"I know that song," said Neal.

"Everybody knows that song. There isn't a lass in Antrim or Down but
sings it."

"But I know the singer too. I heard Peg Macllrea sing it once, Matier's
Peg, and I'm not likely to forget her voice."

"If you're sure of that, Neal, I'll let her know we're here. Anyway
it can do no harm. There isn't a farm lass in the whole country would
betray us to the soldiers. Wait now till she sings it again."

By the firesides of Irish cottages when songs are sung during the long
winter evenings the listeners often "croon" an accompaniment, droning in
low voices over and over again a few simple notes which harmonise with
the singer's voice. When the girl began her tune again Hope sang with
her, repeating "Ochone, ochone" down four notes from the octave of the
keynote through the mediate to the keynote again. When she reached the
end of the last line his voice rose suddenly to an unexpected seventh,
which struck sharply on the ear. Prolonging the note after the girl's
voice died away, he rose to his feet and waved his arms. Soon Peg
Macllrea was beside them.

"I tell't the master where ye were," she said, "and I tell't Mr. Donald.
They couldn't come theirsells, and they were afeard to let me out my
lone. But I knew finely I could find you. I knew Neal here would mind my
song. I brought you a bite and a sup so as you wouldn't be famished out
here on the hillside."

She took a basket from her arm and laid it at Neal's feet.

"Sit down, Peg," said Hope, "sit down and eat with us. You're a good
girl to think of bringing us the food, and you'll be wanting some
yourself after your walk."

"I canna bide with you, and I ate my supper before I made out. I must be
gettin' back now. But I've a word to give you from your uncle, Neal. He
bid me tell you that you're trysted with him for Aeneas Moylin's house
the morrow night at eight o'clock."

CHAPTER X

Early next morning Neal bade farewell to Hope and started on his walk
to Donegore. For a while he kept along the side of the hill above the
homesteads that clustered on the lower slopes. Nearing Carnmoney he
descended and entered a small inn in order to obtain some breakfast. He
found the master and his wife in a state of great excitement at the news
which had just reached them that their son had been arrested in Belfast.
It was some time before Neal could persuade the poor people to attend to
his wants, and it was a wretched breakfast which he