is life, by betraying the designs of his
confederacy, and thus proving himself, as it would have been termed, a
traitor to the people, and to the cause of his country. Such, in truth,
are the multifarious evils that result from illegal conspiracies among
our impulsive and unreasoning countryman.

"It's a word or two I'd wish to spake to you, Mr. Alick."

"Well, Mogue, what's the matter? Are you still determined to be
hard-hearted to poor Letty Lenehan?"

"That I may never sup sorrow, Mr. Alick, if I can help the foolish
creature! I do all I can to let her see that we are not aiquils; but
the thoughtless girl won't be convinced. I belong to a family, sir, that
always suffered for our counthry. Widin the last six hundre' years, I
have it from sound authority, that there never was a ruction on
Irish ground that wasn't the manes of havin' some o' them hanged or
transported, glory be to God! An' you know, Mr. Alick, that's a proud
boast, an' what every one couldn't say."

"All I can say then, Mogue, is, that if you look upon that as an honor,
I have no objection that the fate should follow the family, and, I
suppose, neither have you."

"Well, indeed now, and that I may never die in sin, but I think it an
honor to oppose these Sassanagh laws; an', for that matther, to die
opposin' them; however, as to myself, Mr. Alick, I am by nature of a
peaceable, quiet turn, and not likely--"

"To grace a gibbet, Mogue: well, I believe not; but what is this you
wish to say to me?"

"One or two things then, sir. First, I hear that Mr. M'Carthy is comin'
down to stay wid the family here, bekaise they say it's going to be
attacked."

"Well, is it not both a friendly and a manly offer for him to make?"

"Granted, Mr. Alick; but instead of help-in' you all to keep the danger
off, he'll only be the manes of bringin' it on; for as soon as it
becomes known that he's here, there will be ten enemies then for one
there is now against you. I happened to overhear a discoorse at the
chapel on Sunday last; and it's from that I'm givin' you my advice."

"I don't care a d--n," said the impetuous young man, "about their
discourses at chapel. They go there more for the purpose of plotting
murders, and entering into illegal combinations, than for that of
praying sincerely or worshipping God! No; we despise and defy them."

"Well, then, Mr.--"

"Silence, Mogue; not another word on that subject. I am obliged to you,
in the meantime, for you kin