cs, no less! And we're wasting your time, blessed man." He
whispered a few words in the priest's ear.

The latter shuddered. "God forgive us all!" he wailed. "And most, those
who need it most! God keep us from high place!"

"Sure and we're in little peril!" O'Sullivan Og replied.

Colonel John looked at the priest with solemn eyes. Nor did aught but a
tiny pulse beating in his cheek betray that every sense was on the
stretch; that he was listening, watching, ready to seize the least
chance, that he might save, at any rate, poor Bale. Then, "You are a
Christian, father," he said gravely. "I ask nothing for myself. But
this is my servant. He has done nothing, he knows nothing. Prevail with
them to spare him!"

Bale uttered a fierce remonstrance. No one understood it, or what he
said, or meant. His eyes looked askance, like the eyes of a beast in a
snare--seeking a weapon, or a throat! To be butchered thus! To be
butchered thus!

Perhaps Colonel John, notwithstanding his calm courage, had the same
thought, and found it bitter. Death had been good in the face of silent
thousands, with pride and high resolve for cheer. Or in the heat of a
fight for the right, where it came unheeded and almost unfelt. But here
on the bog, in the mist, unknown, unnoticed, to perish and be forgotten
in a week, even by the savage hands that took their breath! Perhaps to
face this he too had need of all his Christian stoicism.

"My God! My God!" the priest said. And he fell on his knees and raised
his hands. "Have pity on these two, and soften the hearts of their
murderers!"

"Amen," said Colonel John quietly.

"Faith, and 'tis idle, this," O'Sullivan Og cried irritably. He gave a
secret sign to his men to draw to one side and be ready. "We've our
orders, and other work to do. Kneel aside, father, 'tis no harm we mean
you, God forbid! But you're wasting breath on these same. And you," he
continued, addressing the two, "say what prayer you will, if you know
one, and then kneel or stand--it's all one to us--and, God willing,
you'll be in purgatory and never a knowledge of it!"

"One moment," Colonel John interposed, his face pale but composed, "I
have something to say to my friend."

"And you may, if you'll play no tricks."

"If you would spare him----"

"'Tis idle, I say! Sorra a bit of good is it! But there, ye shall be
having while the blessed man says three Paternosters, and not the least
taste of time beyond! Devil a bit!"

Co