be in some danger. I am
apt to think you would suffer the pledge to be forfeited. If you could give
me sufficient security, indeed"
At this moment the Antiquary and Captain M'Intyre entered the apartment. —"Good morning to you, gentlemen," said the magistrate; "you
find me toiling in my usual vocation-looking after the iniquities of the
people —labouring for the respublica, Mr. Oldbuck-serving the King our
master, Captain M'Intyre, — for I suppose you know I have taken up the
sword?"
" It is one of the emblems of justice, doubtless," answered the Antiquary;
" —but I should have thought the. scales would have suited you better,
Bailie, especially as you have them ready in the warehouse."
" Very good, Monkbarns-excellent! But I do not take the sword up as
justice, but as a soldier-indeed I should rather say the musket and bayonet-there they stand at the elbow of my gouty chair, for I am scarce fit for
drill yet - a slight touch of our old acquaintance podagra; I can keep my
feet, however, while our sergeant puts me through the manual. I should
like to know, Captain M'Intyre, if he follows the regulations correctly-he
brings us but awkwardly to the present." And he hobbled towards his
weapon to illustrate his doubts and display his proficiency.
"I rejoice we have such zealous defenders, Bailie," replied Mr. Oldbuck;
" and I dare say Hector will gratify you by communicating his opinion on
your progress in this new calling. Why, you rival the Hecatb of the
ancients, my good sir-a merchant on the Mart, a magistrate in the Townhouse, a soldier on the Links-quid non pro patria? But my business is
with the justice; so let commerce and war go slumber."
"Well, my good sir," said the Bailie, " and what commands have you
for me?"
"WVhy, here's an old acquaintance of mine, called Edie Ochiltree, whom
some of your myrmidons have mewed up in jail on account of an alleged
assault on that fellow Dousterswivel, of whose accusation I do not believe
one word."
The magistrates here assumed a very grave countenance. "You ought
to have been informed that he is accused of robbery, as well as assaulta very serious matter indeed; it is not often such criminals come under my
cognizance."
" And," replied Oldbuck, " you are tenacious of the opportunity of making