curiosity received a sudden check by this adventure. An imperfectly
constructed partition divided him from the party whose voices he had heard
aloft. You might have heard his heart beat for two or three minutes, as it
was very probable that the noise of his fall would have disturbed the
inmates--but the conversation went on in the same monotonous tone.

"Och, Brine Morrice, _avic_, sure an that thief o' the worl', Will Guire,
hasn't been after letten' the soger-officer com' over him?"

"Bad luck to him, Misthress Burke, _agra_, in troth I was jist awond'ring
what keeps Tom Daly and the b'ys out--and them were to have had the
red-coat these three hours agone!"

"Hisht jewel, I heard a noise--och, _musha_, its the b'ys sure enough--and
the ---- Saxon with 'em, I'll be bail!"

At this moment several men arrived in front of the edifice, and, to the
horror of Smyth proceeded first to the outhouse: the door was banged open,
and after muttering something, a heavy substance was thrown in and the
door again pulled to. Presently they entered the kitchen, and Smyth's
heart beat high when his own name was mentioned. In the confusion of
voices, he could not make out much of their brogue, but it appeared that
the messenger sent by Colonel ---- had been waylaid, and the fellow that
attempted his life was sent in his stead: this party had arranged to meet
him at a certain place, on his return, but after waiting three hours,
apprehending treachery, they came away. He could make out little else,
except a volley of outlandish oaths at their unsuccessful trip. It
appeared evident from this that the temptation of plunder had induced the
guide to make the attack beforehand.

Every moment, however, that Smyth lingered in this den lessened his chance
of escape. Immediately above him hung a piece of rope, and after a violent
effort, he succeeded in getting his head once more into the fresh air; but
just as he clambered out upon the turf, the noise aroused the dogs in the
kitchen, and their furious barking, accompanied by a great stir amongst
the men, gave wings to Smyth's feet, and he plunged forward at random
again into the waste. At that moment the moon fell full upon his path,
though dense masses of clouds were sailing across the sky. He soon found
they had struck on his track, and already the yelling of dogs and men
boomed distinctly on his ears. By that instinct with which men are often
gifted in such cases, the footsteps of his pursuer