what is it?"

"Why, a tory-hunt; I am going to hunt down Shawn-na-Middogue, as he is
called, and I think it will be rendering the country a service to get
rid of him."

Miss Riddle's face got pale as ashes; and she looked earnestly and
solemnly into Woodward's face.

"Mr. Woodward," said she, "would you oblige me with one simple request?
Do not hunt down Shawn-na-Middogue: my uncle and I owe him our lives."

"How is that, Miss Riddle?"

"Do you not know that my uncle was a tory hunter?"

"I have certainly heard so," replied Woodward; "and I am, besides, aware
of it from the admirable instructions which he gave me concerning the
best method of hunting them down."

"Yes, but did he encourage you in your determination of hunting down
Shawn-na-Middogue?"

"No, certainly; but, on the contrary, advised me to pass him by--to have
nothing to do with him."

"Did he state his reasons for giving you such advice?"

"He mentioned something with reference to certain legal proceedings
taken by my mother against the family of Shawn-na-Middogue. But I
presume my mother had her own rights to vindicate, and beyond that I
know nothing of it. He nearly stabbed my brother to death, and I
will leave no earthly means unattempted to shoot the villain down, or
otherwise secure him."

"Well, you are aware that my uncle was the most successful and
celebrated tory-hunter of his day, and rendered important services to
the government in that capacity--services which have been liberally
rewarded."

"I am aware of it, Miss Riddle."

"But you are not aware, as I am, that this same Shawn-na-Middogue saved
my uncle's life and mine on the night before last?"

"How could I, Miss Riddle?"

"It is a fact, though, and I beg you to mark it; and I trust that if
you respect my uncle and myself, you will not engage in this cruel and
inhuman expedition."

"But your uncle mentioned nothing of this to me, Miss, Riddle."

"He does not know it yet. I have been all yesterday thinking over the
circumstance, with a view of getting his lordship to interfere with
the government for this unfortunate youth; but I felt myself placed
in circumstances of great difficulty and delicacy with respect to your
family and ours. I hope you understand me, Mr. Woodward. I allude to the
circumstances which forced him to become an outlaw and a tory, and it
struck me that my uncle could not urge any application in his favor
without adverting to them."

"O, Miss Ridd