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 :^l*c>> 

 
 HAMILTON KING, 
 
 THE SMUGGLER AND THE DWARF. 
 
 BY 
 
 THE OLD SAILOR, 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 
 TOUGH YARNS," " STORIES OF GREENWICH 
 HOSPITAL," &c. 
 
 IN THREE VOLUMES. 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON: 
 RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET 
 
 1839.
 
 Printed by J. L. Cox and Sons, 75, Great Queen Street, 
 Lincoln's-Inn Fields.
 
 H 
 
 C/5 
 
 Oi 
 
 <c 
 
 LO 
 
 in 
 
 > 
 
 f 
 
 
 MY LONG-ESTEEMED FRIEND 
 
 CO GEORGE CRUIKSHANK, 
 
 f— 
 
 DEDICATED 
 AS A TOKEN OF SINCERE REGARD, 
 
 BY 
 
 THE OLD SAILOR.
 
 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 But she, as one nigh of her wits depriv'd, 
 With nought but ghastly lookes him answered ; 
 Like to a ghost, that lately is reviv'd 
 From Stygian shores where late it wandered : 
 So both at her, and each at other wondered. 
 
 Spensek. 
 
 " Oh ! what shall I do ? — where can I go ? — 
 will nobody help me ?" were the cries of a little 
 girl about four years old, as she stood trembling 
 and .weeping at the entrance to a piece of mea- 
 dow land near the sea-port town of Wey- 
 mouth. The only individual in sight was a 
 stout-made elderly gentleman, mounted upon a 
 superb grey horse, apparently as quiet and as 
 playful as a lamb, for while it walked soberly 
 
 VOL. I. B
 
 2 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 and steadily along, it pricked up its ears, tossed 
 its head, and indulged in many other little plea- 
 santries that mark high breeding. 
 
 The rider was habited in a dress that corres- 
 ponded with the beau-ideal of a clerical farmer, 
 well to do in the world, and fond of the good 
 things of this life. He listened to the wailings of 
 the little mourner, and as he reined in his beau- 
 tiful animal to a stand-still, he exclaimed, — 
 " Fie — fie, little girl ! so young, and begging ! 
 there, go — go — go — go home ; mustn't beg ; 
 never beg ; bad habit, begging.'' 
 
 The girl gazed earnestly in his face for a mo- 
 ment or two to read its expression (for children 
 are apt scholars in the study of the human coun- 
 tenance), and finding that, though reproof was 
 on the tongue, there yet was benevolence in the 
 look, she approached still nearer to the gentle- 
 man, and in mournful accents, exclaimed, " Oh, 
 sir, mammy is dying ! she is going to leave little 
 Hammy and me; but, she says she can't die 
 without the minister.'*
 
 HAMILTON KING. 3 
 
 " What — what !'' enquired the person ad- 
 dressed, in a tone of eagerness, " is she dying, 
 and wants the clergyman? Run — run, little 
 girl ; run to that white house V pointing to an 
 eleo-ant mansion some quarter of a mile distant, 
 "run— run, the minister lives there.*" 
 
 " I Ve been, sir," replied the child, still crying, 
 " but he says he can't come, sir, because he \s 
 going to read prayers at the church." 
 
 " Did you tell him your mother was dying, 
 eh, little girl — eh.?" inquired the gentle- 
 man. 
 
 " Oh yes, sir," answered the child, " I told 
 him everything ; but he said he couldn't spare 
 time for strolling vagrants." 
 
 '* And is she so near her end, my child ?"" 
 asked the gentleman as he bent his earnest 
 attention to the girl's face, for the purpose of 
 detecting if possible whether there was any 
 intended imposition. 
 
 But the grief of the child was evidently 
 unaffected as she replied, " Oh, sir ; mammy 
 B 2
 
 4 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 says she shall never rise again. Oh, sir, she is 
 dying — she is dying V 
 
 " Make haste to the town, then,'' urged the 
 gentleman, " run — run ! or stop here, and I 
 will ride in and send " 
 
 " IVe been to the town, sir," answered the 
 weeping girl, " but nobody will come, and mo- 
 ther is dying ! Oh, sir, do, pray help her, and 
 do not let her die.*" 
 
 This was uttered in such wild accents of 
 real sorrow that a tear trembled in the eye of the 
 horseman as he solemnly responded, as if in con- 
 verse with his own thoughts, " Life and death 
 are in the hands of the King of Kings alone," 
 and then hastily added, "• well — well — well, little 
 girl, where is she ? where is your mother ?" and 
 then again communing with himself, he mur- 
 mured, " And am not I a minister ? an anointed 
 minister?" his hastiness of speech returned, 
 " Yes— yes ; take me to your mother, little girl ; 
 take me to your mother. Where is she .^" 
 
 " She's in the field here, sir ; we've been there
 
 HAMILTON KING. 6 
 
 all night, for mother had no money to get lodg- 
 ings," replied the child, running with eagerness 
 to open the gate, through which the gentleman 
 having passed, she again ran on before him as 
 fast as her little legs could carry her towards 
 a hay-stack that stood near the hedge in a 
 corner of the meadow. On reaching it she 
 disappeared for a moment behind it, and then 
 again emerging, she exclaimed " Mammy is not 
 dead, sir, but she cannot speak to me ! Oh, do 
 save her, sir, — do save her, for the sake of little 
 Hammy and me !'' 
 
 " Poor child !" said the gentleman, dismount- 
 ing from his horse, and throwing the reins over 
 a broken fence that had once served as a pro- 
 tection to the stack from cattle, he patted the 
 neck of his proud steed, which seemed rest- 
 less under such restraint, " Stand still, Gus- 
 tavus !" said he, and the animal immediately 
 obeyed. The girl eagerly watched his move- 
 ments, and then, taking him by the hand, he 
 suffered himself to be conducted to the back of
 
 6 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 the Stack, where a scene presented itself that was 
 well calculated to appal the generous sympathies 
 of humanity, whilst it humbled the aspirings of 
 mortal pride. 
 
 On a wide space between the hedge and the 
 stack, a female lay extended upon a plaid cloak, 
 with her head pillowed by some loose hay that 
 had been collected for the purpose. She was 
 emaciated in person, and the pallid hue of death 
 upon her brow was unnaturally contrasted by 
 the reddened flush of fever on the cheeks ; her 
 skin was delicately fair, and a single glance re- 
 vealed that in brighter, happier times, she had 
 been one of Nature's most lovely flowers. Her 
 large blue eyes were glistening and bright, but 
 it was only that glassy appearance which is 
 frequently the precursor of dissolution ; the 
 thin white hands were clasped upon the breast ; 
 the gold wedding-ring, mocking, by its ample 
 dimensions, the shrunk and wasted finger on 
 which it was placed. Her dress was that of 
 gentility in decay, as if the fading remnants of
 
 HAMILTON KING. 7 
 
 better days supplied a last and only resource. 
 By her side lay a remarkably fine boy about 
 two years old, who seemed by the traces of tears 
 upon his face to have cried himself to sleep. 
 
 To witness such a spectacle unmoved was im- 
 possible, and the visitor who now approached 
 gave ample indication that he possessed the best 
 feelings of the human heart. He bent down 
 over the dying woman, and put several ques- 
 tions ; but the melancholy,, satisfaction of reply 
 was denied, as she was unable to articulate a 
 single word. Still she was perfectly sensible, 
 and, placing her hands together in the attitude 
 of. supplication, she looked imploringly in his 
 face. The appeal was understood — the kind- 
 hearted man drew an ample silk-handkerchief 
 from his pocket, and, spreading it on the ground, 
 he knelt down ; then, taking off his hat, he 
 placed it carefully on some clean hay, and, 
 raising his hands in prayer, he bowed his head 
 in silence. 
 
 A wild hysterical chuckling of grateful delight
 
 8 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 rattled in the woman's throat as she witnessed 
 this demonstration ; she held up her own wax- 
 like hands in token that it was comprehended. 
 The girl knelt by her mother's head ; and there, 
 beneath the canopy of heaven, in the temple not 
 made with hands, — whilst the wild flowers 
 breathed their perfume in the hedges, and the 
 foliage looked beautiful in its early verdure, — 
 did the hearts of the living and the dying com- 
 mune with their Maker. At first the humble 
 petition was offered up in solemn stillness ; but 
 the earnest and imploring look of the woman 
 had a wider meaning. This, too, was under- 
 stood ; and in a few minutes the sonorous and 
 deep-toned voice of the minister was heard plead- 
 ing before the omnipotent Judge, from whose 
 decision there is no appeal. His hastiness of 
 utterance was gone ; his words came forth clearly 
 articulated — slow, solemn, and impressive. 
 
 '' Oh God, the Father of heaven ! whose 
 mercy is without bound, from thy eternal throne 
 look down upon this my dying sister of the
 
 HAMILTON KING 9 
 
 dust. Alleviate her bodily pain by the word of 
 thy power; forgive all her sins through the 
 mediation of a divine Redeemer ; strengthen her 
 faith whilst passing through the dark valley of 
 ihe shadow of death ; and as thy righteous rod 
 has bowed her down in tribulation, so also let 
 thy holy staff support her in the hour of disso- 
 lution, and finally bring her to thine everlasting 
 rest." 
 
 The minister paused ; for the sound of merry 
 voices and the clattering of horses' hoofs, as well 
 as the neighing of recognition from *' Gustavus,*" 
 came upon the breeze ; and, in another minute 
 or two, a numerous and splendid cavalcade 
 appeared upon the scene of action. Amongst 
 them were many of the handsomest and 
 bravest of England's pride, bearing the insignia 
 of nobility ; there were officers of the navy and 
 the army in their rich uniforms, displaying the 
 highest rank in both services ; but every tongue 
 was hushed — every one dismounted — every head 
 was uncovered, when they beheld the position 
 B 5
 
 10 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 of the reverend minister. The woman glared at 
 the gorgeous spectacle — it seemed to bewilder 
 her mind ; and, as if desirous of shutting out 
 the world, with all its pomps and vanities, she 
 closed her eyes as the prayer proceeded. 
 
 " Almighty Ruler,"" continued the minister, 
 " thy searching eye already knoweth the trans- 
 gressions and the sorrows of this thy suffering 
 creature here before thee, now trembling upon the 
 brink of the grave ; help her to call upon thee 
 in this last trying hour for pardon and for peace, 
 through the merits of that Saviour who was 
 chastised for our iniquities, and who expired on 
 the cross that we might be saved." 
 
 A tranquil smile settled on the woman's fea- 
 tures, and her moving lips gave indication that 
 her heart was in earnest prayer. The minister 
 observed it, and his utterance became more firm 
 and persuasive ; and as the big round tears suc- 
 ceeded each other down his cheeks, he con- 
 tinued — 
 
 " Oh ! let the still small voice of supplication.
 
 HAMILTON KING. 1] 
 
 though unheard by mortal ears, ascend to the 
 footstool of thy throne. Remove the crown of 
 thorns which the frailty of human nature may 
 have placed upon her head, and pour upon her 
 the healing balm of sovereign grace, to wash out 
 every guilty stain." 
 
 Here his voice faltered with emotion, and for 
 several minutes his entreaties were only known 
 to that great Being to whom they were ad- 
 dressed. The woman, too, seemed to be simi- 
 larly engaged, whilst every soul in that assem- 
 bled group acknowledged the presence of the 
 Deity. At length the minister resumed, and 
 concluded his prayer, saying, — 
 
 •' Oh God, the Father of heaven, have mercy 
 upon us miserable sinners, and so teach us to 
 number our days that we may apply our hearts 
 unto wisdom." 
 
 The female opened her eyes, and extended one 
 hand to the oracle of peace ; with the other she 
 directed his attention to her children. 
 
 " Yes — yes," replied he, " they shall be taken
 
 12 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 care of, my poor woman ; but can nothing be 
 done ?" He beckoned to one of the numerous 
 party, who immediately advanced, and, as if 
 well accustomed to such operations, he felt the 
 pulse, placed his hand upon the heart, examined 
 the pupil of the eye, and then shook his head. — 
 " Is there no hope, doctor ?" inquired the still 
 kneeling minister. 
 
 " No, Sire," returned the physician — " none. 
 All in your Majesty *s dominions could not save 
 her." 
 
 The question and rejoinder, though spoke only 
 in whispers, was not unheard by the female ; it 
 seemed to rally life back to its stronghold. She 
 involuntarily, and without help, sat upright ; 
 a gaze of intense eagerness was bent upon the 
 monarch's countenance; the last effort of ex- 
 piring nature was put forth, and, grasping the 
 sovereign's arm, she exclaimed, " My king — my 
 husband — my children !" Her latest breath 
 departed with the words ; her grasp relaxed, and 
 she fell backward — a corpse.
 
 HAMILTON KING. 13 
 
 During the foregoing proceeding the girl re- 
 mained a silent but weeping spectator; but 
 when she saw her mother fall, and became con- 
 vinced that she was dead, she threw her little 
 arms round her neck, laid her head upon the 
 bosom on which she had so often hung in 
 infancy, whilst her piercing shrieks rung wildly 
 through the air, and awakened the sleeping 
 boy, who rubbed his drowsy eyes, smiled play- 
 fully as he beheld the prancing horses and the 
 glittering uniforms — then turning to the dead 
 he hid his face in the cloak. 
 
 The king arose from his kneeling position, 
 gave directions to his attendants relative to the 
 body of the departed, and ordered inquiries to 
 be instituted for the purpose of ascertaining 
 whether there were any relatives or friends in 
 existence to whose bounty and care the sur- 
 vivors might lay claim. 
 
 " And what is to be done with the children 
 in the mean time, sire ?" asked the confidential 
 servant who had received the instructions.
 
 14 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 " Let them be taken care of, and provided 
 for,"" replied the monarch, looking with kindly 
 feelings of benevolence on the bereaved ; " the 
 queen will decide the rest. Yes, yes, yes, must 
 show the poor things to Charlotte."" 
 
 The royal cavalcade remounted and withdrew 
 from a scene in which the King of Terrors 
 had shown his sovereignty before the greatest 
 monarch in the universe, and princes had re- 
 ceived an important moral lesson on the insta- 
 bility of human life. 
 
 And what is death ? — a fearful mystery that 
 is ever before us ! Youth, manhood, beauty, 
 — all that is brave and honourable, all that is 
 great and good, fall before the tyrant; and 
 those who have loved and cherished the living, 
 turn with dread and disgust from the corpse, 
 thrusting it hastily from their sight as a loath- 
 some thing. There is a chilling horror in listen- 
 ing to the groaning of the screws as they confine 
 the coffin-lid over features that are well remem- 
 bered in the heart, and over motionless hands
 
 HAMILTON KING. 15 
 
 that once were pressed with the ardency of warm 
 affection. And what is life ? — the soldier and 
 sailor traffic in it at a few pence a day ! 
 
 In about an hour a hearse arrived at the spot 
 in which the body was deposited, and the chil- 
 dren followed in a close carriage which had been 
 sent for the purpose by the worthy physician, 
 the girl weeping as if her heart would break ; 
 the boy, unconscious of his loss, delighted 
 with the novelty of his situation as the melan- 
 choly procession passed through the assembled 
 crowds, who had gleaned some circumstances 
 connected with the occurrence from persons in 
 his Majesty''s suite, and had thronged together 
 through curiosity to witness the spectacle, as 
 well as to express their admiration of the pa- 
 ternal solicitude of their royal master. 
 
 Admirable are those inquisitions in England 
 which so promptly investigate the causes of 
 sudden death ; and though it must be admitted 
 that in numerous instances the presiding officers 
 were extremely illiterate men, yet they generally
 
 16 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 possessed plain common sense and sterling ho- 
 nesty. A coroner''s jury was summoned; — the 
 supremacy of the law was established by the 
 Sovereign making his deposition ; — the children 
 were questioned, but nothing could be elicited 
 except from the girl, who stated that she had 
 lived in a pretty cottage with her parents, had 
 been turned out from it, and her father taken 
 away, — she had crossed a wide pond of water 
 with her mother, — had travelled on foot many 
 days till they reached a great town, and went to 
 the king'*s house, but finding he was not there, 
 they had again set out ; — her mother had sick- 
 ened on the road the evening previously to her 
 dissolution ; — destitute of money to procure 
 lodging or food, she had laid her on her death- 
 bed, — the child had gathered hay for her pillow, 
 — the night was passed beneath the canopy of 
 heaven, and the last consolations of religion had 
 l^een administered by the royal defender of the 
 faith. 
 
 There was no clue as to whence they came>
 
 HAMILTON KING. 17 
 
 or the purport of their journey, except the fol- 
 lowing letter, written in a bold free hand, which 
 was found in the pocket of the woman : the di- 
 rection was torn off, but the other part was un- 
 touched. 
 
 " Dearest, dearest Ellen, 
 
 " My hard-hearted brother is inexorable ; 
 he has closed every avenue of communication 
 with my father, who but little imagines the 
 wretched situation of his unhappy son. On you, 
 then, Ellen, I must rely to put in practice the 
 scheme we conversed about as a last resource. 
 Hasten to London — lose not a moment — plead 
 for me, and endeavour to save your wretched 
 husband from the horrible fate which now 
 threatens him. Oh ! Ellen, dearest Ellen ! by 
 the remembrance of past endearments, — by your 
 love for me and for our children, I implore you to 
 persevere, and may the Great Being whose wis- 
 dom is eternal, and power infinite, guard and 
 guide you. Do not come to me before you set
 
 18 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 out, lest suspicion should be excited, and your 
 purpose prevented. You are now my only hope. 
 May God bless and restore you to your loving 
 husband. 
 
 " T. H. C." 
 
 This was dated about three weeks previously to 
 the woman's death ; but there was the date only, 
 and the jury, after considering the evidence, re- 
 turned a verdict, " Died by the Visitation of 
 God." 
 
 Subsequent inquiries traced the route of the 
 female from the neighbourhood of the metro- 
 polis. She had remained a few days in one of 
 the villages, sickness rendering her unable to 
 proceed ; but she had made no communication 
 respecting herself, and though in a very unfit 
 state, had continued her journey, till, wasted by 
 consumption, she died, as has already been de- 
 scribed, and after the inquest was decently in- 
 terred at the royal expense. 
 
 The gracious act of his Majesty to the dying
 
 HAMILTON KING. 19 
 
 sufferer soon became known, and loud and grate- 
 ful were the greetings of his loyal subjects when- 
 ever he appeared in public. The children, too, 
 respectably attired in mourning, were objects of 
 earnest attraction, and at length were conducted 
 into the royal presence ; but the pomp and 
 splendour which everywhere displayed itself 
 dismayed the girl, who shrank back in alarm; 
 whilst the boy, upon whom the strangeness of 
 the scene had no other effect than as a pleasant 
 show, looked earnestly from face to face to try 
 if he could discover the familiar features of a 
 friend. At length he recognised the good-hu- 
 moured countenance of the king, and hastily 
 ran towards him, but stopped short when he 
 beheld the stern and" rather repulsive look of the 
 lady by his side. 
 
 " See, see, Charlotte ! poor thing ! he recol- 
 lects me — he remembers me," uttered the king, 
 smiling; " Come, come, child; come here— pretty 
 boy — Charlotte — pretty boy — flaxen hair." 
 
 The child thus encouraged placed himself
 
 20 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 between the monarch''s knees, though not witli- 
 out evident awe of the queen, whose severity of 
 aspect however relaxed a little when she looked 
 upon the innocent and beautiful children who 
 had been so untimely bereaved of a mother. 
 
 " And what sal your name be .?" inquired her 
 majesty of the shrinking girl. 
 
 " I don't want it to be anything but what it 
 is, ma'*am,'" replied the child as the tears started 
 to her eyes. 
 
 " And what must dat be ?" repeated the 
 queen, whose imperfect English confused the girl. 
 
 " What is your name ? — what, what — yes 
 your name ?''* asked the king, " don't be fright- 
 ened, — there then, there, — the queen wants to 
 know your name ?^'' 
 
 " My name, sir ?" reiterated the girl, curtsey- 
 ing, " my name, sir, is Ellen ; — Nelly they used 
 to call me at the cottage." 
 
 " Ellen, eh," repeated her majesty with some 
 degree of unintentional harshness, " and what 
 sal be de name for your broder ?"
 
 HAMILTON KING. 21 
 
 " What you please, ma'am,*" answered the 
 girl, "but we always called him at home, 
 Hammy." 
 
 " Hammy — Hammy ?" said the king, " what 
 can that mean — what, what, eh ? Hampstead or 
 Hammersmith ? droll name, Charlotte, to bap- 
 tise a child — very droll/' 
 
 '' Have you discover no other name ?'** in- 
 quired the queen as she extended her hand to 
 the girl. 
 
 " No Charlotte, — no no, — none none,"*' replied 
 the monarch ; " Hammy — Hammy," (the boy 
 looked up and smiled,) " strange name, — comi- 
 cal name.'" 
 
 " I presume, your Majesty, that it is an ab- 
 breviation of Hamilton," said a fine handsome 
 young man who stood at the sovereign's elbow, 
 «' and as your Majesty would probably like to 
 give him a sur-name, I would venture to suggest 
 that of King — Hamilton King,*" and a knowing- 
 look at one of the attendants plainly mani- 
 fested the intended joke of the speaker.
 
 22 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 " Good — good !— very good !" said the easily 
 pleased monarch, " let it be King, — Hamilton 
 King ; — I can make it so, I suppose ? Yes, yes, 
 yes, it shall be King,— quick wit of Georg&'s, 
 Charlotte, very quick." 
 
 "But what sal your Majesty propose to be 
 done mid 'em ?" inquired the queen, in an under- 
 tone ; "we cannot afford de moosh expence ; 
 had it not been the best ting to send 'em to de 
 workhouse." 
 
 " Fie, fie, Charlotte !" returned the king in 
 the same low voice, and laying his hand gently 
 on her arm ; " What, what, — what would my 
 people say ? — No no, Charlotte, they are a sort 
 of God-send — mustn't, — no no, mustn't let 
 them go to the workhouse." He then added in a 
 whisper, " Can do it cheap, Charlotte, — can do 
 it cheap, — public institutions, — capital schools;" 
 then raising his voice, " Yes yes, must take care 
 of them — poor things !" 
 
 His royal consort seemed more appeased by 
 this explanation, and in a few minutes after-
 
 HAMILTON KING. 23 
 
 wards the children were removed and placed 
 under the superintendence of a female whose 
 husband, a sergeant in the regulars, was at that 
 period abroad with his regiment on foreign 
 service. The circumstance of their being pro- 
 tegees of the king and queen, induced great 
 numbers of the nobility and others to visit 
 them. The person they were with finding it ex- 
 tremely profitable to show them off to the best 
 advantage, certainly did her duty and was kind 
 and motherly ; she had only one child of her 
 own, a boy about the age of Ellen, and the con- 
 stant contact with persons of education and rank 
 had a very powerful influence on the manners 
 and conduct of the youngsters. Mrs. Jones 
 took a neat little residence about a mile from the 
 town ; it was a pleasant five minutes' carriage 
 jaunt, and during the season she found by her 
 exchequer that the speculation told well. 
 
 The healthiness of the situation, combined 
 with the sea air, rendered the children hardy, 
 and his Majesty, whilst on the coast, took fre-
 
 24 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 quent opportunities of stealing away from the 
 courtiers to pass a pleasant hour of retirement 
 within the humble residence of the Serjeants 
 wife. Nor was Mrs. Jones a little proud of the 
 honour. She was a buxom, fresh-coloured wo- 
 man, tall and stout, and her behaviour was just 
 of that cast of character that was respectful 
 without being obsequious : she was neither over- 
 intrusive, nor under-diffident, and the king 
 found himself perfectly at ease in a quiet sort of 
 home, in which it was a positive stipulation 
 that he should only be known as " the gen- 
 tleman." 
 
 Twelve months rolled away ; the children 
 grew in strength, and did ample credit to the 
 care and attention of their foster parent, who 
 became much attached to her young charge. 
 The royal family again visited Weymouth, and 
 his Majesty expressed himself greatly pleased at 
 their healthy appearance. Once more Mrs. 
 Jones profited by the attendatice of the rich and 
 powerful (for all courtiers must smile on those
 
 HAMILTON KING. 25 
 
 whom monarchs deign to favour ;) but some- 
 how or other the queen rather discountenanced 
 the thing, and whispers, nods, and shrugs (oh ! 
 how many characters have been assassinated by 
 a nod, a shrug, or a wink of the eye,) hinted 
 that the royal lady was jealous of the buxom 
 Mrs. Jones, whilst insinuations equally ground- 
 less were thrown out that his Majesty gave his 
 consort cause for the torturing feeling. Thus 
 far went scandal ; but the fact was the queen 
 never in her life cherished so detestable a guest 
 as jealousy ; her''s was not the nature for so 
 strong a passion, and the only reason for her 
 disapproval arose from fear of expense, although 
 Mrs. Jones had received but little from royal 
 bounty, (except occasionally a present privately 
 from the king,) the nobility who frequently ho- 
 noured her residence with their presence, gene- 
 rally leaving ample donations for the pretty 
 children and their bonny nurse. As for the so- 
 vereign himself, his fidelity to his royal spouse 
 is too well known to call for any refutation of 
 
 VOL I. c
 
 26 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 the reports that were m circulation relative to 
 his intimacy with tlie Serjeant's v/ife. 
 
 Autumn came in due season, and, towards 
 its exit the royal family returned to Rich- 
 mond. At the close of one of those lovely 
 afternoons that are peculiar to this time of 
 year, the children, accompanied by Ned Jones 
 and a girl who attended them, had strolled to 
 the beach, and, in happy forgetfulness, whilst 
 racing with the mimic waves, the evening spread 
 her darkening shadows upon the face of the 
 waters ; but everything looked so beautiful and 
 serene, tinged with the gorgeous rays of the 
 setting sun, that danger was unthought of. 
 There was a light breeze from the south-east ; 
 the vessels in the offing were gliding smoothly 
 along, their white sails scarcely slumbering in ^ 
 repose, whilst the rattling of windlass pawls, 
 and the " heave-oich-yo'' of the seamen gave in- 
 dications that such as were lying at anchor were 
 heaving in their cables to get under way. 
 
 At this time an approaching boat attracted
 
 HAMILTON KING. 27 
 
 the attention of the juvenile parly on the beach ; 
 it was propelled by four stout men, whilst a 
 fifth, who seemed rather superior to the others, 
 steered ; in a few minutes its nose was on the 
 shore, the men jumped out, and hauled her up 
 higlier from the water. They were a reckless- 
 looking set, dressed in thick flushing jackets, 
 much longer than those usually worn by sea- 
 men, with trowsers of the same material. 
 
 " Are you correct as to the place ?" inquired 
 the man who appeared to be the superior. 
 
 " Is it meself as 'ud be desaved, tlien ?" re- 
 sponded ^ne of the crew in strong Irish accentua- 
 tion. " Fait, and it's the raal place, anyhow, 
 be token as I know every inch o"* the ground !'' 
 
 " Whereabouts is the house we are to go to ?'" 
 asked the first ; " this, I think, will be a very 
 good time to effect our pvirpose.*' 
 
 " Divel the better !'' assented the other. "As 
 for the house, ifs no great way off, barring the 
 distance. D'yer see yon glim there, right av/a}^ 
 among the green trees.*" 
 
 c 2
 
 28 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 " I do,*" returned the first, looking in the 
 direction which the other pointed out with his 
 extended hand. 
 
 "You do; very good ! but dat's not it,'" ut- 
 tered the Hibernian, with perfect self-command. 
 
 " D — n ! do you mean to trifle with me, fel- 
 low r* exclaimed the superior with impatient 
 warmth. 
 
 " Thrifle, eh ? is it thrifling you mane ?" re- 
 turned the second ; " small call there is for 
 thrifling, anyhow !" He caught sight of the 
 children as Ellen turned away with the servant, 
 and, grasping the arm of the steersman, he 
 added in a low voice, " The divePs offspring has 
 the diver s luck ! that's them, and not a living 
 sowl within hail.*" 
 
 ^' Come, Hammy," said Ellen as she walked 
 on, " let us go home ; it's getting dark. Come, 
 Ned ! Oh, Fanny, I do not like those men. I 
 am afraid,*" and she ran forward away from her 
 companions. 
 
 " After the young 'un in chase, Teddy !" ex-
 
 HAMILTON KING. 29 
 
 claimed the superior as he seized both boys, and 
 the person addressed immediately pursued the 
 child, who, with the servant was loudly shriek- 
 ing for help, and making off as fast as possible. 
 Figures were seen moving in the distance, and 
 Teddy, fearful of being taken, put about, and 
 returned with all speed to the boat, to which the 
 two boys had already been conveyed, and in an 
 instant she was launched afloat, and dancing 
 upon the waters. 
 
 "Out oars, and give way, my lads !" com- 
 manded the steersman, who resumed the tiller. 
 " Stretch out with a strong and steady stroke ; 
 we shall soon be beyond their sight, and may 
 defy them. But, how came you to lose the girl, 
 Teddy .^" 
 
 " Bekase I was afraid o' losing meself," re- 
 plied Teddy ; " but, what's the odds ? you've 
 got a pair of 'em ; and two childer's two childer 
 all the world over/' 
 
 "But these are two boys, and I wanted the 
 boy and girl," uttered the other ; " nor do
 
 30 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 I know which of the two is the one most 
 wanted." 
 
 '• Are you clane sure theyVe both boys ?*" in- 
 quired Teddy ; " I must have sthronger evi- 
 dence than mere matther of fact for the thruth 
 on it." 
 
 " They are indeed both boys, Teddy,*" as- 
 serted the -Steersman ; '' You may take my 
 word for it. However there is no help for it 
 now : we must be content with the young cocks, 
 and make out the best tale we can for the hen." 
 
 " Och, can't yer jeest say there is a boy and a 
 girl .?" argued Teddy persuasively. 
 
 "But that would very soon be detected," said 
 the steersman; "our employer knows a boy 
 from a girl, I should think !" 
 
 " Dethected is it ? and what of that .'^" rea- 
 soned the other ; " you take him a boy and a 
 girl; he finds out that the girPs a boy; but, 
 that's his business, and not your's, for, how can 
 you help the girl being a boy, seeing as it's none 
 o' your consarn anyhow."
 
 HAMILTON KING. 31 
 
 " No — no ; we must relate every particular, 
 Teddy y**"* said the steersman, " and leave others 
 to decide upon the course they will pursue. 
 These fellows, I suppose, don^'t understand what 
 weVe saying."'' 
 
 " Divel a haporth ! '" returned Teddy ; 
 " there''s not a sowl among Vm that ever harde 
 more than their mother tongue in their lives, 
 barring a bit of a do at a pathem or a 
 wayke.*" 
 
 The children in the boat had at first whim- 
 pered and cried ; but, being assured they were 
 only going a little way for a ride, and would 
 very soon be landed again, they became pacified, 
 and enjoyed what was to them a pleasant treat. 
 The men bent sturdily to their oars ; the buoy- 
 ant boat flew through the clear, smooth element, 
 tracking her way with brilliancy, that showed 
 itself more and more bright as the sombre shades 
 continued to fall with increasing darkness. 
 
 " There"'s the signal, Teddy,*" said the steers- 
 man, as he slightly altered his course ; " two
 
 32 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 lights at equal heights ; they Ve gone again, but 
 I can see the vessel. Tell the men to pull." 
 
 In an uncouth dialect the Hibernian ad- 
 dressed his comrades, who replied in a language 
 equally barbarous, and renewed their exertions, 
 so as in the course of a few minutes to get near 
 enough to a beautiful cutter to answer the hail. 
 They then swept up alongside, and found her 
 lying with the tack of her mainsail triced up, 
 her gaff-topsail lowered, and her fore-sheet to 
 windward, but still not lying dead-to, as steer- 
 age-way was kept upon her. 
 
 " Well, Peterson, have you succeeded .^" in- 
 quired a voice from the gangway. " You have 
 not been gone two hours, and I fear by the dis- 
 patch you have made, your scheme has failed.'"* 
 One of the children spoke. " Ha, ha ! all's 
 right, is it ? I hear the prattlers ; bring them 
 carefully on deck. Faith, Teddy, but you're 
 the very broth of a boy !*" 
 
 " An" that'^s what meself thinks, barring mis- 
 takes,"" replied the other as he gently raised
 
 HAMILTON KING. 33 
 
 young Hamilton in his arms, and lifted him up 
 the cutter's side, the person who had steered the 
 boat performing the same office for Ned Jones. 
 The boys were taken down into the cabin ; every 
 occurrence narrated ; sweetmeats were pro- 
 duced ; fatigue and sea-air soon operated on 
 their senses, and in a short time they were both 
 sound asleep in a snug little bed-place in the 
 captain's state-room. In the interval sail was 
 made upon the cutter ; the breeze freshened, 
 and the lively craft, yielding to its power, 
 dashed along through ripple and spray at the 
 rate of eight knots an hour. 
 
 c 5
 
 34 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 '* Then from beneath those g-em-like springs, 
 With music, whose magic utterings 
 
 May ne'er by mortal lips be told, 
 
 Leapt water-sylphids, to unfold 
 Their glittering gossamer wings." 
 
 When Ellen reached the habitation of Mrs. 
 Jones, she was too hurried and exhausted to 
 speak ; nor was Fanny, the servant, much better, 
 so that all that could be made out from their 
 incoherent expressions was, that a man had run 
 after them. 
 
 " Is that all ?'"' said the Serjeant's wife ; " a 
 pretty thing to make so much fuss about ; pray 
 where is Ned and Hammy .?" 
 
 " We left them on the beach, ma''am,''' said 
 Fanny ; "we left them both together." 
 
 " And is that the care you take of children ?^'
 
 HAMILTON KING. 35 
 
 exclaimed Mrs. Jones; "you abominable hussey, 
 to run away and leave two helpless innocents 
 alone upon the beach.'''' 
 
 " They were at the boat, ma^am,'"* uttered the 
 servant, crying. " Miss Ellen screamed and ran 
 away, and the man ran after her, and — '''' 
 
 " You ran too, I suppose,"' chimed in Mrs. 
 Jones ; "but come, away with you, and look 
 for the children — away, I say," and she drove 
 the girl out. 
 
 Some time elapsed, and they did not return ; 
 Mrs. Jones, therefore, equipped herself and sal- 
 lied forth ; but she knew not what direction to 
 take. An hour passed, and neither the servant 
 nor the boys making their appearance, the agony 
 of the poor woman became extreme. She sum- 
 moned some of the nearest neighbours, and, with 
 Ellen as a guide, they set out for the place where 
 she had left her brother and Ned ; but nothing 
 was to be seen but the ocean fading from sight 
 in the distant haze, and nothing heard but the 
 wash of the waters upon the shingly shore. Then
 
 36 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 did all the mother burst forth from the heart of 
 the Serjeant's wife, for she felt bereaved of her 
 child — ^her only child, and loud and bitter mail- 
 ings were borne upon the breeze. She was con- 
 veyed home in a state bordering on madness, to 
 find that no tidings had been heard of the lost ones. 
 
 All night did the search continue ; but, as the 
 reader must be aware, it was unavailing, and a 
 general opinion prevailed that the little fellows 
 were drcwned, for none supposed that a few 
 seamen in a boat would have carried such infants 
 ^way ; indeed, such a notion was considered too 
 preposterous to be entertained, and anxious looks, 
 as well as anxious enquiries, were daily made, 
 under the expectation that their little bodies 
 would be washed up upon the beach. 
 
 Months rolled away, and still there were no 
 tidings Communications had been forwarded 
 to his Majesty, and orders were promptly issued 
 to investigate the business. Large rewards were 
 offered for information, but no light whatever 
 was thrown upon the subject, and the wretched
 
 HAiMILTON KING. 37 
 
 mother was brought to the very brink of the 
 grave, whilst poor Ellen pined for her brother 
 and playmate till she shrunk away almost to a 
 skeleton. 
 
 Such was the posture of affairs at the return 
 of summer ; but the monarch did not this year 
 come upon the coast, and though many of the 
 nobility made short visits, yet few entered the 
 abode of the disconsolate Mrs. Jones. Amongst 
 those few, however, was Lady Alicia Gordon, a 
 widow in the prime of life, who had lived in 
 comparative seclusion since the demise of her 
 husband some ten years previously, that she might 
 devote the whole of her attention to an only 
 daughter, who promised fair to be the ornament 
 and delight of her declining years. 
 
 Suitors Lady Alicia had had many, for slie 
 was still handsome, and her manners were well 
 known to be peculiarly affectionate and engaging. 
 Dazzling offers were made, but maternal solici- 
 tude prevailed over all, and her days were given 
 to her child. The family mansion was a noble
 
 38 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 one, in the most delightful part of the county of 
 Kent ; and though she never closed her doors to 
 visitors, yet no inducement could urge her to 
 join in the busy doings of the gay world. Splen- 
 dour and macrnificence v/ere not encourafred as 
 essentials to her title and wealth ; but hospitality 
 was exercised as an indispensable requisite to an 
 old English baronial hall. 
 
 Lady Alicia was a native of Ireland, full of 
 warm feelings and benevolence, alive to suffering 
 in others, for she had keenly experienced it her* 
 self, and at all times ready to pour the balm of 
 consolation on the wounded mind, or to bind up 
 the broken spirit that shrunk from contact with 
 society. During the life-time of her husband 
 she had experienced but a small share of happi- 
 ness; for, though he was a man of splendid 
 attainments, yet early habits and early associates 
 had taken too deep root in his heart to be eradi- 
 cated. It is true that, when first married, his 
 propensities slumbered in the tranquil composure 
 of new and innocent enjoyments; but tliey awoke
 
 HAMILTON KING. 39 
 
 with fresh vigour, and were renewed with more 
 ardour as the novelty of wedded hfe wore off. 
 
 And yet in early youth Lady Alicia had not 
 only tasted, but had absolutely banqueted on 
 innocent pleasures. She was the tenderly and 
 ardently beloved of an anxious and affectionate 
 mother; the idolized of a fond father; every 
 rational wish of her heart was gratified almost 
 as soon as it had birth, and she was surrounded 
 by those who made it their own happiness to 
 render it to her. 
 
 Sir Phelim O^Toole was a rough but frank- 
 hearted baronet of the old Irish school, priding 
 himself upon his descent from the ancient kings 
 of Ireland, and keeping up a sort of feudal 
 state amongst his tenants and dependants, and 
 the numerous class of self-attached retainers who 
 stuck to their master with all the tenacity of a 
 burr to a Scotchman's plaid. His estate was 
 large, his tenantry numerous — but his returns 
 were very trifling ; for, somehow or other, the 
 pleasant notion had been established of a sort of
 
 40 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 community of property, and that, too, in a 
 manner the most characteristic of the genera] 
 practices of the country, viz. that the tenants 
 and hangers-on should contribute nothing — their 
 landlord every thing ; and this, in many in- 
 stances, was acted upon to the very letter. 
 
 Surrounded by whole troops of domestics, 
 who seemed to have no other earthly occupation 
 than that of attending on " the young mis- 
 thress," Alicia might have become a wild girl 
 of the mountains, in the neighbourhood in 
 which she lived, had not her mother been a 
 woman of education, whose understanding was 
 cultivated and fertile, and whose judgment was 
 regulated by prudence and taste. She beheld 
 with a parent's delight the unfolding loveliness 
 of her daughter ; and whilst she encouraged 
 those hardy exercises which gave health and 
 strength to the body, she also imparted suitable 
 instruction to afford right principles and firmness 
 to the mind. Nor was she deficient in those 
 accomplishments which, though only of an
 
 HAMILTON KING. 41 
 
 ornamental nature, add ^race and beauty to the 
 possessor. 
 
 Sir Phelim was ardently attached to the plea- 
 sures of the chase. He was a bold and fearless 
 rider, was never found at the tail of a hunt, nor 
 known to shrink from his bottle in the after- 
 dinner indulgences of the table. Political squab- 
 bles were his aversion, and he looked upon the 
 profession, as well the professors, of the law 
 as necessary evils, to be endured rather than tole- 
 rated. The sight of a lawyer operated upon his 
 mind in much the same way as the sight of a 
 shark stirs up the abhorrence of the seaman ; 
 he longed to hook him, and cut off his tail. Still 
 he was not — he could not be insensible to the 
 agitations and tumults which distracted the 
 country of his birth ; and whilst he deeply 
 regretted the outrages and excesses into which 
 his countrymen plunged, he found it im- 
 possible to exclude the conviction that they 
 had been goaded into acts of desperation by
 
 42 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 oppression or wanton cruelty. He saw men ap- 
 pointed to govern and command, who neither 
 knew nor cared to gain a knowledge of the gene- 
 ral disposition and temper of Irishmen ; and 
 even the hand of conciliation held a whip or a 
 sword by way of intimidation. 
 
 These things were not concealed from Lady 
 O^Toole or her daughter. Practical proofs were 
 almost daily presented either to their sight or to 
 their hearing; and in several instances, where 
 ruin had threatened to overwhelm some unfor- 
 tunate family, the head of which had been de- 
 nounced as a suspicious character, inimical to 
 the government, the ladies interceded with Sir 
 Phelim — not to protect, for that was impossible 
 to the extent of open protection — but to conceal 
 them from the parties who were sent to apprehend 
 them. This, together with their constant kind- 
 ness in the hour of adversity or peril, as well as 
 a readiness to promote all the national pastimes, 
 rendered " the ladthy and the young misthress"
 
 HAMILTON KING. 43 
 
 objects of worship to the fishermen and pea- 
 santry, and praises and blessings were showered 
 upon their heads wherever they appeared. 
 
 Castle Toole was situated near a wild part of 
 the coast, at no great distance from Bantry 
 Bay, in the county of Cork. The inhabitants 
 of the district were, generally speaking, of the 
 lower orders, amongst whom great wretchedness 
 at times prevailed ; and they were not unfre- 
 quently driven by famine to a state of destitution 
 and misery of which no adequate description 
 can be given, nor can the heart that never wit- 
 nessed such a spectacle possibly conceive the 
 extreme of suffering to which their fellow-crea- 
 tures are often reduced. 
 
 It has been said that much of this may be 
 attributed to the utter dislike which the Irish 
 cherish for any kind of compulsory labour ; for, 
 though they will voluntarily undergo almost any 
 fatigue if it suits with their humour or purpose, 
 yet they hold in abhorrence every thing like 
 work which their own immediate wants or abso-
 
 44 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 lute necessity would force upon them. Now, 
 although there may be, and no doubt is, a great 
 deal of truth in this view of the subject, yet it 
 must be admitted that there are many, very 
 many exceptions ; and persons who have never 
 visited Ireland may form some estimate of the 
 value of the argument from having witnessed the 
 conduct of the Irish reapers who visit England 
 during harvest-time. The patience and industry 
 with which they toil, the little food they re- 
 quire (and that, too, of the humblest descrip- 
 tion), and their indifference as to lodgings, have 
 always been a source of surprise, not unfre- 
 quently of commiseration, and sometimes of 
 abuse and contumely, amongst English labour- 
 ers ; and if further evidence was wanting of their 
 not shrinking from excessive toil, it may be ob- 
 tained on inspecting the most heavy and labo- 
 rious occupations in which strength and perse- 
 verance are required ; for there will Irishmen be 
 found. The paviour, the bricklayer's labourer, 
 the stonemason, and many other callings which
 
 HAMILTON KING. 45 
 
 need great muscular power, belong almost ex- 
 clusively to the Irish. 
 
 Still it must be confessed that Pat does not 
 love work for its own sake ; and really there are 
 very few of the descendants of Adam, whether 
 white, black, brown, or copper-colour, that do. 
 However, those in the neighbourhood of Castle 
 Toole thoroughly hated it ; and Sir Phelim 
 having a handsome fortune, independent of his 
 land, they seemed to think themselves privileged 
 to enjoy all they could get ; nor would the ba- 
 ronet allow of any such thing as racking or 
 driving of tenants if of tolerably good character, 
 though the rent remained in long arrears, and 
 thelettings were capable of considerable improve- 
 ment. It is true his cattle and sheep were in 
 constant securit}^, except now and then a stray 
 lamb disappeared by accident, without any clue 
 to the course of its wandering ; and his game 
 was well preserved, though the wild residents of 
 the mountains had their huts plentifully supplied 
 with fat hares and plump partridges.
 
 45 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 And who were the residents of the moun- 
 tains ? — a race of hardy desperadoes, suspended 
 between heaven and earth, as a type of what 
 they might expect if caught in the clutches of 
 those who were designated the instruments of 
 the law, but were too often principals in long- 
 meditated vengeance. The mountaineers were 
 the half-men, half-demons, who carried on that 
 bane and curse to Ireland's prosperity — the 
 illicit distilleries. They were the manufacturers 
 of what the Indians have very aptly styled 
 by the name of " fire-water'"* — the makers of 
 ardent spirits that never wetted the guager's 
 stick. 
 
 At a few miles distant from Castle Toole 
 stood a fine old venerable building, sacred to 
 antiquity and the family of the O'Connors, who 
 had made it their home, generation after genera- 
 tion, till it descended to Mr. Terence O'Connor 
 — a young man about one-and-twenty years of 
 age, of handsome person and pleasing address. 
 He, too, was fond of the chase, and a frequent
 
 HAMILTON KING. 47 
 
 guest at Castle Toole ; but, unlike Sir Phelim, 
 lie was a rigid master, a stern exactor of every 
 due ; and though no acts of unlawful oppression 
 could be laid to his charge, yet his adherence to 
 legalized claims encouraged a whole host of 
 harpies, who not only increased the distresses of 
 the tenants, but also preyed upon the landlord. 
 He was a sworn enemy to " potheen," and rea- 
 dily assisted the soldiery in hunting out the 
 mountain stills. To factions and combinations he 
 was equally hostile ; and the opposer of unjust 
 extortion, as well as the resister to the demands 
 of the law, were ranked as rebels, and treated 
 accordingly. Yet, notwithstanding all these 
 characteristics, which rendered him unpopular 
 amongst the lower orders, there was a noble- 
 minded and fearless generosity about him that 
 excited universal admiration. 
 
 Alicia was in her fifteenth year when O'Con- 
 nor, struck by her beauty, and fascinated by her 
 manners, made a proposal to Sir Phelim for the 
 liand of his daughter. He pointed out in forci-
 
 48 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 ble and expressive language the advantages of 
 the match, as uniting the two estates. He spoke 
 energetically of the power and influence to be 
 attained by a junction between the O'Connors 
 and the O'Tooles ; in short, he introduced every 
 topic but one, and that one happened to be the 
 neard^t and dearest to Sir Phelim's heart — the 
 happiness of his child. 
 
 But the baronet, distressed at the idea of 
 giving pain by a direct refusal of the suit, lis- 
 tened with patience to all the young man had to 
 urge, and then, without raising or depressing 
 his expectations, he merely replied that such an 
 affair required deliberation. He would consult 
 with his lady, and send early information of the 
 result. With this O'Connor was satisfied, and 
 shortly after left the castle, indulging a convic- 
 tion that Alicia would become his wife, for 
 ^' who could resist so admirable a proposal as he 
 had made.'' 
 
 A short time, however, served to convince 
 O'Connor that he had calculated in error ; a
 
 HAMILTON KIx\G. 49 
 
 communication was forwarded, acknowledging 
 the advantages of such an alliance, but pleading 
 the extreme youth of Miss Alicia as being in- 
 compatible with the performance of those oner- 
 ous duties which a change of life would necessa- 
 rily impose upon her. Sir Phelim, in the kind- 
 ness of his nature, had worded his letter so as 
 not to wound the young man's self-love, but, 
 nevertheless, O'Connor considered the rejection 
 an insult, for which, though he could not openly 
 demand satisfaction, he yet determined to re- 
 sent, and therefore he discontinued his visits to 
 the castle, and became more rigorous in what he 
 conceived to be his duties. 
 
 Some few months afterwards Terence O'Con- 
 nor was united to a young and beautiful girl of 
 the plebeian order, possessed of no accomplish- 
 ments but those which Nature had lavishly be- 
 stowed, but blessed with a tender and affec- 
 tionate heart, that amply compensated for want 
 of polished education ; in fact, she was almost a 
 perfect contrast to her husband, for, whilst he 
 
 VOL. I. D
 
 50 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 was proud, imperious, and ungovernable in his 
 rage, she was humility, gentleness, and a per- 
 sonification of meekness itself. O'Connor per- 
 sisted in his rigorous severity to his tenants and 
 domestics, whilst the lawyers were constantly 
 complaining that his lady defeated all their pur- 
 poses, and prevented them from carrying for- 
 ward process to execution. O'Connor would 
 frown, and sometimes storm : but he passion- 
 ately loved his wife, and her sweet smile very 
 soon made him forget the sour aspects of the 
 legal gentlemen. Her '' O'Connor, dear ! and 
 sure you're not angry with your Kathleen .P" 
 drove from his mind the harsh croakings of the 
 lawyers. 
 
 And a fortunate circumstance for the O'Con- 
 nor was it that he yielded more to his ardent 
 attachment for his wife than to the pleadings 
 and remonstrances of legal cormorants. Rebel- 
 lion had grown strong in Ireland, and, though 
 not so openly avowed in the district of O'Connor 
 Hall as it was in other parts of the island, yet
 
 HAMILTON KING. 51" 
 
 the Levellers were so rapid in their move- 
 ments when revenge was their object, that 
 they traversed the kingdom with incredible 
 speed, and blazing piles and devastated homes 
 marked their infuriated presence before a sus- 
 picion was excited that they were near at hand. 
 O'Connor had been singled out as a victim, 
 but the fact came to the knowledge of his wife, 
 and at much risk she prevailed upon the leaders 
 to exercise forbearance. 
 
 It was a trying period. An expedition was 
 already prepared in France for the invasion of 
 Ireland, and the dreaded Thurot, with his 
 cruisers, had make his appearance on the coast. 
 The lower orders, suspecting that the English 
 government was about to pass an act of Union, 
 and deprive them of their parliament, were ripe 
 for revolt. The Catholic priests,- jealous at the 
 increasing influence and power of the Protestant 
 clergy, stirred up the angry feelings of their 
 flocks, and prompted them to resistance. 0*Con- 
 nor had been denounced as an enemy to his 
 D 2 
 
 LIBRARY 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILU^
 
 52 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 country, and the denunciation was the prelude 
 to a speedy act of aggression. Mrs. O'Connor 
 was sitting nursing her boy — her first-born — at 
 the same time bidding fair shortly to become a 
 second time a mother, and, crouched on the 
 hearth before her, was the nurse who had tended 
 her in her infancy, and was now performing the 
 same office for her child. 
 
 " What ails you, Biddy ; and you always 
 cheerful, now to be croaking, and groaning, and 
 swaying about like the branch of an old tree in 
 a storm,"" said the lady. 
 
 " And small 'ud be the gale to rend away the 
 branch,*" uttered the woman, mournfully " but, 
 oh, ma vourneen ! the storm may be a-brewing 
 over the ould roof-tree; and the beautiful flowers, 
 and the young leaves may perish with the aged 
 bough !" 
 
 Mrs. O'Connor was too well acquainted with 
 the nature and disposition of her countrywoman 
 not to know that there was a meaning in the 
 language of her nurse far beyond what the mere 
 words conveyed ; nor was she ignorant that per-
 
 HAMILTON KING, 53 
 
 sons in her condition were bound by terrible 
 oaths not to reveal what might casually come to 
 their knowledge, which even the affection whicli 
 Biddy had for the young mistress could not 
 overcome, though the lady did not doubt but 
 by a little management to ascertain wherein the 
 danger existed. " And where would be the 
 storm, Biddy,"' said she, " on such a heavenly 
 shining day as this, with the boy crowing and 
 laughing with delight ?'■ and she held up her 
 infant to the nurse's view. 
 
 " An"* what is the day, ma cushla ? and what 
 is the shining sun ?'^ uttered the woman mourn- 
 fully, but energetically. " The brightest day 
 may have the blackest night ; the gowlden sun 
 of noon may set as red as blood ! och hone ! ocli 
 hone !"' 
 
 " There is danger at hand, Biddy, and I 
 know it,*" said Mrs. O'Connor, firmly. " You 
 may tell me, or not, woman, if 'tis your plea- 
 sure. You may see the rapparees burning and 
 plundthering, ay, murthering, and be silent, if
 
 54 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 its a vow. But, what can wash away the guilt 
 of concealing all this beforehand, and — '''' 
 
 " Them as sees danger will thry to keep out 
 of harem^'s way V exclaimed the nurse. " Didn't 
 these ould hands carry yer when your limbs had 
 no help of their own ? Didn't I sprinkle you 
 daily with the wather of the blessed well ? Oh, 
 it's there I'd wish you to be this very night of 
 all others, and maybe its cooling dthrops can 
 quench fire." 
 
 " I will go, Biddy ; I will do your bidding/' 
 uttered Mrs. O'Connor, vaguely, but not inaptly, 
 catching up her meaning. " But, dare I to be 
 there alone ?" 
 
 *' And where would I be but with my child .?" 
 said the woman, more pacified. " May the 
 blessed saints defend ma Kathleen deelish, for 
 it's herself will need it afore the morn." 
 
 Thus apprised, and only thus apprised, 
 Mrs. O'Connor hastened to Castle Toole, where 
 she made known her errand, and, in sympathy 
 for her distress, as well as trusting to the known
 
 HAMILTON KING. 55 
 
 gallantry of the Irish character. Lady O'Toole 
 determined upon accompanying Kathleen to the 
 holy well ; Sir Phelim, however, promising to 
 be in the neighbourhood that he might afford 
 assistance, if it was required. What the danger 
 was that threatened remained a mystery, for 
 Bridget kept a sullen silence on the subject, nor 
 could any inducement, persuasion, or threat, get 
 her to be more communicative. 
 
 Mr. O'Connor was absent from the hall on 
 magisterial duty, and suspicions were exciteij 
 that he had been enticed away for some siniM^' 
 purpose ; still everything was so tranquil in tlie 
 neighbourhood, and so little had the spirit of 
 disaffection been observed in the district, that 
 but for the undoubted intelligence of the person 
 from whom the warning had been received, the 
 whole might have been deemed the visionary 
 wandering of a disordered mind, or the work of 
 some designing speculator in human misery. 
 
 Evening began to throw its long dusky 
 shadows over the face of nature when the ladies
 
 56 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 arrived at the entrance of the small cavern, 
 whose rocky roof was arched over the holy well. 
 It was a wild romantic spot, surrounded with 
 masses of rock, between the interstices of which 
 a shrubbery of firs and larch had arisen, and 
 their dark forms appeared in the twilight gloom 
 like mourners of another day -amidst grave- 
 stones of former ages. All was as silent as the 
 tomb, and a deep tinge of superstition coloured 
 the thoughts and feelings of the females. They 
 turned to look for Bridget but she was gone, 
 and an idea of treachery crossed their minds ; 
 her absence, however, did not continue long, and 
 though she declined satisfying inquiries as to 
 the cause, the ladies were relieved from the pain 
 of supposing her inimical to their welfare. 
 *' Come in here," said she, leading the way into 
 the cavern, " and may the blessed speerit that 
 hovers over the wathers put the cross betwixt 
 you and harem," and stooping down she wetted 
 the tips of her fingers and sprinkled it on her 
 companions.
 
 HAMILTON KING. 57 
 
 " Where all this is to terminate,'' said Lady 
 O'Toole, " I really do not know, nor can I even 
 conjecture. Are our foes to be spiritual or 
 temporal, Bridget ?" 
 
 "An your ladyship 11 find that out,'' return- 
 ed the nurse somewhat piqued at the question. 
 " Sure this is no place to make a mockery in, 
 and the wathers thrubbled by them as no eyf s 
 
 can see." 
 
 « 
 
 The ladies looked upon the clear cold element 
 and beheld a sudden commotion on its surface, 
 something resembling that which would have been 
 caused by the rapid turning of a large fish, bat 
 it soon swelled away and became perfectly cahn 
 again. Still the hour, the gloom, the occasion, 
 united with certain predelictions in favour of 
 superstition, with which human nature is more 
 or less allied, operated powerfully upon the 
 females, especially Kathleen, who had been 
 brought up in the very heart of local prejudices 
 and ancient legends. 
 
 The cavern they were in was about ten or 
 p 5
 
 58 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 twelve feet square, — the well, (which was a sort 
 of natural basin, somewhat resembling a bath 
 and often used for that purpose,) occupied the 
 middle ; it was in the form of a right-angled 
 parallelogram, and there were steps to descend 
 into it, down which when the water was tranquil 
 a visitor would not hesitate to go, for so ex- 
 tremely clear was the pure element that it could 
 not be seen till the foot or some other cause 
 disturbed it. At the far extremity of the 
 cavern was a rustic altar with benches on each 
 side, cut from the solid rock, and upon this altar 
 those who used the waters were accustomed to 
 leave their offerings. A low door-way in the 
 near corner to the left led into a small apartment 
 where the priest at his visitation (for this was a 
 station,) retired to robe himself and shrive the 
 penitents. Moss and lichen grew in rich pro- 
 fusion on the rugged walls, and when the wind 
 
 as high a hollow moaning sound was heard, 
 like the low wailings of melancholy and despair. 
 Of course the peasantry ascribed it to super-
 
 HAMILTON KING. 59 
 
 natural causes, and few could be found hardy 
 enough to shelter here during a storm. A ring 
 of iron fixed firmly on the wall over one of the 
 benches was a peculiar object of attention and 
 devotion, and at the visitation was polished 
 bright and decorated with flowers. 
 
 " And what is there in particular about this 
 place, Bridget ?"" inquired Lady O' Toole, affect- 
 ing a composure she certainly did not enjoy. 
 " Have we been brought here to meet fays 
 and banshees ?■ — Is it the resort of good folk, or 
 of some peculiar spirit that presides over the 
 hallowed spring ?''* 
 
 " An its thrue for you, my lady," replietl 
 Bridget with solemnity, " in regard o' that same, 
 though its not good to talk of the speerit an it 
 forenent you, ounly not to be seen by morthal 
 sight ! Oh mavourneen," added she, addressing 
 Mrs. 0"'Connor and rocking herself to and fro, 
 " and may be it 's your friend she '11 be and 
 sthop the 'ruction — Och, hone, what have I 
 said liow, and in the prisence too ?'"*
 
 (JO HAMILTON KING. 
 
 '' It is the spirit of a female then,'"* said Lady 
 O'Toole, smiling. " My dear Mrs. O'Connor, 
 tliough I do not give much credence to such 
 supernatural visitations to this troubled earth, 
 yet I respect the opinions and even weaknesses 
 of others too much to turn them into ridicule, 
 especially as I think they may have a beneficial 
 influence to restrain the mind from planning 
 and executing evil, particularly amongst the 
 uninformed of our poorer neighbours. But the 
 idea of a beatified spirit quitting the mansions of 
 blessedness to hover over this chilling fluid is 
 absurd, even supposing permission could be 
 obtained for such a purpose.*" 
 
 " Oh, my lady, you must not doubt, — indeed 
 you must not," returned the beautiful being by 
 her side, somewhat horrified at the bold lan- 
 guage she had heard in such a sacred place. 
 '• Was there not the pool of Bethesda, and 
 don't the virtues of this well hale the sick, — 
 even the priests'* vestments are not more holy."*' 
 
 *' That the icy frigidness of the waters are:
 
 HAMILTON KING. 61 
 
 excellent in some diseases I will admit," said 
 Lady O'Toole ; " but that is a mere common 
 occurrence of nature, and requires no spiritual 
 auxiliary beyond the blessing of Providence,"" 
 
 " And will you deny the existence of in- 
 visible friends P*" eagerly inquired Kathleen ; 
 " they are always surrounding us, the very air 
 we breathe is peopled with spirits.*" 
 
 <' And that I suppose accounts for the fre- 
 quent inebriation of our countrymen,"*' responded 
 Lady O' Toole, laughing at her own conceit ; 
 " they are drawn in with the breath, and 
 muddle the popr fellows' heads."" 
 
 " You may say your sayj my lady," uttered 
 Bridget with stern emphasis ; " but there ""s small 
 wit and less judgment in offending them whose 
 help you may nade this very night, — it''s little 
 one gets by turning friends into foes."*' 
 
 " I should deeply regret if any thoughtless- 
 ness of mine should have such an effect, Brid- 
 get ;"*"* returned Lady 0"'Toole in a conciliatory 
 tone ; " but coiyie nurse, cannot you tell us some-»
 
 62 HAMILTOX KING. 
 
 thing of the legend of this holy well and its 
 patron saint ? How long we shall have to re- 
 main here I do not know, but as you are pro- 
 bably acquainted with the whole of the story 
 it would serve to while away the time."" 
 
 "It's not long your ladyship will have to 
 wait/' replied the woman, as she extended her 
 arm and pointed towards the entrance of the 
 cave ; " the shine of the red hand is now in the 
 heavens, — why ?" 
 
 " It is only the gorgeous gleams of the 
 setting sun,*" said Lady O'Toole, as she gazed 
 on the flush of crimson on the western horizon. 
 
 '' An it has set on them who 'll never see its 
 rising,"" groaned the nurse ; " they 're lighting 
 their brands, and roofs will blaze, and walls be 
 laid waste, and the blood of those who made the 
 fire on the hearth-stone will quench the embers 
 of their desolated home." 
 
 The redness grew more fierce, and the ladies 
 became aware that it could only proceed from 
 the reflection of an extensive conflag-ration.
 
 HAMILTON KING. 63 
 
 " It is a fire !" said Lady O'Toole ; «' how 
 Bridget, are the marauders abroad and we away 
 from our families ? Mrs. 0''Connor, dear, let us 
 return." 
 
 She essayed to quit the cavern, but the tall 
 gaunt figure of the nurse blocked up the narrow 
 passage between the rocky wall and the water. 
 " You pass not this way, my lady ! — An what 
 have you to fear ? — Sure the O'Tooles are well 
 knownst to them all,— Sir Phelim a born gintle- 
 man as discourages the rookawn they've brought 
 upon the counthry by their false commother. 
 What sthranger ever stood upon the castle 
 bridge and was sent away with ounly the 
 wather of the ditch for his draught ^ What 
 victim ever entered the castle wails and was 
 sent to the donjon-keep with the could stone 
 floor for his bed, and bread and tears for his 
 mate and dthrink ? Hundred mille-fas has been 
 the word at Castle Toole,— why .^ There's no 
 darslurkers of the law to prey upon the pin- 
 keens of poor sowls whom Heaven save from
 
 64 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 harem ; the bite and the sup, and that too of the 
 best, was never refused by yer, and you a born 
 lady of the Milesian breed, what have you to 
 fear ?" 
 
 " But there is fire somewhere, Bridget,'' ex- 
 claimed Lady O'Toole, still striving to pass her ; 
 " and under such circumstances our post is at 
 our own threshold." 
 
 ** And lave my darlin"* o' the world to face 
 them as she will not care to meet," murmured 
 Bridget, resisting the attempts of her ladyship 
 to escape. " It's here, my lady, that you and 
 yourn are safest: no one will injure the hair o 
 an O'Toole's head — why ? It's them as has the 
 love and dacent respect of the people." 
 
 Mrs. O'Connor, placing implicit reliance on 
 the guidance and directions of her nurse, re- 
 mained a passive spectator, though the words of 
 Bridget, ''face them as she will not care to 
 meet," sent an unusual thrill through her heart, 
 and flushed her cheeks with crimson. That 
 something extraordinary was about to take place
 
 HAMILTON KING. 65 
 
 she was now fully sensible ; and a vague suspi- 
 cion of the real truth crossed her mind. A deep 
 sigh escaped her, which was either echoed in the 
 cavern, or responded to by some one near at 
 hand. All three heard it, but as there was no- 
 thing to be seen, Bridget attributed it to the 
 sympathy of the patroness of the well, and au- 
 gured favourably to her darling's cause. 
 
 " The sound came from yon recess,'' said her 
 ladyship, as she again placed herself by the side 
 of Mrs. O'Connor. 
 
 " It was no morthal tongue that uttered it 
 then," said Bridget. " The blessed lady sees 
 our sthrait, and it*s herself as 'ull show us pity." 
 
 " But what is it that we have to dread, 
 Bridget ?''"' again inquired Lady O'Toole. " If 
 it is mere personal security that is sought to be 
 obtained, I trust Mrs. O'Connor is superior to 
 apprehensions of harm to herself whilst those 
 whom she loves are in danger." 
 
 A sigh deeper than the former was heard, 
 evidently issuing from some one in the inner
 
 66 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 apartment, whilst at the same moment there 
 came upon the breeze the sound from the tread 
 of heavy footsteps, and the rustling noise of 
 many persons moving in one mass. . 
 
 " 'Tis a warning she's giving us," uttered 
 Bridget in a whisper ; " whether for weal or 
 woe myself doesn't know. But they are com^ 
 ing — they are coming ; and now, my darlin', 
 the blessed saints be between you and harem.*" 
 
 There was still a glimmering of dubious light 
 in the cavern, whilst outside every object was 
 perceptible, though dimly seen. In a few mi- 
 nutes a body of armed men, their faces black- 
 ened, and their cottamores bound round them, 
 filled up the space at the entrance to the holy 
 well, but none ventured to advance beneath the 
 roof. The white dresses of the ladies seemed 
 to startle them, and not a few fell upon their 
 knees in terror. Lady O' Toole wished to take 
 advantage of this by presenting herself to their 
 notice; but the giant strength of the nurse pre- 
 vented her design, by holding her ladyship in a
 
 HAMILTON KING. 67 
 
 grip that was irresistible. The men had the 
 appearance of a wild, lawless set ; some were 
 armed with muskets, others with pistols or old 
 swords, whilst the larger portion carried blud- 
 geons, pitchforks, and one or two with scythe- 
 blades. Foremost amongst them was a tall 
 athletic, herculean figure, who seemed to hold 
 the rest in something like control. 
 
 " An** what is it you'd be afther doing, then, 
 Mike Hagan?" uttered Bridget in a deep se- 
 pulchral voice, as she addressed the leader. 
 " What is it makes you here with them bloody 
 hands, and that diveFs face ? Where's the fa- 
 ther that begot you, and the mother who suf- 
 fered the labour-pains when you was born ? — 
 Will not the iern frame on the gibbet, or the 
 cowld sods of the aarth warn you to forbear ?'''* 
 
 " No, niver !"" replied the man with stern de- 
 termination, as he stamped his foot proudly and 
 heavily on the ground. " An' what should I 
 take warning for, you limmer — why ? It's ven- 
 geance what I sake, and it's vengeance that
 
 68 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 I'll have ; — and what for not ? Who was it 
 hung the owld man's body in the iern frame you 
 spake of? — Who was it sint the mother to her 
 cowld grave ? Answer me that I It's meself 
 as 'ud swape 'em from the face of the yarth as 
 did it ;" and he swung his heavy cutlass around 
 him in corresponding action ; " it 's meself as 
 'ud never lave a beam of their homes till they 
 were in black ashes, and scattered by the wild 
 winds ; — it's meself as 'ud sodden the turf with 
 the blood of their childther, and sow salt upon 
 the land where there should be green corn." 
 
 " Thrue for you, Mike Hagan," uttered 
 Bridget, with a groan that seemed to burst from 
 her very heart. " You have had the blast upon 
 yer, and revenge is swate to the oppressed. 
 But would you, Mike — would you smite the 
 unoffending with your enemy ? — would you de- 
 sthroy the smiling babe in its innocence, or ould 
 age in its dotage— Why ?" 
 
 "An' who thought of Mike and them as 
 owned him when the bloody hand was stretched
 
 HAMILTON KING. 69 
 
 out agin his kith and kin ?^ exclaimed the man 
 in a tone of reckless bitterness. " But, musha, 
 it's bad luck there is in talking to women. 
 Come, lads, let*s on,*" and he prepared to depart. 
 
 " Your mother was a woman, Mike Hagan," 
 quickly responded Bridget, who evidently wish- 
 ed to detain him for some time; " and a purty 
 woman too, when Larry first led her afore the 
 praste." 
 
 " An' what was she when the iem coulther 
 was undher her bare feet, and it white with 
 fierce heat, to make her tell where her husband 
 was concealed ? And what was she when they 
 put the torture upon her to force out a confes- 
 sion of crimes he had never committed .?" 
 
 " A woman, Mike — a true woman sthill !"" 
 answered Bridget, in a tone and manner that 
 was calculated to win upon his rugged nature. 
 " Yes, Mike, a lanna, she was sthill a woman ; 
 for she suffered all they could put upon her 
 afore she would bethray the man who owned 
 her."
 
 70 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 " Arrah, let it alone, you limmer !'' said the 
 man, in a voice where present gratification strug- 
 gled with lacerated remembrance of the past. 
 " It's coaxing us you'd be, you desaver. Come, 
 lads, come along, let's purshue our way ; he's 
 not here we're saking for." 
 
 " And where is it you'd be going to, Mike 
 Hagan .?" uttered the nurse ; '' and what is it 
 you would sake in this lone place ? Sure it 
 won't be the blessing of our lady ye'd be axing 
 for ; an' it isn't for the good o' pace you'd pur- 
 shue your way." The men appeared impatient, 
 and Hagan beckoned them on. " Sthop, lads, 
 sthop. Is it O'Connor Hall you'd be firing on 
 this holy night.? — is it the darlin' of your 
 hearts, young Kathleen deelish, as you want 
 under your tiger claws, and he not to the fore. 
 Mike Hagan, forbear, I say. You know what 
 a fierce woman will do for her child, and do not 
 let me curse you. Sthop, men !" for they con- 
 tinued moving on ; " sthop, I command — I en- 
 threat — " she wrung her hands in agony. " Oh !
 
 HAMILTON KING. 7h 
 
 sainted speerit of this holy place, stay their 
 inurtherous hands I"*** 
 
 The prayer had scarcely been uttered, the 
 van of the party had disappeared, and the 
 rear was just lingering on the space in front, 
 when a young man of slight make, and habited 
 in respectable attire, presented himself in the 
 door-way of the cavern, and in a loud voice 
 shouted, " Halt !'* Whether he had sprung 
 from the small apartment, or had suddenly 
 placed himself there from without, was proble- 
 matical to the ladies ; but there he was, and the 
 command he had issued was instantly obeyed.
 
 72 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 *' You knew that my soul, that my heart, my existence, 
 If danger demanded, were wholly your own. 
 You know me unaltered by years or by distance, 
 Devoted to love, and to friendship alone. 
 
 *' You knew — but away with the vain retrospection, 
 The bond of affectioano longer endures, 
 Too late you may droop o'er the fond recollection, 
 And sigh for the friend who was formerly yours." 
 
 Byron, 
 
 Whatever effect might, or might not be 
 produced amongst the group in the cavern, cer- 
 tain it is that Bridget hailed the presence of the 
 young man with irrepressible delight and grati- 
 tude. "Our blessed lady be praised !"*' said she, 
 devoutly crossing herself. " An' if s his own- 
 self too ! Oh, my darlin' avourneen ! it's safe 
 you'll be, and him to the fore ! Spake to him, 
 a-cushla ! Smooth him down like a lamb, and 
 do not rouse the lion of his natur."
 
 HAMILTON KING. 73 
 
 Mrs. O'Connor, thus directed, pressed for- 
 ward, and stood with her arms crossed upon her 
 beating bosom, and her head low drooping, as if 
 she feared to raise her eyes, before the young man, 
 who, from the prompt obedience to his com- 
 mands, was evidently the leader of the outlaws. 
 
 " And what is it you would have with me, 
 Katherine Macgennis ?'''' said he with harshness, 
 as he drew himself proudly erect. 
 
 " Dermot,"" replied she, without looking up, 
 and with faltering voice, " Dermot, your own 
 heart told you what I want afore you asked the 
 question.*** 
 
 " And what if it did ?"" replied the other, still 
 retaining his position and manner: "am I to 
 become your suitor, and bend, and crouch before 
 you like a lashed dog, that I may ascertain your 
 wishes ?" 
 
 " No, Dermot — no ! I do not ask or require 
 such a thing," said the trembling lady im- 
 ploringly. " But must you — will you bring 
 down unutterable misery on the head of the 
 
 VOL. I. E
 
 74 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 companion of your childhood ? Can you make 
 her home a desolation ? herself a widow ? her 
 offspring fatherless ? No, Dermot, it is not in 
 your nature ; you dare not do it." 
 
 Had Mrs. O'Connor omitted the closing part 
 of her appeal, it might, in the earnest yet plain- 
 tive manner that it was uttered, have had some 
 effect on the young man's mind. But the word 
 " dare," to him whose career had latterly been 
 lawless, seemed to imply a suspicion that he 
 wanted courage to perform his wicked design. 
 " Not dare !" said he in a tone of resolute defi- 
 ance. " What is there that Dermot Delaney 
 dare not do ? and who are you that supplicate 
 the man who ' dare ' not execute his will .?'' 
 
 " Oh, Dermot, why will you mistake my 
 meaning ?" responded Mrs. O'Connor beseech- 
 ingly ; " sure I intended no reflection on your 
 personal courage, or your extensive power. It's 
 the remembrance of old times that I meant as 
 would not let you do the evi deed." 
 
 " Old times is it youVe speaking of?" res-
 
 HAMILTON KING. 75 
 
 ponded Delaney in a tone of bitterness. '* Now, 
 by the vestments, if the very recollection of former 
 days does not urge me on to more deadly hate ! 
 The fever-blisthered wretch, expiring with burn- 
 ing heat, has his agonies increased by the remem- 
 brances of cool sthreams and shady bowers, espe- 
 cially when no dthrop of water will ever again 
 moisthen his parched and withering tongue. The 
 visions of past enjoyments do but heighten the 
 madness of the wretch who will never taste them 
 more ! Woman, you plead in vain !"" 
 
 " An' what 'ud we be halting here for, cap- 
 tain .?*" asked Mike Hagan, who had come into 
 the rear to communicate with his chief; but, 
 seeing Mrs. O'Connor standing before him, he 
 added, " Ah, bad luck to the petticoats ! it's 
 meself thinks the divel wears them to kiver his 
 crooked bastely shanks." 
 
 " Pace, ye scorner !" said Bridget, with pecu- 
 liar emphasis ; " an' give place to your betthers. 
 Dermot, you have been my pet, my darlin'; 
 these ould arms have held yer both, one on one 
 E 2
 
 76 HAMILTON KING* 
 
 shouther, and the other on the other, — Kathleen 
 and you ! Ye smiled and prattled face to face 
 in infancy ; ye grew up hand in hand, the pride 
 and beauty of the valley; ye lived — ye loved 
 — together, in the blossoming of youth ; ye — '' 
 
 " D — n, woman V shouted the man in a tone 
 of voice almost amounting to a scream, " would 
 you probe the wound still deeper ? would you 
 press the searing-iron on the scorched and blis- 
 thered heart ? Where is she now ? and who 
 was it that for the gain of filthy lucre looked 
 cowldly on, and scorned the lad they had for- 
 merly encouraged? Who was it that took — 
 hell, no ! — not took, but rent her heart from 
 mine? And, do you think I'll not have my re- 
 venge when it is securely within my grasp ?**' 
 
 " An' shure we will !" exclaimed Hagan ; 
 "• an' why not ?" He caught sight of Lady 
 O'Toole, who stood farther back in the recess. 
 " There's two of yer as I knows, but who's the 
 third ye've got stowed away in the hole ?" 
 
 When Hagan made his first appearance in
 
 HAMILTON KING. 77 
 
 front of the cavern. Lady CToole was too much 
 agitated to take any especial notice of him, 
 though his voice seemed familiar to her ear ; but 
 Bridget's remai'ks, and Mike's rejoinders, had 
 filled up the lapse of memory, and she now well 
 remembered that on one trying occasion she liad 
 rendered him a most essential service. The re- 
 collection was sudden, and might well have 
 seemed the result of inspiration. Without a 
 moment's hesitation she stood forward, and, as- 
 suming the manner and even the idiom of those 
 before her, she uttered, " And it's who am I, 
 Mike Hagan ? Is it you who would be asking 
 who I am ? Where was you, Mike Hagan, 
 when the soldiers were loading their firelocks in 
 the wood to take your life ? And who was it 
 that risked her own to save you from dying 
 the death of a thraitor ?" 
 
 " It's thrue for you, my lady, an' I know you 
 now,'^ replied the man, abashed, but not sub- 
 dued. " For yourself and yourn my heart's 
 blood is at your command ; but, who was it that
 
 78 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 hunted me into the wood with his bagles, and 
 led the sodgers there ? who was it that helped 
 to bind me to the tree, and tould the red-back 
 slaves to load ? Shure 'twas the 0''Connor ; he 
 who stowle away our captain's bride. The 
 dioul be wid him, and fetch his sowl this 
 night !" 
 
 " Have I the honour of being in the presence 
 ^ of Lady O'Tpole ?" said the leader as he re- 
 spectfully uncovered his head. " May every 
 blessing and every happiness be showered upon 
 you !'' his voice faltered almost to feminine soft- 
 ness. '^ May your days be many and prosper- 
 ous ; for it's you, my lady, and them belonging 
 to you, as is friends to my unfortunate coun- 
 thrymen. My curses rest upSfflheir enemies !" 
 " Then to you will I address myself, young 
 man," said her ladyship, resuming all her na- 
 tural dignity. " I am well aware of your law- 
 less purpose in being in this neighbourhood. 
 Your person has now become familiar to me ; 
 your companion there I am well acquainted
 
 HAMILTON KING. 79 
 
 with ; and, though it is my pride to shield the 
 defenceless, and protect the innocent, I will not 
 on any consideration spare the wilfully guilty/^ 
 
 " Your threats are worse than useless," said 
 Bridget, deprecatingly ; " and the boys there 
 forenent you — do you think, my lady, they are 
 like the king^'s throopers, to be marched and 
 wheeled-about like slaves ? Oh ! spake softly to 
 Dermot, an it's himself 'ull listen to your re- 
 quests."" 
 
 ^' Well, then,'" said Lady C Toole, changin^i 
 her mode of address to one of supplication, " 1 
 will solemnly exhort and implore you to forbear 
 your meditated injury." 
 
 " I cannot, my lady ; it is now too late,** 
 returned Delaney ; " the men are wild and impa- 
 tient ; they have, at my desire, thravelled more 
 than sixty miles, almost without sustenance, to 
 wreak this vengeance for me, and to teach the 
 proud oppressor that the sthrong arm can reach 
 him from afar." 
 
 '' But they will act in obedience to your will. 
 
 #
 
 80 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 Captain Delaney,'' argued her ladyship per- 
 suasively; " you have only to speak the 
 word — ^'^ 
 
 " And lose their confidence for ever after !" 
 interrupted Dermot in a tone of remonstrance ; 
 " they are now my safeguard — my protection ; 
 but what would they be should they find their 
 chief, like a whipped schoolboy, abandoning his 
 enterprise because a woman weeps? No, my 
 lady, it cannot be done, and we must on !*" 
 
 " Go then, sir ; hasten to the consummation 
 of your hellish rage,*" said Lady CToole with 
 startling energy ; " satisfy the wolfish cravings 
 of your desperate band ; and when your infernal 
 purpose is accomplished, return to your home? 
 with the gratification of knowing that the wo- 
 man you once loved — "" 
 
 " Once loved !"*' shrieked Delaney, as he 
 struck his clenched hand with violence on his 
 forehead — " once loved, did you say ? It'*s here 
 her image is r and he smote heavily with his 
 open palm upon his breast; " here — stamped*
 
 HAMILTON KING. 81 
 
 and for ever — aye, burnt into my heart's very 
 core! May helFs hottest ashes be heaped on 
 him who blasted all my hopes of happiness ! 
 Once loved ? — my sowl can never know ano- 
 ther !" 
 
 " And yet you would perpetrate an act of — 
 
 of vill ; that is, I mean revenge, upon a 
 
 woman whom you love !" urged her ladyship ; 
 " you would involve a household in destruction, 
 and the principal sufferers must be Mrs. O'Con- 
 nor and her child !" 
 
 " Mille dioul !" exclaimed the chief fiercely, 
 as if stung with sudden phrenzy, " why do you 
 spake that hated name to me — to me, who loved 
 her as Kathleen Macgennis ? — Her child, too !'' 
 -^and his wild laugh rung horribly through the 
 cavern — " March, boys! — on !^'' and he essayed 
 to depart. 
 
 At this moment Mrs. 0''Connor dropped on 
 
 her knees before him, and caught nis arm. — 
 
 " No, Dermot !*" said she, " you must not, 
 
 shall not, do this thing ! Would you have my 
 
 E 5
 
 82 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 curse for ever ringing in your ears — the curse 
 of her you loved ? I became a wife to save my 
 parents from ruin ; and, now I am a mother, 
 would you make me desperate? You do not 
 love me ; it is false ; you have never loved me !" 
 
 Delaney looked down upon the beauteous 
 woman who was pleading at his feet, and better 
 feelings stole over him as he gazed. " A wifel 
 — a mother !'' repeated he ; " but who is there 
 now to cheer my desolated home ? No wife will 
 ever greet me there — no child will bear my out- 
 lawed name to posterity." 
 
 '' Have better hopes, my friend," said Lady 
 O' Toole with soothing kindness ; " you are yet 
 young ; the human mind is not so fixed as that 
 despair should hold her seat for ever. Withdraw 
 .your armed force ; return to your allegiance to 
 your sovereign ; become a useful and honourable 
 member of society — ^" 
 
 " A wife — a mother, Kathleen, and you not 
 mine !" said Dermot in a voice of melancholy 
 musing, though sweetly harmonious; and her
 
 HAMILTON KING. 83 
 
 ladyship became aware that her excellent advice 
 had been unheard and unheeded, as the mind of 
 the individual addressed was absorbed in other 
 contemplations. " Kathleen !" — and his voice 
 shook with emotion as he passed his hand over 
 her pale cheek — " you said a wife — a mother !'" 
 
 '' Boderation ! are we to march .?" shouted 
 Hagan. " How do you know but this is all 
 a fetch, to save time and bring the peelers 
 upon us ?" 
 
 "Pace, you ne'er-do-well!^"* exclaimed Bridget; 
 " if treachery had been meant, I need not have 
 been here." 
 
 The chief, however, heard them not; his 
 heart was bowed down by powerful and oppres- 
 sive emotion ; big, scalding tears came dropping 
 from his eyes, and fell upon the face of her 
 who knelt humbly before him ; his limbs trem- 
 bled — his pulses throbbed — and a few more per- 
 suasive words from the lips of Mrs. O'Connor, 
 his purpose would have changed. But at tliis 
 moment aloud shout resounded in the van of his
 
 84 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 party ; the report of musketry, and the whistling 
 of bullets, as they pierced the bushes and rung 
 against the rocks, was heard. Delaney sprang 
 forward as if bitten by an adder ; all his energies 
 revived in an instant as he stood proudly erect. 
 " We are bethrayed !"" exclaimed he to Hagan. 
 " Bring the men in amongst the rocks," he then 
 shouted in the native tongue, and dashed onwards 
 to the front. 
 
 Then arose yells, and shrieks, and groans, 
 mingling in wild confusion with the shouts of 
 combatants and rattling volleys of musketry ; 
 whilst the darkness was lightened up by bright 
 flashes from the guns. The females shrank back 
 within the cavern in terror and affright ; nor 
 were they sensible, till he spoke, that a new 
 comer had joined companionship in the person 
 of Sir Phelim O'Toole. A cry of delight escaped 
 from her ladyship as she clung to her hus- 
 band ; but the feeling of pleasure was in- 
 stantly subdued when she called to mihd the 
 great peril he was in.
 
 HAMILTON KING. 85 
 
 " How has all this happened ?*" inquired the 
 agitated lady ; " we should have prevailed on 
 the rebel chief to go back but for this out- 
 break ; what is it, Sir Phelim, and what has 
 caused it ?" 
 
 " The rashness of O'Connor," replied Sir Phe- 
 lim. " It was as we suspected : he had been 
 enticed away, but soon became aware of the 
 trick. It excited his suspicion, and he procured 
 a body of police and soldiery to return with him 
 to the hall. On their way the fire from the burn- 
 ing of several haggards attracted their attention, 
 and Terence, thinking he was bound, in his 
 magisterial capacity, to render assistance, was 
 hastening towards the conflagration. I fell in 
 with him a short distance hence, and gave him 
 an intimation that he had better march to the 
 defence of the hall. He resolutely refused, and 
 I then felt bound to tell him the peril to which 
 he and all of us would be exposed if he per- 
 sisted. Nothing, however, could stop him ; he 
 would advance ; it was a point of duty with
 
 86 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 him. The parties met, and are now engaged in 
 deadly strife." 
 
 " Oh ! Dermot, Dermot ! you will be avenged 
 this night ; and I — what will become of me .?'** 
 groaned Mrs. O'Connor. " But my husband is 
 in danger,*" continued she with more firmness, 
 " and it's by his side I ought to be. My friends 
 are brought into throuble through my unhappy 
 fate ; . but here, my lady, you will be safe, and 
 I must seek O'Connor."" 
 
 " My dear creature," said the kind-hearted 
 baronet, " any attempt to reach him would be 
 worse than madness ; the bullets are flying in 
 all directions ; a chance blow might cut you 
 down ; even the sight of you would but inflame 
 the villains more, and urge them to greater des- 
 peration." 
 
 " Rest quiet, madam," said Bridget, who ad- 
 dressed her young mistress with deferential 
 respect in the presence of a man of rank and 
 title. " Shure, and Sir Phelim knows best 
 what's properest to be done."
 
 HAMILTON KING. 87 
 
 "But they will meet ! Bridget ; oh, Sir Phe- 
 lim, they will come face to face, and murther 
 will be done !"" exclaimed Mrs. O'Connor. " If 
 I was there I might prevent it."" 
 
 The baronet was ignorant as to what the 
 allusion was pointed at. He knew but little of 
 Mrs. O'Connor's early history, but when Lady 
 O'Toole explained the circumstance of the rebel 
 chief having been formerly a lover of Kathleen, 
 from whom she had been separated by her 
 parents because the O'Connor match was one 
 of greater advantage to themselves, as well as to 
 their child, as far as station in society and wealth 
 were concerned. Sir Phelim keenly felt the 
 very awkward situation in which they were 
 placed, and he determined not to quit the fe- 
 males, but to become their protector against all 
 foes. 
 
 " Indeed — indeed I cannot remain, my lady ?" 
 mournfully uttered Mrs. O'Connor, as she at- 
 tempted to depart, but was stopped by Sir 
 Phelim and the nurse. " Oh, this is cruel
 
 88 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 kindness !" added she, " and Dermot will have 
 no compunctious visitings of pity." 
 
 " Dermot may himself be worsted," said the 
 baronet, as he drew her back within the cavern. 
 " But, hark, the fight is rolling backward on 
 us ; even here you are not safe. Quick ! quick ! 
 in to the priesfs room ; no shot can reach you 
 there. I will guard the entrance. In quick, 
 I say !" and he almost rudely pushed them 
 into the inner apartment, where they were in- 
 volved in the very blackness of darkness ; the 
 two ladies firmly clinging to each other, and 
 Bridget on her knees, uttering " och hones !"" 
 
 The ground on which the parties met was 
 broken and uneven, so that those who were on 
 horseback were compelled to dismount, and as 
 the passes were narrow and tortuous, the firing 
 was kept up in a sort of tiralade, personal con- 
 tact seldom occurring; yet it was not less 
 bloody, and the wild howl that frequently arose 
 added horror to the battle. 
 
 Backward indeed rolled the contest, for the
 
 HAMILTON KING. 89 
 
 rebels by command of Dermot were retreating 
 amidst the rocky fastnesses, and, whilst shelter- 
 ing themselves amongst the barriers, they dealt 
 destruction to their assailants ; in fact, it was 
 just the sort of warfare that suited the insur- 
 gents, giving them a decided superiority over 
 the troops, who were more accustomed to the 
 open plains. Almost every interstice amongst 
 the confused and irregular mass of rocks was 
 occupied by one or more of the rebel band, 
 whose death-dealing instruments laid many a 
 stout heart low, never to beat with the cares or 
 enjoyments, the pains or the pleasures of life 
 again. 
 
 But still the soldiers persevered, and treading 
 over the bodies of their slain comrades, they 
 boldly continued the attack, stretching many a 
 stout fellow on the ground, never to rise again. 
 No quarter was given ; the conflict was one of 
 desperation ; and Mr. O'Connor on his side, 
 and Dermot, with his second, Mike Hagan, 
 were constantly seen moving rapidly in every
 
 90 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 direction, to encourage and support their several 
 partisans. 
 
 It was in the open area or space in front of 
 the cavern that the two leaders met, and there 
 was a sufficient glimmering of light to render 
 mutual recognition immediate. If, however, 
 any doubt had arisen through the density of the 
 evening gloom as it fell upon the landscape, that 
 doubt was soon removed by a sudden blaze that 
 ascended high amongst the trees from the ex- 
 ploded cartridges having ignited the dry grass 
 and stunted shrubs, that had been profusely 
 heaped together in certain places by the eddy 
 winds as they whirled amongst the rocks. The 
 whole place was illumined, and the red glare 
 falling on the combatants, gave them the ap- 
 pearance of demons insatiate for slaughter. 
 
 " O'Connor, you villain !"" shouted Delaney, 
 as he threw himself in front of his rival, " there 
 is no one to plead for you now," and he aimed a 
 blow with his up-raised sabre, which would 
 have instantly deprived the magistrate of his
 
 HAMILTON KING. 91 
 
 life, but for the timely succour of a stout 
 gigantic figure, who rushed between them, and 
 brought his bludgeon with accurate precision to 
 the guard. But the sword of Dermot severed 
 it in two, as if it had been a mere twig, though 
 without harming the man, who with a bound 
 and a spring had retreated out of the way. 
 
 " Take back your villain, and with it the 
 name of rebel, you rapparee !" exclaimed 0*'Con- 
 nor as he levelled his pistol at the other's heart, 
 — the trigger clashed, —there was a bright flash, 
 a report, the whistling of a ball, but when the 
 smoke partially cleared, Delaney stood unin- 
 jured, Mike Hagan having very opportunely 
 knocked up the muzzle exactly at the right in- 
 stant of time, to prevent ifs doing execution. 
 
 " Hurroo !" bellowed Mike as he sprang to- 
 wards the man who had saved O'Connor ; " Is 
 it yerself, Larry LafFan, you thafe o' the 
 world r and Larry's skull rattled again beneath 
 the stroke of Mike's stick. The blow, however, 
 seemed to produce but little effect beyond a
 
 02 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 short stagger, and LafFan having supplied him- 
 self with a twig to suit him, resolutely returned 
 to the affray. 
 
 " An' it's hurroo again, Mike Hagan !" 
 roared Larry, as he placed himself in hostile 
 array against his antagonist. " Shure an' I 
 know your thafe's face, in spite of the divel's 
 colour you've shaded over it ! Faix, an' ye'll 
 be black enough there when ye get the rope 
 round your neck." 
 
 Then did these two giants address themselves 
 to the encounter, and never were gladiators 
 better matched. Both had cutlasses, but they 
 preferred the genuine shilaleagh as the most 
 national and natural to them. The very ground 
 shook under them as they bounded and sprang 
 upon each other, and the air rang again with 
 their wild shouts, and the rattling of the sticks. 
 
 In the meanwhile the two principals had be- 
 come engaged with the sword, and as both were 
 perfect masters of the weapon, an obstinate 
 combat ensued, The fire continued to blaze
 
 HAMILTON KING. 93 
 
 with greater fierceness, so as to throw a stronger 
 light upon the spectacle. The noise of the 
 musketry ceased, except a random-shot now and 
 then in the distance. The insurgents had 
 gathered round the arena to witness the double 
 fight, whilst the wily serjeant of the soldiers 
 cautiously and silently withdrew his men from 
 the imminent peril into which the ardent zeal of 
 O'Connor had brought them, though by so 
 doing he left the haughty magistrate to shift 
 for himself. 
 
 Delaney and O'Connor, Larry and Mike, 
 placed in juxta-position, carried on the war ; 
 but Hagah kept diminishing the distance be- 
 tween the separate parties, and at every bound 
 he continued to approach nearer to O'Connor, 
 who had quite enough to do to attend to his 
 own immediate opponent. It was just at this 
 interval that Mrs. O'Connor could no longer be 
 confined by Sir Phelim O'Toole, and she rushed 
 out upon the scene of strife at the very moment 
 when Mike Hagan, his eye keenly fixed on
 
 94 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 Larry, but confident that his point was gained, 
 made a sudden and tremendous sweep with his 
 bludgeon, performing a complete revolution with 
 his bod}^, and inflicting a heavy blow on the 
 neck of the magistrate, that sent him instantly 
 to the earth. Dermot, in the blindness of his 
 hate, and revenge would have followed up this 
 advantage ; he raised his sword to plunge it in 
 the heart of the prostrate man, but the fallen 
 body was covered by that of his wife, and 
 Delaney''s impetuosity had nearly thrust the 
 weapon into the bosom of her whom he still 
 most passionately loved. 
 
 A fierce shout of applause and defiance rose 
 wildly in the air from the insurgents, who now 
 became aware that the enemy had left them, 
 and murmurings arose " the pass — the pass !" 
 Larry Laffan stood patiently abiding the scoff- 
 ing and occasional blows that were levelled at 
 him ; his spirit seemed to be conquered as he 
 beheld the body of his chief, and he felt certain 
 that he had now no one to back him. Mike
 
 HAMILTON KING. 95 
 
 Hagan addressed Delaiiey in Irish ; it had an 
 electric effect upon him, for putting a whistle 
 to his Hps he sounded its shrill notes and all of 
 his followers who had survived the conflict were 
 immediately gathered round him. In a short, 
 but apparently by his gestures forcible speech, 
 he spoke to them in their own tongue, and at 
 the conclusion Sir Phelim and the females were 
 made prisoners, whilst two of the party raised 
 O'Connor on their shoulders to carry him off. 
 
 " Believe me, Sir Phelim, no harm is meant 
 you," said Delaney with fervour ; " my folly and 
 rashness have brought these lads into throuble, 
 — some of our comrades, — rest their sowls — 
 must remain behind — more'^s the pity, but we 
 must hasten hence. It is not far you '11 go. Sir 
 Phelim — and you Kathleen," added he, as he 
 approached her, " never will you have molesta- 
 tion from Dermot again, — never ! As for him," 
 and a scowl of contempt passed across his 
 features, " his time's not yet come. I will
 
 96'^ HAMILTON KING. 
 
 have a heavier, deeper revenge than taking his 
 life, though you have saved him, Miss Mac- 
 gennis.**' He then with his prisoners safe guard- 
 ed proceeded to take the lead, and shouted 
 '^ March, boys ! — Keep close order !'' 
 
 The light from the fires faded away as the 
 band, receding from the spot, wound their de- 
 vious path in narrow passages between lofty 
 rocks that sometimes overhung their heads so 
 as to exclude a sight of the heavens, where the 
 stars were shining in all their brilliancy and 
 glory. Mrs. O'Connor walked by the side of 
 her husband's body, her heart almost bursting, 
 whilst Delaney kept near her, though he forbore 
 to disturb her grief. 
 
 " I had hoped betther things of you, Mr. 
 Delaney,*" said the baronet. " I have heard your 
 name spoken of as a thrue pathriot for Ireland. 
 But this is not thrue pathriotism, and what can 
 you do should these misguided men be taken, — 
 what can you do to save them? — You may
 
 HAMILTON KING. 97 
 
 have left wounded comrades, whose lives will 
 become forfeited to outraged laws." 
 
 "It grieves me to hear the censure of one 
 who is so well known as owld Ireland's friend," 
 returned the outlaw ; *' but what is there left for 
 the proscribed but to dare his foes, or quit his 
 counthry. I Ve suffered, Sir Phelim, — but it 
 is principally for these," and he waved his hand 
 towards his followers, *' that I draw the sword. 
 As for the wounded, they have been taken care 
 of A thrue Irishman will never abandon a 
 friend in distress." 
 
 " I trust you will never attempt again to 
 desthroy the peace of a harmless woman, Mr. 
 Delaney," said the baronet. " As for my being 
 now detained, although an outrage, yet I know 
 the cause, — but should your scheme fail, what 
 then do you propose to do ?''"' 
 
 " No injury to you or yours. Sir Phelim," 
 returned the outlaw. " I have enough already 
 to atone for. — Curses be on them as forced me 
 
 VOL. I. F
 
 98 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 to it ! But I must trust to your aid, Sir Phe- 
 lim to negociate — . The fellow there,""* and he 
 pointed to C'Conrior, " is only stunned a bit, 
 though Mike's argument will not be very soon 
 driven from his head. The ladies are safe, all 
 are safe, and you would not see more Irish 
 blood staining its native soil ? the officer com- 
 manding, be he who he may, does not know 
 our present intents ; nor indeed can I fully 
 answer for the boys if once they are thoroughly 
 incensed. You know their nature, sir, and — ^" 
 
 *' I perfectly comprehend your meaning, Mr. 
 Delaney," said the baronet, interrupting him, 
 " and on condition that you pledge yourself 
 never to molest Mrs. O'Connor or her husband 
 again, I will comply." 
 
 " Lave out the man, sir, and I instantly 
 agree," replied Dermot. " It is he, and the 
 likes of him, that have brought me to this 
 desperate condition. He has been my bane — 
 my curse, — a broken-hearted mother dragged 
 untimely to her burial, — ^a desolated heart, — a
 
 HAMILTON KING. 99 
 
 solitary home, — mille dioul, and I yet live to 
 bear it !'' 
 
 " I can make no deductions in my terms,'' 
 said Sir Phelim, firmly and with decision. 
 " Promise me you will never again personally 
 injure Mr. and Mrs, O'Connor, nor harm any- 
 thing belonging to them, and I think I may 
 ensure your safe retreat ; otherwise I am ready 
 to brave the worst, though it may fall on those 
 whom I esteem dearest and best." 
 
 " For myself, sir, I am regardless as to con-, 
 sequences,*"* returned Delaney, in a reckless tone ; 
 " but for these," again he waved his hand, 
 " though victory is sure, yet numbers must 
 perish, and not a throoper would be left alive 
 to carry back the intelligence of defeat. I as ill 
 leave the conditions to yourself, Sir Phelim." 
 
 " You promise, then .?" uttered the baronet 
 as he suddenly stopped and grasped Delaney by 
 the arm. 
 
 " My oath upon it r replied the outlaw, as 
 F 2
 
 100 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 he made the sign of the cross with his thumb 
 and finger, and pressed it to his lips. 
 
 " Enough !" exclaimed the baronet, as he 
 again pursued his way, with Lady CToole 
 leaning on his arm. 
 
 Apart from these and side by side walked 
 Mike Hagan and Larry Laffan, like twin 
 Goliahs overtopping the heads of iheir neigh- 
 bours. Near them, and within earshot, came 
 Bridget Macarthy the nurse, full of anxious 
 fears for her darlin Kathleen, and well knowing 
 the peril they had yet to encounter, for she was 
 unacquainted with the arrangement entered into 
 between Delaney and Sir Phelim O'Toole. 
 
 " An purty news for the owld mother it ull 
 be, Larry Lalf'an,'''' said Mike Hagan, with 
 mingling feelings of emotion and contempt. 
 "An much she'll be pleased when she hears 
 that her own boy (Larry was nearly seven feet 
 in altitude) has lent himself to do the bidding 
 of his counthry's enemies — why ? — An joyous it 
 will make the lasseen in the valley when she 's
 
 HAMILTON KING. 101 
 
 tould that the lad of her heart has become a 
 thafe-o**- the- world of a dthriver — why P**' 
 
 " An where is the use o' starvin", Mike Ha- 
 gan," replied the other, somewhat mournfully. 
 '' I Ve a good set o' tath and a keen stomick, 
 Mike, and devil a bite or a sup could I get to 
 appase my hunger, for no one would give me 
 work, bekase I come from a proclaimed district, 
 shure." 
 
 "In regard o' the work it may be thrue, or 
 it may not be thrue, Larry Laffan,"' rejoined 
 Mike, perseveringly ; " but for the bite and the 
 sup it 's a lie jist ! — for the bite and the sup are 
 niver denied yer at Castle Toole ! — Long life 
 to Sir Phelim, and may the blessed saints guard 
 her ladyship's bed. It's sowld yourself to 
 O'Connor you have, and left the owld woman to 
 die alone in her cottage, with sth rangers to close 
 her eyes, and sthrangers to make her wake." 
 
 The Irish are proverbial for their filial affec- 
 tion, especially to their aged parents ; and Larry 
 Laffan, rough as was his nature, felt the holy
 
 102 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 clistilment in his heart. The picture of his early 
 home, and the girl he had plighted troth with, 
 rose before his imagination. " An will you 
 spake pace to her, Mike ?'' said he. 
 
 " An what would his words be at second- 
 hand, Larry Laffan, seeing as it's not the voice 
 of her son she harde .^" uttered Bridget per- 
 suasively. " Go back to her, Larry, and com- 
 fort her owld heart in the chilling winther of its 
 age. Lave the furaners and their laws, and 
 rethurn to your own counthry, Larry. Why, 
 shure, and it''s a quiet conscience as ye'll get, 
 and not false oaths and wicked shuits to murther 
 the poor."" 
 
 " Nor broken heads and bruised limbs," 
 chimed in Mike, " barring in the way of love 
 at a pathern or a fair — an he the second best at 
 the shtick of any man in the province." 
 
 The report of a musket right in their front, 
 anil the whistling of a bullet close above their 
 heads, gave intimation that further progress 
 would be contested. They were, in fact, about
 
 HAMILTON KING. 103 
 
 to emerge from the pass into the open plain, and 
 as only two could go out abreast, a quick and 
 well-directed fire was calculated to produce great 
 destruction amongst the insurgents. The Ser- 
 jeant, when he withdrew his men from amidst 
 the rocks, had sent a part of them to defend 
 O'Connor Hall, should the rebels proceed 
 thither ; whilst with the rest he made a rapid 
 detour to the entrance of the pass, naturally 
 concluding that if they retreated in that direc- 
 tion they would be almost entirely at his disposal. 
 Delaney, however, commanded a halt, and with 
 that quickness of thought which characterized 
 him, he directed all his men who had fire-arms 
 to climb the rocks in the best way they could, 
 but not to fire till they received his orders. In 
 a very short space of time, although the difficul- 
 ties of ascent seemed almost insurmountable, the 
 rebels had accomplished their task ; and crouch- 
 ing down on the summit, they completely held 
 the soldiers under their guns, though the dark- 
 ness prevented their numbers being ascertained.
 
 104 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 " There will be no necessity for negociation. 
 Sir Phelim,'" said Dermot, proudly. " Do you 
 and the ladies retire within the pass — the first 
 turn, and you are safe. Those fellows must be 
 taught to respect us; our conthracfs at an 
 end." 
 
 '' Is that honourable, Mr. Delaney ?" asked 
 the baronet ; " had the force opposed to you 
 been superior to yours, would you have consi^ 
 dered the contract void .?" 
 
 " The conditions, Sir Phelim — the condi- 
 tions,'" returned Delaney energetically. " I can- 
 not in my conscience keep them as it respects the 
 man. He may purshueme, pershecute me, and 
 am I to be passive ? For her, I swear she shall 
 ever be safe from me ; — for him, I will do him 
 no personal harm, unless in self-defence. Are 
 you content with that .?" 
 
 The baronet was speedily apprized, by the 
 skilful manoeuvre of the outlaw, that the troops 
 were entirely at his mercy, and, willing and 
 desirous to prevent bloodshed, he acceded to the
 
 HAMILTON KING. 105 
 
 terms. But the difficulty was in communicating 
 with the Serjeant, as there could not be a doubt 
 that, whoever presented themselves outside the 
 gorge, would instantly meet their death. As a 
 proof of this, Delaney suspended a cottamore at 
 the end of a pole, and thrusting it out, it was 
 instantly pierced with balls, and a shout arose 
 from the soldiers as the fancied rebel fell. 
 
 " Mike Hagan !'^ shouted Delaney to Mike, 
 who, with Larry by his side, was seated on the 
 summit of a rock. 
 
 " An it's here I am to the fore," answered 
 Mike, looking down, but retaining such a posi- 
 tion that his old companion and antagonist could 
 take no advantage of him. 
 
 " Fire a single shot over them throopers, and 
 then let all the men shout — d'ye mind,'"* said 
 Delaney. 
 
 " I do," replied Mike ; and then calling to 
 the people in their own tongue, he repeated the 
 orders : — " Padreen Cahill, send a bullet out 
 yonder, and don't touch anybody." 
 F 5
 
 106 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 " Divel a bit of a body will I touch,'"' replied 
 the man, as he presented his piece right in the 
 very centre of the soldiers, and fired. Then 
 arose a loud shout from the rocks ; and the 
 Serjeant became aware, by the fall of one of his 
 men, how much his position was exposed, whilst, 
 at the same time, he wondered at the forbearance 
 of the rebels. A volley, however, was fired 
 upwards by the incensed soldiers, who vvere 
 maddened at the death of their comrade ; and 
 this drew down a scattering fire from the insur- 
 gents in return. 
 
 " All hope of conciliation is at an end. Sir 
 Phehm,'' said Delaney ; " men like mine cannot 
 always be kept under conthroul. The soldiers, 
 however, will retreat directly, and my word 
 shall not be held the less sacred for not having 
 had occasion to use your promised interfe- 
 rence."" 
 
 " I am satisfied, Mr. Delaney,'' returned the 
 baronet ; " but let me beg of you to stay the 
 work of slaughter."*'
 
 HAMILTON KING. 107 
 
 '' They must be driven off, Sir Phelim,"^ urged 
 the outlaw ; " my men shall not purshue them, 
 unless they attempt to follow us. I bid you 
 farewell, Sir, for we must part here. — Kathe- 
 rine !'** and he turned to Mrs. O'Connor, whilst 
 his voice underwent a change — " Katherine ! 
 this is my last adieu in this world !" He took 
 her passive hand, pressed it to his lips, and sud- 
 denly burst away. 
 
 As Delaney had anticipated, the serjeant found 
 that his ground was no longer tenable ; the 
 bugle sounded the retreat ; the soldiers rapidly 
 withdrew ; and the insurgents falling in, in regu- 
 lar order on the plain, marched off till they were 
 lost sight of in the darkness — and with them 
 went Larry Laffan, the driver.
 
 108 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 " All memory is a trance, 
 In which love is the fondest of the dreams — 
 Or, let us change the image — in tlie shrine 
 Of the veiled soul there is a lyre whose themes 
 Are vowed to love — the feelings are its strings." 
 
 E. L. BULWER. 
 
 Mr. O'Connor (who had been placed sittmg 
 on the ground with his back against a rock, and 
 his head supported by his wife) gave manifes- 
 tations of returning consciousness. Had the 
 blow been much heavier it must have dislocated 
 his neck, and probably would have done so as 
 it was, but for the thick well-padded collar of 
 his coat. At all events it produced insensi- 
 bility as far as outward objects were concerned, 
 and the sickening sensation and dizziness it
 
 HAMILTON KING. 109 
 
 caused, as perception was restored, rendered him 
 unable to move, or to articulate for some con- 
 siderable time. 
 
 Happily the soldiers who had repaired to 
 O'Connor Hall made such representations that 
 some of the domestics hastened to the holy well, 
 and meeting with the sergeant and his retreat- 
 ing party, as well also being joined by a rein- 
 forcement, who had been drawn towards the 
 place by the firing and the blaze which illu- 
 mined the sky, they repaired to the cavern, and 
 finding it empty tliey traversed the defile, and 
 and eventually came upon Sir Phelim and the 
 ladies. A rude litter of tree boughs and stakes 
 was quickly put together, and whilst a few 
 remained to guard Mr. O'Connor to his home, 
 the rest set out in pursuit of the rebels. 
 
 Many weeks rolled over the head of the 
 magistrate, during which he was unable to quit 
 his chamber ; but his rigour was increased rather 
 than relaxed, and his deputies were more active 
 than ever, though in their personal encounters
 
 110 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 they sadly missed their champion Larry LafFan. 
 Towards his wife his manners had assumed a 
 harshness she had never experienced from him 
 before ; in fact he felt sore, though he was too 
 proud to own it, that she should have met his 
 rival at the holy well ; he fancied that her 
 solicitations for his safety had humbled him 
 before Delaney, and wounded pride rendered 
 him churlish and despotic. With the family at 
 Castle Toole he would hold no communication 
 or correspondence, and Sir Phelim, after two or 
 three attempts at neighbourly conciliation, found 
 it necessary out of respect to himself to desist. 
 
 The effects of the rencontre with the rebels 
 was not long in producing its full and perni- 
 cious influences on Mrs. O'Connor ;— premature 
 labour came on, and after a dangerous period 
 she brought into the world a second son, — she 
 lived but to look upon her child, — a cold shud- 
 der passed over her frame, and her spirit winged 
 its fliglit to the pure realms of immortality and 
 peace.
 
 HAMILTON KING. HI 
 
 Although Mr. O'Connor had some\Yhat 
 changed in his usual kindness to his wife, he 
 had nevertheless loved her most passionately, 
 and when her decease was announced, it de- 
 prived him for a time of reason. He had never 
 contemplated such a thing as her death, and its 
 suddenness came like the lightning's searing 
 flash to his heart and brain. For months he 
 was in a state of moody melancholy, and when 
 this was conquered by the skilful management 
 and attention of the physician, he continued 
 inconsolable for the loss he had sustained ; no 
 visitors were ever invited to the hall, — no con- 
 vivial parties ever beheld him at the festive 
 board, — he shunned society, though he still 
 continued his active duties as a magistrate, and 
 at the commencement of a new reign he was 
 elevated to the dignity and title of a baronet, 
 as a reward for his unwearied exertions — some 
 asserted persecutions — against suspicious cha- 
 racters, that is, the poor wretches who by the 
 conversion of land from a state of pasturage to
 
 112 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 tha^ of tillage, were deprived not only of their 
 work, but even of their habitations. The com- 
 mons were enclosed contrary to solemn engage- 
 ments, and thus another source of subsistence 
 was cut off from them, and being, according to 
 the historian, " provoked to resentment, and 
 joined by numbers whom idleness had driven 
 into vice and disorder, these unhappy people 
 assembled together at night, and began to take 
 the redress of grievances into their own hands 
 Beginning with the demolishing of the fences 
 of the common lands, they thence obtained the 
 name of Levellers, but were afterwards distin- 
 guished by that of Whiteboys, from the prac- 
 tice of wearing white shirts over their common 
 apparel." 
 
 The royal troops were very active against 
 the Whiteboys, and the lord lieutenant had 
 issued positive commands that no officer should 
 be absent from his regiment, as was then too 
 much the practice, for commissions in the ai*my 
 were at that time looked upon as a sort of
 
 HAMILTON KING. 113 
 
 aristocratical sinecures. The outrage in the 
 neighbourhood of O'Connor Hall, together with 
 some subsequent violence, was the cause of a 
 numerous body of horse and foot being posted 
 in the district, and as Castle Toole was never 
 closed to the rites of hospitality, numbers of the 
 aspirants to military honours were frequent in 
 tlieir visits ; nor was the beauty of Miss Alicia 
 less cause of attraction than the hearty welcomes 
 of her indulgent parents. 
 
 Alicia had now turned her eighteenth year, — 
 lovely as nature could well make her, — warm- 
 hearted to the extreme of generosity, for it was 
 friendship and affection that kept the flame 
 alive, — attached to her country, and sensible of 
 the wrongs of her rash fellow subjects, she 
 became the idol of the lower orders, though the 
 young sprigs of nobility who had been accus- 
 tomed to butterfly it round the vice regal chair 
 were shocked at her democratic notions, and at 
 the humanity she practised towards her suffering 
 neighbours, whose cause she made her own.
 
 114 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 Amongst the young officers was the Honour- 
 able Augustus Frederick Gordon, a lieutenant 
 of dragoons, and second son to the Earl of 
 Gordon, Viscount Gordon, and Baron Farley, a 
 peer of the realm by his second title, and one of 
 the Privy Council, a staunch Whig in politics, 
 inclining more to liberality than the usual run 
 of the caste. Possessed of high aristocratical 
 notions, he hoped and desired that his sons 
 might form matrimonial alliances calculated 
 to extend their influence, and to secure their 
 own prosperity in future. But the sons were 
 mortal ; Lord Farley, the eldest, had married a 
 rich citizen's daughter, and was looked upon as 
 lost to the fashionable world, which considered 
 him wrecked to all intents and purposes, though 
 the rock on which he had struck was a golden one. 
 
 The noble earl, foiled in his hopes by his eldest 
 son, turned with more eager expectation to his 
 second, who was entirely dependent on his father 
 for the maintenance of his present rank and the 
 prospects of his future advancement, which the
 
 HAMILTOxV KING. 11^5 
 
 more fortunate elder brother was not. He was 
 an extremely good-looking young man, though 
 the cynics pronounced him more showy than 
 handsome ; his manners were prepossessing and 
 engaging ; his accomplishments and quickness 
 of intellect far beyond the usual attainments of 
 the scions of nobility ; his temper was doubtful, 
 but there was an easy carelessness of disposition 
 that often rendered him the dupe of designing 
 knaves, who tempted, and led him into error ; 
 he was generous and humane, and could enter 
 into all the enjoyments of life, whether they were 
 to be found beneath the gilded dome of a regal 
 mansion, or partaken of under the straw thatch of 
 a peasants cottage ; he was kind and charitable 
 to the poor — the advocate of the oppressed — in 
 short, he was the very individual to make an 
 impression on a young female of Alicia's tem- 
 perament, and she was the personification of the 
 helle ideal he had formed of the being whom 
 his very soul could love. 
 
 So much for his good qualities — now for his
 
 116 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 bad ; he was an inveterate gambler, subject to 
 sudden fits of moroseness or passion, which, 
 though they did not last long, were terrible 
 whilst upon him, and made him dreaded by all 
 who witnessed them, or experienced their effects. 
 As a social companion, he at once assumed the 
 manners and habits of those with whom chance 
 or circumstances had located him for the time 
 being ; and whether it was the solemn divan of 
 antiquated, but coronetted spinsters, dealing out 
 scandal with the cards, or jolly good topers in a 
 tap-room, who destroyed their bodies by swal- 
 lowing spirits— whether in the senate (for he was 
 an M. P. for one of his father's rotten boroughs) 
 or in the cockpit, shaking hands with noble 
 peers, or " tipping his mawley" to some ignoble 
 boxer — he was never at a loss. 
 
 These latter imperfections were, however, un- 
 known to Miss Alicia; she had seen only the 
 bright side of the picture, and not the reverse ; 
 he had more than once been her gratified com- 
 panion in relieving poor families in distress ;
 
 HAMILTON KING. 117 
 
 tliej seemed to be actuated by one motive, one 
 principle, one heart, for, before he was aware 
 of it, he passionately loved the little beauty, and, 
 heedless as to consequences, he became every 
 thing she could desire. But Alicia's was not a 
 mind to be trifled with ; she had a keen pene- 
 tration of her own, as well as a watchful mother, 
 whose eye and ear were constantly on the alert 
 lest harm should befal the darling of her heart. 
 
 Tedious courtships are generally unknown in 
 Ireland. Sir Phelim's consent to their union 
 was obtained, provided that the noble earl would 
 proffer no objections, and make a suitable pro- 
 vision for the young lieutenant. With respect to 
 the first, the haughty peer neither assented nor 
 dissented ; he left the Honourable Augustus 
 Frederick entirely at his own disposal; but in 
 reference to the second, he decidedly declared 
 his intention of withdrawing all future support 
 in the event of his marrying out of the jjeerage. 
 
 Sir Phelim was nettled ; the lieutenant, in 
 making himself all things to every body, had
 
 118 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 crept into the baronet's good graces, so as to 
 render himself somewhat essential to his enjoy- 
 ments ; he was a keen sportsman ; never flinched 
 from the bottle, yet was always fit to appear 
 afterwards in the society of the ladies ; he told 
 a clever story, could sing an excellent song, 
 showed himself a good j udge of horses and dogs, 
 and yet conducted himself with so much defe- 
 rential respect, that his remarks seemed to 
 emanate more from Sir Phelim himself than 
 from the gay dragoon. 
 
 With Lady O'Toole he was equally a fa- 
 vourite, for he was well acquainted with all the 
 pleasant modes of gaining a lady's esteem ; in 
 fact, what would have taken others years of 
 anxious toil and study to acquire, was in him 
 perfect nature — a sort of Crichton for good 
 or evil. But Alicia idolized him ; her heart was 
 never formed for cool, calculating speculation as 
 to wealth or rank ; she saw only the man as he 
 appeared in all his shining and remarkable 
 qualities before her ; she loved him with all the
 
 HAMILTON KING. 119 
 
 intensity of a young and artless Irishwoman, 
 and she would have perished had he betrayed 
 and left her. 
 
 What was to be done? The Honourable 
 Augustus Frederick, with the most perfect can- 
 dour, revealed his situation to the baronet, who 
 was piqued by the slight the peer had put upon 
 the descendant of the ancient kings of Ireland. 
 The noble earl had talked of his aristocratic 
 station, but the baronet d — d his blood for 
 placing it in competition with the royal current 
 that flowed in the veins of the O'Tooles. 
 
 " And what's to be done in this affair, Mr. 
 Gordon," enquired Sir Phelim, as the two gen- 
 tlemen sat over the bottle, after the departure of 
 the ladies from the dinner table. " I would 
 speak with all due respect of the noble earl, 
 your father — fill your glass Augustus, and pass 
 the wine back — yes, with every respect, but my 
 little darleen shall go begging to no peer of the 
 realm — no, nor even to his sacred Majesty either, 
 God bless him, though he''s a young and gra-
 
 120 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 cious king as well might wish to have such a 
 beautiful bride for his queen, and she with royal 
 blood in her veins/' 
 
 " I fully comprehend the difficulty of my 
 situation, sir," responded the Honourable Au- 
 gustus Frederick, as he filled his glass ; " but 
 I assure you, sir, that every thing which honour 
 and affection can dictate, it shall be my earnest 
 study to perform.*" 
 
 " No one doubts you, Mr. Gordon ; at least, 
 no one in Castle Toole,'' rejoined the baronet, 
 as he held up his glass between his eye and th6 
 wax-light. " But, sir — drink your wine Au- 
 gustus, and fill again, for we mustn't be long 
 absent from the ladies, and the decanter is only 
 half empty — I was saying, sir," he paused for 
 a minute, and then continued : " D — it, I don't 
 know what I was saying or going to say. It's 
 a work of dehcacy, young gentleman, and during 
 dinner, whilst I was dismembering the goose, a 
 thought crossed me— not the merry- thought, 
 you wag, for I see your grin ; — no, no, but an
 
 HAMILTON KING. 121 
 
 idea came over my mind that you should go to 
 London and see your father — "" and the baronet 
 paused. 
 
 ''Anything you maybe pleased to direct, 
 Sir Phelim, shall meet with prompt obedience,^' 
 said the young officer ; " my future happiness is 
 in your hands.**' 
 
 " Yes — yes, you shall see your noble father," 
 said Sir Phelim ; " and if a personal interview 
 has no effect — if he is still inexorable — " the 
 baronet stopped and mused. 
 
 '' I throw myself upon your mercy, sir,*" 
 uttered the dragoon, to whom suspense seemed 
 agony. *' Your decision must make me either 
 happy or miserable through the residue of my 
 days.^' 
 
 " And is it make you miserable I would ? 
 said the kind-hearted baronet. " Not I, my 
 boy. But it is a delicatd> affair. My daughter 
 shall be forced into no man's family. Thank 
 God! her blood is more than noble; and as she is 
 to be my heiress, why her fortune, let alone her 
 
 VOL. I. ' G
 
 122 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 beauty and accomplishments, need not be put 
 up to auction. Still it is her happiness I have 
 most at heart — don''t sip your wine, Augustus, 
 but empty your glass, and fill again ; I am 
 waiting for the bottle — I was saying it is her 
 happiness I have most at heart ; and if the 
 earl refuses, I'll get you removed to some other 
 station." 
 
 " Good God ! what is it you can mean, Sir 
 Phelim ?"" exclaimed the young man, in evident 
 alarm. " Would you fix my earthly doom in 
 wretchedness ? — would you force me away ?'' 
 
 " For a few months, Augustus — only for a 
 few months, to test the interval,"" replied the 
 kind-hearted baronet. '' Both of you are young 
 — too young for an immediate union. And who 
 Knows what may happen in the mean time .^^ 
 
 " True, sir, very true,*" responded the officer, 
 looking rueful enough ; " no one can tell. My 
 regiment may be ordered abroad ; Miss Alicia, 
 perhaps — yet no, I will not wrong her nature 
 by one ungenerous thought — I will be obedient
 
 HAMILTON KING. 123 
 
 to command, Sir Phelim. Dispose of me as you 
 please." 
 
 " Well, be a good lad during your probation 
 — the wine stands with you — and we shall see 
 what the end of it will be." 
 
 " I trust I shall not be altogether excluded 
 from your hospitable mansion, Sir Phelim," 
 said the lieutenant, deprecatingly. " I hoj>e I 
 may sometimes — "" 
 
 " The gates of Castle Toole shall never be 
 closed against you,'** returned the baronet. 
 " But come, fill a bumper : we're rather below 
 the mark. Let us drink 'the ladies.*" The 
 command was complied with enthusiastically by 
 the young officer, after which Sir Phelim con- 
 tinued: " I was saying the gates of Castle Toole 
 shall never be closed against you as long as you 
 continue to retain my friendship, but you must 
 not come too often. Attend strictly to your 
 mihtary duties. I am somewhat known to 
 Lord Halifax, and — but times vdW change. 
 Your father's commands must be obeyed ; it is 
 G 2
 
 124 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 your duty to obey them, nor will I sanction 
 any thing like disobedience. There, don't look 
 so melancholy ; well take the field early in the 
 morning, and renew the conversation as we ride 
 home. By the bye, ' his lordship"* is getting 
 quite stubborn." 
 
 " Do you mean the earl or the horse, sir ?^' 
 inquired Augustus, with a look of arch demure- 
 ness. 
 
 " I mean the horse, to be sure — the horse, 
 you wag !" returned Sir Phelim, laughing as 
 he refilled his glass. " You shall ride him for 
 me to-morrow. Now, fill your glass — come, no 
 flinching." The young man obeyed. " And 
 now the decanter is empty, well adjourn to the 
 ladies." 
 
 That evening was passed in more anxiety and 
 sadness than Alicia had ever experienced before. 
 She was sincerely, devotedly attached to the 
 young officer ; and though her pride was sen- 
 sibly hurt at the earl's uncourteous conduct, 
 yet no blame whatever could be imputed to the
 
 HAMILTON KING. 125 
 
 Honourable Augustus Frederick. Still she was 
 rather nettled that the lieutenant should have 
 so readily acquiesced in the proposal of her 
 father for his departure from the neighbourhood 
 of the castle. 
 
 The hounds met the following morning. The 
 muster was numerous and respectable; a fox 
 was soon found, and away they went in full cry 
 to enjoy that exhilarating exercise which is the 
 delischt of the hunter. The Honourable Au- 
 gustus Frederick, according to agreement the 
 evening before, was mounted on " his lordship,'^ 
 a self-willed beast, that required good manage- 
 ment, but in other respects a capital horse for 
 strength and spirit. Now, whether the lieu- 
 tenant's thoughts were otherwise occupied, or 
 from whatever cause it sprung, certain it is that 
 he attended but little to the sport, and still less 
 to his animal, who, with the natural instinct 
 peculiar to the hunter, was speedily made sen- 
 sible of the fact, and at the earliest opportunity 
 took advantage of it by pitching his rider
 
 126 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 over his head into a broad deep dyke that the 
 dragoon wished him to cross without the aid of 
 a bridge. Had he merely fallen into the water, 
 the cold-bath might have had a beneficial eifect 
 upon his spirits, so as to revive him from his 
 lethargy ; but unfortunately there was part of a 
 gate sticking in the clay bottom, and upon this 
 the young lieutenant descended, cfislocating his 
 shoulder, and fracturing two of his ribs. 
 
 Sir Phelim's sport for the day was ended — 
 the matter was too serious to be left to the di- 
 rection of others. A carriage was promptly 
 procured, and the Honourable Augustus Fre- 
 derick was conveyed back to the castle in a 
 dangerous state, to the great alarm of Lady 
 0''Toole, and the severe grief of Miss Alicia. 
 Surgeons had been immediately sent for, and 
 of course they were instant in their attendance, 
 for noble ribs require greater promptitude than 
 those of plebeians. The bones were well set ; 
 quiet and care insisted upon, with a due portion 
 of medicine regularly administered.
 
 HAMILTON KING. 127 
 
 A communication was forwarded to the earl, 
 acquainting him with the occurrence, and the 
 Irish blood of the ancient kings of Ireland was 
 again inflamed by an assertion of the aristocratic 
 father, that his son had done it on purpose, and 
 commanding the lieutenant to quit Ireland as 
 soon as he was in a fit condition to be removed ; 
 leave of absetice having been obtained for that 
 express purpose. As a matter of course, this 
 order did not in any way tend to accelerate the 
 gentleman's recovery. He was, however, at 
 length pronounced out of danger — the rites of 
 frank-hearted hospitality were freely and fully 
 exercised. Alicia frequently visited the invalid 
 with her mother, who had personally nursed 
 him with great care and kindness, and the lieu- 
 tenant went the length of declaring that " his 
 lordship'* was the best friend he ever had. 
 
 The time arrived when the Honourable Au- 
 gustus Frederick was able to quit his apart- 
 ment, and on one of those resplendent evenings 
 when Nature holds supreme dominion over the
 
 128 HAMILTOxV KING. 
 
 liuman heart, the lovers enjoyed a dehcious in- 
 terchange of vows, binding them to mutual af- 
 fection and fidehty. The next day they parted, 
 and the lieutenant proceeded to Dublin, from 
 whence he crossed the water, and travelled by 
 easy stages to London. Here he was graciously 
 received by the earl, who looked upon his obe- 
 dience as an evidence that all further corres- 
 pondence with the O'Tooles was at an end ; 
 but when, in the cotfrse of an inquisitorial con- 
 versation, he ascertained how the facts clearly 
 stood, his vexation, acting upon an extremely 
 irritable temperament, threw him into an uncon- 
 trollable fit of rage ; his passion burst forth like 
 a torrent, sweeping even reason before it; he 
 raved like a maniac, or rather like a demoniac, 
 and in the midst of the direst denunciations, a 
 sush of blood issued from his mouth and nos- 
 trils : he had burst an artery, and in a few 
 hours was a corpse. 
 
 So melancholy a catastrophe operated very 
 powerfully on the mind of the son, and brought
 
 HAMILTOxN KING. 129 
 
 on severe indisposition ; in fact, he was reduced 
 to the very brink of the grave, and but for tlie 
 skill and unremitting assiduity of the physician, 
 he must have sank under his affliction. His 
 brother, now raised to the earldom, treated him 
 with real fraternal affection ; nor was the coun- 
 tess wanting: in those acts of kindness that 
 evidence a feeling and benevolent heart. But 
 there was another thing that tended materially 
 towards his recovery, vi.^. the prospect of being 
 united to Miss CToole ; for the will of his 
 father had made no distinction between the two 
 brothers as to personal property, and Augustus 
 found himself amply provided for. In fact, as 
 soon as the proper period for mourning had ex- 
 pired. Castle Toole displayed a brilliancy such 
 as had never been seen within its walls before, to 
 celebrate the marriage of the " young mistlu*ess, 
 having the raal blood of the ould kings of Ire- 
 land in her veins, with a born gentleman of the 
 nobility of England — Hurroo !" 
 
 Glorious was the day, and Alicia, beautiful as 
 G 3
 
 130 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 tlie morning-star, when the first silvery light of 
 early dawn surrounds it — warm, yet chaste — 
 smiled with delight on the bridegroom of her 
 heart. There, too, were Sir Phehm and his 
 valued lady ; the baronet's countenance fraught 
 with honest pride and jocund glee — his wife, 
 
 " With a smile on her cheek, but a tear in her eje," 
 
 looked with a mother's fondness on a daughter 
 with whom she was soon to part, having entrusted 
 her future happiness to the care and custody of 
 another. Yet other thoughts were still actively 
 busy : '* Who would tend her with the same 
 unwearying devotion that her maternal parent 
 had ? Who would look upon her little failings 
 and imperfections with the same partial eye as 
 she who nursed her in her infancy ?"" Hopes and 
 fears, prayers and blessings, came spontaneously 
 mingling on the lips, and all the mother kindled 
 in her bosom. 
 
 Glorious, indeed, was the day ! There were 
 all the gentry from miles around the country ;
 
 HAMILTON KING. 131 
 
 there were the peasantry and tenantry of the 
 neighbourhood ; and even the still- workers from 
 the mountains assembled to do honour to the 
 occasion. Outlaws, that had ensconced them- 
 selves for many a long dreary month in solitary 
 concealment, ventured forth, as if fearless of 
 molestation during the general rejoicing ; and, 
 in fact, there seemed to be a total cessation of 
 hostihties in the district, the flag of truce being 
 entwined with the banner of Hymen. All loved 
 the O'Tooles, and all joyously united in testifying 
 their regard on this happy event. 
 
 All ? — oh no ! not all — for there was one who 
 sat cheerless and sad in his home of sorrov/ ; no 
 beam of light breaking in upon the darkness of 
 his heart ; no cheering ray of hope illumining 
 the desolation of his mind. The sun shone forth 
 with brilliant splendour ; but the room of the 
 moody man was darkened by the thick heavy 
 curtains that were drawn across the windows, 
 creating a dubious twiliglit in the midst of 
 brightness, and rendering the antique furniture
 
 132 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 of the apartment fantastically mournful in the 
 vmnatural gloom. The heavens were calm and 
 clear ; not a whisper — not a breath was heard ; 
 no wind swept the foliage even to awaken the 
 slumbering leaves from their dreamy rest; 
 the silence was profound. 
 
 The individual was young in years — but the 
 ravages of austerity and grief were visible in his 
 hollow cheeks and sunken eyes. He sat with his 
 elbow on the table, and his forehead reclining 
 on his open palm, as he bent his sight upon a 
 fine old hound tKat crouched at his feet, and 
 seemed to partake of his master's thoughtful 
 melancholy ; for he looked up in his face, as if 
 musing on events that had made such sad 
 changes on a countenance whose expression in- 
 stinct had taught him to read with accurate 
 precision. 
 
 Numerous weapons, principally fire-anns, were 
 handily arranged, so as to be ready for instant 
 use ; and they marked the characteristic of sus- 
 picion in the owner's breast. At a short distance
 
 HAMILTON KING. 133 
 
 in his front, seated on a low stool, with her 
 elbows resting on her knees, and her clenched 
 hands firmly fixed beneath her chin to support 
 her head, was an elderly female, whose grey 
 Iiairs descended below her close cap with flowing 
 lappets on each side, and who wore a sort of 
 dark serge cloak or mantle over her shoulders ; 
 whilst her looks were alternately bent upon the 
 man and upon his faithful animal. It was the 
 nurse Bridget — and he whom she fronted was 
 lord of O'Connor Hall ! 
 
 Since the death of his wife. Sir Terence had 
 lived in a state of seclusion ; he expressed but 
 small attachment for his children, who were con- 
 signed to the care of menials. Bridget had 
 quitted the Hall to return to her native home ; 
 but she had now been summoned by the baronet, 
 in consequence of his eldest boy having disap- 
 peared in a manner so mysterious that no clue 
 whatever could be obtained as to the means of 
 his removal, or whether he was living or dead- 
 In fact, nothing whatever was known, except
 
 134 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 that he was gone ; and as every probable place 
 had been examined without avail, the mind of 
 the unhappy man was left to its own torturing 
 conjectures. 
 
 Bridget declared her inability to afford him 
 information, although she professed to have 
 been diligent in her inquiries and investigation ; 
 she had just finished her report, and was still 
 in the presence of the baronet as above described, 
 watching the effects that her narrative was cal- 
 culated to produce. 
 
 But this is a day of rejoicing ; and, therefore, 
 we must quit the sombre shades of O'Connor 
 Hall for the mirth and pleasure of Castle Toole. 
 And right joyfully did the pealing sounds of 
 revelry fill the air ! Millions of welcomes were 
 showered upon all comers; unbounded hospi- 
 tality prevailed ; the feast was spread with lavish 
 profusion for both rich and poor; the sweet 
 strains of music were responded to by the 
 dancers ; — in short, it was a jubilee of unlimited 
 delight, and the remembrance was cherished for
 
 HAMILTON KING. 135 
 
 many years by all who shared in the happy 
 festivities. 
 
 In a few weeks Alicia and her husband de- 
 parted for England, and in London were warmly 
 welcomed by the earl and countess. The beauty 
 of the bride was the prevailing topic of the St. 
 James's world ; but it was decided upon by the 
 leaders of the ton, that her native simphcity of 
 mind and manners would not do for more than 
 one season. As the lovely wild Irish girl, she 
 was considered as no contemptible novelty to 
 attract an assembly; and, as a matter of conse- 
 quence, invitations poured in from all quarters, 
 the principal portion of which her husband had 
 the good sense to decline — reserving, however, a 
 few whose friendship, though questionable, it was 
 nevertheless necessary to cultivate; and thus the 
 novelty-hunters found themselves foiled. 
 
 But another and more important change took 
 place soon afterwards in the circumstances of 
 Alicia ; for even before the season was brought 
 to a conclusion, the young earl was seized witli
 
 136 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 sudden illness in the House of Peers, and 
 brought home more dead than alive. His disorder 
 baffled the skill of the physicians, and was so 
 rapid in its devastation, that at the expiration of 
 a fortnight he breathed his last in the arms of 
 his heart-broken lady ; and in another week, his 
 crimson velvet-covered coffin was deposited in 
 the family vault, by the side of that of his 
 deceased father — a sad memorial of the muta- 
 bility of human greatness, and a humbling lesson 
 on the uncertainty of existence. 
 
 Thus, in a short time, the daughter of Sir 
 Phelim O'Toole became a countess, though the 
 title was not immediately taken, as it was by no 
 means certain that there might not be another 
 claimant. The question, however, was soon 
 afterwards set at rest, and the newly-married 
 couple took their appointed places amongst the 
 nobility of the land. 
 
 For several months, Alicia (now Lady Gor- 
 don) felt herself supremely blest ; her husband 
 was all that her fondest desires could wish ; the
 
 HAMILTON KING. 137 
 
 widowed countess became a sister and a friend ; 
 •royal favours and smiles were bestowed upon 
 her, for the king and queen had themselves but 
 recently entered the wedded state, and perpetual 
 sunshine seemed to settle on her head. 
 
 But the heart of the youthful countess was 
 more adapted to domestic enjoyments than to the 
 glittering circle at St. James's ; and though she 
 knew herself to be the object of universal admi- 
 ration, yet she shrunk from public gaze, and 
 sighed for that delightful privacy which is so 
 exquisitely precious to the innocent and artless 
 mind. The earl, too, was now much oftener 
 from her side ; and when she looked back at the 
 happy moments which she had formerly enjoyed, 
 when he was her devoted companion at Castle 
 Toole, she ardently longed for a renewal of what 
 was to her a season of indescribable bliss. 
 
 At first, business alone drew the young noble- 
 man from his home and bride, for he had ob- 
 tained a diplomatic appointment of some trust, 
 and was diligent and attentive to its duties ; but
 
 138 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 old associations were revived, the novelty of 
 wedded life was wearing off, and other pleasures 
 had their attractions, till he graduall}^ yielded 
 to their seductive influences, and the passions 
 that had never been eradicated, progressively 
 resumed their ascendancy over his mind and 
 actions. Still Lady Gordon, though she deeply 
 regretted his absence, was unconscious of there 
 being any cause for complaint ; he was kind, 
 indulgent, and affectionate, almost to a fault. 
 She had immense wealth at her disposal ; luxu- 
 ries of all kinds, and of every clime, awaited her 
 commands ; but yet she sighed for the unosten- 
 tatious retirement of her native Irish home, and 
 she longed to dispense the bounties with which 
 heaven had been pleased to favour her, amongst 
 the poor peasantry, who were constantly asso- 
 ciated with the recollections of the parental 
 roof. 
 
 But the time approached when she gave indi- 
 cations of becoming a mother, and for a season 
 the earPs attentions were unremitting. Unfortu-
 
 HAMILTON KING. 139 
 
 nately, however, a fall destroyed his expecta- 
 tions, and the disappointment seemed to work so 
 considerable a change in his manners, that Lkly 
 Gordon could not but be fully sensible of it. 
 Alas ! that there should be any of the female sex 
 so devoid of principle as to take pleasure in 
 withdrawing the affections from the wedded 
 wife, though it rarely happens that they secure 
 those affections for themselves. Yet such there 
 are, and to the wily blandishments of a danseuse 
 at the Opera House, the noble and talented 
 Gordon became a victim. 
 
 Was he blameless in this ? Certainly not ; his 
 conduct merited the severest reprehension, if not 
 condemnation, for there was confiding and at- 
 tached beauty in the person of his lovely wife, 
 who based her earthly happiness upon the hus- 
 band whom she almost worshipped; and yet, 
 whilst she stood in the pride of fancied security, 
 he was undermining her peace; whilst she 
 thought herself the envy of those who suffered 
 neglect from their partners, she was actually the 
 
 I
 
 140 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 object of pity to those whose situation she com- 
 miserated. 
 
 Here, then, was ruin in full operation, to 
 work its baneful and pernicious effects on one 
 of the fairest and most innocent of God's crea- 
 tion. Happily it was long concealed from her, 
 and it was not till the period advanced for the 
 prospect of her again becoming a mother, that 
 the astonishing facts burst upon her ; and as 
 the avalanche with impetuous force rolls ist 
 enormous weight upon its victims, so did the 
 horrible conviction overwhelm her reason ; and 
 when, after many months, her intellect was re- 
 stored, her heart was crushed and bowed down, 
 never to feel the elasticity of hope again. 
 
 But the young countess knew and persevered 
 in her duty as a wife, and ultimately the earl 
 experienced remorse at being the cause of such 
 intense suffering. He gave up his appointment, 
 and retired to his beautiful seat in the country, 
 determined, if possible, to redeem the past ; 
 for he had experienced what Solomon had pre-
 
 HAMILTON KING. 141 
 
 viously discovered, that " all was vanity and 
 vexation of spirit."" But the character which 
 has been given of him in the early part of this 
 chapter, on introducing him to the reader, was 
 daily more and more exemplified ; and though, 
 at the expiration of six years from their union, 
 the countess gave birth to a daughter, which 
 detached him from many of his demoralizing 
 pursuits, yet, like a wilful suicide, though he 
 was surrounded by every thing which Provi- 
 dence had bestowed as blessings, he persisted in 
 converting them into curses ; and when his 
 child had attained her fifth year, he sank into 
 the grave, unwept and unregretted, leaving the 
 countess a splendid fortune, but, in the case of 
 her marrying, to revert to his daughter. 
 
 Lady Gordon was still beautiful, and numerous 
 were the offers she received ; but she declined 
 them all, though one was backed by a ducal 
 coronet. She preferred the quiet of retirement 
 with her child, to all the fascinations of the world 
 and the temptations of ambition. Her parents
 
 142 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 still lived, and she visited them, gladdening their 
 hearts, and dispensing her generous bounty to 
 the poor ; but the principal portion of her time 
 was passed in Kent, where she was universally 
 beloved. 
 
 Her daughter grew the very counterpart of 
 what her mother had been at the same age ; but, 
 imhappily, manifesting at times a portion of her 
 father's unamiable propensities. These the 
 anxious parent endeavoured to eradicate; and, 
 as the maiden's years increased, the fond mother 
 had the satisfaction to perceive the good results 
 of patience and perseverance ; and she looked 
 forward with pleasure, though not unmingled 
 with anxiety, when her child would become the 
 stay and prop of her declining life. 
 
 Inscrutable are the ways and decrees of Omni- 
 potence ! The Creator seeth not as his creature 
 seeth ; he giveth and he taketh away, and who 
 shall arraign his immaculate wisdom ? The 
 beautiful girl, highly accomplished, attained her 
 sixteenth year, the pride of her mother's heart,
 
 HAMILTON KING. 143 
 
 the delight of her mother's eyes. Young as she 
 was, the royal sailor, Prince William Henry, 
 then in his eighteenth year, was captivated more 
 by the sweetness of her disposition than by her 
 loveliness, and, in the frankness of his nature, 
 he acknowledged his regard. But death ! — 
 death was busy. Subtle disease even then was 
 preying upon her vitals; and in less than six 
 months she was consigned to the cold tomb of 
 her ancestors — another evidence of the frailty of 
 human life ! 
 
 For some time Lady Gordon was inconsolable, 
 but religion came to her aid ; she kissed the rod, 
 and bent meekly to the stroke, consoling herself, 
 as David of old did, " Though she cannot return 
 to me, yet I can go to her." 
 
 And now the countess was at the residence of 
 Mrs. Jones, to comfort her under the bereaving 
 affliction she had also sustained ; but so grati- 
 fied was her ladyship with the appearance and 
 behaviour of little Ellen, that she at once pro- 
 posed to adopt her as her own — it would serve
 
 144 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 to fill up the vacuum in her heart ; and the 
 serjeanfs wife was invited to accompany her. 
 
 The offer was promptly communicated to the 
 monarch ; her majesty eagerly advised its ac- 
 ceptance ; every arrangement was speedily con- 
 cluded ; and young Ellen,' assuming the maiden 
 name of her benefactress, so as to prevent the 
 prying curiosity of the domestics, was conveyed 
 as a relation to Mendelshem Park — directions 
 having been left at Weymouth, that should 
 any intelligence be obtained of the lads, it was 
 to be instantly forwarded to the noble-minded 
 and generous countess.
 
 HAMILTON KING. 145 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 How bright to the ardent lover's eye 
 
 Is the moon in the heavens above, 
 When summer winds wake the balmy si^h 
 From flow'rs that heave their breasts on high, 
 
 And woo the breeze to their w anton love ; 
 But dearer to me is the roaring gale, 
 The rolling sea, and the close-reef d sail, 
 
 In the craft with contraband. 
 ^^'ith pleasure we watch the signal flash. 
 And then through the foamy breakers dash, 
 
 And quickly our cargo land. 
 
 MS. 
 
 But to return to the two boys, Hamilton and 
 Ned, whom we left spanking away over the 
 clear waters in the lovely cutter, " Blue Bob,"* 
 with all her reefs out, and squ^fresail and square- 
 topsail set. She kept her course considerably to 
 the southward of /west, as if desirous of avoid- 
 ing the English coast, and any straggling 
 cruizer that might be creeping alongshore. 
 
 VOL. I. H
 
 146 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 The Blue Bob was a fine craft of one hun- 
 dred and twenty tons, manned with a crew of 
 seventy men, and carrying fourteen six- pounders, 
 though at this time they were not mounted. 
 Her captain was a young man, about five-and- 
 twenty years of age, with the traces of strong 
 passions marked upon a countenance that would 
 otherwise have been handsome. He was nearly 
 six feet in height, of muscular proportions, in- 
 dicating great strength and power of limb. His 
 curling hair clustered about his forehead, and 
 above a pair of laughing eyes, that evidenced 
 a love of good-humoured pleasantry ; but there 
 was also at times a redness in their terrific glare 
 that told a tale of lawless inclinations to horrible 
 revenge, when fancy or reality whispered he was 
 injured or insulted. To the rough, straight- 
 forward manners of the British seaman were 
 superadded a considerable degree of French po- 
 liteness, whilst his speech evidently betrayed 
 that his birth-place had been Ireland. 
 The next in command was a short, thick-set
 
 HAMILTON KING. 147 
 
 man, with a thick bull-neck, ferocious features, 
 heightened in their repulsiveness by enormous 
 whiskers, and fierce, sanguinary eyes, that 
 seemed as if they would take pleasure in the 
 sight of blood ; he was every inch an Irishman 
 of the worst breed. Junior to him was Peterson, 
 a Guernsey man, who had passed much of his 
 time in the three countries, England, Ireland, 
 and France, his real name being Delcroix. 
 
 " It's a mighty pity they missed the gal !"" 
 said the first mate, as he paced the deck with his 
 commander, rejoicing in the breeze, " for if s kill 
 two birds with one stone we could, and the 
 Baccah safe in his shoes — ''"' 
 
 " To laugh at us for being fools, O'RafFerty," 
 responded the commander, interrupting him. 
 '' But, what do you mean by being safe in his 
 shoes ?" 
 
 " Troth, an"* it's small occasion ye have to 
 
 ax me. Captain Feaghan,' seeing as yer mightily 
 
 in his confidence,"" returned the other ; " an"* 
 
 there 's Teddy, too ;-^perhaps I dunna, and 
 
 H 2
 
 148 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 perhaps I do. However, the gaPs not to the 
 fore — though he need not be towld that same — 
 and what matter so as you get rid of two ?**' 
 
 '^ When I want your counsel, O'RafFerty, I'll 
 ask you for it !'^ said the captain proudly, and 
 looking down upon his second with a feeling 
 that in any other situation would have prompted 
 him to the besfowal of a hearty kick. 
 
 " Shure, an"* yer welcome to it for all that,"" 
 responded the pertinacious mate, without mean- 
 ing, however, to be impertinent. " And when, 
 captain, dear, do you propose to turn "^em 
 adrift r 
 
 " Turn who adrift .^" inquired the superior, 
 angrily, as he stopped 'short in his walk, and 
 faced— no, he could not face — but looked down 
 on the individual beneath him. 
 
 " Well, then, it''s meself as is puzzled intirely, 
 anyhow. Captain Feaghan,"*" responded the man, 
 taking no notice whatever of the hostile t(me he 
 had been addressed in. " You seemed to be 
 acquaints with the whole consarn afore we
 
 HAMILTON KING. 149 
 
 started, and now sorrow the know you knows 
 about it, for ' turn who adrift ?"* axes you, and 
 it 's turn the childer adrift, ses I.*" 
 
 " Villain !'" muttered the captain between his 
 compressed teeth. " His mind is ever gloating 
 upon murder."" He then added louder, " that 
 larboard squarsel- earing is not close out. Go 
 forud, Mr. CRafferty, and see that they bring it 
 chock a block !" 
 
 " Ay, ay, sir!"" responded the mate, pro- 
 ceeding to obey, and mumbling as he walked 
 forward, " hannimandhioul ! and is it ' villain ' 
 you're after calling me ? By the powers. Cap- 
 tain Feaghan, but ifs me own eye that's upon 
 you, and, long as you are, your race may be 
 shortened, or I dunna — Rouse out this squarsel- 
 earing, lads !"" 
 
 The commander walked the deck, apparently 
 much agitated. The mate did not return, but 
 remained in conversation with some of the people 
 near the windlass ; but, after the lapse of a 
 quarter of an hour the captain hailed him to
 
 150 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 come aft, issued his orders to be called instantly 
 should anything heave in sight, or change take 
 place in the weather, and then went below. The 
 children, with their little arms encircling each 
 other's neck, were sweetly sleeping. The young 
 seaman held the lamp above them, and gazed 
 earnestly upon their features. " That rascal 
 scents blood-money," murmured he ; " but not a 
 hair of either head shall be injured, as far as life 
 goes, whilst I have power to prevent it ;" he 
 again suspended the lamp to the beam from 
 which it swung, wrapped himself in a thick 
 warm overall, and throwing himself along the 
 cushioned lockers, was sound asleep in a mo- 
 ment. 
 
 Nothing material occurred till near daylight, 
 when Ushant light showed itself just dipping on 
 the verge of the horizon, and well open on the 
 starboard-bow. The captain was immediately 
 informed by Peterson (who had the watch), and 
 after directing him to keep for the Passage du 
 Four, between the island and the main, he
 
 HAMILTON KING. 151 
 
 turned himself round, and again sunk into 
 slumber. But this did not continue long ; day 
 burst forth with all its gorgeous splendour ; the 
 sun arose bright, and beautiful, and clear ; he 
 shook off his sloth with his covering, and in a 
 few minutes was on deck, piloting his craft 
 amongst those rocky islets that just show their 
 heads above the water, like a fin-back spout- 
 ing, as the waves lashed over them, and threw 
 the feathery spray high in air. 
 
 Onward flew the beautiful vessel, cleaving 
 the ocean as a swallow cleaves the sky, and 
 playing with its own peculiar element. The 
 breeze was still fresh at south-east — the cutter 
 hugged the shore, almost shaving the rocks, 
 which sometimes sent their froth flakes upon her 
 decks ; but there was an eye upon her course, to 
 which the concealed bottom of the ocean was as 
 familiar as its surface. The square-sails are 
 taken in, the spread yard stowed, the sheets 
 nicely trimmed, and a single reef hauled down 
 in the mainsail, as she stands off" dead upon a
 
 152 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 wind. But now the water is comparatively 
 smooth, though the rippling waves strike 
 against her bows, and then dash off again in 
 myriads of crystal gems. About she comes, 
 her sails quivering as she flies into the wind, 
 then gracefully bends upon the starboard tack, 
 and rushes with impetuous haste towards the 
 
 V 
 
 iron-bound shore. The breakers are a-head, 
 — they are almost at her bowsprit end — a few 
 fathoms further and the Blue Bob would be 
 anatomized — but, hark ! " Helm a lee !"*' and 
 round she comes again, leaving the danger in 
 her wa ke. 
 
 Oh, it is the seaman's delight, thus to sport 
 with his enemy, and prove the capabilities of his 
 lively craft ; — had she missed stays, her cruises 
 would have terminated for ever ; but the captain, 
 and the people smiled with pleasure at her 
 ready obedience to command — her sails trem- 
 bled for a mere instant, '' the creatur could do 
 anything but speak,*" and away she bounded, 
 disappointing the craggy barrier of its prey.
 
 HAMILTON KING. J 53 
 
 Thus plays the pintado bird round the nose of 
 the greedy shark — ^just gliding above his head, 
 and then soaring beyond the reach of his mon- 
 strous jaws. 
 
 A bold stretch they make of it this time, and 
 in they stand again — St. Matthew's point is 
 weathered, and thus they continue working to 
 windward. The children are roused out and 
 dressed — an ample breakfast is provided — 
 Captain Feaghan eyes them with complacency 
 in spite of his rough manners ; the mate's look 
 forbodes evil — it is sanguinary — but neither the 
 one nor the other communicate their thoughts. 
 Upon deck they go again, the boys delighted 
 with their holiday, and playing with the large 
 Newfoundland dog, Neptune, who seems to 
 think by his gambols that the children were 
 brought on board purposely for his amusement. 
 
 " There's a rock a-head, sir, a little open on 
 the weather bow," shouts one of the men from 
 forward. 
 
 " Very well," returned the captain, aloud, and 
 h5
 
 154 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 then muttered, " Its the Cock above water, close 
 at it my boy," to the man at the helm ; " we 
 mustn't go to leeward of the Gallic cock at all 
 events ; lufF you may lad, luff." 
 
 " Luff it is, sir," replied the helmsman, as he 
 inclined the tiller almost imperceptibly to the 
 lee-side; but the cutter felt even that slight 
 deviation of her rudder, and she boldly sprang 
 to the wind. 
 
 "You'll hardly weather it, sir," said Peterson, 
 as he elevated himself upon the windlass ; " it's 
 dead a-head as ever it can be." 
 
 " I will go to windward of it, by f 
 
 returned the reckless man, " or Blue Bob shall 
 see which is hardest. Mind your helm, lad ; 
 luff to the breeze." 
 
 A sudden puff heeled the vessel over, and her 
 increased impetus seemed hurrying her to 
 destruction ; but the skilful helmsman again 
 pressed the tiller to leeward, and the cutter once 
 more sprang to it gallantly, opening the rock a 
 short handspike's length on the lee -bow. The
 
 HAMILTON KING. 155 
 
 puff was past, the sails were lifting, the rock was 
 scarcely eighty fathoms distant, every eye was 
 fixed upon it with breathless attention ; yet 
 there stood the reckless captain, apparently 
 unconcerned. The cutter was dashing on, but 
 the rock did not open away from her bows an 
 inch : a few minutes would decide their fate, 
 supposing the commander was foolhardy enough 
 to risk their lives, and he manifested no indica- 
 tion of changing his declared purpose. The 
 men gazed alternately from the captain to the 
 foamy breakers — for both seemed mad, when 
 down came the puff again; instant advantage 
 was taken of it. " Give her the helm, boy ! — 
 luff you may !" shouted the captain. The order 
 was promptly obeyed ; the beautiful craft, as if 
 conscious of her danger, tried to avoid it. There 
 was now no space to go to leeward ; their lee- 
 bow was actually in the white foam of the 
 recoiling waters. Had the wind dropped, it 
 appeared as if her fate must then have been 
 sealed ; but the breeze held on. The rock was
 
 156 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 abeam ; a biscuit might have been pitched from 
 the deck on to its summit ; the vessel trembled, 
 as if sensible of her situation ; another minute, 
 and she was again in the clear blue water ; the 
 Cock was weathered and passed, and the laugh- 
 ing captain resuming his walk, exclaimed : " I 
 knew Blue Bob could do it, or else be made 
 fire-wood of. I was never mistaken yet/** 
 
 Had Feaghan no motive for this ? The 
 mysterious communings of the men, the reve- 
 rential look with which they eye their com" 
 mander — the demoniac curl of contempt upon 
 the mate'^s lip indicate that he had ; and his 
 own fearless glance of pride which he threw 
 around him, evidenced that his purpose had been 
 fully accomplished. He had calculated upon 
 that which the others had not, a strong weather* 
 tide, and the promptitude of the cutter in 
 answering her helm. The people, fond of the 
 marvellous, and influenced by superstition, attri- 
 buted their safety to some superhuman power 
 possessed by their daring chief.
 
 HAMILTON KING. 157 
 
 " There's an English man-of-war brig, with 
 her colours flying, in Bertheaume roads, sir,"" 
 shouted Peterson from forward. 
 
 " Clear away the ensign-halliards at the peak, 
 and hoist ours,"" was Feaghan's response. 
 
 " What flag are we to show, sir,'"* inquired 
 Peterson in an under-tone, as he came aft to the 
 tafferail, where the captain was executing his 
 own orders. 
 
 " Dutch, Peterson — Dutch, by all manner 
 of means," returned his smiling commander. 
 '^ Show 'em the stern and steady Van Tromp ; 
 our Irish lads will easily pass for Hollanders if 
 you keep 'em clear of the whiskfey." 
 
 Up went the Dutch ensign, blowing out gaily 
 from the gafF-end. The cutter made a long 
 reach into Bertheaume roads, and then stood 
 out again towards those numerous black rocks 
 which stretch out a mile or two from the 
 Camaret land, leaving, however, a narrow pas- 
 sage between them and the shore. But she 
 does not approach them ; the entrance to Brest
 
 158 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 is well opened ; the castle on its craggy basis is 
 well in sight; the tide is running in like a 
 sluice ; the dangerous Mingon in mid-channel 
 is passed ; the Gullet is gained ; the town, as 
 if running down a hill, is in full view ; prepara- 
 tions are made for bringing up; the jib and 
 gaff-topsail are taken in ; the tack of the mainsail 
 is triced up ; the foresail halliards are let go, and 
 the rattling hanks descend the stay as the canvas 
 falls in folds below : the helm is clapped hard 
 down ; the cutter shoots up head to wind ; the 
 buoy is streamed ; the vessel has lost her way ; the 
 anchor is let go ; the range of the cable smokes 
 out of the hawse-hole as she drops astern ; a 
 proper scope is given, and Blue Bob is proudly 
 and saucily riding in the midst of the navy of 
 France, and in one of the finest and safest ports 
 in Europe. 
 
 Captain Feaghan received the officer on 
 guard with phlegmatic politeness, invited him 
 to partake of some excellent schiedarn, and kept 
 up a rather long conversation in French (the
 
 HAMILTON KING. 159 
 
 officer not understanding Dutch), and soon after 
 his departure the commander went ashore. 
 
 " Well, my boy,"" said Peterson to one of 
 the children who stood by himself, whilst the 
 other, full of life and glee, was racing with the 
 noble dog along the deck ; " well, my boy, and 
 what is your name ?" 
 
 " Ned Jones,'' replied the lad, somewhat 
 morosely eyeing the inquirer ; " and I want to 
 go back to my mother." 
 
 '' But your brother doesn't want to go back," 
 said Peterson, " and I suppose he loves his 
 mother as much as you do ?" 
 
 " He's not my brother ; and he's got no 
 mother to go back to," responded the boy. 
 "Hammy's happy anywhere, so that he's not 
 put in a passion." 
 
 " And then, I dare say, he's a very terrible 
 fellow," returned the other. " But, what is his 
 name, if he's not your brother .?" 
 
 " I told you his name was Hammy," rejoined 
 Ned ; " he never had any other except what the 
 gentleman gave him."
 
 160 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 " And, pray what was that which the gentle- 
 man gave him ?" inquired Peterson. 
 
 ••^ You're mighty inquisitive, Musther Pe- 
 therson !'' said the chief mate, who had over- 
 heard the conversation. " Maybe Captain lea- 
 ghan, and them as I know, wouldn't throuble 
 themselves to thank you for it."" 
 
 Peterson gave his superior a peculiar look of 
 defiance, whilst his tongue was curbed by defe- 
 rential respect for the other's rank. " I am 
 merely speaking to them, Mr. O'RafFerty,'' said 
 he; " but I can discontinue that, if it is your 
 desire."" 
 
 " By no manes in life," returned the mate, as 
 he scowled upon the Guernseyman ; " let 'em 
 have a merry time, as their hours are num- 
 bered." 
 
 Peterson, though he heard the last remark, 
 took no direct notice of it ; but stopping 
 Hamilton as he ran aft with the dog, he 
 asked, " Well, Hammy, and do you like Nep- 
 tune.?" 
 
 " That I do," replied the laughing boy ; " he
 
 HAMILTON KING. 161 
 
 is so good-tempered. And, I like you ; but I 
 don't like him,*' pointing to the mate, " he looks 
 so ill-natured and cross." 
 
 "An maybe there's more thruth in that than 
 you think for, ye brat !" uttered O'RafFerty, with 
 a ferocious look of anger at the boy. " Small 
 blame to you for finding out that I'm not a 
 sae-sick girl, though but little's the experience 
 you have yet had as to the fact. And," turning 
 to Ned, *' don't you take a fancy to like me, 
 eather !" 
 
 " I should like you," returned Ned, " if you 
 wouldn't speak so rough and angry, and if you 
 would take me back to my mother." 
 
 " Oh, never mind, Ned," exclaimed Hamil- 
 ton, throwing his arm round his companion's 
 neck. " We shall soon go back, and then 
 what a fine story we shall have to tell nurse and 
 Ellen ; but I should like to take Neptune with 
 me," and his other arm was entwined round 
 the shaggy neck of the fondling animal. 
 
 " Ay, ay, my darlin'," said the mate, " ye'll
 
 162 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 just go back when the cows come home ; and 
 that'll be niver, maybe." The boys looked 
 ruefully on hearing this declaration. " Its 
 meself as knows how many blue beans make five 
 atwixt the skipper, an' one who shall be name- 
 less. Five bunder's five hunder all the world 
 over, barring that it's more in Ireland than any 
 where else. An it's Mr. Morgan O'Rafferty 
 here to the fore, as manes to have his share of 
 it, anyhow; for, dead or alive, sorrow the 
 scurragh of it can he touch without my sartifi- 
 cate that both on 'em are disposed of." 
 
 " You are making very strange allusions," 
 said Peterson ; " and, though they are in some 
 measure enigmatical to me, yet they might 
 hereafter be construed into certain admissions if 
 repeated to any one else." 
 
 '' Oh, don't mintion it — niggermatical are 
 they .^" rejoined the mate. " Well, then, it's 
 meself as doesn't care a dudeen o' baccy about 
 it J the money's mine, and some of it will come 
 to you, safe enough."
 
 HAMILTON KING. 163 
 
 "I know nothing of what you are hinting 
 at,"'' said Peterson sternly. " I have obeyed 
 orders, as in duty bound, and I respect Captain 
 Feaghan, who has on all occasions behaved 
 extremely well to me." 
 
 " Exstramely well, no doubt on it," growled 
 the mate ; " an"* the divel may swear him to his 
 good behaviour. But it's small disthance that 
 I'd trust him with five hunder pounds, and part 
 of it in my own pocket — that is, ought to be as 
 Morgan O'Rafferty's share." 
 
 " The children will remain uninjured by the 
 captain, I'm very confident, if your allusions 
 point at them," said Peterson, warmly ; " he 
 wouldn't hurt a hair of their heads." 
 
 " Whisht, ye know-nothing ! arrah, whisht !" 
 uttered the other, in a tone of ridicule and con- 
 tempt. "Vestment oaths are not owld songs, 
 or custom-house swearing. I say it must and 
 shall be done !" 
 
 " What ?" exclaimed Peterson, with sudden
 
 164 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 vehemence, and looking his superior full in the 
 face. " What must and shall be done ?" 
 
 " Catch a weasel asleep, ye omadhaum !" 
 returned the mate in anger. " How long have 
 ye been a father-confessor ? an afore the deed's 
 done, too !" 
 
 " Come, come, Mr. O'RafFerty, there can be 
 no good in our quarrelling upon sudi a subject," 
 said Peterson, good-humouredly desiring to put 
 an end to the dispute. " I'm certain, notwith- 
 standing all you have said, that it is not in 
 your nature to hurt or do harm to such inno- 
 cents."" 
 
 "An them so fond of me, too," bitterly 
 responded the mate. " You forgot that, Pe- 
 thersdn !" He turned to Ned, who had remained 
 unmoved, though Hamilton had resumed his 
 play. "An so you don't like the looks of me, 
 eh ?" 
 
 " No, I don't," boldly answered the boy ; " I 
 like Neptune better," and he clung round the
 
 HAMILTON KING. 165 
 
 neck of the fine animal, who wagged his bushy 
 tail, and looked the picture of delight/'' 
 
 " Out o* that, ye baste !" exclaimed the 
 mate, giving the dog a brutal kick. " Go 
 Ibrud, sir ! an you to be prefarred before a 
 Christian ?" 
 
 The creature gave a short moaning howl of 
 complaint, looked in the brute's face, and then, 
 hanging down his head, and dropping his tail, 
 he promptly obeyed. Ned's face crimsoned 
 with passion ; Peterson seemed vexed ; but 
 Hamilton, who had been making Neptune fetch 
 and carry a boat's-tiller that he had picked up 
 about the decks, and still held it in his hand, 
 struck the mate as sharp a blow as his strength 
 would admit across the shins. " You're a baste 
 yourself,"*' said he, " and that's for you !" 
 
 " Hannimandhioul !" shrieked the mate with the 
 acuteness of the pain ; and catching up the young- 
 ster who had caused it, with a sudden fling he 
 precipitated him into the sea, before Peterson, who 
 seemed instantly aware of his intent, could seize
 
 166 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 hold of him to prevent it. A shrill piercing cry 
 of terror and anguish rang wildly in the air as 
 the body descended into the yielding waters. 
 Peterson, in the ernergency of the moment, had 
 grappled with the mate, who turned upon him 
 with desperate fury, so that he could not disen- 
 gage himself to leap to the rescue of the child ; 
 and there the mates struggled, whilst the people 
 thronged the sides, and gazed upon the catas- 
 trophe. But, though O'Hafferty was the stoutest 
 and the strongest man, yet Peterson had supe- 
 rior skill and science. He pressed firmly against 
 his antagonist, apparently to throw him back- 
 wards. The mate sternly and powerfully 
 resisted, when in an instant Peterson yielded, 
 and sprang back, and his murderous opponent — 
 overbalanced by his own pressure, which, instead 
 of meeting resistance, was accelerated forward — 
 lay stretched upon the deck. 
 
 " Jump in the boat — save the boy — for the 
 love of Heaven, save him,*" shouted Peterson, as 
 he ran to the tafferail and beheld the dog Nep-
 
 HAMILTON KING. 167 
 
 tune paddling up astern with the child clinging 
 to his neck, whilst he held his head above water 
 by retaining the lad's curly hair in his mouth. 
 Neptune had, in fact, witnessed the whole 
 transaction ; he heard the plunge as Hamilton 
 fell heavily into the stream, and with one bound 
 he cleared the gangway rails, and swam to the 
 rescue of his little playmate. The boat shoved 
 off — both were picked up and brought on ])oard 
 — the boy scarcely sensible — the animal, shak- 
 ing his rough coat, seemed delighted with the 
 approbation he received, frequently ran to the 
 side and to the stern, and looked over upon the 
 rippling tide to see if there was further occasion 
 for his services. 
 
 The mate had been somewhat stunned by his 
 fall, and, though almost immediately raised up 
 by. some of the men, he did not recover entire 
 consciousness till Hamilton and his preserver 
 had been brought back in safety, and then, with 
 tliat startling revival of energy which pugilists 
 at times evince when all hopes of their coming
 
 168 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 to the scratch are gone, he sprang up from his 
 recumbent position — reeled a pace or two — gave 
 a pecuhar kind of howl that drew together in 
 an instant all the wild Irish amongst the crew 
 — caught hold of a handspike, and, with mad- 
 dened rage, prepared to rush upon the man 
 who had done him so much dishonour. Nor 
 was Peterson wholly unsupported, for several of 
 the people, execrating the conduct of the mate, 
 and expecting that his fury would prompt him 
 to some infernal deed, had come aft and rallied 
 round the second officer with a determination to 
 protect him. Amongst these was old Graves, 
 the boatswain, a native of Folkstone in Kent, a 
 man of dauntless courage when it was called 
 into action — a thorough cutter and lugger sea- 
 man (for he had never sailed in any other 
 craft) — intrepid in the midst of danger — a very 
 devil in the way of his profession — yet at other 
 times as harmless and as playful as a junior 
 school- boy. 
 
 " Muster Rapartee,*" exclaimed the boat-
 
 HAMILTON KING. 169 
 
 swain, " I'll thank you to keep the peace, sir ; 
 and you— (to the Irish backers of the mate)— 
 you conger- eaters, away forud every soul of 
 you, and don't come athwart the hawse of owld 
 Tom Graves ! " 
 
 " To the devil I pitch Vm,'' shouted the 
 mate, who stood a little befoi-e the starboard 
 gangway, making ready with his barbarians for 
 a desperate rush on the opposing party, who, 
 with Peterson and Tom Graves at their head, 
 had assembled on the larboard side of the quar- 
 ter-deck, having an open hatchway and a sky- 
 light intervening between them and the expected 
 assailants. '' Huroosh ! " again shouted the 
 mate, and was answered with a similar cry from 
 his adherents, as they flourished their weapons 
 above their heads and bounded from the deck. 
 " Your sowls to glory, have at 'em, then,*" 
 added he, and with one spring he cleared the 
 Hatchway to cope with Peterson, but was 
 instantly knocked back again, and tumbled 
 down below by a blow from Captain Feaghan. 
 
 VOL. I. T
 
 170 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 /^ Down — dov/n, ye scoundrels,^ exclaimed 
 the young commander, as he laid on them with- 
 out mercy ; " is this the way my authority is 
 respected ? my property taken care of? Down, 
 ye villains. Graves, Peterson, heave the rascals 
 overboard ! "' 
 
 The mysterious appearance of their captain 
 at so critical a moment, and the summary pun- 
 ishment he had inflicted on the mate, at once 
 decided the aifair ; the men slunk quickly away 
 below, the decks were speedily cleared, contu- 
 f«ions and broken heads were dressed, and Peter- 
 son related to his commander the events that 
 had occurred. 
 
 The boys had been taken below directlv 
 Hamilton had returned on board, and, by the 
 exertions of the steward, the latter was now 
 quite revived, though still labouring under 
 great alarm. Neptune received sundry friendly 
 intimations of his master's approval, and fol- 
 lov/ed him into the cabin, where he laid himself 
 quietly down at the feet of the terrified boys.
 
 HAMILTON KING. 171 
 
 But Feaghan spoke kindly to them, and pro- 
 duced toys and cakes from his pockets, as also a 
 quantity he had brought in the boat. Novelty 
 and amusement soon drove away remembrance 
 of the past ; they were encouraged to play, and, 
 with Neptune to assist them, they were not long 
 before they were again enjoying themselves in 
 all the thoughtless mirth of childhood. 
 
 " A boat from the French frigate, sir,'' said 
 Peterson 'at the cabin door, and Captain Fea- 
 ghan immediately ascended to the deck, of which 
 an officer and a party of armed men had taken 
 possession. 
 
 "Are you in want of help, captain.?" in- 
 quired the lieutenant : " we saw symptoms 
 of mutiny, and are now ready to tender assist- 
 ance."" 
 
 " It was an affair of but little moment,"" re- 
 turned the captain of the cutter ; " a mere 
 quarrel, and was quelled the instant I " came 
 aboard. But," and he bowed with well-affected 
 elegance, " a word or two from you, monsieur, 
 I 2
 
 172 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 might have a sensible effect upon them. Shall 
 I order the fellows on deck ?'' 
 
 " You do me too much honour,**" said the 
 officer, returning the salutation with compound 
 interest. " Do they understand the French 
 language ? In that case I will speak to them.**" 
 
 " Most of them do, monsieur,'^ replied Fea- 
 ghan, "and those who do not shall have it 
 translated to them.*" He turned to Peterson, 
 and commanded him to " send every soul on 
 deck directly/' 
 
 The order was promptly obeyed; the men 
 came sneaking from below, and ranged them- 
 selves abaft, many displaying bandaged heads ; 
 and, as soon as Graves had made his report, the 
 officer mounted the skylight and called the 
 marines to his side. Feaghan beckoned to 
 Teddy, and in a whisper requested him to 
 translate the French lieutenant's speech into 
 pure Irish. Teddy stared for a moment, as not 
 a word of French did he know anything about ; 
 but a wink from his commander and a word or
 
 HAMILTON KING. 173 
 
 two from Peterson (who felt really alarmed lest 
 the reckless humour of his captain should be 
 seen through by the Frenchman) put him up to 
 the thing, and he took his station. The follow 
 ing speech was then delivered, and progressively 
 translated : — 
 
 *^ Grentlemen, citizens, — or, I beg pardon, 
 subjects of the King of Holland," exclaimed the 
 officer, thro^ving out his right foot and giving a 
 graceful flourish with his hand. 
 
 " You tundering thaves o** the world, as loves 
 whiskey and Hollands,''' roared Teddy, imi- 
 tating the actions of his principal. 
 
 Officer. — " Obedience to superiors and tran- 
 quillity amongst yourselves are, as you must well 
 know, essential to the well-being of every com- 
 munity, great or small,'' 
 
 Teddy. — " May the divel fetch every mo- 
 ther*'s son of you as ever says of your chief, 
 * black's the white of his eye.' '* 
 
 Officer. — " Standing here as I do, the re- 
 presentative of la Grande Monarque (here he
 
 174 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 took off an enormous cocked hat, and made a 
 reverential bow), and supported by his invinci- 
 ble navy, I should be doing nothing more than 
 my duty were I to send you all to prison.'''' 
 
 Teddy. — " You brute bastes, as makes no 
 more of a paceable craft than you would of 
 Noah'^s Ark^"" (here Teddy took off his hat and 
 bowed) — " bad manners to every sowl of you as 
 desarves to be sent double ironed to Dublin jaiiy 
 Officer. — " In consideration, however, of 
 the intercession of your captain, I shall not at 
 this time proceed to extremity ; but should you 
 offend again whilst in the port of Brest, you 
 
 must expect no mercy to be shown you, but be 
 
 executed for mutineers." 
 
 Captain Feaghan whispered to the lieutenant, 
 
 who whispered to the sergeant of marines, who 
 
 whispered to the corporal, and so on till it 
 
 passed along the line. 
 
 Teddy. — " Its hanging's too good for such a 
 
 set of rapscallion mutineers ; but if you don't 
 
 promise never to do so again, and down on your
 
 HAMILTON KING. 175 
 
 marrow-bones and cry for marcy, I'll shoot 
 every sowl of you, like dead dogs."*** 
 
 Feaghan waved his hand — there was a rat- 
 tling of muskets amongst that terrible-looking 
 band of moustachioed marines — they brought 
 their firelocks to the recover — to the present, 
 and down dropped " the boys *" on their knees, 
 jabbering for mercy. The scene was ludicrous 
 in the extreme, and Peterson felt the utmost 
 difficulty to refrain from laughing, whilst Fea- 
 ghan, who inwardly enjoyed the sport, pre- 
 served the gravity of a judge. But even his 
 countenance was sadly tried, when just at this 
 eventful crisis Neptune came bounding up the 
 companion-ladder with an immense counsellor's 
 wig (which the children had found in one of 
 the lockers) tied upon his head, and, placing 
 himself in front of the kneeling men, he raised 
 himself erect and began to beg. 
 
 " Pauvre bete," exclaimed the lieutenant, 
 shrugging his shoulders, " c'est nature, mon- 
 sieur ; ■" and then, laughingly, added, " il est
 
 176 * HAMILTON KING. 
 
 un chien de mer. Fort bien, v»us avez mon 
 pardon/'' 
 
 " Send them below, Teddy,"" whispered Fea- 
 ghan, and then, waving his hand, the marines 
 came to the recover and shouldered arms. 
 
 " The officer of the King of France forgives 
 you," said Teddy, " in consideration of your 
 counsellor ; so jump below, ye rapparees, and 
 make small stowage o' yourselves." 
 
 A second bidding was not required ; the 
 decks were cleared in an instant. Peterson 
 removed the wig from the dog^s head, whilst his 
 master complimented the lieutenant on his elo- 
 quence, and begged bis acceptance of a silver 
 snuff-box as a memorial of his esteem. The 
 marines were treated to some good Hollands 
 gin, and they all parted the best friends in the 
 world. 
 
 O'RafFerty in his fall had dislocated his 
 shoulder; he was conveyed to his bed, in a 
 little state room on the larboard side of the' 
 cabin, to the great terror of the children, who
 
 HAMILTON KING. 177 
 
 dreaded being in his neighbourhood, and were 
 permitted to go on deck, where, with Neptune 
 dressed up in the old wig and the playthings 
 brought from the shore, all painful recollections 
 were soon subdued. 
 
 " A fine day's work you've made of it, Mister 
 O'RafFerty," said the captain, as he seated him- 
 self on the lockers abaft in the cabin. "And 
 well licked you've got for your pains. Will 
 you never leave the brandy alone ? must you be 
 continually burning up your liver and mud- 
 dling what little brains you have with liquor r 
 Suppose you had drowned the boy? a pretty 
 figure-head that of your's would have looked car- 
 ved off by the axe of the guillotine. You would 
 have belonged to another sort of cutter then/' 
 
 " You may make your sport of them as is 
 down. Captain Feaghan,'' groaned the mate ; 
 " but I want the doctor, so 111 thank you to 
 send me ashore, sir, where I can — "*' 
 
 " Play me some scurvy thrick or other, eh, 
 O'RafFerty ?" said the captain, interrupting him. 
 I 5
 
 178 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 '^ No, no — I shall be off in the morning, and 
 then, if you still wish to remain, I can put you 
 on board the frigate ; they have a skilful sur- 
 geon, and you will be well taken care of there."" 
 
 This was uttered in an off-hand, careless sort 
 of way, so that an uninitiated listener might 
 have construed the offer into a manifestation of 
 kindness. But not so the mate; the words were 
 scarcely uttered when he vociferated, " For the 
 love of Christ, Captain Feaghan, don't do that 
 — the French frigate ! Then, by the seven 
 crosses, they"'d make a Dutchman of me whether 
 or no, and she going to sail round the world to 
 the Aste Ingees ! '' 
 
 " I left it to your own choice, Mr O'Rafferty," 
 retiamed the captain, quietly, but at the same 
 time fully sensible that his hint had taken due 
 effect, the frigate being in want of hands, and 
 the officers not over scrupulous in the manner 
 of obtaining them, as few good seamen would 
 volunteer for so long a voyage — to the French 
 settlements in the East-Indies. *' I do not want
 
 HAMILTON KING. 179 
 
 to send you away, but as you wish for excellent 
 surgical care — " 
 
 " Oh, oh !" groaned the mate, " the Lord 
 save us from harme ; I'm all obadience, Captain, 
 Feaghan, and sick and sorry I am for offending 
 yer — why ?" 
 
 " The infernal old hypocrite !" muttered the 
 captain to himself, and then uttered audibly, 
 " Now, O^Rafferty, you talk like a sensible 
 man ; the surgeon shall come on board to you 
 and splice your timber — that is, if there's no 
 necessity for docking it ; "" (the mate uttered a 
 deep groan), " and then, when the anchor''s a 
 trip in the morning, we'll have a shore boat 
 ready to land you, should it be required, or 
 should yovi feel so inclined." 
 
 " Two boats alongside with goods, sir," said 
 Peterson, at the cabin door; "there's wet and 
 dry, sir." 
 
 " Very well," returned the captain, " tell 
 Graves to clear the hold and take in, and set a 
 gang to mount and fit the guns as they're
 
 180 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 hoisted up ; I shall be on deck directly. And 
 now, Mr O^RafFerty,*" continued he to the mate 
 as he took hold of a tumbler of grog the stew- 
 ard presented him with, " I shall leave you to 
 your meditations — here's wishing you a speedy 
 restoration to health, and a betther mind to 
 enjoy it." He swallowed the grog, and ascended 
 to the deck. 
 
 Here all was activity and bustle ; on the 
 larboard side laid a boat filled with four-gallon 
 casks, whose staves were beautifully white, and 
 every cask was already slung with nicely fitted 
 , slings, leaving sufficient becket in the middle 
 for a good stout fist. To hand tliese in and 
 stow them away in the hold occupied very little 
 time, and no sooner was one boat cleared than 
 another supplied her place, and this continued 
 for several hours ; every cask that was handed 
 in being connected with a long line in the anie 
 tier by means of a piece of tnree-incn rope, to 
 each end of which a heavy weight and a small 
 grapnel was attached, for the purpose of secur-
 
 HAMILTON KING. 181 
 
 ing them in a known position, should they be 
 compelled in a storm, or by any other untoward 
 event, to throw them overboard. In this work 
 Tom Graves was in his glory ; his eye seemed 
 to measure the stowage with all the accuracy of 
 a two-foot rule ; he knew the exact space re- 
 quired for every cask, and the precise spot in 
 which it ought to be placed. Carefully did he 
 examine every pair of slings, and with his own 
 hands did he raft them together by secure seiz- 
 ings, every now and then swallowing a dram 
 from a tub, the head of which had been purposely 
 knocked in. On the starboard side, two or 
 three boats succeeded each other, being laden 
 with small bales, that Peterson took under his 
 charge and stowed away abaft and forward, 
 each bale, like the casks, being carefully slung, 
 and of just sufficient weight for two to be carried 
 by one man. The cutter had plenty of hands, 
 and, as every one was actively employed, by 
 evening the cargo was completed ; the guns 
 were mounted, and a surgeon having seen to the
 
 182 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 injuries 0''RafFerty had sustained, Feaghan 
 determined at once to put to sea. He settled 
 his affairs ashore v/hilst the mainsail was being 
 hoisted and the cable heaved in. The merry song 
 of the seamen rung through the harbour as they 
 sweated up the jib purchase. The captain re- 
 turned on board — the anchor was weighed, and 
 Blue Bob, gracefully making his best bow to 
 the " invincible navy *" of " la grande Mo- 
 narque^'' rattled past Point d'Espagnol, and, 
 hugging the weather shore till he had cleared 
 the Fillets, up went the square sails, the sheets 
 were eased off, and away he went nearly dead 
 before it for the outside of Ushant.
 
 HAMILTON KING. 183 
 
 ii^ 
 
 CHAPTER .VI. 
 
 •' Go alon^r — go along, Bob." 
 
 It was a beautiful autumnal evening — the 
 red glare of - the setting sun still lingered in 
 the west, whilst over the land to the eastward 
 night had already commenced its reign, though 
 the dark craggy ridges were clearly distin- 
 guishable, standing out in bold relief from the 
 lighter sky. The breeze was fresh — the rip- 
 pling tide, now again flov^^ing in, set strongly 
 against the cutter, and, being adverse to the 
 wind, a short sea, bubbling and breaking and 
 tossing its many-pointed crests in mimic fury, 
 dashed against her bows or washed along her 
 bends, as, pressed beneath her canvas, she 
 breasted the opposing current. High on her
 
 184 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 Starboard hand did the roaring breakers foam 
 over the "black rocks," and distinctly visible 
 was the milk-white surge that rose loftily in 
 the air, as if lashing the imeven surface into 
 greater rage. 
 
 The cutter's commander stood leaning against 
 the companion, apparently looking at the tumult 
 of those ever-restless waters ; but there was an 
 air of abstraction and a deep shade of melan- 
 choly on his handsome countenance. The watch 
 had been called, the decks were all clear, and 
 every rope coiled down in its proper place, 
 ready in a moment for the least emergency. 
 Look-outs were stationed at each cat-head — the 
 man at the helm watched the alterations of 
 the compass with a seaman'^s eye, whilst Tom 
 Graves, with untiring zeal, paced to-and-fro, 
 fully sensible of the importance of his charge as 
 officer on duty, for Peterson had turned in. 
 The boatswain, however, took no notice of his 
 commander, who remained undisturbed and un- 
 moved, though the rocks were passed, St. Mat-
 
 HAMILTON KING. 185 
 
 thew's tower lost sight of, and XJshant light 
 opened broad away on the starboard bow. 
 
 It was, indeed, a lovely night, \varm yet clear, 
 and overhead the stars, in all their brilliancy 
 and splendour, spoke of other systems and of 
 other worlds, as in harmonious order they shone 
 with their own unborrowed lustre — a book of 
 nature, whose glorious page was constantly un- 
 folded to the study of the unlettered seaman. 
 This is the period for meditation ; the eye "as 
 well as the mind has ample scope to range 
 around where sky and ocean meet in one vast 
 circle, whose line is clearly defined by the hori- 
 zon. On land, even from the summit of the 
 loftiest mountain, there is something to break 
 the curve and give an idea of terrestrial distance 
 lieyond it ; but, upon the wide waters, to find 
 yourself the centre of an immense circumference 
 which is everywhere united, and to witness the 
 rising, meridian altitude, and declension of the 
 heavenly bodies in the immensity of space — oh, 
 this — this it is that assures us, that though man
 
 186 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 is fearfully and wonderfully made, yet the me- 
 chanism of the human frame is as nothing com- 
 pared with that stupendous machinery which 
 rolls the globe in its diurnal motion, and whirls 
 it with such amazing rapidity through its 
 annual revolution round its primary. It is 
 from the vesseFs deck that these thoughts are 
 cherished with a true feeling of the sublime and 
 a conviction of the truth 
 
 Was Captain Feaghan thus occupied ? — who 
 can read the human heart ? Yet there he still 
 remained till Ushant light, from a beam, shone 
 vividly down on the cutter's sails, giving them 
 an unnatural and spectral appearance. No one 
 broke in upon his moody reveries ; the steward 
 had several times approached him, but, struck 
 by the fixedness of his gaze, had again re- 
 treated. Tom Graves, in issuing the necessary 
 orders, spoke in a subdued tone ; the men si- 
 lently contemplated the strangeness of their 
 chief, and huddled together to give vent to their 
 imagination in whispers ; there was no whistle-
 
 HAMILTON KING. 187 
 
 ing of the wind, for the vessel was yielding to 
 its power ; all that broke the stillness was the 
 wash of waters as she ploughed the furrowed 
 course, and threw aside the waves that rose to 
 impede her way. 
 
 Midnight arrived, and Feaghan retained his 
 position unmoved and apparently immoveable ; 
 the other watch was called, but he gave no heed 
 to it. Peterson relieved the boatswain, and 
 they conversed together in an under-tone at the 
 gangway, as the veteran Graves directed atten- 
 tion to the captain. Ushant light drew away 
 upon the quarter, diminishing to an insignificant 
 size, and a clear horizon was before them. 
 Suddenly the captain started. " Who touched 
 me ?"" he exclaimed, with wildness in his manner 
 iis he glared around him, but no one was near ; 
 he looked down, and crouching at his feet sa'v 
 his faithful dog, who had rubbed against his 
 master's hand. " Thou art a kind friend, 
 Nep,"" said he ; " thou hast aroused me from a 
 fearful dream,**' and he shuddered, as if recol-
 
 188 HAMILTON KING, 
 
 lecting some imminent peril from which he had 
 just recoiled. The animal rose up and fondled 
 the man whose voice was the voice of kind- 
 ness. " Good creature,**' continued Feaghan, 
 patting his bushy neck, " I understand your 
 meaning, and will attend to it ;" he then in- 
 ■ quired, in a louder voice, " Who has the 
 watch?" 
 
 " It is I, sir — Peterson,'' replied the Guern- 
 seyman, as he approached and stood respectfully 
 before his commander. 
 
 " How's this — I thought 'twas Graves who 
 had the first watch," said Feaghan ; " Ay, ay, 
 I recollect it now — say no more. Peterson, you 
 acted with insubordination to-day in striking 
 the mate ; and yet I cannot blame you, but still 
 the affair must not be suffered to go further. 
 The enterprize on which we are engaged is a 
 lawless and a desperate one, and it will not do to 
 make an enemy of one whom our own interests 
 tells us it is best to keep as a friend. O'Raf- 
 ferty is in a considerable degree useful to
 
 HAMILTON KING. 180 
 
 US ; he knows all the coves and bays along the 
 coast better than any other man on board, as 
 well as every cave and mountain pass on shore, 
 I know them too, but we cannot always act 
 together, nor is it possible for me to be in 
 more places than one. Besides, there is a cer- 
 tain bond between us which cannot well be 
 dissevered, or else we had parted long ago, 
 for I detest his murderous propensities. It 
 will personally oblige me, Peterson, if you 
 will think no more about your quarrel with 
 CRafferty ; and if he extends his hand, 
 give yours in return."" Peterson was about 
 to speak ; but Feaghan interrupted him. " I 
 know what you would say — those children are 
 not safe if left to his barbarous nature; yet, 
 Peterson, both I and O'RafFerty are under 
 solemn engagements to destroy them, at least 
 one of them, since the girl has escaped." The 
 second mate started, and gave his chief a look 
 of horror ; but he did not seem to heed it, for 
 he went on. " That fcol would execute the com*
 
 190 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 mission to the very letter — not in compliance 
 with his oath, for he would swear any thing, 
 but to satisfy his wolfish appetite for human 
 slaughter. And what would be the result ? The 
 hunch-backed villain who employed us would 
 at all times have our lives and destinies within 
 his power. The deed once done, he woifld laugh 
 at our claim for the reward, and threaten us 
 with the law as murderers. * How stands it 
 now? I have his secret — O'Rafferty has not: 
 the boy alive, and there is a sword constantly 
 suspended over him, so that fear of disclosure 
 will bend him to my every purpose; he has 
 hitherto been my employer — but now I become 
 his master. Do you comprehend me .?" 
 
 " I do not know the secret, sir,*'"" replied Peter- 
 son; " but I think I understand the drift of 
 your meaning." 
 
 " Ay, ay, 'tis clear enough," rejoined the 
 
 captain ; " the secret must rest with me till 
 
 we are better acquainted, Peterson. Remember, 
 sir, I have spoken to you in confidence ; there
 
 HAMILTON KING. 191 
 
 must be no betrayal. Good night, Peterson ; 
 let there be a good look-out and steady steer- 
 ing — the course for the present, nor-nor-west; 
 set Ushant light before it disappears. We have 
 thirty leagues to run before we shall make 
 Scilly ; and as she is slipping through it at least 
 
 seven knots, with an increasing breeze 
 
 But what is the use of present calculation ? — 
 Come, Nep." He patted the dog's head, and 
 commenced his descent. — " Call me, Peterson, 
 should any thing occur ; you will find me on 
 the lockers. And, Peterson, think of what I 
 have said ; let us have no animosity; seamen, 
 and especially seamen in our service, should be 
 above it. Goodnight!"" 
 
 Daylight broke upon them as they came within 
 the fair- way of the British Channel. The breeze 
 had freshened, and there was a misty haze upon 
 the waters, although the sky above was clear. 
 The watch was again relieved ; Peterson, in 
 resigning charge, pointed oftt to Graves several 
 strangers that were in sight, and, with canvas
 
 192 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 packed upon them from the deck to the trucks, 
 they were running with the wind on their lar- 
 board quarters, and making the best of their 
 speed in their outward-bound voyage. There 
 was a schooner on the lee bow, close-hauled on 
 the starboard tack, crossing the cutter's course. 
 He saw nothing, however, as he said, " either 
 to suspect or to fear.'*'' 
 
 Old Tom inspected his sails, to see if they 
 were nicely trimmed, occasionally passing a few 
 words with Teddy, and then tried to make out 
 the strangers through his glass. " That''s a 
 Smyrnamun," said he, looking at a brig with 
 squarer yards than usual in merchant vessels ; 
 '' she's well manned and armed against them 
 thieves o' pirates, the Algerines; a valuable 
 cargo she'll bring back, if so be as she escapes. 
 Yon's an Ingeemun," directing his glass to a 
 large ship, whose bright sides and painted ports 
 were clearly defined as the light of the morning 
 broke upon them ; *' she'll be for China, to fetch 
 home sowshong and hyson, and gunpowder to
 
 HAMILTON KING. 193 
 
 blow up the women-kind. And that is," look- 
 ing at a smaller ship, whose well varnished 
 sheer glistened as the rising sun appeared above 
 the horizon, " that is a Southseamun, going on 
 a whaling voyage, with light goods for the fur 
 trade, and hard shot for them as interferes with 
 him. And there bowls a sober Dutchman for 
 Saint Ubes ; and yonder goes a West Ingee- 
 mun, to bring back sugar for the Chinamun's 
 tea, and some rum for the ladies ;— and,"" direct- 
 ing his attention to the schooner, that had now 
 opened a little out on the cutter's starboard 
 bow, — ^*' and that is — eh! let me see.'' His gaze 
 became intently fixed for a minute ; he then 
 walked forward and steadied his glass on the 
 bulwark, as he renewed his earnest look for a 
 longer period. " That is," said he, suddenly 
 springing up and slapping his hand upon his thigh, 
 — " tlieii I'm blow'd if it arn't the Spider!" 
 
 Without a moment's delay, Graves descended 
 to the cabin, and aroused his commander. One 
 touch was sufficient ; he sprang from the lockers 
 
 VOL. I. K
 
 194 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 as the boatswain exclaimed, " Spider in sight, 
 sir!" 
 
 " Kill it then," returned the captain ; " weVe 
 no fly to be caught in its web.*" He rubbed his 
 eyes. "Oh! daylight, eh? What's the news, 
 Graves ?" 
 
 " Muster Anderson's crossing our hawse in 
 the Spider, sir,"' returned the boatswain ; " and 
 though he makes believe not to see us, he's too 
 many owld hands aboard not to know the cut of 
 our jib." 
 
 "If he's ahead, Graves, you must be aware 
 that we are end-on to him," returned the com- 
 mander ; " and it's no easy task to make out the 
 identity of a craft under such cu'cumstances." 
 
 " I don't calculate much about ' dentity,' 
 sir," responded Tom; " but I'm thinking he 
 can make out the dent he made in our square 
 topsel last run, though it be well patched with 
 my own palm and needle." 
 
 '* What tack is he on. Graves ?" inquired 
 Feaghan. "But never mind; jump on deck,
 
 HAMILTON KING. 195 
 
 old boy, and 111 be alongside of you in an 
 instant." He reseated himself as the boatswain 
 disappeared. " That d — d fellow, Anderson, 
 has already crowed and used his spurs ; but I 
 must clip his wings," ruminated the captain. 
 " If I shorten sail and haul to the wind, I 
 know I can beat him dead in four or five hours; 
 if I run, he sails nearly as well as the cutter, 
 going free, and an unlucky shot may carry away 
 a spar, so as to bring us fairly alongside of each 
 other." He paused. " And what then ? He 
 carries fourteen guns — and so do I ; his men 
 will fight for prize-money — mine, with a hang- 
 man's noose before their eyes. It will not do 
 to work back; we must try our luck." He 
 ascended to the deck. 
 
 " There she is, sir," said Graves, directing 
 the attention of the captain to the schooner, 
 that, notwithstanding the stiff breeze, was 
 making but slow progress through the water. 
 
 Feaghan raised the glass to his eye ; one 
 moment's look served to convince him. " It 
 K 9.
 
 196 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 is the Spider, Graves ; turn the hands out 
 directly." 
 
 The Spider, a man-of-war schooner, com- 
 manded by Lieutenant Anderson, who had ren- 
 dered himself remarkable, and even dreaded, by 
 his active hostility against smugglers, was drag- 
 ging on under a press of canvas, though making 
 but little headway, apparently regardless of the 
 cutter, or any thing except standing in for the 
 Land's End. This, however, did not deceive 
 Feaghan, who was well assured that he was 
 both seen and known; and the schooner, by 
 some practical manoeuvre, was deadening her 
 way, so as to draw him down. " Starboard, 
 lad V said he to the steersman ; " keep her 
 away another point, and mind your helm. — 
 Trim sails, Mr. Peterson ; and every man to 
 his station ; see all clear for jibeing."' 
 
 The alteration in the course was not unob- 
 served by the schooner, who edged a little off 
 the wind for a few minutes, and then wore short 
 round on the opposite tack. " The fool!*" said
 
 HAMILTON KING. 197 
 
 Feaghan, " does he fancy that I'm asleep ? — 
 Steward, give the men a dram. — Teddy, bend 
 on the Dutch ensign abaft. — Graves, see your 
 guns all clear, and don't be sparing of the shot, 
 sir. These fellows will be knocking holes in 
 some of the tubs ; but we'll try their metal and 
 rate of sailing for all that. You know the 
 Spider well ; can Bob spare her any canvas ?" 
 
 Old Tom deliberated for a few seconds, and 
 then, with a knowing look, replied, " I think 
 he might, sir ; but, if I may be so bowld as to 
 speak my mind, I'd bother him." 
 
 "It would be worth a trial, Graves," said the 
 captain ; " but Anderson is too clear-headed to 
 be easily taken in. Our cargo is too valuable 
 to be played with ; yet I will not haul my 
 wind." 
 
 " Even if you were so determined, it would 
 be running out of one fire into another, sir," 
 «aid Paterson, who had been scanning the 
 horizon astern ; " there's the man-of-war brig, 
 that was in Bertheaume Roads, away on the
 
 198 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 weather quarter, and a signal from the schooner 
 would bring her down." 
 
 " There it goes, then," said Feaghan, as a 
 wreath of smoke curled for a few seconds amongst 
 the Spider''s sails, and the report of a gun came 
 faintly on the ear ; " if he does not see the sig- 
 nal, I think the sound will hardly reach him 
 right in the wind's eye." . 
 
 " But he does see it, sir," exclaimed Peter- 
 son ; " he's bearing up ; his yards are squared ; 
 they're rigging out the studdensel-booms. But a 
 stern-chace is a long chace, and so hell find it." 
 
 " Right, Peterson," returned the commander; 
 " he does not at present give me a moment's 
 concern. Now then ! see all clear for shortening 
 sail; but keep every thing ready to crack on her 
 again the moment I give the word. There 
 must be no delay — no hesitation. Send a couple 
 of hands aloft, as if to take in the topsel ; get 
 another pull at the jib-purchase, and secure it 
 to the mast-head by the chain.— Graves, quick 
 with half-a-dozen men, to clear away these
 
 HAMILTON KING. 199 
 
 Stern-ports ; and the aftmost guns must be 
 shifted into them directly the hehii is put up. 
 Ay, ay, there comes a shot, dancing across 
 the water. — Steward!" (the man approached), 
 " see to the children, and put them in a place 
 of safety with the dog. Hoist Van Tromp abaft, 
 and stand by, my boys." 
 
 The vessels were now rapidly nearing each 
 other — the schooner, on the larboard tack, ob- 
 liquely crossing the cutter's fore-foot, and firing 
 her larboard bow-guns without effect. The 
 position was favourable to the former, for the 
 cutter was nearly dead before it ; and a slight 
 variation in her course to starboard would have 
 rendered it necessary to jibe, which Feaghafl 
 appeared desirous of avoiding; whilst, if he 
 hauled more up to port, his lee-guns would be 
 so low, that he would not be able to bring them 
 to bear. Still every moment became more and 
 more precious ; they were nearly within hail. — 
 " Port, lad— port!" said Feaghan; " gather in 
 the main-sheet abaft ; shorten sail."
 
 200 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 Down came the squaresail ; the topsail flut- 
 tered in the breeze, and was gathered in folds 
 upon the yard. The vessel, obedient to her 
 helm, wore round to the starboard tack, flew 
 up to meet the wind, and her canvas lifted as she 
 closed with it ; whilst Feaghan, with a counte- 
 nance on which was produced cool determination 
 mingled with anxiety, kept his eye keenly fixed 
 upon his opponent. " That's a tub of Nantes 
 in Father Fogarty's pocket !" said he, rubbing 
 his hands with eager delight, as he saw the 
 schooner on his lee bow heave about ; and no 
 vsooner was she head to wind, than his voice, 
 though low, was distinctly heard fore-and-aft by 
 his ready men, " Make sail, lads ; hard up with 
 the helm, and meet her in time; sway away 
 forud. Hurrah! my boys — well behaved ! we've 
 done the old 'un like sons of thunder.'"* 
 
 The lively vessel responded to control, and 
 again flew off* before it, though not with the 
 same rapidity as that in which she had luffed 
 up ; and this brought the adversaries almost
 
 HAMILTON KING. 201 
 
 within jumping-distance of each other. The 
 squaresail and topsail were again spread, as if 
 by the effects of a magician's wand ; the schooner 
 had not yet gathered way, when Blue Bob 
 passed close under her stern, pouring in a raking 
 broadside, and making every shot tell as it swept 
 her decks. " Mind your helm, lad,'' exclaimed 
 Feaghan ; " steer her small ; there — steady, 
 so ; nor-nor-west again. Well-behaved with 
 those stern- guns, my boys ! He ran aft to 
 render some aid, and beheld the commander of 
 the schooner standing at his own lee-gangway. 
 Immediately, he sprang upon the taffrail ; his 
 hat was raised, and he saluted the lieutenant 
 with a mock gravity that was inimitable. A 
 volley from the marines was the response; but 
 Feaghan looked proudly around him, as he 
 retained his position apparently uninjured. In 
 a minute or two he descended from his exposed 
 situation ; his step was firm ; his look was un- 
 daunted ; not a feature of his face betrayed the 
 slightest suffering or pain ; but, calling the 
 
 K O
 
 202 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 second-mate to his side, he said in a half-whisper, 
 " That's all one gets for being over-civil, Peter- 
 son ; those infernal rascals have riddled me ! I 
 have three balls in or through my body ; how 
 many more, I know not. But whatever happens, 
 Peterson, should the command devolve on you, 
 do not give her away. There — take no notice 
 of what I have said. Steady, boy — steady! 
 Get a pull of the main-guy there, forud. Keep 
 the mainsel from lifting by the lee, my man. 
 The schooner is paying off ! Tom —Tom Graves, 
 try the range of those stern-chasers; take a steady 
 aim, and expend some of his gear — a yard or a 
 topmast ; King George has plenty more in his 
 dock-yards." 
 
 The lieutenant of the schooner was greatly 
 enraged at finding himself outwitted, and, for 
 the moment, his anger deprived him of that cool 
 judgment which is so requisite in cases of emer- 
 gency. But this soon vanished ; sail was made 
 upon the Spider, and she endeavoured to keep 
 upon the cutter's quarter, so as to bring her
 
 HAMILTON KING. 203 
 
 bow-gun to bear. The Blue Bob, however, 
 had got nearly two cables' length start of the 
 schooner, and, as their rate of sailing was about 
 equal, they kept up their relative distance with 
 scarcely any alteration. Old Tom had several 
 times pitched the iron at the Spider, and the 
 holes in her sails plainly indicated that his aim 
 was good, though no spar had as yet been 
 touched. On the other hand, the cutter's can- 
 vas was something like Paddy's main-lug, when, 
 in a squall, he cut a piece out of the middle to 
 let the wind blow through : there were not a 
 few ribands flying away, for the schooner's bow- 
 gun was cleverly performing its duty. 
 
 " Had you not better go below, sir ?''"' said 
 Peterson to his commander; " the blood is 
 running down your fingers ; let me see if I can 
 do any thing for you." 
 
 " Thank you, Peterson — thank you," re- 
 turned Feaghan ; " gun-shot wounds seldom 
 bleed much. There's a fellow in the thick part 
 of my arm, brought up all standing, pretty close
 
 204 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 to tlie bone, I think ;'' and he shewed the hole 
 in his rough jacket through which the ball had 
 passed. " The visit of another was only mo- 
 mentary — he gave me a hint just here," pointing 
 to the fleshy muscles an inch or two abfeve the 
 hip-bone ; " and, as I perceive, by the sally-port 
 he's made abaft, he was in too much of a hurry 
 to stop — the place gives me great pain ; l)ut 
 really I haven't time to think about it. The 
 third is in my thigh ; so that, you see, there is 
 no great danger. — Steady, boy; mind your helm, 
 
 and be d to you !" He turned round in 
 
 anger; the steersman was stretched upon the 
 deck a corpse, a shot having literally smashed 
 his head to atoms. 
 
 Peterson ran to the tiller, and immediately 
 rectified the deviation which this fatal occurrence 
 had caused in the cutter's course ; and though 
 the whole had passed in a very short time, yet 
 it enabled the schooner to gain upon the chase. 
 " Poor Miller!'' said Feaghan, looking at the 
 fallen man, and throwing a boat's sail over the
 
 HAMILTON KING. 205 
 
 quivering body, " you've had no lingering pains, 
 any how. — See to your gun, Tom Graves!" 
 shouted he, with vehemence ; " all this noise 
 made, and so little work done. — HarkP' (a 
 cheer came down upon the breeze) ; " the fel- 
 lows are laughing at you. There goes that 
 infernal bow-gun -again!" (a crash was heard 
 
 aloft) — "and, by ! they've knocked away 
 
 our topmast." 
 
 A stern expression of revengeful feelings 
 passed over the features of Captain Feaghan, 
 as he saw the shattered stump of his mast just 
 above the cap, both square-topsail and gaff- 
 topsail hanging down before the squaresail. 
 Another loud cheer came from the schooner ; 
 and there were some dastard hearts in the Blue 
 Bob that began to quake under the fear of cap- 
 ture. Not so with the captain — not so with the 
 mates. O'RafFerty had listened to the firing 
 undisturbed ; he had been aware that more than 
 one or two lives had been lost, yet it produced 
 but little excitement in his breasi ; but when he
 
 206 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 heard the crashing of the spars, and became 
 aware that the vessel which he loved was injured, 
 he immediately left his bed, and, though with 
 only his trowsers on, he ascended the companion 
 at the very instant that the shouts of the Spider''s 
 crew came down upon the blast. 
 
 " Your sowls to blazes,''' roared the mate, as 
 he ran aft to the chase gun, which had just been 
 reloaded ; " let a clear eye and a steady hand 
 come. Out o"* that, Tom Graves, and give me 
 the match ; he's coming up with us hand over 
 hand." 
 
 And so the schooner was, for the breeze had 
 increased to little short of a gale, and the cutter 
 soon felt the loss of her canvas — the squaresail 
 had been rent by the falling mast, and the Spi- 
 der, ploughing the boiling foam that roared and 
 hissed under her bows, was carrying on and 
 rapidly diminishing their distance, so that there 
 seemed no alternative but to fight or surrender. 
 It often happens, however, that a fresh eye 
 along the sight of a gun will do more in one
 
 HAMILTON KING. 207 
 
 minute than the practice of a previous hour, and 
 such was the case now. O'RafFerty, with 
 scarely an effort, just watched the rise of the 
 cutter's stern, then ranged his rapid scrutiny 
 from the muzzle of the six-pounder towards the 
 Spider ; the match was applied with the rapidity 
 of lightning ; the smoke abaft obscured his im- 
 mediate sight, but a shout from forward told 
 him execution had been done, and the exclama- 
 tion, " His foreyard''s gone right in the slings !'' 
 informed him of the extent. The schooner's 
 squaresail and topsail were rendered useless, and 
 they were once more placed upon something like 
 an equality in the progress which they made, 
 though Blue Bob enjoyed a small advantage. 
 
 " Bear a hand, lads, — up with the spare top- 
 mast," shouted Feaghan ; " get out the small 
 squaresel and shift it. Look smart, my boys, 
 — aloft, and show those man-of-war's men what 
 clever topmen you'd make. Try your range 
 again, O'Rafferty ; the Spider's cook will thank 
 you for a supply of chips."
 
 208 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 O^Rafferty did try, but without avail, except 
 to cut away a rope or two, and work daylight 
 through his sails. Tom Graves was busily em- 
 ployed getting the spare topmast rigged ; and, 
 in a space of time that would seem almost in- 
 credible, both topsails were again set, and Blue 
 Bob was walking off from the Spider almost 
 two foot to one. But the royal cruiser was not 
 idle ; the foreyard was shifted, and once more, 
 under a cloud of canvas, she held her own with 
 the cutter. Firing had ceased for some time, 
 when above the haze, which had greatly thick- 
 ened on the surface of the water, St. Ag-nes 
 lighthouse showed itself a conspicuous object to 
 direct their course — it bore north-north-east, or 
 pretty well open on the starboard bow. 
 
 Captain Feaghan had permitted Peterson to 
 see to his wounds ; that in the side was roughly 
 dressed, the ball extracted from the thigh, but 
 that in the arm could not be moved. The chil- 
 dren and Neptune were released from their 
 confinement, and a substantial men.1 spt ox^t in
 
 HAMILTON KING. 209 
 
 the cabin. All traces of animosity had subsided 
 between the mates, for the Spider had reunited 
 them by a bond which admitted of no errors or 
 mistakes. 
 
 " We shall have a gale before sun down,'' 
 said Feaghan, as he seated himself at the table 
 and pulled the chair of Hamilton close to his 
 side. 
 
 " Don't you think the cutter is pressed now, 
 sir," said Peterson, in a tone of deferential 
 inquiry. 
 
 "Not yet — not yet," returned the com- 
 mander, " though it certainly will be wise to 
 ease our lofty spars before long. Blue Bob will 
 tell us when his head's too low, depend upon it. 
 We've a long run yet, and, if nothing crosses 
 us, shall make the Cape about daybreak to- 
 morrow. Well, Hammy, and are you fright- 
 ened .?" 
 
 " No !" replied the boy ; " only I don't like 
 to be shut down in a dark place. Why didn't 
 you let me come up to see you fight ?"
 
 210 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 "And did you want to come up too, Ned?'"' 
 said the captain ; " did you want to see us 
 fight ?" 
 
 " No,*' responded Ned, " I don't like fight- 
 ing, no more don't Neptune; he crouched 
 down in the corner every time you fired the 
 cannons." 
 
 " Ah, Nep's a coward,*" said Hamilton boldly ; 
 "he was afraid of being shot, and yet he's a 
 dear good dog in the water. Are you going to 
 fight again V 
 
 '' That must depend upon others and not 
 upon me," answered Feaghan, as he helped the 
 children to food. 
 
 " And what did they fight you for ?"" inquired 
 Ned. "What had you done to them to make 
 them try and kill you ?'''' 
 
 " Why, my boy, we've a commission from the 
 Pope of Rome to freight ourselves with parish 
 churches if we can hoist them aboard," replied 
 the captain ; " but as we've no stowage for the 
 steeples, we are obliged to content ourselves with 
 a cargo of holy-stones and hand-bibles."
 
 PIAMILTON KING. 211 
 
 " And did they want to take them from 
 you ?"" asked Hammy, in the innocency of his 
 heart. 
 
 " They did, my boy/' replied Feaghan ; 
 " but you know it would be wicked to part with 
 the property of the priesthood — we mustn't 
 make enemies of the parsons." 
 
 " There's a cutter retching out from under 
 the land, sir," said Tom Graves, as he stood hat 
 in hand at the cabin door ; " and to my think- 
 ing, sir, she looks very much like the — " 
 
 " Dolphin !'* exclaimed the captain, hurriedly 
 interruping him. " Oh, there can be no doubt 
 about it ; when a fellow's luck is down upon 
 him he never gets it singly. Has the schooner 
 caught sight of him yet ?" 
 
 " Yes, sir," answered Graves, " the Spider 
 sees him, and is trying to do a bit of talking 
 with his flags." 
 
 " Then, my boy," said Feaghan, turning to 
 Hamilton, " we shall have another fight, for we 
 mustn't lose the holy-stones and the hand-bibles. 
 What distance is she, Tom .?"
 
 212 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 " It's getting very thick, sir, so as to make a 
 man somewhat dubersome about distances," re- 
 plied the boatswain ; " but I should take him to 
 be not more than three mile."" 
 
 " And broad away on the starboard bow, 
 Graves, I think you said," observed the captain, 
 as if working some mental calculation. 
 
 " I didn't say as much, sir," answered the 
 boatswain, " but that's whereabouts she is." 
 
 '* Then we shall beat him without the help of 
 the guns, Tom," said Feaghan. " Keep her off 
 another point, nor-west and by north, old boy, 
 and a couple of good hands at the tiller. Have 
 the men finished their grub yet ?" 
 
 ** Almost, sir," answered Graves, as he turned 
 to depart. " But I think. Captain Feaghan, 
 the cutter's overpressed. Poor thing, she tries 
 to go faster, but the canvas shoves her nose 
 under, and she can hardly lift it again. One 
 can hear her groan." 
 
 " Very well, Tom, I'll see to it presently," 
 returned Feaghan, smiling, *' Bear a hand up,
 
 HAMILTON KING. 213 
 
 old boy — remember, nor-west and by north, and 
 steady hands at the tiller.*" 
 
 " Ay, ay, sir," responded the veteran, and, 
 closing the door of the cabin, he reascended to 
 the deck. 
 
 " Hold on, good spars r exclaimed the cap- 
 tain, looking up the skylight. " That's a pretty 
 stick that topmast, it bends like a coach-whip. 
 And so, Peterson, we have two of our oldest 
 friends close at hand, full of eager desire to 
 assist in discharging our cargo. WeVe clear of 
 the schooner this bout, though I dare say An* 
 derson is chuckling with glee under the hope 
 that the Dolphin's guns will disable me ; and so 
 they may, but that's the chance, and IVe run 
 worse hazards than this, — ay, under a frigate's 
 bows, and laughed the wind out of 'em — 1 
 haven't time to tell you now. Anderson thinks 
 he has me snug enough, and certainly there's 
 nothing very flattering in our prospects. But I 
 will teach the fool another lesson if he has not 
 had sufficient for one day, should I come along*
 
 214 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 side of him. I have a small reckoning placed to 
 his account — a kind oi pledge for his three balls. 
 
 that But eat, youngsters, eat ; you must go 
 
 in the hole again for a short time, and take care 
 ofNep." 
 
 " Oh, let me go and see you fight,*" said 
 Hamilton, eagerly ; " indeed, I wo'n't get in 
 any body ""s way.*" 
 
 " No, no, Hammy,"*** answered Feaghan, "you 
 must not go upon deck ; who can tell but you 
 may take it into your head to be trying to stop 
 the shot ?'' 
 
 " Indeed, indeed I won't," responded Hamil- 
 ton, with eagerness ; " I won't stop one shot, 
 if you'll only let me be by your side."" 
 
 Feaghan eyed the boy for an instant ; but 
 Hamilton manifested no want of decision. — 
 " Look here," said he, baring his arm, and 
 showing his shirt saturated with blood even 
 through the bandages ; " and here 1" he pointed 
 to the deeply- stained dressings on his side. 
 " You see, my fine fellow, I have been stopping
 
 HAMILTON KING. 215 
 
 the shot, and that"*s what they've done for 
 me." 
 
 Hamilton said no more, and Ned sickened 
 and shuddered at the spectacle ; whilst Neptune 
 placed his fore-paws on his master's knees, gazed 
 wistfully in his face, and gave a short howl. 
 Feaghan patted his head, rose from the table, 
 and went on deck. 
 
 The alteration in the cutter's course had 
 brought the schooner nearly astern, and opened 
 out a wider space for the Dolphin from the Blue 
 Bob'^s bows. But the revenue vessel had also 
 bore up and made sail, running on a parallel 
 line with the craft she was desirous of catching ; 
 yet was the wind so awkward, that there was no 
 possibihty of getting nearer without jibeing ; 
 and that was a work of peril, as well as delay. 
 It is true, the revenue cutter sometimes yawed 
 to port, to diminish the distance between them ; 
 but it was evidently the cause of her losing 
 ground, and it was discontinued. In the mean 
 time Blue Bob was steered with such nicety.
 
 216 HAiMILTON KING. 
 
 that though the seas toppled and ranged along 
 her sides, not one broke upon her deck. 
 
 " This cannot last much longer, Tom,'" said 
 Feaghan, addressing the boatswain ; " the sea 
 is getting up, and the gale is increasing."" He 
 looked astern. " Ha, ha ! the Spider is drawing 
 in his legs ; he has got enough of it ; where's 
 the glass ?"" Graves presented one to his com- 
 mander. " Reefing his topsel, and double- 
 reefing his mainsel ! Good-bye, old Spider ; 
 I'm out of your claws this voyage, at all events. 
 — Where's the brig ?**" He looked towards the 
 place where she had last been seen. "Not in sight. 
 — And now, Mr. Dolphin ? Well-behaved, my 
 lads — following the example of the schooner! 
 Have all hands ready at their stations, Graves, 
 and see every thing clear for shortening sail on 
 the instant. Ill try my canvas a little longer."' 
 
 The Dolphin, a revenue cutter, stationed off 
 the Scilly Isles, was well aware of the character 
 of the Blue Bob ; and such was the deadly feel- 
 ing of hostility between the crews that, had they
 
 HAMILTON KING. 217 
 
 come alongside, sanguinary indeed would have 
 been the conflict. The time occupied in reducing 
 sail in the other two vessels gave Feaghan a 
 decided advantage, as he evidently gained upon 
 his enemies ; and, notwithstanding the rolling 
 motion of the cutter and the pain of his wounds, 
 he stood balancing himself by the companion, 
 and whistling snatches of Irish songs. Old Tom 
 frequently looked at him with a restless and 
 uneasy eye, but did not speak, though he seemed 
 almost bursting with desire to say something. 
 At last, addressing himself to the second-mate, 
 he said, in an under-tone, but loud enough to 
 reach the captain's ears, " Would you be good 
 enough, Muster Peterson, just to make bould 
 to ax the skipper to leave off piping that devil's 
 delight. Any one may see as we've got quite 
 wind enough, without wanting a cap- full more, 
 and the poor thing already strained beyond her 
 nat'ral bearing." 
 
 " And so, Tom, you think it is bad luck to 
 
 VOL. I. L
 
 218 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 whistle, do you?" said the captain, who had 
 overheard his remarks. 
 
 " No, sir, not bad luck," replied the boat- 
 swain ; " but, if you 'tices the breeze, it's sure 
 to come, and, with the cloth we've got abroad, 
 another breath would make the sticks chatter. 
 The lower-mast-head is wringing now, and that 
 topmast wouldn't hould much more strain. The 
 other craft are making snug — ^" 
 
 " And we are leaving them fast, in conse- 
 quence," argued Feaghan. " But there is a 
 squall coming astern, Tom; is every thing 
 clear ? By Jove, the schooner's got it f Stand 
 by there, forud !" 
 
 Far as the eye could reach astern, there seemed 
 to be a white foam arising through the dim 
 haze, and spreading into wider expansion as it 
 atpproached. The curling tops of the seas were 
 not to be distinguished from the smoother sur- 
 face, and there was a blackness hovering over 
 all that contrasted fearfully with the milky hue
 
 HAMILTON KING. 219 
 
 of the rollinoc waves. The schooner had carried 
 on to the last moment, and then every thing 
 was let go ; her topsail flew from the yard, and 
 passed away ahead, like a cloud borne on the 
 fleet wings of the wind; and her jib, exposed 
 to the fury of the blast, on the sudden lowering 
 of the squaresail split into ribands, and fluttered 
 in mockery of their efforts to haul it down. 
 
 " In sail !" shouted Feaghan ; and in a few 
 minutes the Blue Bob was running almost under 
 a bare pole ; for the squaresails were taken in, 
 the gaff- topsail stowed at the mast-head, the 
 mainsail lowered, and the boom shifted to the 
 lee-quarter, ready for reefing the sail. Down 
 came the squall, scattering the spray over the 
 decks like a shower of hail-stones. The vessel 
 reeled for several minutes, as if in affright at the 
 war of elements ; every plank in her quivered ; 
 her mast shook like a reed, and the ocean around 
 her seemed to smoke with the friction of her sides, 
 as she rushed on in her headlong course. But 
 all was snugly housed — not a rope-yarn was 
 L 2
 
 220 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 stj^rted ; and though Tom Graves did exclaim, 
 '^ Poor thing! — how she trembles!" yet the 
 lovely sea-boat rode buoyant over the billows, 
 like a duck at play ; the mainsail was double- 
 reefed — the foresail set, and there was scarcely 
 a wet jacket amongst the crew.
 
 HAMILTON XING. 221 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The tar delights on the skies to gaze, 
 When the breeze is fresh and free, 
 And the heavens are clear from cloud or haze, 
 W^hilst the stars in their brilliant glory blaze, 
 
 Or dance on the deep blue sea : 
 More precious to me is the thickening gloom, 
 Though silent and dark as the dreary tomb. 
 
 Over the wild waters bounded the lively 
 vessels— the pursuers and the pursued. The haze 
 grew more and more dense as the shades of even- 
 ing were closing in around them. The schooner 
 was barely visible astern — the Dolphin was now 
 broad away on the starboard quarter ; but both 
 of their commanders were well acquainted with 
 the probable destination of Blue Bob, and, 
 should no otlier vessel appear to intercept his
 
 \' 
 
 ^. 
 
 222 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 progress, yet still they cherished the hope that, 
 by carrying on, they might keep sufficiently 
 near the chase to prevent the landing of the 
 cargo, or to seize it if landed. 
 
 Feaghan was aware of this ; his well prac- 
 tised mind embraced all the difficulties of his 
 situation ; he knew that he might haul his 
 wind, and escape his enemies — but then they 
 would get the start of him, and he would have 
 no chance of running his crop, as the whole coast 
 would be alarmed. To continue on, however, 
 was a hazardous experiment, and could only be 
 warranted by his accurate knowledge of the 
 several coves and inlets, where, for a short time 
 at least, he could lie undiscovered and undis- 
 turbed. The alternative was desperate ; but he 
 determined upon trying it. 
 
 The mainsail had been treble- reefed, the bow- 
 sprit reduced, the topmast struck, and every 
 thing was made snug, as night— a dreary, tempes- 
 tuous night — enveloped them in darkness. Roll- 
 ing sheets of foam was around them below ; and
 
 HAMILTON KING. 223 
 
 above this a thick mist encircled the vessel in 
 its gloomy shrond ; yet myriads of bright gems 
 sent forth their sparkling effulgence through 
 the dim vapour, and the track of the cutter was 
 gloriously lighted with dazzling splendour, as 
 if she had been ploughing up diamonds. The 
 Spider and the Dolphin were no longer to be 
 seen ; the watch on deck were huddled together; 
 Peterson had the charge, and might well be 
 trusted. But Feaghan would not go below ; 
 his eye was every where, but chiefly upon tlie 
 compass-card, to observe that the steersman 
 kept her steady in her course. 
 
 " This is rough work, as the monkey said 
 when the bear hugged him," uttered the captain 
 to his second-mate ; " but IVe been in greater 
 straits before now. We shall not be able to see 
 the land till it is close aboard of us, and perhaps 
 not till we feel it. The Fastnet may be a more 
 fatal web than that which the Spider would have 
 wove for us ; and the Cape will be any thing 
 clear to-night. We'll keep her another point to
 
 224 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 the westward, Peterson, and try for Mizen 
 Head." 
 
 " Very well, sir," replied the subordinate ; 
 and he immediately carried into effect the orders 
 of his superior. 
 
 " I like such nights as these, Peterson," said 
 the captain, as they stood together by the com- 
 panion ; " they seem to accord with the natural 
 feelings of my heart, so as to arouse every latent 
 energy. I could not sleep, nor do I feel the 
 slightest indication of weariness or want of rest. 
 My wounds are rather troublesome, yet I scarcely 
 give them a thought, so powerfully is my mind 
 pre-occupied — steady, boy ; steer her small — 
 and yet, strange as it may appear, it is at these 
 moments that remembrances of my early years are 
 the most vivid — for, whilst looking on the dark 
 haze as it rolls its mysterious forms along the 
 gale, I seem as if holding converse with those 
 who are tenants of the tomb." 
 
 "' I know but little of such feelings, sir," 
 returned Peterson, who, in his unsophisticated
 
 HAMILTON KING. 225 
 
 nature, experienced a degree of awe whilst 
 listening to the language of his commander. 
 " For my part, I can see nothing but the haze 
 which shuts out the sky, and the sea as it gene- 
 rally looks in a gale of wind." 
 
 "■ I could almost wish it were so with me," 
 continued Feaghan ; " and yet there is a sort 
 of delightful witchery in such reveries, though 
 I must confess that at times they produce ener- 
 vation. — But hark!'^ exclaimed he with vehe- 
 mence, " can you not fancy there are voices on 
 the breeze ; and is it not gratifying to suppose 
 that the spirits of departed friends are hovering 
 in the mist to bear you on in safety ?^'' 
 
 *' I hear nothing, sir, but the whistling of the 
 wind through the blocks, as the Dutchman said, 
 when he'd only half a sheave at his mast-head,"''' 
 returned Peterson ; " and as for spirits, I know 
 of none but what's in the hold."' 
 
 The sea rose higher and higher as it gained a 
 longer range, till it became extremely hazardous 
 to keep before it. Sometimes the waves would 
 L 5
 
 226 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 run fearfully high above the vesseFs stern, as if 
 about to bury her beneath its mountain weight ; 
 and, had their curling summits broke over them, 
 none would have escaped an ocean-grave. But the 
 buoyant vessel lifted herself lightly as the swell- 
 ing billows seemed to approach; and then her taff- 
 rail was thrown high in air, whilst her bowsprit 
 pointed into the very heart of the next wave, as 
 if she was about to rush headlong into it. 
 
 Thus passed the night till daylight came. 
 The haze was, still thick ; and as the sun arose, 
 it assumed a red and angry hue that was sicken- 
 ing to the sight. Not a vessel could be seen, 
 and still the cutter was flying over those raging 
 waters, like a bird that sported in the spray, and 
 just descended to wet its wings. Morning ad- 
 vanced, and, by Feaghan's directions, the steward 
 brought the children upon deck. Ned shrank 
 back in terror, and cried out when he beheld the 
 sublime but fearful spectacle presented by ele- 
 mental commotion. Hamilton clung to the 
 steward in wonder, but there was no semblance
 
 HAMILTON KING. 227 
 
 of fear ; he looked upon the ocean as sonietliing 
 to excite admiration — net alarm ; and Feaghan 
 watched them both with an intensity which 
 could only have had its origin in mental specu- 
 lation. " Are you not afraid ?" inquired he, 
 addressing the youngest of the boys. 
 
 " No,'' answered Hamilton, " I am not afraid 
 — for Nep is playing in it ;" and he pointed to 
 the dog, who was ranging the lee-scuppers as 
 the seas toppled over, to catch at any thing that 
 might be floating. 
 
 " Will you be a sailor, my boy ?^'' exclaimed 
 Feaghan, as he observed with pleasure the un- 
 daunted look of the child. 
 
 " I should like to be with you and Neptune, 
 and go and see Ellen sometimes,'' responded 
 Hamilton. 
 
 *' And what do you say, youngster," ad- 
 dressing Ned, " should you like to be a sailor .^" 
 
 " I want to go to my mother, sir," answered 
 the boy, dejectedly ; " but still I should like to 
 be with Hammy."
 
 228 IIAMILTON KING. 
 
 " We'll be sailors, Ned !'"* exclaimed his juve- 
 nile companion, laughing, " and I'll be the cap- 
 tain." 
 
 '* I love to see ambition even in a child,'' 
 said Feaghan ; " but take them below, steward, 
 and see them well secured — we shall not be so 
 quiet presently if I have any instinct in my 
 nature." The children disappeared. " Peter- 
 son, she will not "bear this mainsel if we are 
 compelled to haul our wind — let the reefed 
 trysel be set in its place, and get out the storm 
 
 jib.-' 
 
 The orders had been scarcely obeyed, when 
 " Breakers a-head !" was shouted from forward, 
 and a dark mass with the breakers dashing over 
 it was dimly seen rising out of the gloom at no 
 great distance from them. " Port, lad, port !" 
 hallooed Feaghan, " trim sails !" and every one 
 was instantly on the alert ; but such was the 
 velocity of the cutter that she was in the back- 
 set from the rock before she cleared it, and a 
 few fathoms further their fate would have been
 
 HAMILTOX KING. 229 
 
 sealed for ever — as it was, there was sufficient 
 to appal the stoutest mind. 
 
 The cutter in coming to the wind shipped a 
 tremendous broken sea that swept her decks, 
 and carried off every thing that was not well 
 secured. Whilst running before it, the fury of 
 the storm was but little more than witnessed ; 
 it was only when opposing the fierce gale that 
 its strength was fully felt. 
 
 " Breakers on the lee-bow V was again 
 shouted, and once more the thi-eatened danger 
 was barely avoided by wearing the cutter round, 
 for it would have been madness to ' attempt 
 tacking in that heavy sea. The sweet craft 
 beliaved with becoming alacrity, and the men 
 apostrophized her as a thing of life. Proudly 
 she laboured to climb the mountain waves, and 
 then carefully descended into the watery valley, 
 as if fearful of straining her timbers. 
 
 " There is no land to be seen, Peterson,'' 
 said the captain, and human ingenuity is at 
 fault to recollect this spot. I kiiow of but one
 
 230 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 like it, but we can hardly have made good the 
 distance.*" 
 
 Once more the shout arose from forward, but 
 it was more alarming and embarrassing than 
 before. " Breakers on the lee-bow !" was fol- 
 lowed by " Breakers on the weather-bow !" and 
 immediately afterwards " Breakers right a- 
 head !" the cutter was rushing into the very 
 midst, for a glance from Feaghan showed him 
 a long range of raging foam right under his 
 lee. " Ready about !" he uttered in a voice that 
 mingled wildly with the winds, and every man 
 was at his post. " Down with the helm, lad ! 
 — there'*s a lull— helm's a lee !" The beautiful 
 vessel rolled over the advancing wave as she 
 flew up in the wind ; but the next deadened 
 her way before she could be brought round ; 
 there was a fearful moment of breathless sus- 
 pense as the people watched her motions, but 
 this was succeeded by a horrible certainty : she 
 tended the wrong way, there was not room to 
 wear, and inevitable destruction stared them
 
 HAMILTON KING. 231 
 
 ill the face. A long line of breakers, through 
 which the dark and craggy reef occasionally 
 showed itself, was dead under their lee — the 
 cutter could not hope to escape— blank despair 
 sat on every countenance, and even Feaghan had 
 lost his usual self-confidence and command — as 
 death, a dreadful death, seemed to await him. 
 
 But with the captain this was only momen- 
 tary. He quickly but intently cast his eyes 
 along the reef. The cutter was, as before, 
 upon the larboard tack, gathering way a-head ; 
 and a few minutes— only a few minutes — were 
 left to call for mercy, as their fate appeared to 
 be decided. Up rose a wild cry — a shriek — 
 but there was a voice that was heard above it 
 all, as it shouted — " Hould your divil's skreek- 
 ing, there, forward : every man to his station. 
 Clear away the anchor !'^ It came from the 
 helmsman ; and there stood CRafTerty, who, 
 with a desperate recklessness, had forced the 
 tiller to windward, as if to hasten on the melan- 
 choly catastrophe that was to precede their dis-
 
 232 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 solution. Away flew the cutter's head from the 
 wind, and dashed onwards to the reef. Feaghan 
 caught the intentions of his mate, for baffled 
 memory had resumed its power, and hurrying 
 to the stem, he mounted on the bowsprit, and 
 clung to the stay, as if in expectation of being 
 saved upon the mast when it should fall. The 
 men looked on aghast — they were in the very 
 midst of the white foam — a tremendous sea 
 had lifted them up, and as the vessel rushed 
 down again, they expected she would strike; but 
 she still continued floating through the hoary 
 froth, as the dashing spray flew past them, and 
 the breakers were " curling their monstrous 
 heads on either side.'" 
 
 *' Starboard !" shouted Feaghan, and was re- 
 sponded to by the mate. " Steady ! steady ! 
 so, meet her !"*' exclaimed the captain ; and 
 " Steady ! — meet her it is !*" answered O'Raf- 
 fertv. The cutter seemed to be in the midst of 
 boiling water, but the heavy rolling sea was 
 no longer felt. " Port, lad — port you may ;'"
 
 HAMILTON KING. 233 
 
 uttered Feaghan, at the top of his voice, and 
 '^ Port it is," equally vociferous, was the reply 
 of the mate. Then came the " Steady, steady V 
 from forward, and the " Steady it is !" from 
 abaft. The element beneath them still hissed 
 and undulated in convulsive agitation; but it 
 was smooth compared with what they had just 
 left ; and in a few minutes, by skilful steering, 
 they had passed through the danger. The land 
 rose upon their sight, and was promptly recog- 
 nised ; and in the course of another half-hour 
 the cutter was riding to her anchor in a snug 
 cove, completely shut in from the howling gale, 
 except when the heavy puffs came whirling 
 down the mountains that rose in majestic gran« 
 deur all around them. 
 
 " O'Rafferty, your hand," said Captain 
 Feaghan ; " let us be friends : we cannot afford 
 to be enemies." 
 
 *' And you not to know the Hen and 
 Chickens !" said the mate, reproachfully, as he 
 extended his hand ; " but its bothered you was.
 
 234 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 and so would meself have been entirely, had I 
 been in your place." 
 
 " I was bothered, O'RafFerty, and that's the 
 fact,*" replied the captain ; " the thick weather 
 and the broken water deceived me— or rather, I 
 feared to be deceived, and so was averse to 
 throw a chance away. But how comes it that 
 you knew the spot in an instant .?" 
 
 '' Aisy enough : 'case I dthramed about it,"" 
 answered the mate ; " and waked out of my sleep 
 by the hullaballoo as they made ; for it was all 
 in my dthrame ; I bundled upon deck, and 
 found it thrue. I saw the channel directly, 
 and clapped the helm up'' — 
 
 " At the very moment I caught sight of it," 
 said the captain ; " and here we are snug 
 enough from storms, and Dolphins, and Spiders, 
 and the whole devil's set of them. And now 
 for working the crop ; we must have it all 
 ashore in a brace of shindeys. We couldn't 
 have hit it better if we had had a clear sky 
 and fine weather. Information must be given to
 
 HAMILTON KING. 235 
 
 the lads. Dennis sees us by this time, and the 
 boyeen is away up the mountain. Will you go 
 ashore, O'^RafFerty, and let the docther see to 
 your hurts !'"* 
 
 " The docther ?'" repeated the mate ; " well, 
 then, its meself as will go to him, as soon as 
 the vessel's clear. But there is something else. 
 Captain Feaghan, as I'd speak a word about.*" 
 
 " The children, you mean,'' returned Feag- 
 han, carelessly, though his eye was fixed with 
 intense interest on the face of his subordinate ; 
 " they shall be taken care of."" 
 
 " It's not exactly that, Captain Feaghan,' 
 responded O'Rafferty, with well-afFected diffi- 
 dence, as he inchned his look upon the deck. 
 
 " Oh, d'ye mean the reward ?" said Feaghan, 
 assuming an indifference. " Leave the settling 
 of that to me, O'Rafferty, You know, Peterson 
 becomes entitled to a share ; but the question 
 is, what we'll get, since the girl was not 
 thrapped. The baccah is close-fisted ; but if
 
 236 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 you'll leave it to me. 111 squeeze the whole of 
 it out of him."" 
 
 " Vd lave it with all the pleasure in life, 
 Captain Feaghan, only why, — the hunchback''s 
 not the fellow to pay for work as hasn't been 
 done," argued the mate. 
 
 " That's precisely what I say," urged the 
 captain. " We've only secured the boy, and 
 the baccah will want to get oiF with half the 
 money. I know him well." 
 
 " And the boy to the fore," uttered the 
 mate, looking in the face of his chief, with a 
 peculiar expression. 
 
 " Ay, and the boy to the fore, O'Rafferty — 
 and shall be to the fore !" exclaimed Feaghan, 
 warmly. " If we're to steer different courses, 
 well and good. Take yours, and I'll take 
 mine. If we're to sail in company, then we 
 must both keep upon the same tack. Make 
 your choice." 
 
 " Nade's must when the divil dthrives," re=
 
 HAMILTON KING. 237 
 
 turned the mate, in a tone of ill-repressed dis- 
 satisfaction. " Arrah, captain, is it honour 
 bright, now ?" 
 
 Feaghan gave him a fierce scowl of contempt 
 as he replied — " And who is it that dare doubt 
 me — you .'^" He turned upon his heel, and 
 walked away. 
 
 " Bad luck to that same, an' he's angry 
 now," muttered O'RafFerty ; and then' in a 
 louder tone, he exclaimed, " arrah, captain, 
 dear, have it your own way." But either 
 Feaghan did not hear, or hearing, paid no at- 
 tention to it. 
 
 The cove, or basin, in which the cutter lay 
 was nearly oval in shape; about half a mile 
 across the middle, and about three quarters of a 
 mile in length. It was so completely shut in 
 from the sea, that none but a well-practised eye 
 could detect the entrance. The shore was formed 
 of huge masses of craggy rock, that seemed at 
 different periods to have been detached and 
 hurled from the summit or sides of the moun*
 
 238 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 tains by a convulsion of nature, and rolling 
 down to the base, had become fixed in strange, 
 uncouth, and fantastic figures. There was 
 scarcely any appearance of vegetation, and no 
 visible place for human habitation ; though the 
 light blue smoke, curling in misty wreaths, con- 
 trasted with the blackness of the background, 
 gave proof that, either in huts or caverns, man 
 had found a shelter. 
 
 Before the sails had well been stowed, a light 
 boat, resembling in shape a washing-tub, or a 
 sauce-tureen afloat, shot out, or rather bowled out 
 from between two rocks ; and a man paddled it 
 along over the swell, that, notwithstanding the 
 enclosed nature of the cove, continued to run in 
 from the sea. He came alongside, and a con- 
 versation took place in Irish, between him and 
 Teddy. A warp was carried out from the 
 cutter to a part of the shore where the fallen 
 rock presented a sort of platform, or quay. 
 The man returned, taking Teddy with >him. 
 The boats were got in readiness, and the cargo
 
 HAMILTON KING. 239 
 
 was discharged into them, and landed upon 
 the platform. 
 
 A-bout noon a gentlemanly -looking man made 
 his appearance, and was soon afterwards followed 
 by nearly a hundred wild, rough beings, whose 
 jargon grated on the ear. They were, however, 
 remarkably fine-looking men. The first opera- 
 tion was to broach a cask of brandy, which the 
 gentleman, who acted as agent in the transaction, 
 served out to them. 
 
 " You have made a capital run, Captain Feag- 
 han,"" said he ; " and when the goods are housed 
 the profits cannot be a ha'penny less than twelve 
 thousand pounds — you must be making a for- 
 tune."" 
 
 " But IVe an Irish purse, Mr. Driscoll,"" re- 
 turned the captain, laughing ; " there's three 
 holes in it. One in the middle to put the money 
 in, and one in each end, where it slips out again, 
 so you see there's two to one against me. The 
 Spider and Dolphin were after me coming across, 
 and no doubt are somewhere on the coast) though
 
 240 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 may be its too thick to see Vni. Is Mister Cor. 
 nelius well P"^ 
 
 " In health, never better,"" replied the agent ; 
 "but,^' shaking his head, and laying his hand 
 upon his breast, " there's something wrong here.*" 
 
 " That's his own affair,"' rejoined the captain, 
 with seeming indifference ; " does he know of my 
 arrival ?" 
 
 " I sent immediately to inform him," replied 
 Mr. Jerry DriscoU, " and fno doubt he will 
 either come, or you will hear from him. I had 
 my directions beforehand, as he thought you 
 would not be long, though he did not expect 
 you quite so soon." 
 
 The business of landing the cargo was carried 
 on rapidly, for every man assisted as if for life or 
 death : nor was Neptune idle, for with a de- 
 lighted activity he lifted a bale or a tub at a time, 
 and with the utmost care deposited it with the 
 rest in a large cavern of peculiar construction, 
 A low archway, under which the sea flowed, so 
 as to entirely conceal the entrance at half-tide.
 
 HAMILTON KING. 241 
 
 opened into a spacious vaulted apartment, the 
 floor being at all times under water with suffi- 
 cient depth, even at the lowest ebb, for a small 
 boat. At the far end was a fissure between the 
 rocks, and either nature had wrought, or art 
 had constructed to imitate the vagaries of nature, 
 several steep and rugged steps, which, being as- 
 cended, a hole about three feet and a half in 
 height, and two feet in width presented itself; 
 but the surface was on an inclined plane sloping 
 inwards, so as to be entirely concealed from per- 
 sons below. This hole descended obliquely into 
 another large room high above the level of the 
 sea, and here it was that the cargo was deposited, 
 every tub and bale having to be raised to the 
 aperture in the outer cavern, and the cutter having 
 been hauled in nearer to the platform to facilitate 
 the operation, which was superintended by 
 O'Rafferty in person. 
 
 Towards evening a communication was made 
 to Captain Feaghan by a messenger who had 
 crossed the mountain, appointing him to be at 
 
 VOL. I. M
 
 242 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 a certain place as soon as the sun had gone 
 down, for the purpose of meeting his employer. 
 
 The light of the day had not departed when 
 the cutter was pronounced cleared, and pre- 
 parations were instantly made for going to sea, 
 whilst at the same time no means were neg- 
 lected to ensure a well-organized defence, should 
 there be any occcasion for it, and men were 
 stationed in the different passes of the mountain, 
 to give immediate notice of any approaching 
 danger. 
 
 O'Rafferty was still on shore, when Captain 
 Feaghan, after confiding the children to the 
 especial care of the second mate, and leaving 
 orders as to what was to be done with the 
 cutter, in case of surprise during his absence, 
 landed on the platform, and with his faithful 
 animal proceeded up the mountain. The gale 
 ]iad done homage to the setting sun, and subsid- 
 ed into a gentle breeze ; the sky was no longer 
 obscured by the thick haze — for the face of the 
 heavens was beautifully clear, and its myriads
 
 HAMILTON KING. 243 
 
 of glories shone forth in their fullest lustre. 
 There was, however, a chilliness of atmosphere 
 as the captain continued to ascend; and he 
 drew his rough overall tighter about him. 
 
 Half an hour's quick walk brought him to a 
 small hut, constructed in the rudest manner ; it 
 stood in a sequestered nook on an exalted emi- 
 nence, commanding a most extensive view to 
 seaward and along the coast. The roof was 
 made of rough rafters from the branches of 
 trees that had never been barked, and these 
 were laid across a chasm between two rocks — 
 the space below forming the apartment — the back 
 and sides being the rough stone of the mountain. 
 Lightly treading, so as to make no noise, 
 Feaghan approached the door, and listened ; but 
 all was as silent as the grave. He was then 
 cautiously receding ; but a low growl from 
 Neptune arrested his steps, and, throwing back 
 his overall, he grasped the butt of a pistol, and 
 the click of the lock echoed amongst the cavities 
 of the rock. 
 
 M 2
 
 244 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 " Open hands, and not concealed arms, should 
 be the greeting for friends. Captain Feaghan,"" 
 uttered a voice plaintively harmonious and 
 musical. 
 
 " There's scarcely any telling friends from 
 foes by this light,"" returned the captain, " espe- 
 cially when they're not to be seen. The voice, 
 however, is enough for me this time, and there''s 
 one whose ear is more delicate than mine rests 
 satisfied.*" 
 
 " Fidelity in all things is excellent,*''' con- 
 tinued the voice in the same pleasing tone ; " I 
 will be with you directly." 
 
 In a few minutes, a strange uncouth figure 
 stood before Feaghan, wrapped up in a cloak 
 that concealed his person except the upper 
 parts. In height, he was not more than four 
 feet six, but bulky, with a very large head sunk 
 in between his shoulders, as if destitute of neck ; 
 a slouched, broad-brimmed hat was pulled 
 down over his features. "I'm pleased to see 
 you, Captain Feaghan," said the dwarf, whose
 
 HAMILTON KING. 245 
 
 well-attuned accents proved him to be the indi- 
 vidual that had addressed the commander of the 
 cutter — " very pleased to see you. Your voyage 
 has been quick and successful — the cargo safe — 
 the vessel ready for sea again — eh P^"* 
 
 " Precisely as you say. Mister Cornelius,''"' 
 responded the captain ; " and Driscoll tells me 
 the profits — ^" 
 
 *' Never mind Jeremiah and the prophets,'*'' 
 said the dwarf, who had been styled Mr. Cor- 
 nelius, as he laughed at his own joke ; " I shall 
 not forget your zealous services. Captain Fea- 
 ghan. But the night air is cold — Michael is on 
 the watch — let us in to the cottage, and stir up 
 the embers of the fire."" 
 
 They pushed open the door, and entered this 
 cheerless abode ; the ashes of a turf and wood 
 fire glowed as the sudden draft passed over them, 
 and, some remnants being collected, there was 
 soon a cheerful blaze. The dwarf threw off his 
 cloak ; and then, though elegantly dressed, his 
 full deformity became apparent. He was hump-
 
 246 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 backed — his throat swelled out before, as if his 
 neck was unable to sustain the weight of his 
 enormous head, and the latter rested entirely on 
 the shoulders — his legs were short and thick — 
 his arms long and stout ; and his whole frame, 
 though unnatural to look upon, manifested 
 possession of great physical strength. His fea- 
 tures were far from ugly ; he had a fine high 
 open forehead, over which his jet-black hair 
 hung in bushy clusters ; and his eyes were rest- 
 less and piercing, as they seemed to flash with 
 the blaze from the revived flame. 
 
 " And what news may you have, Captain 
 Feaghan ?'''' inquired the dwarf, as he held his 
 delicately white but large hands over the blaz- 
 ing turf, that shed its light around this wretched 
 habitation. An old chest stood in one corner ; 
 in another was a sort of wooden frame, on which 
 was spread a quantity of straw covered over witli 
 two or three blankets. The trunk of a tree, 
 sawed into three several compartments, served 
 for seats ; and there was a scanty supply of
 
 HAMILTON KING. 247 
 
 culinary utensils, There was no fire-place — 
 the fire being made upon the rocky floor in sucli 
 parts as fancy or circumstances decreed, and was 
 kept together by pieces of misshapen stone 
 arranged round three sides of it — the smoke 
 escaping where best it could. " And what news 
 may you have, Captain Feaghan?'"* said the dwarf. 
 
 " There's but little stirring in the world, Mis- 
 ter Cornelius, but what comes to your know- 
 ledge," answered the captain : " the revenue 
 chased us in ; and your friend, Mr. Anderson, 
 was close at our heels." 
 
 " He is off Mizen Head," returned the dwarf; 
 " and what was the revenue craft you fell in 
 with ?" 
 
 " The Dolphin ; but he's not much used to this 
 coast," replied Feaghan — " though, I believe, 
 he has some of the bay boys on board of liim." 
 
 " I have not heard of his being seen," ol)- 
 served the dwarf; " and as the goods are safe, 
 and you will sail in the morning, there is nothing 
 to be apprehended. But" — and he turned a
 
 248 HAMILTON KL\G. 
 
 searching look upon the captain*'s countenance — 
 " have you executed that little commission for 
 me which I entrusted you with ?" 
 
 " Partly it lias been done,"' returned Fea- 
 ghan with well-assumed confidence ; '^ it is not 
 in human power to command perfect success.'"* 
 
 " Partly !'' repeated the dwarf, in a tone as 
 discordant as his voice had hitherto been musical 
 — " partly !'' he again uttered, as a fierce scowl 
 passed over his features. " Have you seized 
 them ? — disposed of them ? — or what .^" 
 
 " I say once more, Mr. Cornelius, your wishes 
 can be but partly gratified,"" uttered the captain, 
 firmly, and disregarding the menacing manners 
 of his companion ; " we have got one of the 
 children — the other escaped." 
 
 " Which of them T'' eagerly demanded the 
 dwarf, as he caught Feaghan by the arm — 
 " which was it that escaped T'* 
 
 " The girl — she ran away, and gave the 
 alarm as the man was about to seize her," 
 answered the captain.
 
 HAMILTON KING. 249 
 
 " And the boy — the boy, Feaghan ! Tell 
 me of the boy. Is he safe ? — secure, eh P"' — and 
 a gleam of demoniac pleasure, heightened by 
 the hue of the fire, shone upon his face. 
 
 " Yes, Mr. Cornelius, he is safe enough,'' 
 answered the captain, proudly, as he disengaged 
 himself from the grasp of the dwarf. 
 
 " My excellent friend, Feaghan — my noble 
 fellow," responded the other; "then as far as 
 he is concerned my heart is at rest ; I have 
 nothing more to fear;'** and he laughed with 
 wild delight. 
 
 " I have merely to claim the promised re- 
 ward,'** said the captain; " which, of course, is 
 ready for me.*" 
 
 *« Hold, hold, not so fast, Feaghan," urged 
 the dwarf; "you have not fulfilled the whole 
 of the conditions ; there is the girl ; dispose of 
 her, and the reward is yours." 
 
 " I have already done my best, Mr. Corne- 
 lius," argued the captain ; '* there were others 
 >i 5
 
 250 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 engaged in it beside myself, and I stand pledged 
 to them for payment of the whole." 
 
 " But you are not entitled to the whole,*" 
 urged his companion, angrily ; " only half 
 your commission has been executed ; and re- 
 member, even that I can withhold." 
 
 '' I know it," returned Feaghan ; " but the 
 best half has been done ; it was the boy you 
 feared the most." 
 
 " And he," uttered the dwarf, as he wildly 
 laughed ; " he ! the boy, you know, now is 
 securely at rest — " 
 
 " On board the cutter, Mr. Cornelius,'* re- 
 sponded Feaghan, firmly, and his hand instinc- 
 tively approached the butt of his pistol ; " nor 
 shall he quit her till the whole is paid." 
 
 '' Mille dhioul," shrieked the dwarf; "you 
 have done nothing; the boy lives when I 
 thought him dead. This is treachery, and you 
 are " 
 
 " Avast ! Mr. Cornelius, no hard names, if
 
 HAMILTOxN KING. 251 
 
 you please," exclaimed the captain ; " we are on 
 a level here." 
 
 " I will be revenged for this,'"* uttered the 
 other, in a deep sepulchral tone ; " Feaghan, 
 you shall repent it ; I will take the cutter from 
 you." 
 
 "But you cannot take the men — they are 
 mine, soul and body, stock and fluke," uttered 
 the captain, in derision; "and as for repentance, 
 let the whole weight of your displeasure fall 
 
 upon my head, I'll bear it, though "*' he was 
 
 recklessly going to add, " though it is not 
 quite so big as yours," but he stopped short, 
 for he felt he had a point to gain. 
 
 The dwarf remained silent a minute or two, 
 as if labouring under a severe mental struggle ; 
 at length he uttered, in his usual harmonious 
 tones, " I am overhasty, Feaghan ; I jump to 
 conclusions too soon ; it is the sanguine nature 
 of my temperament. You will land the boy, 
 Feaghan, and then we can come to some 
 arrangement."
 
 252 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 " Divel a foot will he land, Mr. Cornelius," 
 replied the determined captain, "till the money's 
 paid. I've said the word, and I'll stick to it." 
 
 " But this is not acting honestly," argued 
 the other, with apparent mildness ; " the reward 
 was to be given for certain services performed, 
 which services have not been fulfilled." 
 
 " As you please, sir," returned the resolute 
 seaman; " keep your money, and I'll keep the 
 boy ; if he*s not worth five hundred, he's worth 
 nothino^." 
 
 "I am overreached," murmured the dwarf, 
 fiercely ; " Feaghan, do you know your situa- 
 tion ? do you forget that you are an outlaw, and^ 
 within my power .f^" 
 
 " Exercise it if you dare !" boldly exclaimed 
 the captain, crossing his arms and raising him- 
 self proudly erect ; " Do you think I am igno- 
 rant of the ground I stand upon ? No, Mr. 
 Cornelius," and he elevated his voice ; " I am 
 Smasher, the smuggler^chief, for whose appre- 
 hension two hundred pounds is offered," he
 
 HAMILTON KING. 253 
 
 laughed recklessly ; " I have read the bills my- 
 self, and you are — " 
 
 '• Your friend, Feaghan, your friend," inter- 
 rupted the dwarf, in a subdued tone ; " yes, I 
 repeat it, I am your friend, if you do not stand 
 in your own light." 
 
 " A friend is always a friend, let what will 
 occur, Mr. Cornelius," answered the captain, 
 proudly ; " I hate pretenders. Once more I say 
 the boy shall not land till the five hundred 
 pounds is paid in hard cash ; no bills — no after- 
 claps; and even then I must be informed as to 
 what his future destination is meant to be.'" 
 
 " Why, what can his future destination matter 
 to you .''" said the other, scornfully. 
 
 " My nature is very rugged, Mr. Cornelius," 
 answered the seaman ; " and it sometimes hap- 
 pens that feelings of affection and humanity 
 will stick to its ruggedness, even in spite of 
 myself." 
 
 "You!" shrieked the dwarf; "you! the 
 desperate outlaw, the hardened smuggler, with
 
 254 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 blood upon your conscience ; you have feelings 
 of tenderness ! Ha, ha, ha!" and his laugh rung 
 wildly through the clefts. 
 
 "And why not, Mr. Cornelius.?" said Feaghan, 
 as calmly and collectedly he prepared for some 
 sudden outbreak of passion ; " you, yourself, 
 trust to my generous forbearance, or else why 
 are you here to taunt me ?'' 
 
 *' Because I can set you at defiance ; because 
 I have you under control ; your property, aye, 
 your very life is in my hands," responded the 
 dwarf. 
 
 " Tut man, I fear you not, and I am too 
 proud to retort in wordy warfare, else I might 
 soon turn the tables on you," said the un- 
 daunted seaman. 
 
 A growl from Neptune, who had crouched at 
 the entrance, watching what was passing w ithin, 
 gave notice of some one'*s approach. " Good 
 Nep," said the captain, "see to 'em, boy — the 
 faithful creature warns both friend and foe." 
 The animal raised himself from his recumbent
 
 HAMILTON KING. 255 
 
 position, looked out into the night, sniffed the 
 breeze, gave a low whine, and wagged his bushy 
 tail, as a man, apparently between fifty and sixty 
 years of age, hastily entered the hut. 
 
 " They're upon us, Mr, Cornelius, jewel. 
 — Arrah, captain dear, but its close to us they 
 are,*' uttered he; " make haste to your cutther, 
 captain, and be off out o'that wid yer. Och 
 hone, that Mike Hagan should live to see the 
 day when his arem must hang down by the side 
 of him," and his shtick be propped again the 
 wall. 
 
 "Who and what are they, Mike?" inquired 
 Feaghan, with perfect coolness and self-com- 
 mand. 
 
 " They're furreners, captain dear, and its 
 myself is bothered intirely," answered the man. 
 
 " Did you catch any of their conversation," 
 asked Feaghan ; " be alive, Nep, look out good 
 lad." The dog slowly raised himself and walked 
 to the outside. " Could you hear them talk .?" 
 
 " They're Englishers by their brogue," re-
 
 256 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 plied the man; "and they spoke something 
 about a long chace for the Blue Bob." 
 
 " By the divel's bells but its some of the 
 Dolphins it ull be,'* exclaimed Feaghan; " were 
 there any countrymen amongst them ?'* 
 
 "Indeed an* there was,'* answered Mike; 
 " and thrue for you they said something about 
 Doll Finn, bad luck to her, if it's throuble 
 she's bringing, and these owld arems like 
 withered twigs — och hone.'* 
 
 " Well, Mr. Cornelius, then here we part,"" said 
 Feaghan ; "if it"*s the revenue men, I know my 
 duty to my people." The dog gave a low moan. 
 " Nep hears them, and I must be off down the 
 mountain." 
 
 " Arrah, Captain dear, — quick your sowl to 
 glory !" said Mike, running to the corner, where 
 the chest was standing, — " rouse it out o"* this," 
 and he slowly moved the ponderous ark ; "down, 
 down,'' uttered he, as a cavity appeared beneath 
 where it stood, "downwidyer, and you'll be 
 safe."
 
 HAMILTON KING. 257 
 
 The offer was tempting ; but Feaghan feared 
 the treachery of the dwarf ; besides, he did not 
 care to let him think that he relied upon any 
 thing but his own exertions for safety. " No^ 
 Mike," said he, " I will not hide, and leave my 
 bold lads in peril." Neptune growled louder. " I 
 hear you, Nep ; — farewell, for this voyage, Mr. 
 Cornelius ; my next trip is for Bordeaux." He 
 quitted the hut, but on perceiving several men 
 close to the only passage to the flat, he hastily 
 returned again ; the chest had been replaced ; 
 the dwarf had disappeared, and Mike was ex- 
 tinguishing the fire, so that in a few seconds 
 all was darkness. 
 
 " Down, Nep, good fellow, down," whispered 
 Feaghan, as the animal uttered a deep growl, 
 " hold your noise, lad ; — whist, whist 1" The 
 creature obeyed, and following his master to the 
 corner near the door, he crouched at his feet. 
 
 " I am sure I heard voices,'"* said one of the 
 party outside ; '' I say, Jem, what an infer- 
 nal place this here is to come bush-fighting in,
 
 258 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 and as for the Paddies — halloo ! what''s that ? — 
 Who's flinging stones at me ?" 
 
 " Silence, there among you !" commanded an- 
 other, in an authoritative tone ; " Hold your 
 noise, or youll be drawing something upon your 
 heads rather heavier than stones ; — where's Mac- 
 shane ?" 
 
 " It is here I am, Sir,*" replied the person 
 named, in a fine Munster brogue, as he hurried 
 up to his officer. 
 
 " Well, now, Macshane, you pretend to know 
 whereabouts we are; pray what have you brought 
 us here for ?" inquired the leader. 
 
 " Case it'^s just this way they'll be bringing 
 the goods, if the smuggler's down in the cove," 
 responded the other. 
 
 " Are you sure you are not mistaken in tlie 
 track ?" inquired the officer. 
 
 " Oh divel the hap'oith o' mistake about it," 
 answered the man, — " an' here's Mike Hagan's 
 hurricane-house to the fore." 
 
 " A hurricane-house, indeed," returned the
 
 HAMILTON KING. 259 
 
 officer, surveying the hut ; " it is a very appro- 
 priate designation, and the place looks like some 
 infernal hole, in which the witches brew the 
 heavy squalls that come down off the moun- 
 tains." 
 
 " Brew whiskey, I'm thinking. Sir," said an- 
 other of the party ; " only it''s so quiet, I should 
 swear there was a still close to us." 
 
 " Faith, an' it's still and quiet they are, any 
 how," said Macshane ; " owld Mike may-be 
 down at the cove, or out on the watch." 
 
 " Owld Mike is here, forenent yer, Larry 
 Macshane," exclaimed Hagan, coming forth from 
 the hut, " an' what 'ud the gentleman be want- 
 ing with me, Larry ?" 
 
 " Where's the Blue Bob, ye owld sinner ?" 
 uttered Macshane ; " isn't it down in the cove 
 she is now, Mike ?" 
 
 " Myself does 'nt know," answered Hagan ; 
 " I've been away over the hills till dark, and was 
 just kindling my bit fire when you came." 
 
 " A fire ! — let's in, my boys ; perhaps we shall
 
 260 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 find something to warm our insides, as well as 
 the out," uttered the first man who had spoken ; 
 " where's Jennings with the dark lantern ?" 
 
 The lantern was brought, and Mike preceding 
 the party, exclaimed, in a suppressed tone, — 
 " Whisht, lads, whisht ! there's a stranger, as I 
 picked up in the mountain, lost his way in the 
 dark, an' he's now slaping on my bit bed ; — 
 whisht, and don't wake him, lads.*" 
 
 Feaghan's first intention was, to let some of the 
 men enter, while he was concealed behind the 
 door, and then to rush out and force a passage 
 among the remainder ; but Mike's hint was not 
 lost upon him, and noiselessly he hurried across 
 the rocky floor to the pallet of the old man, 
 where, wrapping his overall about him, and co- 
 vering himself with the blankets, he laid as if in 
 a profound slumber, whilst Neptune sat watch- 
 fully by his side. 
 
 " A stranger,'' said the officer inquiringly, — 
 " what stranger would be wandering among 
 these mountains after night-fall ? — we must see 
 the gentleman."
 
 HAMILTON KING. 261 
 
 " Were you ever here afore, sir?" asked Mike, 
 as he stopped short at the threshold, to give 
 Feaghan time. 
 
 " Never, my man,'' returned the officer ; " I 
 never had my foot on the Irish shores before to- 
 day." 
 
 " Then there's more nor one sthranger in the 
 mountain this blessed night, Sir, any-how," an- 
 swered Mike, as he entered, and was followed by 
 the party with their light. 
 
 The officer cautiously peered around him, as 
 he sent the rays from the lantern into every cor- 
 ner. Neptune laid perfectly still, but there was 
 a fierceness in his eyes, as he frequently displayed 
 his terrible set of teeth when any one approached 
 him. " Call away the dog, fellow," said the offi- 
 cer, addressing Mike. 
 
 "An' small use there'd be in that, Sir," an- 
 swered Hagan ; — '• the crater belongs to the 
 sthranger, and a faithful baste it is, an' quiet 
 enough, — only barring his teeth." 
 
 '' Halloo!" shouted the officer, " Yo hoy there.
 
 262 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 my friend !"' and Feaghan, as if aroused from his 
 sleep, raised himself from the bed, and rubbing 
 his eyes, stared with surprise around him. "Pray 
 who are you, and what are you doing here ?" in- 
 quired the officer, in a haughty manner, whilst 
 Mike was drawing the attention of Macshane to 
 a stone jug, containing potcheen. 
 
 " An you'll not bethray owld friends, Mac- 
 shane," whispered Hagan ; " have you forgotten 
 the day we laid Dermot Delany under the sod ? 
 have you no remimbrance of him who saved the 
 life of you there, ayont ?'*'' 
 
 " Whisht, Mike, whisht !'** returned the man, 
 in the same low tone, as he eagerly grasped the 
 jug, " they've forced me on it ; but I scorn to 
 bethray him as owns the dog." 
 
 " I am waiting for an answer to my question,'' 
 exclaimed the officer haughtily ; " is it your 
 pleasure to give it, or not ? — Who and what are 
 you ? 
 
 " I see by your uniform that you have a right 
 to make the inquiry, and, therefore, reply,— a
 
 HAMILTON KING. 263 
 
 stranger in these parts; I ascended the mountains, 
 to view nature in some of its wildest forms. The 
 mist came on, and I lost my way, where I was 
 obliged to pass the night ; cold and hungry, and 
 stiff* with fatigue, I should have been compelled 
 tliis night also to remain unsheltered, and per- 
 haps have perished, but that yon worthy fellow, 
 who proves that humanity may be found in rough 
 exteriors, fell in with, and brought me hither. 
 Now, sir, I have answered, are you satisfied ?^' 
 uttered the captain. 
 
 "And was the dog, that sagacious animal, 
 lost too .'*"'' inquired the officer. " It is seldom 
 the Newfoundland breed are so dull of compre- 
 hension." 
 
 " The creature would not leave my side,"" re- 
 sponded Feaghan ; "he seemed to be aware of 
 dangers that were concealed from me, and know- 
 ing that he had never been here before, I feared 
 to trust him as my guide.'' 
 
 " Bring here that tub that you picked up out- 
 side,'"* said the officer, and a small empty cask
 
 264 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 similar to those with which the cutter had been 
 stowed, was brought forward ; the officer held 
 it by the slings. " Heigh, boy V exclaimed he, 
 holding it in a position for the animal to take ; 
 poor Neptune forgot his propriety ; he saw only 
 the tub that was offered to him for conveyance, 
 and bounding forward, he caught the slings in 
 his jaws, and wagging his tail, turned trium- 
 phantly to his master. " I thought so,'' ex- 
 claimed the officer, " we are accustomed to these 
 things at Dover and Deal." But Nep. saw no 
 approving look upon the captain's face : — the 
 motion of his tail ceased : — he dropped the tub, 
 — returned to the bed-side, where he doggedly 
 remained, in spite of every effort to entice him 
 away. 
 
 " The dog tells us a tale at all events, sir," 
 said one of the party ; " its plain he's up to the 
 thing, and I wish I had the value of all that he 
 has ever carried." 
 
 " The conduct of the creature is natural to all 
 such animals," responded Feaghan ; " but I am
 
 HAMILTON KING. 265 
 
 weary, gentlemen, is it your pleasure to let me 
 sleep?'' 
 
 " Macshane," called the officer, and the man 
 came to his side. " You have found one old 
 acquaintance, it seems, — pray do you know any- 
 thing of this dog, or of his master .?'' 
 
 " Sorrow the bit I know," returned Mac- 
 shane, as he gave a glance at both ; " barring 
 its Mr. Dooley the natural — " 
 
 " You are right, my friend," said Feaghan, 
 catching at the man's meaning ; "I am Mr. 
 Dooley, the naturalist, as people are pleased to 
 term me, and it was in search of lichen and 
 mosses that I lost my way in the mountain." 
 
 " You can have no objection then to return 
 with me to a place of greater safety, sir," re- 
 turned the officer ; " I respect the man of sci- 
 ence, and shall be proud to give you an escort." 
 
 <' Which I will most cheerfully accept," 
 uttered Feaghan, rising from the bed with his 
 overall closely folded round him ; " I am, it is 
 true, extremely weary, but the prospect of better 
 
 VOL. I. N
 
 266 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 accommodation will atone for present labour. I 
 am ready, sir.'"* 
 
 " You will have a basket or box for your spe- 
 cimens, Mr. Dooley," said the officer inquir- 
 ingly; "I am partial to the study of botany, 
 myself, and when we get to our moorings shall 
 be happy to inspect the fruit of your toil." 
 
 " I fear you will be disappointed then,*" said 
 Feaghan, " for unfortunately my basket and 
 my box were blown down a hideous chasm 
 yesterday. I had placed them on the ground 
 for a few minutes, when the gale in its wild fury 
 whirled both away, and with them went the 
 little food I had provided.*" 
 
 " Well then, we will make up the loss by con- 
 versation," said the officer, preparing to depart ; 
 ''and, as it would be a folly to descend to the 
 cove with no certain knowledge of the smuggler 
 being there, we will return over the mountain 
 and wait for daylight." 
 
 " Farewell, my worthy friend," said Feaghan, 
 addressing Mike, and slipping some money into
 
 HAMILTON KING. 267 
 
 his hand, so that the revenue party might see 
 him ; " you know the spot where my provisions 
 and specimens are to be found ; bring them to 
 me at Bantry, and I will reward you. I shall 
 stay at Bantry a few days." 
 
 " The Saints' blessings on your honour," re- 
 turned Hagan ; "its few that spakes a word 
 of comfort to owld Mike's heart now, for them 
 are gone as onest owned me and cherished me — 
 och hone !" 
 
 " Well, well, my honest fellow," said the 
 officer ; " you have done a Christian-like act, 
 and gratitude is due to you. The cutter, you 
 say, is not in the cove, but she must be in some 
 of the nooks along this coast, and as your nest 
 here commands a long view, I think you cannot 
 help seeing her." 
 
 " Barring its thick weather," observed Mike, 
 with well-assumed simplicity of manner. 
 
 " Of course, I do not expect you to keep fog- 
 spectacles," said the officer smiling : " but ]\Iike 
 — I think your name's Mike." 
 N 2
 
 268 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 " Mike Hagan, at your honour's service," re- 
 turned the old man, bowing with obsequious 
 deference. 
 
 " Well then, Mike Hagan, if you will keep 
 a good look-out during the night, and ascertain 
 what is going on, so as to give me information, 
 you shall be well rewarded. The captain of 
 the smuggler is much wanted at Cork." 
 
 "He has many friends there, sir, may be?" 
 said Mike ; " an its well and pleasant to be in 
 request by one's friends, though I shall never 
 enjoy that same again." 
 
 *•' He is in great request," assented the officer, 
 " and if you can let me know where he may be 
 found, your future condition shall be amended, 
 and provision made for you to the end of your 
 days." 
 
 " Its meself then as will sake him, and tell 
 him of it," said Mike, putting on a look of 
 pleased intelligence. 
 
 " No, — no, not for the world !" exclaimed the 
 officer, " you must not say a word to him, but
 
 HAMILTON KING. 269 
 
 come to me at — " he whispered in his ear, " and 
 let me know without uttering a syllable to any 
 one." 
 
 "Oh .' divel the breath shall cross my lips 
 about it," uttered Mike ; " an may you fall in 
 with him this blessed night of all others." 
 
 " Come lads, get into order, have your arms 
 ready, look to your primings, and away," said 
 the officer. 
 
 The command was obeyed, and the party 
 quitted the hut, and commenced the ascent of 
 the mountain, Mike showing them a shorter 
 passage than that by which they had come 
 down.
 
 270 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 " I know you are two rival enemies ; 
 How comes this gentle concord in the world, 
 That hatred is so far from jealousy 
 To sleep by hate and fear no enmity ?" 
 
 Shakspeare. 
 
 When Feaghan quitted the habitation of old 
 Mike he felt it as a reprieve, for he made no 
 doubt of effecting his escape in some of the 
 passes of the mountain, the whole of which he 
 was perfectly acquainted with ; and as he still 
 retained his arms, he determined that even the 
 shedding of blood should not deter him from 
 making the trial ; but when he beheld the judi- 
 cious arrangements made by the officer to prevent 
 surprise and to form a body guard around them, 
 he at once became convinced that an exceedingly 
 difficult task lay before him, and the success-
 
 HAMILTON KING. 271 
 
 ful performance of it extremely problematical. 
 Besides, he laboured under lassitude^ weariness, 
 and pain ; he had not been in bed for several 
 nights, and the previous one had been passed 
 upon the cutter's deck ; his wounds, too, were 
 troublesome — they had no other dressing than 
 that given by Peterson ; the ball in his arm had 
 not been extracted, the part was inflamed and 
 swelled, and his whole frame was stiff and sore. 
 The officer was a rosy-faced, good-tempered 
 Englishman, of that class who, fancying them- 
 selves extremely knowing, are generally the first 
 to be deceived. The account of himself given 
 by Feaghan was only in part credited, for there 
 was a lurking suspicion, a sort of presentiment 
 of something undefined, that induced him to 
 place his men in such order that they might be 
 ready for anything that might occur. He 
 walked steadily by the side of the supposed Mr. 
 Dooley, narrated the events of the chase after 
 the Blue Bob with accurate precision — stated 
 that the Dolphin had got into one of the small
 
 272 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 harbours in Bantry Bay, and that he had been 
 despatched with twenty men well armed, and 
 Macshane for a guide, to reconnoitre up the 
 mountain, making every inquiry as to whether 
 the smuggler had got into the DeviPs Cove. 
 " But where's your dog, Mr. Dooley.?" inquired 
 he ; "I wish the noble animal was mine — surely 
 we cannot have lost him." 
 
 Feaghan had missed the creature soon after 
 they had set out, and hoped that he had gone 
 back with Hagan ; but, to avoid being suspected, 
 he gave a shrill whistle, and forward bounded 
 Neptune, carrying in his jaws the identical tub 
 that had caused some uneasiness in the hut. 
 The officer just noticed the circumstance, but 
 made no other observation than praising the 
 animal, who wagged his tail and carried his 
 head erect as he proceeded onward with his 
 prize. 
 
 Several times did Feaghan try to give his 
 companions the slip, but, so closely did they 
 stick to him, that he feared it would be impos-
 
 HAMILTON KING. 273 
 
 sible unless he had recourse to violence, and the 
 odds were fearfully against him. Once he en- 
 deavoured to overturn the officer by pretending 
 to stumble, but the man was on his guard, and 
 though he staggered a little, yet he never lost 
 his footing, and Feaghan became convinced that 
 he had a most powerful enemy to contend with. 
 Nerved to desperation, he at length chose a con- 
 venient spot where the bushes grew thickly and 
 the ground was uneven, so as to offer conceal- 
 ment in the darkness. Slipping off his cloak, 
 as an incumbrance, he knocked down the man 
 by his side, and then made a vigorous spring 
 into the thicket ; but his strength was not equal 
 to his expectations, the fallen man suddenly 
 bounded up and caught the smuggler's foot as 
 he precipitated himself forward ; in an instant he 
 came heavily to the ground, and the next mi- 
 nute was a prisoner and disarmed. 
 
 " You're a strange man, Mr. Dooley— a very 
 strange man,'' said the officer, as they tightly 
 pinioned Feaghan's arms behind him ; " any one 
 N 5
 
 274 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 might tell you was a man of science, you're so 
 erratic in your movements. Who you are, or what 
 you are, is at present beyond my comprehension, 
 but you must excuse me for depriving vou of 
 your liberty, ^Ir, Dooley. Naturalist you may 
 be. but, for my own piirt, I take you for as 
 errant a duffer as ever run a cargo. However, 
 we shall see presentlv ; our commander is to be 
 at O'Connor Hall, and thither shall I conduct 
 you, Mr, Dooley."" 
 
 " You will use your own free will, sir," re- 
 sponded Feaghan, proudly ; " though I cannot 
 see what legal right you have to detain me, and 
 more especially to treat me in this manner."" 
 
 " I own, ;Mr. Dooley," returned the officer, 
 provokingly, " that I am not lawyer enough to 
 know under what Act of Parliament I am keep- 
 ing you in safe custody — I must leave that to 
 the wiser heads of you gentlemen naturalists. 
 But you have committed an assault, !Mr. Dooley 
 — an uprovoked assault, and you may be tempted 
 to repeat it if I suffer you to be at large again ;
 
 HAMILTOX KING. 275 
 
 it is probable you may be known at O'Connor 
 Hall, and then, Mr. Dooley, if you are Mr. 
 Dooley the botanist, you shall have immediate 
 release.'"' 
 
 Feaghan had every reason to believe he 
 should be recognized at O'Connor Hall, but not 
 for the purpose of being set at liberty ; he re- 
 gretted that he had not used his pistols, but 
 now he had no alternative, and must remain a 
 prisoner, perhaps be consigned to jail and suffer 
 an ignominious death, in expiation for his of- 
 fences against the laws. These were by no 
 means pleasant reflections, and his reckless na- 
 ture tried to drive them away; but he was feverish 
 and irritable, and, as fai* as the thoughts were 
 concerned, he had lost all self-control. The 
 officer continued Mr. Dooleying him as they 
 walked forward, but Feaghan merely returned 
 monosyllables to his inquiries ; he felt an un- 
 usual depression of spirits, and every effort to 
 rally his energies only served to bow him down 
 still lower.
 
 276 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 It was near midnight when they passed 
 through the avenue of fine old elm trees that 
 formed an appropriate approach to O'Connor 
 Hall — the porter at the Lodge having promptly 
 opened the gates to admit them as soon as he 
 had ascertained their errand. All was still and 
 quiet within the venerable building, when the 
 loud summons at the door announced the party, 
 and in a few minutes, from an eminence com- 
 manding the entire front, inquiry was made 
 relative to the intruders. The officer explained 
 his situation, and required admission to commu- 
 nicate with his superior. 
 
 " Which vessel do you belong to ?" asked 
 the domestic ; " weVe two commanders in the 
 house." 
 
 " The Dolphin, revenue cruiser,"*' returned 
 the officer; " Captain Lilyburn. Have the 
 goodness to inform him of my arrival, and that 
 I have got a prisoner." 
 
 " I'll do that thing," returned the servant. 
 " Wait a minute, an' I'll be back presently. 
 They're neither of them abed yet."
 
 HAMILTON KING. 277 
 
 In a short time the doors were thrown open, 
 and the party entered the spacious hall, where 
 lights were arranged by the servants who had 
 not yet retired for the night ; whilst the others, 
 disturbed by such a summons, at a season when 
 alarm prevailed, very soon made their appear- 
 ance amongst the rest. The place they were 
 assembled in was one of those spacious ante- 
 vestibules that were formerly to be seen in 
 ancient baronial residences, serving the double 
 purpose of an entrance-hall and a guard* room. 
 The dark and highly-polished oak panels, in- 
 laid with brass, were decorated with arms of 
 every manual description, intermingled with 
 weapons destined for the chase. Nor were they 
 confined to that particular period, for there was 
 antique armour, the stout bull-hide shield, with 
 its brass knobs ; cross-bows and bills ; the long 
 two-edged sword ; the mace and the axe, with 
 various other implements of warfare. A mas- 
 sive lamp hung suspended from the centre, and 
 its seven branches, when lighted up, darkly
 
 278 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 illumined every part of the place, so as to 
 heighten the romance of its appearance to the 
 eye of the stranger. The floor was of white 
 and black marble alternately, in diagonal posi- 
 tions. Richly-carved oak chairs, with crimson 
 velvet, emblazoned with armorial bearings, in 
 the centre of their backs, were ranged along the 
 sides, together with two huge tables of the same 
 wood. The fret work of the vaulted ceiling 
 frowned in the gloom, and showed the fantastic 
 shapes projecting from the cornices in mockery 
 of life. 
 
 The armed party, with their prisoner, stood 
 awaiting the arrival of the Dolphin's comman- 
 der ; and Feaghan, who had carefully noticed 
 every countenance that presented itself, became 
 more at ease, as, by their being all strange to 
 him, he trusted that the honour of being 
 unknown was reciprocal. At length two ser- 
 vants, each carrying two massive silver candle- 
 sticks, with wax tapers, preceded a short, stout, 
 red-eyed man, who called far " Mr. Dobson,"
 
 HAMILTON KING. 279 
 
 and the officer respectfully approached him, hat 
 in hand. 
 
 " Well, Dobson, and what news of the 
 smuggler ?"" enquired Captain Lilyburn in a 
 pompous manner. 
 
 " We can hear nothing of him, sir,'* answered 
 the officer ; " all is quiet up the mountains — 
 not a thing stirring."" 
 
 " We have other intelligence, Mr. Dobsori — 
 other intelligence, sir,^ responded Captain Lily- 
 burn ; " the smuggler is at this very moment 
 at anchor in the DeviPs Cove. But who have 
 we here ?"" 
 
 The officer who had been addressed by the 
 name of Dobson had permitted Feaghan to re- 
 sume his cloak after his capture, and he now 
 held it wrapped round him, as he stood between 
 two men \vith pistols ready cocked. " He says 
 his name is Dooley, sir, a naturalist, botanizing 
 in the mountains.*" 
 
 " And is that any reason for bringing him 
 here, sir .?" exclaimed Captain Lilyburn, an-
 
 280 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 grily. " The liberty of the subject, sir, is too 
 precious and valuable to be trifled with. He 
 bears the appearance of a gentleman. Release 
 him, sir — release him."" 
 
 " He attempted to get away, sir, and knocked 
 Morrison down,"'' said the officer, embarrassed 
 and confused. 
 
 " And well he might, sir ; the liberty of the 
 subject, sir. Mr. Tooley" — he approached the 
 smuggler — " I am truly sorry, sir, that you 
 should have suffered inconvenience — stand back, 
 men," for the poor fellows still remained guard- 
 ing Feaghan. " These are perilous times, Mr. 
 Tooley — very perilous times. Walk with me, 
 and take some refreshment. Mr. Dobson, let the 
 men get a good allowance served out to them, 
 and then come to me for orders."*"* 
 
 " The gentleman was well armed, sir,'"* whis- 
 pered Dobson to his commander, who was fol- 
 lowing Feaghan into an inner apartment, pre- 
 ceded by lights. 
 
 " And who, pray, do you think would be up
 
 HAMILTON KING. 281 
 
 in those wild mountains without arms, Mr. 
 Dobson ?" returned Captain Lilyburn. " I 
 fear you have done wrong — committed your- 
 self, sir — ^violated the liberty of the subject, 
 which should be held sacred. Bear a hand 
 with the men, for we must instantly go on 
 board, and be round off the Devil's Cove by 
 daylight." 
 
 Feaghan could not but experience the great- 
 est astonishment at the turn affairs had taken 
 when he laid aside his overall, and found him- 
 self comfortably seated in a handsome parlour, 
 with a cheerful fire, and at a table on which 
 stood decanters of rosy wine. 
 
 " Come, Mr. Tooley, help yourself, sir ; you 
 must require something after your toil," said 
 Captain Lilyburn. " That Dobson^s a block- 
 head, or he might have known gentility. I 
 trust, however, you will not regret the incon- 
 venience you have suffered, since it has moored 
 you in a snug berth, sir. Your health, Mr, 
 Tooley, and better acquaintance,"
 
 282 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 Feaghan filled a bumper, and with gentle- 
 manly politeness returned the salute of his com- 
 panion. He did, indeed, need such a stimu- 
 lant, and the cordial greatly revived him. 
 " Your officer meant well, sir, I have no 
 doubt," said the smuggler. 
 
 " Ay, ay, Dobson's honest enough, 1*11 be 
 sworn," returned Captain Lily burn, "but 
 dreadfully stubborn and stupid, sir — obstinate, 
 obstinate. I dare say, now, he took you for 
 some desperate smuggler f ' and the Captain 
 laughed. 
 
 "It is not at all improbable, sir,"''* replied 
 Feaghan ; " my cloak and arms, and the time 
 of night, no doubt aided the deception." 
 
 " And you were up the mountains natural- 
 izing, Mr. Tooley, eh .?" said Captain Lily- 
 burn. " Fill, sir, if you please, and pass the de- 
 canter. Well, I never could account for the 
 steadiness and perseverance with which you men 
 of genius undergo difficulty and labour in pur- 
 suit of a plant ; but I suppose it is much the
 
 HAMILTON KING. 283 
 
 same as a cutter in chase of a smuggler — all 
 eagerness and excitement." 
 
 " Your parallel I conceive to be very just, 
 sir, although the perils of the great waters are 
 to me unknown,'"' replied Feaghan, eagerly 
 swallowing another bumper; " but I dare say 
 the excitement of the chase equals that which 
 the naturalist feels when in pursuit of some- 
 thing that may increase the knowledge of man- 
 kind. Think of discovering a new plant, sir ; 
 a plant to which the learned world may affix 
 your name, and hand it down to posterity. The 
 Dooleyscentum, sir," — he filled his glass again 
 as, with seeming ecstacy, he exclaimed, " ay, 
 the Dooleyscentum — it would be the utmost 
 height of my ambition.'' 
 
 '* And a very harmless and innocent one too, 
 Mr. Tooley," returned Lilyburn, lifting his 
 glass ; " may your hopes and expectations be 
 realized. Here's to the Tooley smeltum, sir." 
 
 " With all my heart," uttered Feaghan, with 
 well-assumed delight, as he again tossed off his 
 wine. " Here's to the Dooleyscentum ; and
 
 284 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 many thanks, sir, for the honour you have con- 
 ferred upon me. I have, in fact, discovered a 
 new species of moss, and as a token of grati- 
 tude — yes, I will — I'm determined I will — it 
 shall be called after you, my kind friend ;"" and 
 Feaghan refilled his glass, and held it up. 
 " I'll name it the Lily-bur-nalia. Long may 
 you live to enjoy the distinction." And down 
 went the wine. 
 
 " Well, well,'"* responded Captain Lilyburn — 
 " really, I think — but there, do as you please. 
 But you must require food. Shall a servant wait 
 upon you, or will you help yourself at the side- 
 board ? I hope you will afterwards accompany 
 me to the Dolphin, and then you will be enabled 
 to form some idea of what a real chase and sea- 
 fight is, for I certainly shall trap the audacious 
 smuggler, who thinks, no doubt, that he has de- 
 luded me. Deceive me ? No, no, Mr. Dooley, it 
 is not so easy a matter to do that, sir ; I am not 
 so readily deceived, as he shall learn before noon 
 to-morrow. 
 
 Feaghan walked boldly to the sideboard,
 
 HAMILTON KING. 285 
 
 which was plentifully supplied with substantial 
 food, and, whilst the captain of the revenue 
 cutter was industriously extolling his own dis- 
 cernment, the hardy smuggler ate heartily of 
 what appeared before him, and felt all his 
 energies revive. 
 
 " I wonder where Dobson can be,"*^ uttered 
 Lilyburn ; " the men must be pretty well satis- 
 fied by this time — but those fellows would 
 gormandize for ever. Well, Mr. Tooley, what 
 do you say for a trip to sea ?^^ 
 
 " Your offer is extremely gratifying, sir," 
 replied Feaghan, bowing, "but I fear my 
 friends will feel alarmed for my safety. — This 
 is the second night of my absence, and, if you 
 will kindly give directions for my pistols to be 
 returned, I shall, with the help of the Lord, 
 proceed on to Bantry." 
 
 " To Bantry ! why it would be madness to 
 go alone, Mr. Tooley — sheer madness,'^ ex- 
 claimed Captain Lilyburn : " if you will not 
 go with me to the Dolphin, you had better take
 
 286 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 a bed here. Sir Terence never sees company — 
 he is a lone, a desolate man,"' said he, mourn- 
 fully, shaking his* head, " his son manages all ; 
 but he is absent on some important duty, and 
 is not expected back till morning. Sir Terence, 
 however, has given me carte blanche, and I am 
 sure every degree of hospitality will be extended 
 tojrou, Mr. Tooley.'' 
 
 The thought flashed upon Feaghan's mind, 
 that if left behind, under such circumstances, 
 he might easily escape from his chamber, and 
 therefore, with a bow, he replied, " Our island 
 is famed for hospitality. Captain Lilyburn ; I 
 am, indeed, very weary, and somewhat hurt in 
 my fall, I will therefore remain for the night, and 
 accept my best thanks and regards for — " 
 
 He was interrupted by the entrance of 
 Dobson, accompanied by a thorough bull-dog 
 looking man, in the uniform of a naval lieute- 
 nant ; his face was bloated and pimpled, his eyes 
 were large and prominent, and his voice was 
 rough and hoarse. Feaghan turned his head
 
 HAMILTON KING. 287 
 
 away, and a sickly dampness came over his 
 brow. " Yo hoy, Lilyburn,'^ said the lieute- 
 nant, " what still at anchor ? It's time to 
 
 be under way, else that d fellow will give 
 
 us the slip again, though I think we have him 
 safe enough now." 
 
 " I will retire," said Feaghan, in a low tone, 
 addressing Captain Lily burn, " my presence 
 may impede business, and I wish to be at rest. 
 May you meet with the success you merit, sir, 
 and believe me I shall not forget you." 
 
 " Show this gentleman to a chamber," said 
 the revenue captain to one of the servants, " and 
 Dobson see that his pistols are restored. Good 
 night, Mr. Tooley ; I shall be proud to see you 
 whenever an opportunity serves, and, my dear 
 sir, youll not forget the Lilybur — what-you- 
 may-call-it, the new moss," he bowed to the 
 retreating Feaghan, and then continued, "Now, 
 Captain Anderson, I am ready to attend to you." 
 
 " Don't let me disturb the gentleman," said 
 Anderson, who, though only a lieutenant, as-
 
 288 HAMILTON KING, 
 
 sumed the nominal title of captain, in virtue of 
 his being commander of the Spider. *' Don''t let 
 me disturb the gentleman, it is the bottomizer, 
 I presume. Come, my friend, one glass in good 
 fellowship before we part." 
 
 " I thank you for your polite civility,"" 
 uttered Feaghan, lowly bowing, so as to keep 
 his face in the shade, " I have already drank 
 sufficient; and men of scientific attainments 
 should always keep their heads clear." 
 
 " D it, shipmate, one glass more won't 
 
 damage your upper works," said the lieutenant, 
 bluntly. 
 
 " Liberty all ! Captain Anderson — liberty 
 all," exclaimed Lilyburn. " Mr. Tooley is 
 tired — force no man —freedom is every thing 
 — yet, perhaps, Mr. Tooley, at my request, 
 will indulge in another glass, for the sake of old 
 remembrance.*' 
 
 Thus pressed, Feaghan knew not what to do 
 — had he persisted in his refusal it might have 
 caused suspicion, and he therefore, though with
 
 HAMILTON KING. 289 
 
 a heavy heart, determined to brave it out : 
 " Most assuredly, I will comply with your de- 
 sire ;" and, stepping quickly to the table, he 
 filled his glass ; " your health, sir." 
 
 " Gentlemanly — most gentlemanly,*' uttered 
 the self-gratified Lily burn ; " no, no, I'm not 
 easily deceived, anybody may see he is — " 
 
 " The Smasher !*" vociferated the lieutenant, 
 releasing a pistol from his belt and cocking it ; 
 " surrender, rascal, you are my prisoner." 
 
 " Eh,— how, — what," uttered Lilyburn, "the 
 Smasher — the skipper of the smuggler — impos- 
 sible — you must labour under error. Captain 
 Anderson — no one can practice upon me." 
 
 " Practice, or not practice, that's the man," 
 growled the lieutenant, " and I have others here 
 to prove it. Seize him, men — if he offers to stir 
 I'll put a ball through his head." 
 
 " Keep the men off. Captain Anderson !" 
 shouted Feaghan, who saw that subterfuge was 
 useless ; " do not drive me to desperation. Cap- 
 tain Lilyburn, I claim your protection— the 
 
 VOL. I. o
 
 290 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 liberty of the subject, sir — the liberty of the 
 subject." 
 
 " But the face of affairs has changed, my 
 man,*" returned Lilyburn ; " in fact, I sus- 
 pected as much all along.*" He shook his head. 
 " No, no — I'm not easily deceived." 
 
 " Remember the new moss,*" said the reckless 
 smuggler; " would you lose such lasting, im- 
 perishable fame — the Lilyburnalia .?" — and he 
 burst into an immoderate fit of laughter, in 
 which, though none knew the joke, all heartily 
 joined. " Well, Captain Anderson, I surren- 
 der," continued he ; " and now,"" raising his 
 glass, " may the divel fetch every mother's son 
 of your 
 
 " I'll take you on board," said Anderson — 
 " mustn't lose sight of you again. Come, 
 on with your storm-gear; we've no time to 
 throw away." 
 
 " Not to-night, Captain Anderson," returned 
 the smuggler, proudly; " I shall accept the 
 hospitality of Sir Terence — he is a county
 
 HAMILTOX KIxXG. 291 
 
 magistrate, sir ; and I yield myself to the civil 
 power/' pointing to some of the police, who had 
 entered the apartment with the seamen to get a 
 sight of the notorious Smasher. '* Besides, 
 though I will not appeal to your humanity, yet 
 I must claim early assistance. Your marines 
 gave me a benediction in that little affair off 
 Scilly ; one of their blessings still remains in 
 my body ; my wounds are festering and sore ; I 
 am yet untried, and I demand the treatment of 
 a man."" 
 
 " He is right. Captain Anderson,"" whispered 
 Lily burn ; "he is beneath the same roof with 
 the civil magistrate, who cannot see him till the 
 morning ; it would be gross disrespect to our 
 host and his worthy son, and we mustn't repay 
 kindness by insult."'' 
 
 " Are tliere any places of confinement in the 
 house ?'''' inquired the lieutenant, addressing the 
 chief of the police. 
 
 " Shure an' there is, sir,*" answered the man, 
 " a tight hole enough, where I'll engage he'd 
 o 2
 
 292 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 niver get out till doomsday, if you'd wish to 
 keep him so long.*" 
 
 " An' no very long time eather,*" said another 
 of the police, " if he's the raal Smasher. We'll 
 take care of him, any how, seeing his head's 
 worth two hundred pound." 
 
 " Which I shall claim,"' said Anderson, whilst 
 Feaghan eyed them with silent contempt " I 
 thought my marines must have hit you, and you 
 well deserved it. Five of my men expended, 
 and his Majesty's schooner riddled wdth shot, 
 beside the loss of the fore-yard. — You'll go to 
 heaven in a string, to a certainty." 
 
 '' He who foretels another's fate may come to 
 it himself,*" said Feaghan. " Show me my 
 prison. You shall not see me shrink ; nor do I 
 yet despair of nipping the Spider's legs again. 
 From you, Captain Lilyburn, I have received 
 generous kindness, and I will not forget it, 
 should fortune ever enable me to return the 
 obligation. Here, bind my hands and arms, if 
 you wish it ; I am ready to go."
 
 HAMILTON KING. 293 
 
 " Let him have a bed, or a mattress, at the 
 least, with comfortable covering,'" said Lilyburn; 
 " whatever his future fate may be, let us act 
 towards him with humanity now."" 
 
 " Order it as you please,*" said the lieutenant, 
 ^« for my part, I'm off. Away fellows, — away 
 Spiders, away. We've got the chief, and we'll 
 have his craft before this hour to-morrrow after- 
 noon." 
 
 Well guarded by the police and the servants, 
 Feaghan was conducted to a stone cell, about 
 twelve feet square, with a small aperture, 
 strongly secured by iron bars to admit air. 
 Agreeably to the wish of Captain Lilyburn, a 
 mattress was laid upon the wooden frame that 
 served for the prisoner's rest, and blankets and 
 coverlets were spread over all, forming a very 
 comfortable couch for a wearied and wounded 
 man, accustomed to privations and hardships. 
 Some warm wine was brought to him, which he 
 drank off freely, and then laid himself upon the 
 pallet ; the door closed ; he listened to the fast-
 
 294 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 ening of the locks and bolts, and was left in 
 total darkness. Sleep began to steal upon his 
 senses, when he heard a low whining noise, which 
 he immediately knew proceeded from his faithful 
 animal, Neptune, and instantly rising, he took 
 the bandage from his arm, thrust it through the 
 grated window, hap-hazard, and then called — 
 "Away, Nep, away to the craft, boy, to the craft!" 
 His door was suddenly opened, and a policeman 
 looking in, gave him warning there was a sentry 
 in the passage. The light that was thrown around 
 his cell, added to the previous investigation he 
 had made, amply satisfied him that egress was 
 entirely out of the question, except through the 
 doorway, and the policeman's carbine, ready for 
 instant use, showed him the inutility of a per- 
 sonal attack. He threw himself on his pallet 
 again, and his guardian retiring, he was soon in 
 a profound sleep, in defiance of pain and un- 
 easiness of mind. 
 
 Maurice Feaghan was the son of a grazier, 
 who had been well to do in the world, and, by
 
 HAMILTON KING. 295 
 
 attending the various markets in England and 
 Scotland, as well as Ireland, had acquired a 
 degree of information and knowledge that gave 
 him a sort of ofF-hand polish, which, added to 
 the vivacity of his manner, and a fund of hu- 
 mour, elevated him above society in his own 
 rank of life, and rendered him a great favourite 
 amongst a higher grade, who prized his compa- 
 nion-like qualities, and valued his bonhomie. 
 
 Maurice was destined for the priesthood, and 
 consequently at an early age he was confided to 
 the care of the Reverend Father OTogharty, the 
 parish confessor, who, with much benevolence of 
 heart, blended a strange eccentricity of manner, 
 and loved a good joke above all things, saving 
 and excepting a taste of the " raal mountain 
 dew." Yet he was far from being of intemperate 
 habits, and his scientific and literary knowledge 
 was sufficiently extensive to entitle him to be 
 considered a profound scholar and excellent 
 divine. 
 
 The choice of such an instructor to a gay,
 
 296 HAMlLTOxN KING. 
 
 rollicking youth like Maurice, had its evils as 
 well as its advantages ; indeed it was question- 
 able whether, in many instances, the former did 
 not predominate ; for young Feaghan knew well 
 how to put his ''commether *** on the old man, 
 and make the worse appear the better cause ; 
 and though the lad greatly respected his pre- 
 ceptor, yet the volatile disposition of youth con- 
 stantly involved the pupil in some scrape or 
 other, and at wakes, fairs, and ructions, none 
 was more active than Maurice Feaghan. It is 
 true that the master called him to account for his 
 outbreaks : but the love of humour in the old 
 man was not proof against the irresistible drol- 
 lery of his charge, who, when pleading in his 
 own behalf, contrived to introduce such ridicu- 
 lous descriptions of the occurrence as completely 
 to overpower the risible faculties of the worthy 
 fiither, and the pretended penitent had forgive- 
 ness promptly extended to him. 
 
 In all the athletic exercises and pastimes of 
 his countrymen, young Maurice was no mean
 
 HAMILTON KING. 297 
 
 })roficient ; he was strong, active, and vigorous, 
 fond of a bit of harmless mischief, and " who 
 carried his head so high among the lasses, as 
 the young praste as was to be ?'*'' whilst they in 
 return rendered him their silent admiration. 
 Against tithe proctors and revenue men he liad 
 conceived a sort of instinctive antipathy, 
 amounting almost to liatred. The tales which 
 were told of their arbitrary proceedings and un- 
 natural oppression, caused him to consider tlieni 
 as enemies to the rest of mankind, and he formed 
 a determined resolution to make war upon the 
 whole race, and punish every individual of the 
 class, wherever or whenever they got within his 
 grasp. 
 
 Such a spirit could not long remain the quiet 
 inmate of a retired study ; there were those who 
 saw the peculiarities of the young man, and cal- 
 culated upon the uses to which they might he 
 put in organizing rebellion. Arts and schemes 
 were employed to decoy him into secret combi- 
 nation ; the agitators pretended to repose entire 
 o 3
 
 298 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 confidence in his honour, and he was introduced 
 to the midnight meetings, in some wild romantic 
 glen or uncouth cavern, that was well calculated 
 to operate on the enthusiastic temperament of a 
 youth, whose mind was already pre-occupied by 
 the florid description of such scenes that he had 
 found in books. Here the utmost deference was 
 paid him, and, in an evil hour, incited by a love 
 of liberty — the rational meaning ^f which he had 
 never defined — he joined himself to a band of 
 Whiteboys that had long been the terror of that 
 part of the island. For some length of time, 
 notwithstanding the many outrages that were 
 perpetrated, he remained under the mask of 
 concealment : but in a desperate affray, involving 
 the sacrifice of several lives, his person was re- 
 cognized, 'secrecy was no longer possible ; he 
 bade adieu to the church and to Father O'Fog- 
 harty, and became att)nce, youjig as he was, a 
 determined daring leader of rebels. 
 
 Rewards were offered for his apprehension : 
 but he continued to elude the search that was
 
 HAMILTON KING. 299 
 
 made for him, and he gained the name of " The 
 Smasher," from his propensities to beat in the 
 doors and window-frames of the houses that 
 resisted his lawless exactions. But at length he 
 found it impossible to retain his position on 
 ^.shore, and, indulging his cherished detestation 
 of revenue men, he became a smuggler under 
 one of the most intrepid captains on the coast, 
 and in his new employ he was equally inde- 
 fatigable as he had been in his old. The excite- 
 ment suited his reckless habits; he saw there 
 was a fortune to be made, if he could only keep 
 from being captured ; and, not over scrupulous 
 as to means, he toiled unceasingly in his voca- 
 tion, and applied himself most diligently to the 
 acquisition of a thorough acquaintance witli 
 the various inlets, coves, and creeks, Upon the 
 southern shores of the island, whilst at the same 
 time he obtained an excellent knowledge of the 
 French coast. 
 
 Qualities like these could not long be kept in 
 a state of subordination. Mr. Cornelius, or the
 
 300 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 Baccah, as he was called, traded extensively in 
 the contraband. The Blue Bob had just been 
 launched for the free trade, and an offer of the 
 command made to young Feaghan, which he at 
 once accepted, and, still retaining his designation 
 of " the Smasher," he proved himself the most 
 successful smuggler that ever hoisted sail upon 
 the ocean. This, together with his hair-breadth 
 escapes, in which science and skill were aided 
 by great good luck, had rendered him, in the 
 estimation of his superstitious people, as some- 
 thing surpassing human nature, and they looked 
 up to him with a confidence equal to his 
 darins:. 
 
 During his runs he had had frequent en- 
 counters with the revenue vessels, which he had 
 either outsailed or beaten off, and had fought the 
 Spider for two hours before he could get clear 
 away. Once he had been apprehended, and 
 Lieutenant Anderson having aj^peared against 
 him in person, became thoroughly acquainted 
 with his identity. The individual, through
 
 HAMILTON KING. 301 
 
 whose treachery he had been taken, swore to 
 many facts, and Feaghan was fully committed 
 to take his trial for murder on the high seas : 
 but through the active agency of his father, 
 who bribed the gaoler with a little fortune^ he 
 was enabled to escape to France, where he again 
 resumed command of the cutter. An act of 
 outlawry was passed against him — two hundred 
 pounds reward was offered for his apprehension, 
 yet he had recklessly walked through the streets 
 of Cork, and read the posting bills describing 
 his appearance; nay, he had more than once 
 visited Father OTogharty, and left him hand- 
 some testimonials of his grateful esteem. Most 
 probably his previous escape had been the in- 
 ducement to Anderson's design of taking him 
 with him to the Spider. 
 
 And there laid the wounded outlaw, soundly 
 sleeping — insensible to the fate which seemed 
 inevitably to hang over him. Suddenly he 
 started up from his pallet, and exclaimed, 
 *' Hallo, Tom ! what's the news ?" For the
 
 302 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 moment, he fancied himself on board ; but the 
 darkness was too profound — and immediate 
 recollection of his situation came across his 
 mind. 
 
 " It could not be a dream !" said he. " Some 
 one touched me ; I will swear some one touched 
 me. Who and what are you .?"*' 
 
 " Hush ! make no noise,'"* uttered a whisper 
 at his ear ; and though the words were scarcely 
 audible, yet there was a .Jiarnjony in the tone, 
 low as it was, that inst^tly told Feaghan the 
 dwarf was by his side. But the exclamation he 
 had used alarmed the sentry — bolt after bolt 
 was withdrawn. " Rest easy, Feaghan ; make 
 room,"" said the hunchback — " make room, or 
 you're lost."''* He crept beneath the covering of 
 the bed, and effected concealment as the light 
 of the sentineFs lamp dispersed the gloom. 
 
 " An' is it disthurbed ye are ? — small wonder 
 at that same !" said the man. " What the divel 
 ails you .?" 
 
 " Thrue for you, my boy, and it is the divel
 
 HAMILTOxN KING. 303 
 
 ails me," answered Feaghan. " I thought he 
 shook me, and wanted to get into bed ; but it's 
 dreaming I was, though I never knew any thing 
 more like reality." 
 
 " Och, then, but he knows his own," returned 
 the sentry ; " ifs choice companions ye are — 
 the Lord be between me and harem — an' so I'll 
 lave you together.'* He closed the door — the 
 bolts were again drawn, and all was once more 
 involved in darkness impenetrable to the sight. 
 
 " Feaghan," whispered the dwarf, disengaging 
 himself from the blankets, " notwithstanding 
 your conduct last night, I would not leave you 
 to perish. I told you I would be your i'riend, 
 if you would let me. I come to serve you — it is 
 in my power to do so — " 
 
 " Can you take me out o' this without any 
 more bother ?" returned the outlaw, in the same 
 low whisper. " The Blue Bob is lost, and there 
 are those on board will split about the stow-hole 
 if I am not there to prevent it." 
 
 '^ How know you that ?'" inquired the dwarf;
 
 304 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 " she is safe at anchor in the cove, and — '** He 
 stopped short. 
 
 " And what ?'*'' said Feaghan. "But no matter 
 now. Lily burn and Anderson were here to- 
 night; they have both returned to their vessels, 
 and will be round at the cove by daylight. An 
 express has been sent off" to Cork, and others 
 have been despatched along the coast. There 
 is no time to lose. How you came here is none 
 of my business, except, as I suppose, we must 
 get out the same way."" 
 
 " If I release you, will you cancel the agree- 
 ment respecting the children ?" said the dwarf. 
 
 " This is sheer folly," returned Feaghan ; " I 
 thought you were better acquainted with self- 
 preservation. I am here with a halter round 
 my neck, and would willingly swear through 
 those stone walls to save myself." 
 
 " Will you implicitly follow my instruc- 
 tions ?'''' asked the dwarf. " Say but the word, 
 and you are free." 
 
 " Follow ? ay, I'll follow vou to any where
 
 HAMILTON KING. 305 
 
 but the gallows just now/' responded Feaghan, 
 '< and then be guided by my own inclinations 
 afterwards. If you are not satisfied, leave me, 
 and let me sleep, so that I may collect my 
 thoughts ; I shall have an important examina- 
 tion to undergo to-morrow."" 
 
 " Would you betray your friend — your em- 
 ployer, Feaghan .?" said the dwarf, in a tone of 
 inquiry. 
 
 " I cannot and will not hold further conversa- 
 tion here," uttered Feaghan ; " if it is in your 
 power to sprite me away through the key-hole, 
 or squeeze me flat out between those iron grat- 
 ings — for these are the only modes of escape I 
 know of — well and good ; if not, haul your 
 wind out of this — for may be I shall have an 
 attack of cramp, and be compelled to call out." 
 
 " Well then, Feaghan, I will testify my con- 
 fidence in your honour," returned the dwarf; 
 " you shall experience my generosity and friend- 
 ship. Arise — make no noise — your hand." 
 
 Feaghan complied with the directions, and
 
 306 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 carrying his shoes in one hand, he extended the 
 other to his guide, and silently they trod across 
 the stone floor. The dwarf stooped, and there 
 was a slight grating noise in the wall. " Bend 
 down," said he, " and feel your way."" The 
 outlaw did so, and found himself in an apei;- 
 ture opened in the solid wall, but by what 
 means effected he could not discover. Passing 
 through it, upon his hands and knees, he dis- 
 covered that he was at once on the steps of 
 a stone staircase; there was the same grating 
 noise, and they descended to a low door, which 
 opened on the broad moat surrounding the 
 house. A small boat laid in readiness, and in 
 a few minutes they were safely landed on the 
 other side. 
 
 " Now then, Feaghan, you are once more at 
 liberty,*" said the dwarf; " does not the free air 
 of heaven come refreshing to your temples — is it 
 not grateful to the heart ?" 
 
 " I wish I was on the cutter's deck, under a 
 close-reefed trysel," said the smuggler; '• it
 
 HAMILTON KING. 307 
 
 would be more pleasant to me than all the per- 
 fumed gales of Araby." 
 
 " Be contented — you are safe," uttered the 
 other. " And now, Feaghan, will you accede 
 to my request relative to the reward ?"" 
 
 " For myself, may the money perish V an- 
 swered the outlaw, proudly ; " you have rescued 
 me from peril, and I would scorn to be ungrate- 
 ful." 
 
 " You will cancel the demand, then ?" con- 
 tinued the dwarf — " you will not expect the 
 payment ?" 
 
 " I have said it, Mr. Cornelius," returned the 
 smuggler ; " but, at the same time, I can have 
 no riorht to make such a declaration for others. 
 I leave them in your hands." 
 
 " And the boy !" eagerly interrupted the 
 dwarf — " the boy, Feaghan— what do you say 
 of him ?" 
 
 '^ Do not urge me on that point," answered 
 the captain — " or, if you will, I tell you at once
 
 308 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 he shall never come to harm whilst I have the 
 power to prevent it." 
 
 " Suppose him already disposed of," said the 
 dwarf ; " that which has been done, can never be 
 recalled." 
 
 " But it may be avenged,*" returned Feaghan, 
 — " ay, and shall be so, if any one has dared to 
 injure him. You \vill find me at my post, Mr. 
 Cornelius — or, rather, will hear from me, as T 
 shall put to sea the moment I get on board, and 
 make a running fight of it, if I can do no better. 
 In the mean time, the boy shall be kept safe ; 
 and, perhaps, should it be absolutely necessary, 
 he may be disposed of where there will be no 
 fear of his troubling you again. Farewell, Mr. 
 Cornelius. I'm off. Expect to see me back in 
 less than a fortnight.'' 

 
 HAMILTON KING. 309 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Och, the whiskey — the whiskey's the divel's delight ; 
 
 It taches to love and it urges to fight; 
 Makes a foe of a friend and a friend of a foe ; 
 
 The sweetest of bliss and the bitterest woe. 
 
 The beautiful cutter lay reposing on the 
 water after Feaghan had quitted her, and the 
 men were holding a sort of revelry on shore, 
 many of their friends and acquaintances having, 
 on notice of their arrival, come down to welcome 
 them in good French brandy. A sail, spread 
 over an opening amongst the rocks, sheltered 
 them from the night dew — a wood fire was 
 kindled — and lighted wicks of cotton-cloth, im- 
 mersed in tin pans of fat, threw a bright glare 
 around, as the piper played his lilt, and the 
 wild-looking beings entered into all the vio- 
 lent extravagance of the Irish dance.
 
 310 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 It was a scene for the pencil of Salvator Rosa 
 — the tubs, and arms, and marine appendages, 
 being introduced to heighten the effect of the 
 smuggler's gala. Nor was there wanting many 
 a little love affair, both of the heart and of the 
 shillalah, to vary the by-play and give character 
 to the whole. 
 
 Peterson and Tom Graves remained on board 
 the cutter ; the former in obedience to his com- 
 mander's directions, the latter because he firmly 
 believed the vessel would not be safe without 
 him. The children had gone early to rest, for 
 they had lost their playmate — Ned cried him- 
 self to sleep, whilst Hamilton joined in his sor- 
 sow solely on Ned's account. 
 
 *' I'm thinking. Muster Peterson," said old 
 Tom, " that Muster Rapartee owes us a grudge 
 for that 'ere affair at Brest ; for my part, I never 
 bears no malice to any one, but he doesn't seem 
 to me to come of a breed that 'ud forgive and 
 forget.'' 
 
 " Our opinions are alike there, Graves," re-
 
 HAMILTON KING. 311 
 
 turned Peterson. " We cannot be too much 
 upon our guard against him. Lawless as our 
 occupation is, at all events we ought to be true 
 to one another. RafFerty has more of the tiger 
 in him than any man I ever knew." 
 
 " I don't know what you calls lawless, sir," 
 said Graves, somewhat offended at his honesty 
 being suspected, " but to my notion of things, 
 we acts more by the rule of right than them as 
 makes so much palavering about law. They've 
 a Parliament-house and a Custom-house here 
 in Ireland as well as they have in England, and 
 all the money as they gets in the Custom-houses 
 is shared out in the Parliament-houses, where 
 they tell me its ' catch as catch can.' Now, I 
 take it we've a just right to some share, that is 
 if we can get it ; so if we helps ourselves to 
 the vally o' the dooties, why we're only doing 
 the same as theyVe doing — looking out for num- 
 ber one. They makes laws to divide it among 
 theirselves, and we makes laws not to let 'em 
 get hould on it.*"
 
 312 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 " There can be very little difference to us 
 either way, Graves," said Peterson ; " we are 
 merely paid for our services, though I must own 
 the wages are good, in consideration of the ha- 
 zards that we run." 
 
 " There lies the difference, Muster Peterson," 
 drily returned the boatswain ; " the extra wages 
 comes out o** that which would otherwise be 
 sarved out amongst the Parliament folk. And 
 arter all, there's not none on *em, from stem to 
 starn, in your Lords and Commons, but likes a 
 drop of stuff, or a bit of dry goods, dooty free, 
 if so be as they can get it upon the sly. Why 
 there was a Parliament man, I thinks his name 
 was Pennypunt, as we always used to supply 
 regularly with pieces when I was in owld Dan- 
 gerfield's ' None so Lucky,' belonging to Folk- 
 stun ; and which on Vm is without his bang- 
 dan na either for his neck or for his pocket, and 
 them bangdannas are next thing to being pro- 
 hibitated by the heavy dooties. Well, if so be 
 as they can get *em for thirty shillings a piece
 
 HAMILTON KING. 313 
 
 y 
 
 apiece smuggled, they won't go for to give three 
 or four guineas, because it's the law."" 
 
 " And so by your reckoning, Tom, conscience 
 is sacrificed to pelf," said Peterson, laughing, 
 "and therefore we of the contraband sell our 
 consciences as well as our labour."*' 
 
 " Why, Muster Peterson, I ar'n't possessed of 
 faculty enough to make any particular diskrim- 
 magement in the religion of the business, but it 
 does seem to my thinking out o' reason to sup- 
 pose scih a thing, 'kase why ? we do for con- 
 science sake that which they do again their con- 
 sciences—for we sticks by our law, whilst they 
 breaks theirn.'* 
 
 " A very nice distinction truly, Tom," said 
 Peterson, in a tone of merriment. " And wor- 
 thy of any lawyer in Westminster Hall — though 
 I fear neither judge nor jury would be of your 
 opinion." 
 
 "'Kase they don't belong to us, Muster 
 Peterson," answered the boatswain ; *' if the 
 judges were owners of craft and the juries 
 
 VOL. I. r
 
 314 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 regular hands at the trade, they'd soon show 'em 
 right from wrong by their vardicks. Our skip- 
 per ud make a good foreman of a jury." 
 
 " I hope he will not be long away, Tom," 
 said Peterson, with some symptoms of uneasiness. 
 " Should the mate return before him, with his 
 grog aboard, we shall be sure to have some dis- 
 turbance or other — he is like a wild beast, 
 always ready to bite when his keeper's not 
 alongside to muzzle him." 
 
 " And Captain Figgin keeps him pretty well 
 muzzled too," responded old Tom, " though, for 
 my part, I can't see but the craft ud sail just as 
 well without him." 
 
 '' He is useful too at a pinch, Tom," argued 
 the second mate, " he has a certain je ne sais 
 quoi, that can only be produced by animal 
 instinct." 
 
 " By all accounts, Muster Peterson, he's got 
 a good many Jenny Skqquaws," rejoined the 
 boatswain, " and as for his ^animal inkstink its 
 altogether beyond my calkelations. Howsomever
 
 HAMILTON KING. 315 
 
 here we are in as sweet a craft ks ever lifted her 
 bows to a sea. I loves the cutter, Muster Peter- 
 son, better nor any vessel I was ever in, and, as 
 you say, there's good wages, which gladdens my 
 heart, bekase I can th^ better purvide for then? 
 as has claim to my support. The station 
 too, is a good and christian-like station, for 
 there's so many holes and corners, and devil's 
 coves to shelter in ; and the runs are pleasant, 
 that it's very different to crossing the channel in 
 an open boat, with a breeze enough to blow all 
 the hair off your head, and the sea running arter 
 you like a race horse. And its hazardous work, 
 that beaching. Muster Peterson, whether its 
 down among the shingle, near Rumney Marsh, 
 or under Hay Cliff, with its reef of chalk stones. 
 To be sure, like a donkey's gallop, it's short and 
 sweet, and a fellow may creep under hatches in 
 his little home, and He all snug till next cruise, if 
 so be as he carries a weather helm among the offi- 
 cers, and shows an innocent figure-head. Many's 
 the trip I've had to Flushing and along shore 
 p 2
 
 316 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 in the owld ' None- so-lucky ;' but it's hard 
 lines, Muster Peterson, in them long dark 
 nights, shoving away between Blanket-bug 
 and Bulling, and then pushing across the 
 water under a reefed main-lug — every plank 
 quivering, like a dog in a fit ; and only a quar- 
 ter of an inch between your coffin* and your 
 grave. Well ! I say we arnes all we gets." 
 
 " So we do, Tom, and earn it well too," 
 assented Peterson ; " but come old boy, we'll 
 have a glass of grog a piece, and drink success 
 to Folkstone pier, where the mayor wished the 
 foundation stone to be laid at the top, that he 
 might see his name upon it." 
 
 " Ay, ay. Muster Peterson, the lubbers are 
 always spinning some yarn or other about us 
 Folkstuners," responded Graves. " They say 
 the women raked the bale-pond to catch the 
 moon, and put it out — but it's all gammon. 
 And as for a glass of grog, why it's a sad 
 heart as never rejoices — they're hard at it 
 
 * The name of a particular kind of smug^gling boat.
 
 HAMILTON KING. 317 
 
 there ashore, and them Paddys are the devil's 
 own surely at a spree." 
 
 The steward was called — the ffroor ordered — 
 and soon seated side by side the two officials 
 conversed over their beverage, of past events and 
 future prospects. It was somewhat approaching 
 to midnight when O'Rafferty returned — the 
 men were by this time in a state of wild tumult 
 — arising from inebriety, and the mate had swal- 
 lowed sufficient to inflame all the evil passions 
 and propensities of his nature. He Avas not 
 drunk, but infuriated to a degree of demoniac 
 mischief : there was nevertheless a method in his 
 whole proceedings, that developed the real and 
 undisguised nature of the man. At first he joined 
 the riotous crew on shore, and shouted and 
 danced with any of them ; but though the men 
 felt that he reduced himself to their level, by 
 his conduct, yet he did not entertain the same 
 opinion, as, upon some imaginary offence being 
 given to his rank, he seized hold of a musket, 
 and would have sent the unfortunate offender to
 
 318 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 his last account, had he not been restrained by 
 others just at the moment he was about to fire. 
 This only served to render him more furiousy 
 and, struggling from those who held him, he 
 ordered every man to bear a hand on board, 
 without a moment's delay. But he was speak- 
 ing to men over whom reason held no controul; 
 a few indeed obeyed the command, but the 
 principal portion either held him in derision^ 
 or openly set his authority at utter defiance. 
 
 Peterson and Graves witnessed the transac- 
 tion from the cutter ; and, when the mate came 
 on board with those who were ready to accom- 
 pany him, they naturally expected that they 
 should become the objects of his rage ; they 
 therefore armed themselves and prepared for 
 the worst ; but so eager was O'RafFerty for 
 revenge on the men who had recently provoked 
 him, that, without noticing his subordinates, he 
 at once issued orders to turn the cutter's guns 
 upon the spot where the refractory crew and 
 their associates, instead of continuing united
 
 HAMILTON KING. 319 
 
 in their mutiny, had commenced fighting with 
 each other ; and there was as pretty a specimen 
 of give and take as any amateur in an Irish row 
 ;ieed wish to witness. 
 
 " The O'Raffertys,'"' as the mate called them, 
 had promptly complied with the directions of 
 their leader ; and the guns were cast loose, and 
 pointed at the scene of drunken disorder, by 
 men who were very little less intoxicated than 
 the comrades they were disposed to murder — 
 the match was lighted, and the work of des- 
 truction was about to open with deadly effect, 
 (for the shot could not fail of doing great execu- 
 tion) when Peterson and Graves thought it time 
 to interfere. 
 
 " Avast ! ye man-eating rascals," bellowed 
 old Tom, '*them guns was only cast for enemies, 
 not shipmates — drop the match you cuckoo-clock 
 making wagabone," and he knocked the ignited 
 match from the hand of the man who was 
 kindling them for others, and, snatching it up, 
 he hove it overboard.
 
 320 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 " Out o' that wid yer,'' said O'RafFerty, as he 
 aimed a furious blow with a hand-spike at the 
 head of Graves, but the latter dexterously 
 avoided it, and catching up a boat-hook kept 
 him at bay. 
 
 "Are you all rappartees," exclaimed the 
 boatswain, addressing the men. "Is there no 
 Figginties among you all ? — Teddy, will you side 
 again your skipper, and shoot your messmates ?" 
 
 " Not a taste in life,"" said Teddy, ranging 
 himself with old Graves, " Ireland for ever — 
 horroo !" and in an instant he was followed by 
 several others, so as to render the balance of 
 physical strength somewhat equal. O'Rafferty 
 raved like a maniac, but his mad purpose was 
 defeated, the guns were deserted, and the scenes 
 of the shore were re-acted on the vesseFs deck, 
 and general tumult prevailed. 
 
 Such was the state of affairs when Mike Ha- 
 gan (who had descended from his country seat 
 in the mountains with a communication to 
 the mate from the dwarf) suddenly appeared
 
 HAMILTON KING. 321 
 
 amongst them. Whether he fully comprehended 
 the spectacle or not, is a matter of no material 
 consequence ; certain it is that, he no sooner be- 
 held the affray, than, bounding into the thick 
 of it, he swung a heavy shillalah round his head, 
 without giving any previous instruction on 
 whom it was to fall. " The Philistines are on 
 yer, boys,'"" shouted he, laying it on right and 
 left ; " and there's a short dthrop and a long 
 swing for every mother's son, and ye all fightin C 
 down came the weapon again. " Is it brake the 
 pace you will, then .^'^ another blow, " and the 
 raal inimy close at hand — hurroo, Paddy Kier- 
 nan ;'' and Paddy felt the weight of the stick. 
 " I'm ould and wake now, but times has been, 
 Dinnis," and down went Dennis at full length. 
 " It's meself as manes to befriend yer all «nd 
 hannimandhioul, but you'll be quiet, will you.' 
 Thus Mike continued, keeping his twig in full 
 occupation, till he was confronted with the mate. 
 " Arrah, Mr. RafTerty, it's a message I've got 
 for yer," and, from sheer impulse, he flung himself 
 p S
 
 322 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 forward and struck the officer a severe blow on 
 his freshly-set collar bone, hat made the fracture 
 worse, and the pain a thousand times more acute. 
 The mate yelled with anguish as he fired a pis- 
 tol at Mike, but, from the unsteadiness of his 
 aim, without any injurious effect. " Bad man- 
 ners to your oncivil sowl," said Mike; " and 
 me come down to your thave's hole, to befriend 
 yer in regard o' the Baccah. It's out o' this you 
 must get afore daybreak, and run for Birdoh ; 
 the captain's a prisoner — why .^" 
 
 But O'Raiferty was suffering too much pain 
 to heed what Hagan said, though Peterson im- 
 mediately questioned him, and, from much cun- 
 ning as well as deception, contrived to extract 
 the truth as to the captain's capture ; for Mike 
 had secretly followed the party of Dobson, and 
 witnessed the unsuccessful attempt of Feaghan 
 to escape ; he then returned to his hut, removed 
 the old chest, and the dwarf ascended from the 
 concealed cavity. 
 
 " By the powers, but they've got him any
 
 HAMILTON KING. 323 
 
 how. Mister Cornelius," said Mike, and he 
 related the occurrence he had seen, as well as 
 their securing the captain's person. 
 
 " He is a rash, wrong-headed fellow," said the 
 dwarf, " and would merit the punishment he has ^ 
 drawn upon himself, but that I want his further 
 help ; I must see to that myself, and instantly 
 too, though my future prospects call me to the 
 cutter. But, Mike," uttered he, in the most 
 winning and musical tone of voice, " Mike, I 
 must repose the utmost confidence in your zeal 
 and discretion ; I have been your benefactor, 
 Mike, and saved you from a death of shame. 
 Your residence here is unknown to them as would 
 gladly have you in their power. Feaghan has 
 ever befriended you, and he is now in captivity ; 
 will you faithfully perform my bidding, and 
 thus enable me to hasten to the captain's 
 rescue." 
 
 "It's meself as will do that thing, Mr. Cor- 
 nalius," returned Hagan; " ownly tell me what 
 it is, and I'll jomp lyke a billy-goat to per- 
 form it."
 
 324 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 " Well, then, after my departure," responded 
 the dwarf, " you must away to the cove, and 
 tell O'RafFerty to get the cutter out, and run 
 for Bordeaux, as the Spider is coming along the 
 ^coast to look for them. Not a moment must be 
 lost, and Feaghan shall join him in the Ga- 
 ronne. Now, do you understand this, Mike ?" 
 
 " Faith, an' I do," returned Hagan ; " an' 
 you may consider it as good as done, barring 
 I've ownly to tell it Mr. Rafferty." 
 
 " But there is another thing, Mike,*' said the 
 dwarf. " Captain Feaghan has brought over 
 with him, this last trip, a pretty child. Whe- 
 ther it is his own or not, I cannot take upon 
 myself to say ; but I have my suspicions, Mike." 
 
 " The praste's niece,"" observed Hagan, mus- 
 ingly : " yet no — Miss Jane's too howly for that. 
 Yet love is the divel, and it's only the vest- 
 ments as frightens it away.'** 
 
 " It is of no consequence to throuble our- 
 selves in endeavours to ascertain its parentage," 
 said the dwarf; " but the child must be brought
 
 HAMILTON KING. 325 
 
 ashore in safety, and kept in secrecy till fetched 
 away. It is a boy, Mike — a pretty boy, and 
 Feaghan is very fond of it ; even RafFerty 
 loves it as if it were his own, and perhaps he 
 will not let it come. You must try to do the 
 thing by stealth, Mike. If you succeed, here's 
 an earnest of my future reward." And he 
 threw a guinea into the old man's open palm. 
 
 '' I'll schame it for you. Mister Cornalius," 
 replied Hagan ; " and may the howly saints 
 bless your honour for your bounty. He shall 
 be brought, safe and snug as a fish in a basket, 
 and divel a sowl shall have a knowst of the 
 matter, barring its yourself and Captain 
 Feaghan." 
 
 " And now I think of it, Mike," added the 
 dwarf, " you know the secret passage to the 
 cave V" 
 
 "Is it the store cave your honour manes ?^ 
 returned Hagan. " It's myself as does, and 
 well, too." 
 
 " The boy must be taken there for the pre-
 
 326 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 sent, Mike/' said the dwarf; " and as soon as he 
 is secured, come and let me know. Poor Feag- 
 han ! I fear he is beyond my rescue, but I must 
 try my best. Some wine, Mike, or brandy ; 
 the keen air of the mountain chills the blood." 
 
 Without hesitation Hagan quitted the hut, 
 and in a few minutes returned with a horn of 
 brandy, which the dwarf swallowed. " You'll 
 be correct and punctual, Mike ?*" said he. " Re- 
 member that it is for our good friend, Captain 
 Feaghan, that I make the request; and the 
 successful issue will confer a great favour upon 
 myself — a very great favour. Act cautiously — 
 feel your way in the affair — trust to no one, but 
 do it all yourself. I have witnessed many spe- 
 cimens of your sagacity. Now, try what more 
 you can accomplish. Bring the boy away;" — 
 and an ill-repressed chuckle of delight escaped 
 the dwarf, as he anticipated the wished-for suc- 
 cess to his plan. 
 
 They parted — Mr. Cornelius to perform the 
 feat already described, of releasing Feaghan from
 
 HAMILTON KING. 327 
 
 confinement — Hagan to deliver his orders to 
 O'Rafferty, and to steal the boy clandestinely 
 away. As before related, he found the cutter''s 
 men in a state of mutiny ; and he gave O'Raf- 
 ferty a friendly admonition against drunkenness, 
 which laid him on the deck, and he was carried 
 down to his cabin. The commands of the owner 
 were, however, imparted to Peterson, who, 
 without hesitation, began to prepare for hauling 
 out of the cove. The news of the captain's cap- 
 ture, and the probability that their own would 
 follow, quelled the turbulence of the crew, and 
 most of them, though wild with liquor, felt the 
 strong inducement there was for exertion, and 
 went to their duty as well as they could, 
 prompted by self-preservation. 
 
 Mike watched his opportunity. He cau- 
 tiously descended the companion-ladder, and 
 having entered the cabin, looked anxiously 
 around ; but the prize he sought was not to be 
 seen. The groans and imprecations of O'RafFerty 
 informed him which state-room the mate was in ;
 
 328 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 and passing over to the opposite one, he felt the 
 bed-place — found a child, and gently raising it 
 in his arms beneath his cottamore, he went on 
 deck— quietly attained the boat, and before the 
 sleeping boy awoke he was half-way between the 
 cutter and the shore. A threat from Mike 
 frightened him into silence, and they were soon 
 landed on the rocks and ascending the moun- 
 tain. 
 
 Peterson and Graves lost not a moment in 
 hauling out to the entrance of the cove ; the 
 sails were set, and every thing in readiness — yet 
 still the second-mate clung to the hope that the 
 captain might escape ; and, therefore, he deter- 
 mined not to start till just before the break of 
 day. The time arrived, and Feaghan not mak- 
 ing his appearance, the stern-fasts were cast off, 
 the breeze was favourable, and away flew the 
 cutter, as if rejoiced that she was once more to 
 try her speed. 
 
 It was a resplendent morning ; the wind was 
 fresh and cool ; the sky was serene and clear ;
 
 HAMILTON KING. 329 
 
 and though the long swell came rolling in, as 
 the relics of the late gale, yet the surface of the 
 water was smooth. Many were the anxious eyes, 
 that looked with intense eagerness to the offing, 
 as the cutter launched boldly out of the bay 
 into the main ocean, and, taking the wind on the 
 starboard beam, steered a north-west course, to 
 gain a good distance from the land. But 
 scarcely had they opened out from Sheep's Head, 
 than the Spider and the Dolphin were revealed 
 to their view, about three miles distant, upon 
 their lee bow, making all sail in chase. 
 
 Peterson was at first undecided how to act ; 
 if he hauled to the wind, there was every chance 
 of falling in with a cruiser or a revenue vessel 
 along shore ; if he kept his course, he must 
 pass close to the two vessels who had hove about 
 in order to near and to intercept him ; and if he 
 at once ran away before it, they could sail nearly 
 as well as the Blue Bob, and men of war were 
 plentiful in the fair way to the British Channel. 
 
 " What would be the best to be done, Graves r*"*'
 
 330 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 inquired the second mate of his subordinate, the 
 boatswain. " I feel inclined to run, as giving us 
 the better chance. The sails are all repaired, 
 Tom ?" 
 
 " With my own palm and needle, muster Pe- 
 terson,'' replied the boatswain ; " new cloths in 
 the mainsel ; a bran new square-sel, from the 
 store ; a spare gaff topsel, and a new square top- 
 sel, ready bent. I warn't idle, sir, whilst they 
 were working the crop, and there were four good 
 hands to help me, whilst another gang knotted 
 and spliced the rigging, as you well know, see- 
 ing as it was under your own directions."" 
 
 " Well, then, we'll bear up, I think, Tom,'' 
 said Peterson, in a tone and manner which indi- 
 cated a desire to ascertain the veteran's opinion ; 
 
 but he was silent. " D it, Tom, why don't 
 
 you speak ?" added the second mate, impatiently. 
 '' You know how much I prize your skill ?" 
 
 " But there's another aboard, muster Peter- 
 son," replied the boatswain ; " and though he is 
 hove down on his beam ends, and was owldDavy
 
 HAMILTON KING. 331 
 
 himself, yet. Captain Feaghan not being in com- 
 mand, muster Rapartee ought to be towld how 
 we're bamboxtered/"* 
 
 " You remind me of my duty, Tom, and I 
 thank you for it," returned Peterson ; " see all 
 clear, old boy, for swaying the spred-yard aloft, 
 and get the squarsel and topsel up in readiness." 
 
 " Ay, ay, sir !" responded the boatswain, as 
 Peterson went below. He found O'Rafferty in 
 a raging fever, and wholly incapable of issuing 
 any command, or even understanding what was 
 said to him, whilst in his delirium he raved of 
 deeds of blood and vengeance that made the 
 heart sick to shuddering. 
 
 The vessels were rapidly approaching, when 
 Peterson ascended to the deck. The Spider was 
 right ahead, keeping away towards the smuggler; 
 the Dolphin, full-and-by to get the weather-gage, 
 was on the schooner's lee quarter, and both were 
 within hail of each other. " Are you ready for 
 making sail there forud .?" shouted Peterson, and 
 the "Ay, ay, — all ready, sir !" being respond-
 
 332 HAMILTON KING. 
 
 ed, his voice was again heard : — " Ease off the 
 main-sheet ! — haul forud the boom-guys ! — Up 
 with the helm, lad — ^hard up, and keep her away 
 before it ! — down with the foresel, and get the 
 square-sels on her as quick as you can. Bear 
 a hand, my hearties, and we'll be drinking claret 
 to-morrow night !" 
 
 " And cowld stuff it is, muster Peterson," said 
 the boatswain; " it chills the bowels to think on 
 it." 
 
 " Get the sail on her smartly, Tom, and all 
 hands shall have a dram to make 'em steady at 
 the guns, should they be wanted," exclaimed 
 the second mate ; " run up that square-sel there, 
 forud. Steady,boy, steady, — mind your helm !" 
 
 The cutter was now tearing away before the 
 wind, and, being flying light, her superiority in 
 sailing was very soon evinced ; her enemies could 
 not get her within reach of shot, and by night 
 were hull down astern. The following morning 
 they were nowhere to be seen, and the Blue Bob, 
 with a ten knot breeze, was abreast of the Pen-
 
 HAMILTON KING. 333 
 
 marks Point ; in the evening a pilot boarded 
 them off the Chasseron light, and continuing 
 their course, by the aid of the Cordovan, they 
 ran into the Garonne, and anchored off Royan. 
 The next day they were again under way, and 
 in the afternoon moored the cutter abreast the 
 beautiful city of Bordeaux. 
 
 i 
 
 4 
 
 END OF VOL. 
 
 Printed by J. L. Cox and Sons, li>, Great Queen Street, 
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