She was supported by
Waverley and the Baron, with the advantage of the Chieftain vis-a-vis.
The men of peace and of war, that is, Bailie Macwheeble and Ensign
Maccombich, after many profound conges to their superiors and each other,
took their places on each side of the Chieftain. Their fare was
excellent, time, place, and circumstances considered, and Fergus's
spirits were extravagantly high. Regardless of danger, and sanguine from
temper, youth, and ambition, he saw in imagination all his prospects
crowned with success, and was totally indifferent to the probable
alternative of a soldier's grave. The Baron apologized slightly for
bringing Macwheeble. They had been providing, he said, for the expenses
of the campaign. 'And, by my faith,' said the old man, 'as I think this
will be my last, so I just end where I began: I hae evermore found the
sinews of war, as a learned author calls the caisse mttitaire, mair
difficult to come by than either its flesh, blood, or bones.'
'What! have you raised our only efficient body of cavalry and got ye none
of the louis-d'or out of the Doutelle [Footnote: The Doutelle was an
armed vessel which brought a small supply of money and arms from France
for the use of the insurgents.
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