owe to their
own muskets and broadswords. Two or three French artillerymen were
therefore appointed to the management of this military engine, which
was drawn along by a string of Highland ponies, and was, after all, only
used for the purpose of firing signals. [See Note 25.]

No sooner was its voice heard upon the present occasion, than the whole
line was in motion. A wild cry of joy from the advancing battalions rent
the air, and was then lost in the shrill clangour of the bagpipes, as
the sound of these, in their turn, was partially drowned by the heavy
tread of so many men put at once into motion. The banners glittered
and shook as they moved forward, and the horse hastened to occupy their
station as the advanced guard, and to push on reconnoitring parties
to ascertain and report the motions of the enemy. They vanished from
Waverley's eye as they wheeled round the base of Arthur's seat, under
the remarkable ridge of basaltic rocks which fronts the little lake of
Duddingston.

The infantry followed in the same direction, regulating their pace by
another body which occupied a road more to the southward. It cost Edward
some exertion of activity to attain the place which Fergus's followers
occupied in the line of march.

CHAPTER XLV

AN INCIDENT GIVES RISE TO UNAVAILING REFLECTIONS

When Waverley reached that part of the column which was filled by
the clan of Mac-Ivor, they halted, formed, and received him with a
triumphant flourish upon the bagpipes, and a loud shout of the men, most
of whom knew him personally, and were delighted to see him in the dress
of their country and of their sept. 'You shout,' said a Highlander of
a neighbouring clan to Evan Dhu, 'as if the Chieftain were just come to
your head.'

MAR E BRAN IS E BRATHAIR, If it be not Bran, it is Bran's brother,' was
the proverbial reply of Maccombich. [Bran, the well-known dog of Fingal,
is often the theme of Highland proverb as well as song.]

'Oh, then, it is the handsome Sassenach Duinhe-wassel, that is to be
married to Lady Flora?'

'That may be, or it may not be; and it is neither your matter nor mine,
Gregor.'

Fergus advanced to embrace the volunteer, and afford him a warm and
hearty welcome; but he thought it necessary to apologize for the
diminished numbers of his battalion (which did not exceed three hundred
men), by observing, he had sent a good many out upon parties.

The real fact, however, was, that the defection of Donald Bean