my eyes on so red, nor so big I pair."

"He can't be the fellow I suspect, then--for his, by all accounts, are
unusually large and black."

"As to that, I can't say, sir: but you wouldn't have me give a wrong
description of any villain that 'ud make an attempt upon your life. Are
you sure, though, it wasn't his reverend honor that the pistol was aimed
at?"

"I am not; as I told you, it is impossible to settle that point. There
is neither of us very popular, certainly."

"Bekaise, afther all, there is a difference; and it doesn't folly that,
although I'd purshue the villain for life and death, that 'ud attempt to
murdher you, that I'd distress myself to secure an honest man that might
free us an' the country from the like o' him;" and he pointed over his
left shoulder with his inverted thumb.

"Cannie," said the proctor, somewhat sternly, "I've never heard you give
expression to such sentiments before, and I hope I shall never again. No
honest man would excuse or tamper with murder or murderers. No more of
this, Cannie, or you will lose my good opinion, although perhaps you
would think that no great loss."

"Throth, I know I was wrong to spake as I did, sir, bad cess to me, but
I was, an' as for your good opinion, Misther Purcel, and the good of all
your family too, devil a man livin' 'ud go further to gain it, and to
keep it when he had it than I would; now, bad cess to the one."

Whilst this dialogue was proceeding between the pedlar and the proctor.
Dr. Turbot, in a state of indescribable alarm, was relating the
attempted assassination to his curate inside. The amazement of the
latter gentleman, who was perfectly aware of the turbulent state of
the country, by no means kept pace with the alarm of his rector. He
requested of the latter, that should he see Mrs. Temple, he would make
no allusions to the circumstance, especially as she was at the period in
question not far from her confinement, and it was impossible to say
what unpleasant or dangerous effects an abrupt mention of so dreadful a
circumstance might have upon her.

In a few minutes Purcel and his patron were on their way to Longshot
Lodge, the residence of the proctor. At the solicitation of the parson,
however, they avoided the direct line of road, and reached home by one
that was much more circuitous, and as the latter thought also more safe.
Here, after Waiting for the arrival of the mail coach, which he resolved
to meet on its way to the metropo