diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-05 09:17:53 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-05 09:17:53 -0800 |
| commit | 4021cf22d21340ee55c26fe22f450c709316dc8b (patch) | |
| tree | af1c3143976f5c0ebcf50aae53feccab3842f54e | |
| parent | 96b283c1c0a8c042d0067937feea7787f72bce28 (diff) | |
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51278-0.txt | 11713 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51278-0.zip | bin | 203463 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51278-h.zip | bin | 298138 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51278-h/51278-h.htm | 14731 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51278-h/images/1_349-1.jpg | bin | 3018 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51278-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 67707 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51278-h/images/i_349-2.jpg | bin | 2964 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51278-h/images/i_colophon.jpg | bin | 7058 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51278-h/images/i_title.jpg | bin | 764 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/51278-h/images/i_title1.jpg | bin | 549 -> 0 bytes |
13 files changed, 17 insertions, 26444 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9958a8a --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #51278 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/51278) diff --git a/old/51278-0.txt b/old/51278-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 76adb44..0000000 --- a/old/51278-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11713 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Grace O'Malley, by Robert Machray - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Grace O'Malley - Princess and Pirate - -Author: Robert Machray - -Release Date: February 21, 2016 [EBook #51278] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRACE O'MALLEY *** - - - - -Produced by WebRover, Chris Curnow, Les Galloway and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - +GRACE O’MALLEY+ - - _PRINCESS AND PIRATE_ - - - - - _Told by_ - - RUARI MACDONALD - - REDSHANK AND REBEL - - _. . The Same Set Forth . . - in the Tongue of the English_ - - BY - - ROBERT MACHRAY - - - - - CASSELL AND COMPANY, LIMITED - _London, Paris, New York & Melbourne_ - 1898 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - - - - -[Illustration: Colophon] - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER I. - - PAGE - - SAVED FROM THE SEA 1 - - CHAPTER II. - - THE PRINCESS BEGINS HER REIGN 13 - - CHAPTER III. - - THE TITLE-DEED OF THE SWORD 25 - - CHAPTER IV. - - THE COLONEL OF CONNAUGHT 37 - - CHAPTER V. - - THE QUEEN’S PEACE 50 - - CHAPTER VI. - - GRACE O’MALLEY DANCES OUT OF GALWAY 64 - - CHAPTER VII. - - THE DIE CAST 81 - - CHAPTER VIII. - - THE CAPTURE OF THE _CAPITANA_ 94 - - CHAPTER IX. - - A CHEST OF GOLD 108 - - CHAPTER X. - - A WOMAN’S WILE 121 - - CHAPTER XI. - - “REDSHANK AND REBEL” 135 - - CHAPTER XII. - - THE WHISPERING ROCKS 149 - - CHAPTER XIII. - - A SURPRISE 164 - - CHAPTER XIV. - - THE GATE OF FEARS 179 - - CHAPTER XV. - - THE SIEGE IS RAISED 194 - - CHAPTER XVI. - - “OUR NATURAL LEADER” 210 - - CHAPTER XVII. - - A DEAR VICTORY 224 - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - AT ASKEATON 239 - - CHAPTER XIX. - - THE LANDING OF THE SPANIARDS 253 - - CHAPTER XX. - - SUCH STUFF AS DREAMS 267 - - CHAPTER XXI. - - THE PERFIDY OF DESMOND 282 - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - “ONLY A WOMAN” 297 - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - THE PARTING OF THE WAYS 310 - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - BARRINGTON BRIDGE 325 - - - - -GRACE O’MALLEY, - -_PRINCESS AND PIRATE_. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -SAVED FROM THE SEA. - - -It has now become so much a matter of custom--after that familiar human -fashion which causes us to turn our faces to the rising sun--to praise -and laud the King, James the Sixth of Scotland and First of England and -Ireland, in the beginning of whose reign over the three kingdoms--to -which he has been pleased to give the name of Great Britain--this -chronicle is written, that there would appear to be some danger of a -wonderful truth being forgotten. - -For there can be no doubt that his Highness follows upon a most -remarkable age--an age which must be known throughout all time to come -as the Age of Great Women. - -And when I think upon Elizabeth of England, who broke the power of -Spain, of Mary of Scotland, whose beauty and whose wickedness were at -once the delight and the despair of her people, and of the French -queens, whose talents in statecraft have never been equalled, I make -bold to deny that the period of the rule of his Highness will be in any -respect as glorious as that which immediately preceded his time, and in -which these great women lived. - -Now, whether it was from the influence and inspiration of these high -and mighty exemplars, or because it was born of the pith and marrow -of decreed circumstance, and so lay at the very heart of things, that -women should then lead the way, and that men should give themselves up -entirely to their service, I cannot say. Yet I know that there were -other women of less exalted rank than those I have mentioned, whose -powers, although displayed on but a small stage, were seen to be so -superior to those of men that men willingly obeyed them, and lived and -died for them--and living or dying were glad indeed. - -And the story which I have to tell is the story of such an one. - -It was my lot, for so had Destiny cast out from her urn the shell on -which my name was marked, that I, Ruari Macdonald, of the Clandonald, -of the family of the Lords of the Isles, both of the Outer and the -Inner Seas, having been unnaturally deprived of my home and lands -in Isla, should have been saved to become the servant of that -extraordinary woman called, in the tongue of the English, Grace -O’Malley. - -It is also not unusual for her to be spoken of by them as the “Pirate -Princess,” and the “Pirate Chieftainess of Galway,” and there have -been some who have described her as a “notable traitress,” and a -“nursing mother of rebels.” But to us Celts, and to me in particular, -her name can never be uttered in our own liquid speech without -something of the same feeling being stirred within us as when we listen -to the sounds of soft music--so sweet and dear a name it is. - -It is true, perhaps, that its sweetness has rather grown upon me with -advancing years. Be sure, however, there was a time when her name -uplifted my heart and made strong my arm more than the clamour of -trumpets and all the mad delight of war. But it seems far off and long -ago, a thing of shadows and not more real than they. And yet I have -only to sit still, and close my eyes for a space, and, lo, the door of -the past swings open, and I stand once more in the Hall of Memories -Unforgotten. - -Now that the fingers of time fasten themselves upon me so that I shake -them off but with fainting and difficulty, and then only to find them -presently the more firmly fixed, I think it well before my days are -done to set forth in such manner as I can what I know of this great -woman. - -I say, humbly, in such manner as I can. - -For I am well assured of one thing, and it is this--that it is far -beyond me to give any even fairly complete picture of her wit and her -wisdom, of her patience and her courage, and of those other splendid -qualities which made her what she was. And this, I fear, will still -more be the case when I come to tell of the love and the hate and the -other strong stormy passions which entered into her life, and which so -nearly made shipwreck of all her hopes, and which in some sort not only -did change her whole course but also that of her country. - -And, first of all, must I declare how it was that I, Ruari Macdonald, -a Scot of the Western Isles, came to have my fortunes so much bound up -with those of Grace O’Malley. In the ordinary circumstances of a man -of my birth there would have fallen out nothing more remarkable than -the tale, perhaps, of some fierce fighting in our Highland or Island -feuds, and that, most probably, would have circled round our hereditary -enemies, the Macleans of the Rinns of Isla. But thus was it not with -me, albeit it was to these same ancient foes of my tribe that I owe my -knowledge of Grace O’Malley. - -Well do I recall the occasion on which I first heard her voice. In -truth I was so situated at the time that while other recollections may -pass out of my mind, as assuredly many have passed away, the memory of -that never will. - -“Do not kill him, do not kill him!” said a shrill treble, piping clear -and high above the hard tones of men’s voices mingled together, and -harsh from the rough breath of the sea. - -“Throw him into the water!” cried one. - -“Put him back in the boat!” cried another. - -“Best to make an end of him!” said a tall, dark man, who spoke with an -air of authority. And he made as if to draw his sword. - -“No! no!” cried the shrill treble. “Do not kill him. See, he is only a -little boy, a child. Give him to me, father.” - -There was a burst of laughter from the men, and the shrill treble, as -if encouraged, again cried, “Give him to me, father.” - -“What would you do with him, darling?” - -“I know not, father, but spare him. You promised before we set out from -Clew Bay to give me whatever I might ask of you, if it was in your -power. And now I ask his life. Give him to me, father.” - -There was a silence for a short space, and I opened my weary, -fear-haunted eyes, gazing dazed and distracted about me. Then I saw -a small, ruddy-cheeked, black-haired maid on the deck of a ship, -while around her and me was grouped a band of sun-browned, unkempt, -and savage-looking sailors, clad in garments not very different from -those of my own people. In the midst of them was the man whom the maid -addressed as father. I, the little boy, the child of whom she had -spoken, was lying bound at her feet. - -My mind was distraught and overwhelmed with the terror and horror of -what I had already undergone. Hungry and thirsty, and bruised and -sore, I cared but little what might happen to me, thinking that death -itself could hold no greater suffering than that I had just passed -through. But the sight of the maid among these men of the sea awoke my -boyish curiosity. As I gazed at her, a great wave carried the vessel -up on its crest, and had she not put forth her hand and caught me by -the thongs of deer with which I was bound, I would have rolled like a -helpless log into the hissing waters. - -“See,” she said, “he is mine.” - -“Then be it so,” her father agreed, after some hesitation. “And yet, it -may not be well. Do you understand our language?” he asked of me. - -“Yes,” I replied. I knew the Irish tongue, which is almost the same as -our own, in which he addressed me. For there was much traffic between -the Scottish Islands of the West and the North of Ireland, where many -of my own clan had settled, the “Scots of the Glens” of Ulster. So I -had heard Irish spoken frequently. - -“Who are you?” he demanded. - -“I am Ruari Macdonald, the son of Tormod Macdonald of Isla,” I -answered, but with difficulty, for my mouth was parched and my tongue -swollen. - -“I know the breed,” said he, with a smile, “and the Clandonald are men -who may be trusted. Besides, you are but a boy.” - -He stooped down and cut away my bonds. I tried to stand up, but only -fell half swooning upon the deck. - -“Water, water!” cried the shrill treble. “He is fainting from thirst.” -And the voice seemed to keep my consciousness from ebbing utterly away. - -Then the maid in another instant was wetting my cracked and thickened -lips from a silver cup, and I drank and was refreshed. Next she brought -me food and a little Spanish wine. - -“Let him eat and drink,” said she, “so that his life may be whole -within him again.” - -Taking me by the hand as soon as I had sufficiently recovered, and -followed by her father, she led me to the poop of the ship, where there -was a sort of cabin, or “castle,” as it is called. - -“Now, Ruari Macdonald of Isla,” said the man, who was evidently the -commander of the vessel, “tell me how it was that you came to be on the -wide sea, lying bound and nearly dead, in that small boat we picked up -an hour or so ago?” - -“The Macleans,” I gasped, for speech was still a burden to me. But -before long my tongue was loosened, and I told them all I knew of what -had happened. - -“The Macleans,” said I, “of the Rinns of Isla, who were ever our foes, -but with whom we had been at peace for a long time, suddenly set upon -and surprised my father’s castle by night. I was awakened by the sounds -of clashing swords and the death shrieks of men and women--the most -fearsome cries--so that my blood ran cold and my heart stood still.” - -I stopped and choked as I spoke. The maid nodded kindly, and put her -little hand in mine. - -“Although I had never seen a fight,” continued I, “I had been told -often and often of battles, so I guessed at once what was going on. I -got up from my couch, and in the darkness called my mother’s name, but -she answered not. I was alone in the chamber. Terrified, I shrieked and -sobbed. Then the room filled with smoke. The castle was on fire. Making -the best of my way to the door I was clasped in my mother’s arms. She -carried a lighted torch, but I came upon her so sharply that it fell -out of her hand and was extinguished. - -“’We are lost,’ she wailed, pressing me wildly against her bosom, while -I could feel her heart beating fast and hard against my own. - -“’What, is it, mother?’ I asked; but I knew without any words from her. - -“We were standing in a corridor, but the smoke soon became so dense -that we could no longer endure it. Hardly knowing what she did, I -think, she dragged me along to a window in the room where I had slept, -and opening it, looked out. The yard of the castle was alive with men -holding blazing sticks of fir, and flames shot up from the burning door -of the central tower in which we stood. I also looked out, and noticed -dark, silent forms lying prone upon the ground. - -“’Fire or sword? What matters it?’ I heard her whisper to herself. -’Lost, lost, lost! Oh, Ruari, my son, my son!’ And she kissed me--the -last kisses she ever gave.” - -I broke down weeping. The little hand of the maid caressed and soothed -me. - -“We had been spied from the yard,” I went on, after I had had my fill -of crying, and a great hoarse voice rose above the din. - -“’Fetch me the woman and the child alive!’ was what it said. - -“’It is Red Angus Maclean,’ said my mother, hopelessly. - -“Then four clansmen plunged through the smoke and flame, and burst in -upon us. Seizing us roughly, they took us half dead to Red Angus. - -“’Do what you will with me,’ said my mother, falling on her knees -before him, ’but shed not the blood of the lad,’ she implored and -prayed of him. ’He has never done you any harm.’ - -“He scowled at us, and played with the handle of his dirk. - -“’Why should I not slay ye both?’ said he. ’When did ever a Macdonald -spare a Maclean, tell me that?’ He paused, as if in thought. ’But -listen,’ he began again. ’Choose you,’ said he, speaking to my mother, -’for such is my humour, choose you, your life or the boy’s.’ - -“’Thank ye,’ said my mother. ’Never did I think I should live to thank -a Maclean. Swear you will not shed his innocent blood, and I shall die -gladly.’ - -“’Have ye chosen?’ said he. - -“’Will ye swear not to put him to the sword?’ - -“’Yes,’ said he, and glared at her. - -“’Ye have chosen,’ said he at length. - -“’Yes,’ said my mother; and with her eyes fixed on me, she fell beneath -the stabs of his dirk; but even as she fell I sprang from the arms of -the men who held me, and leapt like a wild cat of Mull straight for his -throat, but he caught and crushed me in his grip. - -“’Remember your oath!’ cried my mother to him, and died. - -“Seeing that she was dead he laughed a terrible laugh, so empty of -mirth and so full of menace was it. - -“’Ay, I shall keep my oath,’ said he. ’No drop of his blood shall -be shed. But die he too must, and so shall this accursed brood be -destroyed from off the face of the earth. Bind him so that he cannot -escape,’ he ordered. - -“And they bound me with strips of tanned deerskin, even as you saw -when I was found in the drifting boat. Then he spoke to two of his -men, who carried me down to the beach, and threw me into the bottom -of the boat. Getting themselves into another, they towed that which I -was in some two or three miles from shore, until, indeed, I could hear -the struggling of the waters made by the tide, called the ’Race of -Strangers.’ And then they left me to the mercy of the sea.” - -“How long ago was that?” asked the maid. - -“Two days ago,” I replied. “I drifted, drifted with wave and tide, -expecting every moment to be swallowed up; and part of the time, -perhaps, I slept, for I cannot remember everything that took place. -And then you found the boat, and me in it,” I added simply. - -“’Tis a strange story,” said the maid’s father; and he turned away -to see to the working of the ship, which was straining and plunging -heavily in the swell, and left us two children to ourselves. - -I looked at the maid, who had been so tender and kind. - -“Who are ye?” I asked timidly. - -“I am Grace O’Malley,” said she proudly, “the daughter of Owen O’Malley -of Erris and of Burrishoole in Connaught--he who has just gone from us.” - -And then she told me of herself, of her father, and of her people, and -that the ship was now returning to Clare Island, which belonged to them. - -“See,” said she, pointing through a window in the stern, “there are the -headlands of Achill, only a few miles from Clare Island,” and I looked -out and saw those black ramparts of rock upon which the ocean hurls -itself in vain. - -“Now Clare Island comes into view,” she continued, and peeping out -again I beheld the shoulder of the hill of Knockmore looming up, while -beyond it lay a mass of islands, and still further away the mountains -on the coast. - -“All this,” said the maid with a sweep of her hand, “and the mainland -beyond, is the Land of the O’Malleys.” - -“And is the water also yours?” I asked, attempting a boy’s shy -pleasantry, for so had she won me from my grief. - -“Yes,” replied the maid, “the water even more than the land is ours.” -And she looked--what she was, though but a little maid--the daughter of -a king of the sea. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE PRINCESS BEGINS HER REIGN. - - -Ten years, swift as the flight of wild swans winging their way -southward when the first wind of winter sweeps behind them, passed -over our heads in the Land of the O’Malleys; nor did they pass without -bringing many changes with them. And yet it so happened that no very -startling or determining event occurred till at the very close of this -period. - -The little maid who had saved me from the sea had grown into a woman, -tall of stature and queenly in carriage--in a word, a commanding -figure, one to be obeyed, yet also one who had the gifts which made -obedience to her pleasant and easy. Already she had proved herself in -attack by sea or assault on shore a born leader, brave as the bravest -man amongst us all, but with a mind of larger grasp than any of ours. - -Yet were there times when she was as one who sees visions and feeds on -fantasies; and I was ever afraid for her and us when I saw in her face -the strange light shining through the veil of the flesh which spoke of -the dreaming soul. - -But more than anything else, she possessed in perfection a woman’s -power to fascinate and charm. Her smiles were bright and warm as the -sunshine, and she seemed to know what she should say or do in order -that each man should bring to her service of his best. For this one, -the ready jest, the gay retort, the laughing suggestion, the hinted -rebuke; for that, plain praise or plain blame, as she thought suited -the case. She understood how to manage men. And yet was she at times -a very woman--petulant, unreasonable, and capricious. Under the spell -of passion she would storm and rage and scold, and then she was ill -to cross and hard to hold. For the rest, she was the most fearless -creature ever quickened with the breath of life. - -I have heard it asserted that Grace O’Malley was wholly wanting in -gentleness and tenderness, but I know better. These were no lush days -of soft dalliance in the Ireland in which we lived; the days were -wine-red with the blood of men, and dark with the blinding tears of -widows and orphans. The sword, and the sword alone, kept what the sword -had taken. And yet was she of a heart all too tender, not infrequently, -for such a time. - -Chiefly did she show this gracious side of her nature in her fond care -of her foster-sister, Eva O’Malley, who had been entrusted when a -child, a year or two after my arrival at Clare Island, to Owen O’Malley -by a sub-chief who governed one of the islands lying off the coast of -Iar-Connaught. - -Never was there a greater contrast between two human beings of the -same kin than there was between those two women: Grace--dark, tall, -splendid, regal; Eva--fair, tiny, delicate, timid, and utterly unlike -any of her own people. - -Clay are we all, fashioned by the Potter on His wheel according to His -mind, and as we are made so we are. Thus it was that, while I admired, -I reverenced and I obeyed Grace O’Malley--God, He knows that I would -have died to serve her, and, indeed, never counted the cost if so be I -pleased her--I loved, loved, loved this little bit of a woman, who was -as frail as a flower, and more lovely in my sight than any. - -Men were in two minds--ay, the same man was often in two minds--as to -whether Grace O’Malley was beautiful or not; but they were never in any -doubt, for there could be none, of Eva’s loveliness. Howbeit, I had -said nothing of what was in my thoughts to Eva; that was a secret which -I deemed was mine alone. - -For myself, I had grown to man’s estate--a big fellow and a strong, who -might be depended upon to look after ship or galley with some regard -for seamanship, and not to turn my back in the day of battle, unless -nothing else were possible. - -Owen O’Malley had received me, the outcast of Isla, into his own -family, treating me as a son rather than as a stranger, and, although -I never ceased to be a Scot, I was proud to be considered one of the -Irish also. Under his tuition I learned all the ways and customs of his -people--a wild people and a fierce, like my own. So far as Connaught -was concerned, these ten years were for the most part a time of peace -among its tribes, and thus it was that I came to know like a native its -forests and mountains, its rivers and lakes, and the chief men of the -O’Flahertys and Burkes and O’Connors, whose territories marched with -those of the O’Malleys on the mainland. - -But I learned much more, for Owen O’Malley taught me how to steer and -handle a ship so that it became a thing of my own--nay, rather a part -of myself. He also gave me my knowledge of the coasts of Ireland, and -there was scarcely a bay or an inlet or a haven, especially on the -western shores, into which I had not sailed. And as he proved me and -found me faithful, he himself showed me the Caves of Silence under the -Hill of Sorrow--strange, gloomy caverns, partly the work of nature and -partly of man, once the homes of a race long perished, of whom no other -trace now remains. With the exception of Grace O’Malley, from whom he -kept nothing hid, and himself, no one but I was aware of the entrance -to them and of what lay concealed within. - -It had been the habit time out of mind of the O’Malleys to take toll -of all shipping in these waters, and to make raids from their galleys -upon unfriendly tribes living along the coast. The fishermen who came -over from Devon, and who paid tribute according to the number of their -smacks, went unmolested; but the merchant trader was ever thought to -be a fair prey. Thus, except in winter, when storms tied up O’Malley’s -ships in the harbours of Clare or Burrishoole, Owen’s three great -galleys were constantly at sea. - -After I had reached manhood it was usual for Owen himself to be in -command of one, Grace of the second, and myself of the third. It was -one of these expeditions which brought about an event that changed the -course of our lives. - -We had sailed southward, and were standing out one night late in spring -about three miles from the northern shores of Kerry, on the watch for -any trader on its way to the port of Limerick. The coolness of the -night still lay on the edge of dawn under the dying stars, when a fog, -dense, dark, and choking, encompassed us around, so that our three -ships lost sight of each other and soon drifted out of hail. - -Hours passed, and still the fog lay heavy and close. In the afternoon -it lightened and lifted and disappeared. There were no signs of our -companions. I made my course for a creek at the mouth of the Shannon, -where it had been arranged we were to meet in case of any mishap. -Towards evening the galley called _The Grey Wolf_, with Grace O’Malley -as its chief, came bowling up alongside. - -Obeying her summons to go over to her ship, I went on board _The Grey -Wolf_, when we exchanged greetings, enquiring of each other if we had -seen or heard anything of _The Winged Horse_, her father’s vessel. -Neither of us knew anything of it, and there was nothing to be done but -to await its arrival. We were chatting pleasantly, when I saw outlined -against the sunset flaming in the west the bulk of a merchantman, which -we guessed from her build and rig to be an English ship, probably from -Bristol, coming on under press of sail. - -On she came in stately fashion, with her sails bellying out in the -fresh breeze, and we could hear her men singing snatches of sailor -glees upon her decks. We gazed at her, and then we saw a dreadful and -an uncanny thing. Grace O’Malley was the first to speak. - -“Look, look!” she said. “What is that?” - -My eyes were fixed on the ship, but I could not tell what it was that -we saw. - -“I know not,” I replied. “Perhaps it is some new device of these -English. No; it can hardly be that. What is it, I wonder?” - -We stared and stared at it, but could make nothing of it. - -“It might almost be a phantom ship, Ruari,” she said. “But we see it -too plainly and hear the sailors too well for that.” - -Meanwhile, I noticed that the men in our galleys stood about the -bulwarks, rubbing their eyes and shading them with their hands, as if -they felt that here was some portentous thing. - -This is what we saw as the English vessel drew nearly abreast of us. - -On the white spread of the mainsail two huge, gigantic shadows of men -seemed to appear, to loom large, to grow small, to disappear, and then -to reappear again. - -A sort of awe fell upon us. - -“What can it mean?” I asked. - -“Wait,” said she; “we may know soon enough, for I think it is of evil -omen for us.” - -“’Tis nothing,” said I boldly, although I feared exceedingly; “nothing -but a trick played upon us by the sinking sun and its shadows.” - -“Nay, ’tis something more than that,” said she. - -Suddenly the wind fell off somewhat, and now the canvas of the -merchantman slapped against her masts with dull reports like the sounds -of an arquebus shot off at a distance. - -I saw her name in letters of white and gold--_Rosemary_, and as the way -she had on carried her past us, I understood what was the cause of what -we had seen. For as she swayed with the movements of wind and wave, we -beheld two bodies strung up from the yard of her foremast, swinging to -and fro with her every motion, looking, as they jerked up and down, as -if they were still alive, struggling and gasping in their last agony. - -I glanced at Grace O’Malley, whose face had grown in an instant white -and rigid. - -“Do you not see,” said she, after a moment’s silence, “that the poor -wretches are Irish from their dress? Thus do these English slay and -harry us day by day. Is there never to be an end of this wanton killing -of our people?” Then she became thoughtful, and added in a tone of -sadness, “My heart misgives me, Ruari; I feel the grip of misfortune -and grief.” - -“Make no bridge for trouble to pass over,” said I, and spoke many words -of comfort and confidence, to all of which she scarcely listened. -Respecting her mood, I left her, and went back to my own ship, _The -Cross of Blood_. - -That night, while I was on watch, I heard the soft splash of oars, and -presently out of the darkness there came the hail of a sailor from the -bow of _The Winged Horse_, as she rounded the point and slipped into -the creek where we lay. - -Something in the tone of the sailor’s voice, more perhaps in the slow -drooping of the oars, at once aroused my attention. Without words I -knew that all was not well. Where was the chief? There could but be one -reason why there was no sign of Owen O’Malley himself. Either he was -grievously wounded or he was dead. Hastily I swung myself into the boat -of my galley, and made for _The Winged Horse_, which was now riding at -anchor about a bow shot away. - -Tibbot, the best of pilots and steersmen in Ireland, met me as I -clambered up on to the deck. - -“Whist!” he entreated, as I was beginning to open my mouth in eager -questionings. - -“What has happened?” I asked in a whisper. - -“The chief has been badly hurt,” he replied. “He lies in the poop -cabin, bleeding, I fear, to death.” - -“What!” I exclaimed; “bleeding to death?” - -“Let me tell you----” - -But I interrupted him sharply. - -“I must see him at once,” I said, and I made my way to the poop, where, -stretched on a couch of skins, lay my friend and master. As I bent over -him he opened his eyes, and though the cabin was but dimly lighted, I -thought he smiled. I took his hand and knelt beside him. My anguish was -so keen that I could not speak. - -“Ruari,” said he, and that great full voice of his had been changed -into that of a babe; “is it you Ruari?” - -“Yes; it is I,” replied I, finding nothing else to say, for words -failed me. - -“Ruari, I am dying,” said he simply, as one who knew the state in which -he was, and feared not. “I have received the message of death, and soon -must my name be blotted out from among the living.” - -As he was speaking there was a rustling in the waist of the ship, and -Grace O’Malley stood beside us. - -“Father, father,” she cried, and taking his head and shoulders on -her breast, she crooned over him and kissed him, murmuring words of -passionate mourning, more like a mother than a daughter. - -“Grace,” said he, and his voice was so small that my breathing, by -contrast, seemed loud and obtrusive. “I am far spent, and the end of -all things is come for me. Listen, then, to my last words.” - -And she bent over him till her ear was at his lips. - -“In the blinding fog,” continued he, “we drifted as the ocean currents -took us, this way and that, carrying us we knew not whither--drifting -to our doom. The galley, before we could make shift to change her -course, scraped against the sides of an English ship--we just saw her -black hull in the mist, and then we were on her.” - -The weak voice became weaker still. - -“It was too big a ship for us, yet there was but one thing to do. I -have ever said that the boldest thing is the safest thing--indeed, the -only thing. So I ordered the boarders forward, and bade the rowers take -their weapons and follow on.” - -The dimming eyes grew luminous and bright. - -“It was a gallant fight,” he said, and his accents took on a little of -their old firmness, “but she was too strong for us. In the attempt we -lost several of our men, and two were taken prisoners. We were beaten -off. Just as the vessels drove apart, and the barque was lost in the -mist, a stray shot from an arquebus hit me in the thigh--and I know I -cannot survive.” - -“What was the name of the ship?” asked Grace. - -“_The Rosemary_, of Bristol,” he replied. It was the name of the -merchantman we had seen with the two corpses swinging from the yard of -her foremast. “You will avenge my death, Grace, but not now. You must -return at once to Connaught, and assemble our people. Tell them that my -wish, my command at the point of death, is that you should succeed me -in the chieftainship.” - -There was no sound for a space save only the cry of the curlews on the -shore, calling to their mates that another day was dawning. - -“Ruari,” said the ghost of a voice, “Ruari, I had hoped that you and -Grace----” - -But the cold fingers of death sealed the lips of the speaker. - -Grace O’Malley fell forward on the stiffening body; and, thinking it -best, I left the living and the dead together. In another hour the -three galleys were beating northward up the coast, and on the evening -of the second day after Owen O’Malley’s death we anchored in the haven -of Clare Island, where the body was buried with all the honours and -ancient ceremonies paid by the Irish to their chiefs. - -Then came the meeting of the clan to determine who should succeed Owen -O’Malley, for, according to a law similar to that which prevails among -our Celts of the Islands, the members of each sept who have reached -the age of the warrior, have a voice in the election of chiefs. As I -was not in reality one of themselves, nor could forget that I was a -Scot--a Redshank, as the English called me, albeit I could ruffle it on -occasion with the best Englishman that ever stepped--I took no part in -the council, nor spoke my mind until the older men had said their say. - -It was at once a beautiful sight and a memorable, this great gathering, -and the most beautiful and memorable thing of all was that men were -content, and more than content, that a woman should, for the first time -in their history, be called their chief. - -When it was my turn to speak, I related what I had heard fall from Owen -O’Malley as he was dying, and, without further words, dropping on my -knee I took the hand of Grace O’Malley, and swore by the Five Wounds of -God to be her servant so long as it might be her will. - -Then her people, old and young, pressed about her, calling her their -darling and their pride, and thus she became their leader and chief. - -But with the death of Owen O’Malley there was an end of the times of -peace and quietness in Connaught, whereat, like the hothead I was, I -rejoiced, not seeing the perilous adventures that lay before us. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE TITLE-DEED OF THE SWORD. - - -“Ruari!” - -It was the soft note of Eva O’Malley, calling to me as I came within -the gate of Carrickahooley Castle, whither Grace O’Malley, our -mistress, had come to fulfil her period of mourning for her father. -I had just crossed over from Clare Island on a small sailing vessel, -which now lay in the little harbour under the west wall. - -“Ruari!” - -It was ever a sound of gladness to me, that sweet voice; and looking up -to the chambers of the women, half-way up the front of the great square -tower, I beheld the fair face, framed in its pale-gold curls, against -the darkness of the embrasure of her window. My heart gave a quick -bound of pleasure, and then I grew hot and cold by turns. - -For I loved her, and the fear that is born of love made my strength -turn to weakness when I gazed upon her. Yet was I resolved to win her, -though in what way I knew not. Neither did I hope overmuch up to that -time that I understood her, for her manner was a riddle to me. - -And here let me set down what were then my relations with these two -women, or, rather, what was their attitude to me. - -Grace O’Malley clearly regarded me as a younger brother, and never -lost a certain air of protection in her dealings with me. To her I -remained always in some sort “a little boy, a child,” whose life she -had saved--although I was one of the biggest men in Ireland. - -Eva O’Malley, who was two years younger than I, had tyrannised over me -when I was a lad, and now that I was a man she mocked at and flouted -me, dubbing me “Giant Greathead”--I say “Greathead,” but in our -language Greathead and Thickhead are the same--and otherwise amusing -herself at my expense. But in her griefs and troubles it was to me she -came, and not to Grace, as might have seemed more natural. - -“Ruari!” she called, and I waved my hand to her in greeting. As I went -into the hall she met me. - -“I was waiting for you,” she said, “for I wished to speak to you before -you saw Grace.” - -“Yes?” I asked, and as I noticed the freshness of the roseleaf face I -marvelled at it for the hundredth time. - -“Grace has made an end of her mourning,” she went on, “and her purpose -now is to go to Galway to see the Lord Deputy, if he be there, as it is -said he is, or, if he be not, then Sir Nicholas Malby, the Colonel of -Connaught.” - -I could have shouted for joy, for I was weary of forced inaction while -the fine weather was passing us by, and all the harvest of the sea was -waiting to be gathered in by ready hands like ours. - -“Glad am I, in truth, to hear it,” said I heartily. I was not fond of -Galway, but I was anxious to be again on the waters, and who could tell -what might not happen then? There had been no fighting for a long time, -and the men were lusting for it, hungering and thirsting for it--only -biding, like dogs in the leash, for the word. And I was of the same -mind. - -“But listen, Ruari,” said Eva. “Is it well that she should go to -Galway? To my thinking there is a very good reason against it.” - -“Indeed,” said I, surprised. “What is it?” As I have declared already, -I had no special liking for Galway--and the sea is wide. - -“By going to Galway,” said she, “does she not run the chance of putting -herself in the power of the English? Is it not to thrust one’s head -into the very jaws of the lion? The English never loved her father, -Owen O’Malley, and the merchants of Galway were never done accusing -him of supplying himself from their ships at his good pleasure without -asking permission from them.” - -I smiled, for what she said about the dead chief was true. - -“’Tis not well to smile,” said Eva, frowning. - -“There is wisdom in your words,” I replied, becoming instantly grave -at her rebuke. “But why not say to Grace herself what you have said to -me?” - -“Oh, you mountain of a man,” she said, “to be so big and to be so----” -and she stopped, but I could fill up the gap for myself. - -“What have I said?” demanded I, still more abashed. - -“Think you not that I have already spoken to her?” she asked. “But she -will not hearken.” - -“Why should she,” said I, “care for my opinion?” - -“You know she does care,” she said testily. “But there is more to tell -you.” - -“More?” I asked. - -Her manner now showed the utmost dejection. Her eyes were downcast, and -as I regarded her I asked myself why it was that one so fair should -have dark, almost black eyelashes--eyelashes which gave a strange -shadow to her eyes. Her next words brought me quickly out of this -musing. - -“The ’WISE MAN’” said she, “is set against her going. His words are -of darkness and blood, and he declares that he sees danger for us all -in the near future. I’m afraid--you know he sees with other eyes than -ours.” - -And she said this with such evident terror that inwardly, but not -without some dread, I cursed the “Wise Man,”--a certain Teige O’Toole, -called “Teige of the Open Vision” by the people, who counted him to be -a seer and a prophet. He was certainly skilled in many things, and his -knowledge was not as the knowledge of other men. - -As she stood beside me, wistfully, entreatingly, and fearfully, I -pondered for a brief space and then I said-- - -“I will go and speak with Teige O’Toole, and will return anon,” and -forthwith went in search of him. - -I found him sitting on a rock, looking out to sea, murmuring -disconsolately to himself. Straightway I asked him what it was that he -had to say against Grace O’Malley’s intended visit to Galway, but he -would vouchsafe no reply other than the awesome words which he kept on -repeating and repeating-- - -“Darkness and blood; then a little light; blood and darkness, then -again light--but darkness were better.” - -Whereat I shuddered, feeling an inward chill; yet I begged of him not -once, nor twice, to make plain his meaning to me. He would not answer, -so that I lost patience with him, and had he not been an aged man and -an uncanny I would have shaken the explanation of his mysterious words -out of his lips, and, as it was, was near doing so. - -Rising quickly from the stone whereon he had been sitting, he moved -away with incredible swiftness as if he had read my thoughts, leaving -me staring blankly after him. - -What was it he had said? - -“Darkness and blood; and then a little light!” - -Well, darkness and blood were no strangers to me. - -“Blood and darkness; then again light--but darkness were better!” - -I could make no manner of sense of it at all; but I saw the meaning of -it plainly enough in the years that followed. - -I felt a gentle touch upon my arm, and Eva was by my side. - -“Grace wishes you to go to her at once,” she said. “O Ruari, Ruari, -dissuade her from going.” - -“I will do what I can,” I replied; but I knew beforehand that if Grace -O’Malley had settled what she was to do, nothing I could urge was -likely to change her purpose. - -Slowly I went into her presence. - -“Eva has told you,” she said, “that we set out at once for Galway.” - -“Yes,” I answered, “but I pray you to consider the matter well.” - -“I have considered it well,” she replied; “but say on.” - -“Is it a necessity,” I asked, “that you should go to Galway? Are there -not many more places in Ireland for us to go to? Is not the north open -to us, and the west, with plenty of Spanish merchantmen and English -trading on the broad waters?” - -“All in good time,” said she, smiling at my eloquence. - -“Here,” said I, emboldened to proceed, “here you are among your own -people, on your own land, and no one will seek to molest us. But in -Galway--everything is different.” - -“That is it,” she said earnestly. “That is the very reason--everything -is different there.” - -She stopped as if in thought. - -“Listen, Ruari! My mind,” said she, “is made up to go to Galway to talk -over our affairs with the English governor.” - -So this was the reason. - -“You say I am safe here,” she continued, “but am I? Word was brought -me only yesterday by a trusty messenger from Richard Burke, the -MacWilliam, that my father’s old-time enemy, Murrough O’Flaherty, -is whispering in the ear of Sir Nicholas Malby, the Colonel of -Connaught--perhaps into the ear of the Lord Deputy himself, for I hear -he is expected about this time in the city--that my father was an enemy -of the Queen, Elizabeth, and that I, his daughter, am sure to follow in -his steps.” - -“Murrough O’Flaherty!” cried I, “is he not content with his own wide -lands of Aughnanure?” - -“Content,” said she. “Such a man is never content! Then this insidious -whisperer goes on to hint that I am only a young woman, and that my -father has left no heir. It is plain enough, is it not, what he means?” - -“Sir Nicholas Malby,” said I, “is reputed to be a just man and a good -soldier.” - -“A just man--perhaps, who knows! That is why I am going to Galway. I -must make clear my right and title to my father’s possessions.” - -“Right and title,” I exclaimed, and unconsciously I placed my hand on -the hilt of my sword. - -She saw and interpreted the action. - -“Our title-deed,” said she, “has been that of the sword----” - -“And so shall it always be,” I broke in. - -“In one sense, yes,” she assented; “but we live in times of change, and -things are not as they were. All the chiefs and lords of Ireland are -now getting a title for their lands from the queen. Even my father did -something of the sort. If I go not to Galway to put forward my claims -it will be said that I am disloyal and a traitress.” - -“So,” I said, “it may be an evil to go, but it is a worse thing to stay -here.” - -“Yes,” she answered; “but I have other reasons. It is not that I put -so much trust in a piece of parchment, signed and sealed, although I -see no harm in getting it. Ruari, I have purposes that reach far beyond -Galway, and Connaught even, and for the present I deem it not well -openly to incur the enmity of the English.” - -This speech was beyond me, so I held my peace until I remembered what -the “Wise Man” had said; but when I mentioned it she replied that -she knew of the matter, and though it troubled her, it would make no -difference to her plans. - -Then she fell to brooding and thinking, as was her way, whereupon I -left her to get the ships ready for sea even as she wished. - -So, before another day was passed, the three great galleys drew away -from the shelter of Clare Island, and, speeding before a fair wind, -made for the south. Grace and Eva O’Malley were on _The Grey Wolf_, -Tibbot, the pilot, was in command of his dead master’s ship, _The -Winged Horse_, while I was on my own vessel, _The Cross of Blood_. - -We took a great company with us of nearly one hundred and fifty men, -including a band of arquebusiers, besides bards and pipers, and -a priest on each ship. The priests were not much to my liking on -shipboard, but Grace would have them. Both Grace and Eva brought of the -finest of their garments, all made of rich Spanish stuffs, so that they -might appear before the Governor as befitted their rank. I myself took -with me two full suits, also of Spanish make, and such as were worn at -courts, that I might not appear unworthy of my mistress. - -As the wind was steady, the black cliffs of Achill, with the mass of -Cushcamcarragh and the dome of Nephin behind them, soon grew distant in -our wake. The glowing cone of the Holy Hill of St. Patrick, a wonder of -light and shade as beam of sun or shadow of cloud fell upon it, sank -behind us. - -And on we went through a sea of silence, whereon we saw never another -ship; on past the grey or green islands off the coast, until the wind -dropped at sunset. Then the rowers bent their backs and knotted their -muscles over the oars, and so drove the galleys up the long, narrow arm -that is called the Bay of Killery, until we found anchorage under the -mighty shoulders of that king of mountains, the lonely Muilrea. - -At early morn, before the sun was up, albeit a far-off tender flush had -sprung up, like something magical, upon the western rim of the world, -the dirl, dirl, dirl, and the clamp, clamp, clamp, of the oars, as -they smote the groaning pivots on which they swung, was heard, and the -galleys went foaming out from the bay, the spray rising like a fine -dust of gems from under the forefeet of the ships. Then we caught a -breeze, and the sails swelled and drew, while the sailors gat them to -their places with shouts and laughter. - -Is there any coast in the four quarters of the globe where you will -find more splendid havens than in the portion of Ireland lying between -the Bay of Killery and the Bay of Galway? Well has that land been named -Connemara--that is, the “Bays of the Ocean.” The rugged cliffs, whereon -the weather and the wave have combined to throw all manner of cunning -colours far beyond power of painter to copy, still less devise, are -everywhere broken by inlets, in many of which all the fleets of Spain -and of England together might have ridden safely--hardly one of these -bays but has its island breakwater in front of it for its protection -from the storm and tempest. - -’Tis a rare home for seamen! - -As the day wore on we fell in with a Scottish ship hailing from -Wigtonshire, called _The Lass of Carrick_, going to Galway like -ourselves. But Grace O’Malley had given command that until her business -was finished with the Governor, we were to continue peacefully on our -course, so we left her without scathe, whereat our men were in no way -offended, there being but little profit to be got out of a ship coming -from Scotland. - -A vessel going back from Galway to Scotland was another thing, for she -generally carried a cargo of wines of divers sorts, to say nothing of -silks and other valuable materials. Therefore made I a note in my mind -to watch _The Lass of Carrick_ when we were come to Galway, and to -observe what she took away in that broad, ill-built hulk of hers when -she left the port. - -That night the galleys put in to the Bay of Caslah, the most eastern -harbour on that coast, and the following day, without adventure of any -sort--so calm a beginning might well have told me what storms there -would be before the end--we made Galway. - -As had been arranged between us, _The Cross of Blood_, my ship, let -go her anchor in the harbour between the mole and the bridge by which -the city is entered on that side, while the other galleys stood out -some distance in the bay. Sending a messenger ashore, I made known -the errand upon which we were come, and, after waiting a long time, -received answer that the Lord Deputy was not yet come to Galway, but -that Sir Nicholas Malby would see Grace O’Malley, and would give a -safe-conduct to her and her guard. - -It was now too late for our landing that day, so we remained where we -were all that night. Next morning the three galleys rode within the -harbour of the city, and not far from us were _The Lass of Carrick_ and -several other vessels, all come for the wines and the other merchandise -of the great and famous city of Galway. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE COLONEL OF CONNAUGHT. - - -It was about an hour from noon, a hot sun burning in a blue sky, when -Grace O’Malley signified from _The Grey Wolf_ that she was about to -land, and that it was her desire that I should accompany her, but that -I should go on shore before her, to make sure that she would not be -detained at the gate. Having made a suitable response to my mistress, -I gave command to the rowers and the helmsman of _The Cross of Blood_, -and the galley slowly drew up alongside the wall of the harbour, beside -the gate by which an entrance is made into the “Street of the Key,” as -it is called. - -Perhaps it was the fierce heat which indisposed to exertion of any -sort, but the place was strangely quiet and still. Two or three -soldiers, with steel morions on their heads and corselets of iron about -their bodies, gazed at us with indolent curiosity from the towers and -parapets that looked across the bay. - -At the gate itself were an officer and his guard, lounging about -listlessly enough in the sunshine, and taking apparently but a -little languid interest in our movements. A few sailors of different -nationalities, among whom the swarthy Spaniards predominated, and some -of the country fisher folkk, walked about the quay. Not far from us -_The Lass of Carrick_ was discharging her cargo; below us a fishing -smack, with its one great sail set, was being rowed out to sea. - -As my galley approached within a few feet of the quay, I heard a -whistle, or what seemed a whistle. Indeed, so swift and shrill did -the sound bite into the air, that it was as if someone standing close -beside me were trying in this fashion, very peremptorily, to excite -my attention. At the same time, or, mayhap, a little sooner or a -little later--the whole thing, it appeared to me, came together on the -instant, as it were--I felt the rush and the wind made by an arrow or -a bolt as it flew past my face. Then the crick-crack of the barb, as -it smashed and splintered the wood of the bulwark behind me, followed -immediately afterwards. Involuntarily, I put up my hand to my cheek. - -Death had passed close to me, had almost struck me. Yet, hardly -realising what had happened, I stood rooted to the spot. A queer, -quaking sob burst from me--the surprise was so sudden, so complete. - -My first thought was that the arrow had been intended for me, but I -had escaped it by the breadth of a hair, and no more. I was untouched. -Momentarily I expected other arrows; but none came. I asked myself what -was the meaning of the solitary arrow. At first sight it appeared as -if we were about to be dealt with treacherously--that we were being -beguiled to our destruction. Evidently, that was the mind of my men in -the matter, for they had made a quick and terrible outcry that we were -betrayed when they marked the flight of the quivering shaft. - -Holding up my hand for silence, but bidding them take their weapons as -quietly and calmly as they could, I waited for what might next befall. -Ordering the oarsmen to cease rowing, the galley lay motionless on the -water. Looking anxiously up at the parapet, and then at the gate, I -could perceive no unusual commotion among the soldiers, nor could I -see a bowman amongst them. It appeared doubtful if they had observed -that anything out of the ordinary had taken place, and, certainly, they -acted as if they had not. It plainly was no affair of theirs--that was -sure, for they were not more on the alert than before. - -Whence, then, had come the arrow, and for what purpose, if not one of -death? - -My second thought showed me clearly that, had the mysterious archer -intended to kill me, there would have been nothing easier, for, -standing as I did on the poop, I was the best mark in the world; nor -would he have required any marvellous expertness in his art to have -made an end of me. So, as everything about us now seemed favourable and -fair for us, I next turned my regard to the arrow itself, which was -fast in one of the beams of the galley. - -Now for the first time I noticed that it had been shot into the ship -in such a way that it was nearly or altogether hidden by the shape of -the vessel from being seen by those on shore; and I bethought me that -it must have been sped without hostile intent, but, on the contrary, -conveyed some message of warning which it would be well not to neglect. -Wrenching forth the missile with an effort from the beam, I examined -it carefully, and found, as I had begun to anticipate, a message; for -roughly inscribed upon it was the word “Beware!” - -With the dark, foreboding saying of the Wise Man still ringing in -my ears, it was not likely that I should overlook any measure of -precaution that was in my power, but the safe-conduct of the Governor -of Connaught had given me a feeling of security--which was, perhaps, -not justified. Thus it was that I could not but suspect that the -message of the arrow was meant to prevent me from putting trust -overmuch in Sir Nicholas--a man whom I had not yet seen. - -Instead, therefore, of taking with me only six spearmen, as I had -purposed, as part of Grace O’Malley’s bodyguard, I doubled the number. -Besides these there also landed three gentlemen of her household, -chiefs from the islands, men of proved courage, to whom the use of -the sword was as much a part of themselves as the breath they drew. I -had already sent ashore early in the morning a trusty steward, with -instructions to procure two horses for my mistress and Eva O’Malley, -and he now, as we made fast to the quay, came forth from the gate with -two splendid barbs, each attended, as is usual in Ireland, by its own -swift-footed horse-boy. - -While our landing was proceeding I could not help wondering who it was -that had sped the arrow, and why he had chosen this way of conveying -his warning. Manifestly he was one who was afraid, and desired to keep -in the background, for reasons that commended themselves sufficiently -to him. Rapidly thinking over the affair, I came to the conclusion -that our friend could be none other than Richard Burke, the MacWilliam -of whom I have already spoken, and who, I had some reason to guess, -cherished a tenderness for Grace O’Malley. - -And right mightily glad was I to think that one so strong and brave -was in Galway at this time. So great was his fortitude and tenacity -of purpose that he was quite commonly spoken of as Richard the Iron, -and never in the day of adversity was there a stouter heart or a more -vigorous arm than his. - -But why had he taken--or caused to be taken, as was most probable--this -extraordinary method of apprising me of immediate danger, for that and -no less I concluded was the meaning of that one word, “Beware”? The -future was to show, and that soon enough. - -To lay _The Grey Wolf_ alongside of _The Cross of Blood_ was the work -of a few minutes, and soon the two ladies were mounted upon their -horses, but not before I had told Grace O’Malley of the incident of the -arrow, and asked if she had any further commands to give. - -Now, my mistress was possessed of that high and proud sort of spirit -upon which the hint of danger acts as fuel to fire or spur to steed. -So she did but cast her eyes over the men I had picked out, and, -selecting a similar number from her own ship, said that her purpose was -unchanged. - -“Tell the officer on guard at the gate,” said she, “that I go to confer -with the Governor, Sir Nicholas Malby, on affairs of state.” - -The captain of the gate appeared to be somewhat dazed with the size -of our company, which numbered more than thirty swords, spears, and -battle-axes, and he arranged his men in a line as we advanced. Saluting -my mistresses with grave punctilio, he informed us that Sir Nicholas -was lodged at the house of the Mayor of Galway, where for the time he -held his court. But, he said, as he stood resting the point of his -drawn sword upon the ground, orders had been given to admit into the -town only the lady Grace O’Malley, her women, and not more than a few -of her people. - -When I protested against this, he replied that the Governor was very -strict; and as for himself, he was merely a soldier whose duty was to -do what he was bid. - -My mistress, as he spoke, flashed on me a glance of quick intelligence; -then she turned with a brilliant, compelling smile to the officer. - -“Sir,” cried she with animation, looking with her dark, lovely eyes -into the eyes of the Englishman, “you speak as a soldier should. But -here”--and she waved her hand round her company--”are not more than a -few of my people, as it were. You think that we be too many? Nay, sir, -’tis not so. Is it not fitting to do as much honour as I can to the -Governor? And the more of us the greater the honour done him?” - -And she smiled again upon the officer, who was a young man and -a gallant, to his undoing. While they were thus engaged in -parleying--they conversed for some time, but what further was said I -did not hear--we had pressed within the gate and filled up part of -the street beyond. Having gained this position, I had no thought of -retreating. The captain, noting our bearing, and partly won over by -Grace O’Malley’s woman’s wiles, partly making a virtue of necessity, -for we could easily have overpowered his men, again gravely saluted. - -“Be it as you wish, lady,” he said; and so we passed on up the Street -of the Key. - -It has been my lot to see of great cities not a few, but, though I had -scant reason to love the place, not many, I will say, that were finer -or more handsomely built than Galway was in these days. She was now at -the very height of her prosperity, and laid claim to be second in the -kingdom to Dublin alone, and proudly vaunted her superiority over her -ancient rival Limerick. - -As we marched up the Street of the Key, the ladies magnificently -attired in our midst, and presently entered the High Street, the tall -spires of the church of St. Nicholas of Myra--the patron saint of -mariners, who hath ever been most favourable to me--rose in front of -us; while the storehouses of the merchant princes of the city--the -Lynches, the Martins, the Blakes, the Kirwans, and others whose names -escape me--encompassed us with vast buildings of dressed stone on every -hand. - -On all sides were signs of abundance and wealth. And small wonder; for -there was hardly a port of France or Spain--nay, of all Europe--whither -the ships of Galway did not go. Her traders, ever unsatisfied, had even -sailed out beyond the Spanish Main to the Indies. - -But it must be remembered that Galway was not an Irish city, but an -English--where it was not Spanish. The strong walls and towers which -belted her in were not more for defence against an enemy who might -attack her from the sea, than against the Irishry who dwelt beyond her -gates. And keen and bitter as was the hatred between Englishman and -Spaniard, that between the Englishman of Galway and the Irishman, whose -home was in the country, was keener and more bitter still. The day was -not to close without a proof of this. - -On we passed, making a brave show, with the sun overhead shining on our -arms and harness, while the townsmen stood and gaped, and the women -looked out at us from their windows and doors. On we passed until we -halted before the mansion of Stephen Lynch, the Mayor, reputed to be -the richest man in Galway. Here, in front of the house, there was a -guard, and I could see through the archway that the courtyard beyond -was full of soldiers. - -After an exchange of greetings I was shown into an anteroom, and -thence sent word to Sir Nicholas that my mistress was without, and -waited his pleasure. After a slight delay, the Governor replied that -he was at meat, and that he would think it an excellent omen if my -mistress, her ladies and gentlemen, would honour him by their company. - -Then, to my surprise, the Major himself appeared, helped, with much -ceremony, Grace and Eva O’Malley to alight, and invited then myself and -certain of our comrades of rank to enter, at the same time commanding -that our men should be most courteously entertained. - -All this display of friendliness was so different from what I had -expected that I knew not what to think. Afterwards I learned that Sir -Nicholas had been informed of our numbers, and that this had led him -to change the plan that he had originally formed--which I understood -was that Grace O’Malley was to have been at once seized and held as a -prisoner until he had determined what was to be done in her case--and -this notwithstanding the safe-conduct he had given. - -Separated as I was by some distance at table from my mistresses, I -could not hear the conversation between them and the Governor, who -talked to them in a certain bluff, soldier-like fashion. Amongst others -present were Sir Murrough O’Flaherty of Aughnanure, Richard Burke of -Mayo, and other of the chiefs of Connaught who were known to us. But -all my attention was taken up in watching, as carefully as I could, Sir -Nicholas Malby, the Governor. - -There was no possibility of mistaking him for anything but what he -was--the successful soldier of fortune. He had the port of one used to -command, and there was a rough dignity about him that became him well. -His face was scarred and weather-beaten, and I had heard that he had -seen hard service, both in the Low Countries and in Spain. He did not -come, I had been told, of any noble or considerable family. His sole -possession had been his sword, and he had rather hewn than carved out -his path in the world with it. - -I at once recognised in him a shrewd and capable man, who would not -let many things stand in his way. Here was one, I knew, to be reckoned -with. Myself a man who both gave, and therefore expected to receive, -heavy blows; he was another of the same sort, and I felt a certain -respect for him. - -There was told a curious tale of the way in which he had become a -soldier--and ’fore God, it is not for me to say I think the worse of -him for it! It is never a custom of mine to set down anything I hear to -anyone’s despite, yet in this instance the story helps show the nature -of the man. - -In his youth, which was mean and poverty-stricken, he had been -arrested, convicted, and condemned to death for coining--so ’tis said, -and I understand this to be the truth. In some manner or other--I know -not how--he had made interest with one of the great nobles at the -English court, and was released on condition that he would enter the -nobleman’s service as a soldier, and proceed to the war then being -waged against the Emperor. And this he did, acquitting himself so -much to the satisfaction of his superiors, that he was soon placed in -command of a body of mercenaries, and displayed no little valour at -their head. - -Later, he had come over to Ireland under Sir Henry Sydney, who esteemed -him so highly, owing to the manner in which he had fought against the -O’Neils of Ulster, that, when Sir Henry was Lord Deputy of Ireland for -the first time, he had advanced him from post to post, until he was now -Governor, or “Colonel of Connaught,” as his title was. - -One thing we had heard, and that was, like all the rest of the English, -he was very greedy for money, and that his ears readily listened to an -argument that was backed up with gold. Therefore had we brought with us -rich presents for the Governor, which were duly delivered to him when -dinner was finished. - -Such, then, was Sir Nicholas Malby, upon whom the fortunes of my -mistress so much depended. I perceived that she was studying him with -no less intentness than myself, but that she hid this under a gay and -sparkling demeanour. - -When the meal was over, Sir Nicholas said that he desired to talk with -her alone, and they withdrew together to another room. Whereupon Sir -Murrough O’Flaherty and the other gentlemen of the Irish, gathered -around me, plying me with many questions, to all of which I returned -evasive replies, feeling in truth exceedingly anxious, and wishing -nothing so much as to be on board my galley again with my mistresses -safe in theirs. Nor did I have an opportunity--as I desired--to speak -privately to Richard Burke. - -It was about the middle of the afternoon when Grace O’Malley sent -for me and presented me to Sir Nicholas, telling him that I was her -foster-brother, and that I was pledged to her service. The Governor -scanned me narrowly up and down, then suddenly put forth his hand and -grasped mine with a grip of steel. I fancied, and herein I was right, -as events subsequently proved, that he had something of the same -feeling in regard to me as that I had experienced for himself. - -“I have but one desire,” said he, when he had talked for some time, -“and that is, the establishment of the Queen’s peace in Connaught.” -And he laid his hand heavily on my own. I bowed, but answered not, -thinking in my mind that silence was best, for what had we to do with -the Queen’s peace; we, who were the free rovers of the sea? - -Then it appeared that Grace O’Malley had been asked by the Mayor to be -his guest for awhile, and that she had accepted his invitation. So I -now learned that my mistresses were not to return to the ships at once, -but were to take up their abode in the mansion of the Lynches along -with the Governor. - -I was none too well pleased with this arrangement, remembering -the message of the arrow, but dissembled my fears and suspicions, -particularly when I was informed that no objection was made to her -keeping her guard. I further gathered from her air that she was not -ill-content with the result of her interview with Sir Nicholas, and -that all seemed to be going as she wished. - -Anon the Mayor entered, bringing with him his daughter Sabina, a dark, -handsome woman of twenty summers, who was to be the hostess of my -mistresses, for her mother was dead. And with her in this fair seeming -entered also the shadow of Destiny--a shadow not to be lifted for many -a day. - -It was never given to me to read the hearts of women, nor to comprehend -their ways, but, being but a man, I looked upon this woman with -pleasure, little dreaming what evil she was to work upon us. Here -was one, had I but known it, far more to be feared than the bluff, -determined soldier who was Colonel of Connaught. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -THE QUEEN’S PEACE. - - -It was some three hours or so from sunset when I took leave of my -mistresses, both of whom were in the highest spirits. I saw that my -young and innocent dear was delighted with her surroundings, and had -completely forgotten her objections to Galway. She and Sabina Lynch had -at once become friends, and, indeed, it was impossible for anyone to -see Eva O’Malley and not immediately to be gained over by her. - -But Grace O’Malley had a certain reserve in her talking with the -Mayor’s daughter--a reserve that sprang from instinct or intuition, or -a forecasting of the future, perhaps. - -My two ladies had entrusted me with various orders to their women with -regard to sundry boxes of apparel to be sent to the Lynch mansion, and -as I set off to _The Cross of Blood_, I felt in better humour with -myself and the world. Fortune at the moment appeared to smile upon -us. Sabina Lynch had told me, just before I bade her good-bye, that -her father was to give a revel with dancing--after the fashion which -obtained at the Court of Elizabeth, who was immoderately fond, I have -heard, of this form of entertainment--in a few days, in honour of the -Governor. - -I could see that my mistresses both looked forward to it with keen -anticipations of pleasure. At first I could not share in their -feelings, thinking that we did but waste our time in Galway, until -Grace O’Malley had confided to me, in an aside, that she believed her -affairs would soon be settled with Sir Nicholas. - -She had declared to the Governor that it was her desire to hold her -lands from the Queen, on condition that instead of being bound to -supply for her Highness’s service so many soldiers when called upon for -a hosting, she should maintain her ships and their crews of sailors and -fighting men so that they would be always ready to do the Queen’s will, -whether it was on the western coasts of Ireland or of Scotland. He had -not said “Nay,” but had put the matter off until he had considered it -more fully. - -As I was walking down the Street of the Key to the harbour, along -with the three gentlemen of our household who had gone with me to the -Mayor’s, we met a party of half a dozen citizens of the place, all -standing talking together. Their voices were raised either in anger or -debate, and as we approached I heard enough to understand that they -were discussing the action of the Governor with regard to my mistress, -and that it met with their strong disapprobation. - -“Our ships will never be safe,” cried one, as we came up with them. -They made no effort to let us pass, though the street was narrow at -this point, and seemed rather as if they intended to dispute the ground -with us. The odds were against us, but not too greatly; so saying, “By -your leave,” I went on. - -“Sir,” cried I, the hot, angry blood burning in my cheeks, as I -returned roughly enough the push I had received from one of those who -blocked the way, “sir, your manners stand in much need of mending--or -ending.” - -And my sword--a flash of living fire in the westering sun--was out in a -twinkling. - -I knew the fellow who had insulted me. It was Michael Martin, a rich -merchant and a person of authority in the town, notwithstanding his -comparative youth--he was not much older than myself--to whom I spoke. -He had deliberately jostled against me as I made to pass him, and I was -never blind to a hint of this kind. - -His action, coupled with the words I had heard, had quickly got me -out of the happy frame of mind with which I had quitted the Mayor’s -mansion, and my thoughts were immediately of my mistresses’ danger. His -unmannerly act meant more than hostility to me. - -“Draw!” shouted I furiously, and his sword flashed out at me. Martin -was neither a coward nor a poor swordsman, and my hands were full with -this business in another instant. - -“Manners,” quoth he, as our blades rang together as steel met steel; -“manners! Manners, forsooth! Who are you to teach a gentleman of Galway -manners? You--the scum of the sea!” - -And so he raved, keeping his eyes warily fixed on mine the while. - -These fresh insults maddened me like the stirring of venom from the -poisonous fangs of a wolf, and a sudden fierce storm of passionate -anger such as I had never before felt swept over me, as I cried to him -across the darting swords, “We shall see, we shall see!” - -Meanwhile my comrades ranged themselves beside me with their weapons -unsheathed, and several of those who had been talking with Martin were -not slow to follow their example, but it was rather, as it happened, -with a view to forming a ring round my opponent and myself, so that we -had the fighting to ourselves. - -“A brawl, a brawl!” someone cried, and there was the sound of the -shutting of windows and the closing of doors. - -My position placed me at a disadvantage, for the sun, now sinking -downwards behind the hills on the other side of the Bay of Galway, -cast its rays in my eyes, and caused me to blink, whether I would or -no, as the points of our swords, forming glittering circles of flame, -whirled this way and that. I endeavoured to force the fighting so that -my adversary would change his ground, but he was fully conscious of how -much he gained by maintaining his place, and all my efforts were vain. - -Now, as we thrust and parried, lunged and retired, my anger passed -away, and I found myself become as cool and collected as if I had been -on the deck of my ship. I had successfully met and defeated a stubborn -attack, at the same time piercing his breast for a short inch mayhap, -so that the blood spurted forth in a little jet, when Martin, saying -quickly with a choking gasp, - -“Another time, Redshank!” suddenly gave way, much to my surprise, not -seeing any reason for his change of front. Surrounded by his friends, -he turned swiftly, and in hot haste made off down the street, and, -entering a narrow lane not far from the wall, was lost to view. - -For one instant I stood, breathing heavily, sword still on guard. Then -I was about to follow, when a voice, harsh and commanding, cried: -“Halt! Stop! Halt in the Queen’s name! Halt, halt!” - -I knew the voice, although I had heard it for the first time in my -life that very day. It was Sir Nicholas Malby, the Governor himself, -and no other, who spoke. I also realised that I had gotten myself -into a position of some hazard, to say the least, with one to whom -the preservation of the Queen’s peace was the principal object of his -ambition. - -But the Governor was, above everything--so I said to myself--a soldier, -and I flattered myself he would understand, and even sympathise with, -my feelings in this matter. He was attended but by two of his officers, -yet he came up without hesitation, and the fierce question of his eyes -was full of challenge. - -“What is this?” he cried. “I will have no brawling in the streets!” - -I saluted with great deference, remembering, perhaps rather late in the -day, Grace O’Malley’s orders that we were to do everything we could -to make our stay in Galway a peaceable one, and made bold to say as -respectfully as I could-- - -“Sir, the fault scarcely lies with us;” and I went on to tell him -exactly how the affair had been brought about, protesting that I could -act in no other way than I had done, as the quarrel had been forced -upon me. As I told my story he nodded coldly, but not disapprovingly. - -“I am resolved to have an end of all strife,” said he; at length, -after thinking deeply for a short time: “Can you tell me who was the -aggressor?” he asked. “Did you know him?” Then, without waiting for -my answer, he continued threateningly, “I will hang any man whom I -find disturbing the Queen’s peace, be he prince or kerne, chief or -gallowglass!” - -Now, it was no part of my business to hand over Martin to the mercies -of the Governor, and it was very much my affair, I thought, that I -should settle my quarrel with him personally, so I made no reply to the -question of Sir Nicholas. - -“He was a stranger to you, I presume,” said he, and was about to pass -on, but changing his mind, he asked whither I was bound and for what -purpose. - -When I told him I was on my way to the galleys, and with what object, -he smiled a little grimly, and walked with me towards the gate. He -made many inquiries as to the number of fighting men there were aboard -of the galleys, and the manner in which they were armed. I asked Sir -Nicholas whether he would not pay a visit to _The Cross of Blood_, but -he declined, as it was his custom to make a survey of the walls at this -period of the day. - -“Your mistress,” said he, as he left me at the gate, “is in good -hands.” And I could not but muse somewhat darkly at this enigmatic -sentence. - -It was past the middle of the night, when I was aroused by someone -coming softly into my cabin. A lantern swung from the beam above my -head, and in the half darkness I made out Walter Burke, my chief -officer, and with him Richard Burke the MacWilliam. In a moment I was -wide awake, knowing that this secret visit of Richard the Iron was -pregnant with something evil. Eagerly I looked into his face. - -“What brings----!” I exclaimed loudly. But his fingers were placed on -my lips. - -“Quietly, quietly,” said he. “I do not suppose that there are any -traitors on _The Cross of Blood_,” continued he. - -“All staunch, staunch,” I interrupted, “everyone.” - -“’Tis well,” said he; “but what I am come to tell you is not a thing to -be proclaimed from the tops of our towers.” - -Stirred by a host of thronging fears, I waited, keenly apprehensive of -his next words. They were heavy enough, although the misgivings I had -felt had not left me altogether unprepared for tidings of the kind. - -“Grace O’Malley,” said he, in a low tone which thrilled me through, “is -virtually a prisoner in Galway. The Mayor, or rather, I should say, his -daughter, has made herself answerable to the Governor for her. While -your mistress is apparently free to come or go as she pleases, she is -in reality deprived of her liberty, as she will discover if she tries -to leave the mansion of the Lynches.” - -“Grace O’Malley a prisoner?” - -“That is what she is,” said Richard Burke. “She is not bound, nor is -she locked up in a room. Her every movement, however, is watched by -Sabina Lynch. While she may think herself a guest, and an honoured -guest, the hospitality is a mere pretence.” - -“But why, why?” - -“There are many reasons, as you well know,” he replied. “The mind of -the Governor is set against allowing any of the ancient customs of -the land; he is endeavouring quietly and skilfully--for he is not a -blustering bully as some others are--to reduce the power of the chiefs -and to make them pay tribute to the Queen. Where he does show his hand -plainly it is always to strike a deadly blow.” - -“Yes, yes,” I said, impatiently. Grace O’Malley a prisoner, and I -sitting quietly in my ship! The thing seemed impossible--yet it was -true. - -“No need for haste,” said he calmly. “Listen to what I have to say, and -then you will grasp the matter more surely. Sir Nicholas will offer no -violence if he can gain his point without it.” - -“What is his point?” I asked. - -“Is there any need to ask?” replied Burke. “Grace O’Malley is a -powerful princess in Connaught. She has her lands, her galleys, and -several hundred well armed men at her back. Is that not enough? Are the -English not trying to clip all our wings? But there is far more in the -case of your mistress.” - -“Go on, go on!” I said. - -“This,” said he. “The mind of Sir Nicholas has been wrought upon by -the merchants of Galway, who are ever about him, saying this and that, -offering him valuable gifts and such things as he loves.” - -“To what end?” - -“You know as well as I do, that these proud-stomached folk have no -great liking for us Irish,” said Burke. “Did you never hear that they -have a statute of the town that ’Neither Mac nor O’ shall strut or -swagger’ in the streets of Galway? There has always been, however, a -friendship between us Burkes of Mayo and one or two of the families -here, as, for instance, the Lynches, and I hear through them all that -is going on. - -“Owen O’Malley plundered the ships of the Galway merchants, making -scant distinction between them and Spanish or French or Scottish ships. -Grace O’Malley shared in many of her father’s doings before he died, -and the people of Galway think that she has inherited her father’s -nature and disposition as well as his lands and ships, and that as long -as her galleys roam the sea there will be no safety for their vessels.” - -The words were nearly the same as those Eva O’Malley had used when she -tried to dissuade my mistress from setting out from Clew Bay. - -“What would they have Sir Nicholas do?” I asked. - -“Break up her ships; scatter her people; hang, kill, burn, destroy -them; hold her a prisoner; or--for there is no advantage to be derived -from our shutting our eyes--kill her, too, by poison, perhaps, unless -she agrees to the terms of the Governor.” - -Burke now spoke in great excitement, and with labouring breath; nor -could I listen to his words with any degree of composure. - -“She will never agree to the Governor’s terms,” said I. “She is being -deceived, for she believes that Sir Nicholas is favourable to her suit.” - -“Put that hope out of your mind,” replied he. “Sir Nicholas is merely -playing with her--with what object you can easily guess. It is for no -other reason than to make her ruin the more complete.” - -I assented gloomily. - -“Now we know what to expect,” I said. “We are forewarned and so -forearmed.” - -“Your mistress pays no heed to warnings,” said Burke hotly. - -I thought of the arrow and its message. - -“The arrow!” I said. - -“Yes,” he replied. “I could not send you word openly, so I chose that -way, getting one of my men, who is a famous archer, to send the shaft -into your ship.” - -I thanked him warmly, remarking, however, that Grace O’Malley would pay -no attention to any warnings whatever, once she was resolved upon any -particular course. - -“She must be told now of her danger,” he said, “and at once.” - -“I suppose,” said I, “I can still see her.” - -“That I know not,” he replied; “but news of your fight with Michael -Martin is all over the town, and you will have to walk circumspectly. -Sir Nicholas spoke of his meeting with you, and declared that all such -conflicts must be severely punished. Go not into Galway--unless with a -strong guard.” - -The counsel was wise, but I was quite determined, if necessary, to -disregard it. My mind, however, suddenly went on another tack, and I -spoke out what my thought was. - -“I must see her, and that without delay,” I said; “but you mentioned -that you were friendly with the Lynches. Could not Grace O’Malley be -sent a message through them? If the Mayor is not to be trusted, surely -Sabina Lynch, his daughter, cannot sympathise greatly with the dark and -terrible projects of the Governor. Would she not convey a letter to my -mistress?” - -Richard Burke looked at me fixedly and searchingly. - -“That is doubtful,” said he, at length. Then he added, “I do not think -that we can place our confidence in Sabina Lynch in anything that -concerns Grace O’Malley.” - -“Why?” I asked simply. - -He did not answer immediately, but stopped and pondered awhile before -he replied-- - -“I am about to tell you, Ruari, what I never thought to say to you or -any other living soul. But the need is urgent, and I must speak. The -Lynches and myself are old friends. I have known Sabina Lynch since she -was a child, and I have been made aware in many ways--there is no need -to go further into that--that I am not displeasing to her now she is a -woman. And her father has as much as intimated that he regards me with -eyes of favour.” - -I saw it all in a minute. Sabina Lynch loved Richard Burke, and Richard -Burke did not return her affection. Did Sabina suspect that she had a -rival? Did she regard Grace O’Malley as a rival? These questions passed -through my mind with the speed of light. - -“What has Sabina Lynch to do with Grace O’Malley?” I asked. - -“I will not conceal from you,” said Burke, “that I am not in love -with Sabina Lynch, but am in love with your mistress. Once I imagined -that it was Owen O’Malley’s intention to wed you to his daughter, but -neither you nor she has a passion for the other. Is it not so?” - -“Yes,” I replied. “She is an elder sister to me--I am no more than a -younger brother to her.” - -“I love Grace O’Malley,” said he, “with all my soul and with all my -strength. I mean to ask her to be my wife----” - -I broke in harshly. - -“This is no time, surely, to talk of such a matter,” I cried, “now when -she is a prisoner, and helpless in the hands of people who are her -bitter enemies. Rather let us cast about for some means of delivering -her.” - -“I ask nothing better,” said Burke, “than to assist you--only remember -it is not well to place any confidence in Sabina Lynch.” - -Then we spent the next hour discussing plans, and having formed one -which had some promise of success, Burke left the galley as secretly as -he came--his boat disappearing into the darkness of the night. - -After he had gone, I tried in vain to sleep, and finding my thoughts -but dismal company, had myself rowed over to _The Winged Horse_, where -I saw Tibbot, the pilot, whom I informed of the visit of Richard -Burke, and of what we had concerted to do for the deliverance of -Grace O’Malley. And as we could not foresee what the next step of -the Governor might be, it was agreed that Tibbot’s galley should be -kept ready for instant action, and to provide against any surprise -by keeping her out in the bay, at such a distance that she should be -out of the range of the calivers and bombards mounted on the walls of -Galway. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -GRACE O’MALLEY DANCES OUT OF GALWAY. - - -As early in the morning as was possible, without causing remark or -exciting suspicion, I went into the town, taking with me several of -my own men. The same officer who had been in charge of the guard the -previous day was at the gate, and I advanced towards him boldly, as if -I had no notion in the world that there could be anything amiss, nor, -so far as he was concerned, was there. - -For he gravely returned my salutation, merely giving me “Good-day” -without waste of words, and waved his hand in the direction of the -church of St. Nicholas of Myra. - -When I had arrived at the mansion of the Mayor, I could see no -difference in the manner of the reception I was accorded, except such -as there would be owing to my mistress not being present on this -occasion. - -I sent in my name, with a request that Grace O’Malley might be informed -of my arrival, and after a short time--short as far as the actual -minutes, but it appeared an age to me, so impatient and anxious was -I--I was conducted into a spacious room, where I found my two ladies, -Sabina Lynch, and several gentlemen, most of whom were Irish. They -were in the midst of a conversation as I entered, and I quickly -gathered that they were talking about the entertainment the Mayor was -to give in honour of the Governor before many days. They were speaking -of corantos and other dances, in which I had but small proficiency, and -I could not help saying to myself that Grace O’Malley could have no -suspicion how slippery would be the floor for her feet! - -On endeavouring to get speech with her privately, I found myself -completely baffled, and that so subtly and craftily that I raged -and fumed inwardly. For when I attempted to draw her aside we were -instantly joined by Sabina Lynch, who smilingly disguised her purpose -of preventing us from talking together by ourselves under a mock of -empty but pleasant words. Indeed, so skilfully and readily did she -speak, and with so much apparently of goodwill, that I had constantly -to remind myself of all that Richard Burke had told me only a few hours -before. - -What my feelings were may be guessed, but I did my utmost to conceal -them, although not very successfully, as I afterwards was told by -Eva O’Malley. I never was one who could play the part of gallant or -courtier, and what I knew to be in the wind did not tend to assist me -in the efforts I now made to be at my ease and to seem confident that -there was not a cloud in the sky. - -And it could hardly be that one, who had seen so much of me as Eva had, -but would observe my clumsy attempts at gaiety and light-heartedness. -What she thus saw in my manner made her very uneasy, but at the time -she kept her ideas to herself. It was enough, however, to put her on -her guard, and caused her to watch more narrowly whatever was going on. - -A couple of hours were spent in this way, and, disturbed beyond measure -by reason of my inability even to breathe a word of warning to my -mistress--I had resolved to say nothing of their peril to the woman I -loved, fearing lest it might prove too hard a trial for her, wherein I -misjudged her strength most grievously--I bade them farewell for that -day. - -As I left I encountered the Governor, who was coming up the street. He -reined up his horse, and, after uttering a few courteous words, asked -me not to fail to go through the square of the town cross on my way to -the quay. He said this with so much curious insistence in his tone that -my interest was roused to the quick. - -As a man enters this square from the east side the first object which -meets the eye is not the town cross, but the town gallows. As soon as -I had turned the corner of the street I perceived that from the gibbet -there swung in the wind, forward and backward as the breeze rose and -fell, the figure of a man. That the Governor had intended me to see -this, and that it had some special lesson for me, I did not doubt, so I -pressed forward smartly. Yet it was with an amazed horror that I beheld -the dead man’s face. - -For the victim was none other than Michael Martin, my antagonist of -the previous afternoon. The Governor had followed the matter up, and -had discovered him whom he had called the aggressor in the interrupted -duel. Verily was the Queen’s peace being maintained with a vengeance. I -had read the ruthless character of Sir Nicholas aright. Here, what had -been a man, had been tried, sentenced, and executed in a few hours; and -that Martin had occupied no inconsiderable position in Galway showed -that the Governor was afraid of none. - -If he would not hesitate to act in this fashion in the case of one of -the English of Galway, how much less would he care for the Irish of -Connaught? This I perceived plainly enough was what he desired Martin’s -death to intimate to me. For myself, notwithstanding what had passed -between Martin and me, I was hot and indignant that a man so brave as -he should have been put to so foul a death. - -It was in a melancholy mood that I bent my steps to the quay, albeit -I made a great effort to keep from my face the troubled thoughts of -my mind. Not only had I failed in acquainting Grace O’Malley with her -real position, but I was also well aware that the hatred with which -she inspired the people of Galway would be made all the fiercer by the -death of Martin. - -Striving to cast aside these sombre reflections as unmanly, and likely -only to hamper me in any plan I might make for the freeing of my -mistress, I went on board _The Cross of Blood_. I, at least, was free -as yet, and ready to do and dare all. But so far I could not see my -way, and had I been left to myself to carry out the device Richard -Burke and I had formed, would probably have suffered some such fate as -that of Michael Martin. - -The next three days passed without any striking event. I had seen -my mistress once at the Mayor’s mansion, and the attempts I made to -reach her private ear were met and checked as effectively as before. I -noticed, however, that while she appeared as gay as ever, there was a -something about her that suggested in one way or another she was now -conscious that she was not at complete liberty. - -She had desired--so I got to know later on--to go down to her galley, -but obstacles had been put in her path and objections had been raised. -Then she had grasped the situation in which she had been placed, but -had both the courage and the wisdom not to let this be evident. - -It was the fifth day of our stay in Galway when _The Lass of Carrick_ -cast herself off from her moorings by the quay, and, towed out by her -two boats into the bay, made ready for sea. I watched the rich prize -slip out of our hands with dismay, but it was my only business at -present to stay where I was. Yet, as I noticed how deep the Scottish -ship lay in the water, I could not but regret that my hands were tied. - -The captain made some signs to me which I did not comprehend, but -which I interpreted as ironical farewells. I was the more mystified -when, as I watched her approach _The Winged Horse_, I saw a boat put -off from her for that galley. But when the night fell I had every -reason to bless and not curse _The Lass of Garrick_. For in the dark -Tibbot came on board my ship, bringing a letter from Grace O’Malley, -which she had managed through one of her women, who had made love to -the Scottish captain, to send thus secretly to me. - -Now, the revel which the Mayor was giving for Sir Nicholas was to take -place on the next day, and in this letter my mistress, who was now -thoroughly awake to her danger and also to the perfidy of Sabina Lynch, -set forth her plan of escape. It was at once bold and ingenious, and -had a fair prospect of succeeding. That it was not carried out exactly -as had been calculated--but this is to anticipate events. - -My part was simplicity itself. - -My mistress told me to come to the revel, as I had been invited, as -if attending revels had been my occupation all my life, and to bring -with me as many armed men as I thought could be got safely into Galway. -But on no account was I to omit to fetch the two pipers--Phelim of the -White Lock (he had an odd-looking tuft of white hair on his forehead) -and Cormac, his brother. What they had to do will appear later. - -Further, I was commanded to have the galleys ready to put instantly to -sea, for the favourable outcome of the matter depended in the end on -the swiftness of our movements. - -Having received this letter, my breast swelled with joy. The calm was -at an end, I said, and now for the storm; and ever in these days loved -I storm more than calm. My spirits rose immediately as this week of -wearisome waiting drew to an end and the time of action was at hand. - -As soon as the day had come I called my chief officers together, and -bade them be ready to sail that night, and I gave a similar charge to -those of _The Grey Wolf_. Then I picked out several of the older men, -and, for a pretext that they might be admitted into the town the more -easily, despatched them with boxes and bales for our mistresses, which -they were to carry to the mansion of the Lynches. I also sent a gift to -the Governor, in order that he should have no ghost of a suspicion that -I knew how matters stood. - -In this manner, then, I introduced twenty more of our men into Galway, -making up for their absence from the two galleys by causing Tibbot to -send me some of his. - -To those sent into the town I gave as a common meeting-place at a given -hour the tavern that is under the sign of “The Golden Eagle,” bidding -them thereafter to assemble in the High Street near the Mayor’s house. -There they were to await my coming with my mistresses, if events should -fall out according to our wish, and then, if there should be any need, -I should tell them what to do. - -At the appointed time I presented myself at the Lynch mansion. Here I -found a considerable company was gathered together, many of the chiefs -having arrived from the surrounding districts, north and south and -east. In the streets was a great throng of gallowglasses and kernes, -who had come into the place along with their chieftains. - -The scene was one of bustle and movement and confusion. Among the -crowd, engaged in keeping some sort of rough order, were a few English -soldiers, part of the garrison of Galway. I noticed many of our own -men, and as I passed through them I succeeded in telling them to take -as little part as possible in any sports or quarrels that might be -going on, but to hold themselves prepared to rally to me, and to follow -when I should call upon them to do so. - -When I entered the large room in which the revel was to take place, I -saw Sir Nicholas and his officers standing in a group by themselves, -receiving the chiefs and their ladies, as well as the principal -citizens of Galway and their wives, as they came up. - -Near them were the Mayor and his daughter, who was the centre of a -number of beautiful maidens and stalwart young men. The instruments of -music were already sounding forth their sweetest strains, inviting to -the dance; and Sir Nicholas, making a stiff bow to the radiant Sabina, -asked her to join him in a coranto. - -The dance ended, many compliments were paid to the pair, although to -my mind the Governor had disported himself like a clumsy bear, such -as the Spaniards and the men of the South have to dance for their -amusement. - -Sabina Lynch, on the other hand, was, I will confess, a stately figure, -and as she had been taught the coranto in Spain, where she had been -brought up for some years, and so was vastly proficient in it, met -with great and deserved attention. Indeed, I heard one of the English -officers declare that he had never seen anyone more graceful or -accomplished--no, not even at the Court of Elizabeth. - -After a brief rest, Sir Nicholas again appeared, now leading forth -Grace O’Malley. Although she thoroughly understood what a mockery all -this courtesy on the part of the Governor was, she let no sign of her -knowledge escape her. She had too great a soul for that; but had she -not been cast in this mould of heroes she might, as a woman, have acted -just as she did, so that she should give no triumph to Sabina Lynch. - -Dance followed dance in quick succession, and both of my mistresses -took their full share of all that went on. Both of them appeared to be -devoting themselves without reserve to the pleasure of the occasion, -and I could not but admire them. My love for Eva O’Malley was quickened -anew, if that were possible, when I saw how unmoved she was, and how -brave a carriage she kept, despite the fact that she knew they were but -prisoners in the hands of the English, and in grievous peril of their -lives. - -I felt I could not have danced with a halter round my neck, yet here -was this small, delicate woman doing this, and doing it as if she did -not see the dangers that threatened her. The body, indeed, was weak, -but the heart--how big it was! - -Thank God, I say, for the great hearts of women! - -I tried to acquit myself also in the course of the entertainment to the -best of my ability, but for the most part, being no skilled performer -in the matter of corantos and other dances, was perforce compelled to -spend much of the time leaning against the wall. Once, as the Governor -was passing me by, he stopped and spoke. - -“Sir,” said he, “I have to render you my grateful acknowledgments for -the handsome gift you have sent me this day.” - -“Sir Nicholas,” replied I, “the gift was sent you by command of my -mistress.” - -The cruel, fierce eyes twinkled, and too late I perceived that my -thoughtless words were making him suspect that some communication had -passed between Grace O’Malley and myself in spite of his efforts and -those of Sabina Lynch to prevent it. Thinking to undo the effect of my -heedless speech, I made speed to continue. - -“I thought,” said I, “that had my mistress been on her galley she would -not have come to this revel in your honour with empty hands.” - -“’Tis well spoken, by St. George!” said he. “Yet methinks there be few -in Ireland that can afford to be so generous.” - -The Governor’s brow relaxed, then clouded over again, for, on -reflecting on my speech, he saw there was that in it which suggested I -was not unaware that my mistress had been debarred from going down to -her ships. - -“You must reap rich harvests,” continued he, after a brief hesitation, -“on the coast of Clew Bay, yet am I informed that nothing grows there -but rocks.” - -Howbeit the strains of music, rising and falling like a summer sea, -were borne upon the air, and Sir Nicholas moved off to his own place. -But his manner made me anxious that what we had planned might not long -be postponed. - -The hours one by one went by, and the time came. - -I saw my mistress, laughter in her eyes and on her lips, approach Sir -Nicholas, and enter into a gay conversation with him. I moved up nearer -to the top of the room. - -“If you have never seen it, Sir Nicholas,” I heard her saying, “sure am -I you would like to see it.” - -I listened in painful suspense for the answer of the Governor. -Everything depended on it. “Who could resist Grace O’Malley, when she -chose to be resistless?” I asked myself. Then I remembered what I had -heard and seen of Sir Nicholas, and I replied to my beating heart that -here was a man who might resist. But he had no suspicion whatever, and -he fell into the trap, baited so cunningly by a woman’s wit. - -“I have seen it,” said he, “and if you will honour me by dancing it -with me----?” - -“The honour, Sir Nicholas,” quoth she, saucily, “is mine.” - -The matter did not fall out quite as we had hoped, for it had been part -of our plan that I was forthwith to have danced one of our wild Irish -measures, which are more a test of endurance than an exhibition of -grace, with my mistress. - -It was soon spread through the assembly that the Governor and my -mistress were to dance the dance of the country people, and on this -proof of his affability towards us there were loud shouts of approval. -Then there was a cry for the pipers, and, presently, just as we -had schemed, in strode Phelim of the White Lock, and Cormac, our -men--striding along the hall, with their pipes blowing the quick step -to a merry and rollicksome tune. - -Forward came Sir Nicholas and Grace O’Malley, while the people stood -round about in a wide circle. But the Governor was no match for my -mistress, and he soon began to hang out signals of distress, whereupon, -greatly to his discomfiture, she wheeled about and beckoned to Sir -Murrough O’Flaherty, of Aughanure, her bitter enemy, to take his -place--displaying in this selection her wonderful craft; for how -could anyone suppose--the Governor certainly least of all--that the -O’Flaherty was chosen but to throw dust in his eyes? - -My mistress danced with gliding, pit-patting feet that never tired, -while the applause which greeted her every motion grew to a wild -enthusiasm. Sir Murrough O’Flaherty had to acknowledge himself beaten, -and retired. Grace O’Malley now cried aloud to me to come forward, and -I stepped from the crowd, my heart beating faster than it had ever done -in the day of battle. - -“Dance, dance, dance!” cried she to me, and she whirled about like a -mad thing. - -“Have ye no pity on the pipers?” I exclaimed, with a laugh that rang -out, it seemed to me, false and hollow, but I was determined to follow -her lead as best I might. - -“The feet were never made,” said she, as she advanced more slowly -towards me and I took up my position opposite to her, and began the -steps, “that can out-play a piper.” - -The company smiled, grimaced, and murmured with delight at her answer, -and the pipers, well pleased also, played as they never had played -before. And the wild and furious dance went on to the wild and furious -music of the pipes. Meanwhile I was watching my mistress with hungry, -eager eyes, waiting for her to give the sign. - -“Pipe, pipe!” she cried; and again, “Pipe, pipe!” and the playing of -Phelim and Cormac was like the roaring of the storm among the trees of -the forest. - -So the dance went madly on until all the people about us grew quite -still and silent, looking on more breathlessly than we who were dancing -to that mad music--looking at such a measure as they never had -witnessed before in all their lives, or ever, I dare swear, saw the -like of again. - -Then came the sign. - -Grace O’Malley’s uplifted hand slowly dropped to her side as with -sheer weariness; the tall, queenly figure seemed to droop, to sway -uncertainly, to totter, to fall upon the floor, but even as she fell I -had gathered her up in these great arms of mine, and was carrying her -through the press towards the chambers of the women. - -Eva O’Malley flew to my side, her face full of fear, as it appeared to -be. The pipers’ music suddenly ceased. But no more I saw or heard of -what happened next in the room of the revel. - -No sooner had the door of the apartments of the women closed upon us -three, than Grace O’Malley slipped from my arms and stood up, her -faintness--which had been merely assumed--disappearing at once. - -“Quick, quick!” she cried, pointing to a door. “There is the stair! -That is the way!” - -They stopped, however, for a little, to get a couple of heavy cloaks -with which they hoped they might be able to conceal themselves somewhat -from curious eyes. Short as the time was which this took, it was -enough to permit Sabina Lynch to enter the apartment, and she at once -perceived not only that my mistress had recovered in a marvellous brief -space, but also what our project was. - -“Seize her,” said Grace O’Malley, as she and Eva were leaving the room. - -I rushed towards the woman, and, clapping my hand to her mouth, -prevented her from giving forth the scream she was on the point of -uttering. As I was glancing about for something with which I might gag -her, and so effectually silence her, my mistress again appeared, and -said, her eyes blazing with anger:-- - -“Bring her with you, if you can; the way is clear.” - -“A gag!” I said, and Grace O’Malley made with her own hands one, with -which she stuffed Sabina Lynch’s mouth, and next she bound the woman’s -arms. Then I took Sabina Lynch up, and in silence we descended the -stair which led us into the street some twenty yards from the main -entrance into the Mayor’s house. - -It was now dark, but not sufficiently so as to hide us completely from -observation, and an instant’s thought convinced me that carrying a -bound woman, as I was doing, it was impossible to go very far without -being seen by someone who would instantly give the alarm. Therefore, -still keeping in the shadow of the house, I sent forth into the night -the O’Malley battle cry, knowing that our men could not be out of -hearing; and the sound had not died away when there arose a great noise -and shouting. - -“O’Malley! O’Malley! O’Malley!” was heard on all sides. - -“To me, to me--here!” I cried. - -And, in less time than seemed likely, there were gathered about us -nearly all our men, but mixed with them several Burkes, O’Flahertys, -and others of the Irish. Recognising their mistress, the O’Malleys set -up a joyful sound. Forming some of them in a line across the street, I -begged Grace O’Malley and Eva to take with them the rest, and to hasten -toward the gate, and this they accordingly did, while two of our people -carried Sabina Lynch between them in the same direction. - -In the meantime the flight of my mistresses had been discovered. I saw -lights flitting about the courtyard, and heard the words of command -given in the strident tones of Sir Nicholas, then the tramp, tramp of -the feet of the soldiers smote upon the night air. - -To have a conflict in the streets of Galway, just at the place where -the English were strongest, was not to be thought of, as it was not -more foolish than it was unnecessary, so I ordered my men to retreat as -swiftly as was practicable towards the gate, and to endeavour to catch -up to Grace O’Malley before the gate was reached by them. - -But when we came to the gate we found it had already been forced by our -chieftainess, who had taken the feeble guard completely unprepared, -and so had quietly made an end of them. It was all the work of a -few seconds; yet in the struggle, short as it was, Sabina Lynch had -effected her escape. Without delay we proceeded to embark in the -galleys, and to put out to sea. - -While we were engaged in this manner the great bell of the church of -St. Nicholas suddenly boomed sharply through the night: soldiers began -to appear on the battlements, torches flared from the walls, and -bullets and arrows poured upon us as the galleys drew away from the -quay. Some of the shots were aimed so well that two of our people, one -of whom was Walter Burke, were slain and several others wounded. - -Then, as we proceeded on our way into the bay, the sputtering fire -ceased. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -THE DIE CAST. - - -That night I reflected with joy that the die was cast, as, after our -breaking out of Galway, there could be no peace between Grace O’Malley -and Sir Nicholas--at any rate, until the matter was composed in some -definite fashion. - -I trod the deck with a feeling of extraordinary buoyancy, and sniffed -the salt air with delight as the galleys headed for Inishmore, the -largest of the three isles of Arran, which have been thrown for a -protection by the hand of God, almost in a straight line, across the -entrance to the bay of Galway. - -All that I cared for in the world was held in these ships, now speeding -over the water under the leadership of Tibbot the Pilot. - -It was with deep satisfaction that I went over the events of the -evening which had brought us with such success out of the town, and I -looked forward with wide-eyed eagerness to the morning when I should -meet my mistress, and hear her narrative of all that had passed when -she and Eva were prisoners in the mansion of the Lynches. - -Eva, who had kept up so bravely while the danger was greatest, had -become faint and unstrung when the peril was past. Grace O’Malley -would suffer no one but herself to tend her, and thus I had had no -opportunity for conversing with either of them after we had made good -our escape. - -When we had arrived at the island, and had let go our anchors in a -fair depth of water in a small bay, which was sheltered from the full -shock of the Atlantic by a range of abrupt craggy headlands, I went on -board _The Grey Wolf_ to see my mistresses, but Grace O’Malley received -me alone, her foster-sister not having altogether recovered from the -fatigue of the preceding evening. There was a new hardness, even a -harshness, both in the face and voice of Grace. - -At first, however, she was in no mood for recounting her experiences, -and could do nothing but lament the fact that Sabina Lynch had managed -to get away when the gate was forced. Indeed, her escape appeared -entirely to overshadow in her mind her own escape and that of Eva. - -“Had it not been for her plottings and schemings,” said she, “I should -have brought the Governor round to my will. I had several interviews -with Sir Nicholas, and at the beginning he was inclined to grant my -suit, but soon I felt I was being thwarted by one more subtle than Sir -Nicholas. How that woman hates me! I did not suspect her at once, for I -had given her no cause of offence.” - -“Did you find out,” asked I, “why she hates you?” - -“’Tis from jealousy,” said she. “Sabina Lynch would be Queen of -Connaught, but she thinks that as long as I am free and powerful I am -her rival.” - -“Is there no other reason?” inquired I, remembering the words of -Richard Burke. “Is there not between you two a cause more personal?” - -“There may be,” she replied thoughtfully; “for clever as she is, she -was not sufficiently so to conceal from me her predilection for the -MacWilliam. But what is that to me? Richard Burke is nothing to me.” - -“You may be much to him, however,” I answered, whereat she grew more -thoughtful still. Being a woman, I said to myself, she could hardly -have failed to read the signs of his regard for her. Then I told her -of the midnight visit he had paid me, saying nothing, nevertheless, of -what Richard Burke had confided to me in regard to his love for herself. - -“He is a friend,” said she, after musing for awhile, “and I may have -need of many such.” - -“Tell me what passed between you and Sir Nicholas.” - -She paced the floor of the poop-cabin with quick, uneven steps; then -she stopped and spoke. - -“After our first meeting,” said she, “he was much less open with me, -asking me many questions, but giving no expression of his own views -with respect to the ships. Two things, however, he impressed upon me. -One was that he considered that I should make immediately a suitable -marriage----” - -“A suitable marriage!” I exclaimed. - -“The other was that it was common report that my father had left great -riches behind him, and that, as he had never paid any tribute to the -Queen, I must now make good his deficiencies in that respect.” - -“Tribute,” said I blankly. - -“He proposed to marry me--for he declared I was in reality a ward of -the Crown, and, therefore, at his disposal--to Sir Murrough O’Flaherty, -a man old enough to be my father--and our enemy. I would have none -of it. I fancy I have to thank Sabina Lynch for suggesting it to Sir -Nicholas, and I replied to him, with indignation, that I was a free -woman, and would give my hand where I pleased. It was then that I -discovered that I was no longer at liberty, for it was told me that I -must on no account leave the Lynches’ house without the permission of -the Governor, but that no harm would come to me if I consented to his -terms. I spoke of the safe conduct which Sir Nicholas had given me, but -that was of no avail; and ’reasons of State,’ said he, overruled any -safe conduct.” - -“This is how they keep faith!” I cried, bitterly. - -“It was no time for railing,” continued Grace O’Malley, “as I was in -the Governor’s hands, and could see no way of getting out of them. -Therefore I made as though I were about to submit myself, and I desired -to see the Governor again with respect to the tribute to be paid to the -Queen. My request being granted, Sir Nicholas acquainted me with his -determination, demanding a thousand cows and two hundred mares, or -their equivalent in gold and silver, by way of payment of the arrears, -and two hundred cows each year for the future.” - -“To all of which you said No!” cried I. - -“Nay, Ruari,” replied she, “I had to match my wits against his power -over me--was not I his prisoner?--and so I returned him no immediate -answer, but, on the contrary, besought that I might have a week to -deliberate in, bemoaning my hard fate, and protesting that I should -never be able to comply with his demands, yet that I would do what was -within my ability to compass.” - -“And then?” I said. - -“He pondered long and deeply, hesitating and doubtful; so, knowing the -covetous nature of the man,” said she, “I took the cross I was wearing -from my neck, and, giving it to him, begged that he would grant me the -delay I sought.” - -“Your jewelled cross?” I said. - -“My case was an evil one,” replied she, “and I did it not without pain, -for the cross had been my mother’s, and was, besides, of great value.” - -“He consented?” - -“He became very gracious because of the bribe,” replied she, “and then -asked me to be present at the revel. ’Why,’ said he, ’should you not -take part in it, if you would care so to do?’ As I was resolved to -humour him, I was complaisant, and replied that nothing would be more -agreeable to me; but even as I uttered these words, some inkling of the -plan for our deliverance which we carried out was forming itself in my -mind. My woman afterwards managed to leave the Lynches’ unobserved with -the letter I wrote you, and gave it to the captain of the Scottish ship -we passed on our way to Galway. My only fear was that he might inform -the Governor, and so our plans would have been frustrated; but he has -proved himself a true man, and one who may be trusted.” - -“There is no confidence to be put in Sir Nicholas,” said I. - -“The man is hard, stark, relentless,” said she, hotly, “but he -shall find I am as hard, stark, and relentless as he is himself. -Vengeance--vengeance, and that speedy, will I take!” - -Never had I seen Grace O’Malley so carried away by passion as now. Her -eyes were blazing fires; the line made by her lips was like the edge -of a sword, so clear and sharp it was; the cheeks lost their colour -and roundness, and, as she restlessly moved about, her black hair flew -round her head like a coronal of quivering water-snakes. - -“Vengeance--vengeance!” she cried. - -Her vehemence bore me along as upon a fast-flowing tide. - -“Vengeance--vengeance!” I shouted, so that my voice rang out far beyond -the galley. - -“It is in our own hands,” she said, more composedly. “The wine fleet -from Spain is expected in Galway to-day or to-morrow--at any moment we -may see their sails on the southern edge of the sea. Then, then,” cried -she furiously, her anger rising again like the sudden, fierce blast of -the tempest, “shall I teach Galway and Sir Nicholas to fear and dread -my name.” - -The wine fleet! This was a quarry, indeed! - -For each year at this season there set out from Cadiz for Limerick and -Galway a goodly fleet of galleons, each of which carried a burden more -to be desired than a king’s ransom. These ships were laden with many -barrels of the wines both of France and Spain, with rolls of silks, -with bales of fine leather, with suits of raiment and shirts of mail, -and blades of Toledo, and with other articles of price, the products of -Europe, and, even, to some extent, of the mysterious Orient, where Turk -and infidel held their sway. These were exchanged against the fish--for -which our island was famous--the hides, salt, meat, wheat, and barley -of the country. - -Grace O’Malley’s vengeance on Galway was to attack, capture, or destroy -that portion of the wine fleet, as it was commonly spoken of, the -destination of which was that town. The boldness and daring of the -project took my breath away; but I could conceive of nothing that was -so likely to cause consternation and terror as its successful issue to -the great merchants of the city, and to mortify and enrage the Governor. - -It was a great enterprise--this attack--and one which, if the event -went against us, would probably be the end of us all. But there was -one thing that gave us an advantage, which, skilfully used, could not -fail to be of such importance as to be almost in itself decisive. This -was that the wine fleet had arrived safely at Galway year after year, -without falling in with any danger other than that which came from the -ordinary risks of the sea. Hence the immunity they had so long enjoyed -would breed in them a feeling of complete security, and dispose them to -be careless of precautions. - -Still I was staggered; and what was passing through my mind being seen -in my face, Grace O’Malley inquired, a trifle disdainfully: - -“Think ye, Ruari, the venture too much for me?”--and the accent fell on -the last word of the sentence. “I tell you, Nay!” - -“Nothing--nothing,” exclaimed I, wildly, “is too high for you! As for -me, it is yours to command--mine to obey.” - -Then we took counsel together, first having summoned Tibbot the Pilot, -and the other chiefs and officers who were in the galleys. When Grace -O’Malley had made her purpose known there was at first the silence of -stupefaction, then there followed the rapid, incoherent, impulsive -exclamations of fierce and savage glee. - -While we were occupied in this manner, a fishing smack had come into -the bay, and on it were the pipers Phelim and Cormac and some others -of our men, whom we had been forced to leave behind, but who had -made their way out of Galway, being secretly helped therein by the -fisher-folk who dwelt in a village by themselves without the gates. -These brought word that the city was in a state of great alarm, and -that the Governor had declared that he would not rest until he had sent -out an expedition to raze Grace O’Malley’s castles to the ground, to -destroy her galleys, and to blot out her name from Ireland. - -Nothing had been needed to add to our determination, but, if need there -had been, here it was. We were now all proclaimed rebels and traitors, -so that we could look for nothing but torture and death at the hands of -the English. A price would soon be placed upon our heads, and whoever -wrought us a mischief or an injury of any kind would be considered as -doing the Queen a service. - -Such was our situation. To most of our people the Queen of England was -no more than an empty name, and even to those of us who appreciated -the might and resources of that princess, it appeared better that we -should be aware of who were our foes and who were our friends, and if -her representative, Sir Nicholas Malby, were our open enemy, as we were -now well assured he was, we knew with whom our quarrel lay, and what we -might expect from him. - -When all was said, the Governor had no overwhelming force at his -disposal, and he was without ships, so that we felt no whit downcast -with our lot; contrariwise, there was such gladness amongst us at the -promise of the fighting with which our circumstances were pregnant -that the hearts of any who doubted were uplifted and made firm and -steadfast. - -As we were discussing our affairs Eva O’Malley entered the cabin. As -our eyes met she smiled upon me, and held out her hand in greeting. - -“’Twas well done,” said she, referring to our escape from Galway, her -thoughts still dwelling on the adventures of the past night. But when -she heard of what we had been speaking, and of the proposed attack on -the wine fleet, her sweet face became pale and troubled. - -“Darkness and blood,” said she, turning to me. “Oh! Ruari, the words of -the Wise Man are to be fulfilled.” - -“What must be, must be,” said I, “and there is none can gainsay that.” - -She shook her head. - -“Eva,” said Grace O’Malley, “the end is as it is appointed from the -beginning.” Then she began to reason gently with her foster-sister, and -to show her that if the English found they had good reason to fear her -they would gladly consent before long to make peace, and to concede -what she had asked of Sir Nicholas. - -But it was easy to see that my dear was sad and heavy of heart. Grace, -ever most tender to her, put her arms about her, and made her sit -beside her on a couch, and said many loving words, so that Eva was -comforted, albeit some of her brightness vanished from that day, never -to return. Although she had already shown how brave she was, and was to -exhibit a courage far greater than my own or that of any man I ever -knew--her courage being that born of the spirit and ours but of the -body--she sure was never made for that hard life of ours. - -Gentle and sweet was she, yet the strain of the O’Malley blood ran in -her veins, and made itself felt whenever the trials of her strength -came. - -Leaving the two ladies together, each went to his place in the ships. -Some of my men, who had been ashore, now returned and informed me that -they had learned that it was the annual custom to light a great fire on -the headland of Arran, on which stand the ruins of the ancient castle -called Dun Aengus, as soon as the vessels of the wine fleet hove into -sight. - -The smoke of this fire, if it were day, or the flame of it, if it were -night, was a signal to the merchants of Galway, who, as soon as they -saw it, made preparations for the reception of the ships--this being -the chief event each year in the life of the town. To the end that -the office of this beacon should be better fulfilled, they had placed -a small body of soldiers and others in huts that stood between the -crumbling walls of the old fort. - -I debated with myself whether it would not be more prudent to have -the lighting or the not lighting of the fire in my own power, but, -being in no little doubt, put the matter off until later in the day. -By the middle of the afternoon, however, there were abundant evidences -that the weather, which had for days past been fine, was about to -change; and as the sun fell, dark clouds were gathering sullenly in -the sky, the wind from the south-west was blowing stormily across the -island--though our galleys felt it not at all, being under the lee of -the land--and already we could hear the thunder of the waves as they -rushed upon the further coast. And all the night through a tempest of -terrible violence raged. - -When the morning came, the fury of the gale rather increased than -diminished, and so that day and the next, when the winds and waves -began to subside, we remained at anchor in our harbour, safe from the -storm. On the night of the third day the wind died down to a breeze, -and the moon struggled fitfully through the scud and drift of the -clouds. - -Uncertain as to how the storm might shift, the galleys had been kept -ready to put out from the shore at any moment, and therefore it fell -out that nothing had been done by us with regard to the Galway men at -Dun Aengus. In the middle watch, it being very dark save when the moon -shone out, to be hidden again as fast as it appeared, we saw a bright -tongue of flame shoot up, flashing and shining brightly against the -blackness of the sky. Quickly raising our anchors, we made off past the -island of Inishmaan, and on by Inisheer until we ran close in by the -point of Trawkeera. - -I wondered how it was that on such a night the watchman at Dun Aengus -had made out the coming of the fleet, but discovered as we went upon -our course, that another beacon had been lit far down the southern -coast, and as soon as they had seen it they had set a torch to their -own. Thus were we also apprised of the coming of the wine fleet, and -that by the hands of the people of Galway themselves, as it were. -As the day began to dawn, greyly and drearily, a large, unwieldy -Spanish galleon entered the South Sound, about half a league outside -of Trawkeera. Not more than half her sails were set, and she rolled -heavily from side to side in the swell left by the storm. A few sleepy -sailors stood in the waist of the ship, and no armed watch was to be -seen. - -It had been arranged between Grace O’Malley and myself that I was to -attack the first vessel that came in sight, and in the still, spectral -light, we stole silently out from the shadow of Inisheer, the one great -mainsail of _The Cross of Blood_ being set, and the oars shipped until -the word was given. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -THE CAPTURE OF THE _CAPITANA_. - - -As we crept on towards the unsuspecting merchant ship, I noticed that -she presented a battered appearance, as if she had felt the full fury -of the storm which we had ridden out so safely, and that she had not -come out of it without much damage. - -The foremast had been broken off, and now a great spar lashed to -the stump had taken its place. About the middle of the vessel the -bulwark showed a breach some five feet in length, and a piece of rough -sailcloth had been fastened carelessly over it, so that the ragged -edges of the broken wood were plainly seen jutting out from under it. - -Doubtless the sailors were worn out with the stress of the working -of their ship through the tempest, and this also accounted for the -slackness of the watch and the ghostly quietness on board. - -Otherwise, she was a splendid ship, the like of which was seen at no -other time in these seas, save only when the wine fleet came each year -to Galway. She was built with high castles both at the stern and at the -bows; and she was, perhaps, of two hundred tons’ burthen, according to -the measure of the English. - -Her name, cut out of solid wood and painted a deep blue, was the -_Capitana_. She flew the flag of Philip of Spain, and along with it at -the stern were to be seen the ensigns of some gentlemen adventurers, -who were in her, and who probably commanded her fighting men, or who -had accompanied the expedition merely for the sake of seeing another -part of the world. - -For the galleon’s defence against the rovers of of the sea, who were -to be found in great numbers off the French and English coasts, she -showed her teeth in the guise of the black muzzles of twelve cannon, -all formidable ordnance, and, armed with this equipment, as compared -with that of _The Cross of Blood_, looked as if she might devour us at -her leisure and with the utmost ease. - -But it was not my purpose that these guns should ever be pointed at us, -and so high were they out of the water--far above us, in fact--that -there was no such terrible danger to be apprehended on this score. -Besides, we were now too near her, and she was, in any case, unprepared. - -When we had approached within four hundred yards of the _Capitana_, I -gave orders that the sail of _The Cross of Blood_ should be lowered -to the deck quickly, and yet as quietly as might be, and that the -rowers should get them to their oars, and speed us with all their might -towards the Spanish ship. - -So well was this effected that we were but, as it seemed, a stone’s -throw from her, and the beak of the galley, as she rose to the swell, -pointed straight for the breach made by the storm in the waist of the -galleon, when the watch on board of her had their suspicions all too -tardily aroused. If they had heard the noise made by the running of the -tackle when the sail was got down, they had not grasped its meaning; -but they could hardly fail to guess readily enough what our appearance -indicated as we dashed towards them, our deck showing an array of -arquebusiers and spearmen, standing to their weapons. - -The men of the _Capitana_ began to rush to and fro, and suddenly the -clear notes of a trumpet blared forth from her poop--the all-too-late -summons to arms. Her helmsmen, now alert to the danger which menaced -them, endeavoured to swing her round on her heel into the wind, so as -to keep us off. - -We had stopped rowing, and our men were resting with their hands on the -heads and handles of their oars, waiting for the order to ship them, -when, as the Spaniard went about, her side caught the oars on the right -side of the galley, and I heard the sharp cracking and splintering of -the wood of which they were made as they were broken in pieces, and the -piercing cries, most lamentable to the ear, of the rowers as they were -knocked from their benches and jammed together, a huddled, mangled mass -of shrieking and cursing, of wounded and dying men. - -Amid the din and outcry which attended this disaster to us, there arose -the voice of Calvagh O’Halloran, the master of the rowers, encouraging, -directing, and calming the others. What had befallen us was a serious -matter, as it deprived us of any hope of getting away from the -_Capitana_ if our attack should prove unsuccessful. - -I ran along the deck, telling our people to be of good heart, as all -would yet be well; and, as nothing so inspired them as the war-cry of -their tribe and the lust of fighting, I shouted loud and clear-- - -“O’Malley! O’Malley! O’Malley!” - -The swinging of the Spaniard fended the galley off from her, so that -there was a clear space for the breadth of a couple of oars, or a -little more. As Calvagh got the rowers at work again, and _The Cross of -Blood_ went forward, the sides of the two ships grated together with a -shock. They ground apart once again, and the water swished and swirled -between them, foaming white and flecked with red as the blood of the -rowers who had been injured dripped from the galley. - -“On board, on board!” I cried. “A ring of gold to him who first boards -her!” and I threw my battle-axe among her sailors. “Follow that!” I -said. - -The Irish were howling about me like hungry wolves, and _The Cross of -Blood_ shivered and trembled like a living thing as the rowers, Calvagh -at their head, rushed from the benches, eager to revenge themselves for -the death of their comrades of the oar, yelling hoarsely-- - -“O’Malley! O’Malley! O’Malley!”--the words stinging the ear like blows. - -Now the sides of the vessels strained and groaned as again they smote -together. The grappling-irons were fastened as they touched each other, -and, regardless of the thrusts made at us, we together clambered -up the _Capitana’s_ side, entering by the breach over which the -sailcloth had been stretched, and were immediately engaged in a hot and -bloody fight, the issue of which stood in no kind of doubt from its -commencement, as we far outnumbered the sailors in this part of the -Spaniard. - -One burly fellow came at me with a pike, but so uncertainly that I -caught it from him with my left hand, and ran him through with the -sword in my right. He dropped without a sound at my feet. - -But while this contest was going on, and we were sweeping all before -us, we soon were made to feel that, while so far successful, we were -yet in a position of the greatest peril; for we were now assailed by -shots from arquebuses fired down upon us both from the castle at the -bows and that at the poop as well, and the air hummed with the arrows -of our foes. - -As there was no cover or protection of any kind where we stood, divers -of our men fell sorely wounded, and some were slain outright. What the -event was to bring forth then seemed nothing but our destruction, for -we were caught, as it were, in a trap, and that one of our own making. - -The doors leading into the castles were both shut, and, I conjectured, -barricaded by this time against us. However, to remain where we were -was to be slaughtered like cattle, and the attempt had to be made to -force these entrances. The principal array of the enemy was in the -poop castle, and I instantly decided that it must be stormed, else we -should all perish miserably, and to break in the door was the readiest -way. - -Calling on the Irish to follow me, I strode across the slippery deck, a -bullet narrowly missing me, to the arched doorway through which lay the -way to the castle on the poop. - -Whether it was that our assault had been so little looked for, or -that what had already taken place had occupied so brief a breath, as -one may say--for who can take count of time in the heat of battle?--I -know not; but this entrance had not been strongly secured, for hurling -myself impetuously with all my force against the barrier I burst the -door open, and that so violently and quickly that I had much ado to -keep myself from stumbling, and so being trampled upon and killed by -my own men. Recovering myself with an effort, I found myself in a wide -chamber, in which there were tables and chests and other furniture, but -not a single soul was to be seen. - -At one end of it was a flight of steps leading up to the deck of the -castle. Stopping my men, I bade them wait in this sheltered room while -I ascended the steps, and reached another large cabin, also deserted -as far as I could see, while above me I heard the trampling of many -feet. Summoning my followers, I dashed up a second flight of steps, the -Irish, who gave tongue like bloodhounds tracking deer, pushing in and -swarming up behind me. - -I was like enough to have paid for my rashness with my life, for as I -emerged upon the deck of the poop, the point of a sword flashed off my -body-armour, and I received so shrewd a buffet upon my shoulder from a -mace or battle-axe of some kind, that I nearly lost my footing, and, as -it was, would have done so but for the press of men behind me. - -As I appeared a crowd of Spaniards rushed upon me from all sides, -praying to Our Lady and all the saints for their aid, and above all -naming “Santiago.” - -Now sweeping my sword in a great shining circle round my head, now -stabbing and hacking and cleaving, while my strength seemed to grow -with my necessity, I held them at bay, albeit in what way I escaped the -deadly thrusts of spears and pikes, and the bullets aimed at me at such -close quarters, I cannot tell. - -Two or three slight wounds did I receive, and the sight of my own blood -drove me into a perfect fury of killing, and rendered me regardless -of myself; but as for the wounds themselves I heeded them not, and -indeed in the fiery heat of that encounter scarce felt them at all. -Soon, however, would I have been overborne and destroyed, if I had not -been joined by Calvagh and the others, who charged upon the enemy with -inconceivable fury. - -Nothing could have stood before the tremendous outpouring of such -incredible rage. - -The gallant men of Spain fought on, and met us bravely, brave with -something more than the courage which is born of dark despair. For, -to say the truth, never yet saw I any of that nation--even of its -commonalty--that might be called a coward. - -It is my belief, and good reason have I for it, that no more doughty -men ever wielded sword or pike than those of Spain, nor were there -any better sailors in those days in all the world. There be many, -who, having regard to what she was--this great power of Spain--and -considering what has happened to her, and how she is now shorn in no -small degree of her glory, can account for it in no other way than by -saying that she lieth under the Wrath of God. Howbeit, this is too high -a matter for me. Only know I full well that the crew of the _Capitana_, -whether fighting men or sailors, made such a stern and grim battle -against us that grey morning in the Bay of Galway, as the most valiant -knights could not have bettered. - -Near the centre of the poop there rose up a mast, and around this our -enemies gathered in a cluster, among them being some half-armed men -whom I took to be the adventurers whose ensigns floated beside the -standard of the galleon, and who carried themselves with an air. - -They had had no time to have their armour put upon them and fastened -with proper care, but as they proved themselves to be accomplished -swordsmen they made a determined resistance to us. If they had come -at me when I appeared at the top of the steps, I should never have -reached the deck of the poop alive; they had, however, tarried too long -in the attempt to be clothed with their harness. - -They were surrounded, and, though I offered them their lives, declaring -that they would be held for ransom and would be well treated by Grace -O’Malley, they would not listen to me, preferring rather to die, -fighting, so long as the breath was in them, like the valiant men of -Spain they were. - -One only, who appeared to be the captain of the ship, I commanded to be -taken alive--a business which was done with difficulty, so madly did he -struggle, notwithstanding that the blood flowed in streams from several -of his wounds. - -“Yield yourself,” said I, “Señor Captain, for the ship is ours, and -further fighting is useless. Give me your parole.” - -But he refused, snarling and showing his teeth like a mad dog. Then I -ordered him to be bound, and laid on the deck for the present. - -The greater part of the galleon was now in our hands, but there still -remained a band of Spaniards in the forecastle, who galled us with the -fire from their pieces and the arrows of their bows. When they saw how -their comrades had been overcome on the poop castle, they cut down the -spar which had been lashed to the broken foremast, and using it and the -sailcloth about it as a kind of barricade went on firing at us from -behind this shelter. - -Telling Calvagh, who had come out of the fight without a scratch, -to take what men he thought needful, I directed him to attack the -forecastle, and at the same time protected his assault of it by a -discharge from the poop of a small cannon I found there loaded. This -position of the Spaniards, however, was one of such strength that they -inflicted heavy loss upon us before they were all put to the sword. - -We were now masters of the entire vessel, but its capture had cost -us dear. Fifteen of the Irish were killed, and as many more wounded, -several of them seriously; and when the sun rose across the dim outline -of the hills away beyond Galway its rays fell upon decks that ran dark -with blood, and upon a wearied band of men, whose gasping breath came -and went in sobs of pain, now that the excitement was past, and who -threw themselves down in sheer exhaustion. I myself was sore spent, but -the day was only begun, and the rest of the wine fleet might come into -view at any moment. Therefore I bade my men rise up as soon as they -had rested somewhat, and then endeavoured to put the _Capitana_ into -sailing trim. - -While this was being done I shaped our course for Inisheer, remaining -on the _Capitana_ myself with some of my crew, and sending Calvagh to -take charge of _The Cross of Blood_. I also had the captain of the -galleon brought before me, to see if I could get any information from -him about the other ships of the fleet. - -“Señor Captain,” said I, “the chance of war has delivered you and your -ship to me. Ye fought well, and I am grieved that so many valiant -souls no longer see the light; yet would I have spared them, as many as -I could, but they would not. You are in no danger of your life, if you -will but answer the questions I ask of you.” - -I spoke in English, my knowledge of Spanish being slight, but I judged -that the captain of a ship trading to Ireland, and particularly to the -English city of Galway, would be certain to understand the English -tongue. At first it appeared, however, as if he did not comprehend my -words. - -“Kill me, kill me!” he exclaimed in Spanish, while his face was -distorted with impotent rage. - -Replying to him mildly that I had no intention of putting him to death, -I informed him that I had no sufficient acquaintance with his own -language, and therefore I was unable to converse with him in it. - -“You surely understand English,” said I. - -One of the Irish who was on guard over him thrust a dagger into him for -an inch or more before I knew what he would be about, whereupon the -Spaniard cursed him and us and himself and his ship and the day he was -born in as good English as ever I heard. - -“I shall tell you nothing,” said he. “No, by St. Jago, nothing, -nothing, nothing!” - -I felt a pity for the man, and told one of those standing near me to -fetch him some wine, and that as speedily as might be, and again asked -him if he were resolved to die; but he merely glared at me like a wild -animal, and I left him alone, reserving him to be questioned by Grace -O’Malley. - -When the wine was brought he drank it thirstily, saying, “If it is -poisoned, so much the better.” - -And now we drew near again to Inisheer. Rounding the Point of -Trawkeera, we dropped anchor beside the two other galleys, and my -mistress came on board of our prize. When I told her of the great fight -the Spaniards had made, and what it had cost us to take the ship, she -sighed and became pensive. - -“We can ill afford so many men,” she said, “but the other ships of the -wine fleet may be captured or destroyed more easily. Bring the captain -of the galleon to me, and let me see if I can learn anything from him -of his companions.” - -“He will say nothing,” I exclaimed. - -Grace O’Malley’s face grew dark, but she merely repeated her command. -When the Spanish captain was fetched in, he was struck with amazement -when he beheld a woman, young, handsome, and, as some thought, -beautiful, who appeared to be the chief and leader of us all. At first -he gazed at her as one who sees an apparition or a phantom. - -“Madre de Dios! Madre de Dios!” he said aloud in his astonishment, and -for some time acted as one might who suspected that his sense of sight -was playing him a trick. He was faint and pale from loss of blood, and -presented a piteous appearance. - -“Free him from his bonds,” said Grace O’Malley, and I cut away the -thongs that held him. - -“Señor Captain,” continued she when this had been done, “I have a -quarrel with the Governor of Connaught and the people of Galway, who -have treated me despitefully,--therefore has your galleon been taken.” - -“You, Señorita!” he said. - -“I was beguiled with fair words and promises,” said she, “and then -they made me a prisoner, but I escaped from them. War have I declared -against them, and a great revenge shall I take. You, I hear, are a -brave man, and I have need of such in this contest with the English. -Will you join me?” - -“That will I not,” said he; and I heard him muttering to himself, “She -is a devil.” - -“Better consider before you speak,” said I, seizing his arm roughly. - -“Let me be, let me be,” said he, “for I am a dying man!” And he swooned -upon the deck. Reviving in a few minutes, he staggered to his feet, -whereupon I put my arm round him for his support. - -“Where are the other ships of the fleet, tell me,” said Grace O’Malley, -“and how many are there?” - -“You can kill me,” said he, “and I shall thank you for it, but that -which I know I shall never tell you.” - -And again I heard him muttering, “Devil, devil!” and calling upon -“Santiago” to protect him from her spells. - -Grace O’Malley gazed at him, and of a sudden there was in her -eyes--what I never looked to see in them on such an occasion--a dew of -tears springing from an unsuspected fount of pity. After all, she was a -woman, as I have said. - -“You are a brave man and a true,” said she, “and I will not plague you -more. Let him die in peace,” cried she to me, “if die he must.” - -As I was about to place him with his back against a mast so as to ease -him, he made a snatch at the dagger which was in my belt; his fingers -closed over it, but even as he grasped it his lips parted and his -spirit fled. - -“God rest thee, thou gallant mariner of Spain!” said Grace O’Malley, -when she saw that the captain of the galleon was dead. - -“Amen,” cried I, for the firmness of the man had seemed to me a very -noble thing. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -A CHEST OF GOLD. - - -The day had worn on to noon but without its brightness, for the sky had -again become full of heavy clouds driven up from the west; the wind -moaned and raved over land and sea, and the waves beat drearily upon -the shore. The thunder rolled and the lightning flashed, while the -pelting rain came down in huge drops that sounded on our decks like -hail or the cracking of whips. - -The ensanguined waters flowed in floods from the planking and the sides -of the captured galleon, which lay like some great wounded monster of -the deep, sweating blood. Closer into the land we steered, and so saved -ourselves from the worst of the gale. - -For the present all thoughts of searching for the other vessels of the -fleet had to be given up, and fain was I to rest, for my wounds, though -slight, were sore, and the dull aching of my shoulder was hard to bear. -Seeing my state, Grace O’Malley bade me go to her own galley, where Eva -would attend to my wounds with her gentle fingers, and then, perhaps, -sing me to sleep with one of the songs of her people. - -This command went so well with every beating of my heart that my pains -were all but forgotten, and when I reached _The Grey Wolf_, Eva met me, -and waited upon me, and made so much of the “Mountain of a Man,” as she -often called me, that the only pangs I felt were those caused by my -love for her--so much so that the tale of it was trembling on my lips, -though I could not for the life of me put it into words, but dumbly -looked, and longing--looked again and again at her. - -Fool that I was, dolt that I was, not to have spoken then! But my -tongue was tied, as with a ribbon of steel, and if one were to ask me -why this was, I could not tell, nor can I now, looking back across the -blunt edge of years. Yet here was such an opportunity, if I could have -grasped it, but it passed. - -Eva sang softly to me as I lay with my harness off on a couch, until I -fell a-sleeping and a-dreaming, and all through the sleeping and the -dreaming did I hear the sound of her singing, far off, indistinctly, -and murmurous, like that of the brooks among the silent hills. - -When I awoke, it was evening, and both she and Grace O’Malley were -seated by my side. The storm had abated, and already a weak, watery -moon was riding in the heavens, and, as I opened my eyes, its faint -beams fell whitely upon the faces of my mistresses, so that to me, -being still only half awake, they looked like spirits. I rose to a -sitting posture, and felt that my strength had come back to me. - -“Has your weariness left you?” asked Grace O’Malley, smiling kindly at -me. - -For answer I stretched my limbs and my body, and smiled at her without -speaking, though the pain in my shoulder still troubled me, and I could -not move without feeling it. - -“While you have slept, Ruari,” she went on, “I have gone over as much -of the galleon as might be in the hours of daylight at my disposal, and -the riches in her are truly wonderful. Never saw I so great a store of -all manner of things of value in a ship before. ’Tis a splendid spoil, -and the merchants of Galway will have good cause to remember me, and -Sir Nicholas will be beside himself with rage.” - -“We have not yet finished with them or with Sir Nicholas,” said I. “The -_Capitana_ is not the only ship of the wine fleet.” - -“Neither has Sir Nicholas done with us, I fear,” said Eva, sadly, “nor -the people of Galway.” - -“Sometimes it seems to me, Eva,” said Grace to her foster-sister, -“as if you were only half an O’Malley.” Then she turned to me again. -“Ruari, I have more to tell about the galleon. On board of her there is -a chest of gold--all money of Spain, coined pieces, bearing the effigy -of the late Emperor, Charles. Now, hearken! A strange, wild story goes -with this chest of gold, and there is that in it which may concern us -very closely.” - -“Yes,” I said, my interest being keenly stirred as I guessed from the -slow and almost solemn way in which she addressed me, that she had -stumbled probably on some mystery of the sea--something, at any rate, -unexpected and out of the way, and yet something that might touch us -nearly. “Yes,” I said, watching her intently, “it is naught of evil -import for us, surely?” - -“That I know not as yet,” she replied. “Rather does it portend a -benefit; time alone can tell. This is how we came to find the gold, and -we might never have gotten it of ourselves--we were told of it.” - -“How was that?” - -“While our search through the galleon was being made, two men, bound -in fetters and chained together, were discovered in a small, dark -den, low down in the ship; a hole, indeed, so cunningly concealed -from observation that even the very sailors on board the _Capitana_ -might not have known of its existence, if its being hidden from them -were deemed necessary or expedient. The men were half-starved, and so -utterly wretched that when they were brought into the light they were -as the blind, and gibbered like idiots. What they say, now that they -have come to themselves, is pitiful enough, and I believe they are -telling the truth.” - -“Who are they?” asked I, as she meditated on their story. “What account -do they give of themselves? You have said nothing about the chest of -gold.” - -“One of them,” said she “tells me that he is a Geraldine, a near -relative of Garrett, Earl of Desmond.” - -“An Irishman!” I broke in. - -“Yes, so he says, and I doubt it not,” said she. “The other is a -Spaniard, Don Francisco de Vilela by name, a man of rank, if one may -judge of him from his speech and carriage. But you will see them -yourself shortly.” - -“What is their explanation of their being prisoners on board of the -galleon? Is it concerned with the chest of gold?” - -“Yes, so they say,” she replied; “and they relate that before the -_Capitana_ left Spain they made a bargain with its captain to convey -them to Ireland for a certain sum of money, which they paid over to -him before he put out from port. Their compact with him was that they -were to be landed at some lonely point or secluded place on our western -coasts, and not at any town, such as Limerick or Galway.” - -“Why was that?” I asked. “Doubtless the captain of the galleon made a -similar inquiry of them.” - -“They say he asked them no questions whatever,” replied she; “but he -must have understood that they had some business of a very private -nature, probably concerned with State affairs. Evidently that business -lay with the native Irish, and not with the English, from whom they -wished their movements to be kept secret, else would there have been no -need to have avoided any of the English towns in Ireland.” - -“It may be,” said I, for I could not help seeing the drift of her -words, “that they are the bearers of some message from the King of -Spain to the Earl of Desmond, or some other chief of the Irish.” - -“You do not fall very short of the mark,” said she. - -“But,” asked I, “how came it about, or what happened to cause them -to be thrust into chains, and that on board a Spanish ship? Those -who brought a message from the Spanish King would surely have been -well-treated, and even honoured, by the captain of a ship coming out of -Spain. Plainly, there is something here which fits not in with their -narration.” - -“They say that it was because of the chest of gold,” she replied. “The -captain is dead, so that we shall never hear his version of the affair, -but they affirm he could not withstand the temptation of the gold. -Brave, as we know he was, and an excellent sailor, as they say he was -reputed to be, yet would he have sold his very soul for gold.” - -“How did he know of it?” - -“So heavy a chest could hardly have been brought on board without -his knowledge, and to conjecture what it contained was no such -difficult matter. They did not conceal from him their anxiety for -its safe-keeping, and one or other of them was always on guard over -it. Anyone would have known, therefore, that it held a treasure of -some kind. All went well until they reached the coast of Kerry, when, -reminding the captain of their agreement with him, they requested him -to send them, the chest, and the rest of their belongings ashore in a -boat. The sea was very rough, however, and he assured them the thing -was impossible. - -“That might well have been the case,” said I. - -“They therefore confided to him--what he most likely knew already--that -they had come over on a secret embassy from the King of Spain, and -besought him, by his fidelity to his King, to put them ashore. He -protested that their landing at the time would be attended with -difficulty, and even danger, and again refused their request. - -“They expostulated with him, but in vain; he was not to be moved, -having already, they say, determined that they should never deliver -their message. Next they offered him a large sum of money, and, when he -asked where they were to get it from, told him of the gold, but without -informing him of the amount they had in the chest. Still, he would not -give way, and, at length, on their continuing to urge him, he became -sullen, angry and abusive, hurling many hurtful words at them in his -wrath. His real reason, they began to fear, was not the roughness of -the sea, for some sheltered bay or inlet with calm water might have -easily been reached, had he so desired, but that he had resolved to -possess himself of their treasure.” - -“They had played into his hands by speaking of the contents of the -chest,” I said. - -“That was their mistake, and they have had to repent themselves of it. -That same night, while they slept, they were seized, put into manacles, -and thrown into the close and filthy den in which they were discovered -by us. - -“They saw the captain but once after their imprisonment, and he had -told them--for their comfort--that it had been his original intention -to fling them overboard, but that he had changed his mind, and would -deliver them up, instead, to the English Governor of Connaught, when -the ship arrived at Galway, as plotters against the peace of Ireland. -Then they never would be heard of again, for all men knew of what sort -of stuff Sir Nicholas Malby was made, and how short and sharp were his -dealings with those who conspired against the Queen, once they were in -his power.” - -This was an evil hearing in regard to one who in his dying had shown a -not unmanly kind of virtue; but who is there that does not know that -gold is for most men the god of the whole earth? The story of the two -struck me as being true, as it was stamped through and through with a -sort of human naturalness. And I said as much. - -“When the captain told them,” continued Grace O’Malley, “of the fate -in store for them, they offered him all the gold they had in the chest -if only he would let them go. But he answered them that it was his -already, and that he had no intention of parting with it. If they -lived, he would never feel safe--and the dead had no tongue. Hearing -this, they gave up all hope, and abandoned themselves to the gloom of -despair, cursing the captain for his perfidy. - -“Then the storm came on, and the galleon drove hither and thither with -the tempest. Their wretchedness increased, until they reflected that -it would be better to perish by drowning than to live to undergo the -torture and miserable death which Sir Nicholas would be certain to -inflict upon them.” - -“The tale,” I said, when I had pondered it for a few minutes, “does not -sound to me as if it were false.” - -“It was so far confirmed,” said Grace O’Malley, “inasmuch as the chest -of gold, the possession of which worked their undoing, lay concealed -in the cabin which the captain had occupied. For safe-keeping I had it -removed to this galley.” - -“Did they tell you,” said I, my thoughts reverting to what, after all, -was the most important part of their statements, “what was the burden -of their message from the King of Spain?” - -“Not fully,” she replied, “and I forebore from questioning them more -narrowly until they had recovered. They did say that Philip wishes well -to Ireland, or rather, he loves not the English, who condemn him to his -face, and singe his very beard. They hinted that the King had sent Don -Francisco to spy out the land, and to become acquainted with the wishes -of the princes and chiefs of the island.” - -“For what purpose? To what end?” - -“To encourage them to rebel against the Queen, by giving them such help -as is within his power. At the same time, he does not wish to appear to -be concerned in the affairs of Ireland at all.” - -I had heard of Philip before as a man who was uncertain of purpose and -infirm of will, timid when he should have been bold, and bold when he -should have been timid; one who covered himself and his designs with a -cloak of clumsy cunning which it required no skill to see through, and -of deceit which deceived none of the least discerning of his enemies. -Therefore said I not a word, but contented myself to wait for what my -mistress might say further on the matter. - -She was silent, however, and I could see from her rapt, indrawn look, -that her thoughts had wandered far away from us and the galleys and -the wine fleet--perhaps to Spain and its shifty King. I, too, was busy -thinking, and, as I conceived that we had affairs immediately before us -of more importance than even Philip of Spain, I made bold to interrupt -her reveries. - -“We can at least gather from the two men,” said I, “how many ships were -in the wine fleet. The rest of them cannot now be far off from us.” - -“Yes,” said she, rousing herself from her musings like one from -slumber, “they informed me that there were nine galleons in the fleet -when they left Cadiz, four of them were bound for Limerick and five for -Galway.” - -“Then there are still four ships for us to fight,” I exclaimed. “Let -the chest of gold and the King of Spain wait, say I. Would it not be -well, now that the wind has fallen, to send one of the galleys to keep -a look-out?” - -“Tibbot the Pilot,” she replied, “already watches the Sound in _The -Winged Horse_. The galleons will most likely have been separated from -each other by the recent storms, but if any one of them comes into -sight we will quickly be apprised of it.” - -“Have you not had enough of fighting for one day?” asked Eva. - -“We have vowed vengeance on Galway,” I said, and Eva said no more, but -sighed deeply. - -There was a knocking at the door of the cabin, and a servant entered -with the message that Don Francisco de Vilela and Dermot Fitzgerald -desired speech of Grace O’Malley, to thank her for her kindness to -them. Permission being granted, the two men soon made their appearance. -They had eaten, had washed themselves, and were attired in fresh -clothes taken from the supplies on board the galleon, and looked very -different, I imagine, from what they had done when they had emerged -from the hole in the _Capitana_, where they had been imprisoned. - -Both of them bowed with a profound reverence to my mistresses, and I -took note, even in the half-light, of the contrast they made as they -stood together. The Irishman was fair and ruddy, the Spaniard dark and -swarthy as most Spaniards are. Fitzgerald was tall--nearly as tall as -myself--Don Francisco of the middle height, but having a very soldierly -bearing and an air of resolution which his comrade lacked. Thus much I -saw at a glance. - -De Vilela was the first to speak, and his accent had all the smooth -deference of the court rather than the rough sincerity of the camp. - -“Señorita,” said he, “if you will suffer a poor gentleman of Spain to -offer you his thanks----” - -“Madame,” said the Irishman, interrupting him impulsively, “I never -dreamt the day would come when I should be glad to be a prisoner----” - -“Nay, nay!” quoth Grace O’Malley, “no more of that, I beg.” - -The glance of the two men swept past her, de Vilela’s to fasten on Eva -O’Malley, Fitzgerald’s on me, while my mistress made us known to each -other. Then they entreated her to say what was her will in regard to -them, and what ransom she demanded for their release. But she replied -that she had not yet determined, and so put them off. - -She conversed for some minutes with de Vilela, speaking to him of the -West Indies, whither, it appeared, he had been in one of the very ships -for which Tibbot the Pilot was watching--the _San Millan de Simancas_. - -I now had had leisure to observe him more closely, and he gave me the -impression of a man of high breeding. He discoursed with a tongue of -winning sweetness, more like a woman’s than a man’s, and yet one had -only to examine with a little carefulness the lines of his face to be -convinced that these soft tones were like the fur over claws, and that -there was nothing else of the feminine about him. - -His companion, Fitzgerald, was of a very different type, although he, -too, was of knightly birth--rash, unstable, easily swayed, but generous -and warm of heart, with quick, unstudied manners, and no capacity for -much besides the wielding of his sword. - -Ever as the Spaniard spoke his dark, eloquent eyes wandered from one -to another of us, resting with an absorbed intensity longest on Eva--a -thing in no wise to be wondered at, but which I did not care to see, -although I had no right to be jealous. - -And then there broke upon the hush of the night, now grown still and -calm, the zip-zap-swish, zip-zap-swish of the oars of a galley, quickly -driven by its rowers through the water; there was the low, clear call -of Tibbot as _The Winged Horse_ came up towards us, while at his word -the oars hung motionless and glistening in the pale moonlight, and I -went out to hear what tidings he brought. - -He reported that the tops of the masts of two large ships were to be -seen on the horizon, and that there might be more, as the light was but -faint owing to the clouds that still passed over the sky. I hastened -back to inform my mistress of Tibbot’s news. The door of the cabin -opened before I had reached it and Grace O’Malley appeared upon the -scene, and as the door closed behind her I saw that Don Francisco was -speaking earnestly to Eva, who, for her part, was listening to him with -deep attention. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -A WOMAN’S WILE. - - -“What news?” demanded Grace O’Malley. - -Repeating Tibbot’s words to her, I asked what her commands were. - -“This afternoon while you slept, Ruari,” she replied, “the idea of a -certain artifice or stratagem came into my mind, and the darkness of -the night is so much in favour of its successful issue that there is -no reason why it should not be attempted. It was suggested to me as I -went over the stores of the galleon by the quantities of all manner of -garments on board of her----” - -So had spoken very rapidly, being conscious that with the galleons not -far away there was no time to spare. - -“Enough, at present,” she continued. “I will tell you more of it when I -have made a disposition of our ships.” - -“The prisoners?” I questioned. “They can scarcely be expected to -join us in an attack on Spanish ships--even although these ships are -in reality more the property of the merchants of Galway than of any -others.” - -“Transfer them,” said she, “to _The Cross of Blood_, which I shall -leave here under Calvagh’s charge. When you have seen them safely in -his hands come to me--I shall be on the _Capitana_.” - -“The _Capitana_!” I exclaimed, surprised. - -“Yes,” said she. “In a little while you will see why I say the -_Capitana_.” - -I hurried off into the cabin, and telling Don Francisco and Fitzgerald -that they were to be put for the night aboard of my galley, and having -whispered to Eva that there was something in the wind, but that I knew -not quite what it was, I conducted the two men to _The Cross of Blood_, -and delivered them over to Calvagh, bidding him keep a close guard -over them. Then I got into a boat, and in a trice was on the Spanish -galleon’s deck. - -Just as I reached it the clouds drifted from off the face of the moon, -and as I looked up around me I could scarcely believe my eyes at what -I saw. Pausing not to think, I placed my hand upon my sword, and had -pulled it half-way out of its sheath, when a voice which I recognised -as Tibbot the Pilot’s, sang out close to my ear, while there was a -splutter of laughter in his throat, as he said-- - -“’Tis a wise man who sometimes doubts his seeing aright, Ruari -Macdonald. Know you not your friends from your foes?” - -Tibbot, I perceived, was not attired in the Irish fashion, but had -discarded his saffron mantle and his long, wide-sleeved jacket, and had -replaced them by a sober Spanish suit, under which, one might be sure, -was a shirt of mail. - -And now I noticed that the sailors who moved about us, getting the -galleon ready for sea, were no more our own wild kernes of Mayo, but -all mariners of Spain! - -“Tibbot,” said I, “what is the meaning of this? Wherefore is this -mummery?” - -“’Tis by our mistress’s order,” said he, “and ’tis herself will have -good reason for it, I’m thinking.” And his cheeks creased with laughter. - -Grace O’Malley had said something of a stratagem,--was this it? One -quicker of apprehension than myself would have seen what her intentions -were, but I had to go and ask her for an explanation. - -And, lo, on the poop deck, where a few hours before there had been so -great a struggle, I found not my mistress, but a youthful, handsome, -smiling, debonair knight of Spain, who yet had the eyes and the accents -of our princess! By her side there stood the captain of the _Capitana_, -risen from the dead--or such a passable imitation of him in face and -figure as might well have deceived the living. - -I stared stupidly at them both,--and then I understood. For the nonce, -we were no longer O’Malleys or other free Irish rovers of the sea, but -dons and señors--if you please,--soldiers and sailors under the flag -of Spain; the _Capitana_ for the time being had not been taken, but -was still bound in all security for the port of Galway--only haply, -that being stayed by storms, she had taken shelter behind the island of -Arran, from which she would presently emerge to meet the other galleons -as they came up. - -And then--the thing was plain enough. - -A woman’s wit is a wonderful thing, and well is it for us men that the -loves and the hates of women do dim the brightness of it, else would we -be dazzled and blind and dumb all our days, and our strength be but a -vain thing. - -“What think you of my plot?” said the young gentleman adventurer, this -Spanish knight, who was my mistress. - -“You are a great magician, señor!” said I, taking her humour. “And what -would you with this Ruari Macdonald--once the sworn servant of an Irish -princess, known as Grace O’Malley?” - -“By my faith,” cried she, “I would not have him changed for all the -world.” - -And the words were dear to me, so that my heart glowed within me--even -as it does now at the memory of them. - -Then she spoke to me with some fulness of the snare she was preparing -for the two galleons, now beating up towards the Sound. - -It was the case, no doubt, said she, that the five ships of the wine -fleet had been scattered over the western seas by the storm, but those -Tibbot had seen had managed to keep by each other or had come together -again, and were travelling as slowly as possible, with a view to -picking up their companion vessel, and, further, that their sailing -powers would most probably have been reduced by the damage wrought upon -them by the tempest. - -Her purpose was to stand off and on in the Sound, manœuvring the -_Capitana_ in such a way as to indicate that she had also suffered -from the violence of the weather; to allow the ships to come up within -near hail of her--which they would be certain to do, as they could have -no suspicion of what had befallen the _Capitana_, especially as they -would be able to see nothing strange in the appearance of the galleon -or in the dress of those on board of her--and then to trust to the -chances of the hour for the rest. - -When I raised the objection that this plot of hers necessitated the -absence of the galleys from the attack, she replied that no more than a -bare guard had been left on board of them, and that she had as many as -eighty men out of them, and had placed them on the _Capitana_, a number -which she thought more than sufficient for the enterprise. - -“If all goes well,” said she, “I will myself lead the assault on the -first ship, and Tibbot on the other--if they have to be fought together -at the same time; do you remain on the _Capitana_, for she must be seen -to by one who is a seaman, and much may depend on the way in which she -is managed. Besides, you must still be weary of the fight of a few -hours ago. But circumstances will guide us.” - -“Surely,” said I, “there is no need for you to expose yourself, and my -fatigue is gone.” - -“Nay, nay!” said she, “let the thing stand.” - -The anchor was gotten up, and out beyond the point of Trawkeera went -the ship, the moon now shining more clearly, and the stars showing here -and there like diamonds through a scarf of clouds. And there, not more -than a mile away, loomed up the two galleons for which we were on the -watch. - -The wind was light, and the sails of the galleon, which was the nearer -of the two to us, showed up in grey shadows against the velvety black -of the sky. She was of the usual build of the merchant ship of Cadiz, -with the same lumbering breadth, the same high castles at poop and -bows, and the same rig in every respect as had that which we had -captured, and was of much the same size. Some distance behind her was -her companion, and the two vessels were so much alike that the second -appeared to be the double of the first. - -As soon as we were within view, a lantern was waved three times towards -us from the bows of the leading ship--a signal to which we responded by -also waving a lantern three times, surmising that some such answering -sign would be expected back in return. - -We waited with an anxious curiosity to see how this would be taken, and -as we saw the dark figures of the watch hurrying, in evident alarm, to -the bulwarks to gaze at us, and heard their voices raised in discussion -coming faintly across the waters, we could not fail to understand that -some other token had been looked for. - -In their perplexity they knew not what to make of us, and we could -see plainly enough that there was an argument going on among them -in respect of us. As the distance between us slowly lessened, their -uncertainty and indecision were increased when they beheld, as we took -excellent care they should, a few of the O’Malleys standing on the -fore-deck of the _Capitana_. Even had it been as bright as day, they -could not have imagined that they were other than Spanish sailors like -themselves. - -Our men had been ordered to remain quite still and silent, and under -the moon, over which a web of cloud was being spun, they appeared like -figures carved out of stone. - -The watchman on the bows of the galleon hailed us, and though his -voice sounded clearly to us, we pretended not to hear; he called again -through the quiet of the night, and when we returned no answer we could -see that he ran with a sort of terror of he knew not what from his -place, and was lost in the darkness of the forecastle. - -In the meantime we had come close up to her, her sailors bending -blanched, fear-stricken faces over her bulwarks upon us, and perhaps -thinking that they saw before them the fabulous _Ship of Death_, upon -which for ever sail the souls of those foully murdered on the sea, and -which for the nonce had taken on the form of the _Capitana_ to lure -them to their doom, for never might human eyes behold that dreaded -sight and live. - -The two ships were now so near each other that it required but a -touch of the helm and the quick ringing word of command from Grace -O’Malley--the statues sprang to life, and a host of the O’Malleys -jumped on board the galleon at different points. - -It was all the work of a twinkling, so soon was the ship carried. The -watch on deck were overpowered and made prisoners with scarcely a -blow being struck. Tibbot crept through a window in the poop of the -Spaniard, and, followed by a dozen of the Irish, had secured those who -were asleep or half-awakened before they could make any resistance. In -the forecastle alone was there any struggle, for there a handful of men -stood to their weapons, and, refusing quarter, fought on till everyone -of them was slain. - -I had watched with straining eyes through the gloom for the form -of that young Spanish knight who was my mistress, and, not seeing -it anywhere, was in sore dismay; not many minutes, however, went -by--the action had moved with the speed with which things change in a -dream--when she appeared on the poop, as I thought. - -Nor was I mistaken, for she called to me to trim the _Capitana_ and to -wear down upon the other galleon, which had changed her course, and was -striving to make off southwards for the open sea. Her watch had given -the alarm, and we could see the dark bodies of her crew and of her -fighting men making to their posts. - -Sending back to me some of our Irish for the better working of the -_Capitana_, she caused the newly-captured vessel to be released from -the grapplings and fastenings, by which I had had her bound to us -while the attack was going on, and we swung apart. Crowding on sail in -hot haste, we put about, and went in pursuit of the fleeing galleon, -which not only had the start of us, but now also appeared to be a -better sailer than either of us, as we did not gain on her, but, on the -contrary, rather fell back. - -It was apparent that she would escape us if we were to trust to our -sailing powers alone. I had just determined to train one of the cannon -on board the _Capitana_ on to her, when a loud explosion shook the air. - -Of what had occurred, then and afterwards on the _Santa Ana_, as the -ship Grace O’Malley had just taken was named, I was not a witness, nor -was Tibbot, who told me of it, either; but it is narrated here just as -I heard it. - -Seeing that there was a likelihood of the galleon, to which we were -giving chase, showing us a clean pair of heels, she ordered Tibbot to -the helm of the _Santa Ana_, and, telling him of what she intended, she -herself went among the prisoners, who were lying bound in different -parts of the ship. - -Among them she found divers persons who understood the Irish tongue, -and them, by both promises and threats, she compelled to bring before -her the master of the ordnance and those who assisted him in loading -and firing the cannon. Surrounding these men with her own, each of whom -had sword, spear, or battle-axe ready in his hand, she marched them to -the forecastle and forced them, on pain of instant death, to serve the -two great cannon which were in the bow-ports. The first discharge of -these was the explosion I had heard. - -The balls from these pieces were so ineffective, passing wide of the -mark and splashing into the sea a considerable distance from the -galleon, that her anger was kindled, and she warned the master of the -ordnance that if he were not more successful on a second attempt she -would not spare him, being assured that he was merely trifling with her. - -Whether it was because of the terrifying effect of her words, or -because he was determined to give the galleon every opportunity for -getting away from us, and was reckless of what became of himself, the -succeeding shots flew as wide as before. When Grace O’Malley perceived -this she was transported with rage, and, crying that he had brought his -fate upon his own head, ran him through with her sword. - -Had she not quickly interfered, all his companions would have been -instantly despatched by the Irish, who were eager to emulate the -example she had set them. - -Aghast at the death of the master of the ordnance, and suspecting that -there was no hope of anything else for themselves, they cried out -sharply, breathlessly, tremblingly, each protesting and vowing by all -the saints that he would undertake to do whatever he was bid, if only -his life were promised him. - -Seeing from their look that they were likely to do as they said, but -fearing lest they should be unstrung, being so wrought upon by their -terror, she agreed that they should not be slain, but commanded -them to chose from out of their number him who was the most skilful -cannoneer, so that there should be no mistake in regard to the fit -service of the ordnance. At the same time she told them that all their -lives depended on him, for if he failed at the next discharge to damage -the galleon, not only would he be immediately killed, but that all of -them would likewise suffer instant death. - -They chattered for a second together, and then one of them, perhaps -bolder or more desperate than the rest, stepped forward, and accepted -her offer. - -Having warned him again, Grace O’Malley had the guns loaded once more, -and stood over the man with drawn sword as he applied the burning match -to the touch-hole of first one cannon and then of the other. When the -smoke had cleared away, it was seen that the mainmast of the galleon -had been shot through and had fallen over, so that it lay partly across -her waist and partly was in the water. - -Thus impeded, the galleon almost at once lost her sea-way, and both -the _Santa Ana_ and the _Capitana_ began rapidly to come up with her. -Meanwhile shouts and shrieks resounded from her decks; her sailors ran -about in fear and confusion, but after awhile they appeared to be got -into some kind of order, and, as a ball from her boomed across our -bows, it was evident that her captain was resolved to fight for his -ship. - -As our vessels approached, we received a broadside from her which -did us both no little harm, especially to our hulls and rigging, -and a shot tore along the forecastle of the _Capitana_ in an oblique -direction, killing two of my crew and wounding three or four men before -it plunged into the sea. - -But it was impossible for her to prevent us from coming up alongside -of her, and so soon as we had made ourselves fast to her our boarders -poured in upon her. And thereupon ensued a battle not more terrible -than obstinate, while the faint streaks of a cold and troubled dawn -stole upon us, shedding its gleams on the dead and dying as they lay in -pools of blood upon her decks. - -No quarter was asked or given. Whom the sword or the battle-axe or -the spear smote not, him the sea received, for many of the Spaniards, -crying that all was lost, threw themselves from the galleon into the -water and were drowned. There remained, however, towards the end of -the fight a small company of arquebusiers and swordsmen upon the poop, -and among them was the captain of the ship, his clothing stained and -disordered, and a great, red sword in his hand. - -Seeing that no hope remained, he made signs that he wished to -surrender, and begged that his life and the lives of those with him -might be spared, to which Grace O’Malley straightway assented. - -As he walked towards her with his sword in his hand, with the purpose -apparently of presenting it to her in token of his submission, he -seemed to stumble on the planks, which were slippery with blood, and -then, suddenly recovering himself, he made a mad, swift rush forward, -and would have wounded, perhaps killed, my mistress if his intention -had not been guessed by Tibbot, who in the very nick of time dashed -aside the point of the captain’s sword and brained him with his -battle-axe. - -So incensed were the Irish at this act of treachery that they would -show no mercy, and not a soul was left alive. - -Thus was the _San Miguel_, as she proved herself to be, taken. - -Our first care now was to return to Inisheer, so the three galleons -were trimmed as well as was within our power, and our course was shaped -for the island, where our three galleys lay, and which was reached in -due time without our seeing any more ships of the wine fleet. - -And here we remained, among the islands of Arran, for several days, -waiting for the other two galleons of which we had heard; but as they -did not come into sight, we conjectured that they had either put into -some port in another part of Ireland or had been driven on the rocks -and wrecked. - -Then we bore northwards with the Spanish galleons and our three galleys -to a sequestered bay on the coast of Iar-Connaught, where we concealed -in caves and other secret places well known to us a portion of the -great treasure and of the rich stores that had been found in the -merchant ships. Some of their ordnance was put on board the galleys and -the rest cast into the sea. - -As for the galleons themselves, they were steered within a mile of the -harbour of Galway, in full view of its walls, set on fire, and then -sent adrift, blazing, in the bay; while the prisoners, all save Don de -Vilela and Fitzgerald, were landed on the coast, and left to make the -best of their way to the city, where on their arrival they published -abroad all that Grace O’Malley had done. - -And I have not wit enough to describe the amazement and anger of Sir -Nicholas, nor the disappointment and vexation of the merchants at the -losses they had sustained through the destruction of the wine fleet. - -But homeward to Clew Bay we sailed, and little cared we. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -“REDSHANK AND REBEL.” - - -Before we had left the Bay of Galway for the north I had been so -constantly occupied with the unlading of the galleons, the disposal of -our plunder, and the care and the landing of the prisoners, that I had -got no more than glimpses of my mistresses, and then they were seldom -alone. For de Vilela and Fitzgerald, although they had a cabin given -them on _The Cross of Blood_, were but rarely on my galley during the -hours of day, spending most of the time with the two ladies on _The -Grey Wolf_. - -I perceived they were treated rather as honoured guests than as -captives, and I knew that Grace O’Malley held many long and earnest -conversations with Don Francisco, the subject of which was ever the -same--to wit, what Philip of Spain would do on behalf of the Irish if -they rose in rebellion against the Queen. - -Now, it mattered not at all to me who was King or Queen of Ireland, -whether it was Philip or Elizabeth who should be sovereign of the -island, and I had as lief it were the one as the other. - -I owed no fealty to England or to Spain, and, being a Macdonald of the -Isles, no more to the Queen, King, or Regent of Scotland than could be -forced from us Macdonalds of the West, and that was never overmuch. -But I was sworn to the service of Grace O’Malley, and if she preferred -Spain to England, then it was Spain for me! Yet what I had heard of -Philip made me conclude that the Irish would not find him to their -liking, as certainly he was not to mine. - -For, as a thing of course, there arose this question: If Philip helped -the Irish to drive the English out of Ireland, and the English were -expelled from the island, what reward would Philip expect to receive in -return? Would he not look to become its king? However, so far as I was -concerned, the answer lay with my mistress and not with me. - -What struck deeper to my heart, so that it was filled with aching every -hour, was no such great affair as the possession of a kingdom; yet was -it greater to me than all the kingdoms of the world. It was that I -began to doubt--nay, to fear--that the dear, sweet, fair woman whom I -loved would never be mine. - -I had dreamed that I, too, would be a king--her king. Now I saw, or -seemed to see, myself uncrowned, disrobed, and beggared, thrust outside -the gates of the palace in which she dwelt. But I had never been -crowned, nor robed, nor rich, save in visions, and was in truth the -veriest beggar on the face of the earth. - -Although I was able to be so little with my mistresses, I was not so -blind as not to see that de Vilela was entirely fascinated by Eva -O’Malley. She had impressed him from the first, and herein I blamed -him not. And the more he saw of her the more her charm worked upon him. -That surprised me not; it would have been surprising if it had not. - -What stung me to the soul was that Eva was evidently interested in -the man, listening absorbedly to everything he said. Many strange and -curious tales had he to tell of Spain and of the Moors, and, most of -all, of those new lands beyond the seas, inhabited by the Indians, -with their magical cities of gold and their wondrous mines of gems -and precious stones. Spoke he, too, of the mysteries of those far-off -regions; of the lakes and forests and mountains that floated above the -clouds, swimming in the silent air; of sacred temples rising tower -above tower, exceeding majestical, out of wide plains of gleaming -verdure; of their princes and priests and people--all themes as -entrancing as any story of chivalry. - -Nor lacked he such also, for he could tell of those splendid feats of -arms which have made the glory of the world. He was a master, too, of -the secrets of courts, and stood high in the councils of his King. - -’Twas no wonder that that soft tongue of his wooed and won upon our -women, who had so often heard with delight the ruder stories of our -bards. Who was I to match myself against this paragon, this paladin, -this gentle and perfect knight? - -My thoughts were bitter and gloomy, like one walking in the shadow of -death, and I had not even the poor consolation of saying to myself -that Don Francisco was nothing more than a squire of dames--at home -rather in my lady’s bower than in the tented field--for there was that -about him which proclaimed him a soldier, and even a veteran of war. -Good reason, too, had we to know him before many weeks were past for -the bold and ready sword he was. - -And when we had returned to Clew Bay, and the galleys were safe in the -haven under Knockmore, both de Vilela and Fitzgerald accompanied us to -the castle of Carrickahooley, where they were received by my mistresses -as if they held them in their kindest regard. Indeed, they were so -courteously entertained that the darkness of my spirits deepened, so -that I hardly knew myself. - -I was in as many moods as there were hours in the day, until I felt a -shame of myself and of my weakness born in me. At first, I had chafed -and fretted like a spoiled child; then a sullen and savage temper -had possessed me, so that I could see that the crews of the galleys -observed me, thinking that perhaps the bite of my wounds still hurt and -galled; now, recovering myself, I bade myself endure hardness, and bear -the lash of the whip of fate, and be a man. - -But my dear was very dear to me, and my heart rebelled. - -In the meantime I was going backward and forward among the islands and -on the mainland, distributing portions of the plunder we had taken -from the galleons to the widows and relatives of those who had fallen -in the fighting, as was the custom of Grace O’Malley with her people. -Other parts of the spoil were for greater security put into the strong -chambers under the castle and elsewhere. - -There remained the chest of gold and various vessels and chains and -rings of silver and gold, many of them richly jewelled, to be hidden -away, and, for this purpose, Grace O’Malley and I went in a boat by -ourselves to the Caves of Silence under the Hill of Sorrow. And as I -rowed, and considered the while what significance there was in the -gold not being restored to those who made claim to being its owners, I -experienced a sudden lightening of my spirits. - -I reasoned that there must be some doubt in the mind of my mistress -of the truth of the story she had been told of the chest of gold, or -else she would not have kept it. She could not entirely trust them--de -Vilela and Fitzgerald--or she would have returned the money to them. So -I thought, but even this comfort was taken from me. - -When we had reached the dark, narrow strait that lies between the high -cliffs, the grim sentinels which guard the entrance to the caves, the -boat shot into it like an arrow, and, without a word, we went swiftly -for a distance of half a mile or more--the zip-drip of the oars alone -being heard, eerie and startling, as the sound shivered up the black -walls of rock. - -There, jutting out from them, was the Red Crag, that is in shape like -the head of a bull even to the horns; beyond, a strip of beach, and, -at the side of it, a ledge of grey-blue stone; then again the rock -walls, ever narrowing and becoming yet more narrow, until they closed -in an archway, and we lost the light of day as the boat passed on up -the fissure that runs deep into the bowels of the Hill of Sorrow. There -was not room for rowing, and I forced the boat along with a hook, Grace -O’Malley having lighted a torch. - -Then we came to the black, slippery block of stone which seems to close -up the passage, but the secret of which was known to us, and to us only. - -Here we entered--by what way I may never tell--and were in the first -cave of silence, a vast, gloomy, ghostly, dimly-lit hall, with tables -and altars and seats carved out of the living rock by hands dead these -many thousand years, and on the floor where it was stone and not water, -a grey, powdered dust, faintly coloured here and there as with specks -of rust--and all that dust was once alive, for these caves are the -graves of men. - -Out of this vast chamber opened a number of smaller caves, that -looked not unlike the cells of monks--and monks of some sort perhaps -were they who lived and died here. And everywhere silence--a chill, -brooding, fearful, awful silence; and the living rock, hewn and cut; -and the floors that were partly stone and partly water; and the grey, -rust-spotted dust of death! - -In one of these caverns we deposited the treasure taken from the -galleon, hardly speaking except in whispers as we did so, for the hush -of the place lay on us like a spell. - -I ever felt a creepy horror of these dim, dumb shades, and was glad, -when our work was done, to return again to the light of the sun. - -It was on our way back to the castle that Grace O’Malley spoke of what -was in her mind. Her face was stern and set and full of purpose. - -“Ruari,” said she, “much has happened since last we visited these caves -together with my father, Owen. Now he is gone, and I, his daughter, am -proscribed by the English. To what better end could the treasure in -these caves be put than to help to drive the English out of Ireland?” - -“The treasure is yours,” said I slowly, for her words killed my -new-found hope, “to do with as you list, and your will is mine. But the -English are many, and brave and strong. Remember Shane O’Neil, and how -he fell before them. It would be a terrible thing to lose the treasure, -and still to have the English in the land.” - -“We are at war with them in any case,” said she. “As for Shane O’Neil, -he was unsuccessful because he stood alone, but if all the princes -and chiefs of the island unite, the result would surely be different. -Then there is the power of Spain to be thrown into the balance on our -behalf. The King has promised to send both men and money, if we will -but compose our own feuds, and band ourselves together for the one -common object.” - -I answered not a word, but pulled at the oars doggedly. - -“Ruari!” she exclaimed. “Why this silence? It is not like you to be so -quiet when the sound of battle is in the air.” - -“Say on,” cried I, “I am your servant.” - -She gazed at me, as one who considered anxiously a thing which puzzled -her. - -“It is not the treasure, surely?” said she. “When did you care for -anything save the taking of it?” Then a light leaped into her eyes, and -she laughed more heartily than she had done for days. “You do not like -Don Francisco? That is it!” And she laughed again. - -“Don Francisco is well enough,” said I, but she passed the empty words -by. - -“Eva is but a young lass,” said she, with the hardness gone from -her face, so tender had it become all at once, “and the Don, who is -certainly a gallant gentleman, and not a love-sick boy, gives her -pleasure with his tales and romances. That is all!” - -A love-sick boy! That was I, Ruari Macdonald. So Grace O’Malley knew my -secret; did Eva know it also? - -“Grace O’Malley,” said I, resting on the oars, in anguish, for her -words brought no solace to me, “my heart is sore.” - -“Ruari,” said she impatiently, “you are nothing but a big boy. Eva had -a liking for de Vilela, and so have I, but neither of us has any love -for him.” - -“She does not love him!” cried I doubtfully, yet with a gladness -unspeakable conquering the doubt; “she does not love him!” - -“Listen, Ruari!” said my mistress, with a deep, almost melancholy -gravity. “If this noble Spaniard love her truly, and she do not him, -consider how terrible a misfortune has befallen him. To love greatly, -nobly, truly--”and then she paused--”and to find that such a love is -unreturned----” and again she stopped. “But love is not for me; these -Caves of Silence give me strange thoughts,” continued she. - -Here was my mistress in a mood that was new to me, and I held my peace, -wondering. I had deemed that her thoughts were set on war and her -quarrel with the Governor of Galway, forgetting, as I so often did, -that she was a woman as well as our princess and chief. - -“Do you not understand,” said she again, “that the English will not be -satisfied to let our affairs remain as they are? This is not like the -strife between two of our septs. Think you that Sir Nicholas is the man -to be easily defied? Not so; the matter is no more than begun. He will -try to have his revenge, nor will he tarry long over it. See, then, how -great an advantage it is for us that de Vilela should have come to us -at such a time, with the assistance of the King of Spain. Will not the -whole island rise against the Queen of England?” - -“To make Philip King of Ireland?” asked I. - -“I know not that,” replied she; “but the first thing is to expel the -English.” - -Then she told me that Fitzgerald and de Vilela were soon to set out, -making their way across the country to the Earl of Clanrickarde, and, -later, to the Earl of Desmond, who was known to be disaffected to -the government. By the spring of the following year, it was hoped a -general rising would be arranged for, and in the interval soldiers and -money would arrive from Spain, and a camp would be formed at a point -on the coast, chosen for its ease of access from the open sea, and the -readiness with which it could be fortified. - -It was much, nay, it was everything, for me to know that Eva O’Malley -was not in love with Don Francisco, and it was with very changed -feelings that I returned to Carrickahooley. - -Yet, though I had my mistress’s assurance that all was well, I soon -became doubtful and dissatisfied, for time passed and de Vilela made -no preparations to depart on his mission to Clanrickarde, while his -devotion to Eva was more evident day by day. I asked myself why he -lingered, considering the importance of the business on which he was -engaged, and Eva was the only reply to that question. - -It was when I was in this unhappy frame of mind that one of Richard -Burke’s messengers, who had come by way of Lough Corrib and Lough Mask -from Galway, arrived at the castle, bringing news that Sir Nicholas -Malby was on the point of setting out to eat us up. - -Beyond this, the man, who was a half-witted creature, and so permitted -to wander about at his pleasure, no one doing him hurt because such as -he were counted outside of the course of nature, could tell us little -or nothing. Richard the Iron had either not trusted him with more than -the barest message, or else had had no opportunity for saying more. It -was possible, also, that he had not been able to find out exactly what -was intended against us. - -The season was still fine and open, and if the Governor so determined -it, he could attack us by bringing a force along the shores of the -lakes, and then up by the valley of the Eriff. Or, if he designed -to assault us from the sea, as he might if he had obtained some of -Winter’s ships of war, he might purpose to come that way at us. But -Burke’s messenger could tell us nothing of this. - -It seemed more likely that, as the march through Connaught would be -slow and tedious, and beset by the dangers which attend the passage of -a large body of men through a difficult and little known country, he -would strive to reach and assault us by sea. - -Therefore, Grace O’Malley commanded me to take _The Cross of Blood_, -and, sailing southwards, to keep a look-out for Sir Nicholas and the -English vessels of Winter, then in charge of a great part of the fleet -of Queen Elizabeth. And, indeed, I was eager to be gone, not only -because I was ever ready for action of one kind or another, but also -because I felt it would be a relief to the painful uncertainty in which -I was with regard to Eva. - -I had several times resolved to speak to my dear of the love for her -which burned within me, but no fit occasion seemed to arise, and, shy -and timid where she was concerned, I had not had the wit to make -one for myself. And I marvelled at myself, being bold, not to say -foolhardy, in most matters, and yet not a little of a coward before -this one small, fair woman. - -Out from Clew Bay put we with all haste, the wind and sea not being -amiss, and here for two days we drove before the breeze without coming -in sight of a ship of any size. On the third day we lay off shore in a -bay not many leagues from Galway, and there the hours passed by, and -still there was no sign of Winter’s vessels. - -I was in two minds, nor could at first settle with myself whether to -return to Clew Bay at once, having come to the conclusion that Sir -Nicholas was to attack us by land, or to endeavour to enter Galway, and -so to discover what he had done, or was about to do. - -Now it was of the utmost consequence that we should learn what were the -plans of the Governor, if they could be come at in any way, and, having -informed my officers of what I proposed, I determined to disguise -myself and to enter the city to obtain what we were in search of. - -Bidding my people return to Clew Bay if I came not back to the galley -in three days at the furthest, I put on the dress of a mendicant friar, -and in the night was rowed to the fishing village that is just outside -the gates of Galway. Landing, I made my way to the huts, and saw a -light burning in one. When I knocked at the door, a man appeared, who, -seeing a priest, as he thought, asked my blessing and invited me to -enter. - -After a few words, I threw myself down on the earthen floor, and, -saying that I was weary and fain would sleep, closed my eyes and waited -for the dawn. The fisherman made some rough provision for my comfort, -and left me; but I could hear him whispering to his wife, and her -replying to something he had said. - -When the morning was come, I asked to be shown the house of the nearest -priest, whom I found, early as it was, astir and busy with his office. -Discovering myself to him--and this I did because I knew all the Irish -priests were our friends--I requested him to tell me where Sir Nicholas -was. - -But he made answer that he went seldom within the walls of the city, -as the watch was very strict since the escape of Grace O’Malley, and -that no one was suffered to go in or out save only by permission of -the marshal. He had heard, however, that since her flight the Irish in -Galway and the neighbourhood were regarded with suspicion, and that -some of them had been cast into prison. Sir Nicholas, he thought, was -still in Galway. - -As for Grace O’Malley, she had been proclaimed a traitress by the -Governor, and an enemy of the Queen. I myself, Ruari Macdonald, was -also proscribed as an abettor of her treasons, and a great reward was -offered for the head of the “redshank and rebel,” as Sir Nicholas was -pleased to call me. - -And these things did not disquiet me exceedingly, but what did was, -that I could learn nothing of Richard Burke, whom I desired above all -to see. Him, then, had I first to seek out, and, so soon as the gates -were open, I set out for Galway, trusting that my priest’s dress would -satisfy the watch, and that I should be allowed to enter without any -trouble or disturbance. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE WHISPERING ROCKS. - - -The air was cool and the light clear as I stepped briskly along from -the village in a northerly direction, up over the high, wooded lands -that lie on that side of Galway. From an open space I obtained a view -of the town and its harbour, and was well pleased to note that no -ship of war, or large vessel of any kind, rode at anchor in the bay. -Plainly, the English admiral, Winter, had not yet arrived. - -Then I struck across to the east, and so fetched a compass round until -I came upon the road that leads to the great gate of the city, and -there, no distance off, was the gate, open. Two carts, going to market -with provisions, were passing in, and their drivers were stopped by the -watch and interrogated. - -Now, I had no overweening confidence in the completeness of my -disguise, and it was evident that what the village priest had told me -was true as to the care exercised in the admission of anyone within the -walls, so I drew off and tarried awhile, to see if chance would not put -some opportunity into my hands. - -I reflected, too, with perturbation, that I had no weapon with me -except a dagger--the robe I was wearing making it impossible to conceal -a sword beneath it. But then, again, came the thought that, however -well I might have been armed, I was but one man with one life, and that -I was about to adventure it in a city full of my enemies. Yet is there -that in the mere grip of the cold cross of a sword that keeps the blood -a flowing fire in one’s veins, and I regretted that I had had to leave -my good blade behind. - -While I was thus communing with myself, I saw two Franciscans approach, -going towards the gate, and I straightway resolved to join them. They -were talking loudly, as if there were a bone of contention between -them, and, when they observed me, they both, in one breath, as it were, -addressed me, each one asking me to give a decision in his favour on -the subject they differed about, which was--Whether St. Patrick were an -Irishman or not? - -I answered craftily that I should like to hear the arguments on both -sides of the question, and requested them to choose which of them -should be the first speaker. Whereupon, they halted in the road, -disputing which should have the preference, and were like to have spent -the morning before they had settled this, as neither would yield to the -other, if I had not made a movement towards the gate. - -“Sir,” said I, turning to one of them--they had now ranged themselves -on either side of me as we walked on--”what say you? That the holy -Patrick was----?” - -“I say he was an Irishman,” burst in the other, on my left, before I -had finished the sentence. - -“An Irishman!” exclaimed the Franciscan on my right, “an Irishman! Not -he. He was a Scot!” - -“I say he was an Irishman!” - -“And I maintain he was a Scot!” - -“An Irishman!” - -“A Scot!” - -Their voices rose into shoutings and roarings, as they glared across me -with angry eyes. - -“St. Patrick was never born in Ireland,” cried the one. - -“St. Patrick was never born anywhere else,” retorted the other. - -“I tell you, by the Mass, that St. Patrick was a Scot.” - -“I tell you, by St. Peter, he was not.” - -And thus they wrangled until we had reached the gate, where I perceived -the noise they made had already attracted the notice of the watch. -Without appearing to pay any attention to the soldiers, I nodded now to -the Franciscan on my right, and now to him on my left, as if I followed -their words intently. - -All my senses, however, were on the stretch, and my heart throbbed and -fluttered in my breast, for the danger was great. - -“’Tis Father Ambrose and Father Gregory,” I heard one of the soldiers -say, “and another of the fathers.” Then he glanced at me inquiringly, -but only asked, “To the Church of St. Nicholas, fathers?” - -“Yes,” was the reply, and we were passing in when an officer of the -Governor’s came down the street, and, scowling at us, bade us halt. - -“Whither go ye?” he demanded gruffly. - -“To the Church of St. Nicholas,” said we as with one voice, for I had -made up my mind to go thither also. - -“There be too many priests in Galway already,” said he, with stern-knit -brows, “and, had I my way, I should hang ye all. Know ye these men?” he -called to the watch. - -I held my breath. Father Ambrose and Father Gregory they appeared to -know, but as to myself, what would they say? - -“Yes, sir,” said the soldier who had spoken before, and as soon as I -heard this, I moved on, the Franciscans accompanying me, and beginning -their dispute over again. - -And so on we walked to the Church of St. Nicholas, while I could -scarcely credit having thus fortunately made my entrance into Galway. -Having arrived at the church, I directed my steps to the shrine of my -patron saint, where, on my knees, with more than the devoutness of many -a monk, I offered him my gratitude for his favour and protection, and -implored a continuance of the same. - -Thus engaged, I had not at once observed that someone had come up -behind me, and was kneeling two or three paces away. When I looked up I -saw the figure of a woman, but her face I could not see for the shadow -of a pillar that intervened. - -Somehow, the form seemed familiar, and when she rose up from praying -and turned to go, I was startled to find myself gazing at Sabina Lynch. -She glanced at me curiously, but, beholding only a friar, passed on -sedately out of the building, little thinking at the moment that she -had ever been carried, and that not too gently nor so long ago, in that -friar’s arms. - -To keep up the character I had assumed I began begging, according to -the manner of the order of mendicants, from door to door, so soon as I -had quitted the church, hoping in this way to light upon someone from -whom I might safely ask if Richard Burke were lodging in the town. - -And in this it appeared altogether probable that I should have no -success, for in many instances I was driven from the doors of the -people without ceremony, or paid no heed to whatever. Indeed, the whole -town seemed to be agog with something, and, as the streets were now -filled with soldiers marching in companies, it was easy to be seen that -there was good reason for the excitement. - -When I inquired of a man who had given me an alms, and who was of a -friendly disposition, what was the cause of all this moil and stir, he -replied that surely I must be a stranger not to know that Sir Nicholas -was bringing an army together in the town with which he meant to punish -the rebels of Connaught. - -“What rebels?” asked I innocently. - -“That pestilent and notable woman,” said he, “Grace O’Malley, and all -her tribe of robbers and murderers and pirates.” - -Then he told me how she had destroyed the wine fleet of Galway, and so -had come near to ruining the trade of the port. - -“She is a devil,” quoth he, and he crossed himself, “and the Governor -will kill her and her people.” - -“A woman!” cried I, with a great show of being astonished beyond -measure. - -“Ay, a woman,” said he, “but she must be a devil.” And he crossed -himself again. Then he added: “If she be not the very devil in the -shape of a woman, there is with her a man, a giant--a great, strong -giant--whom she calls her brother, but who is said to have come out -of the sea, and is no man at all, but a devil too. Some say he is a -Redshank of the Scots, but I tell you he is a devil too.” - -And thus the fellow maundered on, while I found some trouble in -restraining myself from bursting into laughter in his face. Having, -however, thanked him civilly for his alms and information, I gave him -my blessing--a devil’s blessing--and so left him. - -We were devils! - -What, then, were those who thought nothing of breaking a safe-conduct, -or of poisoning the wine at banquets to which they had invited their -victims as loving guests? Yet the first had happened in the case of my -mistress, and the second had been the fate of many an Irish chief. - -We were devils, and so to be feared! It was no such bad thing at that -time and in that land to be counted as devils, for men who had no fear -of God before their eyes, nor of his saints, were afraid of devils. - -I had now come to the tavern that is under the sign of the Golden -Eagle, and from inside proceeded the sound of eating and of drinking, -of festivity and of mirth. Entering in, I was about to beg for alms, -when I saw among the company a man whom I recognised as one of the Mayo -Burkes, a gallowglass of the MacWilliam’s. Him I at once addressed, -incautiously enough, asking if his master were well, and where I would -find him, as I had a message for his private ear. - -“Richard the Iron,” said he, “is lodged in the North Street; and who -are you, father, that know not that?” - -“I have been there,” said I, lying boldly, “but he is away from the -house.” - -“If he be not at the mansion of the Joyces,” said he, “then I know not -where he is.” - -So Richard Burke was at the mansion of the Joyces in the North Street. -Here was good news indeed, and, having said some fair words to the man, -I went out of the tavern; but when I reached the North Street I found -that my falsehood had this much of truth in it--that Richard Burke was -not there. I sat down on a bench in the courtyard of the mansion, and -waited impatiently for his return. Tiring of this, I walked up the -street towards the Little Gate, and whom should I meet on the way but -Richard Burke riding with Sabina Lynch. - -Well did I recall what Richard Burke had said to me some weeks before, -when he had come secretly to _The Cross of Blood_. He had declared that -Sabina Lynch loved him, but that he only cared for Grace O’Malley. Yet, -as I looked at them, it seemed to me as if he were paying Mistress -Lynch no little court, and they appeared to take pleasure in each -other’s society. - -But when I thought of the messenger he had sent to Carrickahooley, -and of his service, though unavailing, to us before, I conceived that -he was playing a double part, holding that love and war, perhaps, -justified any means so long as the end were gained. And, for that -matter, I, the false friar, was no better than a cheat myself. - -I was determined to get speech with him without further delay--the -feeling of impatience was so strong upon me--and, as I was casting -about in what way I should accomplish this, Sabina Lynch tossed me a -piece of silver as an alms, while I was yet three ells’ length from the -horses. - -“Take that for the poor, father,” cried she merrily. - -It happened that the coin after it had struck the ground, rolled in -front of Richard Burke’s horse, and I rushed forward to pick it up -before it was trampled into the dust. I also trusted that under cover -of this action I should be able to say a few words which would make me -known to him, without being perceived by his companion. - -As I stepped into the street, he was compelled to rein in his horse, -and then to pass by the side of me. - -“What a greedy, clumsy friar he is!” laughed Sabina Lynch. - -In truth, I was as clumsy as clumsy could be, for as I drew myself up -and tried to stand erect I hit my shoulder against Richard Burke’s -foot, whereupon he stopped. - -“Father,” said he, good-humouredly, “have you no care for yourself? -Then, prithee, have a care for me.” - -And he smiled; but when he had looked into my face, and had met my -eyes, I saw the blood suddenly leave his cheeks, and knew that he had -penetrated my disguise. - -He gave so great a start that his horse leaped up under him, and, as it -did so, the friar’s cowl, which covered my head and partially hid my -face, was thrown back, and there stood I, Ruari Macdonald, disclosed -and discovered, before Sabina Lynch. - -She gazed from the one to the other of us in silence, then, striking -her horse violently, galloped off, exclaiming: “Treason, treason!” - -Richard Burke was in a maze. - -“Ruari!” he gasped, and could say no more. - -“I have come to Galway,” said I quickly, “that I might have knowledge -of the Governor’s intentions against us. This is no place for us now,” -cried I, to rouse him, for he was like one that dreamed, “come, come -with me before the hue and cry is raised.” - -And I seized the bridle of his horse and turned its head, and led it -towards the Little Gate. - -“Not that way,” said he wildly. “I have just come from thence.” - -Then he gathered himself and his wits together. - -“The Great Gate is best. Ay, this is no place now for me any more than -it is for you. Well said you that. We will go together; but let us not -go too swiftly, otherwise the watch, suspecting something is wrong, -will not let us pass. We have a few minutes to spare before the gates -can be closed. Do you walk a little way behind me.” - -I had replaced the cowl about my head, and, hardly knowing whether to -be glad or sorry at what had fallen out, marched at a rapid pace after -him up the street of the Great Gate. - -Richard Burke was well known to the watch, and no objection was made to -our passing out. As long as we were within sight of the walls we went -at a walk, but when a turn of the road had hid them from us, I grasped -the saddle-cloth and ran beside the horse, which its rider now urged -along at the top of its speed. - -We had gone about two miles, and had gained an eminence partly -sheltered by trees, when, looking back, we saw the figures of horsemen -spurring after us out of the city. On we sped again, until I could run -no more. Then I besought Burke to leave me as I was spent and blown. -But this he would not hearken to at first. - -“It will be a strange thing,” said I, “if I cannot conceal myself -somewhere in the trees and bushes, or among the rocks, for the night. -In the morning I will make my way back to the galley.” - -And I persuaded him to ride on towards his own territory, but not -before he had told me that Sir Nicholas had drawn a force of a hundred -men from Athlone, everyone of whom was a trained and hardened soldier, -and with these, his own men, and the gallowglasses of Sir Morrough -O’Flaherty of Aughnanure, who had promised to support him, was about to -set out at once for our overthrow. - -The Governor was terribly enraged against us, and in his anger at the -destruction of the wine fleet had sworn he would make an end of us all. -His wrath burned not only against Grace O’Malley, but against many -others of the Irish, and there had been such a killing and a hanging of -those who were thought hostile to the government as had never before -been seen or heard of in Galway. - -Richard Burke had only escaped because of his friendship with the Mayor -and his daughter Sabina Lynch, but his every act was spied upon. - -“I remained in the city for no other reason,” he declared, “than to see -if I could not afford some help to you in one way or another.” - -As he departed, he said, as he wrung my hand, “I shall cast in my lot -with yours, and, if it can be done in the time left to us, I shall -bring all the Burkes of Mayo to your assistance. Should you reach -Carrickahooley first, tell your mistress that.” - -Then he swung himself again into the saddle, and was gone. - -He was hardly out of sight, when I heard the sound of hoofs beating on -the road, and creeping in through the bushes that lined a small stream -by the wayside I laid me down to rest, and soon I was listening to the -voices of the men in pursuit of us as they drew near. They made no -pause, but swept on past the spot where I lay. - -I was about to emerge from my place of concealment, when again the -tramp of horses fell upon my ear, and, looking out, I saw Sir Nicholas -and several of his officers come riding slowly along. They stopped -quite close to me, and, dismounting, made a survey of the land all -around, but, my star favouring me, they moved to the further side of -the stream. - -“Let the camp be pitched here,” said Sir Nicholas, “and do you remain -until the men come up.” - -I guessed that he had been told of my presence in Galway, and had -immediately ordered the soldiers to set out to catch me so that we -should have no advantage from our being warned of his purpose. - -My position was now one of extreme peril; I was cut off from returning -to my galley; and I could see nothing for it but to remain where I was -until the soldiers had gone on on their journey, unless I took the -chances of the darkness. - -There I lay, and, as the night fell, the men of Sir Nicholas marched -up and lit their watch-fires not more than a stone’s throw from where -I hid. For hours, not daring to move, I heard them singing and talking -and jesting with each other. When, at length, silence came upon the -sleeping camp, I stole as softly as I could out of the bushes, and -moving on, like a cat, so that each step of mine was no more noticed -than a puff of wind, I managed to gain the road that leads past Oorid -and Sindilla at the foot of the mountains. I walked fast, and sometimes -ran, until the day broke, when I turned aside, and, having sought -for and found a dry cave on the side of a hill, fell down utterly -exhausted, and ere long was in a deep slumber. - -I was awakened many hours later, for it was dark again, by a strange -sort of cheeping noise at my very ears. - -I started up, and the noise ceased; I lay down, and the sound began -once more. As I listened, my face to the rocky floor of the cavern, I -fancied I could distinguish words, but, as it were, coming from a great -way off. - -Now, thoroughly aroused, I listened yet more earnestly, and I made out -that there were two or three voices, and that the sound of them was -not coming from the inside of the cave, nor yet from the outside, but -seemed to issue, like a thin whistle, through the rock itself. - -I moved stealthily towards the far end, and, lying down again prone, -applied my ear to the ground. I now heard quite distinctly, the words -being audible, though faint, and with an extraordinary effect of still -coming from an immense distance. - -I then understood I was in one of the chambers of the Whispering Rocks -as they are called, for a wonder of nature has so constructed them that -it is possible to hear through them, when all around is still, whatever -is said within these caverns. And how this miracle comes to pass I know -not, but I had often heard of it; otherwise I might have thought that -these sounds came from the spirits of the mountain, and so might not -have discovered the vile plot that had been hatched for our ruin. - -For, as the voices grew more and more clear, I found myself listening -to the story of how these men who were speaking were to present -themselves at the castle of Carrickahooley in advance of the English -army, and, having gained admittance on the plea that they were fleeing -to Grace O’Malley for protection, were treacherously to betray her and -the castle into the hands of the Governor by secretly opening the gate -as soon as the attack began. - -I gripped my dagger in impotent rage, for, placed as I was, I could do -nothing. After a time the voices ceased, and, moving noiselessly to -the mouth of the cave, I saw that the night was clear and starry, and, -feeling refreshed by my long repose, I made on towards Ballanahinch, -which I reached in the morning, and where I obtained milk and the -flesh of a kid from the wife of one of the kernes, who took me for a -wandering priest, and gladly supplied my wants. - -For two days and the greater part of two nights I toiled over the -mountains and through the forests, seeing no indication of the English, -until I came to the fiord of the Killery, where some of our own people -dwelt under Muilrea. From thence they brought me round to Clew Bay in -a fishing boat, and I was back again at Carrickahooley, more dead than -alive from the fatigues I had undergone, inured though I was to all -kinds of hardness. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -A SURPRISE. - - -As I stepped from the boat on to the face of the rock, which forms a -natural quay on one side of the small harbour on the sea-front of the -castle, both Grace and Eva O’Malley, who had seen me coming across the -waters, met me and asked how I fared. - -I was not so spent with the travail of my wearisome journey as not to -be conscious of a novel sort of shyness on the part of my dear, who -seemed rather to hang back behind her foster-sister, and not to be so -open and outspoken with me as formerly. With some bitterness of soul I -attributed this change of manner to her thoughts being engrossed with -de Vilela--so little was I able to read the maid’s mind. - -But it was no fitting time for either the softness or the hardness of -love, and my first care was to relate all that had chanced since I had -seen them last. - -Great was their astonishment at the way in which Sabina Lynch came -again into the tale of our fortunes, and I could see, from a certain -fierceness with which Grace O’Malley alluded to her, that a heavy -reckoning was being laid up against her by my mistress. Eva, however, -appeared to be more struck by the hopelessness of Sabina Lynch’s -affection for Richard Burke, and found it in her heart to pity her. - -When I gave Richard Burke’s message to Grace O’Malley, she rejoiced -exceedingly thereat, and from that moment--at least, so it seems to me -looking backward to those days--she began to esteem him more highly -than heretofore, and to cherish some feeling of tenderness for him, -her enmity against Sabina Lynch, though she would not acknowledge that -there could be any rivalry between them, helping, perhaps, thereto not -a little. - -And it appeared to me as a thing curious in itself, and not readily -explained, except by saying that my mistress was not free from -weakness, that she should have shown a compassion, as she had done when -she had spoken to me some time before of de Vilela, for the hapless -love of a man, and had nothing of the kind for Sabina Lynch. - -Whatever were her thoughts on these matters, what she said afforded no -indication of them, for, so soon as she had heard that the MacWilliam -purposed to bring over from the country of the Lower Burkes, as they -were called, to distinguish them from the Burkes of Clanrickarde, his -gallowglasses to her aid against the English, she at once proceeded to -count up how many swords and spears were at his command. Moreover, she -regarded, she said, his rising against the Governor as a splendid and -sure sign of what would shortly take place over the whole of Ireland. - -Continuing the tale of my adventures, I related the conversation I -had overheard in the case of the mysterious Whispering Rocks, and my -mistress ordered that when the men, whose council of treachery I had -become acquainted with in so strange a way, made their appearance, -they should forthwith be admitted into the castle, as if we had had no -knowledge of their intended perfidy, and that they should not be dealt -with as traitors until she deemed that time was ripe for it. - -And now, having been thus forewarned of what was in store for her on -the part of Sir Nicholas, Grace O’Malley immediately set about placing -the castle in a position of secure defence. To this end, several pieces -of the ordnance which had been taken from the captured galleons of -the wine fleet, and which had been put on board _The Grey Wolf_ and -_The Winged Horse_, now at Clare Island, were brought across Clew -Bay, and mounted on the walls and towers of Carrickahooley, while -the gates and the other more vulnerable parts of its fortifications -were strengthened. In all these matters we were much assisted by Don -Francisco, who had had a large experience of sieges, and was familiar -with the onfalls and the outfalls and the other incidents of such -warfare. The Spaniard and I therefore were together more than we had -ever been before, and towards me he carried himself like the courteous -and knightly man he was, while I strove to pattern myself upon him. - -That he loved Eva O’Malley I was in no doubt. Indeed, when he assured -me, as he frequently did, how glad he was that he had not been able -to leave the castle as he had intended doing, and how well pleased he -was to have an opportunity of espousing our quarrel with the English, I -understood that it was a delight to him to be near her in this our time -of peril, for was not that what I also told myself continually? - -That he bore a hatred towards England was true, but his love for Eva, -as he was to prove, was something far greater than his hatred of the -English. Yet already, though I knew it not then, he must have been well -aware that she was not for him. But no sign of grief or disappointment -did he allow to appear, albeit, always grave, as is the Spanish manner, -he seemed still graver before the assault began--and this, when I -observed it, I took to mean that he considered our situation was such -as called for seriousness. - -Whilst our preparations to repel the English were being made, some days -elapsed, and, on the fifth of them, Calvagh O’Halloran brought _The -Cross of Blood_ into port at Clare Island, where to his great relief, -not knowing what had been my fate in Galway, he was told that I was -before him at Carrickahooley. - -Meanwhile, tidings were being brought us by bands and families of -kernes and peasants, fleeing before the enemy, that the English were -approaching. And, as they marched northwards through Connaught, the -days were red with blood and the nights with fire. - -Everywhere their presence was marked by the smoke and flame of -homesteads wantonly burned, and by the slaughter of all who fell into -their hands, neither the old nor the decrepit, nor the nursing mother, -nor the tender maiden, nor the sucking child being left alive! - -Among the despairing wretches who flocked to the castle for protection -it was impossible to single out the plotters, whose knavery they had -themselves unwittingly disclosed in the Whispering Rocks, for everyone -apparently was in the same evil case. A close watch, however, was kept -on all the men who came in, and who were retained within the walls to -help in the defence, while the women and children were conveyed to -Clare Island, where they would be in safety. - -Don Francisco dropped a half hint that Eva might better be sent to -Clare Island until the fortune of battle had declared itself, but I -knew that this would seem to her to be of the nature of deserting us at -a time of crisis, and so the proposition was carried no further. - -And all through the siege she moved a bright, winsome, and always -cheerful presence, generally attended by the Wise Man, Teige O’Toole, -who constituted himself her body-servant, and who, during this period, -uttered no prophecies of evil, but cheered and sustained us with the -certainty of victory. - -At length, on the tenth day after my return to Carrickahooley, our -spies came in from their lairs in the forests and hills with the news -that the English army was camped two leagues away, and that it appeared -to be the intention of its leaders to spend the night there. The spies -described the army as an immense host, there being more than three -hundred well-armed soldiers, besides a great swarm of the gallowglasses -of Sir Murrough O’Flaherty of Aughnanure, who himself had accompanied -the Governor. - -When I inquired eagerly if Sir Nicholas had any ordnance, the spies -averred that they had seen none. And, whether the difficulty of -dragging heavy pieces through Connaught had been found insurmountable, -or, strong in numbers and relying on the terror inspired by the name of -the English, he had resolved to dispense with them altogether, I knew -not; but to my mind the absence of these engines of war more than made -up for his superiority over us in men. - -Doubtless, his action in this respect was founded on the confidence he -entertained that we were about to be betrayed to him by the traitors -within the castle itself, nor could he dream that the galleries of the -Whispering Rocks had given up his secrets to me. - -All that night the guard, of which I was in command, stood to their -arms upon the battlements; but there was not a sound save such as ever -comes from the sleeping earth or the never-sleeping sea. The morning -dawned still and fair, and the sun rose out of the world, tinting with -a fresh bloom the slopes of the distant hills now purpling with the -bursting heather, and changing the thin, vaporous mist that lay over -land and water below them, into one great gleaming sheen of silver. - -All that night, too, our spies lay concealed in the woods, and noted -every movement within the English camp; and now, as the day advanced, -they came in to report that Sir Nicholas was marching down to the -seashore. By noon he had established himself in and about the Abbey of -Burrishoole, no regard being had to the sacredness of the building. -And here he halted for the rest of the day, probably being greatly -surprised that we had not so far offered any resistance to his approach. - -Now this ancient religious house stands on a rocky height looking -across the small bay that is next to that on the edge of which the -castle is built, and therefore the distance between the enemy and -ourselves was so inconsiderable that it behoved us to be constantly on -the alert. - -In the evening, then, when the night-watch was posted on the walls and -about the gate, I doubled the number of the guard, choosing such men, -and those chiefly from my own crew of _The Cross of Blood_, as were of -proved endurance and courage. - -De Vilela had proffered his services, as my second in command, and -I had given him charge of a picked company whose station was beside -the gate of the drawbridge--that is, the gate on the landward side of -Carrickahooley. - -Grace O’Malley herself saw that everything was disposed according to -her mind before she withdrew to the apartments of the women in the -main tower. But well did I know that it was not to sleep that she had -gone. She had now attired herself in the mantle, leather-quilted jack, -and armour of an Irish gentleman, and her eyes were full of the fierce -light of battle; but, deeming it likely to increase the confidence of -her people if they saw her retire according to her usual custom, she -had left us to ourselves. - -I was leaning upon the edge of the parapet, gazing into the deepening -darkness of the night, and musing on many things, when one of my -officers came up, and informed me that among those who had fled to us -for refuge from the English were certain kernes who passionately begged -to be permitted to share the night-watch, being consumed with zeal -against the enemy. - -Knowing the treachery that was contemplated, Grace O’Malley had had all -the refugees confined during the previous night within the buildings of -the castle, and not suffered to go abroad except in the daytime, and -now when I heard the request I felt a certainty that the men who made -it could be no other than those whose voices I had overheard, and who -were the traitors in the pay of the Governor. - -As it was above all things necessary they should have no suspicion that -we had any knowledge of their purpose, I gave my officer an answer in -an offhand manner, saying I would see these kernes in a little while, -and, if I found them likely to make good soldiers, might add them to -the guard. - -Debating with myself whether I should at once go and tell my mistress -what I thought, and also, if I was correct in my surmise, what was the -best way in which to proceed, so that the discomfiture of these men -might be complete, the night grew apace, and still I had come to no -decision. - -Suddenly, a slight, scarcely-seen motion--so slight, so scarcely-seen -that it might have been caused by the vagrant breath of a passing -breeze, only there was a perfect calm--seemed to the keenness of my -sea-trained vision to make itself felt by a sort of tremulousness in -that breadth of shadow that lay opposite me under the cold gleam of the -stars, which I knew to be the side of the hill on which was the abbey. - -Sounds, too, there came, but so faintly that I could not disentangle -them from the ordinary voices of the night. Then, as I strained my eyes -and ears, both sound and motion faded away as in a dream. I waited and -watched for some minutes, but all was as silent as death. - -Thinking I might have been mistaken, I went down from the battlements, -and calling to the officer who had spoken of the wish of the refugee -kernes, I bade him bring them to me in a chamber that served as a -guard-room. - -As I entered, a solitary wolf-call came howling through the air, and -then, as the kernes came in, there was a second. - -The first wolf-call had startled me, for surely, with such a host near -us, it was a strange thing for a wolf to be thus close at hand; but -when I heard the second one there was no doubt left in my mind. These -calls were no other than the calls of human wolves signalling each -other. - -So, bidding the men to be kept in the guard-room till I returned, I -went to the gate, and told de Vilela that I conjectured the enemy was -stealing upon us in the darkness to take us by surprise, expecting -that their allies within our walls would have so contrived as to make -the way easy for them, and I said I thought I could now put my hand on -these very men. - -When I saw the kernes again, they affirmed that they were three men of -the O’Flahertys of Ballanahinch, between whom and the O’Malleys there -was a friendship of long-standing. Now, between these O’Flahertys and -the O’Flahertys of Aughnanure there was a desperate family feud, and -their tale was not lacking in plausibleness. They appeared to be very -eager to be employed against the enemy, and implored to be sent to help -to guard the gate, which was the weakest part of our defences. - -I replied that it was for me, and not for them, to say where they -should be put, but that their prayer would be granted. As for the -gate being the weakest part of our defences, how could they say that? -Whereupon they were silent. However, I had now determined what I was -to do, so I bade them begone to the company of de Vilela, who had no -difficulty in understanding that they were the knaves of whom I had -spoken to him. - -A short time afterwards I saw the Spaniard, and communicated to him -my plan, which was that he was to appear to give the kernes every -opportunity of carrying out their designs, but, without seeming to do -so, was not to lose sight of them for one moment, and that thus he -would probably be in a position to defeat their intent. - -To speak the truth, I did not see how I could act in any other manner, -yet I was very uneasy, and, as the event showed, not without reason. - -For I had been no more than back again at my place in the black corner -of the parapet, when I heard a loud shouting at that angle of the wall -next the sea, and the sound of blows. Running thither, I saw the dark -forms of men climbing from ladders to the top of the wall, and the pale -glitter of steel striking steel. - -In an instant the whole castle rang with the cries of the alarmed -guard, as they hurried from all sides to the point of attack, and -torches blazed out from the tower. The glare from these lights fell -weirdly on the forms of our people as they pressed on to mount the -parapet, yelling with lusty throats the war-cry of the O’Malleys. I -stopped and looked down on them, and as the dancing torches flew their -flags of red and orange flame, now this way, now that, I noticed among -the crowd the faces of two of the kernes whom I had sent to de Vilela. - -To make certain I looked again. There assuredly they were, pushing on, -and pointing to the place of assault, and shouting more loudly even -than their neighbours. I asked myself why they had left the guard at -the gate, and at once concluded that they must have slipped away in the -confusion, for de Vilela was not likely to have given them permission. - -What was their object? - -And where was the third man? I could only see two. - -There they were--the two whom I now plainly discovered stepping -forward, apparently as keen for the fight as any of ourselves, making -straight for the parapet, and _helping to draw others along with them -away from the gate of the drawbridge_. - -Was that it? - -This thought came like the quick flashing of an inward light, and then -was succeeded by another. - -If this were so, then it followed that the attack we were engaged in -repelling was a mere feint meant to deceive us, and that the real -assault would be made--probably at the gate--while our attention was -held elsewhere. In any case there were sufficient, as I conceived, of -our gallowglasses now upon the walls to beat back the enemy, and I -hastened toward the gate. - -As I moved forward I was met by de Vilela and most of his company, and -when I stopped and asked him why he had quitted his post, he replied -that it was in obedience to a request from me which he had just -received. Now, I had sent no such request, and the fear which had -sprung up within me was at once confirmed, as it was evident that he -had been duped by a false message, the result being that the gate was -left nearly unprotected. - -“Come with me,” I said, at the same time telling him quickly how the -matter stood, and of the dread that possessed me. Such of our men as I -encountered on the way I also bade turn about and follow me. Nor were -we a moment too soon. - -Drawing nearer, we could hear the rattle and the clank of the heavy -chains of the drawbridge as it was being lowered, and the creaking of -the ponderous gate as it swung inwards on its heavy hinges. The flames -of torches blazing from the wide doorway of the main tower flashed upon -the steel jacks and the gauntlets of English soldiers, dim-flitting in -the half-gloom of the opening mouth of the gate. - -The traitor had done his work and had done it well; yet it passes me, -even to this day, to understand how he had been able to accomplish his -end thus so swiftly and thoroughly. - -“O’Malley! O’Malley!” I cried in a great voice that rang out far above -all the din and disorder of the night, so that it reached the ear of my -princess, who now came hurrying on along with some of the gentlemen of -her household and a body of swordsmen. - -“O’Malley! O’Malley!” - -Behind me the pure deep tones of my mistress’s cry mingled with the -hoarse, harsh accents of her people. - -“O’Malley! O’Malley!” - -Fierce and terrible beyond all power of words to express was the hardly -human cry. - -With a couple of bounds I had reached our foes. The glimmer of a sword -passed by me, and I parried the point of a spear thrust at my breast. -Then I felt my knees gripped, and I tripped over upon the body of the -man who held me. As I stumbled, my weapon falling from my hand, I -caught a glimpse of de Vilela standing over me, his long sword playing -like lightning, holding the enemy in check. - -There was a rush of feet, and across me and the man beneath me, as -across a wall, did the battle rage. - -I had fallen with my whole weight upon the man who had seized my legs, -and I heard him gasp and sob and try for breath as he lay underneath. - -As I felt along his form for his throat, I noticed that he wore no -armour, and my fingers became as steel when I realised that this was -no other, could be no other, than the traitor who had opened the gate. -Whoever or whatever he was, his secret died with him there, for I did -not relax my grasp upon his neck until I was well assured that I had -twisted and broken it. - -And when in the morning we found the body amongst a heap of slain, it -was trampled out of all semblance of human shape, but not so as not to -show the sign of the broken neck. - -How I managed to roll myself out of that press and coil I cannot tell, -but yet somehow I did it, and all the while I was strangely conscious -that de Vilela’s sword watched and warded over me, so that I escaped -with my life. This affair of mine took not so long in the doing as -in the telling of it, and when I had struggled to my feet he was in -front of me--”Santiago! Santiago!” on his lips, as that long sword of -his sang its songs of death. Plucking my battle-axe from my girdle I -stepped to his side. - -And now about us were my mistress and her fiery swordsmen, mad with -rage and thirsting for blood. With wild screams we fell upon and fought -back the Englishmen, who stubbornly contested every foot of ground, -until we hurled them broken across the bridge, pursuing them for some -distance beyond the castle. Then, facing round, we attacked from the -rear those who had attempted to enter by scaling the walls; and perhaps -some escaped in the darkness, but of those who were seen by us not one -was spared. - -So, favourably for us, our first fight with the English came to a -close. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -THE GATE OF FEARS. - - -During what of the night remained we continued under arms, expecting -that the attack might be renewed, but the morning--another sunny -splendour--came, and we were undisturbed. We were now in a better -position to estimate what had occurred, and the peril from which we had -so narrowly escaped. - -The number of our dead and wounded was not great, but among the latter -was Fitzgerald, who had been by the side of Grace O’Malley in the fight -for the gate. Eva O’Malley, along with Teige O’Toole, the Wise Man, -who was also a mediciner, and skilled in the use of herbs and simples, -ministered to the wants and relieved the pangs of the sufferers, as far -as lay within her power. - -And as she passed in and out among them, her passing seemed to me, and -to others I doubt not, as the passing of an angel. My mistress and de -Vilela were unhurt, and I had nothing more than some bruises to show -for my share in the battle. - -Neither among the killed nor the wounded could the two traitorous -kernes be seen, and I feared that they had contrived to make good -their flight, a thing which did not appear improbable considering the -darkness and confusion of an assault by night. However, I had every -portion of the castle searched and scrutinised with the utmost care, -and finally the knaves were found hiding in a storeroom, which held a -large quantity of loose corn, and there, amongst the grain, they were -discovered nearly suffocated. - -They had deserved no mercy and they were shown none. Desirous of -knowing who they in reality were, and of obtaining any information they -possessed of the purposes of the Governor, I ordered that they should -be taken into one of the underground dungeons, and put to the question. - -But they were stout of heart, being, as I think, no common men, so -that torture even failed to worry their secrets from them. When -Grace O’Malley heard that they could be forced to disclose nothing, -she directed that they should be taken and hanged from a great -gallows-beam, that sprang out from the summit of the tower, and which -could be plainly descried by the English from Burrishoole. - -No sooner had the fight for the gate come to an end, than I became -greatly disturbed in my mind as to the debt I felt myself to be owing -to de Vilela, for, had it not been for that marvellous sword-play of -his I had never come out of the fray alive. - -That was the kind of debt in payment of which a man might almost -give his all, even life itself. In what way was I to discharge it? I -consoled myself with the thought that the chances of warfare might -provide me with the opportunity, but if not--what then? - -The matter lay heavy upon me, and that Don Francisco was my rival -for Eva’s love, and, as I was more than half disposed to imagine, my -successful rival did not make the burden of it the lighter to bear. But -one thing I could do, and that, the business of the perfidious knaves -being despatched, I did. I sought him out, and, offering him my hand, -thanked him with such words as flowed from a full, if troubled breast, -for the great service he had done me. - -“Señor,” said I impulsively, “I believe that I am indebted to you for -the greatest service one man can render another.” - -His attitude was that of protest, nay, of entreaty, that I should say -no more. - -Now I have written to little purpose if I have not made it evident -that de Vilela was my superior in every way save with respect to my -strength of body, which was the one special gift God had given me. I -had acknowledged the fact to myself, although, being human, not perhaps -ungrudgingly. As I looked into his face, whatever poor, paltry feeling -I had nourished against him was swept away by a wave of strong emotion. - -“Yes, señor,” said I, “how am I to thank you? But for you--I would have -perished. What am I to say? What can I do?” - -“Señor Ruari,” cried he, in that soft, quiet way of his, “between -soldiers, brothers-in-arms, there is no debt.” - -“Señor,” said I---- - -“Be generous, Señor Ruari,” exclaimed he, “and say not a word more,” -and he smiled somewhat wistfully and sadly. “We are friends, at any -rate, whate’er befall, are we not?” - -“By God’s wounds!” swore I. - -And we clasped hands again, and so parted. - -The day which followed that night of stir was one of quiet at the -castle, and its very peacefulness seemed to me well-nigh intolerable. -But we learned from our spies, and could to some extent see for -ourselves, that there was a great commotion in the English camp, -indicating the arrival of fresh troops. - -By the evening, Sir Nicholas had so disposed his forces that we -were completely hemmed in on the land side, and our spies had to be -withdrawn within the walls. The sea was still open to us, and much I -wondered that the Governor did not take this more into his account, for -so long as we could get to our galleys and procure food by way of Clew -Bay, we could laugh at him and bid him defiance. - -But I might have been sure that Sir Nicholas was too experienced a -soldier not to know well what he was about. - -Another night and another day dragged themselves slowly away, and the -Governor moved not from the positions he had taken up. There he lay all -round us, just out of reach of our ordnance, of which we gave him a -taste from time to time, so that he should keep his distance; there he -lay, inactive, waiting, expectant--but of what, or, of whom? - -These were the questions Grace O’Malley discussed with de Vilela and -myself, and the answers to them did not present themselves at once. - -“Can it be,” asked my mistress--and her words showed the direction in -which her thoughts were turning “that Sir Nicholas has heard Richard -Burke is coming with all the men of Mayo behind him to our aid, and -that he has decided to engage him before attacking us?” - -“He is perhaps making some engines with which he hopes to batter down -your walls,” said de Vilela. - -“Our ordnance will prevent that,” said I. - -“I think the Governor must himself expect to receive ordnance from some -quarter,” said de Vilela, “otherwise the success of the siege he must -know is impossible.” - -Grace O’Malley and I looked at each other, the same thought in our -minds. There was only the one way by which there was any probability of -his obtaining heavy pieces, and that was over sea. - -Did Sir Nicholas reckon on the support of a heavy ship of war, and was -he now quietly looking for its arrival? Had he foreseen, or, at least, -provided against the failure of the plot of the kernes? - -That seemed very likely, and the more I thought of it the more likely -did it seem. I now realised, as I had not done before, the seriousness -of our situation. - -“That must be it,” said Grace O’Malley. “That must be it. He is not -a man given to slackness, but he is perfectly aware that he can now -effect nothing unless he has cannon, and so he tarries until his -ordnance comes. Doubtless he has arranged that a war-vessel shall meet -him here, and, if that is how the matter stands, it may arrive very -soon.” - -“What you have conjectured,” said, de Vilela, “will, I think, prove to -be correct.” And I also said that her words expressed my own opinion. - -Now, the three great galleys lay in the harbour at Clare Island, and -as Grace O’Malley had withdrawn most of their crews they were without -sufficient defenders, and might be easily taken and destroyed. - -“The galleys must at once be brought over here,” said she with decision -to me, “or better still, if it be not too late, sailed into Achill -Sound, and hidden away in one of its many bays. This very night, as -soon as the darkness has fallen, you, Ruari, must take as many men as -can be got into the boats we have here, and make for Clare Island with -all speed. When you have reached the island, do with the galleys as -seems best to you.” - -Accordingly, when the shadows of night had overspread the land and -the sea, I set about to fulfil her behest. The day-breeze had died -away, and the waters were calm and tranquil as we pulled out from the -castle. Rowing steadily and strongly along the north shore of Clew Bay, -the sound of our oars alone breaking the silence, we held on until we -arrived at Clare Island, where I was overjoyed to find our ships riding -at anchor in the peaceful security of the haven. - -And there, partly to rest my weary men, and partly because I could see -no reason for any immediate action, I resolved to lie still till dawn. - -I had hardly, as it appeared to me, laid myself down to sleep in my -cabin on _The Cross of Blood_, though some hours had passed, when I -was aroused by Calvagh O’Halloran, who had been left in charge of the -galleys, with the tidings that the watchers he had placed on Knockmore -had come down from the hill with the intelligence that they had seen, -in the first light of the morning, the tops of the masts of a large -ship coming up, faint and dim, on the south against the sky. - -Springing from my couch, I bade Calvagh get the galleys ready to put -to sea, and while this was being done I went ashore, and, climbing the -slope of Knockmore with swift steps, gazed seaward at the approaching -vessel. - -At first I was inclined to hesitate as to what to make of her, but -as I looked, and as she kept coming on into fuller view, any doubt I -entertained was set at rest. - -There was a bright flashing of flame, then a heavy boom from one of her -ports, succeeded by three shots fired in rapid succession. - -I concluded that she was still too far out at sea for her commander to -have intended these for anything but signals, and therefore I continued -to stand watching her, my purpose being to discover if she intended to -make for Clare Island or would hold on towards the mainland. - -This took some time, for, as the breeze was off the shore and against -the tide, she sailed very slowly. At length it became apparent that she -was to endeavour to go on to Burrishoole or Carrickahooley, and so -would have Clare Island well on her left, for, as she passed the Point -of Roonah, she was swung around between us and the coast. - -I could tell from her movements that her captain was far from being -certain where the channel lay among the islands that stud all the -eastern side of Clew Bay; and, indeed, it takes a man who knows these -parts more than well to steer a ship of middling tonnage safely through -the rocks and shoals into the fairway by Illamore. I felt confident -that it would be many hours before he could reach his destination, -and this put into my mind to attempt to carry out a project which had -occurred to me, and which might prevent him from ever reaching it at -all. - -The project was of a somewhat desperate nature, and if it resulted in -failure then in all likelihood there would be an end so far as regards -_The Cross of Blood_ and its company; but if success should favour our -enterprise, we might compel Sir Nicholas to raise the siege before it -was well begun, and so bring the war to a close for the present by his -retreat. - -As I was weighing the chances both for and against us, there sounded -forth from the English ship-of-war a single loud report, and shortly -afterwards three shots were fired--a repetition, in fact, of the former -signal. This acted on me like the pricking of a spear on a charger. - -What I had in view was nothing less than the wreck of the enemy’s -vessel. - -When I had regained the deck of my galley the anchor was weighed, and -we put out into the bay, leaving _The Grey Wolf_ and _The Winged -Horse_ in the harbour, with orders to follow us on the next tide. - -Summoning Calvagh to my side, I unfolded to him the course I thought -of pursuing, and as much would depend on the stoutness and endurance -of our rowers, I enjoined on him to exhort them to be steadfast, and -not to be thrown into a fury and a frenzy of excitement even when they -heard the shots of the Englishman roaring past their ears and we seemed -to be going to certain destruction. - -They were not to abandon their places at the benches unless _The Cross -of Blood_ should be so damaged by the enemy as to appear to be in a -sinking condition. Should that disaster be imminent, then, and only -then, would it become a case of each man for himself. - -I judged it to be needful to give these instructions because, while -I could trust everyone of my men where a matter of fighting was -concerned, I was not so sure that when it came to our running away--and -that was the very soul of my scheme--they would do as I wished with an -equal heart. For they were of the temper in which it is easier to fight -and die than to flee and live. - -As we drew out from Clare Island the English ship was about two miles -in front of us, with her bows pointing for the south side of Illamore, -between which and the rocky islets opposite it there is a clear span -of water, but before she could come abreast of Illamore there was a -distance of a couple of leagues of open sea. - -She went along lumberingly, and the galley, bounding forward like a -racer under the swift, measured swing of the oars, had the speed of -her, and began to come up with her rapidly. When we were within a mile -of her, and Illamore perchance a league away, I shifted my course and -bore off to the north. - -The galley had no doubt been seen by the Englishmen as soon as we had -emerged from Clare Island; and now, when they perceived that we were -heading away from them and going north, they fetched about and came -round after us. - -Would their captain give chase, or would he content himself with noting -whither we went and following us for a time and then turning about -again? I had felt certain from the beginning that he had no pilot on -board, for where were there any people who knew Clew Bay but ourselves? -And sure was I that no O’Malley would ever guide a hostile ship through -these waters. - -What I feared was that the Englishman might pursue us for two or three -miles, and then, seeing how thick the islands were in that part of the -bay and how narrow the channels between them, might be deterred from -proceeding further in our direction, and therefore stand off again for -the other side of Illamore, as had been his purpose at first. - -As I was determined to draw him on at all hazards, I made a sign -to Calvagh, at whose word our oarsmen ceased pulling their great -sweeping strokes, and made no more than a pretence of rowing, so as -only to keep steering-way on _The Cross of Blood_, and to deceive the -Englishman into imagining that he was catching her up, as indeed he -was, though not as he understood the matter. - -On he came, as I had hoped, the gap between us growing less, until a -ball fired from his bows fell so near as to warn me that we were within -range of his guns. - -The English vessel was a heavily armed ship, her sides bristling with -large pieces of ordnance, and it would have required not more than -a few of her shots, had they struck the galley, to send her to the -bottom. And as there were but two falconets on _The Cross of Blood_, -her other cannon having been removed from her to the walls of the -castle, we were not able to reply to the enemy’s fire with any effect. -But it was not my intention to use these falconets, except to lure him -into that trap I was setting for him. - -Therefore I shouted to Calvagh, and the galley plunged forward again -under the strong, full beat of the racing oars as he ran up and down -between the rowers commanding them to pull for their lives. We could -hear the cheering and the laughter on board the Englishman as he -watched what he took to be our frantic efforts to escape. - -And, in truth, we had put on this burst of speed none too soon, for the -shots now sent after us fell so little short of our stern that I was -afraid we were lost. But the peril passed, and we quickly drew away. - -And thus for two miles or more the pursuit of us went on, the -Englishman coming up with us and discharging his pieces at us as we -slacked off rowing, and then falling behind us as the oarsman drove the -galley on again. I repeated this manœuvre several times, and once only -had a ball struck _The Cross of Blood_, but, as fortune would have it, -without inflicting any serious injury upon us. - -Now that the supreme moment was almost at hand I became conscious of a -singular tumult, a very fever in my veins, and that at a time when I -desired above all things to be calm and self-possessed. - -I was standing by the helmsman as he steered, and, as I turned to give -him the direction, I could see in the pallor that showed beneath the -brown of his skin, in the fixedly gleaming eyes, in the shut lips that -had no colour about them, in the whole tense attitude of the man, the -visible expression of my own feelings. - -For there before us lay the islands; all shapes and sizes were they, -some grim and bare, others green and fair to see; island upon island, -one crowding upon the other, as it were, like a wide range of low hills. - -Immediately in front of us a grey, craggy rock reared its head; on one -side of it was a small, round islet, a shining girdle of spray half -hiding it, on the other, separated from it by a narrow passage, a great -rampart of black cliffs, on whose heights the eagles loved to build, -towered aloft into the sky, the waves rolling themselves in empty -thunders at its feet. - -Beyond this passage was seen a spacious land-locked bay as it appeared -to be, so closed in did it seem on all sides by islands. And through -this passage did I give command to go. - -There was a mute protest in the look the helmsman gave me, for this -passage is none other than that called the Gate of Fears, and no -mariner ever makes use of it save from direst necessity and with many -crossings of himself and murmured vows. But the galley made a half-turn -obedient to the helmsman’s hand, and so was headed for the dreaded Gate. - -The Englishman was at our heels, bent upon our capture or destruction, -but when he saw us approach this passage he hesitated, and was like to -draw back. Whereupon I ordered Calvagh to bid the oarsmen stop rowing, -and bringing the falconets into position trained them on the enemy, -myself putting the blazing torch to the touch-hole. - -At the same time our sailors sent up a loud taunting, derisive cry, -which was answered back full-throated by the English ship. Provoked -beyond endurance at us, and thinking, it might be, that where a large -galley like _The Cross of Blood_ might go she might venture also, she -again came on at us, firing as she came. - -I had to endure an agony of suspense, for there was still time for two -things to happen, either of which would be fatal to my purpose. - -Until the English commander had fairly entered the Gate of Fears, and -so would be forced to go on, he might hold off after all. That was the -first. And to tempt him on I had to keep the galley so close to the -range of his ordnance that it was very probable that he might hit and -sink her. That was the second. - -He had, however, made up his mind that we were within his grasp, and -had determined to have us. As he came slowly nearer, our oarsmen sent -the galley on through the passage, and on he moved after us. - -There was now a lull in his cannonading, and a strange silence fell -upon us all. In that silence I waited anxiously, a prey to mingled -doubts and fears, expecting to hear a slight grating, scraping -sound, and to see the galley shiver and quake as she passed over the -knife-edges of rocks that lie a few feet below the surface of the sea -at the further end of the Gate. The tide was high, as I had reckoned, -else I never would have attempted it. - -Then there was a sudden tempest of smoke and flame from the Englishman, -in the midst of which _The Cross of Blood_ swayed and reeled as if she -had been struck. I sickened with apprehension, but the swaying and the -reeling quickly ceased. We were safely over the jagged barrier of rock; -we had passed through the Gate, and were in the deep water beyond. - -Below me I could see Calvagh’s white, set face as he looked up; then, -as he realised that we were out of the dangers of the passage, a war -chant broke from his fierce lips, the oarsmen rowing mightily, and -keeping time to that savage, deep-chested music of his. - -And on behind us came the unwitting Englishman. - -In a few minutes more, looking towards her, I saw her bows tilt up -and then plunge high into the air. She was lifted up and dashed down -again and again on the rocks, so that her back broke, and she was torn -to pieces before my eyes, while some of her sailors cast themselves -into the water, with outcries and bewailings very piteous to hear, and -others got into the ship’s boats and put out to sea, where I know not -what fate overtook them. - -My men clamoured that they should be pursued, but this I would not -suffer, for my end was attained, as Sir Nicholas now would have no -ordnance for the battering down of the walls of Carrickahooley, and -must therefore raise the siege. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE SIEGE IS RAISED. - - -Perchance it was that my spirits had been affected by the sinking -of this fine ship, even though I myself had been the cause of the -same--the loss of a vessel, I cannot help saying, being a thing more -to be deplored than the deaths of many human beings; or it may have -been that my mind, now the necessity for prompt and decisive action had -passed, became, as it were, relaxed and unstrung; but, as _The Cross -of Blood_ threaded her way through the maze of the islands towards -Carrickahooley, I could think of nothing save of how I stood in the -debt of de Vilela. - -In vain I strove to comfort myself by recalling the successes and the -victories that had been achieved by and in the name of my mistress, -Grace O’Malley, and by telling myself that she had won for herself and -us an imperishable renown. Not thus could I silence the voice of my -heart, which cried out that all these were but as barrenness and as -nothingness so long as Eva O’Malley was not for me. For _there_ was the -pain, there the grief and the sadness. - -Against myself did I consider myself called upon to fight. I was as -deep in the Spaniard’s debt as a man could be, and yet I could not -bring myself to resign all hopes of my dear, even to de Vilela, without -the bitterest struggles. - -Which of us twain possessed the maid’s love? Was it de Vilela, or was -it I? Did she love either of us?--that was the all-important question. -For myself, my love had grown with my growth, was, I felt, growing -still, and would keep on growing as long as I lived. - -De Vilela, however, was a stranger, blown in upon us, as it were, by -the chance winds of heaven. My claim was perhaps the better claim, but -a maid’s heart acknowledges no real claim but the claim of her love, -and if her heart’s love was de Vilela’s, then was my claim void and -empty indeed. - -Therefore, let the maid decide. My thoughts had worked round to this -point, when I remembered once more what Grace O’Malley had said about -the Don and Eva. What if Eva loved me after all? Again, Let the maid -decide, said I. - -Yet, somehow, this did not altogether satisfy me. Then it occurred to -me that I might pay a part of my debt to de Vilela in the following way. - -He could scarcely tarry much longer with us at the castle, as he must -soon depart to endeavour to carry out the objects of the secret mission -with which he had been entrusted by his master, the King of Spain. -The way for him would be clear and open, for I had no doubt that Sir -Nicholas would not now be able to continue the siege, and that we would -be left in peace and quiet till the spring of the next year, when the -war would most probably be renewed against us with larger forces, and -with greater determination, both by land and sea. But all that lay in -the womb of the future. - -As for Don Francisco, I thought it likely that he would try to make the -most of the time that remained to him before setting out for the Earl -of Desmond’s, that he would ask for Eva’s hand from Grace O’Malley, -and that thus the matter would be determined. What I set myself to do -was, so long as he remained at Carrickahooley, to keep out of Eva’s -presence, and in a manner, as it were, to leave the field to de Vilela. - -If the maid loved him, I was out of court; if she loved me, she would -tell her foster-sister that she could not accept the offer of the -Spaniard; if she cared for neither of us, or wavered between us, then -I was resolved to forego whatever advantage I possessed over de Vilela -until he had received his answer and had taken his departure. - -If she accepted his suit, they would be married, I supposed drearily, -before he left, and then they would set out together, and that which -was unutterably and unalterably rare, dear, and precious would be gone -out of my life. If Eva willed otherwise--it all rested with her. But, -in any case, de Vilela was to have his chance free from any mean or -unmannerly interference from me. - -Little did I guess how severely the strength of my resolution was to be -tested, but I thank God, now that all is done, that it bore the strain. - -It was not much past the middle of the day when _The Cross of Blood_ -drew up at Carrickahooley, but long before we had reached the castle we -could hear the sounds of battle rolling towards us from off the land, -and could see the tiny clouds of smoke made by the arquebuses as they -were fired off. - -Disembarking with all haste, and bringing with me most of my crew, I -was instantly admitted within the water-gate. There I was told that -Grace O’Malley, with de Vilela, her gentlemen, and most of her people, -was making a sally on the English. - -Rushing to the parapets, I could see that the centre of the fighting -was between the castle and the Abbey of Burrishoole, and that it was of -a very terrible and bloody character, the Englishmen displaying that -dogged courage for which they are famed, while the Irish, inspired by -their mistress, performed wonderful feats of valour, and were thrusting -their enemies slowly back to their principal position, where, however, -their further retreat was speedily checked on their being strengthened -by fresh supports. - -Now the purpose of Grace O’Malley in this outfall could not have -extended beyond inflicting upon the Governor considerable loss, as -she knew his force was far superior to her own in numbers; and I -was therefore not surprised to witness the Irish at this juncture -beginning to retreat, the English attacking them fiercely in front and -on their flanks. - -It was at this instant that Sir Nicholas, who was himself directing the -operations of his troops, conceived that he might cut our people off -altogether from the castle by sending forward some soldiers he had held -as a reserve, and placing them between the Irish and the castle. - -I could see all this quite plainly from the walls, and, fearing lest he -might succeed, I summoned my men, and, issuing from the castle gate, -marched to meet this new body of the enemy, in order, if so be I was in -time, to defeat the attempt, which, if well carried out, could not but -be attended with the greatest possible danger, and perhaps disaster, to -my mistress. - -Being delayed by the roughness of the ground from coming up as quickly -as I could have wished, and as they had the start of us, the English -had effected their purpose, and the Irish were surrounded. - -But, as we ran forward, some of the enemy faced about to meet us, and -so, being taken, as it were, between two fires--Grace O’Malley with her -men on the one side, and I with mine on the other--they were speedily -thrown into the utmost confusion, of which we did not fail to make a -good account. Still the contest was by no means entirely in our favour, -for the resistance of the Governor’s soldiers was protracted and -bitter, each man contending for his own hand with all the strength and -cunning he was possessed of. - -At length the main body of the Irish under Grace O’Malley fought their -way through the enemy and joined themselves to us, my mistress being -both surprised and rejoiced to find that we had returned, and had been -able to come to her assistance. Beside her, their swords gleaming redly -in their hands, were Brian Ogue, and Art, and Henry O’Malley, and the -other gentlemen of her household; and leaning upon the arm of one of -them, and supported and protected by two men, I beheld de Vilela, -desperately wounded! - -His face was pale, drawn, deep-lined, and spotted with blood, the eyes -being closed, and the lips shut tight; the figure within his armour was -bent with weariness, and weakness, and wounds; the fingers of the right -hand still grasped the handle of his sword, but they shook and trembled -as with palsy. Truly, he looked like one whose doom is sealed, and my -heart went out to him with a great compassion. - -Calling to four of my men, who were armed with spears, I caused them -to make a rough litter with their weapons, and upon this rude but -soldierly contrivance we laid the Spaniard, and so bore him to the -castle, while behind us the fight still continued, but with less and -less fierceness. - -Not a sound came from Don Francisco, although the jolting must have -given him the most intense pain, save once when my mistress took his -hand and spoke to him, when he made reply in Spanish that “all was -well” with him. And I thought the words were not unworthy, but well -became the brave soul of the man. - -“I will go in with him,” said Grace O’Malley to me, when we had arrived -at the gate; “Ruari, do you gather our people together, and lead them -within the walls.” - -And I did her bidding, so that in a short time I had them collected in -a compact body, and under cover of the ordnance, belching forth from -the battlements, retreated within the gate, bearing most of our wounded -with us. There I found Grace O’Malley waiting to hear the news I had -brought. - -“De Vilela?” I first inquired. - -“He is still alive,” said she, “but I fear the hour of his passing is -already upon him.” - -“’Fore God,” cried I, with a sob in my throat, “I trust not.” - -“Eva tends him,” said she--and in a flash I remembered everything. - -“He is in good keeping,” said I. - -“He is in the hands of God,” said she, in a voice and manner so touched -with unwonted solemnity and deep feeling that I gazed at her in -amazement. - -Then a wild thought came to me: could she, did she, our princess, care -for this man? But no sooner had the thought arisen in my mind than I -dismissed it. “What have I to do with love?” she had said on a former -occasion, and she had meant it. - -Her next words, however, appeared to give point to my suspicion, but -when I considered them more carefully, I saw I was wrong. For what she -had said was, “There are few men like Don Francisco,” but the tone in -which they were spoken was not that, it seemed to me, of a woman who -loves; rather was it that of one who deplores the expected loss of a -dear friend. Yet sometimes, in the silent watches of the night, have I -wondered--and I wonder still. - -“We have heard the roar of great guns from time to time this morning,” -said she, changing the subject abruptly, “and, knowing that you had -no ordnance to speak of, I feared for your safety. Tell me what has -happened.” - -Whereupon I related all that had taken place, and how that the English -war-vessel had been dashed to pieces on the rocks at the hither end of -the Gate of Fears. - -Much I spoke in praise of Calvagh and the rowers of _The Cross of -Blood_, and said that it was fitting they should be given a rich -reward, for, notwithstanding the terrors inspired in all seafaring men -by the place, and in spite of the ordnance of the Englishman making the -passage like the mouth of hell, they had stood fast every one. - -“And what of yourself?” cried she, between smiles and tears. “What of -yourself, my Ruari?” - -And she took from the mantle upon her shoulder a brooch of gold, with -mystic signs, of which I knew not the meaning, engraved upon it, and in -the midst of it a sapphire, with the deep blue in it of the unfathomed -abysses of the sea. This she handed to me, one of her arms about my -neck, and I was uplifted with pride, albeit there was some shame mixed -with it too. But the gift I compelled myself to decline. - -“I may not take it,” cried I; for the brooch was one of the tokens of -her chieftainship to her people, and firmly resolved was I that there, -in the land of her fathers, no man should ever have the slightest cause -to think there was any other chief save her, and her alone. But if I -took the brooch--”No,” said I; “I may not take it.” - -Then, seeing I was determined, she sighed, said no more, but kissed -me on the cheek--a thing she had not done since I was a little child, -playing with her, a child too, on the sands of the shores of Clew Bay. - -Thereafter together we went into the chamber of the main tower where de -Vilela had been laid. There by his couch was my dear, a presence soft, -tender, and full of sweet womanly pity and of the delicate ministries -that spring from it. There upon the couch lay the wreck of a man; so -calm, so pale, so worn, that he looked like one dead. - -“He still breathes,” said Eva, in a whisper. - -Perhaps it was the result of the conversation I had just had with Grace -O’Malley, or it may have been the subtle influence of that scene, with -that quiet figure stretched upon the couch for its centre, but there -was no bitterness in my breast when I saw Eva there. Who, indeed, could -have felt any other emotion at such a time but that of sorrow? - -For two days de Vilela hung between life and death. More than once -did it seem that his spirit had left his shattered body, and yet it -did not. On the third day the Spaniard rallied; Teige O’Toole, our -physician, declared that there was hope; and from that instant Don -Francisco began slowly to recover. - -All within the castle rejoiced, and I as much as any; but when I saw -how constantly Eva was with him, and how the sick man was restless -and uneasy in her brief absences from his side, and how she watched -over and soothed and tended him, her mere presence being a better -restorative than all the healing simples of Teige O’Toole, is it to be -marvelled at that I found the determination I had come to of leaving -the field open to him, and of withdrawing from it, become more and more -difficult to maintain? - -Neither did Sir Nicholas nor his army help greatly to distract my -thoughts. For there, outside our walls, at a safe distance from our -cannon, did the Governor lie day after day for a long week, waiting, -doubtless, for the warship that never came. - -We did not, on our side, stir out of the castle, for whatever -advantage, if any, had been reaped from the sally had been purchased at -too heavy a price. Grace O’Malley rightly had come to the conclusion -that we had everything to gain by sitting still, and that Sir Nicholas, -seeing that he could do nothing against us without ordnance, would -soon grow tired of this futile business, and so go back to Galway. - -Whether he had heard in some way that the vessel he had expected had -been wrecked, or feared that events had happened which had prevented -it from being sent at all by Winter, the English Admiral, I know not; -but one night he stole away from Burrishoole, and when the morning was -come, lo, there was not an Englishman anywhere to be seen. - -It was an unfortunate coincidence in one respect that the very morning -which saw the siege raised should also have witnessed the arrival of -Richard Burke, attended by fifty horsemen and more than a hundred -gallowglasses, for if we could have counted on such a number of -fighting men in addition to our own, we should certainly have again -attacked the Governor’s forces and not stood so much upon our defence. - -But in another respect it fell out luckily enough for us, and this was -that we might now pursue him with some hope of overtaking him, and of -stopping him from plundering the country, owing to the assistance of -the Burkes. There was nothing more certain than that Sir Nicholas, as -he retreated towards Galway, would drive before him all the cattle and -horses of the land, and thus he would, after all, unless prevented, -gather an enormous spoil, depriving us, and those who looked to us for -protection, of a great part of our wealth. And already he had done us a -vast amount of injury and harm. - -So soon, therefore, as Richard Burke, who was sorely disappointed that -he had not reached Carrickahooley sooner, had come into the castle, and -had been received and entertained by my mistress, from whom he heard a -narrative of what had recently occurred, Grace O’Malley proposed that -he and I should set out with a large force to endeavour to recover -from the English the plunder they were taking away. And to this the -MacWilliam gladly assented, observing that no proposal could please him -better than to take part in getting back her property for her. - -“And,” continued he, “as it is impossible for Sir Nicholas to move -quickly, hampered as he must be with many herds of cattle and bands of -horses, we can catch him up before he has gone very far.” - -“You will also have many opportunities,” said Grace O’Malley, “of which -I am sure you will not fail to make the most, of coming upon detached -bodies of his troops as they struggle through the thick forests and the -passes of the mountains, and of cutting them off. You can harass and -harry him nearly every step of his retreat, so that when he at length -reaches Galway it will be with greatly lessened forces, and with so -slender a spoil that he will not care to boast of it.” - -“You would not offer him battle?” asked I. - -“You must be the judges of that for yourselves,” said she; “but Sir -Nicholas is a fine soldier, and as wary as a fox in warfare, and I -think you can do him far more deadly hurt by acting as I have said. -You will risk but little, and may gain much.” - -Then Grace O’Malley and Richard Burke began talking of what prospect -there was of a general rising of the Irish against the Queen, and of -the help that might be looked for from Philip of Spain, and of other -matters, some of which, I suspect, lay even nearer the heart of one of -them, at least. - -But of this I cannot tell, for when they commenced to speak of affairs -of State I went out from the hall in which they were, to get my men -in readiness to pursue the English. And welcome to me was it that our -expedition, and its hard service, held out the promise of drawing off -my thoughts from Eva and de Vilela. - -I was eager that we should make a start at once, but the Burkes were -weary and footsore with their long, toilsome journey. For that day, -then, they rested, Grace O’Malley giving them and all in the castle a -great feast, filling them with food and wine, while her harpers stirred -their souls with songs of the mighty deeds done by the mighty dead. - -Songs, too, they made to music now sweet, now fierce, in honour of -my mistress, acclaiming her as not the least in the long list of a -line of heroes! Whereupon the castle rang with tumultuous shoutings -of applause. Then the minstrels cunningly turned their themes to the -Burkes of Mayo, English once, but Irish now--ay, even more Irish than -the Irish themselves. - -And so the day passed. - -In the morning we left Carrickahooley with a hundred horsemen and a -hundred running footmen, besides horse-boys and others. Behind us -came many of the fugitives who had come to us fleeing from before the -English, and who now were returning to their homes, or to what poor, -charred remains of them might be found. - -As we moved swiftly on, we saw many evidences of the havoc wrought by -the ruthless invaders; here the hut of the wood-kerne, who lives by -hunting, there the hovel of the churl, who tills the fields, burnt to -the ground; while over all brooded the silence of desolation and death. - -It was not till evening was upon us that we knew by many indications -that we were close on the enemy. Then we halted and waited till the -night had fully come, sending out in the meantime our spies to see what -the English were doing. - -Softly, like thieves, they returned with word they had discovered -that Sir Nicholas and the greater portion of his army were not to be -seen, having apparently gone on, but that a small company of English -soldiers and most of the O’Flahertys of Aughnanure were camped some two -or three miles away, having in their charge great droves of cattle. -Having no thought that they were being followed up by us, they had made -no preparations for defence, and therefore might easily fall into our -hands. - -Leaving our chargers to the care of the horse-boys, we divided -ourselves into two bands, Richard Burke being in command of the one, -and I of the other; and, going very circumspectly so as to give no hint -of our approach, we burst upon the enemy, many of whom were slain at -the first onset, but a far larger number escaped us in the darkness. We -spent the rest of the night in their camp, having secured the cattle; -and when daylight made manifest everything to us I saw that we had -accomplished all this victory without the loss of a single man, there -being but few wounds even among us. - -Then we rode on that day and two more, now and again falling in with -scattered companies of the enemy, whom we slew or dispersed, and -recovering from them whatever plunder they were taking out of the land. -But Sir Nicholas we did not meet with, as he had gone on day and night -without halting, having heard, as I afterwards learned, that the Burkes -of Clanrickarde, under Ulick, the son of the earl, had brought together -several hundred men, including many Scots, and that they were even now -threatening Galway itself. - -As we were not purposed to go on to Galway after the Governor, we -returned to Carrickahooley at our leisure. - -And now, as we journeyed northwards, Richard Burke’s talk to me was all -of his love for my mistress. How brave, how strong, how great she was! -And of how wonderful a spirit and so wise withal! Did I think that she -had a regard for anyone in especial? Or, that he might have a chance -with her? - -And thus he talked and talked, until I, who had my own love trouble, -and found it hard enough, was first constrained to listen, then to -utter words of sympathy, and, last of all, was unfeignedly glad -when our arrival at the castle put a stop to the outflowing of his -eloquence. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -“OUR NATURAL LEADER.” - - -“The Earl of Desmond,” said Grace O’Malley to me, “is our natural -leader against the English, and I wish you to go and see him.” - -These words my mistress addressed to me shortly after Richard Burke and -I had returned. She and I were alone, and, indeed, she had sent for -me expressly, so that I knew it was of some matter of importance she -wished to speak to me. I had not anticipated, however, that it would be -this. - -“Yes,” I said. “When do you desire me to go? De Vilela will hardly -be able to be moved for some time yet, and I suppose that he will -accompany me.” - -Don Francisco was better, but several weeks would have to elapse before -he would stand on his feet, or even be moved from his bed with safety. - -“No,” said she. “I do not think it prudent to wait so long a period -as may have to pass before de Vilela has sufficiently recovered. You -must take Fitzgerald with you, and set out at once for the Desmond -stronghold at Askeaton. Fitzgerald is now nearly well, his wound being -all but healed. He possesses something of the confidence of the King -of Spain, which Don Francisco enjoys to the full, and is therefore in -a position to speak with Desmond, and to find out what his intentions -are.” - -“As you will,” said I, not without gladness, for it would be a way, and -that a perfect one, to enable me to keep my resolution with regard to -Eva and de Vilela--if I were out of the castle altogether, then indeed -would the field be left to him alone. But, at the same time, there was -a gripping about my heart that certainly was not caused by pleasure. - -“It would be most unwise to delay,” continued she. “Sir Nicholas Malby -will come against us so soon as he can raise a large army; if not Sir -Nicholas, then another; if not this year, and he will scarcely do so -now the winter approaches, then next year. And thus will the contest go -on till the end has come. Under Desmond, the head of the Geraldines, -the greatest noble of the South, all the Irish people will rally.” - -My mistress’s voice was full of excitement; but I was not so sure of -Desmond, and so made haste to remind her that he had been out against -the Queen before, and had got nothing but imprisonment and grievous -loss for his pains. - -“It is not the same now,” replied she, with her ardour undiminished; -“for Philip of Spain will throw his sword into the balance. When -Desmond understands that he will be backed up by the ships and the -soldiers and the money of Spain, he will throw off all irresolution, -and show himself to be the great prince he is. Tell him that we are -with him heart and soul. Tell him that the Burkes, both the Upper -and the Lower Burkes, will forget their feuds, and unite for this one -common purpose. Tell him there will be no lack of treasure; and as an -earnest of this we will now go to the Caves of Silence, and take from -thence the chest of gold found on the _Capitana_--I have spoken to de -Vilela about it--and some gems as well, as a present from me.” - -My mistress’s mind was made up, and vain would it have been for me to -try to cause her to change her determination. And why should I try? Was -not what she said true? Was not Desmond a prince in the land? If he -could not be depended upon to lead us against the English, then on whom -could we depend? So I stifled whatever of doubt I felt. Grace O’Malley -was my leader, and if she were content with Garrett Desmond, then so -was I. - -We went together to the Caves of Silence, and brought away from them -the chest of gold, a casket richly chased and adorned with rare jewels, -and a dagger, the handle and sheath of which were studded with precious -stones. - -“What hatred of the English may not accomplish,” said my mistress, -“gold will. Many a good sword may be bought when neither love nor hate -would affect aught; many a waverer made steadfast on the rock of gold.” - -I was to sail early next morning in _The Cross of Blood_, and in the -evening when I sat in the hall, she straightly charged me that I was on -no account to adventure the ship or myself in any sort of peril, and -that I was not to attack any vessel, however fair and goodly a prize it -might seem; nay, on the contrary, I must keep out of the track of ships -as far as was practicable. - -When the two ladies left us for the night, and I rose to bid them -farewell for a time, I held Grace O’Malley’s hand, and she pressed mine -warmly. I would have given all that I had in the world, or ever hoped -to possess of it, if Eva would but have clasped my hand with something -of the same fervour, or that I could have held hers and caressed it -with a lover’s fondness. - -And the eyes of my dear, too, were soft and kind, so that my heart -cried out for a token, but my debt to de Vilela stood between us, and I -only touched the little hand. - -She looked at me somewhat strangely, I fancied, as if the coldness of -my manner made her marvel, and I think that there perhaps was a faint -gleam of laughing malice in the face of Grace O’Malley, who stood by. -But in the morning, there, at the window high up the tower, were to be -seen both my mistresses, with their fingers to their lips kissing me -good-bye, as the galley was pulled out from the harbour. - -It was now October, a month of storms, and we had to encounter head -winds, heavy seas, and much stress of weather, so that our progress -southward was slow. Keeping close in shore, we took advantage of -whatever protection the coast, or the islands along it, afforded us, -having frequently to put in and stop in one or another of the bays of -Connaught. - -A full week was thus taken up before we had gotten through the South -Sound between Inisheer and the mainland, and, with the exception of -some fishing boats, we had had the sea to ourselves. - -As we passed down the rocky, mountain-crowned coast, we were sorely -buffeted and wrought upon by the winds and waves. By the time we were -abreast of the Cliffs of Moher, so furious a tempest was raging that I -feared never would we live through it. - -The stoutness of the galley, however, and perhaps some skill of -seamanship, brought us safely to the Head of Cregga, which we essayed -to round, but experienced so great a travail in the doing of it, albeit -we did it, that we were well-nigh exhausted with the labour. But, once -round the Head, we found ourselves in a stretch of water which, by -comparison with that we had gone over, was as a quiet pool, to wit, the -Bay of Liscanor. - -And here we remained for some hours, looking for such an abatement of -the storm as would allow us to proceed; but in this our hope was not -to be realised as soon as we had expected, for the night fell, and the -fury of the tempest was not spent. - -The first object that met our gaze when the light of morning had come -was a ship, all her masts gone, and the waves sweeping over her, go -driving to her doom on the rocks of Cregga. As now her bows, now her -stern was lifted up, so that we got a full view of her hull, there -was that about her that seemed to me not unfamiliar, but I could not -say then what it was. Clutching the ropes and bolts on and about what -remained of her bulwarks were a few men, clinging desperately in the -face of death to their last hold on life. - -There was no possibility of the ship being saved, and there was hardly -a greater likelihood of saving the lives of any of these miserable -sailors, but I resolved to make the attempt, at least. - -Bringing up _The Cross of Blood_ as near as I dared to the Head, and -having made ready to lower her two small boats, I waited for the moment -when the vessel would crash upon the rocks, and be crushed and broken -upon them. As she neared the cliffs, the spume of the waves shooting -high and white in the air, the foaming, roaring waters, dashed back -by the rocks, caught and twisted her about, so that, as her side was -turned to us, I saw her name in letters of white and gold. - -She was _The Rosemary_, a shot from which had caused the death of my -master, Owen O’Malley, a few months before, and well did I remember -how I saw her sail up the Shannon on her way to Limerick, with the two -eerie figures shadowed against her canvas. - -For an instant I felt an impulse to stand off, and to make no effort -to avert the fate of any of her men--it was uncertain, I told myself, -whether at the best I could render them any assistance. But, after all, -we had no quarrel with these wretched mariners, about to be swallowed -up by the ever-hungry sea, and, if we had had, this extremity of -theirs was of a kind which we could not look upon as our opportunity -and have been worthy of the name of men. - -Therefore, when _The Rosemary_ rose to the waves for the last time, and -was borne aloft on the black edge of a huge roller, and then shattered -to fragments upon the rocks, did we keep a sharp look-out for the -bodies, living or dead, if any, which might appear on the water near -where we were. - -And five poor souls, by means of our boats, did we save alive, or, -being as the dead, did bring to life again--and one of them was a woman. - -Surely this was the queerest trick that fate ever played upon me, for -the woman was none other than Sabina Lynch! Nor do I wonder that, when -she had come to herself and, seeing me, knew upon whose ship she was, -she did imagine she had but escaped from one kind of calamity to meet -with another, and that perhaps worse: for she had to be restrained, and -that by force, from casting herself back into the sea, preferring death -to being in my hands. - -And, verily, I was in a grievous quandary with regard to her. - -She would not eat nor drink nor rest nor sleep, but only cried and -sobbed and moaned, till she fell into a sort of stupor. Recovering -after awhile, she did naught but cry and sob and moan again, and was -so distraught that I felt a pity for her. Then, what was I to do with -her? True, I could keep her a captive, and take her back with me when -I returned to Carrickahooley, and give her over to my mistress, who -would doubtless accord her the grimmest of welcomes. And this, perhaps, -was my duty. If it were, I failed in it. - -Urged on by a woman’s spite and jealousy, Sabina Lynch had played a -treacherous and cruel part in regard to Grace O’Malley, and she was, in -a measure, the cause of our quarrel with Sir Nicholas and the English. -Sure was I that my mistress would not be merciful to her, nor would she -expect me to be. Why, then, should I have been? - -I have no other answer, if it be an answer, except that I was deep in -love with Eva O’Malley, and that my love for her made me feel certain -that Eva, much as Grace was to her--as to me--would have told me to act -as I did towards this woman. For I determined to let her go free. - -It is not in me to explain this matter further, nor to tell how often I -argued it with myself, ever coming back, however, to what I conceived -would be the desire of Eva--to let Sabina Lynch go. And if the other -course was my duty, there was meted out to me, as will be seen, -punishment out of all proportion to my fault. - -Having come to the conclusion that Sabina Lynch should be set at -liberty when a suitable opportunity presented itself, I acquainted her -with my decision. She could scarcely believe her ears, and was not -convinced that I meant what I said until I informed her that she might -move about the galley as she pleased, and that I would put her ashore -at Liscanor if she wished it, or take her on with us if that was her -will. - -When she saw that I did not intend to deceive her, nor to do her any -hurt, she told me that she was going to Limerick. Inquiring why she had -left Galway, I now heard of the rising of the Upper Burkes under Ulick, -the son of the Earl of Clanrickarde, which had caused Sir Nicholas to -hurry back to that city--as I have before recorded. It appeared that -the people of Galway were in the extreme of terror, as nearly all the -fighting men of the place had been withdrawn from it, and from Athlone, -where was the next English garrison, as well, for the expedition -against Grace O’Malley, and the city was thus left without defenders. - -The Burkes had met with no resistance on their march to Galway, and -the city was in great danger of being taken and sacked. A way out, -however, remained, by the sea; and so grave was the state of affairs -that Stephen Lynch, the mayor, had gladly availed himself of an -opportunity of sending his daughter away for safety by _The Rosemary_, -which happened to be leaving for Limerick. Along with her had also gone -several ladies of Galway, but they had all perished in the wreck. - -I now informed Sabina Lynch that I was bound for the Shannon, and that -I would put her ashore at some point on the river near Limerick, if our -voyage had a favourable termination, but that I thought it would be -better for her to land here at Liscanor. - -However, she replied that she had friends at Limerick, but knew -no one in Liscanor, and so begged to be allowed to remain on _The -Cross of Blood_. She prevailed upon me with her entreaties, and I -consented--wherein, God wot, I was weak enough, though nothing short of -her death could have prevented what was to occur. - -There is a saying among us Celts, “What will be, already _is_,” and -this saying is true. - -The day which succeeded that on which _The Rosemary_ was destroyed saw -us out of the Bay of Liscanor, and, the weather being propitious, the -next found us entering the mouth of that most beautiful of all the -beautiful rivers of Ireland, the Shannon. But it was not until two days -later that I brought the galley into the bay of the creek upon which, -some miles inland, stands Askeaton, the fortress of the Desmonds. - -During this time, being fully occupied with the working of the ship, -I had seen little or nothing of Mistress Lynch, who, however, had had -many conversations with Fitzgerald, and often did I hear them laughing -and jesting, the one with the other, as if there were no such things in -the world as bad weather and storms, and shipwrecks and war, and the -deaths of men. - -Now the bay in which the galley lay was no great distance from -Limerick, and as it would have been the height of madness to go any -nearer that city, which could not but be very hostile to us, I told -Sabina Lynch that our journey was at an end, and that she was free -to go. Whereupon she thanked me, and along with Fitzgerald, who had -offered himself as her escort for part of the way, and who was well -acquainted with the country--for it was all the territory of the -Geraldines--left _The Cross of Blood_. - -On his return, he and I, accompanied by some of our men, and taking -with us the presents sent by my mistress, set out for Askeaton, where -we were received by the Earl of Desmond. - -The castle was one of the largest and most formidable in Ireland, -consisting of several towers and strongly built houses and stables, the -whole surrounded by high walls around which flowed the waters of the -creek, so that it looked like a town on an island in the middle of a -lake. A village, with a church at one end of it, stood on the rising -ground that led up from one of the banks of the stream over against the -castle. - -When the drawbridge was lowered--Fitzgerald making the matter of an -entrance easy for us--and we had passed within the walls, I saw in the -yard a considerable number of the gallowglasses of the Geraldines, some -having arquebuses, but most of them only spears or battle-axes and -swords. - -One of the knights of the Earl’s household approached us, and said that -his lord was ready to see us. Fitzgerald and he--they were cousins, -it appeared--began at once to talk, and they introduced me to several -other gentlemen whom we met. And so we went into the presence of the -Earl. - -Grace O’Malley had said that he was “our natural leader” against the -English, and narrowly did I scan the features of Garrett Desmond as he -rose from his chair to offer me his hand. - -My first impression was that of extraordinary disappointment, for I -could see nothing very notable about him. Then, as he spoke, I noticed -a twitching of the lips that strongly savoured of indecision, to say -the least, and also that his eyes roamed restlessly, not settling -fixedly on man or thing for a single instant. And as I observed him the -closer, the keener was my disappointment. - -Yet this noble was a great power in the land. Once the Desmond war-cry -was sounded forth from Askeaton, thousands would shake their spears in -ready response. He had but to say the word and the whole South-West -of Ireland would spring to arms. He had said it once and might say it -again, but I distrusted and misliked him from the first. - -Courteously, however, did he receive me, and graciously the gifts which -I presented to him in the name of my mistress. He inquired of me many -things respecting her, to all of which I replied to the best of my -ability. Indeed, during the time I spent at Askeaton, he never appeared -weary of hearing about her and her exploits, which seemed, he said, -incredible in one so young. - -Then, after we had feasted together, he called Fitzgerald and myself -aside and took us into an inner room where we three were by ourselves. -And now Fitzgerald told him of the help, both in men and money, which -Philip of Spain promised in the event of a general rising against the -Queen, and I repeated to him all the words which Grace O’Malley had -charged me to say to him. - -Never once did I take my glance off him, but he would not meet my eyes. -For the most part he paced up and down the room, and one could easily -see the travail of his mind in the working of his face. At one moment -there would be gladness and the look of resolve, then doubt and gloom -would take their place the next. The same uncertainty could be seen -even in his walk, which was now swift, now slow. - -At last he said that it was a heavy matter, and not lightly to -be undertaken, and invited me to stay at the castle until he had -considered it more at large. I pressed for an immediate reply to my -mistress, but he asked me to tarry for a few days, and, as I could not -well do otherwise, there did I remain until one morning he gave me a -letter for Grace O’Malley and many presents for her and myself, and so -dismissed me. - -During the time I waited for his answer I heard from several that a -Spanish army was looked for in the spring, and I could see that the -Earl knew all that was going on. Therefore I did not doubt but that he -had sent a message to my mistress that would please her well. - -And while I was thus waiting, the hours hanging heavily on my hands, -I made myself well acquainted with the castle--its towers and strong -rooms and walls--and thus acquired a knowledge which was to stand me in -good stead before the end was come. - -Then it was Ho! for _The Cross of Blood_, and Ho! for Carrickahooley, -which we reached after a voyage unmarked by any incident worthy of -record. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -A DEAR VICTORY. - - -Chiefly by reason of the tempestuous weather, my journey to Askeaton -and back again had occupied not far short of a month,--which was -a much longer time than had been reckoned upon. On my arrival at -Carrickahooley my mistress was naturally very impatient to hear what -was the response of the Earl of Desmond to her message, and also what -my opinion of that noble was. - -First of all I delivered to her the letter and the presents he had -sent. When she had read his letter she handed it to me, and there was, -I could see, a great light of happiness on her face. But when I had -glanced over the missive, I was not so satisfied with its contents as -she plainly was. - -The letter was not a long one, and, in brief, was nothing more or less -than an invitation from Desmond, asking my mistress to go on a visit to -him at Askeaton, where his countess would give her a warm welcome, so -soon as spring was come, or as early as would be convenient for her. - -With regard to any rising against the Queen he said not a word, but -intimated that he was very desirous of meeting one of whom he had heard -so much, and of discussing with her such matters as affected their -mutual interests. - -This last phrase Grace O’Malley took as a hint that the Earl, not -caring to commit himself to anything definite on paper, was of the same -mind as herself, for they had no interests in common save such as lay -in the expulsion of the English from the island. - -Now the message my mistress had sent him was frank and open, so that -there could not be two opinions as to its import. But these words of -his, it seemed to me, partook in no degree of the same character. They -might mean much or little or even nothing at all, so vague were they. - -If I had not seen the Earl my view might have been different, but -in the cloudiness of his letter I again saw his weakness and want -of purpose. I did not, I could not, suspect him of anything worse. -However, Grace O’Malley, although I expressed to her what I felt about -Desmond, was assured that he could only mean one thing, and that was -that he shared in her ideas, and would be ready to give such effect to -them as he could. - -“Yes,” said she, “Garrett Desmond is the man.” - -And she was the more certain of this when I went on to tell her that I -had heard a great deal at Askeaton, and that with hardly a pretence of -secrecy, of the army which the King of Spain was to send in aid of the -Irish the following year. - -“Do you not see,” said she, “that Desmond must be heart and soul in the -business, or else he would have suffered none of this talk of Philip -of Spain?” - -I had, indeed, made a similar reflection when at Desmond’s castle, but -what I distrusted was the character and strength of the man himself. -But my mistress was my mistress, so I said no more then of the Earl. - -I had had no small disputings with myself as to whether I should tell -Grace O’Malley about what had occurred with respect to Sabina Lynch -or not. I could not blame myself, albeit these very searchings of my -spirit did show some doubt if I had done what was best, and tell her I -did. - -Whereupon for a minute she fell into a fit of silent rage, which, -however, presently passed away--the only thing she said being the -question, sharply asked-- - -“Would you have acted in that way, Ruari, _if it had been a man_?” - -And the sting of the taunt, for such I felt it to be, lay perhaps in -its truth. Howbeit, neither of us ever referred, in speaking to each -other, to the matter again. - -Richard Burke and his followers had left the castle, and had gone back -to their own territory. He had made me the confidant of his hopes and -fears with regard to his love for Grace O’Malley, and I desired greatly -to know how he had sped in his wooing. - -It was not, however, till long afterwards that I discovered he had -pressed his suit, and that not altogether without success, but that -she would give him no definite promise so long as her affairs were in -so unstable a condition. - -I did not know of any man in all the world whom I esteemed a fit mate -for her, but the MacWilliam had many things in his favour, not the -least being that he was a valiant soldier. That he had ranged himself -on her side in her quarrel with the Governor also had its weight with -her. I think, however, that at this time he had a very small share in -her thoughts, as she was entirely wrapped up in the Earl of Desmond, -whom she looked upon as the Hope of Ireland, and in the furtherance of -her plans. - -De Vilela was still at Carrickahooley, and had so far got healed of his -wounds that he was able to be about for an hour or two each day. He -greeted me with his never-failing courtesy, and after I had seen more -of him I noticed that the air of melancholy gravity he had borne during -the siege had in nowise changed, unless it were by being even deeper -than before. - -The sufferings he had undergone and the feebleness he still endured -might easily have accounted for this. But I was persuaded that there -was another reason, although it took me some time to arrive at this -conclusion. - -What put me in the way of it was that I caught him, when he believed -himself free from observation, looking at me, not once, nor twice, but -often, with a wistful intentness, as if he were trying to read my very -thoughts, and so to pierce to the innermost soul of me. Why was this? -Why was he thus weighing me as it were in the balance? - -Eva was not so much with him now that he was regaining his strength, -and, whether he was with her or not, he had not the look of a happy -lover, that look which, me thinks, would be present notwithstanding -pain and the shadow of death. - -And I put the two things together, though not hastily, for I feared -nothing so much as to be wrong in this, and guessed that he had lost -all hope of her for himself, and was asking himself whether, if so be -she loved me, I was in any way worthy of her. But I think the chief -care of this very noble gentleman of Spain was not pity for himself, -nor my worthiness or unworthiness--which is the truer word, but that -this woman whom he loved should have her heart’s desire, on whomsoever -that desire might fall, and at whatsoever cost to himself. - -I did not perceive this in one day, or for many, and, pursuing the -course I had before determined on, abode firm in my resolve not to -appear even to come between him and Eva O’Malley. - -The winter wore on to the day of the Birth of Christ, and all was quiet -and peaceful in Connaught. - -Hardly, however, did the new year open--it was that year of grace, -1579--when messengers from various chiefs in the north-west of Ireland -began coming to and going away from Carrickahooley. - -Sometimes their business was with my mistress, but still more -frequently was it with de Vilela, for it had gone abroad that he -was with us, and that he was in the confidence of the King of Spain, -from whom he had a mission to the Irish. Among these were some of the -MacSweenys of Tir-Connall, who spoke for themselves and also for their -prince, O’Donnell, whose wife was a Macdonald, and a kinswoman of my -own. Many were the plots on foot, my mistress striving to bring about a -great confederacy of the north. - -Sir Nicholas Malby, after he had repulsed the Burkes of Clanrickarde -and driven them back to their mountains, lay at Galway darkly -meditating schemes of vengeance. But, for the present, with the land -all about him in a ferment, he did nothing but bide his time. - -Indeed, by the coming of spring, the whole island was stirring with -the fever of war, some looking to Spain, and some to Desmond, so that -the commanders of the English, from the Lord Deputy at Dublin to the -poorest of his captains, were in sore trouble and disquiet. - -So passed the winter away. - -“Darkness and blood; then a little light,” had been the saying of Teige -O’Toole, the Wise Man. Now was the time of the little light of which he -had spoken; it was immediately to be followed by the period of which -he had said, “blood and darkness, then again light, but darkness were -better.” - -It was in April, then, of this year of fate that de Vilela, having -perfectly recovered of his wounds, Grace O’Malley bade me get _The -Cross of Blood_ in readiness to convey him to Askeaton. - -De Vilela was anxious to be gone, having trespassed upon our -hospitality, as he said, beyond all measure. And he was the more -eager as now he knew for certain that Eva had nothing stronger than a -friendship for him. He had not asked her, I imagine, so sure was he -that she did not love him, and it was like the man, that, knowing this, -he would not vex her even with words. - -At the last moment, and unexpectedly, my mistress determined to sail -with us, and Eva O’Malley also came, Tibbot being left in charge at -Clare Island and Carrickahooley. - -With fair winds, and hopes as fair, did we leave Clare Bay behind us, -and for two days all went well. On the third day of the voyage, the -wind having changed, the watch descried a ship coming up against the -line of the sky, and when we had observed her for a short time we saw -that she was making towards us. Being much higher out of the water than -the galley, she had no doubt seen us first. - -We edged in closer to the land, which loomed up some miles away on our -left; whereupon she shifted her course as if to cut us off. As she -came within nearer view she appeared to be a great ship, carrying many -pieces of cannon, and flying the English flag. The morning sun fell -upon her, and disclosed her deck covered with men whose armour and -weapons sparkled in the light. - -It was abundantly evident that she was a ship-of-war of the English, -and well prepared in every respect to attack and overwhelm us. Both as -regarded her ordnance and the numbers of her crew, that she was vastly -superior to us was plain. Should she get the range of us I made no -doubt that we should be quickly knocked to pieces. - -On the high seas, a galley like _The Cross of Blood_ could not be -opposed to such a ship except with the one result, and that the worst. -Our case was little short of desperate, but I did not lose heart. - -Nor did my mistress give up hope. She and I held a hurried consultation -with Calvagh O’Halloran, and determined that we should first try to -escape by rowing. There was the land before us, and a rocky cape -jutting from it held out, as it were, a friendly beckoning hand. - -Once we had made it, and were safely round it, we would be in a shallow -bay, into which flowed a river--up which the galley might go, but not -so large a ship as the Englishman. We therefore bent our whole energies -to this end, but all in vain. It became apparent before we were -half-way to the shore that we were completely outsailed, and were at -the mercy of the enemy. - -When I had fully grasped the extreme peril in which we were, and -reflected that my whole world was on board this galley, to say nothing -of the fact that every timber of it was dear to me, my heart well-nigh -fainted within me. Here was that great woman whom I served; here also -the woman whom I loved. - -Was it to this destiny they had been born? Notwithstanding our danger, -I could not believe it. - -What was the worst that the spite of fortune could wreak upon us? - -Either _The Cross of Blood_ would be sunk by the enemy’s fire, and we -would perish in the sea, or she would be captured, many of us being -killed in the struggle, and the rest taken--what would be their fate? - -But there was no need to ask that; for I was well assured that the -people of the English ship knew who we were, or, at least, whose galley -it was, for who in Ireland had such a vessel as _The Cross of Blood_, -except Grace O’Malley? - -Such were my thoughts when my mistress spoke in my ear, and said that -as it was impossible to escape from the Englishman we must fight him. - -“With all my heart,” cried I; “but how?” - -Then she told me what to do. - -I went forward to Calvagh, and bade him order his oarsmen to row with -all their might until I gave a signal; when it was given they were -to get their arms ready, but without making a noise or leaving their -benches, and having their oars resting on the water. - -_The Cross of Blood_ raced on, but the English ship went faster, until -a shotted gun fired across our bows made us well aware of what we had -known sufficiently already--that we must be sunk, or give ourselves up, -or, at least, appear to do so. - -Calvagh looked at me, but I gave no sign. Grace O’Malley changed the -galley’s course, so that we gained a little by it; and on we plunged -again, making for the open sea. But the advantage we had thus obtained -was of no real value to us, and the Englishman, with his square bulging -sails swelling in the breeze, was quickly at our heels. - -And now a second and, as it were, more peremptory message of iron bade -us throw up the game and lie to. The great shot fell so close to the -poop of the galley, and made so heavy a splash in the water, that the -spray from it might almost have fallen on our deck but for the wind. I -glanced at my mistress and she nodded. - -There was no purpose to be served in rowing any longer, for in another -second we might be sent below the waves. Nor did we make any attempt to -return the enemy’s fire, and so, perhaps, invite a broadside from him -which would probably have settled our affairs for ever. - -Calvagh’s eyes were fastened on me, and now I gave him the signal; his -voice roared hoarsely through the galley; the oarsmen sat erect on -their benches, and the rowing ceased. - -Something that was between a sob and a groan came from the lips of our -men; a sort of quiver passed over them, as each of them quietly got his -sword or battle-axe from its place; and then there was a silence, only -broken by the waters as they lapped along our sides and swished under -the blades of the oars. - -De Vilela, who had gone into his cabin to put on his armour as soon as -the chase of us began, now appeared. Approaching my mistress and me, -and in accents tremulous as I had never before heard from him, he asked -a question of Grace O’Malley. - -“Señorita,” inquired he, “tell me, you do not intend to give up the -galley thus tamely to the English? Surely it were better to die.” - -“Better to die,” said she, “yes, by the Cross!” And then she rapidly -spoke a few words, which I could see were not displeasing to him. And -I like to recall the man, as he stood beside me that day; clad in his -suit of mail, with the crest of his house shining on his helmet, his -naked sword drawn, its point resting on the deck of the poop; and his -eyes bright and steadfast, while a smile was on his lips. And we looked -towards the English ship, saw the scowling faces of our foes hanging -over her bows, and waited on the will of the God of Battles. - -Grace O’Malley in the meantime went down to her cabin to speak words -of hope and comfort to Eva. When I thought of my dear, my heart again -fainted within me; then it seemed to grow so big and strong, calling, -as it were, loudly to me to play the man this day, that I felt there -was nothing that was wholly impossible to me! - -My mistress now returned to the poop-deck, and taking the helm from -the steersman, as we stood close in by the enemy’s vessel, she put it -down sharply, so that the galley was thrown into the fore-chains of the -Englishman. - -“O’Malley! O’Malley! O’Malley!” I cried, and quicker than a flash, -before the English had got over the suddenness of the movement, our -men, with de Vilela and myself at their head, had leaped on board of -her. - -With thrust of sword and blow of battle-axe we made good our footing -on the deck, and for a space the English fell back before us. Their -captain, a towering figure in armour, save for his head, on which was a -broad cap with a dancing plume of feathers in it, rallied them, and led -them on at us, shouting for St. George and England. - -They were more in number than ourselves, but despair nerved our arms, -so that we withstood them, albeit we were hard pressed, and the -fighting was terrible beyond all words. I sought to engage the captain, -but de Vilela was before me. - -Then there occurred an unexpected and almost unheard-of and incredible -thing. - -I knew the voice at once, and, turning in the direction from whence it -came, and thus being partly off my guard, could not altogether ward off -the dart of a sword, so that I was wounded in the throat, and, had it -been but a little truer, would have been slain. - -Above the clang of meeting weapons and the rattle of armour and the -shouts and sobs and the catchings for breath of the foemen, the voice -of my mistress was heard crying in the tongue of the Irish: - -“Let the O’Malleys divide, and stand on each side of the ship!” - -It was a difficult matter in itself to accomplish, and some there were -of the Irish who were unable to do so; but such of us who could obeyed -her command without pausing to try to understand what she would be at. - -Then there came forth a great tongue of fire, a blinding cloud of -smoke, and so tremendous a report that the ship was shaken from stem to -stern. - -And this is what had taken place: - -When we had sprung on board of the English ship, Grace O’Malley was -left standing at the helm of _The Cross of Blood_. She had watched the -contest, and, fearing that we were overmatched, had cast about for some -means of assisting us. Then, taking with her a few of the men whom she -had kept in the galley for her own guard, she had climbed up into the -forecastle of the enemy, and, as their attention was entirely occupied -with us, had, unperceived by them or seen too late, run in board one of -the Englishman’s bow-chasers, and had turned it on its owners. - -The piece, thus levelled at this terrible short range, swept the deck -of its defenders, and among the heaps of the slain and the wounded were -several of our own people who had not been able to gain the bulwarks. - -I was myself leaning against one of the ship’s beams breathing hard, -and clutching with the fingers of my left hand my bleeding throat, -while my right still grasped my sword. So dreadful was the sight of the -deck that now met my eyes that I could not help closing them, while a -shudder shook my whole frame. - -But our work was not yet done. For when we essayed to carry the poop -we were beaten back in spite of all our endeavours, and what might -have been the end I know not if Grace O’Malley had not held possession -of that piece of ordnance. A second and a third discharge from it -shattered and destroyed the poop, and at length the ship was ours, its -whole crew being killed or captured or drowned, for many of the English -jumped into the sea and perished. - -Having collected her men together, and along with them having brought -away the prisoners and what treasure was found on board of _The Star -of the Sea_, which was the name of the ship, she ordered it to be -scuttled, and then withdrew to the galley. - -But when we came to count up what this battle had cost us, our loss -was so great that my mistress deemed it expedient to go no further -with her journey at that time, and thus we returned again to Clew Bay, -having been absent but a few days. And there was much mourning among -us, for many of our people had been slain. De Vilela, however, had come -unscathed from the fray, and my own wound was, after all, not much more -than a scratch. - -But the uncertainty of the issue of our whole conflict with the English -had been brought home to me in so decided a manner that for the first -time I realised how dark and menacing was the path that lay before our -feet. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -AT ASKEATON. - - -I was never one to whom it is easy to sit still with folded hands, -still less the man to muse darkly for long over the chances and -mischances of war. Mine certainly was it not to consider and to see -the end of a thing even from its beginning; the hour and its work were -enough for me. Scarcely, then, were we come back but I burned to be -again on the water with the deck of _The Cross of Blood_ beneath my -feet, and rejoice did I exceedingly when my mistress told me what her -purpose now was, and bade me get the three galleys ready for sea. - -She was resolved to put her whole fortune on the hazard, and to employ -her entire strength in the struggle, and, at the same time, to get what -aid she could from others. - -Thus, undeterred by our encounter with the English ship-of-war--from -which we had so hardly emerged--nay, rather made the more determined -by it, she had sent messengers, fleet of foot and strong, to Richard -Burke, the very day we had arrived at Carrickahooley, inviting him to -come to her with his best and his bravest, and, if he would serve her, -as he had professed himself ready, to tarry not by the way. - -I was nowise in doubt as to what the answer of the MacWilliam would -be. Not only was he committed as much as we ourselves to the contest -against the Governor, but he had promised to support Grace O’Malley in -any manner she might desire; nor could I imagine anything that would -give him a keener pleasure than to comply with her request. - -Two or three weeks passed, however, before he appeared at the castle, -but when he did come it was at the head of a picked company of his -gallowglasses, two hundred strong. - -In the battles and fights of the previous year our force had been -reduced by perhaps a third, and our numbers had been still further -lessened in the bloody engagement with _The Star of the Sea_. Welcome, -then, were these stalwart Burkes of Mayo. True, they were unused to the -sea, but it was my mistress’s intention that we should all land, and -hold ourselves at the disposal of the Earl of Desmond. - -“If need be,” said she, discussing her plans with Richard Burke and me, -“I will burn the galleys behind me.” - -Whether I fought on the sea or on shore was a matter of indifference -to me; but I could not hear her say this without a pang, although I -recognised to the full the spirit which inspired the words. - -“There will be no necessity for that,” said de Vilela, who was present, -smiling, “for the ships of my master, the King of Spain, will sweep the -sea clear of the English.” - -It was the month of May, and the earth was arraying herself once again -in her garments of green, when we weighed out from the harbour of Clare -Island. - -At first, the weather being unsettled, we made but slow progress; -however, on the night of the second day of our voyage a fair wind -sprang up, and on the fourth day we were in the Shannon, going up with -the tide, under a blue sky warm with the promise of summer. Casting -anchor between the Island of Aughinish and the mainland for the night, -I went ashore to see if I could hear any tidings of Desmond, or if -anything was known of the expected ships from Spain. - -The sight of the three galleys had drawn a number of the peasants to -the bank of the river, and, when I had dispelled their fears of us, I -found that they were willing enough to talk. Howbeit, they could tell -us nothing of Desmond, nor had they any word of the Spanish ships. - -When I had repeated this to my mistress on my return, she asked me to -go next day to Askeaton, and to inform the Earl, if he were there at -his fortress, that she was on her way to him, but if he were absent to -ascertain where he was. Accordingly I proceeded in _The Cross of Blood_ -to the bay into which flows the stream on which the castle stands, and -arrived at my destination. - -As I was already well known at Askeaton I was admitted within the -gate without demur, and almost the first man I met was Fitzgerald, -who greeted me with much warmth. But I had not conversed with him -long before I perceived that he did not seem to be in his accustomed -spirits, and when I told him that my mistress, Eva O’Malley, Richard -Burke, and de Vilela were no great distance away, he appeared to be -somewhat distressed. - -“Is Garrett Desmond here?” I asked, and the usually frank expression of -his face was instantly clouded over. - -“He is expected back at the castle to-morrow,” he replied. Then as I -looked hard at him, waiting to hear more, he broke out-- - -“Desmond went to Limerick yesterday in attendance on the President of -Munster.” - -“The President of Munster!” I exclaimed. Then I stopped in the -courtyard, put my hand on his arm, and gazing earnestly at him, asked, -“What is the meaning of this?” - -The President of Munster was the English Governor of all this part of -Ireland, and I could not but think this was a strange piece of news. -That he and the Earl of Desmond should be together, evidently on terms -of friendship, boded no good to Grace O’Malley, or to myself, or to our -cause. - -“O,” said Fitzgerald testily, “the explanation is simple. The -country is excited over the prospect of the coming of ships from -Spain, and the President rode over from Limerick to Askeaton to see -Desmond--ostensibly on a visit merely of courtesy, but in reality to -spy out what was going on here. I would not have suffered him to enter -the castle had I been Desmond, but Desmond thought otherwise, saying -the time was not yet ripe.” - -This was plausible, but did not account, I thought, for the moody looks -of Fitzgerald. There was something behind all this, but I did not press -him further, save to inquire-- - -“What is to prevent the President from seizing Desmond, and thrusting -him into prison at Limerick?” - -“He has a strong guard,” said he, “and the President has very few -soldiers in Limerick. Besides, he feels confident that Desmond will be -true to the English.” - -“Has Desmond given him any pledge of good faith?” - -“No. He places his trust in Desmond too fully for that.” - -When I thought over what I had been told, it seemed probable enough -that the Earl concealed his real intentions under the mask of a -pretended loyalty to the Queen, and would do so perhaps until the time, -as he said, was ripe. Yet the uneasiness I always felt with respect to -him increased in spite of this supposition. - -Then it occurred to me that perchance Fitzgerald, now that he had -had time to become better acquainted with his cousin, was not more -satisfied with him than I, and that this was the reason for his change -of aspect. - -However, when I met the Earl next morning, my suspicions and fears -melted away before the cordiality with which he received me. And when -I told him that my mistress was in the vicinity, he declared that there -was nothing he desired more in all the world than to see her. - -“The President of Munster,” said he, “has just gone back to Limerick -from here, and for a time at least we will be free from his spying on -us. Nothing could have fallen out better,” he continued, rubbing his -hands together like one who was greatly pleased, “so tell your mistress -to make haste and come.” - -Likewise his Countess, who was with him, bade me say to Grace O’Malley -that she was welcome to Askeaton. - -When I returned to my mistress, I repeated to her the messages; but I -thought it right to tell her also that Desmond had been entertaining -the President of Munster. As I dwelt upon this matter, and remembered -Fitzgerald’s manner, something seemed to knock at my heart, and my -suspicions sprang up anew. - -“He finds it needful,” said Grace O’Malley, thinking of Desmond, “to -wear a double face as affairs stand at present, but when the Spaniards -arrive he will come forward without disguise as our leader.” - -And, in truth, when we were come to Askeaton, both the Earl and his -Countess made so much of my mistress that I felt a sort of shame that I -had ever had any distrust of him. - -Great entertainments were given in her honour, all the noblemen and -gentlemen of Desmond’s household vying with each other in paying her -court, while the Earl himself seemed never to be able to see enough -of her. Indeed, he showed her so much attention that it soon became -apparent that she occupied a large part in his thoughts--so much was -this the case that Richard Burke grew very jealous of him, nor did the -Countess of Desmond regard the matter without displeasure. - -Meanwhile the time was slipping by. Our galleys lay in the stream, and -though I visited them frequently to make sure that they were safe, -I could not but be aware that it was no good thing that they should -be there, tied up in the Shannon, within easy reach of any English -man-of-war that might ascend the river. - -They were concealed, however, from view; but there was ever the fear in -my mind that a rumour of our being at Askeaton would be bruited abroad, -and come to the ears of the English. All the Burkes, and a considerable -portion of our own O’Malleys, had been withdrawn from our vessels, and -the force left upon them could scarcely be reckoned as formidable. - -Another cause for uneasiness was that nothing more was heard of the -landing of the Spaniards. I had many conversations with de Vilela, who -was certain of their coming, but who knew the time of it no more than -myself. He did not exhibit the impatience which possessed me, but in -his heart I doubt not he longed for action as ardently as did I. - -Of Fitzgerald I saw very little, for two days after the arrival of my -mistress at Askeaton he rode over to Limerick, and there remained. - -When I spoke of him to de Vilela, he said he had heard that Fitzgerald -was madly in love with a lady who was staying in that city, and that -that probably accounted for his being there. Knowing what Fitzgerald’s -disposition was, I could not forbear smiling, and now fancied that I -had discovered the cause of his want of spirits in that he had not been -very successful in his wooing. - -I thought no more of him or of his affairs, little dreaming who the -lady was, until the mention of her name one day filled me with lively -feelings of astonishment and vexation, and, as I pondered this new and -perplexing turn of events, with something close akin to terror. - -It so happened that I was talking and jesting with one of the -Geraldines, when the conversation came round to Sir Nicholas Malby, and -the iron rule he had imposed on Galway and a large part of Connaught. - -“Grace O’Malley,” said he, “was more than a match for him.” - -“Sir Nicholas,” said I, “is the best soldier the English have in -Ireland, and if he did not prevail against my mistress, it was rather -because he underrated her strength and her prowess, than from any other -reason. He esteemed her as no more than a feeble woman, and so was -deceived.” - -“By the way,” asked he, “are you well acquainted with Galway?” - -“Yes--well enough,” replied I, somewhat crisply. - -“And do you know the Mayor of the town, one Stephen Lynch?” - -“Yes,” I assented, wondering. - -“A great merchant?” he inquired. - -“The richest in Galway, perhaps in Ireland,” I answered. - -“With a daughter, an only child, who will inherit his whole wealth?” - -“Yes,” said I, wondering still more. - -“Mistress Sabina Lynch?” - -“The same,” said I; “but why do you ask these questions?” - -“The woman is beautiful, is she not?” he went on, without replying -immediately to my query. - -“No doubt of that,” I replied. - -“Rich and beautiful!” he exclaimed, and then he laughed very merrily. - -“Tell me,” said I again, “why have you sought to know all this?” - -“Ask Dermot Fitzgerald,” said he, and would say no more, but I -understood--all. - -Dermot Fitzgerald was in love with Sabina Lynch! And she was in -Limerick, where were the President of Munster and his soldiers, and -Fitzgerald too! Here, indeed, was a pretty heap of faggots, and it was -my hand, as it were, that might have placed the fire beneath, and set -it in a blaze! - -I saw at a glance how easy it would be for Fitzgerald, without -intending in any way to do mischief or to betray us to the English, to -let drop a word or a hint that might suggest to a quick-witted woman -to inquire further into his meaning, and that so dexterously as not to -excite in the least any alarm on his part. - -And what might not be looked for when she learned that Grace O’Malley, -the woman she hated most, and Richard Burke, the man she loved best, -were together at Askeaton? And Fitzgerald was said to be madly in love -with her! He would therefore be as wax in her hands, and she could -mould him to her will as she pleased. Small wonder, then, that I was -disturbed, and felt that we were far from secure. - -And now there fell out what, at the time, gave me the keenest -regret and even pain, though afterwards it proved to be of the most -inestimable service to us. - -It had become very plain to anyone who gave it the slightest thought, -or, indeed, to anyone who used his eyes, that Desmond was infatuated -with my mistress. Every moment that he could find was spent in her -society, to the neglect of other matters, however important they were. -Before he had seen her he had been fascinated by what I had told him of -her and her deeds; now that he saw her for himself, and marked how like -a queen she was, he was as one bound hand and foot before her. - -Grace O’Malley had a great power over men when she chose to exercise -it; and now, on her side, she appeared not only to encourage him, but -also to be bent upon his complete subjugation. - -I marvelled at her, yet assured myself that she could have no love -for the man, but that, perceiving the weakness of his character, she -took this course in order to make certain of his firm adhesion to our -cause. But it was a course full of danger, for the strength of the -passion of a man, even of a weak man, is no more to be reckoned up and -measured than is the force of a mighty tempest, beginning in a breath -and dying out in ruin. - -Desmond’s countess grew pale and silent, and I noted that the furtive -glances she stole at my mistress were touched at first with dismay, -then with anger. She must have known the kind of stuff of which her -husband was made, but her rage, as might be seen, was directed wholly -against my mistress. I felt a sort of compunction, and sometimes wished -that we had never come to Askeaton at all. - -And this wish was made much stronger, for Richard Burke, who bore and -endured for awhile the utmost torture when he saw how matters stood -between Grace O’Malley and the Earl, told me that he could suffer to -see it no longer, and so was determined to speak to her and remonstrate -with her. - -What passed between them I do not know, but it was of such a nature -that the MacWilliam shortly afterwards withdrew in high dudgeon from -the castle with all his men. - -I attempted to restrain him from going, but in vain. He admitted that -he had received no promise from Grace O’Malley of her hand, but as she -had not repulsed him utterly when he had preferred his suit to her, and -had come to Kerry at her request, he had hoped that the matter was in a -fair way to be settled as he desired. Now, he said, she had no thought -of him, her whole mind being taken up with Desmond. - -I endeavoured to gainsay this, but without success, and I had -sorrowfully to witness the departure of the Burkes from Askeaton. I -so far prevailed upon him, however, that he agreed to stay in the -district, and, having obtained permission from the Earl, he pitched his -camp a few miles away in the woods. - -Richard Burke’s troubles made me think of my own love affairs, which -were in the same position as before, for, albeit, I had a secret, -satisfying conviction that Eva O’Malley had no special regard for de -Vilela, I still adhered to my resolution not even to appear to come -between them. Wherein, perhaps, in my stupid pride, I did my dear, to -say nothing of myself, a great injustice, for she might have supposed -that I cared for nothing but the fierce, mad joy of battle. But never -loved I anyone save her alone. - -It was on the second or third day after Richard Burke had left us that -the arrival of the messengers from the President of Munster with a -letter for Desmond threw me into a state of great concern. And when I -knew what the tenor of that letter was, I was disquieted the more, for -I could but conclude that what I had dreaded would happen with respect -to the intimacy of Sabina Lynch and Fitzgerald had indeed come to pass. - -The Earl received the President’s messengers with some state, several -of his gentlemen and myself being with him. - -As he read the letter they presented to him, he was evidently -disconcerted by its contents, looking now at it, now at the -messengers; but when he had perused it a second time, he laughed -strangely, and said he would give no answer at once, but would consider -what was to be done. - -In the evening, when we were all together in the great hall of the -castle, my mistress also being of the company, he was in a boisterous -humour, and bade his harpers sing of the glories of the house of -Desmond. He sat beside Grace O’Malley, and I saw him, under cover of -the music, speaking to her very earnestly; and presently he called me -up to them. - -“What think you, Ruari?” said my mistress, and her eyes danced and -smiled, “what think you, does the President of Munster ask from the -Earl of Desmond?” - -“What is his demand?” cried I. - -“Nothing less or more,” said she, and the laughter suddenly went out -of her face, “than that he should instantly deliver up a certain Grace -O’Malley, as a notable traitress to the Queen and a spoiler of ships, -at present lodged in his castle of Askeaton, and should forthwith cause -her to be conveyed to him at the city of Limerick, to be there dealt -with according to her deserts and the pleasure of her Highness. What -think ye of that?” - -“What says the Earl of Desmond?” cried I. - -“What, indeed!” said she, answering for him, and turning to him with a -smile. - -“Ay--what, indeed!” said he, meeting her look, and smiling back at her. - -At that instant there was a commotion at the further end of the hall, -and there entered a man, with his garments stained with travel and -befouled with mire. - -As soon as de Vilela saw him he sprang forward with a great cry of -delight, and, careless of us all, embraced him, while a sort of silence -came upon us, and the bards ceased their singing; but the whisper soon -and quickly ran among us that the Spaniards at last were come. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -THE LANDING OF THE SPANIARDS. - - -It was a strange moment. - -There were the representatives of the President of Munster, two of the -justices from Limerick--these stood for the Queen. - -There were Grace O’Malley, her gentlemen, and myself--proclaimed rebels. - -There were Desmond and his Geraldines. - -And now here were de Vilela and this stranger from Spain! And we were -all met together in the great hall of the castle of Askeaton. - -A strange moment, and a strange meeting! - -De Vilela advanced towards Desmond, and, with that grace of manner -which this man possessed in greater perfection than any other I have -ever seen, presented the new comer to the Earl. I leant forward to -catch the name. It was the family name of the famous Lieutenant of -Santa Cruz, the still more celebrated Grand Admiral of Spain. A brother -or a cousin of Martinez, I said to myself, as the two men bowed low -before Desmond. - -“Will your lordship permit?” said de Vilela. “Don Juan de Ricaldo, my -friend and comrade!” - -And the Earl extended his hand to Don Juan. - -“You are welcome, señor,” said Desmond, but without much warmth, -for was he not, as it were, between the devil and the deep sea, with -England on the one side and Spain on the other? - -Then he conversed with the two Spaniards in a low tone of voice, so -that I could hear but imperfectly what was said, but it was impossible -not to see that he was in great perplexity. The two messengers of the -President looked darkly on, their countenances knit into scowls, while -Desmond shot a curious glance at them now and again. - -After a few minutes spent in this fashion, Don Juan, excusing himself -on the score of being weary in the extreme from his journey, retired -from the hall along with de Vilela. When they had withdrawn there was a -constraint upon us all, no one caring to speak his thoughts, for what -could we say that would not have been noted by those two sharp-eared -gentlemen from Limerick? - -For myself I was fair bewildered; but the one thing that bulked out -most largely in my mind was the fact that now there must be an end -of our uncertainty, as the Spaniards had come into the country, as I -supposed, and the time for deeds, not words, was upon us. - -Nor was our sitting in the hall prolonged that evening, for each one -who was in authority preferred to say nothing, and while the others -talked together in little knots, it was in whispers, and all were glad -when the Earl gave the signal for retiring. - -The same night I was awoke from a sound sleep by de Vilela, who bade -me dress and go with him. We went into a room high up in the tower, and -there were my mistress, Desmond, and de Ricaldo waiting for us. - -“Ruari,” said Grace O’Malley, her face bright with excitement, “this -gentleman is Don Juan de Ricaldo”--we saluted each other--”and he is -the bearer of news of the highest importance, which concerns us most -nearly.” - -Don Juan bowed again. - -“The ships of the King of Spain have arrived?” I asked, as my mistress -paused. - -“One ship has come,” said she, “that of which Don Juan is the -commander, and others are on the way. They set out at the same time, -but a storm separated them; he has reached Ireland first, but the rest -cannot be far off.” - -“’Tis the best of good news,” cried I. “Would to God they were all -beside our galleys on the Shannon!” - -“Don de Ricaldo’s ship lies off Dingle, on the coast of Kerry,” said my -mistress, smiling at my sally, “and the others must be guided to the -same harbour. They may have already cast anchor elsewhere, or they may -still be at sea. But I wish you to take _The Cross of Blood_ and search -for them. Both of these gentlemen,” she nodded to the two Spaniards, -“will accompany you.” - -“And then?” inquired I. - -“You will then render them,” said she, “any help they may require, as, -for instance, choosing the most suitable place for making a landing, -or whatever it may be.” - -“And then?” asked I again. - -“Return here,” said she. - -“May I ask,” said I, “if any plans have been formed.” - -“They will depend,” said Desmond, quickly “on the number of the Spanish -soldiers--and on other things,” he added, more slowly. - -“You will go at once, Ruari?” asked Grace O’Malley, but her question -was a command. - -“At once,” I agreed; then a thought came to me. “Richard Burke should -be told of this,” said I. - -“All Ireland will have heard the news within a week,” said Desmond -impatiently, “and the MacWilliam among the rest.” - -This was true enough, but I made sure that he knew, for I sent a trusty -man to his camp who told him what had taken place. I did this later -that night. - -As I was taking my leave I asked my mistress if she were satisfied that -all was going well, and she replied that she was. - -“You will stay on here till I return?” asked I. - -“Surely!” It was Desmond who spoke. - -I had half a mind to suggest to her that it might be better for her to -go back to her own galley, but it seemed like a presumption on my part, -and I held my peace. - -But once we were on board _The Cross of Blood_, swinging down the -stream in the hours of the morning, I wished that I had been bolder. - -Yet, what was there to fear? So I repeated to myself, but the fear came -again and again. For there were Grace O’Malley and Eva in Desmond’s -power, the guard they had with them being of the slenderest now that -Richard Burke was out of Askeaton with his gallowglasses, and I myself, -with de Vilela and some of our choicest men, going further away with -every mile. - -Was she justified in placing herself so entirely in the hands of the -Earl? There was the rub. My mistress, however, had declared that she -was well pleased with the way in which our affairs were moving, and -with that assurance I had perforce to be content. And I verily believe -she had no doubt but that she could do with Desmond as she chose. - -I had been ordered to keep a look-out for the Spanish ships, and I put -in at various bays and havens where I thought it might be possible that -they had anchored, but I reached Dingle without having seen anything -of them. And I well remember that it was towards evening, after we had -borne the blaze of the July sun all day, that we came up alongside of -Don Juan de Ricaldo’s vessel, and de Vilela and myself went on board of -her with her captain. - -Next morning I put out to sea again, and, sailing slowly down the coast -for perhaps a couple of hours, fell in with the rest of the Spanish -ships, tacking to the north-westward. - -Having made signs that I wished to speak to them, they lay to. As I -approached I saw a man waving his hand to me from the ship that was -nearest us, and him I afterwards knew to be Sir James Fitzmaurice, a -relative of the Earl of Desmond, and having the reputation of being a -skilful soldier. He had already fought against the English in Ireland, -but had been beaten by them, and compelled to sue for peace. - -Beside him there stood three or four priests, and, a little way off, -a group of men wearing armour, their swords shining brightly in their -hands. There was also a goodly muster of footmen, having arquebuses, -spears and other weapons. And my heart warmed when I beheld this array. - -Quitting my galley, I went on board of the ship, and presently had told -Fitzmaurice, who evidently was the leader of the expedition, who I was, -and for what purpose I was come. I also delivered to him letters which -de Vilela and de Ricaldo had given me for him. Having read these over -very carefully, he began to ply me eagerly with many questions. - -Was Desmond well? What preparations had he made to rise against the -English? What was the general state of the country? Did its princes -and chiefs know that he was coming, and were they ready to drive the -English into the sea? Were the English in force, and where lay their -army? Who was there now at Limerick? - -All these and many other things did he inquire of me, listening to my -replies with the closest attention, comparing what I said with what was -written in the letters I had brought, and making a commentary of his -own. But I soon found out that he was in reality as well informed as I -was. - -Here was one, I said to myself, who was a very different man from -Desmond. The way he bore himself was so instinct with firmness, courage -and resolution that he at once instilled a feeling of confidence in all -who met him. Then the questions he had addressed to me impressed me as -being just such questions as a soldier and a man of action would ask. -But what struck me most was that when he spoke of Desmond, while he -said not a word in his dispraise, he was apparently not certain of him. -And this was so much in my own manner of thinking of the Earl that my -fear of him was intensified. - -It was now my turn to ask questions, and I inquired how many men -Fitzmaurice had with him, and if these were all, or were we to look for -more? - -“There are four hundred of us--Spaniards, Italians, Irish, and English; -these English,” he added, “are not of the Queen’s religion. And as to -what we may expect, Father Sanders will tell you more,” and he turned -to one of the priests standing near. “Father,” said he to the priest, -“this is Ruari Macdonald, foster-brother of Grace O’Malley of Erris and -the Isles of Connaught.” - -“You have just come from Desmond,” said Sanders; “I have heard -something of what you have been saying, and your mistress is with us.” - -“Yes,” I replied, “Grace O’Malley is at Askeaton.” - -“She is firm in the cause?” - -“She, and all of us, are proclaimed rebels,” cried I, “so you may judge -for yourself.” - -Then he exchanged glances with Fitzmaurice, and continued, “And -Desmond? what of him?” - -Thereupon I gave them an account of what had occurred at Askeaton since -our arrival there. - -“I do not see,” said Sanders, when I had done, “how the Earl could have -acted otherwise. As he said, he had to wait till the time was ripe. -But now, the time is ripe, and the Desmond war-cry will soon resound -on every side!” And the priest looked fixedly at Fitzmaurice, who, -however, remained silent. - -Sanders then began speaking again, and told me how that the Pope had -blessed the expedition, and had given both men and money, and would -send more ere long. Next he took me to see a splendid banner, all blue -and gold, with the figure of our Lord upon it, which he had received -from Rome. - -“This will march with our hosts,” cried he, “and lead us on to victory!” - -Now, with the priests and the mysteries of religion I have never had -much to do, and while the spirit of the man was in itself a beautiful -thing, and the banner, too, a thing beautiful to behold, yet I could -not forbear from thinking that fighting men were what we most stood in -need of, and that four hundred soldiers, however brave they were, even -added to our own, were far from being sufficient to drive the English -out of Ireland. For I knew the English by this time, and that they were -no mean foes. - -And when I said what was in my mind to Fitzmaurice, who I was sure -would agree with me, he replied that I must remember that the force he -had with him was but the advance guard of a great army, which, even at -that very instant, might be already on its way to our coasts. So I took -fresh courage, and hoped for the best. - -After we had had a long conversation I said that my present business -was to see his ships safe into the harbour of Dingle, or into any other -haven which might be selected in Kerry, and as de Ricaldo’s vessel was -not at Dingle, I purposed, if it was agreeable to him, to go on ahead -in my galley and show him the way, as it were, to the place. To this he -assented, and I went back to _The Cross of Blood_. We made Dingle soon -thereafter, and I could see that Fitzmaurice and Sanders immediately -got ready to land. - -There had already gathered upon the shore a crowd of the Irish -belonging to that part of Kerry. Partly, I imagine, to impress them, -and partly because of the nature of the occasion itself, Fitzmaurice -and Sanders had deemed that their landing afforded a fit opportunity -for no little display. They had therefore arranged a sort of -procession, and I watched it, as it moved along, with keen interest; -nor was I cold and stolid myself at the sight of the joy of the country -people, who received it on shore with loud shoutings and a tumult of -cheers. - -Two friars, chanting a psalm, stepped first on shore; behind them came -a bishop, clad in the robes of his sacred office, with a mitre on his -head and a pastoral staff in his left hand. His right hand was raised -solemnly invoking a blessing on the land, and his lips moved as if in -prayer, while the Irish knelt upon the shore as his feet touched the -ground. - -Then came Father Sanders, the banner which the Pope had consecrated -waving above him, and, immediately after him, Fitzmaurice and those -of knightly rank--gallant, mailed, long-sworded gentlemen every one! -And now the foot-soldiers, each in a company under its own captain, -streamed from the ships--making altogether a brave show. - -As soon as a camping place for the night had been chosen, Fitzmaurice -appeared at the side of my galley, and, having come on board, said -that the harbour of Dingle from its shape--the mouth of the bay being -narrow--was one from which it would be difficult to escape in an -extremity, and asked me to suggest another. - -Whereupon I replied that the haven of Smerwick, four miles to the north -across the tongue of land where we now were, would be more to his mind. -And thither the next day Fitzmaurice marched his troops; the ships were -brought round, and, all his stores having been fetched ashore, he at -once set his men to work, making a trench and fortifying the place. - -As I had now accomplished the mission my mistress had entrusted me -with, I set about preparing to return to Askeaton. But Fitzmaurice -prevailed upon me to stay two or three days longer, telling me he had -sent horsemen to Desmond with a letter, in which he had urged his -kinsman to declare war against the Queen without delay, and saying the -reply might be of such a character as to change my plans. He hoped the -answer would be speedy, and in any case, he said, it was well that I -should know exactly what the Earl wrote. - -But several days passed, and still no word came from Desmond. - -In the meantime, Sir John, a brother of the Earl, arrived at Smerwick. -This man, with whom a hatred of the English was the chief passion of -his life, greatly lamented the supineness of his brother, but he had -no knowledge of the Earl’s movements. There was no mistaking that Sir -John was sincere, and when he asked Fitzmaurice, de Vilela, and myself -to accompany him on his return to his castle of Tralee, where, he said, -our reception would give full proof of his devotion to the cause, I for -one gladly assented. - -We took with us a considerable number of men, so as to guard against a -surprise, but we reached Tralee without adventure of any sort. - -Before we had gained the castle itself, however, we were met by one -of Sir John’s gallowglasses, who warned him that two officers of the -English had arrived there that very day, and that, as one of them was -well known to Sir John, they had been allowed to enter within its walls -without question. - -Hastily calling a halt, we consulted together what was the wisest -course to pursue. Sir John was for our going on, but Fitzmaurice -thought it would be more prudent for Sir John to ride forward with his -own attendants, and then, when night had fallen, we might secretly -enter the castle. - -“Who are the Englishmen?” asked I, thinking that they might be known to -me. - -“One is Carter, the Marshal of Munster,” replied Sir John, “and the -other is Davell, a captain in the garrison at Limerick.” - -I was acquainted with neither, but I remembered that I had heard of -Davell, and what it was, and I looked steadily at Sir John. - -“Sir John,” said I, “the name of Davell is not unfamiliar to me, and, -if my memory serve me aright, you must know him well.” - -“Yes,” said he shortly; “he once stood between me and death in a former -war. But what of that,” added he grimly, “as things are now?” - -I held my peace, whereupon he exclaimed passionately: “I will suffer -nothing to stand between me and the deliverance of Ireland! Let us -proceed.” - -Fitzmaurice, however, would not agree to this; so Sir John went on, as -had been suggested, and we withdrew into the forest not far from the -castle. But about midnight Sir John sent to say that the Englishmen had -gone to bed, and that, as all was now quiet, he invited us to come. Nor -did we refuse. - -When we had entered within the silent castle, Sir John met us, and -led us, who were leaders, into the hall, but our men lay down in the -courtyard. When wine and meat had been put before us, the waiting-men -going about on tiptoe, Fitzmaurice inquired of Sir John if we might be -told on what business it was that Carter and Davell had come to Tralee. - -“As spies. What else?” said Sir John. “The tidings of your landing have -reached the ears of the President, and they have ventured hither for -more news. They tell me they wish to see for themselves what is going -on.” - -“What say they of Desmond?” I asked. - -“They say--what I cannot believe,” cried he, forgetting to whisper, as -we had been doing; “they say that Desmond himself sent a letter to the -President--a letter he had received from you,” and here he glanced at -Fitzmaurice--”and that he has offered to drive the Spaniards back to -their ships.” - -We were all silent. As for me, my mind was as a blank, while my heart -beat so furiously that it was like to rend my body. - -“I will never believe it,” said Sir John. “’Tis nothing but a base lie!” - -In the anguish of my spirit I groaned aloud, so that the rest looked -curiously at me. - -“You believe it!” slowly said Fitzmaurice; “and, by the Mass! so do I.” - -“No, no!” exclaimed Sir John. “Not that--not that!” - -Then he sprang from his place, and, even in the dim light of the -candles, I could not but see how ghastly was his face. - -“Not that--not that!” he cried again, then with swift steps turned and -left us. - -I heard the sound of his feet as he went up the stair to the -sleeping-rooms above; presently the noise ceased, but in another moment -the stillness was rent by a piercing cry, quickly followed by another -and another. - -We gazed at each other fearfully, asking mutely what this might -portend, when Sir John returned to the hall, his mantle and his hands -stained with blood. - -“Let this,” cried he in wild accents, and he shivered as the blood -dripped from him, “let this be a pledge of the faithfulness of the -Desmonds to you and to the cause!” - -“What have you done?” asked Fitzmaurice. - -“There are no English spies alive now in Tralee,” said he more calmly, -“to carry tales to Limerick.” - -He had stabbed to death Carter and Davell, as they lay asleep, with his -own dagger. - -And one of them had saved his life, and both had counted themselves his -friends! - -I felt myself growing sick with horror of the man and his deed. To slay -men in a fight was one thing, but to kill sleeping men under one’s own -roof was another and a very different thing. - -And with the horror there came a nameless fear. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -SUCH STUFF AS DREAMS. - - -Once the first shock of this terrible affair was over my thoughts were -so many, and withal so dreary, that it was impossible for me to get any -sleep in the short hours which yet remained before the day dawned. - -I sought and found excuses for Sir John, but the excuses did not wholly -satisfy me. For, if against this act of treachery of his, there might -and could be set instances as base on the part of the English rulers of -Ireland, that made it not the less foul. - -He no doubt justified himself in his own sight by believing he had -committed his brother, the Earl, irrevocably to the cause, and that now -all his hesitation must cease. But would it? I asked myself. - -Carter and Davell had declared that Desmond was in communication with -the President of Munster; no sooner had I heard this than I felt it -must be true. So, too, had said Fitzmaurice. And if it were, in what -position, then, was Grace O’Malley? - -After all, was it true? - -Sir John had denied it; but had it not been the very fear that it was -true, which had driven him as by a sort of frenzy into this dark and -dreadful act of slaying his defenceless guests? - -And if Desmond were a traitor, where and in what case was my mistress? - -And what of Eva? - -One thing was clear, and that was that Tralee was no place for me. -I now regretted deeply that I had not returned to Askeaton at once -after the harbour of Smerwick had been chosen by the Spaniards, and -determined to get back to _The Cross of Blood_ and to set out for the -stronghold of Desmond immediately, for it was there that I should be. - -With the first blush of day I roused up my own men, and bade them -be ready to march. As I was standing among them in the yard, both -Fitzmaurice and de Vilela approached, and beckoned to me to join them. -As I came up, a dozen horsemen or more swept past us, and fled across -the bridge. - -“There goes the rising of Munster,” cried Fitzmaurice joyfully, nodding -towards the horsemen. “They have been charged with messages to all the -chiefs of the province, and before night has fallen the battle-cry -of the Desmonds will have been sounded forth throughout the whole -territories of the Geraldines.” - -“You have heard, then, from Desmond?” asked I, greatly relieved by his -words. - -“Not yet,” replied he; “but, after last night, Desmond can have no -choice. Surely you must agree with me in that?” - -“No,” said I, very slowly. “I am not sure that I agree with you.” - -“Which means you do not!” cried he, with anger in his tones. “But why?” - -It was not easy to put what I thought into so many words, and I did not -answer at once. - -“Why? why?” again asked Fitzmaurice. - -“I can hardly tell you,” replied I; “but you heard, as well as I did, -the report of his dealings with the President, and”--here I spoke out -quite bluntly--”I have no firm faith in Desmond.” - -“Perchance, he hesitated,” said Fitzmaurice, “perhaps he did at the -beginning; but all that will now be at an end. He must declare himself -openly. His hand has been forced by Sir John, and he cannot stand out -against us and his people.” - -“What are your plans now?” I asked, rather wearily, for I was tired of -this incessant reference to Desmond. - -“To wait at Tralee till I hear from him,” said he. “You will wait also?” - -“No,” said I, “I return to Smerwick to-day.” - -“Return to Smerwick? I shall not let you!” - -“Indeed,” said I, with some heat. “You are not my commander, and I owe -you no obedience. It is not yours to say what I shall do; that is the -right of my mistress alone.” - -“Your mistress!” said Fitzmaurice with a sneer. - -My hand went to my sword, but de Vilela, who had so far taken no part -in the conversation, interfered. - -“Señor,” said he to Fitzmaurice sternly, “you can mean no disrespect to -the lady, Grace O’Malley; she is my dear friend----” - -“Señor,” said I, interrupting him, “this affair is mine.” - -“Señor Ruari” said he, “had any offence been intended, it would have -been mine, too.” - -Fitzmaurice, who quickly saw that he had made a mistake, declared that -he had neither said nor implied anything to the despite of my mistress, -but his look was sullen, and I wondered at him. - -It was apparent that he had something on his mind that was not -favourable to her, but he said no more. It was possible that he had -heard about her in connection with Desmond, so I concluded, and this -urged me to the more haste in leaving Tralee. - -“I am going to Smerwick at once,” said I to them both. - -Fitzmaurice was about to speak, but, changing his mind, walked away. De -Vilela then asked me why I was in so great a hurry to be gone. - -“My place is with my mistress,” said I briefly, for I could not tell -him my thoughts. - -“That is a true word,” said he; and there was a strange catch in his -voice, so that I looked at him curiously, expecting him to say more, -but he was silent. - -No objection being made to our departure, my men and I left Tralee, -and, before night had set in we were at Smerwick. Having saluted the -officers of the Spanish ships, and acquainted them with my intention, I -weighed out from Smerwick the following morning, and on the third day -came up with _The Grey Wolf_ and _The Winged Horse_, which were quietly -riding at anchor in the bay, not far from the castle of Askeaton. - -Many had been the questionings of my spirit as we had gone up the -Shannon; many my doubts and fears of I knew not quite what; but the -mere sight of the galleys, thus peacefully resting on the water like a -pair of great sea-birds, dispelled them at once. - -Tibbot, who had been in chief command during the absence of Grace -O’Malley and myself, came on board of _The Cross of Blood_ as soon as -we had let go our anchor, and I could see from the very way he carried -himself that all was well with the ships. He had nothing stirring to -tell me, so it appeared, but was exceedingly anxious to hear about the -men from Spain, and what was being done. - -But before I had gratified him in this respect, I inquired when he had -last seen or had word of our mistress, and he answered that she and the -Earl of Desmond and a numerous party had visited the galleys a day or -two after I had sailed down the river; and that, since then, he had had -no tidings of her. Nothing, moreover, save vague rumours of Fitzmaurice -and the Spaniards had reached him through the people living on the -shore of the stream. - -So far as was known, Desmond still lay at Askeaton, and had not joined -in the rising against the Queen. - -Tibbot seemed sure that everything and everybody remained at the castle -in the same position as when I had left it; but I resolved to go -thither without loss of time, and to see for myself how the land lay. - -I charged Tibbot in the meantime not to allow our men to wander away, -but to keep them, as far as possible, in the galleys, and so to be -prepared for any emergency. And I enjoined upon him that he was not to -offer attack, but only to stand on his defence in case of assault. - -Having spoken in the same terms to Calvagh, who was to act as Tibbot’s -lieutenant, I took but one attendant, thinking that if more went with -me I should not be able to get to Askeaton as quickly as I wished. - -It was not yet evening as I came in sight of Askeaton, and as I gazed -down upon it from the high ground opposite, I noticed that there was -nothing unusual in its appearance, except that the drawbridge was up, -and that there were perhaps a few more soldiers on the walls than -was customary. Descending the edge of the stream I shouted to the -watch, peering at me through the wicket, to open the gate. I could -not but have been well known to them, but I was kept waiting for some -minutes--at which I marvelled much. I had no thought, however, of -turning back. - -At length, the chains of the drawbridge, as they clashed and clattered -through the sheaves, began to move, and the bridge fell into place, the -gate being opened at the same instant. - -What followed was so sudden that I have only a confused recollection of -it. - -My feet had no more than trodden the creaking planks of the drawbridge, -as it seemed to me, or I may have been just within the door, when I was -set upon by several of Desmond’s men. - -I was taken completely off my guard, albeit I struggled with all my -strength, but, being at a disadvantage, this availed me not a whit. In -any case, I must soon have been overpowered; but the matter was the -quicker settled by a blow on my head, under which I went down like a -felled ox. - -When I had come somewhat to my senses again, it was to find myself sick -and giddy from the blow, while my hands and feet were tightly bound -with ropes, so that my flesh was chafed and cut; there had been a gag -thrust into my mouth, and my eyes were bandaged. I could not speak, nor -see, nor move. I could feel I was lying on the earth, but where I was I -knew not. - -“He is coming to himself,” said a voice. My brain was reeling, reeling, -reeling; but there was that in the voice that seemed not strange, yet I -could not remember whose it was, so far off was it--as if from another -world. - -“Put him----” and there were other words that came to me, but so -indistinctly that I could not make them out at all; nay, I could not -tell, being in a stupor, whether I was awake or did only dream. - -Then I was taken up and carried along--up steps and steps which -appeared to be without end, and at last was thrown upon a wooden floor. -A door was shut and bolted and barred; and thereafter a sound of -retreating footsteps dying away, and I was left alone. I was wide awake -now, for my body was one great, almost insupportable pain. - -And terrible as was the anguish of my frame, that of my mind was more; -but first came the racking of the bones and the torture of the flesh, -and these, in their turn, brought consciousness and memory, and an -indescribable agony of the soul. - -I tried to move--a thing well-nigh impossible to me, trussed up as I -was, and by reason also of the pain I suffered; and I was constrained -to abandon the attempt. I should have borne up better perhaps if my -eyes had been open and my tongue free; but there I lay in the darkness, -like one already dead, and had nearly given way to despair. - -And as the shadows and mists of stupor cleared away from my mind, I was -overwhelmed at the extent of the disaster which had befallen me, for -I saw in it but too surely an indication of some dreadful evil, some -fearful calamity which had overtaken my mistress and her fortunes, and -that, too, at the hands of Desmond. - -And I was powerless to help her! I had allowed myself to be -caught--running, blind fool that I was, my own head into the noose. - -Where was she? - -Where was Eva? - -What had happened? - -What was to be the end? Was this it? - -Around such questions as these did my thoughts move, as if in a circle; -ever asking the same questions, and ever without reply; until I felt -that there was no more than the breadth of a thread between me and -madness. - -After a great while--how long I wist not, and perchance it was no such -great while as it seemed to me in that wild fever of my spirit--the -door of the room in which I lay huddled upon the floor was opened. I -verily believe that it was the mere opening of the door at that very -moment that kept me from becoming a maniac, so strained were those fine -chords which subtly hold mind and body as if in a balance. - -The bandage was untied from about my eyes, and the gag was taken from -my mouth; the ropes were partly unloosened from my arms, and food and -water were placed beside me. - -Two men were in the room, both bearing drawn swords, and one carrying a -lantern, for it was night, and but for its light we had been in total -darkness. Yet so sore were my eyes that I could scarcely bear to look -at the men, and when I essayed to speak I could not utter a word so -swollen was my tongue. - -“Eat and drink,” said one of them; but I could do no more than roll my -head helplessly from side to side. - -Then the other, seeing how foredone I was, put the pitcher to my lips, -and I drank, although each mouthful I swallowed of the water was a -fresh torment. But with the blessed water there came relief, nay, life -itself, for the frenzy died out of my brain, and my mind became calm -and clear. Thereafter I ate, and essayed to speak with the two men, but -they had evidently been forbidden to converse with me, for they would -answer nothing. After a short time they withdrew, bolting and barring -the door behind them, and I was left to myself. - -Hours dragged slowly by, and, at length, the sleep of exhaustion -fell upon me, and when I awoke it was broad daylight. The repose had -restored me in a great measure to myself; but the stinging of the -cuts made by the bonds on my legs and arms, and the dull throbbing, -throbbing of my head, quickly recalled me to the misery of my situation. - -In the morning, however, I was released from the ropes, and more food -and water were brought me. Again I endeavoured to get the men, who I -perceived were the same that had come to me the previous evening, to -speak to me, but in vain. - -Before they had made their appearance I had seen that I had not been -cast into one of the dungeons of Askeaton, but was imprisoned in a -chamber which I judged, numbering the steps up which I had been borne, -to be at the top of one of the towers of the castle. As soon as they -had gone I set about examining the room, albeit I was so stiff and -sore that at first I could only crawl and creep on the floor. As this -exercise, however, gave me back the use of my limbs, I was soon able to -stand and move about with ease. - -The room was small and bare, without even a stool or a bench, and was -lighted by a little, narrow window, from which I caught glimpses of -distant masses of trees and the slopes and peaks of far-off mountains. -During my first visit to Desmond, I had made myself familiar with every -part of the castle, and I knew that the surmise I had made that the -room was high up in a tower was a true one. - -There were only the two ways of getting out, the one by the door, the -other by the window. The door was firmly secured, for I had tried it, -but I might as well have sought to move the stone walls of the chamber. -And the window was many feet above the ground or the river, so that it -was impossible to escape by it, unless by means of a ladder or a rope, -neither of which I possessed. - -It therefore required very little reflection on my part to understand -how complete was my captivity, and how small was the chance of my being -able to deliver myself from it. - -But it was something that I could see, that I could breathe freely, -and that I could speak aloud, and hear, at least, the sound of my own -voice. And these somehow brought with them a faint ray of hope. As I -paced up and down the room--that I was permitted to go without chains -showed in itself how convinced my gaolers were that I could not break -free--I determined not to despair. But as the day passed wretchedly -by, and night came on again, it was difficult to keep any degree of -firmness in my heart. - -A thing which kept constantly recurring to me was the haunting -recollection of the voice I had heard, or fancied that I had heard, -after I had been struck down, and was half-alive and half-dead, and -so certain of nothing. Then, knowing, as I well did, what was the -usual horrible fate of one taken prisoner, I could not but ponder with -surprise the comparative tenderness shown me. - -I had not been thrown into a noisome cell beneath the castle, or, what -would have been worse still, under the bed of the stream, and left to -die of madness and hunger, a prey to rats and other vermin. - -Nay, I asked myself why I had not been slain outright? That, it was -manifest, had not been the purpose of those who had set upon me, for, -once I was down, nothing could have been easier than to despatch me. - -Then, whose voice was it that I had heard? For the life of me I could -not remember. - -When evening was come, food and water were provided as before, but in -the same obduracy of silence. The men were as speechless as mutes, -beyond one saying, “Eat and drink,” and I was strangely glad and even -moved to hear these simple words. - -Once more being left to the solitude of my prison-chamber, a thought -came, sharply shooting like an arrow, through my sombre musings. The -same two men always appeared with the food; just two men, I told -myself, _against one_. True, they were armed, and I was not; but might -not a quick, dexterous, unexpected assault give me my opportunity? And -if I could but get out of the room, could I not trust to my star, and -to my knowledge of the castle, to find some way of escape? And if I -failed? Well, the worst was death, and I had faced it before. And so -the project grew, and took a firm hold of me. - -Not thus, however, had it been ordained. - -So agitated was I by the mere prospect of regaining my liberty, that -it was long ere I went to sleep, and then methought I dreamed a happy -dream. - -There was, as it were, a light in that mean room--not a great -brightness, but a dimly burning light, itself a shadow among other -shadows. And behind that shadow, a pale presence and a ghostly, stood -Eva O’Malley, and by her side a muffled figure, vague and indistinct, -but seen darkly as in a mirror over which the breath has passed. -Clearer, and yet more clearly, there were bodied forth the face and -form I knew and loved; her hand touched me, and my name was whispered -softly in my ear. - -“Ruari! Ruari!” - -I heard the rustle of her garments; then the shadow danced along the -wall and died away, as the light came closer to my face. - -“Ruari! Ruari!” - -“O my love! my love!” cried I. - -“Ruari! Ruari! Come!” said she. - -“Hush! Hush!” said the muffled figure, and all at once I was aware that -this was no dream, but a verity. - -This was no other than my dear herself. - -And the muffled figure--who was that? A man’s voice surely had I heard -say “Hush!” And why were they come? Wherefore, indeed, but to deliver -me. And I sprang up from the floor in haste. - -“Softly, softly,” said Eva, as I clasped her hand--a living hand, thank -God! - -Then she whispered low that for the present they must leave me, for if -we all went together, the suspicion of the guards might be aroused, but -that I must find my way out as best I could. Her words bewildered me, -but there was no time for explanations, which would come afterwards. - -“You must contrive to get down by yourself to the court,” said she. “We -will meet you there, but wait here first for about an hour, then start. -You will find the door of this room open; take the left turn, and make -no noise or you will be lost.” - -I did as I had been bid. After what I supposed might be an hour I felt -my way out of the room, and stepping slowly and with a cat’s wariness -succeeded, but with many quakings and alarms, in reaching the great -hall without attracting the attention of anyone. Never could I have -done this had I not been familiar with the castle, and even as it was I -had frequently to stop perplexed. - -In the hall were many men asleep, each with his weapon by him, as I -could see, though uncertainly, from the dull glow of the embers on the -wide hearth. Near the fire itself sat two men, and for awhile I looked -at them fearfully, for past them must I go. But as I watched them -carefully I saw their heads nodding, nodding--they, too, were asleep. - -Out through the slumberers did I step, praying dumbly that they might -not waken through any slip of mine, and, reaching the door in safety, -was, in another moment, in the court. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -THE PERFIDY OF DESMOND. - - -“Ruari!” said Eva O’Malley; “here!” - -It was that darkest time of night that preludes the day, and I could -see no one with any degree of clearness, but, guided by that beloved -voice, I went forward, nothing doubting. - -Straining my eyes into the blank, I made out figures, moving towards -the gate; Eva came to my side, and we followed close upon them. -Mystified as I was at what had just occurred, it gave me a delicious -thrill of happiness to be near Eva, and to feel myself a free man again. - -“Eva!” I said. - -“Do not speak--do not speak,” said she, “we are not yet out of danger.” - -In silence then we walked through the court until we had come to the -guard-house by the gate, and there we halted. One of those with us went -into the room, and I could hear, though indistinctly, the sounds of him -and others talking together. - -Some long minutes passed, and the suspense was becoming unendurable, -when two men with lanterns appeared. Without looking at us they -proceeded to lower the drawbridge, the rattling of whose chains was to -me then the finest music in the world, and to open the gate. - -“Quick,” said Eva to me, pushing me gently on. - -I was over the bridge and on the further side in a flash along with two -others; turning back I heard an exclamation from the watchmen with the -lanterns, and some expostulations. - -“’Twas not in the bargain,” I caught; then there were more words which -I heard too imperfectly to understand, but I recognised from the mere -tone of one of the voices who the speaker was. - -And with this there dawned on me also whose was the voice I had heard -after I had been struck down. It was Dermot Fitzgerald’s! And he it was -who was our guide! - -In what way he satisfied the watchmen I do not know, but, having done -so, he and Eva crossed the bridge. Then there was a whistle, and now a -horse neighed; and thereafter the trampling of chargers broke upon the -ear. The horse-boys brought the animals up to us, and presently we were -in the saddle, moving off from the castle notwithstanding the gloom, -Fitzgerald leading the way. - -I wondered where we were going, but I had been told not to utter a -word, in the one brief sentence I had exchanged with Eva when we were -mounting the horses, and I followed on after her as I would have done -to the end of the world, but I was fair dazed with these strange, -fantastic tricks of fortune. - -We had gone about a couple of leagues, as I conjectured, from Askeaton, -riding for the greater part of the distance through the forest, when -Fitzgerald stopped--and so did we all. - -The darkness had grown perceptibly less intense, and we could now see a -sort of path among the trees. - -“I have done what I promised you,” said Fitzgerald to Eva O’Malley. -Then he turned towards me. “Ruari Macdonald,” said he, “my debts to you -are also paid. Farewell, and God help and pity us all!” - -“Dermot!” cried I. - -But he was already past me, galloping fast and furiously, like one -hotly pursued. - -“He has gone,” said Eva, and there was a sob in her voice. - -In an instant I had leaped from the saddle, and was by her side. Her -form was bowed forward upon her horse’s neck, and her tears were -falling heavily, as I placed my arm about her waist, and drew her -towards me, heedless of those who were with us. - -“Eva, darling,” I said. “What does all this mean?” Not that I cared to -be told at that moment; it was enough that we were together. I pressed -her to my heart, and kissed away her tears while she struggled with -her emotions. I spoke many words of endearment, and after awhile she -regained her calmness. - -“Let us ride on,” she said at length. - -“But whither are we going?” asked I. - -“To the camp of Richard Burke,” she replied; “it is only three or four -miles ahead of us--so Dermot Fitzgerald said. And he has shown himself -our friend after all.” - -“To Richard Burke?” cried I, more amazed, if that were possible, even -than before. - -“Have patience, Ruari” said she, “you must soon know everything; but be -patient--” - -“Our mistress?” asked I, at no time very patient, and now devoured with -questions. - -“Wait a little, wait a little,” said she, and she broke into weeping -again, so that my heart smote me at the sight of her grief. But when I -would have taken her in my arms again to try to comfort her, she waved -me off, and, shaking up her horse, rode on in front. - -The day breaking clearly as we went along, I observed that those behind -me were two women of my mistress’s and Eva’s, and the man I had brought -with me from _The Cross of Blood_ to Askeaton. My mind was now in such -a tangle that I had to resign myself passively, and to become, as it -were, rather a spectator of than a participator in what was going on. - -In truth, I felt more at sea than ever before in my life, and was even -inclined to prick myself, like a boy, to see if we were indeed living, -or merely moving in some spectral land of shades and phantoms. - -Nor did this air of unreality wear away until we had arrived at the -camp of the Burkes. But as we emerged from the trees into the open, we -were at once recognised by those on guard, for they had seen both Eva -and myself frequently in the galleys, and thus we were well known to -them. - -They raised so loud and fervent a shout of welcome that the MacWilliam -quickly appeared on the ground to ascertain what was happening. He -gazed at us like one sorely puzzled; then, as he came forward to greet -us, there was an expression of alarm. - -“Eva O’Malley!” he exclaimed. Then he came up to me, and as I held out -my hand he gasped with astonishment, for my hands were bleeding from -the unhealed cuts inflicted by the ropes with which I had been tied, -my dress was in disorder, and my feet, which were bare, were spattered -with blood. - -“What has happened?” cried he hoarsely. “Where is your mistress? What? -What?” - -“Fetch wine,” said I, partly to divert his thoughts, partly because it -seemed as if Eva were about to swoon. “Go, fetch us wine!” - -“Yes, yes!” said Eva faintly. Then, with an effort of the will, she -added, “I will tell you everything--when I have recovered a little.” - -Leading us to his tent, he called for wine, and when Eva and I had -drunk, and our attendants also, she and the MacWilliam and I were left -by ourselves, all the others being told to withdraw. - -“Have you heard?” she asked, looking at Burke. - -“Nothing,” replied he, “save that the Spaniards are come. The messenger -Ruari sent told me that de Ricaldo had arrived at Askeaton, and I have -since heard that their ships lie at Smerwick.” - -“Nothing more?” asked Eva. - -And he shook his head. - -“I hardly am less in the dark than yourself,” said I. “All that I know -besides is that when I returned to Askeaton from Smerwick no more than -two days ago, I was set upon in entering the castle, overpowered, -knocked senseless, bound, and made a prisoner.” - -“Made a prisoner!” cried Richard Burke. “God’s wounds! And why?” - -“That I as yet know not,” I answered. “But Eva will perhaps inform us; -this very night did she and Fitzgerald deliver me out of Askeaton.” - -Richard Burke gazed from one to the other of us, too much astonished to -speak. I looked at Eva, whose eyes were sad and weary, but the colour -was in her cheeks and her lips trembled only a very little. - -“Yes,” said she, “I can tell you; but let me begin at the beginning.” - -“More wine?” said I, and she took a sip from the goblet I handed to her. - -“I am tired,” said she, with a moan like that of a hurt child; “but you -must know all, and that quickly. You remember the night in which Juan -de Ricaldo reached Askeaton?” asked she of me. - -“I left some hours later that very night,” I replied, “to meet the -Spanish ships.” - -“You remember also that two of the justices of Munster had come from -Limerick with a letter from the President demanding that Grace O’Malley -should be sent to him, so that he could cast her into prison?” - -“I had not heard of that!” exclaimed Burke. - -“Yes,” I said; “I well remember it.” - -“Oh, how am I to tell it!” said Eva piteously, and I bled for her in -all my veins. “But say on I must. Perchance,” continued she, speaking -to me again, “you observed that Garrett Desmond was infatuated with -her, and that she did not rebuke him as she might have done?” - -“It was to keep stiff that weak back of his,” said I, “and to get him -to declare boldly against the Queen.” - -Richard Burke’s face was like a black cloud, and a groan, deep and -terrible, came from his lips. - -“That was it,” said Eva. “Do I not know that it was?” said she to -Burke. “Ay, well do I know it. And Desmond, too, knows it now.” - -“Desmond knows!” cried Burke more cheerfully, and he looked almost -happy. This was not my case. What horrible thing was coming? I asked -myself, for that something horrible had taken place I had no doubt -whatever, and my spirits sank like a stone. - -“Listen,” said Eva. “Desmond sent back the two justices empty-handed to -the President, but what he bade them tell him I cannot say. When they -departed I noted their demeanour, and it was not that altogether of -men who were wholly dissatisfied with the issue of their mission. Even -then,” cried she, with a fierceness the like of which was never seen in -her before, “I believe he meditated treachery.” - -“Treachery! A Desmond a traitor!” said Burke, upon whose countenance -the cloud had come back, for the drift of Eva’s words was clear enough. - -“No sign, however,” said she, “did the Earl show of anything of the -kind. Never was he gayer than during the next few days, and I hoped -that all was as fair for Grace O’Malley’s plans as it seemed. Two days -after you had gone, Ruari, he and his chief men and our mistress and -myself, with a great host of attendants, went down the stream from the -castle, and made a visit to the two galleys lying in the bay.” - -“Tibbot told me of it,” said I. - -“Desmond had a purpose in it,” said Eva, “as I can see now. He wished -to show Tibbot his friendship for our mistress, and never after that -manifestation of it would Tibbot suspect, he thought, that there would -be aught amiss with her at Askeaton in so long as she was with him.” - -“A shrewd trick,” said I bitterly. - -“What has taken place? Where is Grace O’Malley?” cried Burke, restless, -troubled, tortured even. - -“I know not where she is,” said Eva slowly, while the tears gathered in -her eyes. “I know not.” - -“What?” cried he. - -“Patience,” urged I, myself consumed with impatience, anger, and a -multitude of terrible passions. - -“Let me go on,” said Eva, with a choke. “It was shortly after we had -returned from the ships,” continued she bravely--”three or four days -perhaps--when there was a great stir at the castle, for messengers had -come with tidings of the landing of the Spaniards. A letter, too, they -brought from Sir James Fitzmaurice, who was in command, as it appeared, -of the expedition. I questioned one of the messengers,” said Eva shyly, -“if he had seen you, Ruari, and he told me that he had.” - -I secretly blessed my dear for this reference to me, but as I did not -desire to interrupt her story I kept silence. - -“We were all in good heart,” said she, “by reason of the coming of the -men from Spain, and Grace O’Malley in particular rejoiced exceedingly. -Desmond himself, however, was strangely quiet. Then that night--How can -I tell you?” and she broke down utterly and wept aloud. - -Burke’s eyes were full of fright, but mine too brimmed over when I -looked at my dear and saw her shaken with sobs. And I wept also, nor am -I ashamed of these tears of sympathy. - -“’Tis no time to weep,” said she after a pause, and resumed her tale, -but in broken accents. “That night, as we were retiring to sleep, I -observed that Grace O’Malley had lost all her gaiety and brightness, -and was in some great distress of mind. I implored her not to withhold -her confidence from me, and to tell me what was her trouble. - -“Then it appeared that Desmond had read to her the letter of -Fitzmaurice, and, when she had heard it to the end, declared that he -had placed his whole future in her hands, as he loved her passionately -and could not live without her. If she would consent to become his -wife, it would be a very easy matter to get a divorce from the -countess, and thereafter they would be married.” - -“His wife!” ejaculated Burke. - -“If she agreed, he said, to this proposal,” continued Eva, “she might -do with him and all the Geraldines as she had a mind, and he would -immediately put himself at the head of the rebellion against the Queen, -if that was her wish.” - -Richard Burke, unable to control his feelings any longer, jumped to his -feet. - -“What was her reply?” he demanded. - -“Wait--wait for another moment,” entreated Eva. - -“Patience,” urged I once more, though God knows I had no stock of it -myself. - -“If she refused----” said Eva. - -“She did refuse,” cried Burke. - -“If she refused,” continued Eva, “to become his wife, then not only -would he not join with the Spaniards, but he would aid the English -against them. When she pointed out to him that he had compromised -himself both by his intercourse with Spain and with Fitzmaurice, and -also by harbouring herself, a proclaimed rebel, he hinted--for at first -he would not put his thoughts into so many words--that he knew of a way -in which he might very readily make his peace with the President of -Munster, and that was by sending to him a pledge of his fidelity to the -Queen, which he was well informed would be acceptable to him and to her -Highness.” - -“Fidelity to the Queen!” exclaimed I, glowing with wrath. - -Any child could have foreseen what was coming. My mistress had indeed -played with fire, and it needed no wizard to tell me that she had been -scorched by its flames. - -“Grace O’Malley,” Eva went on, not heeding my interruption, “did not -fail to understand his meaning. She herself was the pledge of his -fidelity to which he had referred. She must give herself to him, or -he would betray her to the English; that, and not obscurely, was the -threat he made--that, and nothing else. And she knew that she was in -his power.” - -“Horrible, horrible!” said Burke in anguish. - -“Desmond,” said Eva, “strove, however, to conceal the trap under the -cloak of an appeal to her devotion to the cause. She had only to say -the word, and the standards of the Geraldines would be arrayed against -the Queen, and then, with the English so unprepared as they were, -success was certain. It rested with her. Hers was it to bid him go or -stay.” - -It was a strong temptation, I thought, but I was too overcome to speak. - -“Then,” continued Eva, “he sought to inflame her ambition. As his wife, -suggested he, might she not become not only Countess of Desmond and the -greatest lady in the south, but even Queen of Ireland, once the English -had been driven out of the country?” - -Another strong temptation, thought I. - -Desmond had certainly played his cards adroitly enough. He had sought -to touch her through her hatred of the English, her love for her -country, and her ambition--all powerful forces. Women had sacrificed -themselves, nay, had willingly given themselves, for less. And I could -well understand that to a soul like hers self-sacrifice was very -possible. - -“But even,” said Eva, “in the background of all his speaking, there -lurked, like an evil beast, that hint of what he would do, if she -refused to submit herself to him.” - -After all, I said to myself, Desmond was a fool, for that was the worst -way to address a woman who had the spirit of my mistress. - -“To gain a little time, perhaps to escape from Askeaton,” continued -Eva, “Grace O’Malley asked to be allowed the night to consider what -he had said. And to this he agreed, saying roughly, however, as they -parted, that she must have her answer ready for him in the morning, -and that there must be an end to trifling. All this she told me, and -then we sought some way of escape, but Desmond had taken good care that -there should be none, for we soon found that we were prisoners.” - -“She had no intention of consenting to Desmond,” said Burke, and his -voice was full of pride and joy. - -“No,” said Eva, looking at him with kind eyes, notwithstanding the -grief in which she was. - -“Go on, go on,” urged I, half vexed with them both. - -“I know not,” said Eva, “what was said or done when the morning came, -but I have not even seen her since.” And her tears fell fast again, -while Burke and I were smitten into a gloomy silence. - -“Have you heard nothing of her?” asked I, at length. - -“One of my women--she is here now--found out that Desmond had taken her -to one of his castles nearer to Limerick than Askeaton is, with what -object may be easily guessed.” - -Burke started up madly. - -“What is to be done? What is to be done?” cried he. - -“A moment!” said I, and I turned to Eva. “There is more to tell, is -there not?” - -“Yes,” replied she. “After Grace O’Malley had been carried away I was -given a certain liberty, for I was permitted to move about a part -of the castle, although I was always watched. One day I chanced to -see Dermot Fitzgerald, and though he tried to avoid me as soon as he -perceived me, I ran up to him and caught him by the arm. I begged and -entreated him by our old friendship to tell me what had become of our -mistress, and what was going on. - -“When he would not answer, I went on my knees,” said my dear, bravely, -looking at me, “and reminding him of what I had done for him when he -lay wounded, and of what Grace O’Malley had done both for him and de -Vilela, besought him to have some pity on me, a woman.” - -“Go on, go on!” said I hoarsely. - -“He was so far moved,” said Eva, “as to tell me that my mistress was -well, and that no hurt would be done me. Not that I thought about -myself. I saw him again once or twice, and besought him to find some -means by which I might communicate with Grace O’Malley, but he said -that was impossible. Then I implored him to set me free, but that, too, -he said was not in his power.” - -Eva stopped speaking; then she began again, her voice strangely soft -and tender. - -“I saw you, Ruari, carried up the stairs two days ago--bound, bleeding, -almost dead as it seemed, and Fitzgerald was along with the men who -bore you in their arms. Later that evening I saw him, and anxiously -asked what had occurred. I now perceived that he was unhappy, like one -burdened with remorse. - -“Then he said that you had come to the castle unexpectedly, and that, -while it was deemed necessary to make you a prisoner, no violence had -been intended towards you. He declared that he would give all the world -if only it would put our affairs right again; indeed, he was like one -gone clean mad with trouble, exclaiming that he was the cause of all -our woes!” - -“The cause of all our woes!” cried I. - -“You remember Mistress Sabina Lynch, Ruari,” said Eva. “She it was, -said he, who had told the President of Munster to demand Grace O’Malley -as a pledge from Desmond of his loyalty to the Queen, and it was -through him--for he loves this woman--that she knew our mistress was at -Askeaton, though he had never meant to betray her.” - -Verily, as I said before, if I failed in my duty when I suffered Sabina -Lynch to live, I was grievously punished for it. - -“Yet not so does it appear to me,” said Eva, as if she had seen into my -heart! “For Desmond is Desmond--a mass of treachery, a thing, a beast! -But when I saw how Dermot Fitzgerald felt about the matter, I implored -him to try to set you, Ruari, at least, at liberty. And he was the -more ready to listen to me because of this very Sabina Lynch, for, said -he, she owed her life to you, and he wished to pay back the debt for -this woman, whom he loves.” - -Richard Burke kept muttering to himself, repeating, as I thought, -“Sabina Lynch! Sabina Lynch!” and what else I could not guess. - -“Next day,” said Eva, “a large number of the Geraldines left Askeaton, -and Fitzgerald, being won over entirely to me, told me he would -endeavour that night, there being but few men in the castle, to effect -your escape and mine also. In the evening the gallowglasses drank -deep--deeper even than they knew, for their wine and aqua vitæ had been -drugged--and then, when all was still, he came to me who was ready, -waiting. I asked him where you were, and he replied that he wished me -to go with him to you, as you would trust me, and not, perhaps, him.” - -“I see it all,” said I. - -“Going up to the room where you lay,” continued Eva, “we heard a noise; -that made us pause, then we went on again--and you know the rest. The -noise we had heard had so far alarmed us that we thought it best to -tell you what we did. Fitzgerald had seen to everything--said I not -rightly that he was my friend?” - -And now Burke cried again, as Eva stopped speaking, “What is to be -done? What is to be done?” For myself, while I echoed his question, I -was in so great a coil that I was as one dumb. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -“ONLY A WOMAN.” - - -“What is to be done?” asked Richard Burke. - -“We must find out, first of all, where Grace O’Malley is.” It was Eva -who spoke, and what she said was true. Our mistress must now be our -chief--nay, our whole concern. - -“Yes, yes!” cried I, roused to action, and looking with admiration at -this weak little woman, who had shown herself so strong. - -“Let us call in the woman you spoke of,” said Burke. “She may remember -something which will put us on the scent.” - -“I fear she has told me all that she knows,” said Eva; “but summon her -here.” - -While we waited for her I was going over what Eva had told us, and -trying also to recall exactly what had been the words used--even more -than the words, the manner of Fitzmaurice--when I had parted from him -at Tralee. And as I considered the matter the conviction was borne -in upon me that he had had some information as to what had happened -in regard to Desmond and my mistress, but that he had purposely said -nothing of it to me. - -For one thing, he had evidently intended to keep me with him, and so -to prevent me from returning to Askeaton; and, for another, he had -spoken of Grace O’Malley in a way which was little short of an insult, -and which I was quick to resent. Then de Vilela had intervened between -us, Fitzmaurice had made an apology, and I had left Tralee without -opposition or further words. - -What had de Vilela said when I had declared that my place was with my -mistress? That I had spoken a true word, and I remembered that when he -uttered this it was with little of his customary serenity of demeanour. - -I concluded, as I reflected on what had passed, that both Fitzmaurice -and de Vilela must have been aware--at least, to some extent, of -Desmond’s base conduct with respect to her. - -Nor was the cause of this silence far to seek. But imperfectly -informed, most probably, of the whole circumstances, and what they had -heard having reached them from some source favourable to Desmond, they -were, perhaps, inclined to lay the blame upon my mistress. - -Then, the Earl’s adhesion to the cause was so essential for its success -that whoever jeopardised it would be looked upon with hatred, and thus -they would be the more prejudiced against her. - -Yet Fitzmaurice had himself told me in effect that he was not sure of -Desmond, and this before he knew anything of Grace O’Malley. Perchance, -however, he had persuaded himself that he believed what he wished to -believe. - -And de Vilela? He had sprung to the defence of my mistress, but if -he knew what had occurred, why had he not spoken out? No doubt, I -told myself, it was because, while he was ready to uphold her honour, -he deemed that his duty towards his master, the King of Spain, was -paramount, and he had therefore submitted to Fitzmaurice, who was his -leader, and who had enjoined silence upon him. This, I surmised, was -the explanation. - -How much did they know? - -Could they say, I wondered, where Desmond had put my mistress? - -Where was she at this moment? - -The tire-woman had now entered the tent, but, although she was most -willing to tell us all she knew, she had no knowledge, it appeared, of -the place to which Grace O’Malley had been taken. - -“A castle a few miles from Limerick,” and no more could we get from -her. And Desmond, or the chiefs who regarded him as their prince, had -more than one castle answering this description. - -The important matter was that Desmond had not at once delivered her -over to the President of Munster. - -First, he was trying to convince her that his was no empty threat; and, -second, to bend or break her spirit. But I knew that, while he might -succeed in the one, he never would in the other. And he would see this -so soon that I had no doubt whatever that at most not more than two or -three days would elapse before she had been lodged in the prison of -Limerick, for I was now certain of the complete perfidy of Desmond. - -The man who could betray his guest was not likely to be true to any -cause. That he had sent Fitzmaurice’s letter to the President was, -I considered, a thing not only possible, but in the highest degree -probable. Thus the prospect on all sides of us was dark indeed. - -Sooner or later, then, Grace O’Malley would be in the power of the -English, at the mercy of the President of Munster, a helpless captive -in Limerick gaol! She might be there already, for aught we knew, and -therefore it behoved us at once to endeavour to discover if she were -shut up in Limerick. - -And, if haply this were the case, what could we do? What could my -mistress look for at the hands of the English? How could we assist her? -It might even now be too late, and my flesh crept upon my bones at the -thought. - -“I will go to Limerick,” said I, as the result of my reflections; but -when we had discussed the matter it appeared to be better that someone -else should be sent. - -“I am too marked a man.” said Burke; and one of his gallowglasses would -do as well, for, if Grace O’Malley were in Limerick gaol, there was not -a soul in that city who would not know of it, and thus anyone on the -spot could easily obtain the knowledge we sought. - -I was not persuaded to this course without much difficulty, and Burke -himself was most determined at first to go; but there was the same -objection in his case that there was in mine. Neither of us could have -been long in the streets of Limerick without being recognised. At -length, a messenger was despatched, Burke going out from the tent to -tell him what he was to do. - -No sooner had Burke left Eva and myself alone together, than my -dear fell a-weeping, as if her heart would break, all her wonderful -fortitude utterly gone. I took her into my arms--these great, strong -arms of mine, now weak and trembling like those of a little child--and -tried to soothe her grief. Perhaps my love and our common sorrow taught -us what to say, yet I spoke not of love at all. But what I said and -what she said about ourselves I cannot put into writing--and I would -not, if I could, for there are words and there are times which are -sacred beyond expression; and such were those words, and such this time. - -She was my love and I was hers; and though we spoke not of it, we both -knew, and the knowledge of it folded us about like a garment. - -Much, too, had we to say to each other about de Vilela and about -Fitzgerald, and how strangely they had passed in and out, out and in, -of the woof of our lives. She evidently had a kind of affection for -them both, and when I was inclined to question her about this she said -that they had both been wounded and helpless, and that she had nursed -and tended them, and so had come by this feeling. But ever as our talk -came back to Grace O’Malley our hearts were heavy. - -The messenger whom the MacWilliam had sent to Limerick returned in the -evening. He had seen and had spoken to many of the inhabitants of that -city, and he could hear of nothing which indicated that Grace O’Malley -was there. We took courage from this report, hoping that the worst had -not come upon her. But the man had something more to tell us. - -As he was on his way back from Limerick he had fallen in with a great -gathering of armed men, moving on eastward, some three or four miles -to the south of the city. These were Spaniards, he declared, and other -foreigners, as well as a large number of the Irish. And there were -priests with them, and in the midst of them a banner, all blue and -gold, with the figure of the Lord upon it. - -This could be nothing other than the army of Fitzmaurice, accompanied -by Sanders and the standard blessed by the Pope. - -I questioned the man narrowly as to the place where he had seen them, -and if he had heard where they were going. He replied that one had -told him that they were to camp that night on the banks of the river -Mulkern, not far from the Slieve Phelim Mountains, and that when he -met them they could not have been above two leagues’ distance from the -ground which had been chosen. Feeling fairly certain that Fitzmaurice -would be with them, and, perhaps, de Vilela also, I resolved to set out -at once for their camp. - -If I saw Fitzmaurice, I would try to find out from him where Grace -O’Malley was, and, further, I was determined to appeal to him to -endeavour to prevent Desmond from carrying out his plans. As my -mistress had not been taken into Limerick, the probability was that the -Earl had not finally broken with Fitzmaurice, and that negotiations -were still going on between them. There was, therefore, a chance that -Fitzmaurice might prevail upon him to set her at liberty. - -“Tell Fitzmaurice,” said Richard Burke, when I had informed him of what -I proposed, “that unless Grace O’Malley is released immediately, the -Burkes of Mayo will take neither part nor lot with the Geraldines in -this affair.” - -This suggested to me a possibility I had not yet contemplated, but -I thrust it away from me, telling myself that Burke was too much -distraught to know what he was saying. But it kept coming back to my -mind, as I rode that night along with a guard of the Burkes towards the -Mulkern. - -When we were within a few paces of the camp, which we found without -any difficulty, we were challenged by a Spanish sentinel. I could -not give him password or countersign, and he had raised his piece to -his shoulder to fire, when he suddenly dropped it again, saying he -remembered my face, having seen me at Limerick and also at Tralee. -Having asked him if Sir James Fitzmaurice was here, he replied that -he was, as were also the other leaders. When I told him that I had -business with Sir James, and when he saw how small was the guard -with me, he said he would take it upon himself to allow me to pass -within the lines, although it was contrary to his orders. He therefore -directed me, pointing through the camp fires, to the spot where -Fitzmaurice’s tent had been pitched. - -And now I must put on record, as carefully as I can, what passed -between Fitzmaurice and myself, so that all men can judge whether -Richard Burke, Grace O’Malley’s lover, and I, Ruari Macdonald, her -servant, were justified in what we afterwards did, or not. - -When Fitzmaurice saw me he was unmistakably surprised, for he started -violently as I entered his tent. Perhaps he had thought I was still -immured at Askeaton, and so out of the way; but that I know not. -Besides, when we had last parted it had been in no very friendly -fashion. Whatever his feelings now were, he put on a garb of welcome as -soon as his first surprise was past. - -“Greeting--a thousand greetings!” said he. “You have come to join us? -How many men have you brought with you?” - -“Greeting!” said I, then I fixed my gaze sternly on him, for if I was -right in the opinions I held all words of welcome were out of place -between us; and continued, “Sir James, I have not come to join you--not -at present, at any rate. That is not the business which brings me here. -I have come to ask you if you know where my mistress, Grace O’Malley, -is?” - -I was in no humour to pick and choose what forms of speech I should -use, and I spoke out sharply. - -“Sir,” said he, frowning, all his cordiality disappearing instantly, -“what should I know of your mistress, Grace O’Malley?” And there was a -trace of mockery in the way he uttered the last four words. - -“Answer me, Sir James,” said I again. “Nay, you need not, for I can see -that you do know.” - -“I have heard something,” said he, at length. - -“Do you know how the matter stands between her and Desmond?” asked I. -“Do you know that she was his guest--invited by him to Askeaton? Do -you know that she has tried to bind him to the cause? Do you know that -he has told her that he has a passion for her, that he holds her as -a prisoner in one of his castles because she will not submit to him, -and that he has threatened to give her up to the English, and to make -common cause with them against you, if she will not yield herself to -him?” - -Fitzmaurice said nothing, but sat scowling at me, and biting his lip. - -“Have you no answer?” asked I. “You say you have heard something; -perhaps you knew all this before I left you at Tralee.” - -Then changing my tone to one almost of entreaty, I said, “Sir James, -bethink yourself before it is too late. Nothing but evil can come from -these acts of Desmond,” and I gave him the message with which Richard -Burke had charged me. “Grace O’Malley,” I concluded, “must be set free, -and that at once. Do you know where she is?” - -“Ruari Macdonald!” thundered he with curses, “you always had a proud -stomach! Who are you to speak to me in this fashion? What have I to do -with your mistress? What if I do know where she is? What affair of mine -is it? Go and seek Desmond.” - -But he had said enough. - -“You know where she is,” cried I, wildly. “Tell me, and I will go and -find Desmond.” - -“Ay, and ruin all,” said he half to himself. “No, I will not tell you; -that would be but to add to the mischief. No! Grace O’Malley must yield -to Desmond, and then all will be well.” - -“Yield to Desmond!” exclaimed I. “She will never do that.” - -“Ay, but she will be forced to do so,” said he, with a horrible smile. - -“Never!” said I. “I know her better than you do; she will die rather -than submit.” - -“Then,” said he, fiercely, “let her die!” - -“Is that your last word?” asked I, furiously. - -He rose up at me like an angry beast, and, shaking his outstretched -hand at me, shouted, “Curses on you both! Who is your mistress, as you -call her, and what is she to stand in the way of a Desmond? Who is she -to come between us and the deliverance of Ireland? Shall a woman block -up the path--only a woman!” And on he went in his wrath, saying many -injurious things of Grace O’Malley, until at last he applied to her the -vilest of names. - -As his rage swelled, and his language became more and more insulting, I -grew calmer, until I was possessed by a very devil of deadly coldness. -But when he used the expression I have hinted at, I could keep my peace -no longer. - -“You lie!” said I, and out came my sword. Nor was he less ready; -and there we stood for a second facing each other, with the candles -flickering this way and that between us. Then he thrust his sword back -into its sheath, and saying, “What need of this fool’s blood!” shouted -loudly to someone outside the tent. There was the quick tramp of men, -and in came some Spaniards, with de Vilela at their head. - -“You here!” cried de Vilela, when he saw me. - -“Secure him, bind him,” said Fitzmaurice, pointing at me. - -De Vilela looked from one to the other of us, his face very grave, but -did not stir. - -“Bind him! I command you,” said Fitzmaurice. - -De Vilela stood still. - -“What!” shouted Fitzmaurice. - -De Vilela said slowly, “May I ask, señor----” - -“You may ask nothing,” yelled Fitzmaurice. - -De Vilela went white to the lips; but he spoke with that habitual -courtesy of his, as, pulling out his sword and offering it to -Fitzmaurice by the handle, he said-- - -“I cannot do this thing, for this man is as my brother! I am your -prisoner also, señor. Do with me as you will!” Then this loyal -gentleman added, turning to the Spanish soldiers, “Long live the King!” -and they, too, said, “Long live the King!” - -“Take mine!” cried I, holding out my sword to him--so moved out of -myself was I. - -“Nay; that I cannot do either,” said he. - -“Are you mad?” asked Fitzmaurice of de Vilela. “You must be mad. Has -that woman bewitched you too?” And he wrung his hands. - -“Señor,” said I to de Vilela, “words have passed between Sir James -Fitzmaurice and myself about my mistress that can only be wiped out in -one way,” and I glanced at my sword. - -De Vilela sighed. - -“Señor Fitzmaurice will, I am sure, not refuse?” asked the Spaniard, -courteous as ever. - -“No, I will not refuse,” said Fitzmaurice. “All men know me; but it -cannot be now.” - -“Yes,” said de Vilela--Fitzmaurice had not taken the proffered -sword--”no one will impugn your courage. But if you do not refuse, -you will not seek to detain this man?” And he looked searchingly at -Fitzmaurice, who did not answer, but curtly nodded assent. - -“Go, Señor Ruari!” said de Vilela; but I stood firm. - -“Go,” said Fitzmaurice. “Do not fear, we shall meet again!” - -“To meet again, then,” I said, and went out from the tent. - -Summoning my men, I returned, darkly brooding over these strange -happenings, to the camp of the Burkes. I had failed entirely to compass -the object for which I had set out, for I was no nearer knowing -where Desmond had taken my mistress. But Fitzmaurice knew, and when I -recalled what he had said my heart overflowed with bitterness. - -I would be just to this man, if I could. I can see now, looking across -the grave of the years, that he viewed my mistress solely in the light -of an obstacle in his path, and so he cared not what her fate was, so -long as she was out of the way. - -“Only a woman!” he had said of her, and that she was only a woman -doubtless increased his sense of injury. But he forgot that it was for -“only a woman” that men have ever fought and died. - -When I arrived at the camp, Richard Burke was waiting for me. When he -had heard me to the end, he said, “You should have killed him!” I had -had the same thought myself, but de Vilela and the Spanish soldiers -had come too quickly upon the scene for that. Besides, we should meet -again, and thus I comforted my soul. - -“Let us to sleep,” said I. - -“I cannot sleep,” said he, and I heard him pacing up and down through -the rest of what remained of the night, for though I shut my eyes, no -sleep came to me either. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -THE PARTING OF THE WAYS. - - -I have seen a great swell of the sea, a mountain of a wave--caused -by some violent storm which has spent its worst fury many leagues -away--roll in from the ocean, lift a ship from her moorings, and dash -her to pieces on the rocks. - -As I rose in the morning and stepped out of the tent into the dewy -freshness of the day, I thought we were not unlike that ship. For I -could not disguise from myself that our affairs had suffered shipwreck. - -Grace O’Malley was a prisoner, and I was unable to deliver her. I, her -servant, was bound before anything else to try to free her from her -captivity, and I did not even know where she was; and when I had sought -to find it out, it had been with the result that a furious quarrel had -sprung up between Fitzmaurice, the leader of the Irish, and myself. - -He had not only refused to help me to obtain her liberty, but he had -slandered and contemned her to my face. Not under such a man could I or -the O’Malleys fight. Nay, there now could be nothing between us but the -deadliest feud. - -And yet we had all come to Kerry to stand by the side of this man and -his Spaniards in the rising against the Queen! That, at least, was now -impossible. How could we support one who had spoken of our mistress -and chief as he had done? And the Burkes were in the same position as -we ourselves. - -As I paced along the ground, Richard Burke, gaunt and hollow-eyed, -joined me. Burning with resentment and indignation, he was eager for -instant action, and made the wild proposal that I should immediately -bring all the men from the galleys, and, having made a junction with -him and his forces, march against Fitzmaurice. - -At the first blush of the thing I had almost said yes; but a little -cool reflection showed me that not only were the odds against us -overwhelming, but that, even if we were successful, I should be no -nearer my main object, which was the release of Grace O’Malley. So far -as I was concerned, all the considerations had to bow to that. - -Nor could I readily bring myself in a moment, as it were, into an -attitude of hostility to Fitzmaurice, for he represented our cause -against the English, and to fight him was, in effect, to help the enemy. - -Having told the MacWilliam all that was in my mind, and having won him -over to my way of thinking, we considered how we should now proceed. -It appeared to me to be best that we should all return to the ships, -for the camp of the Burkes, being in the heart of Desmond’s country, -was very open to attack from the Geraldines, who could no longer be -regarded as friends, and so might easily be surprised and taken. - -There was also the strong argument that, if any disaster overtook the -galleys in our absence, we should be completely cut off from any way -of getting back to Connaught, and our situation would become desperate -and well nigh hopeless. - -Another reason was that we could, with even greater advantage than -from the place where the Burkes were camped, send out from the galleys -scouts and spies, with a view to ascertaining where Desmond was. - -To that I now bent my whole energy, for I felt sure that so long as -Grace O’Malley was not in the gaol of Limerick--if she were, then would -she be harder to come at than ever--she would be confined in some -castle which the Earl occupied with his forces, and where he would -remain until he was convinced that he could neither bend nor break her -will. For that, I knew, would be the end. - -Having struck our camp, we marched to the westward, so as to avoid -Askeaton; then, going to the north, were safely on board the galleys by -the evening, having only encountered on our journey several small bands -of the Irish on their way to Fitzmaurice, whom we suffered to pass on, -having first asked them if they had any information as to where Desmond -was. They had been told, it appeared, that the Earl had raised the -standard of revolt, and was in camp with Fitzmaurice on the Mulkern. -Nor did we undeceive them. - -For a week I kept the galleys sailing up and down the Shannon, stopping -every mile or two and sending men ashore--sometimes going myself--to -speak with the inhabitants; but never a word could we hear of Desmond, -though occasionally we heard of Fitzmaurice, who had not moved from the -position he had taken up. - -Each evening of that terrible week found me less hopeful and more -despondent; in truth, I would have despaired had it not been for the -constant solace of Eva, who seemed to have changed herself into another -person, so brave and steadfast was she. - -Hitherto I had kept well away from Limerick, but now I resolved to -bring the galleys as close up to the walls of the city as I dared. -Limerick was a great and strongly fortified place, and, therefore, to -be avoided by us; but it was the centre of all that part of Ireland, -and there might be opportunities in its neighbourhood of hearing more -fully what was going forward. I was encouraged to do this, also, by the -fact that there were singularly few ships in the river--no doubt owing -to the presence of the Spaniards in the country. - -When we were yet perhaps a league from the walls we saw a small boat -with a sail coming towards us. I looked keenly at her, and even as I -looked at her she was suddenly put about, and was headed back for the -city, for they evidently did not like our appearance. - -Two of the men in her seemed to be soldiers, and I signalled Tibbot, -whose galley was leading, to capture her--which he did after a short -chase, the occupants of the boat surrendering without any resistance. - -I had the two soldiers, as they proved to be, brought on board of _The -Cross of Blood_, and having assured them that I intended them no harm, -asked how matters stood in the city. The first words they uttered were -enough to stun me. - -“Grace O’Malley,” said one of them, “was brought into Limerick -yesterday, and delivered up to Sir Nicholas Malby.” - -“Grace O’Malley in Limerick,” I cried, “and Sir Nicholas Malby there -also!” - -The fatality of the thing completely broke down my control, and I -could not speak for some minutes. I had somehow felt all along that my -mistress would be given up to the English by Desmond, but to be told -that this had actually come to pass was none the less a crushing blow. -And to Sir Nicholas Malby, the Colonel of Connaught, our implacable foe! - -The two men gazed at me curiously, seeing how overcome I was. - -“How comes Sir Nicholas Malby to be in Limerick?” I asked, pulling -myself together. “Connaught is his government, not Munster; how does he -happen to be here?” - -“You surely must know,” said the man who had spoken before, “that Sir -James Fitzmaurice, one of the Desmonds, has arrived in the country at -the head of a large army from Spain, and that the Irish people are -flocking in to him from all quarters?” - -“Yes,” said I, shortly, “I know all that.” - -“Sir Nicholas Malby was summoned by the President of Munster,” said the -soldier, “in hot haste to the defence of Limerick. We were in garrison -at the time at Athlone, several hundred of us, and Sir Nicholas, -having marshalled us in our companies, immediately set off in response -down the Shannon, and two days ago we arrived here. The President is -terror-stricken, and the whole city trembles with fear.” - -“How came you to be without the walls?” I asked. “And at such a time?” - -“We were trying to escape,” said the man, “for we heard that the city -would soon be taken by the Spaniards, of whom there are thousands, and -that everyone of us would be tortured and slain by them.” - -“Is the Earl of Desmond in Limerick?” I next inquired--noting, however, -how the number of Fitzmaurice’s men had been exaggerated. - -“No,” replied the man. “He sent Grace O’Malley bound in chains into the -city to Sir Nicholas Malby, but he came not himself. ’Tis said that he -will neither join the Spaniards, nor yet assist us, but holds himself -aloof from both until he sees on whose side fortune will declare -itself.” - -And this reed of rottenness, this catspaw of the wind, was the man whom -my mistress, led on by the memories of the past greatness of the house -of Desmond, and by the hope that under him the Irish might unite, had -called our natural leader! - -It had been the noble dream of a noble soul, that vision of hers; but, -like many another noble dream, it was woven around a man incapable of -filling the part he was called upon to play, and so was nothing but a -dream. - -The folly and wickedness of Desmond seemed to me to be almost -inconceivable. Baulked by the firmness of my mistress, he had wreaked -his wrath upon her by handing her over to the one man in all Ireland -who might be supposed to regard her capture with the utmost joy, and -who would take a fiendish delight in torturing her. - -Having gratified his hatred of her--for such his love no doubt had -become--the Earl sought to stand in with both sides in the approaching -struggle by coming out openly on behalf of neither. It needed not that -one should be a prophet to forecast that Desmond would fall and be -crushed between the two. - -While such thoughts passed rapidly through my mind, the chief thing -which I had just been told--that Grace O’Malley was immured in the gaol -of Limerick--threw everything else into the shade. In the hope that -the men might have heard what had occurred to her after her arrival in -Limerick, I asked them: - -“Do you know, or did you hear, what Sir Nicholas Malby did in respect -of Grace O’Malley, after she had been delivered up to him?” - -“I was one of his guard,” said the man who acted as spokesman for the -twain, “when she was brought before him. Sir Nicholas eyed her with -great sternness; albeit it was easy to see that he was well-pleased -to have her in his power, for she had wrought the English terrible -injuries in Galway, and had set him at defiance. However, she did not -quail nor humble herself, but bore herself like a princess, as, they -say, she is.” - -“What said Sir Nicholas?” asked I. - -“He demanded of her many things,” replied the man, “but she would -answer him not at all. Whereupon he was enraged against her, and gave -orders that the city gallows should be got ready forthwith, and that -she should be hanged immediately.” - -“Did she not speak even then?” - -“No. She looked at him very calmly and tranquilly, like one, indeed, -who had already tasted of the bitterness of death and had no fear of -it. A strange woman, and a brave! But ’tis said she is a witch.” - -“What happened after that?” - -“We were leading her away to the square in which the gibbet stands, -when Sir Nicholas called to us to come back, for he had changed his -mind, as it now appeared. Said he to her, ’You will not dance in the -air to-day, mistress, but I shall take good care that you dance not out -of Limerick as you did out of Galway!’ But to what he alluded when he -said that I know not. Thereafter she was cast into one of the dungeons -of the place.” - -“One of the dungeons?” asked I. - -“Yes--there are several deep, dark dungeons below the gaol of Limerick, -and she was thrust into one of these.” - -I had heard enough, and having sent the two soldiers away in charge of -some of my men, I went and told Richard Burke the evil tidings. Up to -this moment he must have cherished the hope that Grace O’Malley would -in some way or other escape, for he was utterly unmanned on hearing -where and in whose hands she was, and abandoned himself to the wildest -grief. The very colour of his face showed that he already regarded her -as one dead. As for myself, there had grown upon me a kind of coldness, -and an icy numbness, as it were, which seemed to have killed all -feeling within me for the time. - -And perhaps it was well that this was the case, else I should never -have been able to carry the news to Eva. Yet she must be told, and tell -her I did. - -“So long as she is alive,” exclaimed Eva, when I had come to the end of -my tale, “there is hope. I will not believe that it is her destiny to -perish in this manner!” - -What had become of the timid, shrinking girl? For my dear was -transformed altogether, being now full of courage, and of purpose and -determination. - -“Remember,” said she, “what Sir Nicholas is; how greedy of money he is, -how avaricious! Think you he would not sell Grace O’Malley for gold? -Only offer him enough, and he will set her free.” - -I thought of the immense treasure which lay in the Caves of Silence -under the Hill of Sorrow, and for a minute I considered that Eva’s -suggestion might avail us. But the caves were far away from Limerick, -and to go thither was out of the question. - -Besides, the English rule was too seriously threatened to permit Sir -Nicholas to be moved at this time by bribes, however rich they were. -If he opened his hands, liberating Grace O’Malley with his right, and -taking her gold with his left, it would not be now: the situation of -the English was far too perilous for that. - -All this I saw with perfect clearness, and when I spoke to Eva of it, -she was at first inclined to fly out at me, and to reproach me for my -apathy. Yet, God wot, it was not apathy; I simply could not see any way -out for us, or, rather, for our mistress, no matter in what direction I -looked. All that I could think of was that I should get into Limerick -under some disguise, and then endeavour to find the means of effecting -her escape. - -When I mentioned this to Eva, she replied that to carry out such a plan -would, or might, involve too long a delay, for our mistress, being -already condemned, might be executed at any moment. This was true; but, -as I could not conceive of any other scheme, I resolved to set about -undertaking it, and that no later than next day. - -That night my sleep was troubled and uneasy, and I tossed restlessly -about, so that when the first light of day was seen I sprang from my -couch. As I did so I heard Calvagh O’Halloran call my name loudly, and -at the same instant there was the sound of oars; then Calvagh, as I -stepped on deck, came running towards me, crying something I could not -quite distinguish, and pointing to _The Grey Wolf_, which had slipped -her anchor, and was now being rowed away from us in the direction of -Limerick. - -All this came upon me so suddenly that I could scarcely grasp the -meaning of it, until I noticed Eva O’Malley standing on the poop of -_The Grey Wolf_, and waving her hand to me in farewell. - -“Stop! stop!” I cried; but on went the galley at racing speed. “Stop! -stop!” I cried again; but received no other response than that given -by those waving hands. I was on the point of ordering Calvagh to get -_The Cross of Blood_ under weigh, when I observed that Eva had sent Art -O’Malley by one of the small boats of _The Grey Wolf_ to my galley with -a message for me. - -“What is this? What is this?” I asked of him. - -“Eva O’Malley bids me tell you,” replied he, “that she is going in to -Limerick to see Sir Nicholas Malby.” - -“What?” I cried. “Has she gone crazed! To see Nicholas Malby! What -frenzy is this?” - -“’Tis no frenzy, Ruari Macdonald,” said Art O’Malley, “but her settled -will. And she bade me say that you must wait here, and she will return -to-night, or else, if she come not, that we must all go to Limerick -to-morrow.” - -“What is her intention?” - -“That I know not. It was not till I was in the boat that she gave me -these words for you, and none of us imagined, when the galley set out, -that you were not aware of what she was about.” - -I looked at the man in wonder. - -“Have you no suspicion at all of what she would be at?” - -“To see Sir Nicholas Malby--as she said; I know no more.” - -In the circumstances there was nothing left me to do but to wait and -wonder, to wonder and to wait. - -What interpretation was I to put on this extraordinary, this rash act -of Eva’s? Did she think she would be able to bribe Sir Nicholas? Was -that her idea? Or did she have some other plan? - -But all these surmises were powerless to console me; and it was with a -gladness of heart to which I had long been a stranger that I saw _The -Grey Wolf_ come up alongside of us in the afternoon. - -And who was that who stood by the side of my dear on the poop-deck? -Richard Burke was with me, and I cried to him to look. - -“Who is that?” asked I, astounded, doubting if my eyes did not juggle -with me. - -“You may well ask,” said he. “Some miracle must have come to pass!” - -“Then ’tis he!” I cried. - -“Sir Nicholas Malby himself,” said Burke, and his face was instantly -lighted up with a new hope rising in his breast. - -“Ay, ’tis Sir Nicholas!” cried I. “By God’s wounds, this is a strange -thing!” - -There they stood together--the Colonel of Connaught and Eva O’Malley. -Like Burke, my heart grew light, as if a great weight had been taken -from me, for I knew that Malby must have some proposal to make us which -must be to our advantage, otherwise he would never thus have ventured -to come. - -If he was not exactly alone, he had apparently but few of his soldiers -with him; and evidently, therefore, he was determined to show us that -whatever it was he was to offer us was offered to men in whom he had -implicit faith. - -And what had Eva said, what promised, what undertaken for us? How had -she managed to bring him? What had this little weak woman, who could -yet be so great and strong, done? - -And I still glow with a pride in her that is too deep and too high for -words when I think of it all. Surely, it was nothing but a miracle, as -Burke had said. One thing, at least, was now certain, and that was that -Grace O’Malley was alive, or Malby would not have come to us. - -_The Grey Wolf_ having dropped her anchor, Eva and Sir Nicholas -immediately made signs to Richard Burke and me to go over to them, and -we hastened to comply with their wish. As we approached, Sir Nicholas -saluted us both very courteously, and we bowed low in return. Eva was -the first to speak. - -“I went this morning to Sir Nicholas,” said Eva; “I was detained at the -water gate, but----” - -“You are a brave as well as a beautiful woman,” said he, interrupting -her, “and I regret that there was any delay at the gate.” - -“It would have been singular,” replied she, smiling, “if there had not -been some opposition. However, having stated who I was, I prevailed -after some time upon the captain of the watch to send me to Sir -Nicholas. I wished to see if Sir Nicholas utterly refused to accept a -ransom for our mistress.” - -“Yes,” said I, eagerly. “We will pay it gladly.” - -“He refused to receive a ransom, however,” said Eva. - -“Then----” asked I. - -“He had better tell you himself what he proposes,” said she. “He -asked me if I thought you would agree, and knowing how you and the -MacWilliam now feel with respect to Sir James Fitzmaurice, I answered -that I deemed it probable enough. He next wished to know how he was to -convince you of his sincerity, and I suggested his coming with me as -a proof it. But that I have passed my word to him, pledging you and -Richard Burke also to his safety, he is in our hands.” - -“I will be frank with you,” said Sir Nicholas, bluntly, “and not waste -words. You wish to free your mistress, and you have a quarrel with Sir -James Fitzmaurice so that you no longer can fight by his side against -us. If you and the MacWilliam will join your men to mine, I will not -only set Grace O’Malley at liberty, but will confirm her in possession -of her estates in the Queen’s name, and also grant what I know she -desires in respect of her ships.” Sir Nicholas paused, eyeing us -narrowly. - -“The MacWilliam and I are proclaimed rebels,” said I. - -“Come to the aid of her Highness,” said he, “and you will be rebels -no longer.” Then, as he saw that we both were silent, he said--and -here he touched us to the quick--”Have you no desire to be avenged on -Fitzmaurice and the Desmonds?” - -“Ay, by the Mass, yes,” cried Burke. - -“What say you, Ruari Macdonald?” asked Sir Nicholas. - -“Tell me first,” said I, “how stands Desmond in this matter?” - -“He has gone to Askeaton again,” said he, “and as he will not declare -himself for the Queen, he must be judged to be against her.” - -“Did you say anything to Grace O’Malley of this errand of yours to us? -Does she know of it?” asked I. - -“Yes,” said he. - -“And what is her word to us?” - -“’Bid these men of mine avenge me, and that right speedily.’ That was -what she said.” - -“Well spoken!” cried Richard Burke. - -“I have never disobeyed her yet,” said I, “and I shall not do so now.” - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -BARRINGTON BRIDGE. - - -As we four stood facing each other on the poop of _The Grey Wolf_, -there was the sound of a door opened and closed, and then the pit-pat -of steps on the deck, and well did I know who it was. - -“Grace O’Malley!” cried I joyously, turning towards her. - -“Grace O’Malley!” said Richard Burke, and could not say more for very -gladness. - -My mistress smiled upon us, as she gave one hand to the MacWilliam and -the other to me; but as I gazed upon her I saw that those great eyes of -hers were deep-shadowed with sadness. And well could I understand how -the failure and defeat of her most cherished hopes, brought about by -the perfidy of Desmond, and acquiesced in by Fitzmaurice, preyed upon -her mind and filled her with gloom. What she now said to me showed how -her thoughts ran. - -“So you are become a Queen’s man, Ruari!” - -“I am your servant, Grace O’Malley,” said I. “What care I whose man I -am, so long as I am yours! If you say be a Queen’s man, then Queen’s -man am I.” - -“And you, Richard Burke?” she asked. - -“You well know what I would say!” answered he. - -“It is well,” said she; but if she had said, “It is ill,” her accents -could hardly have been more sober or less exultant. And for myself, -when I recalled the image of de Vilela, who must henceforth be our foe, -and all that I owed him, I could not but share in and sympathise with -her feelings. - -Sir Nicholas Malby, perhaps guessing something of what we were -thinking, and anxious to reap the fullest benefit as soon as possible -from our alliance with him, brought the conversation sharply round to -Fitzmaurice and the Geraldines. - -He was enough of a tactician to say very little of the past or of the -Spaniards; only he harped incessantly on the baseness with which our -mistress had been treated by her own countrymen, and so wrought upon -our desire for revenge. - -“Here and now is your opportunity! There is no time to be thrown away. -Each day sees Fitzmaurice in a stronger position, as men pour into his -camp from all directions. Desmond, meanwhile, like the weakling he -is, still hesitates. If we are to succeed, the blow must be struck at -once--should he join Fitzmaurice, I may have to wait till soldiers come -from England; if we move at once, however, though the enemy is more -numerous than our combined forces, we are, I believe, a match for them.” - -“Tell us your plans,” said Richard Burke, and thereupon Sir Nicholas -began to discuss with us what course was to be pursued. - -He appeared to be well-informed of all that was going on in the camp of -Fitzmaurice, and was determined to offer him battle at once. With this -end in view, we agreed to move up the galleys that very afternoon to -Limerick, and anchor them in the harbour within its walls. - -It was not without misgivings that I consented to this, for then we -should be indeed at the mercy of Sir Nicholas; but he was so fair and -open with us, and had so placed himself, without reserve, as it were, -in our hands, that I gave way; nor, as the event showed, was our trust -misplaced. - -I returned to _The Cross of Blood_, and in a very few minutes, the -three galleys were on their way to Limerick, where their appearance -shortly afterwards created no small stir among its inhabitants. - -Thinking that Grace O’Malley and Eva would prefer being left together, -I had taken Sir Nicholas on board of my ship; and he and Burke and I -considered the situation of affairs, and resolved that next morning we -should all march out from Limerick and engage Fitzmaurice. Sir Nicholas -estimated our whole force at a thousand men, most of whom were hardened -soldiers and veterans of war, nor did he anticipate that we should meet -with any strenuous resistance, save from the Spanish troops, who would -be certain to fight desperately. - -One favour I asked of Sir Nicholas, and only one. I told him that there -was amongst the Spaniards a gentleman--a certain de Vilela--to whom I -was beholden by the greatest of obligations, and I begged of him this -boon--if it should be the fortune of war that Don Francisco were taken -alive, then that he should be given up to me upon my paying such a -ransom as would satisfy the captors. And to this Sir Nicholas very -willingly consented. - -After we had come into port, and the galleys were made fast to the -quay, Sir Nicholas went on into the city to give orders with respect -to his soldiers and to prepare for the morrow. But, ere he left us, he -said he would either come himself to see me late that night to give -us his final commands, or would send one of his chief captains in his -place. - -As I watched that sturdy figure of his, I recalled that when I had last -talked with him it was on the night of the revel in Galway, and could -not but marvel at the strange dance both he and I had been led by fate -since that time. - -Also I did not fail to reflect that, while Sir Nicholas had spoken -confidently of our ability to cope with the enemy, he must have deemed -his position to be critical in the extreme, or he never would have made -terms with us. Nothing but the stern compulsion of necessity could have -forced him to act as he had done--nothing else, indeed, could have -justified him. - -I was sure, being acquainted with the nature of the man, that it -would have been more congenial to him to have fought us, as well as -Fitzmaurice. Being placed, however, as he was, he had seen, with the -quickness and shrewdness of a man well versed in affairs, how he could -make use of the division between us and Fitzmaurice, and turn it to his -profit and the service of the Queen. - -His need of us must have been very great for him not only to have to -relinquish the vengeance he had vowed against my mistress and myself, -but also to ask for our aid. But would our assistance suffice? - -My heart beat fast and quickly as I thought that the morrow’s battle -might have a very different result from that which he expected. To say -the least, our victory was very uncertain, seeing that our combined -forces were probably far outnumbered by those of Fitzmaurice. - -After I had spent an hour or two musing in this fashion, I saw Eva -appear on the deck of _The Grey Wolf_. All my doubt of the issue of the -morrow vanished immediately, and a swelling tide of love and tenderness -swept over me as I beheld my dear. In truth, I had loved her all my -life; but there was now mingled with my love a feeling that was close -akin to worship, for what had not she dared? - -Thank God, I say again, for the great hearts of women! - -She did not at once perceive me, and I observed from the pensive droop -of her head and of her body that she was weary. There was now nought -between us--but a few feet of water; and I quickly made my way to her -side. She greeted me with a radiant smile, and love’s own light was -shining in her soft eyes. - -“Ruari!” - -And love, too, was in her voice. - -Long did we hold sweet converse together, saying such fond things to -each other as lovers say; but it is not for me to set them forth. - -When I asked her what had put it into her mind to go to Sir Nicholas -Malby, she replied that after the conversation we had had, in which -she had suggested offering a large sum to him as a ransom for Grace -O’Malley--a notion which I had scouted--she had pondered the matter, -and had resolved, without informing me of her intention, to endeavour -to gain admittance to Sir Nicholas, and to tell him that he had only -to name what amount of treasure he required to purchase our mistress’s -liberty, and it would be given. - -“I felt an irresistible impulse,” said Eva, “and it was so strong upon -me that I could get no rest until I had seen Sir Nicholas.” - -“Did Sir Nicholas receive you well?” - -“Yes, indeed,” said Eva. “He was disposed to regard my appearance as -most fortunate, for he had already been casting about for some means of -communicating with you and the MacWilliam.” - -And here our talk was interrupted by the sharp ringing of the hoofs -of horses upon the stones of the quay, the clank of arms, and shouted -words of command. - -“Sir Nicholas again!” cried I, and we went forward to meet him. - -“All is well,” said he briefly, but briskly. “I wish you to disembark -your men----” and here he stopped; “but where is Richard Burke?” - -“He is with Grace O’Malley,” said Eva. - -Sir Nicholas stood for an instant lost in thought. - -“Rumours have reached us,” said he, at length, “that the MacWilliam is -greatly desirous of allying himself with Grace O’Malley more nearly -than as a mere comrade and friend in war.” - -His words were a question, and I could almost have sworn there was a -twinkle in those fierce eyes of his. - -“Yes, that is true,” I answered, seeing no need for any equivocation or -denial. - -“It would be no bad thing,” said he, “for after what has passed they -will surely be loyal to her Highness.” - -“Yes,” said I, somewhat drily, “but that will also depend upon her -Highness.” - -“Her Highness,” cried he, “can mean nothing but good to this her realm -of Ireland. Peace and quiet are essential to its prosperity, and these -she will have, and so, by God, shall I.” - -“Let us go and see them,” said I; for what he had said seemed to me -very like halloaing before we were out of the wood, as it were. - -When we entered the cabin, I saw at once that my mistress had recovered -something of her usual spirits, while Richard Burke’s honest face was -bright with happiness. It needed no voice to tell me that he had again -made suit to her, and that she had not repulsed him. - -And so best, thought I. - -But there was a stern business before us, for we must win our way to -the hands of our brides across a field of blood. - -Sir Nicholas began at once to tell us what he had arranged with -respect to us and his English troops. At dawn we were all to cross -the Shannon, and, plunging into the forest, march upon the camp of -Fitzmaurice. He trusted that he might come upon Sir James unawares, or, -at any rate, before he had had time to make the best disposition of his -men. - -When all these matters had been settled between us, we bade Grace -O’Malley and Eva farewell. - -“Wear this,” said Grace O’Malley, on parting, to Richard Burke, taking -a ring from her finger and putting it into his hand, “and wear it for -my sake.” - -As for myself, I had secretly possessed myself of a silken riband of -Eva’s, and twined it about the guard of my sword. That was guerdon -enough for me until I should return to claim her. - -“Victory!” cried my mistress to me. - -“Amen and amen to that!” said Sir Nicholas and we all, in a breath. - -Then we went, each one to his place, and the darkness covered us all -till morning came. - -In the twilight of the dawn we assembled to the sound of trumpets, and -then were rapidly carried across the river to its south side, landing -about two miles east of Limerick. - -The troops of Sir Nicholas were composed of Englishmen and of Irishmen -too, though these were chiefly from the Pale; all men who had taken -part in many a fight, and gloried in nothing so much as in the red riot -of war. Two hundred of them were mounted, and a hundred, or perhaps -more, bore arquebuses upon their shoulders. But the major portion of -them were armed with long pikes, and nearly all had swords or daggers. -The Burkes and the O’Malleys had the Irish sword and the stabbing -poniard and the still more terrible battle-axe. - -The men on horseback went first; then the MacWilliam and I with our -men, followed by the soldiers with arquebuses; last of all, Sir -Nicholas and his pike-men. - -Such was the order of our march until we were within half a mile of the -outposts of Fitzmaurice’s camp. But already his spies had warned him of -our approach, and we could hear, even at that distance, the noise of -the commotion among his forces as they prepared to receive us. - -We now advanced more slowly, throwing out single soldiers here and -there among the trees, while the mounted men were halted. - -The main body was massed together as closely as the nature of the -ground would permit, Sir Nicholas himself directing all our movements -with the utmost coolness and unconcern. - -As we pressed onward there was a sharp crack of an arquebus, then -another and another, until the air was full of the sounds of firing; -and then the men who had been sent forward fell back, crying that the -Spaniards were drawn up in battle array, and were waiting to fall upon -us so soon as we came near. Before we emerged from the forest into the -open Sir Nicholas brought up his arquebusiers, bidding Burke and myself -to support them. At the same time he ordered his mounted men to the -front. - -When we burst out from among the trees we were met by a hail of -bullets from the pieces of the Spaniards, and a cloud of whirring -arrows seemed to form and break over our heads. For a time we were -thrown back, but returning, like a wave flinging itself upon the -shore, rushed furiously on the enemy, the arquebusiers of Sir Nicholas -meanwhile pouring a deadly fire in upon the ranks of Fitzmaurice. - -There was the sudden hoarse blare of a trumpet, the strident voice of -Sir Nicholas crying on us to charge, and our horsemen threw themselves -madly upon the foe, who sullenly gave way before them, but only to -form up quickly again. The men opposed to them were neither cowards -nor strangers to the art of war; they were rallied speedily by their -captains, and soon presented a new front to our attack. - -The air was so darkened by smoke, and there was such a tumult from the -shoutings of the soldiers and the clang and clamour of their weapons -and all the wild work of war, that it was some time before I could make -out de Vilela among the Spaniards. But there he was, his long sword -gleaming in his hand, his lips moving, and, though I could not hear -what he was saying, I could well imagine that he was exhorting his men -to remember Spain, and to acquit themselves as became her sons. Then, -as the battle raged, now here, now there, he passed out of my sight. - -It is a soldier’s duty to do what his general bids him; but I was glad -when Sir Nicholas called upon Burke and myself to lead our people -against that part of Fitzmaurice’s army which was chiefly made up of -the Geraldines, and which was commanded by Sir James himself. Sir -Nicholas rightly judged that our animosity would burn more fiercely -against them than against the Spaniards, and we sprang upon them with a -fury they could not long withstand. - -At the first onset they met us bravely, and for awhile there was much -fierce and terrible fighting. Above their hosts there rose the Pope’s -banner of blue and gold, and around it and Sanders, who held it, and -his priests, they made a stubborn resistance. But they were forced -back, and ever back. - -I strove to come at Fitzmaurice, but could not for the press. We had a -score to settle, and settled it was, but not by me, for it was Burke -who dealt him the fatal blow. I had just parried the cunning thrust of -a sword, as I was trying to reach Fitzmaurice, when I saw the flash of -a pistol in Burke’s hand, and then Sir James swayed and fell forward -from his horse. When the Geraldines knew what had taken place, they -turned and fled, bearing Sanders and his banner along with them, into -the thicknesses of the forest. - -Having witnessed the defeat and flight of their Irish allies, the -Spaniards could not but be aware that they had small chance of -retrieving the fortunes of the day, and they now began to retreat. -Attacked on the flanks as well as in the front, they were thrown into -disorder, and their retreat became a rout, each man striving to save -himself. A few, however, stood their ground to the last, and among them -was de Vilela. - -“Take him alive!” I shouted; but the words came too late. - -I was almost beside him, for I had hoped that he would surrender to me -if I asked him to do so, and with that purpose had fought my way even -through the English to get near him; but before I reached him he had -fallen, his armour all stained with blood, and his sword broken in his -hand. - -With a great, wild cry of grief, the sharpness of which was like the -sundering of my spirit from my body, I threw my sword upon the ground, -and, kneeling beside him, called to him to speak to me if he were yet -alive. His hand feebly pressed mine, while I wept and sobbed like a -little child. The lips trembled and opened; the half-shut eyelids -faintly quivered; but he could not speak. Again, however, my hand was -feebly pressed. And so he passed--still with his hand in mine--this -noble gentleman of Spain. - -Nor does there go by a day when I do not think of de Vilela, the man to -whom I owed so much--so much that I can never repay. - -It was the custom in these wars of ours to cut off the heads of the -principal men among our fallen enemies; this the body of Sir James -Fitzmaurice suffered, the head being sent to Dublin, where it was -tarred, and put on a spike above the Castle gate. - -But no such indignity befell the body of de Vilela, for, having -obtained permission from Sir Nicholas, I took my men, made a solemn -mourning for him, and buried him on the field of battle, where the -waters of the Mulkern go murmuring past; and there he lies, that true -and noble gentleman, in a grave without a name. - - * * * * * - -And thus ended the battle of Barrington Bridge, as it is called, -entailing with it the overthrow and collapse of the rising, for -the death of Fitzmaurice--although the war lingered on for long -afterwards--was the death of any chance of success it had. - -Desmond, who had been hanging about in the vicinity during the battle, -but had taken no part in it, later met with an inglorious end, and with -him perished his house. - -As for Richard Burke and myself, we accompanied Sir Nicholas Malby and -his army in various expeditions, until the beginning of the winter, -when he set out overland to Galway, and we sailed from Limerick the -same day in our ships for that city also. Heaven sent us fair and -gentle gales--perhaps, to make up for all the storms through which we -had passed--and we came safely into the port of Galway where we lay -several days waiting for Sir Nicholas; for, at his particular request, -we--Grace O’Malley and the MacWilliam, and Eva and I--were to be -married in the church of St. Nicholas of Myra. - -And I had heard that when these events came to pass, there were among -the spectators many who loved us and wished us well, and many who did -not; but to which of these classes Sir Nicholas really belonged I know -not, for, in the years that came after, he and Grace O’Malley and her -husband, Richard Burke, had many disputes, and the “Queen’s peace” was -often broken. - -As for myself and Eva, we sailed away from Ireland to my old home -in Isla, where I was chosen chief in the room of my uncle, who had -succeeded my father, and who was now dead. It was in _The Cross of -Blood_--Grace O’Malley’s last gift to me--that we made our journey, and -that I returned to these isles of Scotland. - -Many years have passed since, and in our life there has been winter -as well as summer; but still there is the same light in Eva’s eyes, -and the same love in her voice. It has been our happy lot to grow old -together--to grow old in our love for each other, though that love -itself is as fresh and new as the flowers of the first mornings of -summer. - -And so we await the inevitable end. - - -PRINTED BY CASSELL & COMPANY, LIMITED, LA BELLE SAUVAGE, LONDON, E.C. - - - - - A SELECTED LIST - - OF - - CASSELL & COMPANY’S - PUBLICATIONS. - - - - -Illustrated, Fine Art, and other Volumes. - - -=Adventure, The World of.= Fully Illustrated. Complete in Three Vols. -9s. each. - -=Adventures in Criticism.= By A. T. QUILLER-COUCH. 6s. - -=Africa and its Explorers, The Story of.= By Dr. ROBERT BROWN, -F.R.G.S., &c. With about 800 Original Illustrations. _Cheap Edition._ -In 4 Vols. 4s. each. - -=American Life.= By PAUL DE ROUSIERS. 12s. 6d. - -=Animal Painting in Water Colours.= With Coloured Plates. 5s. - -=Animals, Popular History of.= By HENRY SCHERREN, F.Z.S. With 13 -Coloured Plates and other Illustrations. 7s. 6d. - -=Architectural Drawing.= By R. PHENÉ SPIERS. Illustrated. 10s. 6d. - -=Art, The Magazine of.= _Yearly Volume_, 21s. _The Two Half-Yearly -Volumes for 1897 can also be had_, 10s. 6d. _each_. - -=Artistic Anatomy.= By Prof. M. DUVAL. _Cheap Edition_, 3s. 6d. - -=Astronomy, The Dawn of.= A Study of the Temple Worship and Mythology -of the Ancient Egyptians. By Sir NORMAN LOCKYER, K.C.B., F.R.S., &c. -Illustrated. 21s. - -=Ballads and Songs.= By WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY. With Original -Illustrations by H. M. BROCK. 6s. - -=Barber, Charles Burton, The Works of.= With Forty-one Plates and -Portraits, and Introduction by HARRY FURNISS. _Cheap Edition_, 7s. 6d. - -=Battles of the Nineteenth Century.= An entirely New and Original Work, -with Several Hundred Illustrations. Complete in Two Vols., 9s. each. - -=”Belle Sauvage” Library, The.= Cloth, 2s. (_A complete list of the -volumes post free on application._) - -=Beetles, Butterflies, Moths, and other Insects.= By A. W. KAPPEL, -F.L.S., F.E.S., and W. EGMONT KIRBY. With 12 Coloured Plates. 3s. 6d. - -=Biographical Dictionary, Cassell’s New.= Containing Memoirs of the -Most Eminent Men and Women of all Ages and Countries. _Cheap Edition_, -3s. 6d. - -=Birds’ Nests, British: How, Where, and When to Find and Identify -Them.= By R. KEARTON, F.Z.S. With nearly 130 Illustrations of Nests, -Eggs, Young, &c., from Photographs by C. KEARTON. 21s. - -=Birds’ Nests, Eggs, and Egg-Collecting.= By R. KEARTON, F.Z.S. -Illustrated with 22 Coloured Plates of Eggs. _Enlarged Edition._ 5s. - -=Black Watch, The.= The Record of an Historic Regiment. By ARCHIBALD -FORBES, LL.D. 6s. - -=Britain’s Roll of Glory; or, the Victoria Cross, its Heroes, and their -Valour.= By D. H. PARRY. Illustrated. 7s. 6d. - -=British Ballads.= With 300 Original Illustrations. _Cheap Edition._ -Two Volumes in One. Cloth, 7s. 6d. - -=British Battles on Land and Sea.= By JAMES GRANT. With about 800 -Illustrations. _Cheap Edition._ Four Vols., 3s. 6d. each. - -=Building World.= In Half-Yearly Volumes, 4s. each. - -=Butterflies and Moths, European.= By W. F. KIRBY. With 61 Coloured -Plates, 35s. - -=Canaries and Cage-Birds, The Illustrated Book of.= By W. A. BLAKSTON, -W. SWAYSLAND, and A. F. WIENER. With 56 Facsimile Coloured Plates. 35s. - -=Cassell’s Magazine.= Half-Yearly Volumes, 5s. each; or Yearly Volumes, -8s. each. - -=Cathedrals, Abbeys, and Churches of England and Wales.= Descriptive, -Historical, Pictorial. _Popular Edition._ Two Vols. 25s. - -=Cats and Kittens.= By HENRIETTE RONNER. With Portrait and 13 -magnificent Full-page Photogravure Plates and numerous Illustrations. -4to, £2 10s. - -=China Painting.= By FLORENCE LEWIS. With Sixteen Coloured Plates, &c. -5s. - -=Choice Dishes at Small Cost.= By A. G. PAYNE. _Cheap Edition_, 1s. - -=Chums.= The Illustrated Paper for Boys. Yearly Volume, 8s. - -=Cities of the World.= Four Vols. Illustrated. 7s. 6d. each. - -=Civil Service, Guide to Employment in the.= _Entirely New Edition._ -Paper, 1s.; cloth, 1s. 6d. - -=Clinical Manuals for Practitioners and Students of Medicine.= (_A List -of Volumes forwarded post free on application to the Publishers._) - -=Cobden Club, Works published for the.= (_A Complete List on -application._) - -=Colour.= By Prof. A. H. CHURCH. _New and Enlarged Edition_, 3s. 6d. - -=Combe, George, The Select Works of.= Issued by Authority of the Combe -Trustees. _Popular Edition_, 1s. each, net. - - -The Constitution of Man. Moral Philosophy. Science and Religion. -Discussions on Education. American Notes. - - -=Conning Tower, In a; or, How I Took H.M.S. “Majestic” into Action.= By -H. O. ARNOLD-FORSTER, M.P. _Cheap Edition._ Illustrated. 6d. - -=Conquests of the Cross.= Edited by EDWIN HODDER. With numerous -Original Illustrations. Complete in Three Vols. 9s. each. - -=Cookery, Cassell’s Dictionary of.= With about 9,000 Recipes. 5s. - -=Cookery, A Year’s.= By PHYLLIS BROWNE. _New and Enlarged Edition_, 3s. -6d. - -=Cookery Book, Cassell’s New Universal.= By LIZZIE HERITAGE. With 19 -Coloured Plates and other Illustrations. 1,344 pages, strongly bound in -leather gilt, 6s. - -=Cookery, Cassell’s Popular.= With Four Coloured Plates. Cloth gilt, 2s. - -=Cookery, Cassell’s Shilling.= _135th Thousand._ 1s. - -=Cookery, Vegetarian.= By A. G. PAYNE. 1s. 6d. - -=Cooking by Gas, The Art of.= By MARIE J. SUGG. Illustrated. Cloth, 2s. - -=Cottage Gardening.= Edited by W. ROBINSON, F.L.S. Illustrated. -Half-yearly Vols., 2s. 6d. each. - -=Countries of the World, The.= By Dr. ROBERT BROWN, M.A., F.L.S. With -about 750 Illustrations. _Cheap Edition._ Vols. I. to V., 6s. each. - -=Cyclopædia, Cassell’s Concise.= With about 600 Illustrations. 5s. - -=Cyclopædia, Cassell’s Miniature.= Containing 30,000 Subjects. Cloth, -2s. 6d.; half-roxburgh, 4s. - -=Dictionaries.= (For description, see alphabetical letter.) Religion, -Biographical, Encyclopædic, Concise Cyclopædia, Miniature Cyclopædia, -Mechanical, English, English History, Phrase and Fable, Cookery, -Domestic. (French, German, and Latin, see with _Educational Works_.) - -=Diet and Cookery for Common Ailments.= By a Fellow of the Royal -College of Physicians and PHYLLIS BROWNE. _Cheap Edition._ 2s. 6d. - -=Dog, Illustrated Book of the.= By VERO SHAW, B.A. With 28 Coloured -Plates. Cloth bevelled, 35s.; half-morocco, 45s. - -=Domestic Dictionary, The.= An Encyclopædia for the Household. Cloth, -7s. 6d. - -=Doré Don Quixote, The.= With about 400 Illustrations by GUSTAVE DORÉ. -_Cheap Edition._ Cloth, 10s. 6d. - -=Doré Gallery, The.= With 250 Illustrations by GUSTAVE DORÉ. 4to, 42s. - -=Doré’s Dante’s Inferno.= Illustrated by GUSTAVE DORÉ. _Popular -Edition._ With Preface by A. J. BUTLER. Cloth gilt or buckram, 7s. 6d. - -=Doré’s Dante’s Purgatory and Paradise.= Illustrated by GUSTAVE DORÉ. -_Cheap Edition._ 7s. 6d. - -=Doré’s Milton’s Paradise Lost.= Illustrated by GUSTAVE DORÉ. 4to, 21s. -_Popular Edition._ Cloth gilt, or buckram gilt, 7s. 6d. - -=Earth, Our, and its Story.= Edited by Dr. ROBERT BROWN, F.L.S. With 36 -Coloured Plates and nearly 800 Wood Engravings. In Three Vols. 9s. each. - -=Edinburgh, Old and New, Cassell’s.= With 600 Illustrations. Three -Vols. 9s. each; library binding, £1 10s. the set. - -=Egypt: Descriptive, Historical, and Picturesque.= By Prof. G. EBERS. -Translated by CLARA BELL, with Notes by SAMUEL BIRCH, LL.D., &c. Two -Vols. 42s. - -=Electric Current, The.= How Produced and How Used. By R. MULLINEUX -WALMSLEY, D.Sc., &c. Illustrated. 10s. 6d. - -=Electricity, Practical.= By Prof. W. E. AYRTON, F.R.S. _Entirely New -and Enlarged Edition._ Completely re-written. Illustrated. 9s. - -=Electricity in the Service of Man.= A Popular and Practical Treatise. -With upwards of 950 Illustrations. _New and Cheaper Edition_, 7s. 6d. - -=Employment for Boys on Leaving School, Guide to.= By W. S. BEARD, -F.R.G.S. 1s. 6d. - -=Encyclopædic Dictionary, The.= Complete in Fourteen Divisional Vols., -10s. 6d. each; or Seven Vols., half-morocco, 21s. each; half-russia, -25s. each. - -=England and Wales, Pictorial.= With upwards of 320 beautiful -illustrations prepared from copyright photographs. 9s. Also an edition -on superior paper, bound in half-persian, marble sides, gilt edges and -in box, 15s. net. - -=England, A History of.= From the Landing of Julius Cæsar to the -Present Day. By H. O. ARNOLD-FORSTER, M.P. Fully Illustrated, 5s. - -=England, Cassell’s Illustrated History of.= With upwards of 2,000 -Illustrations. _Library Edition._ Ten Vols., £5. - -=English Dictionary, Cassell’s.= Containing Definitions of upwards -of 100,000 Words and Phrases. _Cheap Edition_, 3s. 6d.; _Superior -Edition_, 5s. - -=English History, The Dictionary of.= Edited by SIDNEY LOW, B.A., and -Prof. F. S. PULLING, M.A., with Contributions by Eminent Writers. _New -Edition._ 7s. 6d. - -=English Literature, Library of.= By Prof. H. MORLEY. In 5 Vols. 7s. -6d. each. - -=English Literature, Morley’s First Sketch of.= _Revised Edition._ 7s. -6d. - -=English Literature, The Story of.= By ANNA BUCKLAND. 3s. 6d. - -=English Writers from the Earliest Period to Shakespeare.= By HENRY -MORLEY. Eleven Vols. 5s. each. - -=Æsop’s Fables.= Illustrated by ERNEST GRISET. _Cheap Edition._ Cloth, -3s. 6d.; bevelled boards, gilt edges, 5s. - -=Etiquette of Good Society.= _New Edition._ Edited and Revised by LADY -COLIN CAMPBELL. 1s.; cloth, 1s. 6d. - -=Fairy Tales Far and Near.= Retold by Q. Illustrated. 3s. 6d. - -=Fairway Island.= By HORACE HUTCHINSON. _Cheap Edition._ 2s. 6d. - -=Family Doctor, Cassell’s.= By A MEDICAL MAN. Illustrated, 10s. 6d. - -=Family Lawyer, Cassell’s.= An Entirely New and Original Work. By -Barrister-at-Law. 10s. 6d. - -=Fiction, Cassell’s Popular Library of.= 3s. 6d. each. - - Tiny Luttrell. By E. W. Hornung. - - The White Shield. By Bertram Mitford. - - Tuxter’s Little Maid. By G. B. Burgin. - - The Hispaniola Plate. (1683-1893.) By John Bloundelle Burton. - - Highway of Sorrow. By Hesba Stretton and ••••••, a Famous Russian - Exile. - - King Solomon’s Mines. By H. Rider Haggard. Illustrated. - - The Lights of Sydney. By Lilian Turner. - - The Admirable Lady Biddy Fane. By Frank Barrett. - - List, ye Landsmen! A Romance of Incident. By W. Clark Russell. - - Ia: A Love Story. By Q. - - The Red Terror: A Story of the Paris Commune. By Edward King. - - The Little Squire. By Mrs. Henry de la Pasture. - - Zero, the Slaver. A Romance of Equatorial Africa. By Lawrence Fletcher. - - Into the Unknown! A Romance of South Africa. By Lawrence Fletcher. - - Mount Desolation. An Australian Romance. By W. Carlton Dawe. - - Pomona’s Travels. By Frank R. Stockton. - - The Reputation of George Saxon. By Morley Roberts. - - A Prison Princess. By Major Arthur Griffiths. - - Queen’s Scarlet, The. By George Manville Fenn. - - Capture of the “Estrella,” The. A Tale of the Slave Trade. By - Commander Claud Harding, R.N. - - The Awkward Squads. And other Ulster Stories. By Shan F. Bullock. - - The Squire. By Mrs. Parr. - - A King’s Hussar. By Herbert Compton. - - Playthings and Parodies. Short Stories, Sketches, &c. By Barry Pain. - - Out of the Jaws of Death. By Frank Barrett. - - Fourteen to One, &c. By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps. - - The Medicine Lady. By L. T. Meade. - - Leona. By Mrs. Molesworth. - - Father Stafford. By Anthony Hope. - - “La Bella,” and others. By Egerton Castle. - - The Avenger of Blood. By J. Maclaren Cobban. - - The Man in Black. By Stanley Weyman. - - The Doings of Raffles Haw. By A. Conan Doyle. - - A Free Lance in a Far Land. By Herbert Compton. - -=Field Naturalist’s Handbook, The.= By Revs. J. G. WOOD and THEODORE -WOOD. _Cheap Edition_, 2s. 6d. - -=Figuier’s Popular Scientific Works.= With Several Hundred -Illustrations in each. 3s. 6d. each. - - The Insect World. - The Human Race. - Reptiles and Birds. - Mammalia. - The Vegetable World. - Ocean World. - The World before the Deluge. - -=Flora’s Feast.= A Masque of Flowers. Penned and Pictured by WALTER -CRANE. With 40 pages in Colours. 5s. - -=Flower Painting, Elementary.= With Eight Coloured Plates. 3s. - -=Flowers, and How to Paint Them.= By MAUD NAFTEL. With Coloured Plates. -5s. - -=Football: the Rugby Union Game.= Edited by Rev. F. MARSHALL. -Illustrated. _New and Enlarged Edition._ 7s. 6d. - -=For Glory and Renown.= By D. H. PARRY. Illustrated. _Cheap Edition._ -3s. 6d. - -=Fossil Reptiles, A History of British.= By Sir RICHARD OWEN, F.R.S., -&c. With 268 Plates. In Four Vols. £12 12s. - -=Franco-German War, Cassell’s History of the.= Complete in Two Vols., -containing about 500 Illustrations. 9s. each. - -=Garden Flowers, Familiar.= By F. E. HULME, F.L.S., F.S.A. With 200 -Full-page Coloured Plates, and Descriptive Text by SHIRLEY HIBBERD. -_Cheap Edition._ In Five Vols., 3s. 6d. each. - -=Gladstone, The Right Hon. W. E., Cassell’s Life of.= Profusely -Illustrated. 1s. - -=Gleanings from Popular Authors.= With Original Illustrations. _Cheap -Edition._ In One Vol., 3s. 6d. - -=Gulliver’s Travels.= With 88 Engravings. Cloth, 3s. 6d.; cloth gilt, -5s. - -=Gun and its Development, The.= By W. W. GREENER. With 500 -Illustrations. _Entirely New Edition_, 10s. 6d. - -=Guns, Modern Shot.= By W. W. GREENER. Illustrated. 5s. - -=Health, The Book of.= By Eminent Physicians and Surgeons. Cloth, 21s. - -=Heavens, The Story of the.= By Sir ROBERT STAWELL BALL, LL.D., F.R.S. -With Coloured Plates and Wood Engravings. _Popular Edition_, 10s. 6d. - -=Heroes of Britain in Peace and War.= With 300 Original Illustrations. -_Cheap Edition._ Complete in One Vol., 3s. 6d. - -=History, A Footnote to.= Eight Years of Trouble in Samoa. By R. L. -STEVENSON. 6s. - -=Home Life of the Ancient Greeks, The.= Translated by ALICE ZIMMERN. -Illustrated. _Cheap Edition._ 5s. - -=Horse, The Book of the.= By SAMUEL SIDNEY. With 17 Full-page -Collotype Plates of Celebrated Horses of the Day, and numerous other -Illustrations. Cloth, 15s. - -=Horses and Dogs.= By O. EERELMAN. With Descriptive Text. Translated -from the Dutch by CLARA BELL. With Fifteen Full-page and other -Illustrations. 25s. net. - -=Houghton, Lord: The Life, Letters, and Friendships of Richard Monckton -Milnes, First Lord Houghton.= By Sir WEMYSS REID. Two Vols. 32s. - -=Hygiene and Public Health.= By B. ARTHUR WHITELEGGE, M.D. Illustrated. -_New and Revised Edition._ 7s. 6d. - -=India, Cassell’s History of.= In One Vol. _Cheap Edition._ 7s. 6d. - -=In-door Amusements, Card Games, and Fireside Fun, Cassell’s Book of.= -With numerous Illustrations. _Cheap Edition._ Cloth, 2s. - -=Iron Pirate, The.= By MAX PEMBERTON. Illustrated. 5s. - -=Khiva, A Ride to.= By Col. FRED BURNABY. _New Edition._ Illustrated. -3s. 6d. - -=King George, In the Days of.= By Col. PERCY GROVES. Illustrated. 1s. -6d. - -=King Solomon’s Mines.= By H. RIDER HAGGARD. Illustrated. 3s. 6d. -_People’s Edition._ 6d. - -=Kronstadt.= A New Novel. By MAX PEMBERTON. With 8 Full-page Plates. 6s. - -=Ladies’ Physician, The.= By a London Physician. _Cheap Edition, -Revised and Enlarged._ 3s. 6d. - -=Lady’s Dressing-Room, The.= Translated from the French by Lady COLIN -CAMPBELL. _Cheap Edition._ 2s. 6d. - -=Letts’s Diaries and other Time-saving Publications= are now published -exclusively by CASSELL & COMPANY. (_A List sent post free on -application._) - -=Little Huguenot, The.= _New Edition._ 1s. 6d. - -=Lobengula, Three Years with, and Experiences in South Africa.= By J. -COOPER-CHADWICK. _Cheap Edition._ 2s. 6d. - -=Locomotive Engine, The Biography of a.= By HENRY FRITH. 3s. 6d. - -=Loftus, Lord Augustus, P.C., G.C.B., The Diplomatic Reminiscences of.= -First Series. With Portrait. Two Vols. 32s. Second Series. Two Vols. -32s. - -=London, Cassell’s Guide to.= With Numerous Illustrations. 6d. Cloth, -1s. - -=London, Greater.= By EDWARD WALFORD. Two Vols. With about 400 -Illustrations. _Cheap Edition_, 4s. 6d. each. _Library Edition._ Two -Vols. £1 the set. - -=London, Old and New.= By WALTER THORNBURY and EDWARD WALFORD. Six -Vols., with about 1,200 Illustrations. _Cheap Ed._, 4s. 6d. each. -_Library Ed._, £3. - -=Manchester, Old and New.= By WILLIAM ARTHUR SHAW, M.A. With Original -Illustrations. Three Vols., 31s. 6d. - -=Mechanics, The Practical Dictionary of.= Three Vols., £3 3s.; -half-morocco, £3 15s. Supplementary Volume, £1 1s.; or half-morocco, £1 -5s. - -=Medical Handbook of Life Assurance.= By JAMES EDWARD POLLOCK, M.D., -and JAMES CHISHOLM. _New and Revised Edition._ 7s. 6d. - -=Medicine, Manuals for Students of.= (_A List forwarded post free on -application._) - -=Mesdag, H. W., the Painter of the North Sea.= With Etchings and -Descriptive Text. By PH. ZILCKEN. The Text translated from the Dutch by -CLARA BELL. 36s. - -=Modern Europe, A History of.= By C. A. FYFFE, M.A. _Cheap Edition in -One Volume_, 10s. 6d.; _Library Edition_, Illustrated, 3 vols., 7s. 6d. -each. - -=Music, Illustrated History of.= By EMIL NAUMANN. Edited by the Rev. -Sir F. A. GORE OUSELEY, Bart. Illustrated. Two Vols. 31s. 6d. - -=National Library, Cassell’s.= Consisting of 214 Volumes. Paper -covers, 3d.; cloth, 6d. (_A Complete List of the Volumes post free on -application._) - -=Natural History, Cassell’s Concise.= By E. PERCEVAL WRIGHT, M.A., -M.D., F.L.S. With several Hundred Illustrations. 7s. 6d. - -=Natural History, Cassell’s New.= Edited by P. MARTIN DUNCAN, M.B., -F.R.S., F.G.S. _Cheap Edition._ With about 2,000 Illusts. Three Double -Vols., 6s. each. - -=Nature and a Camera, With.= Being the Adventures and Observations of -a Field Naturalist and an Animal Photographer. By RICHARD KEARTON, -F.Z.S. Illustrated by a Special Frontispiece, and 180 Pictures from -Photographs by CHERRY KEARTON. 21s. - -=Nature’s Wonder-Workers.= By KATE R. LOVELL. Illustrated. 2s. 6d. - -=Nelson, The Life of.= By ROBERT SOUTHEY. Illustrated with Eight -Plates. 3s. 6d. - -=New Zealand, Pictorial.= With Preface by Sir W. B. PERCEVAL, K.C.M.G. -Illust. 6s. - -=Novels, Popular.= Extra crown 8vo, cloth, 6s. each. - - Grace O’Malley, Princess and Pirate. By ROBERT MACHRAY. - Cupid’s Garden. By ELLEN THORNEYCROFT FOWLER. - A Limited Success. By SARAH PITT. - The Wrothams of Wrotham Court. By FRANCES HEATH FRESHFIELD. - Ill-gotten Gold: A Story of a Great Wrong and a Great Revenge. - By W. G. TARBET. - Sentimental Tommy. } - The Little Minister. } By J. M. BARRIE. - From the Memoirs of a Minister of France. } - The Story of Francis Cludds. } By STANLEY WEYMAN. - Kronstadt. } - Puritan’s Wife, A. } - The Impregnable City. } By MAX PEMBERTON. - The Sea-Wolves. } - Young Blood. } - My Lord Duke. } By E. W. HORNUNG. - Rogue’s March, The. } - Spectre Gold. } - By a Hair’s-Breadth. } By HEADON HILL. - The Girl at Cobhurst. } - Story Teller’s Pack, A. } - Mrs. Cliff’s Yacht. } By FRANK STOCKTON. - The Adventures of Captain Horn. } - Treasure Island. } } - The Master of Ballantrae. } } Also a - The Black Arrow. } } _Popular_ - Kidnapped. }By ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.} _Edition_, - Catriona: A Sequel to “Kidnapped.” } } 3s. 6d. - Island Nights’ Entertainments. } } each. - The Wrecker. By ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON and LLOYD OSBOURNE. } - Loveday. A Tale of a Stirring Time. By A. E. WICKHAM. - (_Also at_ 3s. 6d.) - What Cheer! By W. CLARK RUSSELL. - ’Lisbeth. By LESLIE KEITH. - -=Nursing for the Home and for the Hospital, A Handbook of.= By -CATHERINE J. WOOD. _Cheap Edition_, 1s. 6d.; cloth, 2s. - -=Nursing of Sick Children, A Handbook for the.= By CATHERINE J. WOOD. -2s. 6d. - -=Our Own Country.= With 1,200 Illustrations. _Cheap Edition._ 3 Double -Vols. 5s. each. - -=Painting, The English School of.= By ERNEST CHESNEAU. _Cheap Edition_, -3s. 6d. - -=Paris, Old and New.= Illustrated. In Two Vols. 9s. or 10s. 6d. each. - -=Peoples of the World, The.= By Dr. ROBERT BROWN, F.L.S. Complete in -Six Vols. With Illustrations. 7s. 6d. each. - -=Phrase and Fable, Dr. Brewer’s Dictionary of.= _Entirely New and -largely increased Edition._ 10s. 6d. Also in half-morocco, 2 Vols., 15s. - -=Physiology for Students, Elementary.= By ALFRED T. SCHOFIELD, M.D., -M.R.C.S. With Two Coloured Plates and numerous Illustrations. _New -Edition._ 5s. - -=Picturesque America.= Complete in Four Vols., with 48 Exquisite Steel -Plates, and about 800 Original Wood Engravings. £12 12s. the set. -_Popular Edition_ in Four Vols., price 18s. each. - -=Picturesque Australasia, Cassell’s.= With upwards of 1,000 -Illustrations. In Four Vols., 7s. 6d. each. - -=Picturesque Canada.= With about 600 Original Illustrations. 2 Vols. £9 -9s. the set. - -=Picturesque Europe.= Complete in Five Vols. Each containing 13 -Exquisite Steel Plates, from Original Drawings, and nearly 200 Original -Illustrations. £21. _Popular Edition._ In Five Vols. 18s. each. - -=Picturesque Mediterranean, The.= With a Series of Magnificent -Illustrations from Original Designs by leading Artists of the day. Two -Vols. Cloth, £2 2s. each. - -=Pigeons, Fulton’s Book of.= Edited by LEWIS WRIGHT. Revised, -Enlarged, and Supplemented by the Rev. W. F. LUMLEY. With 50 Full-page -Illustrations. _Popular Edition._ In One Vol., 10s. 6d. _Original -Edition_, with 50 Coloured Plates and numerous Wood Engravings. 21s. - -=Planet, The Story of Our.= By Prof. BONNEY, F.R.S., &c. With Coloured -Plates and Maps and about 100 Illustrations. _Cheap Edition._ 7s. 6d. - -=Polytechnic Series, The.= Practical Illustrated Manuals. (_A List will -be sent on application._) - -=Portrait Gallery, Cassell’s Universal.= Containing 240 Portraits of -Celebrated Men and Women of the Day. Cloth, 6s. - -=Portrait Gallery, The Cabinet.= Complete in Five Series, each -containing 36 Cabinet Photographs of Eminent Men and Women of the day. -15s. each. - -=Poultry, The Book of.= By LEWIS WRIGHT. _Popular Edition._ -Illustrated. 10s. 6d. - -=Poultry, The Illustrated Book of.= By LEWIS WRIGHT. With Fifty -Exquisite Coloured Plates, and numerous Wood Engravings. _Revised -Edition._ Cloth, gilt edges, 21s.; half-morocco (_price on -application_). - -=”Punch,” The History of.= By M. H. SPIELMANN. With nearly 170 -Illustrations, Portraits, and Facsimiles. Cloth, 16s.; _Large Paper -Edition_, £2 2s. net. - -=Q’s Works, Uniform Edition of.= 5s. each. - - Dead Man’s Rock. - The Splendid Spur. - The Blue Pavilions. - The Delectable Duchy. Stories, Studies, and Sketches. - The Astonishing History of Troy Town. - “I Saw Three Ships,” and other Winter’s Tales. - Noughts and Crosses. - Wandering Heath. - -=Queen Summer; or, The Tourney of the Lily and the Rose.= Penned and -Portrayed by WALTER CRANE. With 40 pages in Colours. 6s. - -=Queen Victoria, The Life and Times of.= By ROBERT WILSON. Complete in -2 Vols. With numerous Illustrations. 9s. each. - -=Queen’s Empire, The.= First Volume, containing about 300 Splendid -Full-page Illustrations. 9s. - -=Queen’s London, The.= Containing Exquisite Views of London and its -Environs, together with a fine series of Pictures of the Queen’s -Diamond Jubilee Procession. _Enlarged Edition_, 10s. 6d. - -=Railway Guides, Official Illustrated.= With Illustrations on nearly -every page, Maps &c. Paper covers, 1s.; cloth, 2s. - - London and North Western Railway. - Great Western Railway. - Midland Railway. - Great Northern Railway. - Great Eastern Railway. - London and South Western Railway. - London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. - South Eastern Railway. - - _Abridged and Popular Editions_ of the above Guides can also be - obtained. Paper covers. 3d. each. - -=Railways, Our.= Their Origin, Development, Incident, and Romance. By -JOHN PENDLETON. Illustrated. 2 Vols., 12s. - -=Rivers of Great Britain=: Descriptive, Historical, Pictorial. - - Rivers of the West Coast. With Etching as Frontispiece, and Numerous - Illustrations in Text. Royal 4to, 42s. - - The Royal River: The Thames from Source to Sea. _Popular Edition_, 16s. - - Rivers of the East Coast. With highly-finished Engravings. _Popular - Edition_, 16s. - -=Robinson Crusoe.= _Cassell’s New Fine-Art Edition._ With upwards of -100 Original Illustrations. _Cheap Edition_, 3s. 6d. or 5s. - -=Rogues of the Fiery Cross.= By S. WALKEY. With 16 Full-page -Illustrations. 5s. - -=Ronner, Henriette, The Painter of Cat-Life and Cat-Character.= By M. -H. SPIELMANN. Containing a Series of beautiful Phototype Illustrations. -12s. - -=Royal Academy Pictures.= With upwards of 200 magnificent reproductions -of Pictures in the Royal Academy. 7s. 6d. - -=Russo-Turkish War, Cassell’s History of.= With about 400 -Illustrations. _New Edition._ In Two Vols., 9s. each. - -=Sala, George Augustus, The Life and Adventures of.= By Himself. _Cheap -Edition._ One Vol., 7s. 6d. - -=Saturday Journal, Cassell’s.= Illustrated throughout. Yearly Vol., 7s. -6d. - -=Scarlet and Blue; or, Songs for Soldiers and Sailors.= By JOHN FARMER. -5s. Words only, paper, 6d.; cloth, 9d. - -=Science for All.= Edited by Dr. ROBERT BROWN, M.A., F.L.S., &c. _Cheap -Edition._ With over 1,700 Illustrations. Five Vols. 3s. 6d. each. - -=Science Series, The Century.= Consisting of Biographies of Eminent -Scientific Men of the present Century. Edited by Sir HENRY ROSCOE, -D.C.L., F.R.S., M.P. Crown 8vo, 3s. 6d. each. - - Michael Faraday, His Life and Work. By Professor SILVANUS P. THOMPSON, - F.R.S. - - Pasteur. By PERCY FRANKLAND, F.R.S. and Mrs. FRANKLAND. - - John Dalton and the Rise of Modern Chemistry. By Sir HENRY E. ROSCOE, - F.R.S. - - Major Rennell, F.R.S., and the Rise of English Geography. By Sir - CLEMENTS R. MARKHAM, C.B., F.R.S., President of the Royal Geographical - Society. - - Justus Von Liebig: His Life and Work. By W. A. SHENSTONE. - - The Herschels and Modern Astronomy. By Miss AGNES M. CLERKE. - - Charles Lyell and Modern Geology. By Professor T. G. BONNEY, F.R.S. - - J. Clerk Maxwell and Modern Physics. By R. T. GLAZEBROOK, F.R.S. - - Humphry Davy, Poet and Philosopher. By T. E. THORPE, F.R.S. - - Charles Darwin and the Theory of Natural Selection. By EDWARD B. - POULTON, M.A., F.R.S. - -=Scotland, Picturesque and Traditional.= By G. E. EYRE-TODD. 6s. - -=Sea, The Story of the.= An Entirely New and Original Work. Edited by -Q. Illustrated. Complete in Two Vols., 9s. each. _Cheap Edition_, 5s. -each. - -=Shaftesbury, The Seventh Earl of, K.G., The Life and Work of.= By -EDWIN HODDER. Illustrated. _Cheap Edition_, 3s. 6d. - -=Shakespeare, Cassell’s Quarto Edition.= Edited by CHARLES and MARY -COWDEN CLARKE, and containing about 600 Illustrations by H. C. SELOUS. -Complete in Three Vols., cloth gilt, £3 3s.--Also published in Three -separate Vols., in cloth, viz.:--The COMEDIES, 21s.; The HISTORICAL -PLAYS, 18s. 6d.; The TRAGEDIES, 25s. - -=Shakespeare, The England of.= _New Edition._ By E. GOADBY. With -Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo, 224 pages, 2s. 6d. - -=Shakespeare, The Plays of.= Edited by Prof. HENRY MORLEY. Complete -in 13 Vols., cloth, in box, 21s.; also 39 Vols., cloth, in box, 21s.; -half-morocco, cloth sides, 42s. - -=Shakspere, The Leopold.= With 400 Illustrations, and an Introduction -by F. J. FURNIVALL. _Cheap Edition_, 3s. 6d. Cloth gilt, gilt edges, -5s.; roxburgh, 7s. 6d. - -=Shakspere, The Royal.= With Exquisite Steel Plates and Wood -Engravings. Three Vols. 15s. each. - -=Sketches, The Art of Making and Using.= From the French of G. -FRAIPONT. By CLARA BELL. With Fifty Illustrations. 2s. 6d. - -=Social England.= A Record of the Progress of the People. By various -Writers. Edited by H. D. TRAILL, D.C.L. Complete in Six Vols. Vols. I. -(Revised Ed.), II., and III., 15s. each. Vols. IV. and V., 17s. each. -Vol. VI., 18s. - -=Sports and Pastimes, Cassell’s Complete Book of.= _Cheap Edition_, 3s. -6d. - -=Star-Land.= By Sir ROBERT STAWELL BALL, LL.D., &c. Illustrated. 6s. - -=Story of My Life, The.= By the Rt. Hon. Sir RICHARD TEMPLE, Bart., -G.C.S.I., &c. Two Vols. 21s. - -=Sun, The Story of the.= By Sir ROBERT STAWELL BALL, LL.D., F.R.S., -F.R.A.S. With Eight Coloured Plates and other Illustrations. _Cheap -Edition_, 10s. 6d. - -=Sunshine Series, Cassell’s.= In Vols. 1s. each. (_A List post free on -application._) - -=Taxation, Municipal, at Home and Abroad.= By J. J. O’MEARA. 7s. 6d. - -=Thames, The Tidal.= By GRANT ALLEN. With India Proof Impressions -of 20 Magnificent Full-page Photogravure Plates, and many other -Illustrations, after original drawings by W. L. WYLLIE, A.R.A. _New -Edition_, cloth, 42s. net. - -=Things I have Seen and People I have Known.= By G. A. SALA. With -Portrait and Autograph. 2 Vols. 21s. - -=Three Homes, The.= By the Very Rev. Dean FARRAR, D.D., F.R.S. _New -Edition._ With 8 Full-page Illustrations. 6s. - -=To the Death.= By R. D. CHETWODE. With Four Plates. 5s. - -=Treatment, The Year-Book of, for 1898.= A Critical Review for -Practitioners of Medicine and Surgery. Fourteenth Year of Issue. 7s. 6d. - -=Trees, Familiar.= By Prof. G. S. BOULGER, F.L.S., F.G.S. In Two -Series. With Forty Coloured Plates in each. 12s. 6d. each. - -=Uncle Tom’s Cabin.= By HARRIET BEECHER-STOWE. With upwards of 100 -Original Illustrations. _Fine Art Memorial Edition._ 7s. 6d. - -=”Unicode”: The Universal Telegraphic Phrase Book.= Pocket or Desk -Edition. 2s. 6d. each. - -=United States, Cassell’s History of the.= By EDMUND OLLIER. With 600 -Illustrations. Three Vols. 9s. each. - -=Universal History, Cassell’s Illustrated.= With nearly ONE THOUSAND -ILLUSTRATIONS. Vol. I. Early and Greek History.--Vol. II. The Roman -Period.--Vol. III. The Middle Ages.--Vol. IV. Modern History. 9s. each. - -=Verses, Wise or Otherwise.= By ELLEN THORNEYCROFT FOWLER. 3s. 6d. - -=War and Peace, Memories and Studies of.= By ARCHIBALD FORBES, LL.D. -_Original Edition_, 16s. _Cheap Edition_, 6s. - -=Water-Colour Painting, A Course of.= With Twenty-four Coloured Plates -by R. P. LEITCH, and full Instructions to the Pupil. 5s. - -=Westminster Abbey, Annals of.= By E. T. BRADLEY (Mrs. A. MURRAY -SMITH). Illustrated. With a Preface by the DEAN OF WESTMINSTER. 63s. - -=Wild Birds, Familiar.= By W. SWAYSLAND. Four Series. With 40 Coloured -Plates in each. (In sets only, price on application.) - -=Wild Flowers, Familiar.= By F. E. HULME, F.L.S., F.S.A. With 200 -Coloured Plates and Descriptive Text. _Cheap Edition._ In Five Vols., -3s. 6d. each. - -=Wild Flowers Collecting Book.= In Six Parts, 4d. each. - -=Wild Flowers Drawing and Painting Book.= In Six Parts. 4d. each. - -=Windsor Castle, The Governor’s Guide to.= By the Most Noble the -MARQUIS OF LORNE, K.T. Profusely Illustrated. Limp cloth, 1s. Cloth -boards, gilt edges. 2s. - -=World of Wit and Humour, Cassell’s New.= With New Pictures and New -Text. Complete in Two Vols., 6s. each. - -=With Claymore and Bayonet.= By Col. PERCY GROVES. With 8 Plates. 3s. -6d. - -=Work.= The Illustrated Journal for Mechanics. Half-Yearly Vols. 4s. -each. - -=”Work” Handbooks.= A Series of Practical Manuals prepared under the -Direction of PAUL N. HASLUCK, Editor of _Work_. Illustrated. Cloth, 1s. -each. - -=World of Wonders, The.= With 400 Illustrations. _Cheap Edition._ Two -Vols., 4s. 6d. each. - - -_ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINES._ - - - =_The Quiver._= Monthly, 6d. - =_Cassell’s Magazine._= Monthly, 6d. - =_”Little Folks” Magazine._= Monthly, 6d. - =_The Magazine of Art._= Monthly, 1s. 4d. - =_Cassell’s Saturday Journal._= Weekly, 1d.; Monthly, 6d. - =_Chums._= The Illustrated Paper for Boys. Weekly, 1d.; Monthly, 6d. - =_Work._= The Journal for Mechanics. Weekly, 1d.; Monthly, 6d. - =_Building World._= Weekly, 1d.; Monthly, 6d. - =_Cottage Gardening._= Illustrated. Weekly, ½d.; Monthly, 3d. - - ⁂ _Full particulars of_ CASSELL & COMPANY’S =Monthly Serial - Publications= _will be found in_ CASSELL & COMPANY’S COMPLETE - CATALOGUE. - - - Catalogues of CASSELL & COMPANY’S PUBLICATIONS, which may be had at - all Booksellers’, or will be sent post free on application to the - Publishers:-- - - CASSELL’S COMPLETE CATALOGUE, containing particulars of upwards of One - Thousand Volumes. - - CASSELL’S CLASSIFIED CATALOGUE, in which their Works are arranged - according to price, from _Threepence to Fifty Guineas_. - - CASSELL’S EDUCATIONAL CATALOGUE, containing particulars of CASSELL & - COMPANY’S Educational Works and Students’ Manuals. - - CASSELL & COMPANY, LIMITED. _Ludgate Hill, London_ - - -Bibles and Religious Works. - - -=Bible Biographies.= Illustrated. 1s. 6d. each. - - The Story of Joseph. Its Lessons for To-Day. By the Rev. GEORGE - BAINTON. - The Story of Moses and Joshua. By the Rev. J. TELFORD. - The Story of Judges. By the Rev. J. WYCLIFFE GEDGE. - The Story of Samuel and Saul. By the Rev. D. C. TOVEY. - The Story of David. By the Rev. J. WILD. - The Story of Jesus. In Verse. By J. R. MACDUFF, D.D. 1s. 6d. - -=Bible, Cassell’s Illustrated Family.= With 900 Illustrations. Leather, -gilt edges, £2 10s.; best full morocco, £3 15s. - -=Bible, Cassell’s Guinea.= With 900 Illustrations and Coloured Maps. -Royal 4to. Leather, 21s. net. Persian antique, with corners and clasps, -25s. net. - -=Bible Educator, The.= Edited by E. H. PLUMPTRE, D.D. With -Illustrations, Maps, &c. Four Vols., cloth, 6s. each. - -=Bible Dictionary, Cassell’s Concise.= By the Rev. ROBERT HUNTER, -LL.D., Illustrated. 7s. 6d. - -=Bible Student in the British Museum, The.= By the Rev. J. G. KITCHIN, -M.A. _Entirely New and Revised Edition_, 1s. 4d. - -=Bunyan, Cassell’s Illustrated.= With 200 Original Illustrations. -_Cheap Edition_, 3s. 6d. - -=Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.= Illustrated. _Cheap Edition_, cloth, 3s. -6d; cloth gilt, gilt edges, 5s. - -=Child’s Bible, The.= With 200 Illustrations. Demy 4to, 830 pp. _150th -Thousand. Cheap Edition_, 7s. 6d. _Superior Edition_, with 6 Coloured -Plates, gilt edges, 10s. 6d. - -=Child’s Life of Christ, The.= Complete in One Handsome Volume, with -about 200 Original Illustrations. _Cheap Edition_, cloth, 7s. 6d.; or -with 6 Coloured Plates, cloth, gilt edges, 10s. 6d. - -=Church of England, The.= A History for the People. By the Very Rev. H. -D. M. SPENCE, D.D., Dean of Gloucester. Illustrated. Vols. I., II., and -III., 6s. each. - -=Church Reform in Spain and Portugal.= By the Rev. H. E. NOYES, D.D. -Illustrated. 2s. 6d. - -=Commentary for English Readers.= Edited by Bishop ELLICOTT. With -Contributions by eminent Scholars and Divines:-- - - New Testament. _Original Edition._ Three Vols., 21s. each; or in half - morocco, £4 14s. 6d. the set. _Popular Edition._ Unabridged. Three - Vols., 4s. each. - - Old Testament. _Original Edition._ Five Vols., 21s. each; or in half - morocco, £7 17s. 6d. the set. _Popular Edition._ Unabridged. Five - Vols., 4s. each. - - ⁂ _The Complete Set of Eight Volumes in the Popular Edition is - supplied at 30s._ - -=Commentary, The New Testament.= Edited by Bishop ELLICOTT. Handy -Volume Edition. Suitable for School and General Use. - - St. Matthew. 3s. 6d. - St. Mark. 3s. - St. Luke. 3s. 6d. - St. John. 3s. 6d. - The Acts of the Apostles. 3s. 6d. - Romans. 2s. 6d. - Corinthians I. and II. 3s. - Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians. 3s. - Colossians, Thessalonians, and Timothy. 3s. - Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, and James. 3s. - Peter, Jude, and John. 3s. - The Revelation. 3s. - An Introduction to the New Testament. 2s. 6d. - -=Commentary, The Old Testament.= Edited by Bishop ELLICOTT. Handy -Volume Edition. Suitable for School and General Use. - - Genesis. 3s. 6d. - Exodus. 3s. - Leviticus. 3s. - Numbers. 2s. 6d. - Deuteronomy. 2s. 6d. - -=Dictionary of Religion, The.= An Encyclopædia of Christian and other -Religious Doctrines, Denominations, Sects, Heresies, Ecclesiastical -Terms, History, Biography, &c. &c. By the Rev. WILLIAM BENHAM, B.D. -_Cheap Edition_, 10s. 6d. - -=Doré Bible.= With 200 Full-page Illustrations by GUSTAVE DORÉ. -_Popular Edition._ In One Vol. 15s. Also in leather binding. (_Price on -application._) - -=Early Days of Christianity, The.= By the Very Rev. Dean FARRAR, D.D., -F.R.S. - - LIBRARY EDITION. Two Vols., 24s.; morocco, £2. 2s. - POPULAR EDITION. In One Vol.; cloth, gilt edges, 7s. 6d.; tree-calf, - 15s. - CHEAP EDITION. Cloth gilt, 3s. 6d. - -=Family Prayer-Book, The.= Edited by the Rev. Canon GARBETT, M.A., and -the Rev. S. MARTIN. With Full-page Illustrations. _New Edition._ Cloth, -7s. 6d. - -=Gleanings after Harvest.= Studies and Sketches. By the Rev. JOHN R. -VERNON, M.A. Illustrated. _Cheap Edition._ 3s. 6d. - -=”Graven in the Rock”=; or, the Historical Accuracy of the Bible -confirmed by reference to the Assyrian and Egyptian Sculptures in the -British Museum and elsewhere. By the Rev. Dr. SAMUEL KINNS, F.R.A.S., -&c. &c. Illustrated. _Library Edition_, in Two Volumes, cloth, with top -edges gilded, 15s. - -=”Heart Chords.”= A Series of Works by Eminent Divines. In cloth, 1s. -each. - - My Father. By the Right Rev. Ashton Oxenden, late Bishop of Montreal. - - My Bible. By the Rt. Rev. W. Boyd Carpenter, Bishop of Ripon. - - My Work for God. By the Right Rev. Bishop Cotterill. - - My Object in Life. By the Very Rev. Dean Farrar, D.D. - - My Aspirations. By the Rev. G. Matheson, D.D. - - My Emotional Life. By Preb. Chadwick, D.D. - - My Body. By the Rev. Prof. W. G. Blaikie, D.D. - - My Soul. By the Rev. P. B. Power, M.A. - - My Growth in Divine Life. By the Rev. Prebendary Reynolds, M.A. - - My Hereafter. By the Very Rev. Dean Bickersteth. - - My Walk with God. By the Very Rev. Dean Montgomery. - - My Aids to the Divine Life. By the Very Rev. Dean Boyle. - - My Sources of Strength. By the Rev. E. E. Jenkins, M.A. - - My Comfort in Sorrow. By Hugh Macmillan, D.D. - -=Helps to Belief.= A Series of Helpful Manuals on the Religious -Difficulties of the Day. Edited by the Rev. TEIGNMOUTH SHORE, M.A., -Canon of Worcester, 1s. each. - - CREATION. By Harvey Goodwin, D.D., late Lord Bishop of Carlisle. - - MIRACLES. By the Rev. Brownlow Maitland, M.A. - - PRAYER. By the Rev. Canon Shore, M.A. - - THE DIVINITY OF OUR LORD. By the Lord Bishop of Derry. - - THE ATONEMENT. By William Connor Magee, D.D., Late Archbishop of York. - -=Holy Land and the Bible, The.= A Book of Scripture Illustrations -gathered in Palestine. By the Rev. CUNNINGHAM GEIKIE, D.D., LL.D. -(Edin.). _Cheap Edition_, with 24 Collotype Plates, 12s. 6d. - -=Life of Christ, The.= By the Very Rev. Dean FARRAR, D.D., F.R.S. - - CHEAP EDITION. With 16 Full-page Plates. Cloth gilt, 3s. 6d. - POPULAR EDITION. With 16 Full-page Plates. Cloth gilt, gilt edges, - 7s. 6d. - LARGE TYPE ILLUSTD. EDITION. Cloth, 7s. 6d. Cloth, full gilt, gilt - edges, 10s. 6d. - LIBRARY EDITION. Two Vols. Cloth, 24s.; morocco, 42s. - -=Moses and Geology; or, the Harmony of the Bible with Science.= By the -Rev. SAMUEL KINNS, Ph.D., F.R.A.S. Illustrated. _Library Edition_, -revised to date, 10s. 6d. - -=New Light on the Bible and the Holy Land.= By BASIL T. A. EVETTS, M.A. -Illustrated. Cloth, 7s. 6d. - -=Old and New Testaments, Plain Introductions to the Books of the.= -Containing Contributions by many Eminent Divines. In Two Vols., 3s. 6d. -each. - -=Plain Introductions to the Books of the Old Testament.= 336 pages. -Edited by Bishop ELLICOTT. 3s. 6d. - -=Plain Introductions to the Books of the New Testament.= 304 pages. -Edited by Bishop ELLICOTT. 3s. 6d. - -=Protestantism, The History of.= By the Rev. J. A. WYLIE, LL.D. -Containing upwards of 600 Original Illustrations. Three Vols., 27s. - -=”Quiver” Yearly Volume, The.= With about 600 Original Illustrations -and Coloured Frontispiece. 7s. 6d. Also Monthly, 6d. - -=St. George for England=; and other Sermons preached to Children. -_Fifth Edition._ By the Rev. T. TEIGNMOUTH SHORE, M.A., Canon of -Worcester. 5s. - -=St Paul, The Life and Work of.= By the Very Rev. Dean FARRAR, D.D., -F.R.S. - - CHEAP ILLUSTRATED EDITION. 7s. 6d. - CHEAP EDITION. With 16 Full-page Plates, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d. - LIBRARY EDITION. Two Vols., cloth, 24s.; calf, 42s. - ILLUSTRATED EDITION. One Vol., £1 1s.; morocco, £2 2s. - POPULAR EDITION. Cloth, gilt edges, 7s. 6d. - -=Searchings in the Silence.= By the Rev. GEORGE MATHESON, D.D. 3s. 6d. - -=Shall We Know One Another in Heaven?= By the Rt. Rev. J. C. RYLE, -D.D., Bishop of Liverpool. _New and Enlarged Edition._ Paper covers, 6d. - -=Shortened Church Services and Hymns=, suitable for use at Children’s -Services. Compiled by the Rev. T. TEIGNMOUTH SHORE, M.A., Canon of -Worcester. _Enlarged Edition._ 1s. - -=”Six Hundred Years”=; or, Historical Sketches of Eminent Men and Women -who have more or less come into contact with the Abbey and Church of -Holy Trinity, Minories, from 1293 to 1893, and some account of the -Incumbents, the Fabric, the Plate, &c. &c. By the Vicar, the Rev. Dr. -SAMUEL KINNS, F.R.A.S., &c. &c. With 65 Illustrations. 15s. - -=”Sunday:” Its Origin, History, and Present Obligation.= By the Ven. -Archdeacon HESSEY, D.C.L. _Fifth Edition_, 7s. 6d. - - -Educational Works and Students’ Manuals. - - -=Agricultural Text-Books, Cassell’s.= (The “Downton” Series.) Fully -Illustrated. Edited by JOHN WRIGHTSON, Professor of Agriculture. =Soils -and Manures.= By J. M. H. MUNRO, D.Sc. (London), F.I.C., F.C.S. 2s. -6d. =Farm Crops.= By Professor WRIGHTSON. 2s. 6d. =Live Stock.= By -Professor WRIGHTSON. 2s. 6d. - -=Alphabet, Cassell’s Pictorial.= Mounted on Linen, with Rollers. 2s. -Mounted with Rollers, and Varnished. 2s. 6d. - -=Arithmetic:--Howard’s Art of Reckoning.= By C. F. HOWARD. Paper, 1s.; -cloth, 2s. _Enlarged Edition_, 5s. - -=Arithmetics, The “Belle Sauvage.”= By GEORGE RICKS, B.Sc. Lond. With -Test Cards. (_List on application._) - -=Atlas, Cassell’s Popular.= Containing 24 Coloured Maps. 1s. 6d. - -=Blackboard Drawing.= By W. E. SPARKES. With 52 Full-page Illustrations -by the Author. 5s. - -=Book-Keeping.= By THEODORE JONES. FOR SCHOOLS, 2s.; or cloth, 3s. FOR -THE MILLION, 2s.; or cloth, 3s. Books for Jones’s System, Ruled Sets -of, 2s. - -=British Empire Map of the World.= New Map for Schools and Institutes. -By G. R. PARKIN and J. G. BARTHOLOMEW, F.R.G.S. Mounted on cloth, -varnished, and with Rollers or Folded. 25s. - -=Chemistry, The Public School.= By J. H. ANDERSON, M.A. 2s. 6d. - -=Cookery for Schools.= By LIZZIE HERITAGE. 6d. - -=Dulce Domum.= Rhymes and Songs for Children. Edited by JOHN FARMER, -Editor of “Gaudeamus,” &c. Old Notation and Words, 5s. N.B.--The Words -of the Songs in “Dulce Domum” (with the Airs both in Tonic Sol-Fa and -Old Notation) can be had in Two Parts, 6d. each. - -=England, A History of.= From the Landing of Julius Cæsar to the -Present Day. By H. O. ARNOLD-FORSTER, M.P. Fully Illustrated. 5s. - -=English Literature, A First Sketch of=, from the Earliest Period to -the Present Time. By Prof. HENRY MORLEY. 7s. 6d. - -=Euclid, Cassell’s.= Edited by Prof. WALLACE, M.A. 1s. - -=Euclid, The First Four Books of.= _New Edition._ In paper, 6d.; cloth, -9d. - -=French, Cassell’s Lessons in.= _New and Revised Edition._ Parts I. and -II., each 1s. 6d.; complete, 2s. 6d. Key, 1s. 6d. - -=French-English and English-French Dictionary.= 3s. 6d. or 5s. - -=French Reader, Cassell’s Public School.= By GUILLAUME S. CONRAD. 2s. -6d. - -=Galbraith and Haughton’s Scientific Manuals.= - - Euclid. Books I., II., III. 2s. 6d. Books IV., V., VI. 2s. 6d. - Mathematical Tables. 3s. 6d. - - Mechanics. 3s. 6d. Hydrostatics. 3s. 6d. Algebra. Part I., cloth, 2s. - 6d. Complete, 7s. 6d. - - Tides and Tidal Currents, with Tidal Cards, 3s. - -=Gaudeamus.= Songs for Colleges and Schools. Edited by JOHN FARMER. 5s. -Words only, paper, 6d.; cloth, 9d. - -=Geometry, First Elements of Experimental.= By PAUL BERT. Illustrated. -1s. 6d. - -=German Dictionary, Cassell’s.= German-English, English-German. _Cheap -Edition_, cloth, 3s. 6d.; half-morocco, 5s. - -=German Reading, First Lessons in.= By A. JÄGST. Illustrated. 1s. - -=Hand and Eye Training.= By GEORGE RICKS, B.Sc., and JOSEPH VAUGHAN. -Illustrated. Vol. I. Designing with Coloured Papers. Vol. II. Cardboard -Work. 2s. each. Vol. III. Colour Work and Design. 3s. - -=Hand and Eye Training.= By G. RICKS, B.Sc. Two Vols., with 16 Coloured -Plates in each. 6s. each. =Cards for Class Use.= Five Sets. 1s. each. - -=Historical Cartoons, Cassell’s Coloured.= Size 45 in. × 35 in., -2s. each. Mounted on canvas and varnished, with rollers, 5s. each. -(Descriptive pamphlet, 16 pp., 1d.) - -=Italian Lessons, with Exercises, Cassell’s.= In One Vol. 2s. - -=Latin Dictionary, Cassell’s.= (Latin-English and English-Latin.) 3s. -6d.; half-morocco, 5s. - -=Latin Primer, The New.= By Prof. J. P. POSTGATE. 2s. 6d. - -=Latin Primer, The First.= By Prof. POSTGATE. 1s. - -=Latin Prose for Lower Forms.= By M. A. BAYFIELD, M.A. 2s. 6d. - -=Laws of Every-Day Life.= For the Use of Schools. By H. O. -ARNOLD-FORSTER, M.P. 1s. 6d. - -=Lessons in Our Laws; or, Talks at Broadacre Farm.= By H. F. LESTER, -B.A. In Two Parts. 1s. 6d. each. - -=Little Folks’ History of England.= By ISA CRAIG-KNOX. Illustrated. 1s. -6d. - -=Making of the Home, The.= By Mrs. SAMUEL A. BARNETT. 1s. 6d. - -=Map Building for Schools.= A Practical Method of Teaching Geography -(England and Wales). By J. H. OVERTON, F.G.S. 6d. - -=Marlborough Books=:--Arithmetic Examples. 3s. French Exercises. 3s. -6d. French Grammar. 2s. 6d. German Grammar. 3s. 6d. - -=Mechanics, Applied.= By JOHN PERRY, M.E., D.Sc., &c. Illustrated. 7s. -6d. - -=Mechanics for Young Beginners.= By the Rev. J. G. EASTON, M.A. _Cheap -Edition_, 2s. 6d. - -=Mechanics and Machine Design, Numerical Examples in Practical.= -By R. G. BLAINE, M.E. _New Edition, Revised and Enlarged._ With 79 -Illustrations. Cloth, 2s. 6d. - -=Models and Common Objects, How to Draw from.= By W. E. SPARKES. -Illustrated. 3s. - -=Models, Common Objects, and Casts of Ornament, How to Shade from.= By -W. E. SPARKES. With 25 Plates by the Author. 3s. - -=Natural History Coloured Wall Sheets, Cassell’s New.= Consisting of 16 -subjects. Size, 39 by 31 in. Mounted on rollers and varnished. 3s. each. - -=Object Lessons from Nature.= By Prof. L. C. MIALL, F.L.S., F.G.S. -Fully Illustrated. _New and Enlarged Edition._ Two Vols. 1s. 6d. each. - -=Physiology for Schools.= By ALFRED T. SCHOFIELD, M.D., M.R.C.S., &c. -Illustrated. 1s. 9d. Three Parts, paper covers, 5d. each; or cloth -limp, 6d. each. - -=Poetry Readers, Cassell’s New.= Illustrated. 12 Books. 1d. each. -Cloth, 1s. 6d. - -=Popular Educator, Cassell’s.= With Revised Text, New Maps, New -Coloured Plates, New Type, &c. Complete in Eight Vols., 5s. each; or -Eight Vols. in Four, half-morocco, 50s. - -=Readers, Cassell’s “Belle Sauvage.”= An Entirely New Series. Fully -Illustrated. Strongly bound in cloth. (_List on application._) - -=Reader, The Citizen.= By H. O. ARNOLD-FORSTER, M.P. Cloth, 1s. 6d.; -also a Scottish Edition, cloth, 1s. 6d. - -=Readers, Cassell’s Classical.= Vol. I., 1s. 8d.; Vol. II., 2s. 6d. - -=Reader, The Temperance.= By J. DENNIS HIRD. 1s. or 1s. 6d. - -=Readers, Cassell’s “Higher Class.”= (_List on application._) - -=Readers, Cassell’s Readable.= Illustrated. (_List on application._) - -=Readers for Infant Schools, Coloured.= Three Books. 4d. each. - -=Readers, Geographical, Cassell’s New.= With Numerous Illustrations in -each Book. (_List on application._) - -=Readers, The Modern Geographical.= Illustrated throughout. (_List on -application._) - -=Readers, The Modern School.= Illustrated. (_List on application._) - -=Rolit.= An entirely novel system of learning French. By J. J. TYLOR. -3s. - -=Round the Empire.= By G. R. PARKIN. With a Preface by the Rt. Hon. the -Earl of Rosebery, K.G. Fully Illustrated. 1s. 6d. - -=Science Applied to Work.= By J. A. BOWER. Illustrated. 1s. - -=Science of Every-Day Life.= By J. A. BOWER. Illustrated. 1s. - -=Sculpture, A Primer of.= By E. ROSCOE MULLINS. Illustrated. 2s. 6d. - -=Shakspere’s Plays for School Use.= Illustrated. 9 Books. 6d. each. - -=Spelling, A Complete Manual of.= By J. D. MORELL, LL.D. 1s. - -=Technical Educator, Cassell’s.= A New Cyclopædia of Technical -Education, with Coloured Plates and Engravings. Complete in Six Vols., -3s. 6d. each. - -=Technical Manuals, Cassell’s.= Illustrated throughout. 16 Vols., from -2s. to 4s. 6d. (_List free on application._) - -=Technology, Manuals of.= Edited by Prof. AYRTON, F.R.S., and RICHARD -WORMELL, D.Sc., M.A. Illustrated throughout. (_List on application._) - -=Things New and Old; or, Stories from English History.= By H. O. -ARNOLD-FORSTER, M.P. Fully Illustrated. Strongly bound in cloth. Seven -Books from 9d. to 1s. 8d. - -=World of Ours, This.= By H. O. ARNOLD-FORSTER, M.P. Fully Illustrated. -_Cheap Edition._ 2s. 6d. - -=Young Citizen, The=; or, Lessons in our Laws. By H. F. LESTER. Fully -Illustrated. 2s. 6d. - - -Books for Young People. - - -=Two Old Ladies, Two Foolish Fairies, and a Tom Cat.= The Surprising -Adventures of Tuppy and Tue. A New Fairy Story. By MAGGIE BROWNE. With -Four Coloured Plates and Illustrations in text. Cloth, 3s. 6d. - -=Micky Magee’s Menagerie; or, Strange Animals and their Doings.= By -S. H. HAMER. With 8 Coloured Plates and other Illustrations by HARRY -NEILSON. Coloured Boards, 1s. 6d. - -=The Victoria Painting Book for Little Folks.= Containing about 300 -Illustrations suitable for Colouring, 1s. - -=”Little Folks” Half-Yearly Volume.= Containing 480 pages of -Letterpress, with Six Full-page Coloured Plates, and numerous other -Pictures printed in Colour. Picture boards, 3s. 6d.; or cloth gilt, -gilt edges, 5s. - -=Bo-Peep.= A Treasury for the Little Ones. Yearly Vol. With Original -Stories and Verses. Illustrated with Eight Full-page Coloured Plates, -and numerous other Pictures printed in Colour. Elegant picture boards, -2s. 6d.; cloth, 3s. 6d. - -=Beneath the Banner.= Being Narratives of Noble Lives and Brave Deeds. -By F. J. CROSS. Illustrated. Limp cloth, 1s.; cloth boards, gilt edges, -2s. - -=Good Morning! Good Night!= Morning and Evening Readings for Children, -by the Author of “Beneath the Banner.” Fully Illustrated. Limp cloth, -1s., or cloth boards, gilt edges, 2s. - -=Five Stars in a Little Pool.= By EDITH CARRINGTON. Illustrated. 3s. 6d. - -=Merry Girls of England.= By L. T. MEADE. 3s. 6d. - -=Beyond the Blue Mountains.= By L. T. MEADE. Illustrated. 5s. - -=The Cost of a Mistake.= By SARAH PITT. Illustrated. _New Edition._ 2s. -6d. - -=The Peep of Day.= Cassell’s Illustrated Edition. 2s. 6d. - -=A Book of Merry Tales.= By MAGGIE BROWNE, SHEILA, ISABEL WILSON, and -C. L. MATÉAUX. Illustrated. 3s. 6d. - -=A Sunday Story-Book.= By MAGGIE BROWNE, SAM BROWNE, and AUNT ETHEL. -Illustrated. 3s. 6d. - -=Story Poems for Young and Old.= By E. DAVENPORT. 3s. 6d. - -=Pleasant Work for Busy Fingers.= By MAGGIE BROWNE. Illustrated. 2s. 6d. - -=Magic at Home.= By Prof. HOFFMAN. Fully Illustrated. A Series of easy -and startling Conjuring Tricks for Beginners. Cloth gilt, 3s. 6d. - -=Little Mother Bunch.= By Mrs. MOLESWORTH. Illustrated. _New Edition._ -2s. 6d. - -=Heroes of Every-Day Life.= By LAURA LANE. With about 20 Full-page -Illustrations. 256 pages, crown 8vo, cloth, 2s. 6d. - -=Ships, Sailors, and the Sea.= By R. T. CORNEWALL-JONES. Illd. 2s. 6d. - -=Gift Books for Young People.= By Popular Authors. With Four Original -Illustrations in each. Cloth gilt, 1s. 6d. each. - - The Boy Hunters of Kentucky. By Edward S. Ellis. - - Red Feather: a Tale of the American Frontier. By Edward S. Ellis. - - Fritters; or, “It’s a Long Lane that has no Turning.” - - Trixy; or, “Those who Live in Glass Houses shouldn’t throw Stones.” - - Rhoda’s Reward. - - Jack Marston’s Anchor. - - Frank’s Life-Battle. - - Major Monk’s Motto; or, “Look Before you Leap.” - - Tim Thomson’s Trial; or, “All is not Gold that Glitters.” - - Ursula’s Stumbling-Block. - - Ruth’s Life-Work; or, “No Pains, no Gains.” - - Uncle William’s Charge. - -=”Golden Mottoes” Series, The.= Each Book containing 208 pages, with -Four Full-page Original Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. each. - - “Nil Desperandum.” By the Rev. F. Langbridge, M.A. - - “Bear and Forbear.” By Sarah Pitt. - - “Foremost if I Can.” By Helen Atteridge. - - “Honour is my Guide.” By Jeanie Hering (Mrs. Adams-Acton). - - “Aim at a Sure End.” By Emily Searchfield. - - “He Conquers who Endures.” By the Author of “May Cunningham’s Trial,” - &c. - -=”Cross and Crown” Series, The.= With Four Illustrations in each Book. -Crown 8vo, 256 pages, 2s. 6d. each. - - Heroes of the Indian Empire; or, Stories of Valour and Victory. By - Ernest Foster. - - Through Trial to Triumph; or, “The Royal Way.” By Madeline Bonavia - Hunt. - - Strong to Suffer: A Story of the Jews. By E. Wynne. - - By Fire and Sword: A Story of the Huguenots. By Thomas Archer. - - Adam Hepburn’s Vow: A Tale of Kirk and Covenant. By Annie S. Swan. - - No. XIII.; or, The Story of the Lost Vestal. A Tale of Early Christian - Days. By Emma Marshall. - - Freedom’s Sword: A Story of the Days of Wallace and Bruce. By Annie S. - Swan. - -=Albums for Children.= Price 3s. 6d. each. - - The Album for Home, School, and Play. Set in bold type, and - illustrated throughout. - - Picture Album of All Sorts. Illustrated. - - The Chit-Chat Album. Illustrated. - -=”Wanted--a King” Series.= _Cheap Edition._ Illustrated. 2s. 6d. each. - - Fairy Tales in Other Lands. By Julia Goddard. - - Robin’s Ride. By Ellinor Davenport Adams. - - Wanted--a King: or, How Merle set the Nursery Rhymes to Rights. By - Maggie Browne. - -=”Peeps Abroad” Library.= _Cheap Editions._ Cloth gilt, 2s. 6d. each. - - Rambles Round London. By C. L. Matéaux. Illustrated. - - Around and About Old England. By C. L. Matéaux. Illustrated. - - Paws and Claws. By one of the Authors of “Poems Written for a Child.” - Illustrated. - - Decisive Events in History. By Thomas Archer. With Original - Illustrations. - - The True Robinson Crusoes. - - Peeps Abroad for Folks at Home. Illustrated throughout. - - Wild Adventures in Wild Places. By Dr. Gordon Stables, R.N. - Illustrated. - - Modern Explorers. By Thomas Frost. Illustrated. _New and Cheaper - Edition._ - - Early Explorers. By Thomas Frost. - - Home Chat with our Young Folks. Illustrated throughout. - - Jungle, Peak, and Plain. Illustrated throughout. - -=Three-and-Sixpenny Books for Young People.= With Original -Illustrations. Cloth gilt, 3s. 6d. each. - - Told Out of School. By A. J. Daniels. - - † Red Rose and Tiger Lily. By L. T. Meade. - - The Romance of Invention. By James Burnley. - - † Bashful Fifteen. By L. T. Meade. - - The King’s Command. A Story for Girls. By Maggie Symington. - - A Sweet Girl Graduate. By L. T. Meade. - - † The White House at Inch Gow. By Sarah Pitt. - - † Polly. By L. T. Meade. - - † The Palace Beautiful. By L. T. Meade. - - “Follow my Leader.” - - For Fortune and Glory. - - Lost among White Africans. - - † A World of Girls. By L. T. Meade. - - Books marked thus † can also be had in extra cloth gilt, gilt edges, - 5s. each. - -=Books by Edward S. Ellis.= Illustrated. Cloth, 2s. 6d. each. - - A Strange Craft and its Wonderful Voyage. - Pontiac, Chief of the Ottawas. A Tale of the Siege of Detroit. - In the Days of the Pioneers. - The Phantom of the River. - Shod with Silence. - The Great Cattle Trail. - The Path in the Ravine. - The Hunters of the Ozark. - The Camp in the Mountains. - Ned in the Woods. A Tale of Early Days in the West. - Down the Mississippi. - The Last War Trail. - Ned on the River. A Tale of Indian River Warfare. - Footprints in the Forest. - Up the Tapajos. - Ned in the Block House. A Story of Pioneer Life in Kentucky. - The Young Ranchers. - The Lost Trail. - Camp-Fire and Wigwam. - Lost in the Wilds. - Lost in Samoa. A Tale of Adventure in the Navigator Islands. - Tad; or, “Getting Even” with Him. - -=Cassell’s Picture Story Books.= Each containing 60 pages. 6d. each. - - Little Talks. - Bright Stars. - Nursery Joys. - Pet’s Posy. - Tiny Tales. - Daisy’s Story Book. - Dot’s Story Book. - A Nest of Stories. - Good Night Stories. - Chats for Small Chatterers. - Auntie’s Stories. - Birdie’s Story Book. - Little Chimes. - A Sheaf of Tales. - Dewdrop Stories. - -=Illustrated Books for the Little Ones.= Containing interesting -Stories. All Illustrated. 9d. each. - - Bright Tales and Funny Pictures. - Merry Little Tales. - Little Tales for Little People. - Little People and Their Pets. - Tales Told for Sunday. - Sunday Stories for Small People. - Stories and Pictures for Sunday. - Bible Pictures for Boys and Girls. - Firelight Stories. - Sunlight and Shade. - Rub-a-dub Tales. - Fine Feathers and Fluffy Fur. - Scrambles and Scrapes. - Tittle Tattle Tales. - Dumb Friends. - Indoors and Out. - Some Farm Friends. - Those Golden Sands. - Little Mothers and their Children. - Our Pretty Pets. - Our Schoolday Hours. - Creatures Tame. - Creatures Wild. - Up and Down the Garden. - All Sorts of Adventures. - Our Sunday Stories. - Our Holiday Hours. - Wandering Ways. - -=Shilling Story Books.= All Illustrated, and containing Interesting -Stories. - - Seventeen Cats. - Bunty and the Boys. - The Heir of Elmdale. - Claimed at Last, and Roy’s Reward. - Thorns and Tangles. - The Cuckoo in the Robin’s Nest. - John’s Mistake. - Diamonds in the Sand. - Surly Bob. - The History of Five Little Pitchers. - The Giant’s Cradle. - Shag and Doll. - The Cost of Revenge. - Clever Frank. - Among the Redskins. - The Ferryman of Brill. - Harry Maxwell. - -=Eighteenpenny Story Books.= All Illustrated throughout. - - Wee Willie Winkie. - Ups and Downs of a Donkey’s Life. - Three Wee Ulster Lassies. - Up the Ladder. - Dick’s Hero; & other Stories. - The Chip Boy. - Roses from Thorns. - Faith’s Father. - By Land and Sea. - The Young Berringtons. - Jeff and Leff. - Tom Morris’s Error. - “Through Flood--Through Fire.” - The Girl with the Golden Locks. - Stories of the Olden Time. - -=Library of Wonders.= Illustrated Gift-books for Boys. Cloth, 1s. 6d. - - Wonders of Animal Instinct. - Wonderful Balloon Ascents. - Wonders of Bodily Strength and Skill. - -=The “World in Pictures” Series.= Illustrated throughout. _Cheap -Edition._ 1s. 6d. each. - - All the Russias. - Chats about Germany. - Peeps into China. - The Land of Pyramids (Egypt). - The Eastern Wonderland (Japan). - Glimpses of South America. - Round Africa. - The Land of Temples (India). - The Isles of the Pacific. - -=Two-Shilling Story Books.= All Illustrated. - - Margaret’s Enemy. - Stories of the Tower. - Mr. Burke’s Nieces. - The Top of the Ladder: How to Reach it. - Little Flotsam. - The Children of the Court. - The Four Cats of the Tippertons. - Little Folks’ Sunday Book. - Two Fourpenny Bits. - Poor Nelly. - Tom Heriot. - Aunt Tabitha’s Waifs. - In Mischief Again. - Peggy, and other Tales. - -=Half-Crown Story Books.=. - - On Board the _Esmeralda_; or, Martin Leigh’s Log. - Esther West. - For Queen and King. - Perils Afloat and Brigands Ashore. - Working to Win. - At the South Pole. - Pictures of School Life and Boyhood. - -=Cassell’s Pictorial Scrap Book.= In Six Books, each containing 32 -pages, 6d. each. - -=Books for the Little Ones.= Fully Illustrated. - - Rhymes for the Young Folk. By William Allingham. Beautifully - Illustrated. 1s. 6d. - - The Sunday Scrap Book. With Several Hundred Illustrations. Boards, 3s. - 6d.; cloth, gilt edges, 5s. - - Cassell’s Robinson Crusoe. With 100 Illustrations. Cloth, 3s. 6d.; - gilt edges, 5s. - - The Old Fairy Tales. With Original Illustrations. Cloth, 1s. - - Cassell’s Swiss Family Robinson. Illustrated. Cloth, 3s. 6d.; gilt - edges, 5s. - - The New “Little Folks” Painting Book. Containing nearly 350 Outline - Illustrations suitable for Colouring. 1s. - -=The World’s Workers.= A Series of New and Original Volumes by Popular -Authors. With Portraits printed on a tint as Frontispiece. 1s. each. - - John Cassell. By G. Holden Pike. - - Charles Haddon Spurgeon. By G. Holden Pike. - - Dr. Arnold of Rugby. By Rose E. Selfe. - - The Earl of Shaftesbury. - - Sarah Robinson, Agnes Weston, and Mrs. Meredith. - - Thomas A. Edison and Samuel F. B. Morse. - - Mrs. Somerville and Mary Carpenter. - - General Gordon. - - Charles Dickens. - - Florence Nightingale, Catherine Marsh, Frances Ridley Havergal, Mrs. - Ranyard (”L. N. R.”). - - Dr. Guthrie, Father Mathew, Elihu Burritt, Joseph Livesey. - - Sir Henry Havelock and Colin Campbell, Lord Clyde. - - Abraham Lincoln. - - David Livingstone. - - George Müller and Andrew Reed. - - Richard Cobden. - - Benjamin Franklin. - - Handel. - - Turner the Artist. - - George and Robert Stephenson. - - Sir Titus Salt and George Moore. - - ⁂ _The above Works can also be had Three in One Vol., cloth, - gilt edges, 3s._ - - -_CASSELL & COMPANY, Limited, Ludgate Hill, London; Paris, New York & -Melbourne._ - - - * * * * * - - -Transcriber's Notes - -Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations -in hyphenation have been standardised but all other spelling and -punctuation remains unchanged. - -The repetition of the title on consecutive pages has been removed. -Italics are represented thus _italic_, bold thus =bold= and -underlining thus +underline+. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Grace O'Malley, by Robert Machray - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRACE O'MALLEY *** - -***** This file should be named 51278-0.txt or 51278-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/2/7/51278/ - -Produced by WebRover, Chris Curnow, Les Galloway and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/51278-0.zip b/old/51278-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 61fbf6d..0000000 --- a/old/51278-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/51278-h.zip b/old/51278-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 4aeb5e1..0000000 --- a/old/51278-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/51278-h/51278-h.htm b/old/51278-h/51278-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index c7e6d13..0000000 --- a/old/51278-h/51278-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,14731 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Grace O'Malley, Princess and Pirate, by Robert Machray. - </title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -.mr {margin-right: 40%;} -.ml {margin-left: 40%;} - -h1 -{ - margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; - text-align: center; - font-size: x-large; - font-weight: normal; - line-height: 1.6; -} - - h2,h3{ - text-align: center; - clear: both; - } - -div.maxwidth {max-width: 50em;} -div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} - -p -{ - margin-top: .75em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .75em; -} - -.half-title { - margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; - text-align: center; - font-size: x-large; - font-weight: normal; - line-height: 1.6; -} - -.adtitle {margin-top: 1.3em; - text-align: center; - font-size: 1.1em; - font-weight: bold;} - -.hang {text-align: justify; padding-left: 1.75em; text-indent: -1.75em;} - -hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} -hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} -hr.full {width: 95%; margin-left: 2.5%; margin-right: 2.5%;} - -table { - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; -} - -.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - visibility: hidden; - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; -} /* page numbers */ - - -.blockquote { - margin-left: 5%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - - -.center {text-align: center;} - -.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - -.u {text-decoration: underline;} - -.xs {font-size: x-small;} -.small {font-size: small;} -.large {font-size: large;} -.xl {font-size: x-large;} -.brace3{font-size: 300%;} -.brace2{font-size: 200%;} - - -/* Images */ -.figcenter {margin: 1em auto; text-align: center;} -img {border: none; max-width: 100%} - - - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; - color: black; - font-size:smaller; - padding:0.5em; - margin-bottom:5em; - font-family:sans-serif, serif; } - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Grace O'Malley, by Robert Machray - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Grace O'Malley - Princess and Pirate - -Author: Robert Machray - -Release Date: February 21, 2016 [EBook #51278] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRACE O'MALLEY *** - - - - -Produced by WebRover, Chris Curnow, Les Galloway and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="maxwidth"> -<div class="mr"> -<h1> -<span class="u">GRACE O’MALLEY</span><br /> - -<i><span class="u xs">PRINCESS AND PIRATE</span></i></h1> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_title.jpg" alt="decoration" /> -</div> - -</div> -<div class="ml"> -<p class="center"><i>Told by</i><br /> - -RUARI MACDONALD<br /> - -REDSHANK AND REBEL</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_title1.jpg" alt="decoration" /> -</div> - -<p class="center"><i>. . The Same Set Forth . .<br /> -in the Tongue of the English</i><br /> - -BY<br /> - -ROBERT MACHRAY</p> -</div> -<div class="mr"> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_title.jpg" alt="decoration" /> -</div> - - -<p class="center"><span class="smcap">CASSELL and COMPANY, Limited</span><br /> -<i>London, Paris, New York & Melbourne</i><br /> -1898<br /> -ALL RIGHTS RESERVED<br /> -</p> -</div></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> -<div class="chapter"> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_colophon.jpg" alt="Colophon" /> -</div> - -</div><div class="chapter"> - - -<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> - - - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="right" colspan="2"><span class="xs">PAGE</span></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Saved from the Sea</span></td><td align="right">1</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Princess begins Her Reign</span></td><td align="right">13</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Title-Deed of the Sword</span></td><td align="right">25</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Colonel of Connaught</span></td><td align="right">37</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Queen’s Peace</span></td><td align="right">50<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Grace O’Malley dances out of Galway</span></td><td align="right">64</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Die Cast</span></td><td align="right">81</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Capture of the <i>Capitana</i></span></td><td align="right">94</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Chest of Gold</span></td><td align="right">108</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Woman’s Wile</span></td><td align="right">121</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">“<span class="smcap">Redshank and Rebel</span>”</td><td align="right">135</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Whispering Rocks</span></td><td align="right">149</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Surprise</span></td><td align="right">164 <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Gate of Fears</span></td><td align="right">179</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Siege is Raised</span></td><td align="right">194</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">“<span class="smcap">Our Natural Leader</span>”</td><td align="right">210</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Dear Victory</span></td><td align="right">224</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">At Askeaton</span></td><td align="right">239</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Landing of the Spaniards</span></td><td align="right">253</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Such Stuff as Dreams</span></td><td align="right">267</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span><span class="smcap">The Perfidy of Desmond</span></td><td align="right">282</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">“<span class="smcap">Only a Woman</span>”</td><td align="right">297</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Parting of the Ways</span></td><td align="right">310</td></tr> -<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV</a>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Barrington Bridge</span></td><td align="right">325</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<div class="half-title">GRACE O’MALLEY,<br /> - -<i><small>PRINCESS AND PIRATE</small></i>.</div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.<br /> - -<small>SAVED FROM THE SEA.</small></h2> - - -<p>It has now become so much a matter of custom—after -that familiar human fashion which causes -us to turn our faces to the rising sun—to praise -and laud the King, James the Sixth of Scotland and -First of England and Ireland, in the beginning of -whose reign over the three kingdoms—to which he -has been pleased to give the name of Great Britain—this -chronicle is written, that there would appear -to be some danger of a wonderful truth being forgotten.</p> - -<p>For there can be no doubt that his Highness -follows upon a most remarkable age—an age which -must be known throughout all time to come as the -Age of Great Women.</p> - -<p>And when I think upon Elizabeth of England, -who broke the power of Spain, of Mary of Scotland, -whose beauty and whose wickedness were at once -the delight and the despair of her people, and of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> -French queens, whose talents in statecraft have -never been equalled, I make bold to deny that the -period of the rule of his Highness will be in any -respect as glorious as that which immediately preceded -his time, and in which these great women -lived.</p> - -<p>Now, whether it was from the influence and inspiration -of these high and mighty exemplars, or -because it was born of the pith and marrow of -decreed circumstance, and so lay at the very heart of -things, that women should then lead the way, and that -men should give themselves up entirely to their service, -I cannot say. Yet I know that there were other women -of less exalted rank than those I have mentioned, -whose powers, although displayed on but a small -stage, were seen to be so superior to those of men -that men willingly obeyed them, and lived and died -for them—and living or dying were glad indeed.</p> - -<p>And the story which I have to tell is the story -of such an one.</p> - -<p>It was my lot, for so had Destiny cast out from -her urn the shell on which my name was marked, -that I, Ruari Macdonald, of the Clandonald, of the -family of the Lords of the Isles, both of the Outer and -the Inner Seas, having been unnaturally deprived -of my home and lands in Isla, should have been -saved to become the servant of that extraordinary -woman called, in the tongue of the English, Grace -O’Malley.</p> - -<p>It is also not unusual for her to be spoken of -by them as the “Pirate Princess,” and the “Pirate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> -Chieftainess of Galway,” and there have been some -who have described her as a “notable traitress,” and a -“nursing mother of rebels.” But to us Celts, and to -me in particular, her name can never be uttered in -our own liquid speech without something of the same -feeling being stirred within us as when we listen -to the sounds of soft music—so sweet and dear a -name it is.</p> - -<p>It is true, perhaps, that its sweetness has rather -grown upon me with advancing years. Be sure, however, -there was a time when her name uplifted my -heart and made strong my arm more than the -clamour of trumpets and all the mad delight of -war. But it seems far off and long ago, a thing of -shadows and not more real than they. And yet I -have only to sit still, and close my eyes for a space, -and, lo, the door of the past swings open, and I stand -once more in the Hall of Memories Unforgotten.</p> - -<p>Now that the fingers of time fasten themselves -upon me so that I shake them off but with fainting -and difficulty, and then only to find them presently -the more firmly fixed, I think it well before my days -are done to set forth in such manner as I can what I -know of this great woman.</p> - -<p>I say, humbly, in such manner as I can.</p> - -<p>For I am well assured of one thing, and it -is this—that it is far beyond me to give any even -fairly complete picture of her wit and her wisdom, of -her patience and her courage, and of those other -splendid qualities which made her what she was. -And this, I fear, will still more be the case when I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> -come to tell of the love and the hate and the other -strong stormy passions which entered into her life, -and which so nearly made shipwreck of all her hopes, -and which in some sort not only did change her -whole course but also that of her country.</p> - -<p>And, first of all, must I declare how it was that -I, Ruari Macdonald, a Scot of the Western Isles, -came to have my fortunes so much bound up with -those of Grace O’Malley. In the ordinary circumstances -of a man of my birth there would have -fallen out nothing more remarkable than the tale, -perhaps, of some fierce fighting in our Highland or -Island feuds, and that, most probably, would have -circled round our hereditary enemies, the Macleans -of the Rinns of Isla. But thus was it not with me, -albeit it was to these same ancient foes of my -tribe that I owe my knowledge of Grace O’Malley.</p> - -<p>Well do I recall the occasion on which I first -heard her voice. In truth I was so situated at -the time that while other recollections may pass -out of my mind, as assuredly many have passed -away, the memory of that never will.</p> - -<p>“Do not kill him, do not kill him!” said a shrill -treble, piping clear and high above the hard tones of -men’s voices mingled together, and harsh from the -rough breath of the sea.</p> - -<p>“Throw him into the water!” cried one.</p> - -<p>“Put him back in the boat!” cried another.</p> - -<p>“Best to make an end of him!” said a tall, -dark man, who spoke with an air of authority. And -he made as if to draw his sword.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> - -<p>“No! no!” cried the shrill treble. “Do not -kill him. See, he is only a little boy, a child. Give -him to me, father.”</p> - -<p>There was a burst of laughter from the men, and -the shrill treble, as if encouraged, again cried, “Give -him to me, father.”</p> - -<p>“What would you do with him, darling?”</p> - -<p>“I know not, father, but spare him. You promised -before we set out from Clew Bay to give -me whatever I might ask of you, if it was in your -power. And now I ask his life. Give him to me, -father.”</p> - -<p>There was a silence for a short space, and I -opened my weary, fear-haunted eyes, gazing dazed -and distracted about me. Then I saw a small, -ruddy-cheeked, black-haired maid on the deck of -a ship, while around her and me was grouped a -band of sun-browned, unkempt, and savage-looking -sailors, clad in garments not very different from -those of my own people. In the midst of them -was the man whom the maid addressed as father. -I, the little boy, the child of whom she had spoken, -was lying bound at her feet.</p> - -<p>My mind was distraught and overwhelmed with -the terror and horror of what I had already undergone. -Hungry and thirsty, and bruised and sore, -I cared but little what might happen to me, -thinking that death itself could hold no greater -suffering than that I had just passed through. But -the sight of the maid among these men of the sea -awoke my boyish curiosity. As I gazed at her, a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> -great wave carried the vessel up on its crest, and -had she not put forth her hand and caught me -by the thongs of deer with which I was bound, I -would have rolled like a helpless log into the hissing -waters.</p> - -<p>“See,” she said, “he is mine.”</p> - -<p>“Then be it so,” her father agreed, after some -hesitation. “And yet, it may not be well. Do you -understand our language?” he asked of me.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” I replied. I knew the Irish tongue, -which is almost the same as our own, in which -he addressed me. For there was much traffic -between the Scottish Islands of the West and the -North of Ireland, where many of my own clan had -settled, the “Scots of the Glens” of Ulster. So I -had heard Irish spoken frequently.</p> - -<p>“Who are you?” he demanded.</p> - -<p>“I am Ruari Macdonald, the son of Tormod -Macdonald of Isla,” I answered, but with difficulty, -for my mouth was parched and my tongue -swollen.</p> - -<p>“I know the breed,” said he, with a smile, “and -the Clandonald are men who may be trusted. -Besides, you are but a boy.”</p> - -<p>He stooped down and cut away my bonds. I -tried to stand up, but only fell half swooning upon -the deck.</p> - -<p>“Water, water!” cried the shrill treble. “He -is fainting from thirst.” And the voice seemed -to keep my consciousness from ebbing utterly -away.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> - -<p>Then the maid in another instant was wetting -my cracked and thickened lips from a silver cup, -and I drank and was refreshed. Next she brought -me food and a little Spanish wine.</p> - -<p>“Let him eat and drink,” said she, “so that his -life may be whole within him again.”</p> - -<p>Taking me by the hand as soon as I had sufficiently -recovered, and followed by her father, she -led me to the poop of the ship, where there was -a sort of cabin, or “castle,” as it is called.</p> - -<p>“Now, Ruari Macdonald of Isla,” said the man, -who was evidently the commander of the vessel, -“tell me how it was that you came to be on -the wide sea, lying bound and nearly dead, in -that small boat we picked up an hour or so -ago?”</p> - -<p>“The Macleans,” I gasped, for speech was still -a burden to me. But before long my tongue was -loosened, and I told them all I knew of what had -happened.</p> - -<p>“The Macleans,” said I, “of the Rinns of Isla, -who were ever our foes, but with whom we had -been at peace for a long time, suddenly set upon -and surprised my father’s castle by night. I was -awakened by the sounds of clashing swords and -the death shrieks of men and women—the most -fearsome cries—so that my blood ran cold and my -heart stood still.”</p> - -<p>I stopped and choked as I spoke. The -maid nodded kindly, and put her little hand in -mine.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Although I had never seen a fight,” continued -I, “I had been told often and often of battles, so -I guessed at once what was going on. I got up -from my couch, and in the darkness called my -mother’s name, but she answered not. I was alone -in the chamber. Terrified, I shrieked and sobbed. -Then the room filled with smoke. The castle was -on fire. Making the best of my way to the door -I was clasped in my mother’s arms. She carried -a lighted torch, but I came upon her so sharply -that it fell out of her hand and was extinguished.</p> - -<p>“’We are lost,’ she wailed, pressing me wildly -against her bosom, while I could feel her heart -beating fast and hard against my own.</p> - -<p>“’What, is it, mother?’ I asked; but I knew -without any words from her.</p> - -<p>“We were standing in a corridor, but the smoke -soon became so dense that we could no longer endure -it. Hardly knowing what she did, I think, she -dragged me along to a window in the room where -I had slept, and opening it, looked out. The yard of -the castle was alive with men holding blazing sticks -of fir, and flames shot up from the burning door of -the central tower in which we stood. I also looked -out, and noticed dark, silent forms lying prone upon -the ground.</p> - -<p>“’Fire or sword? What matters it?’ I heard her -whisper to herself. ’Lost, lost, lost! Oh, Ruari, my -son, my son!’ And she kissed me—the last kisses -she ever gave.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> - -<p>I broke down weeping. The little hand of the -maid caressed and soothed me.</p> - -<p>“We had been spied from the yard,” I went on, -after I had had my fill of crying, and a great hoarse -voice rose above the din.</p> - -<p>“’Fetch me the woman and the child alive!’ was -what it said.</p> - -<p>“’It is Red Angus Maclean,’ said my mother, -hopelessly.</p> - -<p>“Then four clansmen plunged through the smoke -and flame, and burst in upon us. Seizing us roughly, -they took us half dead to Red Angus.</p> - -<p>“’Do what you will with me,’ said my mother, -falling on her knees before him, ’but shed not the -blood of the lad,’ she implored and prayed of him. -’He has never done you any harm.’</p> - -<p>“He scowled at us, and played with the handle of -his dirk.</p> - -<p>“’Why should I not slay ye both?’ said he. -’When did ever a Macdonald spare a Maclean, tell -me that?’ He paused, as if in thought. ’But listen,’ -he began again. ’Choose you,’ said he, speaking to -my mother, ’for such is my humour, choose you, -your life or the boy’s.’</p> - -<p>“’Thank ye,’ said my mother. ’Never did I -think I should live to thank a Maclean. Swear you -will not shed his innocent blood, and I shall die -gladly.’</p> - -<p>“’Have ye chosen?’ said he.</p> - -<p>“’Will ye swear not to put him to the sword?’</p> - -<p>“’Yes,’ said he, and glared at her.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> - -<p>“’Ye have chosen,’ said he at length.</p> - -<p>“’Yes,’ said my mother; and with her eyes fixed -on me, she fell beneath the stabs of his dirk; but even -as she fell I sprang from the arms of the men who -held me, and leapt like a wild cat of Mull straight for -his throat, but he caught and crushed me in his -grip.</p> - -<p>“’Remember your oath!’ cried my mother to him, -and died.</p> - -<p>“Seeing that she was dead he laughed a terrible -laugh, so empty of mirth and so full of menace -was it.</p> - -<p>“’Ay, I shall keep my oath,’ said he. ’No drop -of his blood shall be shed. But die he too must, and -so shall this accursed brood be destroyed from off the -face of the earth. Bind him so that he cannot -escape,’ he ordered.</p> - -<p>“And they bound me with strips of tanned deerskin, -even as you saw when I was found in the drifting -boat. Then he spoke to two of his men, who -carried me down to the beach, and threw me into the -bottom of the boat. Getting themselves into another, -they towed that which I was in some two or three -miles from shore, until, indeed, I could hear the -struggling of the waters made by the tide, called the -’Race of Strangers.’ And then they left me to the -mercy of the sea.”</p> - -<p>“How long ago was that?” asked the maid.</p> - -<p>“Two days ago,” I replied. “I drifted, drifted -with wave and tide, expecting every moment to be -swallowed up; and part of the time, perhaps, I slept,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> -for I cannot remember everything that took place. -And then you found the boat, and me in it,” I -added simply.</p> - -<p>“’Tis a strange story,” said the maid’s father; and -he turned away to see to the working of the ship, -which was straining and plunging heavily in the -swell, and left us two children to ourselves.</p> - -<p>I looked at the maid, who had been so tender and -kind.</p> - -<p>“Who are ye?” I asked timidly.</p> - -<p>“I am Grace O’Malley,” said she proudly, “the -daughter of Owen O’Malley of Erris and of Burrishoole -in Connaught—he who has just gone from -us.”</p> - -<p>And then she told me of herself, of her father, -and of her people, and that the ship was now returning -to Clare Island, which belonged to them.</p> - -<p>“See,” said she, pointing through a window in -the stern, “there are the headlands of Achill, only -a few miles from Clare Island,” and I looked out -and saw those black ramparts of rock upon which -the ocean hurls itself in vain.</p> - -<p>“Now Clare Island comes into view,” she continued, -and peeping out again I beheld the shoulder -of the hill of Knockmore looming up, while beyond -it lay a mass of islands, and still further away the -mountains on the coast.</p> - -<p>“All this,” said the maid with a sweep of her -hand, “and the mainland beyond, is the Land of the -O’Malleys.”</p> - -<p>“And is the water also yours?” I asked, attempt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>ing -a boy’s shy pleasantry, for so had she won me -from my grief.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied the maid, “the water even more -than the land is ours.” And she looked—what -she was, though but a little maid—the daughter -of a king of the sea.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.<br /> - -<small>THE PRINCESS BEGINS HER REIGN.</small></h2> - - -<p>Ten years, swift as the flight of wild swans winging -their way southward when the first wind of winter -sweeps behind them, passed over our heads in the -Land of the O’Malleys; nor did they pass without -bringing many changes with them. And yet it so -happened that no very startling or determining event -occurred till at the very close of this period.</p> - -<p>The little maid who had saved me from the sea -had grown into a woman, tall of stature and queenly -in carriage—in a word, a commanding figure, one to -be obeyed, yet also one who had the gifts which made -obedience to her pleasant and easy. Already she had -proved herself in attack by sea or assault on shore a -born leader, brave as the bravest man amongst us all, -but with a mind of larger grasp than any of ours.</p> - -<p>Yet were there times when she was as one who -sees visions and feeds on fantasies; and I was ever -afraid for her and us when I saw in her face the -strange light shining through the veil of the flesh -which spoke of the dreaming soul.</p> - -<p>But more than anything else, she possessed in perfection -a woman’s power to fascinate and charm. Her -smiles were bright and warm as the sunshine, and she -seemed to know what she should say or do in order<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> -that each man should bring to her service of his best. -For this one, the ready jest, the gay retort, the laughing -suggestion, the hinted rebuke; for that, plain praise -or plain blame, as she thought suited the case. She -understood how to manage men. And yet was she at -times a very woman—petulant, unreasonable, and -capricious. Under the spell of passion she would -storm and rage and scold, and then she was ill to -cross and hard to hold. For the rest, she was the -most fearless creature ever quickened with the -breath of life.</p> - -<p>I have heard it asserted that Grace O’Malley was -wholly wanting in gentleness and tenderness, but I -know better. These were no lush days of soft dalliance -in the Ireland in which we lived; the days were -wine-red with the blood of men, and dark with the -blinding tears of widows and orphans. The sword, -and the sword alone, kept what the sword had taken. -And yet was she of a heart all too tender, not infrequently, -for such a time.</p> - -<p>Chiefly did she show this gracious side of her -nature in her fond care of her foster-sister, Eva -O’Malley, who had been entrusted when a child, a -year or two after my arrival at Clare Island, to Owen -O’Malley by a sub-chief who governed one of the -islands lying off the coast of Iar-Connaught.</p> - -<p>Never was there a greater contrast between two -human beings of the same kin than there was between -those two women: Grace—dark, tall, splendid, -regal; Eva—fair, tiny, delicate, timid, and utterly -unlike any of her own people.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> - -<p>Clay are we all, fashioned by the Potter on His -wheel according to His mind, and as we are made so -we are. Thus it was that, while I admired, I reverenced -and I obeyed Grace O’Malley—God, He knows -that I would have died to serve her, and, indeed, -never counted the cost if so be I pleased her—I -loved, loved, loved this little bit of a woman, who -was as frail as a flower, and more lovely in my sight -than any.</p> - -<p>Men were in two minds—ay, the same man was -often in two minds—as to whether Grace O’Malley -was beautiful or not; but they were never in any -doubt, for there could be none, of Eva’s loveliness. -Howbeit, I had said nothing of what was in my -thoughts to Eva; that was a secret which I deemed -was mine alone.</p> - -<p>For myself, I had grown to man’s estate—a big -fellow and a strong, who might be depended upon -to look after ship or galley with some regard for -seamanship, and not to turn my back in the day -of battle, unless nothing else were possible.</p> - -<p>Owen O’Malley had received me, the outcast of -Isla, into his own family, treating me as a son rather -than as a stranger, and, although I never ceased to be -a Scot, I was proud to be considered one of the Irish -also. Under his tuition I learned all the ways and -customs of his people—a wild people and a fierce, like -my own. So far as Connaught was concerned, these -ten years were for the most part a time of peace -among its tribes, and thus it was that I came to know -like a native its forests and mountains, its rivers and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> -lakes, and the chief men of the O’Flahertys and -Burkes and O’Connors, whose territories marched -with those of the O’Malleys on the mainland.</p> - -<p>But I learned much more, for Owen O’Malley -taught me how to steer and handle a ship so that -it became a thing of my own—nay, rather a part of -myself. He also gave me my knowledge of the coasts -of Ireland, and there was scarcely a bay or an inlet or -a haven, especially on the western shores, into which -I had not sailed. And as he proved me and found -me faithful, he himself showed me the Caves of -Silence under the Hill of Sorrow—strange, gloomy -caverns, partly the work of nature and partly of man, -once the homes of a race long perished, of whom no -other trace now remains. With the exception of -Grace O’Malley, from whom he kept nothing hid, and -himself, no one but I was aware of the entrance to -them and of what lay concealed within.</p> - -<p>It had been the habit time out of mind of the -O’Malleys to take toll of all shipping in these waters, -and to make raids from their galleys upon unfriendly -tribes living along the coast. The fishermen who -came over from Devon, and who paid tribute according -to the number of their smacks, went unmolested; but -the merchant trader was ever thought to be a fair -prey. Thus, except in winter, when storms tied up -O’Malley’s ships in the harbours of Clare or Burrishoole, -Owen’s three great galleys were constantly -at sea.</p> - -<p>After I had reached manhood it was usual for -Owen himself to be in command of one, Grace of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> -second, and myself of the third. It was one of these -expeditions which brought about an event that -changed the course of our lives.</p> - -<p>We had sailed southward, and were standing out -one night late in spring about three miles from -the northern shores of Kerry, on the watch for any -trader on its way to the port of Limerick. The -coolness of the night still lay on the edge of dawn -under the dying stars, when a fog, dense, dark, and -choking, encompassed us around, so that our three -ships lost sight of each other and soon drifted out -of hail.</p> - -<p>Hours passed, and still the fog lay heavy and -close. In the afternoon it lightened and lifted and -disappeared. There were no signs of our companions. -I made my course for a creek at the mouth of the -Shannon, where it had been arranged we were to -meet in case of any mishap. Towards evening the -galley called <i>The Grey Wolf</i>, with Grace O’Malley as -its chief, came bowling up alongside.</p> - -<p>Obeying her summons to go over to her ship, -I went on board <i>The Grey Wolf</i>, when we exchanged -greetings, enquiring of each other if we had seen -or heard anything of <i>The Winged Horse</i>, her father’s -vessel. Neither of us knew anything of it, and there -was nothing to be done but to await its arrival. We -were chatting pleasantly, when I saw outlined against -the sunset flaming in the west the bulk of a -merchantman, which we guessed from her build -and rig to be an English ship, probably from Bristol, -coming on under press of sail.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> - -<p>On she came in stately fashion, with her sails -bellying out in the fresh breeze, and we could hear -her men singing snatches of sailor glees upon her -decks. We gazed at her, and then we saw a dreadful -and an uncanny thing. Grace O’Malley was the first -to speak.</p> - -<p>“Look, look!” she said. “What is that?”</p> - -<p>My eyes were fixed on the ship, but I could not -tell what it was that we saw.</p> - -<p>“I know not,” I replied. “Perhaps it is some -new device of these English. No; it can hardly be -that. What is it, I wonder?”</p> - -<p>We stared and stared at it, but could make -nothing of it.</p> - -<p>“It might almost be a phantom ship, Ruari,” she -said. “But we see it too plainly and hear the sailors -too well for that.”</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, I noticed that the men in our galleys -stood about the bulwarks, rubbing their eyes and -shading them with their hands, as if they felt that -here was some portentous thing.</p> - -<p>This is what we saw as the English vessel drew -nearly abreast of us.</p> - -<p>On the white spread of the mainsail two huge, -gigantic shadows of men seemed to appear, to loom -large, to grow small, to disappear, and then to reappear -again.</p> - -<p>A sort of awe fell upon us.</p> - -<p>“What can it mean?” I asked.</p> - -<p>“Wait,” said she; “we may know soon enough, -for I think it is of evil omen for us.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> - -<p>“’Tis nothing,” said I boldly, although I feared -exceedingly; “nothing but a trick played upon us -by the sinking sun and its shadows.”</p> - -<p>“Nay, ’tis something more than that,” said -she.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the wind fell off somewhat, and now the -canvas of the merchantman slapped against her masts -with dull reports like the sounds of an arquebus shot -off at a distance.</p> - -<p>I saw her name in letters of white and gold—<i>Rosemary</i>, -and as the way she had on carried her -past us, I understood what was the cause of what we -had seen. For as she swayed with the movements of -wind and wave, we beheld two bodies strung up from -the yard of her foremast, swinging to and fro with her -every motion, looking, as they jerked up and down, as -if they were still alive, struggling and gasping in their -last agony.</p> - -<p>I glanced at Grace O’Malley, whose face had -grown in an instant white and rigid.</p> - -<p>“Do you not see,” said she, after a moment’s -silence, “that the poor wretches are Irish from their -dress? Thus do these English slay and harry us day -by day. Is there never to be an end of this wanton -killing of our people?” Then she became thoughtful, -and added in a tone of sadness, “My heart -misgives me, Ruari; I feel the grip of misfortune -and grief.”</p> - -<p>“Make no bridge for trouble to pass over,” said I, -and spoke many words of comfort and confidence, to -all of which she scarcely listened. Respecting her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> -mood, I left her, and went back to my own ship, <i>The -Cross of Blood</i>.</p> - -<p>That night, while I was on watch, I heard the soft -splash of oars, and presently out of the darkness there -came the hail of a sailor from the bow of <i>The Winged -Horse</i>, as she rounded the point and slipped into the -creek where we lay.</p> - -<p>Something in the tone of the sailor’s voice, more -perhaps in the slow drooping of the oars, at once -aroused my attention. Without words I knew that -all was not well. Where was the chief? There could -but be one reason why there was no sign of Owen -O’Malley himself. Either he was grievously wounded -or he was dead. Hastily I swung myself into the -boat of my galley, and made for <i>The Winged Horse</i>, -which was now riding at anchor about a bow shot -away.</p> - -<p>Tibbot, the best of pilots and steersmen in Ireland, -met me as I clambered up on to the deck.</p> - -<p>“Whist!” he entreated, as I was beginning to -open my mouth in eager questionings.</p> - -<p>“What has happened?” I asked in a whisper.</p> - -<p>“The chief has been badly hurt,” he replied. “He -lies in the poop cabin, bleeding, I fear, to death.”</p> - -<p>“What!” I exclaimed; “bleeding to death?”</p> - -<p>“Let me tell you——”</p> - -<p>But I interrupted him sharply.</p> - -<p>“I must see him at once,” I said, and I made my -way to the poop, where, stretched on a couch of -skins, lay my friend and master. As I bent over him -he opened his eyes, and though the cabin was but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> -dimly lighted, I thought he smiled. I took his hand -and knelt beside him. My anguish was so keen that -I could not speak.</p> - -<p>“Ruari,” said he, and that great full voice of his -had been changed into that of a babe; “is it you -Ruari?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; it is I,” replied I, finding nothing else to -say, for words failed me.</p> - -<p>“Ruari, I am dying,” said he simply, as one who -knew the state in which he was, and feared not. “I -have received the message of death, and soon must -my name be blotted out from among the living.”</p> - -<p>As he was speaking there was a rustling in the -waist of the ship, and Grace O’Malley stood beside us.</p> - -<p>“Father, father,” she cried, and taking his head -and shoulders on her breast, she crooned over him -and kissed him, murmuring words of passionate -mourning, more like a mother than a daughter.</p> - -<p>“Grace,” said he, and his voice was so small that -my breathing, by contrast, seemed loud and obtrusive. -“I am far spent, and the end of all things is come for -me. Listen, then, to my last words.”</p> - -<p>And she bent over him till her ear was at his lips.</p> - -<p>“In the blinding fog,” continued he, “we drifted -as the ocean currents took us, this way and that, -carrying us we knew not whither—drifting to our -doom. The galley, before we could make shift to -change her course, scraped against the sides of an -English ship—we just saw her black hull in the mist, -and then we were on her.”</p> - -<p>The weak voice became weaker still.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> - -<p>“It was too big a ship for us, yet there was but -one thing to do. I have ever said that the boldest -thing is the safest thing—indeed, the only thing. So -I ordered the boarders forward, and bade the rowers -take their weapons and follow on.”</p> - -<p>The dimming eyes grew luminous and bright.</p> - -<p>“It was a gallant fight,” he said, and his accents -took on a little of their old firmness, “but she was too -strong for us. In the attempt we lost several of our -men, and two were taken prisoners. We were -beaten off. Just as the vessels drove apart, and -the barque was lost in the mist, a stray shot from an -arquebus hit me in the thigh—and I know I cannot -survive.”</p> - -<p>“What was the name of the ship?” asked Grace.</p> - -<p>“<i>The Rosemary</i>, of Bristol,” he replied. It was -the name of the merchantman we had seen with the -two corpses swinging from the yard of her foremast. -“You will avenge my death, Grace, but not now. -You must return at once to Connaught, and assemble -our people. Tell them that my wish, my command at -the point of death, is that you should succeed me in -the chieftainship.”</p> - -<p>There was no sound for a space save only the cry -of the curlews on the shore, calling to their mates -that another day was dawning.</p> - -<p>“Ruari,” said the ghost of a voice, “Ruari, I -had hoped that you and Grace——”</p> - -<p>But the cold fingers of death sealed the lips -of the speaker.</p> - -<p>Grace O’Malley fell forward on the stiffening<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> -body; and, thinking it best, I left the living and -the dead together. In another hour the three -galleys were beating northward up the coast, and -on the evening of the second day after Owen -O’Malley’s death we anchored in the haven of Clare -Island, where the body was buried with all the -honours and ancient ceremonies paid by the Irish -to their chiefs.</p> - -<p>Then came the meeting of the clan to determine -who should succeed Owen O’Malley, for, according -to a law similar to that which prevails among -our Celts of the Islands, the members of each sept -who have reached the age of the warrior, have a -voice in the election of chiefs. As I was not in -reality one of themselves, nor could forget that I -was a Scot—a Redshank, as the English called me, -albeit I could ruffle it on occasion with the best -Englishman that ever stepped—I took no part in -the council, nor spoke my mind until the older -men had said their say.</p> - -<p>It was at once a beautiful sight and a memorable, -this great gathering, and the most beautiful and -memorable thing of all was that men were content, -and more than content, that a woman should, for -the first time in their history, be called their chief.</p> - -<p>When it was my turn to speak, I related what -I had heard fall from Owen O’Malley as he was -dying, and, without further words, dropping on my -knee I took the hand of Grace O’Malley, and swore -by the Five Wounds of God to be her servant so -long as it might be her will.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p> - -<p>Then her people, old and young, pressed about -her, calling her their darling and their pride, and -thus she became their leader and chief.</p> - -<p>But with the death of Owen O’Malley there was -an end of the times of peace and quietness in -Connaught, whereat, like the hothead I was, I -rejoiced, not seeing the perilous adventures that -lay before us.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.<br /> - -<small>THE TITLE-DEED OF THE SWORD.</small></h2> - - -<p>“Ruari!”</p> - -<p>It was the soft note of Eva O’Malley, calling to -me as I came within the gate of Carrickahooley -Castle, whither Grace O’Malley, our mistress, had -come to fulfil her period of mourning for her father. -I had just crossed over from Clare Island on a -small sailing vessel, which now lay in the little -harbour under the west wall.</p> - -<p>“Ruari!”</p> - -<p>It was ever a sound of gladness to me, that sweet -voice; and looking up to the chambers of the -women, half-way up the front of the great square -tower, I beheld the fair face, framed in its pale-gold -curls, against the darkness of the embrasure of her -window. My heart gave a quick bound of pleasure, -and then I grew hot and cold by turns.</p> - -<p>For I loved her, and the fear that is born of -love made my strength turn to weakness when -I gazed upon her. Yet was I resolved to win her, -though in what way I knew not. Neither did I -hope overmuch up to that time that I understood -her, for her manner was a riddle to me.</p> - -<p>And here let me set down what were then my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> -relations with these two women, or, rather, what was -their attitude to me.</p> - -<p>Grace O’Malley clearly regarded me as a younger -brother, and never lost a certain air of protection in -her dealings with me. To her I remained always -in some sort “a little boy, a child,” whose life she -had saved—although I was one of the biggest men -in Ireland.</p> - -<p>Eva O’Malley, who was two years younger than -I, had tyrannised over me when I was a lad, and -now that I was a man she mocked at and flouted -me, dubbing me “Giant Greathead”—I say “Greathead,” -but in our language Greathead and Thickhead -are the same—and otherwise amusing herself at -my expense. But in her griefs and troubles it -was to me she came, and not to Grace, as might -have seemed more natural.</p> - -<p>“Ruari!” she called, and I waved my hand to -her in greeting. As I went into the hall she met -me.</p> - -<p>“I was waiting for you,” she said, “for I wished -to speak to you before you saw Grace.”</p> - -<p>“Yes?” I asked, and as I noticed the freshness -of the roseleaf face I marvelled at it for the hundredth -time.</p> - -<p>“Grace has made an end of her mourning,” she -went on, “and her purpose now is to go to Galway -to see the Lord Deputy, if he be there, as it is -said he is, or, if he be not, then Sir Nicholas Malby, -the Colonel of Connaught.”</p> - -<p>I could have shouted for joy, for I was weary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> -of forced inaction while the fine weather was passing -us by, and all the harvest of the sea was waiting -to be gathered in by ready hands like ours.</p> - -<p>“Glad am I, in truth, to hear it,” said I heartily. -I was not fond of Galway, but I was anxious to be -again on the waters, and who could tell what might -not happen then? There had been no fighting for -a long time, and the men were lusting for it, hungering -and thirsting for it—only biding, like dogs -in the leash, for the word. And I was of the same -mind.</p> - -<p>“But listen, Ruari,” said Eva. “Is it well that -she should go to Galway? To my thinking there -is a very good reason against it.”</p> - -<p>“Indeed,” said I, surprised. “What is it?” As -I have declared already, I had no special liking -for Galway—and the sea is wide.</p> - -<p>“By going to Galway,” said she, “does she not -run the chance of putting herself in the power of -the English? Is it not to thrust one’s head into -the very jaws of the lion? The English never loved -her father, Owen O’Malley, and the merchants of -Galway were never done accusing him of supplying -himself from their ships at his good pleasure without -asking permission from them.”</p> - -<p>I smiled, for what she said about the dead chief -was true.</p> - -<p>“’Tis not well to smile,” said Eva, frowning.</p> - -<p>“There is wisdom in your words,” I replied, -becoming instantly grave at her rebuke. “But why -not say to Grace herself what you have said to me?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Oh, you mountain of a man,” she said, “to be -so big and to be so——” and she stopped, but I -could fill up the gap for myself.</p> - -<p>“What have I said?” demanded I, still more -abashed.</p> - -<p>“Think you not that I have already spoken to -her?” she asked. “But she will not hearken.”</p> - -<p>“Why should she,” said I, “care for my -opinion?”</p> - -<p>“You know she does care,” she said testily. “But -there is more to tell you.”</p> - -<p>“More?” I asked.</p> - -<p>Her manner now showed the utmost dejection. -Her eyes were downcast, and as I regarded her I -asked myself why it was that one so fair should -have dark, almost black eyelashes—eyelashes which -gave a strange shadow to her eyes. Her next -words brought me quickly out of this musing.</p> - -<p>“The ’<span class="smcap">Wise Man</span>’” said she, “is set against her -going. His words are of darkness and blood, and he -declares that he sees danger for us all in the near -future. I’m afraid—you know he sees with other -eyes than ours.”</p> - -<p>And she said this with such evident terror that -inwardly, but not without some dread, I cursed the -“Wise Man,”—a certain Teige O’Toole, called “Teige -of the Open Vision” by the people, who counted him -to be a seer and a prophet. He was certainly skilled -in many things, and his knowledge was not as the -knowledge of other men.</p> - -<p>As she stood beside me, wistfully, entreatingly,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> -and fearfully, I pondered for a brief space and then -I said—</p> - -<p>“I will go and speak with Teige O’Toole, and -will return anon,” and forthwith went in search of -him.</p> - -<p>I found him sitting on a rock, looking out to sea, -murmuring disconsolately to himself. Straightway I -asked him what it was that he had to say against -Grace O’Malley’s intended visit to Galway, but he -would vouchsafe no reply other than the awesome -words which he kept on repeating and repeating—</p> - -<p>“Darkness and blood; then a little light; blood -and darkness, then again light—but darkness were -better.”</p> - -<p>Whereat I shuddered, feeling an inward chill; yet -I begged of him not once, nor twice, to make plain -his meaning to me. He would not answer, so that I -lost patience with him, and had he not been an aged -man and an uncanny I would have shaken the explanation -of his mysterious words out of his lips, and, -as it was, was near doing so.</p> - -<p>Rising quickly from the stone whereon he had -been sitting, he moved away with incredible swiftness -as if he had read my thoughts, leaving me -staring blankly after him.</p> - -<p>What was it he had said?</p> - -<p>“Darkness and blood; and then a little light!”</p> - -<p>Well, darkness and blood were no strangers to -me.</p> - -<p>“Blood and darkness; then again light—but -darkness were better!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p> - -<p>I could make no manner of sense of it at all; -but I saw the meaning of it plainly enough in the -years that followed.</p> - -<p>I felt a gentle touch upon my arm, and Eva -was by my side.</p> - -<p>“Grace wishes you to go to her at once,” -she said. “O Ruari, Ruari, dissuade her from -going.”</p> - -<p>“I will do what I can,” I replied; but I knew -beforehand that if Grace O’Malley had settled what -she was to do, nothing I could urge was likely to -change her purpose.</p> - -<p>Slowly I went into her presence.</p> - -<p>“Eva has told you,” she said, “that we set out at -once for Galway.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” I answered, “but I pray you to consider the -matter well.”</p> - -<p>“I have considered it well,” she replied; “but -say on.”</p> - -<p>“Is it a necessity,” I asked, “that you should go -to Galway? Are there not many more places in -Ireland for us to go to? Is not the north open -to us, and the west, with plenty of Spanish -merchantmen and English trading on the broad -waters?”</p> - -<p>“All in good time,” said she, smiling at my -eloquence.</p> - -<p>“Here,” said I, emboldened to proceed, “here you -are among your own people, on your own land, and no -one will seek to molest us. But in Galway—everything -is different.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> - -<p>“That is it,” she said earnestly. “That is the -very reason—everything is different there.”</p> - -<p>She stopped as if in thought.</p> - -<p>“Listen, Ruari! My mind,” said she, “is made -up to go to Galway to talk over our affairs with -the English governor.”</p> - -<p>So this was the reason.</p> - -<p>“You say I am safe here,” she continued, “but -am I? Word was brought me only yesterday by a -trusty messenger from Richard Burke, the MacWilliam, -that my father’s old-time enemy, Murrough -O’Flaherty, is whispering in the ear of Sir Nicholas -Malby, the Colonel of Connaught—perhaps into the -ear of the Lord Deputy himself, for I hear -he is expected about this time in the city—that -my father was an enemy of the Queen, Elizabeth, -and that I, his daughter, am sure to follow in his -steps.”</p> - -<p>“Murrough O’Flaherty!” cried I, “is he not -content with his own wide lands of Aughnanure?”</p> - -<p>“Content,” said she. “Such a man is never content! -Then this insidious whisperer goes on to hint -that I am only a young woman, and that my father -has left no heir. It is plain enough, is it not, what he -means?”</p> - -<p>“Sir Nicholas Malby,” said I, “is reputed to be a -just man and a good soldier.”</p> - -<p>“A just man—perhaps, who knows! That is why -I am going to Galway. I must make clear my right -and title to my father’s possessions.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Right and title,” I exclaimed, and unconsciously -I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword.</p> - -<p>She saw and interpreted the action.</p> - -<p>“Our title-deed,” said she, “has been that of the -sword——”</p> - -<p>“And so shall it always be,” I broke in.</p> - -<p>“In one sense, yes,” she assented; “but we live in -times of change, and things are not as they were. All -the chiefs and lords of Ireland are now getting a title -for their lands from the queen. Even my father did -something of the sort. If I go not to Galway to put -forward my claims it will be said that I am disloyal -and a traitress.”</p> - -<p>“So,” I said, “it may be an evil to go, but it is -a worse thing to stay here.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” she answered; “but I have other reasons. -It is not that I put so much trust in a piece of -parchment, signed and sealed, although I see no -harm in getting it. Ruari, I have purposes that -reach far beyond Galway, and Connaught even, and -for the present I deem it not well openly to incur the -enmity of the English.”</p> - -<p>This speech was beyond me, so I held my peace -until I remembered what the “Wise Man” had said; -but when I mentioned it she replied that she knew -of the matter, and though it troubled her, it would -make no difference to her plans.</p> - -<p>Then she fell to brooding and thinking, as was her -way, whereupon I left her to get the ships ready for -sea even as she wished.</p> - -<p>So, before another day was passed, the three great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> -galleys drew away from the shelter of Clare Island, -and, speeding before a fair wind, made for the south. -Grace and Eva O’Malley were on <i>The Grey Wolf</i>, -Tibbot, the pilot, was in command of his dead -master’s ship, <i>The Winged Horse</i>, while I was on -my own vessel, <i>The Cross of Blood</i>.</p> - -<p>We took a great company with us of nearly one -hundred and fifty men, including a band of arquebusiers, -besides bards and pipers, and a priest on each -ship. The priests were not much to my liking on -shipboard, but Grace would have them. Both Grace -and Eva brought of the finest of their garments, all -made of rich Spanish stuffs, so that they might -appear before the Governor as befitted their rank. -I myself took with me two full suits, also of Spanish -make, and such as were worn at courts, that I might -not appear unworthy of my mistress.</p> - -<p>As the wind was steady, the black cliffs of -Achill, with the mass of Cushcamcarragh and the -dome of Nephin behind them, soon grew distant -in our wake. The glowing cone of the Holy Hill -of St. Patrick, a wonder of light and shade as -beam of sun or shadow of cloud fell upon it, sank -behind us.</p> - -<p>And on we went through a sea of silence, whereon -we saw never another ship; on past the grey or green -islands off the coast, until the wind dropped at -sunset. Then the rowers bent their backs and -knotted their muscles over the oars, and so drove the -galleys up the long, narrow arm that is called the -Bay of Killery, until we found anchorage under the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> -mighty shoulders of that king of mountains, the -lonely Muilrea.</p> - -<p>At early morn, before the sun was up, albeit a far-off -tender flush had sprung up, like something magical, -upon the western rim of the world, the dirl, dirl, dirl, -and the clamp, clamp, clamp, of the oars, as they -smote the groaning pivots on which they swung, was -heard, and the galleys went foaming out from the -bay, the spray rising like a fine dust of gems from -under the forefeet of the ships. Then we caught a -breeze, and the sails swelled and drew, while the -sailors gat them to their places with shouts and -laughter.</p> - -<p>Is there any coast in the four quarters of the -globe where you will find more splendid havens than -in the portion of Ireland lying between the Bay of -Killery and the Bay of Galway? Well has that land -been named Connemara—that is, the “Bays of the -Ocean.” The rugged cliffs, whereon the weather and -the wave have combined to throw all manner of -cunning colours far beyond power of painter to copy, -still less devise, are everywhere broken by inlets, in -many of which all the fleets of Spain and of England -together might have ridden safely—hardly one of -these bays but has its island breakwater in front of -it for its protection from the storm and tempest.</p> - -<p>’Tis a rare home for seamen!</p> - -<p>As the day wore on we fell in with a Scottish ship -hailing from Wigtonshire, called <i>The Lass of Carrick</i>, -going to Galway like ourselves. But Grace O’Malley -had given command that until her business was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> -finished with the Governor, we were to continue -peacefully on our course, so we left her without -scathe, whereat our men were in no way offended, -there being but little profit to be got out of a ship -coming from Scotland.</p> - -<p>A vessel going back from Galway to Scotland -was another thing, for she generally carried a cargo -of wines of divers sorts, to say nothing of silks and -other valuable materials. Therefore made I a note -in my mind to watch <i>The Lass of Carrick</i> when we -were come to Galway, and to observe what she took -away in that broad, ill-built hulk of hers when she -left the port.</p> - -<p>That night the galleys put in to the Bay of -Caslah, the most eastern harbour on that coast, and -the following day, without adventure of any sort—so -calm a beginning might well have told me what -storms there would be before the end—we made -Galway.</p> - -<p>As had been arranged between us, <i>The Cross of -Blood</i>, my ship, let go her anchor in the harbour -between the mole and the bridge by which the -city is entered on that side, while the other galleys -stood out some distance in the bay. Sending a -messenger ashore, I made known the errand upon -which we were come, and, after waiting a long time, -received answer that the Lord Deputy was not yet -come to Galway, but that Sir Nicholas Malby would -see Grace O’Malley, and would give a safe-conduct -to her and her guard.</p> - -<p>It was now too late for our landing that day, so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> -we remained where we were all that night. Next -morning the three galleys rode within the harbour -of the city, and not far from us were <i>The Lass of -Carrick</i> and several other vessels, all come for the -wines and the other merchandise of the great and -famous city of Galway.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.<br /> - -<small>THE COLONEL OF CONNAUGHT.</small></h2> - - -<p>It was about an hour from noon, a hot sun burning -in a blue sky, when Grace O’Malley signified from -<i>The Grey Wolf</i> that she was about to land, and -that it was her desire that I should accompany -her, but that I should go on shore before her, to -make sure that she would not be detained at the -gate. Having made a suitable response to my -mistress, I gave command to the rowers and the -helmsman of <i>The Cross of Blood</i>, and the galley -slowly drew up alongside the wall of the harbour, -beside the gate by which an entrance is made into -the “Street of the Key,” as it is called.</p> - -<p>Perhaps it was the fierce heat which indisposed -to exertion of any sort, but the place was strangely -quiet and still. Two or three soldiers, with steel -morions on their heads and corselets of iron about -their bodies, gazed at us with indolent curiosity from -the towers and parapets that looked across the bay.</p> - -<p>At the gate itself were an officer and his guard, -lounging about listlessly enough in the sunshine, -and taking apparently but a little languid interest -in our movements. A few sailors of different -nationalities, among whom the swarthy Spaniards -predominated, and some of the country fisher folkk,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> -walked about the quay. Not far from us <i>The Lass -of Carrick</i> was discharging her cargo; below us a -fishing smack, with its one great sail set, was being -rowed out to sea.</p> - -<p>As my galley approached within a few feet of -the quay, I heard a whistle, or what seemed a -whistle. Indeed, so swift and shrill did the sound -bite into the air, that it was as if someone standing -close beside me were trying in this fashion, very -peremptorily, to excite my attention. At the same -time, or, mayhap, a little sooner or a little later—the -whole thing, it appeared to me, came together -on the instant, as it were—I felt the rush and the -wind made by an arrow or a bolt as it flew past -my face. Then the crick-crack of the barb, as it -smashed and splintered the wood of the bulwark -behind me, followed immediately afterwards. Involuntarily, -I put up my hand to my cheek.</p> - -<p>Death had passed close to me, had almost struck -me. Yet, hardly realising what had happened, I -stood rooted to the spot. A queer, quaking sob -burst from me—the surprise was so sudden, so -complete.</p> - -<p>My first thought was that the arrow had been -intended for me, but I had escaped it by the breadth -of a hair, and no more. I was untouched. Momentarily -I expected other arrows; but none came. I -asked myself what was the meaning of the solitary -arrow. At first sight it appeared as if we were about -to be dealt with treacherously—that we were being -beguiled to our destruction. Evidently, that was the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> -mind of my men in the matter, for they had made -a quick and terrible outcry that we were betrayed -when they marked the flight of the quivering shaft.</p> - -<p>Holding up my hand for silence, but bidding them -take their weapons as quietly and calmly as they -could, I waited for what might next befall. Ordering -the oarsmen to cease rowing, the galley lay motionless -on the water. Looking anxiously up at the parapet, -and then at the gate, I could perceive no unusual -commotion among the soldiers, nor could I see a -bowman amongst them. It appeared doubtful if -they had observed that anything out of the ordinary -had taken place, and, certainly, they acted as if they -had not. It plainly was no affair of theirs—that was -sure, for they were not more on the alert than -before.</p> - -<p>Whence, then, had come the arrow, and for what -purpose, if not one of death?</p> - -<p>My second thought showed me clearly that, had -the mysterious archer intended to kill me, there -would have been nothing easier, for, standing as I -did on the poop, I was the best mark in the world; -nor would he have required any marvellous expertness -in his art to have made an end of me. So, -as everything about us now seemed favourable and -fair for us, I next turned my regard to the arrow -itself, which was fast in one of the beams of the -galley.</p> - -<p>Now for the first time I noticed that it had -been shot into the ship in such a way that it was -nearly or altogether hidden by the shape of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> -vessel from being seen by those on shore; and I -bethought me that it must have been sped without -hostile intent, but, on the contrary, conveyed some -message of warning which it would be well not to -neglect. Wrenching forth the missile with an effort -from the beam, I examined it carefully, and found, -as I had begun to anticipate, a message; for roughly -inscribed upon it was the word “Beware!”</p> - -<p>With the dark, foreboding saying of the Wise -Man still ringing in my ears, it was not likely that -I should overlook any measure of precaution that -was in my power, but the safe-conduct of the -Governor of Connaught had given me a feeling of -security—which was, perhaps, not justified. Thus -it was that I could not but suspect that the message -of the arrow was meant to prevent me from putting -trust overmuch in Sir Nicholas—a man whom I had -not yet seen.</p> - -<p>Instead, therefore, of taking with me only six -spearmen, as I had purposed, as part of Grace -O’Malley’s bodyguard, I doubled the number. Besides -these there also landed three gentlemen of her household, -chiefs from the islands, men of proved courage, -to whom the use of the sword was as much a part of -themselves as the breath they drew. I had already -sent ashore early in the morning a trusty steward, -with instructions to procure two horses for my -mistress and Eva O’Malley, and he now, as we made -fast to the quay, came forth from the gate with two -splendid barbs, each attended, as is usual in Ireland, -by its own swift-footed horse-boy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> - -<p>While our landing was proceeding I could not -help wondering who it was that had sped the arrow, -and why he had chosen this way of conveying his -warning. Manifestly he was one who was afraid, and -desired to keep in the background, for reasons that -commended themselves sufficiently to him. Rapidly -thinking over the affair, I came to the conclusion that -our friend could be none other than Richard Burke, -the MacWilliam of whom I have already spoken, and -who, I had some reason to guess, cherished a tenderness -for Grace O’Malley.</p> - -<p>And right mightily glad was I to think that one -so strong and brave was in Galway at this time. So -great was his fortitude and tenacity of purpose that -he was quite commonly spoken of as Richard the -Iron, and never in the day of adversity was there a -stouter heart or a more vigorous arm than his.</p> - -<p>But why had he taken—or caused to be taken, as -was most probable—this extraordinary method of -apprising me of immediate danger, for that and no -less I concluded was the meaning of that one word, -“Beware”? The future was to show, and that soon -enough.</p> - -<p>To lay <i>The Grey Wolf</i> alongside of <i>The Cross of -Blood</i> was the work of a few minutes, and soon the -two ladies were mounted upon their horses, but not -before I had told Grace O’Malley of the incident -of the arrow, and asked if she had any further -commands to give.</p> - -<p>Now, my mistress was possessed of that high and -proud sort of spirit upon which the hint of danger<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> -acts as fuel to fire or spur to steed. So she did but -cast her eyes over the men I had picked out, and, -selecting a similar number from her own ship, said -that her purpose was unchanged.</p> - -<p>“Tell the officer on guard at the gate,” said she, -“that I go to confer with the Governor, Sir Nicholas -Malby, on affairs of state.”</p> - -<p>The captain of the gate appeared to be somewhat -dazed with the size of our company, which numbered -more than thirty swords, spears, and battle-axes, and -he arranged his men in a line as we advanced. -Saluting my mistresses with grave punctilio, he -informed us that Sir Nicholas was lodged at the -house of the Mayor of Galway, where for the time -he held his court. But, he said, as he stood resting -the point of his drawn sword upon the ground, orders -had been given to admit into the town only the lady -Grace O’Malley, her women, and not more than a -few of her people.</p> - -<p>When I protested against this, he replied that -the Governor was very strict; and as for himself, -he was merely a soldier whose duty was to do -what he was bid.</p> - -<p>My mistress, as he spoke, flashed on me a glance -of quick intelligence; then she turned with a brilliant, -compelling smile to the officer.</p> - -<p>“Sir,” cried she with animation, looking with her -dark, lovely eyes into the eyes of the Englishman, -“you speak as a soldier should. But here”—and -she waved her hand round her company—”are not -more than a few of my people, as it were. You<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> -think that we be too many? Nay, sir, ’tis not so. -Is it not fitting to do as much honour as I can -to the Governor? And the more of us the greater -the honour done him?”</p> - -<p>And she smiled again upon the officer, who was -a young man and a gallant, to his undoing. While -they were thus engaged in parleying—they conversed -for some time, but what further was said I did not -hear—we had pressed within the gate and filled -up part of the street beyond. Having gained this -position, I had no thought of retreating. The -captain, noting our bearing, and partly won over -by Grace O’Malley’s woman’s wiles, partly making -a virtue of necessity, for we could easily have overpowered -his men, again gravely saluted.</p> - -<p>“Be it as you wish, lady,” he said; and so we -passed on up the Street of the Key.</p> - -<p>It has been my lot to see of great cities not a few, -but, though I had scant reason to love the place, not -many, I will say, that were finer or more handsomely -built than Galway was in these days. She was now -at the very height of her prosperity, and laid claim -to be second in the kingdom to Dublin alone, and -proudly vaunted her superiority over her ancient -rival Limerick.</p> - -<p>As we marched up the Street of the Key, the -ladies magnificently attired in our midst, and presently -entered the High Street, the tall spires of -the church of St. Nicholas of Myra—the patron saint -of mariners, who hath ever been most favourable -to me—rose in front of us; while the storehouses<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> -of the merchant princes of the city—the Lynches, -the Martins, the Blakes, the Kirwans, and others -whose names escape me—encompassed us with vast -buildings of dressed stone on every hand.</p> - -<p>On all sides were signs of abundance and wealth. -And small wonder; for there was hardly a port of -France or Spain—nay, of all Europe—whither the -ships of Galway did not go. Her traders, ever unsatisfied, -had even sailed out beyond the Spanish -Main to the Indies.</p> - -<p>But it must be remembered that Galway was -not an Irish city, but an English—where it was -not Spanish. The strong walls and towers which -belted her in were not more for defence against -an enemy who might attack her from the sea, than -against the Irishry who dwelt beyond her gates. -And keen and bitter as was the hatred between -Englishman and Spaniard, that between the Englishman -of Galway and the Irishman, whose home was -in the country, was keener and more bitter still. -The day was not to close without a proof of this.</p> - -<p>On we passed, making a brave show, with the -sun overhead shining on our arms and harness, while -the townsmen stood and gaped, and the women -looked out at us from their windows and doors. -On we passed until we halted before the mansion -of Stephen Lynch, the Mayor, reputed to be the -richest man in Galway. Here, in front of the house, -there was a guard, and I could see through the archway -that the courtyard beyond was full of soldiers.</p> - -<p>After an exchange of greetings I was shown into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> -an anteroom, and thence sent word to Sir Nicholas -that my mistress was without, and waited his -pleasure. After a slight delay, the Governor replied -that he was at meat, and that he would think it an -excellent omen if my mistress, her ladies and gentlemen, -would honour him by their company.</p> - -<p>Then, to my surprise, the Major himself appeared, -helped, with much ceremony, Grace and Eva -O’Malley to alight, and invited then myself and -certain of our comrades of rank to enter, at the same -time commanding that our men should be most -courteously entertained.</p> - -<p>All this display of friendliness was so different -from what I had expected that I knew not what to -think. Afterwards I learned that Sir Nicholas had been -informed of our numbers, and that this had led him -to change the plan that he had originally formed—which -I understood was that Grace O’Malley was to -have been at once seized and held as a prisoner until -he had determined what was to be done in her case—and -this notwithstanding the safe-conduct he had -given.</p> - -<p>Separated as I was by some distance at table from -my mistresses, I could not hear the conversation between -them and the Governor, who talked to them in -a certain bluff, soldier-like fashion. Amongst others -present were Sir Murrough O’Flaherty of Aughnanure, -Richard Burke of Mayo, and other of the chiefs of -Connaught who were known to us. But all my -attention was taken up in watching, as carefully as I -could, Sir Nicholas Malby, the Governor.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> - -<p>There was no possibility of mistaking him for -anything but what he was—the successful soldier of -fortune. He had the port of one used to command, -and there was a rough dignity about him that became -him well. His face was scarred and weather-beaten, -and I had heard that he had seen hard -service, both in the Low Countries and in Spain. He -did not come, I had been told, of any noble or considerable -family. His sole possession had been his -sword, and he had rather hewn than carved out -his path in the world with it.</p> - -<p>I at once recognised in him a shrewd and capable -man, who would not let many things stand in his -way. Here was one, I knew, to be reckoned with. -Myself a man who both gave, and therefore expected -to receive, heavy blows; he was another of the same -sort, and I felt a certain respect for him.</p> - -<p>There was told a curious tale of the way in which -he had become a soldier—and ’fore God, it is not for -me to say I think the worse of him for it! It is -never a custom of mine to set down anything I hear -to anyone’s despite, yet in this instance the story -helps show the nature of the man.</p> - -<p>In his youth, which was mean and poverty-stricken, -he had been arrested, convicted, and condemned -to death for coining—so ’tis said, and I -understand this to be the truth. In some manner -or other—I know not how—he had made interest -with one of the great nobles at the English court, and -was released on condition that he would enter the -nobleman’s service as a soldier, and proceed to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> -war then being waged against the Emperor. And -this he did, acquitting himself so much to the satisfaction -of his superiors, that he was soon placed in -command of a body of mercenaries, and displayed no -little valour at their head.</p> - -<p>Later, he had come over to Ireland under Sir -Henry Sydney, who esteemed him so highly, owing to -the manner in which he had fought against the -O’Neils of Ulster, that, when Sir Henry was Lord -Deputy of Ireland for the first time, he had advanced -him from post to post, until he was now Governor, -or “Colonel of Connaught,” as his title was.</p> - -<p>One thing we had heard, and that was, like all the -rest of the English, he was very greedy for money, -and that his ears readily listened to an argument that -was backed up with gold. Therefore had we brought -with us rich presents for the Governor, which were -duly delivered to him when dinner was finished.</p> - -<p>Such, then, was Sir Nicholas Malby, upon whom -the fortunes of my mistress so much depended. I -perceived that she was studying him with no less -intentness than myself, but that she hid this under a -gay and sparkling demeanour.</p> - -<p>When the meal was over, Sir Nicholas said that -he desired to talk with her alone, and they withdrew -together to another room. Whereupon Sir Murrough -O’Flaherty and the other gentlemen of the Irish, -gathered around me, plying me with many questions, -to all of which I returned evasive replies, feeling in -truth exceedingly anxious, and wishing nothing so -much as to be on board my galley again with my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> -mistresses safe in theirs. Nor did I have an opportunity—as -I desired—to speak privately to Richard -Burke.</p> - -<p>It was about the middle of the afternoon when -Grace O’Malley sent for me and presented me to Sir -Nicholas, telling him that I was her foster-brother, and -that I was pledged to her service. The Governor -scanned me narrowly up and down, then suddenly -put forth his hand and grasped mine with a grip of -steel. I fancied, and herein I was right, as events -subsequently proved, that he had something of the -same feeling in regard to me as that I had experienced -for himself.</p> - -<p>“I have but one desire,” said he, when he had -talked for some time, “and that is, the establishment -of the Queen’s peace in Connaught.” And he laid -his hand heavily on my own. I bowed, but answered -not, thinking in my mind that silence was best, for -what had we to do with the Queen’s peace; we, who -were the free rovers of the sea?</p> - -<p>Then it appeared that Grace O’Malley had been -asked by the Mayor to be his guest for awhile, and -that she had accepted his invitation. So I now -learned that my mistresses were not to return to the -ships at once, but were to take up their abode in the -mansion of the Lynches along with the Governor.</p> - -<p>I was none too well pleased with this arrangement, -remembering the message of the arrow, but dissembled -my fears and suspicions, particularly when -I was informed that no objection was made to her -keeping her guard. I further gathered from her air<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> -that she was not ill-content with the result of her -interview with Sir Nicholas, and that all seemed to -be going as she wished.</p> - -<p>Anon the Mayor entered, bringing with him his -daughter Sabina, a dark, handsome woman of twenty -summers, who was to be the hostess of my mistresses, -for her mother was dead. And with her in this fair -seeming entered also the shadow of Destiny—a -shadow not to be lifted for many a day.</p> - -<p>It was never given to me to read the hearts of -women, nor to comprehend their ways, but, being but -a man, I looked upon this woman with pleasure, little -dreaming what evil she was to work upon us. Here -was one, had I but known it, far more to be feared -than the bluff, determined soldier who was Colonel -of Connaught.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.<br /> - -<small>THE QUEEN’S PEACE.</small></h2> - - -<p>It was some three hours or so from sunset when -I took leave of my mistresses, both of whom were -in the highest spirits. I saw that my young and -innocent dear was delighted with her surroundings, -and had completely forgotten her objections to -Galway. She and Sabina Lynch had at once become -friends, and, indeed, it was impossible for anyone to -see Eva O’Malley and not immediately to be gained -over by her.</p> - -<p>But Grace O’Malley had a certain reserve in her -talking with the Mayor’s daughter—a reserve that -sprang from instinct or intuition, or a forecasting of -the future, perhaps.</p> - -<p>My two ladies had entrusted me with various -orders to their women with regard to sundry boxes -of apparel to be sent to the Lynch mansion, and as -I set off to <i>The Cross of Blood</i>, I felt in better -humour with myself and the world. Fortune at -the moment appeared to smile upon us. Sabina -Lynch had told me, just before I bade her good-bye, -that her father was to give a revel with dancing—after -the fashion which obtained at the Court of -Elizabeth, who was immoderately fond, I have heard,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> -of this form of entertainment—in a few days, in -honour of the Governor.</p> - -<p>I could see that my mistresses both looked forward -to it with keen anticipations of pleasure. At -first I could not share in their feelings, thinking -that we did but waste our time in Galway, until -Grace O’Malley had confided to me, in an aside, -that she believed her affairs would soon be settled -with Sir Nicholas.</p> - -<p>She had declared to the Governor that it was -her desire to hold her lands from the Queen, on -condition that instead of being bound to supply for -her Highness’s service so many soldiers when called -upon for a hosting, she should maintain her ships -and their crews of sailors and fighting men so that -they would be always ready to do the Queen’s will, -whether it was on the western coasts of Ireland or -of Scotland. He had not said “Nay,” but had put -the matter off until he had considered it more -fully.</p> - -<p>As I was walking down the Street of the Key -to the harbour, along with the three gentlemen of -our household who had gone with me to the Mayor’s, -we met a party of half a dozen citizens of the place, -all standing talking together. Their voices were -raised either in anger or debate, and as we approached -I heard enough to understand that they -were discussing the action of the Governor with -regard to my mistress, and that it met with their -strong disapprobation.</p> - -<p>“Our ships will never be safe,” cried one, as we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> -came up with them. They made no effort to let -us pass, though the street was narrow at this point, -and seemed rather as if they intended to dispute -the ground with us. The odds were against us, -but not too greatly; so saying, “By your leave,” I -went on.</p> - -<p>“Sir,” cried I, the hot, angry blood burning in -my cheeks, as I returned roughly enough the push -I had received from one of those who blocked the -way, “sir, your manners stand in much need of -mending—or ending.”</p> - -<p>And my sword—a flash of living fire in the -westering sun—was out in a twinkling.</p> - -<p>I knew the fellow who had insulted me. It was -Michael Martin, a rich merchant and a person of -authority in the town, notwithstanding his comparative -youth—he was not much older than myself—to -whom I spoke. He had deliberately jostled -against me as I made to pass him, and I was never -blind to a hint of this kind.</p> - -<p>His action, coupled with the words I had heard, -had quickly got me out of the happy frame of mind -with which I had quitted the Mayor’s mansion, and -my thoughts were immediately of my mistresses’ -danger. His unmannerly act meant more than -hostility to me.</p> - -<p>“Draw!” shouted I furiously, and his sword -flashed out at me. Martin was neither a coward -nor a poor swordsman, and my hands were full with -this business in another instant.</p> - -<p>“Manners,” quoth he, as our blades rang together<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> -as steel met steel; “manners! Manners, forsooth! -Who are you to teach a gentleman of Galway -manners? You—the scum of the sea!”</p> - -<p>And so he raved, keeping his eyes warily fixed -on mine the while.</p> - -<p>These fresh insults maddened me like the stirring -of venom from the poisonous fangs of a wolf, and -a sudden fierce storm of passionate anger such as -I had never before felt swept over me, as I cried to -him across the darting swords, “We shall see, we -shall see!”</p> - -<p>Meanwhile my comrades ranged themselves beside -me with their weapons unsheathed, and several of -those who had been talking with Martin were not -slow to follow their example, but it was rather, as -it happened, with a view to forming a ring round -my opponent and myself, so that we had the fighting -to ourselves.</p> - -<p>“A brawl, a brawl!” someone cried, and there -was the sound of the shutting of windows and the -closing of doors.</p> - -<p>My position placed me at a disadvantage, for the -sun, now sinking downwards behind the hills on -the other side of the Bay of Galway, cast its rays -in my eyes, and caused me to blink, whether I -would or no, as the points of our swords, forming -glittering circles of flame, whirled this way and that. -I endeavoured to force the fighting so that my -adversary would change his ground, but he was -fully conscious of how much he gained by maintaining -his place, and all my efforts were vain.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> - -<p>Now, as we thrust and parried, lunged and retired, -my anger passed away, and I found myself become -as cool and collected as if I had been on the deck -of my ship. I had successfully met and defeated -a stubborn attack, at the same time piercing his -breast for a short inch mayhap, so that the blood -spurted forth in a little jet, when Martin, saying -quickly with a choking gasp,</p> - -<p>“Another time, Redshank!” suddenly gave way, -much to my surprise, not seeing any reason for his -change of front. Surrounded by his friends, he -turned swiftly, and in hot haste made off down the -street, and, entering a narrow lane not far from the -wall, was lost to view.</p> - -<p>For one instant I stood, breathing heavily, sword -still on guard. Then I was about to follow, when -a voice, harsh and commanding, cried: “Halt! Stop! -Halt in the Queen’s name! Halt, halt!”</p> - -<p>I knew the voice, although I had heard it for -the first time in my life that very day. It was -Sir Nicholas Malby, the Governor himself, and no -other, who spoke. I also realised that I had gotten -myself into a position of some hazard, to say the -least, with one to whom the preservation of the -Queen’s peace was the principal object of his -ambition.</p> - -<p>But the Governor was, above everything—so I -said to myself—a soldier, and I flattered myself he -would understand, and even sympathise with, my -feelings in this matter. He was attended but by two -of his officers, yet he came up without hesitation,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> -and the fierce question of his eyes was full of -challenge.</p> - -<p>“What is this?” he cried. “I will have no -brawling in the streets!”</p> - -<p>I saluted with great deference, remembering, -perhaps rather late in the day, Grace O’Malley’s -orders that we were to do everything we could to -make our stay in Galway a peaceable one, and -made bold to say as respectfully as I could—</p> - -<p>“Sir, the fault scarcely lies with us;” and I -went on to tell him exactly how the affair had -been brought about, protesting that I could act in -no other way than I had done, as the quarrel -had been forced upon me. As I told my story -he nodded coldly, but not disapprovingly.</p> - -<p>“I am resolved to have an end of all strife,” -said he; at length, after thinking deeply for a short -time: “Can you tell me who was the aggressor?” -he asked. “Did you know him?” Then, without -waiting for my answer, he continued threateningly, -“I will hang any man whom I find disturbing -the Queen’s peace, be he prince or kerne, chief or -gallowglass!”</p> - -<p>Now, it was no part of my business to hand -over Martin to the mercies of the Governor, and -it was very much my affair, I thought, that I -should settle my quarrel with him personally, -so I made no reply to the question of Sir -Nicholas.</p> - -<p>“He was a stranger to you, I presume,” said -he, and was about to pass on, but changing his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> -mind, he asked whither I was bound and for what -purpose.</p> - -<p>When I told him I was on my way to the galleys, -and with what object, he smiled a little grimly, -and walked with me towards the gate. He made -many inquiries as to the number of fighting men -there were aboard of the galleys, and the manner -in which they were armed. I asked Sir Nicholas -whether he would not pay a visit to <i>The Cross of -Blood</i>, but he declined, as it was his custom to -make a survey of the walls at this period of the -day.</p> - -<p>“Your mistress,” said he, as he left me at the -gate, “is in good hands.” And I could not but -muse somewhat darkly at this enigmatic sentence.</p> - -<p>It was past the middle of the night, when I -was aroused by someone coming softly into my -cabin. A lantern swung from the beam above my -head, and in the half darkness I made out Walter -Burke, my chief officer, and with him Richard -Burke the MacWilliam. In a moment I was wide -awake, knowing that this secret visit of Richard -the Iron was pregnant with something evil. Eagerly -I looked into his face.</p> - -<p>“What brings——!” I exclaimed loudly. But -his fingers were placed on my lips.</p> - -<p>“Quietly, quietly,” said he. “I do not suppose -that there are any traitors on <i>The Cross of Blood</i>,” -continued he.</p> - -<p>“All staunch, staunch,” I interrupted, “everyone.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> - -<p>“’Tis well,” said he; “but what I am come to -tell you is not a thing to be proclaimed from the -tops of our towers.”</p> - -<p>Stirred by a host of thronging fears, I waited, -keenly apprehensive of his next words. They were -heavy enough, although the misgivings I had felt -had not left me altogether unprepared for tidings -of the kind.</p> - -<p>“Grace O’Malley,” said he, in a low tone which -thrilled me through, “is virtually a prisoner in -Galway. The Mayor, or rather, I should say, his -daughter, has made herself answerable to the -Governor for her. While your mistress is apparently -free to come or go as she pleases, she is in -reality deprived of her liberty, as she will discover -if she tries to leave the mansion of the Lynches.”</p> - -<p>“Grace O’Malley a prisoner?”</p> - -<p>“That is what she is,” said Richard Burke. -“She is not bound, nor is she locked up in a room. -Her every movement, however, is watched by Sabina -Lynch. While she may think herself a guest, and -an honoured guest, the hospitality is a mere pretence.”</p> - -<p>“But why, why?”</p> - -<p>“There are many reasons, as you well know,” -he replied. “The mind of the Governor is set -against allowing any of the ancient customs of the -land; he is endeavouring quietly and skilfully—for -he is not a blustering bully as some others are—to -reduce the power of the chiefs and to make -them pay tribute to the Queen. Where he does<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> -show his hand plainly it is always to strike a deadly -blow.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes,” I said, impatiently. Grace O’Malley -a prisoner, and I sitting quietly in my ship! The -thing seemed impossible—yet it was true.</p> - -<p>“No need for haste,” said he calmly. “Listen -to what I have to say, and then you will grasp -the matter more surely. Sir Nicholas will offer -no violence if he can gain his point without it.”</p> - -<p>“What is his point?” I asked.</p> - -<p>“Is there any need to ask?” replied Burke. -“Grace O’Malley is a powerful princess in Connaught. -She has her lands, her galleys, and several -hundred well armed men at her back. Is that not -enough? Are the English not trying to clip all our -wings? But there is far more in the case of your -mistress.”</p> - -<p>“Go on, go on!” I said.</p> - -<p>“This,” said he. “The mind of Sir Nicholas -has been wrought upon by the merchants of Galway, -who are ever about him, saying this and that, -offering him valuable gifts and such things as he -loves.”</p> - -<p>“To what end?”</p> - -<p>“You know as well as I do, that these proud-stomached -folk have no great liking for us Irish,” -said Burke. “Did you never hear that they have a -statute of the town that ’Neither Mac nor O’ -shall strut or swagger’ in the streets of Galway? -There has always been, however, a friendship between -us Burkes of Mayo and one or two of the families<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> -here, as, for instance, the Lynches, and I hear through -them all that is going on.</p> - -<p>“Owen O’Malley plundered the ships of the Galway -merchants, making scant distinction between -them and Spanish or French or Scottish ships. -Grace O’Malley shared in many of her father’s -doings before he died, and the people of Galway -think that she has inherited her father’s nature -and disposition as well as his lands and ships, -and that as long as her galleys roam the sea -there will be no safety for their vessels.”</p> - -<p>The words were nearly the same as those Eva -O’Malley had used when she tried to dissuade my -mistress from setting out from Clew Bay.</p> - -<p>“What would they have Sir Nicholas do?” I -asked.</p> - -<p>“Break up her ships; scatter her people; hang, -kill, burn, destroy them; hold her a prisoner; or—for -there is no advantage to be derived from -our shutting our eyes—kill her, too, by poison, -perhaps, unless she agrees to the terms of the -Governor.”</p> - -<p>Burke now spoke in great excitement, and with -labouring breath; nor could I listen to his words -with any degree of composure.</p> - -<p>“She will never agree to the Governor’s terms,” -said I. “She is being deceived, for she believes -that Sir Nicholas is favourable to her suit.”</p> - -<p>“Put that hope out of your mind,” replied he. -“Sir Nicholas is merely playing with her—with what -object you can easily guess. It is for no other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> -reason than to make her ruin the more complete.”</p> - -<p>I assented gloomily.</p> - -<p>“Now we know what to expect,” I said. “We -are forewarned and so forearmed.”</p> - -<p>“Your mistress pays no heed to warnings,” said -Burke hotly.</p> - -<p>I thought of the arrow and its message.</p> - -<p>“The arrow!” I said.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” he replied. “I could not send you word -openly, so I chose that way, getting one of my men, -who is a famous archer, to send the shaft into your -ship.”</p> - -<p>I thanked him warmly, remarking, however, that -Grace O’Malley would pay no attention to any -warnings whatever, once she was resolved upon any -particular course.</p> - -<p>“She must be told now of her danger,” he said, -“and at once.”</p> - -<p>“I suppose,” said I, “I can still see her.”</p> - -<p>“That I know not,” he replied; “but news of -your fight with Michael Martin is all over the town, -and you will have to walk circumspectly. Sir Nicholas -spoke of his meeting with you, and declared that all -such conflicts must be severely punished. Go not -into Galway—unless with a strong guard.”</p> - -<p>The counsel was wise, but I was quite determined, -if necessary, to disregard it. My mind, however, suddenly -went on another tack, and I spoke out what -my thought was.</p> - -<p>“I must see her, and that without delay,” I said;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> -“but you mentioned that you were friendly with -the Lynches. Could not Grace O’Malley be sent -a message through them? If the Mayor is not -to be trusted, surely Sabina Lynch, his daughter, -cannot sympathise greatly with the dark and terrible -projects of the Governor. Would she not -convey a letter to my mistress?”</p> - -<p>Richard Burke looked at me fixedly and searchingly.</p> - -<p>“That is doubtful,” said he, at length. Then he -added, “I do not think that we can place our confidence -in Sabina Lynch in anything that concerns -Grace O’Malley.”</p> - -<p>“Why?” I asked simply.</p> - -<p>He did not answer immediately, but stopped and -pondered awhile before he replied—</p> - -<p>“I am about to tell you, Ruari, what I never thought -to say to you or any other living soul. But the need is -urgent, and I must speak. The Lynches and myself -are old friends. I have known Sabina Lynch since -she was a child, and I have been made aware in -many ways—there is no need to go further into -that—that I am not displeasing to her now she is -a woman. And her father has as much as intimated -that he regards me with eyes of favour.”</p> - -<p>I saw it all in a minute. Sabina Lynch loved -Richard Burke, and Richard Burke did not return -her affection. Did Sabina suspect that she had a -rival? Did she regard Grace O’Malley as a rival? -These questions passed through my mind with the -speed of light.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> - -<p>“What has Sabina Lynch to do with Grace -O’Malley?” I asked.</p> - -<p>“I will not conceal from you,” said Burke, “that -I am not in love with Sabina Lynch, but am in love -with your mistress. Once I imagined that it was -Owen O’Malley’s intention to wed you to his daughter, -but neither you nor she has a passion for the -other. Is it not so?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” I replied. “She is an elder sister to me—I -am no more than a younger brother to her.”</p> - -<p>“I love Grace O’Malley,” said he, “with all my -soul and with all my strength. I mean to ask her -to be my wife——”</p> - -<p>I broke in harshly.</p> - -<p>“This is no time, surely, to talk of such a -matter,” I cried, “now when she is a prisoner, and -helpless in the hands of people who are her bitter -enemies. Rather let us cast about for some means -of delivering her.”</p> - -<p>“I ask nothing better,” said Burke, “than to -assist you—only remember it is not well to place -any confidence in Sabina Lynch.”</p> - -<p>Then we spent the next hour discussing plans, -and having formed one which had some promise -of success, Burke left the galley as secretly as he -came—his boat disappearing into the darkness of the -night.</p> - -<p>After he had gone, I tried in vain to sleep, and -finding my thoughts but dismal company, had myself -rowed over to <i>The Winged Horse</i>, where I saw -Tibbot, the pilot, whom I informed of the visit of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> -Richard Burke, and of what we had concerted to -do for the deliverance of Grace O’Malley. And as -we could not foresee what the next step of the -Governor might be, it was agreed that Tibbot’s -galley should be kept ready for instant action, and -to provide against any surprise by keeping her out -in the bay, at such a distance that she should be -out of the range of the calivers and bombards -mounted on the walls of Galway.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.<br /> - -<small>GRACE O’MALLEY DANCES OUT OF GALWAY.</small></h2> - - -<p>As early in the morning as was possible, without -causing remark or exciting suspicion, I went into -the town, taking with me several of my own men. -The same officer who had been in charge of the guard -the previous day was at the gate, and I advanced -towards him boldly, as if I had no notion in the -world that there could be anything amiss, nor, so far -as he was concerned, was there.</p> - -<p>For he gravely returned my salutation, merely -giving me “Good-day” without waste of words, and -waved his hand in the direction of the church of -St. Nicholas of Myra.</p> - -<p>When I had arrived at the mansion of the Mayor, -I could see no difference in the manner of the reception -I was accorded, except such as there would be -owing to my mistress not being present on this -occasion.</p> - -<p>I sent in my name, with a request that Grace -O’Malley might be informed of my arrival, and after -a short time—short as far as the actual minutes, -but it appeared an age to me, so impatient and -anxious was I—I was conducted into a spacious room, -where I found my two ladies, Sabina Lynch, and -several gentlemen, most of whom were Irish. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> -were in the midst of a conversation as I entered, -and I quickly gathered that they were talking about -the entertainment the Mayor was to give in honour -of the Governor before many days. They were -speaking of corantos and other dances, in which I -had but small proficiency, and I could not help -saying to myself that Grace O’Malley could have no -suspicion how slippery would be the floor for her -feet!</p> - -<p>On endeavouring to get speech with her privately, -I found myself completely baffled, and that so subtly -and craftily that I raged and fumed inwardly. For -when I attempted to draw her aside we were -instantly joined by Sabina Lynch, who smilingly -disguised her purpose of preventing us from talking -together by ourselves under a mock of empty but -pleasant words. Indeed, so skilfully and readily did -she speak, and with so much apparently of goodwill, -that I had constantly to remind myself of all -that Richard Burke had told me only a few hours -before.</p> - -<p>What my feelings were may be guessed, but I -did my utmost to conceal them, although not very -successfully, as I afterwards was told by Eva -O’Malley. I never was one who could play the -part of gallant or courtier, and what I knew to be -in the wind did not tend to assist me in the efforts -I now made to be at my ease and to seem confident -that there was not a cloud in the sky.</p> - -<p>And it could hardly be that one, who had seen -so much of me as Eva had, but would observe my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> -clumsy attempts at gaiety and light-heartedness. -What she thus saw in my manner made her very -uneasy, but at the time she kept her ideas to herself. -It was enough, however, to put her on her guard, -and caused her to watch more narrowly whatever -was going on.</p> - -<p>A couple of hours were spent in this way, and, -disturbed beyond measure by reason of my inability -even to breathe a word of warning to my mistress—I -had resolved to say nothing of their peril to the -woman I loved, fearing lest it might prove too hard a -trial for her, wherein I misjudged her strength most -grievously—I bade them farewell for that day.</p> - -<p>As I left I encountered the Governor, who was -coming up the street. He reined up his horse, and, -after uttering a few courteous words, asked me not -to fail to go through the square of the town cross on -my way to the quay. He said this with so much -curious insistence in his tone that my interest was -roused to the quick.</p> - -<p>As a man enters this square from the east side -the first object which meets the eye is not the town -cross, but the town gallows. As soon as I had turned -the corner of the street I perceived that from the -gibbet there swung in the wind, forward and backward -as the breeze rose and fell, the figure of a man. -That the Governor had intended me to see this, and -that it had some special lesson for me, I did not -doubt, so I pressed forward smartly. Yet it was -with an amazed horror that I beheld the dead -man’s face.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> - -<p>For the victim was none other than Michael -Martin, my antagonist of the previous afternoon. -The Governor had followed the matter up, and had -discovered him whom he had called the aggressor -in the interrupted duel. Verily was the Queen’s -peace being maintained with a vengeance. I had -read the ruthless character of Sir Nicholas aright. -Here, what had been a man, had been tried, -sentenced, and executed in a few hours; and that -Martin had occupied no inconsiderable position in -Galway showed that the Governor was afraid of -none.</p> - -<p>If he would not hesitate to act in this fashion -in the case of one of the English of Galway, how -much less would he care for the Irish of Connaught? -This I perceived plainly enough was what he -desired Martin’s death to intimate to me. For myself, -notwithstanding what had passed between -Martin and me, I was hot and indignant that a man -so brave as he should have been put to so foul a -death.</p> - -<p>It was in a melancholy mood that I bent my -steps to the quay, albeit I made a great effort to -keep from my face the troubled thoughts of my -mind. Not only had I failed in acquainting Grace -O’Malley with her real position, but I was also well -aware that the hatred with which she inspired the -people of Galway would be made all the fiercer by -the death of Martin.</p> - -<p>Striving to cast aside these sombre reflections as -unmanly, and likely only to hamper me in any plan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> -I might make for the freeing of my mistress, I went -on board <i>The Cross of Blood</i>. I, at least, was free -as yet, and ready to do and dare all. But so far I -could not see my way, and had I been left to myself -to carry out the device Richard Burke and I had -formed, would probably have suffered some such -fate as that of Michael Martin.</p> - -<p>The next three days passed without any striking -event. I had seen my mistress once at the Mayor’s -mansion, and the attempts I made to reach her -private ear were met and checked as effectively as -before. I noticed, however, that while she appeared -as gay as ever, there was a something about her that -suggested in one way or another she was now conscious -that she was not at complete liberty.</p> - -<p>She had desired—so I got to know later on—to -go down to her galley, but obstacles had been -put in her path and objections had been raised. -Then she had grasped the situation in which she -had been placed, but had both the courage and the -wisdom not to let this be evident.</p> - -<p>It was the fifth day of our stay in Galway when -<i>The Lass of Carrick</i> cast herself off from her -moorings by the quay, and, towed out by her two -boats into the bay, made ready for sea. I watched -the rich prize slip out of our hands with dismay, -but it was my only business at present to stay where -I was. Yet, as I noticed how deep the Scottish -ship lay in the water, I could not but regret that -my hands were tied.</p> - -<p>The captain made some signs to me which I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> -did not comprehend, but which I interpreted as -ironical farewells. I was the more mystified when, -as I watched her approach <i>The Winged Horse</i>, I -saw a boat put off from her for that galley. But -when the night fell I had every reason to bless -and not curse <i>The Lass of Garrick</i>. For in the dark -Tibbot came on board my ship, bringing a letter from -Grace O’Malley, which she had managed through -one of her women, who had made love to the Scottish -captain, to send thus secretly to me.</p> - -<p>Now, the revel which the Mayor was giving for -Sir Nicholas was to take place on the next day, -and in this letter my mistress, who was now -thoroughly awake to her danger and also to the -perfidy of Sabina Lynch, set forth her plan of escape. -It was at once bold and ingenious, and had a fair -prospect of succeeding. That it was not carried out -exactly as had been calculated—but this is to -anticipate events.</p> - -<p>My part was simplicity itself.</p> - -<p>My mistress told me to come to the revel, as -I had been invited, as if attending revels had been -my occupation all my life, and to bring with me as -many armed men as I thought could be got safely -into Galway. But on no account was I to omit to -fetch the two pipers—Phelim of the White Lock -(he had an odd-looking tuft of white hair on his -forehead) and Cormac, his brother. What they had -to do will appear later.</p> - -<p>Further, I was commanded to have the galleys -ready to put instantly to sea, for the favourable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> -outcome of the matter depended in the end on the -swiftness of our movements.</p> - -<p>Having received this letter, my breast swelled -with joy. The calm was at an end, I said, and now -for the storm; and ever in these days loved I storm -more than calm. My spirits rose immediately as -this week of wearisome waiting drew to an end and -the time of action was at hand.</p> - -<p>As soon as the day had come I called my chief -officers together, and bade them be ready to sail -that night, and I gave a similar charge to those of -<i>The Grey Wolf</i>. Then I picked out several of the -older men, and, for a pretext that they might be -admitted into the town the more easily, despatched -them with boxes and bales for our mistresses, which -they were to carry to the mansion of the Lynches. -I also sent a gift to the Governor, in order that he -should have no ghost of a suspicion that I knew how -matters stood.</p> - -<p>In this manner, then, I introduced twenty more -of our men into Galway, making up for their absence -from the two galleys by causing Tibbot to send me -some of his.</p> - -<p>To those sent into the town I gave as a common -meeting-place at a given hour the tavern that is -under the sign of “The Golden Eagle,” bidding them -thereafter to assemble in the High Street near the -Mayor’s house. There they were to await my coming -with my mistresses, if events should fall out according -to our wish, and then, if there should be any -need, I should tell them what to do.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> - -<p>At the appointed time I presented myself at the -Lynch mansion. Here I found a considerable company -was gathered together, many of the chiefs -having arrived from the surrounding districts, north -and south and east. In the streets was a great throng -of gallowglasses and kernes, who had come into the -place along with their chieftains.</p> - -<p>The scene was one of bustle and movement and -confusion. Among the crowd, engaged in keeping -some sort of rough order, were a few English soldiers, -part of the garrison of Galway. I noticed many -of our own men, and as I passed through them -I succeeded in telling them to take as little part -as possible in any sports or quarrels that might be -going on, but to hold themselves prepared to rally to -me, and to follow when I should call upon them -to do so.</p> - -<p>When I entered the large room in which the -revel was to take place, I saw Sir Nicholas and his -officers standing in a group by themselves, receiving -the chiefs and their ladies, as well as the principal -citizens of Galway and their wives, as they came up.</p> - -<p>Near them were the Mayor and his daughter, who -was the centre of a number of beautiful maidens and -stalwart young men. The instruments of music were -already sounding forth their sweetest strains, inviting -to the dance; and Sir Nicholas, making a stiff bow -to the radiant Sabina, asked her to join him in a -coranto.</p> - -<p>The dance ended, many compliments were paid -to the pair, although to my mind the Governor had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> -disported himself like a clumsy bear, such as the -Spaniards and the men of the South have to dance -for their amusement.</p> - -<p>Sabina Lynch, on the other hand, was, I will -confess, a stately figure, and as she had been taught -the coranto in Spain, where she had been brought up -for some years, and so was vastly proficient in it, -met with great and deserved attention. Indeed, I -heard one of the English officers declare that he had -never seen anyone more graceful or accomplished—no, -not even at the Court of Elizabeth.</p> - -<p>After a brief rest, Sir Nicholas again appeared, -now leading forth Grace O’Malley. Although she -thoroughly understood what a mockery all this -courtesy on the part of the Governor was, she let -no sign of her knowledge escape her. She had -too great a soul for that; but had she not been cast -in this mould of heroes she might, as a woman, have -acted just as she did, so that she should give no -triumph to Sabina Lynch.</p> - -<p>Dance followed dance in quick succession, and -both of my mistresses took their full share of all -that went on. Both of them appeared to be devoting -themselves without reserve to the pleasure of the -occasion, and I could not but admire them. My -love for Eva O’Malley was quickened anew, if that -were possible, when I saw how unmoved she was, -and how brave a carriage she kept, despite the fact -that she knew they were but prisoners in the hands -of the English, and in grievous peril of their lives.</p> - -<p>I felt I could not have danced with a halter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> -round my neck, yet here was this small, delicate -woman doing this, and doing it as if she did not -see the dangers that threatened her. The body, -indeed, was weak, but the heart—how big it was!</p> - -<p>Thank God, I say, for the great hearts of women!</p> - -<p>I tried to acquit myself also in the course of -the entertainment to the best of my ability, but for -the most part, being no skilled performer in the -matter of corantos and other dances, was perforce -compelled to spend much of the time leaning against -the wall. Once, as the Governor was passing me -by, he stopped and spoke.</p> - -<p>“Sir,” said he, “I have to render you my grateful -acknowledgments for the handsome gift you have -sent me this day.”</p> - -<p>“Sir Nicholas,” replied I, “the gift was sent you -by command of my mistress.”</p> - -<p>The cruel, fierce eyes twinkled, and too late I -perceived that my thoughtless words were making -him suspect that some communication had passed -between Grace O’Malley and myself in spite of his -efforts and those of Sabina Lynch to prevent it. -Thinking to undo the effect of my heedless speech, -I made speed to continue.</p> - -<p>“I thought,” said I, “that had my mistress been -on her galley she would not have come to this revel -in your honour with empty hands.”</p> - -<p>“’Tis well spoken, by St. George!” said he. “Yet -methinks there be few in Ireland that can afford to -be so generous.”</p> - -<p>The Governor’s brow relaxed, then clouded over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> -again, for, on reflecting on my speech, he saw there -was that in it which suggested I was not unaware -that my mistress had been debarred from going down -to her ships.</p> - -<p>“You must reap rich harvests,” continued he, -after a brief hesitation, “on the coast of Clew Bay, -yet am I informed that nothing grows there but -rocks.”</p> - -<p>Howbeit the strains of music, rising and falling -like a summer sea, were borne upon the air, and Sir -Nicholas moved off to his own place. But his -manner made me anxious that what we had planned -might not long be postponed.</p> - -<p>The hours one by one went by, and the time -came.</p> - -<p>I saw my mistress, laughter in her eyes and on -her lips, approach Sir Nicholas, and enter into a gay -conversation with him. I moved up nearer to the -top of the room.</p> - -<p>“If you have never seen it, Sir Nicholas,” I -heard her saying, “sure am I you would like to -see it.”</p> - -<p>I listened in painful suspense for the answer of -the Governor. Everything depended on it. “Who -could resist Grace O’Malley, when she chose to be -resistless?” I asked myself. Then I remembered -what I had heard and seen of Sir Nicholas, and I -replied to my beating heart that here was a man -who might resist. But he had no suspicion whatever, -and he fell into the trap, baited so cunningly -by a woman’s wit.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> - -<p>“I have seen it,” said he, “and if you will honour -me by dancing it with me——?”</p> - -<p>“The honour, Sir Nicholas,” quoth she, saucily, -“is mine.”</p> - -<p>The matter did not fall out quite as we had -hoped, for it had been part of our plan that I was -forthwith to have danced one of our wild Irish -measures, which are more a test of endurance than -an exhibition of grace, with my mistress.</p> - -<p>It was soon spread through the assembly that -the Governor and my mistress were to dance the -dance of the country people, and on this proof of -his affability towards us there were loud shouts of -approval. Then there was a cry for the pipers, and, -presently, just as we had schemed, in strode Phelim -of the White Lock, and Cormac, our men—striding -along the hall, with their pipes blowing the quick -step to a merry and rollicksome tune.</p> - -<p>Forward came Sir Nicholas and Grace O’Malley, -while the people stood round about in a wide circle. -But the Governor was no match for my mistress, and -he soon began to hang out signals of distress, whereupon, -greatly to his discomfiture, she wheeled about -and beckoned to Sir Murrough O’Flaherty, of Aughanure, -her bitter enemy, to take his place—displaying -in this selection her wonderful craft; for how could -anyone suppose—the Governor certainly least of all—that -the O’Flaherty was chosen but to throw dust -in his eyes?</p> - -<p>My mistress danced with gliding, pit-patting feet -that never tired, while the applause which greeted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> -her every motion grew to a wild enthusiasm. Sir -Murrough O’Flaherty had to acknowledge himself -beaten, and retired. Grace O’Malley now cried aloud -to me to come forward, and I stepped from the crowd, -my heart beating faster than it had ever done in -the day of battle.</p> - -<p>“Dance, dance, dance!” cried she to me, and she -whirled about like a mad thing.</p> - -<p>“Have ye no pity on the pipers?” I exclaimed, -with a laugh that rang out, it seemed to me, false -and hollow, but I was determined to follow her lead -as best I might.</p> - -<p>“The feet were never made,” said she, as she -advanced more slowly towards me and I took up my -position opposite to her, and began the steps, “that -can out-play a piper.”</p> - -<p>The company smiled, grimaced, and murmured -with delight at her answer, and the pipers, well -pleased also, played as they never had played before. -And the wild and furious dance went on to the wild -and furious music of the pipes. Meanwhile I was -watching my mistress with hungry, eager eyes, -waiting for her to give the sign.</p> - -<p>“Pipe, pipe!” she cried; and again, “Pipe, pipe!” -and the playing of Phelim and Cormac was like -the roaring of the storm among the trees of the -forest.</p> - -<p>So the dance went madly on until all the people -about us grew quite still and silent, looking on more -breathlessly than we who were dancing to that mad -music—looking at such a measure as they never had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> -witnessed before in all their lives, or ever, I dare -swear, saw the like of again.</p> - -<p>Then came the sign.</p> - -<p>Grace O’Malley’s uplifted hand slowly dropped to -her side as with sheer weariness; the tall, queenly -figure seemed to droop, to sway uncertainly, to totter, -to fall upon the floor, but even as she fell I had -gathered her up in these great arms of mine, and was -carrying her through the press towards the chambers -of the women.</p> - -<p>Eva O’Malley flew to my side, her face full of fear, -as it appeared to be. The pipers’ music suddenly -ceased. But no more I saw or heard of what -happened next in the room of the revel.</p> - -<p>No sooner had the door of the apartments of the -women closed upon us three, than Grace O’Malley -slipped from my arms and stood up, her faintness—which -had been merely assumed—disappearing at -once.</p> - -<p>“Quick, quick!” she cried, pointing to a door. -“There is the stair! That is the way!”</p> - -<p>They stopped, however, for a little, to get a -couple of heavy cloaks with which they hoped they -might be able to conceal themselves somewhat from -curious eyes. Short as the time was which this took, -it was enough to permit Sabina Lynch to enter the -apartment, and she at once perceived not only that -my mistress had recovered in a marvellous brief -space, but also what our project was.</p> - -<p>“Seize her,” said Grace O’Malley, as she and Eva -were leaving the room.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span></p> - -<p>I rushed towards the woman, and, clapping my -hand to her mouth, prevented her from giving forth -the scream she was on the point of uttering. As I -was glancing about for something with which I might -gag her, and so effectually silence her, my mistress -again appeared, and said, her eyes blazing with -anger:—</p> - -<p>“Bring her with you, if you can; the way is -clear.”</p> - -<p>“A gag!” I said, and Grace O’Malley made with -her own hands one, with which she stuffed Sabina -Lynch’s mouth, and next she bound the woman’s arms. -Then I took Sabina Lynch up, and in silence we -descended the stair which led us into the street some -twenty yards from the main entrance into the -Mayor’s house.</p> - -<p>It was now dark, but not sufficiently so as to hide -us completely from observation, and an instant’s -thought convinced me that carrying a bound -woman, as I was doing, it was impossible to go very -far without being seen by someone who would instantly -give the alarm. Therefore, still keeping in -the shadow of the house, I sent forth into the night -the O’Malley battle cry, knowing that our men could -not be out of hearing; and the sound had not died -away when there arose a great noise and shouting.</p> - -<p>“O’Malley! O’Malley! O’Malley!” was heard on all -sides.</p> - -<p>“To me, to me—here!” I cried.</p> - -<p>And, in less time than seemed likely, there were -gathered about us nearly all our men, but mixed with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> -them several Burkes, O’Flahertys, and others of the -Irish. Recognising their mistress, the O’Malleys set -up a joyful sound. Forming some of them in a line -across the street, I begged Grace O’Malley and Eva to -take with them the rest, and to hasten toward the -gate, and this they accordingly did, while two of our -people carried Sabina Lynch between them in the -same direction.</p> - -<p>In the meantime the flight of my mistresses had -been discovered. I saw lights flitting about the courtyard, -and heard the words of command given in the -strident tones of Sir Nicholas, then the tramp, tramp -of the feet of the soldiers smote upon the night air.</p> - -<p>To have a conflict in the streets of Galway, just at -the place where the English were strongest, was not -to be thought of, as it was not more foolish than it -was unnecessary, so I ordered my men to retreat as -swiftly as was practicable towards the gate, and to -endeavour to catch up to Grace O’Malley before the -gate was reached by them.</p> - -<p>But when we came to the gate we found it had -already been forced by our chieftainess, who had -taken the feeble guard completely unprepared, and so -had quietly made an end of them. It was all the -work of a few seconds; yet in the struggle, short as it -was, Sabina Lynch had effected her escape. Without -delay we proceeded to embark in the galleys, and to -put out to sea.</p> - -<p>While we were engaged in this manner the great -bell of the church of St. Nicholas suddenly boomed -sharply through the night: soldiers began to appear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> -on the battlements, torches flared from the walls, and -bullets and arrows poured upon us as the galleys drew -away from the quay. Some of the shots were aimed -so well that two of our people, one of whom was -Walter Burke, were slain and several others wounded.</p> - -<p>Then, as we proceeded on our way into the bay, -the sputtering fire ceased.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.<br /> - -<small>THE DIE CAST.</small></h2> - - -<p>That night I reflected with joy that the die was cast, -as, after our breaking out of Galway, there could be -no peace between Grace O’Malley and Sir Nicholas—at -any rate, until the matter was composed in some -definite fashion.</p> - -<p>I trod the deck with a feeling of extraordinary -buoyancy, and sniffed the salt air with delight as the -galleys headed for Inishmore, the largest of the three -isles of Arran, which have been thrown for a protection -by the hand of God, almost in a straight line, -across the entrance to the bay of Galway.</p> - -<p>All that I cared for in the world was held in these -ships, now speeding over the water under the leadership -of Tibbot the Pilot.</p> - -<p>It was with deep satisfaction that I went over -the events of the evening which had brought us with -such success out of the town, and I looked forward -with wide-eyed eagerness to the morning when I -should meet my mistress, and hear her narrative of -all that had passed when she and Eva were prisoners -in the mansion of the Lynches.</p> - -<p>Eva, who had kept up so bravely while the danger -was greatest, had become faint and unstrung when -the peril was past. Grace O’Malley would suffer no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> -one but herself to tend her, and thus I had had no -opportunity for conversing with either of them after -we had made good our escape.</p> - -<p>When we had arrived at the island, and had let -go our anchors in a fair depth of water in a small bay, -which was sheltered from the full shock of the -Atlantic by a range of abrupt craggy headlands, I -went on board <i>The Grey Wolf</i> to see my mistresses, -but Grace O’Malley received me alone, her foster-sister -not having altogether recovered from the -fatigue of the preceding evening. There was a new -hardness, even a harshness, both in the face and -voice of Grace.</p> - -<p>At first, however, she was in no mood for recounting -her experiences, and could do nothing but -lament the fact that Sabina Lynch had managed to -get away when the gate was forced. Indeed, her -escape appeared entirely to overshadow in her mind -her own escape and that of Eva.</p> - -<p>“Had it not been for her plottings and schemings,” -said she, “I should have brought the Governor -round to my will. I had several interviews with Sir -Nicholas, and at the beginning he was inclined to -grant my suit, but soon I felt I was being thwarted -by one more subtle than Sir Nicholas. How that -woman hates me! I did not suspect her at once, -for I had given her no cause of offence.”</p> - -<p>“Did you find out,” asked I, “why she hates -you?”</p> - -<p>“’Tis from jealousy,” said she. “Sabina Lynch -would be Queen of Connaught, but she thinks that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> -as long as I am free and powerful I am her -rival.”</p> - -<p>“Is there no other reason?” inquired I, remembering -the words of Richard Burke. “Is there not -between you two a cause more personal?”</p> - -<p>“There may be,” she replied thoughtfully; “for -clever as she is, she was not sufficiently so to conceal -from me her predilection for the MacWilliam. -But what is that to me? Richard Burke is -nothing to me.”</p> - -<p>“You may be much to him, however,” I answered, -whereat she grew more thoughtful still. Being a -woman, I said to myself, she could hardly have -failed to read the signs of his regard for her. Then -I told her of the midnight visit he had paid me, -saying nothing, nevertheless, of what Richard Burke -had confided to me in regard to his love for -herself.</p> - -<p>“He is a friend,” said she, after musing for -awhile, “and I may have need of many such.”</p> - -<p>“Tell me what passed between you and Sir -Nicholas.”</p> - -<p>She paced the floor of the poop-cabin with quick, -uneven steps; then she stopped and spoke.</p> - -<p>“After our first meeting,” said she, “he was much -less open with me, asking me many questions, but -giving no expression of his own views with respect -to the ships. Two things, however, he impressed -upon me. One was that he considered that I should -make immediately a suitable marriage——”</p> - -<p>“A suitable marriage!” I exclaimed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> - -<p>“The other was that it was common report that -my father had left great riches behind him, and -that, as he had never paid any tribute to the Queen, -I must now make good his deficiencies in that -respect.”</p> - -<p>“Tribute,” said I blankly.</p> - -<p>“He proposed to marry me—for he declared I was -in reality a ward of the Crown, and, therefore, at his -disposal—to Sir Murrough O’Flaherty, a man old -enough to be my father—and our enemy. I would -have none of it. I fancy I have to thank Sabina -Lynch for suggesting it to Sir Nicholas, and I replied -to him, with indignation, that I was a free woman, -and would give my hand where I pleased. It was -then that I discovered that I was no longer at liberty, -for it was told me that I must on no account leave -the Lynches’ house without the permission of the -Governor, but that no harm would come to me if I -consented to his terms. I spoke of the safe conduct -which Sir Nicholas had given me, but that was of no -avail; and ’reasons of State,’ said he, overruled any -safe conduct.”</p> - -<p>“This is how they keep faith!” I cried, bitterly.</p> - -<p>“It was no time for railing,” continued Grace -O’Malley, “as I was in the Governor’s hands, and -could see no way of getting out of them. Therefore -I made as though I were about to submit myself, -and I desired to see the Governor again with respect -to the tribute to be paid to the Queen. My request -being granted, Sir Nicholas acquainted me with his -determination, demanding a thousand cows and two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> -hundred mares, or their equivalent in gold and silver, -by way of payment of the arrears, and two hundred -cows each year for the future.”</p> - -<p>“To all of which you said No!” cried I.</p> - -<p>“Nay, Ruari,” replied she, “I had to match my -wits against his power over me—was not I his -prisoner?—and so I returned him no immediate -answer, but, on the contrary, besought that I might -have a week to deliberate in, bemoaning my hard -fate, and protesting that I should never be able to -comply with his demands, yet that I would do -what was within my ability to compass.”</p> - -<p>“And then?” I said.</p> - -<p>“He pondered long and deeply, hesitating and -doubtful; so, knowing the covetous nature of the -man,” said she, “I took the cross I was wearing -from my neck, and, giving it to him, begged that -he would grant me the delay I sought.”</p> - -<p>“Your jewelled cross?” I said.</p> - -<p>“My case was an evil one,” replied she, “and I -did it not without pain, for the cross had been my -mother’s, and was, besides, of great value.”</p> - -<p>“He consented?”</p> - -<p>“He became very gracious because of the bribe,” -replied she, “and then asked me to be present at -the revel. ’Why,’ said he, ’should you not take -part in it, if you would care so to do?’ As I was -resolved to humour him, I was complaisant, and -replied that nothing would be more agreeable to -me; but even as I uttered these words, some inkling -of the plan for our deliverance which we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> -carried out was forming itself in my mind. My -woman afterwards managed to leave the Lynches’ -unobserved with the letter I wrote you, and gave -it to the captain of the Scottish ship we passed on -our way to Galway. My only fear was that he -might inform the Governor, and so our plans -would have been frustrated; but he has proved -himself a true man, and one who may be trusted.”</p> - -<p>“There is no confidence to be put in Sir -Nicholas,” said I.</p> - -<p>“The man is hard, stark, relentless,” said she, -hotly, “but he shall find I am as hard, stark, and -relentless as he is himself. Vengeance—vengeance, -and that speedy, will I take!”</p> - -<p>Never had I seen Grace O’Malley so carried -away by passion as now. Her eyes were blazing -fires; the line made by her lips was like the edge -of a sword, so clear and sharp it was; the cheeks -lost their colour and roundness, and, as she restlessly -moved about, her black hair flew round her -head like a coronal of quivering water-snakes.</p> - -<p>“Vengeance—vengeance!” she cried.</p> - -<p>Her vehemence bore me along as upon a fast-flowing -tide.</p> - -<p>“Vengeance—vengeance!” I shouted, so that -my voice rang out far beyond the galley.</p> - -<p>“It is in our own hands,” she said, more composedly. -“The wine fleet from Spain is expected -in Galway to-day or to-morrow—at any moment -we may see their sails on the southern edge of the -sea. Then, then,” cried she furiously, her anger<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> -rising again like the sudden, fierce blast of the -tempest, “shall I teach Galway and Sir Nicholas -to fear and dread my name.”</p> - -<p>The wine fleet! This was a quarry, indeed!</p> - -<p>For each year at this season there set out from -Cadiz for Limerick and Galway a goodly fleet of -galleons, each of which carried a burden more to be -desired than a king’s ransom. These ships were -laden with many barrels of the wines both of -France and Spain, with rolls of silks, with bales -of fine leather, with suits of raiment and shirts -of mail, and blades of Toledo, and with other -articles of price, the products of Europe, and, even, -to some extent, of the mysterious Orient, where -Turk and infidel held their sway. These were exchanged -against the fish—for which our island was -famous—the hides, salt, meat, wheat, and barley of -the country.</p> - -<p>Grace O’Malley’s vengeance on Galway was to -attack, capture, or destroy that portion of the wine -fleet, as it was commonly spoken of, the destination -of which was that town. The boldness and daring -of the project took my breath away; but I could -conceive of nothing that was so likely to cause -consternation and terror as its successful issue to -the great merchants of the city, and to mortify -and enrage the Governor.</p> - -<p>It was a great enterprise—this attack—and one -which, if the event went against us, would probably -be the end of us all. But there was one thing -that gave us an advantage, which, skilfully used,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> -could not fail to be of such importance as to be -almost in itself decisive. This was that the wine -fleet had arrived safely at Galway year after year, -without falling in with any danger other than that -which came from the ordinary risks of the sea. -Hence the immunity they had so long enjoyed -would breed in them a feeling of complete security, -and dispose them to be careless of precautions.</p> - -<p>Still I was staggered; and what was passing -through my mind being seen in my face, Grace -O’Malley inquired, a trifle disdainfully:</p> - -<p>“Think ye, Ruari, the venture too much for -me?”—and the accent fell on the last word of the -sentence. “I tell you, Nay!”</p> - -<p>“Nothing—nothing,” exclaimed I, wildly, “is too -high for you! As for me, it is yours to command—mine -to obey.”</p> - -<p>Then we took counsel together, first having -summoned Tibbot the Pilot, and the other chiefs -and officers who were in the galleys. When Grace -O’Malley had made her purpose known there was -at first the silence of stupefaction, then there followed -the rapid, incoherent, impulsive exclamations -of fierce and savage glee.</p> - -<p>While we were occupied in this manner, a -fishing smack had come into the bay, and on it -were the pipers Phelim and Cormac and some -others of our men, whom we had been forced to -leave behind, but who had made their way out of -Galway, being secretly helped therein by the fisher-folk -who dwelt in a village by themselves without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> -the gates. These brought word that the city was -in a state of great alarm, and that the Governor -had declared that he would not rest until he had -sent out an expedition to raze Grace O’Malley’s -castles to the ground, to destroy her galleys, and -to blot out her name from Ireland.</p> - -<p>Nothing had been needed to add to our determination, -but, if need there had been, here it was. -We were now all proclaimed rebels and traitors, -so that we could look for nothing but torture and -death at the hands of the English. A price would -soon be placed upon our heads, and whoever -wrought us a mischief or an injury of any kind -would be considered as doing the Queen a service.</p> - -<p>Such was our situation. To most of our people -the Queen of England was no more than an empty -name, and even to those of us who appreciated the -might and resources of that princess, it appeared -better that we should be aware of who were our -foes and who were our friends, and if her representative, -Sir Nicholas Malby, were our open -enemy, as we were now well assured he was, we -knew with whom our quarrel lay, and what we -might expect from him.</p> - -<p>When all was said, the Governor had no overwhelming -force at his disposal, and he was without -ships, so that we felt no whit downcast with our -lot; contrariwise, there was such gladness amongst -us at the promise of the fighting with which our circumstances -were pregnant that the hearts of any who -doubted were uplifted and made firm and steadfast.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p> - -<p>As we were discussing our affairs Eva O’Malley -entered the cabin. As our eyes met she smiled -upon me, and held out her hand in greeting.</p> - -<p>“’Twas well done,” said she, referring to our -escape from Galway, her thoughts still dwelling on -the adventures of the past night. But when she -heard of what we had been speaking, and of the -proposed attack on the wine fleet, her sweet face -became pale and troubled.</p> - -<p>“Darkness and blood,” said she, turning to me. -“Oh! Ruari, the words of the Wise Man are to be -fulfilled.”</p> - -<p>“What must be, must be,” said I, “and there -is none can gainsay that.”</p> - -<p>She shook her head.</p> - -<p>“Eva,” said Grace O’Malley, “the end is as it -is appointed from the beginning.” Then she began -to reason gently with her foster-sister, and to show -her that if the English found they had good -reason to fear her they would gladly consent before -long to make peace, and to concede what she had -asked of Sir Nicholas.</p> - -<p>But it was easy to see that my dear was sad -and heavy of heart. Grace, ever most tender to -her, put her arms about her, and made her sit -beside her on a couch, and said many loving -words, so that Eva was comforted, albeit some of -her brightness vanished from that day, never to -return. Although she had already shown how -brave she was, and was to exhibit a courage far -greater than my own or that of any man I ever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> -knew—her courage being that born of the spirit -and ours but of the body—she sure was never -made for that hard life of ours.</p> - -<p>Gentle and sweet was she, yet the strain of -the O’Malley blood ran in her veins, and made -itself felt whenever the trials of her strength came.</p> - -<p>Leaving the two ladies together, each went to -his place in the ships. Some of my men, who -had been ashore, now returned and informed me -that they had learned that it was the annual -custom to light a great fire on the headland of -Arran, on which stand the ruins of the ancient -castle called Dun Aengus, as soon as the vessels -of the wine fleet hove into sight.</p> - -<p>The smoke of this fire, if it were day, or the -flame of it, if it were night, was a signal to the -merchants of Galway, who, as soon as they saw -it, made preparations for the reception of the ships—this -being the chief event each year in the life -of the town. To the end that the office of this -beacon should be better fulfilled, they had placed -a small body of soldiers and others in huts that -stood between the crumbling walls of the old fort.</p> - -<p>I debated with myself whether it would not -be more prudent to have the lighting or the not -lighting of the fire in my own power, but, being -in no little doubt, put the matter off until later -in the day. By the middle of the afternoon, however, -there were abundant evidences that the weather, -which had for days past been fine, was about to -change; and as the sun fell, dark clouds were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> -gathering sullenly in the sky, the wind from the south-west -was blowing stormily across the island—though -our galleys felt it not at all, being under the lee -of the land—and already we could hear the thunder -of the waves as they rushed upon the further coast. -And all the night through a tempest of terrible -violence raged.</p> - -<p>When the morning came, the fury of the gale -rather increased than diminished, and so that day -and the next, when the winds and waves began -to subside, we remained at anchor in our harbour, -safe from the storm. On the night of the third -day the wind died down to a breeze, and the -moon struggled fitfully through the scud and drift -of the clouds.</p> - -<p>Uncertain as to how the storm might shift, -the galleys had been kept ready to put out from -the shore at any moment, and therefore it fell -out that nothing had been done by us with regard -to the Galway men at Dun Aengus. In the middle -watch, it being very dark save when the moon -shone out, to be hidden again as fast as it appeared, -we saw a bright tongue of flame shoot up, -flashing and shining brightly against the blackness -of the sky. Quickly raising our anchors, we made -off past the island of Inishmaan, and on by Inisheer -until we ran close in by the point of Trawkeera.</p> - -<p>I wondered how it was that on such a night -the watchman at Dun Aengus had made out the -coming of the fleet, but discovered as we went -upon our course, that another beacon had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> -lit far down the southern coast, and as soon as -they had seen it they had set a torch to their -own. Thus were we also apprised of the coming -of the wine fleet, and that by the hands of the -people of Galway themselves, as it were. As the -day began to dawn, greyly and drearily, a large, -unwieldy Spanish galleon entered the South Sound, -about half a league outside of Trawkeera. Not -more than half her sails were set, and she rolled -heavily from side to side in the swell left by the -storm. A few sleepy sailors stood in the waist -of the ship, and no armed watch was to be seen.</p> - -<p>It had been arranged between Grace O’Malley -and myself that I was to attack the first vessel -that came in sight, and in the still, spectral light, -we stole silently out from the shadow of Inisheer, -the one great mainsail of <i>The Cross of Blood</i> being -set, and the oars shipped until the word was -given.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> - -<small>THE CAPTURE OF THE <i>CAPITANA</i>.</small></h2> - - -<p>As we crept on towards the unsuspecting merchant -ship, I noticed that she presented a battered appearance, -as if she had felt the full fury of the storm -which we had ridden out so safely, and that she -had not come out of it without much damage.</p> - -<p>The foremast had been broken off, and now a -great spar lashed to the stump had taken its place. -About the middle of the vessel the bulwark showed -a breach some five feet in length, and a piece of -rough sailcloth had been fastened carelessly over it, -so that the ragged edges of the broken wood were -plainly seen jutting out from under it.</p> - -<p>Doubtless the sailors were worn out with the -stress of the working of their ship through the -tempest, and this also accounted for the slackness -of the watch and the ghostly quietness on board.</p> - -<p>Otherwise, she was a splendid ship, the like of -which was seen at no other time in these seas, save -only when the wine fleet came each year to Galway. -She was built with high castles both at the stern -and at the bows; and she was, perhaps, of two -hundred tons’ burthen, according to the measure of -the English.</p> - -<p>Her name, cut out of solid wood and painted a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> -deep blue, was the <i>Capitana</i>. She flew the flag of -Philip of Spain, and along with it at the stern -were to be seen the ensigns of some gentlemen -adventurers, who were in her, and who probably -commanded her fighting men, or who had accompanied -the expedition merely for the sake of -seeing another part of the world.</p> - -<p>For the galleon’s defence against the rovers of -of the sea, who were to be found in great numbers -off the French and English coasts, she showed her -teeth in the guise of the black muzzles of twelve -cannon, all formidable ordnance, and, armed with -this equipment, as compared with that of <i>The Cross -of Blood</i>, looked as if she might devour us at her -leisure and with the utmost ease.</p> - -<p>But it was not my purpose that these guns -should ever be pointed at us, and so high were -they out of the water—far above us, in fact—that -there was no such terrible danger to be apprehended -on this score. Besides, we were now too near her, -and she was, in any case, unprepared.</p> - -<p>When we had approached within four hundred -yards of the <i>Capitana</i>, I gave orders that the sail -of <i>The Cross of Blood</i> should be lowered to the deck -quickly, and yet as quietly as might be, and that the -rowers should get them to their oars, and speed us -with all their might towards the Spanish ship.</p> - -<p>So well was this effected that we were but, as it -seemed, a stone’s throw from her, and the beak of -the galley, as she rose to the swell, pointed straight -for the breach made by the storm in the waist of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> -galleon, when the watch on board of her had their -suspicions all too tardily aroused. If they had heard -the noise made by the running of the tackle when -the sail was got down, they had not grasped its -meaning; but they could hardly fail to guess readily -enough what our appearance indicated as we dashed -towards them, our deck showing an array of arquebusiers -and spearmen, standing to their weapons.</p> - -<p>The men of the <i>Capitana</i> began to rush to and -fro, and suddenly the clear notes of a trumpet blared -forth from her poop—the all-too-late summons to -arms. Her helmsmen, now alert to the danger which -menaced them, endeavoured to swing her round on -her heel into the wind, so as to keep us off.</p> - -<p>We had stopped rowing, and our men were resting -with their hands on the heads and handles of their -oars, waiting for the order to ship them, when, as -the Spaniard went about, her side caught the oars -on the right side of the galley, and I heard the sharp -cracking and splintering of the wood of which they -were made as they were broken in pieces, and the -piercing cries, most lamentable to the ear, of the -rowers as they were knocked from their benches -and jammed together, a huddled, mangled mass -of shrieking and cursing, of wounded and dying -men.</p> - -<p>Amid the din and outcry which attended this -disaster to us, there arose the voice of Calvagh -O’Halloran, the master of the rowers, encouraging, -directing, and calming the others. What had befallen -us was a serious matter, as it deprived us of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> -any hope of getting away from the <i>Capitana</i> if our -attack should prove unsuccessful.</p> - -<p>I ran along the deck, telling our people to be of -good heart, as all would yet be well; and, as nothing -so inspired them as the war-cry of their tribe and -the lust of fighting, I shouted loud and clear—</p> - -<p>“O’Malley! O’Malley! O’Malley!”</p> - -<p>The swinging of the Spaniard fended the galley -off from her, so that there was a clear space for the -breadth of a couple of oars, or a little more. As -Calvagh got the rowers at work again, and <i>The Cross -of Blood</i> went forward, the sides of the two ships -grated together with a shock. They ground apart -once again, and the water swished and swirled -between them, foaming white and flecked with red -as the blood of the rowers who had been injured -dripped from the galley.</p> - -<p>“On board, on board!” I cried. “A ring of gold -to him who first boards her!” and I threw my battle-axe -among her sailors. “Follow that!” I said.</p> - -<p>The Irish were howling about me like hungry -wolves, and <i>The Cross of Blood</i> shivered and trembled -like a living thing as the rowers, Calvagh at their -head, rushed from the benches, eager to revenge -themselves for the death of their comrades of the -oar, yelling hoarsely—</p> - -<p>“O’Malley! O’Malley! O’Malley!”—the words -stinging the ear like blows.</p> - -<p>Now the sides of the vessels strained and groaned -as again they smote together. The grappling-irons -were fastened as they touched each other, and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> -regardless of the thrusts made at us, we together -clambered up the <i>Capitana’s</i> side, entering by the -breach over which the sailcloth had been stretched, -and were immediately engaged in a hot and bloody -fight, the issue of which stood in no kind of doubt -from its commencement, as we far outnumbered the -sailors in this part of the Spaniard.</p> - -<p>One burly fellow came at me with a pike, but -so uncertainly that I caught it from him with my -left hand, and ran him through with the sword in -my right. He dropped without a sound at my feet.</p> - -<p>But while this contest was going on, and we were -sweeping all before us, we soon were made to feel -that, while so far successful, we were yet in a position -of the greatest peril; for we were now assailed by -shots from arquebuses fired down upon us both from -the castle at the bows and that at the poop as well, -and the air hummed with the arrows of our foes.</p> - -<p>As there was no cover or protection of any kind -where we stood, divers of our men fell sorely -wounded, and some were slain outright. What the -event was to bring forth then seemed nothing but -our destruction, for we were caught, as it were, in -a trap, and that one of our own making.</p> - -<p>The doors leading into the castles were both -shut, and, I conjectured, barricaded by this time -against us. However, to remain where we were -was to be slaughtered like cattle, and the attempt -had to be made to force these entrances. The -principal array of the enemy was in the poop castle, -and I instantly decided that it must be stormed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> -else we should all perish miserably, and to break -in the door was the readiest way.</p> - -<p>Calling on the Irish to follow me, I strode across -the slippery deck, a bullet narrowly missing me, to -the arched doorway through which lay the way to -the castle on the poop.</p> - -<p>Whether it was that our assault had been so little -looked for, or that what had already taken place had -occupied so brief a breath, as one may say—for -who can take count of time in the heat of battle?—I -know not; but this entrance had not been -strongly secured, for hurling myself impetuously -with all my force against the barrier I burst the -door open, and that so violently and quickly that -I had much ado to keep myself from stumbling, -and so being trampled upon and killed by my own -men. Recovering myself with an effort, I found -myself in a wide chamber, in which there were -tables and chests and other furniture, but not a -single soul was to be seen.</p> - -<p>At one end of it was a flight of steps leading -up to the deck of the castle. Stopping my men, -I bade them wait in this sheltered room while I -ascended the steps, and reached another large cabin, -also deserted as far as I could see, while above -me I heard the trampling of many feet. Summoning -my followers, I dashed up a second flight of -steps, the Irish, who gave tongue like bloodhounds -tracking deer, pushing in and swarming up behind -me.</p> - -<p>I was like enough to have paid for my rashness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> -with my life, for as I emerged upon the deck of -the poop, the point of a sword flashed off my body-armour, -and I received so shrewd a buffet upon -my shoulder from a mace or battle-axe of some -kind, that I nearly lost my footing, and, as it was, -would have done so but for the press of men behind -me.</p> - -<p>As I appeared a crowd of Spaniards rushed upon -me from all sides, praying to Our Lady and all -the saints for their aid, and above all naming -“Santiago.”</p> - -<p>Now sweeping my sword in a great shining -circle round my head, now stabbing and hacking -and cleaving, while my strength seemed to grow -with my necessity, I held them at bay, albeit in -what way I escaped the deadly thrusts of spears -and pikes, and the bullets aimed at me at such -close quarters, I cannot tell.</p> - -<p>Two or three slight wounds did I receive, and -the sight of my own blood drove me into a perfect -fury of killing, and rendered me regardless of -myself; but as for the wounds themselves I heeded -them not, and indeed in the fiery heat of that -encounter scarce felt them at all. Soon, however, -would I have been overborne and destroyed, if I -had not been joined by Calvagh and the others, -who charged upon the enemy with inconceivable -fury.</p> - -<p>Nothing could have stood before the tremendous -outpouring of such incredible rage.</p> - -<p>The gallant men of Spain fought on, and met<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> -us bravely, brave with something more than the -courage which is born of dark despair. For, to -say the truth, never yet saw I any of that nation—even -of its commonalty—that might be called a -coward.</p> - -<p>It is my belief, and good reason have I for it, -that no more doughty men ever wielded sword or -pike than those of Spain, nor were there any better -sailors in those days in all the world. There be -many, who, having regard to what she was—this -great power of Spain—and considering what has -happened to her, and how she is now shorn in no -small degree of her glory, can account for it in -no other way than by saying that she lieth under -the Wrath of God. Howbeit, this is too high a -matter for me. Only know I full well that the -crew of the <i>Capitana</i>, whether fighting men or -sailors, made such a stern and grim battle against -us that grey morning in the Bay of Galway, as -the most valiant knights could not have bettered.</p> - -<p>Near the centre of the poop there rose up a -mast, and around this our enemies gathered in a -cluster, among them being some half-armed men -whom I took to be the adventurers whose ensigns -floated beside the standard of the galleon, and who -carried themselves with an air.</p> - -<p>They had had no time to have their armour put -upon them and fastened with proper care, but as -they proved themselves to be accomplished swordsmen -they made a determined resistance to us. If -they had come at me when I appeared at the top<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> -of the steps, I should never have reached the deck -of the poop alive; they had, however, tarried too -long in the attempt to be clothed with their harness.</p> - -<p>They were surrounded, and, though I offered -them their lives, declaring that they would be held -for ransom and would be well treated by Grace -O’Malley, they would not listen to me, preferring -rather to die, fighting, so long as the breath was -in them, like the valiant men of Spain they were.</p> - -<p>One only, who appeared to be the captain of the -ship, I commanded to be taken alive—a business -which was done with difficulty, so madly did he -struggle, notwithstanding that the blood flowed in -streams from several of his wounds.</p> - -<p>“Yield yourself,” said I, “Señor Captain, for the -ship is ours, and further fighting is useless. Give -me your parole.”</p> - -<p>But he refused, snarling and showing his teeth -like a mad dog. Then I ordered him to be bound, -and laid on the deck for the present.</p> - -<p>The greater part of the galleon was now in our -hands, but there still remained a band of Spaniards -in the forecastle, who galled us with the fire from -their pieces and the arrows of their bows. When -they saw how their comrades had been overcome -on the poop castle, they cut down the spar which -had been lashed to the broken foremast, and using -it and the sailcloth about it as a kind of barricade -went on firing at us from behind this shelter.</p> - -<p>Telling Calvagh, who had come out of the fight -without a scratch, to take what men he thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> -needful, I directed him to attack the forecastle, and -at the same time protected his assault of it by -a discharge from the poop of a small cannon I -found there loaded. This position of the Spaniards, -however, was one of such strength that they inflicted -heavy loss upon us before they were all put -to the sword.</p> - -<p>We were now masters of the entire vessel, but -its capture had cost us dear. Fifteen of the Irish -were killed, and as many more wounded, several of -them seriously; and when the sun rose across the -dim outline of the hills away beyond Galway its -rays fell upon decks that ran dark with blood, and -upon a wearied band of men, whose gasping breath -came and went in sobs of pain, now that the excitement -was past, and who threw themselves down in -sheer exhaustion. I myself was sore spent, but the -day was only begun, and the rest of the wine fleet -might come into view at any moment. Therefore -I bade my men rise up as soon as they had rested -somewhat, and then endeavoured to put the <i>Capitana</i> -into sailing trim.</p> - -<p>While this was being done I shaped our course -for Inisheer, remaining on the <i>Capitana</i> myself with -some of my crew, and sending Calvagh to take charge -of <i>The Cross of Blood</i>. I also had the captain of the -galleon brought before me, to see if I could get any -information from him about the other ships of the -fleet.</p> - -<p>“Señor Captain,” said I, “the chance of war has -delivered you and your ship to me. Ye fought well,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> -and I am grieved that so many valiant souls no -longer see the light; yet would I have spared them, -as many as I could, but they would not. You are -in no danger of your life, if you will but answer the -questions I ask of you.”</p> - -<p>I spoke in English, my knowledge of Spanish -being slight, but I judged that the captain of a -ship trading to Ireland, and particularly to the -English city of Galway, would be certain to understand -the English tongue. At first it appeared, -however, as if he did not comprehend my words.</p> - -<p>“Kill me, kill me!” he exclaimed in Spanish, -while his face was distorted with impotent rage.</p> - -<p>Replying to him mildly that I had no intention -of putting him to death, I informed him that I had -no sufficient acquaintance with his own language, -and therefore I was unable to converse with him -in it.</p> - -<p>“You surely understand English,” said I.</p> - -<p>One of the Irish who was on guard over him -thrust a dagger into him for an inch or more before -I knew what he would be about, whereupon the -Spaniard cursed him and us and himself and his -ship and the day he was born in as good English -as ever I heard.</p> - -<p>“I shall tell you nothing,” said he. “No, by -St. Jago, nothing, nothing, nothing!”</p> - -<p>I felt a pity for the man, and told one of those -standing near me to fetch him some wine, and -that as speedily as might be, and again asked -him if he were resolved to die; but he merely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> -glared at me like a wild animal, and I left him -alone, reserving him to be questioned by Grace -O’Malley.</p> - -<p>When the wine was brought he drank it thirstily, -saying, “If it is poisoned, so much the better.”</p> - -<p>And now we drew near again to Inisheer. Rounding -the Point of Trawkeera, we dropped anchor -beside the two other galleys, and my mistress came -on board of our prize. When I told her of the -great fight the Spaniards had made, and what it had -cost us to take the ship, she sighed and became -pensive.</p> - -<p>“We can ill afford so many men,” she said, “but -the other ships of the wine fleet may be captured or -destroyed more easily. Bring the captain of the -galleon to me, and let me see if I can learn anything -from him of his companions.”</p> - -<p>“He will say nothing,” I exclaimed.</p> - -<p>Grace O’Malley’s face grew dark, but she merely -repeated her command. When the Spanish captain -was fetched in, he was struck with amazement when -he beheld a woman, young, handsome, and, as some -thought, beautiful, who appeared to be the chief -and leader of us all. At first he gazed at her as -one who sees an apparition or a phantom.</p> - -<p>“Madre de Dios! Madre de Dios!” he said aloud -in his astonishment, and for some time acted as -one might who suspected that his sense of sight -was playing him a trick. He was faint and pale -from loss of blood, and presented a piteous appearance.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Free him from his bonds,” said Grace O’Malley, -and I cut away the thongs that held him.</p> - -<p>“Señor Captain,” continued she when this had -been done, “I have a quarrel with the Governor -of Connaught and the people of Galway, who have -treated me despitefully,—therefore has your galleon -been taken.”</p> - -<p>“You, Señorita!” he said.</p> - -<p>“I was beguiled with fair words and promises,” -said she, “and then they made me a prisoner, but -I escaped from them. War have I declared against -them, and a great revenge shall I take. You, I hear, -are a brave man, and I have need of such in this -contest with the English. Will you join me?”</p> - -<p>“That will I not,” said he; and I heard him -muttering to himself, “She is a devil.”</p> - -<p>“Better consider before you speak,” said I, seizing -his arm roughly.</p> - -<p>“Let me be, let me be,” said he, “for I am a -dying man!” And he swooned upon the deck. -Reviving in a few minutes, he staggered to his feet, -whereupon I put my arm round him for his support.</p> - -<p>“Where are the other ships of the fleet, tell me,” -said Grace O’Malley, “and how many are there?”</p> - -<p>“You can kill me,” said he, “and I shall thank -you for it, but that which I know I shall never -tell you.”</p> - -<p>And again I heard him muttering, “Devil, devil!” -and calling upon “Santiago” to protect him from her -spells.</p> - -<p>Grace O’Malley gazed at him, and of a sudden<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> -there was in her eyes—what I never looked to see -in them on such an occasion—a dew of tears springing -from an unsuspected fount of pity. After all, -she was a woman, as I have said.</p> - -<p>“You are a brave man and a true,” said she, “and -I will not plague you more. Let him die in peace,” -cried she to me, “if die he must.”</p> - -<p>As I was about to place him with his back against -a mast so as to ease him, he made a snatch at the -dagger which was in my belt; his fingers closed over -it, but even as he grasped it his lips parted and his -spirit fled.</p> - -<p>“God rest thee, thou gallant mariner of Spain!” -said Grace O’Malley, when she saw that the captain -of the galleon was dead.</p> - -<p>“Amen,” cried I, for the firmness of the man had -seemed to me a very noble thing.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.<br /> - -<small>A CHEST OF GOLD.</small></h2> - - -<p>The day had worn on to noon but without its -brightness, for the sky had again become full of -heavy clouds driven up from the west; the wind -moaned and raved over land and sea, and the waves -beat drearily upon the shore. The thunder rolled -and the lightning flashed, while the pelting rain came -down in huge drops that sounded on our decks like -hail or the cracking of whips.</p> - -<p>The ensanguined waters flowed in floods from the -planking and the sides of the captured galleon, -which lay like some great wounded monster of the -deep, sweating blood. Closer into the land we -steered, and so saved ourselves from the worst of -the gale.</p> - -<p>For the present all thoughts of searching for the -other vessels of the fleet had to be given up, and -fain was I to rest, for my wounds, though slight, were -sore, and the dull aching of my shoulder was hard -to bear. Seeing my state, Grace O’Malley bade me -go to her own galley, where Eva would attend to -my wounds with her gentle fingers, and then, -perhaps, sing me to sleep with one of the songs of -her people.</p> - -<p>This command went so well with every beating<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> -of my heart that my pains were all but forgotten, -and when I reached <i>The Grey Wolf</i>, Eva met me, -and waited upon me, and made so much of the -“Mountain of a Man,” as she often called me, that -the only pangs I felt were those caused by my love -for her—so much so that the tale of it was trembling -on my lips, though I could not for the life of me -put it into words, but dumbly looked, and longing—looked -again and again at her.</p> - -<p>Fool that I was, dolt that I was, not to have -spoken then! But my tongue was tied, as with a -ribbon of steel, and if one were to ask me why this -was, I could not tell, nor can I now, looking back -across the blunt edge of years. Yet here was such -an opportunity, if I could have grasped it, but it -passed.</p> - -<p>Eva sang softly to me as I lay with my harness -off on a couch, until I fell a-sleeping and a-dreaming, -and all through the sleeping and the dreaming did -I hear the sound of her singing, far off, indistinctly, -and murmurous, like that of the brooks among the -silent hills.</p> - -<p>When I awoke, it was evening, and both she and -Grace O’Malley were seated by my side. The storm -had abated, and already a weak, watery moon was -riding in the heavens, and, as I opened my eyes, its -faint beams fell whitely upon the faces of my mistresses, -so that to me, being still only half awake, -they looked like spirits. I rose to a sitting posture, -and felt that my strength had come back -to me.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Has your weariness left you?” asked Grace -O’Malley, smiling kindly at me.</p> - -<p>For answer I stretched my limbs and my body, -and smiled at her without speaking, though the pain -in my shoulder still troubled me, and I could not -move without feeling it.</p> - -<p>“While you have slept, Ruari,” she went on, “I -have gone over as much of the galleon as might be -in the hours of daylight at my disposal, and the -riches in her are truly wonderful. Never saw I so -great a store of all manner of things of value in a -ship before. ’Tis a splendid spoil, and the merchants -of Galway will have good cause to remember me, -and Sir Nicholas will be beside himself with rage.”</p> - -<p>“We have not yet finished with them or with -Sir Nicholas,” said I. “The <i>Capitana</i> is not the -only ship of the wine fleet.”</p> - -<p>“Neither has Sir Nicholas done with us, I fear,” -said Eva, sadly, “nor the people of Galway.”</p> - -<p>“Sometimes it seems to me, Eva,” said Grace to -her foster-sister, “as if you were only half an -O’Malley.” Then she turned to me again. “Ruari, -I have more to tell about the galleon. On board of -her there is a chest of gold—all money of Spain, -coined pieces, bearing the effigy of the late Emperor, -Charles. Now, hearken! A strange, wild story goes -with this chest of gold, and there is that in it which -may concern us very closely.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” I said, my interest being keenly stirred -as I guessed from the slow and almost solemn way -in which she addressed me, that she had stumbled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> -probably on some mystery of the sea—something, -at any rate, unexpected and out of the way, and yet -something that might touch us nearly. “Yes,” I -said, watching her intently, “it is naught of evil -import for us, surely?”</p> - -<p>“That I know not as yet,” she replied. “Rather -does it portend a benefit; time alone can tell. This -is how we came to find the gold, and we might never -have gotten it of ourselves—we were told of it.”</p> - -<p>“How was that?”</p> - -<p>“While our search through the galleon was being -made, two men, bound in fetters and chained together, -were discovered in a small, dark den, low -down in the ship; a hole, indeed, so cunningly concealed -from observation that even the very sailors -on board the <i>Capitana</i> might not have known of -its existence, if its being hidden from them were -deemed necessary or expedient. The men were -half-starved, and so utterly wretched that when they -were brought into the light they were as the blind, -and gibbered like idiots. What they say, now that -they have come to themselves, is pitiful enough, and -I believe they are telling the truth.”</p> - -<p>“Who are they?” asked I, as she meditated on -their story. “What account do they give of themselves? -You have said nothing about the chest of -gold.”</p> - -<p>“One of them,” said she “tells me that he is a -Geraldine, a near relative of Garrett, Earl of -Desmond.”</p> - -<p>“An Irishman!” I broke in.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Yes, so he says, and I doubt it not,” said she. -“The other is a Spaniard, Don Francisco de Vilela -by name, a man of rank, if one may judge of him -from his speech and carriage. But you will see them -yourself shortly.”</p> - -<p>“What is their explanation of their being prisoners -on board of the galleon? Is it concerned with the -chest of gold?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, so they say,” she replied; “and they relate -that before the <i>Capitana</i> left Spain they made a -bargain with its captain to convey them to Ireland -for a certain sum of money, which they paid over -to him before he put out from port. Their compact -with him was that they were to be landed at some -lonely point or secluded place on our western coasts, -and not at any town, such as Limerick or Galway.”</p> - -<p>“Why was that?” I asked. “Doubtless the -captain of the galleon made a similar inquiry of -them.”</p> - -<p>“They say he asked them no questions whatever,” -replied she; “but he must have understood that they -had some business of a very private nature, probably -concerned with State affairs. Evidently that business -lay with the native Irish, and not with the English, -from whom they wished their movements to be kept -secret, else would there have been no need to have -avoided any of the English towns in Ireland.”</p> - -<p>“It may be,” said I, for I could not help seeing -the drift of her words, “that they are the bearers of -some message from the King of Spain to the Earl of -Desmond, or some other chief of the Irish.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> - -<p>“You do not fall very short of the mark,” said -she.</p> - -<p>“But,” asked I, “how came it about, or what -happened to cause them to be thrust into chains, and -that on board a Spanish ship? Those who brought a -message from the Spanish King would surely have -been well-treated, and even honoured, by the captain -of a ship coming out of Spain. Plainly, there is -something here which fits not in with their narration.”</p> - -<p>“They say that it was because of the chest of -gold,” she replied. “The captain is dead, so that we -shall never hear his version of the affair, but they -affirm he could not withstand the temptation of the -gold. Brave, as we know he was, and an excellent -sailor, as they say he was reputed to be, yet would he -have sold his very soul for gold.”</p> - -<p>“How did he know of it?”</p> - -<p>“So heavy a chest could hardly have been -brought on board without his knowledge, and to -conjecture what it contained was no such difficult -matter. They did not conceal from him their anxiety -for its safe-keeping, and one or other of them was -always on guard over it. Anyone would have known, -therefore, that it held a treasure of some kind. All -went well until they reached the coast of Kerry, -when, reminding the captain of their agreement with -him, they requested him to send them, the chest, and -the rest of their belongings ashore in a boat. The -sea was very rough, however, and he assured them -the thing was impossible.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> - -<p>“That might well have been the case,” said I.</p> - -<p>“They therefore confided to him—what he most -likely knew already—that they had come over on a -secret embassy from the King of Spain, and besought -him, by his fidelity to his King, to put them ashore. -He protested that their landing at the time would be -attended with difficulty, and even danger, and again -refused their request.</p> - -<p>“They expostulated with him, but in vain; he was -not to be moved, having already, they say, determined -that they should never deliver their message. -Next they offered him a large sum of money, and, -when he asked where they were to get it from, told -him of the gold, but without informing him of the -amount they had in the chest. Still, he would not -give way, and, at length, on their continuing to urge -him, he became sullen, angry and abusive, hurling -many hurtful words at them in his wrath. His real -reason, they began to fear, was not the roughness of -the sea, for some sheltered bay or inlet with calm -water might have easily been reached, had he so -desired, but that he had resolved to possess himself of -their treasure.”</p> - -<p>“They had played into his hands by speaking of -the contents of the chest,” I said.</p> - -<p>“That was their mistake, and they have had to repent -themselves of it. That same night, while they -slept, they were seized, put into manacles, and -thrown into the close and filthy den in which they -were discovered by us.</p> - -<p>“They saw the captain but once after their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> -imprisonment, and he had told them—for their comfort—that -it had been his original intention to fling them -overboard, but that he had changed his mind, and -would deliver them up, instead, to the English -Governor of Connaught, when the ship arrived at -Galway, as plotters against the peace of Ireland. -Then they never would be heard of again, for all men -knew of what sort of stuff Sir Nicholas Malby was -made, and how short and sharp were his dealings -with those who conspired against the Queen, once -they were in his power.”</p> - -<p>This was an evil hearing in regard to one who in -his dying had shown a not unmanly kind of virtue; -but who is there that does not know that gold is for -most men the god of the whole earth? The story of -the two struck me as being true, as it was stamped -through and through with a sort of human naturalness. -And I said as much.</p> - -<p>“When the captain told them,” continued Grace -O’Malley, “of the fate in store for them, they offered -him all the gold they had in the chest if only he -would let them go. But he answered them that it -was his already, and that he had no intention of -parting with it. If they lived, he would never feel -safe—and the dead had no tongue. Hearing this, -they gave up all hope, and abandoned themselves to -the gloom of despair, cursing the captain for his -perfidy.</p> - -<p>“Then the storm came on, and the galleon drove -hither and thither with the tempest. Their wretchedness -increased, until they reflected that it would be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> -better to perish by drowning than to live to undergo -the torture and miserable death which Sir Nicholas -would be certain to inflict upon them.”</p> - -<p>“The tale,” I said, when I had pondered it for a -few minutes, “does not sound to me as if it were -false.”</p> - -<p>“It was so far confirmed,” said Grace O’Malley, -“inasmuch as the chest of gold, the possession of -which worked their undoing, lay concealed in the -cabin which the captain had occupied. For safe-keeping -I had it removed to this galley.”</p> - -<p>“Did they tell you,” said I, my thoughts reverting -to what, after all, was the most important part of -their statements, “what was the burden of their -message from the King of Spain?”</p> - -<p>“Not fully,” she replied, “and I forebore from -questioning them more narrowly until they had recovered. -They did say that Philip wishes well to -Ireland, or rather, he loves not the English, who -condemn him to his face, and singe his very beard. -They hinted that the King had sent Don Francisco -to spy out the land, and to become acquainted with -the wishes of the princes and chiefs of the island.”</p> - -<p>“For what purpose? To what end?”</p> - -<p>“To encourage them to rebel against the Queen, -by giving them such help as is within his power. -At the same time, he does not wish to appear -to be concerned in the affairs of Ireland at all.”</p> - -<p>I had heard of Philip before as a man who -was uncertain of purpose and infirm of will, timid -when he should have been bold, and bold when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> -he should have been timid; one who covered himself -and his designs with a cloak of clumsy cunning -which it required no skill to see through, and of -deceit which deceived none of the least discerning -of his enemies. Therefore said I not a word, but -contented myself to wait for what my mistress -might say further on the matter.</p> - -<p>She was silent, however, and I could see from -her rapt, indrawn look, that her thoughts had wandered -far away from us and the galleys and the -wine fleet—perhaps to Spain and its shifty King. -I, too, was busy thinking, and, as I conceived that -we had affairs immediately before us of more importance -than even Philip of Spain, I made bold -to interrupt her reveries.</p> - -<p>“We can at least gather from the two men,” -said I, “how many ships were in the wine fleet. -The rest of them cannot now be far off from us.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said she, rousing herself from her musings -like one from slumber, “they informed me -that there were nine galleons in the fleet when -they left Cadiz, four of them were bound for -Limerick and five for Galway.”</p> - -<p>“Then there are still four ships for us to fight,” -I exclaimed. “Let the chest of gold and the -King of Spain wait, say I. Would it not be well, -now that the wind has fallen, to send one of the -galleys to keep a look-out?”</p> - -<p>“Tibbot the Pilot,” she replied, “already watches -the Sound in <i>The Winged Horse</i>. The galleons -will most likely have been separated from each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> -other by the recent storms, but if any one of them -comes into sight we will quickly be apprised of it.”</p> - -<p>“Have you not had enough of fighting for one -day?” asked Eva.</p> - -<p>“We have vowed vengeance on Galway,” I said, -and Eva said no more, but sighed deeply.</p> - -<p>There was a knocking at the door of the cabin, -and a servant entered with the message that Don -Francisco de Vilela and Dermot Fitzgerald desired -speech of Grace O’Malley, to thank her for her -kindness to them. Permission being granted, the -two men soon made their appearance. They had -eaten, had washed themselves, and were attired in -fresh clothes taken from the supplies on board -the galleon, and looked very different, I imagine, -from what they had done when they had emerged -from the hole in the <i>Capitana</i>, where they had -been imprisoned.</p> - -<p>Both of them bowed with a profound reverence -to my mistresses, and I took note, even in the half-light, -of the contrast they made as they stood -together. The Irishman was fair and ruddy, the -Spaniard dark and swarthy as most Spaniards are. -Fitzgerald was tall—nearly as tall as myself—Don -Francisco of the middle height, but having a very -soldierly bearing and an air of resolution which -his comrade lacked. Thus much I saw at a -glance.</p> - -<p>De Vilela was the first to speak, and his accent -had all the smooth deference of the court rather -than the rough sincerity of the camp.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Señorita,” said he, “if you will suffer a poor -gentleman of Spain to offer you his thanks——”</p> - -<p>“Madame,” said the Irishman, interrupting him -impulsively, “I never dreamt the day would come -when I should be glad to be a prisoner——”</p> - -<p>“Nay, nay!” quoth Grace O’Malley, “no more -of that, I beg.”</p> - -<p>The glance of the two men swept past her, -de Vilela’s to fasten on Eva O’Malley, Fitzgerald’s -on me, while my mistress made us known to each -other. Then they entreated her to say what was -her will in regard to them, and what ransom she -demanded for their release. But she replied that -she had not yet determined, and so put them off.</p> - -<p>She conversed for some minutes with de Vilela, -speaking to him of the West Indies, whither, it -appeared, he had been in one of the very ships -for which Tibbot the Pilot was watching—the <i>San -Millan de Simancas</i>.</p> - -<p>I now had had leisure to observe him more -closely, and he gave me the impression of a man -of high breeding. He discoursed with a tongue -of winning sweetness, more like a woman’s than a -man’s, and yet one had only to examine with a -little carefulness the lines of his face to be convinced -that these soft tones were like the fur over -claws, and that there was nothing else of the -feminine about him.</p> - -<p>His companion, Fitzgerald, was of a very different -type, although he, too, was of knightly birth—rash, -unstable, easily swayed, but generous and warm of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> -heart, with quick, unstudied manners, and no -capacity for much besides the wielding of his sword.</p> - -<p>Ever as the Spaniard spoke his dark, eloquent -eyes wandered from one to another of us, resting -with an absorbed intensity longest on Eva—a thing -in no wise to be wondered at, but which I did not -care to see, although I had no right to be jealous.</p> - -<p>And then there broke upon the hush of the -night, now grown still and calm, the zip-zap-swish, -zip-zap-swish of the oars of a galley, quickly driven -by its rowers through the water; there was the -low, clear call of Tibbot as <i>The Winged Horse</i> came -up towards us, while at his word the oars hung -motionless and glistening in the pale moonlight, -and I went out to hear what tidings he brought.</p> - -<p>He reported that the tops of the masts of two -large ships were to be seen on the horizon, and -that there might be more, as the light was but -faint owing to the clouds that still passed over the -sky. I hastened back to inform my mistress of -Tibbot’s news. The door of the cabin opened before -I had reached it and Grace O’Malley appeared upon -the scene, and as the door closed behind her I -saw that Don Francisco was speaking earnestly to -Eva, who, for her part, was listening to him with -deep attention.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.<br /> - -<small>A WOMAN’S WILE.</small></h2> - - -<p>“What news?” demanded Grace O’Malley.</p> - -<p>Repeating Tibbot’s words to her, I asked what -her commands were.</p> - -<p>“This afternoon while you slept, Ruari,” she -replied, “the idea of a certain artifice or stratagem -came into my mind, and the darkness of the night -is so much in favour of its successful issue that -there is no reason why it should not be attempted. -It was suggested to me as I went over the stores -of the galleon by the quantities of all manner of -garments on board of her——”</p> - -<p>So had spoken very rapidly, being conscious that -with the galleons not far away there was no time -to spare.</p> - -<p>“Enough, at present,” she continued. “I will -tell you more of it when I have made a disposition -of our ships.”</p> - -<p>“The prisoners?” I questioned. “They can -scarcely be expected to join us in an attack on -Spanish ships—even although these ships are in -reality more the property of the merchants of Galway -than of any others.”</p> - -<p>“Transfer them,” said she, “to <i>The Cross of Blood</i>, -which I shall leave here under Calvagh’s charge.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> -When you have seen them safely in his hands come -to me—I shall be on the <i>Capitana</i>.”</p> - -<p>“The <i>Capitana</i>!” I exclaimed, surprised.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said she. “In a little while you will -see why I say the <i>Capitana</i>.”</p> - -<p>I hurried off into the cabin, and telling Don -Francisco and Fitzgerald that they were to be put -for the night aboard of my galley, and having whispered -to Eva that there was something in the wind, -but that I knew not quite what it was, I conducted -the two men to <i>The Cross of Blood</i>, and delivered -them over to Calvagh, bidding him keep a close guard -over them. Then I got into a boat, and in a trice was -on the Spanish galleon’s deck.</p> - -<p>Just as I reached it the clouds drifted from off -the face of the moon, and as I looked up around me -I could scarcely believe my eyes at what I saw. -Pausing not to think, I placed my hand upon my -sword, and had pulled it half-way out of its sheath, -when a voice which I recognised as Tibbot the Pilot’s, -sang out close to my ear, while there was a splutter of -laughter in his throat, as he said—</p> - -<p>“’Tis a wise man who sometimes doubts his seeing -aright, Ruari Macdonald. Know you not your friends -from your foes?”</p> - -<p>Tibbot, I perceived, was not attired in the Irish -fashion, but had discarded his saffron mantle and his -long, wide-sleeved jacket, and had replaced them by a -sober Spanish suit, under which, one might be sure, -was a shirt of mail.</p> - -<p>And now I noticed that the sailors who moved<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> -about us, getting the galleon ready for sea, were -no more our own wild kernes of Mayo, but all -mariners of Spain!</p> - -<p>“Tibbot,” said I, “what is the meaning of this? -Wherefore is this mummery?”</p> - -<p>“’Tis by our mistress’s order,” said he, “and ’tis -herself will have good reason for it, I’m thinking.” -And his cheeks creased with laughter.</p> - -<p>Grace O’Malley had said something of a stratagem,—was -this it? One quicker of apprehension than -myself would have seen what her intentions were, -but I had to go and ask her for an explanation.</p> - -<p>And, lo, on the poop deck, where a few hours -before there had been so great a struggle, I found -not my mistress, but a youthful, handsome, smiling, -debonair knight of Spain, who yet had the eyes and -the accents of our princess! By her side there stood -the captain of the <i>Capitana</i>, risen from the dead—or -such a passable imitation of him in face and figure -as might well have deceived the living.</p> - -<p>I stared stupidly at them both,—and then I -understood. For the nonce, we were no longer -O’Malleys or other free Irish rovers of the sea, but -dons and señors—if you please,—soldiers and sailors -under the flag of Spain; the <i>Capitana</i> for the time -being had not been taken, but was still bound in all -security for the port of Galway—only haply, that -being stayed by storms, she had taken shelter behind -the island of Arran, from which she would presently -emerge to meet the other galleons as they came up.</p> - -<p>And then—the thing was plain enough.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> - -<p>A woman’s wit is a wonderful thing, and well is it -for us men that the loves and the hates of women do -dim the brightness of it, else would we be dazzled and -blind and dumb all our days, and our strength be -but a vain thing.</p> - -<p>“What think you of my plot?” said the young -gentleman adventurer, this Spanish knight, who was -my mistress.</p> - -<p>“You are a great magician, señor!” said I, taking -her humour. “And what would you with this Ruari -Macdonald—once the sworn servant of an Irish princess, -known as Grace O’Malley?”</p> - -<p>“By my faith,” cried she, “I would not have him -changed for all the world.”</p> - -<p>And the words were dear to me, so that my heart -glowed within me—even as it does now at the memory -of them.</p> - -<p>Then she spoke to me with some fulness of the -snare she was preparing for the two galleons, now -beating up towards the Sound.</p> - -<p>It was the case, no doubt, said she, that the five -ships of the wine fleet had been scattered over the -western seas by the storm, but those Tibbot had -seen had managed to keep by each other or had come -together again, and were travelling as slowly as possible, -with a view to picking up their companion vessel, -and, further, that their sailing powers would most -probably have been reduced by the damage wrought -upon them by the tempest.</p> - -<p>Her purpose was to stand off and on in the -Sound, manœuvring the <i>Capitana</i> in such a way as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> -to indicate that she had also suffered from the violence -of the weather; to allow the ships to come up within -near hail of her—which they would be certain to do, -as they could have no suspicion of what had befallen -the <i>Capitana</i>, especially as they would be able to see -nothing strange in the appearance of the galleon or in -the dress of those on board of her—and then to trust -to the chances of the hour for the rest.</p> - -<p>When I raised the objection that this plot of hers -necessitated the absence of the galleys from the -attack, she replied that no more than a bare guard -had been left on board of them, and that she had -as many as eighty men out of them, and had placed -them on the <i>Capitana</i>, a number which she thought -more than sufficient for the enterprise.</p> - -<p>“If all goes well,” said she, “I will myself lead the -assault on the first ship, and Tibbot on the other—if -they have to be fought together at the same time; do -you remain on the <i>Capitana</i>, for she must be seen to -by one who is a seaman, and much may depend on -the way in which she is managed. Besides, you must -still be weary of the fight of a few hours ago. But -circumstances will guide us.”</p> - -<p>“Surely,” said I, “there is no need for you to -expose yourself, and my fatigue is gone.”</p> - -<p>“Nay, nay!” said she, “let the thing stand.”</p> - -<p>The anchor was gotten up, and out beyond the -point of Trawkeera went the ship, the moon now -shining more clearly, and the stars showing here -and there like diamonds through a scarf of clouds. -And there, not more than a mile away, loomed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> -up the two galleons for which we were on the -watch.</p> - -<p>The wind was light, and the sails of the galleon, -which was the nearer of the two to us, showed up -in grey shadows against the velvety black of the sky. -She was of the usual build of the merchant ship of -Cadiz, with the same lumbering breadth, the same -high castles at poop and bows, and the same rig in -every respect as had that which we had captured, -and was of much the same size. Some distance -behind her was her companion, and the two vessels -were so much alike that the second appeared to be -the double of the first.</p> - -<p>As soon as we were within view, a lantern was -waved three times towards us from the bows of the -leading ship—a signal to which we responded by also -waving a lantern three times, surmising that some -such answering sign would be expected back in -return.</p> - -<p>We waited with an anxious curiosity to see how -this would be taken, and as we saw the dark figures -of the watch hurrying, in evident alarm, to the -bulwarks to gaze at us, and heard their voices raised -in discussion coming faintly across the waters, we -could not fail to understand that some other token -had been looked for.</p> - -<p>In their perplexity they knew not what to make -of us, and we could see plainly enough that there was -an argument going on among them in respect of us. -As the distance between us slowly lessened, their -uncertainty and indecision were increased when they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> -beheld, as we took excellent care they should, a few -of the O’Malleys standing on the fore-deck of the -<i>Capitana</i>. Even had it been as bright as day, they -could not have imagined that they were other than -Spanish sailors like themselves.</p> - -<p>Our men had been ordered to remain quite still -and silent, and under the moon, over which a web of -cloud was being spun, they appeared like figures -carved out of stone.</p> - -<p>The watchman on the bows of the galleon hailed -us, and though his voice sounded clearly to us, we -pretended not to hear; he called again through the -quiet of the night, and when we returned no answer -we could see that he ran with a sort of terror of he -knew not what from his place, and was lost in the -darkness of the forecastle.</p> - -<p>In the meantime we had come close up to her, -her sailors bending blanched, fear-stricken faces over -her bulwarks upon us, and perhaps thinking that -they saw before them the fabulous <i>Ship of Death</i>, -upon which for ever sail the souls of those foully -murdered on the sea, and which for the nonce had -taken on the form of the <i>Capitana</i> to lure them to -their doom, for never might human eyes behold that -dreaded sight and live.</p> - -<p>The two ships were now so near each other that -it required but a touch of the helm and the quick -ringing word of command from Grace O’Malley—the -statues sprang to life, and a host of the -O’Malleys jumped on board the galleon at different -points.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was all the work of a twinkling, so soon was -the ship carried. The watch on deck were overpowered -and made prisoners with scarcely a blow -being struck. Tibbot crept through a window in the -poop of the Spaniard, and, followed by a dozen of -the Irish, had secured those who were asleep or -half-awakened before they could make any resistance. -In the forecastle alone was there any struggle, -for there a handful of men stood to their weapons, -and, refusing quarter, fought on till everyone of them -was slain.</p> - -<p>I had watched with straining eyes through the -gloom for the form of that young Spanish knight -who was my mistress, and, not seeing it anywhere, -was in sore dismay; not many minutes, however, -went by—the action had moved with the speed with -which things change in a dream—when she appeared -on the poop, as I thought.</p> - -<p>Nor was I mistaken, for she called to me to trim -the <i>Capitana</i> and to wear down upon the other -galleon, which had changed her course, and was -striving to make off southwards for the open sea. -Her watch had given the alarm, and we could see -the dark bodies of her crew and of her fighting men -making to their posts.</p> - -<p>Sending back to me some of our Irish for the -better working of the <i>Capitana</i>, she caused the newly-captured -vessel to be released from the grapplings -and fastenings, by which I had had her bound to -us while the attack was going on, and we swung -apart. Crowding on sail in hot haste, we put about,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> -and went in pursuit of the fleeing galleon, which not -only had the start of us, but now also appeared to be -a better sailer than either of us, as we did not gain -on her, but, on the contrary, rather fell back.</p> - -<p>It was apparent that she would escape us if we -were to trust to our sailing powers alone. I had just -determined to train one of the cannon on board the -<i>Capitana</i> on to her, when a loud explosion shook -the air.</p> - -<p>Of what had occurred, then and afterwards on -the <i>Santa Ana</i>, as the ship Grace O’Malley had -just taken was named, I was not a witness, nor -was Tibbot, who told me of it, either; but it is -narrated here just as I heard it.</p> - -<p>Seeing that there was a likelihood of the galleon, -to which we were giving chase, showing us a clean -pair of heels, she ordered Tibbot to the helm of the -<i>Santa Ana</i>, and, telling him of what she intended, -she herself went among the prisoners, who were lying -bound in different parts of the ship.</p> - -<p>Among them she found divers persons who understood -the Irish tongue, and them, by both promises -and threats, she compelled to bring before her the -master of the ordnance and those who assisted him -in loading and firing the cannon. Surrounding these -men with her own, each of whom had sword, spear, or -battle-axe ready in his hand, she marched them to -the forecastle and forced them, on pain of instant -death, to serve the two great cannon which were in -the bow-ports. The first discharge of these was the -explosion I had heard.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> - -<p>The balls from these pieces were so ineffective, -passing wide of the mark and splashing into the sea -a considerable distance from the galleon, that her -anger was kindled, and she warned the master of the -ordnance that if he were not more successful on a -second attempt she would not spare him, being -assured that he was merely trifling with her.</p> - -<p>Whether it was because of the terrifying effect -of her words, or because he was determined to give -the galleon every opportunity for getting away from -us, and was reckless of what became of himself, the -succeeding shots flew as wide as before. When -Grace O’Malley perceived this she was transported -with rage, and, crying that he had brought his -fate upon his own head, ran him through with her -sword.</p> - -<p>Had she not quickly interfered, all his companions -would have been instantly despatched by -the Irish, who were eager to emulate the example -she had set them.</p> - -<p>Aghast at the death of the master of the ordnance, -and suspecting that there was no hope of -anything else for themselves, they cried out sharply, -breathlessly, tremblingly, each protesting and vowing -by all the saints that he would undertake to do -whatever he was bid, if only his life were promised -him.</p> - -<p>Seeing from their look that they were likely to -do as they said, but fearing lest they should be unstrung, -being so wrought upon by their terror, she -agreed that they should not be slain, but commanded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> -them to chose from out of their number him who -was the most skilful cannoneer, so that there should -be no mistake in regard to the fit service of the -ordnance. At the same time she told them that all -their lives depended on him, for if he failed at the -next discharge to damage the galleon, not only would -he be immediately killed, but that all of them would -likewise suffer instant death.</p> - -<p>They chattered for a second together, and then -one of them, perhaps bolder or more desperate than -the rest, stepped forward, and accepted her offer.</p> - -<p>Having warned him again, Grace O’Malley had -the guns loaded once more, and stood over the man -with drawn sword as he applied the burning match -to the touch-hole of first one cannon and then of -the other. When the smoke had cleared away, it -was seen that the mainmast of the galleon had -been shot through and had fallen over, so that it -lay partly across her waist and partly was in the -water.</p> - -<p>Thus impeded, the galleon almost at once lost -her sea-way, and both the <i>Santa Ana</i> and the -<i>Capitana</i> began rapidly to come up with her. -Meanwhile shouts and shrieks resounded from her -decks; her sailors ran about in fear and confusion, -but after awhile they appeared to be got into some -kind of order, and, as a ball from her boomed across -our bows, it was evident that her captain was resolved -to fight for his ship.</p> - -<p>As our vessels approached, we received a broadside -from her which did us both no little harm,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> -especially to our hulls and rigging, and a shot tore -along the forecastle of the <i>Capitana</i> in an oblique -direction, killing two of my crew and wounding three -or four men before it plunged into the sea.</p> - -<p>But it was impossible for her to prevent us from -coming up alongside of her, and so soon as we had -made ourselves fast to her our boarders poured in -upon her. And thereupon ensued a battle not more -terrible than obstinate, while the faint streaks of a -cold and troubled dawn stole upon us, shedding its -gleams on the dead and dying as they lay in pools of -blood upon her decks.</p> - -<p>No quarter was asked or given. Whom the sword -or the battle-axe or the spear smote not, him the sea -received, for many of the Spaniards, crying that all -was lost, threw themselves from the galleon into the -water and were drowned. There remained, however, -towards the end of the fight a small company of -arquebusiers and swordsmen upon the poop, and -among them was the captain of the ship, his clothing -stained and disordered, and a great, red sword in his -hand.</p> - -<p>Seeing that no hope remained, he made signs -that he wished to surrender, and begged that his -life and the lives of those with him might be spared, -to which Grace O’Malley straightway assented.</p> - -<p>As he walked towards her with his sword in his -hand, with the purpose apparently of presenting it -to her in token of his submission, he seemed to -stumble on the planks, which were slippery with -blood, and then, suddenly recovering himself, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> -made a mad, swift rush forward, and would have -wounded, perhaps killed, my mistress if his intention -had not been guessed by Tibbot, who in the very nick -of time dashed aside the point of the captain’s sword -and brained him with his battle-axe.</p> - -<p>So incensed were the Irish at this act of treachery -that they would show no mercy, and not a soul was -left alive.</p> - -<p>Thus was the <i>San Miguel</i>, as she proved herself -to be, taken.</p> - -<p>Our first care now was to return to Inisheer, -so the three galleons were trimmed as well as was -within our power, and our course was shaped for the -island, where our three galleys lay, and which was -reached in due time without our seeing any more -ships of the wine fleet.</p> - -<p>And here we remained, among the islands of -Arran, for several days, waiting for the other two -galleons of which we had heard; but as they did not -come into sight, we conjectured that they had either -put into some port in another part of Ireland or had -been driven on the rocks and wrecked.</p> - -<p>Then we bore northwards with the Spanish -galleons and our three galleys to a sequestered bay -on the coast of Iar-Connaught, where we concealed -in caves and other secret places well known to us -a portion of the great treasure and of the rich stores -that had been found in the merchant ships. Some -of their ordnance was put on board the galleys and -the rest cast into the sea.</p> - -<p>As for the galleons themselves, they were steered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> -within a mile of the harbour of Galway, in full view -of its walls, set on fire, and then sent adrift, blazing, in -the bay; while the prisoners, all save Don de Vilela -and Fitzgerald, were landed on the coast, and left -to make the best of their way to the city, where -on their arrival they published abroad all that Grace -O’Malley had done.</p> - -<p>And I have not wit enough to describe the -amazement and anger of Sir Nicholas, nor the -disappointment and vexation of the merchants at -the losses they had sustained through the destruction -of the wine fleet.</p> - -<p>But homeward to Clew Bay we sailed, and little -cared we.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.<br /> - -<small>“REDSHANK AND REBEL.”</small></h2> - - -<p>Before we had left the Bay of Galway for the north -I had been so constantly occupied with the unlading -of the galleons, the disposal of our plunder, and the -care and the landing of the prisoners, that I had -got no more than glimpses of my mistresses, and -then they were seldom alone. For de Vilela and -Fitzgerald, although they had a cabin given them -on <i>The Cross of Blood</i>, were but rarely on my galley -during the hours of day, spending most of the time -with the two ladies on <i>The Grey Wolf</i>.</p> - -<p>I perceived they were treated rather as honoured -guests than as captives, and I knew that Grace -O’Malley held many long and earnest conversations -with Don Francisco, the subject of which was ever -the same—to wit, what Philip of Spain would do -on behalf of the Irish if they rose in rebellion against -the Queen.</p> - -<p>Now, it mattered not at all to me who was King -or Queen of Ireland, whether it was Philip or Elizabeth -who should be sovereign of the island, and I -had as lief it were the one as the other.</p> - -<p>I owed no fealty to England or to Spain, and, -being a Macdonald of the Isles, no more to the -Queen, King, or Regent of Scotland than could be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> -forced from us Macdonalds of the West, and that -was never overmuch. But I was sworn to the -service of Grace O’Malley, and if she preferred Spain -to England, then it was Spain for me! Yet what -I had heard of Philip made me conclude that the -Irish would not find him to their liking, as certainly -he was not to mine.</p> - -<p>For, as a thing of course, there arose this -question: If Philip helped the Irish to drive the -English out of Ireland, and the English were expelled -from the island, what reward would Philip expect -to receive in return? Would he not look to become -its king? However, so far as I was concerned, the -answer lay with my mistress and not with me.</p> - -<p>What struck deeper to my heart, so that it was -filled with aching every hour, was no such great -affair as the possession of a kingdom; yet was it -greater to me than all the kingdoms of the world. -It was that I began to doubt—nay, to fear—that the -dear, sweet, fair woman whom I loved would never -be mine.</p> - -<p>I had dreamed that I, too, would be a king—her -king. Now I saw, or seemed to see, myself -uncrowned, disrobed, and beggared, thrust outside -the gates of the palace in which she dwelt. But -I had never been crowned, nor robed, nor rich, save -in visions, and was in truth the veriest beggar on -the face of the earth.</p> - -<p>Although I was able to be so little with my -mistresses, I was not so blind as not to see that -de Vilela was entirely fascinated by Eva O’Malley.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> -She had impressed him from the first, and herein -I blamed him not. And the more he saw of her -the more her charm worked upon him. That surprised -me not; it would have been surprising if it -had not.</p> - -<p>What stung me to the soul was that Eva was -evidently interested in the man, listening absorbedly -to everything he said. Many strange and curious -tales had he to tell of Spain and of the Moors, and, -most of all, of those new lands beyond the seas, -inhabited by the Indians, with their magical cities -of gold and their wondrous mines of gems and -precious stones. Spoke he, too, of the mysteries of -those far-off regions; of the lakes and forests and -mountains that floated above the clouds, swimming -in the silent air; of sacred temples rising tower above -tower, exceeding majestical, out of wide plains of -gleaming verdure; of their princes and priests and -people—all themes as entrancing as any story of -chivalry.</p> - -<p>Nor lacked he such also, for he could tell of those -splendid feats of arms which have made the glory -of the world. He was a master, too, of the secrets -of courts, and stood high in the councils of his King.</p> - -<p>’Twas no wonder that that soft tongue of his -wooed and won upon our women, who had so often -heard with delight the ruder stories of our bards. -Who was I to match myself against this paragon, this -paladin, this gentle and perfect knight?</p> - -<p>My thoughts were bitter and gloomy, like one -walking in the shadow of death, and I had not even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> -the poor consolation of saying to myself that Don -Francisco was nothing more than a squire of dames—at -home rather in my lady’s bower than in the -tented field—for there was that about him which -proclaimed him a soldier, and even a veteran of war. -Good reason, too, had we to know him before many -weeks were past for the bold and ready sword he -was.</p> - -<p>And when we had returned to Clew Bay, and the -galleys were safe in the haven under Knockmore, -both de Vilela and Fitzgerald accompanied us to -the castle of Carrickahooley, where they were received -by my mistresses as if they held them in -their kindest regard. Indeed, they were so courteously -entertained that the darkness of my spirits -deepened, so that I hardly knew myself.</p> - -<p>I was in as many moods as there were hours in -the day, until I felt a shame of myself and of my -weakness born in me. At first, I had chafed and -fretted like a spoiled child; then a sullen and savage -temper had possessed me, so that I could see that -the crews of the galleys observed me, thinking that -perhaps the bite of my wounds still hurt and galled; -now, recovering myself, I bade myself endure hardness, -and bear the lash of the whip of fate, and be -a man.</p> - -<p>But my dear was very dear to me, and my heart -rebelled.</p> - -<p>In the meantime I was going backward and forward -among the islands and on the mainland, distributing -portions of the plunder we had taken from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> -the galleons to the widows and relatives of those -who had fallen in the fighting, as was the custom -of Grace O’Malley with her people. Other parts of -the spoil were for greater security put into the -strong chambers under the castle and elsewhere.</p> - -<p>There remained the chest of gold and various -vessels and chains and rings of silver and gold, -many of them richly jewelled, to be hidden away, -and, for this purpose, Grace O’Malley and I went in -a boat by ourselves to the Caves of Silence under -the Hill of Sorrow. And as I rowed, and considered -the while what significance there was in the gold -not being restored to those who made claim to being -its owners, I experienced a sudden lightening of my -spirits.</p> - -<p>I reasoned that there must be some doubt in -the mind of my mistress of the truth of the story -she had been told of the chest of gold, or else she -would not have kept it. She could not entirely -trust them—de Vilela and Fitzgerald—or she would -have returned the money to them. So I thought, -but even this comfort was taken from me.</p> - -<p>When we had reached the dark, narrow strait -that lies between the high cliffs, the grim sentinels -which guard the entrance to the caves, the boat -shot into it like an arrow, and, without a word, we -went swiftly for a distance of half a mile or more—the -zip-drip of the oars alone being heard, eerie and -startling, as the sound shivered up the black walls -of rock.</p> - -<p>There, jutting out from them, was the Red Crag,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> -that is in shape like the head of a bull even to the -horns; beyond, a strip of beach, and, at the side of -it, a ledge of grey-blue stone; then again the rock -walls, ever narrowing and becoming yet more narrow, -until they closed in an archway, and we lost the -light of day as the boat passed on up the fissure -that runs deep into the bowels of the Hill of Sorrow. -There was not room for rowing, and I forced the boat -along with a hook, Grace O’Malley having lighted -a torch.</p> - -<p>Then we came to the black, slippery block of -stone which seems to close up the passage, but the -secret of which was known to us, and to us only.</p> - -<p>Here we entered—by what way I may never tell—and -were in the first cave of silence, a vast, gloomy, -ghostly, dimly-lit hall, with tables and altars and -seats carved out of the living rock by hands dead -these many thousand years, and on the floor where -it was stone and not water, a grey, powdered dust, -faintly coloured here and there as with specks of -rust—and all that dust was once alive, for these caves -are the graves of men.</p> - -<p>Out of this vast chamber opened a number of -smaller caves, that looked not unlike the cells of -monks—and monks of some sort perhaps were they -who lived and died here. And everywhere silence—a -chill, brooding, fearful, awful silence; and the living -rock, hewn and cut; and the floors that were partly -stone and partly water; and the grey, rust-spotted -dust of death!</p> - -<p>In one of these caverns we deposited the treasure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> -taken from the galleon, hardly speaking except in -whispers as we did so, for the hush of the place lay -on us like a spell.</p> - -<p>I ever felt a creepy horror of these dim, dumb -shades, and was glad, when our work was done, to -return again to the light of the sun.</p> - -<p>It was on our way back to the castle that Grace -O’Malley spoke of what was in her mind. Her face -was stern and set and full of purpose.</p> - -<p>“Ruari,” said she, “much has happened since -last we visited these caves together with my father, -Owen. Now he is gone, and I, his daughter, am -proscribed by the English. To what better end -could the treasure in these caves be put than to help -to drive the English out of Ireland?”</p> - -<p>“The treasure is yours,” said I slowly, for her -words killed my new-found hope, “to do with as -you list, and your will is mine. But the English are -many, and brave and strong. Remember Shane -O’Neil, and how he fell before them. It would be a -terrible thing to lose the treasure, and still to have -the English in the land.”</p> - -<p>“We are at war with them in any case,” said she. -“As for Shane O’Neil, he was unsuccessful because -he stood alone, but if all the princes and chiefs of -the island unite, the result would surely be different. -Then there is the power of Spain to be thrown into -the balance on our behalf. The King has promised -to send both men and money, if we will but compose -our own feuds, and band ourselves together for the -one common object.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p> - -<p>I answered not a word, but pulled at the oars -doggedly.</p> - -<p>“Ruari!” she exclaimed. “Why this silence? -It is not like you to be so quiet when the sound -of battle is in the air.”</p> - -<p>“Say on,” cried I, “I am your servant.”</p> - -<p>She gazed at me, as one who considered anxiously -a thing which puzzled her.</p> - -<p>“It is not the treasure, surely?” said she. “When -did you care for anything save the taking of it?” -Then a light leaped into her eyes, and she laughed -more heartily than she had done for days. “You -do not like Don Francisco? That is it!” And she -laughed again.</p> - -<p>“Don Francisco is well enough,” said I, but she -passed the empty words by.</p> - -<p>“Eva is but a young lass,” said she, with the hardness -gone from her face, so tender had it become all -at once, “and the Don, who is certainly a gallant -gentleman, and not a love-sick boy, gives her -pleasure with his tales and romances. That is all!”</p> - -<p>A love-sick boy! That was I, Ruari Macdonald. -So Grace O’Malley knew my secret; did Eva know -it also?</p> - -<p>“Grace O’Malley,” said I, resting on the oars, in -anguish, for her words brought no solace to me, “my -heart is sore.”</p> - -<p>“Ruari,” said she impatiently, “you are nothing -but a big boy. Eva had a liking for de Vilela, and -so have I, but neither of us has any love for him.”</p> - -<p>“She does not love him!” cried I doubtfully, yet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> -with a gladness unspeakable conquering the doubt; -“she does not love him!”</p> - -<p>“Listen, Ruari!” said my mistress, with a deep, -almost melancholy gravity. “If this noble Spaniard -love her truly, and she do not him, consider how -terrible a misfortune has befallen him. To love -greatly, nobly, truly—”and then she paused—”and -to find that such a love is unreturned——” and again -she stopped. “But love is not for me; these Caves -of Silence give me strange thoughts,” continued she.</p> - -<p>Here was my mistress in a mood that was new to -me, and I held my peace, wondering. I had deemed -that her thoughts were set on war and her quarrel -with the Governor of Galway, forgetting, as I so often -did, that she was a woman as well as our princess -and chief.</p> - -<p>“Do you not understand,” said she again, “that -the English will not be satisfied to let our affairs -remain as they are? This is not like the strife -between two of our septs. Think you that Sir -Nicholas is the man to be easily defied? Not so; -the matter is no more than begun. He will try to -have his revenge, nor will he tarry long over it. See, -then, how great an advantage it is for us that de Vilela -should have come to us at such a time, with the -assistance of the King of Spain. Will not the whole -island rise against the Queen of England?”</p> - -<p>“To make Philip King of Ireland?” asked I.</p> - -<p>“I know not that,” replied she; “but the first -thing is to expel the English.”</p> - -<p>Then she told me that Fitzgerald and de Vilela<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> -were soon to set out, making their way across the -country to the Earl of Clanrickarde, and, later, to -the Earl of Desmond, who was known to be disaffected -to the government. By the spring of the following -year, it was hoped a general rising would be arranged -for, and in the interval soldiers and money would -arrive from Spain, and a camp would be formed at a -point on the coast, chosen for its ease of access from -the open sea, and the readiness with which it could -be fortified.</p> - -<p>It was much, nay, it was everything, for me to -know that Eva O’Malley was not in love with Don -Francisco, and it was with very changed feelings that -I returned to Carrickahooley.</p> - -<p>Yet, though I had my mistress’s assurance that all -was well, I soon became doubtful and dissatisfied, for -time passed and de Vilela made no preparations to -depart on his mission to Clanrickarde, while his -devotion to Eva was more evident day by day. I -asked myself why he lingered, considering the importance -of the business on which he was engaged, -and Eva was the only reply to that question.</p> - -<p>It was when I was in this unhappy frame of mind -that one of Richard Burke’s messengers, who had -come by way of Lough Corrib and Lough Mask from -Galway, arrived at the castle, bringing news that Sir -Nicholas Malby was on the point of setting out to -eat us up.</p> - -<p>Beyond this, the man, who was a half-witted -creature, and so permitted to wander about at his -pleasure, no one doing him hurt because such as he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> -were counted outside of the course of nature, could -tell us little or nothing. Richard the Iron had -either not trusted him with more than the barest -message, or else had had no opportunity for saying -more. It was possible, also, that he had not been -able to find out exactly what was intended against us.</p> - -<p>The season was still fine and open, and if the -Governor so determined it, he could attack us by -bringing a force along the shores of the lakes, and -then up by the valley of the Eriff. Or, if he designed -to assault us from the sea, as he might if he had -obtained some of Winter’s ships of war, he might -purpose to come that way at us. But Burke’s -messenger could tell us nothing of this.</p> - -<p>It seemed more likely that, as the march through -Connaught would be slow and tedious, and beset by -the dangers which attend the passage of a large body -of men through a difficult and little known country, -he would strive to reach and assault us by sea.</p> - -<p>Therefore, Grace O’Malley commanded me to take -<i>The Cross of Blood</i>, and, sailing southwards, to keep a -look-out for Sir Nicholas and the English vessels of -Winter, then in charge of a great part of the fleet -of Queen Elizabeth. And, indeed, I was eager to be -gone, not only because I was ever ready for action of -one kind or another, but also because I felt it would -be a relief to the painful uncertainty in which I was -with regard to Eva.</p> - -<p>I had several times resolved to speak to my dear -of the love for her which burned within me, but no -fit occasion seemed to arise, and, shy and timid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> -where she was concerned, I had not had the wit to -make one for myself. And I marvelled at myself, -being bold, not to say foolhardy, in most matters, and -yet not a little of a coward before this one small, -fair woman.</p> - -<p>Out from Clew Bay put we with all haste, the -wind and sea not being amiss, and here for two days we -drove before the breeze without coming in sight of a -ship of any size. On the third day we lay off shore -in a bay not many leagues from Galway, and there -the hours passed by, and still there was no sign of -Winter’s vessels.</p> - -<p>I was in two minds, nor could at first settle with -myself whether to return to Clew Bay at once, having -come to the conclusion that Sir Nicholas was to -attack us by land, or to endeavour to enter Galway, -and so to discover what he had done, or was about -to do.</p> - -<p>Now it was of the utmost consequence that we -should learn what were the plans of the Governor, if -they could be come at in any way, and, having informed -my officers of what I proposed, I determined -to disguise myself and to enter the city to obtain -what we were in search of.</p> - -<p>Bidding my people return to Clew Bay if I -came not back to the galley in three days at the -furthest, I put on the dress of a mendicant friar, and -in the night was rowed to the fishing village that is -just outside the gates of Galway. Landing, I made -my way to the huts, and saw a light burning in one. -When I knocked at the door, a man appeared, who,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> -seeing a priest, as he thought, asked my blessing and -invited me to enter.</p> - -<p>After a few words, I threw myself down on the -earthen floor, and, saying that I was weary and fain -would sleep, closed my eyes and waited for the dawn. -The fisherman made some rough provision for my -comfort, and left me; but I could hear him whispering -to his wife, and her replying to something he -had said.</p> - -<p>When the morning was come, I asked to be -shown the house of the nearest priest, whom I -found, early as it was, astir and busy with his -office. Discovering myself to him—and this I did -because I knew all the Irish priests were our friends—I -requested him to tell me where Sir Nicholas -was.</p> - -<p>But he made answer that he went seldom within -the walls of the city, as the watch was very strict -since the escape of Grace O’Malley, and that no one -was suffered to go in or out save only by permission -of the marshal. He had heard, however, that since -her flight the Irish in Galway and the neighbourhood -were regarded with suspicion, and that some of them -had been cast into prison. Sir Nicholas, he thought, -was still in Galway.</p> - -<p>As for Grace O’Malley, she had been proclaimed -a traitress by the Governor, and an enemy of the -Queen. I myself, Ruari Macdonald, was also proscribed -as an abettor of her treasons, and a great -reward was offered for the head of the “redshank -and rebel,” as Sir Nicholas was pleased to call me.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> - -<p>And these things did not disquiet me exceedingly, -but what did was, that I could learn nothing of -Richard Burke, whom I desired above all to see. -Him, then, had I first to seek out, and, so soon as -the gates were open, I set out for Galway, trusting -that my priest’s dress would satisfy the watch, and -that I should be allowed to enter without any trouble -or disturbance.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.<br /> - -<small>THE WHISPERING ROCKS.</small></h2> - - -<p>The air was cool and the light clear as I stepped -briskly along from the village in a northerly direction, -up over the high, wooded lands that lie on that side -of Galway. From an open space I obtained a view -of the town and its harbour, and was well pleased -to note that no ship of war, or large vessel of any -kind, rode at anchor in the bay. Plainly, the English -admiral, Winter, had not yet arrived.</p> - -<p>Then I struck across to the east, and so fetched -a compass round until I came upon the road that -leads to the great gate of the city, and there, no -distance off, was the gate, open. Two carts, going to -market with provisions, were passing in, and their -drivers were stopped by the watch and interrogated.</p> - -<p>Now, I had no overweening confidence in the -completeness of my disguise, and it was evident that -what the village priest had told me was true as to -the care exercised in the admission of anyone within -the walls, so I drew off and tarried awhile, to see -if chance would not put some opportunity into my -hands.</p> - -<p>I reflected, too, with perturbation, that I had no -weapon with me except a dagger—the robe I was -wearing making it impossible to conceal a sword<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> -beneath it. But then, again, came the thought that, -however well I might have been armed, I was but -one man with one life, and that I was about to -adventure it in a city full of my enemies. Yet is -there that in the mere grip of the cold cross of a -sword that keeps the blood a flowing fire in one’s -veins, and I regretted that I had had to leave my -good blade behind.</p> - -<p>While I was thus communing with myself, I -saw two Franciscans approach, going towards the -gate, and I straightway resolved to join them. They -were talking loudly, as if there were a bone of contention -between them, and, when they observed me, -they both, in one breath, as it were, addressed me, -each one asking me to give a decision in his favour -on the subject they differed about, which was—Whether -St. Patrick were an Irishman or not?</p> - -<p>I answered craftily that I should like to hear -the arguments on both sides of the question, and -requested them to choose which of them should be -the first speaker. Whereupon, they halted in the -road, disputing which should have the preference, -and were like to have spent the morning before -they had settled this, as neither would yield to the -other, if I had not made a movement towards the gate.</p> - -<p>“Sir,” said I, turning to one of them—they had -now ranged themselves on either side of me as we -walked on—”what say you? That the holy Patrick -was——?”</p> - -<p>“I say he was an Irishman,” burst in the other, -on my left, before I had finished the sentence.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> - -<p>“An Irishman!” exclaimed the Franciscan on -my right, “an Irishman! Not he. He was a -Scot!”</p> - -<p>“I say he was an Irishman!”</p> - -<p>“And I maintain he was a Scot!”</p> - -<p>“An Irishman!”</p> - -<p>“A Scot!”</p> - -<p>Their voices rose into shoutings and roarings, as -they glared across me with angry eyes.</p> - -<p>“St. Patrick was never born in Ireland,” cried -the one.</p> - -<p>“St. Patrick was never born anywhere else,” -retorted the other.</p> - -<p>“I tell you, by the Mass, that St. Patrick was a -Scot.”</p> - -<p>“I tell you, by St. Peter, he was not.”</p> - -<p>And thus they wrangled until we had reached -the gate, where I perceived the noise they made -had already attracted the notice of the watch. -Without appearing to pay any attention to the -soldiers, I nodded now to the Franciscan on my -right, and now to him on my left, as if I followed -their words intently.</p> - -<p>All my senses, however, were on the stretch, and -my heart throbbed and fluttered in my breast, for -the danger was great.</p> - -<p>“’Tis Father Ambrose and Father Gregory,” I -heard one of the soldiers say, “and another of the -fathers.” Then he glanced at me inquiringly, but -only asked, “To the Church of St. Nicholas, fathers?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” was the reply, and we were passing in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> -when an officer of the Governor’s came down the -street, and, scowling at us, bade us halt.</p> - -<p>“Whither go ye?” he demanded gruffly.</p> - -<p>“To the Church of St. Nicholas,” said we as with -one voice, for I had made up my mind to go thither -also.</p> - -<p>“There be too many priests in Galway already,” -said he, with stern-knit brows, “and, had I my way, -I should hang ye all. Know ye these men?” he -called to the watch.</p> - -<p>I held my breath. Father Ambrose and Father -Gregory they appeared to know, but as to myself, -what would they say?</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir,” said the soldier who had spoken before, -and as soon as I heard this, I moved on, the Franciscans -accompanying me, and beginning their dispute -over again.</p> - -<p>And so on we walked to the Church of St. -Nicholas, while I could scarcely credit having thus -fortunately made my entrance into Galway. Having -arrived at the church, I directed my steps to the -shrine of my patron saint, where, on my knees, with -more than the devoutness of many a monk, I offered -him my gratitude for his favour and protection, and -implored a continuance of the same.</p> - -<p>Thus engaged, I had not at once observed that -someone had come up behind me, and was kneeling -two or three paces away. When I looked up I saw -the figure of a woman, but her face I could not see -for the shadow of a pillar that intervened.</p> - -<p>Somehow, the form seemed familiar, and when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> -she rose up from praying and turned to go, I was -startled to find myself gazing at Sabina Lynch. She -glanced at me curiously, but, beholding only a friar, -passed on sedately out of the building, little thinking -at the moment that she had ever been carried, and -that not too gently nor so long ago, in that friar’s arms.</p> - -<p>To keep up the character I had assumed I -began begging, according to the manner of the -order of mendicants, from door to door, so soon -as I had quitted the church, hoping in this way to -light upon someone from whom I might safely -ask if Richard Burke were lodging in the town.</p> - -<p>And in this it appeared altogether probable -that I should have no success, for in many instances -I was driven from the doors of the people without -ceremony, or paid no heed to whatever. Indeed, -the whole town seemed to be agog with something, -and, as the streets were now filled with soldiers -marching in companies, it was easy to be seen -that there was good reason for the excitement.</p> - -<p>When I inquired of a man who had given me -an alms, and who was of a friendly disposition, -what was the cause of all this moil and stir, he -replied that surely I must be a stranger not to -know that Sir Nicholas was bringing an army -together in the town with which he meant to -punish the rebels of Connaught.</p> - -<p>“What rebels?” asked I innocently.</p> - -<p>“That pestilent and notable woman,” said he, -“Grace O’Malley, and all her tribe of robbers and -murderers and pirates.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p> - -<p>Then he told me how she had destroyed the -wine fleet of Galway, and so had come near to -ruining the trade of the port.</p> - -<p>“She is a devil,” quoth he, and he crossed -himself, “and the Governor will kill her and her -people.”</p> - -<p>“A woman!” cried I, with a great show of -being astonished beyond measure.</p> - -<p>“Ay, a woman,” said he, “but she must be a -devil.” And he crossed himself again. Then he -added: “If she be not the very devil in the shape -of a woman, there is with her a man, a giant—a -great, strong giant—whom she calls her brother, -but who is said to have come out of the sea, and -is no man at all, but a devil too. Some say he -is a Redshank of the Scots, but I tell you he is a -devil too.”</p> - -<p>And thus the fellow maundered on, while I -found some trouble in restraining myself from bursting -into laughter in his face. Having, however, -thanked him civilly for his alms and information, -I gave him my blessing—a devil’s blessing—and -so left him.</p> - -<p>We were devils!</p> - -<p>What, then, were those who thought nothing of -breaking a safe-conduct, or of poisoning the wine -at banquets to which they had invited their victims -as loving guests? Yet the first had happened in -the case of my mistress, and the second had been -the fate of many an Irish chief.</p> - -<p>We were devils, and so to be feared! It was no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> -such bad thing at that time and in that land to -be counted as devils, for men who had no fear of -God before their eyes, nor of his saints, were afraid -of devils.</p> - -<p>I had now come to the tavern that is under -the sign of the Golden Eagle, and from inside -proceeded the sound of eating and of drinking, of -festivity and of mirth. Entering in, I was about -to beg for alms, when I saw among the company -a man whom I recognised as one of the Mayo -Burkes, a gallowglass of the MacWilliam’s. Him I -at once addressed, incautiously enough, asking if -his master were well, and where I would find him, -as I had a message for his private ear.</p> - -<p>“Richard the Iron,” said he, “is lodged in the -North Street; and who are you, father, that know -not that?”</p> - -<p>“I have been there,” said I, lying boldly, “but -he is away from the house.”</p> - -<p>“If he be not at the mansion of the Joyces,” -said he, “then I know not where he is.”</p> - -<p>So Richard Burke was at the mansion of the -Joyces in the North Street. Here was good news -indeed, and, having said some fair words to the -man, I went out of the tavern; but when I reached -the North Street I found that my falsehood had -this much of truth in it—that Richard Burke was -not there. I sat down on a bench in the courtyard -of the mansion, and waited impatiently for -his return. Tiring of this, I walked up the street -towards the Little Gate, and whom should I meet<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> -on the way but Richard Burke riding with Sabina -Lynch.</p> - -<p>Well did I recall what Richard Burke had said -to me some weeks before, when he had come secretly -to <i>The Cross of Blood</i>. He had declared that Sabina -Lynch loved him, but that he only cared for Grace -O’Malley. Yet, as I looked at them, it seemed to -me as if he were paying Mistress Lynch no little -court, and they appeared to take pleasure in each -other’s society.</p> - -<p>But when I thought of the messenger he had -sent to Carrickahooley, and of his service, though -unavailing, to us before, I conceived that he was -playing a double part, holding that love and war, -perhaps, justified any means so long as the end -were gained. And, for that matter, I, the false -friar, was no better than a cheat myself.</p> - -<p>I was determined to get speech with him without -further delay—the feeling of impatience was -so strong upon me—and, as I was casting about -in what way I should accomplish this, Sabina -Lynch tossed me a piece of silver as an alms, -while I was yet three ells’ length from the -horses.</p> - -<p>“Take that for the poor, father,” cried she -merrily.</p> - -<p>It happened that the coin after it had struck -the ground, rolled in front of Richard Burke’s horse, -and I rushed forward to pick it up before it was -trampled into the dust. I also trusted that under -cover of this action I should be able to say a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> -words which would make me known to him, without -being perceived by his companion.</p> - -<p>As I stepped into the street, he was compelled -to rein in his horse, and then to pass by the side -of me.</p> - -<p>“What a greedy, clumsy friar he is!” laughed -Sabina Lynch.</p> - -<p>In truth, I was as clumsy as clumsy could be, -for as I drew myself up and tried to stand erect -I hit my shoulder against Richard Burke’s foot, -whereupon he stopped.</p> - -<p>“Father,” said he, good-humouredly, “have you -no care for yourself? Then, prithee, have a care -for me.”</p> - -<p>And he smiled; but when he had looked into -my face, and had met my eyes, I saw the blood -suddenly leave his cheeks, and knew that he had -penetrated my disguise.</p> - -<p>He gave so great a start that his horse leaped -up under him, and, as it did so, the friar’s cowl, -which covered my head and partially hid my face, -was thrown back, and there stood I, Ruari Macdonald, -disclosed and discovered, before Sabina -Lynch.</p> - -<p>She gazed from the one to the other of us in -silence, then, striking her horse violently, galloped -off, exclaiming: “Treason, treason!”</p> - -<p>Richard Burke was in a maze.</p> - -<p>“Ruari!” he gasped, and could say no more.</p> - -<p>“I have come to Galway,” said I quickly, “that -I might have knowledge of the Governor’s inten<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span>tions -against us. This is no place for us now,” -cried I, to rouse him, for he was like one that -dreamed, “come, come with me before the hue -and cry is raised.”</p> - -<p>And I seized the bridle of his horse and turned -its head, and led it towards the Little Gate.</p> - -<p>“Not that way,” said he wildly. “I have just -come from thence.”</p> - -<p>Then he gathered himself and his wits together.</p> - -<p>“The Great Gate is best. Ay, this is no place -now for me any more than it is for you. Well said -you that. We will go together; but let us not go -too swiftly, otherwise the watch, suspecting something -is wrong, will not let us pass. We have a -few minutes to spare before the gates can be closed. -Do you walk a little way behind me.”</p> - -<p>I had replaced the cowl about my head, and, -hardly knowing whether to be glad or sorry at -what had fallen out, marched at a rapid pace after -him up the street of the Great Gate.</p> - -<p>Richard Burke was well known to the watch, and -no objection was made to our passing out. As long -as we were within sight of the walls we went at a -walk, but when a turn of the road had hid them from -us, I grasped the saddle-cloth and ran beside the -horse, which its rider now urged along at the top -of its speed.</p> - -<p>We had gone about two miles, and had gained -an eminence partly sheltered by trees, when, looking -back, we saw the figures of horsemen spurring after -us out of the city. On we sped again, until I could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> -run no more. Then I besought Burke to leave me -as I was spent and blown. But this he would not -hearken to at first.</p> - -<p>“It will be a strange thing,” said I, “if I cannot -conceal myself somewhere in the trees and bushes, -or among the rocks, for the night. In the morning -I will make my way back to the galley.”</p> - -<p>And I persuaded him to ride on towards his own -territory, but not before he had told me that Sir -Nicholas had drawn a force of a hundred men from -Athlone, everyone of whom was a trained and -hardened soldier, and with these, his own men, -and the gallowglasses of Sir Morrough O’Flaherty -of Aughnanure, who had promised to support him, -was about to set out at once for our overthrow.</p> - -<p>The Governor was terribly enraged against us, and -in his anger at the destruction of the wine fleet had -sworn he would make an end of us all. His wrath -burned not only against Grace O’Malley, but against -many others of the Irish, and there had been such -a killing and a hanging of those who were thought -hostile to the government as had never before been -seen or heard of in Galway.</p> - -<p>Richard Burke had only escaped because of his -friendship with the Mayor and his daughter Sabina -Lynch, but his every act was spied upon.</p> - -<p>“I remained in the city for no other reason,” he -declared, “than to see if I could not afford some help -to you in one way or another.”</p> - -<p>As he departed, he said, as he wrung my hand, -“I shall cast in my lot with yours, and, if it can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> -be done in the time left to us, I shall bring all -the Burkes of Mayo to your assistance. Should -you reach Carrickahooley first, tell your mistress -that.”</p> - -<p>Then he swung himself again into the saddle, -and was gone.</p> - -<p>He was hardly out of sight, when I heard the -sound of hoofs beating on the road, and creeping -in through the bushes that lined a small stream by -the wayside I laid me down to rest, and soon I was -listening to the voices of the men in pursuit of us -as they drew near. They made no pause, but swept -on past the spot where I lay.</p> - -<p>I was about to emerge from my place of concealment, -when again the tramp of horses fell upon -my ear, and, looking out, I saw Sir Nicholas and -several of his officers come riding slowly along. They -stopped quite close to me, and, dismounting, made a -survey of the land all around, but, my star favouring -me, they moved to the further side of the stream.</p> - -<p>“Let the camp be pitched here,” said Sir Nicholas, -“and do you remain until the men come up.”</p> - -<p>I guessed that he had been told of my presence in -Galway, and had immediately ordered the soldiers to -set out to catch me so that we should have no -advantage from our being warned of his purpose.</p> - -<p>My position was now one of extreme peril; I was -cut off from returning to my galley; and I could see -nothing for it but to remain where I was until the -soldiers had gone on on their journey, unless I took -the chances of the darkness.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> - -<p>There I lay, and, as the night fell, the men of -Sir Nicholas marched up and lit their watch-fires -not more than a stone’s throw from where I hid. -For hours, not daring to move, I heard them singing -and talking and jesting with each other. When, at -length, silence came upon the sleeping camp, I stole -as softly as I could out of the bushes, and moving on, -like a cat, so that each step of mine was no more -noticed than a puff of wind, I managed to gain the -road that leads past Oorid and Sindilla at the foot -of the mountains. I walked fast, and sometimes -ran, until the day broke, when I turned aside, and, -having sought for and found a dry cave on the side -of a hill, fell down utterly exhausted, and ere long -was in a deep slumber.</p> - -<p>I was awakened many hours later, for it was dark -again, by a strange sort of cheeping noise at my -very ears.</p> - -<p>I started up, and the noise ceased; I lay down, -and the sound began once more. As I listened, -my face to the rocky floor of the cavern, I fancied -I could distinguish words, but, as it were, coming -from a great way off.</p> - -<p>Now, thoroughly aroused, I listened yet more -earnestly, and I made out that there were two or -three voices, and that the sound of them was not -coming from the inside of the cave, nor yet from -the outside, but seemed to issue, like a thin whistle, -through the rock itself.</p> - -<p>I moved stealthily towards the far end, and, lying -down again prone, applied my ear to the ground.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> -I now heard quite distinctly, the words being audible, -though faint, and with an extraordinary effect of still -coming from an immense distance.</p> - -<p>I then understood I was in one of the chambers -of the Whispering Rocks as they are called, for a -wonder of nature has so constructed them that it -is possible to hear through them, when all around -is still, whatever is said within these caverns. And -how this miracle comes to pass I know not, but -I had often heard of it; otherwise I might have -thought that these sounds came from the spirits -of the mountain, and so might not have discovered -the vile plot that had been hatched for -our ruin.</p> - -<p>For, as the voices grew more and more clear, I -found myself listening to the story of how these -men who were speaking were to present themselves -at the castle of Carrickahooley in advance of the -English army, and, having gained admittance on the -plea that they were fleeing to Grace O’Malley for -protection, were treacherously to betray her and the -castle into the hands of the Governor by secretly -opening the gate as soon as the attack began.</p> - -<p>I gripped my dagger in impotent rage, for, placed -as I was, I could do nothing. After a time the -voices ceased, and, moving noiselessly to the mouth -of the cave, I saw that the night was clear and -starry, and, feeling refreshed by my long repose, I -made on towards Ballanahinch, which I reached in -the morning, and where I obtained milk and the -flesh of a kid from the wife of one of the kernes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> -who took me for a wandering priest, and gladly -supplied my wants.</p> - -<p>For two days and the greater part of two nights -I toiled over the mountains and through the forests, -seeing no indication of the English, until I came -to the fiord of the Killery, where some of our own -people dwelt under Muilrea. From thence they -brought me round to Clew Bay in a fishing boat, -and I was back again at Carrickahooley, more dead -than alive from the fatigues I had undergone, -inured though I was to all kinds of hardness.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> - -<small>A SURPRISE.</small></h2> - - -<p>As I stepped from the boat on to the face of the rock, -which forms a natural quay on one side of the small -harbour on the sea-front of the castle, both Grace -and Eva O’Malley, who had seen me coming across -the waters, met me and asked how I fared.</p> - -<p>I was not so spent with the travail of my wearisome -journey as not to be conscious of a novel sort -of shyness on the part of my dear, who seemed -rather to hang back behind her foster-sister, and -not to be so open and outspoken with me as formerly. -With some bitterness of soul I attributed -this change of manner to her thoughts being engrossed -with de Vilela—so little was I able to read -the maid’s mind.</p> - -<p>But it was no fitting time for either the softness -or the hardness of love, and my first care was to -relate all that had chanced since I had seen them -last.</p> - -<p>Great was their astonishment at the way in which -Sabina Lynch came again into the tale of our fortunes, -and I could see, from a certain fierceness with -which Grace O’Malley alluded to her, that a heavy -reckoning was being laid up against her by my -mistress. Eva, however, appeared to be more struck<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> -by the hopelessness of Sabina Lynch’s affection for -Richard Burke, and found it in her heart to pity her.</p> - -<p>When I gave Richard Burke’s message to Grace -O’Malley, she rejoiced exceedingly thereat, and from -that moment—at least, so it seems to me looking -backward to those days—she began to esteem him -more highly than heretofore, and to cherish some -feeling of tenderness for him, her enmity against -Sabina Lynch, though she would not acknowledge -that there could be any rivalry between them, helping, -perhaps, thereto not a little.</p> - -<p>And it appeared to me as a thing curious in itself, -and not readily explained, except by saying that my -mistress was not free from weakness, that she should -have shown a compassion, as she had done when she -had spoken to me some time before of de Vilela, for -the hapless love of a man, and had nothing of the -kind for Sabina Lynch.</p> - -<p>Whatever were her thoughts on these matters, -what she said afforded no indication of them, for, -so soon as she had heard that the MacWilliam purposed -to bring over from the country of the Lower -Burkes, as they were called, to distinguish them from -the Burkes of Clanrickarde, his gallowglasses to her -aid against the English, she at once proceeded to -count up how many swords and spears were at his -command. Moreover, she regarded, she said, his -rising against the Governor as a splendid and sure -sign of what would shortly take place over the -whole of Ireland.</p> - -<p>Continuing the tale of my adventures, I related<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> -the conversation I had overheard in the case of the -mysterious Whispering Rocks, and my mistress -ordered that when the men, whose council of -treachery I had become acquainted with in so -strange a way, made their appearance, they should -forthwith be admitted into the castle, as if we had -had no knowledge of their intended perfidy, and that -they should not be dealt with as traitors until she -deemed that time was ripe for it.</p> - -<p>And now, having been thus forewarned of what -was in store for her on the part of Sir Nicholas, -Grace O’Malley immediately set about placing the -castle in a position of secure defence. To this end, -several pieces of the ordnance which had been taken -from the captured galleons of the wine fleet, and -which had been put on board <i>The Grey Wolf</i> and -<i>The Winged Horse</i>, now at Clare Island, were -brought across Clew Bay, and mounted on the walls -and towers of Carrickahooley, while the gates and -the other more vulnerable parts of its fortifications -were strengthened. In all these matters we were -much assisted by Don Francisco, who had had a -large experience of sieges, and was familiar with the -onfalls and the outfalls and the other incidents of -such warfare. The Spaniard and I therefore were -together more than we had ever been before, and -towards me he carried himself like the courteous -and knightly man he was, while I strove to pattern -myself upon him.</p> - -<p>That he loved Eva O’Malley I was in no doubt. -Indeed, when he assured me, as he frequently did,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> -how glad he was that he had not been able to leave -the castle as he had intended doing, and how well -pleased he was to have an opportunity of espousing -our quarrel with the English, I understood that it -was a delight to him to be near her in this our -time of peril, for was not that what I also told -myself continually?</p> - -<p>That he bore a hatred towards England was true, -but his love for Eva, as he was to prove, was something -far greater than his hatred of the English. -Yet already, though I knew it not then, he must -have been well aware that she was not for him. -But no sign of grief or disappointment did he allow -to appear, albeit, always grave, as is the Spanish -manner, he seemed still graver before the assault -began—and this, when I observed it, I took to mean -that he considered our situation was such as called -for seriousness.</p> - -<p>Whilst our preparations to repel the English -were being made, some days elapsed, and, on the -fifth of them, Calvagh O’Halloran brought <i>The Cross -of Blood</i> into port at Clare Island, where to his -great relief, not knowing what had been my fate -in Galway, he was told that I was before him at -Carrickahooley.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, tidings were being brought us by -bands and families of kernes and peasants, fleeing -before the enemy, that the English were approaching. -And, as they marched northwards through -Connaught, the days were red with blood and the -nights with fire.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> - -<p>Everywhere their presence was marked by the -smoke and flame of homesteads wantonly burned, -and by the slaughter of all who fell into their hands, -neither the old nor the decrepit, nor the nursing -mother, nor the tender maiden, nor the sucking -child being left alive!</p> - -<p>Among the despairing wretches who flocked to -the castle for protection it was impossible to single -out the plotters, whose knavery they had themselves -unwittingly disclosed in the Whispering Rocks, for -everyone apparently was in the same evil case. A -close watch, however, was kept on all the men -who came in, and who were retained within the -walls to help in the defence, while the women and -children were conveyed to Clare Island, where they -would be in safety.</p> - -<p>Don Francisco dropped a half hint that Eva -might better be sent to Clare Island until the -fortune of battle had declared itself, but I knew -that this would seem to her to be of the nature of -deserting us at a time of crisis, and so the proposition -was carried no further.</p> - -<p>And all through the siege she moved a bright, -winsome, and always cheerful presence, generally -attended by the Wise Man, Teige O’Toole, who -constituted himself her body-servant, and who, -during this period, uttered no prophecies of evil, -but cheered and sustained us with the certainty of -victory.</p> - -<p>At length, on the tenth day after my return to -Carrickahooley, our spies came in from their lairs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> -in the forests and hills with the news that the -English army was camped two leagues away, and -that it appeared to be the intention of its leaders -to spend the night there. The spies described the -army as an immense host, there being more than -three hundred well-armed soldiers, besides a great -swarm of the gallowglasses of Sir Murrough -O’Flaherty of Aughnanure, who himself had accompanied -the Governor.</p> - -<p>When I inquired eagerly if Sir Nicholas had any -ordnance, the spies averred that they had seen none. -And, whether the difficulty of dragging heavy pieces -through Connaught had been found insurmountable, -or, strong in numbers and relying on the terror inspired -by the name of the English, he had resolved -to dispense with them altogether, I knew not; but -to my mind the absence of these engines of war -more than made up for his superiority over us in -men.</p> - -<p>Doubtless, his action in this respect was founded -on the confidence he entertained that we were about -to be betrayed to him by the traitors within the -castle itself, nor could he dream that the galleries -of the Whispering Rocks had given up his secrets -to me.</p> - -<p>All that night the guard, of which I was in command, -stood to their arms upon the battlements; -but there was not a sound save such as ever comes -from the sleeping earth or the never-sleeping sea. -The morning dawned still and fair, and the sun -rose out of the world, tinting with a fresh bloom the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> -slopes of the distant hills now purpling with the -bursting heather, and changing the thin, vaporous -mist that lay over land and water below them, into -one great gleaming sheen of silver.</p> - -<p>All that night, too, our spies lay concealed in -the woods, and noted every movement within the -English camp; and now, as the day advanced, they -came in to report that Sir Nicholas was marching -down to the seashore. By noon he had established -himself in and about the Abbey of Burrishoole, no -regard being had to the sacredness of the building. -And here he halted for the rest of the day, probably -being greatly surprised that we had not so far offered -any resistance to his approach.</p> - -<p>Now this ancient religious house stands on a -rocky height looking across the small bay that is -next to that on the edge of which the castle is built, -and therefore the distance between the enemy and -ourselves was so inconsiderable that it behoved us -to be constantly on the alert.</p> - -<p>In the evening, then, when the night-watch was -posted on the walls and about the gate, I doubled -the number of the guard, choosing such men, and -those chiefly from my own crew of <i>The Cross of -Blood</i>, as were of proved endurance and courage.</p> - -<p>De Vilela had proffered his services, as my second -in command, and I had given him charge of a picked -company whose station was beside the gate of the -drawbridge—that is, the gate on the landward side of -Carrickahooley.</p> - -<p>Grace O’Malley herself saw that everything was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> -disposed according to her mind before she withdrew -to the apartments of the women in the main tower. -But well did I know that it was not to sleep that -she had gone. She had now attired herself in -the mantle, leather-quilted jack, and armour of an -Irish gentleman, and her eyes were full of the fierce -light of battle; but, deeming it likely to increase -the confidence of her people if they saw her retire -according to her usual custom, she had left us -to ourselves.</p> - -<p>I was leaning upon the edge of the parapet, gazing -into the deepening darkness of the night, and musing -on many things, when one of my officers came up, -and informed me that among those who had fled to -us for refuge from the English were certain kernes -who passionately begged to be permitted to share -the night-watch, being consumed with zeal against -the enemy.</p> - -<p>Knowing the treachery that was contemplated, -Grace O’Malley had had all the refugees confined -during the previous night within the buildings of -the castle, and not suffered to go abroad except in the -daytime, and now when I heard the request I felt -a certainty that the men who made it could be no -other than those whose voices I had overheard, -and who were the traitors in the pay of the -Governor.</p> - -<p>As it was above all things necessary they should -have no suspicion that we had any knowledge of -their purpose, I gave my officer an answer in an -offhand manner, saying I would see these kernes in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> -a little while, and, if I found them likely to make -good soldiers, might add them to the guard.</p> - -<p>Debating with myself whether I should at once -go and tell my mistress what I thought, and also, if -I was correct in my surmise, what was the best way -in which to proceed, so that the discomfiture of these -men might be complete, the night grew apace, and -still I had come to no decision.</p> - -<p>Suddenly, a slight, scarcely-seen motion—so -slight, so scarcely-seen that it might have been -caused by the vagrant breath of a passing breeze, -only there was a perfect calm—seemed to the keenness -of my sea-trained vision to make itself felt by -a sort of tremulousness in that breadth of shadow -that lay opposite me under the cold gleam of the -stars, which I knew to be the side of the hill on -which was the abbey.</p> - -<p>Sounds, too, there came, but so faintly that I -could not disentangle them from the ordinary voices -of the night. Then, as I strained my eyes and ears, -both sound and motion faded away as in a dream. -I waited and watched for some minutes, but all was -as silent as death.</p> - -<p>Thinking I might have been mistaken, I went -down from the battlements, and calling to the officer -who had spoken of the wish of the refugee kernes, -I bade him bring them to me in a chamber that -served as a guard-room.</p> - -<p>As I entered, a solitary wolf-call came howling -through the air, and then, as the kernes came in, -there was a second.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> - -<p>The first wolf-call had startled me, for surely, with -such a host near us, it was a strange thing for a wolf -to be thus close at hand; but when I heard the -second one there was no doubt left in my mind. -These calls were no other than the calls of human -wolves signalling each other.</p> - -<p>So, bidding the men to be kept in the guard-room -till I returned, I went to the gate, and told -de Vilela that I conjectured the enemy was stealing -upon us in the darkness to take us by surprise, -expecting that their allies within our walls would -have so contrived as to make the way easy for them, -and I said I thought I could now put my hand on -these very men.</p> - -<p>When I saw the kernes again, they affirmed that -they were three men of the O’Flahertys of Ballanahinch, -between whom and the O’Malleys there was -a friendship of long-standing. Now, between these -O’Flahertys and the O’Flahertys of Aughnanure there -was a desperate family feud, and their tale was not -lacking in plausibleness. They appeared to be very -eager to be employed against the enemy, and implored -to be sent to help to guard the gate, which -was the weakest part of our defences.</p> - -<p>I replied that it was for me, and not for them, -to say where they should be put, but that their -prayer would be granted. As for the gate being the -weakest part of our defences, how could they say -that? Whereupon they were silent. However, I had -now determined what I was to do, so I bade them -begone to the company of de Vilela, who had no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> -difficulty in understanding that they were the knaves -of whom I had spoken to him.</p> - -<p>A short time afterwards I saw the Spaniard, and -communicated to him my plan, which was that he -was to appear to give the kernes every opportunity -of carrying out their designs, but, without seeming -to do so, was not to lose sight of them for one -moment, and that thus he would probably be in a -position to defeat their intent.</p> - -<p>To speak the truth, I did not see how I could -act in any other manner, yet I was very uneasy, and, -as the event showed, not without reason.</p> - -<p>For I had been no more than back again at my -place in the black corner of the parapet, when I -heard a loud shouting at that angle of the wall -next the sea, and the sound of blows. Running -thither, I saw the dark forms of men climbing from -ladders to the top of the wall, and the pale glitter -of steel striking steel.</p> - -<p>In an instant the whole castle rang with the cries -of the alarmed guard, as they hurried from all sides -to the point of attack, and torches blazed out from -the tower. The glare from these lights fell weirdly -on the forms of our people as they pressed on to -mount the parapet, yelling with lusty throats the -war-cry of the O’Malleys. I stopped and looked -down on them, and as the dancing torches flew their -flags of red and orange flame, now this way, now -that, I noticed among the crowd the faces of two of -the kernes whom I had sent to de Vilela.</p> - -<p>To make certain I looked again. There assuredly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> -they were, pushing on, and pointing to the place of -assault, and shouting more loudly even than their -neighbours. I asked myself why they had left the -guard at the gate, and at once concluded that they -must have slipped away in the confusion, for -de Vilela was not likely to have given them -permission.</p> - -<p>What was their object?</p> - -<p>And where was the third man? I could only -see two.</p> - -<p>There they were—the two whom I now plainly -discovered stepping forward, apparently as keen for -the fight as any of ourselves, making straight for the -parapet, and <i>helping to draw others along with them -away from the gate of the drawbridge</i>.</p> - -<p>Was that it?</p> - -<p>This thought came like the quick flashing of an -inward light, and then was succeeded by another.</p> - -<p>If this were so, then it followed that the attack -we were engaged in repelling was a mere feint meant -to deceive us, and that the real assault would be -made—probably at the gate—while our attention was -held elsewhere. In any case there were sufficient, as -I conceived, of our gallowglasses now upon the walls -to beat back the enemy, and I hastened toward the -gate.</p> - -<p>As I moved forward I was met by de Vilela and -most of his company, and when I stopped and asked -him why he had quitted his post, he replied that it -was in obedience to a request from me which he had -just received. Now, I had sent no such request, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> -the fear which had sprung up within me was at once -confirmed, as it was evident that he had been duped -by a false message, the result being that the gate -was left nearly unprotected.</p> - -<p>“Come with me,” I said, at the same time telling -him quickly how the matter stood, and of the dread -that possessed me. Such of our men as I encountered -on the way I also bade turn about and follow -me. Nor were we a moment too soon.</p> - -<p>Drawing nearer, we could hear the rattle and -the clank of the heavy chains of the drawbridge as -it was being lowered, and the creaking of the -ponderous gate as it swung inwards on its heavy -hinges. The flames of torches blazing from the wide -doorway of the main tower flashed upon the steel -jacks and the gauntlets of English soldiers, dim-flitting -in the half-gloom of the opening mouth of -the gate.</p> - -<p>The traitor had done his work and had done it -well; yet it passes me, even to this day, to understand -how he had been able to accomplish his end thus -so swiftly and thoroughly.</p> - -<p>“O’Malley! O’Malley!” I cried in a great voice -that rang out far above all the din and disorder of -the night, so that it reached the ear of my princess, -who now came hurrying on along with some of the -gentlemen of her household and a body of swordsmen.</p> - -<p>“O’Malley! O’Malley!”</p> - -<p>Behind me the pure deep tones of my mistress’s -cry mingled with the hoarse, harsh accents of her -people.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> - -<p>“O’Malley! O’Malley!”</p> - -<p>Fierce and terrible beyond all power of words -to express was the hardly human cry.</p> - -<p>With a couple of bounds I had reached our foes. -The glimmer of a sword passed by me, and I parried -the point of a spear thrust at my breast. Then I felt -my knees gripped, and I tripped over upon the body -of the man who held me. As I stumbled, my weapon -falling from my hand, I caught a glimpse of de Vilela -standing over me, his long sword playing like lightning, -holding the enemy in check.</p> - -<p>There was a rush of feet, and across me and the -man beneath me, as across a wall, did the battle rage.</p> - -<p>I had fallen with my whole weight upon the man -who had seized my legs, and I heard him gasp and -sob and try for breath as he lay underneath.</p> - -<p>As I felt along his form for his throat, I noticed -that he wore no armour, and my fingers became as -steel when I realised that this was no other, could be -no other, than the traitor who had opened the gate. -Whoever or whatever he was, his secret died with -him there, for I did not relax my grasp upon his -neck until I was well assured that I had twisted -and broken it.</p> - -<p>And when in the morning we found the body -amongst a heap of slain, it was trampled out of -all semblance of human shape, but not so as not -to show the sign of the broken neck.</p> - -<p>How I managed to roll myself out of that press -and coil I cannot tell, but yet somehow I did it, -and all the while I was strangely conscious that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> -de Vilela’s sword watched and warded over me, so -that I escaped with my life. This affair of mine took -not so long in the doing as in the telling of it, and -when I had struggled to my feet he was in front -of me—”Santiago! Santiago!” on his lips, as that -long sword of his sang its songs of death. Plucking -my battle-axe from my girdle I stepped to his side.</p> - -<p>And now about us were my mistress and her fiery -swordsmen, mad with rage and thirsting for blood. -With wild screams we fell upon and fought back the -Englishmen, who stubbornly contested every foot -of ground, until we hurled them broken across the -bridge, pursuing them for some distance beyond the -castle. Then, facing round, we attacked from the -rear those who had attempted to enter by scaling -the walls; and perhaps some escaped in the darkness, -but of those who were seen by us not one was spared.</p> - -<p>So, favourably for us, our first fight with the -English came to a close.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> - -<small>THE GATE OF FEARS.</small></h2> - - -<p>During what of the night remained we continued -under arms, expecting that the attack might be -renewed, but the morning—another sunny splendour—came, -and we were undisturbed. We were now in -a better position to estimate what had occurred, and -the peril from which we had so narrowly escaped.</p> - -<p>The number of our dead and wounded was not -great, but among the latter was Fitzgerald, who had -been by the side of Grace O’Malley in the fight for -the gate. Eva O’Malley, along with Teige O’Toole, -the Wise Man, who was also a mediciner, and skilled -in the use of herbs and simples, ministered to the -wants and relieved the pangs of the sufferers, as far as -lay within her power.</p> - -<p>And as she passed in and out among them, her -passing seemed to me, and to others I doubt not, as -the passing of an angel. My mistress and de Vilela -were unhurt, and I had nothing more than some -bruises to show for my share in the battle.</p> - -<p>Neither among the killed nor the wounded could -the two traitorous kernes be seen, and I feared that -they had contrived to make good their flight, a -thing which did not appear improbable considering -the darkness and confusion of an assault by night.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> -However, I had every portion of the castle searched -and scrutinised with the utmost care, and finally the -knaves were found hiding in a storeroom, which held -a large quantity of loose corn, and there, amongst the -grain, they were discovered nearly suffocated.</p> - -<p>They had deserved no mercy and they were shown -none. Desirous of knowing who they in reality were, -and of obtaining any information they possessed of -the purposes of the Governor, I ordered that they -should be taken into one of the underground -dungeons, and put to the question.</p> - -<p>But they were stout of heart, being, as I think, no -common men, so that torture even failed to worry -their secrets from them. When Grace O’Malley -heard that they could be forced to disclose nothing, -she directed that they should be taken and hanged -from a great gallows-beam, that sprang out from the -summit of the tower, and which could be plainly -descried by the English from Burrishoole.</p> - -<p>No sooner had the fight for the gate come to an -end, than I became greatly disturbed in my mind as -to the debt I felt myself to be owing to de Vilela, for, -had it not been for that marvellous sword-play of his -I had never come out of the fray alive.</p> - -<p>That was the kind of debt in payment of which a -man might almost give his all, even life itself. In -what way was I to discharge it? I consoled myself -with the thought that the chances of warfare might -provide me with the opportunity, but if not—what -then?</p> - -<p>The matter lay heavy upon me, and that Don<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> -Francisco was my rival for Eva’s love, and, as I was -more than half disposed to imagine, my successful -rival did not make the burden of it the lighter to -bear. But one thing I could do, and that, the -business of the perfidious knaves being despatched, -I did. I sought him out, and, offering him my hand, -thanked him with such words as flowed from a full, if -troubled breast, for the great service he had done me.</p> - -<p>“Señor,” said I impulsively, “I believe that I am -indebted to you for the greatest service one man can -render another.”</p> - -<p>His attitude was that of protest, nay, of entreaty, -that I should say no more.</p> - -<p>Now I have written to little purpose if I have not -made it evident that de Vilela was my superior in -every way save with respect to my strength of body, -which was the one special gift God had given me. I -had acknowledged the fact to myself, although, being -human, not perhaps ungrudgingly. As I looked into -his face, whatever poor, paltry feeling I had nourished -against him was swept away by a wave of strong -emotion.</p> - -<p>“Yes, señor,” said I, “how am I to thank you? -But for you—I would have perished. What am I to -say? What can I do?”</p> - -<p>“Señor Ruari,” cried he, in that soft, quiet way -of his, “between soldiers, brothers-in-arms, there is -no debt.”</p> - -<p>“Señor,” said I——</p> - -<p>“Be generous, Señor Ruari,” exclaimed he, “and -say not a word more,” and he smiled somewhat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> -wistfully and sadly. “We are friends, at any rate, -whate’er befall, are we not?”</p> - -<p>“By God’s wounds!” swore I.</p> - -<p>And we clasped hands again, and so parted.</p> - -<p>The day which followed that night of stir was one -of quiet at the castle, and its very peacefulness seemed -to me well-nigh intolerable. But we learned from -our spies, and could to some extent see for ourselves, -that there was a great commotion in the English -camp, indicating the arrival of fresh troops.</p> - -<p>By the evening, Sir Nicholas had so disposed his -forces that we were completely hemmed in on the -land side, and our spies had to be withdrawn within -the walls. The sea was still open to us, and much I -wondered that the Governor did not take this more -into his account, for so long as we could get to our -galleys and procure food by way of Clew Bay, we -could laugh at him and bid him defiance.</p> - -<p>But I might have been sure that Sir Nicholas was -too experienced a soldier not to know well what he -was about.</p> - -<p>Another night and another day dragged themselves -slowly away, and the Governor moved not from -the positions he had taken up. There he lay all -round us, just out of reach of our ordnance, of which -we gave him a taste from time to time, so that he -should keep his distance; there he lay, inactive, -waiting, expectant—but of what, or, of whom?</p> - -<p>These were the questions Grace O’Malley discussed -with de Vilela and myself, and the answers to -them did not present themselves at once.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Can it be,” asked my mistress—and her words -showed the direction in which her thoughts were -turning “that Sir Nicholas has heard Richard Burke -is coming with all the men of Mayo behind him to -our aid, and that he has decided to engage him -before attacking us?”</p> - -<p>“He is perhaps making some engines with which -he hopes to batter down your walls,” said de Vilela.</p> - -<p>“Our ordnance will prevent that,” said I.</p> - -<p>“I think the Governor must himself expect to -receive ordnance from some quarter,” said de Vilela, -“otherwise the success of the siege he must know is -impossible.”</p> - -<p>Grace O’Malley and I looked at each other, the -same thought in our minds. There was only the one -way by which there was any probability of his obtaining -heavy pieces, and that was over sea.</p> - -<p>Did Sir Nicholas reckon on the support of a -heavy ship of war, and was he now quietly looking for -its arrival? Had he foreseen, or, at least, provided -against the failure of the plot of the kernes?</p> - -<p>That seemed very likely, and the more I thought -of it the more likely did it seem. I now realised, as I -had not done before, the seriousness of our situation.</p> - -<p>“That must be it,” said Grace O’Malley. “That -must be it. He is not a man given to slackness, but -he is perfectly aware that he can now effect nothing -unless he has cannon, and so he tarries until his -ordnance comes. Doubtless he has arranged that a -war-vessel shall meet him here, and, if that is how -the matter stands, it may arrive very soon.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> - -<p>“What you have conjectured,” said, de Vilela, -“will, I think, prove to be correct.” And I also said -that her words expressed my own opinion.</p> - -<p>Now, the three great galleys lay in the harbour -at Clare Island, and as Grace O’Malley had withdrawn -most of their crews they were without sufficient -defenders, and might be easily taken and -destroyed.</p> - -<p>“The galleys must at once be brought over here,” -said she with decision to me, “or better still, if it -be not too late, sailed into Achill Sound, and hidden -away in one of its many bays. This very night, as -soon as the darkness has fallen, you, Ruari, must take -as many men as can be got into the boats we have -here, and make for Clare Island with all speed. -When you have reached the island, do with the -galleys as seems best to you.”</p> - -<p>Accordingly, when the shadows of night had overspread -the land and the sea, I set about to fulfil -her behest. The day-breeze had died away, and the -waters were calm and tranquil as we pulled out from -the castle. Rowing steadily and strongly along the -north shore of Clew Bay, the sound of our oars alone -breaking the silence, we held on until we arrived -at Clare Island, where I was overjoyed to find our -ships riding at anchor in the peaceful security of the -haven.</p> - -<p>And there, partly to rest my weary men, and -partly because I could see no reason for any -immediate action, I resolved to lie still till dawn.</p> - -<p>I had hardly, as it appeared to me, laid myself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> -down to sleep in my cabin on <i>The Cross of Blood</i>, -though some hours had passed, when I was aroused -by Calvagh O’Halloran, who had been left in charge -of the galleys, with the tidings that the watchers -he had placed on Knockmore had come down from -the hill with the intelligence that they had seen, -in the first light of the morning, the tops of the masts -of a large ship coming up, faint and dim, on the -south against the sky.</p> - -<p>Springing from my couch, I bade Calvagh get -the galleys ready to put to sea, and while this was -being done I went ashore, and, climbing the slope -of Knockmore with swift steps, gazed seaward at the -approaching vessel.</p> - -<p>At first I was inclined to hesitate as to what to -make of her, but as I looked, and as she kept coming -on into fuller view, any doubt I entertained was set -at rest.</p> - -<p>There was a bright flashing of flame, then a heavy -boom from one of her ports, succeeded by three shots -fired in rapid succession.</p> - -<p>I concluded that she was still too far out at sea -for her commander to have intended these for anything -but signals, and therefore I continued to stand -watching her, my purpose being to discover if she -intended to make for Clare Island or would hold -on towards the mainland.</p> - -<p>This took some time, for, as the breeze was off -the shore and against the tide, she sailed very slowly. -At length it became apparent that she was to -endeavour to go on to Burrishoole or Carrickahooley,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> -and so would have Clare Island well on her left, for, -as she passed the Point of Roonah, she was swung -around between us and the coast.</p> - -<p>I could tell from her movements that her captain -was far from being certain where the channel lay -among the islands that stud all the eastern side of -Clew Bay; and, indeed, it takes a man who knows -these parts more than well to steer a ship of middling -tonnage safely through the rocks and shoals into the -fairway by Illamore. I felt confident that it would -be many hours before he could reach his destination, -and this put into my mind to attempt to carry -out a project which had occurred to me, and which -might prevent him from ever reaching it at all.</p> - -<p>The project was of a somewhat desperate nature, -and if it resulted in failure then in all likelihood -there would be an end so far as regards <i>The Cross of -Blood</i> and its company; but if success should favour -our enterprise, we might compel Sir Nicholas to raise -the siege before it was well begun, and so bring -the war to a close for the present by his retreat.</p> - -<p>As I was weighing the chances both for and -against us, there sounded forth from the English -ship-of-war a single loud report, and shortly afterwards -three shots were fired—a repetition, in fact, -of the former signal. This acted on me like the -pricking of a spear on a charger.</p> - -<p>What I had in view was nothing less than the -wreck of the enemy’s vessel.</p> - -<p>When I had regained the deck of my galley -the anchor was weighed, and we put out into the bay,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> -leaving <i>The Grey Wolf</i> and <i>The Winged Horse</i> in -the harbour, with orders to follow us on the next tide.</p> - -<p>Summoning Calvagh to my side, I unfolded to -him the course I thought of pursuing, and as much -would depend on the stoutness and endurance of -our rowers, I enjoined on him to exhort them to be -steadfast, and not to be thrown into a fury and a -frenzy of excitement even when they heard the -shots of the Englishman roaring past their ears and -we seemed to be going to certain destruction.</p> - -<p>They were not to abandon their places at the -benches unless <i>The Cross of Blood</i> should be so -damaged by the enemy as to appear to be in a -sinking condition. Should that disaster be imminent, -then, and only then, would it become a case of -each man for himself.</p> - -<p>I judged it to be needful to give these instructions -because, while I could trust everyone of my -men where a matter of fighting was concerned, I was -not so sure that when it came to our running away—and -that was the very soul of my scheme—they -would do as I wished with an equal heart. For -they were of the temper in which it is easier to fight -and die than to flee and live.</p> - -<p>As we drew out from Clare Island the English -ship was about two miles in front of us, with her -bows pointing for the south side of Illamore, between -which and the rocky islets opposite it there is a clear -span of water, but before she could come abreast of -Illamore there was a distance of a couple of leagues -of open sea.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> - -<p>She went along lumberingly, and the galley, -bounding forward like a racer under the swift, -measured swing of the oars, had the speed of her, -and began to come up with her rapidly. When -we were within a mile of her, and Illamore perchance -a league away, I shifted my course and bore off to -the north.</p> - -<p>The galley had no doubt been seen by the -Englishmen as soon as we had emerged from Clare -Island; and now, when they perceived that we were -heading away from them and going north, they -fetched about and came round after us.</p> - -<p>Would their captain give chase, or would he -content himself with noting whither we went and -following us for a time and then turning about -again? I had felt certain from the beginning that -he had no pilot on board, for where were there any -people who knew Clew Bay but ourselves? And -sure was I that no O’Malley would ever guide a -hostile ship through these waters.</p> - -<p>What I feared was that the Englishman might -pursue us for two or three miles, and then, seeing -how thick the islands were in that part of the bay -and how narrow the channels between them, might -be deterred from proceeding further in our direction, -and therefore stand off again for the other side of -Illamore, as had been his purpose at first.</p> - -<p>As I was determined to draw him on at all -hazards, I made a sign to Calvagh, at whose word -our oarsmen ceased pulling their great sweeping -strokes, and made no more than a pretence of rowing,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> -so as only to keep steering-way on <i>The Cross of Blood</i>, -and to deceive the Englishman into imagining that -he was catching her up, as indeed he was, though -not as he understood the matter.</p> - -<p>On he came, as I had hoped, the gap between -us growing less, until a ball fired from his bows -fell so near as to warn me that we were within range -of his guns.</p> - -<p>The English vessel was a heavily armed ship, her -sides bristling with large pieces of ordnance, and it -would have required not more than a few of her -shots, had they struck the galley, to send her to the -bottom. And as there were but two falconets on -<i>The Cross of Blood</i>, her other cannon having been -removed from her to the walls of the castle, we were -not able to reply to the enemy’s fire with any effect. -But it was not my intention to use these falconets, -except to lure him into that trap I was setting for -him.</p> - -<p>Therefore I shouted to Calvagh, and the galley -plunged forward again under the strong, full beat -of the racing oars as he ran up and down between -the rowers commanding them to pull for their -lives. We could hear the cheering and the laughter -on board the Englishman as he watched what he -took to be our frantic efforts to escape.</p> - -<p>And, in truth, we had put on this burst of -speed none too soon, for the shots now sent after -us fell so little short of our stern that I was afraid -we were lost. But the peril passed, and we quickly -drew away.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> - -<p>And thus for two miles or more the pursuit -of us went on, the Englishman coming up with us -and discharging his pieces at us as we slacked off -rowing, and then falling behind us as the oarsman -drove the galley on again. I repeated this manœuvre -several times, and once only had a ball struck <i>The -Cross of Blood</i>, but, as fortune would have it, without -inflicting any serious injury upon us.</p> - -<p>Now that the supreme moment was almost at -hand I became conscious of a singular tumult, a -very fever in my veins, and that at a time when -I desired above all things to be calm and self-possessed.</p> - -<p>I was standing by the helmsman as he steered, -and, as I turned to give him the direction, I could -see in the pallor that showed beneath the brown -of his skin, in the fixedly gleaming eyes, in the -shut lips that had no colour about them, in the -whole tense attitude of the man, the visible expression -of my own feelings.</p> - -<p>For there before us lay the islands; all shapes -and sizes were they, some grim and bare, others -green and fair to see; island upon island, one crowding -upon the other, as it were, like a wide range -of low hills.</p> - -<p>Immediately in front of us a grey, craggy rock -reared its head; on one side of it was a small, -round islet, a shining girdle of spray half hiding -it, on the other, separated from it by a narrow -passage, a great rampart of black cliffs, on whose -heights the eagles loved to build, towered aloft<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> -into the sky, the waves rolling themselves in empty -thunders at its feet.</p> - -<p>Beyond this passage was seen a spacious land-locked -bay as it appeared to be, so closed in did -it seem on all sides by islands. And through this -passage did I give command to go.</p> - -<p>There was a mute protest in the look the -helmsman gave me, for this passage is none other -than that called the Gate of Fears, and no mariner -ever makes use of it save from direst necessity -and with many crossings of himself and murmured -vows. But the galley made a half-turn obedient -to the helmsman’s hand, and so was headed for -the dreaded Gate.</p> - -<p>The Englishman was at our heels, bent upon -our capture or destruction, but when he saw us -approach this passage he hesitated, and was like -to draw back. Whereupon I ordered Calvagh to -bid the oarsmen stop rowing, and bringing the -falconets into position trained them on the enemy, -myself putting the blazing torch to the touch-hole.</p> - -<p>At the same time our sailors sent up a loud -taunting, derisive cry, which was answered back -full-throated by the English ship. Provoked beyond -endurance at us, and thinking, it might be, that -where a large galley like <i>The Cross of Blood</i> might -go she might venture also, she again came on at -us, firing as she came.</p> - -<p>I had to endure an agony of suspense, for there -was still time for two things to happen, either of -which would be fatal to my purpose.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> - -<p>Until the English commander had fairly entered -the Gate of Fears, and so would be forced to go -on, he might hold off after all. That was the first. -And to tempt him on I had to keep the galley -so close to the range of his ordnance that it was -very probable that he might hit and sink her. -That was the second.</p> - -<p>He had, however, made up his mind that we -were within his grasp, and had determined to have -us. As he came slowly nearer, our oarsmen sent -the galley on through the passage, and on he moved -after us.</p> - -<p>There was now a lull in his cannonading, and -a strange silence fell upon us all. In that silence -I waited anxiously, a prey to mingled doubts and -fears, expecting to hear a slight grating, scraping -sound, and to see the galley shiver and quake as -she passed over the knife-edges of rocks that lie a -few feet below the surface of the sea at the further -end of the Gate. The tide was high, as I had -reckoned, else I never would have attempted it.</p> - -<p>Then there was a sudden tempest of smoke and -flame from the Englishman, in the midst of which -<i>The Cross of Blood</i> swayed and reeled as if she had -been struck. I sickened with apprehension, but -the swaying and the reeling quickly ceased. We -were safely over the jagged barrier of rock; we had -passed through the Gate, and were in the deep water -beyond.</p> - -<p>Below me I could see Calvagh’s white, set face -as he looked up; then, as he realised that we were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> -out of the dangers of the passage, a war chant broke -from his fierce lips, the oarsmen rowing mightily, -and keeping time to that savage, deep-chested music -of his.</p> - -<p>And on behind us came the unwitting Englishman.</p> - -<p>In a few minutes more, looking towards her, I -saw her bows tilt up and then plunge high into the -air. She was lifted up and dashed down again -and again on the rocks, so that her back broke, -and she was torn to pieces before my eyes, while -some of her sailors cast themselves into the water, -with outcries and bewailings very piteous to hear, -and others got into the ship’s boats and put out -to sea, where I know not what fate overtook them.</p> - -<p>My men clamoured that they should be pursued, -but this I would not suffer, for my end was attained, -as Sir Nicholas now would have no ordnance for -the battering down of the walls of Carrickahooley, -and must therefore raise the siege.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.<br /> - -<small>THE SIEGE IS RAISED.</small></h2> - - -<p>Perchance it was that my spirits had been affected -by the sinking of this fine ship, even though I myself -had been the cause of the same—the loss of a -vessel, I cannot help saying, being a thing more to -be deplored than the deaths of many human beings; -or it may have been that my mind, now the -necessity for prompt and decisive action had passed, -became, as it were, relaxed and unstrung; but, as -<i>The Cross of Blood</i> threaded her way through the -maze of the islands towards Carrickahooley, I could -think of nothing save of how I stood in the debt -of de Vilela.</p> - -<p>In vain I strove to comfort myself by recalling -the successes and the victories that had been -achieved by and in the name of my mistress, -Grace O’Malley, and by telling myself that she had -won for herself and us an imperishable renown. -Not thus could I silence the voice of my heart, -which cried out that all these were but as barrenness -and as nothingness so long as Eva O’Malley -was not for me. For <i>there</i> was the pain, there the -grief and the sadness.</p> - -<p>Against myself did I consider myself called upon -to fight. I was as deep in the Spaniard’s debt as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> -a man could be, and yet I could not bring myself -to resign all hopes of my dear, even to de Vilela, -without the bitterest struggles.</p> - -<p>Which of us twain possessed the maid’s love? -Was it de Vilela, or was it I? Did she love either -of us?—that was the all-important question. For -myself, my love had grown with my growth, was, I -felt, growing still, and would keep on growing as -long as I lived.</p> - -<p>De Vilela, however, was a stranger, blown in -upon us, as it were, by the chance winds of heaven. -My claim was perhaps the better claim, but a maid’s -heart acknowledges no real claim but the claim of -her love, and if her heart’s love was de Vilela’s, -then was my claim void and empty indeed.</p> - -<p>Therefore, let the maid decide. My thoughts -had worked round to this point, when I remembered -once more what Grace O’Malley had said -about the Don and Eva. What if Eva loved me -after all? Again, Let the maid decide, said I.</p> - -<p>Yet, somehow, this did not altogether satisfy me. -Then it occurred to me that I might pay a part -of my debt to de Vilela in the following way.</p> - -<p>He could scarcely tarry much longer with us at -the castle, as he must soon depart to endeavour to -carry out the objects of the secret mission with -which he had been entrusted by his master, the -King of Spain. The way for him would be clear -and open, for I had no doubt that Sir Nicholas -would not now be able to continue the siege, and -that we would be left in peace and quiet till the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> -spring of the next year, when the war would most -probably be renewed against us with larger forces, -and with greater determination, both by land -and sea. But all that lay in the womb of the -future.</p> - -<p>As for Don Francisco, I thought it likely that -he would try to make the most of the time -that remained to him before setting out for the -Earl of Desmond’s, that he would ask for Eva’s -hand from Grace O’Malley, and that thus the -matter would be determined. What I set myself -to do was, so long as he remained at Carrickahooley, -to keep out of Eva’s presence, and in a manner, as -it were, to leave the field to de Vilela.</p> - -<p>If the maid loved him, I was out of court; if -she loved me, she would tell her foster-sister that -she could not accept the offer of the Spaniard; if -she cared for neither of us, or wavered between us, -then I was resolved to forego whatever advantage -I possessed over de Vilela until he had received -his answer and had taken his departure.</p> - -<p>If she accepted his suit, they would be married, -I supposed drearily, before he left, and then they -would set out together, and that which was unutterably -and unalterably rare, dear, and precious -would be gone out of my life. If Eva willed otherwise—it -all rested with her. But, in any case, de -Vilela was to have his chance free from any mean -or unmannerly interference from me.</p> - -<p>Little did I guess how severely the strength -of my resolution was to be tested, but I thank<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> -God, now that all is done, that it bore the -strain.</p> - -<p>It was not much past the middle of the day -when <i>The Cross of Blood</i> drew up at Carrickahooley, -but long before we had reached the castle we could -hear the sounds of battle rolling towards us from -off the land, and could see the tiny clouds of -smoke made by the arquebuses as they were fired -off.</p> - -<p>Disembarking with all haste, and bringing with -me most of my crew, I was instantly admitted -within the water-gate. There I was told that -Grace O’Malley, with de Vilela, her gentlemen, -and most of her people, was making a sally on -the English.</p> - -<p>Rushing to the parapets, I could see that the -centre of the fighting was between the castle and -the Abbey of Burrishoole, and that it was of a very -terrible and bloody character, the Englishmen displaying -that dogged courage for which they are -famed, while the Irish, inspired by their mistress, -performed wonderful feats of valour, and were -thrusting their enemies slowly back to their principal -position, where, however, their further retreat -was speedily checked on their being strengthened -by fresh supports.</p> - -<p>Now the purpose of Grace O’Malley in this -outfall could not have extended beyond inflicting -upon the Governor considerable loss, as she knew -his force was far superior to her own in numbers; -and I was therefore not surprised to witness the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> -Irish at this juncture beginning to retreat, the -English attacking them fiercely in front and on -their flanks.</p> - -<p>It was at this instant that Sir Nicholas, who -was himself directing the operations of his troops, -conceived that he might cut our people off altogether -from the castle by sending forward some -soldiers he had held as a reserve, and placing -them between the Irish and the castle.</p> - -<p>I could see all this quite plainly from the walls, -and, fearing lest he might succeed, I summoned my -men, and, issuing from the castle gate, marched to -meet this new body of the enemy, in order, if so be -I was in time, to defeat the attempt, which, if well -carried out, could not but be attended with the -greatest possible danger, and perhaps disaster, to my -mistress.</p> - -<p>Being delayed by the roughness of the ground -from coming up as quickly as I could have wished, -and as they had the start of us, the English had -effected their purpose, and the Irish were surrounded.</p> - -<p>But, as we ran forward, some of the enemy faced -about to meet us, and so, being taken, as it were, -between two fires—Grace O’Malley with her men on -the one side, and I with mine on the other—they -were speedily thrown into the utmost confusion, of -which we did not fail to make a good account. -Still the contest was by no means entirely in our -favour, for the resistance of the Governor’s soldiers -was protracted and bitter, each man contending for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> -his own hand with all the strength and cunning he -was possessed of.</p> - -<p>At length the main body of the Irish under -Grace O’Malley fought their way through the enemy -and joined themselves to us, my mistress being both -surprised and rejoiced to find that we had returned, -and had been able to come to her assistance. Beside -her, their swords gleaming redly in their hands, were -Brian Ogue, and Art, and Henry O’Malley, and the -other gentlemen of her household; and leaning upon -the arm of one of them, and supported and protected -by two men, I beheld de Vilela, desperately -wounded!</p> - -<p>His face was pale, drawn, deep-lined, and spotted -with blood, the eyes being closed, and the lips shut -tight; the figure within his armour was bent with -weariness, and weakness, and wounds; the fingers of -the right hand still grasped the handle of his sword, -but they shook and trembled as with palsy. Truly, -he looked like one whose doom is sealed, and my -heart went out to him with a great compassion.</p> - -<p>Calling to four of my men, who were armed -with spears, I caused them to make a rough litter -with their weapons, and upon this rude but soldierly -contrivance we laid the Spaniard, and so bore him -to the castle, while behind us the fight still continued, -but with less and less fierceness.</p> - -<p>Not a sound came from Don Francisco, although -the jolting must have given him the most intense -pain, save once when my mistress took his hand -and spoke to him, when he made reply in Spanish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> -that “all was well” with him. And I thought the -words were not unworthy, but well became the brave -soul of the man.</p> - -<p>“I will go in with him,” said Grace O’Malley -to me, when we had arrived at the gate; “Ruari, -do you gather our people together, and lead them -within the walls.”</p> - -<p>And I did her bidding, so that in a short time -I had them collected in a compact body, and under -cover of the ordnance, belching forth from the -battlements, retreated within the gate, bearing most -of our wounded with us. There I found Grace -O’Malley waiting to hear the news I had brought.</p> - -<p>“De Vilela?” I first inquired.</p> - -<p>“He is still alive,” said she, “but I fear the hour -of his passing is already upon him.”</p> - -<p>“’Fore God,” cried I, with a sob in my throat, “I -trust not.”</p> - -<p>“Eva tends him,” said she—and in a flash I -remembered everything.</p> - -<p>“He is in good keeping,” said I.</p> - -<p>“He is in the hands of God,” said she, in a voice -and manner so touched with unwonted solemnity and -deep feeling that I gazed at her in amazement.</p> - -<p>Then a wild thought came to me: could she, -did she, our princess, care for this man? But no -sooner had the thought arisen in my mind than -I dismissed it. “What have I to do with love?” -she had said on a former occasion, and she had -meant it.</p> - -<p>Her next words, however, appeared to give point<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> -to my suspicion, but when I considered them more -carefully, I saw I was wrong. For what she had -said was, “There are few men like Don Francisco,” -but the tone in which they were spoken was not -that, it seemed to me, of a woman who loves; rather -was it that of one who deplores the expected loss -of a dear friend. Yet sometimes, in the silent -watches of the night, have I wondered—and I -wonder still.</p> - -<p>“We have heard the roar of great guns from -time to time this morning,” said she, changing the -subject abruptly, “and, knowing that you had no -ordnance to speak of, I feared for your safety. Tell -me what has happened.”</p> - -<p>Whereupon I related all that had taken place, -and how that the English war-vessel had been dashed -to pieces on the rocks at the hither end of the Gate -of Fears.</p> - -<p>Much I spoke in praise of Calvagh and the rowers -of <i>The Cross of Blood</i>, and said that it was fitting -they should be given a rich reward, for, notwithstanding -the terrors inspired in all seafaring men -by the place, and in spite of the ordnance of the -Englishman making the passage like the mouth of -hell, they had stood fast every one.</p> - -<p>“And what of yourself?” cried she, between -smiles and tears. “What of yourself, my Ruari?”</p> - -<p>And she took from the mantle upon her shoulder -a brooch of gold, with mystic signs, of which I knew -not the meaning, engraved upon it, and in the midst -of it a sapphire, with the deep blue in it of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> -unfathomed abysses of the sea. This she handed to -me, one of her arms about my neck, and I was -uplifted with pride, albeit there was some shame -mixed with it too. But the gift I compelled myself -to decline.</p> - -<p>“I may not take it,” cried I; for the brooch was -one of the tokens of her chieftainship to her people, -and firmly resolved was I that there, in the land of -her fathers, no man should ever have the slightest -cause to think there was any other chief save her, -and her alone. But if I took the brooch—”No,” said -I; “I may not take it.”</p> - -<p>Then, seeing I was determined, she sighed, said -no more, but kissed me on the cheek—a thing she -had not done since I was a little child, playing with -her, a child too, on the sands of the shores of Clew -Bay.</p> - -<p>Thereafter together we went into the chamber of -the main tower where de Vilela had been laid. -There by his couch was my dear, a presence soft, -tender, and full of sweet womanly pity and of the -delicate ministries that spring from it. There upon -the couch lay the wreck of a man; so calm, so pale, -so worn, that he looked like one dead.</p> - -<p>“He still breathes,” said Eva, in a whisper.</p> - -<p>Perhaps it was the result of the conversation I -had just had with Grace O’Malley, or it may have -been the subtle influence of that scene, with that -quiet figure stretched upon the couch for its centre, -but there was no bitterness in my breast when -I saw Eva there. Who, indeed, could have felt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> -any other emotion at such a time but that of -sorrow?</p> - -<p>For two days de Vilela hung between life and -death. More than once did it seem that his spirit -had left his shattered body, and yet it did not. On -the third day the Spaniard rallied; Teige O’Toole, -our physician, declared that there was hope; and -from that instant Don Francisco began slowly to -recover.</p> - -<p>All within the castle rejoiced, and I as much as -any; but when I saw how constantly Eva was with -him, and how the sick man was restless and uneasy -in her brief absences from his side, and how she -watched over and soothed and tended him, her mere -presence being a better restorative than all the -healing simples of Teige O’Toole, is it to be -marvelled at that I found the determination I had -come to of leaving the field open to him, and of -withdrawing from it, become more and more difficult -to maintain?</p> - -<p>Neither did Sir Nicholas nor his army help -greatly to distract my thoughts. For there, outside -our walls, at a safe distance from our cannon, did -the Governor lie day after day for a long week, -waiting, doubtless, for the warship that never came.</p> - -<p>We did not, on our side, stir out of the castle, -for whatever advantage, if any, had been reaped from -the sally had been purchased at too heavy a price. -Grace O’Malley rightly had come to the conclusion -that we had everything to gain by sitting still, and -that Sir Nicholas, seeing that he could do nothing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> -against us without ordnance, would soon grow tired -of this futile business, and so go back to Galway.</p> - -<p>Whether he had heard in some way that the -vessel he had expected had been wrecked, or feared -that events had happened which had prevented it -from being sent at all by Winter, the English -Admiral, I know not; but one night he stole away -from Burrishoole, and when the morning was come, -lo, there was not an Englishman anywhere to be seen.</p> - -<p>It was an unfortunate coincidence in one respect -that the very morning which saw the siege raised -should also have witnessed the arrival of Richard -Burke, attended by fifty horsemen and more than -a hundred gallowglasses, for if we could have counted -on such a number of fighting men in addition to -our own, we should certainly have again attacked the -Governor’s forces and not stood so much upon our -defence.</p> - -<p>But in another respect it fell out luckily enough -for us, and this was that we might now pursue -him with some hope of overtaking him, and of -stopping him from plundering the country, owing to -the assistance of the Burkes. There was nothing -more certain than that Sir Nicholas, as he retreated -towards Galway, would drive before him all the -cattle and horses of the land, and thus he would, -after all, unless prevented, gather an enormous spoil, -depriving us, and those who looked to us for -protection, of a great part of our wealth. And -already he had done us a vast amount of injury -and harm.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> - -<p>So soon, therefore, as Richard Burke, who was -sorely disappointed that he had not reached Carrickahooley -sooner, had come into the castle, and had -been received and entertained by my mistress, from -whom he heard a narrative of what had recently -occurred, Grace O’Malley proposed that he and I -should set out with a large force to endeavour to -recover from the English the plunder they were -taking away. And to this the MacWilliam gladly -assented, observing that no proposal could please -him better than to take part in getting back her -property for her.</p> - -<p>“And,” continued he, “as it is impossible for -Sir Nicholas to move quickly, hampered as he -must be with many herds of cattle and bands of -horses, we can catch him up before he has gone -very far.”</p> - -<p>“You will also have many opportunities,” said -Grace O’Malley, “of which I am sure you will not -fail to make the most, of coming upon detached -bodies of his troops as they struggle through the -thick forests and the passes of the mountains, and -of cutting them off. You can harass and harry him -nearly every step of his retreat, so that when he at -length reaches Galway it will be with greatly lessened -forces, and with so slender a spoil that he will not -care to boast of it.”</p> - -<p>“You would not offer him battle?” asked I.</p> - -<p>“You must be the judges of that for yourselves,” -said she; “but Sir Nicholas is a fine soldier, and as -wary as a fox in warfare, and I think you can do him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> -far more deadly hurt by acting as I have said. You -will risk but little, and may gain much.”</p> - -<p>Then Grace O’Malley and Richard Burke began -talking of what prospect there was of a general rising -of the Irish against the Queen, and of the help that -might be looked for from Philip of Spain, and of -other matters, some of which, I suspect, lay even -nearer the heart of one of them, at least.</p> - -<p>But of this I cannot tell, for when they commenced -to speak of affairs of State I went out from -the hall in which they were, to get my men in -readiness to pursue the English. And welcome to -me was it that our expedition, and its hard service, -held out the promise of drawing off my thoughts -from Eva and de Vilela.</p> - -<p>I was eager that we should make a start at once, -but the Burkes were weary and footsore with their -long, toilsome journey. For that day, then, they -rested, Grace O’Malley giving them and all in the -castle a great feast, filling them with food and wine, -while her harpers stirred their souls with songs of -the mighty deeds done by the mighty dead.</p> - -<p>Songs, too, they made to music now sweet, now -fierce, in honour of my mistress, acclaiming her as -not the least in the long list of a line of heroes! -Whereupon the castle rang with tumultuous shoutings -of applause. Then the minstrels cunningly -turned their themes to the Burkes of Mayo, English -once, but Irish now—ay, even more Irish than the -Irish themselves.</p> - -<p>And so the day passed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p> - -<p>In the morning we left Carrickahooley with a -hundred horsemen and a hundred running footmen, -besides horse-boys and others. Behind us came -many of the fugitives who had come to us fleeing -from before the English, and who now were -returning to their homes, or to what poor, charred -remains of them might be found.</p> - -<p>As we moved swiftly on, we saw many evidences -of the havoc wrought by the ruthless invaders; here -the hut of the wood-kerne, who lives by hunting, -there the hovel of the churl, who tills the fields, -burnt to the ground; while over all brooded the -silence of desolation and death.</p> - -<p>It was not till evening was upon us that we knew -by many indications that we were close on the -enemy. Then we halted and waited till the night -had fully come, sending out in the meantime our -spies to see what the English were doing.</p> - -<p>Softly, like thieves, they returned with word they -had discovered that Sir Nicholas and the greater -portion of his army were not to be seen, having -apparently gone on, but that a small company of -English soldiers and most of the O’Flahertys of -Aughnanure were camped some two or three miles -away, having in their charge great droves of cattle. -Having no thought that they were being followed -up by us, they had made no preparations -for defence, and therefore might easily fall into -our hands.</p> - -<p>Leaving our chargers to the care of the horse-boys, -we divided ourselves into two bands, Richard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> -Burke being in command of the one, and I of the -other; and, going very circumspectly so as to give -no hint of our approach, we burst upon the enemy, -many of whom were slain at the first onset, but a far -larger number escaped us in the darkness. We spent -the rest of the night in their camp, having secured -the cattle; and when daylight made manifest everything -to us I saw that we had accomplished all this -victory without the loss of a single man, there being -but few wounds even among us.</p> - -<p>Then we rode on that day and two more, now -and again falling in with scattered companies of the -enemy, whom we slew or dispersed, and recovering -from them whatever plunder they were taking out -of the land. But Sir Nicholas we did not meet with, -as he had gone on day and night without halting, -having heard, as I afterwards learned, that the -Burkes of Clanrickarde, under Ulick, the son of the -earl, had brought together several hundred men, -including many Scots, and that they were even now -threatening Galway itself.</p> - -<p>As we were not purposed to go on to Galway after -the Governor, we returned to Carrickahooley at our -leisure.</p> - -<p>And now, as we journeyed northwards, Richard -Burke’s talk to me was all of his love for my mistress. -How brave, how strong, how great she was! -And of how wonderful a spirit and so wise -withal! Did I think that she had a regard for -anyone in especial? Or, that he might have a -chance with her?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p> - -<p>And thus he talked and talked, until I, who had -my own love trouble, and found it hard enough, was -first constrained to listen, then to utter words of -sympathy, and, last of all, was unfeignedly glad -when our arrival at the castle put a stop to the outflowing -of his eloquence.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.<br /> - -<small>“OUR NATURAL LEADER.”</small></h2> - - -<p>“The Earl of Desmond,” said Grace O’Malley to me, -“is our natural leader against the English, and I wish -you to go and see him.”</p> - -<p>These words my mistress addressed to me shortly -after Richard Burke and I had returned. She and I -were alone, and, indeed, she had sent for me expressly, -so that I knew it was of some matter of importance -she wished to speak to me. I had not anticipated, -however, that it would be this.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” I said. “When do you desire me to go? -De Vilela will hardly be able to be moved for some -time yet, and I suppose that he will accompany -me.”</p> - -<p>Don Francisco was better, but several weeks -would have to elapse before he would stand on his -feet, or even be moved from his bed with safety.</p> - -<p>“No,” said she. “I do not think it prudent to -wait so long a period as may have to pass before -de Vilela has sufficiently recovered. You must take -Fitzgerald with you, and set out at once for the -Desmond stronghold at Askeaton. Fitzgerald is now -nearly well, his wound being all but healed. He -possesses something of the confidence of the King of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> -Spain, which Don Francisco enjoys to the full, and is -therefore in a position to speak with Desmond, and -to find out what his intentions are.”</p> - -<p>“As you will,” said I, not without gladness, for it -would be a way, and that a perfect one, to enable me -to keep my resolution with regard to Eva and de -Vilela—if I were out of the castle altogether, then -indeed would the field be left to him alone. But, at -the same time, there was a gripping about my heart -that certainly was not caused by pleasure.</p> - -<p>“It would be most unwise to delay,” continued -she. “Sir Nicholas Malby will come against us so -soon as he can raise a large army; if not Sir Nicholas, -then another; if not this year, and he will scarcely do -so now the winter approaches, then next year. And -thus will the contest go on till the end has come. -Under Desmond, the head of the Geraldines, the -greatest noble of the South, all the Irish people -will rally.”</p> - -<p>My mistress’s voice was full of excitement; but I -was not so sure of Desmond, and so made haste to -remind her that he had been out against the Queen -before, and had got nothing but imprisonment and -grievous loss for his pains.</p> - -<p>“It is not the same now,” replied she, with her -ardour undiminished; “for Philip of Spain will throw -his sword into the balance. When Desmond understands -that he will be backed up by the ships and -the soldiers and the money of Spain, he will throw off -all irresolution, and show himself to be the great -prince he is. Tell him that we are with him heart<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> -and soul. Tell him that the Burkes, both the Upper -and the Lower Burkes, will forget their feuds, and -unite for this one common purpose. Tell him there -will be no lack of treasure; and as an earnest of this -we will now go to the Caves of Silence, and take from -thence the chest of gold found on the <i>Capitana</i>—I -have spoken to de Vilela about it—and some gems -as well, as a present from me.”</p> - -<p>My mistress’s mind was made up, and vain would -it have been for me to try to cause her to change her -determination. And why should I try? Was not -what she said true? Was not Desmond a prince in -the land? If he could not be depended upon to lead us -against the English, then on whom could we -depend? So I stifled whatever of doubt I felt. -Grace O’Malley was my leader, and if she were -content with Garrett Desmond, then so was I.</p> - -<p>We went together to the Caves of Silence, and -brought away from them the chest of gold, a casket -richly chased and adorned with rare jewels, and a -dagger, the handle and sheath of which were studded -with precious stones.</p> - -<p>“What hatred of the English may not accomplish,” -said my mistress, “gold will. Many a good -sword may be bought when neither love nor hate -would affect aught; many a waverer made steadfast -on the rock of gold.”</p> - -<p>I was to sail early next morning in <i>The Cross of -Blood</i>, and in the evening when I sat in the hall, she -straightly charged me that I was on no account to -adventure the ship or myself in any sort of peril, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> -that I was not to attack any vessel, however fair and -goodly a prize it might seem; nay, on the contrary, I -must keep out of the track of ships as far as was -practicable.</p> - -<p>When the two ladies left us for the night, and I -rose to bid them farewell for a time, I held Grace -O’Malley’s hand, and she pressed mine warmly. I -would have given all that I had in the world, or ever -hoped to possess of it, if Eva would but have clasped -my hand with something of the same fervour, or that -I could have held hers and caressed it with a lover’s -fondness.</p> - -<p>And the eyes of my dear, too, were soft and kind, -so that my heart cried out for a token, but my debt -to de Vilela stood between us, and I only touched -the little hand.</p> - -<p>She looked at me somewhat strangely, I fancied, -as if the coldness of my manner made her marvel, -and I think that there perhaps was a faint gleam of -laughing malice in the face of Grace O’Malley, who -stood by. But in the morning, there, at the window -high up the tower, were to be seen both my -mistresses, with their fingers to their lips kissing -me good-bye, as the galley was pulled out from -the harbour.</p> - -<p>It was now October, a month of storms, and we -had to encounter head winds, heavy seas, and much -stress of weather, so that our progress southward was -slow. Keeping close in shore, we took advantage -of whatever protection the coast, or the islands -along it, afforded us, having frequently to put in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> -and stop in one or another of the bays of Connaught.</p> - -<p>A full week was thus taken up before we had -gotten through the South Sound between Inisheer -and the mainland, and, with the exception of some -fishing boats, we had had the sea to ourselves.</p> - -<p>As we passed down the rocky, mountain-crowned -coast, we were sorely buffeted and wrought upon by -the winds and waves. By the time we were abreast -of the Cliffs of Moher, so furious a tempest was raging -that I feared never would we live through it.</p> - -<p>The stoutness of the galley, however, and perhaps -some skill of seamanship, brought us safely to the -Head of Cregga, which we essayed to round, but -experienced so great a travail in the doing of it, albeit -we did it, that we were well-nigh exhausted with the -labour. But, once round the Head, we found ourselves -in a stretch of water which, by comparison -with that we had gone over, was as a quiet pool, to -wit, the Bay of Liscanor.</p> - -<p>And here we remained for some hours, looking for -such an abatement of the storm as would allow us to -proceed; but in this our hope was not to be realised -as soon as we had expected, for the night fell, and -the fury of the tempest was not spent.</p> - -<p>The first object that met our gaze when the light -of morning had come was a ship, all her masts -gone, and the waves sweeping over her, go driving to -her doom on the rocks of Cregga. As now her bows, -now her stern was lifted up, so that we got a full view -of her hull, there was that about her that seemed to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> -me not unfamiliar, but I could not say then what it -was. Clutching the ropes and bolts on and about -what remained of her bulwarks were a few men, -clinging desperately in the face of death to their last -hold on life.</p> - -<p>There was no possibility of the ship being saved, -and there was hardly a greater likelihood of saving -the lives of any of these miserable sailors, but I -resolved to make the attempt, at least.</p> - -<p>Bringing up <i>The Cross of Blood</i> as near as I -dared to the Head, and having made ready to lower -her two small boats, I waited for the moment when -the vessel would crash upon the rocks, and be -crushed and broken upon them. As she neared -the cliffs, the spume of the waves shooting high -and white in the air, the foaming, roaring waters, -dashed back by the rocks, caught and twisted her -about, so that, as her side was turned to us, I saw -her name in letters of white and gold.</p> - -<p>She was <i>The Rosemary</i>, a shot from which had -caused the death of my master, Owen O’Malley, a -few months before, and well did I remember how -I saw her sail up the Shannon on her way to -Limerick, with the two eerie figures shadowed -against her canvas.</p> - -<p>For an instant I felt an impulse to stand off, and -to make no effort to avert the fate of any of her men—it -was uncertain, I told myself, whether at the best -I could render them any assistance. But, after all, -we had no quarrel with these wretched mariners, -about to be swallowed up by the ever-hungry sea,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> -and, if we had had, this extremity of theirs was of a -kind which we could not look upon as our opportunity -and have been worthy of the name of men.</p> - -<p>Therefore, when <i>The Rosemary</i> rose to the waves -for the last time, and was borne aloft on the black -edge of a huge roller, and then shattered to fragments -upon the rocks, did we keep a sharp look-out for -the bodies, living or dead, if any, which might appear -on the water near where we were.</p> - -<p>And five poor souls, by means of our boats, did -we save alive, or, being as the dead, did bring to -life again—and one of them was a woman.</p> - -<p>Surely this was the queerest trick that fate ever -played upon me, for the woman was none other than -Sabina Lynch! Nor do I wonder that, when she had -come to herself and, seeing me, knew upon whose -ship she was, she did imagine she had but escaped -from one kind of calamity to meet with another, -and that perhaps worse: for she had to be restrained, -and that by force, from casting herself back into the -sea, preferring death to being in my hands.</p> - -<p>And, verily, I was in a grievous quandary with -regard to her.</p> - -<p>She would not eat nor drink nor rest nor sleep, -but only cried and sobbed and moaned, till she fell -into a sort of stupor. Recovering after awhile, -she did naught but cry and sob and moan again, -and was so distraught that I felt a pity for her. -Then, what was I to do with her? True, I could -keep her a captive, and take her back with me -when I returned to Carrickahooley, and give her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> -over to my mistress, who would doubtless accord -her the grimmest of welcomes. And this, -perhaps, was my duty. If it were, I failed in -it.</p> - -<p>Urged on by a woman’s spite and jealousy, Sabina -Lynch had played a treacherous and cruel part in -regard to Grace O’Malley, and she was, in a measure, -the cause of our quarrel with Sir Nicholas and the -English. Sure was I that my mistress would not be -merciful to her, nor would she expect me to be. -Why, then, should I have been?</p> - -<p>I have no other answer, if it be an answer, except -that I was deep in love with Eva O’Malley, and that -my love for her made me feel certain that Eva, much -as Grace was to her—as to me—would have told me -to act as I did towards this woman. For I determined -to let her go free.</p> - -<p>It is not in me to explain this matter further, -nor to tell how often I argued it with myself, ever -coming back, however, to what I conceived would -be the desire of Eva—to let Sabina Lynch go. And -if the other course was my duty, there was meted -out to me, as will be seen, punishment out of all -proportion to my fault.</p> - -<p>Having come to the conclusion that Sabina Lynch -should be set at liberty when a suitable opportunity -presented itself, I acquainted her with my decision. -She could scarcely believe her ears, and was not -convinced that I meant what I said until I informed -her that she might move about the galley as she -pleased, and that I would put her ashore at Liscanor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> -if she wished it, or take her on with us if that was -her will.</p> - -<p>When she saw that I did not intend to deceive -her, nor to do her any hurt, she told me that she was -going to Limerick. Inquiring why she had left -Galway, I now heard of the rising of the Upper -Burkes under Ulick, the son of the Earl of Clanrickarde, -which had caused Sir Nicholas to hurry -back to that city—as I have before recorded. It -appeared that the people of Galway were in the -extreme of terror, as nearly all the fighting men of -the place had been withdrawn from it, and from -Athlone, where was the next English garrison, as -well, for the expedition against Grace O’Malley, and -the city was thus left without defenders.</p> - -<p>The Burkes had met with no resistance on their -march to Galway, and the city was in great danger -of being taken and sacked. A way out, however, -remained, by the sea; and so grave was the state -of affairs that Stephen Lynch, the mayor, had gladly -availed himself of an opportunity of sending his -daughter away for safety by <i>The Rosemary</i>, which -happened to be leaving for Limerick. Along with -her had also gone several ladies of Galway, but they -had all perished in the wreck.</p> - -<p>I now informed Sabina Lynch that I was bound -for the Shannon, and that I would put her ashore -at some point on the river near Limerick, if our -voyage had a favourable termination, but that I -thought it would be better for her to land here at -Liscanor.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p> - -<p>However, she replied that she had friends at -Limerick, but knew no one in Liscanor, and so -begged to be allowed to remain on <i>The Cross of -Blood</i>. She prevailed upon me with her entreaties, -and I consented—wherein, God wot, I was weak -enough, though nothing short of her death could -have prevented what was to occur.</p> - -<p>There is a saying among us Celts, “What will -be, already <i>is</i>,” and this saying is true.</p> - -<p>The day which succeeded that on which <i>The -Rosemary</i> was destroyed saw us out of the Bay of -Liscanor, and, the weather being propitious, the -next found us entering the mouth of that most -beautiful of all the beautiful rivers of Ireland, the -Shannon. But it was not until two days later that -I brought the galley into the bay of the creek upon -which, some miles inland, stands Askeaton, the -fortress of the Desmonds.</p> - -<p>During this time, being fully occupied with the -working of the ship, I had seen little or nothing of -Mistress Lynch, who, however, had had many conversations -with Fitzgerald, and often did I hear -them laughing and jesting, the one with the other, -as if there were no such things in the world as bad -weather and storms, and shipwrecks and war, and -the deaths of men.</p> - -<p>Now the bay in which the galley lay was no great -distance from Limerick, and as it would have been -the height of madness to go any nearer that city, -which could not but be very hostile to us, I told -Sabina Lynch that our journey was at an end, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> -that she was free to go. Whereupon she thanked -me, and along with Fitzgerald, who had offered -himself as her escort for part of the way, and who -was well acquainted with the country—for it was -all the territory of the Geraldines—left <i>The Cross -of Blood</i>.</p> - -<p>On his return, he and I, accompanied by some -of our men, and taking with us the presents sent -by my mistress, set out for Askeaton, where we -were received by the Earl of Desmond.</p> - -<p>The castle was one of the largest and most formidable -in Ireland, consisting of several towers and -strongly built houses and stables, the whole surrounded -by high walls around which flowed the -waters of the creek, so that it looked like a town -on an island in the middle of a lake. A village, with -a church at one end of it, stood on the rising -ground that led up from one of the banks of the -stream over against the castle.</p> - -<p>When the drawbridge was lowered—Fitzgerald -making the matter of an entrance easy for us—and -we had passed within the walls, I saw in the yard -a considerable number of the gallowglasses of the -Geraldines, some having arquebuses, but most of -them only spears or battle-axes and swords.</p> - -<p>One of the knights of the Earl’s household approached -us, and said that his lord was ready to -see us. Fitzgerald and he—they were cousins, it -appeared—began at once to talk, and they introduced -me to several other gentlemen whom we met. And -so we went into the presence of the Earl.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> - -<p>Grace O’Malley had said that he was “our natural -leader” against the English, and narrowly did I scan -the features of Garrett Desmond as he rose from -his chair to offer me his hand.</p> - -<p>My first impression was that of extraordinary -disappointment, for I could see nothing very notable -about him. Then, as he spoke, I noticed a twitching -of the lips that strongly savoured of indecision, to -say the least, and also that his eyes roamed restlessly, -not settling fixedly on man or thing for a -single instant. And as I observed him the closer, -the keener was my disappointment.</p> - -<p>Yet this noble was a great power in the land. -Once the Desmond war-cry was sounded forth from -Askeaton, thousands would shake their spears in -ready response. He had but to say the word and -the whole South-West of Ireland would spring to -arms. He had said it once and might say it -again, but I distrusted and misliked him from the -first.</p> - -<p>Courteously, however, did he receive me, and -graciously the gifts which I presented to him in -the name of my mistress. He inquired of me many -things respecting her, to all of which I replied to -the best of my ability. Indeed, during the time I -spent at Askeaton, he never appeared weary of -hearing about her and her exploits, which seemed, -he said, incredible in one so young.</p> - -<p>Then, after we had feasted together, he called -Fitzgerald and myself aside and took us into an -inner room where we three were by ourselves. And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> -now Fitzgerald told him of the help, both in men -and money, which Philip of Spain promised in the -event of a general rising against the Queen, and -I repeated to him all the words which Grace O’Malley -had charged me to say to him.</p> - -<p>Never once did I take my glance off him, but -he would not meet my eyes. For the most part -he paced up and down the room, and one could -easily see the travail of his mind in the working -of his face. At one moment there would be gladness -and the look of resolve, then doubt and gloom -would take their place the next. The same uncertainty -could be seen even in his walk, which was -now swift, now slow.</p> - -<p>At last he said that it was a heavy matter, and -not lightly to be undertaken, and invited me to stay -at the castle until he had considered it more at large. -I pressed for an immediate reply to my mistress, -but he asked me to tarry for a few days, and, as -I could not well do otherwise, there did I remain -until one morning he gave me a letter for Grace -O’Malley and many presents for her and myself, -and so dismissed me.</p> - -<p>During the time I waited for his answer I heard -from several that a Spanish army was looked for in -the spring, and I could see that the Earl knew all -that was going on. Therefore I did not doubt but -that he had sent a message to my mistress that -would please her well.</p> - -<p>And while I was thus waiting, the hours hanging -heavily on my hands, I made myself well acquainted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> -with the castle—its towers and strong rooms and -walls—and thus acquired a knowledge which was -to stand me in good stead before the end was -come.</p> - -<p>Then it was Ho! for <i>The Cross of Blood</i>, and -Ho! for Carrickahooley, which we reached after -a voyage unmarked by any incident worthy of -record.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.<br /> - -<small>A DEAR VICTORY.</small></h2> - - -<p>Chiefly by reason of the tempestuous weather, my -journey to Askeaton and back again had occupied -not far short of a month,—which was a much longer -time than had been reckoned upon. On my arrival -at Carrickahooley my mistress was naturally very -impatient to hear what was the response of the -Earl of Desmond to her message, and also what -my opinion of that noble was.</p> - -<p>First of all I delivered to her the letter and -the presents he had sent. When she had read his -letter she handed it to me, and there was, I could -see, a great light of happiness on her face. But -when I had glanced over the missive, I was not so -satisfied with its contents as she plainly was.</p> - -<p>The letter was not a long one, and, in brief, -was nothing more or less than an invitation from -Desmond, asking my mistress to go on a visit to -him at Askeaton, where his countess would give -her a warm welcome, so soon as spring was come, or -as early as would be convenient for her.</p> - -<p>With regard to any rising against the Queen he -said not a word, but intimated that he was very -desirous of meeting one of whom he had heard so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> -much, and of discussing with her such matters as -affected their mutual interests.</p> - -<p>This last phrase Grace O’Malley took as a hint -that the Earl, not caring to commit himself to anything -definite on paper, was of the same mind as -herself, for they had no interests in common save -such as lay in the expulsion of the English from -the island.</p> - -<p>Now the message my mistress had sent him was -frank and open, so that there could not be two -opinions as to its import. But these words of his, -it seemed to me, partook in no degree of the same -character. They might mean much or little or even -nothing at all, so vague were they.</p> - -<p>If I had not seen the Earl my view might have -been different, but in the cloudiness of his letter I -again saw his weakness and want of purpose. I did -not, I could not, suspect him of anything worse. -However, Grace O’Malley, although I expressed to -her what I felt about Desmond, was assured that -he could only mean one thing, and that was that -he shared in her ideas, and would be ready to give -such effect to them as he could.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said she, “Garrett Desmond is the man.”</p> - -<p>And she was the more certain of this when I -went on to tell her that I had heard a great deal -at Askeaton, and that with hardly a pretence of -secrecy, of the army which the King of Spain was -to send in aid of the Irish the following year.</p> - -<p>“Do you not see,” said she, “that Desmond -must be heart and soul in the business, or else he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> -would have suffered none of this talk of Philip of -Spain?”</p> - -<p>I had, indeed, made a similar reflection when -at Desmond’s castle, but what I distrusted was the -character and strength of the man himself. But -my mistress was my mistress, so I said no more -then of the Earl.</p> - -<p>I had had no small disputings with myself as -to whether I should tell Grace O’Malley about what -had occurred with respect to Sabina Lynch or not. -I could not blame myself, albeit these very searchings -of my spirit did show some doubt if I had done -what was best, and tell her I did.</p> - -<p>Whereupon for a minute she fell into a fit of -silent rage, which, however, presently passed away—the -only thing she said being the question, sharply -asked—</p> - -<p>“Would you have acted in that way, Ruari, <i>if -it had been a man</i>?”</p> - -<p>And the sting of the taunt, for such I felt it to -be, lay perhaps in its truth. Howbeit, neither of -us ever referred, in speaking to each other, to the -matter again.</p> - -<p>Richard Burke and his followers had left the -castle, and had gone back to their own territory. -He had made me the confidant of his hopes and -fears with regard to his love for Grace O’Malley, -and I desired greatly to know how he had sped in -his wooing.</p> - -<p>It was not, however, till long afterwards that I -discovered he had pressed his suit, and that not alto<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>gether -without success, but that she would give him -no definite promise so long as her affairs were in so -unstable a condition.</p> - -<p>I did not know of any man in all the world whom -I esteemed a fit mate for her, but the MacWilliam -had many things in his favour, not the least being -that he was a valiant soldier. That he had ranged -himself on her side in her quarrel with the Governor -also had its weight with her. I think, however, that -at this time he had a very small share in her -thoughts, as she was entirely wrapped up in the -Earl of Desmond, whom she looked upon as the -Hope of Ireland, and in the furtherance of her -plans.</p> - -<p>De Vilela was still at Carrickahooley, and had -so far got healed of his wounds that he was able to -be about for an hour or two each day. He greeted -me with his never-failing courtesy, and after I had -seen more of him I noticed that the air of melancholy -gravity he had borne during the siege had -in nowise changed, unless it were by being even -deeper than before.</p> - -<p>The sufferings he had undergone and the feebleness -he still endured might easily have accounted for -this. But I was persuaded that there was another -reason, although it took me some time to arrive at -this conclusion.</p> - -<p>What put me in the way of it was that I caught -him, when he believed himself free from observation, -looking at me, not once, nor twice, but often, with a -wistful intentness, as if he were trying to read my very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> -thoughts, and so to pierce to the innermost soul of -me. Why was this? Why was he thus weighing me -as it were in the balance?</p> - -<p>Eva was not so much with him now that he was -regaining his strength, and, whether he was with her -or not, he had not the look of a happy lover, that look -which, me thinks, would be present notwithstanding -pain and the shadow of death.</p> - -<p>And I put the two things together, though not -hastily, for I feared nothing so much as to be wrong -in this, and guessed that he had lost all hope of her -for himself, and was asking himself whether, if so be -she loved me, I was in any way worthy of her. But I -think the chief care of this very noble gentleman of -Spain was not pity for himself, nor my worthiness -or unworthiness—which is the truer word, but that -this woman whom he loved should have her heart’s -desire, on whomsoever that desire might fall, and at -whatsoever cost to himself.</p> - -<p>I did not perceive this in one day, or for many, -and, pursuing the course I had before determined on, -abode firm in my resolve not to appear even to come -between him and Eva O’Malley.</p> - -<p>The winter wore on to the day of the Birth of -Christ, and all was quiet and peaceful in Connaught.</p> - -<p>Hardly, however, did the new year open—it was -that year of grace, 1579—when messengers from -various chiefs in the north-west of Ireland began -coming to and going away from Carrickahooley.</p> - -<p>Sometimes their business was with my mistress, -but still more frequently was it with de Vilela, for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> -it had gone abroad that he was with us, and that he -was in the confidence of the King of Spain, from -whom he had a mission to the Irish. Among these -were some of the MacSweenys of Tir-Connall, who -spoke for themselves and also for their prince, -O’Donnell, whose wife was a Macdonald, and a kinswoman -of my own. Many were the plots on foot, -my mistress striving to bring about a great confederacy -of the north.</p> - -<p>Sir Nicholas Malby, after he had repulsed the -Burkes of Clanrickarde and driven them back to -their mountains, lay at Galway darkly meditating -schemes of vengeance. But, for the present, with -the land all about him in a ferment, he did nothing -but bide his time.</p> - -<p>Indeed, by the coming of spring, the whole island -was stirring with the fever of war, some looking to -Spain, and some to Desmond, so that the commanders -of the English, from the Lord Deputy at -Dublin to the poorest of his captains, were in sore -trouble and disquiet.</p> - -<p>So passed the winter away.</p> - -<p>“Darkness and blood; then a little light,” had -been the saying of Teige O’Toole, the Wise Man. -Now was the time of the little light of which he -had spoken; it was immediately to be followed by -the period of which he had said, “blood and -darkness, then again light, but darkness were -better.”</p> - -<p>It was in April, then, of this year of fate that de -Vilela, having perfectly recovered of his wounds,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> -Grace O’Malley bade me get <i>The Cross of Blood</i> in -readiness to convey him to Askeaton.</p> - -<p>De Vilela was anxious to be gone, having trespassed -upon our hospitality, as he said, beyond all -measure. And he was the more eager as now he -knew for certain that Eva had nothing stronger than -a friendship for him. He had not asked her, I -imagine, so sure was he that she did not love him, -and it was like the man, that, knowing this, he would -not vex her even with words.</p> - -<p>At the last moment, and unexpectedly, my -mistress determined to sail with us, and Eva -O’Malley also came, Tibbot being left in charge at -Clare Island and Carrickahooley.</p> - -<p>With fair winds, and hopes as fair, did we leave -Clare Bay behind us, and for two days all went well. -On the third day of the voyage, the wind having -changed, the watch descried a ship coming up -against the line of the sky, and when we had observed -her for a short time we saw that she was -making towards us. Being much higher out of the -water than the galley, she had no doubt seen us -first.</p> - -<p>We edged in closer to the land, which loomed -up some miles away on our left; whereupon she -shifted her course as if to cut us off. As she came -within nearer view she appeared to be a great ship, -carrying many pieces of cannon, and flying the -English flag. The morning sun fell upon her, and -disclosed her deck covered with men whose armour -and weapons sparkled in the light.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> - -<p>It was abundantly evident that she was a ship-of-war -of the English, and well prepared in every -respect to attack and overwhelm us. Both as regarded -her ordnance and the numbers of her crew, -that she was vastly superior to us was plain. Should -she get the range of us I made no doubt that we -should be quickly knocked to pieces.</p> - -<p>On the high seas, a galley like <i>The Cross of Blood</i> -could not be opposed to such a ship except -with the one result, and that the worst. Our case -was little short of desperate, but I did not lose -heart.</p> - -<p>Nor did my mistress give up hope. She and I -held a hurried consultation with Calvagh O’Halloran, -and determined that we should first try to escape -by rowing. There was the land before us, and a -rocky cape jutting from it held out, as it were, a -friendly beckoning hand.</p> - -<p>Once we had made it, and were safely round it, -we would be in a shallow bay, into which flowed a -river—up which the galley might go, but not so -large a ship as the Englishman. We therefore bent -our whole energies to this end, but all in vain. It -became apparent before we were half-way to the -shore that we were completely outsailed, and were -at the mercy of the enemy.</p> - -<p>When I had fully grasped the extreme peril in -which we were, and reflected that my whole world -was on board this galley, to say nothing of the fact -that every timber of it was dear to me, my heart -well-nigh fainted within me. Here was that great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> -woman whom I served; here also the woman whom -I loved.</p> - -<p>Was it to this destiny they had been born? -Notwithstanding our danger, I could not believe it.</p> - -<p>What was the worst that the spite of fortune -could wreak upon us?</p> - -<p>Either <i>The Cross of Blood</i> would be sunk by -the enemy’s fire, and we would perish in the sea, -or she would be captured, many of us being killed -in the struggle, and the rest taken—what would be -their fate?</p> - -<p>But there was no need to ask that; for I was -well assured that the people of the English ship -knew who we were, or, at least, whose galley it -was, for who in Ireland had such a vessel as <i>The -Cross of Blood</i>, except Grace O’Malley?</p> - -<p>Such were my thoughts when my mistress -spoke in my ear, and said that as it was impossible -to escape from the Englishman we must -fight him.</p> - -<p>“With all my heart,” cried I; “but how?”</p> - -<p>Then she told me what to do.</p> - -<p>I went forward to Calvagh, and bade him order -his oarsmen to row with all their might until I -gave a signal; when it was given they were to get -their arms ready, but without making a noise or -leaving their benches, and having their oars resting -on the water.</p> - -<p><i>The Cross of Blood</i> raced on, but the English -ship went faster, until a shotted gun fired across -our bows made us well aware of what we had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> -known sufficiently already—that we must be sunk, -or give ourselves up, or, at least, appear to do -so.</p> - -<p>Calvagh looked at me, but I gave no sign. -Grace O’Malley changed the galley’s course, so that -we gained a little by it; and on we plunged again, -making for the open sea. But the advantage we -had thus obtained was of no real value to us, and -the Englishman, with his square bulging sails swelling -in the breeze, was quickly at our heels.</p> - -<p>And now a second and, as it were, more peremptory -message of iron bade us throw up the game -and lie to. The great shot fell so close to the -poop of the galley, and made so heavy a splash in -the water, that the spray from it might almost -have fallen on our deck but for the wind. I glanced -at my mistress and she nodded.</p> - -<p>There was no purpose to be served in rowing -any longer, for in another second we might be sent -below the waves. Nor did we make any attempt -to return the enemy’s fire, and so, perhaps, invite a -broadside from him which would probably have -settled our affairs for ever.</p> - -<p>Calvagh’s eyes were fastened on me, and now I -gave him the signal; his voice roared hoarsely -through the galley; the oarsmen sat erect on their -benches, and the rowing ceased.</p> - -<p>Something that was between a sob and a groan -came from the lips of our men; a sort of quiver -passed over them, as each of them quietly got his -sword or battle-axe from its place; and then there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> -was a silence, only broken by the waters as they -lapped along our sides and swished under the blades -of the oars.</p> - -<p>De Vilela, who had gone into his cabin to put -on his armour as soon as the chase of us began, -now appeared. Approaching my mistress and me, -and in accents tremulous as I had never before -heard from him, he asked a question of Grace -O’Malley.</p> - -<p>“Señorita,” inquired he, “tell me, you do not -intend to give up the galley thus tamely to the -English? Surely it were better to die.”</p> - -<p>“Better to die,” said she, “yes, by the Cross!” -And then she rapidly spoke a few words, which I -could see were not displeasing to him. And I like -to recall the man, as he stood beside me that day; -clad in his suit of mail, with the crest of his house -shining on his helmet, his naked sword drawn, -its point resting on the deck of the poop; and -his eyes bright and steadfast, while a smile was -on his lips. And we looked towards the English -ship, saw the scowling faces of our foes hanging -over her bows, and waited on the will of the God -of Battles.</p> - -<p>Grace O’Malley in the meantime went down to -her cabin to speak words of hope and comfort to Eva. -When I thought of my dear, my heart again fainted -within me; then it seemed to grow so big and strong, -calling, as it were, loudly to me to play the man this -day, that I felt there was nothing that was wholly -impossible to me!</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> - -<p>My mistress now returned to the poop-deck, and -taking the helm from the steersman, as we stood -close in by the enemy’s vessel, she put it down -sharply, so that the galley was thrown into the fore-chains -of the Englishman.</p> - -<p>“O’Malley! O’Malley! O’Malley!” I cried, and -quicker than a flash, before the English had got over -the suddenness of the movement, our men, with -de Vilela and myself at their head, had leaped on -board of her.</p> - -<p>With thrust of sword and blow of battle-axe we -made good our footing on the deck, and for a space -the English fell back before us. Their captain, a -towering figure in armour, save for his head, on -which was a broad cap with a dancing plume of -feathers in it, rallied them, and led them on at us, -shouting for St. George and England.</p> - -<p>They were more in number than ourselves, but -despair nerved our arms, so that we withstood them, -albeit we were hard pressed, and the fighting was -terrible beyond all words. I sought to engage the -captain, but de Vilela was before me.</p> - -<p>Then there occurred an unexpected and almost -unheard-of and incredible thing.</p> - -<p>I knew the voice at once, and, turning in the -direction from whence it came, and thus being partly -off my guard, could not altogether ward off the dart -of a sword, so that I was wounded in the throat, and, -had it been but a little truer, would have been slain.</p> - -<p>Above the clang of meeting weapons and the -rattle of armour and the shouts and sobs and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> -catchings for breath of the foemen, the voice of my -mistress was heard crying in the tongue of the Irish:</p> - -<p>“Let the O’Malleys divide, and stand on each side -of the ship!”</p> - -<p>It was a difficult matter in itself to accomplish, -and some there were of the Irish who were unable -to do so; but such of us who could obeyed her -command without pausing to try to understand what -she would be at.</p> - -<p>Then there came forth a great tongue of fire, a -blinding cloud of smoke, and so tremendous a report -that the ship was shaken from stem to stern.</p> - -<p>And this is what had taken place:</p> - -<p>When we had sprung on board of the English -ship, Grace O’Malley was left standing at the helm -of <i>The Cross of Blood</i>. She had watched the contest, -and, fearing that we were overmatched, had cast -about for some means of assisting us. Then, taking -with her a few of the men whom she had kept in -the galley for her own guard, she had climbed up -into the forecastle of the enemy, and, as their attention -was entirely occupied with us, had, unperceived -by them or seen too late, run in board one of the -Englishman’s bow-chasers, and had turned it on its -owners.</p> - -<p>The piece, thus levelled at this terrible short -range, swept the deck of its defenders, and among the -heaps of the slain and the wounded were several -of our own people who had not been able to gain -the bulwarks.</p> - -<p>I was myself leaning against one of the ship’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> -beams breathing hard, and clutching with the fingers -of my left hand my bleeding throat, while my right -still grasped my sword. So dreadful was the sight -of the deck that now met my eyes that I could -not help closing them, while a shudder shook my -whole frame.</p> - -<p>But our work was not yet done. For when we -essayed to carry the poop we were beaten back in -spite of all our endeavours, and what might have -been the end I know not if Grace O’Malley had -not held possession of that piece of ordnance. A -second and a third discharge from it shattered and -destroyed the poop, and at length the ship was ours, -its whole crew being killed or captured or drowned, -for many of the English jumped into the sea and -perished.</p> - -<p>Having collected her men together, and along -with them having brought away the prisoners and -what treasure was found on board of <i>The Star of the -Sea</i>, which was the name of the ship, she ordered -it to be scuttled, and then withdrew to the galley.</p> - -<p>But when we came to count up what this battle -had cost us, our loss was so great that my mistress -deemed it expedient to go no further with her -journey at that time, and thus we returned again -to Clew Bay, having been absent but a few days. -And there was much mourning among us, for many -of our people had been slain. De Vilela, however, -had come unscathed from the fray, and my -own wound was, after all, not much more than a -scratch.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> - -<p>But the uncertainty of the issue of our whole -conflict with the English had been brought home -to me in so decided a manner that for the first time -I realised how dark and menacing was the path that -lay before our feet.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> - -<small>AT ASKEATON.</small></h2> - - -<p>I was never one to whom it is easy to sit still with -folded hands, still less the man to muse darkly for -long over the chances and mischances of war. Mine -certainly was it not to consider and to see the end -of a thing even from its beginning; the hour and -its work were enough for me. Scarcely, then, were -we come back but I burned to be again on the water -with the deck of <i>The Cross of Blood</i> beneath my feet, -and rejoice did I exceedingly when my mistress told -me what her purpose now was, and bade me get the -three galleys ready for sea.</p> - -<p>She was resolved to put her whole fortune on the -hazard, and to employ her entire strength in the -struggle, and, at the same time, to get what aid she -could from others.</p> - -<p>Thus, undeterred by our encounter with the -English ship-of-war—from which we had so hardly -emerged—nay, rather made the more determined by -it, she had sent messengers, fleet of foot and strong, -to Richard Burke, the very day we had arrived at -Carrickahooley, inviting him to come to her with his -best and his bravest, and, if he would serve her, as -he had professed himself ready, to tarry not by -the way.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> - -<p>I was nowise in doubt as to what the answer -of the MacWilliam would be. Not only was he -committed as much as we ourselves to the contest -against the Governor, but he had promised to support -Grace O’Malley in any manner she might desire; nor -could I imagine anything that would give him a -keener pleasure than to comply with her request.</p> - -<p>Two or three weeks passed, however, before he -appeared at the castle, but when he did come it was -at the head of a picked company of his gallowglasses, -two hundred strong.</p> - -<p>In the battles and fights of the previous year -our force had been reduced by perhaps a third, and -our numbers had been still further lessened in the -bloody engagement with <i>The Star of the Sea</i>. Welcome, -then, were these stalwart Burkes of Mayo. -True, they were unused to the sea, but it was my -mistress’s intention that we should all land, and hold -ourselves at the disposal of the Earl of Desmond.</p> - -<p>“If need be,” said she, discussing her plans with -Richard Burke and me, “I will burn the galleys -behind me.”</p> - -<p>Whether I fought on the sea or on shore was a -matter of indifference to me; but I could not hear -her say this without a pang, although I recognised -to the full the spirit which inspired the words.</p> - -<p>“There will be no necessity for that,” said de -Vilela, who was present, smiling, “for the ships of -my master, the King of Spain, will sweep the sea -clear of the English.”</p> - -<p>It was the month of May, and the earth was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> -arraying herself once again in her garments of green, -when we weighed out from the harbour of Clare -Island.</p> - -<p>At first, the weather being unsettled, we made but -slow progress; however, on the night of the second -day of our voyage a fair wind sprang up, and on the -fourth day we were in the Shannon, going up with -the tide, under a blue sky warm with the promise -of summer. Casting anchor between the Island of -Aughinish and the mainland for the night, I went -ashore to see if I could hear any tidings of Desmond, -or if anything was known of the expected ships -from Spain.</p> - -<p>The sight of the three galleys had drawn a -number of the peasants to the bank of the river, and, -when I had dispelled their fears of us, I found that -they were willing enough to talk. Howbeit, they -could tell us nothing of Desmond, nor had they any -word of the Spanish ships.</p> - -<p>When I had repeated this to my mistress on my -return, she asked me to go next day to Askeaton, and -to inform the Earl, if he were there at his fortress, -that she was on her way to him, but if he were -absent to ascertain where he was. Accordingly I -proceeded in <i>The Cross of Blood</i> to the bay into -which flows the stream on which the castle stands, -and arrived at my destination.</p> - -<p>As I was already well known at Askeaton I was -admitted within the gate without demur, and almost -the first man I met was Fitzgerald, who greeted me -with much warmth. But I had not conversed with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> -him long before I perceived that he did not seem -to be in his accustomed spirits, and when I told -him that my mistress, Eva O’Malley, Richard Burke, -and de Vilela were no great distance away, he -appeared to be somewhat distressed.</p> - -<p>“Is Garrett Desmond here?” I asked, and the -usually frank expression of his face was instantly -clouded over.</p> - -<p>“He is expected back at the castle to-morrow,” -he replied. Then as I looked hard at him, waiting -to hear more, he broke out—</p> - -<p>“Desmond went to Limerick yesterday in attendance -on the President of Munster.”</p> - -<p>“The President of Munster!” I exclaimed. Then -I stopped in the courtyard, put my hand on his arm, -and gazing earnestly at him, asked, “What is the -meaning of this?”</p> - -<p>The President of Munster was the English -Governor of all this part of Ireland, and I could -not but think this was a strange piece of news. -That he and the Earl of Desmond should be -together, evidently on terms of friendship, boded -no good to Grace O’Malley, or to myself, or to -our cause.</p> - -<p>“O,” said Fitzgerald testily, “the explanation is -simple. The country is excited over the prospect of -the coming of ships from Spain, and the President rode -over from Limerick to Askeaton to see Desmond—ostensibly -on a visit merely of courtesy, but in reality -to spy out what was going on here. I would not -have suffered him to enter the castle had I been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> -Desmond, but Desmond thought otherwise, saying -the time was not yet ripe.”</p> - -<p>This was plausible, but did not account, I thought, -for the moody looks of Fitzgerald. There was something -behind all this, but I did not press him further, -save to inquire—</p> - -<p>“What is to prevent the President from seizing -Desmond, and thrusting him into prison at -Limerick?”</p> - -<p>“He has a strong guard,” said he, “and the President -has very few soldiers in Limerick. Besides, -he feels confident that Desmond will be true to the -English.”</p> - -<p>“Has Desmond given him any pledge of good -faith?”</p> - -<p>“No. He places his trust in Desmond too fully -for that.”</p> - -<p>When I thought over what I had been told, it -seemed probable enough that the Earl concealed his -real intentions under the mask of a pretended loyalty -to the Queen, and would do so perhaps until the -time, as he said, was ripe. Yet the uneasiness I -always felt with respect to him increased in spite of -this supposition.</p> - -<p>Then it occurred to me that perchance Fitzgerald, -now that he had had time to become better acquainted -with his cousin, was not more satisfied -with him than I, and that this was the reason for -his change of aspect.</p> - -<p>However, when I met the Earl next morning, my -suspicions and fears melted away before the cordiality<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> -with which he received me. And when I told him -that my mistress was in the vicinity, he declared that -there was nothing he desired more in all the world -than to see her.</p> - -<p>“The President of Munster,” said he, “has just -gone back to Limerick from here, and for a time at -least we will be free from his spying on us. Nothing -could have fallen out better,” he continued, rubbing -his hands together like one who was greatly pleased, -“so tell your mistress to make haste and come.”</p> - -<p>Likewise his Countess, who was with him, bade -me say to Grace O’Malley that she was welcome to -Askeaton.</p> - -<p>When I returned to my mistress, I repeated to -her the messages; but I thought it right to tell her -also that Desmond had been entertaining the President -of Munster. As I dwelt upon this matter, -and remembered Fitzgerald’s manner, something -seemed to knock at my heart, and my suspicions -sprang up anew.</p> - -<p>“He finds it needful,” said Grace O’Malley, thinking -of Desmond, “to wear a double face as affairs -stand at present, but when the Spaniards arrive he -will come forward without disguise as our leader.”</p> - -<p>And, in truth, when we were come to Askeaton, -both the Earl and his Countess made so much of -my mistress that I felt a sort of shame that I had -ever had any distrust of him.</p> - -<p>Great entertainments were given in her honour, -all the noblemen and gentlemen of Desmond’s household -vying with each other in paying her court, while<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> -the Earl himself seemed never to be able to see -enough of her. Indeed, he showed her so much -attention that it soon became apparent that she -occupied a large part in his thoughts—so much was -this the case that Richard Burke grew very jealous -of him, nor did the Countess of Desmond regard the -matter without displeasure.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the time was slipping by. Our galleys -lay in the stream, and though I visited them frequently -to make sure that they were safe, I could -not but be aware that it was no good thing that they -should be there, tied up in the Shannon, within easy -reach of any English man-of-war that might ascend -the river.</p> - -<p>They were concealed, however, from view; but -there was ever the fear in my mind that a rumour of -our being at Askeaton would be bruited abroad, and -come to the ears of the English. All the Burkes, and -a considerable portion of our own O’Malleys, had been -withdrawn from our vessels, and the force left upon -them could scarcely be reckoned as formidable.</p> - -<p>Another cause for uneasiness was that nothing -more was heard of the landing of the Spaniards. I -had many conversations with de Vilela, who was -certain of their coming, but who knew the time of it -no more than myself. He did not exhibit the impatience -which possessed me, but in his heart I doubt -not he longed for action as ardently as did I.</p> - -<p>Of Fitzgerald I saw very little, for two days after -the arrival of my mistress at Askeaton he rode over -to Limerick, and there remained.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p> - -<p>When I spoke of him to de Vilela, he said he had -heard that Fitzgerald was madly in love with a lady -who was staying in that city, and that that probably -accounted for his being there. Knowing what Fitzgerald’s -disposition was, I could not forbear smiling, -and now fancied that I had discovered the cause of -his want of spirits in that he had not been very -successful in his wooing.</p> - -<p>I thought no more of him or of his affairs, little -dreaming who the lady was, until the mention of her -name one day filled me with lively feelings of -astonishment and vexation, and, as I pondered this -new and perplexing turn of events, with something -close akin to terror.</p> - -<p>It so happened that I was talking and jesting with -one of the Geraldines, when the conversation came -round to Sir Nicholas Malby, and the iron rule he -had imposed on Galway and a large part of Connaught.</p> - -<p>“Grace O’Malley,” said he, “was more than a -match for him.”</p> - -<p>“Sir Nicholas,” said I, “is the best soldier the -English have in Ireland, and if he did not prevail -against my mistress, it was rather because he underrated -her strength and her prowess, than from any -other reason. He esteemed her as no more than a -feeble woman, and so was deceived.”</p> - -<p>“By the way,” asked he, “are you well acquainted -with Galway?”</p> - -<p>“Yes—well enough,” replied I, somewhat crisply.</p> - -<p>“And do you know the Mayor of the town, one -Stephen Lynch?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Yes,” I assented, wondering.</p> - -<p>“A great merchant?” he inquired.</p> - -<p>“The richest in Galway, perhaps in Ireland,” I -answered.</p> - -<p>“With a daughter, an only child, who will inherit -his whole wealth?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said I, wondering still more.</p> - -<p>“Mistress Sabina Lynch?”</p> - -<p>“The same,” said I; “but why do you ask these -questions?”</p> - -<p>“The woman is beautiful, is she not?” he went -on, without replying immediately to my query.</p> - -<p>“No doubt of that,” I replied.</p> - -<p>“Rich and beautiful!” he exclaimed, and then he -laughed very merrily.</p> - -<p>“Tell me,” said I again, “why have you sought to -know all this?”</p> - -<p>“Ask Dermot Fitzgerald,” said he, and would say -no more, but I understood—all.</p> - -<p>Dermot Fitzgerald was in love with Sabina Lynch! -And she was in Limerick, where were the President of -Munster and his soldiers, and Fitzgerald too! Here, -indeed, was a pretty heap of faggots, and it was my -hand, as it were, that might have placed the fire -beneath, and set it in a blaze!</p> - -<p>I saw at a glance how easy it would be for Fitzgerald, -without intending in any way to do mischief or -to betray us to the English, to let drop a word or a -hint that might suggest to a quick-witted woman to inquire -further into his meaning, and that so dexterously -as not to excite in the least any alarm on his part.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p> - -<p>And what might not be looked for when she -learned that Grace O’Malley, the woman she hated -most, and Richard Burke, the man she loved best, -were together at Askeaton? And Fitzgerald was -said to be madly in love with her! He would therefore -be as wax in her hands, and she could mould -him to her will as she pleased. Small wonder, then, -that I was disturbed, and felt that we were far -from secure.</p> - -<p>And now there fell out what, at the time, gave -me the keenest regret and even pain, though afterwards -it proved to be of the most inestimable service -to us.</p> - -<p>It had become very plain to anyone who gave it -the slightest thought, or, indeed, to anyone who used -his eyes, that Desmond was infatuated with my -mistress. Every moment that he could find was -spent in her society, to the neglect of other matters, -however important they were. Before he had seen -her he had been fascinated by what I had told him of -her and her deeds; now that he saw her for himself, -and marked how like a queen she was, he was as one -bound hand and foot before her.</p> - -<p>Grace O’Malley had a great power over men when -she chose to exercise it; and now, on her side, she -appeared not only to encourage him, but also to be -bent upon his complete subjugation.</p> - -<p>I marvelled at her, yet assured myself that she -could have no love for the man, but that, perceiving -the weakness of his character, she took this course in -order to make certain of his firm adhesion to our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> -cause. But it was a course full of danger, for the -strength of the passion of a man, even of a weak -man, is no more to be reckoned up and measured -than is the force of a mighty tempest, beginning in -a breath and dying out in ruin.</p> - -<p>Desmond’s countess grew pale and silent, and I -noted that the furtive glances she stole at my mistress -were touched at first with dismay, then with anger. -She must have known the kind of stuff of which her -husband was made, but her rage, as might be seen, -was directed wholly against my mistress. I felt a sort -of compunction, and sometimes wished that we had -never come to Askeaton at all.</p> - -<p>And this wish was made much stronger, for -Richard Burke, who bore and endured for awhile -the utmost torture when he saw how matters stood -between Grace O’Malley and the Earl, told me that -he could suffer to see it no longer, and so was determined -to speak to her and remonstrate with her.</p> - -<p>What passed between them I do not know, but -it was of such a nature that the MacWilliam shortly -afterwards withdrew in high dudgeon from the castle -with all his men.</p> - -<p>I attempted to restrain him from going, but in -vain. He admitted that he had received no promise -from Grace O’Malley of her hand, but as she had not -repulsed him utterly when he had preferred his suit -to her, and had come to Kerry at her request, he had -hoped that the matter was in a fair way to be settled -as he desired. Now, he said, she had no thought of -him, her whole mind being taken up with Desmond.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p> - -<p>I endeavoured to gainsay this, but without success, -and I had sorrowfully to witness the departure of -the Burkes from Askeaton. I so far prevailed upon -him, however, that he agreed to stay in the district, -and, having obtained permission from the Earl, he -pitched his camp a few miles away in the woods.</p> - -<p>Richard Burke’s troubles made me think of my -own love affairs, which were in the same position -as before, for, albeit, I had a secret, satisfying -conviction that Eva O’Malley had no special regard -for de Vilela, I still adhered to my resolution not -even to appear to come between them. Wherein, -perhaps, in my stupid pride, I did my dear, to say -nothing of myself, a great injustice, for she might -have supposed that I cared for nothing but the -fierce, mad joy of battle. But never loved I anyone -save her alone.</p> - -<p>It was on the second or third day after Richard -Burke had left us that the arrival of the messengers -from the President of Munster with a letter for -Desmond threw me into a state of great concern. -And when I knew what the tenor of that letter -was, I was disquieted the more, for I could but -conclude that what I had dreaded would happen -with respect to the intimacy of Sabina Lynch and -Fitzgerald had indeed come to pass.</p> - -<p>The Earl received the President’s messengers with -some state, several of his gentlemen and myself being -with him.</p> - -<p>As he read the letter they presented to him, he -was evidently disconcerted by its contents, looking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> -now at it, now at the messengers; but when he had -perused it a second time, he laughed strangely, and -said he would give no answer at once, but would -consider what was to be done.</p> - -<p>In the evening, when we were all together in the -great hall of the castle, my mistress also being of the -company, he was in a boisterous humour, and bade -his harpers sing of the glories of the house of -Desmond. He sat beside Grace O’Malley, and I -saw him, under cover of the music, speaking to her -very earnestly; and presently he called me up to -them.</p> - -<p>“What think you, Ruari?” said my mistress, -and her eyes danced and smiled, “what think you, -does the President of Munster ask from the Earl of -Desmond?”</p> - -<p>“What is his demand?” cried I.</p> - -<p>“Nothing less or more,” said she, and the laughter -suddenly went out of her face, “than that he should -instantly deliver up a certain Grace O’Malley, as a -notable traitress to the Queen and a spoiler of ships, -at present lodged in his castle of Askeaton, and -should forthwith cause her to be conveyed to him -at the city of Limerick, to be there dealt with -according to her deserts and the pleasure of her -Highness. What think ye of that?”</p> - -<p>“What says the Earl of Desmond?” cried I.</p> - -<p>“What, indeed!” said she, answering for him, -and turning to him with a smile.</p> - -<p>“Ay—what, indeed!” said he, meeting her look, -and smiling back at her.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> - -<p>At that instant there was a commotion at the -further end of the hall, and there entered a man, -with his garments stained with travel and befouled -with mire.</p> - -<p>As soon as de Vilela saw him he sprang forward -with a great cry of delight, and, careless of us all, -embraced him, while a sort of silence came upon -us, and the bards ceased their singing; but the -whisper soon and quickly ran among us that the -Spaniards at last were come.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.<br /> - -<small>THE LANDING OF THE SPANIARDS.</small></h2> - - -<p>It was a strange moment.</p> - -<p>There were the representatives of the President -of Munster, two of the justices from Limerick—these -stood for the Queen.</p> - -<p>There were Grace O’Malley, her gentlemen, and -myself—proclaimed rebels.</p> - -<p>There were Desmond and his Geraldines.</p> - -<p>And now here were de Vilela and this stranger -from Spain! And we were all met together in the -great hall of the castle of Askeaton.</p> - -<p>A strange moment, and a strange meeting!</p> - -<p>De Vilela advanced towards Desmond, and, with -that grace of manner which this man possessed in -greater perfection than any other I have ever seen, -presented the new comer to the Earl. I leant forward -to catch the name. It was the family name of the -famous Lieutenant of Santa Cruz, the still more -celebrated Grand Admiral of Spain. A brother or -a cousin of Martinez, I said to myself, as the two -men bowed low before Desmond.</p> - -<p>“Will your lordship permit?” said de Vilela. -“Don Juan de Ricaldo, my friend and comrade!”</p> - -<p>And the Earl extended his hand to Don Juan.</p> - -<p>“You are welcome, señor,” said Desmond, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> -without much warmth, for was he not, as it were, -between the devil and the deep sea, with England -on the one side and Spain on the other?</p> - -<p>Then he conversed with the two Spaniards in -a low tone of voice, so that I could hear but imperfectly -what was said, but it was impossible not -to see that he was in great perplexity. The two -messengers of the President looked darkly on, their -countenances knit into scowls, while Desmond shot -a curious glance at them now and again.</p> - -<p>After a few minutes spent in this fashion, Don -Juan, excusing himself on the score of being weary -in the extreme from his journey, retired from the -hall along with de Vilela. When they had withdrawn -there was a constraint upon us all, no one -caring to speak his thoughts, for what could we say -that would not have been noted by those two -sharp-eared gentlemen from Limerick?</p> - -<p>For myself I was fair bewildered; but the one -thing that bulked out most largely in my mind -was the fact that now there must be an end of -our uncertainty, as the Spaniards had come into -the country, as I supposed, and the time for deeds, -not words, was upon us.</p> - -<p>Nor was our sitting in the hall prolonged that -evening, for each one who was in authority preferred -to say nothing, and while the others talked -together in little knots, it was in whispers, and -all were glad when the Earl gave the signal for -retiring.</p> - -<p>The same night I was awoke from a sound sleep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> -by de Vilela, who bade me dress and go with him. -We went into a room high up in the tower, and -there were my mistress, Desmond, and de Ricaldo -waiting for us.</p> - -<p>“Ruari,” said Grace O’Malley, her face bright -with excitement, “this gentleman is Don Juan de -Ricaldo”—we saluted each other—”and he is the -bearer of news of the highest importance, which -concerns us most nearly.”</p> - -<p>Don Juan bowed again.</p> - -<p>“The ships of the King of Spain have arrived?” -I asked, as my mistress paused.</p> - -<p>“One ship has come,” said she, “that of which -Don Juan is the commander, and others are on the -way. They set out at the same time, but a storm -separated them; he has reached Ireland first, but -the rest cannot be far off.”</p> - -<p>“’Tis the best of good news,” cried I. “Would -to God they were all beside our galleys on the -Shannon!”</p> - -<p>“Don de Ricaldo’s ship lies off Dingle, on the -coast of Kerry,” said my mistress, smiling at my sally, -“and the others must be guided to the same harbour. -They may have already cast anchor elsewhere, or -they may still be at sea. But I wish you to take -<i>The Cross of Blood</i> and search for them. Both of -these gentlemen,” she nodded to the two Spaniards, -“will accompany you.”</p> - -<p>“And then?” inquired I.</p> - -<p>“You will then render them,” said she, “any help -they may require, as, for instance, choosing the most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> -suitable place for making a landing, or whatever -it may be.”</p> - -<p>“And then?” asked I again.</p> - -<p>“Return here,” said she.</p> - -<p>“May I ask,” said I, “if any plans have been -formed.”</p> - -<p>“They will depend,” said Desmond, quickly “on -the number of the Spanish soldiers—and on other -things,” he added, more slowly.</p> - -<p>“You will go at once, Ruari?” asked Grace -O’Malley, but her question was a command.</p> - -<p>“At once,” I agreed; then a thought came to -me. “Richard Burke should be told of this,” -said I.</p> - -<p>“All Ireland will have heard the news within -a week,” said Desmond impatiently, “and the -MacWilliam among the rest.”</p> - -<p>This was true enough, but I made sure that he -knew, for I sent a trusty man to his camp who told -him what had taken place. I did this later that -night.</p> - -<p>As I was taking my leave I asked my mistress -if she were satisfied that all was going well, and -she replied that she was.</p> - -<p>“You will stay on here till I return?” asked I.</p> - -<p>“Surely!” It was Desmond who spoke.</p> - -<p>I had half a mind to suggest to her that it -might be better for her to go back to her own -galley, but it seemed like a presumption on my -part, and I held my peace.</p> - -<p>But once we were on board <i>The Cross of Blood</i>,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> -swinging down the stream in the hours of the -morning, I wished that I had been bolder.</p> - -<p>Yet, what was there to fear? So I repeated to -myself, but the fear came again and again. For -there were Grace O’Malley and Eva in Desmond’s -power, the guard they had with them being of the -slenderest now that Richard Burke was out of -Askeaton with his gallowglasses, and I myself, with -de Vilela and some of our choicest men, going -further away with every mile.</p> - -<p>Was she justified in placing herself so entirely -in the hands of the Earl? There was the rub. My -mistress, however, had declared that she was well -pleased with the way in which our affairs were -moving, and with that assurance I had perforce to -be content. And I verily believe she had no doubt -but that she could do with Desmond as she chose.</p> - -<p>I had been ordered to keep a look-out for the -Spanish ships, and I put in at various bays and -havens where I thought it might be possible that -they had anchored, but I reached Dingle without -having seen anything of them. And I well remember -that it was towards evening, after we had borne the -blaze of the July sun all day, that we came up -alongside of Don Juan de Ricaldo’s vessel, and de -Vilela and myself went on board of her with her -captain.</p> - -<p>Next morning I put out to sea again, and, -sailing slowly down the coast for perhaps a couple -of hours, fell in with the rest of the Spanish ships, -tacking to the north-westward.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span></p> - -<p>Having made signs that I wished to speak to -them, they lay to. As I approached I saw a man -waving his hand to me from the ship that was nearest -us, and him I afterwards knew to be Sir James Fitzmaurice, -a relative of the Earl of Desmond, and having -the reputation of being a skilful soldier. He had -already fought against the English in Ireland, but -had been beaten by them, and compelled to sue for -peace.</p> - -<p>Beside him there stood three or four priests, and, -a little way off, a group of men wearing armour, their -swords shining brightly in their hands. There was -also a goodly muster of footmen, having arquebuses, -spears and other weapons. And my heart warmed -when I beheld this array.</p> - -<p>Quitting my galley, I went on board of the ship, -and presently had told Fitzmaurice, who evidently -was the leader of the expedition, who I was, and -for what purpose I was come. I also delivered to -him letters which de Vilela and de Ricaldo had -given me for him. Having read these over very -carefully, he began to ply me eagerly with many -questions.</p> - -<p>Was Desmond well? What preparations had he -made to rise against the English? What was the -general state of the country? Did its princes and -chiefs know that he was coming, and were they ready -to drive the English into the sea? Were the English -in force, and where lay their army? Who was there -now at Limerick?</p> - -<p>All these and many other things did he inquire of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> -me, listening to my replies with the closest attention, -comparing what I said with what was written in the -letters I had brought, and making a commentary of -his own. But I soon found out that he was in reality -as well informed as I was.</p> - -<p>Here was one, I said to myself, who was a very -different man from Desmond. The way he bore himself -was so instinct with firmness, courage and resolution -that he at once instilled a feeling of confidence -in all who met him. Then the questions he had -addressed to me impressed me as being just such -questions as a soldier and a man of action would -ask. But what struck me most was that when he -spoke of Desmond, while he said not a word in his -dispraise, he was apparently not certain of him. And -this was so much in my own manner of thinking of -the Earl that my fear of him was intensified.</p> - -<p>It was now my turn to ask questions, and I inquired -how many men Fitzmaurice had with him, -and if these were all, or were we to look for more?</p> - -<p>“There are four hundred of us—Spaniards, -Italians, Irish, and English; these English,” he -added, “are not of the Queen’s religion. And as -to what we may expect, Father Sanders will tell -you more,” and he turned to one of the priests -standing near. “Father,” said he to the priest, -“this is Ruari Macdonald, foster-brother of Grace -O’Malley of Erris and the Isles of Connaught.”</p> - -<p>“You have just come from Desmond,” said -Sanders; “I have heard something of what you -have been saying, and your mistress is with us.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Yes,” I replied, “Grace O’Malley is at Askeaton.”</p> - -<p>“She is firm in the cause?”</p> - -<p>“She, and all of us, are proclaimed rebels,” cried -I, “so you may judge for yourself.”</p> - -<p>Then he exchanged glances with Fitzmaurice, -and continued, “And Desmond? what of him?”</p> - -<p>Thereupon I gave them an account of what had -occurred at Askeaton since our arrival there.</p> - -<p>“I do not see,” said Sanders, when I had done, -“how the Earl could have acted otherwise. As he -said, he had to wait till the time was ripe. But -now, the time is ripe, and the Desmond war-cry -will soon resound on every side!” And the -priest looked fixedly at Fitzmaurice, who, however, -remained silent.</p> - -<p>Sanders then began speaking again, and told me -how that the Pope had blessed the expedition, and -had given both men and money, and would send -more ere long. Next he took me to see a splendid -banner, all blue and gold, with the figure of our Lord -upon it, which he had received from Rome.</p> - -<p>“This will march with our hosts,” cried he, “and -lead us on to victory!”</p> - -<p>Now, with the priests and the mysteries of religion -I have never had much to do, and while the spirit of -the man was in itself a beautiful thing, and the -banner, too, a thing beautiful to behold, yet I could -not forbear from thinking that fighting men were -what we most stood in need of, and that four hundred -soldiers, however brave they were, even added<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> -to our own, were far from being sufficient to drive -the English out of Ireland. For I knew the English -by this time, and that they were no mean foes.</p> - -<p>And when I said what was in my mind to Fitzmaurice, -who I was sure would agree with me, he -replied that I must remember that the force he had -with him was but the advance guard of a great -army, which, even at that very instant, might be -already on its way to our coasts. So I took fresh -courage, and hoped for the best.</p> - -<p>After we had had a long conversation I said that -my present business was to see his ships safe into -the harbour of Dingle, or into any other haven which -might be selected in Kerry, and as de Ricaldo’s -vessel was not at Dingle, I purposed, if it was agreeable -to him, to go on ahead in my galley and show -him the way, as it were, to the place. To this he -assented, and I went back to <i>The Cross of Blood</i>. -We made Dingle soon thereafter, and I could see -that Fitzmaurice and Sanders immediately got ready -to land.</p> - -<p>There had already gathered upon the shore a -crowd of the Irish belonging to that part of Kerry. -Partly, I imagine, to impress them, and partly -because of the nature of the occasion itself, Fitzmaurice -and Sanders had deemed that their landing -afforded a fit opportunity for no little display. They -had therefore arranged a sort of procession, and I -watched it, as it moved along, with keen interest; -nor was I cold and stolid myself at the sight -of the joy of the country people, who received<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> -it on shore with loud shoutings and a tumult of -cheers.</p> - -<p>Two friars, chanting a psalm, stepped first on -shore; behind them came a bishop, clad in the -robes of his sacred office, with a mitre on his head -and a pastoral staff in his left hand. His right hand -was raised solemnly invoking a blessing on the land, -and his lips moved as if in prayer, while the Irish -knelt upon the shore as his feet touched the ground.</p> - -<p>Then came Father Sanders, the banner which the -Pope had consecrated waving above him, and, immediately -after him, Fitzmaurice and those of -knightly rank—gallant, mailed, long-sworded gentlemen -every one! And now the foot-soldiers, each -in a company under its own captain, streamed from -the ships—making altogether a brave show.</p> - -<p>As soon as a camping place for the night had -been chosen, Fitzmaurice appeared at the side of -my galley, and, having come on board, said that -the harbour of Dingle from its shape—the mouth -of the bay being narrow—was one from which it -would be difficult to escape in an extremity, and -asked me to suggest another.</p> - -<p>Whereupon I replied that the haven of Smerwick, -four miles to the north across the tongue of land -where we now were, would be more to his mind. -And thither the next day Fitzmaurice marched his -troops; the ships were brought round, and, all his -stores having been fetched ashore, he at once set -his men to work, making a trench and fortifying -the place.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> - -<p>As I had now accomplished the mission my -mistress had entrusted me with, I set about preparing -to return to Askeaton. But Fitzmaurice -prevailed upon me to stay two or three days longer, -telling me he had sent horsemen to Desmond with -a letter, in which he had urged his kinsman to declare -war against the Queen without delay, and saying the -reply might be of such a character as to change my -plans. He hoped the answer would be speedy, and in -any case, he said, it was well that I should know -exactly what the Earl wrote.</p> - -<p>But several days passed, and still no word came -from Desmond.</p> - -<p>In the meantime, Sir John, a brother of the Earl, -arrived at Smerwick. This man, with whom a hatred -of the English was the chief passion of his life, greatly -lamented the supineness of his brother, but he had -no knowledge of the Earl’s movements. There was -no mistaking that Sir John was sincere, and when he -asked Fitzmaurice, de Vilela, and myself to accompany -him on his return to his castle of Tralee, -where, he said, our reception would give full proof -of his devotion to the cause, I for one gladly -assented.</p> - -<p>We took with us a considerable number of men, -so as to guard against a surprise, but we reached -Tralee without adventure of any sort.</p> - -<p>Before we had gained the castle itself, however, -we were met by one of Sir John’s gallowglasses, who -warned him that two officers of the English had -arrived there that very day, and that, as one of them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> -was well known to Sir John, they had been allowed -to enter within its walls without question.</p> - -<p>Hastily calling a halt, we consulted together what -was the wisest course to pursue. Sir John was for -our going on, but Fitzmaurice thought it would be -more prudent for Sir John to ride forward with his -own attendants, and then, when night had fallen, we -might secretly enter the castle.</p> - -<p>“Who are the Englishmen?” asked I, thinking -that they might be known to me.</p> - -<p>“One is Carter, the Marshal of Munster,” replied -Sir John, “and the other is Davell, a captain in the -garrison at Limerick.”</p> - -<p>I was acquainted with neither, but I remembered -that I had heard of Davell, and what it was, and -I looked steadily at Sir John.</p> - -<p>“Sir John,” said I, “the name of Davell is not -unfamiliar to me, and, if my memory serve me aright, -you must know him well.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said he shortly; “he once stood between -me and death in a former war. But what of that,” -added he grimly, “as things are now?”</p> - -<p>I held my peace, whereupon he exclaimed -passionately: “I will suffer nothing to stand between -me and the deliverance of Ireland! Let us proceed.”</p> - -<p>Fitzmaurice, however, would not agree to this; -so Sir John went on, as had been suggested, and we -withdrew into the forest not far from the castle. -But about midnight Sir John sent to say that the -Englishmen had gone to bed, and that, as all was now -quiet, he invited us to come. Nor did we refuse.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> - -<p>When we had entered within the silent castle, Sir -John met us, and led us, who were leaders, into the -hall, but our men lay down in the courtyard. When -wine and meat had been put before us, the waiting-men -going about on tiptoe, Fitzmaurice inquired -of Sir John if we might be told on what business -it was that Carter and Davell had come to Tralee.</p> - -<p>“As spies. What else?” said Sir John. “The -tidings of your landing have reached the ears of the -President, and they have ventured hither for more -news. They tell me they wish to see for themselves -what is going on.”</p> - -<p>“What say they of Desmond?” I asked.</p> - -<p>“They say—what I cannot believe,” cried he, -forgetting to whisper, as we had been doing; “they -say that Desmond himself sent a letter to the President—a -letter he had received from you,” and here -he glanced at Fitzmaurice—”and that he has offered -to drive the Spaniards back to their ships.”</p> - -<p>We were all silent. As for me, my mind was -as a blank, while my heart beat so furiously that -it was like to rend my body.</p> - -<p>“I will never believe it,” said Sir John. “’Tis -nothing but a base lie!”</p> - -<p>In the anguish of my spirit I groaned aloud, so -that the rest looked curiously at me.</p> - -<p>“You believe it!” slowly said Fitzmaurice; “and, -by the Mass! so do I.”</p> - -<p>“No, no!” exclaimed Sir John. “Not that—not -that!”</p> - -<p>Then he sprang from his place, and, even in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> -the dim light of the candles, I could not but see -how ghastly was his face.</p> - -<p>“Not that—not that!” he cried again, then with -swift steps turned and left us.</p> - -<p>I heard the sound of his feet as he went up -the stair to the sleeping-rooms above; presently the -noise ceased, but in another moment the stillness -was rent by a piercing cry, quickly followed by -another and another.</p> - -<p>We gazed at each other fearfully, asking mutely -what this might portend, when Sir John returned -to the hall, his mantle and his hands stained with -blood.</p> - -<p>“Let this,” cried he in wild accents, and he -shivered as the blood dripped from him, “let this be -a pledge of the faithfulness of the Desmonds to -you and to the cause!”</p> - -<p>“What have you done?” asked Fitzmaurice.</p> - -<p>“There are no English spies alive now in Tralee,” -said he more calmly, “to carry tales to Limerick.”</p> - -<p>He had stabbed to death Carter and Davell, as -they lay asleep, with his own dagger.</p> - -<p>And one of them had saved his life, and both had -counted themselves his friends!</p> - -<p>I felt myself growing sick with horror of the man -and his deed. To slay men in a fight was one -thing, but to kill sleeping men under one’s own roof -was another and a very different thing.</p> - -<p>And with the horror there came a nameless fear.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.<br /> - -<small>SUCH STUFF AS DREAMS.</small></h2> - - -<p>Once the first shock of this terrible affair was over -my thoughts were so many, and withal so dreary, -that it was impossible for me to get any sleep in -the short hours which yet remained before the day -dawned.</p> - -<p>I sought and found excuses for Sir John, but -the excuses did not wholly satisfy me. For, if -against this act of treachery of his, there might and -could be set instances as base on the part of the -English rulers of Ireland, that made it not the less -foul.</p> - -<p>He no doubt justified himself in his own sight -by believing he had committed his brother, the -Earl, irrevocably to the cause, and that now all his -hesitation must cease. But would it? I asked myself.</p> - -<p>Carter and Davell had declared that Desmond -was in communication with the President of Munster; -no sooner had I heard this than I felt it -must be true. So, too, had said Fitzmaurice. -And if it were, in what position, then, was Grace -O’Malley?</p> - -<p>After all, was it true?</p> - -<p>Sir John had denied it; but had it not been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> -the very fear that it was true, which had driven -him as by a sort of frenzy into this dark and -dreadful act of slaying his defenceless guests?</p> - -<p>And if Desmond were a traitor, where and in -what case was my mistress?</p> - -<p>And what of Eva?</p> - -<p>One thing was clear, and that was that Tralee -was no place for me. I now regretted deeply that -I had not returned to Askeaton at once after the -harbour of Smerwick had been chosen by the -Spaniards, and determined to get back to <i>The Cross -of Blood</i> and to set out for the stronghold of -Desmond immediately, for it was there that I -should be.</p> - -<p>With the first blush of day I roused up my -own men, and bade them be ready to march. As -I was standing among them in the yard, both -Fitzmaurice and de Vilela approached, and beckoned -to me to join them. As I came up, a dozen horsemen -or more swept past us, and fled across the -bridge.</p> - -<p>“There goes the rising of Munster,” cried Fitzmaurice -joyfully, nodding towards the horsemen. -“They have been charged with messages to all the -chiefs of the province, and before night has fallen -the battle-cry of the Desmonds will have been -sounded forth throughout the whole territories of -the Geraldines.”</p> - -<p>“You have heard, then, from Desmond?” asked -I, greatly relieved by his words.</p> - -<p>“Not yet,” replied he; “but, after last night,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> -Desmond can have no choice. Surely you must -agree with me in that?”</p> - -<p>“No,” said I, very slowly. “I am not sure that -I agree with you.”</p> - -<p>“Which means you do not!” cried he, with -anger in his tones. “But why?”</p> - -<p>It was not easy to put what I thought into so -many words, and I did not answer at once.</p> - -<p>“Why? why?” again asked Fitzmaurice.</p> - -<p>“I can hardly tell you,” replied I; “but you -heard, as well as I did, the report of his dealings -with the President, and”—here I spoke out quite -bluntly—”I have no firm faith in Desmond.”</p> - -<p>“Perchance, he hesitated,” said Fitzmaurice, -“perhaps he did at the beginning; but all that -will now be at an end. He must declare himself -openly. His hand has been forced by Sir John, -and he cannot stand out against us and his people.”</p> - -<p>“What are your plans now?” I asked, rather -wearily, for I was tired of this incessant reference -to Desmond.</p> - -<p>“To wait at Tralee till I hear from him,” said -he. “You will wait also?”</p> - -<p>“No,” said I, “I return to Smerwick to-day.”</p> - -<p>“Return to Smerwick? I shall not let you!”</p> - -<p>“Indeed,” said I, with some heat. “You are -not my commander, and I owe you no obedience. -It is not yours to say what I shall do; that is the -right of my mistress alone.”</p> - -<p>“Your mistress!” said Fitzmaurice with a sneer.</p> - -<p>My hand went to my sword, but de Vilela, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> -had so far taken no part in the conversation, -interfered.</p> - -<p>“Señor,” said he to Fitzmaurice sternly, “you -can mean no disrespect to the lady, Grace O’Malley; -she is my dear friend——”</p> - -<p>“Señor,” said I, interrupting him, “this affair -is mine.”</p> - -<p>“Señor Ruari” said he, “had any offence been -intended, it would have been mine, too.”</p> - -<p>Fitzmaurice, who quickly saw that he had made -a mistake, declared that he had neither said nor -implied anything to the despite of my mistress, but -his look was sullen, and I wondered at him.</p> - -<p>It was apparent that he had something on his -mind that was not favourable to her, but he said -no more. It was possible that he had heard about -her in connection with Desmond, so I concluded, -and this urged me to the more haste in leaving -Tralee.</p> - -<p>“I am going to Smerwick at once,” said I to them -both.</p> - -<p>Fitzmaurice was about to speak, but, changing his -mind, walked away. De Vilela then asked me why I -was in so great a hurry to be gone.</p> - -<p>“My place is with my mistress,” said I briefly, for -I could not tell him my thoughts.</p> - -<p>“That is a true word,” said he; and there was a -strange catch in his voice, so that I looked at him -curiously, expecting him to say more, but he was -silent.</p> - -<p>No objection being made to our departure, my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> -men and I left Tralee, and, before night had set in we -were at Smerwick. Having saluted the officers of -the Spanish ships, and acquainted them with my intention, -I weighed out from Smerwick the following -morning, and on the third day came up with <i>The -Grey Wolf</i> and <i>The Winged Horse</i>, which were -quietly riding at anchor in the bay, not far from the -castle of Askeaton.</p> - -<p>Many had been the questionings of my spirit as -we had gone up the Shannon; many my doubts and -fears of I knew not quite what; but the mere sight of -the galleys, thus peacefully resting on the water like a -pair of great sea-birds, dispelled them at once.</p> - -<p>Tibbot, who had been in chief command during -the absence of Grace O’Malley and myself, came on -board of <i>The Cross of Blood</i> as soon as we had let go -our anchor, and I could see from the very way he -carried himself that all was well with the ships. He -had nothing stirring to tell me, so it appeared, but -was exceedingly anxious to hear about the men from -Spain, and what was being done.</p> - -<p>But before I had gratified him in this respect, I -inquired when he had last seen or had word of our -mistress, and he answered that she and the Earl of -Desmond and a numerous party had visited the -galleys a day or two after I had sailed down the -river; and that, since then, he had had no tidings -of her. Nothing, moreover, save vague rumours -of Fitzmaurice and the Spaniards had reached -him through the people living on the shore of the -stream.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span></p> - -<p>So far as was known, Desmond still lay at -Askeaton, and had not joined in the rising against -the Queen.</p> - -<p>Tibbot seemed sure that everything and everybody -remained at the castle in the same position as -when I had left it; but I resolved to go thither -without loss of time, and to see for myself how the -land lay.</p> - -<p>I charged Tibbot in the meantime not to allow -our men to wander away, but to keep them, as far -as possible, in the galleys, and so to be prepared -for any emergency. And I enjoined upon him that -he was not to offer attack, but only to stand on his -defence in case of assault.</p> - -<p>Having spoken in the same terms to Calvagh, -who was to act as Tibbot’s lieutenant, I took but -one attendant, thinking that if more went with me -I should not be able to get to Askeaton as quickly -as I wished.</p> - -<p>It was not yet evening as I came in sight of -Askeaton, and as I gazed down upon it from the -high ground opposite, I noticed that there was -nothing unusual in its appearance, except that the -drawbridge was up, and that there were perhaps a -few more soldiers on the walls than was customary. -Descending the edge of the stream I shouted to the -watch, peering at me through the wicket, to open -the gate. I could not but have been well known to -them, but I was kept waiting for some minutes—at -which I marvelled much. I had no thought, -however, of turning back.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span></p> - -<p>At length, the chains of the drawbridge, as they -clashed and clattered through the sheaves, began to -move, and the bridge fell into place, the gate being -opened at the same instant.</p> - -<p>What followed was so sudden that I have only a -confused recollection of it.</p> - -<p>My feet had no more than trodden the creaking -planks of the drawbridge, as it seemed to me, or I -may have been just within the door, when I was set -upon by several of Desmond’s men.</p> - -<p>I was taken completely off my guard, albeit I -struggled with all my strength, but, being at a disadvantage, -this availed me not a whit. In any case, -I must soon have been overpowered; but the matter -was the quicker settled by a blow on my head, under -which I went down like a felled ox.</p> - -<p>When I had come somewhat to my senses again, -it was to find myself sick and giddy from the blow, -while my hands and feet were tightly bound with -ropes, so that my flesh was chafed and cut; there -had been a gag thrust into my mouth, and my eyes -were bandaged. I could not speak, nor see, nor -move. I could feel I was lying on the earth, but -where I was I knew not.</p> - -<p>“He is coming to himself,” said a voice. My -brain was reeling, reeling, reeling; but there was that -in the voice that seemed not strange, yet I could not -remember whose it was, so far off was it—as if from -another world.</p> - -<p>“Put him——” and there were other words that -came to me, but so indistinctly that I could not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> -make them out at all; nay, I could not tell, being -in a stupor, whether I was awake or did only dream.</p> - -<p>Then I was taken up and carried along—up steps -and steps which appeared to be without end, and at -last was thrown upon a wooden floor. A door was -shut and bolted and barred; and thereafter a sound -of retreating footsteps dying away, and I was left -alone. I was wide awake now, for my body was one -great, almost insupportable pain.</p> - -<p>And terrible as was the anguish of my frame, that -of my mind was more; but first came the racking of -the bones and the torture of the flesh, and these, in -their turn, brought consciousness and memory, and -an indescribable agony of the soul.</p> - -<p>I tried to move—a thing well-nigh impossible to -me, trussed up as I was, and by reason also of the -pain I suffered; and I was constrained to abandon -the attempt. I should have borne up better perhaps -if my eyes had been open and my tongue free; but -there I lay in the darkness, like one already dead, -and had nearly given way to despair.</p> - -<p>And as the shadows and mists of stupor cleared -away from my mind, I was overwhelmed at the -extent of the disaster which had befallen me, for I -saw in it but too surely an indication of some dreadful -evil, some fearful calamity which had overtaken -my mistress and her fortunes, and that, too, at the -hands of Desmond.</p> - -<p>And I was powerless to help her! I had allowed -myself to be caught—running, blind fool that I was, -my own head into the noose.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p> - -<p>Where was she?</p> - -<p>Where was Eva?</p> - -<p>What had happened?</p> - -<p>What was to be the end? Was this it?</p> - -<p>Around such questions as these did my thoughts -move, as if in a circle; ever asking the same questions, -and ever without reply; until I felt that there -was no more than the breadth of a thread between -me and madness.</p> - -<p>After a great while—how long I wist not, and -perchance it was no such great while as it seemed -to me in that wild fever of my spirit—the door of -the room in which I lay huddled upon the floor -was opened. I verily believe that it was the mere -opening of the door at that very moment that kept -me from becoming a maniac, so strained were those -fine chords which subtly hold mind and body as -if in a balance.</p> - -<p>The bandage was untied from about my eyes, -and the gag was taken from my mouth; the ropes -were partly unloosened from my arms, and food and -water were placed beside me.</p> - -<p>Two men were in the room, both bearing drawn -swords, and one carrying a lantern, for it was night, -and but for its light we had been in total darkness. -Yet so sore were my eyes that I could scarcely -bear to look at the men, and when I essayed to -speak I could not utter a word so swollen was my -tongue.</p> - -<p>“Eat and drink,” said one of them; but I could do -no more than roll my head helplessly from side to side.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p> - -<p>Then the other, seeing how foredone I was, put -the pitcher to my lips, and I drank, although each -mouthful I swallowed of the water was a fresh -torment. But with the blessed water there came -relief, nay, life itself, for the frenzy died out of my -brain, and my mind became calm and clear. Thereafter -I ate, and essayed to speak with the two men, -but they had evidently been forbidden to converse -with me, for they would answer nothing. After a -short time they withdrew, bolting and barring the -door behind them, and I was left to myself.</p> - -<p>Hours dragged slowly by, and, at length, the -sleep of exhaustion fell upon me, and when I awoke -it was broad daylight. The repose had restored me -in a great measure to myself; but the stinging of -the cuts made by the bonds on my legs and arms, -and the dull throbbing, throbbing of my head, -quickly recalled me to the misery of my situation.</p> - -<p>In the morning, however, I was released from -the ropes, and more food and water were brought -me. Again I endeavoured to get the men, who I -perceived were the same that had come to me the -previous evening, to speak to me, but in vain.</p> - -<p>Before they had made their appearance I had -seen that I had not been cast into one of the -dungeons of Askeaton, but was imprisoned in a -chamber which I judged, numbering the steps up -which I had been borne, to be at the top of one of -the towers of the castle. As soon as they had gone -I set about examining the room, albeit I was so -stiff and sore that at first I could only crawl and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> -creep on the floor. As this exercise, however, gave -me back the use of my limbs, I was soon able to -stand and move about with ease.</p> - -<p>The room was small and bare, without even a -stool or a bench, and was lighted by a little, narrow -window, from which I caught glimpses of distant -masses of trees and the slopes and peaks of far-off -mountains. During my first visit to Desmond, I -had made myself familiar with every part of the -castle, and I knew that the surmise I had made -that the room was high up in a tower was a true -one.</p> - -<p>There were only the two ways of getting out, the -one by the door, the other by the window. The -door was firmly secured, for I had tried it, but I -might as well have sought to move the stone walls -of the chamber. And the window was many feet -above the ground or the river, so that it was impossible -to escape by it, unless by means of a ladder -or a rope, neither of which I possessed.</p> - -<p>It therefore required very little reflection on my -part to understand how complete was my captivity, -and how small was the chance of my being able to -deliver myself from it.</p> - -<p>But it was something that I could see, that I -could breathe freely, and that I could speak aloud, -and hear, at least, the sound of my own voice. And -these somehow brought with them a faint ray of -hope. As I paced up and down the room—that I -was permitted to go without chains showed in itself -how convinced my gaolers were that I could not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> -break free—I determined not to despair. But as -the day passed wretchedly by, and night came on -again, it was difficult to keep any degree of firmness -in my heart.</p> - -<p>A thing which kept constantly recurring to me -was the haunting recollection of the voice I had -heard, or fancied that I had heard, after I had been -struck down, and was half-alive and half-dead, and -so certain of nothing. Then, knowing, as I well did, -what was the usual horrible fate of one taken -prisoner, I could not but ponder with surprise the -comparative tenderness shown me.</p> - -<p>I had not been thrown into a noisome cell -beneath the castle, or, what would have been worse -still, under the bed of the stream, and left to die -of madness and hunger, a prey to rats and other -vermin.</p> - -<p>Nay, I asked myself why I had not been slain -outright? That, it was manifest, had not been the -purpose of those who had set upon me, for, once I -was down, nothing could have been easier than to -despatch me.</p> - -<p>Then, whose voice was it that I had heard? For -the life of me I could not remember.</p> - -<p>When evening was come, food and water were -provided as before, but in the same obduracy of -silence. The men were as speechless as mutes, -beyond one saying, “Eat and drink,” and I was -strangely glad and even moved to hear these simple -words.</p> - -<p>Once more being left to the solitude of my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> -prison-chamber, a thought came, sharply shooting -like an arrow, through my sombre musings. The -same two men always appeared with the food; just -two men, I told myself, <i>against one</i>. True, they -were armed, and I was not; but might not a quick, -dexterous, unexpected assault give me my opportunity? -And if I could but get out of the room, -could I not trust to my star, and to my knowledge -of the castle, to find some way of escape? And if -I failed? Well, the worst was death, and I had -faced it before. And so the project grew, and took -a firm hold of me.</p> - -<p>Not thus, however, had it been ordained.</p> - -<p>So agitated was I by the mere prospect of regaining -my liberty, that it was long ere I went to -sleep, and then methought I dreamed a happy dream.</p> - -<p>There was, as it were, a light in that mean room—not -a great brightness, but a dimly burning light, -itself a shadow among other shadows. And behind -that shadow, a pale presence and a ghostly, stood -Eva O’Malley, and by her side a muffled figure, -vague and indistinct, but seen darkly as in a mirror -over which the breath has passed. Clearer, and yet -more clearly, there were bodied forth the face and -form I knew and loved; her hand touched me, and -my name was whispered softly in my ear.</p> - -<p>“Ruari! Ruari!”</p> - -<p>I heard the rustle of her garments; then the -shadow danced along the wall and died away, as the -light came closer to my face.</p> - -<p>“Ruari! Ruari!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span></p> - -<p>“O my love! my love!” cried I.</p> - -<p>“Ruari! Ruari! Come!” said she.</p> - -<p>“Hush! Hush!” said the muffled figure, and -all at once I was aware that this was no dream, but -a verity.</p> - -<p>This was no other than my dear herself.</p> - -<p>And the muffled figure—who was that? A man’s -voice surely had I heard say “Hush!” And why -were they come? Wherefore, indeed, but to deliver -me. And I sprang up from the floor in haste.</p> - -<p>“Softly, softly,” said Eva, as I clasped her hand—a -living hand, thank God!</p> - -<p>Then she whispered low that for the present they -must leave me, for if we all went together, the suspicion -of the guards might be aroused, but that I -must find my way out as best I could. Her words -bewildered me, but there was no time for explanations, -which would come afterwards.</p> - -<p>“You must contrive to get down by yourself to -the court,” said she. “We will meet you there, but -wait here first for about an hour, then start. You -will find the door of this room open; take the left -turn, and make no noise or you will be lost.”</p> - -<p>I did as I had been bid. After what I supposed -might be an hour I felt my way out of the room, and -stepping slowly and with a cat’s wariness succeeded, -but with many quakings and alarms, in reaching the -great hall without attracting the attention of anyone. -Never could I have done this had I not been familiar -with the castle, and even as it was I had frequently -to stop perplexed.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p> - -<p>In the hall were many men asleep, each with his -weapon by him, as I could see, though uncertainly, -from the dull glow of the embers on the wide hearth. -Near the fire itself sat two men, and for awhile I -looked at them fearfully, for past them must I go. -But as I watched them carefully I saw their heads -nodding, nodding—they, too, were asleep.</p> - -<p>Out through the slumberers did I step, praying -dumbly that they might not waken through any slip -of mine, and, reaching the door in safety, was, in -another moment, in the court.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.<br /> - -<small>THE PERFIDY OF DESMOND.</small></h2> - - -<p>“Ruari!” said Eva O’Malley; “here!”</p> - -<p>It was that darkest time of night that preludes -the day, and I could see no one with any degree of -clearness, but, guided by that beloved voice, I went -forward, nothing doubting.</p> - -<p>Straining my eyes into the blank, I made out -figures, moving towards the gate; Eva came to my -side, and we followed close upon them. Mystified as -I was at what had just occurred, it gave me a -delicious thrill of happiness to be near Eva, and to -feel myself a free man again.</p> - -<p>“Eva!” I said.</p> - -<p>“Do not speak—do not speak,” said she, “we are -not yet out of danger.”</p> - -<p>In silence then we walked through the court until -we had come to the guard-house by the gate, and -there we halted. One of those with us went into the -room, and I could hear, though indistinctly, the -sounds of him and others talking together.</p> - -<p>Some long minutes passed, and the suspense was -becoming unendurable, when two men with lanterns -appeared. Without looking at us they proceeded to -lower the drawbridge, the rattling of whose chains -was to me then the finest music in the world, and -to open the gate.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Quick,” said Eva to me, pushing me gently on.</p> - -<p>I was over the bridge and on the further side in a -flash along with two others; turning back I heard an -exclamation from the watchmen with the lanterns, -and some expostulations.</p> - -<p>“’Twas not in the bargain,” I caught; then there -were more words which I heard too imperfectly to -understand, but I recognised from the mere tone of -one of the voices who the speaker was.</p> - -<p>And with this there dawned on me also whose was -the voice I had heard after I had been struck down. -It was Dermot Fitzgerald’s! And he it was who was -our guide!</p> - -<p>In what way he satisfied the watchmen I do not -know, but, having done so, he and Eva crossed the -bridge. Then there was a whistle, and now a horse -neighed; and thereafter the trampling of chargers -broke upon the ear. The horse-boys brought the -animals up to us, and presently we were in the saddle, -moving off from the castle notwithstanding the -gloom, Fitzgerald leading the way.</p> - -<p>I wondered where we were going, but I had been -told not to utter a word, in the one brief sentence I -had exchanged with Eva when we were mounting the -horses, and I followed on after her as I would have -done to the end of the world, but I was fair dazed -with these strange, fantastic tricks of fortune.</p> - -<p>We had gone about a couple of leagues, as I conjectured, -from Askeaton, riding for the greater part -of the distance through the forest, when Fitzgerald -stopped—and so did we all.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span></p> - -<p>The darkness had grown perceptibly less intense, -and we could now see a sort of path among the trees.</p> - -<p>“I have done what I promised you,” said Fitzgerald -to Eva O’Malley. Then he turned towards me. -“Ruari Macdonald,” said he, “my debts to you are -also paid. Farewell, and God help and pity us all!”</p> - -<p>“Dermot!” cried I.</p> - -<p>But he was already past me, galloping fast and -furiously, like one hotly pursued.</p> - -<p>“He has gone,” said Eva, and there was a sob in -her voice.</p> - -<p>In an instant I had leaped from the saddle, and -was by her side. Her form was bowed forward upon -her horse’s neck, and her tears were falling heavily, -as I placed my arm about her waist, and drew her -towards me, heedless of those who were with us.</p> - -<p>“Eva, darling,” I said. “What does all this -mean?” Not that I cared to be told at that -moment; it was enough that we were together. I -pressed her to my heart, and kissed away her tears -while she struggled with her emotions. I spoke -many words of endearment, and after awhile she -regained her calmness.</p> - -<p>“Let us ride on,” she said at length.</p> - -<p>“But whither are we going?” asked I.</p> - -<p>“To the camp of Richard Burke,” she replied; -“it is only three or four miles ahead of us—so -Dermot Fitzgerald said. And he has shown himself -our friend after all.”</p> - -<p>“To Richard Burke?” cried I, more amazed, if -that were possible, even than before.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Have patience, Ruari” said she, “you must soon -know everything; but be patient—”</p> - -<p>“Our mistress?” asked I, at no time very patient, -and now devoured with questions.</p> - -<p>“Wait a little, wait a little,” said she, and she -broke into weeping again, so that my heart smote me -at the sight of her grief. But when I would have -taken her in my arms again to try to comfort her, -she waved me off, and, shaking up her horse, rode -on in front.</p> - -<p>The day breaking clearly as we went along, I -observed that those behind me were two women of my -mistress’s and Eva’s, and the man I had brought with -me from <i>The Cross of Blood</i> to Askeaton. My mind -was now in such a tangle that I had to resign myself -passively, and to become, as it were, rather a spectator -of than a participator in what was going on.</p> - -<p>In truth, I felt more at sea than ever before in my -life, and was even inclined to prick myself, like a -boy, to see if we were indeed living, or merely moving -in some spectral land of shades and phantoms.</p> - -<p>Nor did this air of unreality wear away until we -had arrived at the camp of the Burkes. But as we -emerged from the trees into the open, we were at -once recognised by those on guard, for they had seen -both Eva and myself frequently in the galleys, and -thus we were well known to them.</p> - -<p>They raised so loud and fervent a shout of -welcome that the MacWilliam quickly appeared on -the ground to ascertain what was happening. He -gazed at us like one sorely puzzled; then, as he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> -came forward to greet us, there was an expression -of alarm.</p> - -<p>“Eva O’Malley!” he exclaimed. Then he came -up to me, and as I held out my hand he gasped -with astonishment, for my hands were bleeding from -the unhealed cuts inflicted by the ropes with which I -had been tied, my dress was in disorder, and my feet, -which were bare, were spattered with blood.</p> - -<p>“What has happened?” cried he hoarsely. -“Where is your mistress? What? What?”</p> - -<p>“Fetch wine,” said I, partly to divert his thoughts, -partly because it seemed as if Eva were about to -swoon. “Go, fetch us wine!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes!” said Eva faintly. Then, with an -effort of the will, she added, “I will tell you everything—when -I have recovered a little.”</p> - -<p>Leading us to his tent, he called for wine, and -when Eva and I had drunk, and our attendants also, -she and the MacWilliam and I were left by ourselves, -all the others being told to withdraw.</p> - -<p>“Have you heard?” she asked, looking at Burke.</p> - -<p>“Nothing,” replied he, “save that the Spaniards -are come. The messenger Ruari sent told me that -de Ricaldo had arrived at Askeaton, and I have since -heard that their ships lie at Smerwick.”</p> - -<p>“Nothing more?” asked Eva.</p> - -<p>And he shook his head.</p> - -<p>“I hardly am less in the dark than yourself,” said -I. “All that I know besides is that when I returned -to Askeaton from Smerwick no more than two days -ago, I was set upon in entering the castle, over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span>powered, -knocked senseless, bound, and made a -prisoner.”</p> - -<p>“Made a prisoner!” cried Richard Burke. “God’s -wounds! And why?”</p> - -<p>“That I as yet know not,” I answered. “But Eva -will perhaps inform us; this very night did she and -Fitzgerald deliver me out of Askeaton.”</p> - -<p>Richard Burke gazed from one to the other of us, -too much astonished to speak. I looked at Eva, -whose eyes were sad and weary, but the colour was -in her cheeks and her lips trembled only a very little.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said she, “I can tell you; but let me begin -at the beginning.”</p> - -<p>“More wine?” said I, and she took a sip from the -goblet I handed to her.</p> - -<p>“I am tired,” said she, with a moan like that -of a hurt child; “but you must know all, and that -quickly. You remember the night in which Juan -de Ricaldo reached Askeaton?” asked she of me.</p> - -<p>“I left some hours later that very night,” I -replied, “to meet the Spanish ships.”</p> - -<p>“You remember also that two of the justices -of Munster had come from Limerick with a letter -from the President demanding that Grace O’Malley -should be sent to him, so that he could cast her into -prison?”</p> - -<p>“I had not heard of that!” exclaimed Burke.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” I said; “I well remember it.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, how am I to tell it!” said Eva piteously, -and I bled for her in all my veins. “But say on -I must. Perchance,” continued she, speaking to me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> -again, “you observed that Garrett Desmond was -infatuated with her, and that she did not rebuke -him as she might have done?”</p> - -<p>“It was to keep stiff that weak back of his,” said -I, “and to get him to declare boldly against the -Queen.”</p> - -<p>Richard Burke’s face was like a black cloud, and -a groan, deep and terrible, came from his lips.</p> - -<p>“That was it,” said Eva. “Do I not know that -it was?” said she to Burke. “Ay, well do I know -it. And Desmond, too, knows it now.”</p> - -<p>“Desmond knows!” cried Burke more cheerfully, -and he looked almost happy. This was not my case. -What horrible thing was coming? I asked myself, -for that something horrible had taken place I had no -doubt whatever, and my spirits sank like a stone.</p> - -<p>“Listen,” said Eva. “Desmond sent back the two -justices empty-handed to the President, but what he -bade them tell him I cannot say. When they departed -I noted their demeanour, and it was not that -altogether of men who were wholly dissatisfied with -the issue of their mission. Even then,” cried she, -with a fierceness the like of which was never seen -in her before, “I believe he meditated treachery.”</p> - -<p>“Treachery! A Desmond a traitor!” said Burke, -upon whose countenance the cloud had come back, -for the drift of Eva’s words was clear enough.</p> - -<p>“No sign, however,” said she, “did the Earl show -of anything of the kind. Never was he gayer than -during the next few days, and I hoped that all was -as fair for Grace O’Malley’s plans as it seemed. Two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> -days after you had gone, Ruari, he and his chief men -and our mistress and myself, with a great host of -attendants, went down the stream from the castle, -and made a visit to the two galleys lying in the bay.”</p> - -<p>“Tibbot told me of it,” said I.</p> - -<p>“Desmond had a purpose in it,” said Eva, “as -I can see now. He wished to show Tibbot his friendship -for our mistress, and never after that manifestation -of it would Tibbot suspect, he thought, that -there would be aught amiss with her at Askeaton -in so long as she was with him.”</p> - -<p>“A shrewd trick,” said I bitterly.</p> - -<p>“What has taken place? Where is Grace -O’Malley?” cried Burke, restless, troubled, tortured -even.</p> - -<p>“I know not where she is,” said Eva slowly, while -the tears gathered in her eyes. “I know not.”</p> - -<p>“What?” cried he.</p> - -<p>“Patience,” urged I, myself consumed with impatience, -anger, and a multitude of terrible passions.</p> - -<p>“Let me go on,” said Eva, with a choke. “It was -shortly after we had returned from the ships,” continued -she bravely—”three or four days perhaps—when -there was a great stir at the castle, for messengers -had come with tidings of the landing of the -Spaniards. A letter, too, they brought from Sir James -Fitzmaurice, who was in command, as it appeared, of -the expedition. I questioned one of the messengers,” -said Eva shyly, “if he had seen you, Ruari, and he -told me that he had.”</p> - -<p>I secretly blessed my dear for this reference to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> -me, but as I did not desire to interrupt her story -I kept silence.</p> - -<p>“We were all in good heart,” said she, “by reason -of the coming of the men from Spain, and Grace -O’Malley in particular rejoiced exceedingly. Desmond -himself, however, was strangely quiet. Then that -night—How can I tell you?” and she broke down -utterly and wept aloud.</p> - -<p>Burke’s eyes were full of fright, but mine too -brimmed over when I looked at my dear and saw -her shaken with sobs. And I wept also, nor am I -ashamed of these tears of sympathy.</p> - -<p>“’Tis no time to weep,” said she after a pause, and -resumed her tale, but in broken accents. “That -night, as we were retiring to sleep, I observed that -Grace O’Malley had lost all her gaiety and brightness, -and was in some great distress of mind. I implored -her not to withhold her confidence from me, and -to tell me what was her trouble.</p> - -<p>“Then it appeared that Desmond had read to her -the letter of Fitzmaurice, and, when she had heard it -to the end, declared that he had placed his whole -future in her hands, as he loved her passionately and -could not live without her. If she would consent to -become his wife, it would be a very easy matter to get -a divorce from the countess, and thereafter they -would be married.”</p> - -<p>“His wife!” ejaculated Burke.</p> - -<p>“If she agreed, he said, to this proposal,” continued -Eva, “she might do with him and all the -Geraldines as she had a mind, and he would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> -immediately put himself at the head of the rebellion -against the Queen, if that was her wish.”</p> - -<p>Richard Burke, unable to control his feelings any -longer, jumped to his feet.</p> - -<p>“What was her reply?” he demanded.</p> - -<p>“Wait—wait for another moment,” entreated Eva.</p> - -<p>“Patience,” urged I once more, though God knows -I had no stock of it myself.</p> - -<p>“If she refused——” said Eva.</p> - -<p>“She did refuse,” cried Burke.</p> - -<p>“If she refused,” continued Eva, “to become his -wife, then not only would he not join with the -Spaniards, but he would aid the English against -them. When she pointed out to him that he had -compromised himself both by his intercourse with -Spain and with Fitzmaurice, and also by harbouring -herself, a proclaimed rebel, he hinted—for at first -he would not put his thoughts into so many words—that -he knew of a way in which he might very -readily make his peace with the President of Munster, -and that was by sending to him a pledge of his -fidelity to the Queen, which he was well informed -would be acceptable to him and to her Highness.”</p> - -<p>“Fidelity to the Queen!” exclaimed I, glowing -with wrath.</p> - -<p>Any child could have foreseen what was coming. -My mistress had indeed played with fire, and it -needed no wizard to tell me that she had been -scorched by its flames.</p> - -<p>“Grace O’Malley,” Eva went on, not heeding my -interruption, “did not fail to understand his meaning.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> -She herself was the pledge of his fidelity to which he -had referred. She must give herself to him, or he -would betray her to the English; that, and not -obscurely, was the threat he made—that, and nothing -else. And she knew that she was in his power.”</p> - -<p>“Horrible, horrible!” said Burke in anguish.</p> - -<p>“Desmond,” said Eva, “strove, however, to conceal -the trap under the cloak of an appeal to her -devotion to the cause. She had only to say the word, -and the standards of the Geraldines would be arrayed -against the Queen, and then, with the English so -unprepared as they were, success was certain. It -rested with her. Hers was it to bid him go or stay.”</p> - -<p>It was a strong temptation, I thought, but I was -too overcome to speak.</p> - -<p>“Then,” continued Eva, “he sought to inflame -her ambition. As his wife, suggested he, might she -not become not only Countess of Desmond and the -greatest lady in the south, but even Queen of -Ireland, once the English had been driven out of -the country?”</p> - -<p>Another strong temptation, thought I.</p> - -<p>Desmond had certainly played his cards adroitly -enough. He had sought to touch her through her -hatred of the English, her love for her country, and -her ambition—all powerful forces. Women had -sacrificed themselves, nay, had willingly given themselves, -for less. And I could well understand -that to a soul like hers self-sacrifice was very -possible.</p> - -<p>“But even,” said Eva, “in the background of all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> -his speaking, there lurked, like an evil beast, that -hint of what he would do, if she refused to submit -herself to him.”</p> - -<p>After all, I said to myself, Desmond was a fool, -for that was the worst way to address a woman who -had the spirit of my mistress.</p> - -<p>“To gain a little time, perhaps to escape from -Askeaton,” continued Eva, “Grace O’Malley asked to -be allowed the night to consider what he had said. -And to this he agreed, saying roughly, however, as -they parted, that she must have her answer ready for -him in the morning, and that there must be an end -to trifling. All this she told me, and then we sought -some way of escape, but Desmond had taken good -care that there should be none, for we soon found -that we were prisoners.”</p> - -<p>“She had no intention of consenting to Desmond,” -said Burke, and his voice was full of pride -and joy.</p> - -<p>“No,” said Eva, looking at him with kind eyes, -notwithstanding the grief in which she was.</p> - -<p>“Go on, go on,” urged I, half vexed with them -both.</p> - -<p>“I know not,” said Eva, “what was said or done -when the morning came, but I have not even seen -her since.” And her tears fell fast again, while -Burke and I were smitten into a gloomy silence.</p> - -<p>“Have you heard nothing of her?” asked I, at -length.</p> - -<p>“One of my women—she is here now—found out -that Desmond had taken her to one of his castles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> -nearer to Limerick than Askeaton is, with what object -may be easily guessed.”</p> - -<p>Burke started up madly.</p> - -<p>“What is to be done? What is to be done?” cried he.</p> - -<p>“A moment!” said I, and I turned to Eva. -“There is more to tell, is there not?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” replied she. “After Grace O’Malley had -been carried away I was given a certain liberty, for -I was permitted to move about a part of the castle, -although I was always watched. One day I chanced -to see Dermot Fitzgerald, and though he tried to -avoid me as soon as he perceived me, I ran up -to him and caught him by the arm. I begged and -entreated him by our old friendship to tell me -what had become of our mistress, and what was -going on.</p> - -<p>“When he would not answer, I went on my -knees,” said my dear, bravely, looking at me, “and -reminding him of what I had done for him when -he lay wounded, and of what Grace O’Malley had -done both for him and de Vilela, besought him to -have some pity on me, a woman.”</p> - -<p>“Go on, go on!” said I hoarsely.</p> - -<p>“He was so far moved,” said Eva, “as to tell -me that my mistress was well, and that no hurt -would be done me. Not that I thought about -myself. I saw him again once or twice, and besought -him to find some means by which I might -communicate with Grace O’Malley, but he said that -was impossible. Then I implored him to set me -free, but that, too, he said was not in his power.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span></p> - -<p>Eva stopped speaking; then she began again, her -voice strangely soft and tender.</p> - -<p>“I saw you, Ruari, carried up the stairs two days -ago—bound, bleeding, almost dead as it seemed, and -Fitzgerald was along with the men who bore you in -their arms. Later that evening I saw him, and -anxiously asked what had occurred. I now perceived -that he was unhappy, like one burdened with remorse.</p> - -<p>“Then he said that you had come to the castle -unexpectedly, and that, while it was deemed necessary -to make you a prisoner, no violence had been intended -towards you. He declared that he would give all the -world if only it would put our affairs right again; indeed, -he was like one gone clean mad with trouble, exclaiming -that he was the cause of all our woes!”</p> - -<p>“The cause of all our woes!” cried I.</p> - -<p>“You remember Mistress Sabina Lynch, Ruari,” -said Eva. “She it was, said he, who had told the -President of Munster to demand Grace O’Malley as -a pledge from Desmond of his loyalty to the Queen, -and it was through him—for he loves this woman—that -she knew our mistress was at Askeaton, though -he had never meant to betray her.”</p> - -<p>Verily, as I said before, if I failed in my duty -when I suffered Sabina Lynch to live, I was -grievously punished for it.</p> - -<p>“Yet not so does it appear to me,” said Eva, -as if she had seen into my heart! “For Desmond -is Desmond—a mass of treachery, a thing, a beast! -But when I saw how Dermot Fitzgerald felt about -the matter, I implored him to try to set you, Ruari,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> -at least, at liberty. And he was the more ready to -listen to me because of this very Sabina Lynch, for, -said he, she owed her life to you, and he wished to -pay back the debt for this woman, whom he loves.”</p> - -<p>Richard Burke kept muttering to himself, repeating, -as I thought, “Sabina Lynch! Sabina Lynch!” -and what else I could not guess.</p> - -<p>“Next day,” said Eva, “a large number of the -Geraldines left Askeaton, and Fitzgerald, being won -over entirely to me, told me he would endeavour -that night, there being but few men in the castle, -to effect your escape and mine also. In the evening -the gallowglasses drank deep—deeper even than -they knew, for their wine and aqua vitæ had been -drugged—and then, when all was still, he came -to me who was ready, waiting. I asked him -where you were, and he replied that he wished -me to go with him to you, as you would trust -me, and not, perhaps, him.”</p> - -<p>“I see it all,” said I.</p> - -<p>“Going up to the room where you lay,” continued -Eva, “we heard a noise; that made us pause, -then we went on again—and you know the rest. -The noise we had heard had so far alarmed us -that we thought it best to tell you what we did. -Fitzgerald had seen to everything—said I not -rightly that he was my friend?”</p> - -<p>And now Burke cried again, as Eva stopped -speaking, “What is to be done? What is to be -done?” For myself, while I echoed his question, -I was in so great a coil that I was as one dumb.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.<br /> - -<small>“ONLY A WOMAN.”</small></h2> - - -<p>“What is to be done?” asked Richard Burke.</p> - -<p>“We must find out, first of all, where Grace -O’Malley is.” It was Eva who spoke, and what she -said was true. Our mistress must now be our chief—nay, -our whole concern.</p> - -<p>“Yes, yes!” cried I, roused to action, and looking -with admiration at this weak little woman, who had -shown herself so strong.</p> - -<p>“Let us call in the woman you spoke of,” said -Burke. “She may remember something which will -put us on the scent.”</p> - -<p>“I fear she has told me all that she knows,” said -Eva; “but summon her here.”</p> - -<p>While we waited for her I was going over what -Eva had told us, and trying also to recall exactly -what had been the words used—even more than the -words, the manner of Fitzmaurice—when I had -parted from him at Tralee. And as I considered -the matter the conviction was borne in upon me -that he had had some information as to what had -happened in regard to Desmond and my mistress, -but that he had purposely said nothing of it to me.</p> - -<p>For one thing, he had evidently intended to keep -me with him, and so to prevent me from returning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> -to Askeaton; and, for another, he had spoken of -Grace O’Malley in a way which was little short of -an insult, and which I was quick to resent. Then -de Vilela had intervened between us, Fitzmaurice -had made an apology, and I had left Tralee without -opposition or further words.</p> - -<p>What had de Vilela said when I had declared -that my place was with my mistress? That I had -spoken a true word, and I remembered that when -he uttered this it was with little of his customary -serenity of demeanour.</p> - -<p>I concluded, as I reflected on what had passed, -that both Fitzmaurice and de Vilela must have -been aware—at least, to some extent, of Desmond’s -base conduct with respect to her.</p> - -<p>Nor was the cause of this silence far to seek. -But imperfectly informed, most probably, of the -whole circumstances, and what they had heard -having reached them from some source favourable -to Desmond, they were, perhaps, inclined to lay the -blame upon my mistress.</p> - -<p>Then, the Earl’s adhesion to the cause was so -essential for its success that whoever jeopardised it -would be looked upon with hatred, and thus they -would be the more prejudiced against her.</p> - -<p>Yet Fitzmaurice had himself told me in effect -that he was not sure of Desmond, and this before -he knew anything of Grace O’Malley. Perchance, -however, he had persuaded himself that he believed -what he wished to believe.</p> - -<p>And de Vilela? He had sprung to the defence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> -of my mistress, but if he knew what had occurred, -why had he not spoken out? No doubt, I told -myself, it was because, while he was ready to uphold -her honour, he deemed that his duty towards his -master, the King of Spain, was paramount, and he -had therefore submitted to Fitzmaurice, who was -his leader, and who had enjoined silence upon him. -This, I surmised, was the explanation.</p> - -<p>How much did they know?</p> - -<p>Could they say, I wondered, where Desmond had -put my mistress?</p> - -<p>Where was she at this moment?</p> - -<p>The tire-woman had now entered the tent, but, -although she was most willing to tell us all she knew, -she had no knowledge, it appeared, of the place to -which Grace O’Malley had been taken.</p> - -<p>“A castle a few miles from Limerick,” and no -more could we get from her. And Desmond, or the -chiefs who regarded him as their prince, had more -than one castle answering this description.</p> - -<p>The important matter was that Desmond had not -at once delivered her over to the President of Munster.</p> - -<p>First, he was trying to convince her that his -was no empty threat; and, second, to bend or break -her spirit. But I knew that, while he might succeed -in the one, he never would in the other. And he -would see this so soon that I had no doubt whatever -that at most not more than two or three days would -elapse before she had been lodged in the prison of -Limerick, for I was now certain of the complete -perfidy of Desmond.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span></p> - -<p>The man who could betray his guest was not -likely to be true to any cause. That he had sent -Fitzmaurice’s letter to the President was, I considered, -a thing not only possible, but in the highest -degree probable. Thus the prospect on all sides of -us was dark indeed.</p> - -<p>Sooner or later, then, Grace O’Malley would be -in the power of the English, at the mercy of the -President of Munster, a helpless captive in Limerick -gaol! She might be there already, for aught we -knew, and therefore it behoved us at once to endeavour -to discover if she were shut up in Limerick.</p> - -<p>And, if haply this were the case, what could we -do? What could my mistress look for at the hands -of the English? How could we assist her? It -might even now be too late, and my flesh crept -upon my bones at the thought.</p> - -<p>“I will go to Limerick,” said I, as the result of -my reflections; but when we had discussed the -matter it appeared to be better that someone else -should be sent.</p> - -<p>“I am too marked a man.” said Burke; and one -of his gallowglasses would do as well, for, if Grace -O’Malley were in Limerick gaol, there was not a soul -in that city who would not know of it, and thus -anyone on the spot could easily obtain the knowledge -we sought.</p> - -<p>I was not persuaded to this course without much -difficulty, and Burke himself was most determined at -first to go; but there was the same objection in his -case that there was in mine. Neither of us could have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> -been long in the streets of Limerick without being -recognised. At length, a messenger was despatched, -Burke going out from the tent to tell him what he -was to do.</p> - -<p>No sooner had Burke left Eva and myself alone -together, than my dear fell a-weeping, as if her heart -would break, all her wonderful fortitude utterly gone. -I took her into my arms—these great, strong arms -of mine, now weak and trembling like those of a little -child—and tried to soothe her grief. Perhaps my -love and our common sorrow taught us what to say, -yet I spoke not of love at all. But what I said and -what she said about ourselves I cannot put into -writing—and I would not, if I could, for there are -words and there are times which are sacred beyond -expression; and such were those words, and such this -time.</p> - -<p>She was my love and I was hers; and though we -spoke not of it, we both knew, and the knowledge of -it folded us about like a garment.</p> - -<p>Much, too, had we to say to each other about -de Vilela and about Fitzgerald, and how strangely -they had passed in and out, out and in, of the woof -of our lives. She evidently had a kind of affection -for them both, and when I was inclined to question -her about this she said that they had both been -wounded and helpless, and that she had nursed and -tended them, and so had come by this feeling. But -ever as our talk came back to Grace O’Malley our -hearts were heavy.</p> - -<p>The messenger whom the MacWilliam had sent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> -to Limerick returned in the evening. He had seen -and had spoken to many of the inhabitants of that -city, and he could hear of nothing which indicated -that Grace O’Malley was there. We took courage -from this report, hoping that the worst had not -come upon her. But the man had something more -to tell us.</p> - -<p>As he was on his way back from Limerick he -had fallen in with a great gathering of armed men, -moving on eastward, some three or four miles to the -south of the city. These were Spaniards, he declared, -and other foreigners, as well as a large number of the -Irish. And there were priests with them, and in the -midst of them a banner, all blue and gold, with the -figure of the Lord upon it.</p> - -<p>This could be nothing other than the army of -Fitzmaurice, accompanied by Sanders and the -standard blessed by the Pope.</p> - -<p>I questioned the man narrowly as to the place -where he had seen them, and if he had heard where -they were going. He replied that one had told him -that they were to camp that night on the banks of -the river Mulkern, not far from the Slieve Phelim -Mountains, and that when he met them they could -not have been above two leagues’ distance from the -ground which had been chosen. Feeling fairly -certain that Fitzmaurice would be with them, and, -perhaps, de Vilela also, I resolved to set out at once -for their camp.</p> - -<p>If I saw Fitzmaurice, I would try to find out from -him where Grace O’Malley was, and, further, I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> -determined to appeal to him to endeavour to prevent -Desmond from carrying out his plans. As my -mistress had not been taken into Limerick, the -probability was that the Earl had not finally broken -with Fitzmaurice, and that negotiations were still -going on between them. There was, therefore, a -chance that Fitzmaurice might prevail upon him to -set her at liberty.</p> - -<p>“Tell Fitzmaurice,” said Richard Burke, when I -had informed him of what I proposed, “that unless -Grace O’Malley is released immediately, the Burkes -of Mayo will take neither part nor lot with the -Geraldines in this affair.”</p> - -<p>This suggested to me a possibility I had not yet -contemplated, but I thrust it away from me, telling -myself that Burke was too much distraught to know -what he was saying. But it kept coming back to -my mind, as I rode that night along with a guard -of the Burkes towards the Mulkern.</p> - -<p>When we were within a few paces of the camp, -which we found without any difficulty, we were -challenged by a Spanish sentinel. I could not give -him password or countersign, and he had raised his -piece to his shoulder to fire, when he suddenly -dropped it again, saying he remembered my face, -having seen me at Limerick and also at Tralee. -Having asked him if Sir James Fitzmaurice was -here, he replied that he was, as were also the other -leaders. When I told him that I had business with -Sir James, and when he saw how small was the guard -with me, he said he would take it upon himself to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> -allow me to pass within the lines, although it was -contrary to his orders. He therefore directed me, -pointing through the camp fires, to the spot where -Fitzmaurice’s tent had been pitched.</p> - -<p>And now I must put on record, as carefully as -I can, what passed between Fitzmaurice and myself, -so that all men can judge whether Richard Burke, -Grace O’Malley’s lover, and I, Ruari Macdonald, her -servant, were justified in what we afterwards did, -or not.</p> - -<p>When Fitzmaurice saw me he was unmistakably -surprised, for he started violently as I entered his -tent. Perhaps he had thought I was still immured -at Askeaton, and so out of the way; but that I know -not. Besides, when we had last parted it had been -in no very friendly fashion. Whatever his feelings -now were, he put on a garb of welcome as soon as his -first surprise was past.</p> - -<p>“Greeting—a thousand greetings!” said he. “You -have come to join us? How many men have you -brought with you?”</p> - -<p>“Greeting!” said I, then I fixed my gaze sternly -on him, for if I was right in the opinions I held -all words of welcome were out of place between us; -and continued, “Sir James, I have not come to join -you—not at present, at any rate. That is not the -business which brings me here. I have come to -ask you if you know where my mistress, Grace -O’Malley, is?”</p> - -<p>I was in no humour to pick and choose what forms -of speech I should use, and I spoke out sharply.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Sir,” said he, frowning, all his cordiality disappearing -instantly, “what should I know of your -mistress, Grace O’Malley?” And there was a trace -of mockery in the way he uttered the last four words.</p> - -<p>“Answer me, Sir James,” said I again. “Nay, -you need not, for I can see that you do know.”</p> - -<p>“I have heard something,” said he, at length.</p> - -<p>“Do you know how the matter stands between -her and Desmond?” asked I. “Do you know that -she was his guest—invited by him to Askeaton? -Do you know that she has tried to bind him to the -cause? Do you know that he has told her that he -has a passion for her, that he holds her as a prisoner -in one of his castles because she will not submit to -him, and that he has threatened to give her up to -the English, and to make common cause with them -against you, if she will not yield herself to him?”</p> - -<p>Fitzmaurice said nothing, but sat scowling at me, -and biting his lip.</p> - -<p>“Have you no answer?” asked I. “You say you -have heard something; perhaps you knew all this -before I left you at Tralee.”</p> - -<p>Then changing my tone to one almost of entreaty, -I said, “Sir James, bethink yourself before it is too -late. Nothing but evil can come from these acts -of Desmond,” and I gave him the message with -which Richard Burke had charged me. “Grace -O’Malley,” I concluded, “must be set free, and that -at once. Do you know where she is?”</p> - -<p>“Ruari Macdonald!” thundered he with curses, -“you always had a proud stomach! Who are you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> -to speak to me in this fashion? What have I to -do with your mistress? What if I do know where -she is? What affair of mine is it? Go and seek -Desmond.”</p> - -<p>But he had said enough.</p> - -<p>“You know where she is,” cried I, wildly. “Tell -me, and I will go and find Desmond.”</p> - -<p>“Ay, and ruin all,” said he half to himself. “No, -I will not tell you; that would be but to add to -the mischief. No! Grace O’Malley must yield to -Desmond, and then all will be well.”</p> - -<p>“Yield to Desmond!” exclaimed I. “She will -never do that.”</p> - -<p>“Ay, but she will be forced to do so,” said he, -with a horrible smile.</p> - -<p>“Never!” said I. “I know her better than you -do; she will die rather than submit.”</p> - -<p>“Then,” said he, fiercely, “let her die!”</p> - -<p>“Is that your last word?” asked I, furiously.</p> - -<p>He rose up at me like an angry beast, and, -shaking his outstretched hand at me, shouted, -“Curses on you both! Who is your mistress, as -you call her, and what is she to stand in the way -of a Desmond? Who is she to come between us -and the deliverance of Ireland? Shall a woman -block up the path—only a woman!” And on he -went in his wrath, saying many injurious things of -Grace O’Malley, until at last he applied to her the -vilest of names.</p> - -<p>As his rage swelled, and his language became -more and more insulting, I grew calmer, until I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> -possessed by a very devil of deadly coldness. But -when he used the expression I have hinted at, I -could keep my peace no longer.</p> - -<p>“You lie!” said I, and out came my sword. Nor -was he less ready; and there we stood for a second -facing each other, with the candles flickering this -way and that between us. Then he thrust his sword -back into its sheath, and saying, “What need of this -fool’s blood!” shouted loudly to someone outside the -tent. There was the quick tramp of men, and in -came some Spaniards, with de Vilela at their head.</p> - -<p>“You here!” cried de Vilela, when he saw me.</p> - -<p>“Secure him, bind him,” said Fitzmaurice, -pointing at me.</p> - -<p>De Vilela looked from one to the other of us, -his face very grave, but did not stir.</p> - -<p>“Bind him! I command you,” said Fitzmaurice.</p> - -<p>De Vilela stood still.</p> - -<p>“What!” shouted Fitzmaurice.</p> - -<p>De Vilela said slowly, “May I ask, señor——”</p> - -<p>“You may ask nothing,” yelled Fitzmaurice.</p> - -<p>De Vilela went white to the lips; but he spoke -with that habitual courtesy of his, as, pulling out his -sword and offering it to Fitzmaurice by the handle, -he said—</p> - -<p>“I cannot do this thing, for this man is as my -brother! I am your prisoner also, señor. Do with -me as you will!” Then this loyal gentleman added, -turning to the Spanish soldiers, “Long live the -King!” and they, too, said, “Long live the -King!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Take mine!” cried I, holding out my sword -to him—so moved out of myself was I.</p> - -<p>“Nay; that I cannot do either,” said he.</p> - -<p>“Are you mad?” asked Fitzmaurice of de Vilela. -“You must be mad. Has that woman bewitched -you too?” And he wrung his hands.</p> - -<p>“Señor,” said I to de Vilela, “words have passed -between Sir James Fitzmaurice and myself about my -mistress that can only be wiped out in one way,” and -I glanced at my sword.</p> - -<p>De Vilela sighed.</p> - -<p>“Señor Fitzmaurice will, I am sure, not refuse?” -asked the Spaniard, courteous as ever.</p> - -<p>“No, I will not refuse,” said Fitzmaurice. “All -men know me; but it cannot be now.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said de Vilela—Fitzmaurice had not taken -the proffered sword—”no one will impugn your -courage. But if you do not refuse, you will not seek -to detain this man?” And he looked searchingly at -Fitzmaurice, who did not answer, but curtly nodded -assent.</p> - -<p>“Go, Señor Ruari!” said de Vilela; but I stood -firm.</p> - -<p>“Go,” said Fitzmaurice. “Do not fear, we shall -meet again!”</p> - -<p>“To meet again, then,” I said, and went out from -the tent.</p> - -<p>Summoning my men, I returned, darkly brooding -over these strange happenings, to the camp of the -Burkes. I had failed entirely to compass the object -for which I had set out, for I was no nearer knowing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> -where Desmond had taken my mistress. But Fitzmaurice -knew, and when I recalled what he had said -my heart overflowed with bitterness.</p> - -<p>I would be just to this man, if I could. I can -see now, looking across the grave of the years, that -he viewed my mistress solely in the light of an -obstacle in his path, and so he cared not what her -fate was, so long as she was out of the way.</p> - -<p>“Only a woman!” he had said of her, and that -she was only a woman doubtless increased his sense -of injury. But he forgot that it was for “only a -woman” that men have ever fought and died.</p> - -<p>When I arrived at the camp, Richard Burke was -waiting for me. When he had heard me to the end, -he said, “You should have killed him!” I had had -the same thought myself, but de Vilela and the -Spanish soldiers had come too quickly upon the -scene for that. Besides, we should meet again, and -thus I comforted my soul.</p> - -<p>“Let us to sleep,” said I.</p> - -<p>“I cannot sleep,” said he, and I heard him pacing -up and down through the rest of what remained of -the night, for though I shut my eyes, no sleep came -to me either.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.<br /> - -<small>THE PARTING OF THE WAYS.</small></h2> - - -<p>I have seen a great swell of the sea, a mountain of a -wave—caused by some violent storm which has spent -its worst fury many leagues away—roll in from the -ocean, lift a ship from her moorings, and dash her to -pieces on the rocks.</p> - -<p>As I rose in the morning and stepped out of the -tent into the dewy freshness of the day, I thought we -were not unlike that ship. For I could not disguise -from myself that our affairs had suffered shipwreck.</p> - -<p>Grace O’Malley was a prisoner, and I was unable -to deliver her. I, her servant, was bound before anything -else to try to free her from her captivity, and I -did not even know where she was; and when I had -sought to find it out, it had been with the result that -a furious quarrel had sprung up between Fitzmaurice, -the leader of the Irish, and myself.</p> - -<p>He had not only refused to help me to obtain her -liberty, but he had slandered and contemned her to -my face. Not under such a man could I or the -O’Malleys fight. Nay, there now could be nothing -between us but the deadliest feud.</p> - -<p>And yet we had all come to Kerry to stand by the -side of this man and his Spaniards in the rising against -the Queen! That, at least, was now impossible. How<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> -could we support one who had spoken of our mistress -and chief as he had done? And the Burkes were in -the same position as we ourselves.</p> - -<p>As I paced along the ground, Richard Burke, -gaunt and hollow-eyed, joined me. Burning with -resentment and indignation, he was eager for instant -action, and made the wild proposal that I should -immediately bring all the men from the galleys, and, -having made a junction with him and his forces, -march against Fitzmaurice.</p> - -<p>At the first blush of the thing I had almost said -yes; but a little cool reflection showed me that not -only were the odds against us overwhelming, but -that, even if we were successful, I should be no nearer -my main object, which was the release of Grace -O’Malley. So far as I was concerned, all the considerations -had to bow to that.</p> - -<p>Nor could I readily bring myself in a moment, as -it were, into an attitude of hostility to Fitzmaurice, -for he represented our cause against the English, and -to fight him was, in effect, to help the enemy.</p> - -<p>Having told the MacWilliam all that was in my -mind, and having won him over to my way of thinking, -we considered how we should now proceed. It -appeared to me to be best that we should all return -to the ships, for the camp of the Burkes, being in the -heart of Desmond’s country, was very open to attack -from the Geraldines, who could no longer be regarded -as friends, and so might easily be surprised and taken.</p> - -<p>There was also the strong argument that, if any -disaster overtook the galleys in our absence, we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> -should be completely cut off from any way of getting -back to Connaught, and our situation would become -desperate and well nigh hopeless.</p> - -<p>Another reason was that we could, with even -greater advantage than from the place where the -Burkes were camped, send out from the galleys -scouts and spies, with a view to ascertaining where -Desmond was.</p> - -<p>To that I now bent my whole energy, for I felt -sure that so long as Grace O’Malley was not in the -gaol of Limerick—if she were, then would she be -harder to come at than ever—she would be confined -in some castle which the Earl occupied with his -forces, and where he would remain until he was -convinced that he could neither bend nor break her -will. For that, I knew, would be the end.</p> - -<p>Having struck our camp, we marched to the westward, -so as to avoid Askeaton; then, going to the -north, were safely on board the galleys by the -evening, having only encountered on our journey -several small bands of the Irish on their way to -Fitzmaurice, whom we suffered to pass on, having -first asked them if they had any information as to -where Desmond was. They had been told, it appeared, -that the Earl had raised the standard of -revolt, and was in camp with Fitzmaurice on the -Mulkern. Nor did we undeceive them.</p> - -<p>For a week I kept the galleys sailing up and down -the Shannon, stopping every mile or two and sending -men ashore—sometimes going myself—to speak with -the inhabitants; but never a word could we hear of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> -Desmond, though occasionally we heard of Fitzmaurice, -who had not moved from the position he -had taken up.</p> - -<p>Each evening of that terrible week found me less -hopeful and more despondent; in truth, I would have -despaired had it not been for the constant solace -of Eva, who seemed to have changed herself into -another person, so brave and steadfast was she.</p> - -<p>Hitherto I had kept well away from Limerick, but -now I resolved to bring the galleys as close up to the -walls of the city as I dared. Limerick was a great -and strongly fortified place, and, therefore, to be -avoided by us; but it was the centre of all that part -of Ireland, and there might be opportunities in its -neighbourhood of hearing more fully what was going -forward. I was encouraged to do this, also, by the -fact that there were singularly few ships in the river—no -doubt owing to the presence of the Spaniards in -the country.</p> - -<p>When we were yet perhaps a league from the -walls we saw a small boat with a sail coming towards -us. I looked keenly at her, and even as I looked at -her she was suddenly put about, and was headed -back for the city, for they evidently did not like our -appearance.</p> - -<p>Two of the men in her seemed to be soldiers, and -I signalled Tibbot, whose galley was leading, to -capture her—which he did after a short chase, the -occupants of the boat surrendering without any -resistance.</p> - -<p>I had the two soldiers, as they proved to be,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> -brought on board of <i>The Cross of Blood</i>, and having -assured them that I intended them no harm, asked -how matters stood in the city. The first words they -uttered were enough to stun me.</p> - -<p>“Grace O’Malley,” said one of them, “was brought -into Limerick yesterday, and delivered up to Sir -Nicholas Malby.”</p> - -<p>“Grace O’Malley in Limerick,” I cried, “and Sir -Nicholas Malby there also!”</p> - -<p>The fatality of the thing completely broke down -my control, and I could not speak for some minutes. -I had somehow felt all along that my mistress would -be given up to the English by Desmond, but to be -told that this had actually come to pass was none the -less a crushing blow. And to Sir Nicholas Malby, -the Colonel of Connaught, our implacable foe!</p> - -<p>The two men gazed at me curiously, seeing how -overcome I was.</p> - -<p>“How comes Sir Nicholas Malby to be in -Limerick?” I asked, pulling myself together. “Connaught -is his government, not Munster; how does he -happen to be here?”</p> - -<p>“You surely must know,” said the man who had -spoken before, “that Sir James Fitzmaurice, one of -the Desmonds, has arrived in the country at the head -of a large army from Spain, and that the Irish people -are flocking in to him from all quarters?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said I, shortly, “I know all that.”</p> - -<p>“Sir Nicholas Malby was summoned by the President -of Munster,” said the soldier, “in hot haste to -the defence of Limerick. We were in garrison at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> -time at Athlone, several hundred of us, and Sir -Nicholas, having marshalled us in our companies, -immediately set off in response down the Shannon, -and two days ago we arrived here. The President -is terror-stricken, and the whole city trembles with -fear.”</p> - -<p>“How came you to be without the walls?” I -asked. “And at such a time?”</p> - -<p>“We were trying to escape,” said the man, “for -we heard that the city would soon be taken by the -Spaniards, of whom there are thousands, and that -everyone of us would be tortured and slain by them.”</p> - -<p>“Is the Earl of Desmond in Limerick?” I next -inquired—noting, however, how the number of Fitzmaurice’s -men had been exaggerated.</p> - -<p>“No,” replied the man. “He sent Grace O’Malley -bound in chains into the city to Sir Nicholas Malby, -but he came not himself. ’Tis said that he will -neither join the Spaniards, nor yet assist us, but holds -himself aloof from both until he sees on whose side -fortune will declare itself.”</p> - -<p>And this reed of rottenness, this catspaw of the -wind, was the man whom my mistress, led on by the -memories of the past greatness of the house of -Desmond, and by the hope that under him the Irish -might unite, had called our natural leader!</p> - -<p>It had been the noble dream of a noble soul, that -vision of hers; but, like many another noble dream, it -was woven around a man incapable of filling the part -he was called upon to play, and so was nothing but a -dream.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span></p> - -<p>The folly and wickedness of Desmond seemed to -me to be almost inconceivable. Baulked by the firmness -of my mistress, he had wreaked his wrath upon -her by handing her over to the one man in all Ireland -who might be supposed to regard her capture with the -utmost joy, and who would take a fiendish delight in -torturing her.</p> - -<p>Having gratified his hatred of her—for such his -love no doubt had become—the Earl sought to -stand in with both sides in the approaching struggle -by coming out openly on behalf of neither. It -needed not that one should be a prophet to forecast -that Desmond would fall and be crushed between -the two.</p> - -<p>While such thoughts passed rapidly through my -mind, the chief thing which I had just been told—that -Grace O’Malley was immured in the gaol of Limerick—threw -everything else into the shade. In the -hope that the men might have heard what had -occurred to her after her arrival in Limerick, I asked -them:</p> - -<p>“Do you know, or did you hear, what Sir -Nicholas Malby did in respect of Grace O’Malley, -after she had been delivered up to him?”</p> - -<p>“I was one of his guard,” said the man who -acted as spokesman for the twain, “when she was -brought before him. Sir Nicholas eyed her with -great sternness; albeit it was easy to see that he -was well-pleased to have her in his power, for she -had wrought the English terrible injuries in Galway, -and had set him at defiance. However, she did not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> -quail nor humble herself, but bore herself like a -princess, as, they say, she is.”</p> - -<p>“What said Sir Nicholas?” asked I.</p> - -<p>“He demanded of her many things,” replied -the man, “but she would answer him not at all. -Whereupon he was enraged against her, and gave -orders that the city gallows should be got ready -forthwith, and that she should be hanged immediately.”</p> - -<p>“Did she not speak even then?”</p> - -<p>“No. She looked at him very calmly and tranquilly, -like one, indeed, who had already tasted of -the bitterness of death and had no fear of it. A -strange woman, and a brave! But ’tis said she is -a witch.”</p> - -<p>“What happened after that?”</p> - -<p>“We were leading her away to the square in -which the gibbet stands, when Sir Nicholas called -to us to come back, for he had changed his mind, -as it now appeared. Said he to her, ’You will not -dance in the air to-day, mistress, but I shall take -good care that you dance not out of Limerick as -you did out of Galway!’ But to what he alluded -when he said that I know not. Thereafter she was -cast into one of the dungeons of the place.”</p> - -<p>“One of the dungeons?” asked I.</p> - -<p>“Yes—there are several deep, dark dungeons -below the gaol of Limerick, and she was thrust into -one of these.”</p> - -<p>I had heard enough, and having sent the two -soldiers away in charge of some of my men, I went<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> -and told Richard Burke the evil tidings. Up to -this moment he must have cherished the hope that -Grace O’Malley would in some way or other escape, -for he was utterly unmanned on hearing where and -in whose hands she was, and abandoned himself to -the wildest grief. The very colour of his face -showed that he already regarded her as one dead. -As for myself, there had grown upon me a kind of -coldness, and an icy numbness, as it were, which -seemed to have killed all feeling within me for the time.</p> - -<p>And perhaps it was well that this was the case, -else I should never have been able to carry the -news to Eva. Yet she must be told, and tell her -I did.</p> - -<p>“So long as she is alive,” exclaimed Eva, when -I had come to the end of my tale, “there is hope. -I will not believe that it is her destiny to perish in -this manner!”</p> - -<p>What had become of the timid, shrinking girl? -For my dear was transformed altogether, being now -full of courage, and of purpose and determination.</p> - -<p>“Remember,” said she, “what Sir Nicholas is; -how greedy of money he is, how avaricious! Think -you he would not sell Grace O’Malley for gold? -Only offer him enough, and he will set her free.”</p> - -<p>I thought of the immense treasure which lay in -the Caves of Silence under the Hill of Sorrow, and -for a minute I considered that Eva’s suggestion -might avail us. But the caves were far away -from Limerick, and to go thither was out of the -question.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span></p> - -<p>Besides, the English rule was too seriously threatened -to permit Sir Nicholas to be moved at this -time by bribes, however rich they were. If he -opened his hands, liberating Grace O’Malley with -his right, and taking her gold with his left, it would -not be now: the situation of the English was far -too perilous for that.</p> - -<p>All this I saw with perfect clearness, and when -I spoke to Eva of it, she was at first inclined to fly -out at me, and to reproach me for my apathy. -Yet, God wot, it was not apathy; I simply could -not see any way out for us, or, rather, for our -mistress, no matter in what direction I looked. All -that I could think of was that I should get into -Limerick under some disguise, and then endeavour -to find the means of effecting her escape.</p> - -<p>When I mentioned this to Eva, she replied that -to carry out such a plan would, or might, involve -too long a delay, for our mistress, being already condemned, -might be executed at any moment. This -was true; but, as I could not conceive of any other -scheme, I resolved to set about undertaking it, and -that no later than next day.</p> - -<p>That night my sleep was troubled and uneasy, -and I tossed restlessly about, so that when the first -light of day was seen I sprang from my couch. As -I did so I heard Calvagh O’Halloran call my name -loudly, and at the same instant there was the sound -of oars; then Calvagh, as I stepped on deck, came -running towards me, crying something I could not -quite distinguish, and pointing to <i>The Grey Wolf</i>,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> -which had slipped her anchor, and was now being -rowed away from us in the direction of Limerick.</p> - -<p>All this came upon me so suddenly that I could -scarcely grasp the meaning of it, until I noticed -Eva O’Malley standing on the poop of <i>The Grey -Wolf</i>, and waving her hand to me in farewell.</p> - -<p>“Stop! stop!” I cried; but on went the galley -at racing speed. “Stop! stop!” I cried again; but -received no other response than that given by those -waving hands. I was on the point of ordering -Calvagh to get <i>The Cross of Blood</i> under weigh, -when I observed that Eva had sent Art O’Malley by -one of the small boats of <i>The Grey Wolf</i> to my -galley with a message for me.</p> - -<p>“What is this? What is this?” I asked of -him.</p> - -<p>“Eva O’Malley bids me tell you,” replied he, -“that she is going in to Limerick to see Sir -Nicholas Malby.”</p> - -<p>“What?” I cried. “Has she gone crazed! To -see Nicholas Malby! What frenzy is this?”</p> - -<p>“’Tis no frenzy, Ruari Macdonald,” said Art -O’Malley, “but her settled will. And she bade me -say that you must wait here, and she will return -to-night, or else, if she come not, that we must all -go to Limerick to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“What is her intention?”</p> - -<p>“That I know not. It was not till I was in the -boat that she gave me these words for you, and -none of us imagined, when the galley set out, that -you were not aware of what she was about.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span></p> - -<p>I looked at the man in wonder.</p> - -<p>“Have you no suspicion at all of what she would -be at?”</p> - -<p>“To see Sir Nicholas Malby—as she said; I know -no more.”</p> - -<p>In the circumstances there was nothing left me -to do but to wait and wonder, to wonder and to -wait.</p> - -<p>What interpretation was I to put on this extraordinary, -this rash act of Eva’s? Did she think -she would be able to bribe Sir Nicholas? Was -that her idea? Or did she have some other plan?</p> - -<p>But all these surmises were powerless to console -me; and it was with a gladness of heart to which -I had long been a stranger that I saw <i>The Grey -Wolf</i> come up alongside of us in the afternoon.</p> - -<p>And who was that who stood by the side of my -dear on the poop-deck? Richard Burke was with -me, and I cried to him to look.</p> - -<p>“Who is that?” asked I, astounded, doubting if -my eyes did not juggle with me.</p> - -<p>“You may well ask,” said he. “Some miracle -must have come to pass!”</p> - -<p>“Then ’tis he!” I cried.</p> - -<p>“Sir Nicholas Malby himself,” said Burke, and -his face was instantly lighted up with a new hope -rising in his breast.</p> - -<p>“Ay, ’tis Sir Nicholas!” cried I. “By God’s -wounds, this is a strange thing!”</p> - -<p>There they stood together—the Colonel of Connaught -and Eva O’Malley. Like Burke, my heart<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> -grew light, as if a great weight had been taken -from me, for I knew that Malby must have some -proposal to make us which must be to our advantage, -otherwise he would never thus have ventured -to come.</p> - -<p>If he was not exactly alone, he had apparently -but few of his soldiers with him; and evidently, -therefore, he was determined to show us that whatever -it was he was to offer us was offered to men -in whom he had implicit faith.</p> - -<p>And what had Eva said, what promised, what -undertaken for us? How had she managed to bring -him? What had this little weak woman, who could -yet be so great and strong, done?</p> - -<p>And I still glow with a pride in her that is too -deep and too high for words when I think of it all. -Surely, it was nothing but a miracle, as Burke had -said. One thing, at least, was now certain, and that -was that Grace O’Malley was alive, or Malby would -not have come to us.</p> - -<p><i>The Grey Wolf</i> having dropped her anchor, Eva -and Sir Nicholas immediately made signs to Richard -Burke and me to go over to them, and we hastened -to comply with their wish. As we approached, Sir -Nicholas saluted us both very courteously, and we -bowed low in return. Eva was the first to speak.</p> - -<p>“I went this morning to Sir Nicholas,” said -Eva; “I was detained at the water gate, but——”</p> - -<p>“You are a brave as well as a beautiful woman,” -said he, interrupting her, “and I regret that there -was any delay at the gate.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span></p> - -<p>“It would have been singular,” replied she, -smiling, “if there had not been some opposition. -However, having stated who I was, I prevailed after -some time upon the captain of the watch to send -me to Sir Nicholas. I wished to see if Sir -Nicholas utterly refused to accept a ransom for -our mistress.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said I, eagerly. “We will pay it gladly.”</p> - -<p>“He refused to receive a ransom, however,” said -Eva.</p> - -<p>“Then——” asked I.</p> - -<p>“He had better tell you himself what he proposes,” -said she. “He asked me if I thought you -would agree, and knowing how you and the MacWilliam -now feel with respect to Sir James -Fitzmaurice, I answered that I deemed it probable -enough. He next wished to know how he was to -convince you of his sincerity, and I suggested his -coming with me as a proof it. But that I have -passed my word to him, pledging you and Richard -Burke also to his safety, he is in our hands.”</p> - -<p>“I will be frank with you,” said Sir Nicholas, -bluntly, “and not waste words. You wish to free -your mistress, and you have a quarrel with Sir James -Fitzmaurice so that you no longer can fight by his -side against us. If you and the MacWilliam will join -your men to mine, I will not only set Grace O’Malley -at liberty, but will confirm her in possession of her -estates in the Queen’s name, and also grant what -I know she desires in respect of her ships.” Sir -Nicholas paused, eyeing us narrowly.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span></p> - -<p>“The MacWilliam and I are proclaimed rebels,” -said I.</p> - -<p>“Come to the aid of her Highness,” said he, “and -you will be rebels no longer.” Then, as he saw that -we both were silent, he said—and here he touched us -to the quick—”Have you no desire to be avenged on -Fitzmaurice and the Desmonds?”</p> - -<p>“Ay, by the Mass, yes,” cried Burke.</p> - -<p>“What say you, Ruari Macdonald?” asked Sir -Nicholas.</p> - -<p>“Tell me first,” said I, “how stands Desmond in -this matter?”</p> - -<p>“He has gone to Askeaton again,” said he, “and -as he will not declare himself for the Queen, he must -be judged to be against her.”</p> - -<p>“Did you say anything to Grace O’Malley of this -errand of yours to us? Does she know of it?” -asked I.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said he.</p> - -<p>“And what is her word to us?”</p> - -<p>“’Bid these men of mine avenge me, and that -right speedily.’ That was what she said.”</p> - -<p>“Well spoken!” cried Richard Burke.</p> - -<p>“I have never disobeyed her yet,” said I, “and I -shall not do so now.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.<br /> - -<small>BARRINGTON BRIDGE.</small></h2> - - -<p>As we four stood facing each other on the poop of -<i>The Grey Wolf</i>, there was the sound of a door opened -and closed, and then the pit-pat of steps on the deck, -and well did I know who it was.</p> - -<p>“Grace O’Malley!” cried I joyously, turning -towards her.</p> - -<p>“Grace O’Malley!” said Richard Burke, and -could not say more for very gladness.</p> - -<p>My mistress smiled upon us, as she gave one hand -to the MacWilliam and the other to me; but as I -gazed upon her I saw that those great eyes of hers -were deep-shadowed with sadness. And well could I -understand how the failure and defeat of her most -cherished hopes, brought about by the perfidy of -Desmond, and acquiesced in by Fitzmaurice, preyed -upon her mind and filled her with gloom. What she -now said to me showed how her thoughts ran.</p> - -<p>“So you are become a Queen’s man, Ruari!”</p> - -<p>“I am your servant, Grace O’Malley,” said I. -“What care I whose man I am, so long as I am -yours! If you say be a Queen’s man, then Queen’s -man am I.”</p> - -<p>“And you, Richard Burke?” she asked.</p> - -<p>“You well know what I would say!” answered he.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span></p> - -<p>“It is well,” said she; but if she had said, “It is -ill,” her accents could hardly have been more sober -or less exultant. And for myself, when I recalled the -image of de Vilela, who must henceforth be our foe, -and all that I owed him, I could not but share in and -sympathise with her feelings.</p> - -<p>Sir Nicholas Malby, perhaps guessing something -of what we were thinking, and anxious to reap the -fullest benefit as soon as possible from our alliance -with him, brought the conversation sharply round to -Fitzmaurice and the Geraldines.</p> - -<p>He was enough of a tactician to say very little of the -past or of the Spaniards; only he harped incessantly -on the baseness with which our mistress had been -treated by her own countrymen, and so wrought upon -our desire for revenge.</p> - -<p>“Here and now is your opportunity! There is no -time to be thrown away. Each day sees Fitzmaurice -in a stronger position, as men pour into his camp -from all directions. Desmond, meanwhile, like the -weakling he is, still hesitates. If we are to succeed, -the blow must be struck at once—should he join -Fitzmaurice, I may have to wait till soldiers come -from England; if we move at once, however, though -the enemy is more numerous than our combined -forces, we are, I believe, a match for them.”</p> - -<p>“Tell us your plans,” said Richard Burke, and -thereupon Sir Nicholas began to discuss with us what -course was to be pursued.</p> - -<p>He appeared to be well-informed of all that was -going on in the camp of Fitzmaurice, and was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> -determined to offer him battle at once. With this -end in view, we agreed to move up the galleys that -very afternoon to Limerick, and anchor them in -the harbour within its walls.</p> - -<p>It was not without misgivings that I consented to -this, for then we should be indeed at the mercy of Sir -Nicholas; but he was so fair and open with us, and -had so placed himself, without reserve, as it were, in -our hands, that I gave way; nor, as the event showed, -was our trust misplaced.</p> - -<p>I returned to <i>The Cross of Blood</i>, and in a very -few minutes, the three galleys were on their way to -Limerick, where their appearance shortly afterwards -created no small stir among its inhabitants.</p> - -<p>Thinking that Grace O’Malley and Eva would -prefer being left together, I had taken Sir Nicholas on -board of my ship; and he and Burke and I considered -the situation of affairs, and resolved that next morning -we should all march out from Limerick and -engage Fitzmaurice. Sir Nicholas estimated our -whole force at a thousand men, most of whom were -hardened soldiers and veterans of war, nor did he -anticipate that we should meet with any strenuous -resistance, save from the Spanish troops, who would -be certain to fight desperately.</p> - -<p>One favour I asked of Sir Nicholas, and only one. -I told him that there was amongst the Spaniards -a gentleman—a certain de Vilela—to whom I was -beholden by the greatest of obligations, and I begged -of him this boon—if it should be the fortune of war -that Don Francisco were taken alive, then that he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> -should be given up to me upon my paying such a -ransom as would satisfy the captors. And to this -Sir Nicholas very willingly consented.</p> - -<p>After we had come into port, and the galleys were -made fast to the quay, Sir Nicholas went on into the -city to give orders with respect to his soldiers and to -prepare for the morrow. But, ere he left us, he said -he would either come himself to see me late that -night to give us his final commands, or would send -one of his chief captains in his place.</p> - -<p>As I watched that sturdy figure of his, I recalled -that when I had last talked with him it was on the -night of the revel in Galway, and could not but -marvel at the strange dance both he and I had -been led by fate since that time.</p> - -<p>Also I did not fail to reflect that, while Sir -Nicholas had spoken confidently of our ability to -cope with the enemy, he must have deemed his -position to be critical in the extreme, or he never -would have made terms with us. Nothing but the -stern compulsion of necessity could have forced him -to act as he had done—nothing else, indeed, could -have justified him.</p> - -<p>I was sure, being acquainted with the nature of -the man, that it would have been more congenial to -him to have fought us, as well as Fitzmaurice. Being -placed, however, as he was, he had seen, with the -quickness and shrewdness of a man well versed in -affairs, how he could make use of the division -between us and Fitzmaurice, and turn it to his -profit and the service of the Queen.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span></p> - -<p>His need of us must have been very great for -him not only to have to relinquish the vengeance -he had vowed against my mistress and myself, but also -to ask for our aid. But would our assistance suffice?</p> - -<p>My heart beat fast and quickly as I thought that -the morrow’s battle might have a very different result -from that which he expected. To say the least, our -victory was very uncertain, seeing that our combined -forces were probably far outnumbered by those of -Fitzmaurice.</p> - -<p>After I had spent an hour or two musing in this -fashion, I saw Eva appear on the deck of <i>The Grey -Wolf</i>. All my doubt of the issue of the morrow -vanished immediately, and a swelling tide of love -and tenderness swept over me as I beheld my dear. -In truth, I had loved her all my life; but there was -now mingled with my love a feeling that was close -akin to worship, for what had not she dared?</p> - -<p>Thank God, I say again, for the great hearts of -women!</p> - -<p>She did not at once perceive me, and I observed from -the pensive droop of her head and of her body that -she was weary. There was now nought between us—but -a few feet of water; and I quickly made my way -to her side. She greeted me with a radiant smile, -and love’s own light was shining in her soft eyes.</p> - -<p>“Ruari!”</p> - -<p>And love, too, was in her voice.</p> - -<p>Long did we hold sweet converse together, saying -such fond things to each other as lovers say; but it is -not for me to set them forth.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span></p> - -<p>When I asked her what had put it into her mind -to go to Sir Nicholas Malby, she replied that after the -conversation we had had, in which she had suggested -offering a large sum to him as a ransom for Grace -O’Malley—a notion which I had scouted—she had pondered -the matter, and had resolved, without informing -me of her intention, to endeavour to gain admittance -to Sir Nicholas, and to tell him that he had only to -name what amount of treasure he required to purchase -our mistress’s liberty, and it would be given.</p> - -<p>“I felt an irresistible impulse,” said Eva, “and it -was so strong upon me that I could get no rest until I -had seen Sir Nicholas.”</p> - -<p>“Did Sir Nicholas receive you well?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, indeed,” said Eva. “He was disposed to -regard my appearance as most fortunate, for he had -already been casting about for some means of communicating -with you and the MacWilliam.”</p> - -<p>And here our talk was interrupted by the sharp -ringing of the hoofs of horses upon the stones of the -quay, the clank of arms, and shouted words of command.</p> - -<p>“Sir Nicholas again!” cried I, and we went forward -to meet him.</p> - -<p>“All is well,” said he briefly, but briskly. “I wish -you to disembark your men——” and here he stopped; -“but where is Richard Burke?”</p> - -<p>“He is with Grace O’Malley,” said Eva.</p> - -<p>Sir Nicholas stood for an instant lost in thought.</p> - -<p>“Rumours have reached us,” said he, at length, -“that the MacWilliam is greatly desirous of allying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span> -himself with Grace O’Malley more nearly than as -a mere comrade and friend in war.”</p> - -<p>His words were a question, and I could almost -have sworn there was a twinkle in those fierce -eyes of his.</p> - -<p>“Yes, that is true,” I answered, seeing no need -for any equivocation or denial.</p> - -<p>“It would be no bad thing,” said he, “for after -what has passed they will surely be loyal to her -Highness.”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said I, somewhat drily, “but that will -also depend upon her Highness.”</p> - -<p>“Her Highness,” cried he, “can mean nothing -but good to this her realm of Ireland. Peace -and quiet are essential to its prosperity, and these -she will have, and so, by God, shall I.”</p> - -<p>“Let us go and see them,” said I; for what -he had said seemed to me very like halloaing before -we were out of the wood, as it were.</p> - -<p>When we entered the cabin, I saw at once that -my mistress had recovered something of her usual -spirits, while Richard Burke’s honest face was -bright with happiness. It needed no voice to tell -me that he had again made suit to her, and that -she had not repulsed him.</p> - -<p>And so best, thought I.</p> - -<p>But there was a stern business before us, for we -must win our way to the hands of our brides across -a field of blood.</p> - -<p>Sir Nicholas began at once to tell us what he had -arranged with respect to us and his English troops.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> -At dawn we were all to cross the Shannon, and, -plunging into the forest, march upon the camp of -Fitzmaurice. He trusted that he might come upon -Sir James unawares, or, at any rate, before he had -had time to make the best disposition of his men.</p> - -<p>When all these matters had been settled between -us, we bade Grace O’Malley and Eva farewell.</p> - -<p>“Wear this,” said Grace O’Malley, on parting, to -Richard Burke, taking a ring from her finger and -putting it into his hand, “and wear it for my sake.”</p> - -<p>As for myself, I had secretly possessed myself -of a silken riband of Eva’s, and twined it about the -guard of my sword. That was guerdon enough for -me until I should return to claim her.</p> - -<p>“Victory!” cried my mistress to me.</p> - -<p>“Amen and amen to that!” said Sir Nicholas and -we all, in a breath.</p> - -<p>Then we went, each one to his place, and the -darkness covered us all till morning came.</p> - -<p>In the twilight of the dawn we assembled to the -sound of trumpets, and then were rapidly carried -across the river to its south side, landing about two -miles east of Limerick.</p> - -<p>The troops of Sir Nicholas were composed of -Englishmen and of Irishmen too, though these were -chiefly from the Pale; all men who had taken part in -many a fight, and gloried in nothing so much as in -the red riot of war. Two hundred of them were -mounted, and a hundred, or perhaps more, bore -arquebuses upon their shoulders. But the major -portion of them were armed with long pikes, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> -nearly all had swords or daggers. The Burkes and -the O’Malleys had the Irish sword and the stabbing -poniard and the still more terrible battle-axe.</p> - -<p>The men on horseback went first; then the -MacWilliam and I with our men, followed by the -soldiers with arquebuses; last of all, Sir Nicholas -and his pike-men.</p> - -<p>Such was the order of our march until we were -within half a mile of the outposts of Fitzmaurice’s -camp. But already his spies had warned him of our -approach, and we could hear, even at that distance, -the noise of the commotion among his forces as they -prepared to receive us.</p> - -<p>We now advanced more slowly, throwing out -single soldiers here and there among the trees, while -the mounted men were halted.</p> - -<p>The main body was massed together as closely as -the nature of the ground would permit, Sir Nicholas -himself directing all our movements with the utmost -coolness and unconcern.</p> - -<p>As we pressed onward there was a sharp crack of -an arquebus, then another and another, until the air -was full of the sounds of firing; and then the men -who had been sent forward fell back, crying that the -Spaniards were drawn up in battle array, and were -waiting to fall upon us so soon as we came near. -Before we emerged from the forest into the open -Sir Nicholas brought up his arquebusiers, bidding -Burke and myself to support them. At the same -time he ordered his mounted men to the front.</p> - -<p>When we burst out from among the trees we were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> -met by a hail of bullets from the pieces of the -Spaniards, and a cloud of whirring arrows seemed to -form and break over our heads. For a time we were -thrown back, but returning, like a wave flinging itself -upon the shore, rushed furiously on the enemy, the -arquebusiers of Sir Nicholas meanwhile pouring a -deadly fire in upon the ranks of Fitzmaurice.</p> - -<p>There was the sudden hoarse blare of a trumpet, -the strident voice of Sir Nicholas crying on us to -charge, and our horsemen threw themselves madly -upon the foe, who sullenly gave way before them, but -only to form up quickly again. The men opposed to -them were neither cowards nor strangers to the art of -war; they were rallied speedily by their captains, and -soon presented a new front to our attack.</p> - -<p>The air was so darkened by smoke, and there was -such a tumult from the shoutings of the soldiers and -the clang and clamour of their weapons and all the -wild work of war, that it was some time before I -could make out de Vilela among the Spaniards. But -there he was, his long sword gleaming in his hand, -his lips moving, and, though I could not hear what -he was saying, I could well imagine that he was -exhorting his men to remember Spain, and to acquit -themselves as became her sons. Then, as the battle -raged, now here, now there, he passed out of my -sight.</p> - -<p>It is a soldier’s duty to do what his general bids -him; but I was glad when Sir Nicholas called upon -Burke and myself to lead our people against that part -of Fitzmaurice’s army which was chiefly made up of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span> -the Geraldines, and which was commanded by Sir -James himself. Sir Nicholas rightly judged that our -animosity would burn more fiercely against them -than against the Spaniards, and we sprang upon them -with a fury they could not long withstand.</p> - -<p>At the first onset they met us bravely, and for -awhile there was much fierce and terrible fighting. -Above their hosts there rose the Pope’s banner of -blue and gold, and around it and Sanders, who held -it, and his priests, they made a stubborn resistance. -But they were forced back, and ever back.</p> - -<p>I strove to come at Fitzmaurice, but could not for -the press. We had a score to settle, and settled it -was, but not by me, for it was Burke who dealt him -the fatal blow. I had just parried the cunning thrust -of a sword, as I was trying to reach Fitzmaurice, -when I saw the flash of a pistol in Burke’s hand, and -then Sir James swayed and fell forward from his -horse. When the Geraldines knew what had taken -place, they turned and fled, bearing Sanders and his -banner along with them, into the thicknesses of the -forest.</p> - -<p>Having witnessed the defeat and flight of their -Irish allies, the Spaniards could not but be aware that -they had small chance of retrieving the fortunes of the -day, and they now began to retreat. Attacked on the -flanks as well as in the front, they were thrown into -disorder, and their retreat became a rout, each man -striving to save himself. A few, however, stood -their ground to the last, and among them was de -Vilela.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Take him alive!” I shouted; but the words came -too late.</p> - -<p>I was almost beside him, for I had hoped that he -would surrender to me if I asked him to do so, and -with that purpose had fought my way even through -the English to get near him; but before I reached -him he had fallen, his armour all stained with blood, -and his sword broken in his hand.</p> - -<p>With a great, wild cry of grief, the sharpness of -which was like the sundering of my spirit from my -body, I threw my sword upon the ground, and, kneeling -beside him, called to him to speak to me if he -were yet alive. His hand feebly pressed mine, while -I wept and sobbed like a little child. The lips -trembled and opened; the half-shut eyelids faintly -quivered; but he could not speak. Again, however, -my hand was feebly pressed. And so he passed—still -with his hand in mine—this noble gentleman -of Spain.</p> - -<p>Nor does there go by a day when I do not think -of de Vilela, the man to whom I owed so much—so -much that I can never repay.</p> - -<p>It was the custom in these wars of ours to cut off -the heads of the principal men among our fallen -enemies; this the body of Sir James Fitzmaurice -suffered, the head being sent to Dublin, where it -was tarred, and put on a spike above the Castle -gate.</p> - -<p>But no such indignity befell the body of de Vilela, -for, having obtained permission from Sir Nicholas, I -took my men, made a solemn mourning for him, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> -buried him on the field of battle, where the waters of -the Mulkern go murmuring past; and there he lies, -that true and noble gentleman, in a grave without -a name.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>And thus ended the battle of Barrington Bridge, as -it is called, entailing with it the overthrow and -collapse of the rising, for the death of Fitzmaurice—although -the war lingered on for long afterwards—was -the death of any chance of success it had.</p> - -<p>Desmond, who had been hanging about in the -vicinity during the battle, but had taken no part in -it, later met with an inglorious end, and with him -perished his house.</p> - -<p>As for Richard Burke and myself, we accompanied -Sir Nicholas Malby and his army in various -expeditions, until the beginning of the winter, when -he set out overland to Galway, and we sailed from -Limerick the same day in our ships for that city also. -Heaven sent us fair and gentle gales—perhaps, to -make up for all the storms through which we had -passed—and we came safely into the port of Galway -where we lay several days waiting for Sir Nicholas; -for, at his particular request, we—Grace O’Malley and -the MacWilliam, and Eva and I—were to be married -in the church of St. Nicholas of Myra.</p> - -<p>And I had heard that when these events came to -pass, there were among the spectators many who -loved us and wished us well, and many who did not; -but to which of these classes Sir Nicholas really<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> -belonged I know not, for, in the years that came -after, he and Grace O’Malley and her husband, -Richard Burke, had many disputes, and the “Queen’s -peace” was often broken.</p> - -<p>As for myself and Eva, we sailed away from -Ireland to my old home in Isla, where I was chosen -chief in the room of my uncle, who had succeeded -my father, and who was now dead. It was in <i>The -Cross of Blood</i>—Grace O’Malley’s last gift to me—that -we made our journey, and that I returned to -these isles of Scotland.</p> - -<p>Many years have passed since, and in our life -there has been winter as well as summer; but still -there is the same light in Eva’s eyes, and the same -love in her voice. It has been our happy lot to grow -old together—to grow old in our love for each other, -though that love itself is as fresh and new as the -flowers of the first mornings of summer.</p> - -<p>And so we await the inevitable end.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="smcap"><small>Printed by Cassell & Company, Limited, La Belle Sauvage, London, E.C.</small></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/1_349-1.jpg" alt="Decoration" /> -</div> - -<p class="center"> -<span class="large">A SELECTED LIST</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="small">OF</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="xl smcap">Cassell & Company’s</span></p> - -<p class="center"><span class="large">Publications</span>.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" > -<img src="images/i_349-2.jpg" alt="Decoration" /> -</div> - - - -<p class="adtitle">Illustrated, Fine Art, and other Volumes.</p> - - -<p class="hang"><b>Adventure, The World of.</b> Fully Illustrated. Complete in Three Vols. 9s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Adventures in Criticism.</b> By <span class="smcap">A. T. Quiller-Couch</span>. 6s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Africa and its Explorers, The Story of.</b> By Dr. <span class="smcap">Robert Brown</span>, F.R.G.S., &c. -With about 800 Original Illustrations. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> In 4 Vols. 4s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>American Life.</b> By <span class="smcap">Paul de Rousiers</span>. 12s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Animal Painting in Water Colours.</b> With Coloured Plates. 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Animals, Popular History of.</b> By <span class="smcap">Henry Scherren</span>, F.Z.S. With 13 -Coloured Plates and other Illustrations. 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Architectural Drawing.</b> By <span class="smcap">R. Phené Spiers</span>. Illustrated. 10s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Art, The Magazine of.</b> <i>Yearly Volume</i>, 21s. <i>The Two Half-Yearly Volumes -for 1897 can also be had</i>, 10s. 6d. <i>each</i>.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Artistic Anatomy.</b> By Prof. <span class="smcap">M. Duval</span>. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Astronomy, The Dawn of.</b> A Study of the Temple Worship and Mythology -of the Ancient Egyptians. By Sir <span class="smcap">Norman Lockyer</span>, K.C.B., F.R.S., &c. -Illustrated. 21s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Ballads and Songs.</b> By <span class="smcap">William Makepeace Thackeray</span>. With Original -Illustrations by <span class="smcap">H. M. Brock</span>. 6s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Barber, Charles Burton, The Works of.</b> With Forty-one Plates and Portraits, -and Introduction by <span class="smcap">Harry Furniss</span>. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Battles of the Nineteenth Century.</b> An entirely New and Original Work, with -Several Hundred Illustrations. Complete in Two Vols., 9s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>”Belle Sauvage” Library, The.</b> Cloth, 2s. (<i>A complete list of the volumes post -free on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Beetles, Butterflies, Moths, and other Insects.</b> By <span class="smcap">A. W. Kappel</span>, F.L.S., -F.E.S., and <span class="smcap">W. Egmont Kirby</span>. With 12 Coloured Plates. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Biographical Dictionary, Cassell’s New.</b> Containing Memoirs of the Most -Eminent Men and Women of all Ages and Countries. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Birds’ Nests, British: How, Where, and When to Find and Identify Them.</b> -By <span class="smcap">R. Kearton</span>, F.Z.S. With nearly 130 Illustrations of Nests, Eggs, Young, &c., -from Photographs by <span class="smcap">C. Kearton</span>. 21s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Birds’ Nests, Eggs, and Egg-Collecting.</b> By <span class="smcap">R. Kearton</span>, F.Z.S. Illustrated -with 22 Coloured Plates of Eggs. <i>Enlarged Edition.</i> 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Black Watch, The.</b> The Record of an Historic Regiment. By <span class="smcap">Archibald -Forbes</span>, LL.D. 6s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Britain’s Roll of Glory; or, the Victoria Cross, its Heroes, and their -Valour.</b> By <span class="smcap">D. H. Parry</span>. Illustrated. 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>British Ballads.</b> With 300 Original Illustrations. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> Two Volumes -in One. Cloth, 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>British Battles on Land and Sea.</b> By <span class="smcap">James Grant</span>. With about 800 -Illustrations. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> Four Vols., 3s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Building World.</b> In Half-Yearly Volumes, 4s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Butterflies and Moths, European.</b> By <span class="smcap">W. F. Kirby</span>. With 61 Coloured Plates, 35s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Canaries and Cage-Birds, The Illustrated Book of.</b> By <span class="smcap">W. A. Blakston</span>, -<span class="smcap">W. Swaysland</span>, and <span class="smcap">A. F. Wiener</span>. With 56 Facsimile Coloured Plates. 35s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cassell’s Magazine.</b> Half-Yearly Volumes, 5s. each; or Yearly Volumes, -8s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cathedrals, Abbeys, and Churches of England and Wales.</b> Descriptive, -Historical, Pictorial. <i>Popular Edition.</i> Two Vols. 25s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cats and Kittens.</b> By <span class="smcap">Henriette Ronner</span>. With Portrait and 13 magnificent -Full-page Photogravure Plates and numerous Illustrations. 4to, £2 10s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>China Painting.</b> By <span class="smcap">Florence Lewis</span>. With Sixteen Coloured Plates, &c. 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Choice Dishes at Small Cost.</b> By <span class="smcap">A. G. Payne</span>. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 1s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Chums.</b> The Illustrated Paper for Boys. Yearly Volume, 8s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cities of the World.</b> Four Vols. Illustrated. 7s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Civil Service, Guide to Employment in the.</b> <i>Entirely New Edition.</i> Paper, -1s.; cloth, 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Clinical Manuals for Practitioners and Students of Medicine.</b> (<i>A List of -Volumes forwarded post free on application to the Publishers.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cobden Club, Works published for the.</b> (<i>A Complete List on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Colour.</b> By Prof. <span class="smcap">A. H. Church</span>. <i>New and Enlarged Edition</i>, 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Combe, George, The Select Works of.</b> Issued by Authority of the Combe -Trustees. <i>Popular Edition</i>, 1s. each, net.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="center">The Constitution of Man. Moral Philosophy. Science and Religion. -Discussions on Education. American Notes.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Conning Tower, In a; or, How I Took H.M.S. “Majestic” into Action.</b> By -<span class="smcap">H. O. Arnold-Forster</span>, M.P. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> Illustrated. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Conquests of the Cross.</b> Edited by <span class="smcap">Edwin Hodder</span>. With numerous Original -Illustrations. Complete in Three Vols. 9s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cookery, Cassell’s Dictionary of.</b> With about 9,000 Recipes. 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cookery, A Year’s.</b> By <span class="smcap">Phyllis Browne</span>. <i>New and Enlarged Edition</i>, 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cookery Book, Cassell’s New Universal.</b> By <span class="smcap">Lizzie Heritage</span>. With 19 -Coloured Plates and other Illustrations. 1,344 pages, strongly bound in leather gilt, 6s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cookery, Cassell’s Popular.</b> With Four Coloured Plates. Cloth gilt, 2s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cookery, Cassell’s Shilling.</b> <i>135th Thousand.</i> 1s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cookery, Vegetarian.</b> By <span class="smcap">A. G. Payne</span>. 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cooking by Gas, The Art of.</b> By <span class="smcap">Marie J. Sugg</span>. Illustrated. Cloth, 2s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cottage Gardening.</b> Edited by <span class="smcap">W. Robinson</span>, F.L.S. Illustrated. Half-yearly -Vols., 2s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Countries of the World, The.</b> By Dr. <span class="smcap">Robert Brown</span>, M.A., F.L.S. With -about 750 Illustrations. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> Vols. I. to V., 6s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cyclopædia, Cassell’s Concise.</b> With about 600 Illustrations. 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cyclopædia, Cassell’s Miniature.</b> Containing 30,000 Subjects. Cloth, 2s. 6d.; -half-roxburgh, 4s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Dictionaries.</b> (For description, see alphabetical letter.) Religion, Biographical, -Encyclopædic, Concise Cyclopædia, Miniature Cyclopædia, Mechanical, English, -English History, Phrase and Fable, Cookery, Domestic. (French, German, and -Latin, see with <i>Educational Works</i>.)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Diet and Cookery for Common Ailments.</b> By a Fellow of the Royal College -of Physicians and <span class="smcap">Phyllis Browne</span>. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Dog, Illustrated Book of the.</b> By <span class="smcap">Vero Shaw</span>, B.A. With 28 Coloured -Plates. Cloth bevelled, 35s.; half-morocco, 45s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Domestic Dictionary, The.</b> An Encyclopædia for the Household. Cloth, 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Doré Don Quixote, The.</b> With about 400 Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gustave Doré</span>. -<i>Cheap Edition.</i> Cloth, 10s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Doré Gallery, The.</b> With 250 Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gustave Doré</span>. 4to, 42s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Doré’s Dante’s Inferno.</b> Illustrated by <span class="smcap">Gustave Doré</span>. <i>Popular Edition.</i> -With Preface by <span class="smcap">A. J. Butler</span>. Cloth gilt or buckram, 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Doré’s Dante’s Purgatory and Paradise.</b> Illustrated by <span class="smcap">Gustave Doré</span>. -<i>Cheap Edition.</i> 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Doré’s Milton’s Paradise Lost.</b> Illustrated by <span class="smcap">Gustave Doré</span>. 4to, 21s. -<i>Popular Edition.</i> Cloth gilt, or buckram gilt, 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Earth, Our, and its Story.</b> Edited by Dr. <span class="smcap">Robert Brown</span>, F.L.S. With -36 Coloured Plates and nearly 800 Wood Engravings. In Three Vols. 9s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Edinburgh, Old and New, Cassell’s.</b> With 600 Illustrations. Three Vols. -9s. each; library binding, £1 10s. the set.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Egypt: Descriptive, Historical, and Picturesque.</b> By Prof. <span class="smcap">G. Ebers</span>. -Translated by <span class="smcap">Clara Bell</span>, with Notes by <span class="smcap">Samuel Birch</span>, LL.D., &c. Two Vols. 42s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Electric Current, The.</b> How Produced and How Used. By <span class="smcap">R. Mullineux -Walmsley</span>, D.Sc., &c. Illustrated. 10s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Electricity, Practical.</b> By Prof. <span class="smcap">W. E. Ayrton</span>, F.R.S. <i>Entirely New and -Enlarged Edition.</i> Completely re-written. Illustrated. 9s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Electricity in the Service of Man.</b> A Popular and Practical Treatise. With -upwards of 950 Illustrations. <i>New and Cheaper Edition</i>, 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Employment for Boys on Leaving School, Guide to.</b> By <span class="smcap">W. S. Beard</span>, -F.R.G.S. 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Encyclopædic Dictionary, The.</b> Complete in Fourteen Divisional Vols., 10s. 6d. -each; or Seven Vols., half-morocco, 21s. each; half-russia, 25s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>England and Wales, Pictorial.</b> With upwards of 320 beautiful illustrations -prepared from copyright photographs. 9s. Also an edition on superior paper, bound -in half-persian, marble sides, gilt edges and in box, 15s. net.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>England, A History of.</b> From the Landing of Julius Cæsar to the Present -Day. By <span class="smcap">H. O. Arnold-Forster</span>, M.P. Fully Illustrated, 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>England, Cassell’s Illustrated History of.</b> With upwards of 2,000 Illustrations. -<i>Library Edition.</i> Ten Vols., £5.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>English Dictionary, Cassell’s.</b> Containing Definitions of upwards of 100,000 -Words and Phrases. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 3s. 6d.; <i>Superior Edition</i>, 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>English History, The Dictionary of.</b> Edited by <span class="smcap">Sidney Low</span>, B.A., and -Prof. <span class="smcap">F. S. Pulling</span>, M.A., with Contributions by Eminent Writers. <i>New -Edition.</i> 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>English Literature, Library of.</b> By Prof. <span class="smcap">H. Morley</span>. In 5 Vols. 7s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>English Literature, Morley’s First Sketch of.</b> <i>Revised Edition.</i> 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>English Literature, The Story of.</b> By <span class="smcap">Anna Buckland</span>. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>English Writers from the Earliest Period to Shakespeare.</b> By <span class="smcap">Henry -Morley</span>. Eleven Vols. 5s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Æsop’s Fables.</b> Illustrated by <span class="smcap">Ernest Griset</span>. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> Cloth, 3s. 6d.; -bevelled boards, gilt edges, 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Etiquette of Good Society.</b> <i>New Edition.</i> Edited and Revised by <span class="smcap">Lady -Colin Campbell</span>. 1s.; cloth, 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Fairy Tales Far and Near.</b> Retold by Q. Illustrated. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Fairway Island.</b> By <span class="smcap">Horace Hutchinson</span>. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Family Doctor, Cassell’s.</b> By <span class="smcap">A Medical Man</span>. Illustrated, 10s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Family Lawyer, Cassell’s.</b> An Entirely New and Original Work. By -Barrister-at-Law. 10s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Fiction, Cassell’s Popular Library of.</b> 3s. 6d. each.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Tiny Luttrell. By E. W. Hornung.<br /> - -The White Shield. By Bertram Mitford.<br /> - -Tuxter’s Little Maid. By G. B. Burgin.<br /> - -The Hispaniola Plate. (1683-1893.) By -John Bloundelle Burton.<br /> - -Highway of Sorrow. By Hesba Stretton -and ••••••, a Famous Russian Exile.<br /> - -King Solomon’s Mines. By H. Rider -Haggard. Illustrated.<br /> - -The Lights of Sydney. By Lilian Turner.<br /> - -The Admirable Lady Biddy Fane. By -Frank Barrett.<br /> - -List, ye Landsmen! A Romance of Incident. -By W. Clark Russell.<br /> - -Ia: A Love Story. By Q.<br /> - -The Red Terror: A Story of the Paris -Commune. By Edward King.<br /> - -The Little Squire. By Mrs. Henry de la Pasture.<br /> - -Zero, the Slaver. A Romance of Equatorial -Africa. By Lawrence Fletcher.<br /> - -Into the Unknown! A Romance of South -Africa. By Lawrence Fletcher.<br /> - -Mount Desolation. An Australian Romance. -By W. Carlton Dawe.<br /> - -Pomona’s Travels. By Frank R. Stockton.<br /> - -The Reputation of George Saxon. By -Morley Roberts.<br /> - -A Prison Princess. By Major Arthur -Griffiths.<br /> - -Queen’s Scarlet, The. By George Manville -Fenn.<br /> - -Capture of the “Estrella,” The. A Tale -of the Slave Trade. By Commander Claud -Harding, R.N.<br /> - -The Awkward Squads. And other Ulster -Stories. By Shan F. Bullock.<br /> - -The Squire. By Mrs. Parr.<br /> - -A King’s Hussar. By Herbert Compton.<br /> - -Playthings and Parodies. Short Stories, -Sketches, &c. By Barry Pain.<br /> - -Out of the Jaws of Death. By Frank -Barrett.<br /> - -Fourteen to One, &c. By Elizabeth -Stuart Phelps.<br /> - -The Medicine Lady. By L. T. Meade.<br /> - -Leona. By Mrs. Molesworth.<br /> - -Father Stafford. By Anthony Hope.<br /> - -“La Bella,” and others. By Egerton Castle.<br /> - -The Avenger of Blood. By J. Maclaren -Cobban.<br /> - -The Man in Black. By Stanley Weyman.<br /> - -The Doings of Raffles Haw. By A. Conan -Doyle.<br /> - -A Free Lance in a Far Land. By Herbert -Compton.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Field Naturalist’s Handbook, The.</b> By Revs. <span class="smcap">J. G. Wood</span> and <span class="smcap">Theodore -Wood</span>. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Figuier’s Popular Scientific Works.</b> With Several Hundred Illustrations in -each. 3s. 6d. each.</p> -<blockquote> -<p> -The Insect World.<br /> -The Human Race.<br /> -Reptiles and Birds.<br /> -Mammalia.<br /> -The Vegetable World.<br /> -Ocean World.<br /> -The World before the Deluge.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Flora’s Feast.</b> A Masque of Flowers. Penned and Pictured by <span class="smcap">Walter -Crane</span>. With 40 pages in Colours. 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Flower Painting, Elementary.</b> With Eight Coloured Plates. 3s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Flowers, and How to Paint Them.</b> By <span class="smcap">Maud Naftel</span>. With Coloured Plates. 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Football: the Rugby Union Game.</b> Edited by Rev. <span class="smcap">F. Marshall</span>. Illustrated. -<i>New and Enlarged Edition.</i> 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>For Glory and Renown.</b> By <span class="smcap">D. H. Parry</span>. Illustrated. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Fossil Reptiles, A History of British.</b> By Sir <span class="smcap">Richard Owen</span>, F.R.S., &c. -With 268 Plates. In Four Vols. £12 12s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Franco-German War, Cassell’s History of the.</b> Complete in Two Vols., -containing about 500 Illustrations. 9s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Garden Flowers, Familiar.</b> By <span class="smcap">F. E. Hulme</span>, F.L.S., F.S.A. With 200 Full-page -Coloured Plates, and Descriptive Text by <span class="smcap">Shirley Hibberd</span>. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> -In Five Vols., 3s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Gladstone, The Right Hon. W. E., Cassell’s Life of.</b> Profusely Illustrated. 1s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Gleanings from Popular Authors.</b> With Original Illustrations. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> -In One Vol., 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Gulliver’s Travels.</b> With 88 Engravings. Cloth, 3s. 6d.; cloth gilt, 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Gun and its Development, The.</b> By <span class="smcap">W. W. Greener</span>. With 500 Illustrations. -<i>Entirely New Edition</i>, 10s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Guns, Modern Shot.</b> By <span class="smcap">W. W. Greener</span>. Illustrated. 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Health, The Book of.</b> By Eminent Physicians and Surgeons. Cloth, 21s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Heavens, The Story of the.</b> By Sir <span class="smcap">Robert Stawell Ball</span>, LL.D., F.R.S. -With Coloured Plates and Wood Engravings. <i>Popular Edition</i>, 10s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Heroes of Britain in Peace and War.</b> With 300 Original Illustrations. <i>Cheap -Edition.</i> Complete in One Vol., 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>History, A Footnote to.</b> Eight Years of Trouble in Samoa. By <span class="smcap">R. L. Stevenson</span>. 6s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Home Life of the Ancient Greeks, The.</b> Translated by <span class="smcap">Alice Zimmern</span>. -Illustrated. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Horse, The Book of the.</b> By <span class="smcap">Samuel Sidney</span>. With 17 Full-page Collotype -Plates of Celebrated Horses of the Day, and numerous other Illustrations. Cloth, 15s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Horses and Dogs.</b> By <span class="smcap">O. Eerelman</span>. With Descriptive Text. Translated -from the Dutch by <span class="smcap">Clara Bell</span>. With Fifteen Full-page and other Illustrations. -25s. net.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Houghton, Lord: The Life, Letters, and Friendships of Richard Monckton -Milnes, First Lord Houghton.</b> By Sir <span class="smcap">Wemyss Reid</span>. Two Vols. 32s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Hygiene and Public Health.</b> By <span class="smcap">B. Arthur Whitelegge</span>, M.D. Illustrated. -<i>New and Revised Edition.</i> 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>India, Cassell’s History of.</b> In One Vol. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>In-door Amusements, Card Games, and Fireside Fun, Cassell’s Book of.</b> -With numerous Illustrations. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> Cloth, 2s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Iron Pirate, The.</b> By <span class="smcap">Max Pemberton</span>. Illustrated. 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Khiva, A Ride to.</b> By Col. <span class="smcap">Fred Burnaby</span>. <i>New Edition.</i> Illustrated. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>King George, In the Days of.</b> By Col. <span class="smcap">Percy Groves</span>. Illustrated. 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>King Solomon’s Mines.</b> By <span class="smcap">H. Rider Haggard</span>. Illustrated. 3s. 6d. <i>People’s -Edition.</i> 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Kronstadt.</b> A New Novel. By <span class="smcap">Max Pemberton</span>. With 8 Full-page Plates. 6s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Ladies’ Physician, The.</b> By a London Physician. <i>Cheap Edition, Revised and -Enlarged.</i> 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Lady’s Dressing-Room, The.</b> Translated from the French by Lady <span class="smcap">Colin -Campbell</span>. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Letts’s Diaries and other Time-saving Publications</b> are now published exclusively -by <span class="smcap">Cassell & Company</span>. (<i>A List sent post free on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Little Huguenot, The.</b> <i>New Edition.</i> 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Lobengula, Three Years with, and Experiences in South Africa.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. -Cooper-Chadwick</span>. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Locomotive Engine, The Biography of a.</b> By <span class="smcap">Henry Frith</span>. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Loftus, Lord Augustus, P.C., G.C.B., The Diplomatic Reminiscences of.</b> First -Series. With Portrait. Two Vols. 32s. Second Series. Two Vols. 32s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>London, Cassell’s Guide to.</b> With Numerous Illustrations. 6d. Cloth, 1s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>London, Greater.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edward Walford</span>. Two Vols. With about 400 -Illustrations. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 4s. 6d. each. <i>Library Edition.</i> Two Vols. £1 the set.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>London, Old and New.</b> By <span class="smcap">Walter Thornbury</span> and <span class="smcap">Edward Walford</span>. -Six Vols., with about 1,200 Illustrations. <i>Cheap Ed.</i>, 4s. 6d. each. <i>Library Ed.</i>, £3.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Manchester, Old and New.</b> By <span class="smcap">William Arthur Shaw</span>, M.A. With -Original Illustrations. Three Vols., 31s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Mechanics, The Practical Dictionary of.</b> Three Vols., £3 3s.; half-morocco, -£3 15s. Supplementary Volume, £1 1s.; or half-morocco, £1 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Medical Handbook of Life Assurance.</b> By <span class="smcap">James Edward Pollock</span>, M.D., -and <span class="smcap">James Chisholm</span>. <i>New and Revised Edition.</i> 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Medicine, Manuals for Students of.</b> (<i>A List forwarded post free on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Mesdag, H. W., the Painter of the North Sea.</b> With Etchings and Descriptive -Text. By <span class="smcap">Ph. Zilcken</span>. The Text translated from the Dutch by <span class="smcap">Clara Bell</span>. 36s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Modern Europe, A History of.</b> By <span class="smcap">C. A. Fyffe</span>, M.A. <i>Cheap Edition in One -Volume</i>, 10s. 6d.; <i>Library Edition</i>, Illustrated, 3 vols., 7s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Music, Illustrated History of.</b> By <span class="smcap">Emil Naumann</span>. Edited by the Rev. -Sir <span class="smcap">F. A. Gore Ouseley</span>, Bart. Illustrated. Two Vols. 31s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>National Library, Cassell’s.</b> Consisting of 214 Volumes. Paper covers, 3d.; -cloth, 6d. (<i>A Complete List of the Volumes post free on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Natural History, Cassell’s Concise.</b> By <span class="smcap">E. Perceval Wright</span>, M.A., M.D., -F.L.S. With several Hundred Illustrations. 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Natural History, Cassell’s New.</b> Edited by <span class="smcap">P. Martin Duncan</span>, M.B., F.R.S., -F.G.S. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> With about 2,000 Illusts. Three Double Vols., 6s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Nature and a Camera, With.</b> Being the Adventures and Observations of a -Field Naturalist and an Animal Photographer. By <span class="smcap">Richard Kearton</span>, F.Z.S. -Illustrated by a Special Frontispiece, and 180 Pictures from Photographs by <span class="smcap">Cherry -Kearton</span>. 21s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Nature’s Wonder-Workers.</b> By <span class="smcap">Kate R. Lovell</span>. Illustrated. 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Nelson, The Life of.</b> By <span class="smcap">Robert Southey</span>. Illustrated with Eight Plates. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>New Zealand, Pictorial.</b> With Preface by Sir <span class="smcap">W. B. Perceval</span>, K.C.M.G. Illust. 6s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Novels, Popular.</b> Extra crown 8vo, cloth, 6s. each.</p> - - -<div class="center small"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td align="left" colspan="3">Grace O’Malley, Princess and Pirate. By <span class="smcap">Robert Machray</span>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left" colspan="3">Cupid’s Garden. By <span class="smcap">Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler</span>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left" colspan="3">A Limited Success. By <span class="smcap">Sarah Pitt</span>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left" colspan="3">The Wrothams of Wrotham Court. By <span class="smcap">Frances Heath Freshfield</span>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left" colspan="3">Ill-gotten Gold: A Story of a Great Wrong and a Great Revenge. By <span class="smcap">W. G. Tarbet</span>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Sentimental Tommy.<br />The Little Minister.</td><td align="left" colspan="2"><span class="brace2">}</span> By <span class="smcap">J. M. Barrie</span>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">From the Memoirs of a Minister of France.<br />The Story of Francis Cludds.</td><td align="left" colspan="2"><span class="brace2">}</span> By <span class="smcap">Stanley Weyman</span>.</td></tr> - -<tr><td align="left">Kronstadt.<br />Puritan’s Wife, A.<br /> -The Impregnable City.<br />The Sea-Wolves.</td> -<td align="left" colspan="2" ><span class="brace3">}</span> By <span class="smcap">Max Pemberton</span>.</td></tr> - -<tr><td align="left"></td></tr> - -<tr><td align="left">Young Blood.<br />My Lord Duke.<br />Rogue’s March, The.</td><td align="left" colspan="2" ><br /><span class="brace3">}</span> By <span class="smcap">E. W. Hornung</span>.</td></tr> - -<tr><td align="left"></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Spectre Gold.<br />By a Hair’s-Breadth.</td><td align="left" colspan="2"><span class="brace2">}</span> By <span class="smcap">Headon Hill</span>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">The Girl at Cobhurst.<br />Story Teller’s Pack, A.<br /> -Mrs. Cliff’s Yacht.<br />The Adventures of Captain Horn.</td><td align="left" colspan="2"><span class="brace3">}</span> By <span class="smcap">Frank Stockton</span>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left">Treasure Island.<br />The Master of Ballantrae.<br />The Black Arrow.<br /> -Kidnapped.<br />Catriona: A Sequel to “Kidnapped.” <br />Island Nights’ Entertainments.</td> -<td align="left"><span class="brace3">}</span> By <span class="smcap">Robert Louis Stevenson</span>.<span class="brace3">}</span></td> -<td align="left"> Also a<br /> <i>Popular Edition</i>,<br /> 3s. 6d. each.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left" colspan="2">The Wrecker. By <span class="smcap">Robert Louis Stevenson</span> and <span class="smcap">Lloyd Osbourne</span>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left" colspan="3">Loveday. A Tale of a Stirring Time. By <span class="smcap">A. E. Wickham</span>. (<i>Also at</i> 3s. 6d.)</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left" colspan="3">What Cheer! By <span class="smcap">W. Clark Russell</span>.</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left" colspan="3">’Lisbeth. By <span class="smcap">Leslie Keith</span>.</td></tr> -</table></div> - - -<p class="hang"><b>Nursing for the Home and for the Hospital, A Handbook of.</b> By <span class="smcap">Catherine -J. Wood</span>. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 1s. 6d.; cloth, 2s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Nursing of Sick Children, A Handbook for the.</b> By <span class="smcap">Catherine J. Wood</span>. 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Our Own Country.</b> With 1,200 Illustrations. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> 3 Double Vols. -5s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Painting, The English School of.</b> By <span class="smcap">Ernest Chesneau</span>. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Paris, Old and New.</b> Illustrated. In Two Vols. 9s. or 10s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Peoples of the World, The.</b> By Dr. <span class="smcap">Robert Brown</span>, F.L.S. Complete in Six -Vols. With Illustrations. 7s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Phrase and Fable, Dr. Brewer’s Dictionary of.</b> <i>Entirely New and largely -increased Edition.</i> 10s. 6d. Also in half-morocco, 2 Vols., 15s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Physiology for Students, Elementary.</b> By <span class="smcap">Alfred T. Schofield</span>, M.D., -M.R.C.S. With Two Coloured Plates and numerous Illustrations. <i>New Edition.</i> 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Picturesque America.</b> Complete in Four Vols., with 48 Exquisite Steel Plates, -and about 800 Original Wood Engravings. £12 12s. the set. <i>Popular Edition</i> in -Four Vols., price 18s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Picturesque Australasia, Cassell’s.</b> With upwards of 1,000 Illustrations. In -Four Vols., 7s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Picturesque Canada.</b> With about 600 Original Illustrations. 2 Vols. £9 9s. the set.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Picturesque Europe.</b> Complete in Five Vols. Each containing 13 Exquisite Steel -Plates, from Original Drawings, and nearly 200 Original Illustrations. £21. <i>Popular -Edition.</i> In Five Vols. 18s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Picturesque Mediterranean, The.</b> With a Series of Magnificent Illustrations -from Original Designs by leading Artists of the day. Two Vols. Cloth, £2 2s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Pigeons, Fulton’s Book of.</b> Edited by <span class="smcap">Lewis Wright</span>. Revised, Enlarged, -and Supplemented by the Rev. <span class="smcap">W. F. Lumley</span>. With 50 Full-page Illustrations. -<i>Popular Edition.</i> In One Vol., 10s. 6d. <i>Original Edition</i>, with 50 Coloured Plates -and numerous Wood Engravings. 21s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Planet, The Story of Our.</b> By Prof. <span class="smcap">Bonney</span>, F.R.S., &c. With Coloured -Plates and Maps and about 100 Illustrations. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Polytechnic Series, The.</b> Practical Illustrated Manuals. (<i>A List will be -sent on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Portrait Gallery, Cassell’s Universal.</b> Containing 240 Portraits of Celebrated -Men and Women of the Day. Cloth, 6s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Portrait Gallery, The Cabinet.</b> Complete in Five Series, each containing 36 -Cabinet Photographs of Eminent Men and Women of the day. 15s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Poultry, The Book of.</b> By <span class="smcap">Lewis Wright</span>. <i>Popular Edition.</i> Illustrated. 10s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Poultry, The Illustrated Book of.</b> By <span class="smcap">Lewis Wright</span>. With Fifty Exquisite -Coloured Plates, and numerous Wood Engravings. <i>Revised Edition.</i> Cloth, gilt -edges, 21s.; half-morocco (<i>price on application</i>).</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>”Punch,” The History of.</b> By <span class="smcap">M. H. Spielmann</span>. With nearly 170 Illustrations, -Portraits, and Facsimiles. Cloth, 16s.; <i>Large Paper Edition</i>, £2 2s. net.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Q’s Works, Uniform Edition of.</b> 5s. each.</p> - -<blockquote> -<p> -Dead Man’s Rock.<br /> -The Splendid Spur.<br /> -The Blue Pavilions.<br /> -The Delectable Duchy. Stories, Studies, and Sketches.<br /> -The Astonishing History of Troy Town.<br /> -“I Saw Three Ships,” and other Winter’s Tales.<br /> -Noughts and Crosses.<br /> -Wandering Heath.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Queen Summer; or, The Tourney of the Lily and the Rose.</b> Penned and -Portrayed by <span class="smcap">Walter Crane</span>. With 40 pages in Colours. 6s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Queen Victoria, The Life and Times of.</b> By <span class="smcap">Robert Wilson</span>. Complete in -2 Vols. With numerous Illustrations. 9s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Queen’s Empire, The.</b> First Volume, containing about 300 Splendid Full-page -Illustrations. 9s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Queen’s London, The.</b> Containing Exquisite Views of London and its Environs, -together with a fine series of Pictures of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Procession. -<i>Enlarged Edition</i>, 10s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Railway Guides, Official Illustrated.</b> With Illustrations on nearly every page, -Maps &c. Paper covers, 1s.; cloth, 2s.</p> - -<blockquote><p> -London and North Western Railway.<br /> -Great Western Railway.<br /> -Midland Railway.<br /> -Great Northern Railway.<br /> -Great Eastern Railway.<br /> -London and South Western Railway.<br /> -London, Brighton and South Coast Railway.<br /> -South Eastern Railway.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - - -<p><i>Abridged and Popular Editions</i> of the above Guides can also be obtained. Paper covers. 3d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Railways, Our.</b> Their Origin, Development, Incident, and Romance. By -<span class="smcap">John Pendleton</span>. Illustrated. 2 Vols., 12s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Rivers of Great Britain</b>: Descriptive, Historical, Pictorial.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Rivers of the West Coast. With Etching as Frontispiece, and Numerous Illustrations in Text. -Royal 4to, 42s.<br /> - -The Royal River: The Thames from Source to Sea. <i>Popular Edition</i>, 16s.<br /> - -Rivers of the East Coast. With highly-finished Engravings. <i>Popular Edition</i>, 16s.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Robinson Crusoe.</b> <i>Cassell’s New Fine-Art Edition.</i> With upwards of 100 -Original Illustrations. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 3s. 6d. or 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Rogues of the Fiery Cross.</b> By <span class="smcap">S. Walkey</span>. With 16 Full-page Illustrations. 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Ronner, Henriette, The Painter of Cat-Life and Cat-Character.</b> By <span class="smcap">M. H. -Spielmann</span>. Containing a Series of beautiful Phototype Illustrations. 12s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Royal Academy Pictures.</b> With upwards of 200 magnificent reproductions -of Pictures in the Royal Academy. 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Russo-Turkish War, Cassell’s History of.</b> With about 400 Illustrations. <i>New -Edition.</i> In Two Vols., 9s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Sala, George Augustus, The Life and Adventures of.</b> By Himself. <i>Cheap -Edition.</i> One Vol., 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Saturday Journal, Cassell’s.</b> Illustrated throughout. Yearly Vol., 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Scarlet and Blue; or, Songs for Soldiers and Sailors.</b> By <span class="smcap">John Farmer</span>. 5s. -Words only, paper, 6d.; cloth, 9d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Science for All.</b> Edited by Dr. <span class="smcap">Robert Brown</span>, M.A., F.L.S., &c. <i>Cheap -Edition.</i> With over 1,700 Illustrations. Five Vols. 3s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Science Series, The Century.</b> Consisting of Biographies of Eminent Scientific -Men of the present Century. Edited by Sir <span class="smcap">Henry Roscoe</span>, D.C.L., F.R.S., M.P. -Crown 8vo, 3s. 6d. each.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Michael Faraday, His Life and Work. By Professor <span class="smcap">Silvanus P. Thompson</span>, F.R.S.<br /> - -Pasteur. By <span class="smcap">Percy Frankland</span>, F.R.S. and Mrs. <span class="smcap">Frankland</span>.<br /> - -John Dalton and the Rise of Modern Chemistry. By Sir <span class="smcap">Henry E. Roscoe</span>, F.R.S.<br /> - -Major Rennell, F.R.S., and the Rise of English Geography. By Sir <span class="smcap">Clements R. -Markham</span>, C.B., F.R.S., President of the Royal Geographical Society.<br /> - -Justus Von Liebig: His Life and Work. By <span class="smcap">W. A. Shenstone</span>.<br /> - -The Herschels and Modern Astronomy. By Miss <span class="smcap">Agnes M. Clerke</span>.<br /> - -Charles Lyell and Modern Geology. By Professor <span class="smcap">T. G. Bonney</span>, F.R.S.<br /> - -J. Clerk Maxwell and Modern Physics. By <span class="smcap">R. T. Glazebrook</span>, F.R.S.<br /> - -Humphry Davy, Poet and Philosopher. By <span class="smcap">T. E. Thorpe</span>, F.R.S.<br /> - -Charles Darwin and the Theory of Natural Selection. By <span class="smcap">Edward B. Poulton</span>, -M.A., F.R.S.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Scotland, Picturesque and Traditional.</b> By <span class="smcap">G. E. Eyre-Todd</span>. 6s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Sea, The Story of the.</b> An Entirely New and Original Work. Edited by Q. -Illustrated. Complete in Two Vols., 9s. each. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 5s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Shaftesbury, The Seventh Earl of, K.G., The Life and Work of.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edwin -Hodder</span>. Illustrated. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Shakespeare, Cassell’s Quarto Edition.</b> Edited by <span class="smcap">Charles</span> and <span class="smcap">Mary Cowden -Clarke</span>, and containing about 600 Illustrations by <span class="smcap">H. C. Selous</span>. Complete in -Three Vols., cloth gilt, £3 3s.—Also published in Three separate Vols., in cloth, -viz.:—The <span class="smcap">Comedies</span>, 21s.; The <span class="smcap">Historical Plays</span>, 18s. 6d.; The <span class="smcap">Tragedies</span>, 25s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Shakespeare, The England of.</b> <i>New Edition.</i> By <span class="smcap">E. Goadby</span>. With Full-page -Illustrations. Crown 8vo, 224 pages, 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Shakespeare, The Plays of.</b> Edited by Prof. <span class="smcap">Henry Morley</span>. Complete in -13 Vols., cloth, in box, 21s.; also 39 Vols., cloth, in box, 21s.; half-morocco, cloth -sides, 42s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Shakspere, The Leopold.</b> With 400 Illustrations, and an Introduction by <span class="smcap">F. J. -Furnivall</span>. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 3s. 6d. Cloth gilt, gilt edges, 5s.; roxburgh, 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Shakspere, The Royal.</b> With Exquisite Steel Plates and Wood Engravings. -Three Vols. 15s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Sketches, The Art of Making and Using.</b> From the French of <span class="smcap">G. Fraipont</span>. -By <span class="smcap">Clara Bell</span>. With Fifty Illustrations. 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Social England.</b> A Record of the Progress of the People. By various Writers. -Edited by <span class="smcap">H. D. Traill</span>, D.C.L. Complete in Six Vols. Vols. I. (Revised Ed.), -II., and III., 15s. each. Vols. IV. and V., 17s. each. Vol. VI., 18s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Sports and Pastimes, Cassell’s Complete Book of.</b> <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Star-Land.</b> By Sir <span class="smcap">Robert Stawell Ball</span>, LL.D., &c. Illustrated. 6s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Story of My Life, The.</b> By the Rt. Hon. Sir <span class="smcap">Richard Temple</span>, Bart., G.C.S.I., -&c. Two Vols. 21s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Sun, The Story of the.</b> By Sir <span class="smcap">Robert Stawell Ball</span>, LL.D., F.R.S., F.R.A.S. -With Eight Coloured Plates and other Illustrations. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 10s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Sunshine Series, Cassell’s.</b> In Vols. 1s. each. (<i>A List post free on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Taxation, Municipal, at Home and Abroad.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. J. O’Meara</span>. 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Thames, The Tidal.</b> By <span class="smcap">Grant Allen</span>. With India Proof Impressions of 20 -Magnificent Full-page Photogravure Plates, and many other Illustrations, after -original drawings by <span class="smcap">W. L. Wyllie</span>, A.R.A. <i>New Edition</i>, cloth, 42s. net.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Things I have Seen and People I have Known.</b> By <span class="smcap">G. A. Sala</span>. With Portrait -and Autograph. 2 Vols. 21s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Three Homes, The.</b> By the Very Rev. Dean <span class="smcap">Farrar</span>, D.D., F.R.S. <i>New -Edition.</i> With 8 Full-page Illustrations. 6s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>To the Death.</b> By <span class="smcap">R. D. Chetwode</span>. With Four Plates. 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Treatment, The Year-Book of, for 1898.</b> A Critical Review for Practitioners of -Medicine and Surgery. Fourteenth Year of Issue. 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Trees, Familiar.</b> By Prof. <span class="smcap">G. S. Boulger</span>, F.L.S., F.G.S. In Two Series. -With Forty Coloured Plates in each. 12s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Uncle Tom’s Cabin.</b> By <span class="smcap">Harriet Beecher-Stowe</span>. With upwards of 100 -Original Illustrations. <i>Fine Art Memorial Edition.</i> 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>”Unicode”: The Universal Telegraphic Phrase Book.</b> Pocket or Desk -Edition. 2s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>United States, Cassell’s History of the.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edmund Ollier</span>. With 600 Illustrations. -Three Vols. 9s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Universal History, Cassell’s Illustrated.</b> With nearly <span class="smcap">One Thousand -Illustrations</span>. Vol. I. Early and Greek History.—Vol. II. The Roman Period.—Vol. -III. The Middle Ages.—Vol. IV. Modern History. 9s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Verses, Wise or Otherwise.</b> By <span class="smcap">Ellen Thorneycroft Fowler</span>. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>War and Peace, Memories and Studies of.</b> By <span class="smcap">Archibald Forbes</span>, LL.D. -<i>Original Edition</i>, 16s. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 6s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Water-Colour Painting, A Course of.</b> With Twenty-four Coloured Plates by -<span class="smcap">R. P. Leitch</span>, and full Instructions to the Pupil. 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Westminster Abbey, Annals of.</b> By <span class="smcap">E. T. Bradley</span> (Mrs. <span class="smcap">A. Murray Smith</span>). -Illustrated. With a Preface by the <span class="smcap">Dean of Westminster</span>. 63s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Wild Birds, Familiar.</b> By <span class="smcap">W. Swaysland</span>. Four Series. With 40 Coloured -Plates in each. (In sets only, price on application.)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Wild Flowers, Familiar.</b> By <span class="smcap">F. E. Hulme</span>, F.L.S., F.S.A. With 200 -Coloured Plates and Descriptive Text. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> In Five Vols., 3s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Wild Flowers Collecting Book.</b> In Six Parts, 4d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Wild Flowers Drawing and Painting Book.</b> In Six Parts. 4d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Windsor Castle, The Governor’s Guide to.</b> By the Most Noble the <span class="smcap">Marquis -of Lorne</span>, K.T. Profusely Illustrated. Limp cloth, 1s. Cloth boards, gilt edges. 2s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>World of Wit and Humour, Cassell’s New.</b> With New Pictures and New -Text. Complete in Two Vols., 6s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>With Claymore and Bayonet.</b> By Col. <span class="smcap">Percy Groves</span>. With 8 Plates. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Work.</b> The Illustrated Journal for Mechanics. Half-Yearly Vols. 4s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>”Work” Handbooks.</b> A Series of Practical Manuals prepared under the Direction -of <span class="smcap">Paul N. Hasluck</span>, Editor of <i>Work</i>. Illustrated. Cloth, 1s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>World of Wonders, The.</b> With 400 Illustrations. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> Two Vols., -4s. 6d. each.</p> - -<hr class="full" /> -<p class="adtitle"><i>ILLUSTRATED MAGAZINES.</i></p> - -<blockquote><p> -<b><i>The Quiver.</i></b> Monthly, 6d.<br /> -<b><i>Cassell’s Magazine.</i></b> Monthly, 6d.<br /> -<b><i>”Little Folks” Magazine.</i></b> Monthly, 6d.<br /> -<b><i>The Magazine of Art.</i></b> Monthly, 1s. 4d.<br /> -<b><i>Cassell’s Saturday Journal.</i></b> Weekly, 1d.; Monthly, 6d.<br /> -<b><i>Chums.</i></b> The Illustrated Paper for Boys. Weekly, 1d.; Monthly, 6d.<br /> -<b><i>Work.</i></b> The Journal for Mechanics. Weekly, 1d.; Monthly, 6d.<br /> -<b><i>Building World.</i></b> Weekly, 1d.; Monthly, 6d.<br /> -<b><i>Cottage Gardening.</i></b> Illustrated. Weekly, ½ d.; Monthly, 3d.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - - - -<p class="center">⁂ <i>Full particulars of</i> CASSELL & COMPANY’S <b>Monthly Serial Publications</b> -<i>will be found in</i> <span class="smcap">Cassell & Company’s</span> COMPLETE CATALOGUE.</p> - - -<p class="center">Catalogues of <span class="smcap">Cassell & Company’s Publications</span>, which may be had at all -Booksellers’, or will be sent post free on application to the Publishers:—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">Cassell’s Complete Catalogue</span>, containing particulars of upwards of One -Thousand Volumes.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Cassell’s Classified Catalogue</span>, in which their Works are arranged according -to price, from <i>Threepence to Fifty Guineas</i>.</p> - -<p><span class="smcap">Cassell’s Educational Catalogue</span>, containing particulars of <span class="smcap">Cassell & -Company’s</span> Educational Works and Students’ Manuals.</p></blockquote> - -<p>CASSELL & COMPANY, <span class="smcap">Limited</span>. <i>Ludgate Hill, London</i></p> - - -<p class="adtitle">Bibles and Religious Works.</p> - - - - -<p class="hang"><b>Bible Biographies.</b> Illustrated. 1s. 6d. each.</p> -<blockquote> -<p> -The Story of Joseph. Its Lessons for To-Day. By the Rev. <span class="smcap">George Bainton</span>.<br /> -The Story of Moses and Joshua. By the Rev. <span class="smcap">J. Telford</span>.<br /> -The Story of Judges. By the Rev. <span class="smcap">J. Wycliffe Gedge</span>.<br /> -The Story of Samuel and Saul. By the Rev. <span class="smcap">D. C. Tovey</span>.<br /> -The Story of David. By the Rev. <span class="smcap">J. Wild</span>.<br /> -The Story of Jesus. In Verse. By <span class="smcap">J. R. Macduff</span>, D.D. 1s. 6d.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Bible, Cassell’s Illustrated Family.</b> With 900 Illustrations. Leather, gilt -edges, £2 10s.; best full morocco, £3 15s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Bible, Cassell’s Guinea.</b> With 900 Illustrations and Coloured Maps. Royal 4to. -Leather, 21s. net. Persian antique, with corners and clasps, 25s. net.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Bible Educator, The.</b> Edited by <span class="smcap">E. H. Plumptre</span>, D.D. With Illustrations, -Maps, &c. Four Vols., cloth, 6s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Bible Dictionary, Cassell’s Concise.</b> By the Rev. <span class="smcap">Robert Hunter</span>, LL.D., -Illustrated. 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Bible Student in the British Museum, The.</b> By the Rev. <span class="smcap">J. G. Kitchin</span>, -M.A. <i>Entirely New and Revised Edition</i>, 1s. 4d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Bunyan, Cassell’s Illustrated.</b> With 200 Original Illustrations. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, -3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.</b> Illustrated. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, cloth, 3s. 6d; cloth -gilt, gilt edges, 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Child’s Bible, The.</b> With 200 Illustrations. Demy 4to, 830 pp. <i>150th Thousand. -Cheap Edition</i>, 7s. 6d. <i>Superior Edition</i>, with 6 Coloured Plates, gilt edges, 10s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Child’s Life of Christ, The.</b> Complete in One Handsome Volume, with about -200 Original Illustrations. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, cloth, 7s. 6d.; or with 6 Coloured Plates, -cloth, gilt edges, 10s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Church of England, The.</b> A History for the People. By the Very Rev. <span class="smcap">H. D. M. -Spence</span>, D.D., Dean of Gloucester. Illustrated. Vols. I., II., and III., 6s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Church Reform in Spain and Portugal.</b> By the Rev. <span class="smcap">H. E. Noyes</span>, D.D. -Illustrated. 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Commentary for English Readers.</b> Edited by Bishop <span class="smcap">Ellicott</span>. With Contributions -by eminent Scholars and Divines:—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>New Testament. <i>Original Edition.</i> Three Vols., 21s. each; or in half morocco, £4 14s. 6d. -the set. <i>Popular Edition.</i> Unabridged. Three Vols., 4s. each.<br /> - -Old Testament. <i>Original Edition.</i> Five Vols., 21s. each; or in half morocco, -£7 17s. 6d. the set. <i>Popular Edition.</i> Unabridged. Five Vols., 4s. each.</p></blockquote> - -<blockquote> - -<p>⁂ <i>The Complete Set of Eight Volumes in the Popular Edition is supplied at 30s.</i></p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Commentary, The New Testament.</b> Edited by Bishop <span class="smcap">Ellicott</span>. Handy -Volume Edition. Suitable for School and General Use.</p> - -<blockquote><p> -St. Matthew. 3s. 6d.<br /> -St. Mark. 3s.<br /> -St. Luke. 3s. 6d.<br /> -St. John. 3s. 6d.<br /> -The Acts of the Apostles. 3s. 6d.<br /> -Romans. 2s. 6d.<br /> -Corinthians I. and II. 3s.<br /> -Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians. 3s.<br /> -Colossians, Thessalonians, and Timothy. 3s.<br /> -Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, and James. 3s.<br /> -Peter, Jude, and John. 3s.<br /> -The Revelation. 3s.<br /> -An Introduction to the New Testament. 2s. 6d.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Commentary, The Old Testament.</b> Edited by Bishop <span class="smcap">Ellicott</span>. Handy Volume -Edition. Suitable for School and General Use.</p> - -<blockquote><p> -Genesis. 3s. 6d.<br /> -Exodus. 3s.<br /> -Leviticus. 3s.<br /> -Numbers. 2s. 6d.<br /> -Deuteronomy. 2s. 6d.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Dictionary of Religion, The.</b> An Encyclopædia of Christian and other -Religious Doctrines, Denominations, Sects, Heresies, Ecclesiastical Terms, History, -Biography, &c. &c. By the Rev. <span class="smcap">William Benham</span>, B.D. <i>Cheap Edition</i>, 10s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Doré Bible.</b> With 200 Full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gustave Doré</span>. <i>Popular -Edition.</i> In One Vol. 15s. Also in leather binding. (<i>Price on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Early Days of Christianity, The.</b> By the Very Rev. Dean <span class="smcap">Farrar</span>, D.D., F.R.S.</p> - -<blockquote><p> -<span class="smcap">Library Edition.</span> Two Vols., 24s.; morocco, £2. 2s.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Popular Edition.</span> In One Vol.; cloth, gilt edges, 7s. 6d.; tree-calf, 15s.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Cheap Edition.</span> Cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Family Prayer-Book, The.</b> Edited by the Rev. Canon <span class="smcap">Garbett</span>, M.A., and -the Rev. <span class="smcap">S. Martin</span>. With Full-page Illustrations. <i>New Edition.</i> Cloth, 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Gleanings after Harvest.</b> Studies and Sketches. By the Rev. <span class="smcap">John R. Vernon</span>, -M.A. Illustrated. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>”Graven in the Rock”</b>; or, the Historical Accuracy of the Bible confirmed by -reference to the Assyrian and Egyptian Sculptures in the British Museum and elsewhere. -By the Rev. Dr. <span class="smcap">Samuel Kinns</span>, F.R.A.S., &c. &c. Illustrated. <i>Library -Edition</i>, in Two Volumes, cloth, with top edges gilded, 15s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>”Heart Chords.”</b> A Series of Works by Eminent Divines. In cloth, 1s. each.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>My Father. By the Right Rev. Ashton Oxenden, -late Bishop of Montreal.<br /> - -My Bible. By the Rt. Rev. W. Boyd Carpenter, -Bishop of Ripon.<br /> - -My Work for God. By the Right Rev. Bishop -Cotterill.<br /> - -My Object in Life. By the Very Rev. Dean -Farrar, D.D.<br /> - -My Aspirations. By the Rev. G. Matheson, D.D.<br /> - -My Emotional Life. By Preb. Chadwick, D.D.<br /> - -My Body. By the Rev. Prof. W. G. Blaikie, D.D.<br /> - -My Soul. By the Rev. P. B. Power, M.A.<br /> - -My Growth in Divine Life. By the Rev. -Prebendary Reynolds, M.A.<br /> - -My Hereafter. By the Very Rev. Dean Bickersteth.<br /> - -My Walk with God. By the Very Rev. Dean -Montgomery.<br /> - -My Aids to the Divine Life. By the Very -Rev. Dean Boyle.<br /> - -My Sources of Strength. By the Rev. E. E. -Jenkins, M.A.<br /> - -My Comfort in Sorrow. By Hugh Macmillan, -D.D.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Helps to Belief.</b> A Series of Helpful Manuals on the Religious Difficulties of the -Day. Edited by the Rev. <span class="smcap">Teignmouth Shore</span>, M.A., Canon of Worcester, 1s. each.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p><span class="smcap">Creation.</span> By Harvey Goodwin, D.D., late -Lord Bishop of Carlisle.<br /> - -<span class="smcap">Miracles.</span> By the Rev. Brownlow Maitland, -M.A.<br /> - -<span class="smcap">Prayer.</span> By the Rev. Canon Shore, M.A.<br /> - -<span class="smcap">The Divinity of Our Lord.</span> By the Lord -Bishop of Derry.<br /> - -<span class="smcap">The Atonement.</span> By William Connor -Magee, D.D., Late Archbishop of York.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Holy Land and the Bible, The.</b> A Book of Scripture Illustrations gathered -in Palestine. By the Rev. <span class="smcap">Cunningham Geikie</span>, D.D., LL.D. (Edin.). <i>Cheap -Edition</i>, with 24 Collotype Plates, 12s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Life of Christ, The.</b> By the Very Rev. Dean <span class="smcap">Farrar</span>, D.D., F.R.S.</p> - -<blockquote><p> -<span class="smcap">Cheap Edition.</span> With 16 Full-page Plates. Cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Popular Edition.</span> With 16 Full-page Plates. Cloth gilt, gilt edges, 7s. 6d.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Large Type Illustd. Edition.</span> Cloth, 7s. 6d. Cloth, full gilt, gilt edges, 10s. 6d.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Library Edition.</span> Two Vols. Cloth, 24s.; morocco, 42s.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Moses and Geology; or, the Harmony of the Bible with Science.</b> By -the Rev. <span class="smcap">Samuel Kinns</span>, Ph.D., F.R.A.S. Illustrated. <i>Library Edition</i>, -revised to date, 10s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>New Light on the Bible and the Holy Land.</b> By <span class="smcap">Basil T. A. Evetts</span>, M.A. -Illustrated. Cloth, 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Old and New Testaments, Plain Introductions to the Books of the.</b> Containing -Contributions by many Eminent Divines. In Two Vols., 3s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Plain Introductions to the Books of the Old Testament.</b> 336 pages. Edited by -Bishop <span class="smcap">Ellicott</span>. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Plain Introductions to the Books of the New Testament.</b> 304 pages. Edited by -Bishop <span class="smcap">Ellicott</span>. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Protestantism, The History of.</b> By the Rev. <span class="smcap">J. A. Wylie</span>, LL.D. Containing -upwards of 600 Original Illustrations. Three Vols., 27s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>”Quiver” Yearly Volume, The.</b> With about 600 Original Illustrations and -Coloured Frontispiece. 7s. 6d. Also Monthly, 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>St. George for England</b>; and other Sermons preached to Children. <i>Fifth -Edition.</i> By the Rev. <span class="smcap">T. Teignmouth Shore</span>, M.A., Canon of Worcester. 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>St Paul, The Life and Work of.</b> By the Very Rev. Dean <span class="smcap">Farrar</span>, D,D., F.R.S.</p> - -<blockquote><p> -<span class="smcap">Cheap Illustrated Edition.</span> 7s. 6d.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Cheap Edition.</span> With 16 Full-page Plates, cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Library Edition.</span> Two Vols., cloth, 24s.; calf, 42s.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Illustrated Edition.</span> One Vol., £1 1s.; morocco, £2 2s.<br /> -<span class="smcap">Popular Edition.</span> Cloth, gilt edges, 7s. 6d.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Searchings in the Silence.</b> By the Rev. <span class="smcap">George Matheson</span>, D.D. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Shall We Know One Another in Heaven?</b> By the Rt. Rev. <span class="smcap">J. C. Ryle</span>, D.D., -Bishop of Liverpool. <i>New and Enlarged Edition.</i> Paper covers, 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Shortened Church Services and Hymns</b>, suitable for use at Children’s Services. -Compiled by the Rev. <span class="smcap">T. Teignmouth Shore</span>, M.A., Canon of Worcester. -<i>Enlarged Edition.</i> 1s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>”Six Hundred Years”</b>; or, Historical Sketches of Eminent Men and Women who -have more or less come into contact with the Abbey and Church of Holy Trinity, -Minories, from 1293 to 1893, and some account of the Incumbents, the Fabric, the -Plate, &c. &c. By the Vicar, the Rev. Dr. <span class="smcap">Samuel Kinns</span>, F.R.A.S., &c. &c. -With 65 Illustrations. 15s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>”Sunday:” Its Origin, History, and Present Obligation.</b> By the Ven. Archdeacon -<span class="smcap">Hessey</span>, D.C.L. <i>Fifth Edition</i>, 7s. 6d.</p> - - -<p class="adtitle">Educational Works and Students’ Manuals.</p> - - -<p class="hang"><b>Agricultural Text-Books, Cassell’s.</b> (The “Downton” Series.) Fully Illustrated. -Edited by <span class="smcap">John Wrightson</span>, Professor of Agriculture. <b>Soils and Manures.</b> By -<span class="smcap">J. M. H. Munro</span>, D.Sc. (London), F.I.C., F.C.S. 2s. 6d. <b>Farm Crops.</b> By Professor -<span class="smcap">Wrightson</span>. 2s. 6d. <b>Live Stock.</b> By Professor <span class="smcap">Wrightson</span>. 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Alphabet, Cassell’s Pictorial.</b> Mounted on Linen, with Rollers. 2s. -Mounted with Rollers, and Varnished. 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Arithmetic:—Howard’s Art of Reckoning.</b> By <span class="smcap">C. F. Howard</span>. Paper, 1s.; -cloth, 2s. <i>Enlarged Edition</i>, 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Arithmetics, The “Belle Sauvage.”</b> By <span class="smcap">George Ricks</span>, B.Sc. Lond. With -Test Cards. (<i>List on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Atlas, Cassell’s Popular.</b> Containing 24 Coloured Maps. 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Blackboard Drawing.</b> By <span class="smcap">W. E. Sparkes</span>. With 52 Full-page Illustrations by -the Author. 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Book-Keeping.</b> By <span class="smcap">Theodore Jones</span>. <span class="smcap">For Schools</span>, 2s.; or cloth, 3s. <span class="smcap">For -the Million</span>, 2s.; or cloth, 3s. Books for Jones’s System, Ruled Sets of, 2s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>British Empire Map of the World.</b> New Map for Schools and Institutes. By -<span class="smcap">G. R. Parkin</span> and <span class="smcap">J. G. Bartholomew</span>, F.R.G.S. Mounted on cloth, varnished, -and with Rollers or Folded. 25s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Chemistry, The Public School.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. H. Anderson</span>, M.A. 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cookery for Schools.</b> By <span class="smcap">Lizzie Heritage</span>. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Dulce Domum.</b> Rhymes and Songs for Children. Edited by <span class="smcap">John Farmer</span>, -Editor of “Gaudeamus,” &c. Old Notation and Words, 5s. N.B.—The Words of -the Songs in “Dulce Domum” (with the Airs both in Tonic Sol-Fa and Old Notation) -can be had in Two Parts, 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>England, A History of.</b> From the Landing of Julius Cæsar to the Present Day. -By <span class="smcap">H. O. Arnold-Forster</span>, M.P. Fully Illustrated. 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>English Literature, A First Sketch of</b>, from the Earliest Period to the Present -Time. By Prof. <span class="smcap">Henry Morley</span>. 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Euclid, Cassell’s.</b> Edited by Prof. <span class="smcap">Wallace</span>, M.A. 1s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Euclid, The First Four Books of.</b> <i>New Edition.</i> In paper, 6d.; cloth, 9d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>French, Cassell’s Lessons in.</b> <i>New and Revised Edition.</i> Parts I. and II., each -1s. 6d.; complete, 2s. 6d. Key, 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>French-English and English-French Dictionary.</b> 3s. 6d. or 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>French Reader, Cassell’s Public School.</b> By <span class="smcap">Guillaume S. Conrad</span>. 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Galbraith and Haughton’s Scientific Manuals.</b></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Euclid. Books I., II., III. 2s. 6d. Books IV., V., VI. 2s. 6d. Mathematical Tables. 3s. 6d.<br /> - -Mechanics. 3s. 6d. Hydrostatics. 3s. 6d. Algebra. Part I., cloth, 2s. 6d. Complete, 7s. 6d.<br /> - -Tides and Tidal Currents, with Tidal Cards, 3s.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Gaudeamus.</b> Songs for Colleges and Schools. Edited by <span class="smcap">John Farmer</span>. 5s. -Words only, paper, 6d.; cloth, 9d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Geometry, First Elements of Experimental.</b> By <span class="smcap">Paul Bert</span>. Illustrated. 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>German Dictionary, Cassell’s.</b> German-English, English-German. <i>Cheap -Edition</i>, cloth, 3s. 6d.; half-morocco, 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>German Reading, First Lessons in.</b> By <span class="smcap">A. Jägst</span>. Illustrated. 1s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Hand and Eye Training.</b> By <span class="smcap">George Ricks</span>, B.Sc., and <span class="smcap">Joseph Vaughan</span>. -Illustrated. Vol. I. Designing with Coloured Papers. Vol. II. Cardboard Work. -2s. each. Vol. III. Colour Work and Design. 3s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Hand and Eye Training.</b> By <span class="smcap">G. Ricks</span>, B.Sc. Two Vols., with 16 Coloured -Plates in each. 6s. each. <b>Cards for Class Use.</b> Five Sets. 1s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Historical Cartoons, Cassell’s Coloured.</b> Size 45 in. × 35 in., 2s. each. Mounted -on canvas and varnished, with rollers, 5s. each. (Descriptive pamphlet, 16 pp., 1d.)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Italian Lessons, with Exercises, Cassell’s.</b> In One Vol. 2s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Latin Dictionary, Cassell’s.</b> (Latin-English and English-Latin.) 3s. 6d.; -half-morocco, 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Latin Primer, The New.</b> By Prof. <span class="smcap">J. P. Postgate</span>. 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Latin Primer, The First.</b> By Prof. <span class="smcap">Postgate</span>. 1s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Latin Prose for Lower Forms.</b> By <span class="smcap">M. A. Bayfield</span>, M.A. 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Laws of Every-Day Life.</b> For the Use of Schools. By <span class="smcap">H. O. Arnold-Forster</span>, -M.P. 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Lessons in Our Laws; or, Talks at Broadacre Farm.</b> By <span class="smcap">H. F. Lester</span>, B.A. -In Two Parts. 1s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Little Folks’ History of England.</b> By <span class="smcap">Isa Craig-Knox</span>. Illustrated. 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Making of the Home, The.</b> By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Samuel A. Barnett</span>. 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Map Building for Schools.</b> A Practical Method of Teaching Geography -(England and Wales). By <span class="smcap">J. H. Overton</span>, F.G.S. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Marlborough Books</b>:—Arithmetic Examples. 3s. French Exercises. 3s. 6d. French -Grammar. 2s. 6d. German Grammar. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Mechanics, Applied.</b> By <span class="smcap">John Perry</span>, M.E., D.Sc., &c. Illustrated. 7s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Mechanics for Young Beginners.</b> By the Rev. <span class="smcap">J. G. Easton</span>, M.A. <i>Cheap -Edition</i>, 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Mechanics and Machine Design, Numerical Examples in Practical.</b> By -<span class="smcap">R. G. Blaine</span>, M.E. <i>New Edition, Revised and Enlarged.</i> With 79 Illustrations. -Cloth, 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Models and Common Objects, How to Draw from.</b> By <span class="smcap">W. E. Sparkes</span>. -Illustrated. 3s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Models, Common Objects, and Casts of Ornament, How to Shade from.</b> By -<span class="smcap">W. E. Sparkes</span>. With 25 Plates by the Author. 3s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Natural History Coloured Wall Sheets, Cassell’s New.</b> Consisting of 16 -subjects. Size, 39 by 31 in. Mounted on rollers and varnished. 3s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Object Lessons from Nature.</b> By Prof. <span class="smcap">L. C. Miall</span>, F.L.S., F.G.S. Fully -Illustrated. <i>New and Enlarged Edition.</i> Two Vols. 1s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Physiology for Schools.</b> By <span class="smcap">Alfred T. Schofield</span>, M.D., M.R.C.S., &c. -Illustrated. 1s. 9d. Three Parts, paper covers, 5d. each; or cloth limp, 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Poetry Readers, Cassell’s New.</b> Illustrated. 12 Books. 1d. each. Cloth, 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Popular Educator, Cassell’s.</b> With Revised Text, New Maps, New Coloured -Plates, New Type, &c. Complete in Eight Vols., 5s. each; or Eight Vols. in Four, -half-morocco, 50s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Readers, Cassell’s “Belle Sauvage.”</b> An Entirely New Series. Fully Illustrated. -Strongly bound in cloth. (<i>List on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Reader, The Citizen.</b> By <span class="smcap">H. O. Arnold-Forster</span>, M.P. Cloth, 1s. 6d.; also a -Scottish Edition, cloth, 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Readers, Cassell’s Classical.</b> Vol. I., 1s. 8d.; Vol. II., 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Reader, The Temperance.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. Dennis Hird</span>. 1s. or 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Readers, Cassell’s “Higher Class.”</b> (<i>List on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Readers, Cassell’s Readable.</b> Illustrated. (<i>List on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Readers for Infant Schools, Coloured.</b> Three Books. 4d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Readers, Geographical, Cassell’s New.</b> With Numerous Illustrations in each -Book. (<i>List on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Readers, The Modern Geographical.</b> Illustrated throughout. (<i>List on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Readers, The Modern School.</b> Illustrated. (<i>List on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Rolit.</b> An entirely novel system of learning French. By <span class="smcap">J. J. Tylor</span>. 3s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Round the Empire.</b> By <span class="smcap">G. R. Parkin</span>. With a Preface by the Rt. Hon. the -Earl of Rosebery, K.G. Fully Illustrated. 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Science Applied to Work.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. A. Bower</span>. Illustrated. 1s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Science of Every-Day Life.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. A. Bower</span>. Illustrated. 1s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Sculpture, A Primer of.</b> By <span class="smcap">E. Roscoe Mullins</span>. Illustrated. 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Shakspere’s Plays for School Use.</b> Illustrated. 9 Books. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Spelling, A Complete Manual of.</b> By <span class="smcap">J. D. Morell</span>, LL.D. 1s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Technical Educator, Cassell’s.</b> A New Cyclopædia of Technical Education, -with Coloured Plates and Engravings. Complete in Six Vols., 3s. 6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Technical Manuals, Cassell’s.</b> Illustrated throughout. 16 Vols., from 2s. to 4s. 6d. -(<i>List free on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Technology, Manuals of.</b> Edited by Prof. <span class="smcap">Ayrton</span>, F.R.S., and <span class="smcap">Richard -Wormell</span>, D.Sc., M.A. Illustrated throughout. (<i>List on application.</i>)</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Things New and Old; or, Stories from English History.</b> By <span class="smcap">H. O. Arnold-Forster</span>, -M.P. Fully Illustrated. Strongly bound in cloth. Seven Books from 9d. -to 1s. 8d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>World of Ours, This.</b> By <span class="smcap">H. O. Arnold-Forster</span>, M.P. Fully Illustrated. <i>Cheap -Edition.</i> 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Young Citizen, The</b>; or, Lessons in our Laws. By <span class="smcap">H. F. Lester</span>. Fully -Illustrated. 2s. 6d.</p> - - -<p class="adtitle">Books for Young People.</p> - - -<p class="hang"><b>Two Old Ladies, Two Foolish Fairies, and a Tom Cat.</b> The Surprising Adventures -of Tuppy and Tue. A New Fairy Story. By <span class="smcap">Maggie Browne</span>. With -Four Coloured Plates and Illustrations in text. Cloth, 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Micky Magee’s Menagerie; or, Strange Animals and their Doings.</b> By -<span class="smcap">S. H. Hamer</span>. With 8 Coloured Plates and other Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Harry Neilson</span>. -Coloured Boards, 1s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>The Victoria Painting Book for Little Folks.</b> Containing about 300 Illustrations -suitable for Colouring, 1s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>”Little Folks” Half-Yearly Volume.</b> Containing 480 pages of Letterpress, with -Six Full-page Coloured Plates, and numerous other Pictures printed in Colour. -Picture boards, 3s. 6d.; or cloth gilt, gilt edges, 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Bo-Peep.</b> A Treasury for the Little Ones. Yearly Vol. With Original Stories -and Verses. Illustrated with Eight Full-page Coloured Plates, and numerous other -Pictures printed in Colour. Elegant picture boards, 2s. 6d.; cloth, 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Beneath the Banner.</b> Being Narratives of Noble Lives and Brave Deeds. By -<span class="smcap">F. J. Cross</span>. Illustrated. Limp cloth, 1s.; cloth boards, gilt edges, 2s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Good Morning! Good Night!</b> Morning and Evening Readings for Children, by -the Author of “Beneath the Banner.” Fully Illustrated. Limp cloth, 1s., or cloth -boards, gilt edges, 2s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Five Stars in a Little Pool.</b> By <span class="smcap">Edith Carrington</span>. Illustrated. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Merry Girls of England.</b> By <span class="smcap">L. T. Meade</span>. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Beyond the Blue Mountains.</b> By <span class="smcap">L. T. Meade</span>. Illustrated. 5s.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>The Cost of a Mistake.</b> By <span class="smcap">Sarah Pitt</span>. Illustrated. <i>New Edition.</i> 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>The Peep of Day.</b> Cassell’s Illustrated Edition. 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>A Book of Merry Tales.</b> By <span class="smcap">Maggie Browne</span>, <span class="smcap">Sheila</span>, <span class="smcap">Isabel Wilson</span>, and -<span class="smcap">C. L. Matéaux</span>. Illustrated. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>A Sunday Story-Book.</b> By <span class="smcap">Maggie Browne</span>, <span class="smcap">Sam Browne</span>, and <span class="smcap">Aunt -Ethel</span>. Illustrated. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Story Poems for Young and Old.</b> By <span class="smcap">E. Davenport</span>. 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Pleasant Work for Busy Fingers.</b> By <span class="smcap">Maggie Browne</span>. Illustrated. 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Magic at Home.</b> By Prof. <span class="smcap">Hoffman</span>. Fully Illustrated. A Series of easy -and startling Conjuring Tricks for Beginners. Cloth gilt, 3s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Little Mother Bunch.</b> By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Molesworth</span>. Illustrated. <i>New Edition.</i> 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Heroes of Every-Day Life.</b> By <span class="smcap">Laura Lane</span>. With about 20 Full-page -Illustrations. 256 pages, crown 8vo, cloth, 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Ships, Sailors, and the Sea.</b> By <span class="smcap">R. T. Cornewall-Jones</span>. Illd. 2s. 6d.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Gift Books for Young People.</b> By Popular Authors. With Four Original -Illustrations in each. Cloth gilt, 1s. 6d. each.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>The Boy Hunters of Kentucky. By -Edward S. Ellis.<br /> - -Red Feather: a Tale of the American -Frontier. By Edward S. Ellis.<br /> - -Fritters; or, “It’s a Long Lane that has -no Turning.”<br /> - -Trixy; or, “Those who Live in Glass -Houses shouldn’t throw Stones.”<br /> - -Rhoda’s Reward.<br /> - -Jack Marston’s Anchor.<br /> - -Frank’s Life-Battle.<br /> - -Major Monk’s Motto; or, “Look Before -you Leap.”<br /> - -Tim Thomson’s Trial; or, “All is not Gold -that Glitters.”<br /> - -Ursula’s Stumbling-Block.<br /> - -Ruth’s Life-Work; or, “No Pains, no Gains.”<br /> - -Uncle William’s Charge.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>”Golden Mottoes” Series, The.</b> Each Book containing 208 pages, with Four -Full-page Original Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth gilt, 2s. each.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>“Nil Desperandum.” By the Rev. F. Langbridge, -M.A.<br /> - -“Bear and Forbear.” By Sarah Pitt.<br /> - -“Foremost if I Can.” By Helen Atteridge.<br /> - -“Honour is my Guide.” By Jeanie Hering -(Mrs. Adams-Acton).<br /> - -“Aim at a Sure End.” By Emily Searchfield.<br /> - -“He Conquers who Endures.” By the Author -of “May Cunningham’s Trial,” &c.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>”Cross and Crown” Series, The.</b> With Four Illustrations in each Book. Crown -8vo, 256 pages, 2s. 6d. each.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Heroes of the Indian Empire; or, Stories of -Valour and Victory. By Ernest Foster.<br /> - -Through Trial to Triumph; or, “The -Royal Way.” By Madeline Bonavia Hunt.<br /> - -Strong to Suffer: A Story of the Jews. By -E. Wynne.<br /> - -By Fire and Sword: A Story of the Huguenots. -By Thomas Archer.<br /> - -Adam Hepburn’s Vow: A Tale of Kirk and -Covenant. By Annie S. Swan.<br /> - -No. XIII.; or, The Story of the Lost Vestal. -A Tale of Early Christian Days. By Emma -Marshall.<br /> - -Freedom’s Sword: A Story of the Days of -Wallace and Bruce. By Annie S. Swan.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Albums for Children.</b> Price 3s. 6d. each.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>The Album for Home, School, and Play. -Set in bold type, and illustrated throughout.<br /> - -Picture Album of All Sorts. Illustrated.<br /> - -The Chit-Chat Album. Illustrated.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>”Wanted—a King” Series.</b> <i>Cheap Edition.</i> Illustrated. 2s. 6d. each.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Fairy Tales in Other Lands. By Julia Goddard.<br /> - -Robin’s Ride. By Ellinor Davenport Adams.<br /> - -Wanted—a King: or, How Merle set the -Nursery Rhymes to Rights. By Maggie -Browne.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>”Peeps Abroad” Library.</b> <i>Cheap Editions.</i> Cloth gilt, 2s. 6d. each.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Rambles Round London. By C. L. -Matéaux. Illustrated.<br /> - -Around and About Old England. By C. -L. Matéaux. Illustrated.<br /> - -Paws and Claws. By one of the Authors of -“Poems Written for a Child.” Illustrated.<br /> - -Decisive Events in History. By Thomas -Archer. With Original Illustrations.<br /> - -The True Robinson Crusoes.<br /> - -Peeps Abroad for Folks at Home. Illustrated -throughout.<br /> - -Wild Adventures in Wild Places. By Dr. -Gordon Stables, R.N. Illustrated.<br /> - -Modern Explorers. By Thomas Frost. Illustrated. -<i>New and Cheaper Edition.</i><br /> - -Early Explorers. By Thomas Frost.<br /> - -Home Chat with our Young Folks. Illustrated -throughout.<br /> - -Jungle, Peak, and Plain. Illustrated -throughout.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Three-and-Sixpenny Books for Young People.</b> With Original Illustrations. -Cloth gilt, 3s. 6d. each.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Told Out of School. By A. J. Daniels.<br /> - -[+] Red Rose and Tiger Lily. By L. T. -Meade.<br /> - -The Romance of Invention. By James -Burnley.<br /> - -[+] Bashful Fifteen. By L. T. Meade.<br /> - -The King’s Command. A Story for Girls. -By Maggie Symington.<br /> - -A Sweet Girl Graduate. By L. T. Meade.<br /> - -[+] The White House at Inch Gow. By Sarah -Pitt.<br /> - -[+] Polly. By L. T. Meade.<br /> - -[+] The Palace Beautiful. By L. T. Meade.<br /> - -“Follow my Leader.”<br /> - -For Fortune and Glory.<br /> - -Lost among White Africans.<br /> - -[+] A World of Girls. By L. T. Meade.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="center">Books marked thus [+] can also be had in extra cloth gilt, gilt edges, 5s. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Books by Edward S. Ellis.</b> Illustrated. Cloth, 2s. 6d. each.</p> - -<blockquote><p> -A Strange Craft and its Wonderful Voyage.<br /> -Pontiac, Chief of the Ottawas. A Tale of the Siege of Detroit.<br /> -In the Days of the Pioneers.<br /> -The Phantom of the River.<br /> -Shod with Silence.<br /> -The Great Cattle Trail.<br /> -The Path in the Ravine.<br /> -The Hunters of the Ozark.<br /> -The Camp in the Mountains.<br /> -Ned in the Woods. A Tale of Early Days in the West.<br /> -Down the Mississippi.<br /> -The Last War Trail.<br /> -Ned on the River. A Tale of Indian River Warfare.<br /> -Footprints in the Forest.<br /> -Up the Tapajos.<br /> -Ned in the Block House. A Story of Pioneer Life in Kentucky.<br /> -The Young Ranchers.<br /> -The Lost Trail.<br /> -Camp-Fire and Wigwam.<br /> -Lost in the Wilds.<br /> -Lost in Samoa. A Tale of Adventure in the Navigator Islands.<br /> -Tad; or, “Getting Even” with Him.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cassell’s Picture Story Books.</b> Each containing 60 pages. 6d. each.</p> - -<blockquote><p> -Little Talks.<br /> -Bright Stars.<br /> -Nursery Joys.<br /> -Pet’s Posy.<br /> -Tiny Tales.<br /> -Daisy’s Story Book.<br /> -Dot’s Story Book.<br /> -A Nest of Stories.<br /> -Good Night Stories.<br /> -Chats for Small Chatterers.<br /> -Auntie’s Stories.<br /> -Birdie’s Story Book.<br /> -Little Chimes.<br /> -A Sheaf of Tales.<br /> -Dewdrop Stories.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Illustrated Books for the Little Ones.</b> Containing interesting Stories. All -Illustrated. 9d. each.</p> - -<blockquote><p> -Bright Tales and Funny Pictures.<br /> -Merry Little Tales.<br /> -Little Tales for Little People.<br /> -Little People and Their Pets.<br /> -Tales Told for Sunday.<br /> -Sunday Stories for Small People.<br /> -Stories and Pictures for Sunday.<br /> -Bible Pictures for Boys and Girls.<br /> -Firelight Stories.<br /> -Sunlight and Shade.<br /> -Rub-a-dub Tales.<br /> -Fine Feathers and Fluffy Fur.<br /> -Scrambles and Scrapes.<br /> -Tittle Tattle Tales.<br /> -Dumb Friends.<br /> -Indoors and Out.<br /> -Some Farm Friends.<br /> -Those Golden Sands.<br /> -Little Mothers and their Children.<br /> -Our Pretty Pets.<br /> -Our Schoolday Hours.<br /> -Creatures Tame.<br /> -Creatures Wild.<br /> -Up and Down the Garden.<br /> -All Sorts of Adventures.<br /> -Our Sunday Stories.<br /> -Our Holiday Hours.<br /> -Wandering Ways.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Shilling Story Books.</b> All Illustrated, and containing Interesting Stories.</p> - -<blockquote><p> -Seventeen Cats.<br /> -Bunty and the Boys.<br /> -The Heir of Elmdale.<br /> -Claimed at Last, and Roy’s Reward.<br /> -Thorns and Tangles.<br /> -The Cuckoo in the Robin’s Nest.<br /> -John’s Mistake.<br /> -Diamonds in the Sand.<br /> -Surly Bob.<br /> -The History of Five Little Pitchers.<br /> -The Giant’s Cradle.<br /> -Shag and Doll.<br /> -The Cost of Revenge.<br /> -Clever Frank.<br /> -Among the Redskins.<br /> -The Ferryman of Brill.<br /> -Harry Maxwell.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - - -<p class="hang"><b>Eighteenpenny Story Books.</b> All Illustrated throughout.</p> - -<blockquote><p> -Wee Willie Winkie.<br /> -Ups and Downs of a Donkey’s Life.<br /> -Three Wee Ulster Lassies.<br /> -Up the Ladder.<br /> -Dick’s Hero; & other Stories.<br /> -The Chip Boy.<br /> -Roses from Thorns.<br /> -Faith’s Father.<br /> -By Land and Sea.<br /> -The Young Berringtons.<br /> -Jeff and Leff.<br /> -Tom Morris’s Error.<br /> -“Through Flood—Through Fire.”<br /> -The Girl with the Golden Locks.<br /> -Stories of the Olden Time.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Library of Wonders.</b> Illustrated Gift-books for Boys. Cloth, 1s. 6d.</p> - -<blockquote><p> -Wonders of Animal Instinct.<br /> -Wonderful Balloon Ascents.<br /> -Wonders of Bodily Strength and Skill.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>The “World in Pictures” Series.</b> Illustrated throughout. <i>Cheap Edition.</i> -1s. 6d. each.</p> - -<blockquote><p> -All the Russias.<br /> -Chats about Germany.<br /> -Peeps into China.<br /> -The Land of Pyramids (Egypt).<br /> -The Eastern Wonderland (Japan).<br /> -Glimpses of South America.<br /> -Round Africa.<br /> -The Land of Temples (India).<br /> -The Isles of the Pacific.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Two-Shilling Story Books.</b> All Illustrated.</p> - -<blockquote><p> -Margaret’s Enemy.<br /> -Stories of the Tower.<br /> -Mr. Burke’s Nieces.<br /> -The Top of the Ladder: How to Reach it.<br /> -Little Flotsam.<br /> -The Children of the Court.<br /> -The Four Cats of the Tippertons.<br /> -Little Folks’ Sunday Book.<br /> -Two Fourpenny Bits.<br /> -Poor Nelly.<br /> -Tom Heriot.<br /> -Aunt Tabitha’s Waifs.<br /> -In Mischief Again.<br /> -Peggy, and other Tales.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Half-Crown Story Books.</b>.</p> - -<blockquote><p> -On Board the <i>Esmeralda</i>; or, Martin Leigh’s Log.<br /> -Esther West.<br /> -For Queen and King.<br /> -Perils Afloat and Brigands Ashore.<br /> -Working to Win.<br /> -At the South Pole.<br /> -Pictures of School Life and Boyhood.<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>Cassell’s Pictorial Scrap Book.</b> In Six Books, each containing 32 pages, -6d. each.</p> - -<p class="hang"><b>Books for the Little Ones.</b> Fully Illustrated.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Rhymes for the Young Folk. By William -Allingham. Beautifully Illustrated. 1s. 6d.<br /> - -The Sunday Scrap Book. With Several -Hundred Illustrations. Boards, 3s. 6d.; cloth, -gilt edges, 5s.<br /> - -Cassell’s Robinson Crusoe. With 100 -Illustrations. Cloth, 3s. 6d.; gilt edges, 5s.<br /> - -The Old Fairy Tales. With Original Illustrations. -Cloth, 1s.<br /> - -Cassell’s Swiss Family Robinson. Illustrated. -Cloth, 3s. 6d.; gilt edges, 5s.<br /> - -The New “Little Folks” Painting Book. Containing nearly 350 Outline Illustrations suitable for -Colouring. 1s.</p></blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><b>The World’s Workers.</b> A Series of New and Original Volumes by Popular -Authors. With Portraits printed on a tint as Frontispiece. 1s. each.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>John Cassell. By G. Holden Pike.<br /> - -Charles Haddon Spurgeon. By G. Holden -Pike.<br /> - -Dr. Arnold of Rugby. By Rose E. Selfe.<br /> - -The Earl of Shaftesbury.<br /> - -Sarah Robinson, Agnes Weston, and Mrs. -Meredith.<br /> - -Thomas A. Edison and Samuel F. B. Morse.<br /> - -Mrs. Somerville and Mary Carpenter.<br /> - -General Gordon.<br /> - -Charles Dickens.<br /> - -Florence Nightingale, Catherine Marsh, -Frances Ridley Havergal, Mrs. Ranyard -(”L. N. R.”).<br /> - -Dr. Guthrie, Father Mathew, Elihu Burritt, -Joseph Livesey.<br /> - -Sir Henry Havelock and Colin Campbell, -Lord Clyde.<br /> - -Abraham Lincoln.<br /> - -David Livingstone.<br /> - -George Müller and Andrew Reed.<br /> - -Richard Cobden.<br /> - -Benjamin Franklin.<br /> - -Handel.<br /> - -Turner the Artist.<br /> - -George and Robert Stephenson.<br /> - -Sir Titus Salt and George Moore.</p> - - -<p>⁂ <i>The above Works can also be had Three in One Vol., cloth, gilt edges, 3s.</i></p></blockquote> - - -<p class="center"><i>CASSELL & COMPANY, Limited, Ludgate Hill, London; -Paris, New York & Melbourne.</i></p> -</div> -<div class="transnote"> - -<h3>Transcriber's Notes</h3> - -<p>Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations -in hyphenation have been standardised but all other spelling and -punctuation remains unchanged.</p> - -<p>The repetition of the title on consecutive pages has been removed.</p> - -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Grace O'Malley, by Robert Machray - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GRACE O'MALLEY *** - -***** This file should be named 51278-h.htm or 51278-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/2/7/51278/ - -Produced by WebRover, Chris Curnow, Les Galloway and the -Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net -(This file was produced from images generously made -available by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - - - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/51278-h/images/1_349-1.jpg b/old/51278-h/images/1_349-1.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 481af7a..0000000 --- a/old/51278-h/images/1_349-1.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/51278-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/51278-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 62233c4..0000000 --- a/old/51278-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/51278-h/images/i_349-2.jpg b/old/51278-h/images/i_349-2.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index cc4fa52..0000000 --- a/old/51278-h/images/i_349-2.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/51278-h/images/i_colophon.jpg b/old/51278-h/images/i_colophon.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 9d5a56b..0000000 --- a/old/51278-h/images/i_colophon.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/51278-h/images/i_title.jpg b/old/51278-h/images/i_title.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 990eebf..0000000 --- a/old/51278-h/images/i_title.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/51278-h/images/i_title1.jpg b/old/51278-h/images/i_title1.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 199d6b3..0000000 --- a/old/51278-h/images/i_title1.jpg +++ /dev/null |
