ilie was in search of his apprentice (or servitor, as
he was called Sixty Years since), Jock Scriever, and in not much greater
space of time, Jock was on the back of the white pony.

'Tak care ye guide him weel, sir, for he's aye been short in the wind
since--ahem--lord be gude to me!' (in a low voice) 'I was gaun to come
out wi'--since I rode whip and spur to fetch the Chevalier to redd
Mr. Wauverley and Vich Ian Vohr; and an uncanny coup I gat for my
pains.--Lord forgie your honour! I might hae broken my neck--but troth
it was in a venture, mae ways nor ane; but this maks amends for a'. Lady
Wauverley!--ten thousand a year!--Lord be gude unto me!'

'But you forget, Mr. Macwheeble, we want the Baron's consent--the
lady's--'

'Never fear, I'se be caution for them--I'se gie you my personal
warrandice--ten thousand a year! it dings Balmawhapple out and out--a
year's rent's worth a' Balmawhapple, fee and life-rent! Lord make us
thankful!'

To turn the current of his feelings, Edward inquired if he had heard
anything lately of the Chieftain of Glennaquoich?

'Not one word,' answered Macwheeble, 'but that he was still in Carlisle
Castle, and was soon to be panelled for his life. I dinna wish the young
gentleman ill,' he said, 'but I hope that they that hae got him will
keep him, and no let him back to this Hieland border to plague us wi'
blackmail, and a' manner o' violent, wrongous, and masterfu' oppression
and spoliation, both by himself and others of his causing, sending, and
hounding out:--and he couldna tak care o' the siller when he had gotten
it neither, but flung it a' into yon idle quean's lap at Edinburgh--but
light come light gane. For my part, I never wish to see a kilt in the
country again, nor a red-coat, nor a gun, for that matter, unless it
were to shoot a paitrick:--they're a' tarr'd wi' ae stick. And when
they have done ye wrang, even when ya hae gotten decreet of spuilzie,
oppression, and violent profits against them, what better are ye?--they
hae na a plack to pay ye; ye need never extract it.'

With such discourse, and the intervening topics of business, the time
passed until dinner, Macwheeble meanwhile promising to devise some mode
of introducing Edward at the Duchran, where Rose at present resided,
without risk of danger or suspicion; which seemed no very easy
task, since the laird was a very zealous friend to Government.--The
poultry-yard had been laid under requisition, and cockyleeky and Scot