and helplessness suffered at
the hands of these two persons; especially at those of Phil, whose chief
delight appeared to consist in an authoritative display of pomp and
natural cruelty.

The widow had not been more than a minute gone, when the door opened,
and in walked, without note or preparation, a stout swarthy looking
fellow named M'Clean. "Well, Tom," said Val, "is this you?"

"Brother M'Clean," said Solomon, "how are you?"

"What would ail me?" said M'Clean, "there's nothing wrong with me but
what money could cure--if I had it."

"And you have no money, Tom!" said Val, smiling, "that, Tom, is a bad
business--for we never wanted it more than we do at present. Seriously,
have you the rent?"

"D--n the penny, brother M'Clutchy; and what's more, won't have it for
at least three months."

"That's bad again, Tom. Any news?--any report?"

"Why, ay--there was a gun, or a pistol, or a pike, or something that
way, seen with the Gallaghers of Kilscaddan."

"Ha--are you sure of that?"

"Not myself sure; but I heard it on good authority; but I think we had
better make sure, by paying them a visit some night soon."

"We will talk about that," said Val; "but I am told that you treated
priest Roche badly the other night. Is that true?"

"Why, what did you hear?" asked M'Clean.

"I heard you fired into his house; that you know was dangerous."

"All right," said Phil; "what right have. Popish priests to live under
a Protestant government? By my sacred honor, I'd banish them like wild
cats."

"No," said M'Clean, in reply to Val, "we did not; all we did was to play
'Croppies lie Down,' as we passed the house, and fire three volleys over
it--not into it; but if there was e'er a one among us with a bad aim you
know, that wasn't his fault or ours; ha--ha--by Japers," said he in a
low, confidential whisper, "we frightened the seven senses out of him,
at any rate--the bloody Papist rascal--for sure they are all that, and
be d----d to them."

"Capital doctrine--and so they are, Tom; light, Tom; so you frightened
the bog Latin out of him! ha! ha! ha!"

"Ha--ha--ha--by my sowl we did, and more maybe, if it was known; I must
be off now."

"Go and help yourself to a bumper of spirits before you go," said Val;
"and, Tom, keep a sharp lookout, and whenever you find, or hear of arms,
let me know immediately."

Tom only nodded to that, as he put the glass to his lips; "gentlemen,"
said he, "your healths; here's no Popery