Once more, will you take the plaid, and stay a little while with us among the mists and the crows, in the bravest cause ever sword was drawn in ?' [Footnote: A Highland rhyme on Glencairn's Expedition, in 1650, has these lines-- We'll bide a while amang ta crows, We'll wiske ta sword and bend ta bows] 'For many reasons, my dear Fergus, you must hold me excused.' 'Well then,' said Mac-Ivor, 'I shall certainly find you exerting your poetical talents in elegies upon a prison, or your antiquarian researches in detecting the Oggam [Footnote: The Oggam is a species of the old Irish character.

The idea of the correspondence betwixt the Celtic and Punic, founded on a scene in Plautus, was not started till General Vallancey set up his theory, long after the date of Fergus Mac-Ivor] character or some Punic hieroglyphic upon the keystones of a vault, curiously arched.

Or what say you to un petit pendement bien joli?
against which awkward ceremony I don't warrant you, should you meet a body of the armed West-Country Whigs.' 'And why should they use me so ?' said Waverley.
'For a hundred good reasons,' answered Fergus.

'First, you are an Englishman; secondly, a gentleman; thirdly, a prelatist abjured; and, fourthly, they have not had an opportunity to exercise their talents on such a subject this long while.

But don't be cast down, beloved; all will be done in the fear of the Lord.' 'Well, I must run my hazard.' 'You are determined, then ?' 'I am.' 'Wilful will do't' said Fergus.