litary discipline upon your march. For example, I would advise you to
keep your men more closely together, and that each, in his march, should
cover his file-leader, instead of straggling like geese upon a common;
and, for fear of surprise, I further recommend to you to form a small
advance-party of your best men, with a single vidette in front of the
whole march, so that when you approach a village or a wood'--(Here the
Major interrupted himself)--'But as I don't observe you listen to me,
Mr. Gilfillan, I suppose I need not give myself the trouble to say more
upon the subject. You are a better judge, unquestionably, than I am, of
the measures to be pursued; but one thing I would have you well aware
of, that you are to treat this gentleman, your prisoner, with no rigour
nor incivility, and are to subject him to no other restraint than is
necessary for his security.'

'I have looked into my commission,' said Mr. Gilfillan, subscribed by
a worthy and professing nobleman, William, Earl of Glencairn; nor do I
find it therein set down that I am to receive any charges or commands
anent my doings from Major William Melville of Cairnvreckan.'

Major Melville reddened even to the well-powdered ears which appeared
beneath his neat military side-curls, the more so, as he observed Mr.
Morton smile at the same moment. 'Mr. Gilfillan,' he answered with some
asperity, 'I beg ten thousand pardons for interfering with a person
of your importance. I thought, however, that as you have been bred a
grazier, if I mistake not, there might be occasion to remind you of the
difference between Highlanders and Highland cattle; and if you should
happen to meet with any gentleman who has seen service; and is disposed
to speak upon the subject, I should still imagine that listening to him
would do you no sort of harm. But I have done, and have only once
more to recommend this gentleman to your civility, as well as to your
custody.--Mr Waverley, I am truly sorry we should part in this way; but
I trust, when you are again in this country, I may have an opportunity
to render Cairnvreckan more agreeable than circumstances have permitted
on this occasion.'

So saying, he shook our hero by the hand. Morton also took an
affectionate farewell; and Waverley, having mounted his horse, with a
musketeer leading it by the bridle, and a file upon each side to prevent
his escape, set forward upon the march with Gilfillan and his party.
Through the little village