Rapparee resided. The house was instantly surrounded and the door
knocked at, for the party knew that the man was inside.

"Who is there?" asked the old woman who kept the cottage.

"Open the door instantly," said the sheriff, "or we shall smash it in."

"No, I won't," she replied; "no, I won't, you bosthoon, whoever you are.
I never did nothin' agin the laws, bad luck to them, and I won't open my
door to any strolling vagabone like you."

"Produce the man we want," said the sheriff, "or we shall arrest you
for harboring an outlaw and a murderer. Your house is now surrounded by
military, acting under the king's orders."

"Give me time," said the crone; "I was at my prayers when you came to
disturb me, and I'll finish them before I open the door, if you were
to burn the house over my head, and myself in it. Up," said she to the
Rapparee, "through the roof--get that ould table undher your feet--the
thatch is thin--slip out and lie on the roof till they go, and then let
them whistle jigs to the larks if they like."

The habits of escape peculiar to the Rapparees were well known to
Fergus, who cautioned those who surrounded the house to watch the roof.
It was well they did so, for in less-time than we have taken to describe
it the body of the Rapparee was seen projecting itself upwards through
the thin thatch, and in an instant several muskets were levelled at him,
accompanied by instant orders to surrender on pain of being shot. Under
such circumstances there was no alternative, and in a few minutes he was
handcuffed and a prisoner. The party then proceeded along the road on
which some of the adventures already recorded in this narrative had
taken place, when they were met, at a sharp angle of it, by Reilly and
his _Cooleen Bawn_, both of whom were almost instantly recognized by the
sheriff and his party. Their arrest was immediate.

"Mr. Reilly," said the sheriff, "I am sorry for this. You must feel
aware that I neither am or ever was disposed to be your enemy; but I now
find you carrying away a Protestant heiress, the daughter of my friend,
contrary to the laws of the land, a fact which in itself gives me the
power and authority to take you into custody, which I accordingly do in
his Majesty's name. I owe you no ill will, but in the meantime you must
return with me to Squire Folliard's house. Miss Folliard, you must, as
you know me to be your father's friend, consider that I feel it my duty
to restore you to him."