bulary in the
town, and the sub-inspector, Mr. McArdle, has his work cut out for
to-morrow. A great part of the troops are now under canvas, and last
night were in even worse condition.

As one trudges across the slushy road over Ballinrobe Fair Green, the
illuminated tents light up the foreground pleasantly, while the moon
tinges the tree-tops and the river Robe with silver. All is beautiful
enough were it not for the persistent rattle of the sabre and the
jingle of the spur. So far as can be ascertained at present the Ulster
contingent will consist of no more than fifty men, who will probably
arrive by train at Claremorris about three o'clock to-morrow
afternoon. Early in the forenoon a hundred infantry and sixty sabres
of the Royal Dragoons will occupy Lough Mask House and the surrounding
fields, and about four hundred infantry, a strong detachment of
police, and the two squadrons of the 19th Hussars will receive the
harvesters at Claremorris and escort them to Lough Mask House.

It has been suggested that if sufficient cars can be requisitioned the
Boycott Brigade might be mounted upon them and sent through guarded by
the cavalry alone. The pace at which this evolution could be performed
is its greatest recommendation. Any encounter with the people of the
country side, who are sure to assemble in large numbers, would be
completely prevented, and, what is of greater importance, the reapers
would reach their destination before sundown. The long distance from
Claremorris would be certain to prolong a foot march into the night,
when all kinds of complication might occur. At the moment of writing
the streets are dotted with little knots of people, and the excitement
concerning the morrow is intense.

BALLINROBE, CO. MAYO, _Thursday, Nov. 11th._

Hearing that the march of the Ulster men upon Lough Mask House would
not commence till nearly nightfall, I drove over early this morning to
Mr. Boycott's in a private carriage, hired cars being, for the reasons
stated yesterday, quite unattainable. "Did your honour wish to set the
country on me?" is the only reply vouchsafed by car-drivers since one
of their body was cruelly beaten, presumably for the unpardonable sin
of driving a policeman to the house under taboo.

The drive through the warm soft morning air was much pleasanter than
that of yesterday evening; nor did people start up in an uncomfortable
way from behind the stone wall, as they did last night. At intervals