ough fashion
they usually adopt. On my telling the general where my family were, he
desired me to offer them an escort for the rest of their journey, to
make amends for my absence, as he wished me to continue with him.

I accordingly rode back to where I had left my party. They were much
astonished to see me mounted on a strong horse, with a long lance in my
hand, and to hear how I had been engaged; for they had feared that I
might have been entangled among the combatants, and perhaps killed. My
father did not hesitate for a moment to give me the permission I asked,
and gladly accepted the general's offer of an escort. My mother and
Norah were somewhat agitated, but still they had no objections.

"Go, Barry," said my mother; "and may Heaven protect you during the
dangers to which you may be exposed; for I cannot hide them from my
eyes."

Norah pressed her lips to my cheek. "You will come back, Barry, crowned
with laurels, and with a colonel's commission, I feel sure," she said;
"and, my brother, remember the message I gave you yesterday."

The padre and the doctor expressed their intention of following me back
to the general, as they both wished to offer their services. "I have
vowed to support the cause of true religion--and I am sure such will
never exist while the Spaniards are in the land," exclaimed the padre.
"I therefore feel bound to do my best to drive them out; and having got
rid of all extra flesh, I am as fit for a campaign as any of those
fighting in the cause."

I replied that I would tell the general of their intentions.

Gerald kept alongside my horse for some little distance. "Do tell him
that I wish he would take me too," he said; "I will ask our father's
leave--and I think he will give it. If I can't handle a lance as well
as a grown man, I can use a carbine and pistols, and might do duty as an
ensign."

I told him that I would mention his wish to the general, but that I
thought he ought to remain and assist our father in protecting the
family; indeed, I had no wish, young as he was, that he should be
exposed to the dangers he would inevitably have to go through. At last,
wringing his hand, I told him to go back, while I galloped on.

The general was pleased with my alacrity. He immediately ordered six of
his own guard to escort my father, and afterwards to rejoin him at the
foot of the hills.

I set off at the head of the men. My family had in the meantime
recommenced their jour