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.

The jolly yeoman cut a rasher of bacon, which Cicely soon broiled, and her father added a swingeing tankard of his best ale.
It was settled, that Edward should remain there till the troops marched in the morning, then hire or buy a horse from the farmer, and, with the best directions that could be obtained, endeavour to overtake his friends.

A clean, though coarse bed, received him after the fatigues of this unhappy day.
With the morning arrived the news that the Highlanders had evacuated Penrith, and marched off towards Carlisle; that the Duke of Cumberland was in possession of Penrith, and that detachments of his army covered the roads in every direction.

To attempt to get through undiscovered, would be an act of the most frantic temerity.