dress before he
was captured, and, owing to this circumstance, he escaped being
recognised as one of the leaders of the rebels. Had Dermot been called
upon to do so, he would, of course, have been able to identify him; but,
fortunately for him, no one thought of summoning the fishwife's young
son to give evidence, and he was, therefore, allowed to remain quietly
at home.

O'Higgins took the name of Higson, and asserted that he was a pedlar
travelling through the country, producing a licence in confirmation of
his statement, but had been compelled by the rebels to join them.
Several of the other prisoners were found ready to swear to the truth of
this statement. He, however, was found guilty; but instead of being
condemned to transportation to Botany Bay, was allowed the privilege of
entering as a seaman on board a man-of-war. He accepted the
alternative, hoping before long to make his escape. He, however, was
too narrowly watched to succeed in his object; and after being sent on
board a receiving ship, was, curiously enough, transferred to the
_Cynthia_, on board which frigate we shall soon again hear of him.

From the information Captain Falkner received he had reason to believe
that this first attempt of the insurgents having so completely failed,
and so many having been made prisoners, or killed, a further rising in
that part of the country would not be attempted. Still the disturbed
state of the district prevented the ladies from riding about the country
as had been their custom, and the Earl would not allow his young son to
go to any distance from the walls, nor even a short way without a strong
escort.

Young Fitz Barry consoled himself, therefore, by frequent visits on
board the frigate, where he soon became a great favourite with the
officers. "Ah!" he exclaimed, "I wish my father would let me become a
midshipman. I would rather go to sea, than follow any other profession
in the world." Those were, perhaps, the most palmy days of England's
navy. It was the time when her greatest heroes were flourishing, and
the profession was looked upon as among the noblest a youth could
follow. The oftener Fitz Barry visited the frigate, the more anxious he
became to belong to her. The midshipmen, at first, encouraged him
rather as a joke than in earnest; but as they loved the profession
themselves, they were somewhat flattered by finding that the Earl's son
wished to join it also. On going on shore one day, he