an, of low stature, the ample folds of whose plaid
added to the appearance of strength which his person exhibited. The
short kilt, or petticoat, showed his sinewy and clean-made limbs; the
goat-skin purse, flanked by the usual defences, a dirk and steel-wrought
pistol, hung before him; his bonnet had a short feather, which indicated
his claim to be treated as a Duinhe-wassel, or sort of gentleman; a
broadsword dangled by his side, a target hung upon his shoulder, and
a long Spanish fowling-piece occupied one of his hands. With the other
hand he pulled off his bonnet, and the Baron, who well knew their
customs, and the proper mode of addressing them, immediately said, with
an air of dignity, but without rising, and much, as Edward thought,
in the manner of a prince receiving an embassy, 'Welcome, Evan Dhu
Maccombich! what news from Fergus Mac-Ivor Vich Ian Vohr?'

'Fergus Mac-Ivor Vich Ian Vohr,' said the ambassador, in good English,
'greets you well, Baron of Bradwardine and Tully-Veolan, and is sorry
there has been a thick cloud interposed between you and him, which has
kept you from seeing and considering the friendship and alliances that
have been between your houses and forebears of old; and he prays you
that the cloud may pass away, and that things may be as they have been
heretofore between the clan Ivor and the house of Bradwardine, when
there was an egg between them for a flint, and a knife for a sword. And
he expects you will also say, you are sorry for the cloud, and no man
shall hereafter ask whether it descended from the hill to the valley,
or rose from the valley to the hill; for they never struck with the
scabbard who did not receive with the sword; and woe to him who would
lose his friend for the stormy cloud of a spring morning!'

To this the Baron of Bradwardine answered, with suitable dignity, that
he knew the chief of clan Ivor to be a well-wisher to the King, and he
was sorry there should have been a cloud between him and any gentleman
of such sound principles, 'for when folks are banding together, feeble
is he who hath no brother.'

This appearing perfectly satisfactory, that the peace between these
august persons might be duly solemnized, the Baron ordered a stoup of
usquebaugh, and, filling a glass, drank to the health and prosperity of
Mac-Ivor of Glennaquoich; upon which the Celtic ambassador, to requite
his politeness, turned down a mighty bumper of the same generous liquor,
seasoned with his