was borne by his people with such caution and dexterity as renders
it not improbable that they may have been the ancestors of some of
those sturdy Gael, who have now the happiness to transport the belles
of Edinburgh, in their sedan chairs, to ten routs in one evening.
When Edward was elevated upon their shoulders, he could not help being
gratified with the romantic effect produced by the breaking up of this
sylvan camp. [The author has been sometimes accused of confounding
fiction with reality. He therefore thinks it necessary to state, that
the circumstance of the hunting described in the text as preparatory to
the insurrection of 1745, is, so far as he knows, entirely imaginary.
But it is well known such a great hunting was held in the Forest of
Braemar, under the auspices of the Earl of Mar, as preparatory to the
Rebellion of 1715; and most of the Highland Chieftains who afterwards
engaged in that civil commotion were present on this occasion.]

The various tribes assembled, each at the pibroch of their native clan,
and each headed by their patriarchal ruler. Some, who had already begun
to retire, were seen winding up the hills, or descending the passes
which led to the scene of action, the sound of their bagpipes dying
upon the ear. Others made still a moving picture upon the narrow plain,
forming various changeful groups, their feathers and loose plaids waving
in the morning breeze, and their arms glittering in the rising sun. Most
of the Chiefs came to take farewell of Waverley, and to express their
anxious hope they might again, and speedily, meet; but the care of
Fergus abridged the ceremony of taking leave. At length, his own men
being completely assembled and mustered. Mac-Ivor commenced his march,
but not towards the quarter from which they had come. He gave Edward to
understand, that the greater part of his followers, now on the field,
were bound on a distant expedition, and that when he had deposited
him in the house of a gentleman, who he was sure would pay him every
attention, he himself should be under the necessity of accompanying them
the greater part of the way, but would lose no time in rejoining his
friend.

Waverley was rather surprised that Fergus had not mentioned this
ulterior destination when they set out upon the hunting-party; but his
situation did not admit of many interrogatories. The greater part of the
clansmen went forward under the guidance of old Ballenkeiroch and Evan
Dhu Maccombic