 rapine. He was particularly employed in learning the
strength of the regiments in Scotland, the character of the officers, etc., and
had long had his eye upon Waverley's troop, as open to temptation. Donald even
believed that Waverley himself was at bottom in the Stuart interest, which
seemed confirmed by his long visit to the Jacobite Baron of Bradwardine. When,
therefore, he came to his cave with one of Glennaquoich's attendants, the
robber, who could never appreciate his real motive, which was mere curiosity,
was so sanguine as to hope that his own talents were to be employed in some
intrigue of consequence under the auspices of this wealthy young Englishman. Nor
was he undeceived by Waverley's neglecting all hints and openings for an
explanation. His conduct passed for prudent reserve, and somewhat piqued Donald
Bean, who, supposing himself left out of a secret where confidence promised to
be advantageous, determined to have his share in the drama, whether a regular
part were assigned him or not. For this purpose, during Waverley's sleep, he
possessed himself of his seal, as a token to be used to any of the troopers whom
he might discover to be possessed of the captain's confidence. His first journey
to Dundee, the town where the regiment was quartered, undeceived him in his
original supposition, but opened to him a new field of action. He knew there
would be no service so well rewarded by the friends of the Chevalier, as
seducing a part of the regular army to his standard. For this purpose, he opened
the machinations with which the reader is already acquainted, and which form a
clue to all the intricacies and obscurities of the narrative previous to
Waverley's leaving Glennaquoich.
    By Colonel Talbot's advice, Waverley declined detaining in his service the
lad whose evidence had thrown additional light on these intrigues. He
represented to him that it would be doing the man an injury to engage him in a
desperate undertaking, and that, whatever should happen, his evidence would go
some length, at least, in explaining the circumstances under which Waverley
himself had embarked in it. Waverley therefore wrote a short statement of what
had happened, to his uncle and his father, cautioning them, however, in the
present circumstances, not to attempt to answer his letter. Talbot then gave the
young man a letter to the commander of one of the English vessels of war
cruising in the firth, requesting him to put the bearer ashore at Berwick, with
a pass to proceed to -- shire. He was then furnished with money to make
