.

"Mr. Rivers," said he, "I cannot shoot an unarmed man in cold blood."

"But what can we do?" said Harry.

"Why, we may be able to borrow a couple of rifles, or even one rifle,
from our friends here."

Upon this a voice rang out, full and clear, in the room:

"Begorra, an' that same they'll do. Whoroo, lads! this bates the
worruld, so it does. It's mesilf that's stud by the dure for the last
tin minutes, an' I've seen a soight that I won't forget till me dyin'
day. It's loike the toime whin the Irish exiles at Fontenoy marched
up to the English gyards an' said, 'Gintlemen av the English Gyards,
fire first!' Begorra, it's mesilf that 'ud be the proud man to lend
yez the loan av a couple av guns; but don't be alarrumed,
darlints--afther yez pay yer ranshom, ye'll have a chance."

At the first sound of that voice Harry and Ashby started in
amazement. So intent had they been on their own business that they
had heard nothing; and Ashby, though facing the door, had been so
intent on Harry that he had not noticed that it had been half opened.
Now they saw the Carlist chief come in, followed by half a dozen
of his men. Most amazing of all was the discovery that he spoke
English with an Irish brogue. Katie had already mentioned this to
Harry, but he had not thought much about it. Now, face to face with
"His Majesty," they were able to look at him with other feelings. Had
he entered under other circumstances, he would have talked Spanish;
but so excited was he that he burst forth in the manner above
detailed.

"For ye see," said "His Majesty"--

"'Mesilf does admire the best,
Av alll that's undher the sun,
To stand faciu' the friend av me sowl,
Wid blunderbus, pistol, or gun.
The word av command it is given,
The wenpon we both av us raises,
Afther which--sure the one laves for home,
Aa' off goes the other to blazes!'"

CHAPTER XXXIV.

HOW THE VIRTUOUS RUSSELL FINDS A FRIEND IN NEED.

It is necessary here to go back for a brief interval in order to take
up the fortunes of one who some time ago disappeared from these
pages.

The virtuous Russell was alone. He had passed a night which,
considering his situation, had not been altogether uncomfortable. He
had slept a refreshing sleep, and in the land of dreams had been able
to forget the ills of life. Morning came, however, and with his
waking thoughts there returned the recollection of the past, and the
full consciousness of h