# IX: A Nocturnal Adventure explained — Waverley

> Chapter companion for Waverley by Walter Scott.

## What happens

Waverley is led by Highlanders through a perilous night journey, evading English soldiers. After a clever diversion by Duncan Duroch, they reach the Castle of Doune, where Waverley is welcomed by Governor Donald Stewart, a Jacobite officer.

## Themes in this chapter

### Loyalty and Allegiance

The Highlanders' commitment to the Jacobite cause is demonstrated through their risky nocturnal mission to escort Waverley to Castle Doune.

### Change and Transition

Waverley's journey from a captive to a guest at Castle Doune marks a pivotal transition in his allegiance and identity.

## Character check-ins

### Edward Waverley

Guided by Highlanders through a nocturnal escape, he is brought to Castle Doune and greeted by the Jacobite governor.

### Duncan Duroch

The Highlander who leads the party, devises a stratagem to distract the English sentinel, and successfully guides Waverley to safety.

### Donald Bean Lean

Referenced as the commander of the Highland party, though not present; his lieutenant leads the nocturnal adventure.

### Prince Charles Edward Stuart

Mentioned as the prince in whose service Lieutenant-Colonel Donald Stewart commands the garrison at Castle Doune.

### Evan Dhu Maccombich

Implied as one of the Highlanders accompanying Waverley, though not explicitly named in this excerpt.

## Key lines

> There was a moment’s pause when the whole party had got out of the hut; and the Highlander who assumed the command, and who, in Waverley’s awakened recollection, seemed to be the same tall figure who had acted as Donald Bean Lean’s lieutenant, by whispers and signs imposed the strictest silence.

After leaving the hut, the Highlander leading the group—whom Waverley recognized as Donald Bean Lean's lieutenant—silently signaled for everyone to be quiet.

_Waverley identifies the leader as the lieutenant from earlier encounters._

> The Highlander eyed the blue vault, but far from blessing the useful light with Homer’s, or rather Pope’s benighted peasant, he muttered a Gaelic curse upon the unseasonable splendour of ‘MacFarlane’s buat’ (i.e. lantern).

Instead of welcoming the moonlight like a grateful traveler, the Highlander cursed it as 'MacFarlane's lantern,' a Gaelic term for the moon.

_The Highlander's reaction to the moonlight reveals his concern about being detected._

> The Highlander, after giving them a full view of his person, dived among the thickets, for his ruse de guerre had now perfectly succeeded.

After exposing himself to draw the soldiers' attention, the Highlander disappeared into the bushes, having successfully executed his diversionary tactic.

_Duncan Duroch's stratagem allows Waverley to escape unnoticed._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-ix-a-nocturnal-adventure
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/waverley_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/waverley_se/chapters