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.

440 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
of earnest intercession, urged with all the affectionate simplicity of his
character, as well as with the weight which his age and reputation entitled
him to use. But it seemed to have little impression upon Colonel Grahame,
who soon changed his posture, as if about to cut short the Major's importunity, and to break up their conference with a courtly expression of regret,
calculated to accompany a positive refusal of the request solicited. This
movement brought them so near Edith, that she could distinctly hear Claverhouse say, "It cannot be, Major Bellenden; lenity, in his case, is altogether
beyond the bounds of my commission, though in anything else I am heartily
desirous to oblige you.-And here comes Evandale with news, as I think.
— VWhat tidings do you bring us, Evandale?" he continued, addressing the
young Lord, who now entered in complete uniform, but with his dress disordered, and his boots spattered, as if by riding hard.
"Unpleasant news, sir," was his reply. " A large body of whigs are in
arms among the hills, and have broken out into actual rebellion. They
have publicly burnt the Act of Supremacy, that which established episcopacy, that for observing the martyrdom of Charles I., and some others, and
have declared their intention to remain together in arms for furthering the
covenanted work of reformation."
This unexpected intelligence struck a sudden and painful surprise into
the minds of all who heard it, excepting Claverhouse.
"Unpleasant news call you them?" replied Colonel Grahame, his dark
eyes flashing fire; "they are the best I have heard these six months. Now
that the scoundrels are drawn into a body, we will make short work with
them. VWhen the adder crawls into-daylight," he added, striking the heel
of his boot upon the floor, as if in the act of crushing a noxious reptile, " I
can trample him to death; he is only safe when he remains lurking in his
den or morass. —Where are these knaves?" he continued, addressing Lord
Evandale.
" About ten miles off among the mountains, at a place called Loudonhill," was the young nobleman's reply. "I dispersed the conventicle
against which you sent me, and made prisoner an old trumpeter of rebellion - an intercommuned minister, that is to say - who was in the act of
exhorting his hearers to rise and be doing in the good cause, as well as one
or two of his hearers who seemed to be particularly insolent; and from
some country people and scouts I learned what I now tell you."
" What may be their strength?" asked his commander.
" Probably a thousand men, but accounts differ widely."
"Then," said Claverhouse, "it is time for us to be up and be doing also
-Bothwell, bid them sound to horse."
Bothwell, who, like the war-horse of scripture, snuffed the battle afar off,
hastened to give orders to six negroes, in white dresses richly laced, and
having massive silver collars and armlets. These sable functionaries acted
as trumpeters, and speedily made the castle and the woods around it ring
with their summons.
" Must you then leave us?" said Lady Margaret, her heart sinking under
recollection of former unhappy times; " had ye not better send to learn the
force of the rebels? - 0, how many a fair face hae I heard these fearfu'
sounds call away frae the Tower of Tillietudlem, that my auld een were
ne'er to see return to it!"
" It is impossible for me to stop," said Claverhouse; "' there are rogues
enough in this country to make the rebels five times their strength, if they
are not checked at once."
"Many," said Evandale, "are flocking to them already, and they give
out that they expect a strong body of the indulged Presbyterians, headed
by young Milnwood, as they call him, the. son of the famous old rolndhead,
Colonel Silas Morton."
This speech produced a very different effect upon the hearers. Edith