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.

OLD MO RT ALITY. 551
oonsiderable volume, and the marks of recent hoofs were visible around
the door. They could even hear the murmuring of human voices within
the house. But all the lower windows were closely secured; and when
they knocked at the door, no answer was returned. After vainly calling
and entreating admittance, they withdrew to the stable, or shed, in order to
accommodate their horses, ere they used farther means of gaining admis-sion. In this place they found ten or twelve horses, whose state of fatigue,
as well as the military yet disordered appearance of their saddles and accoutrements, plainly indicated that their owners were fugitive insurgents in
their own circumstances.
"This meeting bodes luck," said Cuddie; "and they hae walth o' beef,
that's ae thing certain, for here's a raw hide that has been about the hurdies
o' a stot not half an hour syne - it's warm yet."
Encouraged by these appearances, they returned again to the house, and
announcing themselves as men in the same predicament with the inmates,
clamoured loudly for admittance.
"Whoever ye be," answered a stern voice from the window, after a long
and obdurate silence, " disturb not those who mourn for the desolation and
captivity of the land, and search out the causes of wrath and of defection,
that the stumbling-blocks may be removed-over which we have stumbled."
" They are wild western whigs," said Cuddie, in a whisper to his master;
"I ken by their language. Fiend hae me if I like to venture on them!"
Morton, however, again called to the party within, and insisted on admittance; but finding his entreaties still disregarded, he opened one of the
lower windows, and pushing asunder the shutters, which were but slightly
secured, stepped into the large kitchen from which the voice had issued.
Cuddie followed him, muttering betwixt his teeth, as he put his head within
the window, " That he hoped there was nae scalding brose on the fire;" and
master and servant both found themselves in the company of ten or twelve
armed men, seated around the fire, on which refreshments were preparing,
and busied apparently in their devotions.
In the gloomy countenances, illuminated by the fire-light, Morton had no
difficulty in recognising several of those zealots who had most distinguished
themselves by their intemperate opposition to all moderate measures, together with their noted pastor, the fanatical Ephraim Macbriar, and the
maniac, Habakkuk Mucklewrath. The Cameronians neither stirred tongue
nor hand to welcome their brethren in misfortune, but continued to listen
to the low murmured exercise of Macbriar, as he prayed that the Almighty
would lift up his hand from his people, and not make an end in the day of
his anger. That they were conscious of the presence of the intruders only
appeared from the sullen and indignant glances which they shot at them,
from time to time, as their eyes encountered.
Morton, finding into what unfriendly society he had unwittingly intruded,
began to think of retreating; but, on turning his head, observed with some
alarm, that two strong men had silently placed themselves beside the window through which they had entered. One of these ominous sentinels
whispered to Cuddie, "Son of that precious woman, Mause Headrigg, do
not cast thy lot farther with this child of treachery and perdition - Pass
on thy way, and tarry not, for the avenger of blood is behind thee."
With this he pointed to the window, out of which Cuddie jumped without
hesitation; for the intimation he had received plainly implied the personal
danger he would otherwise incur.
"Winnocks are no lucky wi' me," was his first reflection when he was in
the open air; his next was upon the probable fate of his master. " They'll
kill him, the murdering loons, and think they're doing a gude turn! but
I'se tak the back road for Hamilton, and see if I canna get some o' our ain
folk to bring help in time of needeessity."
So saying, Cuddie hastened to the stable, and taking the best herse he