'I have confessed to-day, ere you were awake,' whispered Fergus to
Waverley; 'yet I am not so strict a Catholic as to refuse to join in this
good man's prayers.'
Edward assented, and they remained till the Baron had concluded the
service.
As he shut the book, 'Now, lads,' said he, 'have at them in the morning
with heavy hands and light consciences.' He then kindly greeted Mac-Ivor
and Waverley, who requested to know his opinion of their situation. Why,
you know Tacitus saith, "In rebus bellicis maxime dominalur Fortuna,"
which is equiponderate with our vernacular adage, "Luck can maist in the
mellee." But credit me, gentlemen, yon man is not a deacon o' his craft.
He damps the spirits of the poor lads he commands by keeping them on the
defensive, whilk of itself implies inferiority or fear. Now will they lie
on their arms yonder as anxious and as ill at ease as a toad under a
harrow, while our men will be quite fresh and blithe for action in the
morning. Well, good-night. One thing troubles me, but if to-morrow goes
well off, I will consult you about it, Glennaquoich.'
'I could almost apply to Mr. Bradwardine the character which Henry gives
of Fluellen,' said Waverley, as his friend and he walked towards their
bivouac:
'Though it appears a little out of fashion,
There is much care and valour in this "Scotchman.
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