This movement brought them so near Edith, that she could distinctly hear Claverhouse say, "It cannot be, Major Bellenden; lenity, in his case, is altogether beyond the bounds of my commission, though in any thing else I am heartily desirous to oblige you .-- And here comes Evandale with news, as I think .-- What tidings do you bring us, Evandale ?" he continued, addressing the young lord, who now entered in complete uniform, but with his dress disordered, and his boots spattered, as if by riding hard.
[Illustration: Claverhouse--176] "Unpleasant news, sir," was his reply.

"A large body of whigs are in arms among the hills, and have broken out into actual rebellion.

They have publicly burnt the Act of Supremacy, that which established episcopacy, that for observing the martyrdom of Charles I., and some others, and have declared their intention to remain together in arms for furthering the covenanted work of reformation." This unexpected intelligence struck a sudden and painful surprise into the minds of all who heard it, excepting Claverhouse.
"Unpleasant news call you them ?" replied Colonel Grahame, his dark eyes flashing fire, "they are the best I have heard these six months.

Now that the scoundrels are drawn into a body, we will make short work with them.
When the adder crawls into daylight," he added, striking the heel of his boot upon the floor, as if in the act of crushing a noxious reptile, "I can trample him to death; he is only safe when he remains lurking in his den or morass .-- Where are these knaves ?" he continued, addressing Lord Evandale.
"About ten miles off among the mountains, at a place called Loudon-hill," was the young nobleman's reply.

"I dispersed the conventicle against which you sent me, and made prisoner an old trumpeter of rebellion,--an intercommuned minister, that is to say,--who was in the act of exhorting his hearers to rise and be doing in the good cause, as well as one or two of his hearers who seemed to be particularly insolent; and from some country people and scouts I learned what I now tell you." "What may be their strength ?" asked his commander.
"Probably a thousand men, but accounts differ widely." "Then," said Claverhouse, "it is time for us to be up and be doing also--Bothwell, bid them sound to horse." Bothwell, who, like the war-horse of scripture, snuffed the battle afar off, hastened to give orders to six negroes, in white dresses richly laced, and having massive silver collars and armlets.