r we are bound in that direction ourselves, and
will be happy to have your company."

One piece of tact my worldly experience had profoundly impressed upon
me, and that was, the necessity of always assuming an air of easy
unconcern in every circumstance of doubtful issue. There was quite
enough of difficulty in the present case to excite my anxiety, but I
rode along beside the jaunting-car, chatting familiarly with my new
acquaintances, and, I believe, without exhibiting the slightest degree
of uneasiness regarding my own position.

From them I learned so much as they had heard of the late naval
engagement. The report was that Bompard's fleet had fallen in with Sir
John Warren's squadron, and having given orders for his fastest sailers
to make the best of their way to France, had, with the Hoche, the Loire,
and the Resolve, given battle to the enemy. These had all been captured,
as well as four others which fled, two alone of the whole succeeding in
their escape. I think now that, grievous as these tidings were, there
was nothing of either boastfulness or insolence in the tone in which
they were communicated to me. Every praise was accorded to Bompard for
skill and bravery, and the defense was spoken of in terms of generous
eulogy. The only trait of acrimony that showed itself in the recital
was, a regret that a number of Irish rebels should have escaped in the
Biche, one of the smaller frigates; and several emissaries of the
people, who had been deputed to the admiral, were also alleged to have
been on board of that vessel.

"You are sorry to have had missed your friend, the priest of Murrah,"
said Hill, jocularly.

"Yes, by George, that fellow should have graced a gallows if I had been
lucky enough to have taken him."

"What was his crime, sir?" asked I, with seeming unconcern.

"Nothing more than exciting to rebellion a people with whom he had no
tie of blood or kindred! He was a Frenchman, and devoted himself to the
cause of Ireland, as they call it, from pure sympathy--"

"And a dash of popery," broke in Hill.

"It's hard to say even that; my own opinion is, that French Jacobinism
cares very little for the pope. Am I right, young gentleman--you don't
go very often to confession?"

"I should do so less frequently if I were to be subjected to such a
system of interrogatory as yours," said I, tartly.

They both took my impertinent speech in good part, and laughed heartily
at it; and thus, half amicably, ha