 doubtful questions concerning plunder. The most important of the
last respected the property of a gold watch, which had once belonged to some
unfortunate English officer. The party against whom judgment was awarded
consoled himself by observing, »She (i.e. the watch, which he took for a living
animal) died the very night Vich Ian Vohr gave her to Murdock;« the machine
having, in fact, stopped for want of winding up.
    It was just when this important question was decided, that the Baron of
Bradwardine, with a careful and yet important expression of countenance, joined
the two young men. He descended from his reeking charger, the care of which he
recommended to one of his grooms. »I seldom ban, sir,« said he to the man; »but
if you play any of your hound's-foot tricks, and leave puir Berwick before he's
sorted, to rin after spuilzie, deil be wi' me if I do not give your craig a
thraw.« He then stroked with great complacency the animal which had borne him
through the fatigues of the day, and having taken a tender leave of him, -
»Weel, my good young friends, a glorious and decisive victory,« said he; »but
these loons of troopers fled ower soon. I should have liked to have shown you
the true points of the prælium equestre, or equestrian combat, whilk their
cowardice has postponed, and which I hold to be the pride and terror of warfare.
Weel, I have fought once more in this old quarrel, though I admit I could not be
so far ben as you lads, being that it was my point of duty to keep together our
handful of horse. And no cavalier ought in any wise to begrudge honour that
befalls his companions, even though they are ordered upon thrice his danger,
whilk, another time, by the blessing of God, may be his own case. - But,
Glennaquoich, and you, Mr. Waverley, I pray ye to give me your best advice on a
matter of mickle weight, and which deeply affects the honour of the house of
Bradwardine. - I crave your pardon, Ensign Maccombich, and yours, Inveraughlin,
and yours, Edderalshendrach, and yours, sir.«
    The last person he addressed was Ballenkeiroch, who, remembering the death
of his son, lowered on him with a look of savage defiance. The Baron, quick as
lightning at taking umbrage, had already bent his brow, when Glennaquoich
dragged his major from the spot, and remonstrated with him, in
