CHAPTER XVII.

But see! through the fast-flashing lightnings of war, What steed to the desert flies frantic and far? Campbell.

During the severe skirmish of which we have given the details, Morton, together with Cuddie and his mother, and the Reverend Gabriel Kettledrummle, remained on the brow of the hill, near to the small cairn, or barrow, beside which Claverhouse had held his preliminary council of war, so that they had a commanding view of the action which took place in the bottom. They were guarded by Corporal Inglis and four soldiers, who, as may readily be supposed, were much more intent on watching the fluctuating fortunes of the battle, than in attending to what passed among their prisoners.

"If you lads stand to their tackle," said Cuddie, "we'll hae some chance o' getting our necks out o' the brecham again; but I misdoubt them--they hae little skeel o' arms."

"Much is not necessary, Cuddie," answered Morton; "they have a strong position, and weapons in their hands, and are more than three times the number of their assailants. If they cannot fight for their freedom now, they and theirs deserve to lose it for ever."

"O, sirs," exclaimed Mause, "here's a goodly spectacle indeed! My spirit is like that of the blessed Elihu, it burns within me--my bowels are as wine which lacketh vent--they are ready to burst like new bottles. O, that He may look after His ain people in this day of judgment and deliverance!--And now, what ailest thou, precious Mr Gabriel Kettledrummle? I say, what ailest thou, that wert a Nazarite purer than snow, whiter than milk, more ruddy than sulphur," (meaning, perhaps, sapphires,)--"I say, what ails thee now, that thou art blacker than a coal, that thy beauty is departed, and thy loveliness withered like a dry potsherd? Surely it is time to be up and be doing, to cry loudly and to spare not, and to wrestle for the puir lads that are yonder testifying with their ain blude and that of their enemies."

Answer this series of questions:

1. Who says his bowels are like wine?
2. Are they ready to burst?
3. What does Mause confuse sulphur with?
4. What does Mause say it is time to do?
5. Anything else?
6. And?
7. What are the lads doing?
8. Who travels fast and far?
9. Is Cuddie with his mother?
10. What is the Reverend's name?
11. First name?
12. Where did he stay?
13. Which was near to what?
14. What is another name for that?
15. What event had happened near there?
16. Who organized it?
17. Did the group have a good vantage point of the battle?
18. Were they guarded?
19. By whom?
20. Who else?

Numbered answers:
1. Mause
2. yes
3. sapphires
4. to be up and be doing
5. to cry loudly
6. and to wrestle for the puir lads
7. testifying with their ain blude and that of their enemies
8. Campbell
9. yes
10. Kettledrummle
11. Gabriel
12. on the brow of the hill
13. the small cairn
14. barrow
15. council of war
16. Claverhouse
17. yes
18. yes
19. Corporal Inglis
20. four soldiers