ad wronged him.
Poor fellow! we bore him sadly homeward. I judged it right to tell my
captain what I knew of the matter, and a warrant was issued for the
apprehension of Shane McDermot. Parties were sent out to search for
him, but he was not to be found. There were plenty among the country
people to help him. The only thing some of them seemed to think that he
had done wrong was, that he had shot the wrong man. Kathleen was
thankful that I had escaped, but glad to be rid of Shane. It was not
likely that he would venture back to the neighbourhood while we were
there.

After some time, my company was ordered back to head-quarters, to be
relieved by another. Kathleen bade me tell Marshall that she remained
faithful to him, and loving as ever.

I gave the message to Marshall. It raised his spirits, and yet he could
scarcely believe that so pretty a girl, and one in some respects so
superior to himself, should care for a poor soldier. However I told him
that it was a good reason why he should attend to his duties more
strictly, and try to obtain promotion to be able to support her. The
wife of even a non-commissioned officer has a hard time of it; of a man,
still worse; but worst off of all is the wife of one who marries without
leave.

On getting back, I found a notice posted that all men wishing to go on
"furlough" must send in their names to the captains of companies at
once. I sent in mine, as I had saved enough pay for my expenses, and
through the kindness of the sergeant-major and adjutant obtained a
furlough for six weeks, to proceed from Cork to B-- in the county of
E--, and took my passage in the steamer to London. We had a fine view
of the coast from the Land's End in Cornwall, to the North Foreland in
Kent.

Landing in London, I went to an inn, breakfasted, cleaned myself so as
to look as smart as I could, and set off home. How different I felt now
to what I did leaving home a year ago. I opened the door and looked in.
They were all at dinner. What cries of delight and shrieks and
laughter there were, though my sisters vowed they scarcely knew me, I
had grown so stout and manly. I was made heartily welcome, and had a
very happy time of it. I went to see my old friends at the barracks; I
was welcomed by them too, but many had been sent off to India.

I must be moving on though with my story. After spending a happy five
weeks at home, I returned to Cork at the proper time. I was rather
vexe