tain, to Dublin.

Half an hour's travelling brought them to the foot of the hill, where the
road began to ascend, and from this spot the driver was instructed to
proceed at a slow pace. The night had thoroughly set in, both dark and
foggy, and an hour elapsed tediously in winding up and attaining the vast
level of the Wild. As they had no lamps, though desirous now to advance at
a brisker rate, they were compelled to keep in a slow and cautious trot,
the hearts of the travellers, intrepid as they seemed to be a short time
ago, thumping violently every step they proceeded.

After various short pauses to avoid deep ruts, and several descents by the
driver to free his horses' hoofs from the loose stones that lay
plentifully along the wretched road--during one of which he seemed to hold
colloquy with some benighted traveller--the carriage had nearly crossed
the long summit of the desolate hills, when its occupants perceived it to
stop with a sudden and forcible impulse, that betokened instant danger.
Dropping the glasses at once, they called loudly to the driver to enquire
the cause.

"There's a gentleman here," replied the man in a timid sullen voice,
"houldin' the horses heads, that says I must stop here a spell."[27]

"How many of 'em?" asked Skelton in a low tone.

"Two," was the answer, just as softly; "one a-horseback, t'other a-foot."

"Here we are, then!" said Rudd to his companion in a feverish whisper.

"Yes; I wish 'twas over," was the reply, which was scarcely breathed when
a man appeared at the right-hand carriage-window, and, presenting a
pistol, said in a strong loud voice--

"I'm sorry, gentlemen, but I must have your money."

"Or your lives," added a man on horseback, blocking up the opposite side
of the chaise.

"This is very hard, sir," answered Rudd hesitatingly--"very--hard--indeed;
however, I suppose it must be so: perhaps you'll be good enough to come
round to the other door of the chaise--my friend here is, I fear,
seriously ill--

"Certainly," said the robber, who was now heard walking round to the door
already occupied by his mounted companion.

"Are you steady?" whispered Rudd.

"As steel!" answered Skelton.

"Then slip the muzzle of the blunderbuss across me, and the moment the
door is well opened, when I raise my arm with the purse, shoot him dead on
the spot."

The click of a trigger was the sole reply:--the highwayman had come round
to the door. He had his grasp on the handle