f the column had apparently been
in motion for some time, and was now winding through the rocky defiles
into the long narrow strath which lay below him; but such was the
extent of the train that the rear had but just cleared the sea-shore.
It was a solemn and impressive spectacle to look down from such a
height upon the sable and inaudible procession stealing along and
meandering upon the narrow ribbon-like paths that skirted the base of
the mountains. The mourners were naturally a silent train even when
viewed from a nearer station: but from Bertram's aerial position the
very horses and carriages seemed shod with felt. So far as he could
make out the objects from the elevation at which he stood, the
procession opened with a large hearse--by the side of which walked
four stout marines as mourners. Close behind the hearse followed
about a dozen post-chaises; and, by the side of each, walked a couple
of sailors armed with cutlasses. Immediately in the rear of the
post-chaises followed those who claimed relationship to the deceased;
amongst whom Bertram fancied that he could distinguish plumes of
feathers--and occasionally, as the inequalities of the ground threw the
files into a looser array, a motley assemblage of colors and a
glittering of arms.

From this leisurely view however of the procession, as in the character
of an indifferent spectator, Bertram now gradually dropped down the
hill in order to take his station in it as an active participator in
its labors. The speed and direction of his course proclaimed his
purpose: and, although the majority of the train walked with their
heads bent to the ground, there were many who saw him; and all with one
accord called aloud to him, before he took his place in the train, to
cut himself a knotty cudgel. This symbol of fraternity Bertram had
wholly forgotten to provide; and, observing that in feet all the
mourners carried one, he hesitated not to cut a stout bough out of the
first thorn bush he happened to see. This however chanced to be so
large--knotty--and clublike, that Bertram could not forbear secretly
comparing his own appearance with that of the Heraldic wild man of the
woods as emblazoned in Armorial Bearings. Indeed this whole ceremony of
initiation struck him as so whimsical, and so nearly resembling the
classical equipment for the funeral regions dictated by the Sibyl to
AEneas,[1] that he took the liberty--on assuming his place in the
funeral train--to put a que