arrants were
sent out for apprehending several gentlemen in these parts, and, among
others, my dear father. In spite of all my tears and entreaties that he
would surrender himself to the Government, he joined with Mr. Falconer
and some other gentlemen, and they have all gone northwards, with a body
of about forty horsemen. So I am not so anxious concerning his immediate
safety, as about what may follow afterwards, for these troubles are only
beginning. But all this is nothing to you, Mr. Waverley, only I thought
you would be glad to learn that my father has escaped, in case you
happen to have heard that he was in danger.

'The day after my father went off, there came a party of soldiers to
Tully-Veolan, and behaved very rudely to Bailie Macwheeble; but the
officer was very civil to me, only said his duty obliged him to search
for arms and papers. My father had provided against this by taking away
all the arms except the old useless things which hung in the hall; and
he had put all his papers out of the way. But oh! Mr. Waverley, how
shall I tell you that they made strict inquiry after you, and asked when
you had been at Tully-Veolan, and where you now were. The officer is
gone back with his party, but a non-commissioned officer and four men
remain as a sort of garrison in the house. They have hitherto behaved
very well, as we are forced to keep them in good humour. But these
soldiers have hinted as if on your falling into their hands you would
be in great danger; I cannot prevail on myself to write what wicked
falsehoods they said, for I am sure they are falsehoods; but you will
best judge what you ought to do. The party that returned carried off
your servant prisoner, with your two horses, and everything that you
left at Tully-Veolan. I hope God will protect you, and that you will get
safe home to England, where you used to tell me there was no military
violence nor fighting among clans permitted, but everything was done
according to an equal law that protected all who were harmless and
innocent. I hope you will exert your indulgence as to my boldness in
writing to you, where it seems to me, though perhaps erroneously, that
your safety and honour are concerned. I am sure--at least I think,
my father would approve of my writing; for Mr. Rubrick is fled to his
cousin's at the Duchran, to be out of danger from the soldiers and the
Whigs, and Bailie Macwheeble does not like to meddle (he says) in other
men's concerns, thou