noon
None of these proposals met the Baron 's approbation . The idea of composition , direct or implied , was absolutely ignominious ; that of Waverley only showed that he did not understand the state of the country , and of the political parties which divided it ; and , standing matters as they did with Fergus Mac-Ivor Vich Ian Vohr , the Baron would make no concession to him , were it , he said , ` to procure restitution in integrum of every stirk and stot that the chief , his forefathers , and his clan , had stolen since the days of Malcolm Canmore . ' In fact his voice was still for war , and he proposed to send expresses to Balmawhapple , Killancureit , Tulliellum , and other lairds , who were exposed to similar depredations , inviting them to join in the pursuit ; ` and then , sir , shall these nebulones nequissimi , as Leslaeus calls them , be brought to the fate of their predecessor Cacus , `` Elisos oculos , et siccum sanguine guttur . '' ' The Bailie , who by no means relished these warlike counsels , here pulled forth an immense watch , of the colour , and nearly of the size , of a pewter warming-pan , and observed it was now past noon , and that the Caterans had been seen in the pass of Ballybrough soon after sunrise ; so that , before the allied forces could assemble , they and their prey would be far beyond the reach of the most active pursuit , and sheltered in those pathless deserts , where it was neither advisable to follow , nor indeed possible to trace them . This proposition was undeniable . The council therefore broke up without coming to any conclusion , as has occurred to councils of more importance ; only it was determined that the Bailie should send his own three milkcows down to the mains for the use of the Baron 's family , and brew small ale , as a substitute for milk , in his own . To this arrangement , which was suggested by Saunderson , the Bailie readily assented , both from habitual deference to the family , and an internal consciousness that his courtesy would , in some mode or other , be repaid tenfold .