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.

538 WAVEItLEY NOVELS.
"It was so," replied Morton, who saw his companion begin to flinch
before the fierce eye of Balfour- " it was so; and what then? - Are we
to plunge the'nation in endless war, in order to pursue schemes which are
equally wild, wicked, and unattainable?"
" tHear him 1" said Balfour; "he blasphemeth."
"It is false," said Morton; "they blaspheme who pretend to expect.miracles, and neglect the use of the human means with which Providence
has blessed them. I repeat it - Our avowed object is the re-establishment
of peace on fair and honourable terms of security to our religion and our
liberty. We disclaim any desire to tyrannize over those of others."
The debate would now have run higher than ever, but they were interrupted by intelligence that the Duke of Monmouth had commenced his
march towards the west, and was already advanced half way from Edinburgh. This news silenced their divisions for the moment, and it was
agreed that the nexst day should be held as a fast of general humiliation for
the sins of the land; that the Reverend Mr. Poundtext should preach to the
army in the morning, and Kettledrummle in the afternoon; that neither
should touch upon any topics of schism or of division; but animate the
soldiers to resist to the blood, like brethren in a good cause. This healing
overture having been agreed to, the moderate party ventured upon another
proposal, confiding that it would have the support of Langeale, who looked
extremely blank at the news which they had just received, and might be
supposed reconverted to moderate measures. It was to be presumed, they
said, that since the King had not intrusted the command of his forces
upon the present occasion to any of their active oppressors; but, on the
contrary, had employed a nobleman distinguished by gentleness of temper,
and a disposition favourable to their cause, there must be some better
intention entertained towards them than they had yet expected. They contended, that it was not only prudent but necessary to ascertain, from a
communication with the Duke of Monmouth, whether he was not charged
with some secret instructions in their favour. This could only be learned
by despatching an envoy to his army.
"And who will undertake the task?" said Burley, evading a proposal too
reasonable to be openly resisted - " who will go up to their camp, knowing
that John Grahame of Claverhouse hath sworn to hang up whomsoever we
shall despatch towards them, in revenge of the death of the young man his
nephew?"
" Let that be no obstacle," said Morton - " I will with pleasure encounter any risk attached to the bearer of your errand."
" Let him go," said Balfour, apart to Macbriar; " our councils will be
well rid of his presence."
Thd motion, therefore, received no contradiction even from those who
were expected to have been most active in opposing it; and it was agreed
that Henry Morton should go to the camp of the Duke of Monmouth, in
order to discover upon what terms the insurgents would be admitted to
treat with him. As soon as his errand was made known, several of the
more moderate party joined in requesting him to make terms upon the
footing of the petition intrusted to Lord Evandale's hands; for the approach
of the King's army spread a general trepidation, by no means allayed by
the high tone assumed by the Cameronians, which had so little to support
it excepting their own headlong zeal. With these instructions, and with
Cuddie as his attendant, Morton set forth towards the royal camp, at all
the risks which attend those who assume the office of mediator during the
heat of civil discord.
Morton had not proceeded six or seven miles, before he perceived that he
was on the point of falling in with the van of the royal forces; and, as he
ascended a height, saw all the roads in the neighbourhood occupied by
armed men marching in great order towards Bothwell-muir, an open corn