Now, there are two opinions in my council of war: one, that being inferior probably in numbers, and certainly in discipline and military appointments, not to mention our total want of artillery, and the weakness of our cavalry, it will be safest to fall back towards the mountains, and there protract the war, until fresh succours arrive from France, and the whole body of the Highland clans shall have taken arms in our favour.The opposite opinion maintains, that a retrograde movement, in our circumstance, is certain to throw utter discredit on our arms and undertaking; and, far from gaining us new partisans, will be the means of disheartening those who have joined our standard.The officers who used these last arguments, among whom is your friend Fergus Mac-Ivor, maintain that if the Highlanders are strangers to the usual military discipline of Europe, the soldiers whom they are to encounter are no less strangers to their peculiar and formidable mode of attack: that the attachment and courage of the chiefs and gentlemen are not to be doubted; and that as they will be in the midst of the enemy, their clansmen will as surely follow them; in fine, that having drawn the sword, we should throw away the scabbard, and trust our cause to battle, and to the God of Battles.Will Mr.Waverley favour us with his opinion in these arduous circumstances?''
Waverley coloured high betwixt pleasure and modesty at the distinction implied in this question, and answered, with equal spirit and readiness, that he could not venture to offer an opinion as derived from military skill, but that the council would be far the most acceptable to him which should first afford him an opportunity to evince his zeal in his Royal Highness's service.
``Spoken like a Waverley!'' answered Charles Edward; ``and that you may hold a rank in some degree corresponding to your name, allow me, instead of the captain's commission which you have lost, to offer you the brevet rank of major in my service, with the advantage of acting as one of my aides-de-camp until you can be attached to a regiment, of which I hope several will be speedily embodied.''
``Your Royal Highness will forgive me,'' answered Waverley (for his recollection turned to Balmawhapple and his scanty troop), ``if I decline accepting any rank until the time and place where I may have interest enough to raise a sufficient body of men to make my command useful to your Royal Highness's service.In the meanwhile, I hope for your permission to serve as a volunteer under my friend Fergus Mac-Ivor.''
``At least,'' said the Prince, who was obviously pleased with this proposal, ``allow me the pleasure of arming you after the Highland fashion.'' With these words, he unbuckled the broadsword which he wore, the belt of which was plated with silver, and the steel basket hilt richly and curiously inlaid.``The blade,'' said the Prince, ``is a genuine Andrea Ferrara; it has been a sort of heir-loom in our family; but I am convinced Iput it into better hands than my own, and will add to it pistols of the same workmanship.---Colonel Mac-Ivor, you must have much to say to your friend; I will detain you no longer from your private conversation; but remember we expect you both to attend us in the evening.It may be perhaps the last night we may enjoy in these halls, and as we go to the field with a clear conscience, we will spend the eve of battle merrily.''
Thus licensed, the chief and Waverley left the presence-chamber.
