your roof, and for this reason I shall hold you accountable for my
safety; and, at all events, unless you insist on expelling me, I shall
remain where I am until morning."

"Why, if you insist upon it, I'll go," replied Finnerty, and four
friends about you will be betther and safer than one; but in troth, to
tell you the truth, Mr. M'Carthy, I'm a'most fairly knocked up myself,
havin' been down the counthry and through the hills the greater part of
the day. I have a great number of cattle to look afther, an' am seldom
off my foot."

"Don't, sir," said his wife, in tones which were now perfectly
intelligible to him, "don't ax poor Frank to go wid you tonight; you'll
be as well widout him, especially as the night's so bright and clear;
he's tired indeed, and, be the same token, I don't like to be here in
the clouds of the night, wid nobody wid me but myself."

"If you're a gentlemen, sir," said the friendly voice, "you won't take
this honest man from his wife at such an hour o' the night. If you take
my advice too, I'd recommend you to come along wid ourselves at wanst."

There was no mistaking the friendly voice embodied in these words, as
well as in those of Mrs. Finnerty. M'Carthy accordingly replied:--

"Very, well, Finnerty, I will proceed with these men. I should indeed
be sorry to cause you any additional fatigue, or to fetch you from your
house at such an hour. I will therefore put myself under the protection
and guidance of these worthy fellows, who, I hope, will remember
that although a friend to Mr. Purcel personally, yet I am none to any
harshness he may have resorted to for the recovery of his tithes."

"There's nobody here," replied the still friendly voice, "inclined
to offer you any offense, bekaise you happen to be a friend to Mr.
Purcel"--and there was a marked emphasis laid upon the name--"so now,"
the voice proceeded, "you may make your mind aisy on that head."

A singular but significant laugh proceeded, from the other two, which,
however, was repressed by a glance from "the friend," who said, "Come,
boys, turn out; now, sir, the sooner we get over this journey the
betther."

"Well, Finnerty," said M'Carthy, "many thanks for the hospitable shelter
of your house, and to you also, Mrs. Finnerty, for your kindness and the
trouble I have occasioned you."

Mrs. Finnerty's voice had now nearly abandoned her; and, as our young
sportsman, after having shaken hands with her husband, now paid that
com