ehind. My sisters waved their handkerchiefs;
my mother had too much use for hers to do so; my brothers cheered again
and again; and I saw Larry half pulled from his pony, as his
fellow-servants gripped him by the hands; and two or three damsels, more
demonstrative than the rest, ran forward to receive his parting salutes.
My chest, I should have said, was to come by the waggon, which would
arrive at Cork long before the ship sailed. The more requisite
articles, such as changes of linen and spare shoes, were packed in
valises strapped to Larry's and my cruppers; while the major carried
such things as he required in his saddle-bags. We soon lost sight of
the Shannon, and the top of the castle tower appearing above the trees.
For some time we rode on in silence, but as neither my respected
relative nor I were accustomed to hold our tongues, we soon let them wag
freely. He talked as we rode on in his usual hearty way, giving me
accounts of his adventures in many lands. Larry kept behind us, not
presuming to come up and join in the conversation. He was of too happy
a spirit to mind riding alone, while he relieved himself by cracking
jokes with the passers-by. I have spoken of his warm affection for me.
He also--notwithstanding his rough outside--possessed a talent for
music, and could not only sing a capital song, but had learned to play
the violin from an old fiddler, Peter McLeary, who had presented him
with an instrument, which he valued like the apple of his eye. He now
carried it in its case, strapped carefully on behind him. We rode on
too fast to allow of his playing it, as I have seen him do on horseback
many a time, when coming from marriages or wakes, where he was
consequently in great request. We made a long day's journey, having
rested a couple of hours to bait our horses; and not reaching the town
of Kilmore till long after sundown.

The assizes were taking place. The judge and lawyers, soldiers, police,
and witnesses, filled every house in the town. Consequently the only
inn at which we could hope to obtain accommodation was crowded. All the
guests had retired to their rooms; but the landlady, Mrs Mccarthy, who
knew my uncle, undertook to put us up. Larry took the horses round to
the stables, where he would find his sleeping place, and we entered the
common room. Mrs McCarthy was the only person in the establishment who
seemed to have any of her wits about her. The rest of the inmates who
were s