le, if you feel an interest in his favor, he shall
experience no molestation from me."

"The only interest which I feel in him is that of humanity, and
gratitude, Mr. Woodward; but, indeed, I should rather say that the
gratitude should not be common to a man who saved my uncle's life and
mine."

"And pray may I ask how that came about? At all events he has made me
his friend forever."

"My uncle and I were returning home from dinner,--we had dined at Squire
Dawson's,--and on coming to a lonely part of the road we found our
carriage surrounded by a party of the outlaws, who shouted out, 'This is
the old tory-hunter, who got his wealth and title by persecuting us,
and now we will pay him home for all,' 'Ay,' observed another, 'and
his niece is with him, and we will have her off to the mountains.' The
carriage was immediately surrounded, and I know not to what an extent
their violence and revenge might have proceeded, when Shawn same
bounding among them with the air of a man who possessed authority over
them.

"'Stop,' said he; 'on this occasion they must go free, and on every
occasion. Lord Cockletown, let him be what he may before, is of late a
good landlord, and a friend to the people. His niece, too, is--' He then
complimented me upon some trifling acts of kindness I had paid to his
family when--hem--ahem--in fact, when they stood much in need of it."

This was a delicate evasion of any allusion to the cruel conduct of his
mother towards the outlaw's family.

"When," she went on, "he had succeeded in restraining the meditated
violence of the tories, he approached me--for they had already dragged
me out, and indeed it was my screaming that brought him with such haste
to the spot. 'Now, Miss Riddle,' said he, in a low whisper which my
uncle could not hear, 'one good act deserves another; you were kind to
my family when they stood sorely in need of it. You and your uncle are
safe, and, what is more, will be safe: I will take care of that; but
forget Shawn-na Middogue, the outlaw and tory, or if ever you mention
his name, let it be in a spirit of mercy and forgiveness. Mr. Woodward,
you will not hunt down this generous young man?"

"I would as soon hunt down my father, Miss Riddle, if he were alive. I
trust you don't imagine that I can be insensible to such noble conduct."

"I do not think you are, Mr. Woodward; and I hope you will allow the
unfortunate youth to remain unmolested until my uncle, to whom I shall
m