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.

886 WA V E r LEY NO VELS
"IHe has taken the test," said Halliday, exultingly.
"But with a qualification," said Bothwell; " I don't understand what the
devil the crop-eared whig means."
" Come, gentlemen," said Morton, who became impatient of their insolence, "we are met here as good subjects, and on a imerry occasion; and
we have a right to expect we shall not be troubled with this sort of discussion."
Bothwell was about t.o make a surly answer, but Halliday reminded him
in a whisper, that there were strict injunctions that the soldiers should give
no offence to the men who were sent out to the musters agreeably to the
council's orders. So, after honouring Morton with a broad and fierce stare,
he said, "W ell, Mr. Popinjay, I shall not disturb your reign; I reckon it
will be out by twelve at night. - Is it not an odd thing, jHalliday," he continued, addressing his companion, "that they should make such a fuss
about cracking off their birding-pieces at a mark which any woman or boy
could hit at a day's practice? If Captain Popinjay, now, or any of his
troop, would try a bout, either with the broadsword, backsword, single
rapier, or rapier and dagger, for a gold noble, the first-drawn blood, there
would be some soul in it,-or, zounds, would the bumpkins but wrestle, or
pitch the bar, or putt the stone, or throw the axle-tree, if (touching the end
of Morton's sword scornfully with his toe) they carry things about them
that they are afraid to draw."
Morton's patience and prudence now gave way entirely, and he was about
to make a very angry answer to Bothwell's insolent observations, when the
stranger stepped forward.
"This is my quarrel," he said, " and in the name of the good cause, I
will see it out myself.-Hark thee, friend," (to Bothwell,) " wilt thou wrestle
a fall with me?"
"With my whole spirit, beloved," answered Bothwell; "* yea I will strive
with thee, to the downfall of one or both."
"Then, as my trust is in him that can help," retorted his antagonist, " I
will forthwith make thee an example to all such railing RIabshakehs."
-With that he dropped his coarse grey horseman's coat from his shoulders,
and, extending his strong brawny arms with a look of determined resolution, he offered himself to the contest. The soldier was nothing abashed
by-the muscular frame, broad chest, square shoulders, and hardy look of
his antagonist, but, whistling with great composure, unbuckled his belt,
and laid aside his military coat. The company stood round them, anxious
for the event.
In the first struggle the trooper seemed to have some advantage, and also
in the second, though neither could be considered as decisive. But it was
plain he had put his whole strength too suddenly forth, against an antagonist possessed of great endurance, skill, vigour, and length of wind. In
the third close, the countryman lifted his opponent fairly from the floor,
and hurled him to the ground with such violence, that he lay for an instant
stunned and motionless. His comrade Halliday immediately drew his
sword- "You have killed my sergeant," he exclaimed to the victorious
wrestler, "and by all that is sacred you shall answer it!"
" Stand back!" cried Morton and his companions, " it was all fair play:
your comrade sought a fall, and he has got it."
"That is true enough," said Bothwell, as he slowly rose; "put up your
bilbo, Tom, I did not think there was a crop-ear of them all could have laid
the best cap and feather in the King's Life-Guards on the floor of a rascally
change-house. - Hark ye, friend, give me your hand." The stranger held
out his hand. "I promise you," said Bothwell, squeezing his hand very
hard, " that the time will come when we shall meet again, and try this game
over in a more earnest manner."
" And I'll promise you," said the stranger, returning the grasp with equal