did without
the slightest ceremony. You understand that? Or stay, if we were to
bind one of your feet to the leg of this bunk, we should have you more
secure, I'm thinking."

Dermot, adhering to his resolution, said nothing in return, but allowed
himself to be secured as the man proposed. He laughed, however, to
himself at the thought of the ease with which he could immediately
liberate himself should he wish to do so, and wrapping himself closely
in the cloak, the better to conceal his figure and dress, should by
chance a gleam of light fall upon him, he lay down on the bunk.

Other persons now continued to arrive, until the cave was full of men,
the greater part of whom were peasants or small farmers; at least their
comrades treated them with but little ceremony.

As Dermot, however, was watching what took place, he heard the men
whispering to each other, "It's him! It's him; he's come to lead us, no
fear now."

Just then a man appeared at the entrance of the cave. As he advanced
with a confident, indeed somewhat swaggering step, towards the table in
the centre, all the men rose from their seats and greeted him in various
tones of welcome.

He told them that he had been narrowly watched, that he had had no
little difficulty in escaping his enemies and their enemies, that he was
thankful to find himself among them, and prepared to undertake any
enterprise, however hazardous, which might tend to forward their great
and glorious cause--the overthrow of their Saxon tyrants and the
establishment of the Irish race as the lords and rulers of their
country.

He said a great deal more to the same effect, which was eagerly listened
to by the assembled rebels.

"Long life to the O'Higgins, he's the boy for us," resounded through the
cavern, or at least words to that effect in the native Irish, the only
language spoken by those present.

The O'Higgins spoke it, but Dermot remarked that he did so with some
difficulty.

The conspirators seemed highly delighted at having made so valuable a
prize, and began, in no subdued voices, to discuss their future plans
and proceedings.

Dermot listened eagerly, anxious to catch every word that was uttered.
He found that they were a band of United Irishmen, as the rebels were
generally called at that time, and that in spite of the ill-success of
their undertaking in the north, they proposed carrying out a rising in
that part of the country. Their first object was to attack