"it's aisier
to give good advice than it is to take it; Mogue's not the only fool in
this world that won't take good advice when it's given."

There could be no mistaking his voice. M'Carthy at once recognized
that of the unknown friend who had warned him of danger on the night he
encountered the Whiteboys, as already described.

"Come," proceeded he, "it is time we should commence business and settle
the affairs of the nation at wanst; throth," he added, with a laugh, "if
I was the same nation, and had a pair of good legs undher me--"

"Of what?" said the person with the black whiskers, who was evidently
their leader, "of what?"

"Of ginerals like Bonnypart and Sarsfield, I'd soon have the country
clear and the millstone pavin' the roads under our feet, as it will be
before long, plaise God. Come, then, to business."

They accordingly proceeded to the adjoining house, with the exception of
Finnerty himself, who, whether for the sake of safety, or rather for the
purpose of watching M'Carthy, remained at his own fireside. His wife, on
seeing this, pretended to be engaged with some domestic matter about
the dresser, on which she placed a freshly lit rushlight, and availing
herself of her position behind the back of her husband, who sat with his
face towards the bed, she slightly raised her hands and eyes, as if to
intimate that escape, she feared, was impossible.

It is incredible, the reaction which a new sensation, especially of joy
or terror, or, indeed, of any feeling that is strong, superinduces
upon the spirit, under circumstances of peculiar danger or interest.
M'Carthy's fatigue, for instance, had now as completely departed from
him as if he had not been abroad that day, and in consequence of
the significant hint which he had received through the voice of his
mysterious friend, he felt that if an opportunity were only offered him
he would use the two legs to which his friend had alluded, when checked
by the stern voice of their leader, with as much agility as ever they
possessed during his life. It was this hint which made him feel certain,
for the first time, that he was in imminent danger.

Half an hour had now elasped, and it was evident, from the listening
attitudes and frequent stortings of Finnerty, that the debate in the
lodge was high and serious. At length, one of the society hurriedly made
his appearance, exclaiming; in a kind of condensed and agitated whisper,
"Come in and help us--they won't st