bosom; and he could hardly refrain from rushing upon Hatteraick
and blowing his brains out.

At the same time this would have been no safe adventure. The
flame, as it rose and fell, while it displayed the strong,
muscular, and broad-chested frame of the ruffian, glanced also
upon two brace of pistols in his belt, and upon the hilt of his
cutlass: it was not to be doubted that his desperation was
commensurate with his personal strength and means of resistance.
Both, indeed, were inadequate to encounter the combined power of
two such men as Bertram himself and his friend Dinmont, without
reckoning their unexpected assistant Hazlewood, who was unarmed,
and of a slighter make; but Bertram felt, on a moment's
reflection, that there would be neither sense nor valour in
anticipating the hangman's office, and he considered the
importance of making Hatteraick prisoner alive. He therefore
repressed his indignation, and awaited what should pass between
the ruffian and his gipsy guide.

'And how are ye now?' said the harsh and discordant tones of his
female attendant.' Said I not, it would come upon you--ay, and in
this very cave, where ye harboured after the deed?'

'Wetter and sturm, ye hag!' replied Hatteraick, 'keep your
deyvil's matins till they're wanted. Have you seen Glossin?'

'No,' replied Meg Merrilies; 'you've missed your blow, ye blood-
spiller! and ye have nothing to expect from the tempter.'

'Hagel!' exclaimed the ruffian, 'if I had him but by the throat!