d was lost in the
mist.

But he left a change behind him. One of the firelock-men broke into
hasty speech, glancing, the Colonel noticed, at him and Bale, as if
they were the subjects of his words. O'Sullivan Og answered the man
curtly and harshly; but before the reply was off his lips a second man
broke in vehemently in support of the other. They all halted; for a few
seconds all spoke at once. Then, just as Colonel John was beginning to
hope that they would quarrel, O'Sullivan Og gave way with sullen
reluctance, and a man ran back the way they had come, shouting a name.
Before the prisoners could decide whether his absence afforded a chance
of escape, he was back again, and with him the man who had passed in
the bog.

Colonel John looked at the stranger, and recognised him; and, a man of
quick wit, he knew on the instant that he had to face the worst. His
face set more hard, more firm--if it turned also a shade paler. He
addressed his companion. "They've called him back to confess us," he
muttered in Bale's ear.

"The devils!" Bale exclaimed. He choked on the word and worked his jaw,
glaring at them; but he said no more. Only his eyes glanced from one to
another, wild and full of rage.

Colonel John did not reply, for already O'Sullivan Og was addressing
him. "There's no more to it," The McMurrough's agent said bluntly; "but
you've come your last journey, Colonel, and we'll go back wanting you.
There's no room in Ireland from this day for them that's not Irish at
heart! nor safety for honest men while you're walking the sod. But----"

"Will you murder us?" Colonel John said. "Do you know, man," he
continued sternly, "what you do? What have we done to you, or your
master?"

"Done?" O'Sullivan Og answered with sudden ferocity. "And murder, say
you? Ay, faith, I would, and ten thousand like you, for the sake of old
Ireland! You may make your peace, and have five minutes to that--and no
more, for time presses, and we've work to do. These fools would have a
priest for you"--he turned and spat on the ground--"but it is I, and
none better, know you are black Protestants, and 'twould take the Holy
Father, God bless him, and no less, to make your souls!"

Colonel John looked at him with a strange light in his eyes. "It is
little to you," he said, "and much to me. Yet think, think, man, what
you do. Or if you will not, here is my servant. Let him go at least.
Spare his life at least. Put him, if you please, on board th