ce or two in the
way of a compliment--but of this anon. Come, then, with us; buckle on
thy pack quickly, friend.'

There was no use in my declaring my willingness to deal with themselves
in preference to their master; it was clear that they had resolved that
I should, in the most expeditious and advantageous way, turn my goods
into money, that they might excise upon me to the amount of their
wishes.

The worthy who had taken a lead in these arrangements, and who by his
stripes I perceived to be a corporal, having insisted on my taking a
dram with him to cement our newly-formed friendship, for which, however,
he requested me to pay, made me mount behind one of his comrades; and
the party, of which I thus formed an unwilling member, moved at a slow
trot towards the quarters of the troop.

They reined up their horses at the head of the long bridge, which
at this village spans the broad waters of the Shannon connecting the
opposite counties of Tipperary and Clare.

A small tower, built originally, no doubt, to protect and to defend this
pass, occupied the near extremity of the bridge, and in its rear,
but connected with it, stood several straggling buildings rather
dilapidated.

A dismounted trooper kept guard at the door, and my conductor having,
dismounted, as also the corporal, the latter inquired:

'Is the captain in his quarters?'

'He is,' replied the sentinel.

And without more ado my companion shoved me into the entrance of the
small dark tower, and opening a door at the extremity of the narrow
chamber into which we had passed from the street, we entered a second
room in which were seated some half-dozen officers of various ranks and
ages, engaged in drinking, and smoking, and play.

I glanced rapidly from man to man, and was nearly satisfied by my
inspection, when one of the gentlemen whose back had been turned towards
the place where I stood, suddenly changed his position and looked
towards me.

As soon as I saw his face my heart sank within me, and I knew that my
life or death was balanced, as it were, upon a razor's edge.

The name of this man whose unexpected appearance thus affected me was
Hugh Oliver, and good and strong reason had I to dread him, for so
bitterly did he hate me, that to this moment I do verily believe he
would have compassed my death if it lay in his power to do so, even at
the hazard of his own life and soul, for I had been--though God knows
with many sore strugglings and at t