ime;" here he looked at his
watch: "it is now eleven o'clock; you took the order, Wylie, for Captain
Travers to go round by Googawn Barra, and occupy the pass between
Carrig-na-curra and Bantry Bay?"

"I did, sir, and he set off the moment I gave the letter."

"Then the fellow, Mark, cannot escape me," said Hemsworth. "If he leave
the castle before I come, he falls into the hands of the others. Still,
I would rather be judge and jury myself and you shall be the hangman,
Sam. There's little love between you: it is an office you'll like well."

"If I don't do it nate," said Wylie, "the young gentleman must forgive
me, as it is my first time;" and they both laughed heartily at the
ruffian jest.

"But what are we staying for?" said Hemsworth, while he drained his
glass. "Let us get up the dragoons, and make sure of him at once. I am
strong now, and ready for any exertion."

"'Tis a pity to burn the little place, captain," said one of the fellows
of the party. "There's many a dacent boy would think himself well off,
to get the likes of it for his reward."

"Make yourself at home," said Hemsworth, "for I'll give you a lease for
three lives of it--yours, Wylie's, and mine own--will that satisfy you?"

The fellow stared at the speaker, and then looked at Wylie, as if not
knowing whether to place any faith in the words he heard.

"I didn't say you were to get the premises in good repair, however,"
said Hemsworth, with a bitter laugh, "I didn't boast much about the
roof," and at the same moment he took a lighted turf from the hearth,
and thrust it into the thatch, while Wylie, to curry favour with his
patron, imitated his example.

"Where does that door lead to?" said Hemsworth, pointing to the small
portal, which led into the rock towards the stable.

"That's the way to the stable," said Wylie, as he opened it, and looked
down the passage; "and here's another door, that I never saw before."

"That's where she do keep the spirits, sir," said one of the men; "'tis
there she do have all the liquor."

"There's nothing like whiskey for a blaze," said Hemsworth, with a half
drunken laugh. "Burst open that door!"--but all their efforts were vain:
it was made with every precaution of strength, and studded over with
strong nails.

"Stop!" said Hemsworth, as he pushed the others rudely away, "there's a
readier plan than yours to force it. I'll blow the lock to pieces!" and,
so saying, he took the pistol from Wylie's hand, a