atisfied me of his identity, and removing my hat from my head I said,
'God save General Sarsfield!'

The general nodded

'I am a prisoner here under strange circumstances,' I continued 'I
appear before you in a strange disguise. You do not recognise Captain
Hardress Fitzgerald!'

'Eh, how's this?' said he, approaching me with the light.

'I am that Hardress Fitzgerald,' I repeated, 'who served under you at
the Boyne, and upon the day of the action had the honour to protect your
person at the expense of his own.' At the same time I turned aside the
hair which covered the scar which you well know upon my forehead, and
which was then much more remarkable than it is now.

The general on seeing this at once recognised me, and embracing me
cordially, made me sit down, and while I unstrapped my pack, a tedious
job, my fingers being nearly numbed with cold, sent the men forth to
procure me some provision.

The general's horse was stabled in a corner of the chamber where we sat,
and his war-saddle lay upon the floor. At the far end of the room was
a second door, which stood half open; a bogwood fire burned on a hearth
somewhat less rude than the one which I had first seen, but still very
little better appointed with a chimney, for thick wreaths of smoke were
eddying, with every fitful gust, about the room. Close by the fire was
strewed a bed of heath, intended, I supposed, for the stalwart limbs of
the general.

'Hardress Fitzgerald,' said he, fixing his eyes gravely upon me, while
he slowly removed the tobacco-pipe from his mouth, 'I remember you,
strong, bold and cunning in your warlike trade; the more desperate an
enterprise, the more ready for it, you. I would gladly engage you, for
I know you trustworthy, to perform a piece of duty requiring, it may be,
no extraordinary quality to fulfil; and yet perhaps, as accidents may
happen, demanding every attribute of daring and dexterity which belongs
to you.'

Here he paused for some moments.

I own I felt somewhat flattered by the terms in which he spoke of me,
knowing him to be but little given to compliments; and not having any
plan in my head, farther than the rendering what service I might to the
cause of the king, caring very little as to the road in which my duty
might lie, I frankly replied:

'Sir, I hope, if opportunity offers, I shall prove to deserve the
honourable terms in which you are pleased to speak of me. In a righteous
cause I fear not wounds or death