Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 294: what you’re looking at

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

314 be turning yer back on sich a good friend,” Larry got into a mighty bit of a fret about these words, and whispered something into Patrick’s ear, The communication made the listener jump higher than King Shamus ever did at Donny- brook Fair. ‘“By the holy poker! the cross of fire’s on the mead, and it’s all over wid the poor boy,” he mut- tered to himself, His limbs shook when he addresssed Murtagh, and he trembled beneath the band which enslaved him as a member of the Roman faith. eile. ‘“ Masther,” exclaimed Patrick O’Shaughnessy, and the word seemed to choke him as he spoke, “ye’ll forgive a spalpeen, I know, when he tells you that he loves you and all your family. “That he’d give his best heart blood at this moment to—but, there’s a secret, and I'll have to discharge you till——” 4 Overcome with a profound emotion the speaker gave way to a flood of tears, and was totally unable to complete the sentence. ~ eve Uttering a cry of anguish and despair he even- tually sprang towards his employer, - ' stake. He flung himself upon his knees, and taking the outstretched hand of Murtagh, passionately implored him by signs not word to pardon his desertion. His groans and remorseful ejaculations made those who listened shake with terror, but the grief of the poor peasant was too violent to last long. By a powerful effort he overcame his emotion, and springing to his feet called upon his companions to follow him, ; “Boys,” said he, “ this igno placefor us. If we do wrong in leaving this Wosttiy man, let those who compel us to such an act make atonement for the wrong.” ed ’ 3 With the words Patrick O’Shaughnessy precipi- tated-himself from the apartment with a lighter step than he had entered it, for a means had now occurred to him by which he hoped to effect the salvation of the proscribed and his family. Murtagh Mackeen, as may be supposed, after the } exhortation, was soon left the sole occupant of the chamber, It was then with a cold and distinct horror the farmer saw the terrible fate that menaced him, His blood froze, and the formless phantom that appeared to his mind’s eye, seared his brain and con- gealed the marrow of his bones. The visionary dread was transient as lightning, for the next moment, he laughed his fears to scorn, but pondered on them still, ‘So, Patrick,” he mused, ‘‘ he, whom I deemed the most faithful of my servants, has quitted me with the rest. In fact,” he continued, ‘the fiend seemed to me the foremost in the plot, if plot there be. Itis very strange, and were I subject to alarm I should.——Psha !”’ he exclaimed, again laughing down his terrors, “ [havea heart. I shall not sleep to-night, and need fear no danger from a foe when —ah! well thought of—it is in the room above. Should any hostile arm or malice lurk about my dwelling, my friendly gun may offer me assist- ance.”’ Murtagh had no sooner ascended the staircase to obtain his weapon, than Una stole softly from the door of the corridor, and entered the apartment he had quitted, She could hear nothing, sce no one, Her foster mother had fallen asleep. Her husband fatigued, had doubtless, she thought, sought the chamber above which looked upon the garden, para ake 7 =OIMiGDOc - standing. Sp ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. ting smile of disdain, “ ye ongrateful varmint, you’d : This was unfortunate, as he might see her, as she was compelled to pass through it. She must make the venture at all hazards. ‘“ For fate,’ she exclaimed, ‘“‘ which has made a poor girl guilty, will not destroy the means of re- pairing her fault,” CHAPTER CXXXVII. ATONEMENT FOR THE PAST. | UNA had scarcely quitted her dwelling to keep her midnight appointment with Jack Sheppard, than flurtagh Mackeen descended the stairs, and re- turned to the room in which he had lately been “He carried the gun he had spoken of in his hand, and proceeded to load it. After he had done so he coolly remarked, “Two good balls for those who may confront me.”’ fs Breaking suddenly the reverie into which he had fallen, the farmer advanced to the wall of the room upon which were arene his hat and cloak. He withdrew his m with abruptness, which had been raised to reach them, and muttered to him- self, | SS ‘No; the night is damp. I'll take another sup, and relight my pipe be! re I go round the house.” “T know not how it is,’ he cgntinued, in a fit of abstraction. “I experience a strange feeling to- ay. My heart seems pressed in a vice. In spite of myself I can’t help thinking of the accursed assizes of this morning. I Have never in my life once betrayed the tr h—hay, in the very face of the judge—psha! I am getting childish, The fault is theirs, not mine.™" > In the profound silence that reigned after this soliloquy, a gentle tap was heard at the door on the outside. as a ke Murtagh, unable to control the violent passions that rankled in his breast, listened with something akin to awe at the unexpected summons. A minute elapsed, and the signal was repeated. “Who's there ?”? shouted Murtagh, more than ever excited. “One you should know,’ answered the man without, “ That voice !|——” “Open !”” ‘‘T will open !” cried Murtagh, now animated to the highest degree by rage. “T never yet shut my door on a friend,” he con- tinued, ‘nor will I now close it though an enemy stand on the threshold.” Before Murtagh could advance to the door it flew furiously open. In the recess stood the Irish Rapparee, Redmond O'Hanlon, once known to our readers as Slashing Nat Wetherby, the English highwayman. The robber and the farmer pointed their guns at each other. ‘‘ Murtagh Mackeen,’’ exclaimed the former, “I am armed as well as you. Ower your weapon and I will do the same. I have that to say which you should listen to.” Struck by the apparent candour and good faith of the Rapparee, the yeoman imitated the action of his companion, who, unmindful of the advantage he was giviug, at once laid aside the piece with which he was armed, ‘ Both adversaries then regarded his foe face to face, and after a pause, leaning on the barrels of their guns, communed with each other,