第57章

Thelatterdisplayedgreatearnestnesstoproceedinstantlytotheattack，EvanDhu，urgingtoFergus，bywayofargument，thatthe_sidierroy_wastotteringlikeanegguponastaff，andthattheyhada’thevantageoftheonset，forevenahaggis(Godblessher！)couldchargedownhill。’’

Butthegroundthroughwhichthemountaineersmusthavedescended，althoughnotofgreatextent，wasimpracticableinitscharacter，beingnotonlymarshy，butintersectedwithwallsofdrystone，andtraversedinitswholelengthbyaverybroadanddeepditch，circumstanceswhichmusthavegiventhemusketryoftheregularsdreadfuladvantages，beforethemountaineerscouldhaveusedtheirswords，onwhichtheyweretaughttorely。TheauthorityofthecommanderswasthereforeinterposedtocurbtheimpetuosityoftheHighlanders，andonlyafewmarksmenweresentdownthedescenttoskirmishwiththeenemy’sadvancedposts，andtoreconnoitretheground。

Here，then，wasamilitaryspectacleofnoordinaryinterest，orusualoccurrence。Thetwoarmies，sodifferentinaspectanddiscipline，yeteachadmirablytrainedinitsownpeculiarmodeofwar，uponwhoseconflictthetemporaryfateatleastofScotlandappearedtodepend，nowfacedeachotherliketwogladiatorsinthearena，eachmeditatinguponthemodeofattackingtheirenemy。Theleadingofficers，andthegeneral’sstaffofeacharmy，couldbedistinguishedinfrontoftheirlines，busiedwithspyglassestowatcheachother’smotions，andoccupiedindespatchingtheordersandreceivingtheintelligenceconveyedbytheaides-de-campandorderlymen，whogavelifetothescenebygallopingalongindifferentdirections，asifthefateofthedaydependeduponthespeedoftheirhorses。Thespacebetweenthearmieswasattimesoccupiedbythepartialandirregularcontestsofindividualsharpshooters，andahatorbonnetwasoccasionallyseentofall，asawoundedmanwasborneoffbyhiscomrades。These，however，werebuttriflingskirmishes，foritsuitedtheviewsofneitherpartytoadvanceinthatdirection。Fromtheneighbouringhamletsthepeasantrycautiouslyshowedthemselves，asifwatchingtheissueoftheexpectedengagement；andatnogreatdistanceinthebayweretwosquare-riggedvessels，bearingtheEnglishflag，whosetopsandyardswerecrowdedwithlesstimidspectators。

Whenthisawfulpausehadlastedforashorttime，Fergus，withanotherchieftain，receivedorderstodetachtheirclanstowardsthevillageofPreston，inordertothreatentherightflankofCope’sarmy，andcompelhimtoachangeofposition。

Toenablehimtoexecutetheseorders，theChiefofGlennaquoichoccupiedthechurchyardofTranent，acommandingsituation，andaconvenientplace，asEvanDhuremarked，foranygentlemanwhomighthavethemisfortunetobekilled，andchancedtobecuriousaboutChristianburial。’’Tocheckordislodgethisparty，theEnglishgeneraldetachedtwoguns，escortedbyastrongpartyofcavalry。Theyapproachedsonear，thatWaverleycouldplainlyrecognisethestandardofthetroophehadformerlycommanded，andhearthetrumpetsandkettle-drumssoundthesignalofadvance，whichhehadsooftenobeyed。Hecouldhear，too，thewell-knownwordgivenintheEnglishdialect，bytheequallywell-distinguishedvoiceofthecommandingofficer，forwhomhehadoncefeltsomuchrespect。Itwasatthatinstant，that，lookingaroundhim，hesawthewilddressandappearanceofhisHighlandassociates，heardtheirwhispersinanuncouthandunknownlanguage，lookeduponhisowndress，sounlikethatwhichhehadwornfromhisinfancy，andwishedtoawakefromwhatseemedatthemomentadream，strange，horrible，andunnatural。GoodGod！’’hemuttered，amIthenatraitortomycountry，arenegadetomystandard，andafoe，asthatpoordyingwretchexpressedhimself，tomynativeEngland？’’

Erehecoulddigestorsmothertherecollection，thetallmilitaryformofhislatecommandercamefullinview，forthepurposeofreconnoitring。Icanhithimnow，’’saidCallum，cautiouslyraisinghisfuseeoverthewallunderwhichhelaycouched，atscarcesixtyyards’distance。

Edwardfeltasifhewasabouttoseeaparricidecommittedinhispresence；forthevenerablegreyhairandstrikingcountenanceoftheveteranrecalledthealmostpaternalrespectwithwhichhisofficersuniversallyregardedhim。Buterehecoulds