" But come, my dear
Baron, you know as well as I that a hundred Uhlans, or a single troop of
Schmirschitz's Pandours, would make more havoc in a country than the
knight of the mirror and all the rest of our clans put together.'
'And that is very true likewise,' replied the Baron; 'they are, as the
heathen author says, ferociores in aspectu, mitiores in actu, of a horrid
and grim visage, but more benign in demeanour than their physiognomy or
aspect might infer. But I stand here talking to you two youngsters when I
should be in the King's Park.'
'But you will dine with Waverley and me on your return? I assure you,
Baron, though I can live like a Highlander when needs must, I remember my
Paris education, and understand perfectly faire la meilleure chere.'
'And wha the deil doubts it,' quoth the Baron, laughing, 'when ye bring
only the cookery and the gude toun must furnish the materials? Weel, I
have some business in the toun too; but I'll join you at three, if the
vivers can tarry so long.'
So saying, he took leave of his friends and went to look after the charge
which had been assigned him.
CHAPTER XIII
A SOLDIER'S DINNER
James of the Needle was a man of his word when whisky was no party to the
contract; and upon this occasion Callum Beg, who still thought himself in
Waverley's debt, since he had declined accepting compensation at the
expense of mine host of the Candlestick's person, took the opportunity of
discharging the obligation, by mounting guard over the hereditary tailor
of Sliochd nan Ivor; and, as he expressed himself, 'targed him tightly'
till the finishing of the job.
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