acle of
rock, about fifty feet above the road, attracted Mark's attention, and
he called out--

"Well!--what is it?"

"The dragoons!" shouted Terry, in a terrified voice. "They're crossing
the ford at Caher-mohill, two miles off--eight, nine, ten--ay, there's
twelve now, over; and the fellow in the dark coat, he's another. Wait!
they're asking the way: that's it, I'm sure. Well done!--my blessing be
an ye this day, whoever ye are. May I never! if he's not sending them
wrong! They're down the glen towards Killarney;" and as he finished
speaking he sprang from the height, and hastened down the precipice at a
rate that seemed to threaten destruction at every step.

"Even so, Terry. We have not more time than we need. It's a long journey
to the west of the mountain; and so, good-bye, my dear cousin. Good-bye,
Herbert. A short absence it will be, I trust;" and, tearing himself away
hurriedly, lest any evidence of emotion might be seen, the young man
ascended the steep pathway after Terry; nor did he turn his head round,
until distance enabled him to look down unnoticed, when again he cried
out "Farewell! Remember the west side of Hungry!" and waving his cap,
disappeared, while Herbert and his cousin wended their sorrowful way
homeward.

CHAPTER XLI. A DISCOVERY

When Kate arrived at home, she found a note awaiting her, in Hemsworth's
hand-writing, and marked "haste." Guessing at once to what it must
refer, she broke the seal, with an anxious heart, and read:--

"My dear Madam,

"I have been unable to retard any longer the course of
proceedings against your cousin. It would seem that the
charges against him are far more grave and menacing than
either of us anticipated, at least so far as I can collect
from the information before me. The Privy Council has
determined on arresting him at once. Orders to support the
warrant by a military force have been transmitted to
officers commanding parties in different towns of the south,
and there is no longer a question of the intentions of the
crown regarding him. But one, of two, chances is now open to
him--to surrender and take his trial--or, should he, as he
may, without any imputation on his courage, dread this, to
make his escape to the coast, near Kenmare, where a lugger
will lie off, on Wednesday night. By this means he will be
able to reach some port in France or Flanders; or,