him in the least."

CHAPTER XVI

It was obvious to Captain Twinely that Neal Ward's instinct would be
to make for Dunseveric. He spread the men under his command, and the
members of a couple of corps similar to his own, in bands of five
or six, across a broad belt of country. He arranged what he called
a "drive," and pushed slowly northward, searching every possible
hiding-place as he went. It seemed to him totally impossible that
Neal could escape. Sooner or later he was sure to come on him, and
then--Captain Twinely chuckled grimly at the thought that he would leave
no chance of a fourth escape.

This excellently-planned search resulted in the discovery of Captain
Twinely's clothes, damp and somewhat muddy, in a ditch about a mile out
of the town. It did not end in the capture of the fugitive, because
it was founded on a miscalculation. Neal did not make straight for
Dunseveric. When he got out of the town and changed his clothes he went
to Donegore Hill. M'Cracken and Hope were there with the remains of
their army, and Neal was most anxious to join them. The murder of Peg
MacIlrea had made him so furiously angry that he cared nothing about his
own safety. His escape from Antrim was a matter of satisfaction mainly
because it seemed to afford him another opportunity for fighting. He
neither attempted to weigh the chances of success nor considered the
uselessness of continuing the struggle. He wanted vengeance taken on men
whom he hated, and he wanted to have some share himself in taking it.

He found the roads round Donegore Hill guarded by sentries. The camp
on the top of the old rath had all the appearance of being held by
disciplined troops. There was little sign of the disorganisation and
panic which often follow defeat. The men were calm, self-possessed, and
reasonable, but they were hopeless. Neal realised that this army, at
least, would do no more serious fighting. The men were anxious to make
terms for themselves and for their leaders. They were perfectly well
aware that they were beaten, and could not expect to make any head
against their enemies.

Neal found James Hope, and was warmly greeted by him.

"When I discovered that we'd left you behind," said Hope, "I made up
my mind that you must have been shot down along with your uncle and the
fine fellows who made a stand with him. Ah, Neal, we've lost many--your
uncle, Felix Marier, poor Moylin, and many another. One killed here,
another there, but