working out his own
designs, his object being, not only on that account, but for the sake
of his own personal safety, to stand well with both her friends and her
enemies.

Other matters were discussed, and plans of vengeance proposed and
assented to, the details of which would afford our readers but slight
gratification. After their projects had been arranged, this wild and
savage, but melancholy group, dispersed, and so intimately were
they acquainted with the intricacies of cover and retreat which then
characterized the surface of the country, that in a few minutes they
seemed rather to have vanished like spectres than to have disappeared
like living men. Shawn, however, remained behind in order to hold some
private conversation with Barney Casey.

"Barney," said he, "I wish to speak, to you about that villain
Woodward."

"I don't at all doubt," replied this honest and manly peasant, "that he
is a villain; but at the same time, Shawn, you must remember that I am
not a tory, and that I will neither aid nor assist you in your designs
of murdher upon him. I received betther principles from my father and
the mother who bore me; and indeed I think the same thing may be said of
yourself, Shawn. Still and all, there is no doubt but that, unlike that
self-willed brother of mine, you had heavy provocation to join the life
you did."

"Well, Barney," replied Shawn, in a melancholy tone of voice, "if the
same oppressions were to come on us again, I think I would take another
course. My die, however, is cast, and I must abide by it. What I wanted
to say to you, however, is this:--You are livin' in the same house
with Woodward; keep your eye on him--watch him well and closely; he is
plotting evil for somebody."

"Why," said Barney, "how do you know that?"

"I have it," replied Shawn, "from good authority. He has paid three
or four midnight visits to Sol, the herb docthor, and you know that a
greater old scoundrel than he is doesn't breathe the breath of life.
It has been long suspected that he is a poisoner, and they say that in
spite of the poverty he takes on him, he is rich and full of money.
It can be for no good, then, that Woodward consults him at such
unseasonable hours."

"Ay; but who the devil could he think of poisoning?" said Barney. "I see
nobody he could wish to poison."

"Maybe, for all that, the deed is done," replied Shawn. "Where, for
instance, is unfortunate Granua? Who can tell that he hasn't dosed he