eavy shower of rain and
hail; Dermot was doubtful whether he ought to shelter himself under the
young lord's cloak. "Still," he thought, "it will not be the worse for
being on my shoulders, and I shall be wet through and well-nigh frozen
before I reach the castle, if I am to sit on this animal's back exposed
to the storm."

He wisely therefore, having overcome his scruples, put on the cloak, and
continued his course as fast as the pony would condescend to go towards
the castle.

Just as the frigate was hid from his view by some intervening downs, he
thought he saw the men going aloft to loose the topsails, an indication
of the ship being about to get under weigh.

"It is the wisest thing that can be done," he thought to himself. "She
can easily stand off until the summer gale is over, and run no risk of
being driven on shore."

He was already at no great distance from the castle, when suddenly from
behind some rocks and bushes which lay near the road, a number of men
sprang up and seized the bridle of his pony. He was too much astonished
to cry out, or to ask what was their purpose in thus attacking him.

By the expressions that they uttered, however, he soon discovered that
they were under the impression that they had got possession of the young
lord.

"Now," he thought to himself, with admirable presence of mind, "the best
thing I can do is to hold my tongue, and just see what they intended to
do with him. I would a great deal rather that they caught hold of me,
to whom it matters not what harm they do, than the young lord. I would
willingly save him for his sweet sister's sake, and for his too, for he
is a kind boy, with a gentle heart. I am sure of that. There is no
pride or haughtiness about him. If there were, I should not feel
disposed to serve him. No, I could not do that. Well, I will see what
these men want to do with him. They will be rather surprised and
enraged may be when they find whom they have got, instead of the young
lord."

These thoughts passed rapidly through Dermot's mind, as he saw that he
was surrounded by an armed band of men. They did not attempt to pull
him from his pony, but turning round the animal's head, they led him
across the country inland at a rapid rate, a man holding the rein on
either side with a firm grasp, to prevent the little animal from falling
over the rough ground they were traversing.

Dermot firmly kept to his resolution of saying nothing. The night