buthispurposewasdeprecatedbyallaroundhim，andhewaswithdifficultyinducedtoabandonit。
Bothlineswerenowmovingforward，thefirstpreparedforinstantcombat。Theclansofwhichitwascomposed，formedeachasortofseparatephalanx，narrowinfront，andindepthten，twelve，orfifteenfiles，accordingtothestrengthofthefollowing。Thebest-armedandbest-born，forthewordsweresynonymous，wereplacedinfrontofeachoftheseirregularsubdivisions。Theothersintherearshoulderedforwardthefront，andbytheirpressureaddedbothphysicalimpulse，andadditionalardourandconfidence，tothosewhowerefirsttoencounterthedanger。
Downwithyourplaid，Waverley，’’criedFergus，throwingoffhisown；we’llwinsilksforourtartansbeforethesunisabovethesea。’’
Theclansmenoneverysidestripttheirplaids，preparedtheirarms，andtherewasanawfulpauseofaboutthreeminutes，duringwhichthemen，pullingofftheirbonnets，raisedtheirfacestoheaven，andutteredashortprayer；thenpulledtheirbonnetsovertheirbrows，andbegantomoveforwardatfirstslowly。Waverleyfelthisheartatthatmomentthrobasitwouldhaveburstfromhisbosom，Itwasnotfear，itwasnotardour，-itwasacompoundofboth，anewanddeeplyenergeticimpulse，thatwithitsfirstemotionchilledandastounded，thenfeveredandmaddenedhismind。Thesoundsaroundhimcombinedtoexalthisenthusiasm；thepipesplayed，andtheclansrushedforward，eachinitsowndarkcolumn。Astheyadvancedtheymendedtheirpace，andthemutteringsoundsofthementoeachotherbegantoswellintoawildcry。
Atthismomentthesun，whichwasnowrisenabovethehorizon，dispelledthemist。Thevapoursroselikeacurtain，andshowedthetwoarmiesintheactofclosing。ThelineoftheregularswasformeddirectlyfrontingtheattackoftheHighlanders；
itglitteredwiththeappointmentsofacompletearmy，andwasflankedbycavalryandartillery。Butthesightimpressednoterrorontheassailants。
Forward，sonsofIvor，’’criedtheirChief，ortheCameronswilldrawthefirstblood！’’-Theyrushedonwithatremendousyell。
Therestiswellknown。Thehorse，whowerecommandedtochargetheadvancingHighlandersintheflank，receivedanirregularfirefromtheirfuseesastheyranon，and，seizedwithadisgracefulpanic，wavered，halted，disbanded，andgallopedfromthefield。Theartillerymen，desertedbythecavalry，fledafterdischargingtheirpieces，andtheHighlanders，whodroppedtheirgunswhenfired，anddrewtheirbroadswords，rushedwithheadlongfuryagainsttheinfantry。
Itwasatthismomentofconfusionandterror，thatWaverleyremarkedanEnglishofficer，apparentlyofhighrank，standingaloneandunsupportedbyafield-piece，which，aftertheflightofthemenbywhomitwaswrought，hehadhimselflevelledanddischargedagainsttheclanofMac-Ivor，thenearestgroupofHighlanderswithinhisaim。Struckwithhistall，martialfigure，andeagertosavehimfrominevitabledestruction，Waverleyoutstrippedforaninstanteventhespeediestofthewarriors，and，reachingthespotfirst，calledtohimtosurrender。
Theofficerrepliedbyathrustwithhissword，whichWaverleyreceivedinhistarget，andinturningitasidetheEnglishman’sweaponbroke。Atthesametimethebattle-axeofDugaldMahonywasintheactofdescendingupontheofficer’shead。
Waverleyinterceptedandpreventedtheblow，andtheofficer，perceivingfurtherresistanceunavailing，andstruckwithEdward’sgenerousanxietyforhissafety，resignedthefragmentofhissword，andwascommittedbyWaverleytoDugald，withstrictchargetousehimwell，andnottopillagehisperson，promisinghim，atthesametime，fullindemnificationforthespoil。
OnEdward’sright，thebattleforafewminutesragedfierceandthick。TheEnglishinfantry，trainedinthewarsinFlanders，stoodtheirgroundwithgreatcourage。Buttheirextendedfileswerepiercedandbrokeninmanyplacesbytheclosemassesoftheclans；andinthepersonalstrugglewhichensued，thenatureoftheHighlanders’weapons，andtheirextraordinaryfiercenessandactivity，gavethemadecidedsuperiorityoverthosewhohadbeenaccustomedtotrustmuchtotheirarrayanddiscipline，andfeltthattheonewasbrokenandtheotheruseless。Waverley，ashecasthiseyestowardsthissceneofsmokeandslaughter，observedColonelGardiner，desertedbyhisownsoldiersinspiteofallhisattemptstorallythem，yetspurringhishorsethroughthefieldtotakethecommandofasmallbodyofinfantry，who，withtheirbacksarrangedagainstthewallofhisownpark(forhishousewasclosebythefieldofbattle)，continuedadesperateandunavailingresistance。
Waverleycouldperceivethathehadalreadyreceivedmanywounds，hisclothesandsaddlebeingmarkedwithblood。Tosavethisgoodandbraveman，becametheinstantobjectofhismostanxiousexertions。Buthecouldonlywitnesshisfall。
EreEdwardcouldmakehiswayamongtheHighlanders，who，furiousandeagerforspoil，nowthrongeduponeachother，hesawhisformercommanderbroughtfromhishorsebytheblowofascythe，andbeheldhimreceive，whileontheground；
morewoundsthanwouldhaveletouttwentylives。WhenWaverleycameup，however，perceptionhadnotentirelyfled。
ThedyingwarriorseemedtorecogniseEdward，forhefixedhiseyeuponhimwithanupbraiding，yetsorrowfullook，andappearedtostruggleforutterance。Buthefeltthatdeathwasdealingcloselywithhim，andresigninghispurpose，andfoldinghishandsasifindevotion，hegaveuphissoultohisCreator。
ThelookwithwhichheregardedWaverleyinhisdyingmomentsdidnotstrikehimsodeeplyatthatcrisisofhurryandconfusion，aswhenitrecurredtohisimaginationatthedistanceofsometime。<>
NoteV。DeathofColonelGardiner。<！p306a>
Loudshoutsoftriumphnowechoedoverthewholefield。
Thebattlewasfoughtandwon，andthewholebaggage，artillery，andmilitarystoresoftheregulararmyremainedinpossessionofthevictors。Neverwasavictorymorecomplete。Scarceanyescapedfromthebattle，exceptingthecavalry，whohadleftitattheveryonset，andeventhesewerebrokenintodifferentparties，andscatteredalloverthecountry。Sofarasourtaleisconcerned，wehaveonlytorelatethefateofBalmawhapple，who，mountedonahorseasheadstrongandstiff-neckedashisrider，pursuedtheflightofthedragoonsabovefourmilesfromthefieldofbattle，whensomedozenofthefugitivestookheartofgrace，turnedround，and，cleavinghisskullwiththeirbroadswords，satisfiedtheworldthattheunfortunategentlemanhadactuallybrains，theendofhislifethusgivingproofofafactgreatlydoubtedduringitsprogress。Hisdeathwaslamentedbyfew。MostofthosewhoknewhimagreedinthepithyobservationofEnsignMaccombich，thattherewasmair_tint_
(lost)atSheriff-Muir。’’HisfriendLieutenantJinker，benthiseloquenceonlytoexculpatehisfavouritemarefromanyshareincontributingtothecatastrophe。Hehadtauldthelairdathousandtimes，’’hesaid，thatitwasaburningshametoputamartingaleuponthepuirthing，whenhewouldneedsrideherwi’acurbofhalf-a-yardlang；andthathecouldnabutbringhimsell(nottosayher)tosomemischief，byflingingherdown，orotherwise；whereas，ifhehadhadaweebitrinninringonthesnaffle，shewadha’rein’dascannilyasacadger’spownie。’’
SuchwastheelegyoftheLairdofBalmawhapple。<>
NoteW。LairdofBalmawhapple。<！p306b>
Whenthebattlewasover，andallthingscomingintoorder，theBaronofBradwardine，returningfromthedutyoftheday，andhavingdisposedthoseunderhiscommandintheirproperstations，soughttheChieftainofGlennaquoichandhisfriendEdwardWaverley。Hefoundtheformerbusiedindeterminingdisputesamonghisclansmenaboutpointsofprecedenceanddeedsofvalour，besidessundryhighanddoubtfulquestionsconcerningplunder。Themostimportantofthelastrespectedthepropertyofagoldwatch，whichhadoncebelongedtosomeunfortunateEnglishofficer。Thepartyagainstwhomjudgmentwasawardedconsoledhimselfbyobserving，She(_i。e。_thewatch，whichhetookforalivinganimal)diedtheverynightVichIanVohrgavehertoMurdock；’’themachinehaving，infact，stoppedforwantofwindingup。
Itwasjustwhenthisimportantquestionwasdecided，thattheBaronofBradwardine，withacarefulandyetimportantexpressionofcountenance，joinedthetwoyoungmen。Hedescendedfromhisreekingcharger，thecareofwhichherecommendedtooneofhisgrooms。Iseldomban，sir，’’saidhetotheman；butifyouplayanyofyourhound’s-foottricks，andleavepuirBerwickbeforehe’ssorted，torinafterspuilzie，deilbewi’meifIdonotgiveyourcraigathraw。’’Hethenstrokedwithgreatcomplacencytheanimalwhichhadbornehimthroughthefatiguesoftheday，andhavingtakenatenderleaveofhim，-Weel，mygoodyoungfriends，agloriousanddecisivevictory，’’saidhe；buttheseloonsoftroopersfledowersoon。Ishouldhavelikedtohaveshownyouthetruepointsofthe_pr
liumequestre，_orequestriancombat，whilktheircowardicehaspostponed，andwhichIholdtobetheprideandterrorofwarfare。Weel，Ihavefoughtoncemoreinthisoldquarrel，thoughIadmitIcouldnotbesofar_ben_asyoulads，beingthatitwasmypointofdutytokeeptogetherourhandfulofhorse。Andnocavalieroughtinanywisetobegrudgehonourthatbefallshiscompanions，eventhoughtheyareordereduponthricehisdanger，whilk，anothertime，bytheblessingofGod，maybehisowncase-But，Glennaquoich，andyou，Mr。Waverley，Iprayyetogivemeyourbestadviceonamatterofmickleweight，andwhichdeeplyaffectsthehonourofthehouseofBradwardine-Icraveyourpardon，EnsignMaccombich，andyours，Inveraughlin，andyours，Edderalshendrach，andyours，sir。’’
ThelastpersonheaddressedwasBallenkeiroch，who，rememberingthedeathofhisson，loweredonhimwithalookofsavagedefiance。TheBaron，quickaslightningattakingumbrage，hadalreadybenthisbrow，whenGlennaquoichdraggedhismajorfromthespot，andremonstratedwithhim，intheauthoritativetoneofachieftain，onthemadnessofrevivingaquarrelinsuchamoment。
Thegroundiscumberedwithcarcases，’’saidtheoldmountaineer，turningsullenlyaway；_onemore_wouldhardlyhavebeenkenn’duponit；andifitwasnaforyoursell，VichIanVohr，thatoneshouldbeBradwardine’sormine。’’
Thechiefsoothedwhilehehurriedhimaway；andthenreturnedtotheBaron。ItisBallenkeiroch，’’hesaid，inanunderandconfidentialvoice，fatheroftheyoungmanwhofelleightyearssinceintheunluckyaffairattheMains。’’
Ah！’’saidtheBaron，instantlyrelaxingthedoubtfulsternnessofhisfeatures，IcantakemicklefraamantowhomIhaveunhappilyrenderedsicadispleasureasthat。Yewererighttoapprizeme，Glennaquoich；hemaylookasblackasmidnightatMartinmasereCosmoComyneBradwardineshallsayhedoeshimwrang。Ah！Ihavenaemalelineage，andIshouldbearwithoneIhavemadechildless，thoughyouareawaretheblood-witwasmadeuptoyourainsatisfactionbyassythment，andthatIhavesinceexpeditedlettersofslains-
Weel，asIhavesaid，Ihavenomaleissue，andyetitisneedfulthatImaintainthehonourofmyhouse；anditisonthatscoreIprayedyeforyourpeculiarandprivateattention。’’
Thetwoyoungmenawaitedtohearhiminanxiouscuriosity。
Idoubtna，lads，’’heproceeded，butyoureducationhasbeensaeseento，thatyeunderstandthetruenatureofthefeudaltenures？’’
Fergus，afraidofanendlessdissertation，answered，Intimately，Baron，’’andtouchedWaverley，asasignaltoexpressnoignorance。
Andyeareaware，Idoubtnot，thattheholdingoftheBaronyofBradwardineisofanaturealikehonourableandpeculiar，beingblanch(whichCraigopinesoughttobeLatinated_blancum，_orrather_francum，_afreeholding)_proservitiodetrahendi，seuexuendi，caligasregispostbattalliam。_’’HereFergusturnedhisfalconeyeuponEdward，withanalmostimperceptibleriseofhiseyebrow，towhichhisshoulderscorrespondedinthesamedegreeofelevation。Now，twapointsofdubitationoccurtomeuponthistopic。First，whetherthisservice，orfeudalhomage，beatanyeventduetothepersonofthePrince，thewordsbeing，_perexpressum，caligas_=regis，=thebootsofthekinghimself；andIprayyouropinionanentthatparticularbeforeweproceedfarther。’’
Why，heisPrinceRegent，’’answeredMac-Ivor，withlaudablecomposureofcountenance；andinthecourtofFranceallthehonoursarerenderedtothepersonoftheRegentwhichareduetothatoftheKing。Besides，wereItopulloffeitheroftheirboots，IwouldrenderthatservicetotheyoungChevaliertentimesmorewillinglythantohisfather。’’
Ay，butItalknotofpersonalpredilections。However，yourauthorityisofgreatweightastotheusagesofthecourtofFrance：anddoubtlessthePrince，as_alterego，_mayhavearighttoclaimthe_homagium_ofthegreattenantsofthecrown，sinceallfaithfulsubjectsarecommanded，inthecommissionofregency，torespecthimastheking’sownperson。Far，therefore，beitfrommetodiminishthelustreofhisauthority，bywithholdingthisactofhomage，sopeculiarlycalculatedtogiveitsplendour；forIquestioniftheEmperorofGermanyhathhisbootstakenoffbyafreebaronoftheempire。Butherelieththeseconddifficulty-ThePrincewearsnoboots，butsimplybroguesandtrews。’’