We had been in our tent for some time previous to the conclusion of the
day's events, the last of which was more archery.

Michael, after assisting me in the removal of mine armour, asked, in
that fashion that ever made it impossible for me to refuse his
request:--

"Sure, yer honour, may Oi agin crave yer honour's pardon fer axin' ye,
sor, to be absent a short toime, whoilst Oi agin look after thim ould
ladies yonder. Sure ye know, sor, Oi'd not be botherin' loike, if Oi
wasn't so bound by moy falein's to look after thim in the crowd."

"Yes, Michael, thou mayest go; but tarry not after thou hast taken them
safely from the field."

"Uh! sure, sor, Oi fale loike a thafe fer so botherin' yer honour with
ivir wantin' somethin'. Thank ye sor. Oi'll be back the minute that
Oi takes thim out o' danger," and with a respectful salute he vanished.

We were at our supper when Michael returned, completely out of breath,
as though he had travelled far at no slow pace.

"What in the devil's name hast thou been doing unto thyself?" I asked
in surprise.

"Runnin', sor," he gasped.

"Short and definite, as well as evident," said I. "But for why didst
thou come in such haste?"

"Uh! sure, yer honour, as Oi was returning after takin' the ould ladies
to a place o' safety, and as Oi came in soight o' yer honour's tint,
uh! sure if Oi didn't behould a damned varmint o' a raven a floyin' in
circles ouver this viry tint. Sure, sor, it's an ill day fer poor
Moichael when Oi have the misfortune to have to till moy master o' sich
bad luck," and he wrung his enormous hands in pure agony of spirit.

"Nay, my faithful friend, feel thankful rather that thou wert permitted
to see, and thus inform me of the ill-omened bird's presence, in which
the Royal Arthur now flies on wings of Hell's own darkness o'er this
fair land, employed as he is in the worthy mission of warning those
which danger threatens, and thus giving them some time to be employed
in guarding against the trouble."

"But did it alight upon the tent, or merely circle overhead?" asked
Harleston.

"Nay, sor; it was about to aloight, and had its avil bake agap to utter
some foul curse whin, at moy full spade, Oi rushed, with wavin' o' moy
arms in its doirection.

"I thank thee truly, Michael, for thy timely aid; for since it alighted
not, the danger is less great."

"True then was what the Frenchman told us of thy danger," said my
friend, speaking most serious. "C