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.

566 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
"Just than rebellion, as your honour ca's it," replied Cuddie.
"Well, sir, that's speaking to the purpose," replied his Grace. "And
are you content to accept of the King's pardon for your guilt as a rebel,
and to keep the church, and pray for the King?"
"Blithely, stir," answered the unscrupulous Cuddie; "and drink his
health into the bargain, when the ale's gude."
" Egad!" said the Duke, " this is a hearty cock.-What brought you into
such a scrape, mine honest friend?"
"Just ill example, stir," replied the prisoner, "and a daft auld jade of a
mither, wi' reverence to your Grace's honour."
" Why, God-a-mercy, my friend," replied the Duke, " take care of bad
advice another time; I think you are not likely to commit treason on your
own score. -- Make out his free pardon, and bring forward the rogue in the
chair."
Macbriar was then moved forward to the post of examination.
"Were you at the battle of Bothwell Bridge?" was, in like manner, demanded of him.
"I was," answered the prisoner, in a bold and resolute tone.
" Were you armed?"
" I was not-I went in my calling as a preacher of God's word, to encourage them that drew the sword in His cause."
"In other words, to aid and abet the rebels?" said the Duke.
" Thou hast spoken it,'" replied the prisoner.
" Well, then," continued the interrogator, "let us know if you saw John
Balfour of Burley among the party?-I presume you know him?"
"I bless God that I do know him," replied Macbriar; "he is a zealous
and a sincere Christian."
" And when and where did you last see this pious personage?" was the
query which immediately followed.
" I am here to answer for myself," said Macbriar, in the same dauntless
manner, " and not to endanger others."
"We shall know," said Dalzell, "how to make you find your tongue."
"If you can make him fancy himself in a conventicle," answered
Lauderdale, "he will find it without you. — Come, laddie, speak while
the play is good- you're too young to bear the burden will be laid on you
else."
"I defy you," retorted Macbriar. " This has not been the first of my
imprisonments or of my sufferings; and, young as I may be, I have lived
long enough to know how to die when I am called upon."
" Ay, but there are some things which must go before an easy death, if
you continue obstinate," said Lauderdale, and rung a small silver bell which
was placed before him on the table.
A dark crimson curtain, which covered a sort of niche, or Gothic recess
in the wall, rose at the signal, and displayed the public executioner, a tall,
grim, and hideous man, having an oaken table before him, on which lay
thumb-screws, and an iron case, called the Scottish boot, used in those
tyrannical days to torture accused persons. Morton, who was unprepared
for this ghastly apparition, started when the curtain arose, but Macbriar's
nerves were more firm. Ile gazed upon the horrible apparatus with much
composure; and if a touch of nature called the blood from his cheek for a
second, resolution sent it back to his brow with greater energy.
" Do you know who that man is?" said Lauderdale, in a low, stern voice,
almost sinking into a whisper.
" He is, I suppose," replied Macbriar, " the infamous executioner of your
bloodthirsty commands upon the persons of God's people. He and you are
equally beneath my regard; and, I bless God, I no more fear what he can
inflict that what you can command. Flesh and blood may shrink under the
sufferings you can doom me to, and poor frail nature may shed tears, or