ent wider than routine. He offered a frank
account of the events attending the tithe-collecting, including the
attitude of the peasantry, and the lessons that occurred to himself.
These, the commanding officer did not desire, and he returned the report
to the writer, desiring it to be made formal. 'Sir,' was the subaltern's
reply, 'I have stated just what happened, and I should wish, with your
permission, to abide by my report.' He awaited results with a mixed
interest, but the farther history of that temerarious despatch he never
learned. It may, or may not, have reached all concerned.

Of the Irish race Sir George conceived the warmest opinion, holding them
to be the owners of many virtues. Especially they were brotherly of
nature, truly generous of heart, and chivalrous of action. He had one
proof of the last quality in a curious falling-in with some Mayo
smugglers. What better evidence of the innate chivalry of a race, than to
find them instinctively expect it in a stranger?

'There were,' he narrated, 'very stringent regulations in Ireland, in
regard to the illicit distilling of spirits. It was another disagreeable
duty for soldiers that they had to accompany revenue officers in the
search for stills. Now, I was very fond of shooting, and when the
opportunity arose I would start off with my gun. The country folk might
always be applied to for information as to the spots most likely to
furnish a shot. They were perfect hosts to the Saxon as an individual,
though otherwise to the Saxon engine of government.

'Being abroad one day with my gun, I noticed a group of peasants at work
in a field. Anxious for their counsel towards a bag, I jumped the wall
into the field where they were. What was my astonishment to discover that
I was in the midst of an illicit still! You can imagine my position! I,
an officer holding the King's commission, had, as a private person,
become aware of an offence against the law. My worry was so keen, over
the awkward relationship in which I stood towards the party, that I
expressed it.

'"It is," I said, "frequently my duty to protect preventive men, and if
that duty were ever to bring me this way, you would feel that I had
informed upon you." "No, no," was the answer in chorus, "you only protect
the excise men, that forming part of your duty; you are not an informer
but a protector, and we know you won't tell." They were good enough to
emphasise this vote of confidence with an invitation t