Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 297: what you’re looking at

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

[wee ~ a ee ee ee end ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. 317 oS “Your words terrify me; wh Bridget ?” y ; at would you do, “ Listen, acushla, neither shudder nor tremble; you have told me that your presence here is a secret 2” ‘* My entrance hither was unobserved.” “Good ; you must still conceal yourself.” “ Conceal myself ?’° | ‘Yes, behind the curtain that covers yonder cup- board. The robbers are returning and I have strength to meet my death when they arrive, for the ruffians are bound by their oath to destroy all who bear our name,” | “ Monsters!” — “Hear me out, Una. From your hiding-place, where none can suspect you, yon must recognise my murderers. Yon will then denounce and bring them to justice.” “ How?” exclaimed the maiden, becoming paler than death at the recital, “Remain silent, im- movable, unaffected, while you are assasinated? I cannot.” “T exact it,” replied the foster-mother, sternly, ‘No. I will perish with thee, but can never consent to pass so direful an ordeal,” « There was something terrible, at the same time awfully impressive, in the mien of Bridget as she spoke the following words, ‘Obey me, girl, who am about to die, or the All Powerful will curse thee !” Una fell oo her knees, while at the same moment the third stroke of the prison bell was heard, _ “Tig my husband’s death-knell!” shrieked Bridget. There was a solemn silence. Then the sharp rattle of fire-arms. “ He is dead!” slowly ejaculated the woman, in @ voice that seemed to issue from a statue of stone. By degrees her ghost-like face became as the living, and her glance flashed with livid and demoniac fire. Imagination would fail to give to the aspect of the bereaved wife the shuddering nature which spoke in her eyes alone, ‘“‘T must be avenged |!” she exclaimed. “ Do you still hesitate ?”’ “No,” replied Una, in a firm voice, ‘ Your energy has become mine, and I live to hurl retribu- tion on the heads of these assassins.”’ The measured tread of a body of men was soon heard approaching the farm. “The roffians return,” cried Bridget, not the oath,” ‘‘T shall obey you implicitly.” “On your soul’s salvation ?”’ ‘©On my soul’s salvation |” was the solemn reply of the maiden. ‘‘Then God will sustain-you.” ‘“‘With these words, the foster-mother embraced Una convulsively, then led her to the green serge curtain hanging before the lofty cupboard of the chamber. The latter had scarcely concealed herself behind the ample folds of the drapery, when Redmond O’Hanlon and his followers entered the apartment. Each retained his mask, which effectually con- cealed his features, ‘‘“Woman,” he husband is dead !” The countenance of Bridget, on hearing this avowal, was the expression of perfect happiness, which ever dwells with perfect love, “Since Heaven has prepared me for this cruel trial,” she breathed aloud, ‘I can now meet death with a peaceful smile,” “ Forget exclaimed, furiously, “your ‘You have pronounced your doom,”’ retorted the leader of the banditti; “we now await to slay you.” “‘Cowards, then slay me here,” cried Bridget Mackeen, Noticing there was some hesitation in the action of the men who were ordered to advance, she con- tinued, “You stand back. Whyso? Surely the boldest among you does not fear to complete his task of murder.” Suddenly struck with an idea, Redmond O’Hanlon addressed his followers, “Since you object to make the sacrifice within the house I know a means by which I can compel this refractory woman to follow me out of it.” A suppressed scream at this moment startled the Rapparees. “Unhappy Una! ’twas her voice,” muttered the intended victim to herself. “She will fail to avenge me,” “Comrades,” said Redmond, who had gazed round the room at the stifled cry, “I suspect treachery.” “ Search the house.” As may be supposed Una fell into the hands of her persecutors the next moment. Redmond O’Hanlon started as he gazed upon her features. They were those of one he had met before, Jael the gipsy girl and Una were one and the same. “Welcome to Ireland, Jael,’ said Redmond, malignantly ; ““when last I saw you, you were a rose, the name of lily would now suit you better.” ‘Fearful man,” “T mean not to harm, Jael, but would befriend her. That look! Pshaw, girl, your face was made for better purposes than dying with thy foster- mother.” At the words Redmond pointed to Bridget Mackeen who had fainted on beholding Jael’s capture, and whose form was now lying senseless on the floor. “There is one way left to save you both,” the Rapparee continued, “Oh, speak ! heaven will bless you for the act, and your name shall mingle with my prayers.” As the maiden spoke Redmond whispered in her ear. Her cheek mantled with crimson as, with ineffable scorn, she uttered, ‘Monster! I have no other term to characterize you. Ionly marvel that the fires of heaven do not on the instant hurl just and terrible retribution, and consume your body, as will the flames of hell most assuredly torment your black, pernicious soul,” ‘Be calm, colleen. Remember, I say I love you —resign yourself to me, if not for your own salva- tion for that of the one doomed to die.” Jael hesitated. “ Your answer,” continued Redmond. “ Ts this—death rather than dishonor! ” *x * * zm Bridget Mackeen and Jael had scarcely been led out to execution when the Omadhaun entered the farm and confronted Redmond O'Hanlon and his followers, who still remained within it. He eyed for a few moments with convulsive starts the group around him, After a pause, he muttered sullenly, «J did not think Redmond O’Hanlon would have ventured to disobey his chieftain’s commands.” For that matter,’’ replied the Rapparee, “‘ I can COMME DOO KS EO) —— ss