ither. Well, I believe
I may take my leave of it; sorrow many tunes of the pipes it's likely to
hear, with Tony Basset over it. And my heart 's low when I think of that
child there. Poor Tom! and it was you liked fun when you could have it."

I wanted but the compassionate tone in which these few words were spoken
to decide me in a resolution that I had been for some time pondering
over. I knew that ere many hours Basset would come in search of me;
I felt that, once in his power, I had nothing to expect but the
long-promised payment of his old debt of hatred to me. In a few seconds
I ran over with myself the prospect of misery before me, and determined
at once, at every hazard, to make my escape. Darby seemed to afford me
the best possible opportunity for this purpose; and I dressed myself,
therefore, in the greatest haste, and throwing whatever I could find of
my wardrobe into my carpet-bag, I pocketed my little purse, with all
my worldly wealth,--some twelve or thirteen shillings,--and noiselessly
slipped downstairs to the room beneath. I reached the door at the very
moment Darby opened it to issue forth. He started back with fear, and
crossed himself twice.

"Don't be afraid. Darby," said I, uneasy lest he should make any
noise that would alarm the others; "I want to know which road you are
travelling this morning."

"The saints be about us, but you frightened me. Master Tommy; though,
intermediately, I may obsarve, I 'm by no ways timorous. I 'm going
within two miles of Athlone."

"That's exactly where I want to go. Darby; will you take me with you?"
for at the instant Captain Bubbleton's address flashed on my mind, and I
resolved to seek him out and ask his advice in my difficulties.

"I see it all," replied Darby, as he placed the tip of his finger on his
nose. "I conceive your embarrassments,--you're afraid of Basset;
and small blame to you. But don't do it. Master Tommy,--don't do it,
alannah! that 's the hardest life at all."

"What?" said I, in amazement.

"To 'list! Sure I know what you're after. Faix, it would sarve you
better to larn the pipes."

I hastened to assure Darby of his error; and in a few words informed him
of what I had overheard of Basset's intentions respecting me.

"Make you an attorney!" said Darby, interrupting me abruptly; "an
attorney! There's nothing so mean as an attorney. The police is
gentlemen compared to them,--they fight it out fair like men; but the
other chaps sit in