'Rufin! I assure you, Houghton, you have been vilely imposed upon.'
'I often thought so,' said Houghton,'though they showed us your very seal; and so Tims was shot and I was reduced to the ranks.'
'Do not exhaust your strength in speaking,' said Edward; 'I will get you a surgeon presently.'
He saw Mac-Ivor approaching, who was now returning from headquarters, where he had attended a council of war, and hastened to meet him. 'Brave news!'shouted the Chief; 'we shall be at it in less than two hours. The Prince has put himself at the head of the advance, and, as he drew his sword, called out, "My friends, I have thrown away the scabbard." Come, Waverley, we move instantly.'
'A moment—a moment; this poor prisoner is dying; where shall I find a surgeon?'
'Why, where should you? We have none, you know, but two or three French fellows, who, I believe, are little better than garqons apothecaires.'
'But the man will bleed to death.'
'Poor fellow!' said Fergus, in a momentary fit of compassion; then instantly added, 'But it will be a thousand men's fate before night; so come along.'
'I cannot; I tell you he is a son of a tenant of my uncle's.'
'O, if he's a follower of yours he must be looked to; I'll send Callum to you; but diaoul! ceade millia mottigheart,' continued the impatient Chieftain, 'what made an old soldier like Bradwardine send dying men here to cumber us?'