 military discipline of Europe, the soldiers whom they are
to encounter are no less strangers to their peculiar and formidable mode of
attack: that the attachment and courage of the chiefs and gentlemen are not to
be doubted; and that as they will be in the midst of the enemy, their clansmen
will as surely follow them; in fine, that having drawn the sword, we should
throw away the scabbard, and trust our cause to battle, and to the God of
Battles. Will Mr. Waverley favour us with his opinion in these arduous
circumstances?«
    Waverley coloured high betwixt pleasure and modesty at the distinction
implied in this question, and answered, with equal spirit and readiness, that he
could not venture to offer an opinion as derived from military skill, but that
the council would be far the most acceptable to him which should first afford
him an opportunity to evince his zeal in his Royal Highness's service.
    »Spoken like a Waverley!« answered Charles Edward; »and that you may hold a
rank in some degree corresponding to your name, allow me, instead of the
captain's commission which you have lost, to offer you the brevet rank of major
in my service, with the advantage of acting as one of my aides-de-camp until you
can be attached to a regiment, of which I hope several will be speedily
embodied.«
    »Your Royal Highness will forgive me,« answered Waverley (for his
recollection turned to Balmawhapple and his scanty troop), »if I decline
accepting any rank until the time and place where I may have interest enough to
raise a sufficient body of men to make my command useful to your Royal
Highness's service. In the meanwhile, I hope for your permission to serve as a
volunteer under my friend Fergus Mac-Ivor.«
    »At least,« said the Prince, who was obviously pleased with this proposal,
»allow me the pleasure of arming you after the Highland fashion.« With these
words, he unbuckled the broadsword which he wore, the belt of which was plated
with silver, and the steel basket hilt richly and curiously inlaid. »The blade,«
said the Prince, »is a genuine Andrea Ferrara; it has been a sort of heir-loom
in our family; but I am convinced I put it into better hands than my own, and
will add to it pistols of the same workmanship. - Colonel Mac-Ivor, you must
have much to say to your friend; I will detain you no longer from your private
conversation; but remember we expect you both to
