Gaehame，gudewife，’’quoththefarmeraforesaid。itwadbettersetyoutobenursingthegudeman’sbairnsthantobedeavingushere。’’
_His_bairns！’’retortedtheamazon，regardingherhusbandwithagrinofineffablecontempt-_His_bairns！
Oginyeweredead，gudeman，Andagreenturfonyourhead，gudeman！
ThenIwadwaremywidowhoodUponarantingHighlandman。’’
Thiscanticle，whichexcitedasuppressedtitteramongtheyoungerpartoftheaudience，totallyovercamethepatienceofhetauntedmanoftheanvil。DeilbeinmebutI’llputthishetgaddownherthroat！’’criedhe，inanecstasyofwrath，snatchingabarfromtheforge；andhemighthaveexecutedhisthreat，hadhenotbeenwithheldbyapartofthemob，whiletherestendeavouredtoforcethetermagantoutofhispresence。
Waverleymeditatedaretreatintheconfusion，buthishorsewasnowheretobeseen。Atlengthheobserved，atsomedistance，hisfaithfulattendant，Ebenezer，who，assoonashehadperceivedtheturnmatterswerelikelytotake，hadwithdrawnbothhorsesfromthepress，and，mountedontheone，andholdingtheother，answeredtheloudandrepeatedcallsofWaverleyforhishorse-Na，na！ifyearenaefriendtokirkandtheking，andaredetainedassiccanaperson，yemaunanswertohonestmenofthecountryforbreachofcontractandImaunkeepthenaigandthewalisefordamageandexpense，inrespectmyhorseandmysellwillloseto-morrow’sday’s-wark，besidestheafternoonpreaching。’’
Edward，outofpatience，hemmedinandhustledbytherabbleoneveryside，andeverymomentexpectingpersonalviolence，resolvedtotrymeasuresofintimidation，andatlengthdrewapocket-pistol，threatening，ontheonehand，toshootwhomsoeverdaredtostophim，and，ontheother，menacingEbenezerwithasimilardoom，ifhestirredafootwiththehorses。ThesapientPartridgesays，thatonemanwithapistolisequaltoahundredunarmed，because，thoughhecanshootbutoneofthemultitude，yetnooneknowsbutthathehimselfmaybethatlucklessindividual。The_levyenmasse_ofCairnvreckanwouldthereforeprobablyhavegivenway，norwouldEbenezer，whosenaturalpalenesshadwaxedthreeshadesmorecadaverous，haveventuredtodisputeamandatesoenforced，hadnottheVulcanofthevillage，eagertodischargeuponsomemoreworthyobjectthefurywhichhishelpmatehadprovoked，andnotillsatisfiedtofindsuchanobjectinWaverley，rushedathimwiththered-hotbarofiron，withsuchdeterminationasmadethedischargeofhispistolanactofself-defence。
Theunfortunatemanfell；andwhileEdward，thrilledwithanaturalhorrorattheincident，neitherhadpresenceofmindtounsheathehisswordnortodrawhisremainingpistol，thepopulacethrewthemselvesuponhim，disarmedhim，andwereabouttousehimwithgreatviolence，whentheappearanceofavenerableclergyman，thepastoroftheparish，putacurbontheirfury。
ThisworthymannoneoftheGoukthrapplesorRentowels
maintainedhischaracterwiththecommonpeople，althoughhepreachedthepracticalfruitsofChristianfaith，aswellasitsabstracttenets，andwasrespectedbythehigherorders，notwithstandinghedeclinedsoothingtheirspeculativeerrorsbyconvertingthepulpitofthegospelintoaschoolofheathenmorality。Perhapsitisowingtothismixtureoffaithandpracticeinhisdoctrinethat，althoughhismemoryhasformedasortoferaintheannalsofCairnvreckan，sothattheparishioners，todenotewhatbefellSixtyYearssince，stillsayithappenedingoodMr。Morton’stime，’’Ihaveneverbeenabletodiscoverwhichhebelongedto，theevangelicalorthemoderatepartyinthekirk。NordoIholdthecircumstanceofmuchmoment，since，inmyownremembrance，theonewasheadedbyanErskine，theotherbyaRobertson。
TheRev。JohnErskine，D。D。，aneminentScottishdivine，andamostexcellentman，headedtheEvangelicalpartyintheChurchofScotlandatthetimewhenthecelebratedDr。Robertson，thehistorian，wastheleaderoftheModerateparty。ThesetwodistinguishedpersonswerecolleaguesintheOldGrey-Friars’Church，Edinburgh；and，howevermuchtheydifferedinchurchpolitics，preservedthemostperfectharmonyasprivatefriends，andasclergymenservingthesamecure。
Mr。Mortonhadbeenalarmedbythedischargeofthepistol，andtheincreasinghubbubaroundthesmithy。Hisfirstattention，afterhehaddirectedthebystanderstodetainWaverley，buttoabstainfrominjuringhim，wasturnedtothebodyofMucklewrath，overwhichhiswife，inarevulsionoffeeling，wasweeping，howling，andtearingherelf-locks，inastatelittleshortofdistraction。Onraisingupthesmith，thefirstdiscoverywas，thathewasalive；andthenext，thathewaslikelytoliveaslongasifhehadneverheardthereportofapistolinhislife。Hehadmadeanarrowescape，however；thebullethadgrazedhishead，andstunnedhimforamomentortwo，whichtranceterrorandconfusionofspirithadprolongedsomewhatlonger。HenowarosetodemandvengeanceonthepersonofWaverley，andwithdifficultyacquiescedintheproposalofMr。Morton，thatheshouldbecarriedbeforetheLaird，asajusticeofpeace，andplacedathisdisposal。Therestoftheassistantsunanimouslyagreedtothemeasurerecommended；
evenMrs。Mucklewrath，whohadbeguntorecoverfromherhysterics，whimperedforth，Shewadnasaynaethingagainstwhattheministerproposed；hewase’enowergudeforhistrade，andshehopedtoseehimwi’adaintydecentbishop’sgownonhisback；acomeliersightthanyourGenevacloaksandbands，Iwis。’’
Allcontroversybeingthuslaidaside，Waverley，escortedbythewholeinhabitantsofthevillagewhowerenotbed-ridden，wasconductedtothehouseofCairnvreckan，whichwasabouthalfamiledistant。
CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIRST。
ANEXAMINATION。
MajorMelvilleofCairnvreckan，anelderlygentleman，whohadspenthisyouthinthemilitaryservice，receivedMr。Mortonwithgreatkindness，andourherowithcivility，whichtheequivocalcircumstanceswhereinEdwardwasplacedrenderedconstrainedanddistant。
Thenatureofthesmith’shurtwasinquiredinto，andastheactualinjurywaslikelytoprovetrifling，andthecircumstancesinwhichitwasreceivedrenderedtheinfliction，onEdward’spart，anaturalactofself-defence，theMajorconceivedhemightdismissthatmatter，onWaverley’sdepositinginhishandsasmallsumforthebenefitofthewoundedperson。
Icouldwish，sir，’’continuedtheMajor，thatmydutyterminatedhere；butitisnecessarythatweshouldhavesomefurtherinquiryintothecauseofyourjourneythroughthecountryatthisunfortunateanddistractedtime。’’
Mr。EbenezerCruickshanksnowstoodforth，andcommunicatedtothemagistrateallhekneworsuspectedfromthereserveofWaverley，andtheevasionsofCallumBeg。ThehorseuponwhichEdwardrode，hesaidheknewtobelongtoVichIanVohr，thoughhedarednottaxEdward’sformerattendantwiththefact，lestheshouldhavehishouseandstablesburntoverhisheadsomenightbythatgodlessgangtheMac-Ivors。Heconcludedbyexaggeratinghisownservicestokirkandstate，ashavingbeenthemeans，underGodashemodestlyqualifiedtheassertion，ofattachingthissuspiciousandformidabledelinquent。Heintimatedhopesoffuturereward，andofinstantreimbursementforlossoftime，andevenofcharacter，bytravellingonthestatebusinessonthefast-day。
TothisMajorMelvilleanswered，withgreatcomposure，that，sofarfromclaiminganymeritinthisaffair，Mr。Cruickshanksoughttodeprecatetheimpositionofaveryheavyfineforneglectingtolodge，intermsoftherecentproclamation，anaccountwiththenearestmagistrateofanystrangerwhocametohisinn；thatasMr。Cruickshanksboastedsomuchofreligionandloyalty，heshouldnotimputethisconducttodisaffection，butonlysupposethathiszealforkirkandstatehadbeenlulledasleepbytheopportunityofchargingastrangerwithdoublehorse-hire；that，however，feelinghimselfincompetenttodecidesinglyupontheconductofapersonofsuchimportance，heshouldreserveitforconsiderationofthenextquarter-sessions。
NowourhistoryforthepresentsaithnomoreofhimoftheCandlestick，whowendeddolorousandmalcontentbacktohisowndwelling。
MajorMelvillethencommandedthevillagerstoreturntotheirhomes，exceptingtwo，whoofficiatedasconstables，andwhomhedirectedtowaitbelow。TheapartmentwasthusclearedofeverypersonbutMr。Morton，whomtheMajorinvitedtoremain；asortoffactor，whoactedasclerk；andWaverleyhimself。Thereensuedapainfulandembarrassedpause，tillMajorMelville，lookinguponWaverleywithmuchcompassion，andoftenconsultingapaperormemorandumwhichheheldinhishand，requestedtoknowhisname-EdwardWaverley。’’
Ithoughtso；lateofthedragoons，andnephewofSirEverardWaverleyofWaverley-Honour。’’
Thesame。’’
Younggentleman，Iamextremelysorrythatthispainfuldutyhasfallentomylot。’’
Duty，MajorMelville，rendersapologiessuperfluous。’’
True，Sir；permitme，therefore，toaskyouhowyourtimehasbeendisposedofsinceyouobtainedleaveofabsencefromyourregiment，severalweeksago，untilthepresentmoment？’’
Myreply，’’saidWaverley，tosogeneralaquestionmustbeguidedbythenatureofthechargewhichrendersitnecessary。
Irequesttoknowwhatthatchargeis，anduponwhatauthorityIamforciblydetainedtoreplytoit？’’
Thecharge，Mr。Waverley，Igrievetosay，isofaveryhighnature，andaffectsyourcharacterbothasasoldierandasubject。
Intheformercapacity，youarechargedwithspreadingmutinyandrebellionamongthemenyoucommanded，andsettingthemtheexampleofdesertion，byprolongingyourownabsencefromtheregiment，contrarytotheexpressordersofyourcommanding-officer。
Thecivilcrimeofwhichyoustandaccusedisthatofhightreason，andlevyingwaragainsttheking，thehighestdelinquencyofwhichasubjectcanbeguilty。’’
AndbywhatauthorityamIdetainedtoreplytosuchheinouscalumnies？’’
Byonewhichyoumustnotdispute，norIdisobey。’’
HehandedtoWaverleyawarrantfromtheSupremeCriminalCourtofScotland，infullform，forapprehendingandsecuringthepersonofEdwardWaverley，Esq。，suspectedoftreasonablepracticesandotherhighcrimesandmisdemeanours。
TheastonishmentwhichWaverleyexpressedatthiscommunicationwasimputedbyMajorMelvilletoconsciousguilt，whileMr。Mortonwasratherdisposedtoconstrueitintothesurpriseofinnocenceunjustlysuspected。Therewassomethingtrueinbothconjectures；foralthoughEdward’smindacquittedhimofthecrimewithwhichhewascharged，yetahastyreviewofhisownconductconvincedhimhemighthavegreatdifficultyinestablishinghisinnocencetothesatisfactionofothers。
Itisaverypainfulpartofthispainfulbusiness，’’saidMajorMelville，afterapause，that，undersograveacharge，I
mustnecessarilyrequesttoseesuchpapersasyouhaveonyourperson。’’
Youshall，sir，withoutreserve，’’saidEdward，throwinghispocket-bookandmemorandumsuponthetable；thereisbutonewithwhichIcouldwishyouwoulddispense。’’
Iamafraid，Mr。Waverley，Icanindulgeyouwithnoreservation。’’
Youshallseeitthen，sir；andasitcanbeofnoservice，I
begitmaybereturned。’’
Hetookfromhisbosomthelineshehadthatmorningreceived，andpresentedthemwiththeenvelope。TheMajorperusedtheminsilence，anddirectedhisclerktomakeacopyofthem。Hethenwrappedthecopyintheenvelope，andplacingitonthetablebeforehim，returnedtheoriginaltoWaverley，withanairofmelancholygravity。
Afterindulgingtheprisoner，forsuchourheromustnowbeconsidered，withwhathethoughtareasonabletimeforreflection，MajorMelvilleresumedhisexamination，premising，thatasMr。
Waverleyseemedtoobjecttogeneralquestions，hisinterrogatoriesshouldbeasspecificashisinformationpermitted。Hethenproceededinhisinvestigation，dictating，ashewenton，theimportofthequestionsandanswerstotheamanuensis，bywhomitwaswrittendown。
DidMr。WaverleyknowoneHumphryHoughton，anon-commissionedofficerinGardiner’sdragoons？’’
Certainly；hewassergeantofmytroop，andsonofatenantofmyuncle。’’
Exactly-andhadaconsiderableshareofyourconfidence，andaninfluenceamonghiscomrades？’’
Ihadneveroccasiontoreposeconfidenceinapersonofhisdescription，’’answeredWaverley。IfavouredSergeantHoughtonasaclever，activeyoungfellow，andIbelievehisfellow-soldiersrespectedhimaccordingly。’’
Butyouusedthroughthisman，’’answeredMajorMelville，tocommunicatewithsuchofyourtroopaswererecruiteduponWaverley-Honour？’’
Certainly；thepoorfellows，findingthemselvesinaregimentchieflycomposedofScotchorIrish，lookeduptomeinanyoftheirlittledistresses，andnaturallymadetheircountryman，andsergeant，theirspokesmanonsuchoccasions。’’
SergeantHoughton’sinfluence，’’continuedtheMajor，extended，then，particularlyoverthosesoldierswhofollowedyoutotheregimentfromyouruncle’sestate？’’
Surely；-butwhatisthattothepresentpurpose？’’
TothatIamjustcoming，andIbeseechyourcandidreply。
Haveyou，sinceleavingtheregiment，heldanycorrespondence，directorindirect，withthisSergeantHoughton？’
I！-Iholdcorrespondencewithamanofhisrankandsituation！-How，orforwhatpurpose？’’