Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 288: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

308 ene a TF ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER, Fee De pard silently proceeded in the direction in which the Omadhaun was conducting them. A hill was soon before the travellers, covered with an ancient forest of fir, flinging scathed branches across the roadway beneath. This again led to the bridge of Brodynshame over the River Ayle and the Mulrea mountains, being the highest ground, and one of the most romantic scenes in this part of hostile Ireland. The bridge was formed merely of planks rudely and carelessly thrown over the intervening space between two immense rocks, and the least fall would have dashed a passer over to pieces as the depth beneath was about two hundred feet. It was in the gloomy valley among the mountains that a body of men had now collected, bound by the base yoke of fanaticism, They were all armed with either pikes or muskets, while in most instances their tattered clothing was decorated with tarnished military accoutrements and cartridge boxes, Each one wore a mask, and kept his features strictly from view. At the moment the Omadhaun and his friends had reached the secret meeting place of these Rap- parees the former bid his companions conceal them- selves beneath some overhanging brushwood. From this point they observed the mysterious proceedings of these outlaws. One of their number was striking a light and igniting atorch, whose lurid glare fell upon the wild associates and region around, imparting to them the appearance of some supernatural beings engaged in unholy rites. The chief of the freebootersthen advanced to the centre of a circle formed by his brotherhood. He crossed himself, and seemed to mutter a prayer. After a pause he exclaimed, with great vehe- mence, ‘“‘Comrades, the vengeance we are about to take shall be a terrible one, We will be as our foe! we will be without pity—without mercy for the victim |! Blood for blood ! Not his alone, but all who bear his detested and accursed name. We spare neither age, beauty, nor sex. All must die. He who hesi- tates to strike will die without the blessing of our faith,and his ashes will repose in an unconsecrated grave.”’ “ Hold !”’ said one, in a voice of thunder. It was that of the Omadhaun, who had sprung from his hiding-place. ‘Hold, ore and all,” he continued ; ‘I am your leader, and will not consent that you should butcher the innocent in cold blood.” ‘“Indeed,” replied the robber chief, coolly. * Has the Omadhaun forgotten his oath 2?” The speaker was no other than Redmond O’Han- lon, once known as slashing Nat Wetherby, the fly- ing highwayman. ‘* No oath,” replied the addressed, “ compels me to murder the guiltless,” “The terrible oath which binds the Rapparee, out- law, and patriot, is this,” cried Redmond, sternly. “Tf a heretic kills one of our creed death is his! If more than one Roman fall, the entire family of the denounced, man, woman, or child, are sacrificed, The law of retaliation, The edict is written, sealed and signed,” ‘‘T have neither read nor signed,” said the Omad- haun, with sullen malignity. ‘Since you admit this,” replied Redmond, tri- umphantly, “ you must here promise by a holy vow to conform to it,” The storm, which had hitherto been but partial, ————_—_—_———— nn now broke forth with intense violence, as Redmond — O’Hanlon addressed the Omadhaun. ‘’ Swear, in theface of heaven !” exclaimed the chieftain, ‘‘ whose dark canopy covers our heads—in the thunder’s majestic peal and lightning’s dazzling and forked flash to accomplish to-night the work of extermination !” : As Redmond uttered the last word, the sentinel on the height gave the usual signal. For 2 moment there was a profound silence, and each of the desperate band directed their gaze to one object. It appeared to be an unfrequented tract upon which their attention was attracted. Deserted indeed was-the way, lined with tall poplars on either side, which had turned yellow in the autumn, and had shed their leavesin abundance across the road, which quite muffled the sounds of the footsteps of the horses which were seen heavily dragging a carriage in the distance. The lights of the vehicle glimmered faintly in the widely extending flats, and seemed inconceivably lost in the melancholy region, which appeared so perfectly straight that one could see something like ten miles in front, diminishing in a point. Presently could be heard the tinkling of the bells that adorned the animals’ heads, and the rumbling sound of the carriage they were drawing, accom- panied by the occasional words of encouragement of ~ the individual driving. This party ina few minutes became visible, and appeared as a man whose sturdy shoulders were covered by hood of a coat, with a broad black hat upon his head. ‘“‘There’s.a caleche upon the road, boys—plunder!”’ cried fifty voices, with the words poising their muskets. ‘‘Lower your weapons,” thundered Redmond, as he recognised the travellers, “‘and let them pass, These people of all others must be suffered to go free.” The men for the moment hesitated to submit. _“ Do you hear me ?” continued the outlaw, furi- ously,’ ‘‘put down your arms, or by the heaven above us, ’H cleave to the chine with my cutlass the first who offers opposition to my command.” Unwillingly the second mandate was obeyed, while all wondered why their leader for the first time in his life had refused to levy what was termed by the fraternity ‘ the Black Mail.” “Why have you let such a rich booty pass by us?” said the Omadhaun, addressing the outlaw as the travellers disappeared from their sight,’’ ‘‘ T had good reasons,” replied the other, super- ciliously, then murmuring to himself, continued, ‘Una might be with them,”’ “ Those reasons should be made known to the Brotherhood,” ‘* Let them know that policy bridles my tongue,” ‘The Rapparee regards no secrets.” “What if I tell you these strangers are Ro- manists ?”’ ‘‘That matters little, since we rob alike the papist and his antagonist.” ‘‘ What I have done brings more red gold to the coffers of our band than twenty midnight raids,” ‘Since you say thus much, I say no more at present,” replied the Omadhaun ; “‘yet, mark me, Redmond O’Hanlon, I, in the name of our followers hold you to the pledge you have given !” “You will find me as true as the steel I carry,” replied the outlaw. ‘But we have now other work” to do than bandying words. Raise the cross of fire at once upon the mead and mountain-top, and none will dare to intercept us,”’ $$ eee Gomichbooks (E@)