d here, I may yet be able to do so."

"I am not likely to have been traced, for my flight can scarcely yet
have been discovered," answered O'Harrall. "You will run no risk, and I
will be grateful if I can find an opportunity. I have proved that I am
not destitute of gratitude. When on board the _Ouzel Galley_, I
obtained better terms for you from Thurot than you would otherwise have
enjoyed."

"Follow me, then," said Owen, "and I will conceal you till you have an
opportunity of escaping; but promise me that you will not again return
to this part of the country."

"I have no hesitation in doing that, for I intend to do my best to
escape from Ireland, never with my own free will to come back," answered
O'Harrall.

"That is sufficient," said Owen; and he led the way through the cottage
to an outbuilding at some short distance, over which there was a loft,
long disused. Owen found a ladder, by which the fugitive mounted to it.

"You can easily leap to the ground when you think fit to continue your
flight," said Owen, who had followed him up. "I will bring you some
food, to afford you support both for the present and on your journey;
and if you want money, I will supply you."

"I give you my thanks, but I have a purse full of gold. Be quick,
however, with the food, or my pursuers may be here and prevent you from
bringing it to me," replied O'Harrall.

Owen on descending removed the ladder, and, hurrying into the pantry,
collected such provisions as he could most easily find, and for the
disappearance of which he could account the next day to his mother. He
carried them to the fugitive, and then again replaced the ladder in the
spot from which he had taken it. Having done this, he returned to the
sitting-room and threw himself into a chair, resting his head on his
hand. He had performed a generous action, but still he questioned
himself whether it was a right one. He was attempting to conceal from
justice an undoubted malefactor; it was an act then, as now, too common
in Ireland, and was sure to meet with the sympathy of the people should
it be discovered. Owen possibly might have partaken somewhat in the
feeling general among all classes, that it was a right thing to protect
those in distress, whatever their crimes against society. A more
generous motive had influenced him, and he might have been less inclined
to act as he had done should a person indifferent to him, and equally
criminal in the sight of t