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 THE WARHAWK. 
 
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 IN THREE VOLUMES. 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 THOMAS CAUTLEY NEWEY, PUBLISHER, 
 
 30, WELBECK STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE. 
 1855.
 
 
 THE WARHAWK 
 
 CHAPTEE I. 
 
 Towards the close of the seventeenth centurj", 
 on a day anything but remarkable either for 
 its beauty or its mildness, two horsemen were 
 :^ spurring along the then very indifferent road 
 :^ that skirted the banks of the noble Suir, from 
 $ Carrick to Waterford. It was the month 
 ^ of November ; the days were short, and the 
 ^ two horsemen seemed by their speed inclined 
 <^ to make the most of the daylight. On reach- 
 
 VOL. I. B
 
 Z THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 ing the summit of the steep hill, about three 
 miles from the town of "Waterford, they paused 
 for a moment to breathe their panting steeds, 
 and then about a dozen of well-armed atten- 
 dants, who were far behind, came into view. 
 
 The two horsemen, having checked their 
 steeds, gazed on the scene before them for a 
 few minutes in silence. The elder of the two 
 was a man well advanced in years, though still 
 hale and vigorous; .but the thoughts then 
 struggling in his breast gave to his otherwise 
 very noble features a stern and harsh expression. 
 He wore a military undress ; and on his head 
 a broad beaver, with a single drooping feather. 
 He was well armed ; and the huge holsters on 
 his strong roan charger carried a pair of the 
 heavy, clumsy, horse pistols of that period. 
 
 The other rider, a tall, handsome man of 
 some six-and- twenty years, was habited as a 
 country gentleman, in a kind of hunting-suit 
 of dark green. Excepting the very light sword 
 carried by all gentlemen at that time, he was
 
 THE WAEHi^WK. 5 
 
 without weapons of defence on person or horse. 
 The animal he rode was a splendid hunter. 
 
 ^' I fear, my dear father," said the young 
 man, turning after the pause of a few moments 
 towards his elder companion, who had taken 
 off his beaver and cooled his heated brow — '^ I 
 fear you are over- exerting yourself. Had we 
 not better stop at this road-side hostel?" added 
 he, pointing to one near at hand, for the hill- 
 top had a small village scattered over its 
 summit at that period — '*' We have now ridden 
 six hours without halting ; and indeed, indeed, 
 I feel this pursuit is a vain one." 
 
 *^ We must on Hugh," exclaimed the father, 
 almost fiercely, ^' I have sworn to hunt down 
 this miscreant, or learn that he has escaped my 
 vengeance, by cea&ing to live. Let us on, 
 then. Waterford is before us; beyond that 
 they cannot have got as yet." 
 
 So saying, with a frown on his brow, the 
 stern old man replaced his hat, gathered up his 
 reins, and urged hiis horse down the hill, 
 B 3
 
 4 THE WAEHAWK, 
 
 followed by his son and the domestics, who had 
 then come up to them. 
 
 The young man's handsome features wore a 
 sad and troubled expression as he rode on 
 by the side of his sire. In less than an hour 
 they entered the town, and proceeded at once 
 to the best inn the place afforded. The present 
 noble quay was not then built, and the town 
 itself was only a straggling collection of nar- 
 row streets and mean houses. Still the river 
 and its banks presented a bustling and pleasing 
 appearance, from the number of vessels that 
 lay at anchor loading and unloading. 
 
 Sir Yrance Granville, for that was the name 
 and title of the elder gentleman, immediately 
 on alighting, commenced inquiries after the 
 object of his pursuit, despatching his domes- 
 tics to search every house and part of the town. 
 An hour had scarcely elapsed before his con- 
 fidential servant returned with the intelligence 
 that a lady and geutleman, with two atten- 
 dants, had embarked only three hours before
 
 THE WARHAWK. 5 
 
 they entered the town, in a small sloop, called 
 the Mary of Dunmore — that the tide then 
 serving, she had immediately got under weigh, 
 and dropped down the river, being hired to 
 convey her passengers to Milford Haven in 
 South Wales. 
 
 With a look of intense mortification, Sir 
 Vrance Granville prepared to follow on the 
 track of the fugitives. A skipper of a fast 
 cutter was quickly engaged to start at once for 
 Milford ; and, in less than an hour, the 
 Baronet and his son were sailing down the 
 Suir in pursuit of the Mary. 
 
 Hugh Granville made no remark, but fol- 
 lowed his father with a secret resolution to 
 save his sister from the Baronet's rage if he 
 could. 
 
 Al few words with respect to the fugitives 
 and their pursuers, at this part of our narra- 
 tive, is all that is necessary. 
 
 Sir Yrance Granville was a baronet of Eng- 
 lish extraction, whose Irish estates were gained
 
 & THE WAKHAWK. 
 
 by conquest in the time of Elizabeth. These 
 estates, situated in the south of Ireland, near 
 Glandore, were called Castle Granville, a pro- 
 perty adjoining Glandore Abbey, the noble 
 domain of the Fitzmaurices. The Baronet was 
 a kind and generous landlord, but, by nature, 
 proud, and, at times, imperious in his manner 
 and tone to those who thwarted his will. His 
 youngest daughter, some few months before 
 the imprudent elopement of her elder sister 
 with an adventurer, who passed himself off in 
 society as an Irish gentleman, in the Spanish 
 service, had married the possessor of Glandore 
 Abbey, Mr. Gerald Fitzmaurice. 
 
 Hugh Granville, the Baronet's only son, 
 was of a v/idely different nature and disposi- 
 tion from his sire. Shocked at his elder sister's 
 imprudent and unfortunate elopement from a 
 gentleman's mansion in the vicinity of Cork, 
 where she was staying on a visit, he joined his 
 father in pursuit of the fugitives, not \v ith the 
 intention of inflicting punishment on the hus-
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 7 
 
 band of his sister, but to shield her from her 
 father's resentment should they succeed in 
 overtaking them. 
 
 The weather, as the cutter sailed down the 
 river with the Baronet and his son, and four of 
 their attendants, gave evident tokens of its in- 
 tention of blowing hard in the night — in fact, 
 it became so rough, on opening the bay of 
 Dunmore, that the skipper hinted it would be 
 better to remain at anchor under Dunmore 
 Head for the night ; but the Baronet sternly 
 said — that if The Mary could keep the sea, so 
 could they, especially as the sloop the fugitives 
 sailed in was said to be a very indifferent sea- 
 boat. 
 
 On rounding the Hook point, which did not 
 then boast of a light-house, the cutter began 
 to feel the full force of the gale — for a gale it 
 soon proved itself to be — and drew more to 
 the eastward, sending a cross breaking sea 
 against the cutter's bows. After struggling 
 for four hours against the rapidly increasing
 
 8 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 storm, the cutter was fairly forced to turn her 
 stern to it, and scud back and seek shelter in 
 the Cove of Dunmore. 
 
 The Baronet and his son remained aboard ; 
 the former greatly excited and exasperated. 
 
 The folio vying morning, a dismasted fishing 
 craft came into the Cove from the eastward, 
 and anchored alongside the cutter. The 
 Baronet was on deck, and heard the two skip- 
 pers conversing about the storm, when the 
 captain of the fishing craft said, that a sloop 
 was lost in the gale on the Saltee's rocks, and 
 that they knew it was the Mary of Dimmore. 
 
 ^' What name did you say, my man ?" en- 
 quired Sir Yrance Granville, with a start and 
 a look of great excitement. 
 
 " The sloop Mary of this Cove, your honor," 
 replied the skipper. 
 
 A stern smile passed over the features of the 
 Earonet, as he heard the words of the sailor, 
 while his son's cheek blanched as he mur- 
 mured —
 
 THE WARHAWK. \f 
 
 ^^ Good God ! Can this intelligence be true ? 
 Mj poor, poor sister ! This is paying dearly for 
 a moment of error." 
 
 ^^ Better perish thus," said the Baronet, 
 '^ than live dishonored, the wife of a low-born, 
 vicious adventurer — a noted gambler, and a 
 notorious profligate." 
 
 Then turning to the man who had come 
 aboard the cutter in his small boat, by the 
 direction of the other skipper, he demanded of 
 him how he came to know the name of the 
 vessel lost on the Saltee's. 
 
 "We passed her, your honor, just a few 
 minutes after she struck. It was broad day ; 
 she was on a reef off the great Saltee's, and 
 there was a fearful sea on. We were mastless ; 
 and while driving quite close past her under 
 our mizen, we heard their wild cries for as- 
 sistance ; but we had no power to help — for 
 our punt would only hold two in fine weather, 
 even had she been manageable. We knew the 
 wreck to be The Mary right well. We could 
 B 5
 
 10 THEWAEHAWK. 
 
 see two females aboard; but tliey were swept 
 into tbe sea in a very few seconds, and perished 
 instantly." 
 
 Hugh Granville buried his face in his hands. 
 Even the old Baronet was moved, and looked 
 pale and agitated, as, turning to his ow^n 
 skipper, he said — 
 
 ^' The wind is veering to the I-Torth, and 
 lulling. 'Tis only sixteen or eighteen miles to 
 the Saltee's, get under weigh. Ilugh," he 
 added, turning to his son, "see if you can 
 recover the body of your sister, I shall return 
 to Castle Granville." 
 
 Accordingly, the Baronet landed with tv>^o of 
 his domestics, and procuring horses, rode back 
 to "Waterfcrd, a distance of only nine miles. 
 In half-an-hour after, the cutter was under 
 weigh for the Saltee's. Thoug'.i the wind then 
 drew^ off the land — the sea v^'as still troubled, 
 and a heavy swell roiled in on that rocky coast. 
 
 In less than three hours, they reached the 
 Baltce's, and landed, in their boat — thinking
 
 THE WAKHAWK. 11 
 
 some of the bodies miglit be washed in from 
 the reef. The stern of the sloop was there ; 
 and, plain enough to be seen, was the word 
 *' Mary " — in large white letters — and under- 
 neath, of Dunraore. Some spars and fragments 
 of rope were to be seen, but no human body 
 was found, after many hours' search. The wild 
 tides that run round these islands, had doubt- 
 less carried theai seaward or left them in its 
 deep bed to decay. 
 
 Dejected and pained to the heart, Hugh 
 Granville gave up his gloomly search and re- 
 turned to Waterford, and thence to Castle 
 Granville. 
 
 Though an only son and heir to large estates, 
 Hugh Granville had, according to the fashion 
 of the times, entered the army, and became 
 extremely attached to the profession of arms. 
 And though his father made some objections, 
 yet shortly after his unfortuiiate sisters miser- 
 able fate, he rejoined his Eegiment, and ac- 
 companied it to India, There was another
 
 12 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 reason, confined entirely to Hugh Granville's 
 own breast, that induced him to quit his native 
 land for a time : he had two or three years 
 before the opening of this tale, become attached 
 to a very amiable and beautiful girl, but of 
 humble extraction ; which, coming to the know- 
 ledge of his haughty sire, caused a coldness 
 and reserve in his manner that vexed the aflPec- 
 tionate and kind heart of his son. Knowing 
 that it would lead to a final separation with his 
 father if he followed his inclination, and united 
 himself with the fair object of his passion — he 
 sacrificed his happiness to filial duty — and sailed 
 for India. 
 
 At this period, Ireland was greatly disturbed 
 and distracted by conflicting opinions, and 
 parties opposed each to the other. As this tale^ 
 however, has nothing whatever to do with Irish 
 history alter these few introductory pages, we will 
 persue this part of our narrative as briefly as 
 possible. It was a period of frightful crime 
 and outrage ; and the landing of King James
 
 THE WAR HAWK. 13 
 
 the Second in Ireland put a finishing stroke to th^ 
 miseries that unhappy country was enduring 
 Even so late as the last quarter of the seven- 
 teenth century, there existed in remote parts 
 of the kingdom descendants of the old Irish 
 Princes, living in retirement, and still retain- 
 ing, as far as lay in their power, a species of 
 feudal state, and a dismal display of pomp in 
 their then limited territories. 
 
 These proud, ill-treated, and impoverished 
 chieftains, with their followers, took up arms for 
 King James, determined to oppose the claims 
 of William of Orange to the last extremity. 
 Taking advantage of the troubled state of the 
 kingdom, formidable bands of desperadoes — 
 worse far than mere plunderers — rose into ex- 
 istance, committing fearful excesses, under the 
 pretext of supporting the cause of the ungrate- 
 ful James. 
 
 Glandore Abbey, the magnificent residence 
 of the Fitzmaurice family, was then in posses-
 
 14 ' THE WAHHAWK. 
 
 sion of Gerald Fitzmaurice, who was united to 
 the youngest daughter of Sir Yrance Granville, 
 notwithstanding his difference of creed and 
 political opinions. 
 
 On the landing of King James, Fitzmaurice 
 was one of the very first who took up arms in 
 the cause of the King, to whom he had sworn 
 allegiance ; and leaving his wife and only child 
 (a boy then nearly four years old), he proceeded 
 to join the King, with a body of men raised 
 and equipped at his own expense. 
 
 Sir Yrance Granville heard of his son-in-law's 
 proceedings with a kind of apatby, into which 
 he had fallen, two or three years after his son's 
 departure for India. Being himself a Pro- 
 testant, he would, probably — had his health 
 and age permitted — have supported William ; 
 but he remained in tranquil retirement at 
 Castle Granville, with Mrs. Fitzmaurice and 
 her child, the disturbed state of the country 
 having induced her to leave Glandore Abbey,
 
 THE WAKHAWK. 15 
 
 and remain under her father's protection till 
 the struggle between the two Kings was brought 
 to a termination. 
 
 While Fitzmaurice was in Cork, equipping 
 and arming his regiment, he received a letter 
 from Tyrconnel, requesting him to ascertain if 
 there was any truth in the information con- 
 veyed to him that Sir Trance Granville was 
 arming his retainers, and using his great in- 
 fluence for the purpose of opposing the cause of 
 King William. 
 
 Fitzmaurice knew this intelligence to be 
 utterly without foundation, and stated as 
 much in his answer to Tyrconnel. 
 
 Eumours were rife through the length and 
 breadth of the land, of mansions pillaged, 
 families murdered, and villages sacked by 
 bands of plunderers, under various designations. 
 Fitzmaurice therefore rejoiced that his wife 
 and child v/ere in Castle Granville, which was 
 a strong castellated mansion, and well provided
 
 1 6 THE waehawe:. 
 
 against the attack of any strong band of in- 
 surgents. 
 
 Thus passed several weeks ; when, his 
 regiment being ready to March, he felt anxious 
 to see his wife and child, before he finally left 
 the south, xiccordingly, early in the morning 
 with four attendants well mounted and armed, 
 he left Cork, and took the road to Castle 
 Granville. 
 
 It was a cold, dark, stormy winter's day ; 
 and Fitzmaurice proceeded at a rapid pace, the 
 first four or five leagues of the road, when his 
 attention was caught by the appearance of a 
 horseman coming towards him, spurring his 
 horse at what seemed a mad speed. As they 
 rapidly approached each other, he recognized 
 him at once, as his foster-brother, O'Eegan, a 
 man most devotedly attached to him, and 
 who was charged to watch over his wife and 
 child at his express desire. A feeling oi mis- 
 fortune, an instantaneous depression came over
 
 > 
 
 THE WARHAWK. 17 
 
 his mindj as he recogoized his faithful follower 
 approaching at so headlong a speed. O'Eegan, 
 with dificulty, checked his horse bj the side of 
 his master ; he drew his breath with difficulty, 
 as Fitzmaurice, in a tone of excitement, de- 
 manded the reason of such a desperate pace. 
 But O'Eegan could scarcely sit his horse, and 
 then he saw, with a glance of dismay, that his 
 follower's garments were deeply dyed in blood. 
 
 " Castle Granville, has been attacked, plun- 
 dered ; and Sir Yrance Granville mui'dered I" 
 burst from O'Eegan, as, completely exhausted, 
 he dropped from his horse — without power to 
 finish the sentence. 
 
 This fearful intelligence had scarcely escaped 
 the lips of his foster-brother, ere Fitzmaurice, 
 maddened with fear and excitement for his 
 wife and child, had plunged the spurs into his 
 horse, while the blood forsook his cheek and 
 temples. The startled animal flew over the 
 road — leaving the attendants far behind; and,
 
 18 THEWARHAWK. 
 
 Fitzmaurice, wild and terror-stricken, never 
 slackened his speed till the high- mettled 
 charger fell totally exhausted before the \yide- 
 extended portals of Castle Granville.
 
 TflEWARHAWK. 19 
 
 CHAPTEE TT. 
 
 The unfortunate Fitzmaurice rose from the 
 ground, the chill of death creeping over his 
 heart. The shades of night had fallen, and all 
 was profoundly still. 'No living soul met his 
 anxious glance, as he rushed across the wide 
 court-yard. 
 
 With a shudder, he beheld several dead 
 bodies lying stark and stiff, and grim in the 
 fading light. He entered the noble hall, of 
 which the doors had been torn from their
 
 20 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 hinges. The dead were here also ; he then ran 
 up the wide stairs, along a well-known corri- 
 dor, while the echoes of his voice, as he shouted 
 aloud, seemed to mock him. Then came upon 
 his ear lamentations, and the plaintive cry 
 of mourners' tones, so peculiar to Ireland. 
 
 Eushing into the chamber from whence came 
 the sounds, the distracted man was soon by the 
 side of the couch, on which lay the lifeless re- 
 mains of his wife. With a shriek of agony, 
 the widower and father, at the same moment, 
 fell senseless with extended arms beside her he 
 so fondly loved. 
 
 Fever and delirium followed the awakening 
 from that fearful moment of agony. Days 
 followed days, during which time O'Eegan, 
 who had partly recovered from his wound, 
 watched, with devoted zeal, the master he loved 
 so well. When reason resumed its place, 
 Fitzmaurice rose from his bed, a wreck of for- 
 mer days. His father-in-law murdered, his
 
 I 
 
 THE WAEHAWE. 21 
 
 wife dead, his eldest son either stolen or no 
 longer living — all that was left him — was the 
 little infant boy — born amidst so much misery. 
 
 When Fitz-naurice was able, he demanded 
 of O'Eegan a recital of the past. He kissed 
 the infant placed in his arms ; and, from that 
 moment, seemed to revive to a sense of what 
 was due to the memory of her so cruelly lost. 
 
 ^* Alas, sir !" said O'Eegan, ^^ I can tell 
 you but little, nor can anybody else ; for 
 the whole affair is involved in obscurity — 
 I have thought of nothing else for weeks 
 back ; but am still in the dark. You see, 
 sir, some days before this terrible outrage 
 took place, a report reached us, that a 
 notorious freebooter, who sometimes went by 
 the name of Fen wick, and at others of 
 O'Eourke, had been seen with his gang in 
 the vicinity ofMiros's Wood. Thinking the 
 robber might have it in his eye to plunder 
 Glandore Abbey, Sir Yrance Granville — the 
 Lord have mercy on his soul !'' continued
 
 22 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 O'Eegan, crossing himself (for he was a devout 
 and sincere Catholic) — Sir Yrance told me in 
 the morning to take a dozen of armed men 
 with me, and ride over to the Abbey and see 
 that the men your honour left in charge of the 
 place were on the alert. The plate and other 
 valuables, I knew were safe, before your 
 honour's departure ; still the Abbey had attrac- 
 tions enough for a rascally rapparee like this 
 Fenwick. So I started early for the Abbey ; 
 but I found the little garrison all alive, and on 
 the look out. The windows were barred, the 
 great gates secured, and a day and night watch 
 kept. It was thought Fenwick's band had 
 quilted the neighbourhood — and gone on to- 
 wards Castle Townsend. Towards evenim:', I 
 set out on my return, satissded that all was 
 right at the Abbey. 
 
 *^ I reached the Castle before nig] it — saw 
 Sir Vrance, and reported all right. At the 
 usual hour, all had retired to rest — I was 
 weary after a hard day's ride, and I suppose
 
 THE WARHAWK. 23 
 
 slept sound — my chamber is in the left wing 
 of the building, and at some distance from the 
 principal apartments. I was suddenly startled 
 out of my sleep by a fearful crash ; and as I 
 sprang out of bed, and rubbed my eyes, a 
 shout of many voices rang through the build- 
 ing, instantly followed by several musket and 
 pistol shots. 
 
 " Half frantic with fear and rage, I groped 
 for my pistols and cutlass, and half dressed, 
 rushed out through the passages. A scene of 
 frightful confusion met my sight as I gained 
 the entrance into the great hall. The whole 
 space and the great stairs were covered with 
 numbers of armed men, in the uniform of 
 William of Orange's soldiers, some of whom 
 carried torches. Shouts, oaths, and repeated 
 shots pealed through the mansion. I caught 
 sight of the brave old Baronet, half dressed, 
 with several of the household retainers making 
 good the first landing-place on the great stair- 
 case against a host of furious assailants. I 
 made a frantic rush through the crowd, shooting
 
 24 THE WARBAWK. 
 
 a ruffian who had a musket levelled at the old 
 Baronet. The next moment I received a shot 
 in the side, and while I staggered forward, a 
 blow from the butt of a musquetoon stretched 
 me senseless on the pavement. 
 
 ** When I recovered my recollection, the 
 work of death and villany was done ; for I 
 caught a glimpse of the plunderers leaving 
 the Hall. I made an effort and got up, and 
 though weak and faint, I contrived to follow 
 the band, keeping out of sight. 'Not a word 
 was spoken : they made for the banks of the 
 creek. I counted full sixty men, and dared 
 not venture too near ; for the night had cleared 
 considerably. There were two very large 
 boats, into which they got ; but I did not see 
 that they carried any plunder with them. 
 They pulled rapidly out of sight ; and then 
 I staggered back to the Castle and got to the 
 great alarm-bell, which had not been heard 
 the whole time of the attack. But I soon 
 perceived that the rope had been cut away
 
 THE WARHAWK. 25 
 
 inside the building. I got at the rope outside, 
 and pulled it with all my strength ; in a short 
 time numbers of the terrified and half dressed 
 peasants came in from the hamlets ; and with 
 them several of the fishermen from Glandore. 
 'J hese returned and, by my directions, got their 
 boats out and folio '^^'cd on the traces of the 
 murderers. 
 
 From the female domestics I learned that 
 my mistress, alas ! went from one fainting fit 
 to another, and that Master Ciithbcrt and his 
 nurse were both gone, and the noble Baronet 
 murdered, besides several of the domestics. 
 At early dawn I had a horse saddled, and 
 thouiih scarcelv able to sit on his back, I urs^ed 
 him at the top of his speed towards Cork, 
 when I met your honour on the road/' 
 
 For several minutes Fitzmaurice remained 
 
 with his face buried in his hands, O'Eegan 
 
 could see his master was suffering lutensel}^ ; 
 
 but, though the kind-hearted foster-brother 
 
 VOL. I. c
 
 26 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 felt deeply for his master's sufferings, yet it 
 was better he thought for him to give vent to 
 his grief than muse upon his sorrows within his 
 own breast." 
 
 After a time, Fitzmaurice raised his head ; 
 he looked very pale and worn ; but spoke 
 calmly and in a tone of resignation, saying — 
 
 ^^ And after my return, and during my 
 illness, what took place ?" 
 
 " Why, sir," sighed O'Eegan, ^' when the 
 dismal tidings reached Cork, Major G 'Dowel 
 came down here with fifty soldiers of your 
 honour's regiment ; and seeing that yuu were 
 in a state of delirium — he did everything man 
 could do to trace the murderers and ruffians, 
 for the Major felt convinced, thougli they wore 
 the uniform of William III., they did not 
 belong to any regiment then in the kingdom. 
 But no trace or clue was discovered on the land. 
 The fishermen who pursued them down the 
 river, gahied sight of a large, heavy vessel 
 under weigh, standing out from the shore, and
 
 THE WAEH.UVK. 27 
 
 aboard -hicli the villains must have got. With 
 the strong wind blowing, the vessel cleared thfi 
 island off the mouth of Giandore harbour, and 
 was soon out of sight. Mr. Briefless, the 
 Baronet's lawyer and great friend, came down 
 here in a state of great excitement, lamenting 
 bitterly the miserable fate of his kind patron. 
 In fact, ail the county gentr}^ in the neigh- 
 bourhood evinced the greatest anxiety and 
 activity in endeavouring to hunt out the per- 
 petrators of this daring outrage. The disap- 
 pearance of Brady Sullivan, the nurse, and 
 Master Cuthbert, astonished every one ; and 
 every thino; that ous^ht to be done," added 
 O'Eegan, with tears in Lis eyes, '' for the 
 mistress, blessed be her memory, ! tvas 
 done.*' 
 
 Fitzmaurice motioned for O'Eegan to cease, 
 and leave him — still for a time, he gave 
 way to grief; but gradually roused him- 
 self into action. A highly respectable matron 
 c 2
 
 28 THE WAIIHAWK. 
 
 was engaged to take care of the infant Gerald. 
 Q'Eegan's wife became his nurse ; and shortly 
 after, Fitzmaurice himself, having offered im- 
 mense rewards for the discovery of his lost son, 
 or any clue to the murderers of Sir Yrance 
 Granville, proceeded with his regiment to 
 Dublin. Anxiously plunging amid the scenes 
 then acting, hoping to escape in a measure fro.n 
 bitter and heart-rending recollections. 
 
 ITotv/ithstanding the great rewards offered, 
 neither the murderers of the Baronet nor the 
 abductors of the young Fitzmaurice were dis- 
 covered. 
 
 In the then disturbed state of the king- 
 dom — even such an outrage as the sacking 
 of Castle Granville passed through men's minds 
 as a dream. No leader of that period, on the side 
 of the weak and ungrateful James II., gained 
 a more famed name for courage and skill than 
 the unfortunate Gerald Fitzmaurice — under the 
 French General, St. Euth, he received a dis-
 
 THE WARHAWK. 29 
 
 tin gui shed command — afterwards forming with 
 his regiment part of the garrison of Bally more — 
 next in command of Colonel Bourke, who gal- 
 lantly held the place with a thousand men. He 
 was mortally wounded in the furious assault 
 made upon that town by General Ginckel. 
 
 Thus fell and died the handsome and gallant 
 Gerald Fitzmaurice in his twenty-sixth year. 
 The remnant of his regiment — mostly his own 
 retainers and tenants — contrived to carry with 
 them to Glandore Abbey the remains of their 
 beloved chief. But the misfortunes of the 
 house of Fitzmaurice did not cease with the 
 death of its possessor ; for his lands, Abbey, 
 and tenements were some time after confiscated 
 and fell to the Crown. 
 
 It was not till three years subsequent to the 
 treaty of Limerick, which gave a kind of peace 
 to unfortunate Ireland, that the son of the mur- 
 dered Baronet, Sir Hugh Granville, returned 
 to his native land. Communication at that
 
 30 THE WAKHAWK. 
 
 period, with our possessions in India, being 
 slow and insecure, the intelligence and 
 account of the terrible misfortunes of his family 
 and connections did not reach Sir Hugh till a 
 long period had elapsed, from their occurrence, 
 Shocked, distressed, and burning with anxiety, 
 to reach Ireland, he hurried his affairs in order 
 to return as quickly as possible. 
 
 Sir Hugh Granville was at this period in his 
 fortieth year. During the passage of years 
 spent in India, he had risen rapidly in rank. 
 At the time of his father's death he was 
 
 Governor of , and was considered by the 
 
 British Government an officer of high courage 
 and abilities. In those few years he had 
 amassed an ample fortune in the war with those 
 fierce tribes, the Pindarries, a most extra- 
 ordinary race of freebooters, who in after years 
 almost overran the Continent of India. In 
 taking several of their fortresses, he had gained 
 immense booty. But, in his anxiety to return
 
 THE WARHAWK. 31 
 
 to England, lie left bis affairs in a very unsettled 
 state, and, resigning his command, sailed for 
 his native country. 
 
 On reaching Ireland, he was greatly amazed , for 
 although aware of the desolation that had come 
 over his name and race, he was astounded 
 on finding that the Granville estates had 
 actually been confiscated and re-purchased hy 
 an officer of King William's army. That the 
 possessions of his brother-in-law, Fitzmaurice, 
 should become forfeited, was easily enough 
 imagined, on account of his adherence to the 
 cause of James ; but that the estates and pro- 
 perty of his father, the late Sir Yrance Gran- 
 ville, should come under the hammer as con- 
 fiscated property, appeared to him a flagrant 
 breach of all law. Indignant at such injustice, 
 he resolved to demand instant investigation of 
 the affair. 
 
 Just at the period of Sir Hugh's return com- 
 menced the famous inquiry concerning the 
 Irish forfeitures. Commissioners were ap-
 
 32 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 pointed by Parliament to examine into the 
 legality of these forfeitures ; though, in truth, 
 these commissioners were delegated rather to 
 expose the evil than from any great loye of 
 justice. Nevertheless, having consulted with 
 his old friend and law-adviser, Mr. Briefless, 
 Sir Hugh Granville laid his petition before the 
 Earl of Drogheda and Sir Eichard Living, 
 both commissioners. With the Earl he was in- 
 timately acquainted. 
 
 Before taking this step, Mr. Briefless had 
 made every inquiry possible, and sought to 
 discover the name of the pretender to tho 
 Castle Granville estates. All he could make 
 out was, that there was an agent who called 
 himself Adolphus Green, that this man actually 
 took possession of Castle Granville ; and an 
 order was shewn to the tenants, desiring them 
 to pay their rents to Mr. Green. But Mr. 
 Briefless was consulted by the old steward of 
 the late Baronet; and by his advice he, as well as 
 the tenants, refused to acknowledge the order,
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 33 
 
 without name of the real purchaser attached, 
 seeing the deed of purchase, and also the act 
 of forfeiture. Mr. Briefless declared it was all 
 moonshine, defied the unknown purchaser, and 
 gave notice to the agent, Mr. Green, to apply 
 to him. But no Mr. Green came — and thus 
 matters stood, when Sir Hugh Granville re- 
 turned from India. 
 
 That justice might be done to the purchaser 
 and others, thirteen creditors were authorized 
 to hear and determine all claims relative to 
 forfeited property and estates. Somewhat to 
 the surprise of Sir Hugh and his lawyer, on a 
 strict investigation of the case, it appeared 
 that no forfeiture had ever been made of the 
 Granville estates ; neither grant nor gift from 
 the Crown ; and finally that Mr. Green and his 
 employer were impostors, for no trace of them 
 could be discovered. 
 
 Sir Hugh, therefore, amidst the rejoicings 
 of his tenantry and retainers, returned and 
 c 5
 
 34 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 took up his abode in the Castle. All the 
 Baronet, and his friend and lawyer, Mr, Brief- 
 less, could conjecture about this strange at- 
 tempt to take possession of Castle Granville, 
 was, that some adventurer, acquainted with the 
 family history, had taken advantage- of the 
 times, being so turbulent, and so little under the 
 control of the law, forged documents to suit his 
 purpose, intending to plunder all he could 
 from the estate before the return of the right- 
 ful owner from India. 
 
 Sir Hugh's first and anxious wish was to see 
 to the establishment, under his own eye, ox the 
 young son of the unfortunate Fitzmaurice, left 
 entirely dependent on hun by the forfeited 
 estates of the Eitzmaurices falling to the 
 Crown. 
 
 Aceordinijly, the young Gerakl Fitzmau- 
 rice — a mo:t promising and beautiful boy, 
 the iningo ei Sir Hugh's unfortunate sister — 
 was sent for, and,, with his attached attendant,
 
 THE WARHAWK, 35 
 
 Dennis O'Eegan, comfortably established at 
 Castle Granville, 
 
 From this period, we may say our atory 
 fairly commences — having as briefly as possi- 
 ble related the ^'history" of our hero's unfor- 
 tunate parents.
 
 THE WARHAWIC 
 
 CHAPTEE III. 
 
 Time passed happily and quietly in Castle 
 Granville ; Sir Hugh bestowed every care and 
 attention on his nephevr^ having formally 
 adopted him. The youth's unfortunate name 
 of Fitzmaurice was dropped, that of Granville 
 substituted, and Sir Hugh regarded Gerald as 
 his future heir. 
 
 The country now began to enjoy a little re- 
 pose, after the storms and tumults of the pre- 
 ceding years ; many of the gentry returned to 
 their hon^es; and Sir Hugh visited and invited
 
 THE WARHAWK. 37 
 
 several lie formerly knew to his hospitable and 
 then splendidly kept-up establishment of Castle 
 Granville. One of the Baronet's first acts, on 
 the return of tranquillity to the surrounding 
 country, was to circulate through the towns 
 and villages in the South of Ireland, offers of 
 high rewards for any clue to the perpetrators 
 of the outrage committed at Castle Granville, 
 and also a large reward for any intelligence 
 relating to the lost child of Fitzmaurice, and 
 his nurse. 
 
 But twelve months passed over without 
 these offers and tempting rewards meeting any 
 attention ; and finally Sir Hugh was about to 
 abandon all thoughts of discovering any trace 
 of the lost child, when one morning he was 
 surprised by receiving a letter, containing the 
 following lines — 
 
 " Honored and respected Sir, 
 
 " Seeing a paper posted in the 
 town of Skibbercen, offering a large re^Yard for
 
 S8 - THE WAIIHAWK. 
 
 any intelligence relating to the villains as mur- 
 dered your honor's father — rest his soul — 
 Glory be — Faix, I began to wish I did know 
 where to put my fist upon them, as the reward 
 is very tempting ; but I don't, your honor. But 
 I do know something of the lost child and his 
 nurse. How I comes to know it is neither 
 here or there ; but I know where to find them ; 
 and if your worship's honor will only agree to 
 my terms, and they are easy enough — I will 
 swear to shew your honor where the child and 
 the nurse is this blessed mom.ent, alive and 
 hearty — faix, and a fine boy he is — as like liis 
 father — his soul to glory — as two peas. For 
 certain reasons best known to myself, all I ax 
 is to be axed no questions ; and that your 
 , honor will pass your word neither to detain me 
 or molest me ; and that when I take you to 
 where you w^ll find your nephew — and your 
 worship is satisfied he is in truth your nephew 
 -^that your honor will pay me on demand one 
 hundred gold guineas.
 
 THE WARHAWK. 39 
 
 " Waiting your honor's answer to this, 
 which please to direct — to Phelim O'Toole, 
 Post Office, Skibbereen — 
 
 *^ I remain, till death, 
 
 " Your honor's humble servant to command, 
 
 ** Phelim O'Toole." 
 
 Sir Hugh Granville read this curious epistle 
 twice over, and then remained several moments 
 in deep thought. At first he felt inclined to 
 consider it an audacious attempt at imposition ; 
 and then the memory of past events came 
 forcibly across his mind ; and connecting one 
 circumstance vrith another, he began firmly to 
 believe there was an unknown and implacable 
 enemy to the families of Granville and Fitz- 
 niaurice. The different ccramanders, serving: 
 with their regiments in the South of Ireland, 
 distinctly and indignantly denied that any 
 order was ever given for attacking Castle 
 Granville ; and though O'iicgan was positive
 
 40 THE warhawb:. 
 
 that the assailants wore the unifonn of some 
 regiment in Xing William's army, yet he 
 himself felt convinced they were not regular 
 soldiers ; and often said he considered them 
 part of the band of the rapparee O'Eourke, 
 alias Tenwick, both names, no doubt, fictitious 
 ones. Yet, who this enemy could be, com- 
 pletely puzzled him ; for he had never heard of 
 any feud existing against the Granville family, 
 or the Fitzmaurices', for centuries back. 
 
 The abduction of the elder child of the un- 
 fortunate Fitzmaurice had always been am litter of 
 extreme surprise and conjecture. He could 
 not, in his own mind, see any possible motive for 
 it. The confiscation to the Crown of Glandore 
 Abbey, and tho large estates adjoining, left the 
 orphans completely destitute. Had the boy 
 been stolen for the hopes of a great reward 
 being offered, that object would have been 
 effected long since. 
 
 These and many other tlioughts pussed 
 through the mind of Sir Hugh, till at length
 
 IHE waehawe:. 41 
 
 he resolved to write an answer to the curious 
 letter he had before him, but first of all he 
 summoned Dennis O'Eegan, whose attachment 
 and devotion to the young Gerald had increased 
 ten- fold, as he grew in years. Sir Hugh him-, 
 self greatly admired the honest, straightforward, 
 character of O'Eegan. At this time Dennis 
 was in his thirty-fourth year, with a fine open 
 countenance, and a frame and constitution of 
 iron. 
 
 '' ^yell Dennis," said Six* Hugh, as O'Eegan 
 entered the room, '' here is something at 
 last, in reference to my lost nephew." 
 
 O'Eegan' s eyes opened to the widest extent, 
 while the baronet read aloud the letter he had 
 received. 
 
 "Phelim O'Toole," he muttered, several 
 times ; ^^ never heard of him. Be gorra, your 
 honour, it would' ent be a bad plan to catch 
 hold of this Phelim. Depend on it, he's one of 
 the villains under a false name. If I had only 
 a grip of him, what a squeeze I would give
 
 42 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 him ;'' and he held out a hand, as if in the act 
 of laying hold of the said Phelim O'Toole, large 
 enough and muscular enough for a giant. 
 Sir Hugh smiled, saying — 
 
 "We must act, Dennis, with caution. If 
 this fellow is an impostor, and I have scarcely 
 any doubt but that such is the case — but, sup- 
 posing, for instance, that he leads us to find 
 this nephew of mine, lost so strangely and mys- 
 teriously, do you think you recollect that boy 
 sufficiently to identify him ?'' 
 
 " Faix, Sir Hugh, there's little fear of mis- 
 taking a Fitzmaurice or a Granville," replied 
 O'Eegan, " I am sure, your honour, I would 
 know the poor boy in a moment." 
 
 " By* the- bye, I wished to ask you some par- 
 ticulars respecting this nurse, who disappeared 
 at the same time as my unfortunate nephew. 
 Who was she ? and what kind of character did 
 she bear ?" 
 
 " Well, your honour," answered Dennis, 
 rubbing the back of his head hard, according to
 
 THE WARHAWK. 43 
 
 his usual custom, when doubtful how to com- 
 mence a speech, *' as to who she was, that's 
 easily told ; but faix, as to character it's not 
 so soon made out. She is the daughter of 
 Fhadric Sullivan, your honour, and a smart 
 handsome lass she was — light of heel, and, be 
 gorra, for the matter of that, light of tongue, 
 and that was not tlie worst of it." 
 
 '" It surprises me then, Dennis," said Sir 
 Hugh, '^ if such was her character, how she 
 came to be selected as the nurse for the young 
 heir of Fitzmaurice." 
 
 " Why you see, sir, old Phadric Sullivan 
 was a faithful and favorite retainer of my poor 
 master and his daughter. Brady was, as I 
 said, a very tidy handsome colleen. She 
 married while staying in Cork with an aunt — 
 some said an E.iglish soldier — others said he 
 was no soldier — but an Irishman and no mis- 
 take, and a smuggler to boot. 
 
 However, what ever the rascal was, and in- 
 deed there was no making out the truth of her
 
 4i THE waehawe:. 
 
 story, he deserted her. Brady Sullivan, for 
 she insisted upon being called her own name, 
 came back to her old father, with a little girl 
 two months old. My poor mistress, glory 
 be around her ! just then gave birth to master 
 Cuthbert, and was taken so very ill that it was 
 impossible for her to nurse her baby. Old 
 Sullivan's daughter was on the moment 
 thought of, and sent for to take charge of the 
 child; and the boy took so to her, and she 
 looked so neat, clean, and well-tempered, that 
 when the mistress got better some months or 
 two after, she seemed quite pleased she should 
 remain and nurse the child, esp3cially as 
 Brady's own little girl was carried off with the 
 measles ; and thus, your honour, she remained 
 till the night when the villains attacked the 
 castle. Now whether she was caried off with 
 the child, or went of her own accord, who can 
 say ? Be gorra, your honour, it's a mighty 
 strange piece of business altogether ; and this 
 fellow calling himself Phelim 0' Toole, from
 
 THE WARHAWK. 46 
 
 Skibbereen. I don't know any O'Toole in that 
 part of the country — there's none of that name 
 in these lands, he's sure, your worship, to be 
 one of those villains." 
 
 ^' S ill Dennis," sa'd the Baronet, after a 
 moment's thought. '^ I think I will agree to 
 that fellow's proposals. TTe can take care he 
 does not deceive us about the boy." 
 
 Accordingly, Sir Hugh took pen and paper 
 and wrote an answer to the said Phelim 
 O'Toole, agreeing to his proposals, desiring 
 him to beware how he tried to deceive him, 
 and to name an early day to proceed on their 
 intended expedition. 
 
 Two or three days af er sending this letter 
 to Phelim O'Toole, directed to the Post Office 
 of Skibbereen, the Baronet received most im- 
 portant letters from India. After a careful 
 perusal, and several hours thought upon the 
 subject contained in them,' he came to the reso- 
 lution of making a voyage to India, and
 
 46 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 settling his affairs there by converting his 
 eastern possessions into money. 
 
 Determined to lose no time, he mounted his 
 horse the following day, and attended, only by 
 O'Eegan, proceeded to Cork, to consult with 
 his old friend and law-adviser, Mr. Briefless. 
 This gentleman was a lawyer of considerable 
 eminence, and much esteemed by all persons 
 with whom he was acquainted. He was a 
 bachelor, some five-and-forty-years of age, 
 gave excellent dinners, and his housekeeper, 
 Mrs. Silvertongue, was not only a remarkably 
 genteel person in manner and dress, but a most 
 buxom, tempting dame withal ; and one who 
 managed her master's house and kept his estab- 
 lishment in first-rate order— was famous for 
 her dinners, and a great favorite with all the 
 lawyer's guests. In person, Mr. Briefless 
 was short, but in singular good condition ; was 
 considered to have a very good leg, which he 
 was very particular in showing to the best ad-
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 47 
 
 vantage, cased in a tight black silk stocking, 
 the fashion of that day. His wig was match- 
 less ; and his round, shining, high-coloured, 
 good-humoured countenance was always care- 
 fully divested of every trace or symptom of 
 beard. 
 
 Mr. Briefless received his friend and patron. 
 Sir Hugh Granville, with sincere cordiality ; 
 and Mrs. Silvertongue received orders to pre- 
 pare a dinner in her best style — ^an order the 
 good dame willingly obeyed, for Sir Hugh was 
 a great favourite — and it's not all visitors are 
 favourites with favourite housekeepers, espe- 
 cially bachelors' housekeepers. 
 
 Mr. Briefless with considerable surprise read 
 the letter which the Baronet had received 
 from his Skibbereen correspondent, Phelim 
 O'Toole. 
 
 ^' Inow this rascal, for there's no doubt about 
 that term," said the little lawyer, after a few 
 moments' consideration, '' is evidently ac- 
 quainted with the villains who committed the
 
 48 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 fearful outrage at Castle Granville, and is him- 
 self, perhaps, one of them. The whole affair 
 is singularly mysterious. Suppose, Sir Hugh, 
 you were to seize this fellow, and imprison him 
 on suspicion — eh ?" 
 
 " That would not do, my old friend," said 
 Sir Hugh ; ^^ I have promised, in my letter, to 
 hold him scatheless, and I must keep my word, 
 though, as you say, he may be one of the vil- 
 lains. Still I can have a strict watch upon 
 him, and O'Kegan is certain of recognising the 
 fellow, if he ever beheld him before. Besides, 
 he promises to lead us to a certain place, where 
 we shall find not only my nephew, but the 
 nurse Brady Sullivan. Now, my good friend, 
 this woman must know something of the 
 villains that carried her off, and who have 
 detained her these last six or seven years in 
 custody." 
 
 ^' Always provided. Sir Hugh," interrupted 
 the lawyer, '' that the eaid Brady Sullivan, 
 whom 0' Regan describes as rather a suspicious
 
 THE WARHAWK. 49 
 
 person, is not associated witli one or other 
 of the parties concerned in that \41e out- 
 rage.'* 
 
 '' I have thought of that myself," said the 
 Baronet, thoughtfully ; ^^ but we can say little 
 on this subject till we test the truth of this 
 Master O'Toole's proposal. If an impostor is 
 attempted to be put forward, as Cuthbert Fitz- 
 maurice, surely it will be easy to detect him ; 
 fcr it is reasonable to suppose that some like- 
 ness will be traceable of the families he springs 
 from. However, my dear friend, I came here 
 on other business. I intend returning to India 
 to make a final settlement of my affairs there. 
 This voyage and business, if prosperous, and if 
 it pleases Providence to spare me, will occupy 
 at least a couple of years. I wish you to come 
 to Castle Granville for a few days. I know 
 you cannot spare much of your valuable time ; 
 but two or three d.avs will do for me to make 
 my will, and settle my worldly affairs in this 
 
 VOL. I. D
 
 50 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 country. I wish to find a tutor for Gerald — 
 a gentleman on whom I can in every way 
 depend. He shall have an ample salary ; and, 
 if possible, I should prefer a gentleman edu- 
 cated for the church." 
 
 ^^ I know the very person, Sir Hugh," inter- 
 rupted the lawyer, with much vivacity of 
 manner, and looking anxiously in the face of 
 Sir Hugh. Then, in a low tone, he added, 
 *' The gentleman I mean is Mr. Harmer." 
 
 The Baronet started, looked down for a mo- 
 ment with a sad and thoughtful expression of 
 countenance, saying — 
 
 " Mr. Harmer ! the husband of poor Ellen 
 Eamsey ? Yes — he is a gentleman in every 
 respect — pious, kind, benevolent — " 
 
 ^' And poor," added the lawyer. 
 
 " Has he any family, my kind friend ?" in- 
 quired Sir Hugh, after a short pause. 
 
 ^* None," returned Mr. Briefless. '^His 
 little girl died shortly after I wrote to you at
 
 THE WARHAWK. 51 
 
 Calcutta, mentioning her poor mother's fate ; I 
 little thought the dear child would so soon 
 follow, and your generous intentions thus be 
 frustrated.'^ 
 
 *^I will write to Mr. Harmer," said the 
 Baronet/' and request him to visit me on my 
 return from this expedition, which, I trust, 
 will not turn out a bootless one." 
 
 The next day Sir Hugh returned to Castle 
 Granville, and two days after received a 
 letter, in reply to his, from Skibbereen. It 
 was from Phelim O'Toole, and contained the 
 following lines: — 
 
 *^ HoxoEED Sir, 
 
 ** I received your Honor's letter, and write 
 to say, that I will be ready to conduct your 
 Worship to the place where you will find your 
 nephew and the nurse who had the care of 
 him when an infant. On Thursday next I 
 will be on the road between Castle Townsend 
 D 3 
 
 y OP ILU LIU
 
 62 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 and Skibbereen, waiting for your honour by 
 the stone cross at Courtmakilty. 
 
 " Trusting fully to your Honor's word, 
 
 " I remain, 
 *' Your humble servant to command, 
 
 " Phelim O'Toole." 
 
 Sir Hugh, instantly prepared to set out the 
 following morning early, attended by O'Eegan 
 and four well armed domestics. 
 
 Crossing the narrow arm of the sea that 
 divides Glandore from Castle Townsend, they 
 continued along the then most indifferent bridle- 
 road that led from the hamlet of Castle Town- 
 send to Skibbereen. 
 
 At the period of our tale, there existed 
 through the western parts of Ireland, but very 
 little traffic or trade of any kind. The com- 
 munication between town and town was very 
 inconsiderable, the roads were wretched, the
 
 THE WARHAWK. 5 
 
 land miserably cultivated, and the houses of 
 entertainment for man and beast fe\7, and, in 
 truth, far between. Smuggling and illicit 
 distillation seemed the only trades or occupa- 
 tions that flourished along the entire of that 
 wild coast, from the old bluff head of Kinsale, 
 to the mouth of the Kenmare river. The 
 houses of landed proprietors were scattered at 
 wide distances from each other ; and here and 
 there on wild and picturesque spots, might be 
 seen those strange, grey old towers, rising in 
 solitary grandeur and remaining to the present 
 day — monuments to puzzle our minds with 
 conjectures, as to what their original purpose 
 was. 
 
 Sir Hugh was but little acquainted with the 
 scenery of his native land ; and he looked 
 around him with surprise and regret, seeing 
 no sign of agricultural labor for miles. 
 
 The road led along a wild and irregular 
 coast, but possessing great natural beauties 
 and many advantages. Innumerable islands
 
 64 THE waehawe:. 
 
 lay scattered at various distances from the 
 shore, forming harbors and shelter to coasters. 
 Immense long inlets indented the land. Each 
 creek, at the present day, has its busy and 
 populous little town ; but then they were the 
 resort only of millions of water-fowl, undis- 
 turbed except by the daring smuggler, who 
 ran his little vessel within those creeks for 
 safety from the stormy gales of the broad 
 Atlantic. 
 
 The travellers were slowly approaching the 
 gigantic stone cross of Courtmakilty, and Sir 
 Hugh was looking anxiously round for the 
 expected Phelim O'Toole, when O'Eegan 
 pointed out to the Baronet an individual 
 perched on a rock, sitting swinging his legs, 
 and whistling a popular air with great com- 
 posure. 
 
 ^* That must be our man. Sir Hugh," said 
 O'Eegan, eyeing the individual in question 
 keenly ; '* and a great, red- headed, ugly beast 
 he is, if that's Mr. Phelim O'Toole.
 
 THE WARHAWK. 65 
 
 Sir Hugh reigned in his horse close beside 
 the stranger, and then perceived on the other 
 side of the rock a short, thickset pony, with 
 long grey hair, twisting in every possible 
 direction. T^either saddle nor bridle decorated 
 his back or head ; but a strong, twisted hay 
 rope W3.S looped over its nose. 
 
 Sir Hugh looked at the man, who ceasing 
 his whistling, said in a broad Irish accent — 
 
 ^* God save your honour !" touching his 
 extremely dilapidated hat at the same time, 
 but not offering to stir from the rock. 
 
 In doubt whether this was his man or not, 
 the Baronet said — 
 
 '^ Perhaps, my man, you may be able to give 
 me a little information." 
 
 " Musha, maybe, your honour, and it's wel- 
 come you'll be any time.'* 
 
 *^ Do you know any one called Phelim 
 O'Toole in those parts ?" 
 
 "Is it Phalim O'Toole, your honor?" re- 
 peated the man, jumping from the rock, and
 
 56 THE WAEHAT7K. 
 
 whistling, wliich brought the pony to his 
 side in a moment. ^' And, may be," he added, 
 taking off his hat, " your honor is from Castle 
 Granville. If so, sure I'm Phalim O'Toole, at 
 your honor's sarvice." 
 
 And in a second he was seated on the back 
 of the sturdy little beast beside him. 
 
 " Well, this hates Banagher altogether," 
 muttered O'Eegan, rubbing his head hard, 
 which he always did when perplexed. '^ If it 
 wasn't for his carotty head, and the brogue the 
 big brute has — I'd say, ' Mr. Phalim O'Toole, 
 I've seen yez afore.' But I'll be after keeping 
 a pair of eyes upon you." 
 
 *^ And now, your worship, I'm at your ser- 
 vice," said Phelim. 
 
 ** And pray, my man, where do you intend 
 guiding us ?" asked Sir Hugh. 
 
 *^ First to Bantry, your honor ; and then, by 
 hiring a small smack, we can reach Bear Island 
 in three hours, or less." 
 
 " Bear Island !" echoed Sir Hugh, with
 
 THE V\^iRHAWK. 67 
 
 considerable astonishment; ^^ why it's an un- 
 inhabited tract of land in Bantry Bay." 
 
 " Faix, just the place your lordship ; but as 
 to uninhabited, by my sowl there's i}linty of 
 inhabitants. It's jusc the finest place in ould 
 Ireland for tasting a drop of the creature in 
 its pure state. It's wild, to be sure, now ; 
 but if your honor saw it in the times of the 
 O'Connors — the great O'Connors of the West 
 — when they kept the sporting tower on the 
 Island. Och, my so\yl, your honor, all the 
 morning you might hear the cry of the hounds 
 and the blast of tlie horns ; and all night long 
 the shouts of songs and revellers. But, 
 ochone 1 those days are gone, and so is the 
 racj of the once mighty O'Connors too. Come 
 up, you devil's darling," he shouted to his 
 pony, who tripped over a stone, ''and don't be 
 stopping now to make your devotions. There-s 
 Skibbereen, your honour, just ahead of you. 
 I suppose you'll give the beasts a feed, and 
 then we may reach Bantry before night." 
 D 5
 
 58 THE WAKHAWZ. 
 
 Whatever Sir Hugh thought of his guide 
 he kept it to himself ; but he certainly had a 
 very poor opinion either of the man's honesty 
 of purpose or his veracity. 
 
 O'Eegan appeared as if plunged into a 
 labyrinth of thought, though, every now and 
 then, he made great efforts to get a full glance 
 of Master Phelim O'Toole's features. This he 
 could not conveniently get ; for the man kept 
 well in front, and his long, lank, red hair 
 hung over his face, and even on his shoulders. 
 Strange images of times and persons passed 
 through O'Eegan's mind. Still he could not 
 fix the impression made at the moment upon 
 any individual. 
 
 It was late that night when they entered 
 the then miserable town of Ban try. The fol- 
 lowing morning, a light and fast-sailing boat 
 was hired, and the whole party embarked for 
 Bear Island. 
 
 This Island, now a tolerably well cultivated 
 tract of land, lies within a mile of the western
 
 THE WARHAWK. 59 
 
 side of the noble and magnificent bay of 
 Bantry. Towards its southern end, it rise; 
 into mountainous elevation. The channel be- 
 tween the Island and the western shore, forms 
 one of the finest harbours in the united king- 
 dom. It is above nine miles in length, and 
 nowhere exceeding a mile across. The access 
 is easy, and of considerable depth of waters 
 and the distance from the town of Bantry is 
 about eighteen miles. 
 
 The sail from Bantry to Bear Island, along 
 a most picturesque coast, passing the entrance 
 into Glengarriff bay, with its hundred beauti- 
 ful Islands, wooded to the very edge of the 
 limpid water, afi'orded Sir Hugh much plea- 
 sure. The views during the whole way were 
 beautiful. The noble bay of Bantry without, 
 capable of holding the largest fleet in the world, 
 was then as calm as a lake, the wind blowing 
 gently from the north-west ; the wild and sin- 
 gularly picturesque mountain forming its 
 eastern shore, with Bantry at the foot of
 
 60 THE WAKHAWK. 
 
 a hill, well clothed in wood, and protected 
 from the swell of the ocean by Whiddy Island, 
 and with the broad Atlantic to the south, alto- 
 gether formed an unequalled panorama. To Sir 
 Hugh, the three hours occupied in reaching 
 Bear Island, were passed in pleased contem- 
 plation of the scenery. 
 
 Phelim O'Toole pointed out the spot to land. 
 The boat was brought to an anchor, and the 
 party went on shore. As they proceeded up the 
 side of a steep and rocky hill, Sir Hugh called 
 to his guide to come to him. 
 
 Phelim O'Toole was a big and powerful 
 man — with stooping shoulders, whether natural 
 or assumed. Sir Hugh could not say — he had a 
 slovenly look and manner ; appeared to be Learly 
 forty years old, with strongly- marked features, 
 and cunning and malicious dark eyes — which 
 were quite in contrast with his deep red hair 
 and beardless face. He stood with his eyes 
 bent on the ground, twirling his hat, and fid-
 
 THE WAIiH.lWK. 61 
 
 getting with his great feet, as if beut upon de- 
 stroying a piece of rock that lay under them. 
 
 " Listen to me, sir/' said the B:ironet ; " you 
 have my word that neither myself or servants 
 shall question or molest you. I will fulfil my 
 part of the contract. But, hark ye," and the 
 Baronet laid his hand on the silver-mounted 
 butt of a pistol, which he carried in his belt, 
 " if any treachery is intended, you will be the 
 first victim — now, lead on." 
 
 For an instant, Phelim boldly raised his 
 head, to look Sir Hugh in the face. As he did 
 so, the long, lank tresses of red hair fell, for a 
 moment, ofi* his face, and his countenance was 
 more easily seen. When he raised his eyes, they 
 encountered the fixed and anxious look of 
 O'Eegan, who was standing close behind the 
 Baronet, and a btrange and malignant expression 
 passed over his face; the next instant, dropping 
 his eyes, and hastily pressing his hat on his 
 head, he muttered — 
 
 " Is'ever fear, your honour, 'honour briglit^
 
 62 THE WARHAWK, 
 
 all the world over.' I'm as true to my word 
 as a king," and he passed on before. 
 
 O'Eegan drew a deep breath, and then 
 whistled — a long and very meaning whistle it 
 was. He then rub be I his head very hard ; and, 
 finally, muttered to himself, as he followed Sir 
 Hugh— 
 
 " Glory be to the Saints ! I think my senses 
 is coming back. I heard Sir Hugh tell of those 
 Indians scalping Christians. By my soul, I'll 
 try and scalp you, Phalim O'Toole, or my 
 name's not Dennis O'Eegan. Och ! wait a bit ; 
 if I don't change the colour of your hair, my 
 darlint, you may ait me !"
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 61 
 
 CHAPTEE lY. 
 
 After gaining the summit of the hill, the 
 party paused — for the ascent ha.l its diffi- 
 culties. 
 
 " There, your honour," said Phelim O'Toole, 
 pointing to an abrupt, rocky mound, at about 
 half a-mile distant, '' there is the place where 
 your nephew, young Master Cuthbert Fitz- 
 maurice, is confined. That is O'Connor's 
 Tower." 
 
 ^' O'Connor's Tower!" repeated the Baronet ;
 
 64 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 *^ and, pray how many inhabitants may it 
 contain ?" 
 
 ^'Faix, your honour, I know of none save 
 the Nurse and the child, and the keeper of the 
 tower — old red-headed Eory ; he may not be 
 willing, your worship, to open the door to 
 strangers ; but it is very easy making him — or 
 breaking it open ourselves.'^ 
 
 They soon re ached the tower, built on a very 
 commanding eminence. The view, from its 
 site, was of singular beauty, and of immense ex- 
 tent. Vast heaps of rubbish and stones, to a con- 
 siderable extent strewed round tlie tower, shewed, 
 that in former time >, the building had been of 
 some pretension. The door, leading to the interior, 
 was a strong, oaken one, covered all over with 
 knobs of iron, and crossed with bars of the 
 same metal. No other entrance was visible, 
 and the few windows were at a considerable 
 height. 
 
 Phelim picked up a ponderous stone, and com- 
 menced a series of blows quite sufficient to
 
 THE WARHAWK. 65 
 
 stave iu any ordinary door. After a few seconds, 
 the head and shoulders of a man — the head 
 covered with a much more abundant crop of 
 red hair than our friend Phelim's— was thrust 
 out from a loop-hole, some twenty feet above 
 the door ; and a voice, savage and discordant, 
 demanded, in Irish — 
 
 " What the devil brought them there — and 
 who were they ?" 
 
 " Ho ! ho !" muttered O'Eegan, as he cast a 
 glance up at the speaker; ^'another beauty 
 with a carrottj poll ! Let us in, honest man," 
 added he, ''and keep a civil tongue in your 
 head." 
 
 " Duoul I" shouted the man; " I'll show 
 yoa civility. Take yourself out of that, or 
 take this," and he thrust the muzzle of an 
 enormous blunderbuss out of the loop-hole, 
 drawing his head in at the same time. 
 
 This formidable weapon was anything but 
 pleasant to look at — and Sir Hugh's domestics 
 thought so also ; for they at once sprang behind
 
 66 THE WAUHAWK. 
 
 a broken wall, leaving their master and O'Eegan 
 exposed to its contents. 
 
 Without a moment's hesitation, O'Eegan 
 drew a pistol from his belt, and catching a 
 slight glimpse of the man's head, fired. 
 
 With a yell of defiance and rage, the fellow 
 drew the trigger of the blunderbuss ; and a 
 loud ringing report followed. But O'Eegan 
 had dragged the Baronet well under the wall. 
 As to Phelim, he stood his ground quite coolly, 
 and was untouched. . With an oath, he lifted 
 an immense mass of stone and hurled it at the 
 door with such force as to burst the lock, and 
 the door flew open. 
 
 " The big brute's no coward, at all events," 
 muttered O'Eegan, as he followed his master 
 into the tower. The servants came on, looking 
 anxiously round for fear of a second discharge 
 of the same formidable weapon. A winding 
 staircase presented itself ; and up this the Baronet 
 went, followed by O'Eegan, neither noticing 
 that Phelim O'Toole did not, this time lead the
 
 THE WARHAWK. 67 
 
 way. The first landing place presented to 
 their view, two solid doors, bolted outside with 
 iron bars. 
 
 " Look out Dennis,.for that rascal with the 
 blunderbuss," said the Baronet, as he drew 
 back the bolts of one of the doors, attracted to 
 it by a loud knocking within, and voices 
 shouting to open the door. 
 
 Sir Hugh immediately threw the door open, 
 and beheld a boy, and a woman holding him 
 by the hand. The Baronet started back a 
 step ; for, short as was the glance he took of 
 the boy's face, he was struck with his striking 
 likeness to the Granville family. 
 
 As soon as the woman beheld Sir Hugh, she 
 clasped her hands together and threw herself 
 on her knees, uttering sundry ejaculations in 
 her native tongue, while the boy stood boldly 
 gazing from one to the other in wonder. 
 
 O'Kegan, with his mouth open and his eyes 
 distended, remained, leaning his hands upon his
 
 t)5 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 knees, gazing at the boy and the woman half 
 stupified. 
 
 *^Sure then, by the powers, that's Brady 
 Sullivan herself, and no other," burst from 
 O'Eegan. A wild cry from the woman, and 
 up she sprang ; and, throwing her arms round 
 the neck of the startled Dennis, she hugged him 
 vehemently, exclaiming — 
 
 '^ Och hone, och hone ! we are saved entirely. 
 The dear child is found at last by his friends," 
 
 *'Many thanks to you, Brady Sullivan," 
 said O'Eegan, '' for your caresses," taking her 
 arms from around his neck, with no very 
 pleased expression of countenance. *^ Faix, 
 may be there's one here," and he looked around 
 him ; but his countenance changed as he be- 
 held only the two servants of Sir Hugh. 
 
 *^ Where's tbat red-headed rascal, O'Toole ?" 
 he anxiously demanded. 
 
 " l!S'ever mind him now, Deunis," said the 
 Baronet, "his part of the contract is finished.
 
 THE WAEHAWK, 69 
 
 If I conjecture rightly, you will see him no 
 more. 
 
 '* You know this woman," continued Sir 
 Hugh, to O'Eegan. '' Who is she ?' 
 
 " Who am I your honour ?" echoed the 
 woman, turning quickly round and dropping a 
 low curtsey. " I'm Brady Sullivan, Sir Hugh 
 Granville, for such I suppose is your honor's 
 name, judging by your likeness to my poor ill- 
 treated boy here.*' Placing her apron to her 
 eyes, and sobbing, she continued, while the 
 Baronet kept his gaze upon the handsome, 
 unabashed features of the boy. ^' The Virgin 
 be praised and glorified ! I'm released after six 
 years' imprisonment to this old tower and the 
 land about it." 
 
 '^ There is no denying the great likeness," 
 said Sir Hugh, as if communing with himself, 
 and little heeding the good-looking Mrs. 
 Brady Sulivan. " Come here, my good boy," 
 added he, seating himself, ^^ come to me." 
 
 The boy came frankly and willingly; and
 
 70 THE TVAEHAWK. 
 
 put his hand into that of Sir Hugh. Pushing 
 back the curls from his forehead, the Baronet 
 gazed anxiously into his face. He was a 
 handsome child — with dark curling hair, fair 
 skin, and dark, expressive eyes ; and for his 
 years — not more than ten — bold and unabashed 
 in manner and look. 
 
 " And so, they say, you are Cuthbert Fitz- 
 maurice. Is it so ray dear boy ?" 
 
 " Yes," replied the child, fearlessly, " I am 
 Cuthbert Fitzmaurice. Who else could you 
 take me to be ? ^urse Sullivan always said I 
 was Gerald Fitzmaurice's son ; and she ought 
 to know that nursed me." - 
 
 '^ And, musha !" cried Mrs. Sullivan, clasp- 
 ing her hands, and facing Sir Hugh, '' who is it 
 but your own blood-nephew ? As I have a 
 soul to be saved," and she crossed herself, 
 '^ and may my death be one of misery and 
 pain, but I speak the blessed truth. Sir Hugh 
 Granville. For six long years have T nursed 
 him ; and now, murder ! to see with the like-
 
 THE WAEHAWX. 71 
 
 ness strong on him, his own uncle disowns 
 him.^' 
 
 ^'Arrah, woman, be easy, interrupted Dennis. 
 '• How would you his honor should know a 
 child he never saw?" 
 
 The Baronet waved his hand to silence 
 O'Eegan. Then, looking steadily into the face 
 of ILrs. Brady Sullivanj he said calmly, in a 
 kind tone — 
 
 '' You mistake me, my good woman ; so far 
 from disowning this child, I have come a long 
 distance to claim and restore him — should I 
 become convinced of his identity — to the place 
 to which his birth and my affection will entitle 
 him." 
 
 " God bless your honor for those words ! 
 And it's proof and plenty you shall have. Sure, 
 every stitch of his clothes, from the hour of his 
 birth to the present, are all safe with me and 
 under lock and }:ay. And sure father O'Mara 
 will tell Tou all about it."
 
 72 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 ^^And who is Father O'Mara?" demanded 
 Sir Hugh. 
 
 " The priest, your honour, who for the last 
 three years — came here three times a week, 
 and taught my darliug to write and to read, 
 glory be to the blessed saints who sent him to 
 us in our troubles ! He gave us all them 
 books," pointing to several on the shelf, '' and 
 told us a day would come when we should get 
 our rights. And it has come a lana ma chree!" 
 And she took the boy in her arms, and kissed 
 him. 
 
 ^' What an unnatural haste I am !" muttered 
 O'Eegan to himself with his eyes devouring 
 the boy, who returned his gaze with singular 
 boldness. ** I thought once that if ever Mr. 
 Cuthbert was found, I'd ate him for joy ; and 
 now — there he is — at least they say so ; and, 
 by gorra, he's mortal like the Granvilles ; but 
 I don't see much of the Fitzmaurices about
 
 THE WARHAWK. 73 
 
 him. He's a fine boy, too, though, faix, there's 
 a bit of the devil in him." 
 
 All this O'Eegan kept muttering to himself, 
 while Mrs. Sullivan was opening a trunk and 
 showing the contents to the Baronet — 
 
 ^' Where is this priest. Father O'Mara, to 
 be found ?" demanded Sir Hugh. 
 
 " Oh, then I wish I could tell your honor, 
 answered Mrs. Sullivan. *' But sure they would 
 never tell me anything. They made me take an 
 oath upon the blessed cross." 
 
 " Who do you mean by they /" interrupted 
 the Baronet. 
 
 ** Why, the villains as stole us out of Castle 
 Granville, your honour, and carried us here," 
 replied Mrs. Sullivan,^' I never knowed one of 
 them, and that horrid rapparee, Eory, who has 
 charge of the tower, never let us out of his 
 sight. 
 
 Sir Hugh examined the trinkets and several 
 articles in the trunk. There was a small, beau' 
 tifully-executed picture of the child's mother 
 
 VOL. I, B
 
 74 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 also. In fact, altliough the whole affair was 
 most strange and perplexing, the Baronet had 
 no doubt about the child being his nephew, 
 Cuthbert. The likeness was too great to be 
 the mere effect of chance ; then, the age of the 
 child, his being with the very woman that 
 nursed him — altogether he felt satisfied he was 
 not imposed upon. 
 
 ^ '^ There is no use in lingering here," said the 
 Baronet, to O'Eegan. ^^ How is it, Dennis ? 
 you do not seem so overjoyed as I thought you 
 would be. Have you any doubt about the 
 boy ?' 
 
 O'Eegan rubbed away at the old spot on his 
 head, and looked singularly perplexed. At 
 length he said — 
 
 *^ Why, your honor, I don't doubt but he's 
 Master Cuthbert. He's as like your blessed 
 father as can be, I don't deny it ; and he's 
 like his mother. But, faix, I can't make out 
 any likeness to his father." 
 
 Sir Hugh smiled, saying—
 
 THE WARHAWK. 75 
 
 " It's not eyery child, Dennis, that's like its 
 father. There, take the boy, and shew him 
 some kindness. You once loved and fondled 
 him. You will come to do so again." 
 
 O'Eegan . approached the boy ; but, with a 
 childish look of scorn, he turned away to his 
 nurse, saying proudly enough — 
 
 "Keep your civility, till it is asked for. I 
 want none to help me, as long as I have my 
 nurse." 
 
 Dennis whistled, rubbed his head, and looked 
 at Sir Hugh, who only smiled, saying — 
 
 " Come with me, my dear boy. If you are 
 good and affectionate, I will love you, and be a 
 second father to you. Let us be moving now. 
 We can converse on our way. Mrs, Sullivan, 
 my man, will help you to move these things. 
 Have any of you seen that fierce fellow with 
 the blunderbuss ?" 
 
 " No, Sir Hugh ; we searched the whole 
 tower, and there's not a soul in it, nor au 
 E 2
 
 76 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 article worth a shilling. Nor can we find 
 Phelim O'Toole." 
 
 ^^Ho, ho! just as I thought/' ejaculated 
 Dennis. *'Pray, Mrs. Sullivan, asking your 
 pardon, have you any kind of acquaintance with 
 a Mr. Phelim O'Tool ?" 
 
 Sir Hugh was descending the stairs with the 
 boy in his hand ; and Mrs. Sullivan was 
 following, when O'Eegan asked the question — 
 /* Phelim O'Toole ?" echoed Mrs. Sullivan. 
 
 O'Eegan saw her color change — at least he 
 thought so. However, she replied rather 
 tartly — 
 
 *' Phelim O'Toole ? What should I know of 
 such a person ?" 
 
 ^' Faix, Mrs. Sullivan," returned Dennis, '^ I 
 thought he might be a blood-relation of the 
 blackguard that left you and your baby to want, 
 but for your ould father." 
 
 Mrs, Sullivan paused on the last step, and 
 turned her face, the colour of scarlet, upon
 
 THR WARHAWK. 77 
 
 Dennis. Her eyes flashed fire, what she would 
 have said we know not ; but at that moment 
 Sir Hugh tnrned and called her, saying — 
 
 *' Take charge of this boy, Mrs. Sullivan ; 
 and you, Dennis, see these trunks carefully 
 carried down to the boat." 
 
 Mrs. Sullivan hastened to take her charge ; 
 while O'Eegan began cording the trunks, 
 chuckling to himself, and muttering — 
 
 " By ray conscience, I hit the right nail on 
 the head. Och, musha, that I had hold of you, 
 Mr. Phelim O'Toole ! It's a queer business ; it's 
 surely Mr. Cuthbert ; and still it's not ; but, 
 by gorra, I'm losing the little sense I had." 
 
 Leaving Sir Hugh to proceed with his party 
 to Bantry, and there prosecute, as far as it lay 
 in his power, the inquiries he felt bound to 
 make, respecting his nephew and Father 
 O'Mara ; we will, in our next chapter, follow, 
 for a short time, the footsteps of Master Phelim 
 O'Toole.
 
 78 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 CHAPTEE VI, 
 
 Apparently very busy, with the heavy brogues 
 on his feet, Phelim O'Toole watched, without 
 seeming to do so, the whole party as they 
 ascended the winding stairs into O'Connor's 
 Tower. 
 
 1^0 sooner out of sight, than a low chuckling 
 laugh broke from his lips ; and stepping out of 
 the passage, he crept close to the tower, by 
 the side of a long, broken, dilapidated wall ; 
 and then, getting under the shelter of a low, 
 thick hedge, he rapidly pursued his way down
 
 THE WARHAWK. 79 
 
 the steep hill into a rocky ravine. Under the 
 shelter of a huge rock, sat a man, who sprung 
 to his feet when he caught sight of Phelim, 
 saying in Irish — 
 
 ^^ So, you gave them the slip." 
 
 '^ Faix I did, Eory ;" for it was the man 
 with the blunderbuss that spoke first; and 
 beside him, sure, enough, was the same for- 
 midable weapon. 
 
 ^^And by the law," added Phelim, "you 
 didn't lose time yourself, Eory." 
 
 The man laughed. 
 
 " Didn't I give them a blaze of the old piece, 
 Dennis, or rather," (making a mock bow) 
 *^ Master Phalim O'Toole ? Morels the pity 
 there was only powder in it, I'd a settled the 
 ould heretic at all events." 
 
 "Be gorra, you would," replied O'Toole ; 
 " but the master says it aint time. Have you 
 a drop of the creature about you, Eory ?" 
 
 " Och, Musha, did you ever see me without 
 it, eh ?" responded Eory, drawing out of his
 
 80 THE WAItHAWK. 
 
 huge frieze coat a very respectable leather 
 bottle, and handing it to Phelire, who took a 
 hasty pull. Then, throwing his hat to the 
 ground, he raised his hand to his head, and 
 lifted from thence a thick wig of red hair, 
 disclosing a cropped head of black hair. 
 
 Eory, the red head, for his was a natural 
 one, laughed — 
 
 *^ Be my sowl, Phalim, they spoilt your 
 beauty for a time cropping you ; I'd never 
 knew ye, with that handsome coloured wig 
 on ye." 
 
 ^' Ye ugly omadhaun, ye," laughed Phelim ; 
 " I wouldn't have that foxy head of yours for 
 a tlnifle. Eut ye were saying no one would 
 know me. Yes, one did; duoul have me, but 
 I'll pay him off yet. That cursed O'Eegan 
 from the first suspected me ; and, at last, knew 
 me — I saw it in his eyes ; but, Nahocklish .^" 
 And the black eyes of Phelim sparkled, and he 
 clenched his hand hard. 
 
 ** But, even so, Phelim," responded Eory,
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 81 
 
 *^ they can make nothing out of it. Let us, 
 however, be moving ; the master is ^ratching 
 for us, I'll be bound. It's going to blow hard 
 too, by the look of the sky ; and we must get 
 the War-hawk out of the bay before it sets 
 in." 
 
 FoUowins: the course of the wild ravine for 
 more than a mile, they emerged into a thick, 
 entangled plantation of dwarf oak and syca- 
 more. At length they came out on the summit 
 of a steep bank, and beneath them lay the 
 sea. 
 
 In a singularly picturesque cove, or little 
 bay, nearly hemmed in by lofty and precipitous 
 ranges of rock, lay, riding at a single anchor, 
 a long, low lugger, of some one hundred-and- 
 forty, or so, tons burden. The little bight was 
 was perfectly sheltered from the long ground- 
 swell that was then running into Bantry ba}', 
 from the south ; the fine sandy beach, on one 
 side of the cove, but little disturbed by the gentle 
 
 5
 
 82 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 rolling in of the tide. Hauled up on that 
 beach J was a long-boat ; and about fifty or sixty 
 yards from this boat, close up to the rocks, were 
 about sixteen men, stretched out upon the 
 sand in various attitudes of rest. A fire had 
 been kindled between four large stones, over 
 t^hich hung, suspended from three oars, a huge 
 iron pot, the contents of which a man was 
 stirring with a large iron fork. 
 
 Eory and his comrade gazed down upon the 
 party beneath, with much evident satisfaction, 
 and then cast a look to seaward. Huge masses 
 of dark, copper- coloured clouds, touched by the 
 rays of the sun, were rising heavily and slowly 
 to the south-west ; and fitful gusts swept at 
 times across the waters of the bay, curling the 
 waves with foam, and then dying away in the 
 distance. 
 
 ^' We shall have a sneezer from the sou- west, 
 Phelim," said Eory ; as he prepared to descend 
 the steep rocks into the cove. 
 
 They soon reached the sand, and were re-
 
 THE WARHATVE. 83^ 
 
 ceived by the party with various witty remarks, 
 and sundry oaths, ejaculations, and questions in 
 a breath. 
 
 ^^ Duoul, one at a time/' said Phelim, 
 and taking a peep into the iron pot, 
 and snuffing up its contents with evident satis- 
 faction ; ^' Where's the captain, boys ?" 
 
 '^ I thought ye would have met him," said a 
 short, broad, hard-featured man, in a thick 
 pea-jacket and trowsers. *^ He's been on 
 the look-out. Ah ! there he is, coming down 
 the rocks." 
 
 Phelim looked up, and, seeing the person 
 he called the captain descending a naiTow, 
 crooked path through the rocks, he went 
 forward to meet him. 
 
 '' You're welcome, Phelim ; all right, eh ?" 
 said the captain. 
 
 ^^ Well, pretty well, sir," replied 0' Toole ; 
 ^' but, by the powers, it was a near thing with 
 me, in spite of my fine foxy head, and the loss 
 of my whiskers,"
 
 Si THE WARHAWK. 
 
 ^' Sir Hugh did not recognize you, surely ?'' 
 interrogated the captain. '^ Indeed, I do not 
 suppose he ever could have seen you before.'^ 
 
 "ISTo; no fear of the Baronet," answered 
 O'Toole ; ^' I was safe enough there. But that 
 
 d , suspicious, black-whiskered rascal, 
 
 O'Eegan, found me out. At least, I think so ; 
 but I didn't stop to inquire, but took French 
 leave after I got them into the tower. By the 
 immortal powers, if you had let Eory put a few 
 slugs into the old buss, he'd have settled the 
 Baronet's hash altogether." 
 
 " I told you before, PheJim," said the person 
 styled captain, and speaking sternly, " it would 
 not do now. It would frustrate all my plans. 
 However, if the boy passes, that's everything 
 — if Brady don't botch it." 
 
 ^* Is it my little woman botch it?" said 
 Dennis, for such was the Christian name of him 
 we have called Phelim O'Toole. ^' !N"ever heed 
 her. There's not her equal for acting from 
 this to Ballinafad."
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 85 
 
 ^' All's right then," resooiided the Captain ; 
 " but we must get out of this at once. There's 
 a gale cumiug in from the sea — and a heavy 
 one too by the look of it. A King's cruizer has 
 just ran in under her foresail to Castletown, 
 and there's a small armed cutter under Whiddy 
 Island — so there's no use in lying in this bay, 
 and, if the gale lasts, be caught like a fox in a 
 trap." The Captain as he spoke, moved on 
 towards the men. 
 
 A few words respecting the person styled 
 the Captain. He was a tall, powerful man, in 
 age about thirty-four. Kis fjeatures were 
 perfect — in fact, remarkable for their beauty ; 
 his eyes, hair, and b^^ard ^vere raven black ; and 
 yet, though han<lsome in form and feature, 
 there was " a lurking devil " in the bold, 
 
 1 n fv 
 
 piercin^ 
 
 glanne of his eye, that left a painful 
 ieciiug i:i the beholders mind. IJ.nes of 
 stormy passion could be traced in the deep 
 marks aloug the broad massy forehead ; and
 
 SQ THE 'WAEHAWK:. 
 
 there was no mistaking the curl of the lip and 
 the flash of the dark eye. 
 
 In less than an hour the whole party upon 
 the beach, including Master Phelim and Eory, 
 were aboard the lugger, the anchor up, and 
 spreading the two double-reefed lugs to the 
 rapidly increasing gale, she glided gracefully 
 and swiftly into the broad swelling waters of 
 the bay. After several tacks, she weathered 
 the eastern head ; and slacking her sheets 
 to the boisterous wind, then collecting its 
 powers for its work of devastation, left 
 a foamy track behind her, as she bore away 
 for the long, low promontory, or rather succes- 
 sion of rocky islands that form Cape Clear. 
 
 It was dark night as the lugger ran in be- 
 tween two small islands, rounded under the lee 
 of the largest, and dropped anchor for the night; 
 protected at least from the wild sea without, 
 though the fierce and stormy gusts burst 
 over the low island with the roar of thunder. 
 
 Sir Hugh Granville, in the meantime, reached
 
 THE WARHAWK. 87 
 
 Baiitry. The more he looked at the boy, who 
 readily won upon the kiud-hearted Baronet, 
 the more he became convinced he was in truth 
 his nephew. Mrs. Sullivan's account of her 
 abduction from Castle Granville was by no 
 means either very clear or very satisfactory. 
 She was carried off, she said, with her infant 
 charge, by several men with crape masks — or 
 faces blackened ; placed first in a boat, and 
 afterwards in a vessel, and finally deposited in 
 O'Connor's tower, under charge of Eed Eory. 
 And that was all she knew of the matter. 
 She and the boy were allowed as much air and 
 exercise without the tower as they pleased — 
 always under the eye of Eory. The last three 
 years they had been visited by Father O'Mara. 
 !N'ow, though Sir Hugh made all manner of 
 inquiries in Bantr}^, no one knew anything of a 
 Father O'Mara in those parts. 
 
 Oblis-ed to be satisfied with Mrs. Sullivan's 
 oaths and protestations, and being himself con- 
 vinced of the striking likeness of the boy to his
 
 88 THE waehawb:. 
 
 own family, the Baronet returned to Castle 
 Granville, resolved to acknowledge Cuthbert 
 Fitzmanrice, to leave him an ample indepen- 
 dence, but in no way to alter his previous inten- 
 tions in regard to his favourite and well-beloved 
 nephew, Gerald. 
 
 Shortly after Sir Hugh's return, Mr. Briefles3 
 arrived at the Castle with Mr. Harmer. They 
 were kindly welcomed by the Baronet, who 
 felt highly pleased with the appearance and 
 manner of the latter, who at once consented to 
 take charge of the two boys. 
 
 Mr. Briefless listened to Sir Hugh's account 
 of his journey with considerable surprise and 
 interest. Having seen Cuthbert, he at once 
 agreed that the likeness was too striking to 
 doubt the identity of the child. Nevertheless, 
 the entire affair was a very perplexing and 
 distressing mystery. He could very plainly 
 see that the whole was a well planned and 
 organised scheme; but v. ho the actors were, 
 and what could be their ultimate object, it
 
 THE WARHAWK. 89 
 
 \vas in vain to conjecture. At all events, Sir 
 Hugli Was resolved to banisii it from his mind 
 for the time, having much pressing matter in 
 hand previous to embarking for India. 
 
 Mr. Briefless drew up Sir Hugh's will. To 
 his nephew, Gerald Granville Fitzmaurice, 
 though the latter name was dropped by the 
 express desire of the Baronet when he adopted 
 his nephew, he left the entire of his property 
 at home and abroad, vvith the exception of ten 
 thousand pounds to hii new found nephew, 
 Cuthbert Fitzmaurice. Several handsome lega- 
 cies were devised to faithful servants, and a 
 generous gift of five thousand pounds to his 
 old and esteemed friend, Mr. Eriedess. 
 
 The will was written, signed, sealed, wit- 
 nessed, &c., and placed under lock and key. 
 The key was left in the care of the worthy 
 lawyer. 
 
 All this being done, and Mr. Harmer com- 
 fortably esiablished in Castle Granville, Sir 
 Kugh tLok a most affectionate leave of little
 
 90 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 Gerald, and a kind one of his nephew Cuth- 
 bert, and sailed for England, whence he shortly 
 after embarked for Calcutta. 
 
 Before leaving Castle Granville, he had a 
 long and earnest conversation with Dennis 
 O'Eegan. This faithful follower of the Fitz- 
 maurices was strictly enjoined to keep a care- 
 ful watch over the two boys — to note and mark 
 whatever might occur of any importance — and 
 to keep a watch upon Mrs. Brady Sullivan's 
 proceedings ; whom the worthy Baronet had now 
 comfortably established in a neat cottage in the 
 vicinity of the Castle — to see if by chance she 
 held any communication with master Phelim 
 O'Toole, whom O'Eegan positively affirmed 
 was no other than her husband. He never 
 had any acquaintantance with him — nor did he 
 in fact know his real name. There was 
 always a mystery about the man ; but he was 
 pointed out to him several times in Cork, and 
 he never forgot a face he once saw, if he 
 wished to carry the likeness in his mind ; aLd,
 
 THE WARHAWK. 91 
 
 for certain reasons, he had looked hard at 
 Brady's intended husband when pointed out to 
 him. 
 
 From one cause or another, the delays in 
 changing and investing money, in disposing of 
 property and law matters, three years passed 
 over before Sir Hugh Granville was able to sail 
 from the shores of India for England. 
 Imagining each month would be the last, and 
 changing from place to place — the long period 
 of his absence passed over without his receiving 
 a single particle of news of the family he had 
 left behind him. 
 
 At length, he sailed with his secretary. This 
 person had made himself extremely useful to 
 Sir Hugh during his stay in India, and in the 
 management of his somewhat intricate affairs. 
 So much so, indeed, that he gladly accepted 
 his offer of accompanying him to Europe. 
 
 The return of the Baronet to Castle Gran- 
 ville was hailed by his tenantry with wild joy. 
 Fires were lighted ; and, in the vicinity of the
 
 92 THE WAKHAWK. 
 
 imansion, tents wers erected, and feasting and 
 revelry became the order of the day. O'Eegan 
 was constituted lord of the revels. He loved 
 his master, and would have considered it a dis- 
 grace if lie were to allow one of his boon com- 
 panions to quit the table until their heads 
 should become too heavy to support. The 
 consequence was, that mother earth re- 
 ceived them to her maternal bosom in 
 a happy state of insensibility. Many to wake 
 with various penalties for their vanished plea- 
 sures. 
 
 O'Eegan himself, who had a head of iron, 
 was in the act of sweetening his thirteenth 
 tumbler, when his only remaining companion, 
 (that is upright onCy) with a heavy sigh of re- 
 gret, and a very mystified look at the master 
 of the revels, allowed himself quietly to sink 
 to the ground ; for the banquet was held under 
 an ample marquee. 
 
 Dennis O'Eegan passed his hand across his 
 eyes, trying to look steadily at his falling
 
 THE waehawk. 93 
 
 friend. It was a look of pity with something 
 of contempt in it. 
 
 ''Ah," muttered he, "so you are going 
 also, Tim Murphy. Well, well ! musha, how 
 easily the head of you takes to the sod. Faix, 
 Tim, I thought you a better man than to be 
 floored with a dozen tumblers of this beautiful 
 liquor, and not more than a gallon of strong 
 ale at dinner. Och, hone! I'm left alone with 
 myself, and it's not morning yet !" And 
 Dennis quietly sipped his thirteenth glass, now 
 and then nodding over the table. " Faix," 
 resumed he, " how green the lights are burn- 
 ing I Ee easy, Tim. What a musical feature 
 you have in the Hiiddle of your face ! It's an 
 ugly drone you have, any how ; and stooping 
 to give a slight kick to Tim, he lost his balance, 
 and fell over his companion. "■ Bad cess to 
 your ugly phiz !" he grumbled, as he regained 
 his seat; " what an effect it had on my head ! 
 quite upset my centre of gravity, as Master 
 Gerald's tutor would say. Weil, here's health
 
 94 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 and long life to the families of Granyille and 
 Fitzmaurice." 
 
 And off went the tumbler ; and then, with 
 a knowing noi to his snoring companions, 
 O'Eegan staggered out of the tent, though 
 not without sundry falls over his prostrate 
 friends. 
 
 Sir Hugh Granville, in the meantime, had 
 embraced his nephews with all the warmth and 
 affection of a kind and indulgent parent. 
 Gerald he loved as a son ; while the engaging 
 manners of the young Fitzmaurice — his ex- 
 tremely prepossessing features, and docile dis- 
 position, gained him golden opinions from all 
 acquainted with the family. 
 
 At this period, Gerald was in his tenth year, 
 and Cuthbert in his fourteenth. They were 
 both very handsome boys, but of a totally dif- 
 ferent character, disposition, and appearance. 
 
 Mr. Harmer, their tutor, a man of not only 
 gentlemanly exterior, but possessing a most 
 kind and amiable disposition, soon acquired,
 
 THEWAEHAWK. 95 
 
 over the high-spirited Gerard, perfect controul, 
 and at the same time gained his sine ere affec- 
 tion. He improved rapidly under Mr. Harmer's 
 tuition ; but with Cuthbert, he found much 
 more difficulty, both in controlling his wayward 
 temper, and in getting him to receive instruc- 
 tion in any way. Young as the boy was, to 
 Mr. Harmer he always appeared as if he was 
 studying a part; and altogether affecting a tone 
 and manner foreign to his natural temper and 
 disposition. Even at his early age he was 
 subject to violent fits of passion, and quite 
 reckless upon whom he vented his fury, when 
 thwarted in any favorite purpose or pursuit. 
 
 As he grew up, he became proud, arrogant, 
 and self-willed ; so much so, that Mr. Harmer 
 despaired of ever gaining any controul over 
 him. Still, when he did study, he was quick, 
 and evinced considerable talent ; but he had 
 no assiduity. 
 
 Though four or five years younger, Gerald 
 kept pace, if not distanced his brother in their
 
 96 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 studies. But that which pained Mr. Harmer 
 more than anything else in the conduct of his 
 elder pupil, was liis evident, and not to be 
 mistaken, dislike of, if not hatred to, his 
 brother Gerald. 
 
 Though mild and gentle in disposition, 
 Gerald possessed, for a child; a singularly steady 
 and unshrinking character. He promised, in 
 person, to be a much more powerful man than 
 his brother, though Cuthbert was tall and well- 
 built for his years. 
 
 Such were the brothers at the period of Sir 
 Hugh's return from India ; and such the 
 sketch Mr. Harm^er gave the Baronet of his 
 nephews. 
 
 O'Eegan, a day or .'^o after the rejoicings 
 had ceased, and all things had dropped quietly 
 into their usual routine, made his appearance 
 in the Baronet's study. 
 
 " I see, O'Eegan, by your countenance," 
 said Sir Hugh, " that you have something on 
 your mind that troubles you. Now that we
 
 THE WARHAWK. 97 
 
 have all got quiet, and into regular household 
 tranquillityj I have time to listen to jou." 
 
 *^In truth, your honor/' began O'Eegan, 
 ^^ I was anxous to unburden my mind ; for 
 some things have taken place, during your 
 honour's absence, that bewilder me; and, 
 perhaps, your honor will be able to make 
 something more out of it than I can." 
 
 ^^ Well, sit down then, Dennis, opposite to 
 me," said Sir Hugh, with a good-humoured 
 smile. " A man cannot tell a long story 
 standing, so out with your confession ; for I 
 suppose you scarcely require Father Murray's 
 assistance." 
 
 "No, faix, your honor. I made a clear 
 breast of it last Saturday — glory be to God, 
 the good man let me off easy. But what I 
 have to say now, concerns your honour only." 
 And seating himself on so extremely small a 
 portion of the chair that the Baronet expected 
 it to turn over every moment, O'Eegan com- 
 menced his story. 
 
 VOL. I. F
 
 98 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 " You know, Sir Hugh," said he, *^ how, 
 from the very first, my heart rebelled, as it 
 were, against my young master's brother, and 
 the reason — " 
 
 ^' Never mind the reason now, Dennis," 
 interrupted the Baronet, *^ but get into the pith 
 of what you have to say at once." 
 
 Dennis rubbed his head, got nearer the edge 
 of the chair, and began again. 
 
 ^' As game-keeper and wood-ranger to your 
 honor, I made it my duty, after your departure, 
 to pay strict attention to the woods and the 
 new plantations on the river. About six 
 or seven months after your departure, 
 as I used to return by the side of the wood 
 near the old ruined church, I constantly met 
 Brady Sullivan, to whom you gave the snug 
 cottage and garden to live in rent free. At 
 first, I didn't mind meeting her so far from her 
 cottage, and in so lonely a place ; but after a 
 time it struck me as mighty odd. So one 
 evening, overtaking her as she was making
 
 THE WAKHAWK. 99 
 
 the best of her way home, I says to her, * It's 
 a beautiful evening, and mighty pleasant for 
 walking; and you seem, Mrs. Brady, to be 
 very fond of that recreation ; only, as it's a 
 lonely place — ^I likes lonely places,' says she, 
 cutting me short, with a toss of her head ; ^ and if 
 I wanted co ipany, I'd choose better than black 
 Dennis O'Eegan.' And so tucking up her 
 gown, in reason of the briars on the path, she 
 flounced off with herself. ^ Musha, Brady 
 Sullivan,' says I, calling after her, 'I'm no 
 blacker, after all, than the chap as left you and 
 your baby to make the best of it.' ' I wish he 
 was by to hear you, you pitiful fellow,' says she. 
 * Just then, your honor, pop goes a gun in the 
 woods ; and off goes the bark of a tree close 
 by my lug ; and then a great shriek from Mrs. 
 Sullivan, who took to her heels.' ' Faix,' says 
 I, * somebody's poaching after the deer. So I 
 cocked my gun, and began searching the 
 wood all through ; but not a soul could I find ; 
 and tl\en it struck me that the shot could not
 
 100 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 have been meant for a deer ; for I remembered 
 I had turned all the deer, a few dajs back, 
 into the High Park. 
 
 " Then I thought, ^ may be, some of the 
 poachers might have a spite against me ;' and, 
 be gorra, it wasn't a bad thought. So, all of a 
 sudden, I took it into my head to watch in the 
 ruins of the old chapel, and try and see what 
 Mrs. Brady was about ; and, knowing the old 
 ruins much better than most people in these 
 parts, I hid myself in a niche half built up ; 
 and from it I could see any one coming into 
 the ruins ; for I suspected it was to the old 
 chapel Brady Sullivan came to meet somebody. 
 
 " I watched a whole a\ eek for nothing ; but 
 at last, late in the evening, for I changed my 
 hour, I heard some one pushing aside the 
 brambles at the old door way ; and in another 
 moment in walks a man in a great frieze coat, 
 down to his heels, and a big handkerchief tied 
 over his neck and half his face, with a hat 
 stuck far down his forehead, so that I couldn't
 
 THE WARHAWK. 101 
 
 make out his face at all at all. ' MusLia/ says 
 I to myself, ' how careful you are of your- 
 self !' The man sat down on a big stone, with 
 his back to me, and very quietly takes out from 
 under his coat — a huge horse-pistol, opens the 
 pan, and examines the priming, whistling a 
 tune quite coolly all the time. Presently 1 
 heard a female voice outside, say, * are you 
 there Dennis ?' 
 
 '^^Och, murder!' says I to myself, ^ is it 
 me she wants ?' for I knew the voice to be 
 Mrs. Sullivan's ; and devil a weapon had I, for 
 my carbine was too long to bring into the hole 
 where I was, and I had left it in another place. 
 ' But the man, when he heard the row ; said, out 
 loud, ^Yes, here I am, Brady. There's no 
 fear.' Turning round, and taking his hat oflP, 
 and throwing it on the ground beside him, I 
 saw his face plain enough ; and, by the powers, 
 Sir Hugh, there he was, the red-headed villain, 
 Phelim 0' Toole himself, with this difference,
 
 102 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 his carotty poll was gone, and a grizzly black 
 head was before me instead." 
 
 *^ Ha !" exclaimed Sir Hugh Granville, as if 
 interested at last. *' Are you sure of that?'' 
 
 ^' Sure 1" echoed O'Eegan, in a triumphant 
 tone ; when, forgetting how very slight a 
 foundation he rested on, he came to the floor, 
 chair and all. 
 
 '' I thought that would happen, Dennis," said 
 the Baronet, laughing. ^' Take a better seat, 
 and go on again." 
 
 Dennis, with his fine manly face, the color of 
 scarlet, laughed at his mishap — took his 
 master's advice with respect to the chair, and 
 continued : — 
 
 ** I was sure of its being Master O'Toole as 
 I am of your houor. However, in walked 
 Mrs. Brady. ^ Musha, why the dickens, 
 Brady,' says Phalim, or Dennis, ^ why, didn't 
 you come to the ould spot ?' ^ Because,' says 
 Brady, ' that meddling blackguard' — 'saving
 
 THE WARHAWK. 103 
 
 your honor's presence — she meant myself — 
 * has been watching me this week back — ever 
 since you were foolish enough to take a shot at 
 him/ ^ Ho, ho !' says I, ^ my blessing on you, 
 Master Phalim, do I owe you that ? * Foolish, 
 you call it,' says Phalim ; ^here's another for 
 him,' says he, taking the pistol, ^ if he crosses 
 my path again. But I tell you what, Brady, 
 you must pack up your traps. We must shift 
 our quarters. The good ould times of the 
 rapparrees is gone by. We must cross the 
 water : that last job of the master's isn't likely 
 to answer. The master's off after to-morrow ; 
 but he wants to see and speak to the boy first ; 
 so tell him to be here to-morrow, at dusk. 
 But come out of this place. I don't like being 
 cooped up here like a bagged fox.' So then 
 they both goes out of the chapel into the wood. 
 " I was dumfounded, your honor, though I 
 couldn't exactly tell the true meaning of all 
 I had heard. But it struck me at once — that 
 the boy meant was Master Cuthbert ; and that,
 
 104 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 perhaps, after all, he wasn't Mister Gerald's 
 brother.'' 
 
 "This is very strange, Dennis," said Sir 
 Hugh, thoughtfully. " But did you contrive 
 to hide yourself the following evening?" 
 
 " I was there sure enough, your honor. I 
 gave out I was goin over to Glenross, and took a 
 great round and got into my hiding place early 
 in the day. But I hadn't the luck to hear all 
 I might have heard, by reason of the sleep — 
 bad cess to it — that came over me. But your 
 honor shall know all I did hear. As I sat for 
 hours squeezed into the niche, thinking and 
 thinking, the sleep came over me ; when sud- 
 denly I was roused by the sound of men's 
 voices, close under where I lay. I awoke with 
 such a start, that I knocked a piece of mortar 
 out of the wall. * What's that, father?'' were 
 the first words I heard. And you may be 
 certain ; your honor, I became as quiet as a 
 startled mouse, and applied my eyes to the 
 hole. Musha, it was almost dark, save a
 
 THE warhatvb:. 105 
 
 narrow streak of moonlight, that entered 
 through the ould window ; and in that light I 
 saw standing leaning on the broken altar a tall 
 figure of a man wrapt in a large mantle, with 
 a slouched beaver on his head. Close beside 
 him (he was plain enough to be seen) stood 
 Master Cuthbert Fitzmaurice. As I said, the 
 first words I heard were — ^What is that, 
 father ?' ^ iS'ever heed such trifles, boy,' said 
 the tall man. * Stones and mortar will fall in 
 ruins. You must pluck up more nerve, and 
 not quake at a shadow in moonlight, or start 
 at a noise. Listen to me once more ; for you 
 are out long enough. You wish to come with 
 me ; but that cannot be. Play out your paii: ; 
 but bevvare how you betray yourself to the 
 keen eyes and observation of that puritanical ' 
 — yes, that was the word, your honor — ^ puri- 
 tanical hypocrite, Mr. Harmer. You have a 
 bright prospect before you, William, if you 
 have patience. That prying rascal, O'Eegan, 
 
 must be silenced. If Dennis had been sober the 
 F 5
 
 106 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 other day, he would have spoiled his spying. 
 But he is easily remoyed.' ^ Am I T said I 
 to myself — ' Blood and ouns, we are not dead 
 yet; " 
 
 ^'Well, I am rejoiced you are not, O'Regan,'' 
 said the Baronet, smiling ; '^ no one would 
 regret a faithful follower more than I should 
 you. But what came next, Dennis ?'' 
 
 ''Thank your honor! God hless you and 
 yours !'' exclaimed the warm-hearted domestic, 
 with emotion. '^ Well, sir, the stranger went 
 on to say — ' Though your passing as the elder 
 Fitzmaurice has not fully answered my expec- 
 tations, yet you must continuehere till Sir Hugh 
 comes back. Things may happen that will 
 create a change.' ' Would there he any harm,' 
 said the hoy, anxiously, ' if I were to shoot 
 that old villain, O'Eegan, some day when we 
 are out shooting ? It could be made to look 
 like accident. ' He is always saying Gerald 
 will be a better man and a better shot. I 
 could hit him anyhovf .' ' Musha, God speed
 
 THE WAEHAWX. 107 
 
 you,' says I ; * but I'm your match now.' 
 * You had better not meddle with O'Eegan,' 
 said the stranger, laughing ; *4t would do no 
 good at present. But now you know fully 
 how to act. Let your dislike of this favorite of 
 Sir Hugh, Gerald Granville, as he is to be 
 styled, sleep awhile. The time for action is 
 not yet come.' So saying they moved out 
 from the chapel. I was dying for a look at 
 the stranger, and I hastened to creep out of my 
 hiding-place and run round, trusting to chance 
 to get a glimpse ; but they were clean gone, 
 which ever way they went. Ajid now, your 
 honor, I've done. I have not spoken a word of 
 this to any human being. I first intended to 
 tell Mr. Harmer; but then I thought what 
 good could come of it ? It's not right to speak 
 to strangers of one's master's secrets — so I 
 kept a keen eye on blaster Cuthbert, and 
 waited till your honor came back. And now. 
 Sir Hugh, what does your honour think ?" 
 Before the Baronet could reply, there was a
 
 108 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 violent noise without the door, and Mr. Har- 
 mer's voice was heard speaking calmly to some 
 one. The next moment the door opened, and 
 that gentleman appeared, holding young Cuth- 
 bert Fitzmaurice, but with a sudden and violent 
 jerk the passionate boy released his arms, and 
 turning round, fled down the stairs, and was 
 out of sight in a moment.
 
 THE WARHAWK. 109 
 
 CHAPTEE YI. 
 
 Mr. Haemek, entering the study, apologised 
 to Sir Hugh saying that, on passing towards 
 his own room, he, to his great surprise, caught 
 Cuthbert kneeling by the door with his ear to 
 the key -hole. As this was not the first time he 
 had detected the young gentleman in a mean and 
 servile act, he thought to check him for the 
 future, by exposing him to the censure of his 
 uncle. 
 
 The Baronet, dismissing O'Eegan, re- 
 (^uested Mr. Harmer to be seated, as he
 
 no THE WARHA WK. 
 
 wished to have half an hour's conversation 
 with him. 
 
 Sir Hugh then made Gerald's tutor ac- 
 quainted with the particulars that he himself 
 had just heard from O'Eegan. Mr. Harmer — 
 already acquainted with the manner in which 
 Cuthbert Fitzmaurice became a member of 
 the Baronet's family, and also with the 
 previous history of the Granville and Fitz- 
 maurice families — listened attentively; but 
 was by no means so astonished as the Baronet 
 expected. 
 
 " I have often, Sir Hugh," replied Mr. 
 Harmer, ** pondered over the circumstances re- 
 lating to the finding of the supposed Cuthbert; 
 and, at last, suspected the existence of some 
 deep laid scheme. The proofs given of the 
 boy's identity were extremely doubtful; indeed, 
 mostly depending on the veracity of a woman 
 whose character, even in early life, was none of 
 the best; and whose conduct, after your leaving 
 this country, became extremely irregular.
 
 THE WARE AWK. Ill 
 
 Then her sudden departure, under pretence of 
 visiting a relation residing in Cork ; and, from 
 which, she has not yet returned. All these 
 circumstances, combined with the strange 
 character and temper, and singular conduct of 
 the boy himself, have led me to the conclusion 
 that he is an impostor." 
 
 ^' But you must confess, my dear sir," said 
 the Baronet, in a doubtful tone, ^'his strong 
 likeness to my family. He is most uncom-. 
 monly like my eldest sister's portrait — that 
 hangs in the picture gallery." 
 
 " Yes, there is certainly a strong likeness," 
 returned Mr. Harmer ; "a freak of nature, not 
 altogether unprecedented. I am, as you your- 
 self know, acquainted with the melancholy 
 history and fate of your elder sister. 
 Suppose," continued Mr. Karmer, thoughtfully, 
 ^' suj»pose she did not perish, as you were led 
 to believe, and that this youth, after all, might 
 be your sister's child. Pardon me, if I pain 
 you, Sir Hugh ; this is only a sudden idea of
 
 112 THE WABHAWK. 
 
 mine. Why it came across me, at this moment, 
 I cannot say." 
 
 '^ No, no ;" said the Baronet, who started and 
 changed colour, when Mr. Harmer mentioned 
 his sister — '' no ; I am satisfied my unfortunate 
 sister perished. The vessel they sailed in was 
 seen by six witnesses to founder with every 
 soul on board. However, what puzzles me now 
 is, how to act with respect to this boy, after 
 this strange discovery." 
 
 ^^ Suppose, Sir Hugh," replied Mr. Harmer, 
 *^ you were to send him to a public school, and, 
 afterwards, to get him a commission in the 
 army. Time may unravel much of this 
 mystery." 
 
 '* Your idea is good, my dear sir," said the 
 Baronet. 
 
 But Sir Hugh's generous intentions were, 
 before night, completely upset ; for the sup- 
 possed Cuthbert Fitzmaurice returned no more 
 to the castle, and was no where to be found ; 
 nor could the slightest trace of his flight be
 
 THE WARHAWK. 113 
 
 discovered, though the Baronet sent O'Eegan, 
 and several domestics, well-mounted, to pursue 
 him ; but, though they took different routes, 
 none returned with any intelligence of the 
 fugitive. 
 
 The greatest astonishment was excited in the 
 minds of all concerned or acquainted with the 
 singular appearance and disappearance of the 
 boy. But, like every thing else in this bustling 
 and changeable world, after a time, it ceased to 
 be a subject of wonder and gossip. 
 
 Sir Hugh every day became more attached 
 and devoted to his nephew Gerald — who was 
 universally beloved. Eesolving to spare no 
 pains with his education, he determined — while 
 Gerald proceeded with his worthy tutor to 
 Oxford — to go and reside in England, and 
 select a residence in the vicinity of the Uni- 
 versity. 
 
 It sometimes entered the mind of Sir Hugh 
 that Gerald's life might be endangered by those 
 secret enemies.
 
 114 
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 Though he said little on the subject to Mr. 
 Harmer, when he mentioned his sister's fate, yet 
 he often thought over that gentleman's opinion. 
 Could it be possible, after all, that his sister 
 did not perish ? After the most diligent 
 enquiries, he could never learn the real name 
 of her husband. As to the one of Fenwick, 
 which was that used when he hired the sloop 
 Mary, he felt satisfied that was an assumed 
 one. Altogether, the good Baronet felt pained, 
 and grieved, at the mystery that enveloped the 
 early history of his family. 
 
 Having resolved to reside for a few years in 
 England, he made his arrangements accord- 
 ingly ; to the great regret and sorrow of his 
 attached tenantry. 
 
 Mr. Gardener, the name of the secretary who 
 had accompanied Sir Hugh to India, and in 
 whom he felt the greatest confidence, was left 
 as agent, cr steward, over the properties — Mr. 
 Briefless to act in case of any law transactions. 
 With his nephew, and tutor, O'Eegan, and half-
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 115 
 
 a-dozen old servants, the Baronet sailed for 
 England, and having found a most desirable and 
 beautiful villa on the banks of tlie Thames, 
 with extensive grounds belonging to it — Sir 
 Hugh became the purchaser. 
 
 The Baronet and his nephew were delighted 
 with their new residence — an easy distance 
 from Oxford, and adjoining the domain of 
 Lord Althorp — a nobleman with whom he re- 
 joiced to renew an acquaintance, first com- 
 menced at the University of Oxford. Lord 
 Althorp was also highly pleased with his dis- 
 tinguished neighbour. Besides this advantage, 
 Sir Hugh was gratified to find he was within 
 eiorlit miles of a most esteemed friend and 
 brother officer — a Captain Somerville — whose 
 singular adventures in India, were the subject 
 of much conversation at the time of Sir Hugh's 
 residence there. The two friends congratulated 
 each other on becoming such near neighbours. 
 Mrs. Somerville — an inhabitant of India from 
 her early years — had been extremely beautiful
 
 116 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 in her youth. At this period, she was the 
 mother of four fine children. 
 
 Having thus established the Baronet and 
 his nephew — the one at Deer Hurst, the name 
 of the Baronet's villa, the other at Oxford. 
 We must pass over a period of six years, and 
 introduce our hero to our readers — on the com- 
 pletion of his one- and- twentieth year. 
 
 Mr. Harmer had accepted the office of Sir 
 Hugh's domestic chaplain, with a very muni- 
 ficent salary for life ; for the Baronet enter- 
 tained, for him, a sincere friendship. In fact, 
 in the course of years, he had become so ac- 
 customed to his society, that he looked upon 
 him more as one connected with the family — 
 than otherwise. 
 
 Great rejoicings took place both at Deer Hurst, 
 and upon Sir Hugh's estates in Ireland, on 
 Gerald Granville's attaining his one-and-twen- 
 tieth year. 
 
 At this period, the reign of Queen Anne, it
 
 THE WAEH AWK. 117 
 
 was much the fashion for young men of family 
 and fortune, to enter the army as volunteers, 
 holding a nominal rank ; and thus serve for 
 two or three years, 
 
 Gerald had very early evinced a strong de- 
 sire for a military life ; and, at length, through 
 the persuasions of Captain Somerville, Sir 
 Hugh consented to part with his adopted son 
 and heir, for a short period. 
 
 " You shall make a campaigne in Flanders, 
 Gerald," said the Baronet, one day after din- 
 ner, when he and his friend, Captain Somer- 
 ville, and Gerald sat enjoying their claret, in 
 the saloon, looking out upon the Thames, and 
 the lovely scenery on both sides of this classic 
 stream. ** I will furnish you with letters to the 
 Duke of Marlborough, and also to a distinguished 
 officer holding a high command under him. 
 Colonel Delmar — an old brother-officer of 
 mine. ^Te served together in India ; you 
 may remember him, Somerville ; he was
 
 118 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 major of your regiment, when you served in 
 Mysore." 
 
 "Yes, I remember bim, well, Sir Hugli," 
 replied Captain Soraerville ; " and a gallant and 
 a bigli-hearted fellow he was. He was with 
 me in the Deccan, at the time I was so singu- 
 larly entrapped by the Princess, or Begum as 
 they are stiled in liindostan." 
 
 ** By-the-bye, Somervillc," said the Baronet, 
 " you put me in mind of a promise you made 
 me a long time ago ; and which unforseen cir- 
 cumstances prevented your fulfilling." 
 
 "Ah, I guess svhat it is. Sir Hugh," re- 
 turned the Captain ; "a narrative . of my ad- 
 ventures in Mysore, eh ?" 
 
 " The very thing. My nephew will be de- 
 lighted with your singular story ; and any ac- 
 count of the wild tribes of the Deccan is sure 
 to captivate his romantic disposition. But 
 mind, my dccir boy," added the old Baronet, 
 in an affectionate tone and m.anner, and laying
 
 THEWAEHAWK. 119 
 
 his hand on his shoulder — " though I have 
 consented to let you play the soldier in Flanders 
 for a year or so, there must be no rambling 
 and wandering over the wide sea — to have a 
 glimpse of the giini warriors of the continent 
 of India." 
 
 Gerald laughed, saying — 
 
 " I will be quite content, dear uncle, to 
 serve under our glorious Duke. I promise to 
 ask no further favor in that way. And now, 
 Captain Somervilie, you will give me the 
 greatest treat in the world, in listening to your 
 adventures. India is as yet almost a terra 
 incognita to me ; and the little I have read of 
 our conquests there, has greatly excited my 
 curiosity. 
 
 "Well," returned the Captain, " you shall 
 have my personal adventures at all events ; 
 and as they brought me in contact with a very 
 extraordinary man, who is now making his 
 name famous in Eindostan, they may perhaps 
 interest you ; especially as this is a remarkably
 
 lj.0 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 wet evening, even for oui uncertain montli of 
 June." 
 
 Captain Somerville tlien began. 
 
 But we must commence his story at the 
 opening of chapter, not at the close.
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 121 
 
 CHAPTEE TIL 
 
 CAPTAIN SOMERVILLE'S STORY. 
 
 I WAS only nineteen, began Captain Somerville, 
 when I landed on the continent of India — a 
 Cornet in a distinguished Dragoon Eegiment. 
 I must pass over — for my story would be too 
 long — the four first years of inactive service — 
 and come, at once to the period when our 
 regiment, in which I was then a lieutenant, 
 with several companies of infantry, was 
 marched into the Deccan to the aid of the 
 Kizam. 
 
 yoL. I. a
 
 122 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 The first battle we were engaged in, was on 
 the great plain lying below the great fortress 
 of Poorimder. Besides the British forces, there 
 were several tribes of the Deccan, and a strong 
 force of cavalry, under some noted Mahratta 
 chiefs. It was a new and magnifijcent spectacle 
 to me. As we continued some time stationary, 
 anxiously waiting for orders to advance — our 
 eyes eagerly following every turn and change 
 of the battle — my attention was attracted by a 
 body of cavalry, equipped in the chivalrous 
 costume of one of the many tribes of the Deccan. 
 But what most astonished me was that the 
 body of horsemen was led into the field by a 
 woman — a Mahratta Princess. They spurred 
 furiously across the plain — with wild cries, 
 and gallantly charged a formidable body of the 
 enemy's infantry. The horses they rode, 
 though small, were fiery and difiicult to restrain. 
 The men were all vested in coats of mail, 
 formed of links of iron chain, which covered 
 their entire persons to the knees. At the back,
 
 THE WARHAWK. 123 
 
 this chain armour was divided, and fell over 
 their horse's flanks. Their head gear was, 
 however, various — some wore helmets ; others, 
 iron skull-caps ; and many turbans plated with 
 steel. The heads of their horses were defended 
 by plates of iron, and even of silver. As they 
 charged, they fired their match-locks without 
 any regularity ; and then, slinging them be- 
 hind their backs, dashed on with their long 
 spears in charge. 
 
 I kept my eye on the Princess, when Major 
 Delmar rode up, and immediately we received 
 
 orders to charGfe the Eaiah of , whose 
 
 cavalry, who had just then at tacked the Mahratta 
 Princess. 
 
 Away we went upon the Eajah's horse at a 
 terrible pace. Down went man and steed 
 before our heavy horse. But in the mtlte I 
 got separated from my troop ; for several 
 bodies of infantry and cavalry had rushed 
 to the spot, and a terrible contest, common 
 enough in our Indian wars, ensued. 
 G 3
 
 124 THE WAKHAWK. 
 
 '' While fighting and strugglicg through the 
 mass, I came up with the Begum, dismounted, 
 and fiercely contending with two warriors 
 splendidly armed, who were dragging her off 
 the field. With a cut of my sabre, I forced 
 one of them to let go his hold of the Princess. 
 In an instant, the other seized the bridle of my 
 steed, and with a violent jerk, threw him on 
 his haunches. 
 
 The blow I intended for this worthy's skull, 
 he caught on a small circular shield of 
 rhinoceros-hide, plated with steel ; and, in 
 return, drove his sword into the neck of my 
 poor horse, who, plunging madly, fell back- 
 wards, leaving me dismounted and in a rather 
 ticklish situation ; but 1 was unexpectedly re- 
 inforced by the Princess and several of her 
 troop who had arrived to her assistance — 
 nevertheless, we had a fierce and desperate 
 struggle for our lives ; and should shortly have 
 finished our career, but for the timely arrival
 
 THE WARHAWK. 125 
 
 of a colour-sergeant of infantry, and about 
 fifty or sixty soldiers or sepoys. 
 
 I had received one or two flesh wounds; but 
 not very severe. Just then the remainder of 
 the Begum's regiment made their way into the 
 presence of their chieftainess, by whose orders 
 1 was at once supplied with a horse; and, in 
 a few moments more, we got clear of the con- 
 test. I was just able to sit on my saddle, and 
 no more ; so I rode slowly towards our camp 
 — the Princess by my side. 
 
 As soon as we were clear of the field — for 
 she was slightly wounded herself — she ad- 
 dressed me to my surprise in extremely good 
 English — she declared she owed me her life; 
 and that her gratitude was great. 
 
 I had then time to examine this amazonian 
 Princess. The splendid dress she wore set off 
 a remarkably fine figure to great advantage — 
 she did not appear to be more than two or 
 three and twenty. Her complexion was not
 
 126 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 very dark : indeed I have seen many a brunette 
 much more so. Her features were decidedly 
 handsome, and her dark eyes were as brilliant 
 a pair as ever dazzled our sex. Yet, strange 
 to say, her expression of countenance was any- 
 thing but pleasing. 
 
 When arrived near the camp, after son.e 
 trifling remarks and conversation, she bade me 
 farewell in a very amiable and warm manner. 
 
 '' Adieu, sahib," said she, *' you will hear 
 from me again — pray accept that horse till I 
 send you one better calculated to carry your 
 weight into the field." 
 
 I was certainly no very light weight, even 
 at that period, being over six feet, and strongly 
 built. The Begum then waved her hand, and 
 galloped off followed by her troop. 
 
 Though my wounds were not very severe, 
 they neverthtless kept me confined nearly 
 three weeks. During that ti:i.e, the Princess 
 Onjein, as she vvas styled — it being the name of
 
 THE WAKHAWK. 127 
 
 the territory over which she ruled — sent me a 
 splendid Arab, and a richly- mounted brace of 
 Mahratta pistols as presents ; also a purse of 
 gold mohurs for the colour-sergeantj who so 
 opportunely arrived to our assistance. 
 
 Major Delmar and ray brother- officers, ban- 
 tered me a good deal about the conquest I had 
 made of the princess ; gravely advising me to 
 offer her my hand, and thus become a powerful 
 chief of the Deccan. I only laughed ; but 
 time proved that, though I had no intention of 
 making love to this Indian princess, she had 
 taken it into her head to make love to me. 
 
 By enquiries, I heard some curious particu- 
 lars of this Begum. She was a widow, some 
 said, for a second time ; and it was supposed 
 that she had poisoned one of her husbands, and 
 made away with the other in a fit of frantic 
 jealousy. One of her husbands was said to 
 have been an Englishman ; but no one knew 
 his name. 
 
 Some time after, our regiment was ordered
 
 128 THEWARHAWK. 
 
 to Meerut, where the Princess Onjein was re- 
 siding in a handsome mansion — I had frequent 
 opportunities of seeing and conversing with 
 her, for she mixed freely in the English society 
 then. However, to shorten this part of my 
 story, it ended in the Mahratta Princess letting 
 me know, that she would accept the offer of 
 my hand. This Indian mode of proceeding 
 rather astonished me. I nevertheless politely 
 declined the honour. 
 
 Almost immediately after this, the Princess 
 quitted Meerut ; and, in a short time, my 
 brother- officers having ceased to quiz me, I 
 forget all about the affair. A few months sub- 
 sequently, I was ordered, with a detachment 
 of our regiment, to a place some distance from 
 Meerut, on account of a sudden breaking out 
 of fever, attributable to the hot winds that 
 prevail at Meerut. 
 
 We had an hospital erected on the banks of 
 a nulla, or small stream, which ran through 
 our encampment ; and our tents were pitched
 
 THEWARHAWK. 129 
 
 in a cool and pleasant situation, within a few 
 coss of the valley of Dhoon. Those of our 
 officers whose constitutions admitted of the 
 pursuit, enjoyed themselves in hunting in this 
 fine valley, which extended to within about 
 ten coss of the territory of the Princess 
 Onjein. I was myself extremely partial to 
 field sports, and therefore was one of the most 
 ardent in following up those pastimes. 
 
 The extensive valley of Dhoon had every 
 variety of game within its limits. Its thick 
 and impervious jungles sheltered the royal 
 tiger, and other wild and ferocious animals. 
 The valley had also charms for the lover of the 
 picturesque. 
 
 One day standing by the entrance of my 
 tent, I observed a Hindoo come up from per- 
 forming some ablutions in the stream, and walk 
 towards my tent. Though the sun was then 
 at its greatest power, the man's head was bare. 
 He was of a tall imposing figure, which was 
 Q 5
 
 130 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 seen to advantage, as his only covering was a 
 slight cotton wrapper round the waist. The 
 rest of the body was well oiled. When close 
 beside my tent, he commpnced turning round ; 
 at first slowly, but gradually increasing to a 
 surprising velocity, drawing nearer to me each 
 moment. 
 
 Suddenly, when almost within arms' length, 
 he clapped his hand to his head, and fell for- 
 wards on his face. 
 
 I thought this a part of the performance. 
 Imagining the man was a santon or mirabout, 
 I waited patiently till he should be pleased to 
 get up. But there he lay, like one dead. 
 
 Being rather surprised, I approached, and 
 found he was in a fit — I called three or four of 
 my sepoys — and had him carried to our hos- 
 pital, having sent to the surgeon's tent, re- 
 questing him to see to the man. 
 
 By judicious management, he was recovered 
 from the sun-stroke; but was immediately after
 
 THE WARHAWK. 131 
 
 attacked by a violent fever. Every care was 
 taken of him by my directions ; and at the 
 end of five weeks he was pronounced cured. 
 
 I was one day writing and alone in my tent, 
 when the Hindoo, as I considered him, entered, 
 and roused my attention by a heavy sigh. He 
 was standing close beside me, his tall, fine 
 figure quite erect, and his arms folded across 
 his ample chest; his large, dark eyes were 
 fixed .upon the ground. 
 
 " I am glad to see yoii so well, after the 
 severe attack you had," said I, taking some 
 silver from my desk. I was holding it out to 
 him, when, with a wave of his hand, he 
 stopped me. 
 
 ^' Christian," said he, solemnly, " there is 
 but one God, and Mahomet is his prophet — I 
 am a Musselman. Nevertheless, I owe you 
 my life. Sahib," he continued, slowly, ^' I 
 came hither to take your life." 
 
 I stared at the stern, calm face of the 
 stranger with extreme astonishment. He was
 
 132 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 motionless : not a muscle of his frame moved : 
 a certain grandeur and dignity were in the 
 attitude of his noble figure that interested and 
 struck me forcibly. 1 began to fancy his brain 
 ■was still unsettled, and therefore replied 
 quietly — 
 
 ^' You are surely in error. I could never 
 have incurred your enmity — wherefore seek 
 my life ?" 
 
 " Nevertheless, sahib, such was my purpose, 
 till the hand of God smote me. You have 
 saved my life ; henceforth yours is sacred to 
 me. Now, Christian, farewell ! But take 
 this warning from me — hunt no more in the 
 valley of Dhoou. — Farewell ! And, bowing 
 to the ground, he turned about and left the 
 tent. 
 
 I made no attempt whatever to stop him, 
 for I positively considered him deranged. It 
 was not till night, as 1 lay sleepless from the 
 great heat, that I thought of the Princess 
 Onjein. Could she, in revenge for the insult
 
 THE WARHAWK. 133 
 
 of refusing her hand — for the passions and 
 feelings of the Mahratta race are excessively 
 violent. Could she have induced the mirahout 
 to take my life ? She was represented as 
 vindictive and cruel ; she possessed the power 
 of life and death over her subjects, and had 
 done many deeds that, in other lands, would 
 have held her up for public execration. How- 
 ever, I was of too careless, perhaps, reckless, 
 a disposition to heed the warning I had re- 
 ceived. Some days afterwards. Major Delmar 
 and two other officers arrived to enjoy a few 
 days' hunting in the valley, in which I joined 
 without meeting anything unusual. After 
 their departure I continued amusing myself, 
 accompanied by four of my sepoys. One day 
 Captain Edgehill and I, with half-a-dozen 
 attendants, left before daylight, for a special 
 day's shooting. During the morning, we were 
 separated, he having followed an animal he had 
 not seen before. I had two sepoys with me ;
 
 134 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 and, in making the circuit of a thick jungle, 
 we were suddenly surrounded by more than a 
 dozen men, armed with spear and matchlock. 
 I knew by their caftans and turbans, and by 
 their having matchlocks, that they belonged to 
 the Begum Onjein's regiment. Stepping back, 
 I cocked my rifle, while my sepoys did the same 
 with their muskets. 
 
 *' Eesistance is useless, sahib," said the 
 leader of the band, '* and will only lead to the 
 slaughter of your men, and perhaps of your- 
 self. I am ordered to take you dead or 
 alive." 
 
 ^' Who has dared to give you such an order 
 against a British officer?" I exclaimed. '' Do 
 you know the peril you are incurring ?" 
 
 Without answering me, they closed sud- 
 denly in upon us ; and though I knocked one 
 of the rascals over, they disarmed us." 
 
 ' ^ You will dearly repent this outrage ; and 
 think not that the Princess Onjein's rank wil[
 
 THE TVA RHAWK. 135 
 
 save her/' I exclaimed, as I struggled despe- 
 rately in the grasp of half-a-dozen of the 
 villains." 
 
 ''It is no business of mine,*' returned the 
 Hindoo officer, very coolly, " to inquire into 
 my chieftain's orders. We are taught to obey. 
 You must remain our prisoner. If you wish 
 civil treatment, cease to struggle where it is 
 utterly useless. 
 
 There was some truth in that, at all events. 
 So, with a feeliug of considerable disgust, we 
 were marched forward, surrounded by the men 
 with matchlocks ready, and spears held within 
 an inch of our backs. In a few minutes we 
 came to an open space, where I was startle! 
 on perceiving lying deal upon the parched 
 grass, about four or five bodies. By their 
 attire, which is both scantv and singular, I 
 knew them at once to be T^Lihairs — a race of 
 people styling themselves f jllowers of Mahomet, 
 but of no creed whatever; and entirely sup- 
 porting themselves by rapine and murder. At
 
 i 
 
 136 THE WARHA^K. 
 
 different periods tliey bad given our troops 1 
 considerable trouble in bunting tbeni out of 
 their mountain fastnesses. 
 
 As I looked down at tlie miserable wretches, 
 several shots close behind me made me turn 
 round with a start. Good God ! I saw my two 
 sepoys fall beside the Mahairs, brutally mur- 
 dered by the llindoo soldier?. Exasperated to 
 fury, I sezed a musket from one of the men, 
 and with it brought one of the Hindoos dead to 
 the ground. The next moment a blow from a 
 clubbed matchlock stretched me senseless be- 
 side my unfortunate soldiers. 
 
 "When T regained my senses, which 1 speedily 
 did — for I was sufficiently shaken to rouse the 
 dead — I found myself, with my head bound 
 up, strapped to the back of a camel, which, 
 trotting, nearly dislocated every bone in my 
 body. This abominable conveyance lasted two 
 mortal hours, when we arrived at the foot of a 
 mountain pass. Here, to my great satisfac-
 
 THE WARHAWK. 137 
 
 tion, I was transferred to a covered palanquin, 
 and eight bearers. 
 
 Thanking heaven for this change, I stretched 
 my aching limbs, and began to collect my 
 thoughts, and ponder over what might be the 
 result of this outrage and cruel murder of my 
 sepoys by order of this Princess Onjein. ^ly 
 men were slain, no doubt to completely hide 
 my abduction ; and being found with the dead 
 Mahairs, it would be supposed a party of those 
 freebooters had attacked and murdered them, 
 carrying me off prisoner. 
 
 All night long we travelled, during which 
 time, as I neither ate nor drank, 1 felt feverish 
 and thirsty. It was scarcely light when the 
 palanquin stopped; the curtains were drawn 
 back, and my hands uiitied. I was then de- 
 sired to alight. I was now in the court of a 
 large building — a fortress I guessed from the 
 style ; but the light was imperfect. My con- 
 ductor led me through a low door, and we as- 
 cended a flight of steps in the passage. At last
 
 138 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 we halted ; and the leader, in a loud voice, ex- 
 claimed — 
 
 *^ Sambo ! rascal ! where are you ?" 
 
 I could understand Hindostanee very well 
 at this time, having studied it while in 
 Meerut. 
 
 Immediately, a light appeared above ; and, 
 shortly after I perceived a negro of a most 
 singular shape aud disgusting ugliness, holding 
 a lamp. One of his shoulders was considerably 
 higher than the other ; his legs were so bowed 
 as to form a circle; while his ears, were so 
 immense that they appeared as if they had 
 been dragged down on his shoulders by 
 weights. 
 
 We next ascended to the elevation on which 
 stood the negro, who led the way up another 
 flight, and then opened a strong door, and 
 ushered us into a chamber ; saying he would 
 bring me some food and drink, he and the 
 soldier retired, barriD2r and lockinor the door 
 
 most carefully.
 
 THE WAEHAWX. 139 
 
 I then cast a look round my future abode, 
 for the day-light entered through an immense 
 loophole ten or twelve feet from the floor. The 
 walls were hung with Indian matting, made 
 from grass ; there was a wooden couch, a table, 
 two singularly constructed seats, and a large 
 pitcher of water. 
 
 While I was taking a survey and just 
 about to wash the blood from the back of my 
 head, the door opened, and master Sambo 
 entered, with a dish of smoking rice and curry, 
 and a jar of wine, or something very like it, 
 though it was very sweet. 
 
 Placing these on the table, without a word, 
 the black retired. I devoured the curry and 
 rice, which was exceedingly well cooked — 
 drank a portion of the compound in the jar — 
 and then having washed my head, I threw my- 
 self on the couch ; and notwithstanding all that 
 had occurred, fell fast asleep — I did not 
 awake till evening, when my jailer, Sambo,
 
 140 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 brought me a lamp, more rice, and a boiled 
 fowl. 
 
 " The Princess feeds me well, at all events," 
 thought I. " Still, captivity will crush my 
 heart, if it lasts. But I will make some effort 
 to get out of this, even if I have to commence 
 by knocking the negro's head against the wall." 
 But the negro was always accompanied to the 
 door by a Hindoo, armed to the teeth. 
 
 The next day, to my surprise. Sambo 
 brought me a very handsome English dressing- 
 case ; and, to my greater astonishment, a dozen 
 English books. Amongst them, were four 
 volumes of Shakespeare's plays. 
 
 '' These," thought I, after a little reflection, 
 " must either have belonged to one of the 
 Princess's husbands," or else they are part of 
 the plunder of some British settlement," 
 
 *^ Massa, shave," said the negro, grinning and 
 showing a most unquestionable row of formi- 
 dable grinders, ^' see Princess soon."
 
 THEWARHAWK, 111 
 
 "Oh," said I, ''so you can talk. Tell 
 me — " 
 
 But Sambo only shook his head, and walked 
 off. 
 
 I was rejoiced however, that I was to see 
 this strange Princess, who at one time sought 
 my life, and now detained me a prisoner. 
 Although I scarcely knew when I should see 
 her, whether to get into a rage, or laugh at 
 the Y/hole affair as a farce. But then the 
 murder of the sepoys, damped my spirits com- 
 pletely. This wanton and cruel outrage could 
 never be forgiven or forgotten. When made 
 captive, I was clad in a light shooting-dress, 
 and could make no change in this ; but the 
 articles in the dressing-case, were of great use. 
 
 Placing my wooden couch against the wall, 
 I climbed up to the loop-hole, which was quite 
 large enough for a man to pass through. The 
 wall was of massive thickness. On poking my 
 head out, I perceived that I was in a tower, full
 
 142 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 eighty feet from the ground ; beneath me was 
 a narrow court, bounded by a thick rampart 
 wall, full thirty feet high. A Hindoo sentinel 
 paced under my window, sheltered from the 
 sun by the high wall, who had a huge match- 
 lock on his shoulder. Outside the wall, was 
 an extensive plain, bounded by a very lofty 
 range of mountains ; while scattered over a 
 considerable extent of ground were numbers of 
 Hindoo hovels, for the low caste. The country 
 round, as far as I could see, appeared culitvated, 
 though in the extreme distance, there seemed 
 to be a vast forest of jungle. 
 
 The heat being too great to expose my head 
 long to the sun, I descended from my situation, 
 and passed the rest of the day and evening, 
 alternately reading and vexing myself with 
 anxious thoughts. 
 
 Two days afler. Sambo, with a couple of 
 Hindoo soldiers entered my chamber, to conduct 
 me before the Princess. Having descended 
 the long flight of steps, and passed through
 
 THE WAEHA^'K. 143 
 
 several doors, which I conjectured led into the 
 interior of the fortress, we crossed a small 
 court, and then entered another of handsome 
 appearance, being planted all round with 
 jonquils and rose bushes, with a large fountain 
 playing into an immense marble basin. From 
 this court, we went into an open arched hall, 
 of considerable dimensions. The walls on each 
 side were ornamented with Hindoo portraits of 
 a singular design and exe:ution, together with 
 fresco drawings of gods and goddesses ; while 
 heroes, combating sundry strange animals 
 intended for tigers, elephants, kc, decorated 
 the ceilings and walls also. 
 
 xlt the upper end of this temple — for such I 
 supposed it was — on a raised platform, in a 
 magniiicent species of chair, sat the Princess 
 Onjein, her person covered with jewels and 
 other ornaments. Along each side of the temple, 
 were ranged more than a score of the Begum's 
 female attendants ; but that which attracted 
 and rivetted my gaze at once, was a young girl.
 
 144 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 dressed in very plain garments — after tlie 
 fashion of the Persian slave girls — -who was 
 seated on a low stool at the Princess's feet ; 
 as I advanced towards the platform, the young 
 girl's face was turned towards me, with a look 
 of intense curiosity and agitation — I started, 
 I knew not why ; there was something in the 
 look of that lovely, melancholy countenance, 
 that went to my heart, with a singular sen- 
 sation. 
 
 The next instant, the Begum, with a fierce 
 and angry frown, looked down upon the young 
 maiden, and said something in a low voice. The 
 fair girl, for fair she was, as any European, 
 rose from her seat, displaying her tall and 
 
 beautiful figure, and left the platform by a side 
 
 door. 
 
 I must here describe the other personages 
 
 standing beside the raised platform, for J was 
 
 led to a seat, and left to myself. 
 
 To the right of the Princess, stood a most 
 
 commanding- looking warrior, cased in as com-
 
 THE WARHAWK. l4o 
 
 plete a suit of armour, as ever knight of old. 
 His hands were covered with gauntlets ; oa 
 his left arm, he bore a very handsome circular 
 shield of transparent rhinoceros-hide, plated 
 with polished steel, and richly ornamented ; 
 his helmet was, however, without visor, instead 
 of which a curious plating of steel rings, com- 
 pletely hid all his features, except the eyes. 
 
 As I stood irresolute whether to take a seat, 
 or advance and boldly demand my freedom, 
 the Begum clapped her hands smartly. Im- 
 mediately the lower part of the hall was filled 
 with Hindoo soldiers ; and then a young officer 
 attached to some other potentate, advanced up 
 the hall, and, bending his knee, presented, in 
 a rich shawl, a folded paper. 
 
 The Princess took the letter, but presented 
 the shawl to the bearer, who, bowing very 
 gracefully, retired a few paces. I was not a 
 little curious to learn what all this meant, and 
 how it was intended to end. As the BegMia 
 read the letter, her dark, brilliant eyes flashed 
 
 VOL. I. H
 
 146 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 in^riurripb, and then the letter was handed to 
 the silent and stately warrior by her side. He 
 read it, but made no manner of remark. 
 
 Again the Princess clapped her hands, and 
 the door at the side opening, a troop of Persian 
 dancing girls entered the hall, and commenced 
 performing. They then sung some Persian 
 songs very sweetly. After which, some female 
 slaves brought in trays with cakes, Persian 
 grapes, and various fruits, which were handed 
 round. 
 
 The Princess then waved her hand ; and, 
 like a fairy pageant, the spectators and the 
 warrior in armour vacated the hall, leaving me, 
 considerably surprised, standing within a few 
 feet of this Asiatic Princess. 
 
 ^^ Captain sahib," said the Begum, fixing her 
 piercing eyes upon me, '^ 1 have acknowledged 
 before that I owe my life to your gallantry." 
 
 I very ungallantly muttered to myself — 
 
 " I wish to Heaven I had left you to fight it 
 out without interfering."
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 147 
 
 " As a Sovereign Princess," continued the 
 Beguni, ^^ I sent and offered you not only my 
 hand, but I promised to resign into your hands, 
 the power I possess.'' 
 
 I here very quietly observed, that I had re- 
 ceived her gracious offer with sincere gratitude ; 
 but that not feeling at all inclined for matri- 
 mony, I had respectfully declined. Besides not 
 being partial to the climate of Hindostan, 
 as--" 
 
 ^^ Sahib," interposed the Princr'ss, ^' do you 
 hear me ?" 
 
 *^ Your highness, I never heard better in my 
 life," I replied, perhaps tartly. ''The fact is, 
 Princess, this mode of proceeding is reversing 
 the order of things. The customs of Hindos- 
 tan are strange to a European. May I there- 
 fore intreat, Princess, that I may be restored 
 to liberty ? And, notwithstanding the dread- 
 ful—" 
 
 "You may save yourself explanation," 
 haughtily interrupted the Princess. " jS'ow
 
 148 THE WAEHAWX. 
 
 hear me, once for all. I repeat my offer. Take 
 three days to consider ; but of this be assured : 
 a woman and a Princess is uot to be scorned 
 and insulted twice with impunity. At the end 
 of that time, you will learn to know the differ- 
 ence between the love and the hate of a 
 Mahratta Princess." 
 
 Suddenly clapping her hands, she rose from 
 her seat ; and with an air of haughty disdain, 
 passed out by the same door by which the 
 beautiful girl I before noticed had left the 
 platform. 
 
 Boiling with rage and vexation, I was es- 
 corted to my chamber, and left to the consola- 
 tion of my own thoughts.
 
 THE WABHAWZ. 149 
 
 CHAPTEE Till. 
 
 My first ruminations were upon the young 
 and lovelv o-irl I had seen at the Besrum's feet, 
 and the strange look of agitation and curiosity 
 she had cast upon me as I passed up the hall. 
 She certainly more resembled a European, than 
 a native of Georgia or Persia — since my arrival 
 in India, I had seen many beautiful slaves 
 from both those countries ; and they differed 
 BO materially from the fair blue- eyed girl I had 
 seen, that I felt satisfied she was from neither 
 Georgia or Persia. The Persian women are in
 
 150 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 general inclined to fat, with black hair, high 
 forehead, aquiline nose, full cheeks, and too 
 large a chin for beauty. Their countenances 
 are oval, and the complexion slightly tinged 
 with olive — those of the southern provinces 
 even of a dark brown. Now the young girl I 
 had noticed and was so struck with, was ex- 
 ceedingly fair, with a round face, blue eyes, 
 and light auburn hair ; while her figure was 
 tall, slender, and graceful. 
 
 From thoughts of the fair girl, I turned to 
 my own singular situation. The idea of a 
 woman imprisoning a man till he should con- 
 sent to marry her, had something extremely 
 ludicrous in it. Yet I felt it to be no joke. 
 Doubtless, my brother officers would either 
 consider me murdered, or a prisoner to some 
 of the tribes of Mahairs. 
 
 After the negro had left me a lamp the 
 second night after my interview with the 
 Princess, 1 suddenly took it into my head to 
 examine my door, from the circumstance of not
 
 THE WARHAWK. 151 
 
 hearing the negro push the bolts outside into 
 their sockets. I saw that the lock, though a 
 strong and massive one, possessed but little 
 ingenuity in its construction ; and that, with 
 the assistance of a small iron-bar, I could pick 
 out a brick, and force back the bolt of the 
 lock. Turning up my roughly constructed 
 couch, I found it was held together by four 
 iron-rods ; one of these, after half an hour's 
 trial, I extricated ; and waited till I considered 
 all the inhabitants of the fortress buried in 
 repose, when I commenced operations against the 
 huge bolt, and exerting the great strength 
 nature had gifted me with, I forced back the 
 bolt, and, to my exceeding satisfaction, found 
 the door swing open. 
 
 I paused a moment, and listened ; but not a 
 sound disturbed the silence of the night. 
 
 Taking my lamp in one hand, and my bar - 
 for a weapon in the other, 1 descended the 
 stairs till I came to a landing-place. Here a 
 door attracted my attention. On pushing it
 
 152 THE WARHAWX. 
 
 it opened; and I saw before me a narrow 
 passage, as if constructed between two walls. 
 Along this passage I proceeded, till stopped by 
 another door, which opened with a latch, and 
 on passing through it, and holding up my lamp, 
 which gave but a very faint light, I took a 
 survey of the place around me. All was per- 
 fectly still. I now fancied I had got into the 
 inhabited part of the fortress. I was aware 
 that the male part of the inmates were always 
 separated from that part of the building in- 
 habited by the woman. The place I had 
 entered was a wide and handsome gallery, or 
 kind of corridor, with many doors opening on 
 both sides into it. 
 
 Walking cautiously along this corridor, and 
 seeking for an outlet, just as I paused near a 
 door, I heard the murmur of a voice within. 
 Listening intently, I caught the sound of a 
 female voice, singing a low, plaintive tune. To 
 my extreme astonishment, I caught some of the 
 words. The singer, whoever she might be,
 
 THE waeha^^te:. 153 
 
 was warbling in mj native tongue. She paused ; 
 and then some deep and heavy sighs fell upon 
 my ear. Surprised beyond measure, I looked 
 at the door, and perceived that it was fastened 
 by two strong bolts outside. 
 
 " A captive, like myself," thought I. 
 
 In the impulse of the moment, I drew back 
 the bolts, and pushed open the door; as I thrust 
 my unlucky head inside the chamber, a loud 
 scream came from the inmate. 
 
 ^^ Lady," said I, entering, " be not alarmed." 
 
 In one single glance, I perceived before me 
 the beautiful girl attired as a slave, whom I 
 had seen in my interview with the Begum. 
 
 *' Good heavens. Captain Somerville !" ex- 
 claimed she, in pure English, " my scream has 
 ruined us." 
 
 I was bewildered. The young girl hastily 
 snatched a folded paper from the table, saying, 
 
 *^ Secrete, pray conceal this ; it will tell you 
 who I am. Good God ! here they are 1" 
 
 And sinking down into a chair, she buri 'd 
 H 5
 
 154 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 her face in her hands, bursting into tears. The 
 next instant, the room was filled with half- 
 dressed females, with the Princess Onjein at 
 their head. 
 
 T was literally stupified — never before, in all 
 my life, was I exposed to such a battery of un- 
 veiled charms. 
 
 "Ahi, Wullah, Wullah, ilia il Ala 1" burst 
 from the lips of the Begum's women ; while 
 the Princess herself, rather thinly clad, in 
 truth, stood like one electrified, when her eyes 
 rested upoQ me. 
 
 But it was not in the naure of the chdrming 
 SOX to remain thus tongue-tied ; and at once a 
 torrent of the most violent abuse in Hindostain, 
 broken English, and German, was poured upon 
 my head without pause. The Princess actually 
 stamped and foamed with rage. At length, I 
 could understand part of the torrent of abuse of 
 which I was the luckless object. 
 
 '' So,'' sLe exclaimed, " 'tis for this vile 
 wanton that the hand of a Mahratta Princess is
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 155 
 
 scorned. But you shall both feel my vengeance. 
 Wiiy do not that dog, Sambo, and the guards, 
 come when summoned ?" 
 
 Before I could utter a word the young girl 
 rose from her seat, removing her hands from 
 her face, which was pale and bathed with tears. 
 Still she drew herself proudly up, with her 
 large shawl wrapped closely over her person ; 
 and facing the furious Princess, she said, calmly 
 and haughtily — 
 
 " Madam, you are using terms, to me, which 
 you are aware, in your heart, are unmerited. 
 This gentleman is utterly unacquainted with 
 me, though I have some knowledge of hwi. 
 How he came here I am ignorant ; but this, 
 madam, I will now tell you ; though whether 
 it will alter your determination of revenge 
 against him or me, I know not. Captain 
 8omerville is your nephew — my father's and 
 your husband's name was Somerville." 
 
 The Princess fell back a pace or two, livid
 
 156 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 with rage; while, starting forward, I exclaimed, 
 in a tone of profound amazement — > 
 
 ^'AYhat! can it be possible that you are 
 the daughter of my long-lost uncle Somer- 
 ville ?' 
 
 I took the weeping girl's hand in mine ; but 
 as I did so, Sambo and four Hindoo soldiers 
 rushed into the room. The villanous negro 
 made a rush at me, yelling hideously; but 
 with a blow of my foot, I sent him howling 
 and rolling over and over on the floor. The 
 Hindoos, with drawn knives, then darted 
 on me, whilst the vindictive Princess, far from re- 
 lenting in her fury, ordered them to seize or 
 slay me. Clasping her hands in agony, Marian 
 Somerville implored me to surrender, for I had 
 grasped my bar with the determination of re- 
 sisting to death. 
 
 •* In God^s name. Captain Somerville, let me 
 not endure the agony of seeing you murdered 
 before my eyes. 'Tis I have done this by
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 157 
 
 heedlessly stating a fact I only knew three 
 days ago." 
 
 " And dearly, miserable wretch, shall you 
 pay for your information," bitterly exclaimed 
 the Begum as several more Hindoos entei-ed 
 the room. 
 
 In either disgust or passion, I flung the 
 bar from me and allowed myself to be led 
 from the room, saying to my new-found 
 cousin — 
 
 ^' Trust to Providence, Marian. This un- 
 natural woman dares not do that which her 
 passion prompts her to threaten." 
 
 " Dares not ;" echoed the Begum, with a 
 mocking laugh, as I retired. *' You shall see 
 what a Mahratta Princess dares to do." 
 
 In a frame of mind not to be described, I 
 was conducted back to my chamber. Two 
 immense staples were driven into the wall, and 
 two monsters of padlocks put outside. As soon 
 as it was day-light next morning — for the black
 
 168 THE WAR HAWK. 
 
 villain left me no light — I took out the folded 
 paper my unfortunate cousin had givoD me. 
 
 But I must here, if I have not already 
 wearied you, give you a slight sketch of our 
 family history. 
 
 We are originally from Devonshire. My 
 father and uncle were brothers. My father, 
 the eldest, inherited the property which was 
 very considerable, his brother receiving a very 
 handsome portion. My uncle Edward, from 
 his earliest youth, was of a strange, eccentric 
 disposition. Being remarkable for a handsome 
 face and figure, he was courted in every place, 
 especially as he added to the above qualifi- 
 cations a most agreeable disposition and tem- 
 per. At one or two and twenty, he took it 
 into his head to go on a sporting expedition 
 into the far west of America, and did not re- 
 turn for lour years. My father was married to 
 a lady of birth and fortune, when he returned. 
 My uncle was too restless to remain long
 
 THE WARHAWK. 159 
 
 quiet. He declared he would go to India, and 
 have a campaign as a volunteer amongst the 
 wild tribes of Hindostan. 
 
 My father did all he could to persuade him 
 to marry and settle down quietly near him, for 
 the brothers were much attached to each other. 
 But my uncle only laughed, saying he was too 
 restless and wild for matrimony ; and shortly 
 after, he went into Cornwall, with a couple of 
 friends, sportsmen, to spend a few months. 
 At Truro, he beheld, at a race ball, the beau- 
 tiful Marian Trevors, only daughter of one of 
 the proudest land-holders in Cornwall. The 
 young lady was a wealthy heiress, for she in- 
 herited the great opulence of her maternal 
 uncle, St. Buryans. 
 
 The singularly handsome person, and lively 
 engaging manners, of Edward Somerville, won 
 the love of the heiress of St. Buryans. 
 
 But her proud father scornfully refused 
 to listen to the proposals of a younger brother; 
 t!ie consequence was, they eloped, were pur-
 
 160 THE WARHAWK, 
 
 sued by the enraged father, and overtaken on 
 the borders of Devon. An unfortunate scufHe 
 ensued ; a pistol presented by my uncle to in- 
 timidate the servants who attempted to drag 
 Marian Trevors (who had happily fainted,) 
 from the chariot, went off, and shot Mr. Trevors 
 through the heart, he having, unluckily, at the 
 moment, advanced to the door. 
 
 Horror-stricken at the catastrophe, the do- 
 mestics raised their unfortunate master, while 
 my uncle, distracted at the calamity of which 
 he was the unintentional cause, pursued his 
 flight with his insensible partner. Marian 
 happily remained ignorant of her father's fate. 
 They crossed from Plymouth to Jersey and 
 there were married ; and from thence passed 
 into Germany. 
 
 My father did not hear from my uncle for 
 several months after his arrival in Cologne. 
 He then wrote to him, stating he would never 
 claim the property of St. Buryans. iN'or would 
 he ever return to England. It was his in ten-
 
 THE WARHAWK. 161 
 
 tion, he said, to go out to Madras. He feared 
 every moment some chance circumstance might 
 reveal her father's unfortunate death to his 
 beloved wife. 
 
 Another year passed over, when my father 
 received a letter from his brother, bidding him 
 and Europe farewell for ever. He had lost his 
 wife in giving birth to a little girl, which he 
 named Marian. 
 
 My father wrote and did all he could to con- 
 sole my uncle, and persuade him, for the sake 
 of his child — who was undoubted heiress to the 
 united estates of St. Buryans and Trevors —to 
 remain in Europe ; but he never received a 
 reply ; and from that hour he heard no 
 more of his brother. "Whether he reached 
 India, with his child, or perished on the voyage, 
 he could never learn. 
 
 As a younger son, I went into the army ; 
 and, before sailing for India, my father made 
 me acquainted with the facts I have just stated. 
 " Perhaps," said he, ^^ by an extraordinary
 
 162 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 chaDce, you may gain some tidings of your 
 uncle." I made every enquiry I could from 
 the period of my arrival in India, but failed in 
 getting the slightest clue by which I could hope 
 to ascertain whether he reached India or 
 not. 
 
 You can thus imagine my extreme astonish- 
 ment at discovering my cousin Marian in the 
 extraordinary manner I have related ; and to 
 find, in the Princess Onjein, an aunt, and an 
 implacable and bitter enemy. 
 
 As soon as I could see to read, I took the 
 paper Marian had given me ; and, opening it, 
 eagerly perused the few lines it contained. It 
 ran thus : — 
 
 " Trusting to Providence, and the kind in- 
 tentions of a poor Hindoo girl — one of the 
 Begum's slaves — I live in the hope of getting 
 this paper conveyed to you. From this poor 
 female slave, who has always evinced a strong 
 attachment to me, I learned that your name
 
 THE WARPIAWK. 163 
 
 was Somerville, and that you were an officer in 
 the — Dragoons. 
 
 *^ Two years ago, on my unfortunate father'^ 
 death-bed, he declared to me that he had a 
 nephew just arrived in India, in the — 
 Dragoons ; and that, had not death cut short 
 his career so suddenly, he intended writing to 
 you, and declaring his relationship. Alas ! he 
 had no time to say more ; neither is time 
 afforded me for explanation. In the writing 
 desk the Princess sent you, and which 
 belonged to my poor father, you will find two 
 secret recesses, containing papers, which will 
 explain all to you. If you cannot discover the 
 springs, break the desk. You may escape from 
 the power of this dreadful woman ; if so, oh ! 
 in mercy, recollect that your ill-fated cousin, 
 Marian Somerville, is left exposed to the unre^ 
 lenting persecutions of one, whose cruelty and 
 vindictiveness are not to be surpassed. 
 
 ** God grant that you may escape. If
 
 164. THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 BO, to you I look for deliverance from my 
 miserable captivity. 
 
 ^' Your unfortunate cousin. 
 *^Maeian Somerville." 
 
 " So, here at last," I said to myself, ^* is my 
 lost cousin Marian ; and I, like her, am a cap- 
 tive — without a prospect of being able either 
 to effect her deliverance, or my own." 
 
 Anxious to examine the papers in the desk, 
 I commenced taking it asunder. Accustomed 
 to the mode in which such desks are manufac- 
 tured in England, I discovered, after half-an- 
 hour's scrutiny, the springs of the two secret 
 recesses. The first contained, wrapt tightly 
 in cotton, without frames, two beautifully- ex- 
 ecuted portraits of my uncle Edward and his 
 wife Marian Trevors. She must have been 
 exquisitely beautiful ; and a finer, or more 
 intellectual face it was scarcely possible to see, 
 than that of Edward Somerville.
 
 THE WARHAWK. 165 
 
 For several moments I gazed upon the por- 
 traits, with an intense feeling of melancholy. 
 The originals were no longer in life. One 
 perished in the very flower of youth ; the other 
 in the prime of manhood — struck down, I 
 greatly feared, treacherously ; breathing his 
 last sigh in a foreign land, and leaving his only 
 child to an unknown destiny, under the rule of 
 a fiendish woman. 
 
 These were painful thoughts ; and, with a 
 heavy sigh, I continued my examination. In 
 the same drawer with the portrait, were several 
 valuable rings, diamond ear-rings, and bracelets 
 of great price. All these I secured about my 
 person, determined to part with them only with 
 life. 
 
 I next opened the false bottom, which con- 
 tained several sheets of paper, closely written ; 
 — videlicet, the certificate of his marriage ^ — his 
 child's birth — with references of time, place, 
 persons, &c., should it be requisite at any pe- 
 riod to establish her claims to the property, &c.
 
 166 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 Besides these, was an order upon a Banking 
 establishment in Bombay, for a large sum of 
 rupees, equal to £.0,000 sterling, lodged in 
 the name of Marian Somerville, and payable to 
 her signature or order. 
 
 I perused the papers before me ; which, I 
 perceived were headed — *^Some brief account 
 of my life from the period of my landing in 
 India." It will, however, be quite sufficient 
 for me to mention only the event Ihat led to 
 to his union with the Princess Onjein. 
 
 It appears that rny uncle suffered severely at 
 heart, from the period when his wife's father 
 fell, slain by the pistol shot from his hand. 
 This had an effect on his whole after life, de- 
 pressing his spirits, at times, fearfully. The 
 death of his wife completely shattered his 
 mind. From Antwerp, he sailed with his little 
 girl, then two years old, for Bombay ; taking 
 with him a respectable widow, to whom was 
 confided the charge of his little girl. After 
 bis wife's death, he went by the name of
 
 THE WARHAWK. ] 67 
 
 Somers ; for he seemed to have a morbid fear 
 of being recognised as the Somerville who shot 
 Mr. Trevors — though it was very well known, in 
 his native place, that the unfortunate Mr. Trevors 
 met his death by accident ; for the domestics, 
 with whom the scuffle commenced, were aware 
 that it was more owing to the officious inter- 
 ference of Mr. Trevors that the pistol went off, 
 than other'svise ; and the man had the honesty 
 to say so before a jury. He reached Bombay 
 in safety ; and lodged the entire of his fortune 
 in a Banking Company there, in Lis daughter's 
 real name. 
 
 Bombay was one of the presidencies belong- 
 ing to the East India Company. Here, unfor- 
 tunately, the child's nurse died ; but my uncle 
 succeeded in placing her under the charge of a 
 most respectable lady, of the name of Freeling. 
 By the death of her husband, who held an 
 official situation under the company, this lady 
 suffered much pecuniary difficulty. Generous 
 and kind by nature, Edward Somerville,
 
 168 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 through his little girPs medium, restored Mrs. 
 Freeling to some degree of independence and 
 comfort. She was a highly educated woman, 
 and undertook the care and tuition of the 
 beautiful child confided to her care, with the 
 same affection as she evinced for her own only 
 child, also a girl, though some seven years 
 older than the little Marian. 
 
 Satisfied that his child was under the charge 
 of a person who would be as a mother to her, he 
 indulged in the restless, wandering life he had 
 alwa3's loved ; and called all the strong energies 
 and passions of his nature into 'pl'dj. The 
 great Anrungzebe was, at this period, filling 
 the continent of Hindostan with the renown of 
 his exploits. 
 
 Into Hindostan, my uncle went. After a year 
 or so, spent in a strange way, he acquired a com- 
 plete knowledge of the language ; and becoming 
 acquainted with a chieftain of rank, at Meerut, 
 he joined him and fought under his banners in 
 the wars of Aurungzebe. Years passed on,
 
 THE WARHAWE. 169 
 
 till, at length, in all but religion, my uncle 
 became a complete Indian Chieftain ; and, for 
 some desperate exploit in taking a fortress, he 
 received a robe of honor from Arungzebe him- 
 self, with the title of Kban, and the command 
 of a fine body of horse. 
 
 Twelve years were passed in this manner, 
 till chance made him acquainted with the 
 Princess Onjein ; then a widow, only two and 
 thirty, and sovereign over a very extensive ter- 
 ritory. Whether smitten by her beauty, or by 
 her daring Amazonian disposition, or whether 
 the Princess herself — of a most amorous dis- 
 position — was struck by his noble form, and 
 handsome features, I know not. He merely 
 said, in his short account of himself, that the 
 Princess Onjein resigned her power into his 
 hands, and they were married. 
 
 The Princess possessed several forts of great 
 strength, and a very handsome mansion in 
 Onjein ; a town situated in the province of 
 
 VOL. I. I
 
 170 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 Malwali. Marian was fifteen wlien my uncle 
 set out for Bombay, to bring her to reside with 
 him, in his palace at Onjein. 
 
 And here the narration of his life ended ; for, 
 at the bottom of the page, was the month and 
 date of his daughters arrival in Onjein. 
 
 Having carefully secured all these papers 
 within the lining of my shooting jacket, I pon- 
 dered over my cousin's situation and my 
 own.
 
 THE WARHAWK. 171 
 
 GHAPTEE IX. 
 
 CAPTAIN SOMEEVILLE's SIO.RY CONCLUDED. 
 
 Little time was allov\'ed me for deliberation. 
 Scarcely had I swallowed my morning meal, 
 when the negro. Sambo, and four Hindoos, with 
 matchlocks and fusees burning in their hands, 
 entered my room. The negro, with a savage 
 grin on his hideous face, desired me to follow 
 him into the presence of the Princess. To say 
 ^' Xay," was out of the question ; so, wonder- 
 ing what new scheme was in my aunt's brain, 
 i3
 
 172 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 now that she could no longer regard me in a 
 matrimonial light, and dreading, I knew not 
 what, in regard to Marian, I followed my con- 
 ductors into the Court of Jonquils, and through 
 a passage which led into a chamber of con- 
 siderable dimensions. At the further end, 
 was the princess Oujein, standing by the side 
 of, what appeared to me, an open vault. 
 
 As I approached, I could see in the features 
 of my aunt, visibly pourt rayed, hatred, malice, 
 and all the bad passions of the heart. 
 
 " Approach, Captain Somerville," said she, 
 in a bitter tone, and motioning for the soldiers 
 to stand back ; ^^ I promised you, when we 
 met, that I should not forget you or your pre- 
 cious cousin. You said I dared not do that 
 which I threatened ; but a Mahratta Princess, 
 when she wills, dares do anything. Look down 
 into that cave. Your cousin is its inmate ; and 
 there she lies till the worms revel on her 
 beauty."
 
 THE WARHAWK. 173 
 
 *^ Woman, what mean you ?" I exclaimed, 
 starting forward, my face and temples throb- 
 bing almost to bursting with passion. I stood 
 on the brink of the cave ; it seemed about 
 fourteen feet deep, and half that in breadth. 
 With profound horror and dismay, I beheld, 
 seated on the humid earth, my ill-fated cousin. 
 Her face was buried in the folds of her shawl ; 
 but I could hear the deep sobs of agony that 
 came from her bosom. 
 
 ^^ Merciful God !" I exclaimed ; ^^ can such 
 fiendish malignity exist in the female bosom ? 
 Woman, without heart or feeling," I added, 
 fiercely, stepping nearer to her, ^' what is your 
 intention in committing this infernal outrage 
 upon an innocent and unoffending girl, even 
 supposing she was an utter stranger, to say 
 nothing of her being a relative ?" 
 
 A lausrh of scorn and defiance burst from the 
 
 o 
 
 lips of the princess, as she said, ^' I will tell 
 you, proud Englishman, what my intention is. 
 But first, learn my motives for my so acting.
 
 174 THE WAHHAWK. 
 
 When I offered you my hand, I was really 
 ignorant that the blood of the man I detested 
 ran in your veins. When I married that girPs 
 father — an adventurer under the assumed 
 name of Somers — I gave him wealth, power, 
 territory ; he was looked upon by my people 
 in the light of a great Mahratta chief. I even 
 received his daughter, by another wife, into 
 my palace. How was I requited for my gene- 
 rosity and condescension ? Did not this man, 
 whom I had raised to the rank of a prince, forget 
 that I WitS the daugliter of a great Mahratta 
 chieftain ? Scarcely two years married, when 
 I discovered I was betray ed^ neglected, despised. 
 Curse on the hour, that I have to say it — my 
 blood tingles with the thought — I was ne- 
 glected for a vile Persian slave — one who sat at 
 my feet — who licked the dust from my foot- 
 stool. I upbraided him with his vile conduct. 
 He even had the cowardly meanness to lie, 
 and say I was in error ; but the villain dared 
 not reply to my questions. I swore to be re-
 
 THE WARHAWK. 175 
 
 venged — I swore an oath a Mahratta never 
 breaks. Yes, I swore to be revenged — not 
 after the manner of one of thy cold-blooded 
 race, but after the fashion of the Children of 
 the Sun, whose blood flows like a stream of 
 molten lava, which not even the ocean can 
 quench. I vowed revenge upon him — his 
 paramour — his entire race — if any of his 
 accursed blood came within my power. He 
 forgot — fool that he was— that only as my 
 husband, was he tolerated by my people. His 
 very agents betrayed him ; and again I had in 
 my power the vile slave that dishonoured a 
 Mahratta Princess. And what think you. 
 Englishman, was my revenge — upon mother 
 and child ? There !" 
 
 And this fiendish woman stamped her foot, 
 and pointed to the cave, while her eyes actually 
 seemed to blaze with intense passion. 
 
 '^ There, in that cave," resumed she, after a 
 short pause, ^^ I had them put; and over that 
 platform I had my couch placed ; and for four
 
 176 THE WAEHAWS". 
 
 days the music of their shrieks and groans, as 
 they expired of hunger and thirst, caused me 
 sweeter sleep than I ever enjoyed hefore or 
 since." 
 
 I was actually horror-struck — totally unable 
 to get out a word. I felt the colour forsake 
 my cheeks, and a sickening sensation creep 
 through my frame. With a look of diabo- 
 lical triumph, she fixed her gaze upon me, 
 saying— 
 
 "Was not that a vengeance worthy of a 
 Child of the Sun? So much for the vile 
 slave. Now for the master villain. He was 
 with my regiment at Pooranpoor. I had him 
 shot with a poisoned arrow ; but he knew not 
 who struck the blow till brought here ; and 
 when his last moment was come, I told him 
 how his paramour died, and that he owed his 
 death to me. 
 
 " Oh ! devil in human form !" I almost 
 shouted, so terribly excited did I become. 
 "Enough of this, A day of reckoning has come !"
 
 THE WARHAWK. 177 
 
 I saw her wave her hand, and the negro 
 coming forward as if to close the door on the 
 cave, I felled him to the floor with a blow, 
 and snatching the long dagger he wore from 
 his belt, with a bound I was beside the startled 
 princess, and caught her in my grasp. I grasped 
 her as in a vice. I was like a madman from 
 passion ; and as the Hindoos were rushing on 
 me, I held the dagger to the Princess's throat, 
 and swore — God forgive me ! — a fearful oath, 
 that I would slay her if her soldiers moved a 
 step nearer ; at the same time, shouting to the 
 soldiers in Hindostanee, '^ Stand back, or your 
 Princess dies !'' 
 
 " Fools ! idiots !" screamed the Begum, 
 " stand back, or this madman will slay me.'' 
 
 '^ Swear then," I exclaimed, '^ by the most 
 sacred oath a Hindoo or Mahomedan can take, 
 to release that unfortunate maiden and restore 
 her to British protection. For myself I ask 
 nothing. Wreak your unnatural vengeance 
 I 5
 
 178 T;TE WAEHAM^K. 
 
 upon me. I have nerves to bear it ; but either 
 swear to spare her, or die 1" 
 
 '' Madman, I will swear — " 
 
 Just at that moment a party of armed Mus- 
 sel men soldiers entered the room. At their 
 head was the splendidiy-armed warrior I had 
 seen on my first interview. 
 
 *' How is this, Captain Somerville ?" said 
 the Chieftain, halting on the brink of the 
 Cave, and looking down, with a start of shame 
 and horror on his fine features. '' Princess, 
 Princess, in the name of God, what is this I 
 see?'^ 
 
 ^^ You here, Hyder Ali !'' bitterly exclaimed 
 the Begum. " Do you not see, my life is at 
 stake in the hands of this madman ?" 
 
 ^' Swear then, Madam," I joyfully said — for 
 now that the warrior's head was covered only 
 with a turban, I reco?,nized his remarkable 
 features at once ; and in Hyder Ali, I beheld 
 the Mirabout. " Swear to release that ill* 
 treated maiden, and you are free.''
 
 THE WARHAWK. 179 
 
 *^ Bring hither a ladder," fiercely exclaimed 
 Hyder Ali to Sambo. " The daughter of my 
 old comrade must not, Princess, if we part for 
 ever, sufier this gross indignity." 
 
 Eeleafiing the Princess, on her swearing the 
 most solemn oath a Mahomedan can take, 1 
 seized the ladder the negro held, and, placing 
 it, descended into the cave, leaving the en- 
 raged Princess and Hyder Ali conversing in a 
 low voice. 
 
 *' My poor girl, what must you have suf- 
 fered !" said I to my cousin, as I raised her in 
 my arras, and bore her from that detested 
 dungeon. 
 
 " Alas, Captain Somerville," said she, in a 
 low voice, ^^ I have sacrificed you to save my- 
 self." 
 
 ^'jS'otso, Marian," I said, in a low voice, as 
 we reached the top, ^' in Hyder Ali, I have a 
 sure friend, fear not. I will have you sent to 
 Meerut, where the English resident, Mr.
 
 180 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 Howard, will receive you iato his family, till, 
 please God, I can join you, and restore you to 
 your nearest relative, my father." 
 
 As I placed Marian on the floor, the Princess 
 advanced towards us, with features so distorted 
 by baleful passions, as scarcely to retain the 
 appearance of a human face. With a look of 
 withering hate, she regarded us for a moment, 
 and then said — 
 
 ** I have sworn to spare that girl. Be it so ; 
 but you — I would rather perish than forego my 
 vengeance against you.^'' 
 
 '^ Madam," I replied, ^^ I am quite satisfied 
 to abide the worst storm of your hate. My 
 cousin, Marian Somerville, must be conducted 
 in safety to jNIeerut, and consigned to the care 
 of the British resident, Mr. Howard." 
 
 ^^ And do you imagine, madman, or fool," 
 replied she, '-'• that a Mahratta Princess is to 
 become the dupe of such as you ? You think 
 to secure your own release by sending your pre-
 
 THE V7AKHAWK. 181 
 
 ,cious cousin to betray the place of your cap- 
 tivity." 
 
 *^ You wrong me, madam," I calmly replied. 
 *^ Such was not my intention. It will not be 
 at all necessarv for }vliss Somerville to mention 
 my name." Here Marian clasped her little 
 hands, looking at me, with eyes full of tears. 
 ^' I will answer for it^ she will never betray 
 you." 
 
 Before the Begum could reply, Hyder Ali 
 stepped forward, saying, in Hindostanee, in a 
 slow, calm voice — 
 
 '' I, Princess, will answer for this lady's 
 silence ; and I will send a confidential officer 
 to conduct her at once to Meerut. Lady," he 
 continued, addressing Marian, ^' I was your 
 father's friend for several years. Give me 
 your promise to keep silence respecting all 
 that has occurred here, and in less than an 
 hour you shall depart well escorted for 
 Meerut." 
 
 " Hyder Ali," replied my cousin, regaining
 
 I 82 THE WARHAWK, 
 
 with an effort the natural spirit and energy of 
 her nature, " can you, with your noble heart — 
 for I have often heard my poor father speak of 
 you — can you ask his daughter to commit so 
 base an act to save herself? No, Princess," 
 she added, almost haughtily, turning to the 
 Begum, and looking her steadily in the face, 
 ^^ if you have the heart to exercise your ven- 
 geance upon those who never injured you, let 
 me be the victim. You accused rav unfortu- 
 nate father of a crime which he never com- 
 mitted. The wretched victim of your cruelty 
 and jealousy was the wife of Golaum Eeza, 
 who, happily for himself, before he learned the 
 fearful flxte of his wife and child, fell in storm- 
 ing Pooranpoor." 
 
 ^' Wretch ! what lies are these you cast in 
 my face ?" exclaimed the Begum, livid with 
 rage, or some internal feeling of remorse. 
 
 '^ Spare your names, Madam," returned 
 Marian, firmly ; ^' there stands Hyder Ali 
 Khan, who knows I speak the truth*"
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 183 
 
 ^* Aleikoom-i-Salaam. Let it be peace/' said 
 Hvder All Khan, advancincj before the Prin- 
 cess. ^^ The maiden speaks the truth. God is 
 great ! Allah -ill-uUah ! When the victims 
 had perished, it was too late to explain. But 
 Golaum Eeza was a good and faithful ser- 
 vant." 
 
 The Princess stood like one bewildered and 
 confounded. 
 
 '' Let there he an end of this," said she, im- 
 patiently. "Take that girl, Khan, where you 
 please, so she goes w^here she may never cross 
 my path. Accursed was the hour I ever be- 
 held one of her polluted race. Go !" 
 
 Hyder Ali motioned with his hand to a 
 young officer standing at the further end of the 
 chamber with the Begum's guards, who imme- 
 diately advanced. 
 
 ''See that a palanquin, and proper bearers be at 
 once got ready to convoy this lady to Meerut," 
 said liyder AUi, " and do you and ten of my
 
 1 8 i THE WAHH AWK. 
 
 own men be ready to attend it. I will give 
 you fall directions before departure." 
 
 The officer, with a low salaam, departed. 
 
 While Hyder was speaking, I kept my eyes 
 fixed upon the Princess. I could see that her 
 breast was agitated by a violent struggle : her 
 dark eyes, at times, flashed fiercely, and then, 
 again she bent them on the ground. At length 
 the bad passions that too often ruled her, were 
 subdued. She advanced close to me, as I stood 
 eagerly imploring my cousin to depart without 
 further opposition to the will of the Begum. 
 
 ^^ Captain Somerville," she began, speaking 
 slowly and firmly, " much of all the evil that 
 has been done might have been avoided, had 
 not others practised deception. What is past, 
 is past — 'tis our destiny — God is great 1 A 
 Mahratta Princess can forgive as well as 
 punish. You saved my life. Go ! Take 
 yours in return. Let the memory of what has 
 passed be in the recesses of your own bosom. 
 You are free."
 
 THE WARHAWK. 18 5 
 
 , Turning quickly round, she passed out 
 through a side-door, without bestowing a look 
 upon any of us, who stood bewildered by so 
 sudden and happy a termination of a horrible 
 scene. 
 
 " Allah, ilia-ill- ullah ! She is a noble 
 Princess after all. There is but one God, and 
 Mahomet is His prophet," solemnly uttered 
 Hyder, bowing his head reverently in the 
 direction of Mecca. '•^ This is well. Come, 
 Sahib," continued he. '^ The goodness of 
 God is infinite. You are free ; and can ac- 
 company your cousin to Meerut. I, myse f, 
 will escort you to Minabad." 
 
 My story is already too long to dwell on de- 
 tails. In less than an hour, Marian, in a state 
 of bewildered joy, was placed in a palanquin ; 
 while, mounted by the orders of Hyder upon a 
 noble Arab, I rode by the side, escorted by 
 eight or ten armed riders. 
 
 I cast a look at the gloomy fortress, as we 
 passed out through its ponderous gates, return-
 
 186 THEWARHAWK. 
 
 ing thanks to Providence for our most unex- 
 pected escape. The building, which was ex- 
 tensive and very strongly fortified, stood on a 
 slight elevation, in a tolerably well cultivated 
 and picturesque country. As I rode by the 
 side of Hyder, Ali Khan, for such was his rank, 
 he requested me to give him a brief sketch of 
 my uncle's life — stating the reason he assumed 
 the name of Somers. 1 then cautiously touched 
 upon the past, requesting him to explain to 
 me why he, who had acted with such generosity 
 towards me, had previously, in the disguise of 
 a Santon, attempted my life — as he said such 
 was his intention. A very painful expression 
 passed across the Khan's countenance. After 
 a moment, he looked up — saying, as usual, 
 with Musselmen — 
 
 ** God is good. What is to be, is to be. It 
 is fate. Listen. Some years ago — I was a 
 Golaum in the service of tha great Aurungzebe. 
 Descended from an ancient but impoverished 
 race, I rose rapidly, by my services under
 
 THE WARHaWK. 187 
 
 that great monarch, and finally was created 
 Khan, and ruler over a fine province. Your 
 uncle, Somers Khan, and I, became acquainted ; 
 for he also rose in rank, under the Emperor. 
 The Princess Onjein was the cause of our 
 separation ; for before that fickle Princess 
 saw your uncle, she had listened to my addresses. 
 When she married your uncle, in disgust, and, 
 I confess it, vexed at heart — for I loved this 
 woman with as strong a passion as ever beat in 
 the breast of man — I retired to my province ; 
 and till I heard of his death, two years after 
 his marriage, I never saw the Princess though 
 her territories adjoin mine. After that event, 
 she contrived to renew our intimacv. I acfain be- 
 came infatuated ; aud, in short, yielded to her 
 wishes in every thing. I joined my force to 
 hers in the late war, and fully expected, at its 
 expiration, to become her husband. Judge 
 my astonishment and rage, when I found 
 that she had actually offered her hand to a 
 British officer of the name of Somerville, a
 
 188 THEWARHAWK. 
 
 Captain in the Dragoons. I was at 
 
 that time in Delhi, the death of the great 
 Aurungzebe, having created some confusion 
 in the election of Chief. My rage was 
 beyond controul when I heard of this wanton- 
 ness of the Princess, and in an evil hour, a 
 prey to jealousy and rage, I resolved to remove 
 you out of my path with my dagger — God is 
 great. I was punished. You saved my life 
 by your kind attention to my sufferings. From 
 a faithful slave in the service of the Begum, 
 before I set out disguised iu the attire of a 
 Santon — I learned that the Princess intended 
 to carry you off while hunting in the valley of 
 Dhoon — I warned you ; but you did not heed 
 what I said. Immediately after that, I 
 was forced to proceed to Delhi. When I re- 
 turned, you were in the fortress of the Princess. 
 I fully intended to obtain your release, though 
 I was not aware of your relationship to the 
 Princess. Nevertheless, I was forced to pro- 
 ceed to Puna, owing to the Eajah of D
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 157 
 
 making an inroad into the territory of the Prin- 
 cess. I had not the least idea she would pro- 
 ceed to such extremities during the short time I 
 was absent. The intelligence of this rupture 
 with the Eajah was brought by the young Jer- 
 minda youbeheld on your first interview with the 
 Princess. I just arrived in time to prevent a 
 frightful crime on her part, and a useless sacri- 
 fice on yours ; for had you slain the Begum in 
 the delirium of passion, you would have been 
 cut to pieces by her followers, and your cousin 
 left at the mercy of the Begum's infuriated 
 soldiers." 
 
 Such was the subject of the communication 
 made to me by Hyder Ali Khan. We reached 
 Minadabad in safety — and there I parted from 
 the Musselman Chief. 
 
 " As a remembrance of Hyder Ali," said the 
 warrior, in parting, '^ accept the steed you 
 ride. She is of the very best blood the Deccan 
 can boast; and matchless for beauty and 
 speed."
 
 190 THE WARHAAVK. 
 
 In truth she was a superb animal, and a gift 
 worthy of a Prince ; for it is well known how 
 highly the chieftains of the Deccan prize their 
 Arab mares. At Minadahad, I could hire 
 bearers and a palanquin, and the country from 
 thence to Meerut was in perfect tranquillity. 
 My cousin and I parted with the generous 
 Hyder with deep feelings of gratitude on our 
 part, and warm wishes for our welfare on his. 
 
 Having procured two female Hindoo attend- 
 ants for Marian, we resumed our journey to 
 Meerut, which occupied only one day and 
 night. During the journey, I had little op- 
 portunity of conversing with my cousin, for the 
 heat was oppressive and almost insupportable ; 
 but we reached our destination in safety. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Howard received Marian with the greatest 
 kindness. My appearance caused no little 
 wonder, for it was generally thought I had been 
 either murdered or was held captive by tbe Ma- 
 hairs. Great rewards had been offered by the 
 Colonel of my regiment, and great exertion was
 
 THEWAEHA^VE. 191 
 
 made, but in vain, to trace my captors. I found my 
 regiment at Madras. The war being at an 
 end for a time, I wrote to my Colonel, and 
 requested leave of absence for a month, stating 
 it was my intention to sell out, having received 
 letters from my father requesting rae to return 
 home, as he was very uneasy at my elder bro- 
 ther's situation ; a fall from his horse, having 
 caused the bursting of a blood- vesseL 
 
 However, to conclude my tale, I fell des- 
 perately in love with my cousin .Marian, 
 during the month I remained at Meerut, 
 and I need not say my affection was returned. 
 Shortly after, I sold out ; and, having pre- 
 vailed on Marian — powerfully seconded by 
 Mr. and Mrs. Howard's advice — to become 
 mine, vre were soon married ; and a month 
 afterwards set out for Madras, and sailed for 
 England in the first homeward-bound ship. 
 
 My father's astonishment and joy was, in 
 truth, great, when I presented to him at the 
 same time my wife and his niece.
 
 192 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 I found but little difficulty in establishing 
 
 Marian's claims to the St. Buryans estates. 
 
 The papers I possessed were not to be put 
 
 aside; and though at first, some opposition 
 
 was made, it was finally abandoned on the 
 
 arrival of Mrs. Freeling in England, whose 
 
 evidence as to Marian's identity was conclu- 
 sive. 
 
 Before leaving Madras, I had obtained the 
 money lodged by my uncle for the benefit of his 
 daughter. My brother quite recovered his 
 accident. About four years ago, I purchased 
 this property, to which we are both very 
 partial, though we sometimes spend a few 
 months at St. Buryans. 
 
 About five years after my return to England, 
 I heard from Major Delmar that Hyder Ali 
 and the Princess Onjein were married, and that 
 Hyder, at the head of a powerful army, had 
 invaded the Provinces of Coimbetoor, Malabar, 
 and Canara, and finally usurped the throne of
 
 THE WAEHAWK. l93 
 
 Mysore, and established his capital in Seringa- 
 patam.* 
 
 AYe must not, however, judge the Princess 
 Onjein and the usurper of ^Mysore by contrasting 
 them with the natives of civilized Europe. 
 Their fiery deeds and wild, unchecked impulses 
 are more akin to their burning clime, and 
 benighted religion ; and will not stand the test 
 of European judgment. Let us, however, hope 
 that time and a better and nearer intercourse 
 with the more civilized and polished natives of 
 Europe, will effect a great and beneficial change 
 in their religious feelings and actions. 
 
 Had Captain Somerville lived in our time, 
 he might have quoted Byron — 
 
 " "Tis the clime of the East, 'tis the land of the sun ; 
 Can he smile on the deeds his children have done ?" 
 
 ♦ I trust the indulgent reader will excuse a romance- 
 writer in anticipating this event by a ferv years, Hyder 
 Ali — a Mussulman — did usurp the Throne of Mysore : be 
 was succeeded by the famous Tippoo Sultaun, 
 
 VOL. I. K
 
 194 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 CHAPTEE X. 
 
 On one of those days so common in our variable 
 climate in the latter end of June, sultry, misty, 
 and very much inclined to rain hard, but keep- 
 ing up a gentle drizzling instead, Gerald Gran- 
 ville and his only attendant, Dennis O'Eegan, 
 were pursuing their journey from Deer Hurst 
 to London; grooms, with horses, &c., for service, 
 having left three days previously. 
 
 Gerald rode a splendid horse, a grandson of 
 Captain Somerville's famous Arab, Beda. In 
 those days, gentlemen and their servants rode
 
 THE WAPwHAWK. 195 
 
 well armed, for that period was the ^^ heaujour^^ 
 of '^ gentlemen of the road." Houses of enter- 
 tainment were few and far between ; and the 
 roads themselves in many parts detestable. 
 The celebrated Turpin, and several other 
 equally noted highwaymen flourished at the 
 time, in great glory and renown, defeating, for 
 a considerable period, the strong arm of the law. 
 Gerald was t-o embark in what was then called 
 a fine ship, a transport, lying in Deptford 
 Eeach. She was carrying out stores, ammuni- 
 tion, and part of the regiment of the — — 
 Dragoons to join the great Duke of Marlborough, 
 Her destination was the Hague, where the 
 Duke remained for a time to confer with 
 Prince Eugene, the Pensionary Heinsius, and 
 the deputies of the States- General. 
 
 In those old times of travellers and travelling 
 it required no less than three days to journey 
 on horseback from Oxford to London. The 
 first day's journey had passed without anything 
 unusual. They slept at a road-side inn, 
 K 2
 
 196 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 resuming their journey on the following day, 
 and passing through a small village, where 
 they refreshed their steeds. They continued 
 on, intending to sleep that night at a well-known 
 hostel, about twenty-two miles from London. 
 
 The evening was anything but an agreeable 
 one : the sky was gloomy and overcast ; the 
 atmosphere sultry and suffocating, though a 
 thick, drizzling rain commenced shortly after 
 their leaving the village. Gerald, nevertheless, 
 proceeded at a slow pace : his horse had lost 
 a shoe, and a bungling farrier had driven a 
 nail badly. The consequence was, that the 
 noble animal put his foot to the ground 
 tenderly. 
 
 The travellers had reached to within two or 
 three miles of their destination for the night, 
 when two horsemen from a cross road came 
 suddenly upon them, and rode up along-side ; 
 one of the horsemen saying in a rough, strong 
 voice —
 
 THE Wi^RHAWK. 197 
 
 '^ Eather a dampish evening, Master, for 
 slow riding." 
 
 The moment he perceived the horseman 
 close with his master, O'Eegan rode up to 
 within a few yards. 
 
 Gerald looked at the speaker, as he replied 
 in a cold tone, that it was rather a gloomy- 
 evening, but he had seen worse, and felt no 
 inclination to hurry himself. 
 
 The man who had spoken, was a tall, strong- 
 built fellow, with heavy riding-boots, thick 
 overcoat, and a three-cornered hat, common 
 enough at that period, with a silver buckle and 
 strap in front. There was nothing remarkable 
 in the man's face ; but it would be difficult to 
 say what he was. He was armed, with both 
 swords and pistol -holsters on his horse. At 
 all events, Gerald felt satisfied that he was 
 not a gentleman, though he rode a very fine 
 animal. His companion, who was neither so 
 tall nor so stout, rode a bay horse with every 
 appearance of having great speed in him, if
 
 198 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 required, but his features were so concealed by 
 thick wrappers as to be quite indistinguishable. 
 
 ^* You ride a very noble beast, master," said 
 the same horseman who had spoken first ; 
 ** but he seems tender-footed. I guess some 
 bungling farrier on the road has lamed him. 
 I'll warrant he's a mortal fast one, Joe," 
 added he, turning to his companion. 
 
 ** What's the use of his qualities?" growled 
 the other; *' he won't have a leg to stand on 
 to-morrow." 
 
 ^*Upon my honor, sir," said Gerald haughtily, 
 turning round, and facing the man, ^^ you 
 make yourself quite at home in your remarks 
 upon my horse. You will please not to con- 
 fine your pace to mine, as I have no desire 
 whatever for company." 
 
 *^ No offence, master — no offence I hope," 
 replied the man, suddenly checking his horse. 
 As he did so, a loud, shrill whistle rang through 
 the still air with a peculiar and piercing 
 sound.
 
 THE WARHAWK. 199 
 
 *' D ^n !" exclaimed both the strangers, 
 
 in an excited tone ; and, clapping spurs to 
 their steeds, they rode off rapidly, a turn in 
 the road shutting them from our travellers' 
 sight. They could, however, hear the tramp 
 of their horses' heels as they galloped over 
 the ground. 
 
 Gerald quietly returned to its place the 
 pistol he had taken from its holster; while 
 Dennis exclaimed with a loud laugh — 
 
 " Faix, sir, if them wasn't a brace of rap- 
 parees, I'm no Irishman. Musha ! I had 
 half a mind to pepper the big one when he 
 turned round on you ; only I knew you are 
 so handy with the barkers yourself, your 
 honour, and there were only the two of 'em," 
 
 '' Well," returned Gerald, '' I think they 
 were a pair of highwaymen, Dennis. That 
 whistle was from some confederate, and alarmed 
 them. I saw the fellow, as he checked his 
 horse, lay his hand upon his pistol-holsters, 
 and I did the same. Let us ride on : we
 
 200 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 are not more than a couple of miles from the 
 hostel;^ 
 
 In less than half an hour, just as the rain 
 increased to a downright pour and the shades 
 of night were falling around, they entered 
 the wide court-yard of a road- side inn, well 
 known in that day as the best for many a 
 mile between Oxford and London. It was 
 a very old, rambling sort of building, with 
 all kinds of gable ends, curious chimneys, 
 and great wooden balcouies to the windows, 
 with an enormous porch to the door, at which 
 stood the fat, jovial landlord of the Queen's 
 Arms. 
 
 In the court-yard stood one of those strange, 
 lumbering vehicles on massive springs and 
 broad leather suspenders, with wheels and 
 axle-trees of incalculable strength and clumsi- 
 ness. This machine, dignified in those days 
 with the name of chariot — a vehicle used only 
 by the aristocracy — had evidently just arrived 
 at the inn. Two men-servants wxre taking
 
 THE WARHAWK. 201 
 
 from the inside various articles of luggage 
 belonging to females ; and a very smart damsel 
 was actively employing her hands, and, indeed, 
 that useful member, her tongue, in receiving 
 some of the packages, and in scolding the men 
 for their rough handling of them. 
 
 As Gerald dismounted, he cast a glance at 
 these proceedings. The landlord welcomed his 
 guest with a glad smile, for Gerald had 
 stopped there many times before in early youth, 
 with the Baronet. 
 
 ** Who are your guests. Master Oldham?*' 
 inquired young Granville. " I think I know 
 the livery.'' 
 
 ^' A nice and a handsome dame and her 
 daughter, a very young girl. Master Granville," 
 replied the host. '' You may have heard of 
 her down about your parts of the country. 
 She is the Honorable Mrs. Atherstone, a widow, 
 and more's the pity," added Oldham, as he 
 ushered his guest into a comfortable sitting- 
 room. '^ But hadn't you better take a glass of 
 e: 5
 
 202 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 warmed ale with some spice in it, and change 
 your habits ? You are wet." 
 
 ^^ I will take the spiced ale, Oldham," re- 
 turned Gerald ; ^* but ray cloak saved my inner 
 garments. Let me have some supper. By-the- 
 by, I have heard that name of Atherstone, 
 The lady, I think, was on a visit at Lord 
 Althorp's.'^ 
 
 "Eight, Master Granville, you are right," 
 rejoined the host ; " she came from there, and 
 goes on to-morrow to London. Bid you pass 
 on the way half-a-dozen troopers, with a cornet 
 in command ?" 
 
 '^ :N'o, I did not. Why, Oldham ?" 
 
 "Why they are scouring the country for the 
 famous Bick Turpiu, who has been robbing his 
 worship, Squire Delmar, our county magis- 
 trate, who sent out these men from Barnet 
 after him." 
 
 "Ha! that's often the case," said Gerald, 
 laughing. " I think I had the pleasure of 
 meeting this worthy, and very likely should
 
 THE WARHAWK. 203 
 
 have had a sample of his dexterity had not 
 some confidant at a distance seen these 
 troopers." 
 
 The landlord listened to Gerald's description 
 of the two horsemen. 
 
 ^^Yes," said he; '* not a doubt of it. One 
 of them was Turpin. I am rejoiced there was 
 no occasion to draw in defence of your purse. 
 You are a powerful man, Master Granville, 
 and they say, the best shot in the county, or in 
 any other county for aught I know. But that 
 Dick Turpin is a devil when roused. It's 
 better as it is, far better. Let the troopers 
 catch him — they are paid for it — it's their 
 trade. But I will go and send up the spiced 
 ale, and the supper." 
 
 Our hero made a remarkably good meal 
 The god of love had not yet interfered with 
 his digestion. He, moreover, drank a very 
 tolerably fair proportion of good claret — a 
 thing you could get good, at a roadside iim
 
 204 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 in those days when teetotalism was totally 
 unknown. 
 
 Gerald sat up till he was tired of doiDg 
 nothing, except, indeed, exchanging a few civil 
 words with the pretty waiting-maid of the 
 Honourable Mrs. Atherstone, who chanced to 
 pass him rather frequently in the long, ram- 
 bling old gallery into which almost all the 
 sleeping-rooms in the hostel opened. At the 
 extremity of this corridor was a stained glass 
 window, opening out into a massive wooden 
 balcony, over a rather extensive garden, at the 
 bottom of which ran the noble Thames. 
 ■ " Try and open that window, Dennis," said 
 Gerald to his worthy valet, as he threw himself 
 into bed ; *' it's marvellously sultry and hot — 
 there's no air." 
 
 ^^Bad cess to them," said Dennis, failing to 
 open the window ; *' I believe tbey never in- 
 tended it should open ; or it's crazy with age 
 and stiff joints."
 
 THE WARHAWEi 205 
 
 ^' Never mind," said Gerald ; '^ do not 
 close the door ; the people are all gone to 
 rest except ourselves. By-the-bye, did you 
 get a farrier to take off that shoe from 
 Sultan ?" 
 
 " The first thing I did, sir," replied Dennis. 
 ** The other rascal might have lamed the poor 
 beast for a time. He will be quite well to- 
 morrow." 
 
 So saying Master Dennis retired to his own 
 roost. The night was in truth exceedingly 
 sultry ; not a breath of air was stirring ; the 
 rain had ceased, but a thick, unwholesome 
 mist lay on the face of the country. 
 
 Gerald Granville slept — how long he knew 
 not ; but he was awakened by the glare of 
 some strong light across his face. He opened 
 his eyes, and, naturally enough, looked up ; 
 but the sight caused him to doubt whether he 
 had awakened, or was still sleeping and 
 dreaming. 
 
 There \^ ere neither curtains or canopy to the
 
 206 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 couch he reposed on ; and standing close to 
 the bed was a slight figure, vested in long, 
 flowing robes of white. It held in its hand 
 a small antique lamp. The eyes of the 
 figure were wide open, and fixed, not upon 
 him, but as if something else attracted them. 
 
 In an instant Gerald's thoughts and ideas 
 were roused ; and then he saw that his un- 
 known visitor was fast asleep. 
 
 She remained thus motionless for a minute ; 
 but, during that brief period, Gerald, as he 
 gazed earnestly into that pale, young face, saw 
 that the figure was that of a young girl not 
 more than thirteen or fourteen years of age. 
 Though pale — exceedingly pale — the features 
 were exquisitely lovely : the eyes were of a 
 deep^ — a *^ holy blue" — and the rinjlets that 
 hung disordered over the neck and shoulders, 
 were of raven hue. Altogether, there was a 
 childish beauty in the innocently expressive 
 face before bim charming to a degree. 
 
 He scarcely breathed. We have said the
 
 THE WARHAWK. 207 
 
 girl rested in a motionless attitude for about a 
 minute ; a slight smile parted the lips, and she 
 lifted her arm in an attitude of attention ; then 
 moved gently on, placed the lamp on the table, 
 and went to the window. 
 
 Silently and rapidly Gerald threw his dress- 
 ing-gown over him, just as the young girl 
 turned from a fruitless attempt to open the 
 window, took up her lamp, and passed silently 
 and slowly from the room. 
 
 Guessing, from the elegance and neatness 
 of the night-dress the girl wore, that she 
 must be the daughter of Mrs. Atherstone, 
 Gerald followed, treading softly, fearing to 
 waken her, and yet dreading she miglit come 
 to some harm. 
 
 All was profoundly still as he followed the 
 young somnambulist along the corridor. She 
 put her hand to several doors, but they were 
 closed. She was now close to the glass doors 
 leading out to the balcony — and, whether pur- 
 posely or not, they were partly open. She
 
 208 THEWARHAWK. 
 
 laid the lamp on a marble slab holding 
 flowers, and, pushing back the door, walked 
 out. For an instant, Gerald lost sight of her. 
 The next, a wild and piercing shriek rang 
 through the air. Dashing through the doors, 
 he beheld the girl in the arms of a man. . Two 
 others were climbing over the wooden balcony 
 by means of a rope ladder. 
 
 " Devils and furies !" ejaculated the man, 
 about to drop the girl, '^ what is this?" 
 
 But Gerald, quick in thought and rapid in 
 execution, caught the insensible sleep-walker 
 in his arms, and, before the man could well 
 help himself, he struck him, with his right 
 hand, a bio v that felled him against the crazy 
 wooden palings of the balcony. 
 
 '' Curse him, shoot him 1" roared the man, 
 as he rolled over. 
 
 And the next instant, Gerald felt himself hit 
 in the left arm by a pistol shot. All this was^ 
 the work of a single instant. Bearing the girl 
 in his arms, he rushed back into the corridor.
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 209 
 
 With a savage execration, the fallen man gained 
 his feet, and, with the other two, threw him- 
 self over the balcony into the garden ; for tie 
 inmates of the house were by this time roused, 
 both by the shriek of the young girl and the 
 loud report of the pistol. 
 
 As Gerald re-entered the corridor, a lady, 
 covered with a mantle, hastily thrown on, fol- 
 lowed by two female attendants, by no means 
 very particular in their hasty toilet, rushed 
 forward to meet him. Hurrying up the great 
 stairs, came several men, followed by the fat 
 landlord, puffing 'and blowing, in the scanty 
 garments he had been able, only partly, to 
 assume. At their head, was O'Eegan, with a 
 brace of horse pistols in his hands. 
 
 ^' Search the gardens. Go ; be active !" ex- 
 claimed Gerald, in a loud voice. ^' There are 
 thieves about the house." 
 
 With a distracted, bewildered air — in fact, 
 half dead with fright and agony of mind — the
 
 210 THBWARHAWK. 
 
 lady, who was Mrs. Atlierstonej rushed to meet 
 Gerald, exclaiming — 
 
 " My God, my child ! Insensible ! What 
 — what is the meaning of all this ? Merciful 
 heavens ! she is covered with blood !'' 
 
 "It is mine, madam; be not alarmed," said 
 Gerald ; resigning the young girl to the care 
 of her mother and attendants, who, without 
 another word, hurried with her into one of the 
 rooms in the corridor. 
 
 The men had all rushed down stairs, except* 
 ing the fat host, who seemed stupified. 
 
 " Mr. Granville — Mr. Granville, you are 
 bleeding !" he at length exclaimed. " Let me 
 see where you are hit. Oh ! dear, dear, I am 
 quite bewildered —knocked all of a heap." 
 
 At that moment, back came O'Eegan ; and 
 seeing, by the light of a lamp, that his master's 
 dressing-gown was stained with blood, he 
 became excessively alarmed. 
 
 *^It's a mere scratch in the left shoulder,"
 
 THE WARHAWK. 21 1 
 
 said Gerald, entering his room. " Did you 
 catch any of the rascals ?" 
 
 *^ Musha, devil take them ! They got clean 
 off; but they made a tolerable sweep of it. Be 
 gorra, I'm bothered entirely. They tied and 
 gagged the two ostlers ; broke open the coach- 
 house, and have ripped to baby rags the huge 
 trunks and boxes strapped to the carriage. 
 They had saddled your horse and mine, with 
 (curse their impudence) the intention of taking 
 them off. But, faix I'm in the clouds, it's such 
 a mystery, altogether. What brought your 
 honour out — begging your pardon — with the 
 young lady in your arms ? How the dickens 
 did she get out of her mother's room ? Ha !" 
 he continued muttering, as he stripped his 
 master's shoulder, ^' the Virgin be praised, it's 
 a mere nothing ! A cloth and a little cold 
 water, Mr. Oldham — that's all that's wanting, 
 and a strip of linen ; and, by the powers, we 
 shall be as well as ever."
 
 212 ' THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 Gerald explained the whole affair to the 
 astonished landlord. O'Eegan rubbed his head, 
 uttering sundry ejaculations. 
 
 As day-light was now on the point of break- 
 ing, our hero proposed to his worthy host, as 
 his hurt was not of the slightest consequence, 
 that he should retire, and leave him to take an 
 hour's rest or so ; it being much too early for 
 starting, and he should wish to see the ladies 
 before setting out. 
 
 Sleep, our hero certainly did not ; for the 
 events of the night left him so much subject for 
 thought, that he lay pondering over the whole 
 affair, and thinking in his mind what a very 
 lovely creature the fair somnambulist would 
 make in three or four years — always provided 
 she lost that dangerous habit of abandoning her 
 couch during the night. 
 
 Though the ball of the robber had inflicted a 
 mere flesh-wound ^^ en pa^sant^'^^ Gerald, when 
 he rose to dress the following morning, found
 
 THEWABHAWK. 213 
 
 his left arm rather stiff. Ilowever, with 
 O'Eegan's assistance, he accomplished his 
 toile^. . 
 
 ^' Do you know, sir," said Dennis, ^' I sus- 
 pect our two queer customers of yesterday, had 
 a finger in the plunder last night. They say 
 there were some valuable jev\'els, and a large 
 sum of money, in a casket, locked up in the 
 huge trunk behind the carriage ; and, now, 
 what makes the affair clear to me, as a well- 
 planned job, is, that one of the grooms — bad 
 luck to him — the same that kept us drinking 
 with him last nioht — and lately hired by ]Mrs. 
 Atherstone — is decamped with his horse." 
 
 "Ha! indeed?" said Gerald; " it's plain 
 enough, then. I had but a short glance, in the 
 imperfect light, at the fellow I knocked down ; 
 but I feel certain he was the same man who 
 accosted me on the road yesterday." 
 
 Just then, the landlord of the Queen's arms 
 entered — 
 
 " Master Granville, I am very glad to see
 
 214 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 you looking so well. I come with a message 
 from the honorable lady, who is waiting break- 
 fast for your worship. She sends her com- 
 pliments, and hopes you will take your morn- 
 ing repast with her. She says she knows you 
 very well by name. Lord bless me !" con- 
 tinued the worthy host, *^ she takes her loss of 
 money and jewels as easy as I would a gallon 
 of good ale. All she cares for is her dear 
 young daughter." 
 
 " How is the young lady after the night's 
 adventure ?" demanded Gerald, finishing his 
 toilet with a little more attention. 
 
 ^^ Famous, Master Granville, famous," re- 
 plied the host ; '^ and as merry as a lark : 
 laughed at the whole affair, till she heard you 
 were wounded ; and then she looked very 
 grave indeed— saying she must be tied to her 
 maid, and not allowed to disturb and bring 
 people into trouble. Lord bless the little 
 thing I we should all have been robbed if it had 
 not been for her habit ; for her maid says she
 
 THE waehawe:. 215 
 
 has a great trick of rising in her sleep, and 
 going out rambling God knows where. They 
 are going to London purposely to consult a 
 first-rate physician about it.'' 
 
 Anxious to pay his respects to Mrs. Ather- 
 stone, Gerald cut short his loquacious landlord 
 by requesting to be shown the way to the 
 breakfast-room. 
 
 On entering a large, old-fashioned saloon, 
 whose wide bow-windows looked out upon the 
 Thames, and the very picturesque scenery on 
 its opposite bank, Gerald was met by the 
 Honorable Mrs. Atherstone. Our hero was at 
 once struck with the elegant and graceful 
 manner of his hostess, who, frankly and kindly, 
 held out her hand, saying — 
 
 *^ You must have thought me, my dear sir, 
 a most ungrateful as well as uncourteous dame 
 last night. Not one word of thanks could I 
 express, so confounded and bewildered did I 
 become by the suddenness and strangeness of
 
 216 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 the adventure, which is still wrapt in mystery 
 to me. Come here, Aleen, you are too young 
 to be blushing and hiding your little head. 
 You are but a naughty child after all, so come 
 and thank Mr. Granville for the care he took 
 of you in your land of dreams." 
 
 With a cheerful smile, Aleen looked up, as 
 she approached and held out her hand, and a 
 fairy hand it was, saying — 
 
 '^ I was, indeed, mamma, a very naughty 
 girl, and I trust Mr. Granville has not suf- 
 fered from my infirmity ; for I heard he was 
 hurt by that horrid man who first woke me by 
 coming against me." 
 
 Wishing in his heart the fair girl before 
 him was a few years older, Gerald took the 
 little hand, and gaily drawing her towards 
 him, kissed her cheek, saying — 
 
 " I owe you, fair Aleen, a great deal more 
 than you owe me for last night's adventure ; 
 indeed, more perhaps than we all think."
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 217 
 
 "However," interrupted Mrs. Atherstone, 
 "let us commence breakfast. I will then en- 
 quire a full account of the whole affair ; and 
 to complete our obligations to Mr. Gerald 
 Granville, I will request of him that, as he is 
 bound for London, he will take the rest of the 
 journey in our company." 
 
 " Nothing could give me greater pleasure," 
 said Gerald. "I am at your disposal as to 
 time and service." 
 
 During breakfast, Mrs. Atherstone observed 
 that she had met his uncle, Sir Hugh Gran- 
 ville, several times, latterly, at Lord Althorp's. 
 Gerald was absent at the University at the 
 time, 
 
 " I heard your uncle," she added, smiling, 
 " speak in high terms of his nephew ; but 
 little thought how soon I was to become a 
 judge of his merits." 
 
 Gerald bowed, and said he was, in truth, 
 well rewarded by gaining such charaaing ac- 
 quaintances. 
 
 VOL. I. L
 
 218 THE WAEHAWK* 
 
 ^^Well, now we have done complimenting 
 each other/' said the lady, gaily, ^^ let me hear 
 all about the affair. But, first of all, I must 
 tell you, how my little maid happened to get 
 out ; for, during the last two years, after a 
 severe fever, following the measles, Aleen has 
 frightened me excessively by rising in her 
 sleep, and walking about the room. I thought 
 it was an accidental thing ; but it occurred 
 afterwards so frequently, that I got alarmed. 
 I then found it necessary to m.ake her sleep 
 either in my chamber, or have an attendant in her 
 own room, and to lock the door, and put away 
 the key. Last night, somehow, they left the 
 door without locking it ; and the little wan- 
 derer got out. But where' she went to, or 
 when you first saw her, neither Aleen or myself 
 know." 
 
 As Gerald explained, Aleen's sweet and in- 
 nocent features became the color of the rose. 
 
 "Well, indeed, indeed, I owe you much 
 more than I ever imagined."
 
 THEWARHAWK. 219 
 
 "As I said before," resumed Gerald; "we 
 owe you the greatest amount of tliauks ; for 
 those robbers would unquestionably have 
 robbed the house, and, perhaps, lives would 
 have been lost in the end. I have since been 
 thinking, my dear madarn," continued Gerald, 
 turning to Mrs. Atherstone, " that the heavy 
 doors leading from the corridor into the bal- 
 cony, were unbarred by some confederate — 
 probably, the very man that absconded with 
 your horse." 
 
 " I quite agree with you, Mr. Granville," 
 responded Mrs. Atherstone, '' and tlie more so 
 as the casket of jewels which I am taking 
 up to London to have re- set, was taken out 
 of the trunk very late last night,' You have 
 heard, doubtless, that it was carried oti' with 
 the rest of the articles stolen ; bat such was 
 not the case, for it stood on a table in 
 my room ; and it makes me shudder when 
 I think of it ; for tliose robbers would un- 
 doubtedly have entered my room in search 
 L 3
 
 220 THE WAEHAWK, 
 
 of it, as the man who has absconded was 
 perfectly aware where it was deposited." 
 
 ^' I am delighted," observed Gerald, ^Hhat 
 the rascals failed in their attempt upon the 
 jewels. So you see, fair Aleen, your being 
 in the land of dreams last night, was, at all 
 events, fortunate." 
 
 ^* But nevertheless," said the young girl 
 in a serious tone, '^ you might have lost your 
 life by it. That horrid man that fired the 
 pistol at you, might easily have killed you. 
 "What a frightful thing for me to have had on 
 my mind a whole life long ! I should never 
 feel happy again." 
 
 " She is singularly lovely for a child," 
 thought Gerald, as he made some gay 
 reply. 
 
 Shortly after, having passed a very pleasant 
 hour or so at breakfast, the whole party got 
 ready, and in a short time were on the road 
 to London. 
 
 A very pleasant morning succeeded the
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 22 L 
 
 sultry night. The thick fog had vanished, 
 and a light, refreshing west wind swept the 
 mist from the river's banks. The fine scenery 
 from the hostel to London, winding at times 
 along the gently-flowing, and silvery Thames, 
 afi'orded the whole party a delightful day's 
 travelling. The landlord of the Queen's Arms 
 was sadly annoyed that the honorable dame 
 would not hear of his sending for a magis- 
 trate and some constables to investigate and 
 enquire into the robbery and send out men 
 in pursuit. 
 
 "On no account, my good Mr. Oldham," 
 said Mrs. Atherstone, *' What's lost, is lost. 
 Investigation would be extremely painful to 
 me. Let it rest as it is ; for my loss is 
 very trifling. Justice, some time or other, 
 will overtake the ofi'enders. But I do not 
 wish to be an instrument in their punish- 
 ment." 
 
 Late that evening the party reached London. 
 Some portion of the way, Gerald rode inside
 
 222 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 the cliariot, a vehicle quite roomy enough to 
 carry a whole family, domestics and all. 
 
 With all the joyousness of early youth, 
 Aleen soon became as familiar and happy 
 with Gerald as with a brother. Our hero 
 found her mother a most charming and 
 agreeable woman, fascinating in manner and 
 conversation, and scarcely as much as four- 
 and-thirty years old. Her beauty was re- 
 markable ; and a strong resemblance existed 
 between mother and daughter. 
 
 The carriage containing the party diew up 
 at a handsome mansion in Marlborough Street, 
 belonging to a very dear friend of Mrs. Ather- 
 stone. A Mrs. McMahon, an Irish Lady of 
 good connections, and wealthy. She also was 
 a Londoner, but several years the senior of 
 her friend. 
 
 Here Gerald took leave for the night, 
 promising most faithfully to return the next 
 day ; and admonished by Mrs. Atherstone not 
 to let the gaieties of the metropolis banish
 
 THE WARHAWK. 223 
 
 from his mind, the recollections of his friends 
 of the road. 
 
 Our hero, greatly pleased with his new 
 friends, and half in love with the fair somnam- 
 bulist, notwithstanding her extreme youth, 
 took up his quarters in a very well-known 
 hotel in that day, namely. The Star and Garter, 
 Piccadilly, facing St. James's Street.
 
 224 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 CHAPTEK XI. 
 
 The following day, after a necessary visit to 
 a surgeon, who dressed his wound, which had 
 given him some slight degree of pain the pre- 
 ceding day, though he kept it to himself, he 
 proceeded to make some inquiries as to when 
 the Transport was to sail for the Hague. 
 London was not new to Gerald, as he had spent 
 several months there the year before. He had 
 also several very distinguished acquaintances ; 
 but intending to sail immediately the Trans- 
 port did, he refrained from seeking them out.
 
 THE WAEHAWK. £25 
 
 He learned, however, that the " Eoyal Anne,-' 
 would not sail for three or four days; and 
 leaving O'Eegan to see to the safe embarking 
 of his horses and effects at the proper time, he 
 resolved to spend those few days with Mrs. 
 Atherstone and her daughter, by whom he 
 was received with every mark of kind feeling. 
 As to Aleen, she did not attempt to conceal 
 the joy his presence caused her. 0, happy 
 period, of innocent youth ! "Who is there that 
 does not look back on that period — not per- 
 haps, with regret, but with a somewhat sad 
 and mingled feeling ? Aleen was innocence 
 itself; and though a child in years, from a 
 careful education, and the never absent com- 
 panionship of her mother, she, at times, 
 astonished onr hero by the precocity of her 
 thoughts, and the spirit of her conversation. 
 Now it happened that " The Eoyal Anne 
 was extremely slow in her work of lading. 
 More than a week had elapsed ; and O'Eegan 
 growled at the delay, vowing that all the 
 L 5
 
 226 THE warhawk:. 
 
 fighting would be over by the time she was 
 ready for sailing. 
 
 ^' Three days more, my hearty/' said the 
 first mate, slapping the impatient Hibernian on 
 the back, '' and yon^U be casting all the good 
 things you have been stowing away in your 
 hold to the fishes/' 
 
 Now that was precisely what Dennis O'Eegan 
 dreaded. Knowing what a martyr he was to 
 that unrelenting enemy, sea sickness, and 
 wishing devoutly that there was a bridge from 
 Dover to Ostend, O'Eegan tried to console him- 
 self by taking a social glass now and then with 
 Mrs. Mc Mahon's Irish servant. 
 
 Atleen played the harp with a skill iar be- 
 yond her years. She knew, by heart, all the 
 national melodies so dear to an Irishman. 
 
 '' And where, Aleen," said Gerald, one 
 evening, as she played several of his favorite 
 airs to him, '' where did you learn your Irish 
 melodies, and songs ? I did not know that 
 you ever had been in Ireland.''
 
 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 227 
 
 " 0, indeed ! And pray what made you 
 think that, Gerald?" For with all the ease 
 of youthful intercourse, the formal ^^Mr." and 
 ^' Miss," was quite laid aside. 
 
 " Why, Aleen, your mamma mentioned that 
 she had resided some years in Hampshire, 
 before she came into Oxfordshire ; and you 
 know, Aleen, you cannot reckon very many 
 years; though, by-the-bye, that very pretty 
 name of yours is decidedly Irish." 
 
 *'0h, then, you consider Aleen a pretty 
 name — so now, if you are not impatient and 
 can keep quiet, I will sing you a very pretty 
 romance all about a namesake of mine — a real 
 Irish song. Did you ever hear of the beautiful 
 Aleen O'Connor, the great O'Connor of the 
 west, as they styled him ? Well, I dare say 
 you did. So now I will sing the song for 
 you." 
 
 In a voice inexpressibly sweet, flexible, and 
 full, for one so very young, and who had not
 
 228 THE WAKHAWK. 
 
 yet attained her power. Aleen sang the old 
 romance of O'Connor's daughter. 
 
 Scarcely had the last notes of the song died 
 away, and before Gerald Granville had re- 
 covered from the surprise he felt at one so 
 young accomplishing a really difficult song, and 
 with so much feeling, Mrs. Atherstone and 
 her hostess, Mrs. Mc Mahon, entered the room 
 from the adjoining saloon, the latter lady 
 saying-^ 
 
 *« Why, Aleen, you quite surpassed yourself 
 this evening. You seem, Mr. Granville, to 
 have a strong liking to my country airs. Were 
 you ever in Ireland ?" 
 
 ^^ Ever in Ireland !" echoed Gerald, with 
 some slight surprise, though indeed had he not 
 been particularly happy in the society of the 
 ladies, he might have remarked that not once 
 during his short acquaintance, had Ireland ever 
 been mentioned except by Aleen, and then only 
 when they happened to be alone. ^^ Ever in
 
 THE waehawe:. 229 
 
 Ireland ! "Why it's my native land, Mrs. Mc 
 Mahon, as well as yours. My infancy and boy- 
 hood were passed in the South of Ireland. I 
 dare say you know the places well, Castle 
 Granville, and Glandore Abbey, near Castle 
 Townsend.'^ 
 
 ^' Glandore Abbey !" exclaimed Mrs. Ather- 
 stone ; and Aleen gazed anxiously into her 
 mother's face — for she looked pale and even 
 agitated. 
 
 " Yes," responded Gerald, thoughtfully ; 
 " Glandore Abbey, the residence of my family 
 for centuries. My father was Gerald Fitz- 
 maurice, of Glandore Abbey." 
 
 Mrs. Atherstone actually trembled ; but, 
 mastering an emotion that could scarcely fail 
 to be observed by all, especially by Aleen, 
 whose sweet face became saddened, she said — 
 
 " You surprise me, Mr. Granville ; but, in- 
 deed. I ought to apologize for being surprised." 
 Then, forcing a smile, she added, " I thought
 
 230 THE WAEHAWK, 
 
 you were merely a Granvilie ; and, knowing 
 the Granvilles were originally an English 
 family, I never thought about asking whether 
 you were connected with the Irish family of 
 Granvilles.'^ 
 
 Mrs. Mc Mahon — whether she did it to re- 
 lieve her friend, seeing she was not altogether 
 herself, changed the subject ; and the remain- 
 der of the evening passed somewhat less cheer- 
 fully than usual. 
 
 Gerald, on leaving, accepted an invitation to 
 dinner the following day — as he pursued his 
 way leisurely to his hotel, he pondered over in 
 his mind the conversation that had so lately 
 taken place. He saw evidently that Mrs. 
 Atherstone was disturbed on hearing the name 
 of his father, and Glandore Abbey mentioned. 
 He knew, in fact, nothing whatever of Mrs. 
 Atherstou, nor had he made any enquiries. 
 That she was of high birth, and wealthy, he 
 made no doubt ; but where she actually resided,
 
 THE WARHAWK. 231 
 
 or what her maiden name was, he never 
 thought about ascertaining, nor indeed till that 
 moment did he think about it. 
 
 The following day, having some purchases 
 to make for his voyage, he sallied out into the 
 business part of the city while O'Eegan proceeded 
 to Deptford to see to the embarking of the 
 horses, for the transport was to sail positively 
 on the Saturday, and it was now Thursday. 
 
 Having several hours to spare, Gerald pro- 
 ceeded towards Westminster Hall ; for he 
 heard that her Majesty, Queen Anne, would be 
 present that day, during the singular trial of 
 Doctor Sacheverel. The city of London was 
 in a ferment — a perfect fever — about this 
 Doctor — who was accused of having preached 
 up rebellion against the existing authorities, 
 and defended the doctrines of non-resistance. 
 The Church, he affirmed, was in danger — 
 Gerald had paid little attcLtion to all he heard 
 about this worthy ; but, feeling a sudden 
 curiosity to have a glance at his Queen before
 
 232 THEWARHAWK. 
 
 he drew his sword in her service, he strolled 
 towards Westminster. 
 
 On approaching the Hall, the mass of human 
 heads that presented themselves to his view 
 astonished him. To proceed through the 
 crowd, even aided by his great strength, he 
 found no easy matter. The populace seemed 
 wonderfully excited, and evidently seeking for 
 some object upon which they could vent their 
 passions. 
 
 Gerald had nearly reached the gates, when 
 a loud shout, and the pressing back of the mul- 
 titude, announced something new. 
 
 ^^ The trial is over for the day ; here comes 
 the Queen," was passed from mouth to mouth. 
 " Now we shall see the doctor," screamed a 
 thousand voices. 
 
 Just then, Gerald, as he was about to turn 
 away, rather disgusted with the promiscuous 
 rabble he had suddenly got entangled amongst, 
 beheld the Queen's sedan leave the hall. Im- 
 mediately the multitude pressed close round
 
 THE WARHAWZ. 233 
 
 the chair, shouting at the top of their 
 voices — 
 
 '^ God bless your Majesty !" 
 '' Hurrah for the Church !" 
 ** The Queen is for the doctor !" 
 *^ Three cheers for the glorious doctor !" 
 Her Majesty's sedan was, however, at once 
 extricated from the crowd ; but a new source 
 of excitement, caused the vast mass to heave 
 and swell in another direction ; for the great, 
 lumbering coach that drove up to the door, 
 was known to be the vehicle in which the 
 popular idol, the doctor, was daily conveyed 
 from Westminster Hall to the Temple where he 
 lodged. 
 
 As soon as the doctor was seen seated in the 
 coach, the wildest shouts, cries, oaths, &c., 
 rent the air — hats were tossed upwards, and, 
 as they fell, were, of course, trampled under 
 foot. Wishing he had not been so foolish as 
 to get into such a crowd, Gerald began to ex- 
 tricate himself, and had nearly reached the foot
 
 234 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 of "Westminster Bridge, when two or three 
 gentlemen were recognised by some of the 
 mob as belonging to the party opposed to the 
 doctor. 
 
 " Off with their hats ! Knock them off ! 
 Duck them !" was shouted by hundreds. 
 
 While these mandates were being carried 
 into effect, two men, who had closely followed 
 the movements of our hero, and who were 
 dressed in rough sailors' coats, buttoned to the 
 chin, suddenly pointed him out to the crowd, 
 saying— 
 
 " Here's one of them. Make him take off 
 his hat." 
 
 At first, Gerald could scarcely believe he 
 was the person indicated ; till a most filthy, 
 unwashed artizan, with a ferocious grin of 
 malice, thrust his hand in his face. Being in- 
 censed, Gerald, with a blow, felled the ruffian 
 to the ground. Immediately the crowd closed 
 upon him ; and one of the two scoundrels, 
 watching him eagerly, came behind, and with
 
 THE WARHAWK. 235 
 
 a short loaded bludgeon dealt him a tre- 
 mendous blow on the back of the head. 
 Gerald staggered, and fell forward perfectly 
 stunned. 
 
 This act terrified the crowd, who now eagerly 
 strove to get as far from the fallen man as pos- 
 sible. The two fellows, however, no way 
 abashed, advanced, and lifting Gerald's body 
 in their arms, a task of no small difficulty, 
 though they were powerful men, carried him 
 off towards Westminster Stairs, close at hand, 
 without any opposition from the frightened 
 mob. Having thrown a heavy and ample 
 boat- cloak over his person, they descended the 
 Stairs, and hailed a wherry, which immediately 
 answered the call. 
 
 " Here, my hearty," said one of Gerald's 
 bearers, " here is the mate of the Lively Betsy. 
 He got his head broke by the rioters. Shove 
 
 us down the river to our boat at PauPs 
 
 wharf."
 
 236 THEWAEHAWK. 
 
 *^ Ay, ay, masters," responded the waterman, 
 *' The tide's down strong." 
 
 In a moment more, Gerald was laid along 
 the thwarts, and the wherry shoved off. 
 
 " I say, Jim," said one of the ruffians, in a 
 low voice, '^you laid it on with a will. Blow 
 me if I don't think the lad's day-lights is 
 started." 
 
 ^' Gammon, Bill," returned the other, con- 
 temptuously. '* 'Twould take a precious harder 
 knock than that to settle him. All I'm fear'd of is 
 his waking up afore we gets to our boat. 
 Blow me, but 'twas a lucky go this time. I've 
 been a watching of him going down to Dept- 
 ford from them Stairs, this week past; but 
 never had no opportunity of doing nothing. I 
 have a precious boat's crew below bridge. I 
 meant, if I caught him without that Irishman, 
 as attends him, to run our boat foul of his'n, 
 and, in the scuffle, nab him. But he's fast 
 enough now. Look out ! Here's the Bridge, 
 and the tide's low."
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 237 
 
 ^^ Your mate, masters," said the wherry 
 man, ^' seems to have had a whopper : he's as 
 stiff as a dead un." 
 
 "He's plenty of life in him yet," returned 
 the former speaker. "He stirs now," added 
 he, in a low voice. 
 
 The next instant the boat shot London 
 Bridge with great velocity ; and, the next in- 
 stant, the wherry was pulled along-side a ship's 
 boat, with six able-looking seamen in her. On 
 her stern was painted the name of the craft 
 she belonged to — The lively Betsy. 
 
 After paying the wherry- man, Gerald, who 
 gave evident signs of approaching conscious- 
 ness, was carefully covered with the cloak, 
 and lifted into the boat, which gave way 
 immediately down the river. 
 
 " I say, Jem, he's moving," observed one of 
 the ruffians. " Clap a gag in his mouth, and 
 tie his arms : he's a moital powerful young 
 fellow."
 
 2 £8 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 ^^ Ay, ay, Bill," replied Jem, '^ I'll spoil his 
 potatoe-trap, if he opens it. His arms I'll 
 soon make easy." 
 
 So saying, he fastened a strong band across 
 both arms. 
 
 By the time this was performed, the boat 
 pulled along-side a small coasting, schooner- 
 rigged craft, on whose deck stood two seamen, 
 who hailed the boat with a loud cheer. 
 
 ^']N'ow be handy, my men," cried Jem; 
 ** he's coming too rapidly ; he's opening his 
 eyes." 
 
 In a few minutes, Gerald was hoisted into 
 the schooner, carried into the little cabin, and 
 laid upon the floor. 
 
 *^ There now, my hearty," said Jem, ^' you 
 may open your peepers as soon as you like ; 
 and, what's more, I'll give you the use of your 
 feelers." 
 
 And he cut the cords that bound Gerald's 
 arms.
 
 THE TVARHAWK. 239 
 
 Bat Gerald was too feeble to do more than 
 raise his hand to the back of his head on which 
 the blood had clotted. 
 
 '^You'll be all right by-and-bye, my lad," 
 said Jem. '' There's a jug of water, and 
 there's a bottle of Hollands — a medicine I 
 always uses hexternally and hinternally." 
 
 And so so saying, Jem left the cabin, bolt- 
 ing the strong door after him, and ascending 
 the companion ladder. 
 
 "Kow heave short, my lads," he called out 
 to the seamen on deck, ^^ we have still three 
 hours ebb ; and that will be quite enough, with 
 this stiff breeze, to bring us alongside of the 
 War hawk." 
 
 The anchor was soon up, and the sails of the 
 craft were spread to the breeze. Away glided 
 The Lively Betsy down the river. It was 
 dark night, however, when the lights of 
 the town of Gravesend hove in sight. The 
 flood had made, but the breeze was strong,
 
 240 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 and right aft. Tilbury Fort was passed, 
 and on went The Lively Betsy, till Jem 
 vociferated — 
 
 "Hang out the signal, Bill; there lies The 
 Warhawk.'^
 
 THE WARHAWK. 241 
 
 CHAPTER XIL 
 
 DuEiNa the period of getting under weigh, and 
 then dropping down the river with the last of 
 the tide, Gerald Granville began to recover the 
 full use of his faculties. It is true he felt a 
 stinging sensation of pain in the head from the 
 severe blow he had received from the bludgeon, 
 and which for a time prevented his examining 
 his situation minutely, but seeing the pit- 
 cher of water, he repeatedly bathed his temples, 
 and drank a copious draught, which soon 
 
 VOL. I. M
 
 242 THE wahhawk. 
 
 helped to restore him to some portion of his 
 ■usual vigour. 
 
 By the steady and even motion of the vessel, 
 he judged he was still sailing on the river. It 
 •was quite useless, then, distracting his head 
 with conjectures and thoughts upon his singular 
 abduction, He, moreover, felt quite satisfied 
 it was a systematically planned affair; and 
 although his captors did not seem absolutely 
 inclined to take his life, yet it somehow struck 
 him they would have felt very little uneasiness 
 in perpetrating such a crime, were they to 
 think it necessary. 
 
 Eesolved in his own mind to seize the 
 very first opportunity that offered, even at the 
 risk of life, in an attempt to escape, he waited 
 patiently till an opening should be given to 
 him. 
 
 After some time, the noise was audible of a 
 considerable ccmmotion upon the deck above 
 his head ; and then a shock took place, as if 
 the vessel he was in had run against, or along-
 
 THE WARHAWK. 243 
 
 side of, a larger one. Heavy footsteps were 
 soon heard descending the cabin stairs ; the 
 door was swung back, and four able-bodied 
 seamen entered, each having a drawn cutlass in 
 his hand, and a heavy, brass- mounted pistol in 
 his belt 
 
 Gerald looked keenly into the features of 
 these men, and ran his eyes over their strong, 
 wiry, and muscular frames. They seemed to 
 be fellows who had seen service, and wild ser- 
 vice, too, in a far more trying clime than that 
 of Europe. Their bronzed complexions, bristly 
 beards, and bushy whiskers, giving them a fierce 
 appearance. 
 
 " Ah, my hearty," said one of the sailors, 
 rolling a huge piece of tobacco into a com- 
 modious recess under his cheek, ^^ T see you 
 have opened your daylights. So bear a hand, 
 and follow us quietly ; otherwise another knock 
 over the sconce may be necessary." 
 
 " You may spare your brutality," retorted 
 Oerald, quietly rising, *'lead on," 
 ^ 3
 
 244 THE WAEHAAVK. 
 
 Two men led the way, laughing, while the 
 other two brought up the rear. 
 
 On gaining the deck of the little vessel, 
 Gerald strove to look about him ; but the night 
 was intensely dark, and the atmosphere heavy 
 and thick. He could, however, just discern 
 the dark hull, and tall spars of a much larger 
 vessel along- side of them. 
 
 " Now, then, bear a hand," vociferated a 
 strong, hoarse voice, from the deck of the large 
 vessel. ^^ Let us have no more of this cursed 
 delay. You have stopped too long as it 
 is." 
 
 " Up the ladder with you, master," said one 
 of the men to Gerald; '^ it's devilish late on 
 the tide." 
 
 It at once struck our hero that if he ascended 
 the side of the large vessel, his fate would be 
 sealed, and all chance of escape lost. Just as 
 he put his foot upon the ladder, the sound of a 
 large bell, sounded from the shore, and his eye, 
 for an instant, caught the twinkling of lights
 
 THE WARHAWK. 245 
 
 on his right, which satisfied him the land was 
 at no great distance. 
 
 There were few better swimmers than Gerald 
 Granville ; and he at once resolved to make a 
 desperate attempt to escape. As he ascended to 
 the ladder, a sailor, with a cocked pistol, was fol- 
 lowing, when suddenly lifting his foot, Gerald 
 struck so violent a blow upon the head of the man 
 close below him, that he drove him and the 
 other man back upon the deck of the little 
 craft. The next instant he kicked off his 
 shoes, and sprang overboard. A scene of in- 
 describable confusion ensued on board both 
 crafts. Oaths, execrations, and abuse from one 
 to the other, pealed through the air. 
 
 As he rose from the plunge and endeavoured 
 to excricate himself from his coat (for the tide 
 was rapidly hurrying him away from the 
 vessels) Gerald heard one of the men say, with 
 a savage curse — 
 
 *^ Not a boat along-side, by ! The 
 
 Captain's ashore with the jolly-boat ; and the
 
 246 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 gig is crushed to pieces by the lubberly way 
 you came along-side." 
 
 ^* Shiver my timbers !" exclaimed another of 
 the men ! *^ here's a pretty go ! But, cast off 
 the schooner — here's wind enough." 
 
 Gerald heard no more ; the tide was running 
 up, though he knew it not, for the gloom 
 was excessive, and he at fiist swam with the 
 tide, whilst, during the excitement of his escape, 
 and the first few moments succeeding it, he 
 bestowed but little thought upon the danger 
 attending it. He guessed he was in the river 
 a little below Gravesend ; but he could not dis- 
 tinguish the shore, for a mist was lying on the 
 waters, and the river full a mile broad. 
 
 As he looked round, he heard a man's voice, 
 and then caught a glimpse of a vessel under 
 sail, following in his wake. The instant he 
 perceived it, he came across a small hawser, of 
 which he immediately laid hold, and then it 
 was he became aware of the immense strength 
 of the spring tide. With the greatest difficulty,
 
 THE WARHAWZ. 247 
 
 he held on ; as he retained his hold, the vessel 
 he had seen passed within a few yards, and he 
 could distinctly hear the imprecations of the 
 men as they passed. At first, he greatly feared 
 being discovered, for they kept swinging a 
 large lantern over the side. 
 
 Gerald mentally breathed a prayer of thanks- 
 giving to Providence as the schooner shot by, 
 and disappeared in the mist. 
 
 He then resolved, as he held by no means an 
 enviable situation, to gain the deck of the small 
 vessel, to whose hawser he was indebted for his 
 safety. He could perceive she was a little one- 
 masted boat, not more than eight or ten tons, 
 with a half-deck ; in fact, one of the Gravesend 
 Peter boats, employed in shrimping, and 
 generally worked by one man and a boy. 
 
 It was not an easy task to get on board ; but 
 he succeeded at last. No sooner, however, had 
 he clambered up upon the deck, than a rough 
 voice, between a growl and a snore, sung out 
 from under the forecastle —
 
 248 THEWARHAWK. 
 
 *^ Hallo, there ! Who the devil are you ? 
 What do you want aboard, and be d — d to you ? 
 I'll welt you with a rope's end if you don't 
 mizzle, you shore-going thief." 
 
 And with these words, a great, rough, 
 grizzled head was thrust out, and then the 
 broad shoulders of the owner followed, covered 
 with a red flannel-shirt, and inexpressibles of 
 the same materials ; a horn lantern was in 
 one of his hands, and a broken boat-hook in 
 the other. 
 
 Holding his lantern up, he cast a glance 
 around ; and perceiving our hero sitting on the 
 stump of the bowsprit, he at once sung out — 
 
 '^ Bill, boy ! Bill, you lazy lubber, rouse out ! 
 There's the devil, for all I know, aboard of us ! 
 Eouse up !" 
 
 ^^ I'm feared to come, father," replied the 
 person appealed to. " If it's the ould one, he's 
 arter the shrimps." 
 
 << My good fellow," said Gerald, rising and 
 jumping down along-side of the startled
 
 THE AVARHAWK. 249 
 
 shrimper, ^^ don't be alarmed. I'm neither the 
 devil nor one of his satellites." 
 
 ** Curse your set of lights," retorted the 
 man. "Who are you? How did you get 
 here ? I'll poke this in your ribs if you don't 
 start overboard in a shake." And the old 
 fisherman flourished his boat-hook in down- 
 right earnest. 
 
 "Be he the devil, father ?" timidly inquired 
 the boy Bill, from the hatchway. " Don't 'ee 
 go near he, father ; he smells mortal strong of 
 brimstone, now." 
 
 " Confound your stupidity ! " ejaculated 
 Gerald, catching the old man by the arm, to 
 save himself from a thrust of his novel weapon. 
 " My good fellow, you are in error. I am no 
 stealer of shrimps. The noise you make, may 
 cost me my life ; and then you will lose a couple 
 of guineas, which I will give you, if you hold 
 your tongue, and weigh anchor.' 
 
 " Don't heed he, father," interposed the boy; 
 " give him a poke aft with the boat-hook.'' 
 M 5
 
 250 THE WAEHAWE. 
 
 But Gerald's tone and manner, and the clear 
 sight of his dress the old man got, besides the 
 apparition of some gold, which Gerald pulled 
 from his pocket, satisfied the fisherman he was 
 no purloiner of shrimps, at all events. 
 
 *' Zounds ! who are you then ?*' growled the 
 old man. " How did you get on board ?" 
 
 "Never mind the how," replied Gerald. 
 " There's three guineas for you. Some rascals 
 were kidnapping me, and I escaped from them 
 by swimming." 
 
 " Lord love 'ee ! I see it now. They were 
 crimpers, curse 'em" exclaimed the fisherman. 
 "But you're safe, now. Come into my cabin, 
 and I'll give you a stiff glass of grog, and a 
 dry jacket. Jump out of the cuddy, you 
 whelp," added he to his son Bill. '' Step into 
 my nest, your honour," continued the old man; 
 " though it's rather low for your worship." 
 
 With some difiiculty, Gerald squeezed his 
 tall form into the cabin of the shrimper — which, 
 probably, measured six feet in length, by four
 
 THE WARHAWK. 261 
 
 in height, with two sleeping places, one on each 
 side. The candle, being taken from the lan- 
 tern, gave the old man a more perfect survey 
 of his guest ; and, uninitiated as he was in the 
 mystery of the dress, &c., of the aristocracy of 
 the land, he saw enough, judging by the splen- 
 did gold watch, rings, and remaining apparel of 
 his passenger, that he was far above those he 
 was accustomed to mix with, or even see. 
 
 Nevertheless, he produced from a side-locker 
 a stone jar, filled wiih unexceptionable Hollands, 
 of which Gerald, very willingly, took a couple 
 of glasses — or rather horns. 
 
 Between our hero and the burly form of the 
 old shrimper, the little cuddy was pretty well 
 filled ; indeed, the heat became so oppressive, 
 that Gerald, wet as he was, very willingly sal- 
 lied out upon deck, after putting on a clean, 
 dry, Guernsey frock, and a pair of the boy 
 BilPs tremendous shoes, for which he slipped 
 into the hand of the delighted urchin, (a youth 
 of some fifteen years), a golden guinea.
 
 252 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 As lie turned round to go out of the cabin, 
 the old fisherman caught a Bight of the blood 
 clotted on the back of his head. 
 
 *^Ugh, sir !" exclaimed he, ^^ I knew it was 
 them infernal crimpers. There's been a long, 
 low, black devil of a schooner lying off Graves- 
 end these several days. I knowed there were 
 queer customers aboard. They don't care how 
 they knocks a man's head about." 
 
 ^^ A good washing will remedy that evil," 
 said Gerald. 
 
 ^^I can't think as how, your honour, they 
 could think of mistaking the likes of you," 
 rejoinded the fisherman. 
 
 Grumbling and swearing alternately, the old 
 man and his boy got the anchor up; and, 
 setting their sails, they ran up the river, with 
 a stiffish breeze, that had sprung up from the 
 east. In less than five hours, they reached 
 Black wall ; by which time Gerald's clothes, 
 which had been hanging before the small stove
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 253 
 
 in the cuddy, were pretty dry. Still, he had no 
 coat, and was obliged to be content with a 
 Flushing-jacket belonging to the old man. 
 
 Giving the shrimper the direction and name 
 of his hotel, he landed near where now stands 
 St. ^atherine'sDock ; and, hailing a sedan, was 
 at once conveyed to his hotel. 
 
 It was not yet morning ; and the streets 
 were nearly deserted. At his inn he only 
 found the porter and the night waiter in 
 attendance. Their astonishment was great, 
 indeed, on beholding our hero's strange cos- 
 tume ; nevertheless, they appeared rejoiced at 
 his safe return, as his servant, O'Eegan, had 
 expressed excessive uneasiness at his pro- 
 longed absence, and had been absent all night, 
 with two of the city watch, to discover what 
 had become of him. 
 
 Being too fatigued to enter into any parti- 
 culars, Gerald retired immediately to his 
 chamber ; and, throwing oflP his motley attire, 
 went to bed, anrl^ in a marvellously short time,
 
 254 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 was fast asleep, notwithstanding many perplex- 
 ing thoughts, and an uneasy sensation where 
 he had received the blow. His slumbers were 
 deep and long ; for, when he was awakened by 
 the bright sunshine, and the noise and bustle 
 without, he conjectured it was late in the 
 day. 
 
 As he looked round the chamber, he per- 
 ceived Dennis O'Eegan standing with his back 
 towards him, holding in one hand, between 
 the finger and thumb, the clumsy shoes of 
 the boy Bill, and, in the other, the Fluslung- 
 jacket. Having contemplated these strange 
 articles, he broke into a low laugh, muttering 
 to himself — 
 
 '' Be Jabus, after all, he's only been at 
 a masquerade ; but, faix, he'd a mighty 
 queer choice of garments, if he danced in 
 these beautiful shoes. But, murder ! how'o 
 this ?" And he suddenly let go the jacket, 
 and picked up the garments which showed 
 evident signs of having had a good ducking.
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 255 
 
 " Be the immortal powers !" continued 
 Dennis, he's been swimming !" And, turning 
 round, Gerald burst into a laugh at the ludi- 
 crous expression of O'Eegan's face. 
 
 "Be my conscience, sir, you may laugh,'' 
 said Dennis, in a serious tone, '^ but I never 
 passed such a night as I did yesterday. But 
 the Lord be praised ! it's turned out nothing 
 after all. Where did you get so wet, sir ? 
 And how, in the name of goodness, did you 
 get these articles ? Was it masquerading you 
 were ?" 
 
 " In truth, Dennis," replied Gerald, " it was 
 anything but masquerading. In the first 
 place, I was knocked over the head ; and, in 
 the next, had to swim for my life. But don't 
 look so aghast. Here I am, safe and sound.'' 
 
 " I knew there was something wrong, sir," 
 said O'Eegan, as he examined his master's 
 head, and heard a full account of the aifair. 
 " There's some villany at work, sir. I'll 
 swear this was no criniping business, as the
 
 256 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 city watch wanted to persuade me. Hadn't I 
 better go for a surgeon, sir ?" 
 
 ^' Wash off the blood, Dennis, and get me a 
 piece of sticking-plaster; that's all the doctoring 
 I shall require. You ought to know that a 
 knock on the head is not so very uncommon an 
 occurrence in our little Island ; and, somehow 
 or other, whether our heads are harder or 
 thicker than our opposite neighbours, these 
 knocks do not turn out very tragical. After 
 all, it may have been a crimping aflPair, as they 
 are eagerl}'- getting men not only to man our 
 ships, but also to man certain very suspicious- 
 looking crafts fitting out for some foreign expe- 
 dition." 
 
 O'Regan shook his head, but said little, while 
 he assisted to finish his young master's toilet. 
 But in his own mind, he thought very difi'er- 
 ently, and firmly resolved not to lose sight of 
 him, while they remained in London. 
 
 Having breakfasted, and finding himself, not 
 a particle the worse for his night's adventure,^
 
 THE WARHAWK. 257 
 
 he was preparing to set out on a visit to Mrs. 
 Atherstone, when the waiter delivered him a 
 notice from the captain of the transport, The 
 Eoyal Anne, to the effect that she would sail 
 on the morrow with the turn of the tide, an 
 intimation which delayed our hero in paying 
 his visit, till the hour of dinner. 
 
 On proceeding to the house of Mrs. Mc 
 Mahon, he was extremely amazed at hearing 
 from the servants that Mrs. Atherstone and 
 daughter had left for Oxfordshire early in the 
 morning. A letter, however, was handed to 
 him from that lady. 
 
 More vexed than the occasion seemed to 
 warrant, Gerald returned in a masing fit to his 
 hotel, and opening the letter, read as fol- 
 lows . — 
 
 " My Dear Sir 
 
 '^ It is with feelings of deep 
 regret I have to apologise to you for our
 
 268 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 sudden and unforeseen departure from London. 
 We are too sensible of the obligation we are 
 under to your gallantry, not to feel distressed 
 at this contre-temps^ and trust that although a 
 long period may intervene before we meet 
 again, you will till then allow us a place in 
 your memory. 
 
 ** Wishing you, from our hearts, a brilliant 
 and fortunate career in the profession you have 
 selected, and a safe return to your native 
 land — 
 
 " Believe me ever your sincere friend, 
 " Matilda Atheestone," 
 
 Gerald read this short epistle twice ; folded 
 it up, and placed it in his pocket-book. The 
 following morning he embarked with his at- 
 tendant, O'Eegan, on board The Eoyal Anne, 
 which got under weigi shortly after.
 
 THE WARHAWK. 259 
 
 CKAPTER XIII. 
 
 The transport, which, for the days of " good 
 Queen Anne," was a very respectable and 
 tolerably sea-worthy craft, fortunately had 
 very nearly sufficient room below her dock for 
 the living and dead cargo, she was destined to 
 carry to the Hague. 
 
 The live cargo consisted of a detachment of 
 infantry, and double the number of recruits, 
 under charge of Lieutenant Carisford and a 
 young ensign of the name of Dawlish ; Gerald
 
 260 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 Granville, his attendants and horses ; the 
 captain of the transport, and twenty-two able- 
 bodied seamen. As to her dead cargo, it was 
 composed of very combustible materials, being 
 nothing more nor less than gunpowder. As 
 much as possible was stowed away in her hold ; 
 the rest, contained in kegs, was ranged along 
 the deck and covered with tarpaulins. 
 
 In those good old days — as it is the fashion 
 to call them — when steam was only seen from 
 cooking apparatus, and when square-rigged 
 craft worked to windward, with anything but 
 a certainty of gaining ground — The Eoyal 
 Anne, was destined to proceed, but slowly on 
 her voyage to the Hague, though she com- 
 menced her trip extremely well ; starting from 
 Gravesend with a fine north west breeze, but 
 very doubtful sky. With wind and tide she 
 glided into the Lower Hope, when suddenly 
 her sails flapped against her masts — again filled 
 with an expiring puff — and finally reposed in
 
 THEWARHAWK. 261 
 
 very picturesque folds from the yards and spars. 
 The mate whistled and gazed up at the sails ; 
 the passengers looked blank. 
 
 " Confound the wind !" exclaimed a very 
 fat corporal, who was extremely anxious to get 
 to the Hague. 
 
 " We ^re going to have a calm, captain," 
 said Lieutenant Carisford, looking over the 
 bulwarks upon the unruffled surface of the 
 river. 
 
 " 'No sir," replied the Captain, turning his 
 glass in every direction. " We shall have a 
 strong breeze from the eastward in a short 
 time ; often the case here." 
 
 *' I wish to Heaven it had had the politeness 
 to stay in the east," said Ensign Dawlish, with 
 a very doleful look. '^ It's always my luck. 
 Cursed hard a man cannot go to sea but he 
 must always have a foul wind. I told you, 
 Carisford, this morning, how it would be." 
 " You are a regular Jonah, Dawlish," ob-
 
 262 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 served the handsome Lieutenant, with a 
 smile. 
 
 " Did you ever make the voyage to Holland 
 before, sir ?" inquired the Ensign of our hero, 
 who just then joined them. 
 
 " I have not had that pleasure, if pleasure it 
 is," replied Gerald. ^* I regret to hear you 
 say you are not one of fortune's favorites at 
 sea." 
 
 *^Ko, faith, nor for the matter of that," re- 
 joined the Ensign, laughing, " does the jade 
 treat me very well upon terra firma." 
 
 Gerald soon turned from the foppishly dressed 
 person and insignificant figure of the Ensign, 
 to enter into conversation with Lieutenant 
 Carisford, whose fine form, prepossessing 
 features and manners at once engaged his 
 interest. The Lieutenant was struck by the 
 same qualifications in Gerald. 
 
 The Captain of the transport was quite 
 right ; for the ^ ind did come up from the
 
 THE WARHAWK. 263 
 
 eastward, forcing the Eoyal Anne to brace her 
 yards, and commence that pleasing manoeuvre, 
 called tacking, which enables a passenger to 
 get the most for his money, by performing 
 five times the intended distance. 
 
 An easterly wind has, proverbially, like that 
 domestic animal, the cat, nine lives. For the 
 first three days it kept gradually increasing, 
 till it encouraged itself into a regular gale ; so 
 that on the fifth, the namesake of the good 
 Queen thought it no disgrace to show her 
 stern to the enemy, and seek shelter from the 
 storm in the very disagreeable harbour of 
 Sheerness. 
 
 A somewhat similar disposition, and a 
 mutual feeling of interest in each other, soon 
 rendered Gerald Granville and Arthur Caris- 
 ford intimate and social with each other. Un- 
 fortunately, the east wind had more than its 
 usual complement of lives, for nearly a fort- 
 night elapsed before the transport could resume 
 her voyage; and during that period, a close friend-
 
 264 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 ship ensued between the young men, who 
 passed their time in rambles over the uninter- 
 resting Isle of Sheppey, and in excursions up 
 the Medway to Eochester and Chatham. 
 
 Lieutenant Carisford, during these rambles, 
 made Gerald Granville acquainted with the 
 few incidents of his past life, and his hopes for 
 the future. To our hero's great surprise, he 
 learned that his new friend came from Ox- 
 fordshire, and that he was a protege of 
 Lord Al thorp. The Lieutenant's history may 
 be told in very few words. Arthur's father 
 was educated for the church, and, when of age, 
 was highly recommended by a Cambridge 
 gentleman of fortune, whose acquaintance he 
 had made while pursuing his studies in the 
 university, as a tutor to the only son of Lord 
 Althorp. 
 
 So much satisfaction did Mr. Carisford give 
 to his noble patron, that, as soon as his duties 
 were ended, his lordship presented him with 
 the small, but comfortable, living of S .
 
 THE WARHAWE, 265 
 
 Shortly after which event, he married the 
 daughter of a highly respectable country gen- 
 tleman, with whom he received the sum of 
 two thousand pounds. 
 
 In the course of years, Mr, Carisford's pupil 
 succeeded to the title and estates of his father. 
 His Lordship did not forget his former tutor ; 
 he was a kind and generous nobleman, but 
 somewhat apt to place too great importance 
 upon rank and station. As soon as it was 
 within his power, he presented Mr. Carisford 
 with a valuable living, who at this period, 
 unfortunately became a widower, with an 
 only son. 
 
 Misfortunes, they say, never come single. 
 By the failure of a mercantile house, Mr. Caris- 
 ford lost, not only the two thousand pounds — 
 his wife's fortune — but also another thousand 
 which he had added to it from his savings. 
 
 Arthur Carisford, ho yever, became an orphan 
 at an early age ; a fever, caught while attend- 
 ing a sick parishioner, having carried off his 
 VOL, I, N
 
 266 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 father, Lord Althorp kindly and promptly 
 came forward, and had the poor boy placed at 
 a first-rate school, and then sent to the 
 University to be educated for the Church. 
 Almost all Arthur's vacations were spent at his 
 patron's seat in Oxfordshire ; for his lordship 
 was much attached to his promising and hand- 
 some jt?ro^^^e. With all his pride of hereditary 
 rank. Lord Althorp was blessed only with four 
 fine daughters, but no son. And most unfor- 
 tunately, perhaps, for Arthur Carisford, he took 
 a dislike to the profession his lordship intended 
 him to enter ; and, at the same time, to make 
 up for that dislike, he became passionately at- 
 tached to the youngest of his lordship's daugh- 
 ters. This attachment was returned ; though 
 the young couple were perfectly aware that 
 such an interchange of affection was akin to 
 insanity. 
 
 Somehow, in all ages, and in all countries, 
 love certainly flourishes most under an uncon- 
 genial atmosphere, something akin to the
 
 THE WAEH AWK. 267 
 
 Greek fire — the more yon attempt to extinguish 
 it, the fiercer it bums— opposition seems to 
 be the renewal of life to all affairs or under- 
 takings in this world, whether in love or re- 
 ligion, or politics : cease to oppose, and they 
 will die a natural death. The more the young 
 couple reasoned about the possibility of their 
 union, and that they would struggle against 
 the blind decrees of the blindest of urchins 
 the more they sighed to meet again ; ostensibly 
 to reason the matter over more clearly. 
 
 Ai'thur Carisford vowed he would carve his 
 fortunes with his sword. Alas ! the age for 
 winning kingdoms with the point of the lance, 
 was past; and the nineteenth century, which be- 
 held many a man wear a crown who had com- 
 menced life with a very indifferent covering for the 
 head, was not yet come. Still, Julia applauded 
 the resolution of her handsome lover. She 
 liked his spirit ; and, in the end, she faithfully 
 
 promised that the moment he obtained a ma- 
 
 N 2
 
 268 THE WARHAWZ. 
 
 jority, she would, in despite of fate, fortune, 
 and parental authority, unite her destiny 
 to his. 
 
 ^^ For," said she, '' I dare say, Arthur, dear, 
 I shall be twenty-one at that time." And she 
 sighed deeply, for she was then only seventeen. 
 It was a long, long way to twenty-one. 
 
 All Arthur now required, was, not to face the . 
 enemy, but Lord Althorp, and state his un- 
 willingness to become one of the worst- treated of 
 all professions, a poor curate, which, at that 
 period, was to be like the famous parson, 
 " passing rich on forty pounds a year." 
 
 To Arthur's extreme astonishment, one morn- 
 ing his lordship called him into the library, 
 and, in very few words, yet kindly spoken, in- 
 formed him that he very clearly perceived the 
 Church was not his choice ; and that he had 
 procured him an Ensign's Commission in the 
 
 Foot. He added that he might depend 
 
 on his interest in promoting his rise in the 
 
 i
 
 THE WARHAWK. 269 
 
 army, "but that he must set out immediately 
 and join his regiment. 
 
 Whether his lordship was clearer sighted 
 than the lovers gave him credit for or not, 
 Arthur could not say. Nevertheless, trans- 
 ported with joy, he contrived to see his mistress 
 alone — reminded her of her promise about the 
 majority, which he made no doubt of obtaining 
 in a very short period — by his services and the 
 interest of her father — pressed a first kiss upon 
 her willing lips, and departed to seek favour 
 and rank under the banners of General Barclay. 
 
 Arthur served in Holland with credit ; never- 
 theless, he was seven-and-twenty before he ob- 
 tained his lieutenancy ; and alas ! Julia reached 
 the one- and- twenty, and all her sisters had 
 married. Still, she was faithful and true. By 
 far the handsomest of the four, she had 
 steadily refused several proposals, superior to 
 those which had fallen to the lot of her elder 
 companions.
 
 370 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 Whatever he thought, her father said little ; 
 for, at heart, he was a kind and considerate 
 parent, and never expressed any desire to force, 
 or even to bias, his daughter's choice. 
 
 At the period of meeting Gerald Granville, 
 Carisford was expecting every day a company ; 
 and our hero vowed when he heard Arthur's 
 story, that he would write to his uncle, Sir 
 Hugh, and get him to exert his interest 
 with those in power, and also to see what could 
 be done with his lordship, who was extremely 
 partial to the Baronet's society, and greatly 
 inclined to be guided by his opinion on many 
 things. 
 
 At length, to the infinite relief of all parties, 
 the east wind ceased, and the weather settled. 
 The Eoyal Anne, started with studding sails 
 alow and aloft, and actually ran within a few 
 hours of her destination, notwithstanding the 
 repeated assertions of doleful Ensign Dawlish 
 *' that something would happen."
 
 THE WARHAWK. 271 
 
 To this, he would frequently add, shaking 
 his head — 
 
 ** We are not over yet — we are not oTer 
 yet." 
 
 J t was night as The Eoyal Anne approached 
 the shores of Holland. The officers were below 
 sipping such wine as the captain of the tran- 
 sport had provided for them, and which was 
 by no means to be found fault with, when a 
 sudden and most violent shock threw Ensign 
 Dawlish, who had Just laid hold of a flask, 
 right over the table, with his head immersed in 
 the open locker from which the flask had just 
 been extracted. 
 
 ^' Oh ! I knew how it would be," moaned 
 the ensign, as Gerald, who, with Carisford, 
 had been also capsized, extricated him from the 
 locker. From the noise and confusion on deck^ 
 they conjectured that the transport had struck 
 upon one of the many sand-banks that defend 
 the entrance into Scheveling. They hurried
 
 272 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 upon deck, where a scene of confusion and up-\ 
 roar, beyond description, existed. The soldiers 
 and recruits were pitched right and left as The 
 Eoyal Anne rolled heavily from side to side ; 
 while the crew were busily engaged taking in 
 sail. 
 
 Carisford soon got his men under control ; 
 and, as the weather was fortunately not rough, 
 the only consequences attending the disaster, 
 would be the delay of a tide. 
 
 The following morning, the voyagers were 
 all landed safe and sound. Gerald, taking 
 leave of Carisford— who proceeded with his 
 men by canal — set forward for the Hague on 
 horseback. On reaching the Hague, he learned 
 that the .Duke was there, as Generalissimo of 
 the allied army, actively engaged against the 
 forces commanded by the Duke of Burgundy 
 and Marshal Boufflers. This induced him to 
 push on as fast as he could with his horses, 
 fearing to be too late. He arrived, however.
 
 THE WARHAWK. 273 
 
 in sufficient time to gain a tolerable share of 
 the laurels that crowned the first campaign of 
 the Duke, to whom he was personally in- 
 troduced, having been attached to the 
 cavalry regiment, commanded by Colonel 
 Delmar. 
 
 At the storming of D , his good fortune 
 
 as well as his daring gallantry led him into a 
 situation, where he performed a most impor- 
 tant service to the Duke, and supplied, for a 
 time, the place of his aide-de-camp, two 
 of whom had been shot by his side. His 
 Grace bestowed upon him unqualified praise 
 for his gallantry, and offered him a commission 
 in the distinguished regiment he was attached 
 to; but, having promised Sir Hugh, not to 
 take permanent service, though he greatly re- 
 gretted the promise, he was obliged to decline, 
 stating the reason. 
 
 He, however, did not forget his friend Garis- 
 ford, who was wounded in the action, and had 
 N 6
 
 274 THE waehawe:. 
 
 the satisfaction, shortly afterwards, at the 
 storming of Linburg, where he was personally 
 attached to the staff of the Duke, to procure 
 Carisford a captain^s commission. The Duke 
 of Marlborough took an exceeding fancy to 
 Gerald Granville, and earnestly requested him 
 to write to Sir Hugh, and obtain his consent to 
 enter the army, offering him a captain's com- 
 mission. This, Gerald was most eager to do, 
 and wrote accordingly ; but before his lett^ 
 could reach its destination, he received one, 
 the contents of which filled his mind with 
 grief and astonishment. 
 
 The letter had experienced considerable de- 
 lays in reaching Gerald, being dated two 
 months back ; but the rapid movements of the 
 army, the unsettled state of the country, and 
 the insecure method of transit from one place 
 to another, had caused delay. The only wonder 
 was that it ever reached its destination ; for 
 the worthy writer, Mr. Briefless, hud forgottea
 
 THE WARHAWK. 275 
 
 to have it forwarded in the government de 
 spatches. 
 
 ^' Cork^ September 9thy 170—." 
 
 ** My dear and respected young friend, 
 
 *' I write in the greatest haste 
 and deep distress of mind. You have lost the 
 best and kindest of relatives, and I an old and 
 highly respected friend. 
 
 *' Your honorable uncle, Sir Hugh, was car- 
 ried off suddenly by apoplexy, at Castle Gran- 
 ville. The event has so confounded, per- 
 plexed, and confused me, that I scarcely know 
 what I am doing. I set out for the Castle the 
 moment the intelligence reached me. What 
 astonishes me, at the same time, is, that no 
 will is to be found. It is not possible it was 
 destroyed. But no matter : you are heir-at- 
 law. Excuse this letter ; but I trust you will
 
 276 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 set out on your return as soon as you receire 
 it. I wrote to Mr. Harmer, who was unfortu- 
 nately in Oxfordshire. Everything shall be 
 done that ought to be done. I have sealed up 
 everything. 
 
 " Hoping to see you soon^ 
 
 " I remain, 
 
 " My dear young friend, 
 
 " Your sincere well-wisher, 
 
 "John Briefless." 
 
 Our hero, now S-ir Gerald Granville, after 
 reading this letter, remained immersed in pro- 
 found sorrow and thought. He loved his 
 noble and kind-hearted uncle. As a fond father, 
 from his earliest childhood, he had done every- 
 thing to repair the loss Providence had thought 
 fit to inflict upon him, that the best of parents 
 could have done ; and a strong and mutual
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 277 
 
 love grew in the hearts of each. This sudden 
 blow came upon Gerald with stunning force : 
 he even upbraided himself for having left his 
 uncle to gratify his own inclinations. One 
 thought brought on another; and a maze of 
 painful reflections followed each other through 
 his disturbed brain. He stood alone in the 
 world, without a single tie of relationship. 
 The unfortunate fate of his father's family — 
 the mysterious abduction of his brother Cuth- 
 bert — his uncertain fate — the mystery attend- 
 ing the introduction of the false Cuthbert Fitz- 
 maurice — the attempt, if not on his life, at 
 least upon his liberty on the eve of his depar- 
 ture from London — even the sudden with- 
 drawal of Mrs. Atherstone from the metropo- 
 lis, when he felt so unaccountably interested 
 and struck with the beauty and grace of the 
 young Aleen — all these events floated through 
 the young soldier's brain in melancholy 
 array. 
 
 O'Eegan's grief was as great as his master's;
 
 278 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 and bitterly he bewailed their abseDce, which 
 prevented their attending his remains to their 
 last resting-place 
 
 The entrance of Captain Carisford roused 
 Sir Gerald from his gloomy and melancholy 
 thoughts. 
 
 *^ I would leave on the instant, Arthur," said 
 our hero to his friend, who learned the intel- 
 ligence of the Baronet's death with much re- 
 gret, " could my presence be of any earthly 
 benefit to any one living. But, as far as my 
 beloved uncle is concerned, alas, it is too late to 
 shew him even that last sad token of respect and 
 love ; and as to worldly wealth and my pros- 
 pects as heir, I am quite content to abide by 
 the worthy lawyer's attention to it ; for it 
 strikes me, in our present position, with this 
 great battle pending between the two forces, 
 it would never do to leave my post." 
 
 " I perfectly agree with you, Gerald," said 
 Captain Carisford. '^ Besides, you have a 
 brilliant career before you, and your own in-
 
 THE WARHAWK. 279 
 
 clination prompts you to follow it up. It 
 strikes me that previously to this contemplated 
 battle, it would be as well, as no obstacle in- 
 tervenes, if you were to accept the Duke's 
 earnest offer, and take the command of that 
 fine body of men who so anxiously wish to 
 enter the field under you." 
 
 Accordingly, the next morning, Sir Gerald 
 Granville obtained an audience of the Duke, 
 which ended in his appointment to the com- 
 mand of the Dragoons. 
 
 It is not our purpose, nor does the interest 
 of our story require it, to follow, step by step, 
 the military career of Sir Gerald Granville. 
 It was a period when rank and wealth, com- 
 bmed with great gallantry, obtained rapid and 
 high promotion. Sir Gerald gained laurels 
 rapidly : he accompanied the Duke with only 
 thirteen thousand English troops through ex- 
 tensive countries, and reached, after a most 
 extraordinary march, the banks of the Danube. 
 The enemy were defeated in a brilliant
 
 280 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 action at Donavert. The river was crossed, 
 and the kingdom of Bavaria laid under con- 
 tribution. There Sir Gerald Granville became 
 the hero of the hour — saved the Duke at a 
 moment of great peril — was severely wounded — 
 and received a lieutenant-colonePs commission. 
 Here we must leave him for a time, requeu- 
 ing our reader's indulgence while we look after 
 some of the other characters who have to per- 
 form no inconsiderable part in the further pro- 
 gress of our story.
 
 THE WARHAWK. 281 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 We commenced our story at a time called 
 by Voltaire, the " Era of British Liberty," 
 the year 1658. The reader, we trust, will 
 allow us to take him to a period about five 
 years after that stormy epoch; and also to 
 convey him to a very wild part of the world, 
 though quite near home. 
 
 In the year 1693, there dwelt upon the 
 Island of St. Mary, one of the group forming 
 the Cornish Archipelago, called the Scilly 
 Isles — a fisherman and pilot of the name of
 
 282 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 Jack Morris. This singular cluster of Islands 
 lies about thirty miles off the west coast of 
 Cornwall. "Seven of them were inhabited at 
 the time of our story, by a very simple, indus- 
 trious, inoffensive race, who subsisted by fish- 
 ing and piloting vessels clear of the vast 
 number of hidden rocks, shoals, &c., which 
 render the navigation very perilous. Never- 
 theless, small as these Islands are, they feed a 
 goodly number of sheep, and are well popu- 
 lated. 
 
 The Island of St. Mary, the largest, is 
 nearly four miles long, by something better 
 than two broad ; and possesses within its 
 boundaries various antiquities, and the remains 
 of a Druid's temple and sepulchre. At the 
 period of our narrative, these Islands were as 
 much dreaded by navigators as the ancient 
 Scylla and Charybdis, for they did not then 
 boast of the noble lighthouse that now stands 
 on St. Agnes. 
 
 Even in the present day, when steam roars.
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 283 
 
 and puffs its snow-white wreaths oyer land and 
 sea, the Scilly Islands are almost a terra in- 
 cognita. Nevertheless, they are well worthy a 
 traveller's notice. 
 
 On the south-west side of St. Mary's, in a 
 snug cottage — built near the edge of a very 
 steep cliff, that overhung a small but safe 
 anchorage for half a dozen fishing-boats — 
 dwelt Jack Morris. Jack was a stout, hale 
 old fellow, nearly sixty years of age. He was 
 a widower, and the father of two ruddy, hard- 
 working, comely girls — the eldest about twenty, 
 and the youngest fifteen. 
 
 To the back of the cottage lay ten or twelve 
 acres of tolerable land, and tolerably cultivated. 
 Along the cliff, might be seen on a fine sunny 
 day, some hundreds of split ling (or cod-fish), 
 and conger eels of most enormous size, stretched 
 out drying. On the beach below were hauled 
 up three or four large pilchard boats ; and, 
 riding at anchor, two luggers. All these 
 things — land, cottage, fish, and boats — called
 
 284 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 Jack Morris master and owner. It is not 
 to be wondered, then, that by the little commu- 
 nity of St. Mary's, honest Jack should be styled 
 a very thriving, if not wealthy, individual. 
 
 Jack thought so too ; and if any one beheld him, 
 on a fine, sunny winter's morning — his broad, 
 ample chest, bared to the keen north-east wind — 
 his dark, sunburnt, but most good-humoured 
 face, with a pipe stuck in the side of his 
 mouth, his large fisherman's boots reaching 
 high above his knees — sitting at the door of 
 his cottage, with his jug of strong ale before 
 him, and his twinkling grey eyes compla- 
 cently watching attentively his rosy-cheeked 
 daughters, as they actively turned the dried 
 fish to the sun, and then gazing on his craft, 
 as she lazily rose and fell in the long ground- 
 swell, rolling over the hidden ranges of rock 
 that lay scattered across the mouth of the cove, 
 they would say that honest Jack Morris was, in 
 truth, a very comfortable man, and very well 
 to do.
 
 THE WARHAWK. 285 
 
 One blowing morning in IS'ovember, a month 
 famous for haze, fog, storm — in fact, for every- 
 thing unpleasant, Jack Morris, after an early 
 breakfast, and looking up first at the clouds, 
 and then out over the heavy sea, called together 
 his crew, consisting of four men and a boy, and 
 declared he would have a cruise, as he was 
 sure they \vould fall in with some homeward- 
 bound craft, or anything else that might turn 
 up. It had blown a gale the preceding night 
 from the south, and in the morning when it 
 lulled, the wind shifted a point or two to the 
 eastward, with what a landsman would call 
 thick, dirty weather. 
 
 Jack Morris and his hardy crew were soon 
 aboard his fast lugger; and under her fore- 
 lug and mizen, he ran off to sea several 
 miles, riding over the heavy swells like a 
 duck. Having gained an offing, he lay to. 
 For several hours they kept a sharp look-out, 
 but not a single sail met Jack's sight ; so, not 
 to be idle, they put out their heavy lead
 
 286 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 lines, aud commenced catching some cod and 
 hake. 
 
 As the day declined, and the weather grew 
 thicker, Jack Morris began to growl — first, at 
 losing a monstrous large cod, and next at not 
 seeing a single ship. 
 
 *' You may let draw the fore- sheet, Will," 
 said Morris; ^ there's not a craft on the 
 seas to-day. Whatever's gone with them?" 
 
 Now Jack was not just in his remark; for, 
 unless he ran right into a ship, or a ship right 
 into him, it was quite impossible, from the fog, 
 to see her. Fifty craft might have passed 
 within a quarter of a mile of him without his 
 seeing one of them. 
 
 As Will let draw the fore-sheet, he also mut- 
 tered to himself at not seeing anything in the 
 shape of a ship, though there ought to be, he 
 thought, a whole fleet, after the night's gale, 
 and the point the wind was in. 
 
 The sail filled, and away went the lively 
 lugger, bounding on over the crested waves,
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 287 
 
 her bow for her island home. Old Jack lighted 
 his pipe, called for a stone jar, and filled out a 
 good glass of pure Hollands for each of his 
 crew, and half a one for the boy, who, if con- 
 sulted, would have preferred a full one. They 
 then stretched themselves along under the 
 weather bulwarks. 
 
 "That was a bit of luck old Griffs had," 
 said one of the men to the skipper. "Had 
 that Indiaman struck ten feet further in on 
 * The Bishops,' she'd have gone to pieces like a 
 bit of rotten spun-yarn." 
 
 " Starboard ! My eyes ! Hard a starboard !" 
 shouted the man forward. "I'm blowed, if 
 we ain't slap into a craft of some sort or 
 or other." 
 
 Jack, who had hold of the tiller, jammed it 
 hard a-starboard, looking anxiously and keenly 
 to windward, as the lugger shot up into the 
 wind's eye, escaping, by a few yards, running 
 aboard the dismasted hull of a Dutch galliot.
 
 288 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 Not a soul appeared to be on board, for the 
 lugger's crew hailed repeatedly. 
 
 " Here's a prize, skipper I" cried the crew of 
 the lugger. ^^ Let us get the punt out, and see 
 what's aboard her." 
 
 All alive at the prospect of a prize, the small 
 boat was launched over the side. Notwith- 
 standing the stiff breeze and heavy sea, the 
 lugger lay to, with only Jack Morris and the 
 boy ; while the four men pulled on board the 
 dismasted craft, up whose side they contrived 
 to get, after some difficulty, and watching the 
 seas. 
 
 ^^My eyes, lads !" exclained the man named 
 Will, in a voice betokening disappointment, as 
 his eyes roamed over the wreck. '' My eyes 
 and limbs, if it han't blown masts, sails, rig- 
 gings, and bulwarks away ! Blow me ! I 
 wonder it didn't blow the eye-bolts away too. 
 She's full of water ; and devil a pump fit to 
 work in her."
 
 THE -WAIinA-WK. 289 
 
 Their first job was to get the hatch off; 
 and then Will poked his head down to bless 
 himself with the expected sight of Dutch 
 cheeses, hollands, brandy, or any thing else 
 that might be ; but, much to their vexation, 
 they beheld only a quantity of saturated 
 ballast, a few coils of rope, and some broken 
 planks floating about. Down the forecastle, 
 liowever, they found a cask of hollands, a 
 small one of brandy, and a large quantity of 
 soaked provisions. 
 
 ''' Xow for the cabin ;" exclaimed Yv'ill, 
 hurrying below. The water had just reached 
 the cabin-floor ; but the entire furniture of 
 the cabin was all knocked of a heap with 
 the heavy rolling of the craft. As Will kept 
 poking his head and his hands into the 
 berths and lockers, he was startled by hearing 
 a faint cry from one of the berths. 
 
 Will paused ; and then sung out to his 
 comrades to come below. Hearing the cry 
 repeated, he climed into a bertli, and, to his 
 VOL. n.
 
 290 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 great amazement, found a young boy, about 
 four years of age, rolled up in the blankets, 
 but half dead, and scarcely able to utter the 
 cry that attracted the rough, but kind-hearted, 
 sailor. 
 
 ^^ Well, I'm blessed, Jem," said the finder 
 of the child to his comrade, " if them lub- 
 bers as owned this here craft, hadn't black 
 hearts to leave this here boy to die of starva- 
 tion. It's nigh dead with cold now. But 
 bear a hand; let us get back to the lugger. 
 Old Jack, who has a heart as soft and as 
 big as a pumpkin, will be sure to take to 
 the young 'un, if so be as he doesn't slip 
 his cable. Poor thing ! He can't speak ! 
 Yet it's a fine lump of a child, too. Why, 
 I declare the little fellow is a opening his 
 eyes. That's right, my boy. Cheerly! cheerlyl 
 How cold his limbs feel ! There ! cling to 
 me, my dear. I'll warm you." 
 
 Will Vigors was a rough nurse. Neverthe- 
 less, he wrapped the child up carefully, and
 
 THE WAEHAWE. 291 
 
 got down into the boat with him — not an 
 easy task. 
 
 Having arranged a hawser, and everything 
 ready to take the Dutch Galliote in tow, they 
 shoved off for the lugger. 
 
 '^ Well, here's a rum day's work," said old 
 Jack as he received the child in his arms ; 
 ^^ here's a pet for my IN'anny, anyhow." And 
 the old man dived down below to warm the 
 child at the little cabouse fire in the fore cabin 
 of the lugger. ^' While there's life there's 
 hope," said the old sailor, dipping a piece of 
 bread into some brandy, and putting it into 
 the boy's mouth. Then, heating a blanket 
 piping hot, he wrapped it round the child, 
 and placed him near the stove, carefully 
 secured from any harm by the rolling of the 
 lugger. Jack Morris did his best for the 
 little stranger ; he had no other remedies. 
 Brandy and hoUands, internally and exter- 
 nally, always cured the ills to which he was 
 subjected. So, having taken all the care he 
 
 3
 
 292 ^ THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 could of the poor boy, he returned upon 
 deck. 
 
 It was not without much labor and difficulty 
 that the crew of the lugger managed to take 
 the unwieldy galliote in tow, expecting her to 
 sink in the heavy lurches she made in the 
 seas. Nevertheless, they got her safe into 
 the Cove before night fall, and secured her. 
 
 Jack then proceeded to look after his charge, 
 and found the child in a profuse perspiration, 
 and asleep. This pleased the old seaman 
 much; so wrapping him up, he carried him 
 ashore to his delighted daughters, especially 
 the youngest, who declared he was the hand- 
 somest child she ever saw. 
 
 We are not quite prepared to state the 
 mode of treatment used to restore the boy. 
 All we do know is, that by noon next day 
 he was as well as ever he wais. Just as 
 honest Jack was pondering in his own mind 
 whether he was Dutch built, or what; the 
 boy spoke some words in sound English,
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 293 
 
 which completely astounded Jack, though 
 he felt monstrously pleased at this, to 
 him, evident token that he was not a 
 Dutchman. 
 
 But the boy seemed sadly at a loss to 
 express all he wanted to say. Whether the 
 suffering he had gone through (for he must 
 have been a long period without nourishment) 
 had injured his speaking, or he was backward 
 for his age, was beyond the comprehension of Jack 
 and his daughters ; but he completely amazed 
 them by jumbling up a confusion of persons 
 and things, such as castles and soldiers, and 
 Nurse Brady; and that his name was Cuth. 
 something. But the rest baffled them ; his 
 garments were of the finest description, be- 
 tokening wealth in his parents. 
 
 Old Jack was highly pleased ; swore old 
 ocean had treated him infinitely better than 
 his departed wife — he had always prayed her 
 to give him a son, and he was blessed only
 
 294 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 with daughters. Little Cuth. should be his 
 son — he would make a man of him, and a 
 sailor, which was better. 
 
 In the mean time, the Dutch galliote was 
 left high and dry the next day by the tide ; 
 and all the inhabitants of St. Mary's, great and 
 small, with their worthy and really good 
 pastor at their head, came to examine the 
 prize of Jack Morris. The name on her stern, 
 till the Eeverend Mr. Trevillian arrived, puzzled 
 the most learned of the island. It defied their 
 spelling ; and as to pronouncing, that was out 
 of the question. At length, their pastor said 
 her name was Hohengollenn, and that she 
 hailed from Lieskenshoeck. 
 
 The worthy people rubbed their heads, 
 and looked upon Mr. Trevillian with pro- 
 found veneration. 
 
 He further told them this place with the hard 
 name was on the Eiver Scheldt, not a great 
 way from Antwerp.
 
 THB WAEHAWK. 295 
 
 The galliote was as sound as a bell ; and only 
 that she had knocked a hole in her bottom, in 
 which was stuck an immense piece of rock, a 
 quantity of sea- weed and other things sucked in 
 afterwards, and which kept her from sinking — 
 she was as good as ever. Jack, therefore, 
 thought she was a capital prize, and he would 
 sell her to some of the Falmouth traders. 
 
 Mr. Trevillian came and examined the child, 
 took down the name of Cuthbert, and his 
 nurse's name, Brady ; together with the day of 
 the month, year, &c. ; in case, hereafter, it 
 might serve to guide those who hai lost the 
 child and the vessel. He even proposed to 
 write to Antwerp, and state particulars ; but, 
 whether the good pastor's letter ever reached 
 its destination, or not, we cannot say, for no 
 notice was ever taken of it. In so remote a 
 spot as St. Mary's, intelligence of distant places 
 was rarely received, or indeed cared for. 
 
 In the course of a few weeks, a trader, from 
 Falmouth, put into St. Mary's, and purchased
 
 296 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 the galliote. Setting up jury masts, he took 
 her to Plymouth. 
 
 The Island of St. Mary, though only little 
 more than three miles long, and two broad, a 
 most convenient size, as any of its inhabitants 
 might walk round it before dinner, to see that 
 no part of it was missing, contained, never- 
 theless, more inhabitants than all the rest. 
 Still, the finding of the Dutch vessel, with the 
 unpronounceable name — like every thing else 
 in this world — was only a nine days' wonder. 
 
 Cuthbert Morris, as he was called, grew 
 up a fine, handsome lad. Mr. Treviliian — him- 
 self a man of excellent education and great 
 reading — took infinite pains with the boy. 
 
 The good clergyman was persuaded, in 
 his own mind, by the beauty of Cuthbert's 
 face and person, and the fineness and elegance 
 of the garments found on him, that sometime 
 or other, he would ascertain his origin, and dis- 
 cover that he was the lost child of wealthy 
 parents. 
 
 5
 
 THE WARHATTK. 297 
 
 As to old Morris, he loved the boy as a son. 
 Both daughters married ; and so Cuthbert re- 
 mained with the old man. At fourteen, his 
 feats of daring skill at sea astonished even the 
 hardy pilots of the Scilly Islands. 
 
 But, at this period of his age, an event occur- 
 red that changed his destiny.
 
 298 THE WAT.HAWJS:. 
 
 CHAPTEE XY. 
 
 DuEiNG the month of October, 1707, several 
 tremendous gales of wind forced the Scilly 
 pilots to keep to their snug coves. The sea ran 
 in fearfully upon their iron-bound shores. 
 
 One terrible night, old Jack and his protege 
 were roused from their slumbers by the deep 
 boom of heavy cannon, coming from sea- 
 ward. 
 
 " Ah !" said Jack, to his adopted son, '• those 
 guns come from some big ship. They are heavy
 
 THE WARHAWK. 299 
 
 guns. I fear, from the direction, she is struck 
 on some of the Bishops. If so, she will perish, 
 and every soul on board. Hark ! there go the 
 guns. Lord a mercy, what a night it is ! 
 Nothing made of wood will float long this 
 weather bumping on our rocks." 
 
 " Could we not get the lugger out, father ?" 
 asked Cuthbert, anxiously ; and try and save 
 life ?" 
 
 " Lord love you, boy ! The canvas is not 
 made that would stand this gale," replied old 
 Morris. *' We couldn't clear the mouth of the 
 cove, unless the wind shifts to the west- 
 ward." 
 
 With the morning's light, it did shift, after 
 a deluge of rain ; and Cuthbert, and the lug- 
 ger's crew, close reefed their sails, and gal- 
 lantly breasting the huge seas at the entrance, 
 stood out in the direction they thought the guns 
 came from in the night. 
 
 That fearful night, the gallant Sir Cloudesley 
 Shovel, and all his crew, in his noble ship, -Hhe
 
 300 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 Association/' totally perished ; with three other 
 men-of-war — The Eagle, The Eomney, and The 
 Firebrand — returning from the Mediterranean 
 to England. His loss filled the nation with 
 mourning. 
 
 The crew of the lugger, with young Cuth- 
 bert urging them on, saved many things ; but 
 the most important was the Admiral's body, 
 and a large chest, clasped with iron, having the 
 name of Grosvenor on it. 
 
 The Admiral's body was brought ashore and 
 buried ; but a short time after, a brig of war 
 came to the Islands, to investigate ti]e loss of 
 the ships, when the body of the Admiral was 
 taken up, and conveyed to London, and alter- 
 wards buried in Westminster Abbey, while a 
 midshipm.an's berth was offered to young 
 Cuthbert for his gallantry ; and the family of 
 Grosvenor afterwards declared they would do 
 all in their povrer to forward his interest in the 
 navy.
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 301 
 
 Cuthbert was frantic with joy — old Morris, 
 though he grieved sadly over the loss of his 
 'protege was persuaded by Mr. Trevillian not 
 to baulk the lad's fortunes. Thus Cuthbert 
 Morris became a midshipman on board a fine 
 frigate. 
 
 As a midshipman, Cuthbert visited many 
 parts of the world, and was in several actions 
 in which he distinguished himself for gallantry, 
 and strictly performing his duty. His six 
 year's being passed, he underwent bis exami- 
 nation, on his return to England, with great 
 credit ; and, through the interest of Captain 
 Grosvenor, was at once appointed third lieu- 
 tenant of a first-class frigate ; and after some 
 further service, in which he gained great credit 
 and praise, he was appointed to the command 
 ot a revenue cruizer of one hundred and eighty 
 tons, and received orders to sail with sealed 
 directions for the coast of Ireland. 
 
 On passing the Scilly Islands, Cuthbert, 
 then Captain Morris, lay-to off the little Island
 
 302 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 of St Mary, and proceeded ashore. It was a 
 day of jubilee in St. Mary's when the young 
 Commander landed. Jack Morris, then eighty 
 years old, was still hale and well, and was the 
 very first to cheer the young sailor on landing. 
 The old man rejoiced at beholding his adopted 
 son, a Commander at seven and twenty, and as 
 fine and handsome a man as any in the service 
 of Great Britain. The aged parson was 
 gathered to his fathers. So, after embracing 
 his worthy, kind-hearted protector, shedding a 
 tear over the grave of his pious instructor, and 
 taking a careful copy of the pastor's entry in 
 the parish books concerning himself, he bade 
 adieu to the male part of the population of St. 
 Mary's by heartily shaking their hands, and of 
 the female by kissing their blooming cheeks, 
 and then sailed for the coast of Ireland. 
 
 On the south-west coast of Ireland, scarcely 
 four leagues from the entrance of Bantry Bay, 
 is a very remarkable headland, called Three- 
 castle head ; and, a little further east, is the
 
 THE WARHAWK. 303 
 
 Mizen head. These bold and picturesque 
 promontories stretch out abruptly into the 
 almost aways troubled waters of the broad 
 Atlantic. Perpetually exposed to the loug 
 rolling swell from the Bay of Biscay, and open 
 to almost every point in the compass, the wild 
 and rocky bases of these headlands are seldom, 
 if ever, seen, unless wrapt in a cloud of foam 
 from the angry surges that dash with sullen 
 roar against their iron fronts. 
 
 Towards the decline of a short I^ovember 
 day, during which a heavy south-west gale 
 swept the surface of the ocean, ploughing its 
 bosom with deep furrows, and sending in upon 
 the iron-bound shore, the long mountainous 
 swell, which, breaking, left the whole line of 
 coast wrapt in a cloud of mist and spray. 
 
 Off this coast, about six miles, just between 
 Three Castle Head and the Mizen, lay a cutter- 
 rigged craft, of some one hundred and eighty 
 tons. She was lying-to ; her head sea- ward,
 
 304 THE warhawe:. 
 
 under a reefed trysail, foresail, and storm -jib, 
 and her topmast housed. 
 
 She was a large cutter for the period we 
 write of; and though she did not resemble 
 your dashing wedge-shaped cutters of the pre- 
 sent day, with their long, graceful counters, 
 tall spars, and canvas enough in their mainsail 
 alone to rig out even a Dutch settlement with 
 unmentionables. Yet she was a fine sea- 
 worthy looking craft, rather bluff in the bows, 
 perhaps, wide in the beam, and with high 
 bulwarks. There was, altogether, something 
 in her look as she rose and fell gracefully and 
 easily on the storm- tossed billow, which broke 
 at times across her boows, that would please a 
 seaman's eye. The William and Mary (such 
 was her name) had no long pennant flying 
 from her housed top- mast, nor ensign from her 
 peak. It was very evident she did not wish 
 to be taken for a queen's ship. 
 
 The day was closing fast, and the appear-
 
 THE WARHAWK. 305 
 
 ance of the approaching night was anything 
 but agreeable. The low scud came in rapidly 
 from seaward, and settling on the summits of 
 the Mizen-head, wrapt them in its chill em- 
 brace, leaving naught for the eye to rest on — 
 but a broken and troubled sea — and a dark 
 tempestuous sky. 
 
 The Commander of her Majesty's cruizer, 
 Captain Cuthbert Morris, just then came upon 
 deck, casting a quick, comprehensive glance 
 round and over his craft, then over the agitated 
 water, and finally upon the thick masses of 
 cloud driving before the blast. Turning to his 
 lieutenant, a gentlemanly-looking man of about 
 thirty years, he said — 
 
 *'Mr. Haultight, this does not look very in- 
 viting. The gale is not done. We shall have 
 a double dose of- it to-night, by the look of the 
 clouds." € 
 
 " Not a doubt of it, sir," returned the lieu- 
 tenant; '' I was just going to propose to you,
 
 306 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 if you would think it better, to draw off the 
 coast a few miles further, at least for the 
 night." 
 
 *^ What may be our distance from the Mizen 
 Head ?" asked Captain Morris, looking towards 
 the point where the said Head ought to be. 
 
 " Something more than five or six miles, 
 sir," said the lieutenant ; *^ I got a glimpse of 
 Three Castle Head a few minutes ago." 
 
 " Well," returned the Commander of The 
 William and Mary, '^ we may draw off three or 
 four miles without losing the advantage we 
 have." 
 
 The order was given, the foresheet let draw, 
 and the next instant the cutter was plunging 
 her stout bows into the breaking seas, and 
 casting their white spray over her deck. In 
 less than an hour she reached the desired dis- 
 tance. The foresail was again hauled to wind- 
 ward ; the watch was called, and everything 
 being made as snug as possible, the captain
 
 THE WARHAWK. 307 
 
 and his lieutenant retired to the cabin to their 
 supper, leaving the cutter in charge of the 
 next in command. 
 
 " You are not exactly aware, Mr. Haultight," 
 said Captain Morris, as they contrived, not- 
 withstanding the heavy rolls of the cutter, at 
 times, to make an excellent supper, and were 
 now enjoying a consoling glass of Hollands, 
 hot water, and sugar; "you are not exactly 
 aware of the object of our visit to this coast. 
 It is not alone the capture of this celebrated 
 lugger, The Warhawk, but of a great political 
 offender and his son — the latter commanding 
 this fast vessel. The Warhawk. This notorious 
 offender goes at present under the name of 
 Fenwick, and is only hiding his deep designs 
 under the guise of smuggling. He is said to 
 have been the leader of those ferocious bands 
 of rebels with O'Connor, of Glengariff, that 
 committed such outrages in the west of Ire- 
 land in James's time, or rather at the period 
 of his landing in Ireland. These men were
 
 308 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 disguised, they say, as King "William's adhe- 
 rents. It is also thought, Fen wick is only an 
 assumed name. He was afterwards known to 
 be one of the conspirators joined to assassinate 
 the late King William, and is now forming a 
 conspiracy to bring back the Stuarts to the 
 throne of Great Britain. He has held a com- 
 mission in the Spanish service ; and his son, 
 whose feats aboard this craft. The Warhawk, 
 are notorious for their daring, is even now, it 
 is said, in the same service." 
 
 " What kind of a craft, sir, is this War- 
 hawk ?" asked the lieutenant. 
 
 Stretching his hand over to his desk, the 
 captain took up a paper, and read aloud — " ^The 
 Warhawk is a long, low craft, over one hun- 
 dred and eighty tons burden, with a fine entrance, 
 and a beautiful run aft ; tremendous taunt 
 spars — lugger, and, at times, schooner, rigged ; 
 her foremast further in-board than usual for a 
 lugger; and her mizen-mast remarkably taunt, 
 and the sail square. She carries six brass carro-
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 309 
 
 nades, and a complement of eighty men ; has 
 papers, &c., hailing from a Spanish port, and 
 carries Spanish colours.' " 
 
 ^^ Eather a formidable craft for a smuggler, 
 sir,'' said Mr. Haultight ; " and one, if very fast, 
 should we fall in with her, might give us some 
 trouble to overhaul her." 
 
 " If we do not get within shot of her una- 
 wares, Mr. Haultight," said Captain Morris, 
 ^^I'm afraid the William and Marj, though a 
 very fast vessel, will have something to do. I 
 have information that both the Fen wicks are 
 aboard the Warhawk this trip, and that she 
 carries a very valuable cargo. Oar Pilots — 
 the two we have aboard — say she is the fastest 
 craft afloat, and that her crew would fight her 
 sooner than yield to a Queen's cruizer." 
 
 ^' If we can only get within gun-shot," said 
 the lieutenant, ^^ we should cripple her." 
 
 " Ah ! that would do," returned Captain 
 Morris; ^^she was chased last year by the
 
 310 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 Eacehorse brig for eight hours, during which, 
 I aifi told, she never once set her main lug, and 
 ran her out of sight." 
 
 All the night it blew a heavy gale from the 
 south-west ; but, towards morning, a deluge of 
 rain shifted the wind in a moment into the 
 north-west, rending the heavy masses of cloud 
 asunder like magic, sweeping the fog and mist 
 from the face of the deep, and showing the 
 horizon to the north clear and beautiful, the 
 sun rising and throwing its glorious beams, 
 wintry as they were, over the agitated billows, 
 which lashed each other in angry opposition, 
 caused by the sudden shifting of the wind. 
 
 Though the weather had thus cleared, a 
 seaman's practised eye could easily detect, or 
 foresee, a speedy return of the same southerly 
 gale, as soon as the squall from the north-west 
 had blown itself out. 
 
 Captain Morris was upon deck, eagerly 
 scanning the horizon with his glass, while all
 
 THE WARHAWK. 311 
 
 hands, also upon deck, were anxiously on the 
 look-out, with their gaze bent upon the south- 
 west quarter. 
 
 " There is a large bark, sir," said the lieu- 
 tenant, '^ under jury masts, away to the south- 
 east ; and a large schooner working in for the 
 land, but — " 
 
 '' Strange sail in the sou'-west !" hailed a 
 young midshipman who had gone aloft ; 
 *' looks like a ship under her courses." 
 
 Captain Morris, after a time, made her out 
 with his glass ; and then, handing the glass to 
 his lieutenant, he said — 
 
 " I think that craft looks like a lugger." 
 
 Mr. Haultight looked eagerly for several 
 minutes. 
 
 " By Jupiter !" exclaimed he, '^ she's a 
 lugger, and a very large lugger, sir, with three 
 masts — her fore-lug and her mizen only set ; 
 and, by all that's good !" he added, after an- 
 other glance, ^* she's coming up with the old 
 wind blowing hard."
 
 812 THEWAEHAWE. 
 
 ^^ That's our man, for a thousand pounds !" 
 ejaculated Captain Morris, looking attentively 
 at the advancing stranger. " This squall has 
 nearly blown itself out. It lulls fast ; and it's 
 thickening up again. You see the south-west 
 sea runs as fast as ever." 
 
 By the Commander's orders, the trysail was 
 taken in, and the immense mainsail set with 
 two reefs in it, and the jib shifted. 
 
 '' How is the lugger standing now, Mr. 
 Haultight ?" inquired the captain. 
 
 ^' She appears to m,e, sir," replied the lieu- 
 tenant, ^Ho have altered her position a little. 
 There's no doubt but tlus is the Warhawk — I 
 see her three masts plainly, and her taunt and 
 square mizen. She is making a direct course 
 for Cape Clear." 
 
 " Yery good," observed Captain Morris. 
 ^' We must let her mistake us, if possible, for 
 one of the large Northern cutters. Keep 
 moving a-head, so as to cross her course, if we
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 313 
 
 can, or, at least, get her within shot of our long 
 eights." 
 
 All was now anxiety and preparation aboard 
 the "William and Mary ; the guns were all 
 shotted, and every man was at his post. The 
 Queen's cruizer carried six long eight-pounders, 
 and had a crew of a hundred and forty men. 
 
 In less than an hour, the two vessels had 
 approached within four miles of each other, 
 when the William and Mary was taken aback 
 with a sudden shift of wind. This gave a 
 great advantage to the lugger. The wind now 
 came in squalls, sometimes very heavy, then 
 again a lull ; while the scud blew in rapidly 
 from seaward, the sea increasing surprisingly ; 
 all evident tokens of a very heavy gale. 
 
 As yet the lugger seemingly paid no atten- 
 tion to the cutter, but camo on steadily under 
 her fore-lug and mizen, with a very heavy sea 
 rapidly increasing — Captain Morris perceived 
 that, with his double-reefed mainsail, he would 
 not be able to cross the lugger's bows ; a reef 
 
 VOL. I. p
 
 314 THE WAKHAWK. 
 
 was, therefore, shaken out, though, as far as 
 canvass was concerned, the William and Mary 
 had quite sufficient in the squalls that increased 
 in force. 
 
 Watching her attentively with the glass, 
 Mr. Haultight exclaimed to his Commander — 
 
 " The lugger is hoisting her main-lug, and 
 slightly altering her course. I fear she sus- 
 pects us, sir. She is edging away." 
 
 Captain Morris took his glass, and, steadily 
 regarding the lugger, perceived she was 
 evidently keeping in a position, so as to make 
 all her sails draw : he saw clearly enough 
 that she was remarkably fast, and carried her 
 canvas in a surprising manner. Another reef 
 was shaken out of the cutter's mainsail and 
 foresail. The canvas she now carried made 
 her stagger under its influence, and her mast 
 bent with the immense pressure. 
 
 " I fear this Warhawk, sir, has the advan- 
 tage of us in speed," observed the lieutenant. 
 '* We shall scarcely get within range the way
 
 THE WAEHAWK. 315 
 
 she is now going. If we had her dead before 
 the wind, we could carry our squaresail." 
 
 '' I doubt it, Mr. Haultight, I doubt it. Our 
 squaresail would bury us too much. At all 
 events, if we are not within range, we are near 
 it. Let us try our distance, and hoist our 
 pennant and colours ; for it's very clear she 
 knows what we are." 
 
 Up went the colours, and bang went the 
 long eight, but fell short. Immediately after, 
 a wreath of smoke burst from the side of the 
 lugger, and the report of a brass carronade 
 answered their eight-pounder. 
 
 ^^ Confound the fellow's impudence ! though 
 his gun was not shotted, but fired evidently in 
 derision," said the lieutenant. 
 
 The two vessels were now within less than 
 a mile and half of each other ; and so well had 
 the lugger manoeuvred, and her speed was so 
 great, that both vessels were then running 
 several points off the wind, shaping their 
 course for Cape Clear, wind and sea rapidly in-
 
 316 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 creasing, and the squalls becoming dangerous 
 from the quantity of canvas carried by both 
 vessels. 
 
 While the crew of the William and Mary 
 were intently watching the movements and 
 manoeuvres of the Warhawk, a violent and 
 sudden squall tore over the face of the deep, 
 driving the tops of the waves before it like a 
 snow-drift, and burying the chaser and the 
 chased in a cloud of mist. 
 
 Por several moments, the lugger was hidden 
 in the drift. So violent and heavy was the 
 squall, that Captain Morris was forced to ease 
 the cutter during its fury, lowering their fore- 
 sail, and hauling up the tack of the mainsail, the 
 cutter plunging madly into the boiling sea. 
 
 ^* She's a deuce of a craft if she holds on in 
 that squall," said Mr. Haultight, giving him- 
 self a shake to get rid of the shower-bath he 
 had been favoured with. 
 
 Anxiously they watched the squall as it 
 careered onwards ; and presently the lugger
 
 thewarhawb:. 317 
 
 emerged from the mist, driving before the blast, 
 without a sail lowered, having increased con- 
 siderably her distance. 
 
 '^ I see how it is, Mr. Haultight," said the 
 captain. ** That fellow will keep before us 
 till night-fall, and then give us the slip. He 
 drops us now, and out-carries us. She has im- 
 mense beam, and is strong and well-handled." 
 
 Thus the two vessels continued running 
 before the gale. Somehow the William and 
 Mary seemed to gain, as they were forced to 
 run more before the wind. By this time, they 
 were within four or five miles of the land, 
 steering direct for Cape Clear ; but the coast was 
 fast disappearing in a dense fog, and the roar 
 of the surf could be heard even at that dis- 
 tance, as it dashed against that iron-bound 
 shore. 
 
 " Were it not for that sudden shift of wind,. 
 Mr. Haultight," said Captain Morris, '^ we 
 should undoubtedly have crossed within five
 
 318 THE WAHHAWK. 
 
 hundred yards of her. That sudden shift gave 
 her a decided advantage." 
 
 "And she is sure to keep it, sir/' responded 
 the lieutenant, in a^toce of great vexation. 
 
 They had now passed Cape Clear, and 
 shortly the Seven Heads hove in sight, the 
 wind veering more to the southward, and 
 blowing violently, forcing the lugger to lower 
 her main-lug, while the cutter (to save her 
 mast) hauled up the tack of her mainsail, and 
 eased her peak-halyards. 
 
 After passing the Seven Heads, the lugger 
 continued running dead before the wind, though 
 the whole line of coast soon became hid in a 
 dense fog ; so much so, that no sign of the old 
 head of Kinsale could be seen. The cutter's 
 main-sail tore her through the seas ; and yet 
 they gained not an inch on the chase, though 
 only under her fore-lug, when, suddenly hoist- 
 ing her main- sail with a couple of reefs in it, 
 and at once altering her course, the Warhawk 
 ran right into the tremendous Eace off the old
 
 THEWAEHAWK. 3i9 
 
 Head of Kinsale, and became completely lost 
 to view in the mist and spray that hung over 
 that foriiiidable and much-dreaded Eace of the 
 tide, like a pall. 
 
 " I cannot take your vessel, your honour 
 through that channel," said the pilot, touching 
 his hat, and addressing Captain Morris, who 
 looked confounded at the sudden disappearance 
 of the lugger. 
 
 " The devil !" exclaimed Mr. Haultight, 
 ^^ we do not draw more water than that lugger." 
 
 " The channel inside the Eace is not fifty 
 yards wide, your honour," rejoined the pilot ; 
 "and there are several rocks ; besides, Captain, 
 there's a back channel, and with the wind this 
 way, she could wear, and, running round the 
 black rocks, make for CourtmacheiTe, without 
 your honour having a chance of seeing her in 
 the dense fog along the shore," 
 
 There was no lighthouse at this period on 
 the old Head of Kinsale ; and on no part of
 
 32 THE WARHAWK. 
 
 the coast of Ireland does there run a Eace of 
 tide so violent, or more dangerous than off the 
 old Head. 
 
 It would have been risking her Majesty's 
 craft to run further in ; therefore Captain 
 Morris, though deeply chagrined, ordered the 
 cutter's head to be turned sea- ward, and her 
 main- sail lowered. Night was rapidly approach- 
 ing ; and so dense was the fog, that scarcely 
 the length of the vessel was to be seen. To 
 follow his invisible foe, would, therefore, be 
 madness. 
 
 ^^ Confound that fellow," said Captain Morris, 
 *^ he has led us a pretty dance. Perhaps he 
 may have over-calculated his skill in clearing 
 the Eace, and is now ashore." 
 
 ^' JN'o, your honour," said the pilot, who heard 
 the observation, " no fear of him. He would 
 run that channel blindfold — she's a mortal fast, 
 and wonderful craft; and he's a daring seaman, 
 is her captain. He may have run between the
 
 THE WARHAWK. 32l 
 
 Eace of the head, and the bluff head itself. 
 You might leap ashore on it, your honour. 
 And then he had the whole sea clear before 
 him, and, perhaps, may make a run for Bally 
 Cotton, and land his cargo there. It's a famous 
 place for running a craft full of smuggled goods 
 into.'' 
 
 ^' We must gain a good offing, sir," said Mr. 
 Haultight ; " and to-morrow, if it clears, we 
 can search all the coves and bays along this 
 coast. He must run in somewhere." 
 
 " Yes. But do you see, Mr. Haultight, that 
 though we may get hold of the lugger — and 
 that I doubt — if she once makes a port or a 
 landing, the two Fenwicks will escape ; and 
 thus the chief object of my being on this coast 
 so long will be baffled. However, there is no 
 help for it." 
 
 As the cutter turned her head seaward, they 
 heard and felt the wild gusts rushing through 
 her rigging with angry menace ; while the
 
 322 THE WAEHAWK. 
 
 spray — dashed from her bows as she plunged 
 into the head seas so as to gain a distance from 
 the land — fell in sheets over her deck. 
 
 Having gained the desired distance, her 
 Majesty's cruizer was hove-to — to take her rest 
 for the night, shrouded in the mist that lay 
 heavy over sea and land. 
 
 END OF VOL. I. 
 
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