s, and that,
in the faith of a confidence, I had told him how, being an Irishman by
birth, I had joined the expedition in the hope that with the expulsion
of the English I should be able to re-establish my claim to my family
rank and fortune. There was little coherence in his story, and more
than one discrepant statement occurred in it; but the fellow's natural
stupidity imparted a wonderful air of truth to the narrative, and I
was surprised how naturally it sounded even to my own ears, little
circumstances of truth being interspersed through the recital, as though
to season the falsehood into a semblance of fact.

'What have you to reply to this, Tiernay?' asked the colonel.

'Simply, sir, that such a witness, were his assertions even more
consistent and probable, is utterly unworthy of credit. This fellow was
one of the greatest marauders of the rebel army; and the last exercise
of authority I ever witnessed by General Humbert was an order to drive
him out of the town of Castlebar.'

'Is this the notorious Town-major Dowall?' asked an officer of
artillery.

'The same, sir.'

'I can answer, then, for his being one of the greatest rascals
unhanged,' rejoined he.

'This is all very irregular, gentlemen,' interposed the Judge Advocate;
'the character of a witness cannot be impugned by what is mere desultory
conversation. Let Dowall withdraw.'

The man retired, and now a whispered conversation was kept up at the
table for about a quarter of an hour, in which I could distinctly
separate those who befriended from those who opposed me, the major being
the chief of the latter party. One speech of his which I overheard made
a slight impression on me, and for the first time suggested uneasiness
regarding the event.

'Whatever you do with this lad must have an immense influence on Tone's
trial. Don't forget that if you acquit him, you'll be sorely puzzled to
convict the other.'

The colonel promptly overruled this unjust suggestion, and maintained
that in my accent, manner, and appearance, there was every evidence of
my French origin.

'Let Wolfe Tone stand upon his own merits,' said he, 'but let us not mix
this case with his.'

'I'd have treated every man who landed to a rope,' exclaimed the major,
'Humbert himself among the rest. It was pure "brigandage," and nothing
less.'

'I hope if I escape, sir, that it will never be my fortune to see you a
prisoner of France,' said I, forgetting all in my indignation.