Such, however, was
their hurry in escaping from the falling roof, joined to the shock and
stupor caused by the death of John and his father, that they thought
not for a moment of anything but mere self-preservation. Owing to
these causes they brought no weapons of defence with them; and now,
in consequence of the fallen roof and explosion, their fire-arms were
beyond their reach, and useless. They stood now ghastly--their features
rigid like those of the dead--calm and without a tremor--but with a
melancholy fortitude that was as noble as it was rare and unprecedented.
At length Mrs. Purcel spoke:--"Alick," said she, "you must save
yourself: we may receive some mercy at the hands of these men, but you
will not; hide yourself somewhere, and, when they come in, we will say
that you perished with your father and brother."

"No, my dear mother," replied her son, "while I have life I will not
separate from' you and these dear girls."

"This is madness," observed Julia; "what can you expect? Have we not
witnessed bloodshed enough to-night already?--or are you determined that
we shall be compelled to witness your murder before our faces? Oh, dear
Alick, be advised by my mother; by secreting yourself, you may escape;
but if you are found here, you will be instantly shot."

"Dear Alick," said Mary, "by the love you bear us, and by the blood
of those whom these murdering ruffians have sacrificed, we implore and
entreat you to conceal yourself; and, if that fails--then, by the love
of God, do as we desire!"

She had scarcely uttered the last words, when a single Whiteboy, with
blackened face, made his appearance at the end of the kitchen stairs,
and approached them, waving his hands with a mingled expression of
distraction and entreaty.

"Dear John," he exclaimed, "be patient; and Julia, be calm, and hear me.
I am," he added, in a low and guarded whisper, "Frank M'Carthy: as you
hope for mercy from God and life from man, listen! The door will be
broken in in a few minutes; but if you are guided by me, you may yet
be safe. Blacken your face forthwith, Alick; and here is a shirt marked
with blood too--a circumstance that will give you more security--which I
have brought you."

"Frank M'Carthy," exclaimed Julia, "and a Whiteboy! Oh, yes, be advised
by him, Alick; as for me, I care not how soon death comes--I have little
to live for now!"

"If there was time, dear Julia, for explanation, I could soon satisfy
you; but, alas!