'
[This metrical spell, or something very like it, is preserved
by Reginald Scott, in his work on Witchcraft.]
Edward observed, with some surprise, that even Fergus, notwithstanding
his knowledge and education, seemed to fall in with the superstitious
ideas of his countrymen, either because he deemed it impolitic to affect
scepticism on a matter of general belief, or more probably because, like
most men who do not think deeply or accurately on such subjects, he had
in his mind a reserve of superstition which balanced the freedom of
his expressions and practice upon other occasions. Waverley made no
commentary, therefore, on the manner of the treatment, but rewarded the
professor of medicine with a liberality beyond the utmost conception
of his wildest hopes. He uttered, on the occasion, so many incoherent
blessings in Gaelic and English, that Mac-Ivor, rather scandalized at
the excess of his acknowledgements, cut them short, by exclaiming, 'CEUD
MILE MHALLOICH ART ORT!' i.e. 'A hundred thousand curses on you!' and so
pushed the helper of men out of the cabin.
After Waverley was left alone, the exhaustion of pain and fatigue,--for
the whole day's exercise had been severe,--threw him into a profound,
but yet a feverish sleep, which he chiefly owed to an opiate draught
administered by the old Highlander from some decoction of herbs in his
pharmacopoeia.
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