g the chiefs as to how the attack should be commenced.

Dermot was led up on his pony close to where the leaders were assembled
holding their consultation of war. One of them, with more sagacity than
the rest, suggested that before they began the attack they should demand
the surrender of the fortress, threatening that if this was not agreed
to, they would immediately put to death the young lord whom they had in
their power.

One of their number was accordingly selected to act as herald, and
directed to proceed to the front gate, and to demand a parley. The man
thus honoured was a broad shouldered Celt, evidently more accustomed to
dig than to perform the part for which he had been appointed. He was
furnished, however, with a stick and white handkerchief fastened to it,
to act as a flag of truce, and urged to proceed at once on his mission.

He evidently did not like the task imposed on him, for Dermot heard him
explain that he was doubtful whether he could muster a sufficient amount
of Saxon to speak to the garrison.

"Never fear that," was the answer; "there are many who know Celtic
inside, and they'll not fail to understand you."

While these arrangements were being made the dawn broke. The herald
appeared before the gate, and was considerably astonished when told, in
reply to his demand, that the Earl declined holding any communication
with men in arms against their sovereign. "But if we hang the Earl's
son if they don't let us in, what will he say to that?" asked the
herald.

"You will commit any outrage at your own peril," was the answer. "The
Earl knows that you would not dare to hang his son, even if you had him
in your power. Do you expect to escape the vengeance of the whole
nation should you venture to commit any such atrocity. Go back from
whence you came; the Earl and all within this castle set you at
defiance."

The herald, unwilling to go back to his companions with such an answer,
again asked if such was their ultimate resolution.

"Yes. You will only bring destruction on your own head if you remain
where you are; and we again tell you, we defy you," answered the person
within.

At last the herald returned to the council of war, which was still
sitting. The two guns were now brought forward and placed on an
elevated situation, for it had not occurred to their possessors that the
only service they could render would be to batter in the gates of the
castle. The men who had muskets mad