n to partake of the provisions, not forgetting a
whisky bottle which my companion had brought with him. While we were
eating, he amused me with an account of an intended run of smuggled
goods which was to be made on the coast two nights thence; and without
much difficulty I agreed to join the party who were to assist in landing
the things, and in carrying them up the country to the places where they
were to be concealed.

On these occasions, conflicts between the coastguard officers and the
smugglers often take place, and lives are frequently lost. This I well
knew, though perhaps I did not think about it. I was pleased with the
idea of the danger, and flattered by having so much confidence placed in
me. I thought it was a very manly thing to assist the smugglers, while
Doolan all the time wished to implicate me, to be able, should we be
discovered, to shield himself by means of me. After breakfast we
resumed our sport. Our game-bags were full and very heavy, and even we
were content. My companion at last proposed to return home. "Home," I
remarked unconsciously. "How can I return home? How can I face my
father after having thus disobeyed him?" I thought. This feeling had
not before occurred to me. I already repented what I had done. "I
can't go home now," said I to Doolan aloud.

"Why not?" said he; "you've a mighty fine faste to place before your
dad; and, faith, if he's a sinsible man, he'll ax no questions how you
came by it." Such were my companion's notions of morality; and in this
instance he spoke what he thought was the truth, for he had been taught
no better, and he knew that thus his own father would have acted.

"It won't do; I cannot look my father in the face, and must go to your
house now; and I will creep home at night, when there's no one to see
me."

"Well, Pater, you must do as you like," he said, laughing; "you're
mighty welcome to come to our house and to stay there as long as you
plase; at the same time that I see no reason at all, at all, why your
dad shouldn't be glad to see such an illigant stock of game for his
dinner."

"I know my father better than you do, Pat," said I, for the first time
in my life asserting a little determination with him. "Home I will not
go this day."

So it was settled; and we were bending our steps in the direction of
Doolan's house, through Lord Fetherston's property, when another
pheasant got up before me. My gun was loaded, and I could not res