Gaehame，gudewife，’’quoththefarmeraforesaid。itwadbettersetyoutobenursingthegudeman’sbairnsthantobedeavingushere。’’
　　_His_bairns！’’retortedtheamazon，regardingherhusbandwithagrinofineffablecontempt-_His_bairns！
　　Oginyeweredead，gudeman，Andagreenturfonyourhead，gudeman！
　　ThenIwadwaremywidowhoodUponarantingHighlandman。’’
　　Thiscanticle，whichexcitedasuppressedtitteramongtheyoungerpartoftheaudience，totallyovercamethepatienceofhetauntedmanoftheanvil。DeilbeinmebutI’llputthishetgaddownherthroat！’’criedhe，inanecstasyofwrath，snatchingabarfromtheforge；andhemighthaveexecutedhisthreat，hadhenotbeenwithheldbyapartofthemob，whiletherestendeavouredtoforcethetermagantoutofhispresence。
　　Waverleymeditatedaretreatintheconfusion，buthishorsewasnowheretobeseen。Atlengthheobserved，atsomedistance，hisfaithfulattendant，Ebenezer，who，assoonashehadperceivedtheturnmatterswerelikelytotake，hadwithdrawnbothhorsesfromthepress，and，mountedontheone，andholdingtheother，answeredtheloudandrepeatedcallsofWaverleyforhishorse-Na，na！ifyearenaefriendtokirkandtheking，andaredetainedassiccanaperson，yemaunanswertohonestmenofthecountryforbreachofcontractandImaunkeepthenaigandthewalisefordamageandexpense，inrespectmyhorseandmysellwillloseto-morrow’sday’s-wark，besidestheafternoonpreaching。’’
　　Edward，outofpatience，hemmedinandhustledbytherabbleoneveryside，andeverymomentexpectingpersonalviolence，resolvedtotrymeasuresofintimidation，andatlengthdrewapocket-pistol，threatening，ontheonehand，toshootwhomsoeverdaredtostophim，and，ontheother，menacingEbenezerwithasimilardoom，ifhestirredafootwiththehorses。ThesapientPartridgesays，thatonemanwithapistolisequaltoahundredunarmed，because，thoughhecanshootbutoneofthemultitude，yetnooneknowsbutthathehimselfmaybethatlucklessindividual。The_levyenmasse_ofCairnvreckanwouldthereforeprobablyhavegivenway，norwouldEbenezer，whosenaturalpalenesshadwaxedthreeshadesmorecadaverous，haveventuredtodisputeamandatesoenforced，hadnottheVulcanofthevillage，eagertodischargeuponsomemoreworthyobjectthefurywhichhishelpmatehadprovoked，andnotillsatisfiedtofindsuchanobjectinWaverley，rushedathimwiththered-hotbarofiron，withsuchdeterminationasmadethedischargeofhispistolanactofself-defence。
　　Theunfortunatemanfell；andwhileEdward，thrilledwithanaturalhorrorattheincident，neitherhadpresenceofmindtounsheathehisswordnortodrawhisremainingpistol，thepopulacethrewthemselvesuponhim，disarmedhim，andwereabouttousehimwithgreatviolence，whentheappearanceofavenerableclergyman，thepastoroftheparish，putacurbontheirfury。
　　ThisworthymannoneoftheGoukthrapplesorRentowels
　　maintainedhischaracterwiththecommonpeople，althoughhepreachedthepracticalfruitsofChristianfaith，aswellasitsabstracttenets，andwasrespectedbythehigherorders，notwithstandinghedeclinedsoothingtheirspeculativeerrorsbyconvertingthepulpitofthegospelintoaschoolofheathenmorality。Perhapsitisowingtothismixtureoffaithandpracticeinhisdoctrinethat，althoughhismemoryhasformedasortoferaintheannalsofCairnvreckan，sothattheparishioners，todenotewhatbefellSixtyYearssince，stillsayithappenedingoodMr。Morton’stime，’’Ihaveneverbeenabletodiscoverwhichhebelongedto，theevangelicalorthemoderatepartyinthekirk。NordoIholdthecircumstanceofmuchmoment，since，inmyownremembrance，theonewasheadedbyanErskine，theotherbyaRobertson。
　　TheRev。JohnErskine，D。D。，aneminentScottishdivine，andamostexcellentman，headedtheEvangelicalpartyintheChurchofScotlandatthetimewhenthecelebratedDr。Robertson，thehistorian，wastheleaderoftheModerateparty。ThesetwodistinguishedpersonswerecolleaguesintheOldGrey-Friars’Church，Edinburgh；and，howevermuchtheydifferedinchurchpolitics，preservedthemostperfectharmonyasprivatefriends，andasclergymenservingthesamecure。
　　Mr。Mortonhadbeenalarmedbythedischargeofthepistol，andtheincreasinghubbubaroundthesmithy。Hisfirstattention，afterhehaddirectedthebystanderstodetainWaverley，buttoabstainfrominjuringhim，wasturnedtothebodyofMucklewrath，overwhichhiswife，inarevulsionoffeeling，wasweeping，howling，andtearingherelf-locks，inastatelittleshortofdistraction。Onraisingupthesmith，thefirstdiscoverywas，thathewasalive；andthenext，thathewaslikelytoliveaslongasifhehadneverheardthereportofapistolinhislife。Hehadmadeanarrowescape，however；thebullethadgrazedhishead，andstunnedhimforamomentortwo，whichtranceterrorandconfusionofspirithadprolongedsomewhatlonger。HenowarosetodemandvengeanceonthepersonofWaverley，andwithdifficultyacquiescedintheproposalofMr。Morton，thatheshouldbecarriedbeforetheLaird，asajusticeofpeace，andplacedathisdisposal。Therestoftheassistantsunanimouslyagreedtothemeasurerecommended；
　　evenMrs。Mucklewrath，whohadbeguntorecoverfromherhysterics，whimperedforth，Shewadnasaynaethingagainstwhattheministerproposed；hewase’enowergudeforhistrade，andshehopedtoseehimwi’adaintydecentbishop’sgownonhisback；acomeliersightthanyourGenevacloaksandbands，Iwis。’’
　　Allcontroversybeingthuslaidaside，Waverley，escortedbythewholeinhabitantsofthevillagewhowerenotbed-ridden，wasconductedtothehouseofCairnvreckan，whichwasabouthalfamiledistant。
　　CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIRST。
　　ANEXAMINATION。
　　MajorMelvilleofCairnvreckan，anelderlygentleman，whohadspenthisyouthinthemilitaryservice，receivedMr。Mortonwithgreatkindness，andourherowithcivility，whichtheequivocalcircumstanceswhereinEdwardwasplacedrenderedconstrainedanddistant。
　　Thenatureofthesmith’shurtwasinquiredinto，andastheactualinjurywaslikelytoprovetrifling，andthecircumstancesinwhichitwasreceivedrenderedtheinfliction，onEdward’spart，anaturalactofself-defence，theMajorconceivedhemightdismissthatmatter，onWaverley’sdepositinginhishandsasmallsumforthebenefitofthewoundedperson。
　　Icouldwish，sir，’’continuedtheMajor，thatmydutyterminatedhere；butitisnecessarythatweshouldhavesomefurtherinquiryintothecauseofyourjourneythroughthecountryatthisunfortunateanddistractedtime。’’
　　Mr。EbenezerCruickshanksnowstoodforth，andcommunicatedtothemagistrateallhekneworsuspectedfromthereserveofWaverley，andtheevasionsofCallumBeg。ThehorseuponwhichEdwardrode，hesaidheknewtobelongtoVichIanVohr，thoughhedarednottaxEdward’sformerattendantwiththefact，lestheshouldhavehishouseandstablesburntoverhisheadsomenightbythatgodlessgangtheMac-Ivors。Heconcludedbyexaggeratinghisownservicestokirkandstate，ashavingbeenthemeans，underGodashemodestlyqualifiedtheassertion，ofattachingthissuspiciousandformidabledelinquent。Heintimatedhopesoffuturereward，andofinstantreimbursementforlossoftime，andevenofcharacter，bytravellingonthestatebusinessonthefast-day。
　　TothisMajorMelvilleanswered，withgreatcomposure，that，sofarfromclaiminganymeritinthisaffair，Mr。Cruickshanksoughttodeprecatetheimpositionofaveryheavyfineforneglectingtolodge，intermsoftherecentproclamation，anaccountwiththenearestmagistrateofanystrangerwhocametohisinn；thatasMr。Cruickshanksboastedsomuchofreligionandloyalty，heshouldnotimputethisconducttodisaffection，butonlysupposethathiszealforkirkandstatehadbeenlulledasleepbytheopportunityofchargingastrangerwithdoublehorse-hire；that，however，feelinghimselfincompetenttodecidesinglyupontheconductofapersonofsuchimportance，heshouldreserveitforconsiderationofthenextquarter-sessions。
　　NowourhistoryforthepresentsaithnomoreofhimoftheCandlestick，whowendeddolorousandmalcontentbacktohisowndwelling。
　　MajorMelvillethencommandedthevillagerstoreturntotheirhomes，exceptingtwo，whoofficiatedasconstables，andwhomhedirectedtowaitbelow。TheapartmentwasthusclearedofeverypersonbutMr。Morton，whomtheMajorinvitedtoremain；asortoffactor，whoactedasclerk；andWaverleyhimself。Thereensuedapainfulandembarrassedpause，tillMajorMelville，lookinguponWaverleywithmuchcompassion，andoftenconsultingapaperormemorandumwhichheheldinhishand，requestedtoknowhisname-EdwardWaverley。’’
　　Ithoughtso；lateofthedragoons，andnephewofSirEverardWaverleyofWaverley-Honour。’’
　　Thesame。’’
　　Younggentleman，Iamextremelysorrythatthispainfuldutyhasfallentomylot。’’
　　Duty，MajorMelville，rendersapologiessuperfluous。’’
　　True，Sir；permitme，therefore，toaskyouhowyourtimehasbeendisposedofsinceyouobtainedleaveofabsencefromyourregiment，severalweeksago，untilthepresentmoment？’’
　　Myreply，’’saidWaverley，tosogeneralaquestionmustbeguidedbythenatureofthechargewhichrendersitnecessary。
　　Irequesttoknowwhatthatchargeis，anduponwhatauthorityIamforciblydetainedtoreplytoit？’’
　　Thecharge，Mr。Waverley，Igrievetosay，isofaveryhighnature，andaffectsyourcharacterbothasasoldierandasubject。
　　Intheformercapacity，youarechargedwithspreadingmutinyandrebellionamongthemenyoucommanded，andsettingthemtheexampleofdesertion，byprolongingyourownabsencefromtheregiment，contrarytotheexpressordersofyourcommanding-officer。
　　Thecivilcrimeofwhichyoustandaccusedisthatofhightreason，andlevyingwaragainsttheking，thehighestdelinquencyofwhichasubjectcanbeguilty。’’
　　AndbywhatauthorityamIdetainedtoreplytosuchheinouscalumnies？’’
　　Byonewhichyoumustnotdispute，norIdisobey。’’
　　HehandedtoWaverleyawarrantfromtheSupremeCriminalCourtofScotland，infullform，forapprehendingandsecuringthepersonofEdwardWaverley，Esq。，suspectedoftreasonablepracticesandotherhighcrimesandmisdemeanours。
　　TheastonishmentwhichWaverleyexpressedatthiscommunicationwasimputedbyMajorMelvilletoconsciousguilt，whileMr。Mortonwasratherdisposedtoconstrueitintothesurpriseofinnocenceunjustlysuspected。Therewassomethingtrueinbothconjectures；foralthoughEdward’smindacquittedhimofthecrimewithwhichhewascharged，yetahastyreviewofhisownconductconvincedhimhemighthavegreatdifficultyinestablishinghisinnocencetothesatisfactionofothers。
　　Itisaverypainfulpartofthispainfulbusiness，’’saidMajorMelville，afterapause，that，undersograveacharge，I
　　mustnecessarilyrequesttoseesuchpapersasyouhaveonyourperson。’’
　　Youshall，sir，withoutreserve，’’saidEdward，throwinghispocket-bookandmemorandumsuponthetable；thereisbutonewithwhichIcouldwishyouwoulddispense。’’
　　Iamafraid，Mr。Waverley，Icanindulgeyouwithnoreservation。’’
　　Youshallseeitthen，sir；andasitcanbeofnoservice，I
　　begitmaybereturned。’’
　　Hetookfromhisbosomthelineshehadthatmorningreceived，andpresentedthemwiththeenvelope。TheMajorperusedtheminsilence，anddirectedhisclerktomakeacopyofthem。Hethenwrappedthecopyintheenvelope，andplacingitonthetablebeforehim，returnedtheoriginaltoWaverley，withanairofmelancholygravity。
　　Afterindulgingtheprisoner，forsuchourheromustnowbeconsidered，withwhathethoughtareasonabletimeforreflection，MajorMelvilleresumedhisexamination，premising，thatasMr。
　　Waverleyseemedtoobjecttogeneralquestions，hisinterrogatoriesshouldbeasspecificashisinformationpermitted。Hethenproceededinhisinvestigation，dictating，ashewenton，theimportofthequestionsandanswerstotheamanuensis，bywhomitwaswrittendown。
　　DidMr。WaverleyknowoneHumphryHoughton，anon-commissionedofficerinGardiner’sdragoons？’’
　　Certainly；hewassergeantofmytroop，andsonofatenantofmyuncle。’’
　　Exactly-andhadaconsiderableshareofyourconfidence，andaninfluenceamonghiscomrades？’’
　　Ihadneveroccasiontoreposeconfidenceinapersonofhisdescription，’’answeredWaverley。IfavouredSergeantHoughtonasaclever，activeyoungfellow，andIbelievehisfellow-soldiersrespectedhimaccordingly。’’
　　Butyouusedthroughthisman，’’answeredMajorMelville，tocommunicatewithsuchofyourtroopaswererecruiteduponWaverley-Honour？’’
　　Certainly；thepoorfellows，findingthemselvesinaregimentchieflycomposedofScotchorIrish，lookeduptomeinanyoftheirlittledistresses，andnaturallymadetheircountryman，andsergeant，theirspokesmanonsuchoccasions。’’
　　SergeantHoughton’sinfluence，’’continuedtheMajor，extended，then，particularlyoverthosesoldierswhofollowedyoutotheregimentfromyouruncle’sestate？’’
　　Surely；-butwhatisthattothepresentpurpose？’’
　　TothatIamjustcoming，andIbeseechyourcandidreply。
　　Haveyou，sinceleavingtheregiment，heldanycorrespondence，directorindirect，withthisSergeantHoughton？’
　　I！-Iholdcorrespondencewithamanofhisrankandsituation！-How，orforwhatpurpose？’’