boldly out for us: a red handkerchief was fastened to a
stick in the stern, as if for a signal, and on our shortening sail,
to admit of her overtaking us, the ensign was lowered as though in
acknowledgment of our meaning.

The boat was soon alongside, and we now perceived that her crew
consisted of a man and a boy, the former of whom, a powerfully built,
loose fellow, of about five-and-forty, dressed in a light-blue frieze
jacket and trousers, adroitly caught at the cast of rope thrown out to
him, and having made fast his skiff, clambered up the ship's side at
once, gaily, as though he were an old friend coming to welcome us.

'Is he a pilot?' asked the officer of the watch, addressing one of the
Irish officers.

'No; he's only a fisherman, but he knows the coast perfectly, and says
there is deep water within twenty fathoms of the shore.'

An animated conversation in Irish now ensued between the peasant and
Captain Madgett, during which a wondering and somewhat impatient group
stood around, speedily increased by the presence of General Humbert
himself and his staff.

'He tells me, general,' said Madgett, 'that we are in the Bay of
Killala, a good and safe anchorage, and, during the southerly winds, the
best on all the coast.'

'What news has he from the shore?' asked Humbert sharply, as if the care
of the ship was a very secondary consideration.

'They have been expecting us with the greatest impatience, general; he
says the most intense anxiety for our coming is abroad.'

'What of the people themselves? Where are the national forces? Have they
any headquarters near this? Eh, what says he? What is that? Why does he
laugh?' asked Humbert, in impatient rapidity, as he watched the changes
in the peasant's face.

'He was laughing at the strange sound of a foreign language, so odd and
singular to his ears,' said Madgett; but for all his readiness, a slight
flushing of the cheek showed that he was ill at ease.

'Well, but what of the Irish forces? Where are they?'

For some minutes the dialogue continued in an animated strain between
the two; the vehement tone and gestures of each bespeaking what sounded
at least like altercation; and Madgett at last turned half angrily away,
saying, 'The fellow is too ignorant; he actually knows nothing of what
is passing before his eyes.'

[Illustration: 229]

'Is there no one else on board can speak this _barargouinage_?' cried
Humbert, in anger.

'Yes, general, I can int