"he was at the churchyard with the
other; I'll swear to that."

"I think we can do without your valuable aid in this business," said
Barton, smiling maliciously. "Come along, young gentleman; we 'll try
and finish the education that has begun so prosperously."

My eyes involuntarily turned to the table where De Meudon's pistols
were lying. The utter hopelessness of such a contest deterred me not, I
sprang towards them; but as I did so, the strong hand of Barton was on
my collar, and with a hoarse laugh, he threw me against the wall, as he
called out,--

"Folly, boy! mere folly. You are quite sure of the rope without that.
Here, take him off!"

As he spoke, two soldiers seized me on either side, and before a minute
elapsed, pinioned my arms behind my back. In another moment the men fell
in, the order was given to march, and I was led away between the files,
Kelly following at the rear; while Barton's voice might be heard issuing
from the cabin, as he gave his orders for the burial of the body, and
the removal of all the effects and papers to the barrack at Glencree.

We might have been about an hour on the road when Barton overtook us.
He rode to the head of the party, and handing a paper to the sergeant,
muttered some words, among which I could only gather the phrase,
"Committed to Newgate;" then, turning round in his saddle, he fixed his
eyes on Kelly, who, like a beast of prey, continued to hang upon the
track of his victim.

"Well, Dan," cried he, "you may go home again now. I am afraid you 've
gained nothing this time but character."

"Home!" muttered the wretch in a voice of agony; "is it face home after
this morning's work?"

"And why not, man? Take my word for it, the neighbors will be too much
afraid to meddle with you now."

"Oh, Mister Barton! oh, darling! don't send me back there, for the love
of Heaven! Take me with you!" cried the miserable wretch, in tones of
heart-moving misery.

"Oh, young gentleman," said he, taming towards me, and catching me by
the sleeve, "spake a word for me this day!"

"Don't you think he has enough of troubles of his own to think of, Dan?"
said Barton, with a tone of seeming kindliness. "Go back, man; go back!
there 's plenty of work before you in this very county. Don't lay your
hand on me, you scoundrel; your touch would pollute a hangman."

The man fell back as if stunned at the sound of these words; his face
became livid, and his lips white as snow. He staggered