His
figure was displayed to advantage, by a candle which he bore in his left
hand; in his right he brandished a poker.
What hast ho here, wench?'
'Oh!' cried the poor girl, almost going off in hysterics, I thought it
was Ned Williams, and it is one of the plaid-men!'
'And what was thee ganging to do wi' Ned Williams at this time o'
noight?' To this, which was, perhaps, one of the numerous class of
questions more easily asked than answered, the rosy-cheeked damsel made
no reply, but continued sobbing and wringing her hands.
'And thee, lad, dost ho know that the dragoons be a town? Dost ho know
that, mon?--ad, they'll sliver thee like a turnip, mon.'
'I know my life is in great danger,' said Waverley, 'but if you can
assist me, I will reward you handsomely, I am no Scotchman, but an
unfortunate English gentleman.'
'Be ho Scot or no,' said the honest farmer, 'I wish thou hadst kept the
other side of the hallan. But since thou art here, Jacob Jopson will
betray no man's bluid; and the plaids were gay canny, and did not
so much mischief when they were here yesterday.' Accordingly, he set
seriously about sheltering and refreshing our hero for the night, The
fire was speedily rekindled, but with precaution against its light being
seen from without.
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