se I love."

The poor girl could scarcely be persuaded to take any refreshment; and
at length, having eaten a little which Lady Nora brought her, she
hastened away towards the vicarage, singing in her usual strain as she
went.

The Earl quickly aroused the inmates of the castle. Messengers were
sent off as he proposed, and all the people in the neighbourhood who
could be trusted were summoned to come within the walls to aid in its
defence. There were a few guns planted on the battlements, but they
were more for show than use, that part of the country having hitherto
been tranquil, and no idea being entertained that they would be
required. There were, however, muskets and pistols in the armoury, and
pikes, and numerous old weapons of warfare which were stored there, more
as an exhibition on account of their antiquity than for use. Still, the
gates were strong, and it would require no small amount of force to
break them open.

The preparations for the defence occupied a considerable time; the lower
windows had to be barricaded, and the doors strengthened by stout bars.
A few holes were left for musketry in different parts, and a supply of
large stones was brought up from the beach below to serve as missiles,
should the rebels approach near enough to make them useful.

The first streaks of daylight were appearing in the sky before all these
preparations were made. Soon after, while the little garrison were
resting from the toil they had undergone, the tramp of feet was heard
approaching the castle.

CHAPTER SIX.

Towards morning Dermot was roused from the bunk on which he had been
placed by the man who had before spoken, and an intimation given him
that he must rise and prepare to move.

He again saw the person who had been called O'Higgins marshalling the
rebels, giving various directions, and finally putting himself at their
head, as in regular order they marched away from the cavern.

On being led out of the cave Dermot was placed on the pony and led
between two men, and was conducted at a rapid pace towards the south.
He knew this by finding the wind still in his back, and catching a
glimpse through the gloom of the distant sea.

"They must be going back to the castle," he thought, "and are about to
make the attack they have been threatening. I hope Kathleen arrived in
time; if not, those beautiful young ladies and the kind Earl will fall
into their hands. Oh, that I could have got away and made s