hat we always mount in our hussar
regiments in France.'

'And you are a French soldier, then,' cried he, in evident astonishment
at my frankness.

'At your service, sir,' said I, saluting; 'a lieutenant of hussars; and
if you are tormented by any further curiosity concerning me, I may
as well relieve you by stating that I am proceeding to Lord Cavan's
headquarters to surrender as a prisoner.'

'Frank enough that!' said he of the broken leg, laughing heartily as he
spoke. 'Well, sir,' said the other, 'you are, as your countrymen would
call it, _bien venu_, for we are bound in that direction ourselves, and
will be happy to have your company.'

One piece of tact my worldly experience had profoundly impressed upon
me, and that was, the necessity of always assuming an air of easy
unconcern in every circumstance of doubtful issue. There was quite
enough of difficulty in the present case to excite my anxiety, but I
rode along beside the jaunting-car, chatting familiarly with my new
acquaintances, and, I believe, without exhibiting the slightest degree
of uneasiness regarding my own position.

From them I learned so much as they had heard of the late naval
engagement. The report was that Bompard's fleet had fallen in with Sir
John Warren's squadron; and having given orders for his fastest sailers
to make the best of their way to France, had, with the _Hoche_, the
_Loire_, and the _Resolve_, given battle to the enemy. These had all
been captured, as well as four others which fled, two alone of the whole
succeeding in their escape. I think now, that, grievous as these tidings
were, there was nothing of either boastfulness or insolence in the tone
in which they were communicated to me. Every praise was accorded to
Bompard for skill and bravery, and the defence was spoken of in terms
of generous eulogy. The only trait of acrimony that showed itself in the
recital was a regret that a number of Irish rebels should have escaped
in the _Biche_, one of the smaller frigates; and several emissaries of
the people, who had been deputed to the admiral, were also alleged to
have been on board of that vessel.

'You are sorry to have missed your friend the priest of Murrah,' said
Hill jocularly.

'Yes, by George, that fellow should have graced a gallows if I had been
lucky enough to have taken him.'

'What was his crime, sir?' asked I, with seeming unconcern.

'Nothing more than exciting to rebellion a people with whom he had no
tie