the rascals! do they think to terrify me?"

"If the author of that letter does," replied Fergus, "he is most
certainly mistaken;" and as he said so he looked significantly at his
sister, who smiled as one would who thoroughly understood the matter.

Just at that moment, Alick Purcel was seen approaching the hall-door,
and in a few minutes he joined them.

"Well, Alick," said the magistrate, "all well at Longshot Lodge--all
safe and sound for so far?"

"All well, sir, thank you, and safe and sound for so far."

"Do you know what I think, Alick?"

"No, sir."

"Upon my honor and conscience I am of opinion, that it's something in
your favor to live so near to me. I act as a kind of protection for you,
Alick. I am morally convinced, ay, and have good raison to know it
from more than one quarther, that your father's house would have
been attacked long since, if it were not for the near neighborhood of
dare-devil O'Driscol. And yet these fellows like courage, Alick; for
instance, read that warning. There you see is a plot laid for my life;
but I'll show the villains that they have the wrong sow by the ear. I
have showed them as much before, and will show them as much again."

He then handed the note, with an air of triumph, to Alick, who read it
over and assumed a look of great terror.

"Of course you will be guided by this, Mr. O'Driscol."

"Of course I will not, Mr. Purcel; not a bit of it. I will ride--armed,
of course--past Philpot's corner this very day, at half-past three
o'clock; that is all I say."

"Well all I can say," returned Alick, "is that you are a
fearfully-determined man, sir."

"I grant that, Alick, I know I am; but then it is in my nature. I was
born with it--I was born with it. Any news?"

"Why not much, sir. That scoundrel, Buck English, has written to my
father, notwithstanding all that happened, to know if he will consent to
let Julia marry him. He says in his letter that, although he may be
put off with a refusal now, he will take good care that he shan't be
unsuccessful the next time he asks her."

"Does nobody, or can nobody find out how that scoundrel--" here the
valorous magistrate's voice sank as if instinctively, and he gave
a cautious glance about him at the same time, but seeing none but
themselves, present he resumed his courage--"how that, rascal finds
manes to cut the figure he-does?"

"I believe not," replied the other; "but for my part, I am often
disposed to look upon t