murmur of several voices, now came from the side of the ruin; at
the same instant a dozen men, their faces blackened, and wearing a white
badge on their hats, stood up as if out of the very ground around us.

"What are you doing here at this time of night?" said a hard voice, in
tones that boded but little kindliness.

"We are as free to walk the country, when we like it, as you are, I
hope," was my answer.

"I know his voice well," said another of the crowd; "I told you it was
them."

"Is it you that stop at Wild's, in the glen?" said the first speaker.

"Yes," replied I.

"And is it to get share of what 's going, that ye 're come to join us
now?" repeated he, in a tone of mockery.

"Be easy, Lanty; 'tis the French officer that behaved so stout up at
Ross. It 's little he cares for money, as myself knows. I saw him throw
a handful of goold among the boys when they stopped to pillage, and bid
them do their work first, and that he 'd give them plenty after."

"Maybe he 'd do the same now," said a voice from the crowd, in a tone of
irony; and the words were received by the rest with a roar of laughter.

"Stop laughing," said the first speaker, in a voice of command; "we've
small time for joking." As he spoke he threw himself heavily on the bank
beside De Meudon, and placing his hand familiarly on his arm, said, in a
low but clear voice: "The boys is come up here to-night to draw lots
for three men to settle Barton, that 's come down here yesterday, and
stopping at the barrack there. We knew you war n't well lately, and we
did n't trouble you; but now that you 're come up of yourself among us,
it 's only fair and reasonable you 'd take your chance with the rest,
and draw your lot with the others."

"Arrah, he 's too weak; the man is dying," said a voice near.

"And if he is," said the other, "who wants his help? sure, is n't it to
keep him quiet, and not bethray us?"

"The devil a fear of that," said the former speaker; "he's thrue to the
backbone; I know them that knows him well."

By this time De Meudon had risen to his feet, and stood leaning upon a
tall headstone beside him; his foraging cap fell off in his effort to
stand, and his long thin hair floated in masses down his pale cheeks and
on his shoulders. The moon was full upon him; and what a contrast did
his noble features present to the ruffian band that sat and stood around
him!

"And is it a scheme of murder, of cold, cowardly assasination, you ha