times puzzles me; for really I've done little for you.'

handle?'

'No, no, Masther Frank,' returned the other, straining and striving at the hinges; 'I'll have it up in a minute. It is just as well not to be seen by more people than we can help. One-two: there it is, off at last.'

He crossed the road with his burden, to let the vehicle pass through, and then placed the gate half-open, and fastened it in that position with a huge stone.

There, now; they'll think the way is clear,' observed he grimly; and if it's wheels that is afther us, I pity the next comer.'

"They'll ride, Dick; you may take your oath of that.'

'I suppose they will,' growled the other, as he climbed into his seat. If I'd 'a given it a thought, I'd 'a hamstrung the horses.'

The speaker of this truculent speech was a short, broad-shouldered man, of rough, though by no means ruffianly exterior. A cloth cap partly concealed his features, but what could be seen of them was rather attractive than otherwise, unless, indeed, you happened to be very anti-Milesian, for they were of that careless Irish type which seems to presage little of evil beyond dirt and drunkenness, and to promise faithfulness and endless fun. He wore a long frieze overcoat that reached to his gaiters, and though apparently of the same age as his companion, his appearance had nothing else in common with him. Their mutual relation in life would in fact at once have been taken for that of servant and master, except for the unusual warmth of manner that distinguished both, whenever they addressed one another. Dick sat on the hind seat, in order, doubtless, to watch the road along which their pursuers were expected, but always sideways, so that he could talk, as it were, into the other's ear-a nearness of communication, indeed, which the raging of the gale demanded.

'You'll be gettin' cold, Masther Frank,' observed he presently, the strong Irish accent in which he spoke now intensified by affectionate emotion. Just put this about you.'

'No wraps for me, Dick, to-night; I feel, even as it is, as though my very neck-tie choked me. Besides, that's your own coat, my good fellow ;' and he put aside the frieze that his companion offered him, with a steady but gentle hand.

'Sure, and why wouldn't it be?' urged the other. Ain't I used to cold and such-like? Haven't I been reared up hard from the cradle? -not like you, Masther Frank, though we fed at

the same mother's breast.'

'We did so, Dick; but that's no reason why you should literally give me the coat off your back; though I well know you would do more than that to serve me any day.'

'Yes, a deal more, in troth!'

'But, my good fellow, I ran no personal risk in either of those things. I had been vaccinated, and was therefore secure from catching the small-pox; and as for speaking up for you in the court-house, why, I was tarred with the same brush myself, and it would have been a mean and cowardly act, indeed, had I left you to bear the consequences of my own counsel.'

'You're always right, Masther Frank. I daresay, if the thing was properly put, you're more obligated to me nor I am to you. But in the meantime' (and here he changed his bantering tone for one of uncommon earnestness and fervour) I'm your friend and servant-yes, just that, with the blessin' of God' (he took off his cloth cap, and made the sign of the cross): 'drunk or sober, hale or sick, I'm your slave for life. I know it's foolish, sir' (for he saw the other was about to speak), but it's the same milk does it. It's stronger, by far, nor the same blood.'

A groan burst from the other's lips; and he lashed the mare, who was already going at headlong speed.

That was a nice thing to say to the young masther, after what has happened,' muttered Dick to himself. 'Holy Moses, what an omadhawn I am!'

Not a word was exchanged between the pair for several minutes; and, indeed, the rate at which they were going almost precluded it. But presently, as the pace slackened somewhat in consequence of sonie rising ground, the one who was called Master Frank once more broke silence.

'Dick,' said he, 'I want you to listen to me with all the sense you have, and as little of the fantastic notions belonging to County Tipperary as possible. You have shewn your devotion to my person; and if I were to part with you to-day for ever, I should say you were the most faithful friend that ever man had. In accompanying me to Falston, I little thought, of course, that I was causing risk either to myself or you; but as it has happened, I have done you a most serious injury. Are you aware, Dick, that, in the eye of the law, you have become an accessory after the fact?'

'Bedad! I'm not, sir; but it's yourself that's always afther tellin' me fine news; and I can easily believe it. It must be a grand thing, sure!'

SO

night-unpremeditated, undreamed of, as Heaven knows it was will be held by the law of the land to be no less than Murder. The provocation will never be taken into account, nor the long years of hypocrisy and deceit. If it was to do again, Dick? if I saw his mocking face set close to mine once more, and heard him sneer at my birth'

'Did he do that, Masther Frank?' interrupted Dick, with intense excitement. "O the villain!' 'He flouted me; he spoke bitter things of my mother, as though she had not been his own too. And then he attacked our father's memory: that was too much. When I remembered how I had seen Louis fawn and flatter, and strive to cozen the kind old man every way; and saw him then, triumphant in his fraud, and sneering at the folly of his dead benefactor, I took him by the throat, Dick-I'

'Hush, hush! Put my coat on, Masther Frank; there's a spot on your shirt-front that is not ironmowld. I saw that from the first, though I didn't like to speak. Hide it, Masther Frank, lest them might see it that has less right than I to know how it got there;' and he wrapped the coat around his stalwart companion, who seemed neither to consent nor to resist, as tenderly as a mother cloaks her babe.

'He brought it on his own head, I tell you,' cried the other fiercely, as though in answer to some reproachful question. He denied me my rights, my natural rights, and what, but for him, would have been my legal ones. If he had only been fair-spoken, though dishonest'

'Bah! why trouble yourself,' broke in Dick, 'with thinkin' about the Thing? It's vain to cry over spilt '

'He struck me first,' continued Master Frank, not heeding the other's interruption: 'I feel the blow on my cheek yet. He was a dead man then, and he knew it. I had no idea there was such strength in him, Dick.'

'He came of a good stock, you see,' observed Murphy coolly. The breedin' told at last with him, though it was rather late. Upon my life, Masther Frank, I can't see what you are makin' this bother about, for conscience' sake. He was a bad lot altogether, savin' his brother's presence, and his end is a good riddance to all that's in it. If this had but happened in the ould counthry, the boys would have stuck by you with alibis and everything necessary, and there would have been no trouble about the matter at all, at all.'

That may be, Dick; but, unhappily, what has been done, has been done here; and at the very best, it is quite certain that I shall never see the boys again. I must put the broad seas between myself and England, if I would save my neck. And that brings me to what I wished to say at first. If the law takes hold of me, and finds you in my company, it will go hard with you also; for it is as like as not that some one down yonder'— he pointed to the road behind them-'may recognise your honest face. As for me, I am a lost man, unless I can leave Europe, and get somewhere out of the reach of what is ordinarily called Justice.'

'It's as bad as that, sir, is it?' answered Murphy. 'I'd no idea they'd be so hard upon you? It's strange they've the gumption to do it: he knows that if you were with us, the Good Cause at home must triumph, sooner or later; and so, all along of

a family squabble, he gets you put out of the way.'

"No, Dick, no,' replied the other mournfully; the Good Cause is dead, at all events for my lifetime. The match was applied too soon, and so, after a brief flicker, the fire went out, and will now be harder to kindle than ever. I told you how it would be, when you struck the light; and my advice to you now is, to go home as quickly as possible, and lie there quiet, and persuade the boys to do the like. I have plenty of money for you'

'You're not goin' to bribe me to Masther Frank?' interrupted the other. enough to put it so to me, any way.'

leave you,

'It's hard

'Bribe you? of course not, you foolish fellow : I do but point out what is the sensible and, I think, the proper course for you to adopt. You leave me in good health, and, so far as funds go, in prosperity; you have nothing, therefore, to reproach yourself with.'

Holy Moses, only hear him talk!' ejaculated Murphy. It isn't Masther Frank at all that I am listenin' to, but Pat Morris, the Limerick attorney! "Nothing to reproach myself with!" The boys would not think that when I got back to County Tipperary, I reckon. "And how did you leave the young masther, whom we all love so ?" inquires one. "Oh, finely," says I; "unless they've hanged him. I didn't stay to see it out, but filled my own pockets, and "- As sure as death, Masther Frank, I hear horses' hoofs behind us.'

'I know it,' answered the other calmly; 'I have heard them for some minutes. There are two men at least, but it is no matter if there were halfa-dozen. I will not be taken alive.'

'Never a fear of you, Masther Frank. It is much more these gentlemen's look-out nor ours. I've got the pistols under the sate here.'

"What pistols?'

"Why, your own, of course. A gentleman never moves without his pistols. I packed them up when I heerd tell of you goin' to Falston; "for," says I to myself, "they'll quarrel, will Masther Frank and Louis, to a certainty; and then what a comfort it will be to both to know that everythin' is at hand to settle the business like gentlemen."

'Did you think, then, that I should shoot, in cold blood, at my own brother?'

'I thought that there would be a difficulty of some sort-such as one of you, at laste, wouldn't be willin' the lawyers should meddle with. But since that has been got over in another way, so much the better; the pistols are still to the fore. If these gentlemen only knew what was waitin' for them, they wouldn't be in such an infernal hurry. Don't you disturb yourself, Masther Frank: I never was so beautifully fixed for shootin' in my life; it's quite a luxury. But keep the mare well in hand, for she isn't used to standin' fire.'

While he was thus speaking, Dick stooped beneath the seat, and drawing from their case a couple of pistols, deliberately capped them, and then sat calmly with one in each hand awaiting events.

'There has enough blood been spilled to-night already,' said the other earnestly, without, however, interfering with these preparations for receiving cavalry; and I would give much to escape these fellows, even upon their own account. Surely it is about here that the road forks to Ascot

if we could only take that turning, and so double upon them, we should be safe so long as the dark

held.'

'True; but the dark is so horridly dark, I doubt we shall hardly see the turnin'; it must, however, as you say, be somewhere nigh at hand. Keep the mare well in hand, sir; and I'll douse the glims, so that they may not see we have left the road.'

'That's well thought of; but they ride fast, those fellows, and you must be quick about it.'

'We have five good minutes, Masther Fred. ; this tearin' wind is with them, and brings up the sound'

'Clear the way!' cried Kavanagh, stung to reckless fury by the imminence of the peril behind him, or I'll drive over you.'

But the boy, throwing down his bundle, cast himself upon the bridle of the mare, and clung to it fast, though in her fierce career she carried him along with her, and never ceased his cry of 'Stop, stop, stop!'

'I'll "stop" you, young fellow,' muttered Murphy between his teeth, as he clambered back over the dog-cart for a pistol.

The tree-the fallen tree!' screamed the boy. 'Keep to the right, or you are both dead men !'

At that piercing cry, Kavanagh mechanically pulled his right rein, and the vehicle sprang into the air, once, twice, thrice, and then came to a full stop. To leap out was with the two men the work of an instant.

Hold the mare, boy.-Help me here, Dick, to pull the tree right across: so. I don't hear the

horses now: how's that?'

'We must have passed the turnin', and they are stoppin' there, in doubt of which road to take.' 'Just so.-Boy, you have done us a good turn,' said Kavanagh kindly: 'another foot to the left, and we should have gone to our account; whereas, as it is, we have but got a shaking over the branches. What can we do for you?'

'If you'd give me a lift, sir, towards town, I'd be very grateful,' said the lad. He was a wholesome, blue-eyed young fellow, with a comely face, flushed with his late exertions, and a bright, eager air.

'You shall have it, lad. Go, fetch your bundle.' 'Nay, Masther Frank,' remonstrated Murphy, as the young fellow obeyed; that is surely most imprudent; and there-see-he has noticed how the tree lies.'

The boy, whose attention had been hitherto absorbed in holding the mare, was now, indeed, observing with surprise, that that which had been before an obstacle difficult to avoid, was now become an effectual barricade. Begging your pardon, sir,' said he ingenuously, I fear you have made things worse for the next comers, instead of better.'

'What the blazes is that to you, sir?' cried Murphy angrily.

'Hush, hush! The lad is an honest lad,' sai Kavanagh, and wants to do right to everybody I was like that myself, at one time, God help me

Look here, boy: if you were followed by person who wished to punish you for what they deemed a crime, but of which your conscience held you innocent, would you not do your best to ball them?'

'Yes, indeed, sir,' exclaimed the boy warmly moreover, that is just what might be happening to myself now.'

'What! Have you been transgressing the law already?-Why, this must be a countryman of ou own, Dick!'

Dick muttered something which sounded like & compliment to his country, at the expense of the new-comer.

'I have broken no laws, sir,' said the boy steadily; 'I have only run away from step-father.' "Very right, very proper, remarked Master Frank approvingly. Curiously enough, I also am running away from my step-mother, Mrs Eng. land.-Why, they're coming, Dick !'

'Of course they are. That's what comes o wasting precious moments in chatterin' to every young vagabond one meets with upon the road and all the time with them gig-lamps turned right round, as much as to say: This way; here we are: you've taken the wrong turnin', gentle men."

66

'They will prove Wreckers' lights, to lure them to destruction, Dick. Douse them, douse them.'

In one instant all was dark; not a trace of trunk or branch could now be seen of the huge tree that lay before them like a rampart. On the still furious wind was borne once more the sound of galloping hoofs and clanging steel.

It is the patrol from the Heath,' murmured the lad in awe-stricken tones; 'I hear the clanging of their scabbards.'

The wind was behind their pursuers: the hill sloped from them towards the tree; they were riding at headlong speed.

'O sir! they will be killed. As you would have'

A heavy hand was laid on the lad's mouth, a grasp of iron upon his wrist. He could neither speak nor move, but only listen. Nearer and nearer came the beat of feet, the clang of steel; the very champing of the bits could be heard; then crash, crash came horse and man, with one terrible cry, that seemed to pierce the wintry sky!

CHAPTER II. TAKING SERVICE.

There was silence for a minute, save for the roaring of the gale, then the boy felt himself lifted into the cart, and away sped the bay mare on her road again, as though she knew that Death and Ruin were at her heels.

"They're gruelled, Masther Frank,' was the first observation that was made in allusion to this catastrophe: 'them patrols is too heavy for steeplechasin'.

'I didn't cut down the tree. Their blood be on their own heads,' muttered Kavanagh gloomily. Then with eagerness: 'Where's the boy? I hope he got no hurt?'

He's here, sir, safe enough. He wanted a lift, so I thought it just as well to give it to him for a mile or two, so as to keep him out of harm's way.

'Put him here in front.'

'No, no, Masther Frank; you've got your hand full with the mare; and he wriggles like an eel.' 'Put him here, I say!' repeated Kavanagh imperiously.

The next instant the lad was swung on to the front seat, with as much ease as though he had been a carpet-bag. And yet he was a fine grown young fellow of seventeen or eighteen, with plenty of strength and vigour of his own, as had been already evidenced by his stopping the mare.

What is your name, lad?' asked Kavanagh kindly.

A stifled cough was the only reply. 'You're throttling the boy, Murphy. Did not I tell you to leave him to me?'

'I only put my finger in his neck hankecher to keep him studdy,' exclaimed Murphy apologetically.

Then take it out. He has done us a great benefit at the risk of his own life and limb, and I will not have him ill-used. Do you hear me, Murphy?'

It was clear that Murphy had no good-will towards the boy, not to say that, on the whole, he would far rather have strangled him than not; yet his tone was that of absolute submission as he answered: 'I hear you, Masther Frank, and it is done.'

'My name is Robert Chesney,' said the lad, articulating with some difficulty.

"Take a drop of the crater, Robert Chesney,' observed Dick, at the same time handing him a whisky-flask. There's nothin' like it for a sore throat. Never mind av it does burn you a bit: can't you see the masther wants you to talk to him?'

He spoke with entire simplicity; it seemed to him that what Master Frank desired must needs be acceded to by everybody, at no matter what personal inconvenience.

'If it does not hurt you, let me hear your story, boy,' said Kavanagh. How came you to be out on the high-road in such a mad night as this?'

'There are worse things than the winter winds, sir,' said the lad bitterly, such as cruelty, poverty, and hopelessness, and it was they that drove me out into it to-night. I am seventeen, and too old to be beaten any longer by a drunken step-father.' 'Unless, by bearing that, you could help your mother,' said Kavanagh. There was a tenderness in his voice, which contrasted very strangely with the passion he had so lately exhibited, and with the vindictive coolness which had permitted the patrols to rush upon their doom.

My mother died last year, sir. There is nobody at home to care for me. Step-father is one of the keepers in the Queen's forest; he never liked me; but of late he has taken to cudgel me, and I could not stand that, even for mother's sake.'

'I don't blame you for that, Robert. On the contrary, I should have cudgelled him.'

'So I did, sir,' replied the other naively. "We had a rough-and-tumble out in the oak copse, and I got the worst of it. I knew it was not so bad as I should get if I waited till to-morrow morning; and so, when he went out to watch, I packed up the few things I could call my own, and ran away. I had scarce got into the road yonder, when the big tree fell, within a yard of me; and seeing your

story.'

That's my

All of it?' asked Kavanagh, casting a searching glance at his companion. The rage of the tempest had spent itself, and the stars had begun to peep through the thinning clouds.

"Yes, all of it; so far, at least' (and here, notwithstanding his bold speech, the young fellow blushed like a girl), 'as it concerns you to know.'

'Tis best you keep a civil tongue in your head,' exclaimed Murphy, scandalised at this audacity, when the masther does you the honour to ask a question.'

The lad is quite right,' said Master Frank goodnaturedly. We don't boast of our sweethearts at seventeen.-Do we, Robert? So the wide world is before you, where to choose, and only one friend

in it?'

'Nay, sir; I have not one friend.'

'You are wrong there, my lad; for no man ever did a good turn to Frank Kavanagh, let me tell you, without making a friend.'

An ejaculation of horror burst from Murphy's lips. There now, we must kill him, Masther Fred. since you've told him who ye are. Did ever man hear of such madness!' and once more the lad felt his wrist compressed as in a vice, while an arm like a cable stole round his waist.

'Leave the boy, I say!' cried Kavanagh furiously, and for the first time speaking with an Irish accent. Thousand thunders! have I to speak three times? If you do him hurt, by Heaven, you shall answer to me for it!'

'But he'll tell, Masther Frank.'

'Let him tell. It would be only undoing what he has done for us, if he did.-Yes, boy; I am Frank Kavanagh-a name that you will soon hear identified with that of a murderer. Do I look like that? I don't deny I did the deed; but yet, I am no murderer. Will you believe them, or me?'

The young fellow looked up in his companion's handsome face, and answered ingenuously: 'I shall believe you, Mr Kavanagh; still, I don't think you did right to leave the tree in the road.'

'It was a question of those men's lives or mine, Robert Chesney. A hunted man cannot afford to be squeamish. Now, look you: I like your face, and would gladly do you a good turn, in guerdon for that you have done to me. What shall it be? You need not fear to ask, boy?' 'I was thinking, could you take me into your service, sir?' answered the lad hesitatingly.

You would find it a very poor one, my good lad,' said Kavanagh sadly. I am a desperate man in desperate case. In a few days, if I escape the vengeance of the law, I shall be leaving England for a distant land, and perhaps for ever.'

'So be it, sir. Let me go with you. I have heard my step-father say that England is not the place for a moneyless lad.'

'But what had you in your mind to do before we met?'

'I was bound for London, to try my fortune.' 'Thinking the streets were paved with gold, like Whittington, I suppose! Have you got a cat in your bundle?"

"He'll have one in his bag-more's the pity,' muttered Murphy despondently; and, mark my word, he 'll let it out.'

'Well, you can hardly be said to change your plan for a worse, since you have none at all, lad,'