e their appearance in the front
rank, thus to produce a more imposing effect. While these arrangements
were being made some of the men had been cutting down young trees in a
plantation close by. These they now fixed in a mound near the spot
where the guns were posted, and to their tops they secured a cross beam.
A rope was then produced.

"We shall have to hang the boy if the Earl does not give in," Dermot
heard some of the people round about him observe.

"I would gladly have escaped the work," remarked another. "Yet if it
must be done, it must be."

Dermot watched these proceedings, and it would have been unnatural if he
had not felt a sensation of horror creeping over him. Should he
endeavour to save his life by declaring that he was not the Earl's son.
It naturally occurred to him to do this, and yet it would probably no
longer avail him. He nerved himself for the fate which seemed
inevitable. The preparations had been seen from the castle.

"If you commit murder," shouted a voice from one of the turrets, "you
will bring down the vengeance of heaven and of your country on your
heads."

The chiefs continued their consultation. The discussion appeared to be
a warm one. Some of them got up and walked about, shaking their fists
at the castle.

"It must be done!" he heard several exclaim; "it will strike terror into
the hearts of our Saxon persecutors. The boy must die. If we let him
escape they would declare that we were afraid, and that would make them
tyrannise more than ever over us." Several men now came to Dermot and
led him towards the gallows which he had seen erected. At the same time
an attempt was made to fire the guns placed on the height, but neither
of them went off.

"The powder is bad," Dermot thought to himself; "will it all be like
that?"

It was a curious thought at such a moment. He had nerved his heart for
the worst.

"Again we ask, will you yield the castle?" exclaimed several voices from
the height.

"No, but if you injure that boy, vengeance will overtake you," was the
answer.

The men uttered a hoarse laugh with some fearful oaths.

"We shall soon see that. Bring him forward. Now, boy, are you prepared
for heaven? You will be there in a few minutes. But who are you?"
exclaimed several voices.

Before Dermot could reply, the cloak he had hitherto worn fell from his
shoulders, and his dress and appearance showed that he was a very
different person to the young lo