On asking the meaning of this
separation, Waverley was told that the Lowlander must go to a hamlet
about three miles off for the night; for unless it was some very
particular friend, Donald Bean Lean, the worthy person whom they
supposed to be possessed of the cattle, did not much approve of
strangers approaching his retreat. This seemed reasonable, and silenced
a qualm of suspicion which came across Edward's mind, when he saw
himself, at such a place and such an hour, deprived of his only Lowland
companion. And Evan immediately afterwards added, 'that indeed he
himself had better get forward, and announce their approach to Donald
Bean Lean, as the arrival of a SIDIER ROY (red soldier) might otherwise
be a disagreeable surprise.' And without waiting for an answer, in
jockey phrase, he trotted out, and putting himself to a very round pace,
was out of sight in an instant.
Waverley was now left to his own meditations, for his attendant with the
battle-axe spoke very little English. They were traversing a thick, and,
as it seemed, an endless wood of pines, and consequently the path was
altogether indiscernible in the murky darkness which surrounded them.
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