hen four or five persons, friends of course to the unfortunate
outlaw, came in before the dogs across the trail, in consequence
of which the animals became puzzled, and lost considerable time in
regaining it, whilst Shawn, in the meantime, was fast making his way to
the mountains.

The reward, however, offered by the man in the black mask--for it was
a black one--accelerated the speed of the pursuers, between whom a
competition of terrible energy and action arose as to which of them
should secure the public reward and the premium that were offered for
his blood. Shawn, however, had been evidently exhausted, and sat down
considerably in advance of them, on the mountain side, to take breath,
in order to better the chance of effecting his escape; but whilst
seated, panting after his race, the dogs gained rapidly upon him. Having
put his hand over his eyes, and looked keenly down--for he had the sight
of an eagle--the approach of the dogs did not seem at all to alarm him.

"Ah, thank God, they will have him soon," said the mask, "and it is a
pity that we cannot give them the reward. Who owns those noble dogs?"

"You will see that very soon, sir," replied a man beside him; "you will
see it very soon--you may see it now."

As he uttered the words the dogs sprang upon Shawn, wagged their tails
as if in a state of most ecstatic delight, and began to caress him and
lick his face.

"Finn, my brave Finn!" he exclaimed, patting him affectionately, "and
is this you? and Oonah, my darling Oonah, did the villains think that my
best friends would pursue me for my blood? Come now," said he, "follow
me, and we will lead them a chase."

During this brief rest, however, four of the most active of his
pursuers, who knew what is called the lie of the country, succeeded,
by passing through the skirt of the wood in a direction where it, was
impossible to observe them, in coming up behind the spot where he had
sat, and consequently, when he and his dogs, or those which had been
once his, ascended its flat summit, the four men pounced upon him. Four
against one would, in ordinary cases, be fearful odds; but Shawn knew
that he had two stanch and faithful friends to support him. Quick as
lightning his _middogue_ was into one of their hearts, and almost as
quickly were two more of them seized by the throats and dragged down by
the powerful animals that defended him. The fourth man was as rapidly
despatched by a single blow, whilst the dogs we