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.

414 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
Here the old lady stopped, apparently much more from lack of breath
than of matter.
" Curse the old hag!" said one of the dragoons —" gag her, and take her
to head-quarters."
"'For shame, Andrews!" said Bothwell; "remember the good lady
belongs to the fair sex, and uses only the privilege of her tongue.- But,
hark ye, good woman, - every bull of Bashan and Red Dragon will not be
so civil as I am, or be contented to leave you to the charge of the constable
and ducking-stool. In the meantime, I must necessarily carry off this
young man to head-quarters. I cannot answer to my commanding-oficer
to leave him in a house where I have heard so much treason and fanatiD
cism."'
"See now, mither, what ye hae dune," whispered Cuddie; "there's the
Philistines, as ye ca' them, are gaun to whirry awa' Mr. Henry, and a' wi'
your nash-gab, deil be on't!"
" {aund yore tongue, ye cowardly loon," said the mother, "and Iayna the
wyte on me; if you and thae thowless gluttons, that are sitting staring like
cows bursting on clover, wad testify wi' your hands as I have testified wi'
my tongue, they should never harle the precious young lad awa' to captivity."
W~hile this dialogue passed, the soldiers had already bound and secured
their prisoner. Milnwood returned at this instant, and, alarmed at the preparations he beheld, hastened to proffer to Bothwell, though with many a
grievous groan, the purse of gold which he had been obliged to rummage
out as ransom for his nephew. The trooper took the purse with an air of
indifference, weighed it in his hand, chucked it up into the air, and caught
it as it fell, then shook his head, and said, "There's many a merry night
in this nest of yellow boys, but d-n me if I dare venture for them - that
old woman has spoken too loud, and before all the men too. - Hark ye, old
gentleman," to Milnwood, " I must take your nephew to head-quarters, so
I cannot, in conscience, keep more than is my due as civility-money;" then
opening the purse, he gave a gold piece to each of the soldiers, and took
three to himself. "Now," said he, "you have the comfort to know that
your kinsman, young Captain Popinjay, will be carefully looked after and
civilly used; and the rest of the money I return to you."
~Milnwood eagerly extended his hand.
"Only you know," said Bothwell, still playing with the purse, "that
every landholder is answerable for the conformity and loyalty of his household, and that these fellows of mine are not obliged to be silent on the subject of the fine sermon we have had from that old puritan in the tartan plaid
there; and I presume you are aware that the consequences of delation will
be a heavy fine before the Council."
"Good sergeant — worthy captain!" exclaimed the terrified miser, "I
am sure there is no person in my house, to my knowledge, would give cause
ofoffence."
"Nay," answered 7Bothwell, " you shall hear her give her testimony, as
she calls it, herself. — You fellow," (to Cuddie,) "stand back, and let your
mother speak her mind. I see she's primed and loaded again since her
first discharge."
"Lord 1 noble sir," said Cuddie, "an" auld wife's tongue's but a feckless
matter to mak sic a fash about. Neither my father npr me ever minded
iuckle what our mither said."
" Hold your peace, my lad, while you are well," said Bothwell; "I promise you I think you are slyer than you would like to be supposed —Come,
good dame, you see your master will not believe that you can give us so
bright a testimony."
Mause's zeal did not require this spur to set her again on full career.
"Woe to the compilers and carnal self-seekers," she said, "that daub