t he had done the deed, and under what
provocation he had done it, and then let them do the worst they chose
with him.

After much considering, and many changes in his resolutions, he at
length determined that he would do this--that as soon as it began to
be dusk, he would leave the horrid mountain where he had passed the
saddest hours that he had yet known, and go at once from thence to
Father John, and implicitly follow the advice which he might give
him.

When once he had definitely resolved on this line of conduct he was
much easier in his mind; he had at any rate once more something to
do--some occupation. He had freed himself from the prospect of long,
weary, unending days, to be passed with that horrid man; and he was
comparatively comfortable.

He determined to wait till it was nearly or quite dusk, which would
be about five or half-past five o'clock, and then to leave the cabin,
and making what haste he could to Drumshambo, go from thence by the
road to Cashcarrigan and Ballycloran; and he calculated that he would
be able to reach Father John's cottage between ten and eleven, before
the priest had gone to bed; and having finally settled this in his
mind, he returned to the cabin for the last time, determined manfully
to sit out the remainder of the afternoon in the same apathetic
tranquillity, which his enemy Andy displayed.

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE SECOND ESCAPE.

For four long hours there he remained, seated on the same stool,
without moving or speaking; and for the same time there sat Andy on
his bed, looking at the fire, and from time to time dragging a few
sods from under the bed to throw them upon the ashes and keep up the
warmth which seemed to be his only comfort. At length Thady thought
it was dark enough, and without saying a word to the old man, he left
the cabin and again descended the hill. He would not return by the
same path by which he had come for fear he should meet Joe or Corney,
or Meg--for he was unwilling that even she should see him escaping
from his hiding-place. By the time that he reached Drumshambo it was
dark, and it continued so till he got to Cashcarrigan, which he did
without meeting any one who either recognised him or spoke to him.
From thence he passed back by the two small lakes and the cabin of
the poor widow who owed her misery to Ussher's energy, and across the
bog of Drumleesh to the lane which would take him by Ballycloran to
Father John's cottage. But before