, but as
touching my protection, no fellow of your kidney shall resave it from
me, unless in honest open daylight with a body of police or military at
my elbow; and, besides, you have declined my hospitality, Mr. Purcel,
and with the man--but man you are not--who declines my hospitality,
I will keep no terms. Here's the 'Castle!' long life to it, and may
it never have occasion to read me a lecture for protecting a coward!
Steady, men--shoulder oines!--ah, I'm a pearl before swine here:--upon
my honor and conscience, I'm nothing else--hurra!"

Whilst this manifestation of courage and loyalty was proceeding, his
daughter had sent a little girl by a lonely and circuitous way across
the fields to Longshot Lodge, with a message to the effect that they
had prevailed upon Alick to stop for the night, and that he would also
breakfast there the next morning. The little girl's absence was very
brief, and on her return, Alick had no hesitation in remaining. The
heroic magistrate, having taken another tumbler, began to get drowsy,
and with some assistance, was prevailed on to go to bed, where he almost
immediately fell asleep. The two young men then got together all the
arms and ammunition in the house, which, having made ready for an
attack, they went also to bed, taking only their coats off, where for
the present we leave them--but not asleep--and return to M'Carthy, for
whose absence, no doubt, the reader is anxious that we should account.

CHAPTER XII.--Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire.

M'Carthy on that night had not gone far, after having separated from the
friendly Whiteboy, when he was met by a powerfully-formed man, who, he
thought, bore a considerable resemblance in shape and size to the fellow
who had been invested with authority not long before in Finnerty's. On
seeing that it was M'Carthy, the stranger, whose face was blackened,
and who also wore the white shirt outside, approached him coolly but
determinedly, and laying his hand upon his shoulder, said--: "Your name
is Francis M'Carthy'?" and as he spoke, M'Carthy could perceive the ends
of a case of pistols projecting from his breast within the shirt, which
was open at the neck.

"As I have never knowingly done anything that should occasion me to deny
my name, I acknowledge it--you know me, of course."

"I know you well. I meek it a point to know everyone who is worth
knowing. In the meantime, M'Carthy, you'll come along with me, if you
pleese."

"I