r the bough, and
ostentatiously making nooses at the end of each of them. They were not
very expert, and failed several times in throwing the other end over the
bough. The ends of each of the ropes were grasped by three men, who
looked savagely at us, as if they were especially anxious to see our
necks in the opposite nooses, and apparently only waiting the order from
their chief.

"If you have prayers to say, you had better say them now," cried the
leader of the outlaws.

"It's time to speak to you now, Dan Hoolan," said my uncle, as if he had
not heard the last remark. "Whether you really intend to hang us or
not, I can't say; but if you do, vengeance is sure to overtake you. To
kill an old man would be a dastardly deed, but doubly accursed would you
be should you deprive a young lad like this of his life. If you have no
pity on me, have regard to your own soul. There's not a priest in the
land who would give you absolution."

"Hould there, and don't speak another word," shouted Hoolan. "I have
given you the chance of praying, and you wouldn't take it, so it's
yourselves will have to answer for it. Quick, boys, bring them along."

Our captors were leading us forward, and, as I had no wish to lose my
life, I was looking out for an opportunity of obeying my uncle's
instructions, when, with a strength which those who held him could not
have supposed he possessed, knocking down one on either side, he threw
himself upon Hoolan, who, not expecting such an attack, was brought to
the ground. At the same moment the major, drawing a knife which the
ruffian had in his belt, held it as if to strike him to the heart. The
hunchback, seeing the danger of his leader, regardless of me, rushed
forward to his assistance; when, finding myself at liberty, I darted
towards my horse, which was held by one only of the men, who, eagerly
watching the strife, did not observe me. Twisting his shillelah from
his hands, and snatching the reins, I was in a moment in the saddle; but
I had no intention of deserting my uncle. Firmly grasping the
shillelah, I laid it about the heads of the men who were on the point of
seizing the major. Hoolan, however, was completely at his mercy; and
had they ventured to touch him, one blow of the knife would have ended
the villain's life, though probably his companions would have revenged
his death by shooting us the moment after. But just then loud shouts
were heard in the distance, and a party of