remain in that undisturbed retirement until the military movements
in the country should have ceased to render his departure hazardous.
A price was also agreed upon, at which the stranger might board with
Farmer Williams, if he thought proper, till he could depart with safety.
It was of moderate amount; the distress of his situation, among this
honest and simple-hearted race, being considered as no reason for
increasing their demand.

The necessary articles of dress were accordingly procured; and, by
following by-paths, known to the young farmer, they hoped to escape any
unpleasant rencontre, A recompense for their hospitality was refused
peremptorily by old Jopson and his cherry-cheeked daughter; a kiss paid
the one, and a hearty shake of the hand the other. Both seemed anxious
for their guest's safety, and took leave of him with kind wishes,

In the course of their route, Edward, with his guide, traversed those
fields which the night before had been the scene of action. A brief
gleam of December's sun shone sadly on the broad heath, which, towards
the spot where the great north-west road entered the enclosures of Lord
Lonsdale's property, exhibited dead bodies of men and horses, and the
usual companions of war--a number of carrion-crows, hawks, and ravens.

'And this, then, was thy last field,' said Waverley to himself, his
eye filling at the recollection of the many splendid points of
Fergus's character, and of their former intimacy, all his passions
and imperfections forgotten.--'Here fell the last Vich Ian Vohr, on
a nameless heath; and in an obscure night-skirmish was quenched that
ardent spirit, who thought it little to cut a way for his master to the
British throne! Ambition, policy, bravery, all far beyond their sphere,
here learned the fate of mortals, The sole support, too, of a sister,
whose spirit, as proud and unbending, was even more exalted than thine
own; here ended all thy hopes for Flora, and the long and valued line
which it was thy boast to raise yet more highly by thy adventurous
valour!'

As these ideas pressed on Waverley's mind, he resolved to go upon the
open heath, and search if, among the slain, he could discover the body
of his friend, with the pious intention of procuring for him the
last rites of sepulture. The timorous young man who accompanied him
remonstrated upon the danger of the attempt, but Edward was determined.
The followers of the camp had already stripped the dead of all they