The word was given in Gaelic to fling
themselves upon their faces; but Waverley, on whose English ears the
signal was lost, had almost fallen a sacrifice to his ignorance of the
ancient language in which it was communicated. Fergus, observing his
danger, sprang up and pulled him with violence to the ground, just
as the whole herd broke down upon them. The tide being absolutely
irresistible, and wounds from a stag's horn highly dangerous, the
activity of the Chieftain may be considered, on this occasion, as having
saved his guest's life. [The thrust from the tynes, or branches, of the
stag's horns, was accounted far more dangerous than those of the boar's
tusk:--
If thou be hurt with horn of stag, it brings thee to thy bier,
But barber's hand shall boar's hurt heal; thereof have thou no
fear.]
He detained him with a firm grasp until the whole herd of deer had
fairly run over them. Waverley then attempted to rise, but found that
he had suffered several very severe contusions; and, upon a further
examination, discovered that he had sprained his ankle violently.
This checked the mirth of the meeting, although the Highlanders,
accustomed to such incidents, and prepared for them, had suffered no
harm themselves.
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