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diff --git a/old/8mly110h.htm b/old/8mly110h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1e58397 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/8mly110h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,30990 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>New File</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= +"text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> +<style type="text/css"> +<!-- +body {margin:10%; text-align:justify} +blockquote {font-size:14pt} +P {font-size:14pt} +--> +</style> +</head> +<body> + +<h2>CHARLES O'MALLEY, Vol. 1, by Charles Lever</h2> + +<p>The Project Gutenberg EBook of Charles O'Malley, Vol. 1, by +Charles Lever<br> +#2 in our series by Charles Lever</p> + +<p>Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to +check the<br> +copyright laws for your country before downloading or +redistributing<br> +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook.</p> + +<p>This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this +Project<br> +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit +the<br> +header without written permission.</p> + +<p>Please read the "legal small print," and other information +about the<br> +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included +is<br> +important information about your specific rights and restrictions +in<br> +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to +make a<br> +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved.</p> + +<p>**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic +Texts**</p> + +<p>**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since +1971**</p> + +<p>*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of +Volunteers!*****</p> + +<p>Title: Charles O'Malley, Vol. 1</p> + +<p>Author: Charles Lever</p> + +<p>Release Date: July, 2005 [EBook #8577]<br> +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]<br> +[This file was first posted on July 25, 2003]</p> + +<p>Edition: 10</p> + +<p>Language: English</p> + +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> + +<p>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHARLES O'MALLEY, +VOL. 1 ***</p> + +<p>Produced by David Widger, Jon Ingram +and The Online Distributed Proofreading Team</p> + + + + +<br><br><br><br> +<h1>CHARLES O'MALLEY</h1> +<br> +<h3>The Irish Dragoon</h3> +<br><br> +<h2>BY CHARLES LEVER.</h2> +<br><br><br> +<h3>WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY PHIZ.</h3> +<br><br> +<h3>IN TWO VOLUMES.</h3> +<br><br> +<h1>VOL. I.</h1> + +<a name="0001"></a> +<img alt="0001.jpg (196K)" src="0001.jpg" height="1041" width="694"> + +<p>[THE SUNK FENCE]</p> +<br><br><br><br> + +<h3><a href="#contents">Contents</a></h3> + +<h3><a href="#illustrations">Illustrations</a></h3> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<p>TO THE</p> + +<p>MOST NOBLE THE MARQUESS OF DOURO, M.P., D.C.L., ETC., ETC.</p> + +<p> * * * * *</p> + +<p> MY DEAR LORD,—</p> + +<p> The imperfect attempt to picture forth some scenes of the +most<br> + brilliant period of my country's history might naturally +suggest their<br> + dedication to the son of him who gave that era its glory. I +feel,<br> + however, in the weakness of the effort, the presumption of +such a<br> + thought, and would simply ask of you to accept these volumes +as a<br> + souvenir of many delightful hours passed long since in your +society,<br> + and a testimony of the deep pride with which I regard the +honor of your<br> + friendship.</p> + +<p> Believe me, my dear Lord, with every respect and +esteem,</p> + +<p> Yours, most sincerely,</p> + +<p> THE AUTHOR.</p> + +<p> BRUSSELS, November, 1841.</p> +<br><br><br><br> +<h2>A WORD OF EXPLANATION.</h2> +<br> + +<h4>KIND PUBLIC,—</h4> + +<p>Having so lately taken my leave of the stage, in a farewell +benefit, it is<br> +but fitting that I should explain the circumstances which once +more bring<br> +me before you,—that I may not appear intrusive, where I have met +with but<br> +too much indulgence.</p> + +<p>A blushing <i>debutant</i>—<i>entre nous</i>, the most +impudent Irishman that ever<br> +swaggered down Sackville Street—has requested me to present him +to<br> +your acquaintance. He has every ambition to be a favorite with +you; but<br> +says—God forgive him—he is too bashful for the foot-lights.</p> + +<p>He has remarked—-as, doubtless, many others have done—upon +what very<br> +slight grounds, and with what slender pretension, <i>my</i> +Confessions have<br> +met with favor at the hands of the press and the public; and the +idea has<br> +occurred to him to indite his <i>own</i>. Had his determination +ended here,<br> +I should have nothing to object to; but unfortunately, he expects +me to<br> +become his editor, and in some sort responsible for the faults of +his<br> +production. I have wasted much eloquence and more breath in +assuring him<br> +that I was no tried favorite of the public, who dared take +liberties<br> +with them; that the small rag of reputation I enjoyed, was a very +scanty<br> +covering for my own nakedness; that the plank which swam with +one, would<br> +most inevitably sink with two; and lastly, that the indulgence so +often<br> +bestowed upon a first effort is as frequently converted into +censure on the<br> +older offender. My arguments have, however, totally failed, and +he remains<br> +obdurate and unmoved. Under these circumstances I have yielded; +and as,<br> +happily for me, the short and pithy direction to the river +Thames, in the<br> +Critic, "to keep between its banks," has been imitated by my +friend, I find<br> +all that is required of me is to write my name upon the title and +go in<br> +peace. Such, he informs me, is modern editorship.</p> + +<p>In conclusion, I would beg, that if the debt he now incurs at +your hands<br> +remain unpaid, you would kindly bear in mind that your remedy +lies against<br> +the drawer of the bill and not against its mere humble +indorser,</p> + +<p>HARRY LORREQUER</p> + +<p>BRUSSELS, March, 1840.</p> + +<br><br><br><br> +<h2>PREFACE</h2> + +<p>The success of Harry Lorrequer was the reason for writing +Charles O'Malley.<br> +That I myself was in no wise prepared for the favor the public +bestowed on,<br> +my first attempt is easily enough understood. The ease with which +I strung<br> +my stories together,—and in reality the Confessions of Harry +Lorrequer are<br> +little other than a note-book of absurd and laughable +incidents,—led me<br> +to believe that I could draw on this vein of composition without +any limit<br> +whatever. I felt, or thought I felt, an inexhaustible store of +fun and<br> +buoyancy within me, and I began to have a misty, half-confused +impression<br> +that Englishmen generally labored under a sad-colored +temperament, took<br> +depressing views of life, and were proportionately grateful to +any one who<br> +would rally them even passingly out of their despondency, and +give them a<br> +laugh without much trouble for going in search of it.</p> + +<p>When I set to work to write Charles O'Malley I was, as I have +ever been,<br> +very low with fortune, and the success of a new venture was +pretty much as<br> +eventful to me as the turn of the right color at +<i>rouge-et-noir</i>. At the<br> +same time I had then an amount of spring in my temperament, and a +power of<br> +enjoying life which I can honestly say I never found surpassed. +The world<br> +had for me all the interest of an admirable comedy, in which the +part<br> +allotted myself, if not a high or a foreground one, was eminently +suited<br> +to my taste, and brought me, besides, sufficiently often on the +stage to<br> +enable me to follow all the fortunes of the piece. Brussels, +where I was<br> +then living, was adorned at the period by a most agreeable +English society.<br> +Some leaders of the fashionable world of London had come there to +refit and<br> +recruit, both in body and estate. There were several pleasant and +a great<br> +number of pretty people among them; and so far as I could judge, +the<br> +fashionable dramas of Belgrave Square and its vicinity were being +performed<br> +in the Rue Royale and the Boulevard de Waterloo with very +considerable<br> +success. There were dinners, balls, déjeûners, and +picnics in the Bois de<br> +Cambre, excursions to Waterloo, and select little parties to +Bois-fort,—a<br> +charming little resort in the forest whose intense cockneyism +became<br> +perfectly inoffensive as being in a foreign land, and remote from +the<br> +invasion of home-bred vulgarity. I mention all these things to +show the<br> +adjuncts by which I was aided, and the rattle of gayety by which +I was, as<br> +it were, "accompanied," when I next tried my voice.</p> + +<p>The soldier element tinctured strongly our society, and I will +say most<br> +agreeably. Among those whom I remember best were several old +Peninsulars.<br> +Lord Combermere was of this number, and another of our set was an +officer<br> +who accompanied, if indeed he did not command, the first boat +party who<br> +crossed the Douro. It is needless to say how I cultivated a +society so<br> +full of all the storied details I was eager to obtain, and how +generously<br> +disposed were they to give me all the information I needed. On +topography<br> +especially were they valuable to me, and with such good result +that I have<br> +been more than once complimented on the accuracy of my +descriptions of<br> +places which I have never seen and whose features I have derived +entirely<br> +from the narratives of my friends.</p> + +<p>When, therefore, my publishers asked me could I write a story +in the<br> +Lorrequer vein, in which active service and military adventure +could figure<br> +more prominently than mere civilian life, and where the +achievements of a<br> +British army might form the staple of the narrative,—when this +question<br> +was propounded me, I was ready to reply: Not one, but fifty. Do +not mistake<br> +me, and suppose that any overweening confidence in my literary +powers would<br> +have emboldened me to make this reply; my whole strength lay in +the fact<br> +that I could not recognize anything like literary effort in the +matter. If<br> +the world would only condescend to read that which I wrote +precisely as I<br> +was in the habit of talking, nothing could be easier than for me +to occupy<br> +them. Not alone was it very easy to me, but it was intensely +interesting<br> +and amusing to myself, to be so engaged.</p> + +<p>The success of Harry Lorrequer had been freely wafted across +the German<br> +ocean, but even in its mildest accents it was very intoxicating +incense to<br> +me; and I set to work on my second book with a thrill of hope as +regards<br> +the world's favor which—and it is no small thing to say it—I +can yet<br> +recall.</p> + +<p>I can recall, too, and I am afraid more vividly still, some of +the<br> +difficulties of my task when I endeavored to form anything like +an accurate<br> +or precise idea of some campaigning incident or some passage of +arms from<br> +the narratives of two distinct and separate "eye-witnesses." What +mistrust<br> +I conceived for all eye-witnesses from my own brief experience of +their<br> +testimonies! What an impulse did it lend me to study the nature +and the<br> +temperament of narrator, as indicative of the peculiar coloring +he might<br> +lend his narrative; and how it taught me to know the force of the +French<br> +epigram that has declared how it was entirely the alternating +popularity of<br> +Marshal Soult that decided whether he won or lost the battle of +Toulouse.</p> + +<p>While, however, I was sifting these evidences, and separating, +as well as<br> +I might, the wheat from the chaff, I was in a measure training +myself for<br> +what, without my then knowing it, was to become my career in +life. This was<br> +not therefore altogether without a certain degree of labor, but +so light<br> +and pleasant withal, so full of picturesque peeps at character +and humorous<br> +views of human nature, that it would be the very rankest +ingratitude of me<br> +if I did not own that I gained all my earlier experiences of the +world in<br> +very pleasant company,—highly enjoyable at the time, and with +matter for<br> +charming souvenirs long after.</p> + +<p>That certain traits of my acquaintances found themselves +embodied in some<br> +of the characters of this story I do not to deny. The principal +of natural<br> +selection adapts itself to novels as to Nature, and it would have +demanded<br> +an effort above my strength to have disabused myself at the desk +of all<br> +the impressions of the dinner-table, and to have forgotten +features which<br> +interested or amused me.</p> + +<p>One of the personages of my tale I drew, however, with very +little aid from<br> +fancy. I would go so far as to say that I took him from the life, +if my<br> +memory did not confront me with the lamentable inferiority of my +picture to<br> +the great original it was meant to portray.</p> + +<p>With the exception of the quality of courage, I never met a +man who<br> +contained within himself so many of the traits of Falstaff as +the<br> +individual who furnished me with Major Monsoon. But the major—I +must<br> +call him so, though that rank was far beneath his own—was a man +of<br> +unquestionable bravery. His powers as a story-teller were to my +thinking<br> +unrivalled; the peculiar reflections on life which he would +passingly<br> +introduce, the wise apothegms, were after a morality essentially +of his own<br> +invention. Then he would indulge in the unsparing exhibition of +himself in<br> +situations such as other men would never have confessed to, all +blended up<br> +with a racy enjoyment of life, dashed occasionally with sorrow +that our<br> +tenure of it was short of patriarchal. All these, accompanied by +a face<br> +redolent of intense humor, and a voice whose modulations were +managed with<br> +the skill of a consummate artist,—all these, I say, were above +me to<br> +convey; nor indeed as I re-read any of the adventures in which he +figures,<br> +am I other than ashamed at the weakness of my drawing and the +poverty of my<br> +coloring.</p> + +<p>That I had a better claim to personify him than is always the +lot of a<br> +novelist; that I possessed, so to say, a vested interest in his +life and<br> +adventures,—I will relate a little incident in proof; and my +accuracy, if<br> +necessary, can be attested by another actor in the scene, who yet +survives.</p> + +<p>I was living a bachelor life at Brussels, my family being at +Ostende<br> +for the bathing, during the summer of 1840. The city was +comparatively<br> +empty,—all the so-called society being absent at the various +spas or baths<br> +of Germany. One member of the British legation, who remained at +his post to<br> +represent the mission, and myself, making common cause of our +desolation<br> +and ennui, spent much of our time together, and dined +<i>tête-à-tête</i> every<br> +day.</p> + +<p>It chanced that one evening, as we were hastening through the +park on<br> +our way to dinner, we espied the major—for as major I must speak +of<br> +him—lounging along with that half-careless, half-observant air +we had both<br> +of us remarked as indicating a desire to be somebody's, anybody's +guest,<br> +rather than surrender himself to the homeliness of domestic +fare.</p> + +<p>"There's that confounded old Monsoon," cried my diplomatic +friend. "It's<br> +all up if he sees us, and I can't endure him."</p> + +<p>Now, I must remark that my friend, though very far from +insensible to the<br> +humoristic side of the major's character, was not always in the +vein to<br> +enjoy it; and when so indisposed he could invest the object of +his dislike<br> +with something little short of antipathy. "Promise me," said he, +as Monsoon<br> +came towards us,—"promise me, you'll not ask him to dinner." +Before I<br> +could make any reply, the major was shaking a hand of either of +us, and<br> +rapturously expatiating over his good luck at meeting us. "Mrs. +M.," said<br> +he, "has got a dreary party of old ladies to dine with her, and I +have come<br> +out here to find some pleasant fellow to join me, and take our +mutton-chop<br> +together."</p> + +<p>"We're behind our time, Major," said my friend, "sorry to +leave you<br> +so abruptly, but must push on. Eh, Lorrequer," added he, to +evoke<br> +corroboration on my part.</p> + +<p>"Harry says nothing of the kind," replied Monsoon, "he says, +or he's going<br> +to say, 'Major, I have a nice bit of dinner waiting for me at +home, enough<br> +for two, will feed three, or if there be a short-coming, nothing +easier<br> +than to eke out the deficiency by another bottle of Moulton; come +along<br> +with us then, Monsoon, and we shall be all the merrier for your +company.'"</p> + +<p>Repeating his last words, "Come along, Monsoon," etc., I +passed my arm<br> +within his, and away we went. For a moment my friend tried to get +free and<br> +leave me, but I held him fast and carried him along in spite of +himself. He<br> +was, however, so chagrined and provoked that till the moment we +reached my<br> +door he never uttered a word, nor paid the slightest attention +to<br> +Monsoon, who talked away in a vein that occasionally made gravity +all but<br> +impossible.</p> + +<p>Our dinner proceeded drearily enough, the diplomatist's +stiffness never<br> +relaxed for a moment, and my own awkwardness damped all my +attempts at<br> +conversation. Not so, however, Monsoon, he ate heartily, approved +of<br> +everything, and pronounced my wine to be exquisite. He gave us a +perfect<br> +discourse on sherry and Spanish wines in general, told us the +secret of the<br> +Amontillado flavor, and explained that process of browning by +boiling down<br> +wine which some are so fond of in England. At last, seeing +perhaps that the<br> +protection had little charm for us, with his accustomed tact, he +diverged<br> +into anecdote. "I was once fortunate enough," said he, "to fall +upon some<br> +of that choice sherry from the St. Lucas Luentas which is always +reserved<br> +for royalty. It was a pale wine, delicious in the drinking, and +leaving no<br> +more flavor in the mouth than a faint dryness that seemed to say, +another<br> +glass. Shall I tell you how I came by it?" And scarcely pausing +for reply,<br> +he told the story of having robbed his own convoy, and stolen the +wine he<br> +was in charge of for safe conveyance.</p> + +<p>I wish I could give any, even the weakest idea of how he +narrated that<br> +incident,—the struggle that he portrayed between duty and +temptation, and<br> +the apologetic tone of his voice in which he explained that the +frame of<br> +mind that succeeds to any yielding to seductive influences, is +often, in<br> +the main, more profitable to a man than is the vain-glorious +sense of<br> +having resisted a temptation. "Meekness is the mother of all the +virtues,"<br> +said he, "and there is no being meek without frailty." The story, +told as<br> +he told it, was too much for the diplomatist's gravity, he +resisted all<br> +signs of attention as long as he was able, and at last fairly +roared out<br> +with laughter.</p> + +<p>As soon as I myself recovered from the effects of his +drollery, I said,<br> +"Major, I have a proposition to make you. Let me tell the story +in print,<br> +and I'll give you five naps."</p> + +<p>"Are you serious, Harry?" asked he. "Is this on honor?"</p> + +<p>"On honor, assuredly," I replied.</p> + +<p>"Let me have the money down, on the nail, and I'll give you +leave to have<br> +me and my whole life, every adventure that ever befell me, ay, +and if you<br> +like, every moral reflection that my experiences have +suggested."</p> + +<p>"Done!" cried I, "I agree."</p> + +<p>"Not so fast," cried the diplomatist, "we must make a protocol +of this; the<br> +high contracting parties must know what they give and what they +receive,<br> +I'll draw out the treaty."</p> + +<p>He did so at full length on a sheet of that solemn blue-tinted +paper, so<br> +dedicated to despatch purposes; he duly set fourth the concession +and the<br> +consideration. We each signed the document; he witnessed and +sealed it; and<br> +Monsoon pocketed my five napoleons, filling a bumper to any +success the<br> +bargain might bring me, and of which I have never had reason to +express<br> +deep disappointment.</p> + +<p>This document, along with my university degree, my commission +in a militia<br> +regiment, and a vast amount of letters very interesting to me, +was seized<br> +by the Austrian authorities on the way from Como to Florence, in +the August<br> +of 1847, being deemed part of a treasonable +correspondence,—probably<br> +purposely allegorical in form,—and never restored to me. I +fairly own that<br> +I'd give all the rest willingly to repossess myself of the +Monsoon treaty,<br> +not a little for the sake of that quaint old autograph, faintly +shaken by<br> +the quiet laugh with which he wrote it.</p> + +<p>That I did not entirely fail in giving my major some faint +resemblance<br> +to the great original from whom I copied him, I may mention that +he was<br> +speedily recognized in print by the Marquis of Londonderry, the +well-known<br> +Sir Charles Stuart of the Peninsular campaign. "I know that +fellow well,"<br> +said he, "he once sent me a challenge, and I had to make him a +very humble<br> +apology. The occasion was this: I had been out with a single +aide-de-camp<br> +to make a reconnaissance in front of Victor's division; and to +avoid<br> +attracting any notice, we covered over our uniform with two +common gray<br> +overcoats which reached to the feet, and effectually concealed +our rank as<br> +officers. Scarcely, however, had we topped a hill which commanded +the view<br> +of the French, than a shower of shells flew over and around us. +Amazed to<br> +think how we could have been so quickly noticed, I looked around +me, and<br> +discovered, quite close in my rear, your friend Monsoon with what +he called<br> +his staff,—a popinjay set of rascals dressed out in green and +gold, and<br> +with more plumes and feathers than the general staff ever +boasted. Carried<br> +away by momentary passion at the failure of my reconnaissance, I +burst out<br> +with some insolent allusion to the harlequin assembly which had +drawn the<br> +French fire upon us. Monsoon saluted me respectfully, and retired +without a<br> +word; but I had scarcely reached my quarters when a 'friend' of +his waited<br> +on me with a message, a very categorical message it was, too, 'it +must be a<br> +meeting or an ample apology.' I made the apology, a most full +one, for the<br> +major was right, and I had not a fraction of reason to sustain me +in my<br> +conduct, and we have been the best of friends ever since."</p> + +<p>I myself had heard the incident before this from Monsoon, but +told among<br> +other adventures whose exact veracity I was rather disposed to +question,<br> +and did not therefore accord it all the faith that was its due; +and I admit<br> +that the accidental corroboration of this one event very often +served to<br> +puzzle me afterwards, when I listened to stories in which the +major seemed<br> +a second Munchausen, but might, like in this of the duel, have +been among<br> +the truest and most matter-of-fact of historians. May the reader +be not<br> +less embarrassed than myself, is my sincere, if not very +courteous, prayer.</p> + +<p>I have no doubt myself, that often in recounting some strange +incident,—a<br> +personal experience it always was,—he was himself more amused by +the<br> +credulity of the hearers, and the amount of interest he could +excite in<br> +them, than were they by the story. He possessed the true +narrative gusto,<br> +and there was a marvellous instinct in the way in which he would +vary a<br> +tale to suit the tastes of an audience; while his moralizings +were almost<br> +certain to take the tone of a humoristic quiz on the company.</p> + +<p>Though fully aware that I was availing myself of the contract +that<br> +delivered him into my hands, and dining with me two or three days +a week,<br> +he never lapsed into any allusion to his appearance in print; and +the story<br> +had been already some weeks published before he asked me to lend +him "that<br> +last thing—he forgot the name of it—I was writing."</p> + +<p>Of Frank Webber I have said, in a former notice, that he was +one of my<br> +earliest friends, my chum in college, and in the very chambers +where I have<br> +located Charles O'Malley, in Old Trinity. He was a man of the +highest order<br> +of abilities, and with a memory that never forgot, but ruined and +run to<br> +seed by the idleness that came of a discursive, uncertain +temperament.<br> +Capable of anything, he spent his youth in follies and +eccentricities;<br> +every one of which, however, gave indications of a mind +inexhaustible in<br> +resources, and abounding in devices and contrivances that none +other but<br> +himself would have thought of. Poor fellow, he died young; and +perhaps it<br> +is better it should have been so. Had he lived to a later day, he +would<br> +most probably have been found a foremost leader of Fenianism; and +from<br> +what I knew of him, I can say he would have been a more dangerous +enemy to<br> +English rule than any of those dealers in the petty larceny of +rebellion we<br> +have lately seen among us.</p> + +<p>I have said that of Mickey Free I had not one but one thousand +types.<br> +Indeed, I am not quite sure that in my last visit to Dublin, I +did not<br> +chance on a living specimen of the "Free" family, much readier in +repartée,<br> +quicker with an apropos, and droller in illustration than my own +Mickey.<br> +This fellow was "boots" at a great hotel in Sackville Street; and +I owe him<br> +more amusement and some heartier laughs than it has been always +my fortune<br> +to enjoy in a party of wits. His criticisms on my sketches of +Irish<br> +character were about the shrewdest and the best I ever listened +to; and<br> +that I am not bribed to this by any flattery, I may remark that +they were<br> +more often severe than complimentary, and that he hit every +blunder of<br> +image, every mistake in figure, of my peasant characters, with an +acuteness<br> +and correctness which made me very grateful to know that his +daily<br> +occupations were limited to blacking boots, and not polishing off +authors.</p> + +<p>I believe I have now done with my confessions, except I should +like to own<br> +that this story was the means of according me a more heartfelt +glow of<br> +satisfaction, a more gratifying sense of pride, than anything I +ever have<br> +or ever shall write, and in this wise. My brother, at that time +the rector<br> +of an Irish parish, once forwarded to me a letter from a lady +unknown to<br> +him, but who had heard he was the brother of "Harry Lorrequer," +and who<br> +addressed him not knowing where a letter might be directed to +myself. The<br> +letter was the grateful expression of a mother, who said, "I am +the<br> +widow of a field officer, and with an only son, for whom I +obtained a<br> +presentation to Woolwich; but seeing in my boy's nature certain +traits of<br> +nervousness and timidity which induced me to hesitate on +embarking him in<br> +the career of a soldier, I became very unhappy and uncertain +which course<br> +to decide on.</p> + +<p>"While in this state of uncertainty, I chanced to make him a +birthday<br> +present of 'Charles O'Malley,' the reading of which seemed to act +like a<br> +charm on his whole character, inspiring him with a passion for +movement and<br> +adventure, and spiriting him to an eager desire for a military +life. Seeing<br> +that this was no passing enthusiasm, but a decided and determined +bent,<br> +I accepted the cadetship for him; and his career has been not +alone<br> +distinguished as a student, but one which has marked him out for +an almost<br> +hare-brained courage, and for a dash and heroism that give high +promise for<br> +his future.</p> + +<p>"Thank your brother for me," wrote she, "a mother's thanks for +the welfare<br> +of an only son; and say how I wish that my best wishes for him +and his<br> +could recompense him for what I owe him."</p> + +<p>I humbly hope that it may not be imputed to me as unpardonable +vanity,—the<br> +recording of this incident. It gave me an intense pleasure when I +heard it;<br> +and now, as I look back on it, it invests this story for myself +with an<br> +interest which nothing else that I have written can afford +me.</p> + +<p>I have now but to repeat what I have declared in former +editions, my<br> +sincere gratitude for the favor the public still continues to +bestow<br> +on me,—a favor which probably associates the memory of this book +with<br> +whatever I have since done successfully, and compels me to +remember that<br> +to the popularity of "Charles O'Malley" I am indebted for a great +share of<br> +that kindliness in criticism, and that geniality in judgment, +which—for<br> +more than a quarter of a century—my countrymen have graciously +bestowed on<br> +their faithful friend and servant,</p> + +<p>CHARLES LEVER.</p> + +<p>TRIESTE, 1872.</p> +<br><br> +<a name="contents"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<p>CHAPTER</p> + +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + +I. <br> +II. <br> +III. <br> +IV. <br> +V. <br> +VI. <br> +VII. <br> +VIII. <br> +IX. <br> +X. <br> +XI. <br> +XII. <br> +XIII. <br> +XIV. <br> +XV. <br> +XVI. <br> +XVII. <br> +XVIII. <br> +XIX. <br> +XX. <br> +XXI. <br> +XXII. <br> +XXIII. <br> +XXIV. <br> +XXV. <br> +XXVI. <br> +XXVII. <br> +XXVIII. <br> +XXIX. <br> +XXX. <br> +XXXI. <br> +XXXII. <br> +XXXIII. <br> +XXXIV. <br> +XXXV. <br> +XXXVI. <br> +XXXVII. <br> +XXXVIII. <br> +XXXIX. <br> +XL. <br> +XLI. <br> +XLII. <br> +XLIII. <br> +XLIV. <br> +XLV. <br> +XLVI. <br> +XLVII. <br> +XLVIII. <br> +XLIX. <br> +L. <br> +LI. <br> +LII. <br> +LIII. <br> +LIV. <br> +LV. <br> +LVI. <br> +LVII. <br> +LVIII. <br> +LXIX. <br> +LX. <br> +LXI. <br> +LXII. <br> +LXIII. <br> +LXIV. <br> +LXV. <br> +LXVI. <br> +LXVII. <br> +</td> + +<td> +DALY'S CLUB-HOUSE<br> +THE ESCAPE<br> +MR. BLAKE<br> +THE HUNT<br> +THE DRAWING-ROOM<br> +THE DINNER<br> +THE FLIGHT FROM GURT-NA-MORRA<br> +THE DUEL<br> +THE RETURN<br> +THE ELECTION<br> +AN ADVENTURE<br> +MICKEY FREE<br> +THE JOURNEY<br> +DUBLIN<br> +CAPTAIN POWER<br> +THE VICE-PROVOST<br> +TRINITY COLLEGE.—A LECTURE<br> +THE INVITATION.—THE WAGER<br> +THE BALL<br> +THE LAST NIGHT IN TRINITY<br> +THE PHOENIX PARK<br> +THE ROAD<br> +CORK<br> +THE ADJUTANT'S DINNER<br> +THE ENTANGLEMENT<br> +THE PREPARATION<br> +THE SUPPER<br> +THE VOYAGE<br> +THE ADJUTANT'S STORY.—LIFE IN DERBY<br> +FRED POWER'S ADVENTURE IN PHILIPSTOWN<br> +THE VOYAGE CONTINUED<br> +MR. SPARKS'S STORY<br> +THE SKIPPER<br> +THE LAND<br> +MAJOR MONSOON<br> +THE LANDING<br> +LISBON<br> +THE RUA NUOVA<br> +THE VILLA<br> +THE DINNER<br> +THE ROUTE<br> +THE FAREWELL<br> +THE MARCH<br> +THE BIVOUAC<br> +THE DOURO<br> +THE MORNING<br> +THE REVIEW<br> +THE QUARREL<br> +THE ROUTE CONTINUED<br> +THE WATCH-FIRE<br> +THE MARCH<br> +THE PAGE<br> +ALVAS<br> +THE SUPPER<br> +THE LEGION<br> +THE DEPARTURE<br> +CUESTA<br> +THE LETTER<br> +MAJOR O'SHAUGHNESSY<br> +PRELIMINARIES<br> +ALL RIGHT<br> +THE DUEL<br> +NEWS FROM GALWAY<br> +AN ADVENTURE WITH SIR ARTHUR<br> +TALAVERA<br> +NIGHT AFTER TALAVERA<br> +THE OUTPOST<br> + +</td></tr> +</table> + + +<br><br> +<a name="illustrations"></a> +<br><br> +<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS BY PHIZ IN VOL. I</h2> + +<p>*Etchings<br><br> +<a href="#0001">*THE SUNK FENCE</a><br> +<a href="#0055">MR. BLAKE'S DRESSING-ROOM</a><br> +<a href="#0091">THE ELECTION</a><br> +<a href="#0103">*THE RESCUE</a><br> +<a href="#0126">MR. CROW WELL PLUCKED</a><br> +<a href="#0132">FRANK WEBBER AT HIS STUDIES</a><br> +<a href="#0174">MISS JUDY MACAN</a><br> +<a href="#0240">*CHARLES POPS THE QUESTION</a><br> +<a href="#0260">THE ADJUTANT'S AFTER-DINNER RIDE</a><br> +<a href="#0271">THE RIVAL FLUNKIES</a><br> +<a href="#0331">MAJOR MONSOON AND DONNA MARIA</a><br> +<a href="#0381">THE SALUTATION</a><br> +<a href="#0393">*THE SKIRMISH</a><br> +<a href="#0427">A TOUCH AT LEAP-FROG WITH NAPOLEON</a><br> +<a href="#0438">MAJOR MONSOON TRYING TO CHARGE</a><br> +<a href="#0460">MR. FREE'S SONG</a><br> +<a href="#0484">THE COAT OF MAIL</a></p> + +<br><br><br><br> + + +<h1>CHARLES O'MALLEY.</h1> +<br> +<h2>THE IRISH DRAGOON.</h2> + + + +<br><br><p>CHAPTER I.</p> + +<p>DALY'S CLUB-HOUSE.</p> + +<p>The rain was dashing in torrents against the window-panes, and +the wind<br> +sweeping in heavy and fitful gusts along the dreary and deserted +streets,<br> +as a party of three persons sat over their wine, in that stately +old pile<br> +which once formed the resort of the Irish Members, in College +Green,<br> +Dublin, and went by the name of Daly's Club-House. The clatter of +falling<br> +tiles and chimney-pots, the jarring of the window-frames, and +howling of<br> +the storm without seemed little to affect the spirits of those +within as<br> +they drew closer to a blazing fire before which stood a small +table covered<br> +with the remains of a dessert, and an abundant supply of bottles, +whose<br> +characteristic length of neck indicated the rarest wines of +France and<br> +Germany; while the portly magnum of claret—the wine <i>par +excellence</i> of<br> +every Irish gentleman of the day—passed rapidly from hand to +hand, the<br> +conversation did not languish, and many a deep and hearty laugh +followed<br> +the stories which every now and then were told, as some +reminiscence of<br> +early days was recalled, or some trait of a former companion +remembered.</p> + +<p>One of the party, however, was apparently engrossed by other +thoughts than<br> +those of the mirth and merriment around; for in the midst of all +he would<br> +turn suddenly from the others, and devote himself to a number of +scattered<br> +sheets of paper, upon which he had written some lines, but whose +crossed<br> +and blotted sentences attested how little success had waited +upon<br> +his literary labors. This individual was a short, +plethoric-looking,<br> +white-haired man of about fifty, with a deep, round voice, and a +chuckling,<br> +smothering laugh, which, whenever he indulged not only shook his +own ample<br> +person, but generally created a petty earthquake on every side of +him. For<br> +the present, I shall not stop to particularize him more closely; +but when I<br> +add that the person in question was a well-known member of the +Irish House<br> +of Commons, whose acute understanding and practical good sense +were veiled<br> +under an affected and well-dissembled habit of blundering that +did far<br> +more for his party than the most violent and pointed attacks of +his more<br> +accurate associates, some of my readers may anticipate me in +pronouncing<br> +him to be Sir Harry Boyle. Upon his left sat a figure the most +unlike him<br> +possible. He was a tall, thin, bony man, with a bolt-upright air +and a most<br> +saturnine expression; his eyes were covered by a deep green +shade, which<br> +fell far over his face, but failed to conceal a blue scar that +crossing his<br> +cheek ended in the angle of his mouth, and imparted to that +feature, when<br> +he spoke, an apparently abortive attempt to extend towards his +eyebrow; his<br> +upper lip was covered with a grizzly and ill-trimmed mustache, +which added<br> +much to the ferocity of his look, while a thin and pointed beard +on his<br> +chin gave an apparent length to the whole face that completed its +rueful<br> +character. His dress was a single-breasted, tightly buttoned +frock, in one<br> +button-hole of which a yellow ribbon was fastened, the decoration +of a<br> +foreign service, which conferred upon its wearer the title of +count; and<br> +though Billy Considine, as he was familiarly called by his +friends, was<br> +a thorough Irishman in all his feelings and affections, yet he +had no<br> +objection to the designation he had gained in the Austrian army. +The Count<br> +was certainly no beauty, but somehow, very few men of his day had +a fancy<br> +for telling him so. A deadlier hand and a steadier eye never +covered his<br> +man in the Phoenix; and though he never had a seat in the House, +he was<br> +always regarded as one of the government party, who more than +once had<br> +damped the ardor of an opposition member by the very significant +threat<br> +of "setting Billy at him." The third figure of the group was a +large,<br> +powerfully built, and handsome man, older than either of the +others, but<br> +not betraying in his voice or carriage any touch of time. He was +attired in<br> +the green coat and buff vest which formed the livery of the club; +and in<br> +his tall, ample forehead, clear, well-set eye, and still handsome +mouth,<br> +bore evidence that no great flattery was necessary at the time +which called<br> +Godfrey O'Malley the handsomest man in Ireland.</p> + +<p>"Upon my conscience," said Sir Harry, throwing down his pen +with an air of<br> +ill-temper, "I can make nothing of it! I have got into such an +infernal<br> +habit of making bulls, that I can't write sense when I want +it!"</p> + +<p>"Come, come," said O'Malley, "try again, my dear fellow. If +you can't<br> +succeed, I'm sure Billy and I have no chance."</p> + +<p>"What have you written? Let us see," said Considine, drawing +the paper<br> +towards him, and holding it to the light. "Why, what the devil is +all this?<br> +You have made him 'drop down dead after dinner of a lingering +illness<br> +brought on by the debate of yesterday.'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, impossible!"</p> + +<p>"Well, read it yourself; there it is. And, as if to make the +thing less<br> +credible, you talk of his 'Bill for the Better Recovery of Small +Debts.'<br> +I'm sure, O'Malley, your last moments were not employed in that +manner."</p> + +<p>"Come, now," said Sir Harry, "I'll set all to rights with a +postscript.<br> +'Any one who questions the above statement is politely requested +to call on<br> +Mr. Considine, 16 Kildare Street, who will feel happy to afford +him every<br> +satisfaction upon Mr. O'Malley's decease, or upon miscellaneous +matters."</p> + +<p>"Worse and worse," said O'Malley. "Killing another man will +never persuade<br> +the world that I'm dead."</p> + +<p>"But we'll wake you, and have a glorious funeral."</p> + +<p>"And if any man doubt the statement, I'll call him out," said +the Count.</p> + +<p>"Or, better still," said Sir Harry, "O'Malley has his action +at law for<br> +defamation."</p> + +<p>"I see I'll never get down to Galway at this rate," said +O'Malley; "and as<br> +the new election takes place on Tuesday week, time presses. There +are more<br> +writs flying after me this instant than for all the government +boroughs."</p> + +<p>"And there will be fewer returns, I fear," said Sir Harry.</p> + +<p>"Who is the chief creditor?" asked the Count.</p> + +<p>"Old Stapleton, the attorney in Fleet Street, has most of the +mortgages."</p> + +<p>"Nothing to be done with him in this way?" said Considine, +balancing the<br> +corkscrew like a hair trigger.</p> + +<p>"No chance of it."</p> + +<p>"May be," said Sir Harry, "he might come to terms if I were to +call and<br> +say, 'You are anxious to close accounts, as your death has just +taken<br> +place.' You know what I mean."</p> + +<p>"I fear so should he, were you to say so. No, no, Boyle, just +try a plain,<br> +straightforward paragraph about my death; we'll have it in +Falkner's paper<br> +to-morrow. On Friday the funeral can take place, and, with the +blessing<br> +o' God, I'll come to life on Saturday at Athlone, in time to +canvass the<br> +market."</p> + +<p>"I think it wouldn't be bad if your ghost were to appear to +old Timins the<br> +tanner, in Naas, on your way down. You know he arrested you once +before."</p> + +<p>"I prefer a night's sleep," said O'Malley. "But come, finish +the squib for<br> +the paper."</p> + +<p>"Stay a little," said Sir Harry, musing; "it just strikes me +that if ever<br> +the matter gets out I may be in some confounded scrape. Who knows +if it is<br> +not a breach of privilege to report the death of a member? And to +tell you<br> +truth, I dread the Sergeant and the Speaker's warrant with a very +lively<br> +fear."</p> + +<p>"Why, when did you make his acquaintance?" said the Count.</p> + +<p>"Is it possible you never heard of Boyle's committal?" said +O'Malley. "You<br> +surely must have been abroad at the time. But it's not too late +to tell it<br> +yet."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's about two years since old Townsend brought in his +Enlistment<br> +Bill, and the whole country was scoured for all our voters, who +were<br> +scattered here and there, never anticipating another call of the +House, and<br> +supposing that the session was just over. Among others, up came +our friend<br> +Harry, here, and the night he arrived they made him a 'Monk of +the Screw,'<br> +and very soon made him forget his senatorial dignities. On the +evening<br> +after his reaching town, the bill was brought in, and at two in +the morning<br> +the division took place,—a vote was of too much consequence not +to look<br> +after it closely,—and a Castle messenger was in waiting in +Exchequer<br> +Street, who, when the debate was closing, put Harry, with three +others,<br> +into a coach, and brought them down to the House. Unfortunately, +however,<br> +they mistook their friends, voted against the bill, and amidst +the loudest<br> +cheering of the opposition, the government party were defeated. +The rage of<br> +the ministers knew no bounds, and looks of defiance and even +threats were<br> +exchanged between the ministers and the deserters. Amidst all +this poor<br> +Harry fell fast asleep and dreamed that he was once more in +Exchequer<br> +Street, presiding among the monks, and mixing another tumbler. At +length he<br> +awoke and looked about him. The clerk was just at the instant +reading out,<br> +in his usual routine manner, a clause of the new bill, and the +remainder<br> +of the House was in dead silence. Harry looked again around on +every side,<br> +wondering where was the hot water, and what had become of the +whiskey<br> +bottle, and above all, why the company were so extremely dull and +ungenial.<br> +At length, with a half-shake, he roused up a little, and giving a +look<br> +of unequivocal contempt on every side, called out, 'Upon my soul, +you're<br> +pleasant companions; but I'll give you a chant to enliven you!' +So saying,<br> +he cleared his throat with a couple of short coughs, and struck +up, with<br> +the voice of a Stentor, the following verse of a popular +ballad:—</p> + +<p> 'And they nibbled away, both night and day,<br> + Like mice in a round of Glo'ster;<br> + Great rogues they were all, both great and small,<br> + From Flood to Leslie Foster.<br> + Great rogues all.</p> + +<p>Chorus, boys!' If he was not joined by the voices of his +friends in the<br> +song, it was probably because such a roar of laughing never was +heard since<br> +the walls were roofed over. The whole House rose in a mass, and +my friend<br> +Harry was hurried over the benches by the sergeant-at-arms, and +left for<br> +three weeks in Newgate to practise his melody."</p> + +<p>"All true," said Sir Harry; "and worse luck to them for not +liking music.<br> +But come, now, will this do? 'It is our melancholy duty to +announce the<br> +death of Godfrey O'Malley, Esq., late member for the county of +Galway,<br> +which took place on Friday evening, at Daly's Club-House. This +esteemed<br> +gentleman's family—one of the oldest in Ireland, and among whom +it was<br> +hereditary not to have any children—'"</p> + +<p>Here a burst of laughter from Considine and O'Malley +interrupted the<br> +reader, who with the greatest difficulty could be persuaded that +he was<br> +again bulling it.</p> + +<p>"The devil fly away with it," said he; "I'll never +succeed."</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said O'Malley, "the first part will do +admirably; and let us<br> +now turn our attention to other matters."</p> + +<p>A fresh magnum was called for, and over its inspiring contents +all the<br> +details of the funeral were planned; and as the clock struck four +the party<br> +separated for the <i>night</i>, well satisfied with the result of +their labors.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER II.</p> + +<p>THE ESCAPE.</p> + +<p>When the dissolution of Parliament was announced the following +morning in<br> +Dublin, its interest in certain circles was manifestly increased +by the<br> +fact that Godfrey O'Malley was at last open to arrest; for as in +olden<br> +times certain gifted individuals possessed some happy immunity +against<br> +death by fire or sword, so the worthy O'Malley seemed to enjoy a +no less<br> +valuable privilege, and for many a year had passed among the +myrmidons of<br> +the law as writ-proof. Now, however, the charm seemed to have +yielded; and<br> +pretty much with the same feeling as a storming party may be +supposed to<br> +experience on the day that a breach is reported as practicable, +did the<br> +honest attorneys retained in the various suits against him rally +round each<br> +other that morning in the Four Courts.</p> + +<p>Bonds, mortgages, post-obits, promissory notes—in fact, every +imaginable<br> +species of invention for raising the O'Malley exchequer for the +preceding<br> +thirty years—were handed about on all sides, suggesting to the +mind of an<br> +uninterested observer the notion that had the aforesaid O'Malley +been an<br> +independent and absolute monarch, instead of merely being the +member for<br> +Galway, the kingdom over whose destinies he had been called to +preside<br> +would have suffered not a little from a depreciated currency and +an<br> +extravagant issue of paper. Be that as it might, one thing was +clear,—the<br> +whole estates of the family could not possibly pay one fourth of +the debt;<br> +and the only question was one which occasionally arises at a +scanty dinner<br> +on a mail-coach road,—who was to be the lucky individual to +carve the<br> +joint, where so many were sure to go off hungry?</p> + +<p>It was now a trial of address between these various and highly +gifted<br> +gentlemen who should first pounce upon the victim; and when the +skill of<br> +their caste is taken into consideration, who will doubt that +every feasible<br> +expedient for securing him was resorted to? While writs were +struck against<br> +him in Dublin, emissaries were despatched to the various +surrounding<br> +counties to procure others in the event of his escape. <i>Ne +exeats</i> were<br> +sworn, and water-bailiffs engaged to follow him on the high seas; +and as<br> +the great Nassau balloon did not exist in those days, no +imaginable mode of<br> +escape appeared possible, and bets were offered at long odds that +within<br> +twenty-four hours the late member would be enjoying his <i>otium +cum<br> +dignitate</i> in his Majesty's jail of Newgate.</p> + +<p>Expectation was at the highest, confidence hourly increasing, +success all<br> +but certain, when in the midst of all this high-bounding hope the +dreadful<br> +rumor spread that O'Malley was no more. One had seen it just five +minutes<br> +before in the evening edition of Falkner's paper; another heard +it in the<br> +courts; a third overheard the Chief-Justice stating it to the +Master of the<br> +Rolls; and lastly, a breathless witness arrived from College +Green with<br> +the news that Daly's Club-House was shut up, and the shutters +closed.<br> +To describe the consternation the intelligence caused on every +side is<br> +impossible; nothing in history equals it,—except, perhaps, the +entrance<br> +of the French army into Moscow, deserted and forsaken by its +former<br> +inhabitants. While terror and dismay, therefore, spread amidst +that wide<br> +and respectable body who formed O'Malley's creditors, the +preparations<br> +for his funeral were going on with every rapidity. Relays of +horses were<br> +ordered at every stage of the journey, and it was announced that, +in<br> +testimony of his worth, a large party of his friends were to +accompany his<br> +remains to Portumna Abbey,—a test much more indicative of +resistance<br> +in the event of any attempt to arrest the body, than of anything +like<br> +reverence for their departed friend.</p> + +<p>Such was the state of matters in Dublin when a letter reached +me one<br> +morning at O'Malley Castle, whose contents will at once explain +the<br> +writer's intention, and also serve to introduce my unworthy self +to my<br> +reader. It ran thus:—</p> + +<p> DALY'S, about eight in the +evening.<br> + Dear Charley,—Your uncle Godfrey, whose debts (God +pardon<br> + him!) are more numerous than the hairs of his wig, was +obliged to<br> + die here last night. We did the thing for him completely; and +all<br> + doubts as to the reality of the event are silenced by the<br> + circumstantial detail of the newspaper, "that he was confined +six<br> + weeks to his bed from a cold he caught, ten days ago, while +on guard."<br> + Repeat this; for it is better we had all the same story till +he<br> + comes to life again, which, may be, will not take place +before<br> + Tuesday or Wednesday. At the same time, canvass the county +for him,<br> + and say he'll be with his friends next week, and up in +Woodford and<br> + the Scariff barony. Say he died a true Catholic; it will +serve him on<br> + the hustings. Meet us in Athlone on Saturday, and bring your +uncle's<br> + mare with you. He says he'd rather ride home. And tell Father +Mac<br> + Shane, to have a bit of dinner ready about four o'clock, for +the corpse<br> + can get nothing after he leaves Mountmellick. No more now, +from<br> + Yours ever,<br> + HARRY BOYLE</p> + +<p> To CHARLES O'MALLEY, Esq.,<br> + O'Malley Castle, Galway.</p> + +<p>When this not over-clear document reached me I was the sole +inhabitant of<br> +O'Malley Castle,—a very ruinous pile of incongruous masonry, +that stood in<br> +a wild and dreary part of the county of Galway, bordering on the +Shannon.<br> +On every side stretched the property of my uncle, or at least +what had once<br> +been so; and indeed, so numerous were its present claimants that +he would<br> +have been a subtle lawyer who could have pronounced upon the +rightful<br> +owner. The demesne around the castle contained some well-grown +and handsome<br> +timber, and as the soil was undulating and fertile, presented +many features<br> +of beauty; beyond it, all was sterile, bleak, and barren. Long +tracts of<br> +brown heath-clad mountain or not less unprofitable valleys of +tall and<br> +waving fern were all that the eye could discern, except where the +broad<br> +Shannon, expanding into a tranquil and glassy lake, lay still +and<br> +motionless beneath the dark mountains, a few islands, with some +ruined<br> +churches and a round tower, alone breaking the dreary waste of +water.</p> + +<p>Here it was that I passed my infancy and my youth; and here I +now stood,<br> +at the age of seventeen, quite unconscious that the world +contained aught<br> +fairer and brighter than that gloomy valley with its rugged frame +of<br> +mountains.</p> + +<p>When a mere child, I was left an orphan to the care of my +worthy uncle. My<br> +father, whose extravagance had well sustained the family +reputation, had<br> +squandered a large and handsome property in contesting elections +for his<br> +native county, and in keeping up that system of unlimited +hospitality for<br> +which Ireland in general, and Galway more especially, was +renowned. The<br> +result was, as might be expected, ruin and beggary. He died, +leaving every<br> +one of his estates encumbered with heavy debts, and the only +legacy he left<br> +to his brother was a boy four years of age, entreating him with +his last<br> +breath, "Be anything you like to him, Godfrey, but a father, or +at least<br> +such a one as I have proved."</p> + +<p>Godfrey O'Malley some short time previous had lost his wife, +and when this<br> +new trust was committed to him he resolved never to remarry, but +to rear<br> +me up as his own child and the inheritor of his estates. How +weighty and<br> +onerous an obligation this latter might prove, the reader can +form some<br> +idea. The intention was, however, a kind one; and to do my uncle +justice,<br> +he loved me with all the affection of a warm and open heart.</p> + +<p>From my earliest years his whole anxiety was to fit me for the +part of a<br> +country gentleman, as he regarded that character,—namely, I rode +boldly<br> +with fox-hounds; I was about the best shot within twenty miles of +us; I<br> +could swim the Shannon at Holy Island; I drove four-in-hand +better than the<br> +coachman himself; and from finding a hare to hooking a salmon, my +equal<br> +could not be found from Killaloe to Banagher. These were the +staple of my<br> +endowments. Besides which, the parish priest had taught me a +little Latin,<br> +a little French, a little geometry, and a great deal of the life +and<br> +opinions of Saint Jago, who presided over a holy well in the +neighborhood,<br> +and was held in very considerable repute.</p> + +<p>When I add to this portraiture of my accomplishments that I +was nearly six<br> +feet high, with more than a common share of activity and strength +for my<br> +years, and no inconsiderable portion of good looks, I have +finished my<br> +sketch, and stand before my reader.</p> + +<p>It is now time I should return to Sir Harry's letter, which so +completely<br> +bewildered me that, but for the assistance of Father Roach, I +should have<br> +been totally unable to make out the writer's intentions. By his +advice, I<br> +immediately set out for Athlone, where, when I arrived, I found +my<br> +uncle addressing the mob from the top of the hearse, and +recounting his<br> +miraculous escapes as a new claim upon their gratitude.</p> + +<p>"There was nothing else for it, boys; the Dublin people +insisted on<br> +my being their member, and besieged the club-house. I refused; +they<br> +threatened. I grew obstinate; they furious. 'I'll die first,' +said I.<br> +'Galway or nothing!'"</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" from the mob. "O'Malley forever!"</p> + +<p>"And ye see, I kept my word, boys,—I did die; I died that +evening at a<br> +quarter past eight. There, read it for yourselves; there's the +paper. Was<br> +waked and carried out, and here I am after all, ready to die in +earnest for<br> +you, but never to desert you."</p> + +<p>The cheers here were deafening, and my uncle was carried +through the market<br> +down to the mayor's house, who, being a friend of the opposite +party, was<br> +complimented with three groans; then up the Mall to the chapel, +beside<br> +which father Mac Shane resided. He was then suffered to touch the +earth<br> +once more; when, having shaken hands with all of his constituency +within<br> +reach, he entered the house, to partake of the kindest welcome +and best<br> +reception the good priest could afford him.</p> + +<p>My uncle's progress homeward was a triumph. The real secret of +his escape<br> +had somehow come out, and his popularity rose to a white heat. +"An' it's<br> +little O'Malley cares for the law,—bad luck to it; it's himself +can laugh<br> +at judge and jury. Arrest him? Nabocklish! Catch a weasel +asleep!" etc.<br> +Such were the encomiums that greeted him as he passed on towards +home;<br> +while shouts of joy and blazing bonfires attested that his +success was<br> +regarded as a national triumph.</p> + +<p>The west has certainly its strong features of identity. Had my +uncle<br> +possessed the claims of the immortal Howard; had he united in his +person<br> +all the attributes which confer a lasting and an ennobling fame +upon<br> +humanity,—he might have passed on unnoticed and unobserved; but +for<br> +the man that had duped a judge and escaped the sheriff, nothing +was<br> +sufficiently flattering to mark their approbation. The success of +the<br> +exploit was twofold; the news spread far and near, and the very +story<br> +canvassed the county better than Billy Davern himself, the +Athlone<br> +attorney.</p> + +<p>This was the prospect now before us; and however little my +readers may<br> +sympathize with my taste, I must honestly avow that I looked +forward to<br> +it with a most delighted feeling. O'Malley Castle was to be the +centre<br> +of operations, and filled with my uncle's supporters; while I, a +mere<br> +stripling, and usually treated as a boy, was to be intrusted with +an<br> +important mission, and sent off to canvass a distant relation, +with whom<br> +my uncle was not upon terms, and who might possibly be +approachable by a<br> +younger branch of the family, with whom he had never any +collision.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER III.</p> + +<p>MR. BLAKE.</p> + +<p>Nothing but the exigency of the case could ever have persuaded +my uncle to<br> +stoop to the humiliation of canvassing the individual to whom I +was now<br> +about to proceed as envoy-extraordinary, with full powers to make +any or<br> +every <i>amende</i>, provided only his interest and that of his +followers should<br> +be thereby secured to the O'Malley cause. The evening before I +set out was<br> +devoted to giving me all the necessary instructions how I was to +proceed,<br> +and what difficulties I was to avoid.</p> + +<p>"Say your uncle's in high feather with the government party," +said Sir<br> +Harry, "and that he only votes against them as a <i>ruse de +guerre</i>, as the<br> +French call it."</p> + +<p>"Insist upon it that I am sure of the election without him; +but that for<br> +family reasons he should not stand aloof from me; that people are +talking<br> +of it in the country."</p> + +<p>"And drop a hint," said Considine, "that O'Malley is greatly +improved in<br> +his shooting."</p> + +<p>"And don't get drunk too early in the evening, for Phil Blake +has beautiful<br> +claret," said another.</p> + +<p>"And be sure you don't make love to the red-headed girls," +added a third;<br> +"he has four of them, each more sinfully ugly than the +other."</p> + +<p>"You'll be playing whist, too," said Boyle; "and never mind +losing a few<br> +pounds. Mrs. B., long life to her, has a playful way of turning +the king."</p> + +<p>"Charley will do it all well," said my uncle; "leave him +alone. And now let<br> +us have in the supper."</p> + +<p>It was only on the following morning, as the tandem came round +to the door,<br> +that I began to feel the importance of my mission, and certain +misgivings<br> +came over me as to my ability to fulfil it. Mr. Blake and his +family,<br> +though estranged from my uncle for several years past, had been +always most<br> +kind and good-natured to me; and although I could not, with +propriety, have<br> +cultivated any close intimacy with them, I had every reason to +suppose that<br> +they entertained towards me nothing but sentiments of good-will. +The head<br> +of the family was a Galway squire of the oldest and most genuine +stock, a<br> +great sportsman, a negligent farmer, and most careless father; he +looked<br> +upon a fox as an infinitely more precious part of the creation +than a<br> +French governess, and thought that riding well with hounds was a +far better<br> +gift than all the learning of a Parson. His daughters were after +his<br> +own heart,—the best-tempered, least-educated, most +high-spirited, gay,<br> +dashing, ugly girls in the county, ready to ride over a four-foot +paling<br> +without a saddle, and to dance the "Wind that shakes the barley" +for four<br> +consecutive hours, against all the officers that their hard fate, +and the<br> +Horse Guards, ever condemned to Galway.</p> + +<p>The mamma was only remarkable for her liking for whist, and +her invariable<br> +good fortune thereat,—a circumstance the world were agreed in +ascribing<br> +less to the blind goddess than her own natural endowments.</p> + +<p>Lastly, the heir of the house was a stripling of about my own +age, whose<br> +accomplishments were limited to selling spavined and +broken-winded horses<br> +to the infantry officers, playing a safe game at billiards, and +acting as<br> +jackal-general to his sisters at balls, providing them with a +sufficiency<br> +of partners, and making a strong fight for a place at the +supper-table for<br> +his mother. These fraternal and filial traits, more honored at +home than<br> +abroad, had made Mr. Matthew Blake a rather well-known individual +in the<br> +neighborhood where he lived.</p> + +<p>Though Mr. Blake's property was ample, and strange to say for +his county,<br> +unencumbered, the whole air and appearance of his house and +grounds<br> +betrayed anything rather than a sufficiency of means. The gate +lodge was a<br> +miserable mud-hovel with a thatched and falling roof; the gate +itself, a<br> +wooden contrivance, one half of which was boarded and the other +railed; the<br> +avenue was covered with weeds, and deep with ruts; and the clumps +of young<br> +plantation, which had been planted and fenced with care, were now +open to<br> +the cattle, and either totally uprooted or denuded of their bark +and dying.<br> +The lawn, a handsome one of some forty acres, had been devoted to +an<br> +exercise-ground for training horses, and was cut up by their feet +beyond<br> +all semblance of its original destination; and the house itself, +a large<br> +and venerable structure of above a century old, displayed every +variety of<br> +contrivance, as well as the usual one of glass, to exclude the +weather. The<br> +hall-door hung by a single hinge, and required three persons each +morning<br> +and evening to open and shut it; the remainder of the day it lay +pensively<br> +open; the steps which led to it were broken and falling; and the +whole<br> +aspect of things without was ruinous in the extreme. Within, +matters were<br> +somewhat better, for though the furniture was old, and none of it +clean,<br> +yet an appearance of comfort was evident; and the large grate, +blazing with<br> +its pile of red-hot turf, the deep-cushioned chairs, the old +black mahogany<br> +dinner-table, and the soft carpet, albeit deep with dust, were +not to be<br> +despised on a winter's evening, after a hard day's run with the +"Blazers."<br> +Here it was, however, that Mr. Philip Blake had dispensed his +hospitalities<br> +for above fifty years, and his father before him; and here, with +a retinue<br> +of servants as <i>gauches</i> and ill-ordered as all about them, +was he<br> +accustomed to invite all that the county possessed of rank and +wealth,<br> +among which the officers quartered in his neighborhood were +never<br> +neglected, the Miss Blakes having as decided a taste for the army +as any<br> +young ladies of the west of Ireland; and while the Galway squire, +with<br> +his cords and tops, was detailing the latest news from +Ballinasloe in one<br> +corner, the dandy from St. James's Street might be seen +displaying more<br> +arts of seductive flattery in another than his most accurate +<i>insouciane</i><br> +would permit him to practise in the elegant salons of London or +Paris, and<br> +the same man who would have "cut his brother," for a solecism of +dress or<br> +equipage, in Bond Street, was now to be seen quietly +domesticated, eating<br> +family dinners, rolling silk for the young ladies, going down the +middle<br> +in a country dance, and even descending to the indignity of long +whist at<br> +"tenpenny" points, with only the miserable consolation that the +company<br> +were not honest.</p> + +<p>It was upon a clear frosty morning, when a bright blue sky and +a sharp but<br> +bracing air seem to exercise upon the feelings a sense no less +pleasurable<br> +than the balmiest breeze and warmest sun of summer, that I +whipped my<br> +leader short round, and entered the precincts of "Gurt-na-Morra." +As I<br> +proceeded along the avenue, I was struck by the slight traces of +repairs<br> +here and there evident,—a gate or two that formerly had been +parallel to<br> +the horizon had been raised to the perpendicular; some +ineffectual efforts<br> +at paint were also perceptible upon the palings; and, in short, +everything<br> +seemed to have undergone a kind of attempt at improvement.</p> + +<p>When I reached the door, instead of being surrounded, as of +old, by a tribe<br> +of menials frieze-coated, bare-headed, and bare-legged, my +presence was<br> +announced by a tremendous ringing of bells from the hands of an +old<br> +functionary in a very formidable livery, who peeped at me through +the<br> +hall-window, and whom, with the greatest difficulty, I recognized +as my<br> +quondam acquaintance, the butler. His wig alone would have graced +a king's<br> +counsel; and the high collar of his coat, and the stiff pillory +of his<br> +cravat denoted an eternal adieu to so humble a vocation as +drawing a cork.<br> +Before I had time for any conjecture as to the altered +circumstances about,<br> +the activity of my friend at the bell had surrounded me with +"four others<br> +worse than himself," at least they were exactly similarly +attired; and<br> +probably from the novelty of their costume, and the restraints of +so<br> +unusual a thing as dress, were as perfectly unable to assist +themselves<br> +or others as the Court of Aldermen would be were they to rig out +in plate<br> +armor of the fourteenth century. How much longer I might have +gone on<br> +conjecturing the reasons for the masquerade around, I cannot say; +but my<br> +servant, an Irish disciple of my uncle's, whispered in my ear, +"It's a<br> +red-breeches day, Master Charles,—they'll have the hoith of +company in the<br> +house." From the phrase, it needed little explanation to inform +me that it<br> +was one of those occasions on which Mr. Blake attired all the +hangers-on<br> +of his house in livery, and that great preparations were in +progress for a<br> +more than usually splendid reception.</p> + +<p>In the next moment I was ushered into the breakfast-room, +where a party of<br> +above a dozen persons were most gayly enjoying all the good cheer +for which<br> +the house had a well-deserved repute. After the usual shaking of +hands and<br> +hearty greetings were over, I was introduced in all form to Sir +George<br> +Dashwood, a tall and singularly handsome man of about fifty, with +an<br> +undress military frock and ribbon. His reception of me was +somewhat<br> +strange; for as they mentioned my relationship to Godfrey +O'Malley, he<br> +smiled slightly, and whispered something to Mr. Blake, who +replied, "Oh,<br> +no, no; not the least. A mere boy; and besides—" What he added I +lost, for<br> +at that moment Nora Blake was presenting me to Miss Dashwood.</p> + +<p>If the sweetest blue eyes that ever beamed beneath a forehead +of snowy<br> +whiteness, over which dark brown and waving hair fell less in +curls than<br> +masses of locky richness, could only have known what wild work +they were<br> +making of my poor heart, Miss Dashwood, I trust, would have +looked at her<br> +teacup or her muffin rather than at me, as she actually did on +that fatal<br> +morning. If I were to judge from her costume, she had only just +arrived,<br> +and the morning air had left upon her cheek a bloom that +contributed<br> +greatly to the effect of her lovely countenance. Although very +young, her<br> +form had all the roundness of womanhood; while her gay and +sprightly manner<br> +indicated all the <i>sans gêne</i> which only very young +girls possess, and<br> +which, when tempered with perfect good taste, and accompanied by +beauty and<br> +no small share of talent, forms an irresistible power of +attraction.</p> + +<p>Beside her sat a tall, handsome man of about five-and-thirty +or perhaps<br> +forty years of age, with a most soldierly air, who as I was +presented to<br> +him scarcely turned his head, and gave me a half-nod of very +unequivocal<br> +coldness. There are moments in life in which the heart is, as it +were, laid<br> +bare to any chance or casual impression with a wondrous +sensibility of<br> +pleasure or its opposite. This to me was one of those; and as I +turned from<br> +the lovely girl, who had received me with a marked courtesy, to +the cold<br> +air and repelling <i>hauteur</i> of the dark-browed captain, the +blood rushed<br> +throbbing to my forehead; and as I walked to my place at the +table, I<br> +eagerly sought his eye, to return him a look of defiance and +disdain,<br> +proud and contemptuous as his own. Captain Hammersley, however, +never took<br> +further notice of me, but continued to recount, for the amusement +of those<br> +about him, several excellent stories of his military career, +which, I<br> +confess, were heard with every test of delight by all save me. +One thing<br> +galled me particularly,—and how easy is it, when you have begun +by<br> +disliking a person, to supply food for your antipathy,—all his +allusions<br> +to his military life were coupled with half-hinted and +ill-concealed<br> +sneers at civilians of every kind, as though every man not a +soldier were<br> +absolutely unfit for common intercourse with the world, still +more for any<br> +favorable reception in ladies' society.</p> + +<p>The young ladies of the family were a well-chosen auditory, +for their<br> +admiration of the army extended from the Life Guards to the +Veteran<br> +Battalion, the Sappers and Miners included; and as Miss Dashwood +was the<br> +daughter of a soldier, she of course coincided in many of, if not +all, his<br> +opinions. I turned towards my neighbor, a Clare gentleman, and +tried to<br> +engage him in conversation, but he was breathlessly attending to +the<br> +captain. On my left sat Matthew Blake, whose eyes were firmly +riveted<br> +upon the same person, and who heard his marvels with an interest +scarcely<br> +inferior to that of his sisters. Annoyed and in ill-temper, I ate +my<br> +breakfast in silence, and resolved that the first moment I could +obtain a<br> +hearing from Mr. Blake I would open my negotiation, and take my +leave at<br> +once of Gurt-na-Morra.</p> + +<p>We all assembled in a large room, called by courtesy the +library, when<br> +breakfast was over; and then it was that Mr. Blake, taking me +aside,<br> +whispered, "Charley, it's right I should inform you that Sir +George<br> +Dashwood there is the Commander of the Forces, and is come down +here at<br> +this moment to—" What for, or how it should concern me, I was +not to<br> +learn; for at that critical instant my informant's attention was +called off<br> +by Captain Hammersley asking if the hounds were to hunt that +day.</p> + +<p>"My friend Charley here is the best authority upon that +matter," said Mr.<br> +Blake, turning towards me.</p> + +<p>"They are to try the Priest's meadows," said I, with an air of +some<br> +importance; "but if your guests desire a day's sport, I'll send +word over<br> +to Brackely to bring the dogs over here, and we are sure to find +a fox in<br> +your cover."</p> + +<p>"Oh, then, by all means," said the captain, turning towards +Mr. Blake, and<br> +addressing himself to him,—"by all means; and Miss Dashwood, I'm +sure,<br> +would like to see the hounds throw off."</p> + +<p>Whatever chagrin the first part of his speech caused me, the +latter set my<br> +heart a-throbbing; and I hastened from the room to despatch a +messenger to<br> +the huntsman to come over to Gurt-na-Morra, and also another to +O'Malley<br> +Castle to bring my best horse and my riding equipments as quickly +as<br> +possible.</p> + +<p>"Matthew, who is this captain?" said I, as young Blake met me +in the hall.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he is the aide-de-camp of General Dashwood. A nice +fellow, isn't he?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know what you may think," said I, "but I take him for +the most<br> +impertinent, impudent, supercilious—"</p> + +<p>The rest of my civil speech was cut short by the appearance of +the very<br> +individual in question, who, with his hands in his pockets and a +cigar in<br> +his mouth, sauntered forth down the steps, taking no more notice +of Matthew<br> +Blake and myself than the two fox-terriers that followed at his +heels.</p> + +<p>However anxious I might be to open negotiations on the subject +of my<br> +mission, for the present the thing was impossible; for I found +that Sir<br> +George Dashwood was closeted closely with Mr. Blake, and resolved +to wait<br> +till evening, when chance might afford me the opportunity I +desired.</p> + +<p>As the ladies had retired to dress for the hunt, and as I felt +no peculiar<br> +desire to ally myself with the unsocial captain, I accompanied +Matthew to<br> +the stable to look after the cattle, and make preparations for +the coming<br> +sport.</p> + +<p>"There's Captain Hammersley's mare," said Matthew, as he +pointed out a<br> +highly bred but powerful English hunter. "She came last night; +for as he<br> +expected some sport, he sent his horses from Dublin on purpose. +The others<br> +will be here to-day."</p> + +<p>"What is his regiment?" said I, with an appearance of +carelessness, but in<br> +reality feeling curious to know if the captain was a cavalry or +infantry<br> +officer.</p> + +<p>"The —th Light Dragoons,"</p> + +<p>"You never saw him ride?" said I.</p> + +<p>"Never; but his groom there says he leads the way in his own +country."</p> + +<p>"And where may that be?"</p> + +<p>"In Leicestershire, no less," said Matthew.</p> + +<p>"Does he know Galway?"</p> + +<p>"Never was in it before. It's only this minute he asked Moses +Daly if the<br> +ox-fences were high here."</p> + +<p>"Ox-fences! Then he does not know what a wall is?"</p> + +<p>"Devil a bit; but we'll teach him."</p> + +<p>"That we will," said I, with as bitter a resolution to impart +the<br> +instruction as ever schoolmaster did to whip Latin grammar into +one of the<br> +great unbreeched.</p> + +<p>"But I had better send the horses down to the Mill," said +Matthew; "we'll<br> +draw that cover first."</p> + +<p>So saying, he turned towards the stable, while I sauntered +alone towards<br> +the road by which I expected the huntsman. I had not walked half +a mile<br> +before I heard the yelping of the dogs, and a little farther on I +saw old<br> +Brackely coming along at a brisk trot, cutting the hounds on each +side, and<br> +calling after the stragglers.</p> + +<p>"Did you see my horse on the road, Brackely?" said I.</p> + +<p>"I did, Misther Charles; and troth, I'm sorry to see him. Sure +yerself<br> +knows better than to take out the Badger, the best steeple-chaser +in<br> +Ireland, in such a country as this,—nothing but awkward +stone-fences, and<br> +not a foot of sure ground in the whole of it."</p> + +<p>"I know it well, Brackely; but I have my reasons for it."</p> + +<p>"Well, may be you have; what cover will your honor try +first?"</p> + +<p>"They talk of the Mill," said I; "but I'd much rather try +Morran-a-Gowl."</p> + +<p>"Morran-a-Gowl! Do you want to break your neck entirely?"</p> + +<p>"No, Brackely, not mine."</p> + +<p>"Whose, then, alannah?"</p> + +<p>"An English captain's, the devil fly away with him! He's come +down here<br> +to-day, and from all I can see is a most impudent fellow; so, +Brackely—"</p> + +<p>"I understand. Well, leave it to me; and though I don't like +the only<br> +deer-park wall on the hill, we'll try it this morning with the +blessing.<br> +I'll take him down by Woodford, over the Devil's Mouth,—it's +eighteen foot<br> +wide this minute with the late rains,—into the four callows; +then over the<br> +stone-walls, down to Dangan; then take a short cast up the hill, +blow him<br> +a bit, and give him the park wall at the top. You must come in +then fresh,<br> +and give him the whole run home over Sleibhmich. The Badger knows +it all,<br> +and takes the road always in a fly,—a mighty distressing thing +for the<br> +horse that follows, more particularly if he does not understand a +stony<br> +country. Well, if he lives through this, give him the sunk fence +and the<br> +stone wall at Mr. Blake's clover-field, for the hounds will run +into the<br> +fox about there; and though we never ride that leap since Mr. +Malone broke<br> +his neck at it, last October, yet upon an occasion like this, and +for the<br> +honor of Galway—"</p> + +<p>"To be sure, Brackely; and here's a guinea for you, and now +trot on towards<br> +the house. They must not see us together, or they might suspect +something.<br> +But, Brackely," said I, calling out after him, "if he rides at +all fair,<br> +what's to be done?"</p> + +<p>"Troth, then, myself doesn't know. There is nothing so bad +west of Athlone.<br> +Have ye a great spite again him?"</p> + +<p>"I have," said I, fiercely.</p> + +<p>"Could ye coax a fight out of him?"</p> + +<p>"That's true," said I; "and now ride on as fast as you +can."</p> + +<p>Brackely's last words imparted a lightness to my heart and my +step, and I<br> +strode along a very different man from what I had left the house +half an<br> +hour previously.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER IV.</p> + +<p>THE HUNT.</p> + +<p>Although we had not the advantages of a southerly wind and +cloudy sky, the<br> +day towards noon became strongly over-cast, and promised to +afford us good<br> +scenting weather; and as we assembled at the meet, mutual +congratulations<br> +were exchanged upon the improved appearance of the day. Young +Blake had<br> +provided Miss Dashwood with a quiet and well-trained horse, and +his sisters<br> +were all mounted as usual upon their own animals, giving to our +turnout<br> +quite a gay and lively aspect. I myself came to cover upon a +hackney,<br> +having sent Badger with a groom, and longed ardently for the +moment when,<br> +casting the skin of my great-coat and overalls, I should appear +before the<br> +world in my well-appointed "cords and tops." Captain Hammersley +had not as<br> +yet made his appearance, and many conjectures were afloat as to +whether "he<br> +might have missed the road, or changed his mind," or "forgot all +about it,"<br> +as Miss Dashwood hinted.</p> + +<p>"Who, pray, pitched upon this cover?" said Caroline Blake, as +she looked<br> +with a practised eye over the country on either side.</p> + +<p>"There is no chance of a fox late in the day at the Mill," +said the<br> +huntsman, inventing a lie for the occasion.</p> + +<p>"Then of course you never intend us to see much of the sport; +for after you<br> +break cover, you are entirely lost to us."</p> + +<p>"I thought you always followed the hounds," said Miss +Dashwood, timidly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, to be sure we do, in any common country, but here it is +out of the<br> +question; the fences are too large for any one, and if I am not +mistaken,<br> +these gentlemen will not ride far over this. There, look yonder, +where<br> +the river is rushing down the hill: that stream, widening as it +advances,<br> +crosses the cover nearly midway,—well, they must clear that; and +then you<br> +may see these walls of large loose stones nearly five feet in +height. That<br> +is the usual course the fox takes, unless he heads towards the +hills and<br> +goes towards Dangan, and then there's an end of it; for the +deer-park wall<br> +is usually a pull up to every one except, perhaps, to our friend +Charley<br> +yonder, who has tried his fortune against drowning more than once +there."</p> + +<p>"Look, here he comes," said Matthew Blake, "and looking +splendidly too,—a<br> +little too much in flesh perhaps, if anything."</p> + +<p>"Captain Hammersley!" said the four Miss Blakes, in a breath. +"Where is<br> +he?"</p> + +<p>"No; it's the Badger I'm speaking of," said Matthew, laughing, +and pointing<br> +with his finger towards a corner of the field where my servant +was<br> +leisurely throwing down a wall about two feet high to let him +pass.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how handsome! What a charger for a dragoon!" said Miss +Dashwood.</p> + +<p>Any other mode of praising my steed would have been much more +acceptable.<br> +The word "dragoon" was a thorn in my tenderest part that rankled +and<br> +lacerated at every stir. In a moment I was in the saddle, and +scarcely<br> +seated when at once all the <i>mauvais honte</i> of boyhood left +me, and I<br> +felt every inch a man. I often look back to that moment of my +life, and<br> +comparing it with similar ones, cannot help acknowledging how +purely is the<br> +self-possession which so often wins success the result of some +slight and<br> +trivial association. My confidence in my horsemanship suggested +moral<br> +courage of a very different kind; and I felt that Charles +O'Malley<br> +curvetting upon a thorough-bred, and the same man ambling upon a +shelty,<br> +were two and very dissimilar individuals.</p> + +<p>"No chance of the captain," said Matthew, who had returned +from a<br> +<i>reconnaissance</i> upon the road; "and after all it's a pity, +for the day is<br> +getting quite favorable."</p> + +<p>While the young ladies formed pickets to look out for the +gallant<br> +<i>militaire</i>, I seized the opportunity of prosecuting my +acquaintance with<br> +Miss Dashwood, and even in the few and passing observations that +fell from<br> +her, learned how very different an order of being she was from +all I had<br> +hitherto seen of country belles. A mixture of courtesy with +<i>naïveté;</i> a<br> +wish to please, with a certain feminine gentleness, that always +flatters a<br> +man, and still more a boy that fain would be one,—gained +momentarily<br> +more and more upon me, and put me also on my mettle to prove to +my fair<br> +companion that I was not altogether a mere uncultivated and +unthinking<br> +creature, like the remainder of those about me.</p> + +<p>"Here he is at last," said Helen Blake, as she cantered across +a field<br> +waving her handkerchief as a signal to the captain, who was now +seen<br> +approaching at a brisk trot.</p> + +<p>As he came along, a small fence intervened; he pressed his +horse a little,<br> +and as he kissed hands to the fair Helen, cleared it in a bound, +and was in<br> +an instant in the midst of us.</p> + +<p>"He sits his horse like a man, Misther Charles," said the old +huntsman;<br> +"troth, we must give him the worst bit of it."</p> + +<p>Captain Hammersley was, despite all the critical acumen with +which I<br> +canvassed him, the very beau-ideal of a gentleman rider; indeed, +although a<br> +very heavy man, his powerful English thorough-bred, showing not +less bone<br> +than blood, took away all semblance of overweight; his saddle was +well<br> +fitting and well placed, as also was his large and broad-reined +snaffle;<br> +his own costume of black coat, leathers, and tops was in perfect +keeping,<br> +and even to his heavy-handled hunting-whip I could find nothing +to cavil<br> +at. As he rode up he paid his respects to the ladies in his usual +free and<br> +easy manner, expressed some surprise, but no regret, at hearing +that he was<br> +late, and never deigning any notice of Matthew or myself, took +his place<br> +beside Miss Dashwood, with whom he conversed in a low +undertone.</p> + +<p>"There they go!" said Matthew, as five or six dogs, with their +heads up,<br> +ran yelping along a furrow, then stopped, howled again, and once +more set<br> +off together. In an instant all was commotion in the little +valley<br> +below us. The huntsman, with his hand to his mouth, was calling +off the<br> +stragglers, and the whipper-in followed up the leading dogs with +the rest<br> +of the pack. "They've found! They're away!" said Matthew; and as +he spoke<br> +a yell burst from the valley, and in an instant the whole pack +were off at<br> +full speed. Rather more intent that moment upon showing off my +horsemanship<br> +than anything else, I dashed spurs into Badger's sides, and +turned him<br> +towards a rasping ditch before me; over we went, hurling down +behind us a<br> +rotten bank of clay and small stones, showing how little safety +there had<br> +been in topping instead of clearing it at a bound. Before I was +well-seated<br> +again the captain was beside me. "Now for it, then," said I; and +away we<br> +went. What might be the nature of his feelings I cannot pretend +to state,<br> +but my own were a strange <i>mélange</i> of wild, boyish +enthusiasm, revenge,<br> +and recklessness. For my own neck I cared little,—nothing; and +as I led<br> +the way by half a length, I muttered to myself, "Let him follow +me fairly<br> +this day, and I ask no more."</p> + +<p>The dogs had got somewhat the start of us; and as they were in +full cry,<br> +and going fast, we were a little behind. A thought therefore +struck me<br> +that, by appearing to take a short cut upon the hounds, I should +come down<br> +upon the river where its breadth was greatest, and thus, at one +coup, might<br> +try my friend's mettle and his horse's performance at the same +time. On<br> +we went, our speed increasing, till the roar of the river we were +now<br> +approaching was plainly audible. I looked half around, and now +perceived<br> +the captain was standing in his stirrups, as if to obtain a view +of what<br> +was before him; otherwise his countenance was calm and unmoved, +and not<br> +a muscle betrayed that he was not cantering on a parade. I fixed +myself<br> +firmly in my seat, shook my horse a little together, and with a +shout whose<br> +import every Galway hunter well knows rushed him at the river. I +saw the<br> +water dashing among the large stones; I heard it splash; I felt a +bound<br> +like the <i>ricochet</i> of a shot; and we were over, but so +narrowly that the<br> +bank had yielded beneath his hind legs, and it needed a bold +effort of the<br> +noble animal to regain his footing. Scarcely was he once more +firm, when<br> +Hammersley flew by me, taking the lead, and sitting quietly in +his saddle,<br> +as if racing. I know of little in my after-life like the agony of +that<br> +moment; for although I was far, very far, from wishing real ill +to him, yet<br> +I would gladly have broken my leg or my arm if he could not have +been<br> +able to follow me. And now, there he was, actually a length and a +half in<br> +advance! and worse than all, Miss Dashwood must have witnessed +the whole,<br> +and doubtless his leap over the river was better and bolder than +mine.<br> +One consolation yet remained, and while I whispered it to myself +I felt<br> +comforted again. "His is an English mare. They understand these +leaps; but<br> +what can he make of a Galway wall?" The question was soon to be +solved.<br> +Before us, about three fields, were the hounds still in full cry; +a large<br> +stone-wall lay between, and to it we both directed our course +together.<br> +"Ha!" thought I, "he is floored at last," as I perceived that the +captain<br> +held his course rather more in hand, and suffered me to lead. +"Now, then,<br> +for it!" So saying, I rode at the largest part I could find, well +knowing<br> +that Badger's powers were here in their element. One spring, one +plunge,<br> +and away we were, galloping along at the other side. Not so the +captain;<br> +his horse had refused the fence, and he was now taking a circuit +of the<br> +field for another trial of it.</p> + +<p>"Pounded, by Jove!" said I, as I turned round in my saddle to +observe him.<br> +Once more she came at it, and once more balked, rearing up, at +the same<br> +time, almost so as to fall backward.</p> + +<p>My triumph was complete; and I again was about to follow the +hounds, when,<br> +throwing a look back, I saw Hammersley clearing the wall in a +most splendid<br> +manner, and taking a stretch of at least thirteen feet beyond it. +Once<br> +more he was on my flanks, and the contest renewed. Whatever might +be the<br> +sentiments of the riders (mine I confess to), between the horses +it now<br> +became a tremendous struggle. The English mare, though evidently +superior<br> +in stride and strength, was slightly overweighted, and had not, +besides,<br> +that cat-like activity an Irish horse possesses; so that the +advantages and<br> +disadvantages on either side were about equalized. For about half +an hour<br> +now the pace was awful. We rode side by side, taking our leaps +at<br> +exactly the same instant, and not four feet apart. The hounds +were still<br> +considerably in advance, and were heading towards the Shannon, +when<br> +suddenly the fox doubled, took the hillside, and made for Dangan. +"Now,<br> +then, comes the trial of strength," I said, half aloud, as I +threw my eye<br> +up a steep and rugged mountain, covered with wild furze and tall +heath,<br> +around the crest of which ran, in a zigzag direction, a broken +and<br> +dilapidated wall, once the enclosure of a deer park. This wall, +which<br> +varied from four to six feet in height, was of solid masonry, and +would, in<br> +the most favorable ground, have been a bold leap. Here, at the +summit of a<br> +mountain, with not a yard of footing, it was absolutely +desperation.</p> + +<p>By the time that we reached the foot of the hill, the fox, +followed closely<br> +by the hounds, had passed through a breach in the wall; while +Matthew<br> +Blake, with the huntsmen and whipper-in, was riding along in +search of a<br> +gap to lead the horses through. Before I put spurs to Badger to +face the<br> +hill, I turned one look towards Hammersley. There was a slight +curl,<br> +half-smile, half-sneer, upon his lip that actually maddened me, +and had a<br> +precipice yawned beneath my feet, I should have dashed at it +after that.<br> +The ascent was so steep that I was obliged to take the hill in a +slanting<br> +direction; and even thus, the loose footing rendered it dangerous +in the<br> +extreme.</p> + +<p>At length I reached the crest, where the wall, more than five +feet in<br> +height, stood frowning above and seeming to defy me. I turned my +horse full<br> +round, so that his very chest almost touched the stones, and with +a bold<br> +cut of the whip and a loud halloo, the gallant animal rose, as if +rearing,<br> +pawed for an instant to regain his balance, and then, with a +frightful<br> +struggle, fell backwards, and rolled from top to bottom of the +hill,<br> +carrying me along with him; the last object that crossed my +sight, as I lay<br> +bruised and motionless, being the captain as he took the wall in +a flying<br> +leap, and disappeared at the other side. After a few scrambling +efforts to<br> +rise, Badger regained his legs and stood beside me; but such was +the shock<br> +and concussion of my fall that all the objects around seemed +wavering and<br> +floating before me, while showers of bright sparks fell in +myriads before<br> +my eyes. I tried to rise, but fell back helpless. Cold +perspiration broke<br> +over my forehead, and I fainted. From that moment I can remember +nothing,<br> +till I felt myself galloping along at full speed upon a level +table-land,<br> +with the hounds about three fields in advance, Hammersley riding +foremost,<br> +and taking all his leaps coolly as ever. As I swayed to either +side upon my<br> +saddle, from weakness, I was lost to all thought or recollection, +save a<br> +flickering memory of some plan of vengeance, which still urged me +forward.<br> +The chase had now lasted above an hour, and both hounds and +horses began to<br> +feel the pace at which they were going. As for me, I rode +mechanically; I<br> +neither knew nor cared for the dangers before me. My eye rested +on but one<br> +object; my whole being was concentrated upon one vague and +undefined sense<br> +of revenge. At this instant the huntsman came alongside of +me.</p> + +<p>"Are you hurted, Misther Charles? Did you fall? Your cheek is +all blood,<br> +and your coat is torn in two; and, Mother o' God! his boot is +ground to<br> +powder; he does not hear me! Oh, pull up! pull up, for the love +of the<br> +Virgin! There's the clover-field and the sunk fence before you, +and you'll<br> +be killed on the spot!"</p> + +<p>"Where?" cried I, with the cry of a madman. "Where's the +clover-field;<br> +where's the sunk fence? Ha! I see it; I see it now."</p> + +<p>So saying, I dashed the rowels into my horse's flanks, and in +an instant<br> +was beyond the reach of the poor fellow's remonstances. Another +moment I<br> +was beside the captain. He turned round as I came up; the same +smile was<br> +upon his mouth; I could have struck him. About three hundred +yards before<br> +us lay the sunk fence; its breadth was about twenty feet, and a +wall of<br> +close brickwork formed its face. Over this the hounds were now +clambering;<br> +some succeeded in crossing, but by far the greater number fell +back,<br> +howling, into the ditch.</p> + +<p>I turned towards Hammersley. He was standing high in his +stirrups, and as<br> +he looked towards the yawning fence, down which the dogs were +tumbling in<br> +masses, I thought (perhaps it was but a thought) that his cheek +was paler.<br> +I looked again; he was pulling at his horse. Ha! it was true +then; he would<br> +not face it. I turned round in my saddle, looked him full in the +face, and<br> +as I pointed with my whip to the leap, called out in a voice +hoarse with<br> +passion, "Come on!" I saw no more. All objects were lost to me +from that<br> +moment. When next my senses cleared, I was standing amidst the +dogs, where<br> +they had just killed. Badger stood blown and trembling beside me, +his head<br> +drooping and his flanks gored with spur-marks. I looked about, +but all<br> +consciousness of the past had fled; the concussion of my fall had +shaken<br> +my intellect, and I was like one but half-awake. One glimpse, +short and<br> +fleeting, of what was taking place shot through my brain, as old +Brackely<br> +whispered to me, "By my soul, ye did for the captain there." I +turned a<br> +vague look upon him, and my eyes fell upon the figure of a man +that lay<br> +stretched and bleeding upon a door before me. His pale face was +crossed<br> +with a purple stream of blood that trickled from a wound beside +his<br> +eyebrow; his arms lay motionless and heavily at either side. I +knew him<br> +not. A loud report of a pistol aroused me from my stupor; I +looked back. I<br> +saw a crowd that broke suddenly asunder and fled right and left. +I heard<br> +a heavy crash upon the ground; I pointed with my finger, for I +could not<br> +utter a word.</p> + +<p>"It is the English mare, yer honor; she was a beauty this +morning, but<br> +she's broke her shoulder-bone and both her legs, and it was best +to put her<br> +out of pain."</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER V.</p> + +<p>THE DRAWING-ROOM.</p> + +<p>On the fourth day following the adventure detailed in the last +chapter, I<br> +made my appearance in the drawing-room, my cheek well blanched by +copious<br> +bleeding, and my step tottering and uncertain. On entering the +room, I<br> +looked about in vain for some one who might give me an insight +into the<br> +occurrences of the four preceding days; but no one was to be met +with. The<br> +ladies, I learned, were out riding; Matthew was buying a new +setter, Mr.<br> +Blake was canvassing, and Captain Hammersley was in bed. Where +was Miss<br> +Dashwood?—in her room; and Sir George?—he was with Mr. +Blake.</p> + +<p>"What! Canvassing, too?"</p> + +<p>"Troth, that same was possible," was the intelligent reply of +the old<br> +butler, at which I could not help smiling. I sat down, therefore, +in the<br> +easiest chair I could find, and unfolding the county paper, +resolved upon<br> +learning how matters were going on in the political world. But +somehow,<br> +whether the editor was not brilliant or the fire was hot or that +my own<br> +dreams were pleasanter to indulge in than his fancies, I fell +sound asleep.</p> + +<p>How differently is the mind attuned to the active, busy world +of thought<br> +and action when awakened from sleep by any sudden and rude +summons to arise<br> +and be stirring, and when called into existence by the sweet and +silvery<br> +notes of softest music stealing over the senses, and while they +impart<br> +awakening thoughts of bliss and beauty, scarcely dissipating the +dreamy<br> +influence of slumber! Such was my first thought, as, with closed +lids, the<br> +thrilling chords of a harp broke upon my sleep and aroused me to +a feeling<br> +of unutterable pleasure. I turned gently round in my chair and +beheld Miss<br> +Dashwood. She was seated in a recess of an old-fashioned window; +the pale<br> +yellow glow of a wintry sun at evening fell upon her beautiful +hair, and<br> +tinged it with such a light as I have often since then seen in +Rembrandt's<br> +pictures; her head leaned upon the harp, and as she struck its +chords at<br> +random, I saw that her mind was far away from all around her. As +I looked,<br> +she suddenly started from her leaning attitude, and parting back +her curls<br> +from her brow, she preluded a few chords, and then sighed forth, +rather<br> +than sang, that most beautiful of Moore's melodies,—</p> + +<p> "She is far from the land where her young hero +sleeps."</p> + +<p>Never before had such pathos, such deep utterance of feeling, +met my<br> +astonished sense; I listened breathlessly as the tears fell one +by one down<br> +my cheek; my bosom heaved and fell; and when she ceased, I hid my +head<br> +between my hands and sobbed aloud. In an instant, she was beside +me, and<br> +placing her hand upon my shoulder, said,—</p> + +<p>"Poor dear boy, I never suspected you of being there, or I +should not have<br> +sung that mournful air."</p> + +<p>I started and looked up; and from what I know not, but she +suddenly<br> +crimsoned to her very forehead, while she added in a less assured +tone,—</p> + +<p>"I hope, Mr. O'Malley, that you are much better; and I trust +there is no<br> +imprudence in your being here."</p> + +<p>"For the latter, I shall not answer," said I, with a sickly +smile; "but<br> +already I feel your music has done me service."</p> + +<p>"Then let me sing more for you."</p> + +<p>"If I am to have a choice, I should say, Sit down, and let me +hear you talk<br> +to me. My illness and the doctor together have made wild work of +my poor<br> +brain; but if you will talk to me—"</p> + +<p>"Well, then, what shall it be about? Shall I tell you a fairy +tale?"</p> + +<p>"I need it not; I feel I am in one this instant."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, what say you to a legend; for I am rich in my +stores of them?"</p> + +<p>"The O'Malleys have their chronicles, wild and barbarous +enough without the<br> +aid of Thor and Woden."</p> + +<p>"Then, shall we chat of every-day matters? Should you like to +hear how the<br> +election and the canvass go on?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; of all things."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, most favorably. Two baronies, with most +unspeakable names,<br> +have declared for us, and confidence is rapidly increasing among +our party.<br> +This I learned, by chance, yesterday; for papa never permits us +to know<br> +anything of these matters,—not even the names of the +candidates."</p> + +<p>"Well, that was the very point I was coming to; for the +government were<br> +about to send down some one just as I left home, and I am most +anxious to<br> +learn who it is."</p> + +<p>"Then am I utterly valueless; for I really can't say what +party the<br> +government espouses, and only know of our own."</p> + +<p>"Quite enough for me that you wish it success," said I, +gallantly. "Perhaps<br> +you can tell me if my uncle has heard of my accident?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; but somehow he has not been here himself, but sent a +friend,—a<br> +Mr. Considine, I think; a very strange person he seemed. He +demanded to see<br> +papa, and it seems, asked him if your misfortune had been a thing +of his<br> +contrivance, and whether he was ready to explain his conduct +about it; and,<br> +in fact, I believe he is mad."</p> + +<p>"Heaven confound him!" I muttered between my teeth.</p> + +<p>"And then he wished to have an interview with Captain +Hammersley. However,<br> +he is too ill; but as the doctor hoped he might be down-stairs in +a week,<br> +Mr. Considine kindly hinted that he should wait."</p> + +<p>"Oh, then, do tell me how is the captain."</p> + +<p>"Very much bruised, very much disfigured, they say," said she, +half<br> +smiling; "but not so much hurt in body as in mind."</p> + +<p>"As how, may I ask?" said I, with an appearance of +innocence.</p> + +<p>"I don't exactly understand it; but it would appear that there +was<br> +something like rivalry among you gentlemen <i>chasseurs</i> on +that luckless<br> +morning, and that while you paid the penalty of a broken head, he +was<br> +destined to lose his horse and break his arm."</p> + +<p>"I certainly am sorry,—most sincerely sorry for any share I +might have had<br> +in the catastrophe; and my greatest regret, I confess, arises +from the fact<br> +that I should cause <i>you</i> unhappiness."</p> + +<p>"<i>Me</i>? Pray explain."</p> + +<p>"Why, as Captain Hammersley—"</p> + +<p>"Mr. O'Malley, you are too young now to mate me suspect you +have an<br> +intention to offend; but I caution you, never repeat this."</p> + +<p>I saw that I had transgressed, but how, I most honestly +confess, I could<br> +not guess; for though I certainly was the senior of my fair +companion in<br> +years, I was most lamentably her junior in tact and +discretion.</p> + +<p>The gray dusk of evening had long fallen as we continued to +chat together<br> +beside the blazing wood embers,—she evidently amusing herself +with the<br> +original notions of an untutored, unlettered boy, and I drinking +deep<br> +those draughts of love that nerved my heart through many a breach +and<br> +battlefield.</p> + +<p>Our colloquy was at length interrupted by the entrance of Sir +George, who<br> +shook me most cordially by the hand, and made the kindest +inquiries about<br> +my health.</p> + +<p>"They tell me you are to be a lawyer. Mr. O'Malley," said he; +"and if so, I<br> +must advise you to take better care of your headpiece."</p> + +<p>"A lawyer, Papa; oh dear me! I should never have thought of +his being<br> +anything so stupid."</p> + +<p>"Why, silly girl, what would you have a man be?"</p> + +<p>"A dragoon, to be sure, Papa," said the fond girl, as she +pressed her arm<br> +around his manly figure, and looked up in his face with an +expression of<br> +mingled pride and affection.</p> + +<p>That word sealed my destiny.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER VI.</p> + +<p>THE DINNER.</p> + +<p>When I retired to my room to dress for dinner, I found my +servant waiting<br> +with a note from my uncle, to which, he informed me, the +messenger expected<br> +an answer.</p> + +<p>I broke the seal and read:—</p> + +<p> DEAR CHARLEY,—Do not lose a moment in securing old +Blake,—if<br> + you have not already done so,—as information has just +reached<br> + me that the government party has promised a cornetcy to +young<br> + Matthew if he can bring over his father. And these are the +people<br> + I have been voting with—a few private cases excepted—for +thirty<br> + odd years!</p> + +<p> I am very sorry for your accident. Considine informs me +that it<br> + will need explanation at a later period. He has been in +Athlone<br> + since Tuesday, in hopes to catch the new candidate on his way +down,<br> + and get him into a little private quarrel before the day; if +he<br> + succeeds, it will save the county much expense, and conduce +greatly to<br> + the peace and happiness of all parties. But "these things," +as Father<br> + Roach says, "are in the hands of Providence." You must also +persuade<br> + old Blake to write a few lines to Simon Mallock, about +the<br> + Coolnamuck mortgage. We can give him no satisfaction at +present,<br> + at least such as he looks for; and don't be philandering any +longer<br> + where you are, when your health permits a change of +quarters.</p> + +<p> Your affectionate uncle,<br> + GODFREY O'MALLEY.</p> + +<p> P.S. I have just heard from Considine. He was out this +morning<br> + and shot a fellow in the knee; but finds that after all he +was<br> + not the candidate, but a tourist that was writing a book +about<br> + Connemara.</p> + +<p> P.S. No. 2. Bear the mortgage in mind, for old Mallock is +a<br> + spiteful fellow, and has a grudge against me, since I +horsewhipped<br> + his son in Banagher. Oh, the world, the world! G. O'M.</p> + +<p>Until I read this very clear epistle to the end, I had no very +precise<br> +conception how completely I had forgotten all my uncle's +interests, and<br> +neglected all his injunctions. Already five days had elapsed, and +I had not<br> +as much as mooted the question to Mr. Blake, and probably all +this time my<br> +uncle was calculating on the thing as concluded; but, with one +hole in my<br> +head and some half-dozen in my heart, my memory was none of the +best.</p> + +<p>Snatching up the letter, therefore, I resolved to lose no more +time, and<br> +proceeded at once to Mr. Blake's room, expecting that I should, +as the<br> +event proved, find him engaged in the very laborious duty of +making his<br> +toilet.</p> + +<a name="0055"></a> +<img alt="0055.jpg (139K)" src="0055.jpg" height="560" width="671"> + +<p>[MR. BLAKE'S DRESSING ROOM.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>"Come in, Charley," said he, as I tapped gently at the door. +"It's only<br> +Charley, my darling. Mrs. B. won't mind you."</p> + +<p>"Not the least in life," responded Mrs. B., disposing at the +same time a<br> +pair of her husband's corduroys tippet fashion across her ample +shoulders,<br> +which before were displayed in the plenitude and breadth of +coloring we<br> +find in a Rubens. "Sit down, Charley, and tell us what's the +matter."</p> + +<p>As until this moment I was in perfect ignorance of the +Adam-and-Eve-like<br> +simplicity in which the private economy of Mr. Blake's household +was<br> +conducted, I would have gladly retired from what I found to be a +mutual<br> +territory of dressing-room had not Mr. Blake's injunctions been +issued<br> +somewhat like an order to remain.</p> + +<p>"It's only a letter, sir," said I, stuttering, "from my uncle +about the<br> +election. He says that as his majority is now certain, he should +feel<br> +better pleased in going to the poll with all the family, you +know, sir,<br> +along with him. He wishes me just to sound your intentions,—to +make out<br> +how you feel disposed towards him; and—and, faith, as I am but a +poor<br> +diplomatist, I thought the best way was to come straight to the +point and<br> +tell you so."</p> + +<p>"I perceive," said Mr. Blake, giving his chin at the moment an +awful gash<br> +with the razor,—"I perceive; go on."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, I have little more to say. My uncle knows what +influence you<br> +have in Scariff, and expects you'll do what you can there."</p> + +<p>"Anything more?" said Blake, with a very dry and quizzical +expression I<br> +didn't half like,—"anything more?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; you are to write a line to old Mallock."</p> + +<p>"I understand; about Coolnamuck, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly; I believe that's all."</p> + +<p>"Well, now, Charley, you may go down-stairs, and we'll talk it +over after<br> +dinner."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Charley dear, go down, for I'm going to draw on my +stockings," said<br> +the fair Mrs. Blake, with a look of very modest +consciousness.</p> + +<p>When I had left the room I couldn't help muttering a "Thank +God!" for the<br> +success of a mission I more than once feared for, and hastened to +despatch<br> +a note to my uncle, assuring him of the Blake interest, and +adding that for<br> +propriety's sake I should defer my departure for a day or two +longer.</p> + +<p>This done, with a heart lightened of its load and in high +spirits at my<br> +cleverness, I descended to the drawing-room. Here a very large +party were<br> +already assembled, and at every opening of the door a new relay +of Blakes,<br> +Burkes, and Bodkins was introduced. In the absence of the host, +Sir George<br> +Dashwood was "making the agreeable" to the guests, and shook +hands with<br> +every new arrival with all the warmth and cordiality of old +friendship.<br> +While thus he inquired for various absent individuals, and asked +most<br> +affectionately for sundry aunts and uncles not forthcoming, a +slight<br> +incident occurred which by its ludicrous turn served to shorten +the long<br> +half-hour before dinner. An individual of the party, a Mr. Blake, +had, from<br> +certain peculiarities of face, obtained in his boyhood the +sobriquet of<br> +"Shave-the-wind." This hatchet-like conformation had grown with +his growth,<br> +and perpetuated upon him a nickname by which alone was he ever +spoken of<br> +among his friends and acquaintances; the only difference being +that as he<br> +came to man's estate, brevity, that soul of wit, had curtailed +the epithet<br> +to mere "Shave." Now, Sir George had been hearing frequent +reference made<br> +to him always by this name, heard him ever so addressed, and +perceived him<br> +to reply to it; so that when he was himself asked by some one +what sport he<br> +had found that day among the woodcocks, he answered at once, with +a bow of<br> +very grateful acknowledgment, "Excellent, indeed; but entirely +owing to<br> +where I was placed in the copse. Had it not been for Mr. Shave +there—"</p> + +<p>I need not say that the remainder of his speech, being heard +on all sides,<br> +became one universal shout of laughter, in which, to do him +justice, the<br> +excellent Shave himself heartily joined. Scarcely were the sounds +of mirth<br> +lulled into an apparent calm, when the door opened and the host +and hostess<br> +appeared. Mrs. Blake advanced in all the plenitude of her charms, +arrayed<br> +in crimson satin, sorely injured in its freshness by a patch of +grease<br> +upon the front about the same size and shape as the continent of +Europe in<br> +Arrowsmith's Atlas. A swan's-down tippet covered her shoulders; +massive<br> +bracelets ornamented her wrists; while from her ears descended +two Irish<br> +diamond ear-rings, rivalling in magnitude and value the glass +pendants of<br> +a lustre. Her reception of her guests made ample amends, in +warmth and<br> +cordiality, for any deficiency of elegance; and as she disposed +her ample<br> +proportions upon the sofa, and looked around upon the company, +she appeared<br> +the very impersonation of hospitality.</p> + +<p>After several openings and shuttings of the drawing-room door, +accompanied<br> +by the appearance of old Simon the butler, who counted the party +at least<br> +five times before he was certain that the score was correct, +dinner was<br> +at length announced. Now came a moment of difficulty, and one +which, as<br> +testing Mr. Blake's tact, he would gladly have seen devolve upon +some other<br> +shoulders; for he well knew that the marshalling a room full of +mandarins,<br> +blue, green, and yellow, was "cakes and gingerbread" to ushering +a Galway<br> +party in to dinner.</p> + +<p>First, then, was Mr. Miles Bodkin, whose grandfather would +have been a lord<br> +if Cromwell had not hanged him one fine morning. Then Mrs. Mosey +Blake's<br> +first husband was promised the title of Kilmacud if it was ever +restored;<br> +whereas Mrs. French of Knocktunmor's mother was then at law for a +title.<br> +And lastly, Mrs. Joe Burke was fourth cousin to Lord Clanricarde, +as is or<br> +will be every Burke from this to the day of judgment. Now, +luckily for her<br> +prospects, the lord was alive; and Mr. Blake, remembering a very +sage adage<br> +about "dead lions," etc., solved the difficulty at once by +gracefully<br> +tucking the lady under his arm and leading the way. The others +soon<br> +followed, the priest of Portumna and my unworthy self bringing up +the rear.</p> + +<p>When, many a year afterwards, the hard ground of a mountain +bivouac,<br> +with its pitiful portion of pickled cork-tree yclept mess-beef, +and that<br> +pyroligneous aquafortis they call corn-brandy have been my hard +fare,<br> +I often looked back to that day's dinner with a most +heart-yearning<br> +sensation,—a turbot as big as the Waterloo shield, a sirloin +that seemed<br> +cut from the sides of a rhinoceros, a sauce-boat that contained +an<br> +oyster-bed. There was a turkey, which singly would have formed +the main<br> +army of a French dinner, doing mere outpost duty, flanked by a +picket of<br> +ham and a detached squadron of chickens carefully ambushed in a +forest<br> +of greens; potatoes, not disguised à la maître +d'hôtel and tortured to<br> +resemble bad macaroni, but piled like shot in an ordnance-yard, +were posted<br> +at different quarters; while massive decanters of port and sherry +stood<br> +proudly up like standard bearers amidst the goodly array. This +was none<br> +of your austere "great dinners," where a cold and chilling +<i>plateau</i> of<br> +artificial nonsense cuts off one-half of the table from +intercourse with<br> +the other; when whispered sentences constitute the conversation, +and all<br> +the friendly recognition of wine-drinking, which renews +acquaintance and<br> +cements an intimacy, is replaced by the ceremonious filling of +your glass<br> +by a lackey; where smiles go current in lieu of kind speeches, +and epigram<br> +and smartness form the substitute for the broad jest and merry +story. Far<br> +from it. Here the company ate, drank, talked, laughed,—did all +but sing,<br> +and certainly enjoyed themselves heartily. As for me, I was +little more<br> +than a listener; and such was the crash of plates, the jingle of +glasses,<br> +and the clatter of voices, that fragments only of what was +passing<br> +around reached me, giving to the conversation of the party a +character<br> +occasionally somewhat incongruous. Thus such sentences as the +following ran<br> +foul of each other every instant:—</p> + +<p>"No better land in Galway"—"where could you find such +facilities"—"for<br> +shooting Mr. Jones on his way home"—"the truth, the whole truth, +and<br> +nothing but the truth"—"kiss"—"Miss Blake, she's the girl with +a foot and<br> +ankle"—"Daly has never had wool on his sheep"—"how could +he"—"what<br> +does he pay for the mountain"—"four and tenpence a yard"—"not a +penny<br> +less"—"all the cabbage-stalks and potato-skins"—"with some bog +stuff<br> +through it"—"that's the thing to"—"make soup, with a red +herring in it<br> +instead of salt"—"and when he proposed for my niece, ma'am, says +he"—"mix<br> +a strong tumbler, and I'll make a shake-down for you on the +floor"—"and<br> +may the Lord have mercy on your soul"—"and now, down the middle +and<br> +up again"—"Captain Magan, my dear, he is the man"—"to shave a +pig<br> +properly"—"it's not money I'm looking for, says he, the girl of +my<br> +heart"—"if she had not a wind-gall and two spavins"—"I'd have +given her<br> +the rights of the church, of coorse," said Father Roach, bringing +up the<br> +rear of this ill-assorted jargon.</p> + +<p>Such were the scattered links of conversation I was condemned +to listen to,<br> +till a general rise on the part of the ladies left us alone to +discuss our<br> +wine and enter in good earnest upon the more serious duties of +the evening.</p> + +<p>Scarcely was the door closed when one of the company, seizing +the<br> +bell-rope, said, "With your leave, Blake, we'll have the 'dew' +now."</p> + +<p>"Good claret,—no better," said another; "but it sits mighty +cold on the<br> +stomach."</p> + +<p>"There's nothing like the groceries, after all,—eh, Sir +George?" said an<br> +old Galway squire to the English general, who acceded to the +fact, which he<br> +understood in a very different sense.</p> + +<p>"Oh, punch, you are my darlin'," hummed another, as a large, +square,<br> +half-gallon decanter of whiskey was placed on the table, the +various<br> +decanters of wine being now ignominiously sent down to the end of +the board<br> +without any evidence of regret on any face save Sir George +Dashwood's, who<br> +mixed his tumbler with a very rebellious conscience.</p> + +<p>Whatever were the noise and clamor of the company before, they +were nothing<br> +to what now ensued. As one party were discussing the approaching +contest,<br> +another was planning a steeple-chase, while two individuals, +unhappily<br> +removed from each other the entire length of the table, were what +is called<br> +"challenging each other's effects" in a very remarkable +manner,—the<br> +process so styled being an exchange of property, when each party, +setting<br> +an imaginary value upon some article, barters it for another, the +amount<br> +of boot paid and received being determined by a third person, who +is the<br> +umpire. Thus a gold breast-pin was swopped, as the phrase is, +against a<br> +horse; then a pair of boots, then a Kerry bull, etc.,—every +imaginable<br> +species of property coming into the market. Sometimes, as matters +of very<br> +dubious value turned up, great laughter was the result. In this +very<br> +national pastime, a Mr. Miles Bodkin, a noted fire-eater of the +west, was<br> +a great proficient; and it is said he once so completely +succeeded in<br> +despoiling an uninitiated hand, that after winning in succession +his horse,<br> +gig, harness, etc., he proceeded <i>seriatim</i> to his watch, +ring, clothes,<br> +and portmanteau, and actually concluded by winning all he +possessed, and<br> +kindly lent him a card-cloth to cover him on his way to the +hotel.<br> +His success on the present occasion was considerable, and his +spirits<br> +proportionate. The decanter had thrice been replenished, and the +flushed<br> +faces and thickened utterance of the guests evinced that from the +cold<br> +properties of the claret there was but little to dread. As for +Mr. Bodkin,<br> +his manner was incapable of any higher flight, when under the +influence of<br> +whiskey, than what it evinced on common occasions; and as he sat +at the end<br> +of the table fronting Mr. Blake, he assumed all the dignity of +the ruler of<br> +the feast, with an energy no one seemed disposed to question. In +answer to<br> +some observations of Sir George, he was led into something like +an oration<br> +upon the peculiar excellences of his native country, which ended +in a<br> +declaration that there was nothing like Galway.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you give us a song, Miles? And may be the general +would learn<br> +more from it than all your speech-making."</p> + +<p>"To be sure," cried the several voices together,—"to be sure; +let us hear<br> +the 'Man for Galway'!"</p> + +<p>Sir George having joined most warmly in the request, Mr. +Bodkin filled up<br> +his glass to the brim, bespoke a chorus to his chant, and +clearing his<br> +voice with a deep hem, began the following ditty, to the air +which Moore<br> +has since rendered immortal by the beautiful song, "Wreath the +Bowl," etc.<br> +And, although the words are well known in the west, for the +information of<br> +less-favored regions, I here transcribe—</p> + +<p> THE MAN FOR GALWAY.</p> + +<p> To drink a toast,<br> + A proctor roast,<br> + Or bailiff as the case is;<br> + To kiss your wife,<br> + Or take your life<br> + At ten or fifteen paces;<br> + To keep game-cocks, to hunt the fox,<br> + To drink in punch the Solway,<br> + With debts galore, but fun far more,—<br> + Oh, that's "the man for Galway."<br> + CHORUS: With debts, etc.</p> + +<p> The King of Oude<br> + Is mighty proud,<br> + And so were onst the <i>Caysars</i>;<br> + But ould Giles Eyre<br> + Would make them stare,<br> + Av he had them with the Blazers.<br> + To the devil I fling—ould Runjeet Sing,<br> + He's only a prince in a small way,<br> + And knows nothing at all of a six-foot wall;<br> + Oh, he'd never "do for Galway."<br> + CHORUS: With debts, etc.</p> + +<p> Ye think the Blakes<br> + Are no "great shakes;"<br> + They're all his blood relations.<br> + And the Bodkins sneeze<br> + At the grim Chinese,<br> + For they come from the <i>Phenaycians</i>.<br> + So fill the brim, and here's to him<br> + Who'd drink in punch the Solway,<br> + With debts galore, but fun far more,—<br> + Oh, that's "the man for Galway."<br> + CHORUS: With debts, etc.</p> + +<p>I much fear that the reception of this very classic ode would +not be as<br> +favorable in general companies as it was on the occasion I first +heard it;<br> +for certainly the applause was almost deafening, and even Sir +George, the<br> +defects of whose English education left some of the allusions out +of his<br> +reach, was highly amused, and laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>The conversation once more reverted to the election; and +although I was too<br> +far from those who seemed best informed on the matter to hear +much, I could<br> +catch enough to discover that the feeling was a confident one. +This was<br> +gratifying to me, as I had some scruples about my so long +neglecting my<br> +uncle's cause.</p> + +<p>"We have Scariff to a man," said Bodkin.</p> + +<p>"And Mosey's tenantry," said another. "I swear, though there's +not a<br> +freehold registered on the estate, that they'll vote, every +mother's son<br> +of them, or devil a stone of the court-house they'll leave +standing on<br> +another."</p> + +<p>"And may the Lord look to the returning officer!" said a +third, throwing up<br> +his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Mosey's tenantry are droll boys; and like their landlord, +more by token,<br> +they never pay any rent."</p> + +<p>"And what for shouldn't they vote?" said a dry-looking little +old fellow in<br> +a red waistcoat; "when I was the dead agent—"</p> + +<p>"The dead agent!" interrupted Sir George, with a start.</p> + +<p>"Just so," said the old fellow, pulling down his spectacles +from his<br> +forehead, and casting a half-angry look at Sir George, for what +he had<br> +suspected to be a doubt of his veracity.</p> + +<p>"The general does not know, may be, what that is," said some +one.</p> + +<p>"You have just anticipated me," said Sir George; "I really am +in most<br> +profound ignorance."</p> + +<p>"It is the dead agent," says Mr. Blake, "who always provides +substitutes<br> +for any voters that may have died since the last election. A very +important<br> +fact in statistics may thus be gathered from the poll-books of +this county,<br> +which proves it to be the healthiest part of Europe,—a +freeholder has not<br> +died in it for the last fifty years."</p> + +<p>"The 'Kiltopher boys' won't come this time; they say there's +no use trying<br> +to vote when so many were transported last assizes for +perjury."</p> + +<p>"They're poor-spirited creatures," said another.</p> + +<p>"Not they,—they are as decent boys as any we have; they're +willing to<br> +wreck the town for fifty shillings' worth of spirits. Besides, if +they<br> +don't vote for the county, they will for the borough."</p> + +<p>This declaration seemed to restore these interesting +individuals to favor;<br> +and now all attention was turned towards Bodkin, who was +detailing the plan<br> +of a grand attack upon the polling-booths, to be headed by +himself. By this<br> +time, all the prudence and guardedness of the party had given +way; whiskey<br> +was in the ascendant, and every bold stroke of election policy, +every<br> +cunning artifice, every ingenious device, was detailed and +applauded in<br> +a manner which proved that self-respect was not the inevitable +gift of<br> +"mountain dew."</p> + +<p>The mirth and fun grew momentarily more boisterous, and Miles +Bodkin, who<br> +had twice before been prevented proposing some toast by a +telegraphic<br> +signal from the other end of the table, now swore that nothing +should<br> +prevent him any longer, and rising with a smoking tumbler in his +hand,<br> +delivered himself as follows:—</p> + +<p>"No, no, Phil Blake, ye needn't be winkin' at me that way; +it's little I<br> +care for the spawn of the ould serpent. [Here great cheers +greeted the<br> +speaker, in which, without well knowing why, I heartily joined.] +I'm going<br> +to give a toast, boys,—a real good toast, none of your +sentimental things<br> +about wall-flowers or the vernal equinox, or that kind of thing, +but a<br> +sensible, patriotic, manly, intrepid toast,—toast you must drink +in the<br> +most universal, laborious, and awful manner: do ye see now? [Loud +cheers.]<br> +If any man of you here present doesn't drain this toast to the +bottom [here<br> +the speaker looked fixedly at me, as did the rest of the +company]—then, by<br> +the great-gun of Athlone, I'll make him eat the decanter, +glass-stopper and<br> +all, for the good of his digestion: d'ye see now?"</p> + +<p>The cheering at this mild determination prevented my hearing +what followed;<br> +but the peroration consisted in a very glowing eulogy upon some +person<br> +unknown, and a speedy return to him as member for Galway. Amidst +all the<br> +noise and tumult at this critical moment, nearly every eye at the +table was<br> +turned upon me; and as I concluded that they had been drinking my +uncle's<br> +health, I thundered away at the mahogany with all my energy. At +length the<br> +hip-hipping over, and comparative quiet restored, I rose from my +seat to<br> +return thanks; but, strange enough, Sir George Dashwood did so +likewise.<br> +And there we both stood, amidst an uproar that might well have +shaken the<br> +courage of more practised orators; while from every side came +cries of<br> +"Hear, hear!"—"Go on, Sir George!"—"Speak out, General!"—"Sit +down,<br> +Charley!"—"Confound the boy!"—"Knock the legs from under him!" +etc. Not<br> +understanding why Sir George should interfere with what I +regarded as my<br> +peculiar duty, I resolved not to give way, and avowed this +determination in<br> +no very equivocal terms. "In that case," said the general, "I am +to suppose<br> +that the young gentleman moves an amendment to your proposition; +and as the<br> +etiquette is in his favor, I yield." Here he resumed his place +amidst a<br> +most terrific scene of noise and tumult, while several humane +proposals as<br> +to my treatment were made around me, and a kind suggestion thrown +out to<br> +break my neck by a near neighbor. Mr. Blake at length prevailed +upon the<br> +party to hear what I had to say,—for he was certain I should not +detain<br> +them above a minute. The commotion having in some measure +subsided, I<br> +began: "Gentlemen, as the adopted son of the worthy man whose +health you<br> +have just drunk—" Heaven knows how I should have continued; but +here my<br> +eloquence was met by such a roar of laughing as I never before +listened to.<br> +From one end of the board to the other it was one continued +shout, and went<br> +on, too, as if all the spare lungs of the party had been kept in +reserve<br> +for the occasion. I turned from one to the other; I tried to +smile, and<br> +seemed to participate in the joke, but failed; I frowned; I +looked savagely<br> +about where I could see enough to turn my wrath +thitherward,—and, as it<br> +chanced, not in vain; for Mr. Miles Bodkin, with an intuitive +perception of<br> +my wishes, most suddenly ceased his mirth, and assuming a look of +frowning<br> +defiance that had done him good service upon many former +occasions, rose<br> +and said:—</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, I hope you're proud of yourself. You've made a +nice beginning<br> +of it, and a pretty story you'll have for your uncle. But if +you'd like to<br> +break the news by a letter the general will have great pleasure +in franking<br> +it for you; for, by the rock of Cashel, we'll carry him in +against all the<br> +O'Malley's that ever cheated the sheriff."</p> + +<p>Scarcely were the words uttered, when I seized my wineglass, +and hurled it<br> +with all my force at his head; so sudden was the act, and so true +the aim,<br> +that Mr. Bodkin measured his length upon the floor ere his +friends could<br> +appreciate his late eloquent effusion. The scene now became +terrific;<br> +for though the redoubted Miles was <i>hors-de-combat</i>, his +friends made a<br> +tremendous rush at, and would infallibly have succeeded in +capturing me,<br> +had not Blake and four or five others interposed. Amidst a +desperate<br> +struggle, which lasted for some minutes, I was torn from the +spot, carried<br> +bodily up-stairs, and pitched headlong into my own room; where, +having<br> +doubly locked the door on the outside, they left me to my own +cool and not<br> +over-agreeable reflections.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER VII.</p> + +<p>THE FLIGHT FROM GURT-NA-MORRA.</p> + +<p>It was by one of those sudden and inexplicable revulsions +which<br> +occasionally restore to sense and intellect the maniac of years +standing,<br> +that I was no sooner left alone in my chamber than I became +perfectly<br> +sober. The fumes of the wine—and I had drunk deeply—were +dissipated at<br> +once; my head, which but a moment before was half wild with +excitement, was<br> +now cool, calm, and collected; and stranger than all, I, who had +only an<br> +hour since entered the dining-room with all the unsuspecting +freshness of<br> +boyhood, became, by a mighty bound, a man,—a man in all my +feelings of<br> +responsibility, a man who, repelling an insult by an outrage, had +resolved<br> +to stake his life upon the chance. In an instant a new era in +life had<br> +opened before me; the light-headed gayety which fearlessness and +youth<br> +impart was replaced by one absorbing thought,—one +all-engrossing,<br> +all-pervading impression, that if I did not follow up my quarrel +with<br> +Bodkin, I was dishonored and disgraced, my little knowledge of +such matters<br> +not being sufficient to assure me that I was now the aggressor, +and that<br> +any further steps in the affair should come from his side.</p> + +<p>So thoroughly did my own griefs occupy me, that I had no +thought for the<br> +disappointment my poor uncle was destined to meet with in hearing +that the<br> +Blake interest was lost to him, and the former breach between the +families<br> +irreparably widened by the events of the evening. Escape was my +first<br> +thought; but how to accomplish it? The door, a solid one of Irish +oak,<br> +doubly locked and bolted, defied all my efforts to break it open; +the<br> +window was at least five-and-twenty feet from the ground, and not +a tree<br> +near to swing into. I shouted, I called aloud, I opened the sash, +and tried<br> +if any one outside were within hearing; but in vain. Weary and +exhausted,<br> +I sat down upon my bed and ruminated over my fortunes. +Vengeance—quick,<br> +entire, decisive vengeance—I thirsted and panted for; and every +moment<br> +I lived under the insult inflicted on me seemed an age of +torturing and<br> +maddening agony. I rose with a leap; a thought had just occurred +to me.<br> +I drew the bed towards the window, and fastening the sheet to one +of the<br> +posts with a firm knot, I twisted it into a rope, and let myself +down to<br> +within about twelve feet of the ground, when I let go my hold, +and dropped<br> +upon the grass beneath safe and uninjured. A thin, misty rain was +falling,<br> +and I now perceived, for the first time, that in my haste I had +forgotten<br> +my hat; this thought, however, gave me little uneasiness, and I +took my way<br> +towards the stable, resolving, if I could, to saddle my horse and +get off<br> +before any intimation of my escape reached the family.</p> + +<p>When I gained the yard, all was quiet and deserted; the +servants were<br> +doubtless enjoying themselves below stairs, and I met no one on +the way. I<br> +entered the stable, threw the saddle upon "Badger," and before +five minutes<br> +from my descent from the window, was galloping towards O'Malley +Castle at a<br> +pace that defied pursuit, had any one thought of it.</p> + +<p>It was about five o'clock on a dark, wintry morning as I led +my horse<br> +through the well-known defiles of out-houses and stables which +formed the<br> +long line of offices to my uncle's house. As yet no one was +stirring; and<br> +as I wished to have my arrival a secret from the family, +after<br> +providing for the wants of my gallant gray, I lifted the latch of +the<br> +kitchen-door—no other fastening being ever thought necessary, +even at<br> +night—and gently groped my way towards the stairs; all was +perfectly<br> +still, and the silence now recalled me to reflection as to what +course I<br> +should pursue. It was all-important that my uncle should know +nothing of my<br> +quarrel, otherwise he would inevitably make it his own, and by +treating<br> +me like a boy in the matter, give the whole affair the very turn +I most<br> +dreaded. Then, as to Sir Harry Boyle, he would most certainly +turn the<br> +whole thing into ridicule, make a good story, perhaps a song out +of it, and<br> +laugh at my notions of demanding satisfaction. Considine, I knew, +was my<br> +man; but then he was at Athlone,—at least so my uncle's letter +mentioned.<br> +Perhaps he might have returned; if not, to Athlone I should set +off at<br> +once. So resolving, I stole noiselessly up-stairs, and reached +the door of<br> +the count's chamber; I opened it gently and entered; and though +my step<br> +was almost imperceptible to myself, it was quite sufficient to +alarm the<br> +watchful occupant of the room, who, springing up in his bed, +demanded<br> +gruffly, "Who's there?"</p> + +<p>"Charles, sir," said I, shutting the door carefully, and +approaching his<br> +bedside. "Charles O'Malley, sir. I'm come to have a bit of your +advice; and<br> +as the affair won't keep, I have been obliged to disturb +you."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Charley," said the count; "sit down, there's a +chair somewhere<br> +near the bed,—have you found it? There! Well now, what is it? +What news of<br> +Blake?"</p> + +<p>"Very bad; no worse. But it is not exactly <i>that</i> I came +about; I've got<br> +into a scrape, sir."</p> + +<p>"Run off with one of the daughters," said Considine. "By +jingo, I knew what<br> +those artful devils would be after."</p> + +<p>"Not so bad as that," said I, laughing. "It's just a row, a +kind of<br> +squabble; something that must come—"</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay," said the count, brightening up; "say you so, +Charley? Begad, the<br> +young ones will beat us all out of the field. Who is it +with,—not old<br> +Blake himself; how was it? Tell me all."</p> + +<p>I immediately detailed the whole events of the preceding +chapter, as well<br> +as his frequent interruptions would permit, and concluded by +asking what<br> +farther step was now to be taken, as I was resolved the matter +should be<br> +concluded before it came to my uncle's ears.</p> + +<p>"There you are all right; quite correct, my boy. But there are +many points<br> +I should have wished otherwise in the conduct of the affair +hitherto."</p> + +<p>Conceiving that he was displeased at my petulance and +boldness, I was about<br> +to commence a kind of defence, when he added,—</p> + +<p>"Because, you see," said he, assuming an oracular tone of +voice, "throwing<br> +a wine-glass, with or without wine, in a man's face is merely, as +you may<br> +observe, a mark of denial and displeasure at some observation he +may have<br> +made,—not in any wise intended to injure him, further than in +the wound to<br> +his honor at being so insulted, for which, of course, he must +subsequently<br> +call you out. Whereas, Charley, in the present case, the view I +take<br> +is different; the expression of Mr. Bodkin, as regards your +uncle, was<br> +insulting to a degree,—gratuitously offensive,—and warranting a +blow.<br> +Therefore, my boy, you should, under such circumstances, have +preferred<br> +aiming at him with a decanter: a cut-glass decanter, well aimed +and low, I<br> +have seen do effective service. However, as you remark it was +your first<br> +thing of the kind, I am pleased with you—very much pleased with +you. Now,<br> +then, for the next step." So saying, he arose from his bed, and +striking a<br> +light with a tinder-box, proceeded to dress himself as leisurely +as if for<br> +a dinner party, talking all the while.</p> + +<p>"I will just take Godfrey's tax-cart and the roan mare on to +Meelish, put<br> +them up at the little inn,—it is not above a mile from Bodkin's; +and I'll<br> +go over and settle the thing for you. You must stay quiet till I +come<br> +back, and not leave the house on any account. I've got a case of +old broad<br> +barrels there that will answer you beautifully; if you were +anything of<br> +a shot, I'd give you my own cross handles, but they'd only spoil +your<br> +shooting."</p> + +<p>"I can hit a wine-glass in the stem at fifteen paces," said I, +rather<br> +nettled at the disparaging tone in which he spoke of my +performance.</p> + +<p>"I don't care sixpence for that; the wine-glass had no pistol +in his hand.<br> +Take the old German, then; see now, hold your pistol thus,—no +finger on<br> +the guard there, these two on the trigger. They are not +hair-triggers; drop<br> +the muzzle a bit; bend your elbow a trifle more; sight your man +outside<br> +your arm,—outside, mind,—and take him in the hip, and if +anywhere higher,<br> +no matter."</p> + +<p>By this time the count had completed his toilet, and taking +the small<br> +mahogany box which contained his peace-makers under his arm, led +the way<br> +towards the stables. When we reached the yard, the only person +stirring<br> +there was a kind of half-witted boy, who, being about the house, +was<br> +employed to run of messages from the servants, walk a stranger's +horse, or<br> +to do any of the many petty services that regular domestics +contrive always<br> +to devolve upon some adopted subordinate. He was seated upon a +stone step<br> +formerly used for mounting, and though the day was scarcely +breaking, and<br> +the weather severe and piercing, the poor fellow was singing an +Irish song,<br> +in a low monotonous tone, as he chafed a curb chain between his +hands with<br> +some sand. As we came near he started up, and as he pulled off +his cap to<br> +salute us, gave a sharp and piercing glance at the count, then at +me,<br> +then once more upon my companion, from whom his eyes were turned +to the<br> +brass-bound box beneath his arm,—when, as if seized with a +sudden impulse,<br> +he started on his feet, and set off towards the house with the +speed of a<br> +greyhound, not, however, before Considine's practised eye had +anticipated<br> +his plan; for throwing down the pistol-case, he dashed after him, +and in an<br> +instant had seized him by the collar.</p> + +<p>"It won't do, Patsey," said the count; "you can't double on +me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Count, darlin', Mister Considine avick, don't do it, +don't now," said<br> +the poor fellow, falling on his knees, and blubbering like an +infant.</p> + +<p>"Hold your tongue, you villain, or I'll cut it out of your +head," said<br> +Considine.</p> + +<p>"And so I will; but don't do it, don't for the love of—"</p> + +<p>"Don't do what, you whimpering scoundrel? What does he think +I'll do?"</p> + +<p>"Don't I know very well what you're after, what you're always +after too?<br> +Oh, wirra, wirra!" Here he wrung his hands, and swayed himself +backwards<br> +and forwards, a true picture of Irish grief.</p> + +<p>"I'll stop his blubbering," said Considine, opening the box +and taking out<br> +a pistol, which he cocked leisurely, and pointed at the poor +fellow's head;<br> +"another syllable now, and I'll scatter your brains upon that +pavement."</p> + +<p>"And do, and divil thank you; sure, it's your trade."</p> + +<p>The coolness of the reply threw us both off our guard so +completely that we<br> +burst out into a hearty fit of laughing.</p> + +<p>"Come, come," said the count, at last, "this will never do; if +he goes on<br> +this way, we'll have the whole house about us. Come, then, +harness the roan<br> +mare; and here's half a crown for you."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't touch the best piece in your purse," said the poor +boy; "sure<br> +it's blood-money, no less."</p> + +<p>The words were scarcely spoken, when Considine seized him by +the collar<br> +with one hand, and by the wrist with the other, and carried him +over the<br> +yard to the stable, where, kicking open the door, he threw him on +a heap of<br> +stones, adding, "If you stir now, I'll break every bone in your +body;" a<br> +threat that seemed certainly considerably increased in its +terrors, from<br> +the rough gripe he had already experienced, for the lad rolled +himself up<br> +like a ball, and sobbed as if his heart were breaking.</p> + +<p>Very few minutes sufficed us now to harness the mare in the +tax-cart, and<br> +when all was ready, Considine seized the whip, and locking the +stable-door<br> +upon Patsey, was about to get up, when a sudden thought struck +him.<br> +"Charley," said he, "that fellow will find some means to give the +alarm; we<br> +must take him with us." So saying, he opened the door, and taking +the poor<br> +fellow by the collar, flung him at my feet in the tax-cart.</p> + +<p>We had already lost some time, and the roan mare was put to +her fastest<br> +speed to make up for it. Our pace became, accordingly, a sharp +one; and as<br> +the road was bad, and the tax-cart no "patent inaudible," neither +of us<br> +spoke. To me this was a great relief. The events of the last few +days had<br> +given them the semblance of years, and all the reflection I could +muster<br> +was little enough to make anything out of the chaotic +mass,—love,<br> +mischief, and misfortune,—in which I had been involved since my +leaving<br> +O'Malley Castle.</p> + +<p>"Here we are, Charley," said Considine, drawing up short at +the door of a<br> +little country ale-house, or, in Irish parlance, <i>shebeen</i>, +which stood at<br> +the meeting of four bleak roads, in a wild and barren mountain +tract beside<br> +the Shannon. "Here we are, my boy! Jump out and let us be +stirring."</p> + +<p>"Here, Patsey, my man," said the count, unravelling the +prostrate and<br> +doubly knotted figure at our feet; "lend a hand, Patsey." Much to +my<br> +astonishment, he obeyed the summons with alacrity, and proceeded +to<br> +unharness the mare with the greatest despatch. My attention was, +however,<br> +soon turned from him to my own more immediate concerns, and I +followed my<br> +companion into the house.</p> + +<p>"Joe," said the count to the host, "is Mr. Bodkin up at the +house this<br> +morning?"</p> + +<p>"He's just passed this way, sir, with Mr. Malowney of +Tillnamuck, in the<br> +gig, on their way from Mr. Blake's. They stopped here to order +horses to go<br> +over to O'Malley Castle, and the gossoon is gone to look for a +pair."</p> + +<p>"All right," said Considine, and added, in a whisper, "we've +done it well,<br> +Charley, to be beforehand, or the governor would have found it +all out and<br> +taken the affair into his own hands. Now all you have to do is to +stay<br> +quietly here till I come back, which will not be above an hour at +farthest.<br> +Joe, send me the pony; keep an eye on Patsey, that he doesn't +play us a<br> +trick. The short way to Mr. Bodkin's is through Scariff. Ay, I +know it<br> +well; good-by, Charley. By the Lord, we'll pepper him!"</p> + +<p>These were the last words of the worthy count as he closed the +door behind<br> +him, and left me to my own not very agreeable reflections. +Independently of<br> +my youth and perfect ignorance of the world, which left me unable +to form<br> +any correct judgment on my conduct, I knew that I had taken a +great deal<br> +of wine, and was highly excited when my unhappy collision with +Mr. Bodkin<br> +occurred. Whether, then, I had been betrayed into anything which +could<br> +fairly have provoked his insulting retort or not, I could not +remember; and<br> +now my most afflicting thought was, what opinion might be +entertained of me<br> +by those at Blake's table; and above all, what Miss Dashwood +herself would<br> +think, and what narrative of the occurrence would reach her. The +great<br> +effort of my last few days had been to stand well in her +estimation, to<br> +appear something better in feeling, something higher in +principle, than the<br> +rude and unpolished squirearchy about me; and now here was the +end of<br> +it! What would she, what could she, think, but that I was the +same<br> +punch-drinking, rowing, quarrelling bumpkin as those whom I had +so lately<br> +been carefully endeavoring to separate myself from? How I hated +myself for<br> +the excess to which passion had betrayed me, and how I detested +my opponent<br> +as the cause of all my present misery. "How very differently," +thought<br> +I, "her friend the captain would have conducted himself. His +quiet and<br> +gentlemanly manner would have done fully as much to wipe out any +insult on<br> +his honor as I could do, and after all, would neither have +disturbed the<br> +harmony of a dinner-table, nor made himself, as I shuddered to +think I<br> +had, a subject of rebuke, if not of ridicule." These harassing, +torturing<br> +reflections continued to press on me, and I paced the room with +my hands<br> +clasped and the perspiration upon my brow. "One thing is +certain,—I can<br> +never see her again," thought I; "this disgraceful business must, +in some<br> +shape or other, become known to her, and all I have been saying +these<br> +last three days rise up in judgment against this one act, and +stamp me an<br> +impostor! I that decried—nay, derided—our false notion of +honor. Would<br> +that Considine were come! What can keep him now?" I walked to the +door; a<br> +boy belonging to the house was walking the roan before the door. +"What had,<br> +then, become of Pat?" I inquired; but no one could tell. He had +disappeared<br> +shortly after our arrival, and had not been seen afterwards. My +own<br> +thoughts were, however, too engrossing to permit me to think more +of this<br> +circumstance, and I turned again to enter the house, when I saw +Considine<br> +advancing up the road at the full speed of his pony.</p> + +<p>"Out with the mare, Charley! Be alive, my boy!—all's +settled." So saying,<br> +he sprang from the pony and proceeded to harness the roan with +the greatest<br> +haste, informing me in broken sentences, as he went on with all +the<br> +arrangements.</p> + +<p>"We are to cross the bridge of Portumna. They won the ground, +and it seems<br> +Bodkin likes the spot; he shot Peyton there three years ago. +Worse luck<br> +now, Charley, you know; by all the rule of chance, he can't +expect the same<br> +thing twice,—never four by honors in two deals. Didn't say that, +though. A<br> +sweet meadow, I know it well; small hillocks, like molehills; all +over it.<br> +Caught him at breakfast; I don't think he expected the message to +come from<br> +us, but said it was a very polite attention,—and so it was, you +know."</p> + +<p>So he continued to ramble on as we once more took our seats in +the tax-cart<br> +and set out for the ground.</p> + +<p>"What are you thinking of, Charley?" said the count, as I kept +silent for<br> +some minutes.</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking, sir, if I were to kill him, what I must do +after."</p> + +<p>"Right, my boy; nothing like that, but I'll settle all for +you. Upon my<br> +conscience, if it wasn't for the chance of his getting into +another quarrel<br> +and spoiling the election, I'd go back for Godfrey; he'd like to +see you<br> +break ground so prettily. And you say you're no shot?"</p> + +<p>"Never could do anything with the pistol to speak of, sir," +said I,<br> +remembering his rebuke of the morning.</p> + +<p>"I don't mind that. You've a good eye; never take it off him +after you're<br> +on the ground,—follow him everywhere. Poor Callaghan, that's +gone, shot<br> +his man always that way. He had a way of looking without winking +that was<br> +very fatal at a short distance; a very good thing to learn, +Charley, when<br> +you have a little spare time."</p> + +<p>Half-an-hour's sharp driving brought us to the river side, +where a boat<br> +had been provided by Considine to ferry us over. It was now about +eight<br> +o'clock, and a heavy, gloomy morning. Much rain had fallen +overnight, and<br> +the dark and lowering atmosphere seemed charged with more. The +mountains<br> +looked twice their real size, and all the shadows were increased +to<br> +an enormous extent. A very killing kind of light it was, as the +count<br> +remarked.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER VIII.</p> + +<p>THE DUEL.</p> + +<p>As the boatmen pulled in towards the shore we perceived, a few +hundred<br> +yards off, a group of persons standing, whom we soon recognized +as our<br> +opponents. "Charley," said the count, grasping my arm tightly, as +I stood<br> +up to spring on the land,—"Charley, although you are only a boy, +as I may<br> +say, I have no fear for your courage; but still more than that is +needful<br> +here. This Bodkin is a noted duellist, and will try to shake your +nerve.<br> +Now, mind that you take everything that happens quite with an air +of<br> +indifference; don't let him think that he has any advantage over +you, and<br> +you'll see how the tables will be turned in your favor."</p> + +<p>"Trust to me, Count" said I; "I'll not disgrace you."</p> + +<p>He pressed my hand tightly, and I thought that I discerned +something like<br> +a slight twitch about the corners of his grim mouth, as if some +sudden and<br> +painful thought had shot across his mind; but in a moment he was +calm, and<br> +stern-looking as ever.</p> + +<p>"Twenty minutes late, Mr. Considine," said a short, red-faced +little<br> +man, with a military frock and foraging cap, as he held out his +watch in<br> +evidence.</p> + +<p>"I can only say, Captain Malowney, that we lost no time since +we parted. We<br> +had some difficulty in finding a boat; but in any case, we are +here <i>now</i>,<br> +and that, I opine, is the important part of the matter."</p> + +<p>"Quite right,—very just indeed. Will you present me to your +young friend.<br> +Very proud to make your acquaintance, sir; your uncle and I met +more than<br> +once in this kind of way. I was out with him in '92,—was it? no, +I think<br> +it was '93,—when he shot Harry Burgoyne, who, by-the-bye, was +called the<br> +crack shot of our mess; but, begad, your uncle knocked his pistol +hand to<br> +shivers, saying, in his dry way, 'He must try the left hand this +morning.'<br> +Count, a little this side, if you please."</p> + +<p>While Considine and the captain walked a few paces apart from +where I<br> +stood, I had leisure to observe my antagonist, who stood among a +group of<br> +his friends, talking and laughing away in great spirits. As the +tone they<br> +spoke in was not of the lowest, I could catch much of their +conversation at<br> +the distance I was from them. They were discussing the last +occasion that<br> +Bodkin had visited this spot, and talking of the fatal event +which happened<br> +then.</p> + +<p>"Poor devil," said Bodkin, "it wasn't his fault; but you see +some of the<br> +—th had been showing white feathers before that, and he was +obliged to go<br> +out. In fact, the colonel himself said, 'Fight, or leave the +corps.' Well,<br> +out he came; it was a cold morning in February, with a frost the +night<br> +before going off in a thin rain. Well, it seems he had the +consumption or<br> +something of that sort, with a great cough and spitting of blood, +and this<br> +weather made him worse; and he was very weak when he came to the +ground.<br> +Now, the moment I got a glimpse of him, I said to myself, 'He's +pluck<br> +enough, but as nervous as a lady;' for his eye wandered all +about, and his<br> +mouth was constantly twitching. 'Take off your great-coat, Ned,' +said one<br> +of his people, when they were going to put him up; 'take it off, +man.' He<br> +seemed to hesitate for an instant, when Michael Blake remarked, +'Arrah, let<br> +him alone; it's his mother makes him wear it, for the cold he +has.' They<br> +all began to laugh at this; but I kept my eye upon him, and I saw +that his<br> +cheek grew quite livid and a kind of gray color, and his eyes +filled up. 'I<br> +have you now,' said I to myself, and I shot him through the +lung."</p> + +<p>"And this poor fellow," thought I, "was the only son of a +widowed mother."<br> +I walked from the spot to avoid hearing further, and felt, as I +did so,<br> +something like a spirit of vengeance rising within me, for the +fate of one<br> +so untimely cut off.</p> + +<p>"Here we are, all ready," said Malowney, springing over a +small fence into<br> +the adjoining field. "Take your ground, gentlemen."</p> + +<p>Considine took my arm and walked forward. "Charley," said he, +"I am to give<br> +the signal; I'll drop my glove when you are to fire, but don't +look at me<br> +at all. I'll manage to catch Bodkin's eye; and do you watch him +steadily,<br> +and fire when he does."</p> + +<p>"I think that the ground we are leaving behind us is rather +better," said<br> +some one.</p> + +<p>"So it is," said Bodkin; "but it might be troublesome to carry +the young<br> +gentleman down that way,—here all is fair and easy."</p> + +<p>The next instant we were placed; and I well remember the first +thought that<br> +struck me was, that there could be no chance of either of us +escaping.</p> + +<p>"Now then," said the count, "I'll walk twelve paces, turn and +drop this<br> +glove; at which signal you fire, and <i>together</i> mind. The +man who reserves<br> +his shot falls by my hand." This very summary denunciation seemed +to meet<br> +general approbation, and the count strutted forth. +Notwithstanding the<br> +advice of my friend, I could not help turning my eyes from Bodkin +to watch<br> +the retiring figure of the count. At length he stopped; a second +or two<br> +elapsed; he wheeled rapidly round, and let fall the glove. My eye +glanced<br> +towards my opponent; I raised my pistol and fired. My hat turned +half round<br> +upon my head, and Bodkin fell motionless to the earth. I saw the +people<br> +around me rush forward; I caught two or three glances thrown at +me with an<br> +expression of revengeful passion; I felt some one grasp me round +the waist,<br> +and hurry me from the spot; and it was at least ten minutes +after, as we<br> +were skimming the surface of the broad Shannon, before I could +well collect<br> +my scattered faculties to remember all that was passing, as +Considine,<br> +pointing to the two bullet-holes in my hat, remarked, "Sharp +practice,<br> +Charley; it was the overcharge saved you."</p> + +<p>"Is he killed, sir?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"Not quite, I believe, but as good. You took him just above +the hip."</p> + +<p>"Can he recover?" said I, with a voice tremulous from +agitation, which I<br> +vainly endeavored to conceal from my companion.</p> + +<p>"Not if the doctor can help it," said Considine; "for the fool +keeps poking<br> +about for the ball. But now let's think of the next step,—you'll +have to<br> +leave this, and at once, too."</p> + +<p>Little more passed between us. As we rowed towards the shore, +Considine<br> +was following up his reflections, and I had mine,—alas! too many +and too<br> +bitter to escape from.</p> + +<p>As we neared the land a strange spectacle caught our eye. For +a<br> +considerable distance along the coast crowds of country people +were<br> +assembled, who, forming in groups and breaking into parties of +two and<br> +three, were evidently watching with great anxiety what was taking +place at<br> +the opposite side. Now, the distance was at least a mile, and +therefore any<br> +part of the transaction which had been enacting there must have +been quite<br> +beyond their view. While I was wondering at this, Considine cried +out<br> +suddenly, "Too infamous, by Jove! We're murdered men!"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" said I.</p> + +<p>"Don't you see that?" said he, pointing to something black +which floated<br> +from a pole at the opposite side of the river.</p> + +<p>"Yes; what is it?"</p> + +<p>"It's his coat they've put upon an oar to show the people +he's<br> +killed,—that's all. Every man here's his tenant; and +look—there! They're<br> +not giving us much doubt as to their intention."</p> + +<p>Here a tremendous yell burst forth from the mass of people +along the shore,<br> +which rising to a terrific cry sunk gradually down to a low +wailing, then<br> +rose and fell again several times as the Irish death-cry filled +the air and<br> +rose to Heaven, as if imploring vengeance on a murderer.</p> + +<p>The appalling influence of the <i>keen</i>, as it is called, +had been familiar<br> +to me from my infancy; but it needed the awful situation I was +placed in to<br> +consummate its horrors. It was at once my accusation and my doom. +I knew<br> +well—none better—the vengeful character of the Irish peasant of +the west,<br> +and that my death was certain I had no doubt. The very crime that +sat upon<br> +my heart quailed its courage and unnerved my arm. As the +boatmen<br> +looked from us towards the shore and again at our faces, they, as +if<br> +instinctively, lay upon their oars, and waited for our decision +as to what<br> +course to pursue.</p> + +<p>"Rig the spritsail, my boys," said Considine, "and let her +head lie up the<br> +river; and be alive, for I see they're bailing a boat below the +little reef<br> +there, and will be after us in no time."</p> + +<p>The poor fellows, who, although strangers to us, sympathizing +in what they<br> +perceived to be our imminent danger, stepped the light spar which +acted<br> +as mast, and shook out their scanty rag of canvas in a minute. +Considine<br> +meanwhile went aft, and steadying her head with an oar, held the +small<br> +craft up to the wind till she lay completely over, and as she +rushed<br> +through the water, ran dipping her gun-wale through the white +foam.</p> + +<p>"Where can we make without tacking, boys?" inquired the +count.</p> + +<p>"If it blows on as fresh, sir, we'll run you ashore within +half a mile of<br> +the Castle."</p> + +<p>"Put an oar to leeward," said Considine, "and keep her up more +to the wind,<br> +and I promise you, my lads, you will not go home fresh and +fasting if you<br> +land us where you say."</p> + +<p>"Here they come," said the other boatman, as he pointed back +with his<br> +finger towards a large yawl which shot suddenly from the shore, +with six<br> +sturdy fellows pulling at their oars, while three or four others +were<br> +endeavoring to get up their rigging, which appeared tangled and +confused at<br> +the bottom of the boat; the white splash of water which fell each +moment<br> +beside her showing that the process of bailing was still +continued.</p> + +<p>"Ah, then, may I never—av it isn't the ould 'Dolphin' they +have launched<br> +for the cruise," said one of our fellows.</p> + +<p>"What's the 'Dolphin,' then?"</p> + +<p>"An ould boat of the Lord's [Lord Clanricarde's] that didn't +see water,<br> +except when it rained, these four years, and is sun-cracked from +stem to<br> +stern."</p> + +<p>"She can sail, however," said Considine, who watched with a +painful anxiety<br> +the rapidity of her course through the water.</p> + +<p>"Nabocklish, she was a smuggler's jolly-boat, and well used to +it. Look<br> +how they're pulling. God pardon them, but they're in no blessed +humor this<br> +morning."</p> + +<p>"Lay out upon your oars, boys; the wind's failing us," cried +the count, as<br> +the sail flapped lazily against the mast.</p> + +<p>"It's no use, yer honor," said the elder. "We'll be only +breaking our<br> +hearts to no purpose. They're sure to catch us."</p> + +<p>"Do as I bade you, at all events. What's that ahead of us +there?"</p> + +<p>"The Oat Rock, sir. A vessel with grain struck there and went +down with<br> +all aboard, four years last winter. There's no channel between it +and the<br> +shore,—all sunk rocks, every inch of it. There's the +breeze."</p> + +<p>The canvas fell over as he spoke, and the little craft lay +down to it till<br> +the foaming water bubbled over her lee bow.</p> + +<p>"Keep her head up, sir; higher—higher still."</p> + +<p>But Considine little heeded the direction, steering straight +for the narrow<br> +channel the man alluded to.</p> + +<p>"Tear and ages, but you're going right for the cloch na +quirka!"</p> + +<p>"Arrah, an' the devil a taste I'll be drowned for your +devarsion!" said the<br> +other, springing up.</p> + +<p>"Sit down there, and be still," roared Considine, as he drew a +pistol from<br> +the case at his feet, "if you don't want some leaden ballast to +keep you<br> +so! Here, Charley, take this, and if that fellow stirs hand or +foot—you<br> +understand me."</p> + +<p>The two men sat sulkily in the bottom of the boat, which now +was actually<br> +flying through the water. Considine's object was a clear one. He +saw that<br> +in sailing we were greatly overmatched, and that our only chance +lay in<br> +reaching the narrow and dangerous channel between Oat Rock and +the shore,<br> +by which we should distance the pursuit, the long reef of rocks +that ran<br> +out beyond requiring a wide berth to escape from. Nothing but the +danger<br> +behind us could warrant so rash a daring. The whole channel was +dotted with<br> +patches of white and breaking foam,—the sure evidence of the +mischief<br> +beneath,—while here and there a dash of spurting spray flew up +from the<br> +dark water, where some cleft rock lay hid below the flood. Escape +seemed<br> +impossible; but who would not have preferred even so slender a +chance with<br> +so frightful an alternative behind him? As if to add terror to +the scene,<br> +Considine had scarcely turned the boat ahead of the channel when +a<br> +tremendous blackness spread over all around, the thunder pealed +forth, and<br> +amidst the crashing of the hail and the bright glare of lightning +a squall<br> +struck us and laid us nearly keel uppermost for several minutes. +I well<br> +remember we rushed through the dark and blackened water, our +little craft<br> +more than half filled, the oars floating off to leeward, and we +ourselves<br> +kneeling on the bottom planks for safety. Roll after roll of loud +thunder<br> +broke, as it were, just above our heads; while in the swift +dashing rain<br> +that seemed to hiss around us every object was hidden, and even +the other<br> +boat was lost to our view. The two poor fellows—I shall never +forget their<br> +expression. One, a devout Catholic, had placed a little leaden +image of a<br> +saint before him in the bow, and implored its intercession with a +torturing<br> +agony of suspense that wrung my very heart. The other, apparently +less<br> +alive to such consolations as his Church afforded, remained with +his hands<br> +clasped, his mouth compressed, his brows knitted, and his dark +eyes bent<br> +upon me with the fierce hatred of a deadly enemy; his eyes were +sunken and<br> +bloodshot, and all told of some dreadful conflict within. The +wild ferocity<br> +of his look fascinated my gaze, and amidst all the terrors of the +scene I<br> +could not look from him. As I gazed, a second and more awful +squall struck<br> +the boat; the mast went over, and with a loud report like a +pistol-shot<br> +smashed at the thwart and fell over, trailing the sail along the +milky sea<br> +behind us. Meanwhile the water rushed clean over us, and the boat +seemed<br> +settling. At this dreadful moment the sailor's eye was bent upon +me, his<br> +lips parted, and he muttered, as if to himself, "This it is to go +to sea<br> +with a murderer." Oh, God! the agony of that moment! the +heartfelt and<br> +accusing conscience that I was judged and doomed! that the brand +of Cain<br> +was upon my brow! that my fellow-men had ceased forever to regard +me as a<br> +brother! that I was an outcast and a wanderer forever! I bent +forward till<br> +my forehead fell upon my knees, and I wept. Meanwhile the boat +flew through<br> +the water, and Considine, who alone among us seemed not to lose +his<br> +presence of mind, cut away the mast and sent it overboard. The +storm began<br> +now to abate; and as the black mass of cloud broke from around us +we beheld<br> +the other boat, also dismasted, far behind us, while all on board +of<br> +her were employed in bailing out the water with which she seemed +almost<br> +sinking. The curtain of mist that had hidden us from each other +no sooner<br> +broke than they ceased their labors for a moment, and looking +towards us,<br> +burst forth into a yell so wild, so savage, so dreadful, my very +heart<br> +quailed as its cadence fell upon my ear.</p> + +<p>"Safe, my boy," said Considine, clapping me on the shoulder, +as he steered<br> +the boat forth from its narrow path of danger, and once more +reached the<br> +broad Shannon,—"safe, Charley; though we've had a brush for it." +In a<br> +minute more we reached the land, and drawing our gallant little +craft on<br> +shore, set out for O'Malley Castle.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER IX.</p> + +<p>THE RETURN.</p> + +<p>O'Malley Castle lay about four miles from the spot we landed +at, and<br> +thither accordingly we bent our steps without loss of time. We +had not,<br> +however, proceeded far, when, before us on the road, we perceived +a mixed<br> +assemblage of horse and foot, hurrying along at a tremendous +rate. The mob,<br> +which consisted of some hundred country people, were armed with +sticks,<br> +scythes, and pitchforks, and although not preserving any very +military<br> +aspect in their order of march, were still a force quite +formidable enough<br> +to make us call a halt, and deliberate upon what we were to +do.</p> + +<p>"They've outflanked us, Charley," said Considine; "however, +all is not yet<br> +lost. But see, they've got sight of us; here they come."</p> + +<p>At these words, the vast mass before us came pouring along, +splashing the<br> +mud on every side, and huzzaing like so many Indians. In the +front ran a<br> +bare-legged boy, waving his cap to encourage the rest, who +followed him at<br> +about fifty yards behind.</p> + +<p>"Leave that fellow for me," said the count, coolly examining +the lock of<br> +his pistol; "I'll pick him out, and load again in time for his +friends'<br> +arrival. Charley, is that a gentleman I see far back in the +crowd? Yes,<br> +to be sure it is? He's on a large horse—now he's pressing +forward; so<br> +let—no—oh—ay, it's Godfrey O'Malley himself, and these are our +own<br> +people." Scarcely were the words out when a tremendous cheer +arose from<br> +the multitude, who, recognizing us at the same instant, sprang +from their<br> +horses and ran forward to welcome us. Among the foremost was the +scarecrow<br> +leader, whom I at once perceived as poor Patsey, who, escaping in +the<br> +morning, had returned at full speed to O'Malley Castle, and +raised the<br> +whole country to my rescue. Before I could address one word to my +faithful<br> +followers I was in my uncle's arms.</p> + +<p>"Safe, my boy, quite safe?"</p> + +<p>"Quite safe, sir."</p> + +<p>"No scratch anywhere?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing but a hat the worse, sir," said I, showing the two +bullet-holes in<br> +my headpiece.</p> + +<p>His lip quivered as he turned and whispered something into +Considine's ear,<br> +which I heard not; but the count's reply was, "Devil a bit, as +cool as you<br> +see him this minute."</p> + +<p>"And Bodkin, what of him?"</p> + +<p>"This day's work's his last," said Considine; "the ball +entered here. But<br> +come along, Godfrey; Charley's new at this kind of thing, and we +had better<br> +discuss matters in the house."</p> + +<p>Half-an-hour's brisk trot—for we were soon supplied with +horses—brought<br> +us back to the Castle, much to the disappointment of our cortege, +who had<br> +been promised a <i>scrimmage</i>, and went back in very ill-humor +at the breach<br> +of contract.</p> + +<p>The breakfast-room, as we entered, was filled with my uncle's +supporters,<br> +all busily engaged over poll-books and booth tallies, in +preparation for<br> +the eventful day of battle. These, however, were immediately +thrown aside<br> +to hasten round me and inquire all the details of my duel. +Considine,<br> +happily for me, however, assumed all the dignity of an historian, +and<br> +recounted the events of the morning so much to my honor and +glory, that I,<br> +who only a little before felt crushed and bowed down by the +misery of my<br> +late duel, began, amidst the warm congratulations and eulogiums +about me,<br> +to think I was no small hero, and in fact, something very much +resembling<br> +"the man for Galway." To this feeling a circumstance that +followed assisted<br> +in contributing. While we were eagerly discussing the various +results<br> +likely to arise from the meeting, a horse galloped rapidly to the +door and<br> +a loud voice called out, "I can't get off, but tell him to come +here." We<br> +rushed out and beheld Captain Malowney, Mr. Bodkin's second, +covered with<br> +mud from head to foot, and his horse reeking with foam and sweat. +"I am<br> +hurrying on to Athlone for another doctor; but I've called to +tell you<br> +that the wound is not supposed to be mortal,—he may recover +yet." Without<br> +waiting for another word, he dashed spurs into his nag and +rattled down the<br> +avenue at full gallop. Mr. Bodkin's dearest friend on earth could +not have<br> +received the intelligence with more delight; and I now began to +listen to<br> +the congratulations of my friends with a more tranquil spirit. My +uncle,<br> +too, seemed much relieved by the information, and heard with +great good<br> +temper my narrative of the few days at Gurt-na-Morra. "So then," +said he,<br> +as I concluded, "my opponent is at least a gentleman; that is a +comfort."</p> + +<p>"Sir George Dashwood," said I, "from all I have seen, is a +remarkably nice<br> +person, and I am certain you will meet with only the fair and +legitimate<br> +opposition of an opposing candidate in him,—no mean or +unmanly<br> +subterfuge."</p> + +<p>"All right, Charley. Well, now, your affair of this morning +must keep you<br> +quiet for a few days, come what will; by Monday next, when the +election<br> +takes place, Bodkin's fate will be pretty clear, one way or the +other, and<br> +if matters go well, you can come into town; otherwise, I have +arranged with<br> +Considine to take you over to the Continent for a year or so; but +we'll<br> +discuss all this in the evening. Now I must start on a canvass. +Boyle<br> +expects to meet you at dinner to-day; he is coming from Athlone +on purpose.<br> +Now, good-by!"</p> + +<p>When my uncle had gone, I sank into a chair and fell into a +musing fit over<br> +all the changes a few hours had wrought in me. From a mere boy +whose most<br> +serious employment was stocking the house with game or inspecting +the<br> +kennel, I had sprung at once into man's estate, was complimented +for my<br> +coolness, praised for my prowess, lauded for my discretion, by +those<br> +who were my seniors by nearly half a century; talked to in a tone +of<br> +confidential intimacy by my uncle, and, in a word, treated in all +respects<br> +as an equal,—and such was all the work of a few hours. But so it +is; the<br> +eras in life are separated by a narrow boundary,—some trifling +accident,<br> +some casual <i>rencontre</i> impels us across the Rubicon, and we +pass from<br> +infancy to youth, from youth to manhood, from manhood to age, +less by<br> +the slow and imperceptible step of time than by some one decisive +act<br> +or passion which, occurring at a critical moment, elicits a long +latent<br> +feeling, and impresses our existence with a color that tinges us +for many<br> +a long year. As for me, I had cut the tie which bound me to the +careless<br> +gayety of boyhood with a rude gash. In three short days I had +fallen<br> +deeply, desperately in love, and had wounded, if not killed, an +antagonist<br> +in a duel. As I meditated on these things, I was aroused by the +noise of<br> +horses' feet in the yard beneath. I opened the window and beheld +no less a<br> +person than Captain Hammersley. He was handing a card to a +servant, which<br> +he was accompanying by a verbal message; the impression of +something like<br> +hostility on the part of the captain had never left my mind, and +I hastened<br> +down-stairs just in time to catch him as he turned from the +door.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Mr. O'Malley!" said he, in a most courteous tone. "They +told me you<br> +were not at home."</p> + +<p>I apologized for the blunder, and begged of him to alight and +come in.</p> + +<p>"I thank you very much, but, in fact, my hours are now +numbered here. I<br> +have just received an order to join my regiment; we have been +ordered for<br> +service, and Sir George has most kindly permitted my giving up my +staff<br> +appointment. I could not, however, leave the country without +shaking hands<br> +with you. I owe you a lesson in horsemanship, and I'm only sorry +that we<br> +are not to have another day together."</p> + +<p>"Then you are going out to the Peninsula?" said I.</p> + +<p>"Why, we hope so; the commander-in-chief, they say, is in +great want of<br> +cavalry, and we scarcely less in want of something to do. I'm +sorry you are<br> +not coming with us."</p> + +<p>"Would to Heaven I were!" said I, with an earnestness that +almost made my<br> +brain start.</p> + +<p>"Then, why not?"</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately, I am peculiarly situated. My worthy uncle, who +is all to me<br> +in this world, would be quite alone if I were to leave him; and +although he<br> +has never said so, I know he dreads the possibility of my +suggesting such<br> +a thing to him: so that, between his fears and mine, the matter +is never<br> +broached by either party, nor do I think ever can be."</p> + +<p>"Devilish hard—but I believe you are right; something, +however, may turn<br> +up yet to alter his mind, and if so, and if you do take to +dragooning,<br> +don't forget George Hammersley will be always most delighted to +meet you;<br> +and so good-by, O'Malley, good-by."</p> + +<p>He turned his horse's head and was already some paces off, +when he returned<br> +to my side, and in a lower tone of voice said,—</p> + +<p>"I ought to mention to you that there has been much discussion +on your<br> +affair at Blake's table, and only one opinion on the matter among +all<br> +parties,—that you acted perfectly right. Sir George +Dashwood,—no mean<br> +judge of such things,—quite approves of your conduct, and, I +believe,<br> +wishes you to know as much; and now, once more, good-by."</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER X.</p> + +<p>THE ELECTION.</p> + +<p>The important morning at length arrived, and as I looked from +my bed-room<br> +window at daybreak, the crowd of carriages of all sorts and +shapes<br> +decorated with banners and placards; the incessant bustle; the +hurrying<br> +hither and thither; the cheering as each new detachment of voters +came up,<br> +mounted on jaunting-cars, or on horses whose whole caparison +consisted in<br> +a straw rope for a bridle, and a saddle of the same frail +material,—all<br> +informed me that the election day was come. I lost no further +time, but<br> +proceeded to dress with all possible despatch. When I appeared in +the<br> +breakfast-room, it was already filled with some seventy or eighty +persons<br> +of all ranks and ages, mingled confusedly together, and enjoying +the<br> +hospitable fare of my uncle's house, while they discussed all the +details<br> +and prospects of the election. In the hall, the library, the +large<br> +drawing-room, too, similar parties were also assembled, and as +newcomers<br> +arrived, the servants were busy in preparing tables before the +door and up<br> +the large terrace that ran the entire length of the building. +Nothing could<br> +be more amusing than the incongruous mixture of the guests, who, +with every<br> +variety of eatable that chance or inclination provided, were thus +thrown<br> +into close contact, having only this in common,—the success of +the cause<br> +they were engaged in. Here was the old Galway squire, with an +ancestry that<br> +reached to Noah, sitting side by side with the poor cotter, whose +whole<br> +earthly possession was what, in Irish phrase, is called a +"potato<br> +garden,"—meaning the exactly smallest possible patch of ground +out of<br> +which a very Indian-rubber conscience could presume to vote. Here +sat the<br> +old simple-minded, farmer-like man, in close conversation with a +little<br> +white-foreheaded, keen-eyed personage, in a black coat and +eye-glass,—a<br> +flash attorney from Dublin, learned in flaws of the registry, and +deep in<br> +the subtleties of election law. There was an Athlone +horse-dealer, whose<br> +habitual daily practices in imposing the halt, the lame, and the +blind upon<br> +the unsuspecting, for beasts of blood and mettle, well qualified +him for<br> +the trickery of a county contest. Then there were scores of +squireen<br> +gentry, easily recognized on common occasions by a green coat, +brass<br> +buttons, dirty cords, and dirtier top-boots, a lash-whip, and a +half-bred<br> +fox-hound; but now, fresh-washed for the day, they presented +something the<br> +appearance of a swell mob, adjusted to the meridian of Galway. A +mass of<br> +frieze-coated, brow-faced, bullet-headed peasantry filled up the +large<br> +spaces, dotted here and there with a sleek, roguish-eyed priest, +or some<br> +low electioneering agent detailing, for the amusement of the +company, some<br> +of those cunning practices of former times which if known to the +proper<br> +authorities would in all likelihood cause the talented narrator +to be<br> +improving the soil of Sidney, or fishing on the banks of the Swan +river;<br> +while at the head and foot of each table sat some personal friend +of my<br> +uncle, whose ready tongue, and still readier pistol, made him a +personage<br> +of some consequence, not more to his own people than to the +enemy. While of<br> +such material were the company, the fare before them was no less +varied:<br> +here some rubicund squire was deep in amalgamating the contents +of a<br> +venison pasty with some of Sneyd's oldest claret; his neighbor, +less<br> +ambitious, and less erudite in such matters, was devouring +rashers of<br> +bacon, with liberal potations of potteen; some pale-cheeked scion +of the<br> +law, with all the dust of the Four Courts in his throat, was +sipping<br> +his humble beverage of black tea beside four sturdy +cattle-dealers from<br> +Ballinasloe, who were discussing hot whiskey punch and +<i>spoleaion</i> (boiled<br> +beef) at the very primitive hour of eight in the morning. Amidst +the clank<br> +of decanters, the crash of knives and plates, and the jingling of +glasses,<br> +the laughter and voices of the guests were audibly increasing; +and the<br> +various modes of "running a buck" (<i>Anglicé</i>, +substituting a vote), or<br> +hunting a badger, were talked over on all sides, while the price +of a<br> +<i>veal</i> (a calf), or a voter, was disputed with all the +energy of debate.</p> + +<p>Refusing many an offered place, I went through the different +rooms in<br> +search of Considine, to whom circumstances of late had somehow +greatly<br> +attached me.</p> + +<p>"Here, Charley," cried a voice I was very familiar +with,—"here's a place<br> +I've been keeping for you."</p> + +<p>"Ah, Sir Harry, how do you do? Any of that grouse-pie to +spare?"</p> + +<p>"Abundance, my boy; but I'm afraid I can't say as much for the +liquor.<br> +I have been shouting for claret this half-hour in vain,—do get +us some<br> +nutriment down here, and the Lord will reward you. What a pity it +is," he<br> +added, in a lower tone, to his neighbor—"what a pity a +quart-bottle won't<br> +hold a quart; but I'll bring it before the House one of these +days." That<br> +he kept his word in this respect, a motion on the books of the +Honorable<br> +House will bear me witness.</p> + +<p>"Is this it?" said he, turning towards a farmer-like old man, +who had put<br> +some question to him across the table; "is it the apple-pie +you'll have?"</p> + +<p>"Many thanks to your honor,—I'd like it, av it was +wholesome."</p> + +<p>"And why shouldn't it be wholesome?" said Sir Harry.</p> + +<p>"Troth, then, myself does not know; but my father, I heerd +tell, died of an<br> +apple-plexy, and I'm afeerd of it."</p> + +<p>I at length found Considine, and learned that, as a very good +account of<br> +Bodkin had arrived, there was no reason why I should not proceed +to the<br> +hustings; but I was secretly charged not to take any prominent +part in the<br> +day's proceedings. My uncle I only saw for an instant,—he begged +me to<br> +be careful, avoid all scrapes, and not to quit Considine. It was +past ten<br> +o'clock when our formidable procession got under way, and headed +towards<br> +the town of Galway. The road was, for miles, crowded with our +followers;<br> +banners flying and music playing, we presented something of the +spectacle<br> +of a very ragged army on its march. At every cross-road a +mountain-path<br> +reinforcement awaited us, and as we wended along, our numbers +were<br> +momentarily increasing; here and there along the line, some +energetic<br> +and not over-sober adherent was regaling his auditory with a +speech in<br> +laudation of the O'Malleys since the days of Moses, and more than +one<br> +priest was heard threatening the terrors of his Church in aid of +a cause<br> +to whose success he was pledged and bound. I rode beside the +count, who,<br> +surrounded by a group of choice spirits, recounted the various +happy<br> +inventions by which he had, on divers occasions, substituted a +personal<br> +quarrel for a contest. Boyle also contributed his share of +election<br> +anecdote, and one incident he related, which, I remember, amused +me much at<br> +the time.</p> + +<a name="0091"></a> +<img alt="0091.jpg (116K)" src="0091.jpg" height="523" width="645"> + +<p>[THE ELECTION.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>"Do you remember Billy Calvert, that came down to contest +Kilkenny?"<br> +inquired Sir Harry.</p> + +<p>"What, ever forget him!" said Considine, "with his +well-powdered wig and<br> +his hessians. There never was his equal for lace ruffles and +rings."</p> + +<p>"You never heard, may be, how he lost the election?"</p> + +<p>"He resigned, I believe, or something of that sort."</p> + +<p>"No, no," said another; "he never came forward at all. There's +some secret<br> +in it; for Tom Butler was elected without a contest."</p> + +<p>"Jack, I'll tell you how it happened. I was on my way up from +Cork, having<br> +finished my own business, and just carried the day, not without a +push for<br> +it. When we reached,—Lady Mary was with me,—when we reached +Kilkenny, the<br> +night before the election, I was not ten minutes in town till +Butler<br> +heard of it, and sent off express to see me; I was at my dinner +when the<br> +messenger came, and promised to go over when I'd done. But faith, +Tom<br> +didn't wait, but came rushing up-stairs himself, and dashed into +the room<br> +in the greatest hurry.</p> + +<p>"'Harry,' says he, 'I'm done for; the corporation of free +smiths, that were<br> +always above bribery, having voted for myself and my father +before, for<br> +four pounds ten a man, won't come forward under six guineas and +whiskey.<br> +Calvert has the money; they know it. The devil a farthing we +have; and<br> +we've been paying all our fellows that can't read in Hennesy's +notes, and<br> +you know the bank's broke this three weeks.'</p> + +<p>"On he went, giving me a most disastrous picture of his cause, +and<br> +concluded by asking if I could suggest anything under the +circumstances.</p> + +<p>"'You couldn't get a decent mob and clear the poll?'</p> + +<p>"'I am afraid not,' said he, despondingly.</p> + +<p>"'Then I don't see what's to be done, if you can't pick a +fight with<br> +himself. Will he go out?'</p> + +<p>"'Lord knows! They say he's so afraid of that, that it has +prevented him<br> +coming down till the very day. But he is arrived now; he came in +the<br> +evening, and is stopping at Walsh's in Patrick Street.'</p> + +<p>"'Then I'll see what can be done,' said I.</p> + +<p>"'Is that Calvert, the little man that blushes when the +Lady-Lieutenant<br> +speaks to him?' said Lady Mary.</p> + +<p>"'The very man.'</p> + +<p>"'Would it be of any use to you if he could not come on the +hustings<br> +to-morrow?' said she, again.</p> + +<p>"''Twould gain us the day. Half the voters don't believe he's +here at all,<br> +and his chief agent cheated all the people on the last election; +and if<br> +Calvert didn't appear, he wouldn't have ten votes to register. +But why do<br> +you ask?'</p> + +<p>"'Why, that, if you like, I'll bet you a pair of diamond +ear-rings he<br> +sha'n't show.'</p> + +<p>"'Done!' said Butler. 'And I promise a necklace into the +bargain, if you<br> +win; but I'm afraid you're only quizzing me.'</p> + +<p>"'Here's my hand on it,' said she. 'And now let's talk of +something else.'"</p> + +<p>As Lady Mary never asked my assistance, and as I knew she was +very well<br> +able to perform whatever she undertook, you may be sure I gave +myself very<br> +little trouble about the whole affair; and when they came, I went +off to<br> +breakfast with Tom's committee, not knowing anything that was to +be done.</p> + +<p>Calvert had given orders that he was to be called at eight +o'clock, and so<br> +a few minutes before that time a gentle knock came to the +door.</p> + +<p>'Come in,' said he, thinking it was the waiter, and covering +himself up in<br> +the clothes; for he was the most bashful creature ever was +seen,—'come<br> +in.'</p> + +<p>The door opened, and what was his horror to find that a lady +entered in her<br> +dressing-gown, her hair on her shoulders, very much tossed and +dishevelled.<br> +The moment she came in, she closed the door and locked it, and +then sat<br> +leisurely down upon a chair.</p> + +<p>Billy's teeth chattered, and his limbs trembled; for this was +an adventure<br> +of a very novel kind for him. At last he took courage to +speak.</p> + +<p>'I am afraid, madam,' said he, 'that you are under some +unhappy mistake,<br> +and that you suppose this chamber is—'</p> + +<p>'Mr. Calvert's,' said the lady, with a solemn voice, 'is it +not?'</p> + +<p>'Yes, madam, I am that person.'</p> + +<p>'Thank God!' said the lady, with a very impressive tone. 'Here +I am safe.'</p> + +<p>Billy grew very much puzzled at these words; but hoping that +by his silence<br> +the lady would proceed to some explanation, he said no more. She, +however,<br> +seemed to think that nothing further was necessary, and sat still +and<br> +motionless, with her hands before her and her eyes fixed on +Billy.</p> + +<p>"'You seem to forget me, sir?' said she, with a faint +smile.</p> + +<p>"'I do, indeed, madam; the half-light, the novelty of your +costume, and the<br> +strangeness of the circumstance altogether must plead for me, if +I appear<br> +rude enough.'</p> + +<p>"'I am Lady Mary Boyle,' said she.</p> + +<p>"'I do remember you, madam; but may I ask—'</p> + +<p>"'Yes, yes; I know what you would ask. You would say, Why are +you here? How<br> +comes it that you have so far outstepped the propriety of which +your whole<br> +life is an example, that alone, at such a time, you appear in the +chamber<br> +of a man whose character for gallantry—'</p> + +<p>"'Oh, indeed—indeed, my lady, nothing of the kind!'</p> + +<p>"'Ah, alas! poor defenceless women learn, too late, how +constantly<br> +associated is the retiring modesty which decries, with the +pleasing powers<br> +which ensure success—'</p> + +<p>"Here she sobbed, Billy blushed, and the clock struck +nine.</p> + +<p>"'May I then beg, madam—'</p> + +<p>"'Yes, yes, you shall hear it all; but my poor scattered +faculties will<br> +not be the clearer by your hurrying me. You know, perhaps,' +continued<br> +she, 'that my maiden name was Rogers?' He of the blankets bowed, +and she<br> +resumed, 'It is now eighteen years since, that a young, +unsuspecting, fond<br> +creature, reared in all the care and fondness of doting parents, +tempted<br> +her first step in life, and trusted her fate to another's +keeping. I am<br> +that unhappy person; the other, that monster in human guise that +smiled but<br> +to betray, that won but to ruin and destroy, is he whom you know +as Sir<br> +Harry Boyle.'</p> + +<p>"Here she sobbed for some minutes, wiped her eyes, and resumed +her<br> +narrative. Beginning at the period of her marriage, she detailed +a number<br> +of circumstances in which poor Calvert, in all his anxiety to +come <i>au<br> +fond</i> at matters, could never perceive bore upon the question +in any way;<br> +but as she recounted them all with great force and precision, +entreating<br> +him to bear in mind certain circumstances to which she should +recur by and<br> +by, his attention was kept on the stretch, and it was only when +the clock<br> +struck ten that he was fully aware how his morning was passing, +and what<br> +surmises his absence might originate.</p> + +<p>"'May I interrupt you for a moment, dear madam? Was it nine or +ten o'clock<br> +which struck last?'</p> + +<p>"'How should I know?' said she, frantically. 'What are hours +and minutes to<br> +her who has passed long years of misery?'</p> + +<p>"'Very true, very true,' replied he, timidly, and rather +fearing for the<br> +intellect of his fair companion.</p> + +<p>She continued. The narrative, however, so far from becoming +clearer, grew<br> +gradually more confused and intricate; and as frequent references +were made<br> +by the lady to some previous statement, Calvert was more than +once rebuked<br> +for forgetfulness and inattention, where in reality nothing less +than<br> +short-hand could have borne him through.</p> + +<p>"'Was it in '93 I said that Sir Harry left me at Tuam?'</p> + +<p>"'Upon my life, madam, I am afraid to aver; but it strikes +me—'</p> + +<p>"'Gracious powers! and this is he whom I fondly trusted to +make the<br> +depository of my woes! Cruel, cruel man!'</p> + +<p>"Here she sobbed considerably for several minutes, and spoke +not. A loud<br> +cheer of 'Butler forever!' from the mob without now burst upon +their<br> +hearing, and recalled poor Calvert at once to the thought that +the hours<br> +were speeding fast and no prospect of the everlasting tale coming +to an<br> +end.</p> + +<p>"'I am deeply, most deeply grieved, my dear madam,' said the +little man,<br> +sitting up in a pyramid of blankets; 'but hours, minutes, are +most precious<br> +to me this morning. I am about to be proposed as member for +Kilkenny.'</p> + +<p>"At these words the lady straightened her figure out, threw +her arms at<br> +either side, and burst into a fit of laughter which poor Calvert +knew<br> +at once to be hysterics. Here was a pretty situation! The +bell-rope lay<br> +against the opposite wall; and even if it did not, would he be +exactly<br> +warranted in pulling it?</p> + +<p>"'May the devil and all his angels take Sir Harry Boyle and +his whole<br> +connection to the fifth generation!' was his sincere prayer as he +sat like<br> +a Chinese juggler under his canopy.</p> + +<p>"At length the violence of the paroxysm seemed to subside; the +sobs became<br> +less frequent, the kicking less forcible, and the lady's eyes +closed, and<br> +she appeared to have fallen asleep.</p> + +<p>"'Now is the moment,' said Billy. 'If I could only get as far +as my<br> +dressing-gown.' So saying, he worked himself down noiselessly to +the foot<br> +of his bed, looked fixedly at the fallen lids of the sleeping +lady, and<br> +essayed one leg from the blanket. 'Now or never,' said he, +pushing aside<br> +the curtain and preparing for a spring. One more look he cast at +his<br> +companion, and then leaped forth; but just as he lit upon the +floor she<br> +again roused herself, screaming with horror. Billy fell upon the +bed, and<br> +rolling himself in the bedclothes, vowed never to rise again till +she was<br> +out of the visible horizon.</p> + +<p>"'What is all this? What do you mean, sir?' said the lady, +reddening with<br> +indignation.</p> + +<p>"'Nothing, upon my soul, madam; it was only my +dressing-gown.'</p> + +<p>"'Your dressing-gown!' said she, with an emphasis worthy of +Siddons; 'a<br> +likely story for Sir Harry to believe, sir! Fie, fie, sir!'</p> + +<p>"This last allusion seemed a settler; for the luckless Calvert +heaved a<br> +profound sigh, and sunk down as if all hope had left him. 'Butler +forever!'<br> +roared the mob. 'Calvert forever!' cried a boy's voice from +without. 'Three<br> +groans for the runaway!' answered this announcement; and a very +tender<br> +inquiry of, 'Where is he?' was raised by some hundred mouths.</p> + +<p>"'Madam,' said the almost frantic listener,—'madam, I must +get up! I must<br> +dress! I beg of you to permit me!'</p> + +<p>"'I have nothing to refuse, sir. Alas, disdain has long been +my only<br> +portion! Get up, if you will.'</p> + +<p>"'But,' said the astonished man, who was well-nigh deranged at +the coolness<br> +of this reply,—'but how am I to do so if you sit there?'</p> + +<p>"'Sorry for any inconvenience I may cause you; but in the +crowded state of<br> +the hotel I hope you see the impropriety of my walking about the +passages<br> +in this costume?'</p> + +<p>"'And, great God! madam, why did you come out in it?'</p> + +<p>"A cheer from the mob prevented her reply being audible. One +o'clock tolled<br> +out from the great bell of the cathedral.</p> + +<p>"'There's one o'clock, as I live!'</p> + +<p>"'I heard it,' said the lady.</p> + +<p>"'The shouts are increasing. What is that I hear? "Butler is +in!" Gracious<br> +mercy! is the election over?'</p> + +<p>"The lady stepped to the window, drew aside the curtain, and +said, 'Indeed,<br> +it would appear so. The mob are cheering Mr. Butler.' A deafening +shout<br> +burst from the street. 'Perhaps you'd like to see the fun, so +I'll not<br> +detain you any longer. So, good-by, Mr. Calvert; and as your +breakfast will<br> +be cold, in all likelihood, come down to No. 4, for Sir Harry's a +late man,<br> +and will be glad to see you.'"</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XI.</p> + +<p>AN ADVENTURE.</p> + +<p>As thus we lightened the road with chatting, the increasing +concourse of<br> +people, and the greater throng of carriages that filled the road, +announced<br> +that we had nearly reached our destination.</p> + +<p>"Considine," said my uncle, riding up to where we were, "I +have just got a<br> +few lines from Davern. It seems Bodkin's people are afraid to +come in; they<br> +know what they must expect, and if so, more than half of that +barony is<br> +lost to our opponent."</p> + +<p>"Then he has no chance whatever."</p> + +<p>"He never had, in my opinion," said Sir Harry.</p> + +<p>"We'll see soon," said my uncle, cheerfully, and rode to the +post.</p> + +<p>The remainder of the way was occupied in discussing the +various<br> +possibilities of the election, into which I was rejoiced to find +that<br> +defeat never entered.</p> + +<p>In the goodly days I speak of, a county contest was a very +different thing<br> +indeed from the tame and insipid farce that now passes under that +name:<br> +where a briefless barrister, bullied by both sides, sits as +assessor; a few<br> +drunken voters, a radical O'Connellite grocer, a demagogue +priest, a deputy<br> +grand-purple-something from the Trinity College lodge, with some +half-dozen<br> +followers, shouting, "To the Devil with Peel!" or "Down with +Dens!" form<br> +the whole <i>corp-de-ballet</i>. No, no; in the times I refer to +the voters were<br> +some thousands in number, and the adverse parties took the field, +far less<br> +dependent for success upon previous pledge or promise made them +than upon<br> +the actual stratagem of the day. Each went forth, like a general +to battle,<br> +surrounded by a numerous and well-chosen staff,—one party of +friends,<br> +acting as commissariat, attended to the victualling of the +voters, that<br> +they obtained a due, or rather undue allowance of liquor, and +came properly<br> +drunk to the poll; others, again, broke into skirmishing parties, +and<br> +scattered over the country, cut off the enemy's supplies, +breaking<br> +down their post-chaises, upsetting their jaunting-cars, stealing +their<br> +poll-books, and kidnapping their agents. Then there were +secret-service<br> +people, bribing the enemy and enticing them to desert; and +lastly, there<br> +was a species of sapper-and-miner force, who invented false +documents,<br> +denied the identity of the opposite party's people, and when hard +pushed,<br> +provided persons who took bribes from the enemy, and gave +evidence<br> +afterwards on a petition. Amidst all these encounters of wit and +ingenuity,<br> +the personal friends of the candidate formed a species of rifle +brigade,<br> +picking out the enemy's officers, and doing sore damage to their +tactics<br> +by shooting a proposer or wounding a seconder,—a considerable +portion of<br> +every leading agent's fee being intended as compensation for the +duels he<br> +might, could, would, should, or ought to fight during the +election. Such,<br> +in brief, was a contest in the olden time. And when it is taken +into<br> +consideration that it usually lasted a fortnight or three weeks; +that a<br> +considerable military force was always engaged (for our Irish law +permits<br> +this), and which, when nothing pressing was doing, was regularly +assailed<br> +by both parties; that far more dependence was placed in a +bludgeon than a<br> +pistol; and that the man who registered a vote without a cracked +pate was<br> +regarded as a kind of natural phenomenon,—some faint idea may be +formed<br> +how much such a scene must have contributed to the peace of the +county, and<br> +the happiness and welfare of all concerned in it.</p> + +<p>As we rode along, a loud cheer from a road that ran parallel +to the one we<br> +were pursuing attracted our attention, and we perceived that the +cortége of<br> +the opposite party was hastening on to the hustings. I could +distinguish<br> +the Blake girls on horseback among a crowd of officers in +undress, and<br> +saw something like a bonnet in the carriage-and-four which headed +the<br> +procession, and which I judged to be that of Sir George Dashwood. +My heart<br> +beat strongly as I strained my eyes to see if Miss Dashwood was +there; but<br> +I could not discern her, and it was with a sense of relief that I +reflected<br> +on the possibility of our not meeting under circumstances wherein +our<br> +feelings and interests were so completely opposed. While I was +engaged in<br> +making this survey, I had accidentally dropped behind my +companions; my<br> +eyes were firmly fixed upon that carriage, and in the faint hope +that it<br> +contained the object of all my wishes, I forgot everything else. +At length<br> +the cortége entered the town, and passing beneath a heavy +stone gateway,<br> +was lost to my view. I was still lost in revery, when an +under-agent of my<br> +uncle's rode up.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Master Charles!" said he, "what's to be done? They've +forgotten Mr.<br> +Holmes at Woodford, and we haven't a carriage, chaise, or even a +car left<br> +to send for him."</p> + +<p>"Have you told Mr. Considine?" inquired I.</p> + +<p>"And sure you know yourself how little Mr. Considine thinks of +a lawyer.<br> +It's small comfort he'd give me if I went to tell him. If it was +a case of<br> +pistols or a bullet mould he'd ride back the whole way himself +for them."</p> + +<p>"Try Sir Harry Boyle, then."</p> + +<p>"He's making a speech this minute before the court-house."</p> + +<p>This had sufficed to show me how far behind my companions I +had been<br> +loitering, when a cheer from the distant road again turned my +eyes in that<br> +direction; it was the Dashwood carriage returning after leaving +Sir George<br> +at the hustings. The head of the britska, before thrown open, was +now<br> +closed, and I could not make out if any one were inside.</p> + +<p>"Devil a doubt of it," said the agent, in answer to some +question of a<br> +farmer who rode beside him; "will you stand to me?"</p> + +<p>"Troth, to be sure I will."</p> + +<p>"Here goes, then," said he, gathering up his reins and turning +his horse<br> +towards the fence at the roadside; "follow me now, boys."</p> + +<p>The order was well obeyed; for when he had cleared the ditch, +a dozen<br> +stout country fellows, well mounted, were beside him. Away they +went, at a<br> +hunting pace, taking every leap before them, and heading towards +the road<br> +before us.</p> + +<p>Without thinking further of the matter, I was laughing at the +droll effect<br> +the line of frieze coats presented as they rode side by side over +the<br> +stone-walls, when an observation near me aroused my +attention.</p> + +<p>"Ah, then, av they know anything of Tim Finucane, they'll give +it up<br> +peaceably; it's little he'd think of taking the coach from under +the judge<br> +himself."</p> + +<p>"What are they about, boys?" said I.</p> + +<p>"Goin' to take the chaise-and-four forninst ye, yer honor," +said the man.</p> + +<p>I waited not to hear more, but darting spurs into my horse's +sides, cleared<br> +the fence in one bound. My horse, a strong-knit half-breed, was +as fast as<br> +a racer for a short distance; so that when the agent and his +party had come<br> +up with the carriage, I was only a few hundred yards behind. I +shouted out<br> +with all my might, but they either heard not or heeded not, for +scarcely<br> +was the first man over the fence into the road when the postilion +on the<br> +leader was felled to the ground, and his place supplied by his +slayer; the<br> +boy on the wheeler shared the same fate, and in an instant, so +well managed<br> +was the attack, the carriage was in possession of the assailants. +Four<br> +stout fellows had climbed into the box and the rumble, and six +others were<br> +climbing to the interior, regardless of the aid of steps. By this +time the<br> +Dashwood party had got the alarm, and returned in full force, +not, however,<br> +before the other had laid whip to the horses and set out in full +gallop;<br> +and now commenced the most terrific race I ever witnessed.</p> + +<p>The four carriage-horses, which were the property of Sir +George, were<br> +English thorough-breds of great value, and, totally unaccustomed +to the<br> +treatment they experienced, dashed forward at a pace that +threatened<br> +annihilation to the carriage at every bound. The pursuers, though +well<br> +mounted, were speedily distanced, but followed at a pace that in +the end<br> +was certain to overtake the carriage. As for myself, I rode on +beside<br> +the road at the full speed of my horse, shouting, cursing, +imploring,<br> +execrating, and beseeching at turns, but all in vain; the yells +and shouts<br> +of the pursuers and pursued drowned all other sounds, except when +the<br> +thundering crash of the horses' feet rose above all. The road, +like most<br> +western Irish roads until the present century, lay straight as an +arrow<br> +for miles, regardless of every opposing barrier, and in the +instance in<br> +question, crossed a mountain at its very highest point. Towards +this<br> +pinnacle the pace had been tremendous; but owing to the higher +breeding of<br> +the cattle, the carriage party had still the advance, and when +they reached<br> +the top they proclaimed the victory by a cheer of triumph and +derision. The<br> +carriage disappeared beneath the crest of the mountain, and the +pursuers<br> +halted as if disposed to relinquish the chase.</p> + +<p>"Come on, boys; never give up," cried I, springing over into +the road, and<br> +heading the party to which by every right I was opposed.</p> + +<p>It was no time for deliberation, and they followed me with a +hearty cheer<br> +that convinced me I was unknown. The next instant we were on the +mountain<br> +top, and beheld the carriage half way down beneath us, still +galloping at<br> +full stretch.</p> + +<p>"We have them now," said a voice behind me; "they'll never +turn Lurra<br> +Bridge, if we only press on."</p> + +<p>The speaker was right; the road at the mountain foot turned at +a perfect<br> +right angle, and then crossed a lofty one-arched bridge over a +mountain<br> +torrent that ran deep and boisterously beneath. On we went, +gaining at<br> +every stride; for the fellows who rode postilion well knew what +was before<br> +them, and slackened their pace to secure a safe turning. A yell +of victory<br> +arose from the pursuers, but was answered by the others with a +cheer of<br> +defiance. The space was now scarcely two hundred yards between +us, when the<br> +head of the britska was flung down, and a figure that I at once +recognized<br> +as the redoubted Tim Finucane, one of the boldest and most +reckless fellows<br> +in the county, was seen standing on the seat, holding,—gracious +Heavens!<br> +it was true,—holding in his arms the apparently lifeless figure +of Miss<br> +Dashwood.</p> + +<p>"Hold in!" shouted the ruffian, with a voice that rose high +above all the<br> +other sounds. "Hold in! or by the Eternal, I'll throw her, body +and bones,<br> +into the Lurra Gash!" for such was the torrent called that boiled +and<br> +foamed a few yards before us.</p> + +<a name="0103"></a> +<img alt="0103.jpg (229K)" src="0103.jpg" height="1072" width="701"> + +<p>[THE RESCUE.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>He had by this time got firmly planted on the hind seat, and +held the<br> +drooping form on one arm with all the ease of a giant's +grasp.</p> + +<p>"For the love of God!" said I, "pull up. I know him well; +he'll do it to a<br> +certainty if you press on."</p> + +<p>"And we know you, too," said a ruffianly fellow, with a dark +whisker<br> +meeting beneath his chin, "and have some scores to settle ere we +part—"</p> + +<p>But I heard no more. With one tremendous effort I dashed my +horse forward.<br> +The carriage turned an angle of the road, for an instant was out +of sight,<br> +another moment I was behind it.</p> + +<p>"Stop!" I shouted, with a last effort, but in vain. The +horses, maddened<br> +and infuriated, sprang forward, and heedless of all efforts to +turn them<br> +the leaders sprang over the low parapet of the bridge, and +hanging for a<br> +second by the traces, fell with a crash into the swollen torrent +beneath.<br> +By this time I was beside the carriage. Finucane had now +clambered to the<br> +box, and regardless of the death and ruin around, bent upon his +murderous<br> +object, he lifted the light and girlish form above his head, bent +backwards<br> +as if to give greater impulse to his effort, when, twining my +lash around<br> +my wrist, I levelled my heavy and loaded hunting-whip at his +head. The<br> +weighted ball of lead struck him exactly beneath his hat; he +staggered, his<br> +hands relaxed, and he fell lifeless to the ground; the same +instant I was<br> +felled to the earth by a blow from behind, and saw no more.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XII.</p> + +<p>MICKEY FREE.</p> + +<p>Nearly three weeks followed the event I have just narrated ere +I again was<br> +restored to consciousness. The blow by which I was felled—from +what hand<br> +coming it was never after discovered—had brought on concussion +of the<br> +brain, and for several days my life was despaired of. As by slow +steps I<br> +advanced towards recovery, I learned from Considine that Miss +Dashwood,<br> +whose life was saved by my interference, had testified, in the +warmest<br> +manner, her gratitude, and that Sir George had, up to the period +of his<br> +leaving the country, never omitted a single day to ride over and +inquire<br> +for me.</p> + +<p>"You know, of course," said the count, supposing such news was +the most<br> +likely to interest me,—"you know we beat them?"</p> + +<p>"No. Pray tell me all. They've not let me hear anything +hitherto."</p> + +<p>"One day finished the whole affair. We polled man for man till +past two<br> +o'clock, when our fellows lost all patience and beat their +tallies out<br> +of the town. The police came up, but they beat the police; then +they got<br> +soldiers, but, begad, they were too strong for them, too. Sir +George<br> +witnessed it all, and knowing besides how little chance he had of +success,<br> +deemed it best to give in; so that a little before five o'clock +he<br> +resigned. I must say no man could behave better. He came across +the<br> +hustings and shook hands with Godfrey; and as the news of the +<i>scrimmage</i><br> +with his daughter had just arrived, said that he was sorry his +prospect of<br> +success had not been greater, that in resigning he might testify +how deeply<br> +he felt the debt the O'Malleys had laid him under."</p> + +<p>"And my uncle, how did he receive his advances?"</p> + +<p>"Like his own honest self,—grasped his hand firmly; and upon +my soul, I<br> +think he was half sorry that he gained the day. Do you know, he +took a<br> +mighty fancy to that blue-eyed daughter of the old general's. +Faith,<br> +Charley, if he was some twenty years younger, I would not say +but—Come,<br> +come, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings; but I have been +staying here too<br> +long. I'll send up Mickey to sit with you. Mind and don't be +talking too<br> +much to him."</p> + +<p>So saying, the worthy count left the room fully impressed that +in hinting<br> +at the possibility of my uncle's marrying again, he had said +something to<br> +ruffle my temper.</p> + +<p>For the next two or three weeks my life was one of the most +tiresome<br> +monotony. Strict injunctions had been given by the doctors to +avoid<br> +exciting me; and consequently, every one that came in walked on +tiptoe,<br> +spoke in whispers, and left me in five minutes. Reading was +absolutely<br> +forbidden; and with a sombre half-light to sit in, and chicken +broth to<br> +support nature, I dragged out as dreary an existence as any +gentleman west<br> +of Athlone.</p> + +<p>Whenever my uncle or Considine were not in the room, my +companion was my<br> +own servant, Michael, or as he was better known, "Mickey Free." +Now, had<br> +Mickey been left to his own free and unrestricted devices, the +time would<br> +not have hung so heavily; for among Mike's manifold gifts he was +possessed<br> +of a very great flow of gossiping conversation. He knew all that +was<br> +doing in the county, and never was barren in his information +wherever his<br> +imagination could come into play. Mickey was the best hurler in +the barony,<br> +no mean performer on the violin, could dance the national bolero +of "Tatter<br> +Jack Walsh" in a way that charmed more than one soft heart +beneath a red<br> +woolsey bodice, and had, withal, the peculiar free-and-easy +devil-may-care<br> +kind of off-hand Irish way that never deserted him in the midst +of his<br> +wiliest and most subtle moments, giving to a very deep and +cunning fellow<br> +all the apparent frankness and openness of a country lad.</p> + +<p>He had attached himself to me as a kind of sporting companion; +and growing<br> +daily more and more useful, had been gradually admitted to the +honors of<br> +the kitchen and the prerogatives of cast clothes, without ever +having been<br> +actually engaged as a servant; and while thus no warrant officer, +as, in<br> +fact, he discharged all his duties well and punctually, was rated +among the<br> +ship's company, though no one could say at what precise period he +changed<br> +his caterpillar existence and became the gay butterfly with cords +and<br> +tops, a striped vest, and a most knowing jerry hat who stalked +about<br> +the stable-yard and bullied the helpers. Such was Mike. He had +made his<br> +fortune, such as it was, and had a most becoming pride in the +fact that he<br> +made himself indispensable to an establishment which, before he +entered<br> +it, never knew the want of him. As for me, he was everything to +me. Mike<br> +informed me what horse was wrong, why the chestnut mare couldn't +go out,<br> +and why the black horse could. He knew the arrival of a new covey +of<br> +partridge quicker than the "Morning Post" does of a noble family +from the<br> +Continent, and could tell their whereabouts twice as accurately. +But<br> +his talents took a wider range than field sports afford, and he +was the<br> +faithful chronicler of every wake, station, wedding, or +christening for<br> +miles round; and as I took no small pleasure in those very +national<br> +pastimes, the information was of great value to me. To conclude +this<br> +brief sketch, Mike was a devout Catholic in the same sense that +he was<br> +enthusiastic about anything,—that is, he believed and obeyed +exactly as<br> +far as suited his own peculiar notions of comfort and happiness. +Beyond<br> +<i>that</i>, his scepticism stepped in and saved him from +inconvenience; and<br> +though he might have been somewhat puzzled to reduce his faith to +a rubric,<br> +still it answered his purpose, and that was all he wanted. Such, +in short,<br> +was my valet, Mickey Free, and who, had not heavy injunctions +been laid on<br> +him as to silence and discretion, would well have lightened my +weary hours.</p> + +<p>"Ah, then, Misther Charles!" said he, with a half-suppressed +yawn at the<br> +long period of probation his tongue had been undergoing in +silence,—"ah,<br> +then, but ye were mighty near it!"</p> + +<p>"Near what?" said I.</p> + +<p>"Faith, then, myself doesn't well know. Some say it's +purgathory; but it's<br> +hard to tell."</p> + +<p>"I thought you were too good a Catholic, Mickey, to show any +doubts on the<br> +matter?"</p> + +<p>"May be I am; may be I ain't," was the cautious reply.</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't Father Roach explain any of your difficulties for +you, if you<br> +went over to him?"</p> + +<p>"Faix, it's little I'd mind his explainings."</p> + +<p>"And why not?"</p> + +<p>"Easy enough. If you ax ould Miles there, without, what does +he be doing<br> +with all the powther and shot, wouldn't he tell you he's shooting +the<br> +rooks, and the magpies, and some other varmint? But myself knows +he sells<br> +it to Widow Casey, at two-and-fourpence a pound; so belikes, +Father Roach<br> +may be shooting away at the poor souls in purgathory, that all +this time<br> +are enjoying the hoith of fine living in heaven, ye +understand."</p> + +<p>"And you think that's the way of it, Mickey?"</p> + +<p>"Troth, it's likely. Anyhow, I know its not the place they +make it out."</p> + +<p>"Why, how do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I'll tell you, Misther Charles; but you must not +be saying<br> +anything about it afther, for I don't like to talk about these +kind of<br> +things."</p> + +<p>Having pledged myself to the requisite silence and secrecy, +Mickey began:—</p> + +<p>"May be you heard tell of the way my father, rest his soul +wherever he is,<br> +came to his end. Well, I needn't mind particulars, but, in short, +he was<br> +murdered in Ballinasloe one night, when he was baitin' the whole +town with<br> +a blackthorn stick he had; more by token, a piece of a scythe was +stuck at<br> +the end of it,—a nate weapon, and one he was mighty partial to; +but those<br> +murdering thieves, the cattle-dealers, that never cared for +diversion of<br> +any kind, fell on him and broke his skull.</p> + +<p>"Well, we had a very agreeable wake, and plenty of the best of +everything,<br> +and to spare, and I thought it was all over; but somehow, though +I paid<br> +Father Roach fifteen shillings, and made him mighty drunk, he +always gave<br> +me a black look wherever I met him, and when I took off my hat, +he'd turn<br> +away his head displeased like.</p> + +<p>"'Murder and ages,' says I, 'what's this for?' But as I've a +light heart,<br> +I bore up, and didn't think more about it. One day, however, I +was coming<br> +home from Athlone market, by myself on the road, when Father +Roach overtook<br> +me. 'Devil a one a me 'ill take any notice of you now,' says I, +'and we'll<br> +see what'll come out of it.' So the priest rid up and looked me +straight in<br> +the face.</p> + +<p>"'Mickey,' says he,—'Mickey.'</p> + +<p>"'Father,' says I.</p> + +<p>"'Is it that way you salute your clargy,' says he, 'with your +caubeen on<br> +your head?'</p> + +<p>"'Faix,' says I, 'it's little ye mind whether it's an or aff; +for you never<br> +take the trouble to say, "By your leave," or "Damn your soul!" or +any other<br> +politeness when we meet.'</p> + +<p>"'You're an ungrateful creature,' says he; 'and if you only +knew, you'd be<br> +trembling in your skin before me, this minute.'</p> + +<p>"'Devil a tremble,' says I, 'after walking six miles this +way.'</p> + +<p>"'You're an obstinate, hard-hearted sinner,' says he; 'and +it's no use in<br> +telling you.'</p> + +<p>"'Telling me what?' says I; for I was getting curious to make +out what he<br> +meant.</p> + +<p>"'Mickey,' says he, changing his voice, and putting his head +down close to<br> +me,—'Mickey, I saw your father last night.'</p> + +<p>"'The saints be merciful to us!' said I, 'did ye?'</p> + +<p>"'I did,' says he.</p> + +<p>"'Tear an ages,' says I, 'did he tell you what he did with the +new<br> +corduroys he bought in the fair?'</p> + +<p>"'Oh, then, you are a could-hearted creature!' says he, 'and +I'll not lose<br> +time with you.' With that he was going to ride away, when I took +hold of<br> +the bridle.</p> + +<p>"'Father, darling,' says I, 'God pardon me, but them breeches +is goin'<br> +between me an' my night's rest; but tell me about my father?'</p> + +<p>"'Oh, then, he's in a melancholy state!'</p> + +<p>"'Whereabouts is he?' says I.</p> + +<p>"'In purgathory,' says he; 'but he won't be there long.'</p> + +<p>"'Well,' says I, 'that's a comfort, anyhow.'</p> + +<p>"'I am glad you think so,' says he; 'but there's more of the +other<br> +opinion.'</p> + +<p>"'What's <i>that?</i>' says I.</p> + +<p>"'That hell's worse.'</p> + +<p>"'Oh, melia-murther!' says I, 'is that it?'</p> + +<p>"'Ay, that's it.'</p> + +<p>"Well, I was so terrified and frightened, I said nothing for +some time, but<br> +trotted along beside the priest's horse.</p> + +<p>"'Father,' says I, 'how long will it be before they send him +where you<br> +know?'</p> + +<p>"'It will not be long now,' says he, 'for they're tired +entirely with him;<br> +they've no peace night or day,' says he. 'Mickey, your father is +a mighty<br> +hard man.'</p> + +<p>"'True for you, Father Roach,' says I to myself; 'av he had +only the ould<br> +stick with the scythe in it, I wish them joy of his company.'</p> + +<p>"'Mickey,' says he, 'I see you're grieved, and I don't wonder; +sure, it's a<br> +great disgrace to a decent family.'</p> + +<p>"'Troth, it is,' says I; 'but my father always liked low +company. Could<br> +nothing be done for him now, Father Roach?' says I, looking up in +the<br> +priest's face.</p> + +<p>"'I'm greatly afraid, Mickey, he was a bad man, a very bad +man.'</p> + +<p>"'And ye think he'll go there?' says I.</p> + +<p>"'Indeed, Mickey, I have my fears.'</p> + +<p>"'Upon my conscience,' says I, 'I believe you're right; he was +always a<br> +restless crayture.'</p> + +<p>"'But it doesn't depind on him,' says the priest, crossly.</p> + +<p>"'And, then, who then?' says I.</p> + +<p>"'Upon yourself, Mickey Free,' says he, 'God pardon you for +it, too!'</p> + +<p>"'Upon me?' says I.</p> + +<p>"'Troth, no less,' says he; 'how many Masses was said for your +father's<br> +soul; how many Aves; how many Paters? Answer me.'</p> + +<p>"'Devil a one of me knows!—may be twenty.'</p> + +<p>"'Twenty, twenty!—no, nor one.'</p> + +<p>"'And why not?' says I; 'what for wouldn't you be helping a +poor crayture<br> +out of trouble, when it wouldn't cost you more nor a handful of +prayers?'</p> + +<p>"'Mickey, I see,' says he, in a solemn tone, 'you're worse nor +a haythen;<br> +but ye couldn't be other, ye never come to yer duties.'</p> + +<p>"'Well, Father,' says I, Looking very penitent, 'how many +Masses would get<br> +him out?'</p> + +<p>"'Now you talk like a sensible man,' says he. 'Now, Mickey, +I've hopes for<br> +you. Let me see,' here he went countin' upon his fingers, and +numberin' to<br> +himself for five minutes. 'Mickey,' says he, 'I've a batch coming +out on<br> +Tuesday week, and if you were to make great exertions, perhaps +your father<br> +could come with them; that is, av they have made no +objections.'</p> + +<p>"'And what for would they?' says I; 'he was always the hoith +of company,<br> +and av singing's allowed in them parts—'</p> + +<p>"'God forgive you, Mickey, but yer in a benighted state,' says +he, sighing.</p> + +<p>"'Well,' says I, 'how'll we get him out on Tuesday week? For +that's<br> +bringing things to a focus.'</p> + +<p>"'Two Masses in the morning, fastin',' says Father Roach, half +aloud, 'is<br> +two, and two in the afternoon is four, and two at vespers is +six,' says he;<br> +'six Masses a day for nine days is close by sixty Masses,—say +sixty,' says<br> +he; 'and they'll cost you—mind, Mickey, and don't be telling it +again, for<br> +it's only to yourself I'd make them so cheap—a matter of three +pounds.'</p> + +<p>"'Three pounds!' says I; 'be-gorra ye might as well ax me to +give you the<br> +rock of Cashel.'</p> + +<p>"'I'm sorry for ye, Mickey,' says he, gatherin' up the reins +to ride<br> +off,—'I'm sorry for ye; and the time will come when the neglect +of your<br> +poor father will be a sore stroke agin yourself.'</p> + +<p>"'Wait a bit, your reverence,' says I,—'wait a bit. Would +forty shillings<br> +get him out?'</p> + +<p>"'Av course it wouldn't,' says he.</p> + +<p>"'May be,' says I, coaxing,—'may be, av you said that his son +was a poor<br> +boy that lived by his indhustry, and the times was bad—'</p> + +<p>"'Not the least use,' says he.</p> + +<p>"'Arrah, but it's hard-hearted they are,' thinks I. 'Well, see +now, I'll<br> +give you the money, but I can't afford it all at onst; but I'll +pay five<br> +shillings a week. Will that do?'</p> + +<p>"'I'll do my endayvors,' says Father Roach; 'and I'll speak to +them to<br> +treat him peaceably in the meantime.'</p> + +<p>"'Long life to yer reverence, and do. Well, here now, here's +five hogs to<br> +begin with; and, musha, but I never thought I'd be spending my +loose change<br> +that way.'</p> + +<p>"Father Roach put the six tinpinnies in the pocket of his +black leather<br> +breeches, said something in Latin, bid me good-morning, and rode +off.</p> + +<p>"Well, to make my story short, I worked late and early to pay +the five<br> +shillings a week, and I did do it for three weeks regular; then I +brought<br> +four and fourpence; then it came down to one and tenpence +halfpenny, then<br> +ninepence, and at last I had nothing at all to bring.</p> + +<p>"'Mickey Free,' says the priest, 'ye must stir yourself. Your +father is<br> +mighty displeased at the way you've been doing of late; and av ye +kept yer<br> +word, he'd be near out by this time.'</p> + +<p>"'Troth,' says I, 'it's a very expensive place.'</p> + +<p>"'By coorse it is,' says he; 'sure all the quality of the +land's there.<br> +But, Mickey, my man, with a little exertion, your father's +business is<br> +done. What are you jingling in your pocket there?'</p> + +<p>"'It's ten shillings, your reverence, I have to buy seed +potatoes.'</p> + +<p>"'Hand it here, my son. Isn't it better your father would be +enjoying<br> +himself in paradise, than if ye were to have all the potatoes in +Ireland?'</p> + +<p>"'And how do ye know,' says I, 'he's so near out?'</p> + +<p>"'How do I know,—how do I know, is it? Didn't I see him?'</p> + +<p>"'See him! Tear an ages, was you down there again?'</p> + +<p>"'I was,' says he; 'I was down there for three quarters of an +hour<br> +yesterday evening, getting out Luke Kennedy's mother. Decent +people the<br> +Kennedy's; never spared expense.'</p> + +<p>"'And ye seen my father?' says I.</p> + +<p>'I did,' says he; 'he had an ould flannel waistcoat on, and a +pipe sticking<br> +out of the pocket av it.'</p> + +<p>"'That's him,' says I. 'Had he a hairy cap?'</p> + +<p>"'I didn't mind the cap,' says he; 'but av coorse he wouldn't +have it on<br> +his head in that place.'</p> + +<p>"'Thrue for you,' says I. 'Did he speak to you?'</p> + +<p>"'He did,' says Father Roach; 'he spoke very hard about the +way he was<br> +treated down there; that they was always jibin' and jeerin' him +about<br> +<i>drink</i>, and fightin', and the course he led up here, and +that it was a<br> +queer thing, for the matter of ten shillings, he was to be kept +there so<br> +long.'</p> + +<p>"'Well,' says I, taking out the ten shillings and counting it +with one<br> +hand, 'we must do our best, anyhow; and ye think this'll get him +out<br> +surely?'</p> + +<p>"'I know it will,' says he; 'for when Luke's mother was +leaving the place,<br> +and yer father saw the door open, he made a rush at it, and, +be-gorra,<br> +before it was shut he got his head and one shoulder outside av +it,—so<br> +that, ye see, a thrifle more'll do it.'</p> + +<p>"'Faix, and yer reverence,' says I, 'you've lightened my heart +this<br> +morning.' And I put my money back again in my pocket.</p> + +<p>"'Why, what do you mean?' says he, growing very red, for he +was angry.</p> + +<p>"'Just this,' says I, 'that I've saved my money; for av it was +my father<br> +you seen, and that he got his head and one shoulder outside the +door, oh,<br> +then, by the powers!' says I, 'the devil a jail or jailer from +hell to<br> +Connaught id hould him. So, Father Roach, I wish you the top of +the<br> +morning.' And I went away laughing; and from that day to this I +never heard<br> +more of purgathory; and ye see, Master Charles, I think I was +right."</p> + +<p>Scarcely had Mike concluded when my door was suddenly burst +open, and Sir<br> +Harry Boyle, without assuming any of his usual precautions +respecting<br> +silence and quiet, rushed into the room, a broad grin upon his +honest<br> +features, and his eyes twinkling in a way that evidently showed +me<br> +something had occurred to amuse him.</p> + +<p>"By Jove, Charley, I mustn't keep it from you; it's too good a +thing not<br> +to tell you. Do you remember that very essenced young gentleman +who<br> +accompanied Sir George Dashwood from Dublin, as a kind of +electioneering<br> +friend?"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean Mr. Prettyman?"</p> + +<p>"The very man; he was, you are aware, an under-secretary in +some government<br> +department. Well, it seems that he had come down among us poor +savages as<br> +much from motives of learned research and scientific inquiry, as +though we<br> +had been South Sea Islanders; report had gifted us humble +Galwayans with<br> +some very peculiar traits, and this gifted individual resolved to +record<br> +them. Whether the election week might have sufficed his appetite +for<br> +wonders I know not; but he was peaceably taking his departure +from the west<br> +on Saturday last, when Phil Macnamara met him, and pressed him to +dine that<br> +day with a few friends at his house. You know Phil; so that when +I tell you<br> +Sam Burke, of Greenmount, and Roger Doolan were of the party, I +need<br> +not say that the English traveller was not left to his own +unassisted<br> +imagination for his facts. Such anecdotes of our habits and +customs as they<br> +crammed him with, it would appear, never were heard before; +nothing was<br> +too hot or too heavy for the luckless cockney, who, when not +sipping<br> +his claret, was faithfully recording in his tablet the mems. for +a very<br> +brilliant and very original work on Ireland.</p> + +<p>"Fine country, splendid country; glorious people,—gifted, +brave,<br> +intelligent, but not happy,—alas! Mr. Macnamara, not happy. But +we don't<br> +know you, gentlemen,—we don't indeed,—at the other side of the +Channel.<br> +Our notions regarding you are far, very far from just."</p> + +<p>"I hope and trust," said old Burke, "you'll help them to a +better<br> +understanding ere long."</p> + +<p>"Such, my dear sir, will be the proudest task of my life. The +facts I have<br> +heard here this evening have made so profound an impression upon +me that I<br> +burn for the moment when I can make them known to the world at +large. To<br> +think—just to think that a portion of this beautiful island +should be<br> +steeped in poverty; that the people not only live upon the mere +potatoes,<br> +but are absolutely obliged to wear the skins for raiment, as Mr. +Doolan has<br> +just mentioned to me!"</p> + +<p>"'Which accounts for our cultivation of lumpers,' added Mr. +Doolan, 'they<br> +being the largest species of the root, and best adapted for +wearing<br> +apparel.'</p> + +<p>"'I should deem myself culpable—indeed I should—did I not +inform my<br> +countrymen upon the real condition of this great country.'</p> + +<p>"'Why, after your great opportunities for judging,' said Phil, +'you ought<br> +to speak out. You've seen us in a way, I may fairly affirm, few +Englishmen<br> +have, and heard more.'</p> + +<p>"'That's it,—that's the very thing, Mr. Macnamara. I've +looked at you more<br> +closely; I've watched you more narrowly; I've witnessed what the +French<br> +call your <i>vie intime</i>.'</p> + +<p>"'Begad you have,' said old Burke, with a grin, 'and profited +by it to the<br> +utmost.'</p> + +<p>"'I've been a spectator of your election contests; I've +partaken of your<br> +hospitality; I've witnessed your popular and national sports; +I've<br> +been present at your weddings, your fairs, your wakes; but no,—I +was<br> +forgetting,—I never saw a wake.'</p> + +<p>"'Never saw a wake?' repeated each of the company in turn, as +though the<br> +gentleman was uttering a sentiment of very dubious veracity.</p> + +<p>"'Never,' said Mr. Prettyman, rather abashed at this proof of +his<br> +incapacity to instruct his English friends upon <i>all</i> +matters of Irish<br> +interest.</p> + +<p>"'Well, then,' said Macnamara, 'with a blessing, we'll show +you one.<br> +Lord forbid that we shouldn't do the honors of our poor country +to an<br> +intelligent foreigner when he's good enough to come among +us.'</p> + +<p>"'Peter,' said he, turning to the servant behind him, 'who's +dead<br> +hereabouts?'</p> + +<p>"'Sorra one, yer honor. Since the scrimmage at Portumna the +place is<br> +peaceable.'</p> + +<p>"'Who died lately in the neighborhood?'</p> + +<p>"'The widow Macbride, yer honor.'</p> + +<p>"'Couldn't they take her up again, Peter? My friend here never +saw a wake.'</p> + +<p>"'I'm afeered not; for it was the boys roasted her, and she +wouldn't be a<br> +decent corpse for to show a stranger,' said Peter, in a +whisper.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Prettyman shuddered at these peaceful indications of the +neighborhood,<br> +and said nothing.</p> + +<p>"'Well, then, Peter, tell Jimmy Divine to take the old musket +in my<br> +bedroom, and go over to the Clunagh bog,—he can't go wrong. +There's twelve<br> +families there that never pay a halfpenny rent; and <i>when it's +done</i>, let<br> +him give notice to the neighborhood, and we'll have a rousing +wake.'</p> + +<p>"'You don't mean, Mr. Macnamara,—you don't mean to say—' +stammered out<br> +the cockney, with a face like a ghost.</p> + +<p>"'I only mean to say,' said Phil, laughing, 'that you're +keeping the<br> +decanter very long at your right hand.'</p> + +<p>"Burke contrived to interpose before the Englishman could ask +any<br> +explanation of what he had just heard,—and for some minutes he +could only<br> +wait in impatient anxiety,—when a loud report of a gun close +beside the<br> +house attracted the attention of the guests. The next moment old +Peter<br> +entered, his face radiant with smiles.</p> + +<p>"'Well, what's that?' said Macnamara.</p> + +<p>"''T was Jimmy, yer honor. As the evening was rainy, he said +he'd take one<br> +of the neighbors; and he hadn't to go far, for Andy Moore was +going home,<br> +and he brought him down at once.'</p> + +<p>"'Did he shoot him?' said Mr. Prettyman, while cold +perspiration broke over<br> +his forehead. 'Did he murder the man?'</p> + +<p>"'Sorra murder,' said Peter, disdainfully. 'But why shouldn't +he shoot him<br> +when the master bid him?'</p> + +<p>"I needn't tell you more, Charley; but in ten minutes after, +feigning some<br> +excuse to leave the room, the terrified cockney took flight, and +offering<br> +twenty guineas for a horse to convey him to Athlone, he left +Galway, fully<br> +convinced that they don't yet know us on the other side of the +Channel."</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XIII.</p> + +<p>THE JOURNEY.</p> + +<p>The election concluded, the turmoil and excitement of the +contest over, all<br> +was fast resuming its accustomed routine around us, when one +morning my<br> +uncle informed me that I was at length to leave my native county +and enter<br> +upon the great world as a student of Trinity College, Dublin. +Although long<br> +since in expectation of this eventful change, it was with no +slight feeling<br> +of emotion I contemplated the step which, removing me at once +from all my<br> +early friends and associations, was to surround me with new +companions and<br> +new influences, and place before me very different objects of +ambition from<br> +those I had hitherto been regarding.</p> + +<p>My destiny had been long ago decided. The army had had its +share of the<br> +family, who brought little more back with them from the wars than +a short<br> +allowance of members and shattered constitutions; the navy had +proved, on<br> +more than one occasion, that the fate of the O'Malleys did not +incline to<br> +hanging; so that, in Irish estimation, but one alternative +remained, and<br> +that was the bar. Besides, as my uncle remarked, with great truth +and<br> +foresight, "Charley will be tolerably independent of the public, +at all<br> +events; for even if they never send him a brief, there's law +enough in the<br> +family to last <i>his</i> time,"—a rather novel reason, +by-the-bye, for making<br> +a man a lawyer, and which induced Sir Harry, with his usual +clearness, to<br> +observe to me:—</p> + +<p>"Upon my conscience, boy, you are in luck. If there had been a +Bible in the<br> +house, I firmly believe he'd have made you a parson."</p> + +<p>Considine alone, of all my uncle's advisers, did not concur in +this<br> +determination respecting me. He set forth, with an eloquence that +certainly<br> +converted <i>me</i>, that my head was better calculated for +bearing hard knocks<br> +than unravelling knotty points, that a shako would become it +infinitely<br> +better than a wig; and declared, roundly, that a boy who began so +well and<br> +had such very pretty notions about shooting was positively thrown +away<br> +in the Four Courts. My uncle, however, was firm, and as old Sir +Harry<br> +supported him, the day was decided against us, Considine +murmuring as he<br> +left the room something that did not seem quite a brilliant +anticipation of<br> +the success awaiting me in my legal career. As for myself, though +only a<br> +silent spectator of the debate, all my wishes were with the +count. Prom my<br> +earliest boyhood a military life had been my strongest desire; +the roll of<br> +the drum, and the shrill fife that played through the little +village,<br> +with its ragged troop of recruits following, had charms for me I +cannot<br> +describe; and had a choice been allowed me, I would infinitely +rather have<br> +been a sergeant in the dragoons than one of his Majesty's learned +in the<br> +law. If, then, such had been the cherished feeling of many a +year, how much<br> +more strongly were my aspirations heightened by the events of the +last few<br> +days. The tone of superiority I had witnessed in Hammersley, +whose conduct<br> +to me at parting had placed him high in my esteem; the quiet +contempt of<br> +civilians implied in a thousand sly ways; the exalted estimate of +his own<br> +profession,—at once wounded my pride and stimulated my ambition; +and<br> +lastly, more than all, the avowed preference that Lucy Dashwood +evinced for<br> +a military life, were stronger allies than my own conviction +needed to make<br> +me long for the army. So completely did the thought possess me +that I felt,<br> +if I were not a soldier, I cared not what became of me. Life had +no other<br> +object of ambition for me than military renown, no other success +for<br> +which I cared to struggle, or would value when obtained. "<i>Aut +Caesar aut<br> +nullus</i>," thought I; and when my uncle determined I should be +a lawyer,<br> +I neither murmured nor objected, but hugged myself in the +prophecy of<br> +Considine that hinted pretty broadly, "the devil a stupider +fellow ever<br> +opened a brief; but he'd have made a slashing light dragoon."</p> + +<p>The preliminaries were not long in arranging. It was settled +that I should<br> +be immediately despatched to Dublin to the care of Dr. Mooney, +then a<br> +junior fellow in the University, who would take me into his +especial<br> +charge; while Sir Harry was to furnish me with a letter to his +old friend,<br> +Doctor Barret, whose advice and assistance he estimated at a very +high<br> +price. Provided with such documents I was informed that the gates +of<br> +knowledge were more than half ajar for me, without an effort upon +my<br> +part. One only portion of all the arrangements I heard with +anything like<br> +pleasure; it was decided that my man Mickey was to accompany me +to Dublin,<br> +and remain with me during my stay.</p> + +<p>It was upon a clear, sharp morning in January, of the year +18—, that I<br> +took my place upon the box-seat of the old Galway mail and set +out on my<br> +journey. My heart was depressed, and my spirits were miserably +low. I had<br> +all that feeling of sadness which leave-taking inspires, and no +sustaining<br> +prospect to cheer me in the distance. For the first time in my +life, I had<br> +seen a tear glisten in my poor uncle's eye, and heard his voice +falter as<br> +he said, "Farewell!" Notwithstanding the difference of age, we +had been<br> +perfectly companions together; and as I thought now over all the +thousand<br> +kindnesses and affectionate instances of his love I had received, +my heart<br> +gave way, and the tears coursed slowly down my cheeks. I turned +to give one<br> +last look at the tall chimneys and the old woods, my earliest +friends; but<br> +a turn of the road had shut out the prospect, and thus I took my +leave of<br> +Galway.</p> + +<p>My friend Mickey, who sat behind with the guard, participated +but little in<br> +my feelings of regret. The potatoes in the metropolis could +scarcely be as<br> +wet as the lumpers in Scariff; he had heard that whiskey was not +dearer,<br> +and looked forward to the other delights of the capital with a +longing<br> +heart. Meanwhile, resolved that no portion of his career should +be lost, he<br> +was lightening the road by anecdote and song, and held an +audience of four<br> +people, a very crusty-looking old guard included, in roars of +laughter.<br> +Mike had contrived, with his usual <i>savoir faire</i>, to make +himself very<br> +agreeable to an extremely pretty-looking country girl, around +whose waist<br> +he had most lovingly passed his arm under pretence of keeping her +from<br> +falling, and to whom, in the midst of all his attentions to the +party at<br> +large, he devoted himself considerably, pressing his suit with +all the aid<br> +of his native minstrelsy.</p> + +<p>"Hould me tight, Miss Matilda, dear."</p> + +<p>"My name's Mary Brady, av ye plase."</p> + +<p>"Ay, and I do plase.</p> + +<p> 'Oh, Mary Brady, you are my darlin',<br> + You are my looking-glass from night till morning;<br> + I'd rayther have ye without one farthen,<br> + Nor Shusey Gallagher and her house and garden.'</p> + +<p>May I never av I wouldn't then; and ye needn't be +laughing."</p> + +<p>"Is his honor at home?"</p> + +<p>This speech was addressed to a gaping country fellow that +leaned on his<br> +spade to see the coach pass.</p> + +<p>"Is his honor at home? I've something for him from Mr. +Davern."</p> + +<p>Mickey well knew that few western gentlemen were without +constant<br> +intercourse with the Athlone attorney. The poor countryman +accordingly<br> +hastened through the fence and pursued the coach with all speed +for above<br> +a mile, Mike pretending all the time to be in the greatest +anxiety for his<br> +overtaking them, until at last, as he stopped in despair, a +hearty roar of<br> +laughter told him that, in Mickey's <i>parlance</i>, he was +"sould."</p> + +<p>"Taste it, my dear; devil a harm it'll do ye. It never paid +the king<br> +sixpence."</p> + +<p>Here he filled a little horn vessel from a black bottle he +carried,<br> +accompanying the action with a song, the air to which, if any of +my<br> +readers feel disposed to sing it, I may observe, bore a +resemblance to the<br> +well-known, "A Fig for Saint Denis of France."</p> + +<p> POTTEEN, GOOD LUCK TO YE, DEAR.</p> + +<p> Av I was a monarch in state,<br> + Like Romulus or Julius Caysar,<br> + With the best of fine victuals to eat,<br> + And drink like great Nebuchadnezzar,<br> + A rasher of bacon I'd have,<br> + And potatoes the finest was seen, sir,<br> + And for drink, it's no claret I'd crave,<br> + But a keg of ould Mullens's potteen, sir,<br> + With the smell of the smoke on it still.</p> + +<p> They talk of the Romans of ould,<br> + Whom they say in their own times was frisky;<br> + But trust me, to keep out the cowld,<br> + The Romans at home here like whiskey.<br> + Sure it warms both the head and the heart,<br> + It's the soul of all readin' and writin';<br> + It teaches both science and art,<br> + And disposes for love or for fightin'.<br> + Oh, potteen, good luck to ye, dear.</p> + +<p>This very classic production, and the black bottle which +accompanied it,<br> +completely established the singer's pre-eminence in the company; +and I<br> +heard sundry sounds resembling drinking, with frequent good +wishes to the<br> +provider of the feast,—"Long life to ye, Mr. Free," "Your health +and<br> +inclinations, Mr. Free," etc.; to which Mr. Free responded by +drinking<br> +those of the company, "av they were vartuous." The amicable +relations thus<br> +happily established promised a very lasting reign, and would +doubtless have<br> +enjoyed such, had not a slight incident occurred which for a +brief season<br> +interrupted them. At the village where we stopped to breakfast, +three very<br> +venerable figures presented themselves for places in the inside +of the<br> +coach; they were habited in black coats, breeches, and gaiters, +wore hats<br> +of a very ecclesiastic breadth in their brim, and had altogether +the<br> +peculiar air and bearing which distinguishes their calling, being +no less<br> +than three Roman Catholic prelates on their way to Dublin to +attend a<br> +convocation. While Mickey and his friends, with the ready tact +which every<br> +low Irishman possesses, immediately perceived who and what these +worshipful<br> +individuals were, another traveller who had just assumed his +place on the<br> +outside participated but little in the feelings of reverence so +manifestly<br> +displayed, but gave a sneer of a very ominous kind as the skirt +of the<br> +last black coat disappeared within the coach. This latter +individual was a<br> +short, thick-set, bandy-legged man of about fifty, with an +enormous nose,<br> +which, whatever its habitual coloring, on the morning in question +was of a<br> +brilliant purple. He wore a blue coat with bright buttons, upon +which some<br> +letters were inscribed; and around his neck was fastened a ribbon +of the<br> +same color, to which a medal was attached. This he displayed with +something<br> +of ostentation whenever an opportunity occurred, and seemed +altogether a<br> +person who possessed a most satisfactory impression of his own +importance.<br> +In fact, had not this feeling been participated in by others, Mr. +Billy<br> +Crow would never have been deputed by No. 13,476 to carry their +warrant<br> +down to the west country, and establish the nucleus of an Orange +Lodge in<br> +the town of Foxleigh; such being, in brief, the reason why he, a +very well<br> +known manufacturer of "leather continuations" in Dublin, had +ventured upon<br> +the perilous journey from which he was now returning. Billy was +going on<br> +his way to town rejoicing, for he had had most brilliant success: +the<br> +brethren had feasted and fêted him; he had made several +splendid orations,<br> +with the usual number of prophecies about the speedy downfall of +Romanism,<br> +the inevitable return of Protestant ascendancy, the pleasing +prospect that<br> +with increased effort and improved organization they should soon +be able<br> +to have everything their own way, and clear the Green Isle of the +horrible<br> +vermin Saint Patrick forgot when banishing the others; and that +if Daniel<br> +O'Connell (whom might the Lord confound!) could only be hanged, +and Sir<br> +Harcourt Lees made Primate of all Ireland, there were still some +hopes of<br> +peace and prosperity to the country.</p> + +<p>Mr. Crow had no sooner assumed his place upon the coach than +he saw that he<br> +was in the camp of the enemy. Happily for all parties, indeed, in +Ireland,<br> +political differences have so completely stamped the externals of +each<br> +party that he must be a man of small penetration who cannot, in +the first<br> +five minutes he is thrown among strangers, calculate with +considerable<br> +certainty whether it will be more conducive to his happiness to +sing,<br> +"Croppies Lie Down," or "The Battle of Ross." As for Billy Crow, +long life<br> +to him! you might as well attempt to pass a turkey upon M. +Audubon for a<br> +giraffe, as endeavor to impose a Papist upon him for a true +follower of<br> +King William. He could have given you more generic distinctions +to guide<br> +you in the decision than ever did Cuvier to designate an +antediluvian<br> +mammoth; so that no sooner had he seated himself upon the coach +than he<br> +buttoned up his great-coat, stuck his hands firmly in his +side-pockets,<br> +pursed up his lips, and looked altogether like a man that, +feeling himself<br> +out of his element, resolves to "bide his time" in patience until +chance<br> +may throw him among more congenial associates. Mickey Free, who +was himself<br> +no mean proficient in reading a character, at one glance saw his +man, and<br> +began hammering his brains to see if he could not overreach him. +The<br> +small portmanteau which contained Billy's wardrobe bore the +conspicuous<br> +announcement of his name; and as Mickey could read, this was one +important<br> +step already gained.</p> + +<p>He accordingly took the first opportunity of seating himself +beside him,<br> +and opened the conversation by some very polite observation upon +the<br> +other's wearing apparel, which is always in the west considered a +piece of<br> +very courteous attention. By degrees the dialogue prospered, and +Mickey<br> +began to make some very important revelations about himself and +his master,<br> +intimating that the "state of the country" was such that a man of +his way<br> +of thinking had no peace or quiet in it.</p> + +<p>"That's him there, forenent ye," said Mickey, "and a better +Protestant<br> +never hated Mass. Ye understand."</p> + +<p>"What!" said Billy, unbuttoning the collar of his coat to get +a fairer view<br> +at his companion; "why, I thought you were—"</p> + +<p>Here he made some resemblance of the usual manner of blessing +oneself.</p> + +<p>"Me, devil a more nor yourself, Mr. Crow."</p> + +<p>"Why, do you know me, too?"</p> + +<p>"Troth, more knows you than you think."</p> + +<p>Billy looked very much puzzled at all this; at last he +said,—</p> + +<p>"And ye tell me that your master there's the right sort?"</p> + +<p>"Thrue blue," said Mike, with a wink, "and so is his +uncles."</p> + +<p>"And where are they, when they are at home?"</p> + +<p>"In Galway, no less; but they're here now."</p> + +<p>"Where?"</p> + +<p>"Here."</p> + +<p>At these words he gave a knock of his heel to the coach, as if +to intimate<br> +their "whereabouts."</p> + +<p>"You don't mean in the coach, do ye?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure I do; and troth you can't know much of the west, +av ye don't<br> +know the three Mr. Trenches of Tallybash!—them's they."</p> + +<p>"You don't say so?"</p> + +<p>"Faix, but I do."</p> + +<p>"May I never drink the 12th of July if I didn't think they +were priests."</p> + +<p>"Priests!" said Mickey, in a roar of laughter,—"priests!"</p> + +<p>"Just priests!"</p> + +<p>"Be-gorra, though, ye had better keep that to yourself; for +they're not the<br> +men to have that same said to them."</p> + +<p>"Of course I wouldn't offend them," said Mr. Crow; "faith, +it's not me<br> +would cast reflections upon such real out-and-outers as they are. +And where<br> +are they going now?"</p> + +<p>"To Dublin straight; there's to be a grand lodge next week. +But sure Mr.<br> +Crow knows better than me."</p> + +<p>Billy after this became silent. A moody revery seemed to steal +over him;<br> +and he was evidently displeased with himself for his want of tact +in not<br> +discovering the three Mr. Trenches of Tallybash, though he only +caught<br> +sight of their backs.</p> + +<p>Mickey Free interrupted not the frame of mind in which he saw +conviction<br> +was slowly working its way, but by gently humming in an undertone +the loyal<br> +melody of "Croppies Lie Down," fanned the flame he had so +dexterously<br> +kindled. At length they reached the small town of Kinnegad. While +the coach<br> +changed horses, Mr. Crow lost not a moment in descending from the +top, and<br> +rushing into the little inn, disappeared for a few moments. When +he again<br> +issued forth, he carried a smoking tumbler of whiskey punch, +which he<br> +continued to stir with a spoon. As he approached the coach-door +he tapped<br> +gently with his knuckles; upon which the reverend prelate of +Maronia, or<br> +Mesopotamia, I forget which, inquired what he wanted.</p> + +<p>"I ask your pardon, gentlemen," said Billy, "but I thought I'd +make bold to<br> +ask you to take something warm this cold day."</p> + +<p>"Many thanks, my good friend; but we never do," said a bland +voice from<br> +within.</p> + +<p>"I understand," said Billy, with a sly wink; "but there are +circumstances<br> +now and then,—and one might for the honor of the cause, you +know. Just put<br> +it to your lips, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"Excuse me," said a very rosy-cheeked little prelate, "but +nothing stronger<br> +than water—"</p> + +<p>"Botheration," thought Billy, as he regarded the speaker's +nose. "But I<br> +thought," said he, aloud, "that you would not refuse this."</p> + +<p>Here he made a peculiar manifestation in the air, which, +whatever respect<br> +and reverence it might carry to the honest brethren of 13,476, +seemed only<br> +to increase the wonder and astonishment of the bishops.</p> + +<p>"What does he mean?" said one.</p> + +<p>"Is he mad?" said another.</p> + +<p>"Tear and ages," said Mr. Crow, getting quite impatient at the +slowness of<br> +his friends' perception,—"tear and ages, I'm one of +yourselves."</p> + +<p>"One of us," said the three in chorus,—"one of us?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, to be sure," here he took a long pull at the punch,—"to +be sure I am;<br> +here's 'No surrender,' your souls! whoop—" a loud yell +accompanying the<br> +toast as he drank it.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to insult us?" said Father P———. "Guard, take +the fellow."</p> + +<p>"Are we to be outraged in this manner?" chorussed the +priests.</p> + +<p>"'July the 1st, in Oldbridge town,'" sang Billy, "and here it +is, 'The<br> +glorious, pious, and immortal memory of the great and +good—'"</p> + +<p>"Guard! Where is the guard?"</p> + +<p>"'And good King William, that saved us from Popery—'"</p> + +<p>"Coachman! Guard!" screamed Father ———.</p> + +<p>"'Brass money—'"</p> + +<p>"Policeman! policeman!" shouted the priests.</p> + +<p>"'Brass money and wooden shoes;' devil may care who hears me!" +said Billy,<br> +who, supposing that the three Mr. Trenches were skulking the +avowal of<br> +their principles, resolved to assert the pre-eminence of the +great cause<br> +single-handed and alone.</p> + +<a name="0126"></a> +<img alt="0126.jpg (152K)" src="0126.jpg" height="588" width="679"> + +<p>[MR. CROW WELL PLUCKED.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>"'Here's the Pope in the pillory, and the Devil pelting him +with priests.'"</p> + +<p>At these words a kick from behind apprised the loyal champion +that a very<br> +ragged auditory, who for some time past had not well understood +the gist of<br> +his eloquence, had at length comprehended enough to be angry. +<i>Ce n'est que<br> +le premier pas qui coûte</i>, certainly, in an Irish row. +"The merest urchin<br> +may light the train; one handful of mud often ignites a shindy +that ends in<br> +a most bloody battle."</p> + +<p>And here, no sooner did the <i>vis-a-tergo</i> impel Billy +forward than a severe<br> +rap of a closed fist in the eye drove him back, and in one +instant he<br> +became the centre to a periphery of kicks, cuffs, pullings, and +haulings<br> +that left the poor deputy-grand not only orange, but blue.</p> + +<p>He fought manfully, but numbers carried the day; and when the +coach drove<br> +off, which it did at last without him, the last thing visible to +the<br> +outsides was the figure of Mr. Crow,—whose hat, minus the crown, +had been<br> +driven over his head down upon his neck, where it remained like a +dress<br> +cravat,—buffeting a mob of ragged vagabonds who had so +completely<br> +metamorphosed the unfortunate man with mud and bruises that a +committee of<br> +the grand lodge might actually have been unable to identify +him.</p> + +<p>As for Mickey and his friends behind, their mirth knew no +bounds; and<br> +except the respectable insides, there was not an individual about +the coach<br> +who ceased to think of and laugh at the incident till we arrived +in Dublin<br> +and drew up at the Hibernian in Dawson Street.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XIV.</p> + +<p>DUBLIN.</p> + +<p>No sooner had I arrived in Dublin than my first care was to +present myself<br> +to Dr. Mooney, by whom I was received in the most cordial manner. +In fact,<br> +in my utter ignorance of such persons, I had imagined a college +fellow to<br> +be a character necessarily severe and unbending; and as the only +two very<br> +great people I had ever seen in my life were the Archbishop of +Tuam and the<br> +chief-baron when on circuit, I pictured to myself that a +university<br> +fellow was, in all probability, a cross between the two, and +feared him<br> +accordingly.</p> + +<p>The doctor read over my uncle's letter attentively, invited me +to partake<br> +of his breakfast, and then entered upon something like an account +of the<br> +life before me; for which Sir Harry Boyle had, however, in some +degree<br> +prepared me.</p> + +<p>"Your uncle, I find, wishes you to live in college,—perhaps +it is better,<br> +too,—so that I must look out for chambers for you. Let me see: +it will be<br> +rather difficult, just now, to find them." Here he fell for some +moments<br> +into a musing fit, and merely muttered a few broken sentences, +as: "To be<br> +sure, if other chambers could be had—but then—and after all, +perhaps, as<br> +he is young—besides, Frank will certainly be expelled before +long, and<br> +then he will have them all to himself. I say, O'Malley, I believe +I must<br> +quarter you for the present with a rather wild companion; but as +your uncle<br> +says you're a prudent fellow,"—here he smiled very much, as if +my uncle<br> +had not said any such thing,—"why, you must only take the better +care of<br> +yourself until we can make some better arrangement. My pupil, +Frank Webber,<br> +is at this moment in want of a 'chum,' as the phrase is,—his +last three<br> +having only been domesticated with him for as many weeks; so that +until we<br> +find you a more quiet resting-place, you may take up your abode +with him."</p> + +<p>During breakfast, the doctor proceeded to inform me that my +destined<br> +companion was a young man of excellent family and good fortune +who, with<br> +very considerable talents and acquirements, preferred a life of +rackety and<br> +careless dissipation to prospects of great success in public +life, which<br> +his connection and family might have secured for him. That he had +been<br> +originally entered at Oxford, which he was obliged to leave; then +tried<br> +Cambridge, from which he escaped expulsion by being +rusticated,—that<br> +is, having incurred a sentence of temporary banishment; and +lastly, was<br> +endeavoring, with what he himself believed to be a total +reformation, to<br> +stumble on to a degree in the "silent sister."</p> + +<p>"This is his third year," said the doctor, "and he is only a +freshman,<br> +having lost every examination, with abilities enough to sweep +the<br> +university of its prizes. But come over now, and I'll present you +to him."</p> + +<p>I followed him down-stairs, across the court to an angle of +the old square<br> +where, up the first floor left, to use the college direction, +stood the<br> +name of Mr. Webber, a large No. 2 being conspicuously painted in +the middle<br> +of the door and not over it, as is usually the custom. As we +reached the<br> +spot, the observations of my companion were lost to me in the +tremendous<br> +noise and uproar that resounded from within. It seemed as if a +number of<br> +people were fighting pretty much as a banditti in a melodrama do, +with<br> +considerable more of confusion than requisite; a fiddle and a +French horn<br> +also lent their assistance to shouts and cries which, to say the +best, were<br> +not exactly the aids to study I expected in such a place.</p> + +<p>Three times was the bell pulled with a vigor that threatened +its downfall,<br> +when at last, as the jingle of it rose above all other noises, +suddenly<br> +all became hushed and still; a momentary pause succeeded, and the +door was<br> +opened by a very respectable looking servant who, recognizing the +doctor,<br> +at once introduced us into the apartment where Mr. Webber was +sitting.</p> + +<p>In a large and very handsomely furnished room, where Brussels +carpeting and<br> +softly cushioned sofas contrasted strangely with the meagre and +comfortless<br> +chambers of the doctor, sat a young man at a small +breakfast-table beside<br> +the fire. He was attired in a silk dressing-gown and black velvet +slippers,<br> +and supported his forehead upon a hand of most lady-like +whiteness, whose<br> +fingers were absolutely covered with rings of great beauty and +price. His<br> +long silky brown hair fell in rich profusion upon the back of his +neck and<br> +over his arm, and the whole air and attitude was one which a +painter might<br> +have copied. So intent was he upon the volume before him that he +never<br> +raised his head at our approach, but continued to read aloud, +totally<br> +unaware of our presence.</p> + +<p>"Dr. Mooney, sir," said the servant.</p> + +<p>"Ton dapamey bominos, prosephe, crione Agamemnon" repeated the +student,<br> +in an ecstasy, and not paying the slightest attention to the +announcement.</p> + +<p>"Dr. Mooney, sir," repeated the servant, in a louder tone, +while the doctor<br> +looked around on every side for an explanation of the late +uproar, with a<br> +face of the most puzzled astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Be dakiown para thina dolekoskion enkos" said Mr. Webber, +finishing a<br> +cup of coffee at a draught.</p> + +<p>"Well, Webber, hard at work I see," said the doctor.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Doctor, I beg pardon! Have you been long here?" said the +most soft and<br> +insinuating voice, while the speaker passed his taper fingers +across his<br> +brow, as if to dissipate the traces of deep thought and +study.</p> + +<p>While the doctor presented me to my future companion, I could +perceive, in<br> +the restless and searching look he threw around, that the fracas +he had so<br> +lately heard was still an unexplained and <i>vexata questio</i> +in his mind.</p> + +<p>"May I offer you a cup of coffee, Mr. O'Malley?" said the +youth, with an<br> +air of almost timid bashfulness. "The doctor, I know, breakfasts +at a very<br> +early hour."</p> + +<p>"I say, Webber," said the doctor, who could no longer restrain +his<br> +curiosity, "what an awful row I heard here as I came up to the +door. I<br> +thought Bedlam was broke loose. What could it have been?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, you heard it too, sir," said Mr. Webber, smiling most +benignly.</p> + +<p>"Hear it? To be sure I did. O'Malley and I could not hear +ourselves talking<br> +with the uproar."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, it is very provoking; but then, what's to be +done? One can't<br> +complain, under the circumstances."</p> + +<p>"Why, what do you mean?" said Mooney, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Nothing, sir; nothing. I'd much rather you'd not ask me; for +after all,<br> +I'll change my chambers."</p> + +<p>"But why? Explain this at once. I insist upon it."</p> + +<p>"Can I depend upon the discretion of your young friend?" said +Mr. Webber,<br> +gravely.</p> + +<p>"Perfectly," said the doctor, now wound up to the greatest +anxiety to learn<br> +a secret.</p> + +<p>"And you'll promise not to mention the thing except among your +friends?"</p> + +<p>"I do," said the doctor.</p> + +<p>"Well, then," said he, in a low and confident whisper, "it's +the dean."</p> + +<p>"The dean!" said Mooney, with a start. "The dean! Why, how can +it be the<br> +dean?"</p> + +<p>"Too true," said Mr. Webber, making a sign of drinking,—"too +true, Doctor.<br> +And then, the moment he is so, he begins smashing the furniture. +Never was<br> +anything heard like it. As for me, as I am now become a reading +man, I must<br> +go elsewhere."</p> + +<p>Now, it so chanced that the worthy dean, who albeit a man of +most<br> +abstemious habits, possessed a nose which, in color and +development, was a<br> +most unfortunate witness to call to character, and as Mooney +heard Webber<br> +narrate circumstantially the frightful excesses of the great +functionary, I<br> +saw that something like conviction was stealing over him.</p> + +<p>"You'll, of course, never speak of this except to your most +intimate<br> +friends," said Webber.</p> + +<p>"Of course not," said the doctor, as he shook his hand warmly, +and prepared<br> +to leave the room. "O'Malley, I leave you here," said he; "Webber +and you<br> +can talk over your arrangements."</p> + +<p>Webber followed the doctor to the door, whispered something in +his ear, to<br> +which the other replied, "Very well, I will write; but if your +father<br> +sends the money, I must insist—" The rest was lost in +protestations and<br> +professions of the most fervent kind, amidst which the door was +shut, and<br> +Mr. Webber returned to the room.</p> + +<p>Short as was the interspace from the door without to the room +within, it<br> +was still ample enough to effect a very thorough and remarkable +change in<br> +the whole external appearance of Mr. Frank Webber; for scarcely +had the<br> +oaken panel shut out the doctor, when he appeared no longer the +shy, timid,<br> +and silvery-toned gentleman of five minutes before, but dashing +boldly<br> +forward, he seized a key-bugle that lay hid beneath a +sofa-cushion and blew<br> +a tremendous blast.</p> + +<a name="0132"></a> +<img alt="0132.jpg (153K)" src="0132.jpg" height="565" width="719"> + +<p>[FRANK WEBBER AT HIS STUDIES.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>"Come forth, ye demons of the lower world," said he, drawing a +cloth from<br> +a large table, and discovering the figures of three young men +coiled up<br> +beneath. "Come forth, and fear not, most timorous freshmen that +ye are,"<br> +said he, unlocking a pantry, and liberating two others. +"Gentlemen, let<br> +me introduce to your acquaintance Mr. O'Malley. My chum, +gentlemen. Mr.<br> +O'Malley, that is Harry Nesbitt, who has been in college since +the days of<br> +old Perpendicular, and numbers more cautions than any man who +ever had his<br> +name on the books. Here is my particular friend, Cecil Cavendish, +the only<br> +man who could ever devil kidneys. Captain Power, Mr. O'Malley, a +dashing<br> +dragoon, as you see; aide-de-camp to his Excellency the Lord +Lieutenant,<br> +and love-maker-general to Merrion Square West. These," said he, +pointing to<br> +the late denizens of the pantry, "are jibs whose names are +neither known to<br> +the proctor nor the police-office; but with due regard to their +education<br> +and morals, we don't despair."</p> + +<p>"By no means," said Power; "but come, let us resume our game." +At these<br> +words he took a folio atlas of maps from a small table, and +displayed<br> +beneath a pack of cards, dealt as if for whist. The two gentlemen +to whom<br> +I was introduced by name returned to their places; the unknown +two put on<br> +their boxing gloves, and all resumed the hilarity which Dr. +Mooney's advent<br> +had so suddenly interrupted.</p> + +<p>"Where's Moore?" said Webber, as he once more seated himself +at his<br> +breakfast.</p> + +<p>"Making a spatch-cock, sir," said the servant.</p> + +<p>At the same instant, a little, dapper, jovial-looking +personage appeared<br> +with the dish in question.</p> + +<p>"Mr. O'Malley, Mr. Moore, the gentleman who, by repeated +remonstrances to<br> +the board, has succeeded in getting eatable food for the +inhabitants of<br> +this penitentiary, and has the honored reputation of reforming +the commons<br> +of college."</p> + +<p>"Anything to Godfrey O'Malley, may I ask, sir?" said +Moore.</p> + +<p>"His nephew," I replied.</p> + +<p>"Which of you winged the gentleman the other day for not +passing the<br> +decanter, or something of that sort?"</p> + +<p>"If you mean the affair with Mr. Bodkin, it was I."</p> + +<p>"Glorious, that; begad, I thought you were one of us. I say, +Power, it was<br> +he pinked Bodkin."</p> + +<p>"Ah, indeed," said Power, not turning his head from his game, +"a pretty<br> +shot, I heard,—two by honors,—and hit him fairly,—the odd +trick.<br> +Hammersley mentioned the thing to me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, is he in town?" said I.</p> + +<p>"No; he sailed for Portsmouth yesterday. He is to join the +llth—game. I<br> +say, Webber, you've lost the rubber."</p> + +<p>"Double or quit, and a dinner at Dunleary," said Webber. "We +must show<br> +O'Malley,—confound the Mister!—something of the place."</p> + +<p>"Agreed."</p> + +<p>The whist was resumed; the boxers, now refreshed by a leg of +the<br> +spatch-cock, returned to their gloves; Mr. Moore took up his +violin; Mr.<br> +Webber his French horn; and I was left the only unemployed man in +the<br> +company.</p> + +<p>"I say, Power, you'd better bring the drag over here for us; +we can all go<br> +down together."</p> + +<p>"I must inform you," said Cavendish, "that, thanks to your +philanthropic<br> +efforts of last night, the passage from Grafton Street to +Stephen's<br> +Green is impracticable." A tremendous roar of laughter followed +this<br> +announcement; and though at the time the cause was unknown to me, +I may as<br> +well mention it here, as I subsequently learned it from my +companions.</p> + +<p>Among the many peculiar tastes which distinguished Mr. Francis +Webber was<br> +an extraordinary fancy for street-begging. He had, over and over, +won large<br> +sums upon his success in that difficult walk; and so perfect were +his<br> +disguises,—both of dress, voice, and manner,—that he actually +at one time<br> +succeeded in obtaining charity from his very opponent in the +wager. He<br> +wrote ballads with the greatest facility, and sang them with +infinite<br> +pathos and humor; and the old woman at the corner of College +Green was<br> +certain of an audience when the severity of the night would leave +all other<br> +minstrelsy deserted. As these feats of <i>jonglerie</i> usually +terminated in a<br> +row, it was a most amusing part of the transaction to see the +singer's part<br> +taken by the mob against the college men, who, growing impatient +to carry<br> +him off to supper somewhere, would invariably be obliged to have +a fight<br> +for the booty.</p> + +<p>Now it chanced that a few evenings before, Mr. Webber was +returning with a<br> +pocket well lined with copper from a musical <i>reunion</i> he +had held at the<br> +corner of York Street, when the idea struck him to stop at the +end of<br> +Grafton Street, where a huge stone grating at that time +exhibited—perhaps<br> +it exhibits still—the descent to one of the great main sewers of +the city.</p> + +<p>The light was shining brightly from a pastrycook's shop, and +showed the<br> +large bars of stone between which the muddy water was rushing +rapidly down<br> +and plashing in the torrent that ran boisterously several feet +beneath.</p> + +<p>To stop in the street of any crowded city is, under any +circumstances, an<br> +invitation to others to do likewise which is rarely unaccepted; +but when<br> +in addition to this you stand fixedly in one spot and regard with +stern<br> +intensity any object near you, the chances are ten to one that +you have<br> +several companions in your curiosity before a minute expires.</p> + +<p>Now, Webber, who had at first stood still without any peculiar +thought in<br> +view, no sooner perceived that he was joined by others than the +idea of<br> +making something out of it immediately occurred to him.</p> + +<p>"What is it, agra?" inquired an old woman, very much in his +own style of<br> +dress, pulling at the hood of his cloak. "And can't you see for +yourself,<br> +darling?" replied he, sharply, as he knelt down and looked most +intensely<br> +at the sewer.</p> + +<p>"Are ye long there, avick?" inquired he of an imaginary +individual below,<br> +and then waiting as if for a reply, said,</p> + +<p>"Two hours! Blessed Virgin, he's two hours in the drain!"</p> + +<p>By this time the crowd had reached entirely across the street, +and the<br> +crushing and squeezing to get near the important spot was +awful.</p> + +<p>"Where did he come from?" "Who is he?" "How did he get there?" +were<br> +questions on every side; and various surmises were afloat till +Webber,<br> +rising from his knees, said, in a mysterious whisper, to those +nearest him,<br> +"He's made his escape to-night out o' Newgate by the big drain, +and lost<br> +his way; he was looking for the Liffey, and took the wrong +turn."</p> + +<p>To an Irish mob what appeal could equal this? A culprit at any +time has<br> +his claim upon their sympathy; but let him be caught in the very +act of<br> +cheating the authorities and evading the law, and his popularity +knows<br> +no bounds. Webber knew this well, and as the mob thickened around +him<br> +sustained an imaginary conversation that Savage Landor might have +envied,<br> +imparting now and then such hints concerning the runaway as +raised their<br> +interest to the highest pitch, and fifty different versions were +related on<br> +all sides,—of the crime he was guilty of, the sentence that was +passed on<br> +him, and the day he was to suffer.</p> + +<p>"Do you see the light, dear?" said Webber, as some ingeniously +benevolent<br> +individual had lowered down a candle with a string,—"do ye see +the light?<br> +Oh, he's fainted, the creature!" A cry of horror burst forth from +the crowd<br> +at these words, followed by a universal shout of, "Break open the +street."</p> + +<p>Pickaxes, shovels, spades, and crowbars seemed absolutely the +walking<br> +accompaniments of the crowd, so suddenly did they appear upon the +field of<br> +action; and the work of exhumation was begun with a vigor that +speedily<br> +covered nearly half of the street with mud and paving-stones. +Parties<br> +relieved each other at the task, and ere half an hour a hole +capable<br> +of containing a mail-coach was yawning in one of the most +frequented<br> +thoroughfares of Dublin. Meanwhile, as no appearance of the +culprit could<br> +be had, dreadful conjectures as to his fate began to gain ground. +By this<br> +time the authorities had received intimation of what was going +forward, and<br> +attempted to disperse the crowd; but Webber, who still continued +to conduct<br> +the prosecution, called on them to resist the police and save the +poor<br> +creature. And now began a most terrific fray: the stones, forming +a ready<br> +weapon, were hurled at the unprepared constables, who on their +side fought<br> +manfully, but against superior numbers; so that at last it was +only by the<br> +aid of a military force the mob could be dispersed, and a riot +which had<br> +assumed a very serious character got under. Meanwhile Webber had +reached<br> +his chambers, changed his costume, and was relating over a +supper-table the<br> +narrative of his philanthropy to a very admiring circle of his +friends.</p> + +<p>Such was my chum, Frank Webber; and as this was the first +anecdote I had<br> +heard of him, I relate it here that my readers may be in +possession of the<br> +grounds upon which my opinion of that celebrated character was +founded,<br> +while yet our acquaintance was in its infancy.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XV.</p> + +<p>CAPTAIN POWER.</p> + +<p>Within a few weeks after my arrival in town I had become a +matriculated<br> +student of the university, and the possessor of chambers within +its walls<br> +in conjunction with the sage and prudent gentleman I have +introduced to my<br> +readers in the last chapter. Had my intentions on entering +college been of<br> +the most studious and regular kind, the companion into whose +society I<br> +was then immediately thrown would have quickly dissipated them. +He voted<br> +morning chapels a bore, Greek lectures a humbug, examinations a +farce,<br> +and pronounced the statute-book, with its attendant train of +fines<br> +and punishment, an "unclean thing." With all my country habits +and<br> +predilections fresh upon me, that I was an easily-won disciple to +his code<br> +need not be wondered at; and indeed ere many days had passed +over, my<br> +thorough indifference to all college rules and regulations had +given me a<br> +high place in the esteem of Webber and his friends. As for +myself, I was<br> +most agreeably surprised to find that what I had looked forward +to as a<br> +very melancholy banishment, was likely to prove a most agreeable +sojourn.<br> +Under Webber's directions there was no hour of the day that hung +heavily<br> +upon our hands. We rose about eleven and breakfasted, after which +succeeded<br> +fencing, sparring, billiards, or tennis in the park; about three, +got on<br> +horseback, and either cantered in the Phoenix or about the +squares till<br> +visiting time; after which, made our calls, and then dressed +for<br> +dinner, which we never thought of taking at commons, but had it +from<br> +Morrison's,—we both being reported sick in the dean's list, and +thereby<br> +exempt from the routine fare of the fellows' table. In the +evening our<br> +occupations became still more pressing; there were balls, +suppers, whist<br> +parties, rows at the theatre, shindies in the street, devilled +drumsticks<br> +at Hayes's, select oyster parties at the Carlingford,—in fact, +every known<br> +method of remaining up all night, and appearing both pale and +penitent the<br> +following morning.</p> + +<p>Webber had a large acquaintance in Dublin, and soon made me +known to them<br> +all. Among others, the officers of the —th Light Dragoons, in +which<br> +regiment Power was captain, were his particular friends; and we +had<br> +frequent invitations to dine at their mess. There it was first +that<br> +military life presented itself to me in its most attractive +possible form,<br> +and heightened the passion I had already so strongly conceived +for<br> +the army. Power, above all others, took my fancy. He was a +gay,<br> +dashing-looking, handsome fellow of about eight-and-twenty, who +had already<br> +seen some service, having joined while his regiment was in +Portugal; was in<br> +heart and soul a soldier; and had that species of pride and +enthusiasm in<br> +all that regarded a military career that forms no small part of +the charm<br> +in the character of a young officer.</p> + +<p>I sat near him the second day we dined at the mess, and was +much pleased at<br> +many slight attentions in his manner towards me.</p> + +<p>"I called on you to-day, Mr. O'Malley," said he, "in company +with a friend<br> +who is most anxious to see you."</p> + +<p>"Indeed," said I, "I did not hear of it."</p> + +<p>"We left no cards, either of us, as we were determined to make +you out on<br> +another day; my companion has most urgent reasons for seeing you. +I see you<br> +are puzzled," said he; "and although I promised to keep his +secret, I must<br> +blab. It was Sir George Dashwood was with me; he told us of your +most<br> +romantic adventure in the west,—and faith there is no doubt you +saved the<br> +lady's life."</p> + +<p>"Was she worth the trouble of it?" said the old major, whose +conjugal<br> +experiences imparted a very crusty tone to the question.</p> + +<p>"I think," said I, "I need only tell her name to convince you +of it."</p> + +<p>"Here's a bumper to her," said Power, filling his glass; "and +every true<br> +man will follow my example."</p> + +<p>When the hip-hipping which followed the toast was over, I +found myself<br> +enjoying no small share of the attention of the party as the +deliverer of<br> +Lucy Dashwood.</p> + +<p>"Sir George is cudgelling his brain to show his gratitude to +you," said<br> +Power.</p> + +<p>"What a pity, for the sake of his peace of mind, that you're +not in the<br> +army," said another; "it's so easy to show a man a delicate +regard by a<br> +quick promotion."</p> + +<p>"A devil of a pity for his own sake, too," said Power, again; +"they're<br> +going to make a lawyer of as strapping a fellow as ever carried +a<br> +sabretasche."</p> + +<p>"A lawyer!" cried out half a dozen together, pretty much with +the same tone<br> +and emphasis as though he had said a twopenny postman; "the devil +they<br> +are."</p> + +<p>"Cut the service at once; you'll get no promotion in it," said +the colonel;<br> +"a fellow with a black eye like you would look much better at the +head of<br> +a squadron than of a string of witnesses. Trust me, you'd shine +more in<br> +conducting a picket than a prosecution."</p> + +<p>"But if I can't?" said I.</p> + +<p>"Then take my plan," said Power, "and make it cut +<i>you</i>."</p> + +<p>"Yours?" said two or three in a breath,—"yours?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, mine; did you never know that I was bred to the bar? +Come, come, if<br> +it was only for O'Malley's use and benefit, as we say in the +parchments, I<br> +must tell you the story."</p> + +<p>The claret was pushed briskly round, chairs drawn up to fill +any vacant<br> +spaces, and Power began his story.</p> + +<p>"As I am not over long-winded, don't be scared at my beginning +my<br> +history somewhat far back. I began life that most unlucky of all +earthly<br> +contrivances for supplying casualties in case anything may befall +the heir<br> +of the house,—a species of domestic jury-mast, only lugged out +in a gale<br> +of wind,—a younger son. My brother Tom, a thick-skulled, +pudding-headed<br> +dog, that had no taste for anything save his dinner, took it into +his wise<br> +head one morning that he would go into the army, and although I +had been<br> +originally destined for a soldier, no sooner was his choice made +than<br> +all regard for my taste and inclination was forgotten; and as the +family<br> +interest was only enough for one, it was decided that I should be +put in<br> +what is called a 'learned profession,' and let push my fortune. +'Take<br> +your choice, Dick,' said my father, with a most benign +smile,—'take your<br> +choice, boy: will you be a lawyer, a parson, or a doctor?'</p> + +<p>"Had he said, 'Will you be put in the stocks, the pillory, or +publicly<br> +whipped?' I could not have looked more blank than at the +question.</p> + +<p>"As a decent Protestant, he should have grudged me to the +Church; as a<br> +philanthropist, he might have scrupled at making me a physician; +but as he<br> +had lost deeply by law-suits, there looked something very like a +lurking<br> +malice in sending me to the bar. Now, so far, I concurred with +him; for<br> +having no gift for enduring either sermons or senna, I thought +I'd make a<br> +bad administrator of either, and as I was ever regarded in the +family as<br> +rather of a shrewd and quick turn, with a very natural taste for +roguery, I<br> +began to believe he was right, and that Nature intended me for +the circuit.</p> + +<p>"From the hour my vocation was pronounced, it had been happy +for the family<br> +that they could have got rid of me. A certain ambition to rise in +my<br> +profession laid hold on me, and I meditated all day and night how +I was to<br> +get on. Every trick, every subtle invention to cheat the enemy +that I could<br> +read of, I treasured up carefully, being fully impressed with the +notion<br> +that roguery meant law, and equity was only another name for odd +and even.</p> + +<p>"My days were spent haranguing special juries of housemaids +and<br> +laundresses, cross-examining the cook, charging the under-butler, +and<br> +passing sentence of death upon the pantry boy, who, I may add, +was<br> +invariably hanged when the court rose.</p> + +<p>"If the mutton were overdone, or the turkey burned, I drew up +an indictment<br> +against old Margaret, and against the kitchen-maid as accomplice, +and the<br> +family hungered while I harangued; and, in fact, into such +disrepute did I<br> +bring the legal profession, by the score of annoyance of which I +made<br> +it the vehicle, that my father got a kind of holy horror of law +courts,<br> +judges, and crown solicitors, and absented himself from the +assizes the<br> +same year, for which, being a high sheriff, he paid a penalty of +five<br> +hundred pounds.</p> + +<p>"The next day I was sent off in disgrace to Dublin to begin my +career in<br> +college, and eat the usual quartos and folios of beef and mutton +which<br> +qualify a man for the woolsack.</p> + +<p>"Years rolled over, in which, after an ineffectual effort to +get through<br> +college, the only examination I ever got being a jubilee for the +king's<br> +birthday, I was at length called to the Irish bar, and saluted by +my<br> +friends as Counsellor Power. The whole thing was so like a joke +to me that<br> +it kept me in laughter for three terms; and in fact it was the +best thing<br> +could happen me, for I had nothing else to do. The hall of the +Four Courts<br> +was a very pleasant lounge; plenty of agreeable fellows that +never earned<br> +sixpence or were likely to do so. Then the circuits were so many +country<br> +excursions, that supplied fun of one kind or other, but no +profit. As for<br> +me, I was what was called a good junior. I knew how to look after +the<br> +waiters, to inspect the decanting of the wine and the airing of +the claret,<br> +and was always attentive to the father of the circuit,—the +crossest old<br> +villain that ever was a king's counsel. These eminent qualities, +and my<br> +being able to sing a song in honor of our own bar, were +recommendations<br> +enough to make me a favorite, and I was one.</p> + +<p>"Now, the reputation I obtained was pleasant enough at first, +but I began<br> +to wonder that I never got a brief. Somehow, if it rained civil +bills or<br> +declarations, devil a one would fall upon my head; and it seemed +as if<br> +the only object I had in life was to accompany the circuit, a +kind of<br> +deputy-assistant commissary-general, never expected to come into +action.<br> +To be sure, I was not alone in misfortune; there were several +promising<br> +youths, who cut great figures in Trinity, in the same +predicament, the only<br> +difference being, that they attributed to jealousy what I +suspected was<br> +forgetfulness, for I don't think a single attorney in Dublin knew +one of<br> +us.</p> + +<p>"Two years passed over, and then I walked the hall with a bag +filled with<br> +newspapers to look like briefs, and was regularly called by two +or three<br> +criers from one court to the other. It never took. Even when I +used to<br> +seduce a country friend to visit the courts, and get him into an +animated<br> +conversation in a corner between two pillars, devil a one would +believe him<br> +to be a client, and I was fairly nonplussed.</p> + +<p>"'How is a man ever to distinguish himself in such a walk as +this?' was my<br> +eternal question to myself every morning, as I put on my wig. 'My +face is<br> +as well known here as Lord Manners's.' Every one says, 'How are +you, Dick?'<br> +'How goes it, Power?' But except Holmes, that said one morning as +he passed<br> +me, 'Eh, always busy?' no one alludes to the possibility of my +having<br> +anything to do.</p> + +<p>"'If I could only get a footing,' thought I, 'Lord, how I'd +astonish them!<br> +As the song says:—</p> + +<p> "Perhaps a recruit<br> + Might chance to shoo<br> + Great General Buonaparté."</p> + +<p>So,' said I to myself, 'I'll make these halls ring for it some +day or<br> +other, if the occasion ever present itself.' But, faith, it +seemed as if<br> +some cunning solicitor overheard me and told his associates, for +they<br> +avoided me like a leprosy. The home circuit I had adopted for +some time<br> +past, for the very palpable reason that being near town it was +least<br> +costly, and it had all the advantages of any other for me in +getting me<br> +nothing to do. Well, one morning we were in Philipstown; I was +lying awake<br> +in bed, thinking how long it would be before I'd sum up +resolution to cut<br> +the bar, where certainly my prospects were not the most cheering, +when some<br> +one tapped gently at my door.</p> + +<p>"'Come in,' said I.</p> + +<p>"The waiter opened gently, and held out his hand with a large +roll of paper<br> +tied round with a piece of red tape.</p> + +<p>"'Counsellor,' said he, 'handsel.'</p> + +<p>"'What do you mean?' said I, jumping out of bed. 'What is it, +you villain?'</p> + +<p>"'A brief.'</p> + +<p>"'A brief. So I see; but it's for Counsellor Kinshella, below +stairs.' That<br> +was the first name written on it.</p> + +<p>"'Bethershin,' said he, 'Mr. M'Grath bid me give it to you +carefully.'</p> + +<p>"By this time I had opened the envelope and read my own name +at full length<br> +as junior counsel in the important case of Monaghan <i>v</i>. +M'Shean, to be<br> +tried in the Record Court at Ballinasloe. 'That will do,' said I, +flinging<br> +it on the bed with a careless air, as if it were a very every-day +matter<br> +with me.</p> + +<p>"'But Counsellor, darlin', give us a thrifle to dhrink your +health with<br> +your first cause, and the Lord send you plenty of them!'</p> + +<p>"'My first,' said I, with a smile of most ineffable compassion +at his<br> +simplicity; 'I'm worn out with them. Do you know, Peter, I was +thinking<br> +seriously of leaving the bar, when you came into the room? Upon +my<br> +conscience, it's in earnest I am.'</p> + +<p>"Peter believed me, I think, for I saw him give a very +peculiar look as he<br> +pocketed his half-crown and left the room.</p> + +<p>"The door was scarcely closed when I gave way to the free +transport of my<br> +ecstasy; there it lay at last, the long looked-for, long +wished-for object<br> +of all my happiness, and though I well knew that a junior counsel +has about<br> +as much to do in the conducting of a case as a rusty handspike +has in a<br> +naval engagement, yet I suffered not such thoughts to mar the +current of my<br> +happiness. There was my name in conjunction with the two mighty +leaders on<br> +the circuit; and though they each pocketed a hundred, I doubt +very much if<br> +they received their briefs with one half the satisfaction. My joy +at length<br> +a little subdued, I opened the roll of paper and began carefully +to peruse<br> +about fifty pages of narrative regarding a watercourse that once +had turned<br> +a mill; but, from some reasons doubtless known to itself or its +friends,<br> +would do so no longer, and thus set two respectable neighbors +at<br> +loggerheads, and involved them in a record that had been now +heard three<br> +several times.</p> + +<p>"Quite forgetting the subordinate part I was destined to fill, +I opened<br> +the case in a most flowery oration, in which I descanted upon the +benefits<br> +accruing to mankind from water-communication since the days of +Noah;<br> +remarking upon the antiquity of mills, and especially of millers, +and<br> +consumed half an hour in a preamble of generalities that I hoped +would make<br> +a very considerable impression upon the court. Just at the +critical moment<br> +when I was about to enter more particularly into the case, three +or four<br> +of the great unbriefed came rattling into my room, and broke in +upon the<br> +oration.</p> + +<p>"'I say, Power,' said one, 'come and have an hour's skating on +the canal;<br> +the courts are filled, and we sha'n't be missed.'</p> + +<p>"'Skate, my dear friend,' said I, in a most dolorous tone, +'out of the<br> +question; see, I am chained to a devilish knotty case with +Kinshella and<br> +Mills.'</p> + +<p>"'Confound your humbugging,' said another, 'that may do very +well in Dublin<br> +for the attorneys, but not with us.'</p> + +<p>"'I don't well understand you,' I replied; 'there is the +brief. Hennesy<br> +expects me to report upon it this evening, and I am so +hurried.'</p> + +<p>"Here a very chorus of laughing broke forth, in which, after +several vain<br> +efforts to resist, I was forced to join, and kept it up with the +others.</p> + +<p>"When our mirth was over, my friends scrutinized the +red-tape-tied packet,<br> +and pronounced it a real brief, with a degree of surprise that +certainly<br> +augured little for their familiarity with such objects of natural +history.</p> + +<p>"When they had left the room, I leisurely examined the +all-important<br> +document, spreading it out before me upon the table, and +surveying it as<br> +a newly-anointed sovereign might be supposed to contemplate a map +of his<br> +dominions.</p> + +<p>"'At last,' said I to myself,—'at last, and here is the +footstep to the<br> +woolsack.' For more than an hour I sat motionless, my eyes fixed +upon<br> +the outspread paper, lost in a very maze of revery. The ambition +which<br> +disappointments had crushed, and delay had chilled, came suddenly +back, and<br> +all my day-dreams of legal success, my cherished aspirations +after silk<br> +gowns and patents of precedence, rushed once more upon me, and I +was<br> +resolved to do or die. Alas, a very little reflection showed me +that the<br> +latter was perfectly practicable; but that, as a junior counsel, +five<br> +minutes of very common-place recitation was all my province, and +with the<br> +main business of the day I had about as much to do as the +call-boy of a<br> +playhouse has with the success of a tragedy.</p> + +<p>"'My Lord, this is an action brought by Timothy Higgin,' etc., +and down I<br> +go, no more to be remembered and thought of than if I had never +existed.<br> +How different it would be if I were the leader! Zounds, how I +would worry<br> +the witnesses, browbeat the evidence, cajole the jury, and soften +the<br> +judges! If the Lord were, in His mercy, to remove old Mills and +Kinshella<br> +before Tuesday, who knows but my fortune might be made? This +supposition<br> +once started, set me speculating upon all the possible chances +that might<br> +cut off two king's counsel in three days, and left me fairly +convinced that<br> +my own elevation was certain, were they only removed from my +path.</p> + +<p>"For two whole days the thought never left my mind; and on the +evening of<br> +the second day, I sat moodily over my pint of port, in the +Clonbrock Arms,<br> +with my friend Timothy Casey, Captain in the North Cork Militia, +for my<br> +companion.</p> + +<p>"'Dick,' said Tim, 'take off your wine, man. When does this +confounded<br> +trial come on?'</p> + +<p>"'To-morrow,' said I, with a deep groan.</p> + +<p>"'Well, well, and if it does, what matter?' he said; 'you'll +do well<br> +enough, never be afraid.'</p> + +<p>"'Alas!' said I, 'you don't understand the cause of my +depression.' I here<br> +entered upon an account of my sorrows, which lasted for above an +hour, and<br> +only concluded just as a tremendous noise in the street without +announced<br> +an arrival. For several minutes such was the excitement in the +house, such<br> +running hither and thither, such confusion, and such hubbub, that +we could<br> +not make out who had arrived.</p> + +<p>"At last a door opened quite near us, and we saw the waiter +assisting a<br> +very portly-looking gentleman off with his great-coat, assuring +him the<br> +while that if he would only walk into the coffee-room for ten +minutes, the<br> +fire in his apartment should be got ready. The stranger +accordingly entered<br> +and seated himself at the fireplace, having never noticed that +Casey and<br> +myself, the only persons there, were in the room.</p> + +<p>"'I say, Phil, who is he?' inquired Casey of the waiter.</p> + +<p>"'Counsellor Mills, Captain,' said the waiter, and left the +room.</p> + +<p>"'That's your friend,' said Casey.</p> + +<p>"'I see,' said I; 'and I wish with all my heart he was at home +with his<br> +pretty wife, in Leeson Street.'</p> + +<p>"'Is she good-looking?' inquired Tim.</p> + +<p>"'Devil a better,' said I; 'and he's as jealous as old +Nick.'</p> + +<p>"'Hem,' said Tim, 'mind your cue, and I'll give him a start.' +Here he<br> +suddenly changed his whispering tone for one in a louder key, and +resumed:<br> +'I say, Power, it will make some work for you lawyers. But who +can she be?<br> +that's the question.' Here he took a much crumpled letter from +his pocket,<br> +and pretended to read: '"A great sensation was created in the +neighborhood<br> +of Merrion Square, yesterday, by the sudden disappearance from +her house of<br> +the handsome Mrs. ———." Confound it!—what's the name? What a +hand he<br> +writes! Hill, or Miles, or something like that,—"the lady of an +eminent<br> +barrister, now on circuit. The gay Lothario is, they say, the +Hon. George<br> +———."' I was so thunderstruck at the rashness of the stroke, I +could say<br> +nothing; while the old gentleman started as if he had sat down on +a pin.<br> +Casey, meanwhile, went on.</p> + +<p>"'Hell and fury!' said the king's counsel, rushing over, 'what +is it you're<br> +saying?'</p> + +<p>"'You appear warm, old gentleman,' said Casey, putting up the +letter and<br> +rising from the table.</p> + +<p>"'Show me that letter!—show me that infernal letter, sir, +this instant!'</p> + +<p>"'Show you my letter,' said Casey; 'cool, that, anyhow. You +are certainly a<br> +good one.'</p> + +<p>"'Do you know me, sir? Answer me that,' said the lawyer, +bursting with<br> +passion.</p> + +<p>"'Not at present,' said Tim, quietly; 'but I hope to do so in +the morning<br> +in explanation of your language and conduct.' A tremendous +ringing of the<br> +bell here summoned the waiter to the room.</p> + +<p>"'Who is that—' inquired the lawyer. The epithet he judged it +safe to<br> +leave unsaid, as he pointed to my friend Casey.</p> + +<p>"'Captain Casey, sir, the commanding officer here.'</p> + +<p>"'Just so,' said Casey. 'And very much, at your service any +hour after five<br> +in the morning.'</p> + +<p>"'Then you refuse, sir, to explain the paragraph I have just +heard you<br> +read?'</p> + +<p>"'Well done, old gentleman; so you have been listening to a +private<br> +conversation I held with my friend here. In that case we had +better retire<br> +to our room.' So saying, he ordered the waiter to send a fresh +bottle<br> +and glasses to No. 14, and taking my arm, very politely wished +Mr. Mills<br> +good-night, and left the coffee-room.</p> + +<p>"Before we had reached the top of the stairs the house was +once more in<br> +commotion. The new arrival had ordered out fresh horses, and was +hurrying<br> +every one in his impatience to get away. In ten minutes the +chaise rolled<br> +off from the door; and Casey, putting his head out of the window, +wished<br> +him a pleasant journey; while turning to me, he said,—</p> + +<p>"'There's one of them out of the way for you, if we are even +obliged to<br> +fight the other.'</p> + +<p>"The port was soon despatched, and with it went all the +scruples of<br> +conscience I had at first felt for the cruel <i>ruse</i> we had +just practised.<br> +Scarcely was the other bottle called for when we heard the +landlord calling<br> +out in a stentorian voice,—</p> + +<p>"'Two horses for Goran Bridge to meet Counsellor +Kinshella.'</p> + +<p>"'That's the other fellow?' said Casey.</p> + +<p>"'It is,' said I.</p> + +<p>"'Then we must be stirring,' said he. 'Waiter, chaise and pair +in five<br> +minutes,—d'ye hear? Power, my boy, I don't want you; stay here +and study<br> +your brief. It's little trouble Counsellor Kinshella will give +you in the<br> +morning.'</p> + +<p>"All he would tell me of his plans was that he didn't mean any +serious<br> +bodily harm to the counsellor, but that certainly he was not +likely to be<br> +heard of for twenty-four hours.</p> + +<p>"'Meanwhile, Power, go in and win, my boy,' said he; 'such +another walk<br> +over may never occur.'</p> + +<p>"I must not make my story longer. The next morning the great +record of<br> +Monaghan <i>v</i>. M'Shean was called on; and as the senior +counsel were not<br> +present, the attorney wished a postponement. I, however, was +firm; told<br> +the court I was quite prepared, and with such an air of assurance +that I<br> +actually puzzled the attorney. The case was accordingly opened by +me in a<br> +very brilliant speech, and the witnesses called; but such was my +unlucky<br> +ignorance of the whole matter that I actually broke down the +testimony of<br> +our own, and fought like a Trojan, for the credit and character +of the<br> +perjurers against us! The judge rubbed his eyes; the jury looked +amazed;<br> +and the whole bar laughed outright. However, on I went, +blundering,<br> +floundering, and foundering at every step; and at half-past four, +amidst<br> +the greatest and most uproarious mirth of the whole court, heard +the jury<br> +deliver a verdict against us, just as old Kinshella rushed into +the court<br> +covered with mud and spattered with clay. He had been sent for +twenty miles<br> +to make a will for Mr. Daly, of Daly's Mount, who was supposed to +be at<br> +the point of death, but who, on his arrival, threatened to shoot +him for<br> +causing an alarm to his family by such an imputation.</p> + +<p>"The rest is soon told. They moved for a new trial, and I +moved out of the<br> +profession. I cut the bar, for it cut me. I joined the gallant +14th as a<br> +volunteer; and here I am without a single regret, I must confess, +that I<br> +didn't succeed in the great record of Monaghan <i>v</i>. +M'Shean."</p> + +<p>Once more the claret went briskly round, and while we +canvassed Power's<br> +story, many an anecdote of military life was told, as every +instant<br> +increased the charm of that career I longed for.</p> + +<p>"Another cooper, Major," said Power.</p> + +<p>"With all my heart," said the rosy little officer, as he +touched the bell<br> +behind him; "and now let's have a song."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Power," said three or four together; "let us have 'The +Irish<br> +Dragoon,' if it's only to convert your friend O'Malley +there."</p> + +<p>"Here goes, then," said Dick, taking off a bumper as he began +the following<br> +chant to the air of "Love is the Soul of a gay Irishman":—</p> + +<p> THE IRISH DRAGOON.</p> + +<p> Oh, love is the soul of an Irish dragoon<br> + In battle, in bivouac, or in saloon,<br> + From the tip of his spur to his bright sabretasche.<br> + With his soldierly gait and his bearing so high,<br> + His gay laughing look and his light speaking eye,<br> + He frowns at his rival, he ogles his wench,<br> + He springs in his saddle and <i>chasses</i> the French,<br> + With his jingling spur and his bright sabretasche.</p> + +<p> His spirits are high, and he little knows care,<br> + Whether sipping his claret or charging a square,<br> + With his jingling spur and his bright sabretasche.<br> + As ready to sing or to skirmish he's found,<br> + To take off his wine or to take up his ground;<br> + When the bugle may call him, how little he fears<br> + To charge forth in column and beat the Mounseers,<br> + With his jingling spur and his bright sabretasche.</p> + +<p> When the battle is over, he gayly rides back<br> + To cheer every soul in the night bivouac,<br> + With his jingling spur and his bright sabretasche.<br> + Oh, there you may see him in full glory crowned,<br> + As he sits 'midst his friends on the hardly won ground,<br> + And hear with what feeling the toast he will give,<br> + As he drinks to the land where all Irishmen live,<br> + With his jingling spur and his bright sabretasche.</p> + +<p>It was late when we broke up; but among all the recollections +of that<br> +pleasant evening none clung to me so forcibly, none sank so +deeply in my<br> +heart, as the gay and careless tone of Power's manly voice; and +as I fell<br> +asleep towards morning, the words of "The Irish Dragoon" were +floating<br> +through my mind and followed me in my dreams.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XVI.</p> + +<p>THE VICE-PROVOST.</p> + +<p>I had now been for some weeks a resident within the walls of +the<br> +university, and yet had never presented my letter of introduction +to Dr.<br> +Barret. Somehow, my thoughts and occupations had left me little +leisure to<br> +reflect upon my college course, and I had not felt the necessity +suggested<br> +by my friend Sir Harry, of having a supporter in the very learned +and<br> +gifted individual to whom I was accredited. How long I might have +continued<br> +in this state of indifference it is hard to say, when chance +brought about<br> +my acquaintance with the doctor.</p> + +<p>Were I not inditing a true history in this narrative of my +life, to the<br> +events and characters of which so many are living witnesses, I +should<br> +certainly fear to attempt anything like a description of this +very<br> +remarkable man; so liable would any sketch, however faint and +imperfect, be<br> +to the accusation of caricature, when all was so singular and so +eccentric.</p> + +<p>Dr. Barret was, at the time I speak of, close upon seventy +years of age,<br> +scarcely five feet in height, and even that diminutive stature +lessened<br> +by a stoop. His face was thin, pointed, and russet-colored; his +nose so<br> +aquiline as nearly to meet his projecting chin, and his small +gray eyes,<br> +red and bleary, peered beneath his well-worn cap with a glance of +mingled<br> +fear and suspicion. His dress was a suit of the rustiest black, +threadbare,<br> +and patched in several places, while a pair of large brown +leather<br> +slippers, far too big for his feet, imparted a sliding motion to +his walk<br> +that added an air of indescribable meanness to his appearance; a +gown that<br> +had been worn for twenty years, browned and coated with the +learned dust of<br> +the <i>Fagel</i>, covered his rusty habiliments, and completed +the equipments of<br> +a figure that it was somewhat difficult for the young student to +recognize<br> +as the vice-provost of the university. Such was he in externals. +Within, a<br> +greater or more profound scholar never graced the walls of the +college;<br> +a distinguished Grecian, learned in all the refinements of a +hundred<br> +dialects; a deep Orientalist, cunning in all the varieties of +Eastern<br> +languages, and able to reason with a Moonshee, or chat with a +Persian<br> +ambassador. With a mind that never ceased acquiring, he possessed +a memory<br> +ridiculous for its retentiveness, even of trifles; no character +in history,<br> +no event in chronology was unknown to him, and he was referred to +by his<br> +contemporaries for information in doubtful and disputed cases, as +men<br> +consult a lexicon or dictionary. With an intellect thus stored +with deep<br> +and far-sought knowledge, in the affairs of the world he was a +child.<br> +Without the walls of the college, for above forty years, he had +not<br> +ventured half as many times, and knew absolutely nothing of the +busy,<br> +active world that fussed and fumed so near him; his farthest +excursion was<br> +to the Bank of Ireland, to which he made occasional visits to +fund the<br> +ample income of his office, and add to the wealth which already +had<br> +acquired for him a well-merited repute of being the richest man +in college.</p> + +<p>His little intercourse with the world had left him, in all his +habits and<br> +manners, in every respect exactly as when he entered college +nearly half<br> +a century before; and as he had literally risen from the ranks in +the<br> +university, all the peculiarities of voice, accent, and +pronunciation which<br> +distinguished him as a youth, adhered to him in old age. This was +singular<br> +enough, and formed a very ludicrous contrast with the learned and +deep-read<br> +tone of his conversation; but another peculiarity, still more +striking,<br> +belonged to him. When he became a fellow, he was obliged, by the +rules of<br> +the college, to take holy orders as a <i>sine qua non</i> to his +holding his<br> +fellowship. This he did, as he would have assumed a red hood or +blue one,<br> +as bachelor of laws or doctor of medicine, and thought no more of +it;<br> +but frequently, in his moments of passionate excitement, the +venerable<br> +character with which he was invested was quite forgotten, and he +would<br> +utter some sudden and terrific oath, more productive of mirth to +his<br> +auditors than was seemly, and for which, once spoken, the poor +doctor felt<br> +the greatest shame and contrition. These oaths were no less +singular than<br> +forcible; and many a trick was practised, and many a plan +devised, that the<br> +learned vice-provost might be entrapped into his favorite +exclamation of,<br> +"May the devil admire me!" which no place or presence could +restrain.</p> + +<p>My servant, Mike, who had not been long in making himself +acquainted with<br> +all the originals about him, was the cause of my first meeting +the doctor,<br> +before whom I received a summons to appear on the very serious +charge of<br> +treating with disrespect the heads of the college.</p> + +<p>The circumstances were shortly these: Mike had, among the +other gossip of<br> +the place, heard frequent tales of the immense wealth and great +parsimony<br> +of the doctor, and of his anxiety to amass money on all +occasions, and the<br> +avidity with which even the smallest trifle was added to his +gains. He<br> +accordingly resolved to amuse himself at the expense of this +trait, and<br> +proceeded thus. Boring a hole in a halfpenny, he attached a long +string to<br> +it, and having dropped it on the doctor's step stationed himself +on the<br> +opposite side of the court, concealed from view by the angle of +the<br> +Commons' wall. He waited patiently for the chapel bell, at the +first toll<br> +of which the door opened, and the doctor issued forth. Scarcely +was his<br> +foot upon the step, when he saw the piece of money, and as +quickly stooped<br> +to seize it; but just as his finger had nearly touched it, it +evaded his<br> +grasp and slowly retreated. He tried again, but with the like +success. At<br> +last, thinking he had miscalculated the distance, he knelt +leisurely down,<br> +and put forth his hand, but lo! it again escaped him; on which, +slowly<br> +rising from his posture, he shambled on towards the chapel, +where, meeting<br> +the senior lecturer at the door, he cried out, "H——— to my +soul, Wall,<br> +but I saw the halfpenny walk away!"</p> + +<p>For the sake of the grave character whom he addressed, I need +not recount<br> +how such a speech was received; suffice it to say, that Mike had +been seen<br> +by a college porter, who reported him as my servant.</p> + +<p>I was in the very act of relating the anecdote to a large +party at<br> +breakfast in my rooms, when a summons arrived, requiring my +immediate<br> +attendance at the board, then sitting in solemn conclave at the +examination<br> +hall.</p> + +<p>I accordingly assumed my academic costume as speedily as +possible, and<br> +escorted by that most august functionary, Mr. M'Alister, +presented myself<br> +before the seniors.</p> + +<p>The members of the board, with the provost at their head, were +seated at a<br> +long oak table covered with books, papers, etc., and from the +silence they<br> +maintained as I walked up the hall, I augured that a very solemn +scene was<br> +before me.</p> + +<p>"Mr. O'Malley," said the dean, reading my name from a paper he +held in his<br> +hand, "you have been summoned here at the desire of the +vice-provost, whose<br> +questions you will reply to."</p> + +<p>I bowed. A silence of a few minutes followed, when, at length, +the learned<br> +doctor, hitching up his nether garments with both hands, put his +old and<br> +bleary eyes close to my face, while he croaked out, with an +accent that no<br> +hackney-coachman could have exceeded in vulgarity,—</p> + +<p>"Eh, O'Malley, you're <i>quartus</i>, I believe; a'n't +you?"</p> + +<p>"I believe not. I think I am the only person of that name now +on the<br> +books."</p> + +<p>"That's thrue; but there were three O'Malleys before you. +Godfrey O'Malley,<br> +that construed <i>Calve Neroni</i> to Nero the Calvinist,—ha! +ha! ha!—was<br> +cautioned in 1788."</p> + +<p>"My uncle, I believe, sir."</p> + +<p>"More than likely, from what I hear of you,—<i>Ex uno</i>, +etc. I see your name<br> +every day on the punishment roll. Late hours, never at chapel, +seldom at<br> +morning lecture. Here ye are, sixteen shillings, wearing a red +coat."</p> + +<p>"Never knew any harm in that, Doctor."</p> + +<p>"Ay, but d'ye see me, now? 'Grave raiment,' says the statute. +And then, ye<br> +keep numerous beasts of prey, dangerous in their habits, and +unseemly to<br> +behold."</p> + +<p>"A bull terrier, sir, and two game-cocks, are, I assure you, +the only<br> +animals in my household."</p> + +<p>"Well. I'll fine you for it."</p> + +<p>"I believe, Doctor," said the dean, interrupting in an +undertone, "that you<br> +cannot impose a penalty in this matter."</p> + +<p>"Ay, but I can. 'Singing-birds,' says the statute, 'are +forbidden within<br> +the wall.'"</p> + +<p>"And then, ye dazzled my eyes at Commons with a bit of +looking-glass, on<br> +Friday. I saw you. May the devil!—ahem! As I was saying, that's +casting<br> +<i>reflections</i> on the heads of the college; and your servant +it was,<br> +<i>Michaelis Liber</i>, Mickey Free,—may the flames +of!—ahem!—an insolent<br> +varlet! called me a sweep."</p> + +<p>"You, Doctor; impossible!" said I, with pretended horror.</p> + +<p>"Ay, but d'ye see me, now? It's thrue, for I looked about me +at the time,<br> +and there wasn't another sweep in the place but myself. Hell +to!—I<br> +mean—God forgive me for swearing! but I'll fine you a pound for +this."</p> + +<p>As I saw the doctor was getting on at such a pace, I +resolved,<br> +notwithstanding the august presence of the board, to try the +efficacy of<br> +Sir Harry's letter of introduction, which I had taken in my +pocket in the<br> +event of its being wanted.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, sir, if the time be an unsuitable one; but +may I take<br> +the opportunity of presenting this letter to you?"</p> + +<p>"Ha! I know the hand—Boyle's. <i>Boyle secundus</i>. Hem, ha, +ay! 'My young<br> +friend; and assist him by your advice.' To be sure! Oh, of +course. Eh, tell<br> +me, young man, did Boyle say nothing to you about the copy of +Erasmus,<br> +bound in vellum, that I sold him in Trinity term, 1782?"</p> + +<p>"I rather think not, sir," said I, doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, he might. He owes me two-and-fourpence of the +balance."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I beg pardon, sir; I now remember he desired me to repay +you that sum;<br> +but he had just sealed the letter when he recollected it."</p> + +<p>"Better late than never," said the doctor, smiling graciously. +"Where's the<br> +money? Ay! half-a-crown. I haven't twopence—never mind. Go away, +young<br> +man; the case is dismissed. <i>Vehementer miror quare hue +venisti</i>. You're<br> +more fit for anything than a college life. Keep good hours; mind +the terms;<br> +and dismiss <i>Michaelis Liber</i>. Ha, ha, ha! May the +devil!—hem!—that is<br> +do—" So saying, the little doctor's hand pushed me from the +hall, his mind<br> +evidently relieved of all the griefs from which he had been +suffering, by<br> +the recovery of his long-lost two-and-four-pence.</p> + +<p>Such was my first and last interview with the vice-provost, +and it made an<br> +impression upon me that all the intervening years have neither +dimmed nor<br> +erased.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XVII.</p> + +<p>TRINITY COLLEGE.—A LECTURE.</p> + +<p>I had not been many weeks a resident of Old Trinity ere the +flattering<br> +reputation my chum, Mr. Francis Webber, had acquired, extended +also to<br> +myself; and by universal consent, we were acknowledged the most +riotous,<br> +ill-conducted, disorderly men on the books of the university. +Were the<br> +lamps of the squares extinguished, and the college left in total +darkness,<br> +we were summoned before the dean; was the vice-provost serenaded +with<br> +a chorus of trombones and French horns, to our taste in music was +the<br> +attention ascribed; did a sudden alarm of fire disturb the +congregation<br> +at morning chapel, Messrs. Webber and O'Malley were brought +before the<br> +board,—and I must do them the justice to say that the most +trifling<br> +circumstantial evidence was ever sufficient to bring a +conviction. Reading<br> +men avoided the building where we resided as they would have done +the<br> +plague. Our doors, like those of a certain classic precinct +commemorated by<br> +a Latin writer, lay open night and day, while mustached dragoons, +knowingly<br> +dressed four-in-hand men, fox-hunters in pink, issuing forth to +the<br> +Dubber or returning splashed from a run with the Kildare hounds, +were<br> +everlastingly seen passing and repassing. Within, the noise and +confusion<br> +resembled rather the mess-room of a regiment towards eleven at +night<br> +than the chambers of a college student; while, with the double +object of<br> +affecting to be in ill-health, and to avoid the reflections that +daylight<br> +occasionally inspires, the shutters were never opened, but lamps +and<br> +candles kept always burning. Such was No. 2, Old Square, in the +goodly days<br> +I write of. All the terrors of fines and punishments fell +scathless on the<br> +head of my worthy chum. In fact, like a well-known political +character,<br> +whose pleasure and amusement it has been for some years past to +drive<br> +through acts of Parliament and deride the powers of the law, so +did Mr.<br> +Webber tread his way, serpenting through the statute-book, ever +grazing,<br> +but rarely trespassing upon some forbidden ground which might +involve the<br> +great punishment of expulsion. So expert, too, had he become in +his special<br> +pleadings, so dexterous in the law of the university, that it was +no easy<br> +matter to bring crime home to him; and even when this was done, +his pleas<br> +of mitigation rarely failed of success.</p> + +<p>There was a sweetness of demeanor, a mild, subdued tone about +him, that<br> +constantly puzzled the worthy heads of the college how the +accusations<br> +ever brought against him could be founded on truth; that the +pale,<br> +delicate-looking student, whose harsh, hacking cough terrified +the hearers,<br> +could be the boisterous performer upon a key-bugle, or the +terrific<br> +assailant of watchmen, was something too absurd for belief. And +when Mr.<br> +Webber, with his hand upon his heart, and in his most dulcet +accents,<br> +assured them that the hours he was not engaged in reading for the +medal<br> +were passed in the soothing society of a few select and intimate +friends<br> +of literary tastes and refined minds, who, knowing the delicacy +of his<br> +health,—here he would cough,—were kind enough to sit up with +him for an<br> +hour or so in the evening, the delusion was perfect; and the +story of the<br> +dean's riotous habits having got abroad, the charge was usually +suppressed.</p> + +<p>Like most idle men, Webber never had a moment to spare. Except +read, there<br> +was nothing he did not do; training a hack for a race in the +Phoenix,<br> +arranging a rowing-match, getting up a mock duel between two +white-feather<br> +acquaintances, were his almost daily avocations. Besides that, he +was at<br> +the head of many organized societies, instituted for various +benevolent<br> +purposes. One was called "The Association for Discountenancing +Watchmen;"<br> +another, "The Board of Works," whose object was principally +devoted to the<br> +embellishment of the university, in which, to do them justice, +their labors<br> +were unceasing, and what with the assistance of some black paint, +a ladder,<br> +and a few pounds of gunpowder, they certainly contrived to effect +many<br> +important changes. Upon an examination morning, some hundred +luckless<br> +"jibs" might be seen perambulating the courts, in the vain effort +to<br> +discover their tutors' chambers, the names having undergone an +alteration<br> +that left all trace of their original proprietors unattainable: +Doctor<br> +Francis Mooney having become Doctor Full Moon; Doctor Hare being, +by the<br> +change of two letters, Doctor Ape; Romney Robinson, Romulus and +Remus, etc.<br> +While, upon occasions like these, there could be but little doubt +of Master<br> +Frank's intentions, upon many others, so subtle were his +inventions, so<br> +well-contrived his plots, it became a matter of considerable +difficulty to<br> +say whether the mishap which befell some luckless acquaintance +were the<br> +result of design or mere accident; and not unfrequently +well-disposed<br> +individuals were found condoling with "Poor Frank" upon his +ignorance of<br> +some college rule or etiquette, his breach of which had been long +and<br> +deliberately planned. Of this latter description was a +circumstance which<br> +occurred about this time, and which some who may throw an eye +over these<br> +pages will perhaps remember.</p> + +<p>The dean, having heard (and, indeed, the preparations were not +intended to<br> +secure secrecy) that Webber destined to entertain a party of his +friends<br> +at dinner on a certain day, sent a peremptory order for his +appearance at<br> +Commons, his name being erased from the sick list, and a pretty +strong hint<br> +conveyed to him that any evasion upon his part would be certainly +followed<br> +by an inquiry into the real reasons for his absence. What was to +be done?<br> +That was the very day he had destined for his dinner. To be sure, +the<br> +majority of his guests were college men, who would understand +the<br> +difficulty at once; but still there were some others, officers of +the 14th,<br> +with whom he was constantly dining, and whom he could not so +easily<br> +put off. The affair was difficult, but still Webber was the man +for a<br> +difficulty; in fact, he rather liked one. A very brief +consideration<br> +accordingly sufficed, and he sat down and wrote to his friends at +the Royal<br> +Barracks thus:—</p> + +<p> + Saturday.<br> + + DEAR POWER,—I have a better plan for Tuesday than that I<br> + had proposed. Lunch here at three (we'll call it dinner), in +the hall<br> + with the great guns. I can't say much for the grub; but +the<br> + company—glorious!<br> + After that we'll start for Lucan in the drag; take<br> + our coffee, strawberries, etc., and return to No. 2 for +supper at ten.<br> + Advertise your fellows of this change, and believe me,</p> + +<p> Most unchangeably yours, FRANK WEBBER.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, as three o'clock struck, six dashing-looking +light dragoons<br> +were seen slowly sauntering up the middle of the dining-hall, +escorted<br> +by Webber, who, in full academic costume, was leisurely +ciceroning his<br> +friends, and expatiating upon the excellences of the very +remarkable<br> +portraits which graced the walls.</p> + +<p>The porters looked on with some surprise at the singular hour +selected<br> +for sight-seeing; but what was their astonishment to find that +the party,<br> +having arrived at the end of the hall, instead of turning back +again, very<br> +composedly unbuckled their belts, and having disposed of their +sabres in a<br> +corner, took their places at the Fellows' table, and sat down +amidst the<br> +collective wisdom of Greek lecturers and Regius professors, as +though they<br> +had been mere mortals like themselves.</p> + +<p>Scarcely was the long Latin grace concluded, when Webber, +leaning forward,<br> +enjoined his friends, in a very audible whisper, that if they +intended to<br> +dine no time was to be lost.</p> + +<p>"We have but little ceremony here, gentlemen, and all we ask +is a fair<br> +start," said he, as he drew over the soup, and proceeded to help +himself.</p> + +<p>The advice was not thrown away; for each man, with an alacrity +a campaign<br> +usually teaches, made himself master of some neighboring dish, a +very quick<br> +interchange of good things speedily following the appropriation. +It was<br> +in vain that the senior lecturer looked aghast, that the +professor of<br> +astronomy frowned. The whole table, indeed, were thunderstruck, +even to the<br> +poor vice-provost himself, who, albeit given to the comforts of +the table,<br> +could not lift a morsel to his mouth, but muttered between his +teeth, "May<br> +the devil admire me, but they're dragoons!" The first shock of +surprise<br> +over, the porters proceeded to inform them that except Fellows of +the<br> +University or Fellow-commoners, none were admitted to the table. +Webber<br> +however assured them that it was a mistake, there being nothing +in the<br> +statute to exclude the 14th Light Dragoons, as he was prepared to +prove.<br> +Meanwhile dinner proceeded, Power and his party performing with +great<br> +self-satisfaction upon the sirloins and saddles about them, +regretting<br> +only, from time to time, that there was a most unaccountable +absence of<br> +wine, and suggesting the propriety of napkins whenever they +should dine<br> +there again. Whatever chagrin these unexpected guests caused +among their<br> +entertainers of the upper table, in the lower part of the hall +the laughter<br> +was loud and unceasing; and long before the hour concluded, the +Fellows<br> +took their departure, leaving to Master Frank Webber the task of +doing the<br> +honors alone and unassisted. When summoned before the board for +the offence<br> +on the following morning, Webber excused himself by throwing the +blame upon<br> +his friends, with whom, he said, nothing short of a personal +quarrel—a<br> +thing for a reading man not to be thought of—could have +prevented<br> +intruding in the manner related. Nothing less than <i>his</i> +tact could have<br> +saved him on this occasion, and at last he carried the day; while +by an<br> +act of the board the 14th Light Dragoons were pronounced the most +insolent<br> +corps in the service.</p> + +<p>An adventure of his, however, got wind about this time, and +served to<br> +enlighten many persons as to his real character, who had hitherto +been most<br> +lenient in their expressions about him. Our worthy tutor, with a +zeal for<br> +our welfare far more praiseworthy than successful, was in the +habit of<br> +summoning to his chambers, on certain mornings of the week, his +various<br> +pupils, whom he lectured in the books for the approaching +examinations.<br> +Now, as these séances were held at six o'clock in winter +as well as summer,<br> +in a cold fireless chamber,—the lecturer lying snug amidst his +blankets,<br> +while we stood shivering around the walls,—the ardor of learning +must<br> +indeed have proved strong that prompted a regular attendance. As +to Frank,<br> +he would have as soon thought of attending chapel as of +presenting himself<br> +on such an occasion. Not so with me. I had not yet grown +hackneyed enough<br> +to fly in the face of authority, and I frequently left the +whist-table, or<br> +broke off in a song, to hurry over to the doctor's chambers and +spout Homer<br> +and Hesiod. I suffered on in patience, till at last the bore +became so<br> +insupportable that I told my sorrows to my friend, who listened +to me out,<br> +and promised me succor.</p> + +<p>It so chanced that upon some evening in each week Dr. Mooney +was in the<br> +habit of visiting some friends who resided a short distance from +town,<br> +and spending the night at their house. He, of course, did not +lecture the<br> +following morning,—a paper placard, announcing no lecture, being +affixed<br> +to the door on such occasions. Frank waited patiently till he +perceived the<br> +doctor affixing this announcement upon his door one evening; and +no sooner<br> +had he left the college than he withdrew the paper and +departed.</p> + +<p>On the next morning he rose early, and concealing himself on +the staircase,<br> +waited the arrival of the venerable damsel who acted as servant +to the<br> +doctor. No sooner had she opened the door and groped her way into +the<br> +sitting-room than Frank crept forward, and stealing gently into +the<br> +bedroom, sprang into the bed and wrapped himself up in the +blankets. The<br> +great bell boomed forth at six o'clock, and soon after the sounds +of the<br> +feet were heard upon the stairs. One by one they came along, and +gradually<br> +the room was filled with cold and shivering wretches, more than +half<br> +asleep, and trying to arouse themselves into an approach to +attention.</p> + +<p>"Who's there?" said Frank, mimicking the doctor's voice, as he +yawned three<br> +or four times in succession and turned in the bed.</p> + +<p>"Collisson, O'Malley, Nesbitt," etc., said a number of voices, +anxious to<br> +have all the merit such a penance could confer.</p> + +<p>"Where's Webber?"</p> + +<p>"Absent, sir," chorussed the whole party.</p> + +<p>"Sorry for it," said the mock doctor. "Webber is a man of +first-rate<br> +capacity; and were he only to apply, I am not certain to what +eminence his<br> +abilities might raise him. Come, Collisson, any three angles of a +triangle<br> +are equal to—are equal to—what are they equal to?" Here he +yawned as<br> +though he would dislocate his jaw.</p> + +<p>"Any three angles of a triangle are equal to two right +angles," said<br> +Collisson, in the usual sing-song tone of a freshman.</p> + +<p>As he proceeded to prove the proposition, his monotonous tone +seemed to<br> +have lulled the doctor into a doze, for in a few minutes a deep, +long-drawn<br> +snore announced from the closed curtains that he listened no +longer. After<br> +a little time, however, a short snort from the sleeper awoke him +suddenly,<br> +and he called out, "Go on, I'm waiting. Do you think I can arouse +at this<br> +hour of the morning for nothing but to listen to your bungling? +Can no one<br> +give me a free translation of the passage?"</p> + +<p>This digression from mathematics to classics did not surprise +the hearers,<br> +though it somewhat confused them, no one being precisely aware +what the<br> +line in question might be.</p> + +<p>"Try it, Nesbitt,—you, O'Malley. Silent all? Really this is +too bad!" An<br> +indistinct muttering here from the crowd was followed by an +announcement<br> +from the doctor that the speaker was an ass, and his head a +turnip! "Not<br> +one of you capable of translating a chorus from Euripides,—'Ou, +ou, papai,<br> +papai,' etc.; which, after all, means no more than, 'Oh, +whilleleu, murder,<br> +why did you die!' etc. What are you laughing at, gentlemen? May I +ask, does<br> +it become a set of ignorant, ill-informed savages—yes, savages, +I repeat<br> +the word—to behave in this manner? Webber is the only man I have +with<br> +common intellect,—the only man among you capable of +distinguishing<br> +himself. But as for you, I'll bring you before the board; I'll +write to<br> +your friends; I'll stop your college indulgences; I'll confine +you to the<br> +walls; I'll be damned, eh—"</p> + +<p>This lapse confused him. He stammered, stuttered, endeavored +to recover<br> +himself; but by this time we had approached the bed, just at the +moment<br> +when Master Frank, well knowing what he might expect if detected, +had<br> +bolted from the blankets and rushed from the room. In an instant +we were in<br> +pursuit; but he regained his chambers, and double-locked the door +before we<br> +could overtake him, leaving us to ponder over the insolent tirade +we had so<br> +patiently submitted to.</p> + +<p>That morning the affair got wind all over college. As for us, +we were<br> +scarcely so much laughed at as the doctor; the world wisely +remembering,<br> +if such were the nature of our morning's orisons, we might nearly +as<br> +profitably have remained snug in our quarters.</p> + +<p>Such was our life in Old Trinity; and strange enough it is +that one should<br> +feel tempted to the confession, but I really must acknowledge +these were,<br> +after all, happy times, and I look back upon them with mingled +pleasure and<br> +sadness. The noble lord who so pathetically lamented that the +devil was not<br> +so strong in him as he used to be forty years before, has an echo +in my<br> +regrets that the student is not as young in me as when these +scenes were<br> +enacting of which I write.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XVIII.</p> + +<p>THE INVITATION.—THE WAGER.</p> + +<p>I was sitting at breakfast with Webber, a few mornings after +the mess<br> +dinner I have spoken of, when Power came in hastily.</p> + +<p>"Ha, the very man!" said he. "I say, O'Malley, here's an +invitation for you<br> +from Sir George, to dine on Friday. He desired me to say a +thousand civil<br> +things about his not having made you out, regrets that he was not +at home<br> +when you called yesterday, and all that. By Jove, I know nothing +like the<br> +favor you stand in; and as for Miss Dashwood, faith! the fair +Lucy blushed,<br> +and tore her glove in most approved style, when the old general +began his<br> +laudation of you."</p> + +<p>"Pooh, nonsense," said I; "that silly affair in the west."</p> + +<p>"Oh, very probably; there's reason the less for you looking so +excessively<br> +conscious. But I must tell you, in all fairness, that you have no +chance;<br> +nothing short of a dragoon will go down."</p> + +<p>"Be assured," said I, somewhat nettled, "my pretensions do not +aspire to<br> +the fair Miss Dashwood."</p> + +<p>"<i>Tant mieux et tant pis, mon cher</i>. I wish to Heaven +mine did; and, by<br> +Saint Patrick, if I only played the knight-errant half as +gallantly<br> +as yourself, I would not relinquish my claims to the Secretary at +War<br> +himself."</p> + +<p>"What the devil brought the old general down to your wild +regions?"<br> +inquired Webber.</p> + +<p>"To contest the county."</p> + +<p>"A bright thought, truly. When a man was looking for a seat, +why not try a<br> +place where the law is occasionally heard of?"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I can give you no information on that head; nor have +I ever heard<br> +how Sir George came to learn that such a place as Galway +existed."</p> + +<p>"I believe I can enlighten you," said Power. "Lady +Dashwood—rest her<br> +soul!—came west of the Shannon; she had a large property +somewhere in<br> +Mayo, and owned some hundred acres of swamp, with some thousand +starving<br> +tenantry thereupon, that people dignified as an estate in +Connaught. This<br> +first suggested to him the notion of setting up for the county, +probably<br> +supposing that the people who never paid in rent might like to do +so in<br> +gratitude. How he was undeceived, O'Malley there can inform us. +Indeed, I<br> +believe the worthy general, who was confoundedly hard up when he +married,<br> +expected to have got a great fortune, and little anticipated the +three<br> +chancery suits he succeeded to, nor the fourteen rent-charges to +his wife's<br> +relatives that made up the bulk of the dower. It was an unlucky +hit for him<br> +when he fell in with the old 'maid' at Bath; and had she lived, +he must<br> +have gone to the colonies. But the Lord took her one day, and +Major<br> +Dashwood was himself again. The Duke of York, the story goes, saw +him at<br> +Hounslow during a review, was much struck with his air and +appearance, made<br> +some inquiries, found him to be of excellent family and +irreproachable<br> +conduct, made him an aide-de-camp, and, in fact, made his +fortune. I do not<br> +believe that, while doing so kind, he could by possibility have +done a more<br> +popular thing. Every man in the army rejoiced at his good +fortune; so that,<br> +after all, though he has had some hard rubs, he has come well +through,<br> +the only vestige of his unfortunate matrimonial connection being +a<br> +correspondence kept up by a maiden sister of his late wife's with +him. She<br> +insists upon claiming the ties of kindred upon about twenty +family eras<br> +during the year, when she regularly writes a most loving and +ill-spelled<br> +epistle, containing the latest information from Mayo, with all +particulars<br> +of the Macan family, of which she is a worthy member. To her +constant hints<br> +of the acceptable nature of certain small remittances, the poor +general is<br> +never inattentive; but to the pleasing prospect of a visit in the +flesh<br> +from Miss Judy Macan, the good man is dead. In fact, nothing +short of being<br> +broke by general court-martial could complete his sensations of +horror at<br> +such a stroke of fortune; and I am not certain, if choice were +allowed him,<br> +that he would not prefer the latter."</p> + +<p>"Then he has never yet seen her?" said Webber.</p> + +<p>"Never," replied Power; "and he hopes to leave Ireland without +that<br> +blessing, the prospect of which, however remote and unlikely, +has, I know<br> +well, more than once terrified him since his arrival."</p> + +<p>"I say, Power, and has your worthy general sent me a card for +his ball?"</p> + +<p>"Not through me, Master Frank."</p> + +<p>"Well, now, I call that devilish shabby, do you know. He asks +O'Malley<br> +there from <i>my</i> chambers, and never notices the other man, +the superior in<br> +the firm. Eh, O'Malley, what say you?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I didn't know you were acquainted."</p> + +<p>"And who said we were? It was his fault, though, entirely, +that we were<br> +not. I am, as I have ever been, the most easy fellow in the world +on<br> +that score, never give myself airs to military people, endure +anything,<br> +everything, and you see the result; hard, ain't it?"</p> + +<p>"But, Webber, Sir George must really be excused in this +matter. He has<br> +a daughter, a most attractive, lovely daughter, just at that +budding,<br> +unsuspecting age when the heart is most susceptible of +impressions; and<br> +where, let me ask, could she run such a risk as in the chance of +a casual<br> +meeting with the redoubted lady-killer, Master Frank Webber? If +he has not<br> +sought you out, then here be his apology."</p> + +<p>"A very strong case, certainly," said Frank; "but, still, had +he confided<br> +his critical position to my honor and secrecy, he might have +depended on<br> +me; now, having taken the other line—"</p> + +<p>"Well, what then?"</p> + +<p>"Why, he must abide the consequences. I'll make fierce love to +Louisa;<br> +isn't that the name?"</p> + +<p>"Lucy, so please you."</p> + +<p>"Well, be it so,—to Lucy,—talk the little girl into a most +deplorable<br> +attachment for me."</p> + +<p>"But, how, may I ask, and when?"</p> + +<p>"I'll begin at the ball, man."</p> + +<p>"Why, I thought you said you were not going?"</p> + +<p>"There you mistake seriously. I merely said that I had not +been invited."</p> + +<p>"Then, of course," said I, "Webber, you can't think of going, +in any case,<br> +on <i>my</i> account."</p> + +<p>"My very dear friend, I go entirely upon my own. I not only +shall go, but<br> +I intend to have most particular notice and attention paid me. I +shall be<br> +prime favorite with Sir George, kiss Lucy—"</p> + +<p>"Come, come, this is too strong."</p> + +<p>"What do you bet I don't? There, now, I'll give you a pony +apiece, I do. Do<br> +you say done?"</p> + +<p>"That you kiss Miss Dashwood, and are not kicked down-stairs +for your<br> +pains; are those the terms of the wager?" inquired Power.</p> + +<p>"With all my heart. That I kiss Miss Dashwood, and am not +kicked<br> +down-stairs for my pains."</p> + +<p>"Then, I say, done."</p> + +<p>"And with you, too, O'Malley?"</p> + +<p>"I thank you," said I, coldly; "I am not disposed to make such +a return for<br> +Sir George Dashwood's hospitality as to make an insult to his +family the<br> +subject of a bet."</p> + +<p>"Why, man, what are you dreaming of? Miss Dashwood will not +refuse my<br> +chaste salute. Come, Power, I'll give you the other pony."</p> + +<p>"Agreed," said he. "At the same time, understand me +distinctly, that I hold<br> +myself perfectly eligible to winning the wager by my own +interference; for<br> +if you do kiss her, by Jove! I'll perform the remainder of the +compact."</p> + +<p>"So I understand the agreement," said Webber, arranging his +curls before<br> +the looking-glass. "Well, now, who's for Howth? The drag will be +here in<br> +half an hour."</p> + +<p>"Not I," said Power; "I must return to the barracks."</p> + +<p>"Nor I," said I, "for I shall take this opportunity of leaving +my card at<br> +Sir George Dashwood's."</p> + +<p>"I have won my fifty, however," said Power, as we walked out +in the courts.</p> + +<p>"I am not quite certain—"</p> + +<p>"Why, the devil, he would not risk a broken neck for that sum; +besides, if<br> +he did, he loses the bet."</p> + +<p>"He's a devilish keen fellow."</p> + +<p>"Let him be. In any case I am determined to be on my guard +here."</p> + +<p>So chatting, we strolled along to the Royal Hospital, when, +having dropped<br> +my pasteboard, I returned to the college.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XIX</p> + +<p>THE BALL.</p> + +<p>I have often dressed for a storming party with less of +trepidation than I<br> +felt on the evening of Sir George Dashwood's ball. Since the +eventful day<br> +of the election I had never seen Miss Dashwood; therefore, as to +what<br> +precise position I might occupy in her favor was a matter of +great doubt in<br> +my mind, and great import to my happiness. That I myself loved +her, was<br> +a matter of which all the badinage of my friends regarding her +made<br> +me painfully conscious; but that, in our relative positions, such +an<br> +attachment was all but hopeless, I could not disguise from +myself. Young as<br> +I was, I well knew to what a heritage of debt, lawsuit, and +difficulty I<br> +was born to succeed. In my own resources and means of advancement +I had no<br> +confidence whatever, had even the profession to which I was +destined been<br> +more of my choice. I daily felt that it demanded greater +exertions, if not<br> +far greater abilities, than I could command, to make success at +all likely;<br> +and then, even if such a result were in store, years, at least, +must elapse<br> +before it could happen; and where would she then be, and where +should I?<br> +Where the ardent affection I now felt and gloried in,—perhaps +all the more<br> +for its desperate hopelessness,—when the sanguine and buoyant +spirit to<br> +combat with difficulties which youth suggests, and which, later, +manhood<br> +refuses, should have passed away? And even if all these survived +the toil<br> +and labor of anxious days and painful nights, what of her? Alas, +I now<br> +reflected that, although only of my own age, her manner to me had +taken all<br> +that tone of superiority and patronage which an elder assumes +towards<br> +one younger, and which, in the spirit of protection it proceeds +upon,<br> +essentially bars up every inlet to a dearer or warmer +feeling,—at least,<br> +when the lady plays the former part. "What, then, is to be done?" +thought<br> +I. "Forget her?—but how? How shall I renounce all my plans, and +unweave<br> +the web of life I have been spreading around me for many a day, +without<br> +that one golden thread that lent it more than half its brilliancy +and all<br> +its attraction? But then the alternative is even worse, if I +encourage<br> +expectations and nurture hopes never to be realized. Well, we +meet<br> +to-night, after a long and eventful absence; let my future fate +be ruled by<br> +the results of this meeting. If Lucy Dashwood does care for me, +if I can<br> +detect in her manner enough to show me that my affection may meet +a return,<br> +the whole effort of my life shall be to make her mine; if not, if +my<br> +own feelings be all that I have to depend upon to extort a +reciprocal<br> +affection, then shall I take my last look of her, and with it the +first and<br> +brightest dream of happiness my life has hitherto presented."</p> + +<p> * * * * *</p> + +<p>It need not be wondered at if the brilliant <i>coup d'oeil</i> +of the ball-room,<br> +as I entered, struck me with astonishment, accustomed as I had +hitherto<br> +been to nothing more magnificent than an evening party of squires +and<br> +their squiresses or the annual garrison ball at the barracks. The +glare of<br> +wax-lights, the well-furnished saloons, the glitter of uniforms, +and the<br> +blaze of plumed and jewelled dames, with the clang of military +music, was a<br> +species of enchanted atmosphere which, breathing for the first +time, rarely<br> +fails to intoxicate. Never before had I seen so much beauty. +Lovely faces,<br> +dressed in all the seductive flattery of smiles, were on every +side; and as<br> +I walked from room to room, I felt how much more fatal to a man's +peace and<br> +heart's ease the whispered words and silent glances of those fair +damsels,<br> +than all the loud gayety and boisterous freedom of our country +belles, who<br> +sought to take the heart by storm and escalade.</p> + +<p>As yet I had seen neither Sir George nor his daughter, and +while I looked<br> +on every side for Lucy Dashwood, it was with a beating and +anxious heart<br> +I longed to see how she would bear comparison with the blaze of +beauty<br> +around.</p> + +<p>Just at this moment a very gorgeously dressed hussar stepped +from a doorway<br> +beside me, as if to make a passage for some one, and the next +moment she<br> +appeared leaning upon the arm of another lady. One look was all +that I had<br> +time for, when she recognized me.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Mr. O'Malley, how happy—has Sir George—has my father +seen you?"</p> + +<p>"I have only arrived this moment; I trust he is quite +well?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, thank you—"</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon with all humility, Miss Dashwood," said the +hussar, in a<br> +tone of the most knightly courtesy, "but they are waiting for +us."</p> + +<p>"But, Captain Fortescue, you must excuse me one moment more. +Mr. Lechmere,<br> +will you do me the kindness to find out Sir George? Mr. +O'Malley—Mr.<br> +Lechmere." Here she said something in French to her companion, +but so<br> +rapidly that I could not detect what it was, but merely heard the +reply,<br> +"Pas mal!"—which, as the lady continued to canvass me most +deliberately<br> +through her eye-glass, I supposed referred to me. "And now, +Captain<br> +Fortescue—" And with a look of most courteous kindness to me +she<br> +disappeared in the crowd.</p> + +<p>The gentleman to whose guidance I was entrusted was one of +the<br> +aides-de-camp, and was not long in finding Sir George. No sooner +had the<br> +good old general heard my name, than he held out both his hands +and shook<br> +mine most heartily.</p> + +<p>"At last, O'Malley; at last I am able to thank you for the +greatest<br> +service ever man rendered me. He saved Lucy, my Lord; rescued her +under<br> +circumstances where anything short of his courage and +determination must<br> +have cost her her life."</p> + +<p>"Ah, very pretty indeed," said a stiff old gentleman +addressed, as he<br> +bowed a most superbly powdered scalp before me; "most happy to +make your<br> +acquaintance."</p> + +<p>"Who is he?" added he, in nearly as loud a tone to Sir +George.</p> + +<p>"Mr. O'Malley, of O'Malley Castle."</p> + +<p>"True, I forgot; why is he not in uniform?"</p> + +<p>"Because, unfortunately, my Lord, we don't own him; he's not +in the army."</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha! thought he was."</p> + +<p>"You dance, O'Malley, I suppose? I'm sure you'd rather be over +there than<br> +hearing all my protestations of gratitude, sincere and heartfelt +as they<br> +really are."</p> + +<p>"Lechmere, introduce my friend, Mr. O'Malley; get him a +partner."</p> + +<p>I had not followed my new acquaintance many steps, when Power +came up to<br> +me. "I say, Charley," cried he, "I have been tormented to death +by half the<br> +ladies in the room to present you to them, and have been in quest +of you<br> +this half-hour. Your brilliant exploit in savage land has made +you a<br> +regular <i>preux chevalier</i>; and if you don't trade on that +adventure to your<br> +most lasting profit, you deserve to be—a lawyer. Come along +here! Lady<br> +Muckleman, the adjutant-general's lady and chief, has four Scotch +daughters<br> +you are to dance with; then I am to introduce you in all form to +the Dean<br> +of Something's niece,—she is a good-looking girl, and has two +livings in<br> +a safe county. Then there's the town-major's wife; and, in fact, +I have<br> +several engagements from this to supper-time."</p> + +<p>"A thousand thanks for all your kindness in prospective, but I +think,<br> +perhaps, it were right I should ask Miss Dashwood to dance, if +only as a<br> +matter of form,—you understand?"</p> + +<p>"And if Miss Dashwood should say, 'With pleasure, sir,' only +as a matter of<br> +form,—you understand?" said a silvery voice beside me. I turned, +and saw<br> +Lucy Dashwood, who, having overheard my free-and-easy suggestion, +replied<br> +to me in this manner.</p> + +<p>I here blundered out my excuses. What I said, and what I did +not say, I do<br> +not now remember; but certainly, it was her turn now to blush, +and her arm<br> +trembled within mine as I led her to the top of the room. In the +little<br> +opportunity which our quadrille presented for conversation, I +could not<br> +help remarking that, after the surprise of her first meeting with +me, Miss<br> +Dashwood's manner became gradually more and more reserved, and +that there<br> +was an evident struggle between her wish to appear grateful for +what had<br> +occurred, with a sense of the necessity of not incurring a +greater degree<br> +of intimacy. Such was my impression, at least, and such the +conclusion I<br> +drew from a certain quiet tone in her manner that went further to +wound my<br> +feelings and mar my happiness than any other line of conduct +towards me<br> +could possibly have effected.</p> + +<p>Our quadrille over, I was about to conduct her to a seat, when +Sir George<br> +came hurriedly up, his face greatly flushed, and betraying every +semblance<br> +of high excitement.</p> + +<p>"Dear Papa, has anything occurred? Pray what is it?" inquired +she.</p> + +<p>He smiled faintly, and replied, "Nothing very serious, my +dear, that<br> +I should alarm you in this way; but certainly, a more +disagreeable<br> +<i>contretemps</i> could scarcely occur."</p> + +<p>"Do tell me: what can it be?"</p> + +<p>"Read this," said he, presenting a very dirty-looking note +which bore the<br> +mark of a red wafer most infernally plain upon its outside.</p> + +<p>Miss Dashwood unfolded the billet, and after a moment's +silence, instead of<br> +participating, as he expected, in her father's feeling of +distress, burst<br> +out a-laughing, while she said: "Why, really, Papa, I do not see +why this<br> +should put you out much, after all. Aunt may be somewhat of a +character, as<br> +her note evinces, but after a few days—"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, child; there's nothing in this world I have such a +dread of as<br> +that confounded woman,—and to come at such a time."</p> + +<p>"When does she speak of paying her visit?"</p> + +<p>"I knew you had not read the note," said Sir George, hastily; +"she's coming<br> +here to-night,—is on her way this instant, perhaps. What is to +be done? If<br> +she forces her way in here, I shall go deranged outright; +O'Malley, my boy,<br> +read this note, and you will not feel surprised if I appear in +the humor<br> +you see me."</p> + +<p>I took the billet from the hands of Miss Dashwood, and read as +follows:—</p> + +<p> DEAR BROTHER,—When this reaches your hand, I'll not be +far<br> + off. I'm on my way up to town, to be under Dr. Dease for the +ould<br> + complaint. Cowley mistakes my case entirely; he says it's +nothing<br> + but religion and wind. Father Magrath, who understands a +good<br> + deal about females, thinks otherwise; but God knows who's +right.<br> + Expect me to tea, and, with love to Lucy,<br> + Believe me, yours in haste,<br> + JUDITH MACAN.</p> + +<p>Let the sheets be well aired in my room; and if you have a +spare bed,<br> +perhaps we could prevail upon Father Magrath to stop too.</p> + +<p>I scarcely could contain my laughter till I got to the end of +this very<br> +free-and-easy epistle; when at last I burst forth in a hearty +fit, in which<br> +I was joined by Miss Dashwood.</p> + +<p>From the account Power had given me in the morning, I had no +difficulty in<br> +guessing that the writer was the maiden sister of the late Lady +Dashwood;<br> +and for whose relationship Sir George had ever testified the +greatest<br> +dread, even at the distance of two hundred miles; and for whom, +in any<br> +nearer intimacy, he was in no wise prepared.</p> + +<p>"I say, Lucy," said he, "there's only one thing to be done: if +this horrid<br> +woman does arrive, let her be shown to her room; and for the few +days of<br> +her stay in town, we'll neither see nor be seen by any one."</p> + +<p>Without waiting for a reply, Sir George was turning away to +give the<br> +necessary instructions, when the door of the drawing-room was +flung open,<br> +and the servant announced, in his loudest voice, "Miss Macan." +Never shall<br> +I forget the poor general's look of horror as the words reached +him; for as<br> +yet, he was too far to catch even a glimpse of its fair owner. As +for me, I<br> +was already so much interested in seeing what she was like, that +I made my<br> +way through the crowd towards the door. It is no common +occurrence that can<br> +distract the various occupations of a crowded ball-room, where, +amidst the<br> +crash of music and the din of conversation, goes on the soft, low +voice<br> +of insinuating flattery, or the light flirtation of a first +acquaintance;<br> +every clique, every coterie, every little group of three or four +has its<br> +own separate and private interests, forming a little world of its +own, and<br> +caring for and heeding nothing that goes on around; and even when +some<br> +striking character or illustrious personage makes his +<i>entrée</i>, the<br> +attention he attracts is so momentary, that the buzz of +conversation is<br> +scarcely, if at all, interrupted, and the business of pleasure +continues<br> +to flow on. Not so now, however. No sooner had the servant +pronounced the<br> +magical name of Miss Macan, than all seemed to stand still. The +spell thus<br> +exercised over the luckless general seemed to have extended to +his company;<br> +for it was with difficulty that any one could continue his train +of<br> +conversation, while every eye was directed towards the door. +About two<br> +steps in advance of the servant, who still stood door in hand, +was a tall,<br> +elderly lady, dressed in an antique brocade silk, with enormous +flowers<br> +gaudily embroidered upon it. Her hair was powdered and turned +back in the<br> +fashion of fifty years before; while her high-pointed and heeled +shoes<br> +completed a costume that had not been seen for nearly a century. +Her short,<br> +skinny arms were bare and partly covered by a falling flower of +old point<br> +lace, while on her hands she wore black silk mittens; a pair of +green<br> +spectacles scarcely dimmed the lustre of a most piercing pair of +eyes, to<br> +whose effect a very palpable touch of rouge on the cheeks +certainly added<br> +brilliancy. There stood this most singular apparition, holding +before her<br> +a fan about the size of a modern tea-tray; while at each +repetition of her<br> +name by the servant, she curtesied deeply, bestowing the while +upon the gay<br> +crowd before her a very curious look of maidenly modesty at her +solitary<br> +and unprotected position.</p> + +<a name="0174"></a> +<img alt="0174.jpg (132K)" src="0174.jpg" height="511" width="680"> + +<p>[MISS JUDY MACAN.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>As no one had ever heard of the fair Judith, save one or two +of Sir<br> +George's most intimate friends, the greater part of the company +were<br> +disposed to regard Miss Macan as some one who had mistaken the +character of<br> +the invitation, and had come in a fancy dress. But this delusion +was but<br> +momentary, as Sir George, armed with the courage of despair, +forced his way<br> +through the crowd, and taking her hand affectionately, bid her +welcome to<br> +Dublin. The fair Judy, at this, threw her arms about his neck, +and saluted<br> +him with a hearty smack that was heard all over the room.</p> + +<p>"Where's Lucy, Brother? Let me embrace my little darling," +said the lady,<br> +in an accent that told more of Miss Macan than a three-volume +biography<br> +could have done. "There she is, I'm sure; kiss me, my honey."</p> + +<p>This office Miss Dashwood performed with an effort at courtesy +really<br> +admirable; while, taking her aunt's arm, she led her to a +sofa.</p> + +<p>It needed all the poor general's tact to get over the +sensation of this<br> +most <i>malapropos</i> addition to his party; but by degrees the +various groups<br> +renewed their occupations, although many a smile, and more than +one<br> +sarcastic glance at the sofa, betrayed that the maiden aunt had +not escaped<br> +criticism.</p> + +<p>Power, whose propensity for fun very considerably out-stripped +his sense of<br> +decorum to his commanding officer, had already made his way +towards Miss<br> +Dashwood, and succeeded in obtaining a formal introduction to +Miss Macan.</p> + +<p>"I hope you will do me the favor to dance next set with me, +Miss Macan?"</p> + +<p>"Really, Captain, it's very polite of you, but you must excuse +me. I was<br> +never anything great in quadrilles; but if a reel or a jig—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear Aunt, don't think of it, I beg of you."</p> + +<p>"Or even Sir Roger de Coverley," resumed Miss Macan.</p> + +<p>"I assure you, quite equally impossible."</p> + +<p>"Then I'm certain you waltz," said Power.</p> + +<p>"What do you take me for, young man? I hope I know better. I +wish Father<br> +Magrath heard you ask me that question, and for all your laced +jacket—"</p> + +<p>"Dearest Aunt, Captain Power didn't mean to offend you; I'm +certain he—"</p> + +<p>"Well, why did he dare to [<i>sob, sob</i>]—did he see +anything light about me,<br> +that he [<i>sob, sob, sob</i>]—oh, dear! oh, dear! is it for +this I came up<br> +from my little peaceful place in the west [<i>sob, sob, +sob</i>]?—General,<br> +George, dear; Lucy, my love, I'm taken bad. Oh, dear! oh, dear! +is there<br> +any whiskey negus?"</p> + +<p>Whatever sympathy Miss Macan's sufferings might have excited +in the crowd<br> +about her before, this last question totally routed them, and a +most hearty<br> +fit of laughter broke forth from more than one of the +bystanders.</p> + +<p>At length, however, she was comforted, and her pacification +completely<br> +effected by Sir George setting her down to a whist-table. From +this moment<br> +I lost sight of her for above two hours. Meanwhile I had little +opportunity<br> +of following up my intimacy with Miss Dashwood, and as I rather +suspected<br> +that, on more than one occasion, she seemed to avoid our meeting, +I took<br> +especial care on my part, to spare her the annoyance.</p> + +<p>For one instant only had I any opportunity of addressing her, +and then<br> +there was such an evident embarrassment in her manner that I +readily<br> +perceived how she felt circumstanced, and that the sense of +gratitude to<br> +one whose further advances she might have feared, rendered her +constrained<br> +and awkward. "Too true," said I, "she avoids me. My being here is +only a<br> +source of discomfort and pain to her; therefore, I'll take my +leave, and<br> +whatever it may cost me, never to return." With this intention, +resolving<br> +to wish Sir George a very good night, I sought him out for some +minutes. At<br> +length I saw him in a corner, conversing with the old nobleman to +whom he<br> +had presented me early in the evening.</p> + +<p>"True, upon my honor, Sir George," said he; "I saw it myself, +and she did<br> +it just as dexterously as the oldest blackleg in Paris."</p> + +<p>"Why, you don't mean to say that she cheated?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I do, though,—turned the ace every time. Lady +Herbert said to<br> +me, 'Very extraordinary it is,—four by honors again.' So I +looked, and<br> +then I perceived it,—a very old trick it is; but she did it +beautifully.<br> +What's her name?"</p> + +<p>"Some western name; I forget it," said the poor general, ready +to die with<br> +shame.</p> + +<p>"Clever old woman, very!" said the old lord, taking a pinch of +snuff; "but<br> +revokes too often."</p> + +<p>Supper was announced at this critical moment, and before I had +further<br> +thought of my determination to escape, I felt myself hurried +along in the<br> +crowd towards the staircase. The party immediately in front of me +were<br> +Power and Miss Macan, who now appeared reconciled, and certainly +testified<br> +most openly their mutual feelings of good-will.</p> + +<p>"I say, Charley," whispered Power, as I came along, "it is +capital<br> +fun,—never met anything equal to her; but the poor general will +never<br> +live through it, and I'm certain of ten day's arrest for this +night's<br> +proceeding."</p> + +<p>"Any news of Webber?" I inquired.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I fancy I can tell something of him; for I heard of +some one<br> +presenting himself, and being refused the <i>entrée</i>, +so that Master Frank<br> +has lost his money. Sit near us, I pray you, at supper. We must +take care<br> +of the dear aunt for the niece's sake, eh?"</p> + +<p>Not seeing the force of this reasoning, I soon separated +myself from them,<br> +and secured a corner at a side-table. Every supper on such an +occasion as<br> +this is the same scene of solid white muslin, faded flowers, +flushed faces,<br> +torn gloves, blushes, blanc-mange, cold chicken, jelly, sponge +cakes,<br> +spooney young gentlemen doing the attentive, and watchful +mammas<br> +calculating what precise degree of propinquity in the crush is +safe or<br> +seasonable for their daughters to the mustached and unmarrying +lovers<br> +beside them. There are always the same set of gratified elders, +like the<br> +benchers in King's Inn, marched up to the head of the table, to +eat, drink,<br> +and be happy, removed from the more profane looks and soft +speeches of the<br> +younger part of the creation. Then there are the <i>hoi +polloi</i> of outcasts,<br> +younger sons of younger brothers, tutors, governesses, +portionless cousins,<br> +and curates, all formed in phalanx round the side-tables, whose +primitive<br> +habits and simple tastes are evinced by their all eating off the +same plate<br> +and drinking from nearly the same wine-glass,—too happy if some +better-off<br> +acquaintance at the long table invites them to "wine," though the +ceremony<br> +on their part is limited to the pantomime of drinking. To this +miserable<br> +<i>tiers etat</i> I belonged, and bore my fate with unconcern; +for, alas, my<br> +spirits were depressed and my heart heavy. Lucy's treatment of me +was every<br> +moment before me, contrasted with her gay and courteous demeanor +to all<br> +save myself, and I longed for the moment to get away.</p> + +<p>Never had I seen her looking so beautiful; her brilliant eyes +were lit with<br> +pleasure, and her smile was enchantment itself. What would I not +have given<br> +for one moment's explanation, as I took my leave forever!—one +brief avowal<br> +of my unalterable, devoted love; for which I sought not nor +expected<br> +return, but merely that I might not be forgotten.</p> + +<p>Such were my thoughts, when a dialogue quite near me aroused +me from my<br> +revery. I was not long in detecting the speakers, who, with their +backs<br> +turned to us, were seated at the great table discussing a very +liberal<br> +allowance of pigeon-pie, a flask of champagne standing between +them.</p> + +<p>"Don't now! don't I tell ye; it's little ye know Galway, or ye +wouldn't<br> +think to make up to me, squeezing my foot."</p> + +<p>"Upon my soul, you're an angel, a regular angel. I never saw a +woman suit<br> +my fancy before."</p> + +<p>"Oh, behave now. Father Magrath says—"</p> + +<p>"Who's he?"</p> + +<p>"The priest; no less."</p> + +<p>"Oh, confound him!"</p> + +<p>"Confound Father Magrath, young man?"</p> + +<p>"Well, then, Judy, don't be angry; I only meant that a dragoon +knows rather<br> +more of these matters than a priest."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I'm not so sure of that. But anyhow, I'd have you +to remember<br> +it ain't a Widow Malone you have beside you."</p> + +<p>"Never heard of the lady," said Power.</p> + +<p>"Sure, it's a song,—poor creature,—it's a song they made +about her in the<br> +North Cork, when they were quartered down in our county."</p> + +<p>"I wish to Heaven you'd sing it."</p> + +<p>"What will you give me, then, if I do?"</p> + +<p>"Anything,—everything; my heart, my life."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't give a trauneen for all of them. Give me that old +green ring on<br> +your finger, then."</p> + +<p>"It's yours," said Power, placing it gracefully upon Miss +Macan's finger;<br> +"and now for your promise."</p> + +<p>"May be my brother might not like it."</p> + +<p>"He'd be delighted," said Power; "he dotes on music."</p> + +<p>"Does he now?"</p> + +<p>"On my honor, he does."</p> + +<p>"Well, mind you get up a good chorus, for the song has one, +and here it<br> +is."</p> + +<p>"Miss Macan's song!" said Power, tapping the table with his +knife.</p> + +<p>"Miss Macan's song!" was re-echoed on all sides; and before +the luckless<br> +general could interfere, she had begun. How to explain the air I +know not,<br> +for I never heard its name; but at the end of each verse a +species of echo<br> +followed the last word that rendered it irresistibly +ridiculous.</p> + +<p> THE WIDOW MALONE.</p> + +<p> Did ye hear of the Widow Malone,<br> + Ohone!<br> + Who lived in the town of Athlone,<br> + Alone?<br> + Oh, she melted the hearts<br> + Of the swains in them parts,<br> + So lovely the Widow Malone,<br> + Ohone!<br> + So lovely the Widow Malone.</p> + +<p> Of lovers she had a full score,<br> + Or more;<br> + And fortunes they all had galore,<br> + In store;<br> + From the minister down<br> + To the clerk of the crown,<br> + All were courting the Widow Malone,<br> + Ohone!<br> + All were courting the Widow Malone.</p> + +<p> But so modest was Mrs. Malone,<br> + 'T was known<br> + No one ever could see her alone,<br> + Ohone!<br> + Let them ogle and sigh,<br> + They could ne'er catch her eye,<br> + So bashful the Widow Malone,<br> + Ohone!<br> + So bashful the Widow Malone.</p> + +<p> Till one Mister O'Brien from Clare,<br> + How quare!<br> + It's little for blushin' they care<br> + Down there;<br> + Put his arm round her waist,<br> + Gave ten kisses at laste,<br> + "Oh," says he, "you're my Molly Malone,<br> + My own;<br> + Oh," says he, "you're my Molly Malone."</p> + +<p> And the widow they all thought so shy,<br> + My eye!<br> + Ne'er thought of a simper or sigh,<br> + For why?<br> + But "Lucius," says she,<br> + "Since you've made now so free,<br> + You may marry your Mary Malone,<br> + Ohone!<br> + You may marry your Mary Malone."</p> + +<p> There's a moral contained in my song,<br> + Not wrong;<br> + And one comfort it's not very long,<br> + But strong;<br> + If for widows you die,<br> + Larn to <i>kiss, not</i> to <i>sigh</i>,<br> + For they're all like sweet Mistress Malone,<br> + Ohone!<br> + Oh, they're very like Mistress Malone.</p> + +<p>Never did song create such a sensation as Miss Macan's; and +certainly<br> +her desires as to the chorus were followed to the letter, for +"The Widow<br> +Malone, ohone!" resounded from one end of the table to the other, +amidst<br> +one universal shout of laughter. None could resist the ludicrous +effect of<br> +her melody; and even poor Sir George, sinking under the disgrace +of his<br> +relationship, which she had contrived to make public by frequent +allusions<br> +to her "dear brother the general," yielded at last, and joined in +the mirth<br> +around him.</p> + +<p>"I insist upon a copy of 'The Widow,' Miss Macan," said +Power.</p> + +<p>"To be sure; give me a call to-morrow,—let me see,—about +two. Father<br> +Magrath won't be at home," said she, with a coquettish look.</p> + +<p>"Where, pray, may I pay my respects?"</p> + +<p>"No. 22 South Anne Street,—very respectable lodgings. I'll +write the<br> +address in your pocket-book."</p> + +<p>Power produced a card and pencil, while Miss Macan wrote a few +lines,<br> +saying, as she handed it:—</p> + +<p>"There, now, don't read it here before the people; they'll +think it mighty<br> +indelicate in me to make an appointment."</p> + +<p>Power pocketed the card, and the next minute Miss Macan's +carriage was<br> +announced.</p> + +<p>Sir George Dashwood, who little flattered himself that his +fair guest<br> +had any intention of departure, became now most considerately +attentive,<br> +reminded her of the necessity of muffling against the night air, +hoped she<br> +would escape cold, and wished her a most cordial good-night, with +a promise<br> +of seeing her early the following day.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding Power's ambition to engross the attention of +the lady, Sir<br> +George himself saw her to her carriage, and only returned to the +room as a<br> +group was collecting around the gallant captain, to whom he was +relating<br> +some capital traits of his late conquest,—for such he dreamed +she was.</p> + +<p>"Doubt it who will," said he, "she has invited me to call on +her to-morrow,<br> +written her address on my card, told me the hour she is certain +of being<br> +alone. See here!" At these words he pulled forth the card, and +handed it to<br> +Lechmere.</p> + +<p>Scarcely were the eyes of the other thrown upon the writing, +when he said,<br> +"So, this isn't it, Power."</p> + +<p>"To be sure it is, man," said Power. "Anne Street is devilish +seedy, but<br> +that's the quarter."</p> + +<p>"Why, confound it, man!" said the other; "there's not a word +of that here."</p> + +<p>"Read it out," said Power. "Proclaim aloud my victory."</p> + +<p>Thus urged, Lechmere read:—</p> + +<p> DEAR P.,—</p> + +<p> Please pay to my credit,—and soon, mark ye!—the two +ponies<br> + lost this evening. I have done myself the pleasure of +enjoying your<br> + ball, kissed the lady, quizzed the papa, and walked into the +cunning<br> + Fred Power. Yours,<br> + FRANK WEBBER.<br> + "The Widow Malone, ohone!" is at your service.</p> + +<p>Had a thunderbolt fallen at his feet, his astonishment could +not have<br> +equalled the result of this revelation. He stamped, swore, raved, +laughed,<br> +and almost went deranged. The joke was soon spread through the +room, and<br> +from Sir George to poor Lucy, now covered with blushes at her +part in the<br> +transaction, all was laughter and astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Who is he? That is the question," said Sir George, who, with +all the<br> +ridicule of the affair hanging over him, felt no common relief at +the<br> +discovery of the imposition.</p> + +<p>"A friend of O'Malley's," said Power, delighted, in his +defeat, to involve<br> +another with himself.</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" said the general, regarding me with a look of a very +mingled<br> +cast.</p> + +<p>"Quite true, sir," said I, replying to the accusation that his +manner<br> +implied; "but equally so, that I neither knew of his plot nor +recognized<br> +him when here."</p> + +<p>"I am perfectly sure of it, my boy," said the general; "and, +after all, it<br> +was an excellent joke,—carried a little too far, it's true; eh, +Lucy?"</p> + +<p>But Lucy either heard not, or affected not to hear; and after +some little<br> +further assurance that he felt not the least annoyed, the general +turned to<br> +converse with some other friends; while I, burning with +indignation against<br> +Webber, took a cold farewell of Miss Dashwood, and retired.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XX.</p> + +<p>THE LAST NIGHT IN TRINITY.</p> + +<p>How I might have met Master Webber after his impersonation of +Miss Macan, I<br> +cannot possibly figure to myself. Fortunately, indeed, for all +parties, he<br> +left town early the next morning; and it was some weeks ere he +returned.<br> +In the meanwhile I became a daily visitor at the general's, dined +there<br> +usually three or four times a week, rode out with Lucy +constantly, and<br> +accompanied her every evening either to the theatre or into +society. Sir<br> +George, possibly from my youth, seemed to pay little attention to +an<br> +intimacy which he perceived every hour growing closer, and +frequently gave<br> +his daughter into my charge in our morning excursions on +horseback. As for<br> +me, my happiness was all but perfect. I loved, and already began +to hope<br> +that I was not regarded with indifference; for although Lucy's +manner never<br> +absolutely evinced any decided preference towards me, yet many +slight and<br> +casual circumstances served to show me that my attentions to her +were<br> +neither unnoticed nor uncared for. Among the many gay and +dashing<br> +companions of our rides, I remarked that, however anxious for +such a<br> +distinction, none ever seemed to make any way in her good graces; +and I had<br> +already gone far in my self-deception that I was destined for +good fortune,<br> +when a circumstance which occurred one morning at length served +to open my<br> +eyes to the truth, and blast by one fatal breath the whole +harvest of my<br> +hopes.</p> + +<p>We were about to set out one morning on a long ride, when Sir +George's<br> +presence was required by the arrival of an officer who had been +sent from<br> +the Horse Guards on official business. After half an hour's +delay, Colonel<br> +Cameron, the officer in question, was introduced, and entered +into<br> +conversation with our party. He had only landed in England from +the<br> +Peninsula a few days before, and had abundant information of the +stirring<br> +events enacting there. At the conclusion of an anecdote,—I +forget<br> +what,—he turned suddenly round to Miss Dashwood, who was +standing beside<br> +me, and said in a low voice:—</p> + +<p>"And now, Miss Dashwood, I am reminded of a commission I +promised a very<br> +old brother officer to perform. Can I have one moment's +conversation with<br> +you in the window?"</p> + +<p>As he spoke, I perceived that he crumpled beneath his glove +something like<br> +a letter.</p> + +<p>"To me?" said Lucy, with a look of surprise that sadly puzzled +me whether<br> +to ascribe it to coquetry or innocence,—"to me?"</p> + +<p>"To you," said the colonel, bowing; "and I am sadly deceived +by my friend<br> +Hammersley—"</p> + +<p>"Captain Hammersley?" said she, blushing deeply as she +spoke.</p> + +<p>I heard no more. She turned towards the window with the +colonel, and all I<br> +saw was that he handed her a letter, which, having hastily broken +open and<br> +thrown her eyes over, she grew at first deadly pale, then red, +and while<br> +her eyes filled with tears, I heard her say, "How like him! How +truly<br> +generous this is!" I listened for no more; my brain was wheeling +round and<br> +my senses reeling. I turned and left the room; in another moment +I was on<br> +my horse, galloping from the spot, despair, in all its blackness, +in my<br> +heart, and in my broken-hearted misery, wishing for death.</p> + +<p>I was miles away from Dublin ere I remembered well what had +occurred, and<br> +even then not over clearly. The fact that Lucy Dashwood, whom I +imagined<br> +to be my own in heart, loved another, was all that I really knew. +That<br> +one thought was all my mind was capable of, and in it my misery, +my<br> +wretchedness were centred.</p> + +<p>Of all the grief my life has known, I have had no moments like +the long<br> +hours of that dreary night. My sorrow, in turn, took every shape +and<br> +assumed every guise. Now I remembered how the Dashwoods had +courted my<br> +intimacy and encouraged my visits,—how Lucy herself had evinced +in a<br> +thousand ways that she felt a preference for me. I called to mind +the many<br> +unequivocal proofs I had given her that my feeling at least was +no common<br> +one; and yet, how had she sported with my affections, and jested +with my<br> +happiness! That she loved Hammersley I had now a palpable proof. +That this<br> +affection must have been mutual, and prosecuted at the very +moment I was<br> +not only professing my own love for her, but actually receiving +all but an<br> +avowal of its return,—oh, it was too, too base! and in my +deepest heart I<br> +cursed my folly, and vowed never to see her more.</p> + +<p>It was late on the next day ere I retraced my steps towards +town, my heart<br> +sad and heavy, careless what became of me for the future, and +pondering<br> +whether I should not at once give up my college career and return +to my<br> +uncle. When I reached my chambers, all was silent and +comfortless; Webber<br> +had not returned; my servant was from home; and I felt myself +more than<br> +ever wretched in the solitude of what had been so oft the scene +of noisy<br> +and festive gayety. I sat some hours in a half-musing state, +every sad<br> +depressing thought that blighted hopes can conjure up rising in +turn before<br> +me. A loud knocking at the door at length aroused me. I got up +and opened<br> +it. No one was there. I looked around as well as the coming gloom +of<br> +evening would permit, but saw nothing. I listened, and heard, at +some<br> +distance off, my friend Power's manly voice as he sang,—</p> + +<p> "Oh, love is the soul of an Irish dragoon!"</p> + +<p>I hallooed out, "Power!"</p> + +<p>"Eh, O'Malley, is that you?" inquired he. "Why, then, it seems +it required<br> +some deliberation whether you opened your door or not. Why, man, +you can<br> +have no great gift of prophecy, or you wouldn't have kept me so +long<br> +there."</p> + +<p>"And have you been so?"</p> + +<p>"Only twenty minutes; for as I saw the key in the lock, I had +determined to<br> +succeed if noise would do it."</p> + +<p>"How strange! I never heard it."</p> + +<p>"Glorious sleeper you must be; but come, my dear fellow, you +don't appear<br> +altogether awake yet."</p> + +<p>"I have not been quite well these few days."</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed! The Dashwoods thought there must have been +something of that<br> +kind the matter by your brisk retreat. They sent me after you +yesterday;<br> +but wherever you went, Heaven knows. I never could come up with +you; so<br> +that your great news has been keeping these twenty-four hours +longer than<br> +need be."</p> + +<p>"I am not aware what you allude to."</p> + +<p>"Well, you are not over likely to be the wiser when you hear +it, if you can<br> +assume no more intelligent look than that. Why, man, there's +great luck in<br> +store for you."</p> + +<p>"As how, pray? Come, Power, out with it; though I can't pledge +myself to<br> +feel half as grateful for my good fortune as I should do. What is +it?"</p> + +<p>"You know Cameron?"</p> + +<p>"I have seen him," said I, reddening.</p> + +<p>"Well, old Camy, as we used to call him, has brought over, +among his other<br> +news, your gazette."</p> + +<p>"My gazette! What do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Confound your uncommon stupidity this evening! I mean, man, +that you are<br> +one of us,—gazetted to the 14th Light,—the best fellows for +love, war,<br> +and whiskey that ever sported a sabretasche.</p> + +<p> 'Oh, love is the soul of an Irish dragoon!'</p> + +<p>By Jove, I am as delighted to have rescued you from the black +harness of<br> +the King's Bench as though you had been a prisoner there! Know, +then,<br> +friend Charley, that on Wednesday we proceed to Fermoy, join some +score<br> +of gallant fellows,—all food for powder,—and, with the aid of a +rotten<br> +transport and the stormy winds that blow, will be bronzing our +beautiful<br> +faces in Portugal before the month's out. But come, now, let's +see about<br> +supper. Some of ours are coming over here at eleven, and I +promised them a<br> +devilled bone; and as it's your last night among these classic +precincts,<br> +let us have a shindy of it."</p> + +<p>While I despatched Mike to Morrison's to provide supper, I +heard from Power<br> +that Sir George Dashwood had interested himself so strongly for +me that I<br> +had obtained my cornetcy in the 14th; that, fearful lest any +disappointment<br> +might arise, he had never mentioned the matter to me, but that he +had<br> +previously obtained my uncle's promise to concur in the +arrangement if his<br> +negotiation succeeded. It had so done, and now the +long-sought-for object<br> +of many days was within my grasp. But, alas, the circumstance +which lent it<br> +all its fascinations was a vanished dream; and what but two days +before had<br> +rendered my happiness perfect, I listened to listlessly and +almost without<br> +interest. Indeed, my first impulse at finding that I owed my +promotion to<br> +Sir George was to return a positive refusal of the cornetcy; but +then I<br> +remembered how deeply such conduct would hurt my poor uncle, to +whom I<br> +never could give an adequate explanation. So I heard Power in +silence to<br> +the end, thanked him sincerely for his own good-natured kindness +in the<br> +matter, which already, by the interest he had taken in me, went +far to heal<br> +the wounds that my own solitary musings were deepening in my +heart. At<br> +eighteen, fortunately, consolations are attainable that become +more<br> +difficult at eight-and-twenty, and impossible at +eight-and-thirty.</p> + +<p>While Power continued to dilate upon the delights of a +soldier's life—a<br> +theme which many a boyish dream had long since made hallowed to +my<br> +thoughts—I gradually felt my enthusiasm rising, and a certain +throbbing at<br> +my heart betrayed to me that, sad and dispirited as I felt, there +was still<br> +within that buoyant spirit which youth possesses as its +privilege, and<br> +which answers to the call of enterprise as the war-horse to the +trumpet.<br> +That a career worthy of manhood, great, glorious, and +inspiriting, opened<br> +before me, coming so soon after the late downfall of my hopes, +was in<br> +itself a source of such true pleasure that ere long I listened to +my<br> +friend, and heard his narrative with breathless interest. A +lingering sense<br> +of pique, too, had its share in all this. I longed to come +forward in some<br> +manly and dashing part, where my youth might not be ever +remembered against<br> +me, and when, having brought myself to the test, I might no +longer be<br> +looked upon and treated as a boy.</p> + +<p>We were joined at length by the other officers of the 14th, +and, to the<br> +number of twelve, sat down to supper.</p> + +<p>It was to be my last night in Old Trinity, and we resolved +that the<br> +farewell should be a solemn one. Mansfield, one of the wildest +young<br> +fellows in the regiment, had vowed that the leave-taking should +be<br> +commemorated by some very decisive and open expressions of our +feelings,<br> +and had already made some progress in arrangements for blowing up +the great<br> +bell, which had more than once obtruded upon our morning +convivialities;<br> +but he was overruled by his more discreet associates, and we at +length<br> +assumed our places at table, in the midst of which stood a +<i>hecatomb</i><br> +of all my college equipments, cap, gown, bands, etc. A funeral +pile of<br> +classics was arrayed upon the hearth, surmounted by my "Book on +the<br> +Cellar," and a punishment-roll waved its length, like a banner, +over the<br> +doomed heroes of Greece and Rome.</p> + +<p>It is seldom that any very determined attempt to be gay <i>par +excellence</i><br> +has a perfect success, but certainly upon this evening ours had. +Songs,<br> +good stories, speeches, toasts, high visions of the campaign +before us, the<br> +wild excitement which such a meeting cannot be free from, +gradually, as<br> +the wine passed from hand to hand, seized upon all, and about +four in the<br> +morning, such was the uproar we caused, and so terrific the noise +of our<br> +proceedings, that the accumulated force of porters, sent one by +one to<br> +demand admission, was now a formidable body at the door, and Mike +at last<br> +came in to assure us that the bursar,—the most dread official of +all<br> +collegians,—was without, and insisted, with a threat of his +heaviest<br> +displeasure in case of refusal, that the door should be +opened.</p> + +<p>A committee of the whole house immediately sat upon the +question; and it<br> +was at length resolved, <i>nemine contradicente</i>, that the +request should be<br> +complied with. A fresh bowl of punch, in honor of our expected +guest, was<br> +immediately concocted, a new broil put on the gridiron, and +having seated<br> +ourselves with as great a semblance of decorum as four bottles a +man admits<br> +of, Curtis the junior captain, being most drunk, was deputed to +receive the<br> +bursar at the door, and introduce him to our august presence.</p> + +<p>Mike's instructions were, that immediately on Dr. Stone the +bursar<br> +entering, the door was to be slammed to, and none of his +followers<br> +admitted. This done, the doctor was to be ushered in and left to +our polite<br> +attentions.</p> + +<p>A fresh thundering from without scarcely left time for +further<br> +deliberation; and at last Curtis moved towards the door in +execution of his<br> +mission.</p> + +<p>"Is there any one there?" said Mike, in a tone of most +unsophisticated<br> +innocence, to a rapping that, having lasted three quarters of an +hour,<br> +threatened now to break in the panel. "Is there any one +there?"</p> + +<p>"Open the door this instant,—the senior bursar desires +you,—this<br> +instant."</p> + +<p>"Sure it's night, and we're all in bed," said Mike.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Webber, Mr. O'Malley," said the bursar, now boiling with +indignation,<br> +"I summon you, in the name of the board, to admit me."</p> + +<p>"Let the gemman in," hiccoughed Curtis; and at the same +instant the<br> +heavy bars were withdrawn, and the door opened, but so sparingly +as with<br> +difficulty to permit the passage of the burly figure of the +bursar.</p> + +<p>Forcing his way through, and regardless of what became of the +rest, he<br> +pushed on vigorously through the antechamber, and before Curtis +could<br> +perform his functions of usher, stood in the midst of us. What +were his<br> +feelings at the scene before him, Heaven knows. The number of +figures in<br> +uniform at once betrayed how little his jurisdiction extended to +the great<br> +mass of the company, and he immediately turned towards me.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Webber—"</p> + +<p>"O'Malley, if you please, Mr. Bursar," said I, bowing with, +most<br> +ceremonious politeness.</p> + +<p>"No matter, sir; <i>arcades ambo</i>, I believe."</p> + +<p>"Both archdeacons," said Melville, translating, with a look of +withering<br> +contempt upon the speaker.</p> + +<p>The doctor continued, addressing me,—</p> + +<p>"May I ask, sir, if you believe yourself possessed of any +privilege for<br> +converting this university into a common tavern?"</p> + +<p>"I wish to Heaven he did," said Curtis; "capital tap your old +commons would<br> +make."</p> + +<p>"Really, Mr. Bursar," replied I, modestly, "I had begun to +flatter myself<br> +that our little innocent gayety had inspired you with the idea of +joining<br> +our party."</p> + +<p>"I humbly move that the old cove in the gown do take the +chair," sang<br> +out one. "All who are of this opinion say, 'Ay.'" A perfect yell +of ayes<br> +followed this. "All who are of the contrary say, 'No.' The ayes +have it."</p> + +<p>Before the luckless doctor had a moment for thought, his legs +were lifted<br> +from under him, and he was jerked, rather than placed, upon a +chair, and<br> +put sitting upon the table.</p> + +<p>"Mr. O'Malley, your expulsion within twenty-four hours—"</p> + +<p>"Hip, hip, hurra, hurra, hurra!" drowned the rest, while +Power, taking off<br> +the doctor's cap, replaced it by a foraging cap, very much to the +amusement<br> +of the party.</p> + +<p>"There is no penalty the law permits of that I shall +not—"</p> + +<p>"Help the doctor," said Melville, placing a glass of punch in +his<br> +unconscious hand.</p> + +<p>"Now for a 'Viva la Compagnie!'" said Telford, seating himself +at the<br> +piano, and playing the first bars of that well-known air, to +which, in our<br> +meetings, we were accustomed to improvise a doggerel in turn.</p> + +<p> "I drink to the graces, Law, Physic, Divinity,<br> + Viva la Compagnie!<br> + And here's to the worthy old Bursar of Trinity,<br> + Viva la Compagnie!"</p> + +<p>"Viva, viva la va!" etc., were chorussed with a shout that +shook the old<br> +walls, while Power took up the strain:</p> + +<p> "Though with lace caps and gowns they look so like +asses,<br> + Viva la Compagnie!"<br> + They'd rather have punch than the springs of Parnassus,<br> + Viva la Compagnie!<br> + What a nose the old gentleman has, by the way,<br> + Viva la Compagnie!<br> + Since he smelt out the Devil from Botany Bay,[1]<br> + Viva la Compagnie!</p> + +<p>[Footnote:1 Botany Bay was the slang name given by college men +to a new<br> +square rather remotely situated from the remainder of the +college.]</p> + +<p>Words cannot give even the faintest idea of the poor bursar's +feelings<br> +while these demoniacal orgies were enacting around him. Held fast +in his<br> +chair by Lechmere and another, he glowered on the riotous mob +around like a<br> +maniac, and astonishment that such liberties could be taken with +one in his<br> +situation seemed to have surpassed even his rage and resentment; +and every<br> +now and then a stray thought would flash across his mind that we +were<br> +mad,—a sentiment which, unfortunately, our conduct was but too +well<br> +calculated to inspire.</p> + +<p>"So you're the morning lecturer, old gentleman, and have just +dropped in<br> +here in the way of business; pleasant life you must have of it," +said<br> +Casey, now by far the most tipsy man present.</p> + +<p>"If you think, Mr. O'Malley, that the events of this evening +are to end<br> +here—"</p> + +<p>"Very far from it, Doctor," said Power; "I'll draw up a little +account of<br> +the affair for 'Saunders.' They shall hear of it in every corner +and nook<br> +of the kingdom."</p> + +<p>"The bursar of Trinity shall be a proverb for a good fellow +that loveth his<br> +lush," hiccoughed out Fegan.</p> + +<p>"And if you believe that such conduct is academical," said the +doctor, with<br> +a withering sneer.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not," lisped Melville, tightening his belt; "but it's +devilish<br> +convivial,—eh, Doctor?"</p> + +<p>"Is that like him?" said Moreton, producing a caricature which +he had just<br> +sketched.</p> + +<p>"Capital,—very good,—perfect. M'Cleary shall have it in his +window by<br> +noon to-day," said Power.</p> + +<p>At this instant some of the combustibles disposed among the +rejected<br> +habiliments of my late vocation caught fire, and squibs, +crackers, and<br> +detonating shots went off on all sides. The bursar, who had not +been deaf<br> +to several hints and friendly suggestions about setting fire to +him,<br> +blowing him up, etc., with one vigorous spring burst from his +antagonists,<br> +and clearing the table at a bound, reached the floor. Before he +could be<br> +seized, he had gained the door, opened it, and was away. We gave +chase,<br> +yelling like so many devils. But wine and punch, songs and +speeches, had<br> +done their work, and more than one among the pursuers measured +his length<br> +upon the pavement; while the terrified bursar, with the speed of +terror,<br> +held on his way, and gained his chambers by about twenty yards in +advance<br> +of Power and Melville, whose pursuit only ended when the oaken +panel of the<br> +door shut them out from their victim. One loud cheer beneath his +window<br> +served for our farewell to our friend, and we returned to my +rooms. By<br> +this time a regiment of those classic functionaries ycleped +porters had<br> +assembled around the door, and seemed bent upon giving battle in +honor<br> +of their maltreated ruler; but Power explained to them, in a neat +speech<br> +replete with Latin quotations, that their cause was a weak one, +that we<br> +were more than their match, and finally proposed to them to +finish the<br> +punch-bowl, to which we were really incompetent,—a motion that +met<br> +immediate acceptance; and old Duncan, with his helmet in one hand +and a<br> +goblet in the other, wished me many happy days and every luck in +this life<br> +as I stepped from the massive archway, and took my last farewell +of Old<br> +Trinity.</p> + +<p>Should any kind reader feel interested as to the ulterior +course assumed by<br> +the bursar, I have only to say that the terrors of the "Board" +were never<br> +fulminated against me, harmless and innocent as I should have +esteemed<br> +them. The threat of giving publicity to the entire proceedings by +the<br> +papers, and the dread of figuring in a sixpenny caricature in +M'Cleary's<br> +window, were too much for the worthy doctor, and he took the +wiser course<br> +under the circumstances, and held his peace about the matter. I, +too, have<br> +done so for many a year, and only now recall the scene among the +wild<br> +transactions of early days and boyish follies.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXI</p> + +<p>THE PHOENIX PARK.</p> + +<p>What a glorious thing it is when our first waking thoughts not +only dispel<br> +some dark, depressing dream, but arouse us to the consciousness +of a new<br> +and bright career suddenly opening before us, buoyant in hope, +rich in<br> +promise for the future! Life has nothing better than this. The +bold spring<br> +by which the mind clears the depth that separates misery from +happiness is<br> +ecstasy itself; and then what a world of bright visions come +teeming before<br> +us,—what plans we form; what promises we make to ourselves in +our own<br> +hearts; how prolific is the dullest imagination; how excursive +the tamest<br> +fancy, at such a moment! In a few short and fleeting seconds, the +events of<br> +a whole life are planned and pictured before us. Dreams of +happiness<br> +and visions of bliss, of which all our after-years are +insufficient to<br> +eradicate the <i>prestige</i>, come in myriads about us; and from +that narrow<br> +aperture through which this new hope pierces into our heart, a +flood of<br> +light is poured that illumines our path to the very verge of the +grave. How<br> +many a success in after-days is reckoned but as one step in that +ladder of<br> +ambition some boyish review has framed, perhaps, after all, +destined to be<br> +the first and only one! With what triumph we hail some goal +attained, some<br> +object of our wishes gained, less for its present benefit, than +as the<br> +accomplishment of some youthful prophecy, when picturing to our +hearts all<br> +that we would have in life, we whispered within us the flattery +of success.</p> + +<p>Who is there who has not had some such moment; and who would +exchange<br> +it, with all the delusive and deceptive influences by which it +comes<br> +surrounded, for the greatest actual happiness he has partaken of? +Alas,<br> +alas, it is only in the boundless expanse of such imaginations, +unreal and<br> +fictitious as they are, that we are truly blessed! Our choicest +blessings<br> +in life come even so associated with some sources of care that +the cup of<br> +enjoyment is not pure but dregged in bitterness.</p> + +<p>To such a world of bright anticipation did I awake on the +morning after the<br> +events I have detailed in the last chapter. The first thing my +eyes fell<br> +upon was an official letter from the Horse Guards:—</p> + +<p> "The commander of the forces desires that Mr. O'Malley +will report<br> + himself, immediately on the receipt of this letter, at the +headquarters<br> + of the regiment to which he is gazetted."</p> + +<p>Few and simple as the lines were, how brimful of pleasure they +sounded to<br> +my ears. The regiment to which I was gazetted! And so I was a +soldier at<br> +last! The first wish of my boyhood was then really accomplished. +And my<br> +uncle, what will he say; what will he think?</p> + +<p>"A letter, sir, by the post," said Mike, at the moment.</p> + +<p>I seized it eagerly; it came from home, but was in Considine's +handwriting.<br> +How my heart failed me as I turned to look at the seal. "Thank +God!" said<br> +I, aloud, on perceiving that it was a red one. I now tore it open +and<br> +read:—</p> + +<p> My Dear Charley,—Godfrey, being laid up with the gout, +has<br> + desired me to write to you by this day's post. Your +appointment to<br> + the 14th, notwithstanding all his prejudices about the army, +has<br> + given him sincere pleasure. I believe, between ourselves, +that your<br> + college career, of which he has heard something, convinced +him that<br> + your forte did not lie in the classics; you know I said so +always, but<br> + nobody minded me. Your new prospects are all that your best +friends<br> + could wish for you: you begin early; your corps is a crack +one; you<br> + are ordered for service. What could you have more?</p> + +<p> Your uncle hopes, if you can get a few days' leave, that +you will<br> + come down here before you join, and I hope so too; for he is +unusually<br> + low-spirited, and talks about his never seeing you again, +and<br> + all that sort of thing.</p> + +<p> I have written to Merivale, your colonel, on this subject, +as well<br> + as generally on your behalf. We were cornets together forty +years<br> + ago. A strict fellow you'll find him, but a trump on service. +If<br> + you can't manage the leave, write a long letter home at all +events.<br> + And so, God bless you, and all success!<br> + Yours sincerely,<br> + W. Considine.</p> + +<p> I had thought of writing you a long letter of advice for +your new<br> + career; and, indeed, half accomplished one. After all, +however, I<br> + can tell you little that your own good sense will not teach +you as you<br> + go on; and experience is ever better than precept. I know of +but<br> + one rule in life which admits of scarcely any exception, and +having<br> + followed it upwards of sixty years, approve of it only the +more:<br> + Never quarrel when you can help it; but meet any +man,—your<br> + tailor, your hairdresser,—if he wishes to have you out.<br> + W. C.</p> + +<p>I had scarcely come to the end of this very characteristic +epistle, when<br> +two more letters were placed upon my table. One was from Sir +George<br> +Dashwood, inviting me to dinner to meet some of my "brother +officers."<br> +How my heart beat at the expression. The other was a short note, +marked<br> +"Private," from my late tutor, Dr. Mooney, saying, "that if I +made a<br> +suitable apology to the bursar for the late affair at my room, he +might<br> +probably be induced to abandon any further step; otherwise—" +then followed<br> +innumerable threats about fine, penalties, expulsion, etc., that +fell most<br> +harmlessly upon my ears. I accepted the invitation; declined the +apology;<br> +and having ordered my horse, cantered off to the barracks to +consult my<br> +friend Power as to all the minor details of my career.</p> + +<p>As the dinner hour grew near, my thoughts became again fixed +upon Miss<br> +Dashwood; and a thousand misgivings crossed my mind as to whether +I should<br> +have nerve enough to meet her, without disclosing in my manner +the altered<br> +state of my feelings; a possibility which I now dreaded fully as +much as I<br> +had longed some days before to avow my affection for her, however +slight<br> +its prospect of return. All my valiant resolves and +well-contrived plans<br> +for appearing unmoved and indifferent in her presence, with which +I stored<br> +my mind while dressing and when on the way to dinner, were, +however,<br> +needless, for it was a party exclusively of men; and as the +coffee was<br> +served in the dining-room, no move was made to the drawing-room +by any of<br> +the company. "Quite as well as it is!" was my muttered opinion, +as I got<br> +into my cab at the door. "All is at an end as regards me in her +esteem, and<br> +I must not spend my days sighing for a young lady that cares for +another."<br> +Very reasonable, very proper resolutions these; but, alas! I went +home to<br> +bed, only to think half the night long of the fair Lucy, and +dream of her<br> +the remainder of it.</p> + +<p>When morning dawned my first thought was, Shall I see her once +more? Shall<br> +I leave her forever thus abruptly? Or, rather, shall I not +unburden my<br> +bosom of its secret, confess my love, and say farewell? I felt +such a<br> +course much more in unison with my wishes than the day before; +and as Power<br> +had told me that before a week we should present ourselves at +Fermoy, I<br> +knew that no time was to be lost.</p> + +<p>My determination was taken. I ordered my horse, and early as +it was, rode<br> +out to the Royal Hospital. My heart beat so strongly as I rode up +to the<br> +door that I half resolved to return. I rang the bell. Sir George +was in<br> +town. Miss Dashwood had just gone, five minutes before, to spend +some days<br> +at Carton. "It is fate!" thought I as I turned from the spot and +walked<br> +slowly beside my horse towards Dublin.</p> + +<p>In the few days that intervened before my leaving town, my +time was<br> +occupied from morning to night; the various details of my +uniform, outfit,<br> +etc., were undertaken for me by Power. My horses were sent for to +Galway;<br> +and I myself, with innumerable persons to see, and a mass of +business to<br> +transact, contrived at least three times a day to ride out to the +Royal<br> +Hospital, always to make some trifling inquiry for Sir George, +and always<br> +to hear repeated that Miss Dashwood had not returned.</p> + +<p>Thus passed five of my last six days in Dublin; and as the +morning of<br> +the last opened, it was with a sorrowing spirit that I felt my +hour of<br> +departure approach without one only opportunity of seeing Lucy, +even to<br> +say good-by. While Mike was packing in one corner, and I in +another was<br> +concluding a long letter to my poor uncle, my door opened and +Webber<br> +entered.</p> + +<p>"Eh, O'Malley, I'm only in time to say adieu, it seems. To my +surprise this<br> +morning I found you had cut the 'Silent Sister.' I feared I +should be too<br> +late to catch one glimpse of you ere you started for the +wars."</p> + +<p>"You are quite right, Master Frank, and I scarcely expected to +have seen<br> +you. Your last brilliant achievement at Sir George's very nearly +involved<br> +me in a serious scrape."</p> + +<p>"A mere trifle. How confoundedly silly Power must have looked, +eh? Should<br> +like so much to have seen his face. He booked up next day,—very +proper<br> +fellow. By-the-bye, O'Malley, I rather like the little girl; she +is<br> +decidedly pretty, and her foot,—did you remark her +foot?—capital."</p> + +<p>"Yes, she's very good-looking," said I, carelessly.</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking of cultivating her a little," said Webber, +pulling up his<br> +cravat and adjusting his hair at the glass. "She's spoiled by all +the<br> +tinsel vaporing of her hussar and aide-de-camp acquaintances; but +something<br> +may be done for her, eh?"</p> + +<p>"With your most able assistance and kind intentions."</p> + +<p>"That's what I mean exactly. Sorry you're going,—devilish +sorry. You<br> +served out Stone gloriously: perhaps it's as well, though,—you +know they'd<br> +have expelled you; but still something might turn up. Soldiering +is a<br> +bad style of thing, eh? How the old general did take his +sister-in-law's<br> +presence to heart! But he must forgive and forget, for I am going +to be<br> +very great friends with him and Lucy. Where are you going +now?"</p> + +<p>"I am about to try a new horse before troops," said I. "He's +stanch enough<br> +with the cry of the fox-pack in his ears; but I don't know how +he'll stand<br> +a peal of artillery."</p> + +<p>"Well, come along," said Webber; "I'll ride with you." So +saying, we<br> +mounted and set off to the Park, where two regiments of cavalry +and some<br> +horse artillery were ordered for inspection.</p> + +<p>The review was over when we reached the exercising ground, and +we slowly<br> +walked our horses towards the end of the Park, intending to +return to<br> +Dublin by the road. We had not proceeded far, when, some hundred +yards in<br> +advance, we perceived an officer riding with a lady, followed by +an orderly<br> +dragoon.</p> + +<p>"There he goes," said Webber; "I wonder if he'd ask me to +dinner, if I were<br> +to throw myself in his way?"</p> + +<p>"Who do you mean?" said I.</p> + +<p>"Sir George Dashwood, to be sure, and, <i>la voilà</i> +, Miss Lucy. The little<br> +darling rides well, too; how squarely she sits her horse. +O'Malley, I've a<br> +weakness there; upon my soul I have."</p> + +<p>"Very possible," said I; "I am aware of another friend of +mine<br> +participating in the sentiment."</p> + +<p>"One Charles O'Malley, of his Majesty's—"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, man; no, no. I mean a very different person, and, +for all I can<br> +see, with some reason to hope for success."</p> + +<p>"Oh, as to that, we flatter ourselves the thing does not +present any very<br> +considerable difficulties."</p> + +<p>"As how, pray?"</p> + +<p>"Why, of course, like all such matters, a very decisive +determination to<br> +be, to do, and to suffer, as Lindley Murray says, carries the +day. Tell her<br> +she's an angel every day for three weeks. She may laugh a little +at first,<br> +but she'll believe it in the end. Tell her that you have not the +slightest<br> +prospect of obtaining her affections, but still persist in loving +her.<br> +That, finally, you must die from the effects of despair, etc., +but rather<br> +like the notion of it than otherwise. That you know she has no +fortune;<br> +that you haven't a sixpence; and who should marry, if people +whose position<br> +in the world was similar did not?"</p> + +<p>"But halt; pray, how are you to get time and place for all +such interesting<br> +conversations?"</p> + +<p>"Time and place! Good Heavens, what a question! Is not every +hour of the<br> +twenty-four the fittest? Is not every place the most suitable? A +sudden<br> +pause in the organ of St. Patrick's did, it is true, catch me +once in a<br> +declaration of love, but the choir came in to my aid and drowned +the lady's<br> +answer. My dear O'Malley, what could prevent you this instant, if +you are<br> +so disposed, from doing the amiable to the darling Lucy +there?"</p> + +<p>"With the father for an umpire in case we disagreed," said +I.</p> + +<p>"Not at all. I should soon get rid of him."</p> + +<p>"Impossible, my dear friend."</p> + +<p>"Come now, just for the sake of convincing your obstinacy. If +you like<br> +to say good-by to the little girl without a witness, I'll take +off the<br> +he-dragon."</p> + +<p>"You don't mean—"</p> + +<p>"I do, man; I do mean it." So saying, he drew a crimson silk +handkerchief<br> +from his pocket, and fastened it round his waist like an +officer's sash.<br> +This done, and telling me to keep in their wake for some minutes, +he turned<br> +from me, and was soon concealed by a copse of white-thorn near +us.</p> + +<p>I had not gone above a hundred yards farther when I heard Sir +George's<br> +voice calling for the orderly. I looked and saw Webber at a +considerable<br> +distance in front, curvetting and playing all species of antics. +The<br> +distance between the general and myself was now so short that I +overheard<br> +the following dialogue with his sentry:—</p> + +<p>"He's not in uniform, then?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir; he has a round hat."</p> + +<p>"A round hat!"</p> + +<p>"His sash—"</p> + +<p>"A sword and sash. This is too bad. I'm determined to find him +out."</p> + +<p>"How d'ye do, General?" cried Webber, as he rode towards the +trees.</p> + +<p>"Stop, sir!" shouted Sir George.</p> + +<p>"Good-day, Sir George," replied Webber, retiring.</p> + +<p>"Stay where you are, Lucy," said the general as, dashing spurs +into his<br> +horse, he sprang forward at a gallop, incensed beyond endurance +that his<br> +most strict orders should be so openly and insultingly +transgressed.</p> + +<p>Webber led on to a deep hollow, where the road passed between +two smooth<br> +slopes, covered with furze-trees, and from which it emerged +afterwards in<br> +the thickest and most intricate part of the Park. Sir George +dashed boldly<br> +after, and in less than half a minute both were lost to my view, +leaving me<br> +in breathless amazement at Master Frank's ingenuity, and some +puzzle as to<br> +my own future movements.</p> + +<p>"Now then, or never!" said I, as I pushed boldly forward, and +in an instant<br> +was alongside of Miss Dashwood. Her astonishment at seeing me so +suddenly<br> +increased the confusion from which I felt myself suffering, and +for some<br> +minutes I could scarcely speak. At last I plucked up courage a +little, and<br> +said:—</p> + +<p>"Miss Dashwood, I have looked most anxiously, for the last +four days, for<br> +the moment which chance has now given me. I wished, before I +parted forever<br> +with those to whom I owe already so much, that I should at least +speak my<br> +gratitude ere I said good-by."</p> + +<p>"But when do you think of going?"</p> + +<p>"To-morrow. Captain Power, under whose command I am, has +received orders to<br> +embark immediately for Portugal."</p> + +<p>I thought—perhaps it was but a thought—that her cheek grew +somewhat paler<br> +as I spoke; but she remained silent; and I, scarcely knowing what +I had<br> +said, or whether I had finished, spoke not either.</p> + +<p>"Papa, I'm sure, is not aware," said she, after a long pause, +"of your<br> +intention of leaving so soon, for only last night he spoke of +some letters<br> +he meant to give you to some friends in the Peninsula; besides, I +know,"<br> +here she smiled faintly,—"that he destined some excellent advice +for your<br> +ears, as to your new path in life, for he has an immense opinion +of the<br> +value of such to a young officer."</p> + +<p>"I am, indeed, most grateful to Sir George, and truly never +did any one<br> +stand more in need of counsel than I do." This was said half +musingly, and<br> +not intended to be heard.</p> + +<p>"Then, pray, consult papa," said she, eagerly; "he is much +attached to you,<br> +and will, I am certain, do all in his power—"</p> + +<p>"Alas! I fear not, Miss Dashwood."</p> + +<p>"Why, what can you mean. Has anything so serious +occurred?"</p> + +<p>"No, no; I'm but misleading you, and exciting your sympathy +with false<br> +pretences. Should I tell you all the truth, you would not pardon, +perhaps<br> +not hear me."</p> + +<p>"You have, indeed, puzzled me; but if there is anything in +which my<br> +father—"</p> + +<p>"Less him than his daughter," said I, fixing my eyes full upon +her as I<br> +spoke. "Yes, Lucy, I feel I must confess it, cost what it may; I +love you.<br> +Stay, hear me out; I know the fruitlessness, the utter despair, +that awaits<br> +such a sentiment. My own heart tells me that I am not, cannot be, +loved in<br> +return; yet would I rather cherish in its core my affection, +slighted and<br> +unblessed, such as it is, than own another heart. I ask for +nothing, I hope<br> +for nothing; I merely entreat that, for my truth, I may meet +belief, and<br> +for my heart's worship of her whom alone I can love, compassion. +I see that<br> +you at least pity me. Nay, one word more; I have one favor more +to ask,—it<br> +is my last, my only one. Do not, when time and distance may have +separated<br> +us, perhaps forever, think that the expressions I now use are +prompted by<br> +a mere sudden ebullition of boyish feeling; do not attribute to +the<br> +circumstance of my youth alone the warmth of the attachment I +profess,—for<br> +I swear to you, by every hope that I have, that in my heart of +hearts my<br> +love to you is the source and spring of every action in my life, +of every<br> +aspiration in my heart; and when I cease to love you, I shall +cease to<br> +feel."</p> + +<p>"And now, farewell,—farewell forever!" I pressed her hand to +my lips, gave<br> +one long, last look, turned my horse rapidly away, and ere a +minute was far<br> +out of sight of where I had left her.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXII.</p> + +<p>THE ROAD.</p> + +<p>Power was detained in town by some orders from the +adjutant-general, so<br> +that I started for Cork the next morning with no other companion +than my<br> +servant Mike. For the first few stages upon the road, my own +thoughts<br> +sufficiently occupied me to render me insensible or indifferent +to all<br> +else. My opening career, the prospects my new life as a soldier +held out,<br> +my hopes of distinction, my love of Lucy with all its train of +doubts and<br> +fears, passed in review before me, and I took no note of time +till far past<br> +noon. I now looked to the back part of the coach, where Mike's +voice had<br> +been, as usual, in the ascendant for some time, and perceived +that he was<br> +surrounded by an eager auditory of four raw recruits, who, under +the care<br> +of a sergeant, were proceeding to Cork to be enrolled in their +regiment.<br> +The sergeant, whose minutes of wakefulness were only those when +the coach<br> +stopped to change horses, and when he got down to mix a "summat +hot," paid<br> +little attention to his followers, leaving them perfectly free in +all their<br> +movements, to listen to Mike's eloquence and profit by his +suggestions,<br> +should they deem fit. Master Michael's services to his new +acquaintances,<br> +I began to perceive, were not exactly of the same nature as +Dibdin is<br> +reported to have rendered to our navy in the late war. Far from +it. His<br> +theme was no contemptuous disdain for danger; no patriotic +enthusiasm<br> +to fight for home and country; no proud consciousness of British +valor,<br> +mingled with the appropriate hatred of our mutual enemies,—on +the<br> +contrary, Mike's eloquence was enlisted for the defendant. He +detailed,<br> +and in no unimpressive way either, the hardships of a soldier's +life,—its<br> +dangers, its vicissitudes, its chances, its possible penalties, +its<br> +inevitably small rewards; and, in fact, so completely did he work +on the<br> +feelings of his hearers that I perceived more than one glance +exchanged<br> +between the victims that certainly betokened anything save the +resolve to<br> +fight for King George. It was at the close of a long and most +powerful<br> +appeal upon the superiority of any other line in life, petty +larceny and<br> +small felony inclusive, that he concluded with the following +quotation:—</p> + +<p>"Thrue for ye, boys!</p> + +<p> 'With your red scarlet coat,<br> + You're as proud as a goat,<br> + And your long cap and feather.'</p> + +<p>But, by the piper that played before Moses! it's more whipping +nor<br> +gingerbread is going on among them, av ye knew but all, and heerd +the<br> +misfortune that happened to my father."</p> + +<p>"And was he a sodger?" inquired one.</p> + +<p>"Troth was he, more sorrow to him; and wasn't he a'most +whipped one day for<br> +doing what he was bid?"</p> + +<p>"Musha, but that was hard!"</p> + +<p>"To be sure it was hard; but faix, when my father seen that +they didn't<br> +know their own minds, he thought, anyhow, he knew his, so he ran +away,—and<br> +devil a bit of him they ever cotch afther. May be ye might like +to hear the<br> +story; and there's instruction in it for yez, too."</p> + +<p>A general request to this end being preferred by the company, +Mike took a<br> +shrewd look at the sergeant, to be sure that he was still +sleeping, settled<br> +his coat comfortably across his knees, and began:—</p> + +<p>Well, it's a good many years ago my father 'listed in the +North Cork, just<br> +to oblige Mr. Barry, the landlord there. For,' says he, 'Phil,' +says he,<br> +'it's not a soldier ye'll be at all, but my own man, to brush my +clothes<br> +and go errands, and the like o' that; and the king, long life to +him! will<br> +help to pay ye for your trouble. Ye understand me?' Well, my +father agreed,<br> +and Mr. Barry was as good as his word. Never a guard did my +father mount,<br> +nor as much as a drill had he, nor a roll-call, nor anything at +all, save<br> +and except wait on the captain, his master, just as pleasant as +need be,<br> +and no inconvenience in life.</p> + +<p>"Well, for three years this went on as I am telling, and the +regiment was<br> +ordered down to Bantry, because of a report that the 'boys' was +rising<br> +down there; and the second evening there was a night party +patrolling with<br> +Captain Barry for six hours in the rain, and the captain, God be +marciful<br> +to him! tuk could and died. More by token, they said it was +drink, but<br> +my father says it wasn't: 'for' says he, 'after he tuk eight +tumblers<br> +comfortable,' my father mixed the ninth, and the captain waived +his hand<br> +this way, as much as to say he'd have no more. 'Is it that ye +mean?' says<br> +my father; and the captain nodded. 'Musha, but it's sorry I am,' +says my<br> +father, 'to see you this way; for ye must be bad entirely to +leave off in<br> +the beginning of the evening.' And thrue for him, the captain was +dead in<br> +the morning.</p> + +<p>"A sorrowful day it was for my father when he died. It was the +finest<br> +place in the world; little to do, plenty of divarsion, and a kind +man he<br> +was,—when he was drunk. Well, then, when the captain was buried +and all<br> +was over, my father hoped they'd be for letting him away, as he +said,<br> +'Sure, I'm no use in life to anybody, save the man that's gone, +for his<br> +ways are all I know, and I never was a sodger.' But, upon my +conscience,<br> +they had other thoughts in their heads, for they ordered him into +the ranks<br> +to be drilled just like the recruits they took the day +before.</p> + +<p>"'Musha, isn't this hard?' said my father. 'Here I am, an ould +vitrin that<br> +ought to be discharged on a pension with two-and-sixpence a day, +obliged<br> +to go capering about the barrack-yard, practising the goose-step, +or some<br> +other nonsense not becoming my age nor my habits.' But so it was. +Well,<br> +this went on for some time, and sure, if they were hard on my +father,<br> +hadn't he his revenge; for he nigh broke their hearts with his +stupidity.<br> +Oh, nothing in life could equal him! Devil a thing, no matter how +easy, he<br> +could learn at all; and so far from caring for being in +confinement, it was<br> +that he liked best. Every sergeant in the regiment had a trial of +him, but<br> +all to no good; and he seemed striving so hard to learn all the +while that<br> +they were loath to punish him, the ould rogue!</p> + +<p>"This was going on for some time, when, one day, news came in +that a<br> +body of the rebels, as they called them, was coming down from the +Gap of<br> +Mulnavick to storm the town and burn all before them. The whole +regiment<br> +was of coorse under arms, and great preparations was made for a +battle.<br> +Meanwhile patrols were ordered to scour the roads, and sentries +posted at<br> +every turn of the way and every rising ground to give warning +when the boys<br> +came in sight; and my father was placed at the Bridge of +Drumsnag, in the<br> +wildest and bleakest part of the whole country, with nothing but +furze<br> +mountains on every side, and a straight road going over the top +of them.</p> + +<p>"'This is pleasant,' says my father, as soon as they left him +there alone<br> +by himself, with no human creature to speak to, nor a +whiskey-shop within<br> +ten miles of him; 'cowld comfort,' says he, 'on a winter's day; +and faix,<br> +but I have a mind to give ye the slip.'</p> + +<p>"Well, he put his gun down on the bridge, and he lit his pipe, +and he sat<br> +down under an ould tree and began to ruminate upon his +affairs.</p> + +<p>"'Oh, then, it's wishing it well I am,' says he, 'for +sodgering; and bad<br> +luck to the hammer that struck the shilling that 'listed me, +that's all,'<br> +for he was mighty low in his heart.</p> + +<p>"Just then a noise came rattling down near him. He listened, +and before<br> +he could get on his legs, down comes' the general, ould Cohoon, +with an<br> +orderly after him.</p> + +<p>"'Who goes there?' says my father.</p> + +<p>"'The round,' says the general, looking about all the time to +see where was<br> +the sentry, for my father was snug under the tree.</p> + +<p>"'What round?' says my father.</p> + +<p>"'The grand round,' says the general, more puzzled than +afore.</p> + +<p>"'Pass on, grand round, and God save you kindly!' says my +father, putting<br> +his pipe in his mouth again, for he thought all was over.</p> + +<p>"'D—n your soul, where are you?' says the general, for sorrow +bit of my<br> +father could he see yet.</p> + +<p>"'It's here I am,' says he, 'and a cowld place I have of it; +and if it<br> +wasn't for the pipe I'd be lost entirely.'</p> + +<p>"The words wasn't well out of his mouth when the general began +laughing,<br> +till ye'd think he'd fall off his horse; and the dragoon behind +him—more<br> +by token, they say it wasn't right for him—laughed as loud as +himself.</p> + +<p>"'Yer a droll sentry,' says the general, as soon as he could +speak.</p> + +<p>"'Be-gorra, it's little fun there's left in me,' says my +father, 'with this<br> +drilling, and parading, and blackguarding about the roads all +night.'</p> + +<p>"'And is this the way you salute your officer?' says the +general.</p> + +<p>"'Just so,' says my father; 'devil a more politeness ever they +taught me.'</p> + +<p>"'What regiment do you belong to?' says the general.</p> + +<p>"'The North Cork, bad luck to them!' says my father, with a +sigh.</p> + +<p>"'They ought to be proud of ye,' says the general.</p> + +<p>"'I'm sorry for it,' says my father, sorrowfully, 'for may be +they'll keep<br> +me the longer.'</p> + +<p>"'Well, my good fellow,' says the general, 'I haven't more +time to waste<br> +here; but let me teach you something before I go. Whenever your +officer<br> +passes, it's your duty to present to him.'</p> + +<p>"'Arrah, it's jokin' ye are,' says my father.</p> + +<p>"'No, I'm in earnest,' says he, 'as ye might learn, to your +cost, if I<br> +brought you to a court-martial.'</p> + +<p>"'Well, there's no knowing,' says my father, 'what they'd be +up to; but<br> +sure, if that's all, I'll do it, with all "the veins," whenever +yer coming<br> +this way again.'</p> + +<p>"The general began to laugh again here; but said,—</p> + +<p>'I'm coming back in the evening,' says he, 'and mind you don't +forget your<br> +respect to your officer.'</p> + +<p>"'Never fear, sir,' says my father; 'and many thanks to you +for your<br> +kindness for telling me.'</p> + +<p>"Away went the general, and the orderly after him, and in ten +minutes they<br> +were out of sight.</p> + +<p>"The night was falling fast, and one half of the mountain was +quite dark<br> +already, when my father began to think they were forgetting him +entirely.<br> +He looked one way, and he looked another, but sorra bit of a +sergeant's<br> +guard was coming to relieve him. There he was, fresh and fasting, +and<br> +daren't go for the bare life. 'I'll give you a quarter of an hour +more,'<br> +says my father, 'till the light leaves that rock up there; after +that,'<br> +says he, 'by the Mass! I'll be off, av it cost me what it +may.'</p> + +<p>"Well, sure enough, his courage was not needed this time; for +what did<br> +he see at the same moment but a shadow of something coming down +the road<br> +opposite the bridge. He looked again; and then he made out the +general<br> +himself, that was walking his horse down the steep part of the +mountain,<br> +followed by the orderly. My father immediately took up his musket +off the<br> +wall, settled his belts, shook the ashes out of his pipe and put +it into<br> +his pocket, making himself as smart and neat-looking as he could +be,<br> +determining, when ould Cohoon came up, to ask him for leave to go +home, at<br> +least for the night. Well, by this time the general was turning a +sharp<br> +part of the cliff that looks down upon the bridge, from where you +might<br> +look five miles round on every side. 'He sees me,' says my +father; 'but<br> +I'll be just as quick as himself.' No sooner said than done; for +coming<br> +forward to the parapet of the bridge, he up with his musket to +his<br> +shoulder, and presented it straight at the general. It wasn't +well there,<br> +when the officer pulled up his horse quite short, and shouted +out, 'Sentry!<br> +sentry!'</p> + +<p>"'Anan?' says my father, still covering him.</p> + +<p>"'Down with your musket you rascal. Don't you see it's the +grand round?'</p> + +<p>"'To be sure I do,' says my father, never changing for a +minute.</p> + +<p>"'The ruffian will shoot me,' says the general.</p> + +<p>"'Devil a fear,' says my father, 'av it doesn't go off of +itself.'</p> + +<p>"'What do you mean by that, you villian?' says the general, +scarcely able<br> +to speak with fright, for every turn he gave on his horse, my +father<br> +followed with the gun,—what do you mean?'</p> + +<p>"'Sure, ain't I presenting?' says my father. 'Blood an ages! +do you want me<br> +to fire next?'</p> + +<p>"With that the general drew a pistol from his holster, and +took deliberate<br> +aim at my father; and there they both stood for five minutes, +looking at<br> +each other, the orderly all the while breaking his heart laughing +behind a<br> +rock; for, ye see, the general knew av he retreated that my +father might<br> +fire on purpose, and av he came on, that he might fire by +chance,—and<br> +sorra bit he knew what was best to be done.</p> + +<p>"'Are ye going to pass the evening up there, grand round?' +says my father;<br> +'for it's tired I'm getting houldin' this so long.'</p> + +<p>"'Port arms!' shouted the general, as if on parade.</p> + +<p>"'Sure I can't, till yer past,' says my father, angrily; 'and +my hands<br> +trembling already.'</p> + +<p>"'By Heavens! I shall be shot,' says the general.</p> + +<p>"'Be-gorra, it's what I'm afraid of,' says my father; and the +words wasn't<br> +out of his mouth before off went the musket, bang!—and down fell +the<br> +general, smack on the ground, senseless. Well the orderly ran out +at this,<br> +and took him up and examined his wound; but it wasn't a wound at +all, only<br> +the wadding of the gun. For my father—God be kind to him!—ye +see, could<br> +do nothing right; and so he bit off the wrong end of the +cartridge when he<br> +put it in the gun, and, by reason, there was no bullet in it. +Well, from<br> +that day after they never got a sight of him; for the instant +that the<br> +general dropped, he sprang over the bridge-wall and got away; +and<br> +what, between living in a lime-kiln for two months, eating +nothing but<br> +blackberries and sloes, and other disguises, he never returned to +the army,<br> +but ever after took to a civil situation, and drive a hearse for +many<br> +years."</p> + +<p>How far Mike's narrative might have contributed to the support +of his<br> +theory, I am unable to pronounce; for his auditory were, at some +distance<br> +from Cork, made to descend from their lofty position and join a +larger body<br> +of recruits, all proceeding to the same destination, under a +strong escort<br> +of infantry. For ourselves, we reached the "beautiful city" in +due time,<br> +and took up our quarters at the Old George Hotel.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXIII.</p> + +<p>CORK.</p> + +<p>The undress rehearsal of a new piece, with its dirty-booted +actors, its<br> +cloaked and hooded actresses <i>en papillote</i>, bears about the +same relation<br> +to the gala, wax-lit, and bespangled ballet, as the raw young +gentleman<br> +of yesterday to the epauletted, belted, and sabretasched dragoon, +whose<br> +transformation is due to a few hours of head-quarters, and a few +interviews<br> +with the adjutant.</p> + +<p>So, at least, I felt it; and it was with a very perfect +concurrence in his<br> +Majesty's taste in a uniform, and a most entire approval of the +regimental<br> +tailor, that I strutted down George's Street a few days after my +arrival in<br> +Cork. The transports had not as yet come round; there was a great +doubt of<br> +their doing so for a week or so longer; and I found myself as +the<br> +dashing cornet, the centre of a thousand polite attentions and +most kind<br> +civilities.</p> + +<p>The officer under whose orders I was placed for the time was a +great friend<br> +of Sir George Dashwood's, and paid me, in consequence, much +attention.<br> +Major Dalrymple had been on the staff from the commencement of +his military<br> +career, had served in the commissariat for some time, was much on +foreign<br> +stations; but never, by any of the many casualties of his life, +had he seen<br> +what could be called service. His ideas of the soldier's +profession were,<br> +therefore, what might almost be as readily picked up by a +commission in the<br> +battle-axe guards, as one in his Majesty's Fiftieth. He was now a +species<br> +of district paymaster, employed in a thousand ways, either +inspecting<br> +recruits, examining accounts, revising sick certificates, or +receiving<br> +contracts for mess beef. Whether the nature of his manifold +occupations had<br> +enlarged the sphere of his talents and ambition, or whether the +abilities<br> +had suggested the variety of his duties, I know not, but truly +the major<br> +was a man of all work. No sooner did a young ensign join his +regiment at<br> +Cork, than Major Dalrymple's card was left at his quarters; the +next day<br> +came the major himself; the third brought an invitation to +dinner; on the<br> +fourth he was told to drop in, in the evening; and from +thenceforward,<br> +he was the <i>ami de la maison</i>, in company with numerous +others as<br> +newly-fledged and inexperienced as himself.</p> + +<p>One singular feature of the society at the house was that +although the<br> +major was as well known as the flag on Spike Island, yet somehow, +no<br> +officer above the rank of an ensign was ever to be met with +there. It<br> +was not that he had not a large acquaintance; in fact, the "How +are you,<br> +Major?" "How goes it, Dalrymple?" that kept everlastingly going +on as<br> +he walked the streets, proved the reverse; but strange enough, +his<br> +predilections leaned towards the newly gazetted, far before the +bronzed<br> +and seared campaigners who had seen the world, and knew more +about it. The<br> +reasons for this line of conduct were twofold. In the first +place, there<br> +was not an article of outfit, from a stock to a sword-belt, that +he could<br> +not and did not supply to the young officer,—from the gorget of +the<br> +infantry to the shako of the grenadier, all came within his +province;<br> +not that he actually kept a <i>magasin</i> of these articles, but +he had so<br> +completely interwoven his interests with those of numerous +shopkeepers in<br> +Cork that he rarely entered a shop over whose door Dalrymple +& Co. might<br> +not have figured on the sign-board. His stables were filled with +a perfect<br> +infirmary of superannuated chargers, fattened and conditioned up +to a<br> +miracle, and groomed to perfection. He could get you—<i>only +you</i>—about<br> +three dozen of sherry to take out with you as sea-store; he knew +of such a<br> +servant; he chanced upon such a camp-furniture yesterday in his +walks; in<br> +fact, why want for anything? His resources were inexhaustible; +his kindness<br> +unbounded.</p> + +<p>Then money was no object,—hang it, you could pay when you +liked; what<br> +signified it? In other words, a bill at thirty-one days, cashed +and<br> +discounted by a friend of the major's, would always do. While +such were the<br> +unlimited advantages his acquaintance conferred, the sphere of +his benefits<br> +took another range. The major had two daughters; Matilda and +Fanny were as<br> +well known in the army as Lord Fitzroy Somerset, or Picton, from +the Isle<br> +of Wight to Halifax, from Cape Coast to Chatham, from Belfast to +the<br> +Bermudas. Where was the subaltern who had not knelt at the shrine +of one<br> +or the other, if not of both, and vowed eternal love until a +change of<br> +quarters? In plain words, the major's solicitude for the service +was such,<br> +that, not content with providing the young officer with all the +necessary<br> +outfit of his profession, he longed also to supply him with a +comforter for<br> +his woes, a charmer for his solitary hours, in the person of one +of his<br> +amiable daughters. Unluckily, however, the necessity for a wife +is not<br> +enforced by "general orders," as is the cut of your coat, or the +length of<br> +your sabre; consequently, the major's success in the home +department of his<br> +diplomacy was not destined for the same happy results that +awaited it when<br> +engaged about drill trousers and camp kettles, and the Misses +Dalrymple<br> +remained misses through every clime and every campaign. And yet, +why was<br> +it so? It is hard to say. What would men have? Matilda was a +dark-haired,<br> +dark-eyed, romantic-looking girl, with a tall figure and a +slender waist,<br> +with more poetry in her head than would have turned any ordinary +brain;<br> +always unhappy, in need of consolation, never meeting with the +kindred<br> +spirit that understood her, destined to walk the world alone, her +fair<br> +thoughts smothered in the recesses of her own heart. Devilish +hard to stand<br> +this, when you began in a kind of platonic friendship on both +sides. More<br> +than one poor fellow nearly succumbed, particularly when she came +to quote<br> +Cowley, and told him, with tears in her eyes,—</p> + +<p> "There are hearts that live and love alone," etc.</p> + +<p>I'm assured that this <i>coup-de-grace</i> rarely failed in +being followed by<br> +a downright avowal of open love, which, somehow, what between the +route<br> +coming, what with waiting for leave from home, etc., never got +further than<br> +a most tender scene, and exchange of love tokens; and, in fact, +such became<br> +so often the termination, that Power swears Matty had to make a +firm<br> +resolve about cutting off any more hair, fearing a premature +baldness<br> +during the recruiting season.</p> + +<p>Now, Fanny had selected another arm of the service. Her hair +was fair; her<br> +eyes blue, laughing, languishing,—mischief-loving blue, with +long lashes,<br> +and a look in them that was wont to leave its impression rather +longer than<br> +you exactly knew of; then, her figure was <i>petite</i>, but +perfect; her feet<br> +Canova might have copied; and her hand was a study for Titian; +her voice,<br> +too, was soft and musical, but full of that +<i>gaiété de coeur</i> that never<br> +fails to charm. While her sister's style was <i>il penserono</i>, +hers was<br> +<i>l'allegro</i>; every imaginable thing, place, or person +supplied food for her<br> +mirth, and her sister's lovers all came in for their share. She +hunted<br> +with Smith Barry's hounds; she yachted with the Cove Club; she +coursed,<br> +practised at a mark with a pistol, and played chicken hazard with +all<br> +the cavalry,—for, let it be remarked as a physiological fact, +Matilda's<br> +admirers were almost invariably taken from the infantry, while +Fanny's<br> +adorers were as regularly dragoons. Whether the former be the +romantic<br> +arm of the service, and the latter be more adapted to dull +realities, or<br> +whether the phenomenon had any other explanation, I leave to the +curious.<br> +Now, this arrangement, proceeding upon that principle which has +wrought<br> +such wonders in Manchester and Sheffield,—the division of +labor,—was a<br> +most wise and equitable one, each having her one separate and +distinct<br> +field of action, interference was impossible; not but that when, +as in the<br> +present instance, cavalry was in the ascendant, Fanny would +willingly spare<br> +a dragoon or two to her sister, who likewise would repay the debt +when<br> +occasion offered.</p> + +<p>The mamma—for it is time I should say something of the head +of the<br> +family—was an excessively fat, coarse-looking, dark-skinned +personage, of<br> +some fifty years, with a voice like a boatswain in a quinsy. +Heaven can<br> +tell, perhaps, why the worthy major allied his fortunes with +hers, for she<br> +was evidently of a very inferior rank in society, could never +have been<br> +aught than downright ugly, and I never heard that she brought him +any<br> +money. "Spoiled five," the national amusement of her age and sex +in Cork,<br> +scandal, the changes in the army list, the failures in +speculation of her<br> +luckless husband, the forlorn fortunes of the girls, her +daughters, kept<br> +her in occupation, and her days were passed in one perpetual, +unceasing<br> +current of dissatisfaction and ill-temper with all around, that +formed a<br> +heavy counterpoise to the fascinations of the young ladies. The +repeated<br> +jiltings to which they had been subject had blunted any delicacy +upon the<br> +score of their marriage; and if the newly-introduced cornet or +ensign was<br> +not coming forward, as became him, at the end of the requisite +number<br> +of days, he was sure of receiving a very palpable admonition from +Mrs.<br> +Dalrymple. Hints, at first dimly shadowed, that Matilda was not +in spirits<br> +this morning; that Fanny, poor child, had a headache,—directed +especially<br> +at the culprit in question,—grew gradually into those little +motherly<br> +fondnesses in mamma, that, like the fascination of the +rattlesnake, only<br> +lure on to ruin. The doomed man was pressed to dinner when all +others were<br> +permitted to take their leave; he was treated like one of the +family, God<br> +help him! After dinner, the major would keep him an hour over his +wine,<br> +discussing the misery of an ill-assorted marriage; detailing his +own<br> +happiness in marrying a woman like the Tonga Islander I have +mentioned;<br> +hinting that girls should be brought up, not only to become +companions to<br> +their husbands, but with ideas fitting their station; if his +auditor were<br> +a military man, that none but an old officer (like him) could +know how to<br> +educate girls (like his); and that feeling he possessed two such +treasures,<br> +his whole aim in life was to guard and keep them,—a difficult +task, when<br> +proposals of the most flattering kind were coming constantly +before him.<br> +Then followed a fresh bottle, during which the major would +consult his<br> +young friend upon a very delicate affair,—no less than a +proposition for<br> +the hand of Miss Matilda, or Fanny, whichever he was supposed to +be soft<br> +upon. This was generally a <i>coup-de-maître</i>; should he +still resist, he was<br> +handed over to Mrs. Dalrymple, with a strong indictment against +him, and<br> +rarely did he escape a heavy sentence. Now, is it not strange +that two<br> +really pretty girls, with fully enough of amiable and pleasing +qualities<br> +to have excited the attention and won the affections of many a +man, should<br> +have gone on for years,—for, alas! they did so in every climate, +under<br> +every sun,—to waste their sweetness in this miserable career of +intrigue<br> +and man-trap, and yet nothing come of it? But so it was. The +first question<br> +a newly-landed regiment was asked, if coming from where they +resided, was,<br> +"Well, how are the girls?" "Oh, gloriously. Matty is there." "Ah, +indeed!<br> +poor thing." "Has Fan sported a new habit?" "Is it the old gray +with the<br> +hussar braiding? Confound it, that was seedy when I saw them in +Corfu. And<br> +Mother Dal as fat and vulgar as ever?" "Dawson of ours was the +last,<br> +and was called up for sentence when we were ordered away; of +course,<br> +he bolted," etc. Such was the invariable style of question and +answer<br> +concerning them; and although some few, either from good feeling +or<br> +fastidiousness, relished but little the mode in which it had +become<br> +habitual to treat them, I grieve to say that, generally, they +were<br> +pronounced fair game for every species of flirtation and +love-making<br> +without any "intentions" for the future. I should not have +trespassed so<br> +far upon my readers' patience, were I not, in recounting these +traits of<br> +my friends above, narrating matters of history. How many are +there who may<br> +cast their eyes upon these pages, that will say, "Poor Matilda! I +knew her<br> +at Gibraltar. Little Fanny was the life and soul of us all in +Quebec."</p> + +<p>"Mr. O'Malley," said the adjutant, as I presented myself in +the afternoon<br> +of my arrival in Cork to a short, punchy, little red-faced +gentleman, in a<br> +short jacket and ducks, "you are, I perceive, appointed to the +14th;<br> +you will have the goodness to appear on parade to-morrow morning. +The<br> +riding-school hours are——. The morning drill is——; evening +drill——.<br> +Mr. Minchin, you are a 14th man, I believe? No, I beg pardon! a +carbineer;<br> +but no matter. Mr. O'Malley, Mr. Minchin; Captain Dounie, Mr. +O'Malley.<br> +You'll dine with us to-day, and to-morrow you shall be entered at +the<br> +mess."</p> + +<p>"Yours are at Santarem, I believe?" said an old, +weather-beaten looking<br> +officer with one arm.</p> + +<p>"I'm ashamed to say, I know nothing whatever of them; I +received my gazette<br> +unexpectedly enough."</p> + +<p>"Ever in Cork before, Mr. O'Malley?"</p> + +<p>"Never," said I.</p> + +<p>"Glorious place," lisped a white-eyelashed, knocker-kneed +ensign; "splendid<br> +<i>gals</i>, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Ah, Brunton," said Minchin, "you may boast a little; but we +poor devils—"</p> + +<p>"Know the Dals?" said the hero of the lisp, addressing me.</p> + +<p>"I haven't that honor," I replied, scarcely able to guess +whether what he<br> +alluded to were objects of the picturesque or a private +family.</p> + +<p>"Introduce him, then, at once," said the adjutant; "we'll all +go in the<br> +evening. What will the old squaw think?"</p> + +<p>"Not I," said Minchin. "She wrote to the Duke of York about my +helping<br> +Matilda at supper, and not having any honorable intentions +afterwards."</p> + +<p>"We dine at 'The George' to-day, Mr. O'Malley, sharp seven. +Until then—"</p> + +<p>So saying, the little man bustled back to his accounts, and I +took my leave<br> +with the rest, to stroll about the town till dinner-time.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXIV.</p> + +<p>THE ADJUTANT'S DINNER.</p> + +<p>The adjutant's dinner was as professional an affair as need +be. A circuit<br> +or a learned society could not have been more exclusively devoted +to<br> +their own separate and immediate topics than were we. Pipeclay in +all its<br> +varieties came on the <i>tapis</i>; the last regulation cap, the +new button,<br> +the promotions, the general orders, the colonel and the colonel's +wife,<br> +stoppages, and the mess fund were all well and ably discussed; +and strange<br> +enough, while the conversation took this wide range, not a chance +allusion,<br> +not one stray hint ever wandered to the brave fellows who were +covering the<br> +army with glory in the Peninsula, nor one souvenir of him that, +was even<br> +then enjoying a fame as a leader second to none in Europe. This +surprised<br> +me not a little at the time; but I have since that learned how +little<br> +interest the real services of an army possess for the ears of +certain<br> +officials, who, stationed at home quarters, pass their inglorious +lives in<br> +the details of drill, parade, mess-room gossip, and barrack +scandal. Such,<br> +in fact, were the dons of the present dinner. We had a +commissary-general,<br> +an inspecting brigade-major of something, a physician to the +forces, the<br> +adjutant himself, and Major Dalrymple; the <i>hoi polloi</i> +consisting of the<br> +raw ensign, a newly-fledged cornet (Mr. Sparks), and myself.</p> + +<p>The commissary told some very pointless stories about his own +department;<br> +the doctor read a dissertation upon Walcheren fever; the adjutant +got very<br> +stupidly tipsy; and Major Dalrymple succeeded in engaging the +three juniors<br> +of the party to tea, having previously pledged us to purchase +nothing<br> +whatever of outfit without his advice, he well knowing (which he +did) how<br> +young fellows like us were cheated, and resolving to be a father +to us<br> +(which he certainly tried to be).</p> + +<p>As we rose from the table, about ten o'clock, I felt how soon +a few such<br> +dinners would succeed in disenchanting me of all my military +illusions;<br> +for, young as I was, I saw that the commissary was a vulgar bore, +the<br> +doctor a humbug, the adjutant a sot, and the major himself I +greatly<br> +suspected to be an old rogue.</p> + +<p>"You are coming with us, Sparks?" said Major Dalrymple, as he +took me by<br> +one arm and the ensign by the other. "We are going to have a +little tea<br> +with the ladies; not five minutes' walk."</p> + +<p>"Most happy, sir," said Mr. Sparks, with a very flattered +expression of<br> +countenance.</p> + +<p>"O'Malley, you know Sparks, and Burton too."</p> + +<p>This served for a species of triple introduction, at which we +all bowed,<br> +simpered, and bowed again. We were very happy to have the +pleasure, etc.</p> + +<p>"How pleasant to get away from these fellows!" said the major, +"they are so<br> +uncommonly prosy! That commissary, with his mess beef, and old +Pritchard,<br> +with black doses and rigors,—nothing so insufferable! Besides, +in<br> +reality, a young officer never needs all that nonsense. A little +medicine<br> +chest—I'll get you one each to-morrow for five pounds—no, five +pounds<br> +ten—the same thing—that will see you all through the Peninsula. +Remind me<br> +of it in the morning." This we all promised to do, and the major +resumed:<br> +"I say, Sparks, you've got a real prize in that gray horse,—such +a trooper<br> +as he is! O'Malley, you'll be wanting something of that kind, if +we can<br> +find it for you."</p> + +<p>"Many thanks, Major; but my cattle are on the way here +already. I've only<br> +three horses, but I think they are tolerably good ones."</p> + +<p>The major now turned to Burton and said something in a low +tone, to which<br> +the other replied, "Well, if you say so, I'll get it; but it's +devilish<br> +dear."</p> + +<p>"Dear, my young friend! Cheap, dog cheap."</p> + +<p>"Only think, O'Malley, a whole brass bed, camp-stool, +basin-stand, all<br> +complete, for sixty pounds! If it was not that a widow was +disposing of<br> +it in great distress, one hundred could not buy it. Here we are; +come<br> +along,—no ceremony. Mind the two steps; that's it, Mrs, +Dalrymple, Mr.<br> +O'Malley; Mr. Sparks, Mr. Burton, my daughters. Is tea over, +girls?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Papa, it's nearly eleven o'clock," said Fanny, as she +rose to ring<br> +the bell, displaying in so doing the least possible portion of a +very<br> +well-turned ankle.</p> + +<p>Miss Matilda Dal laid down her book, but seemingly lost in +abstraction, did<br> +not deign to look at us. Mrs. Dalrymple, however, did the honors +with much<br> +politeness, and having by a few adroit and well-put queries +ascertained<br> +everything concerning our rank and position, seemed perfectly +satisfied<br> +that our intrusion was justifiable.</p> + +<p>While my <i>confrère</i>, Mr. Sparks, was undergoing +his examination I had time<br> +to look at the ladies, whom I was much surprised at finding so +very<br> +well looking; and as the ensign had opened a conversation with +Fanny, I<br> +approached my chair towards the other, and having carelessly +turned over<br> +the leaves of the book she had been reading, drew her on to talk +of it. As<br> +my acquaintance with young ladies hitherto had been limited to +those who<br> +had "no soul," I felt some difficulty at first in keeping up with +the<br> +exalted tone of my fair companion, but by letting her take the +lead for<br> +some time, I got to know more of the ground. We went on tolerably +together,<br> +every moment increasing my stock of technicals, which were all +that was<br> +needed to sustain the conversation. How often have I found the +same plan<br> +succeed, whether discussing a question of law or medicine, with a +learned<br> +professor of either! or, what is still more difficult, canvassing +the<br> +merits of a preacher or a doctrine with a serious young lady, +whose<br> +"blessed privileges" were at first a little puzzling to +comprehend.</p> + +<p>I so contrived it, too, that Miss Matilda should seem as much +to be making<br> +a convert to her views as to have found a person capable of +sympathizing<br> +with her; and thus, long before the little supper, with which it +was the<br> +major's practice to regale his friends every evening, made its +appearance,<br> +we had established a perfect understanding together,—a +circumstance that,<br> +a bystander might have remarked, was productive of a more widely +diffused<br> +satisfaction than I could have myself seen any just cause for. +Mr. Burton<br> +was also progressing, as the Yankees say, with the sister; Sparks +had<br> +booked himself as purchaser of military stores enough to make the +campaign<br> +of the whole globe; and we were thus all evidently fulfilling our +various<br> +vocations, and affording perfect satisfaction to our +entertainers.</p> + +<p>Then came the spatch-cock, and the sandwiches, and the negus, +which Fanny<br> +first mixed for papa, and subsequently, with some little +pressing, for Mr.<br> +Burton; Matilda the romantic assisted <i>me</i>; Sparks helped +himself. Then we<br> +laughed, and told stories; pressed Sparks to sing, which, as he +declined,<br> +we only pressed the more. How, invariably, by-the-bye, is it the +custom to<br> +show one's appreciation of anything like a butt by pressing him +for a song!<br> +The major was in great spirits; told us anecdotes of his early +life in<br> +India, and how he once contracted to supply the troops with milk, +and made<br> +a purchase, in consequence, of some score of cattle, which turned +out to be<br> +bullocks. Matilda recited some lines from Pope in my ear. Fanny +challenged<br> +Burton to a rowing match. Sparks listened to all around him, and +Mrs.<br> +Dalrymple mixed a very little weak punch, which Dr. Lucas had +recommended<br> +to her to take the last thing at night,—<i>Noctes coenoeque</i> +etc. Say<br> +what you will, these were very jovial little +<i>réunions</i>. The girls were<br> +decidedly very pretty. We were in high favor; and when we took +leave at the<br> +door, with a very cordial shake hands, it was with no +<i>arrière pensée</i> we<br> +promised to see them in the morning.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXV.</p> + +<p>THE ENTANGLEMENT.</p> + +<p>When we think for a moment over all the toils, all the +anxieties, all the<br> +fevered excitement of a <i>grande passion</i>, it is not a little +singular that<br> +love should so frequently be elicited by a state of mere +idleness; and yet<br> +nothing, after all, is so predisposing a cause as this. Where is +the man<br> +between eighteen and eight-and-thirty—might I not say +forty—who,<br> +without any very pressing duns, and having no taste for strong +liquor and<br> +<i>rouge-et-noir</i>, can possibly lounge through the long hours +of his day<br> +without at least fancying himself in love? The thousand little +occupations<br> +it suggests become a necessity of existence; its very worries are +like the<br> +wholesome opposition that purifies and strengthens the frame of a +free<br> +state. Then, what is there half so sweet as the reflective +flattery which<br> +results from our appreciation of an object who in return deems us +the <i>ne<br> +plus ultra</i> of perfection? There it is, in fact; that +confounded bump of<br> +self-esteem does it all, and has more imprudent matches to answer +for than<br> +all the occipital protuberances that ever scared poor Harriet +Martineau.</p> + +<p>Now, to apply my moralizing. I very soon, to use the mess +phrase, got<br> +"devilish spooney" about the "Dals." The morning drill, the +riding-school,<br> +and the parade were all most fervently consigned to a certain +military<br> +character that shall be nameless, as detaining me from some +appointment<br> +made the evening before; for as I supped there each night, a +party of one<br> +kind or another was always planned for the day following. +Sometimes we had<br> +a boating excursion to Cove, sometimes a picnic at Foaty; now a +rowing<br> +party to Glanmire, or a ride, at which I furnished the cavalry. +These<br> +doings were all under my especial direction, and I thus became +speedily<br> +the organ of the Dalrymple family; and the simple phrase, "It was +Mr.<br> +O'Malley's arrangement," "Mr. O'Malley wished it," was like the +<i>Moi le<br> +roi</i> of Louis XIV.</p> + +<p>Though all this while we continued to carry on most +pleasantly, Mrs.<br> +Dalrymple, I could perceive, did not entirely sympathize with our +projects<br> +of amusement. As an experienced engineer might feel when watching +the<br> +course of some storming projectile—some brilliant +congreve—flying over<br> +a besieged fortress, yet never touching the walls nor harming +the<br> +inhabitants, so she looked on at all these demonstrations of +attack with<br> +no small impatience, and wondered when would the breach be +reported<br> +practicable. Another puzzle also contributed its share of +anxiety,—which<br> +of the girls was it? To be sure, he spent three hours every +morning with<br> +Fanny; but then, he never left Matilda the whole evening. He had +given his<br> +miniature to one; a locket with his hair was a present to the +sister.<br> +The major thinks he saw his arm round Matilda's waist in the +garden; the<br> +housemaid swears she saw him kiss Fanny in the pantry. Matilda +smiles when<br> +we talk of his name with her sister's; Fanny laughs outright, +and<br> +says, "Poor Matilda! the man never dreamed of her." This is +becoming<br> +uncomfortable. The major must ask his intentions. It is certainly +one<br> +or the other; but then, we have a right to know which. Such was a +very<br> +condensed view of Mrs. Dalrymple's reflections on this important +topic,—a<br> +view taken with her usual tact and clear-sightedness.</p> + +<p>Matters were in this state when Power at length arrived in +Cork, to<br> +take command of our detachment and make the final preparations +for our<br> +departure. I had been, as usual, spending the evening at the +major's, and<br> +had just reached my quarters, when I found my friend sitting at +my fire,<br> +smoking his cigar and solacing himself with a little +brandy-and-water.</p> + +<p>"At last," said he, as I entered,—"at last! Why, where the +deuce have you<br> +been till this hour,—past two o'clock? There is no ball, no +assembly going<br> +on, eh?"</p> + +<p>"No," said I, half blushing at the eagerness of the inquiry; +"I've been<br> +spending the evening with a friend."</p> + +<p>"Spending the evening! Say, rather, the night! Why, confound +you, man, what<br> +is there in Cork to keep you out of bed till near three?"</p> + +<p>"Well, if you must know, I have been supping at a Major +Dalrymple's,—a<br> +devilish good fellow, with two such daughters!"</p> + +<p>"Ahem!" said Power, shutting one eye knowingly, and giving a +look like a<br> +Yorkshire horse-dealer. "Go on."</p> + +<p>"Why, what do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Go on; continue."</p> + +<p>"I've finished; I've nothing more to tell."</p> + +<p>"So, they're here, are they?" said he, reflectingly.</p> + +<p>"Who?" said I.</p> + +<p>"Matilda and Fanny, to be sure."</p> + +<p>"Why, you know them, then?"</p> + +<p>"I should think I do."</p> + +<p>"Where have you met them?"</p> + +<p>"Where have I not? When I was in the Rifles they were +quartered at Zante.<br> +Matilda was just then coming it rather strong with Villiers, of +ours, a<br> +regular greenhorn. Fanny, also, nearly did for Harry Nesbitt, by +riding a<br> +hurdle race. Then they left for Gibraltar, in the year,—what +year was it?"</p> + +<p>"Come, come," said I, "this is a humbug; the girls are quite +young; you<br> +just have heard their names."</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps so; only tell me which is your peculiar +weakness, as they<br> +say in the west, and may be I'll convince you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, as to that," said I, laughing, "I'm not very far gone on +either side."</p> + +<p>"Then, Matilda, probably, has not tried you with Cowley, +eh?—you look a<br> +little pink—'There are hearts that live and love alone.' Oh, +poor fellow,<br> +you've got it! By Jove, how you've been coming it, though, in ten +days! She<br> +ought not to have got to that for a month, at least; and how like +a young<br> +one it was, to be caught by the poetry. Oh, Master Charley, I +thought that<br> +the steeple-chaser might have done most with your Galway +heart,—the girl<br> +in the gray habit, that sings 'Moddirederoo,' ought to have been +the prize!<br> +Halt! by Saint George, but that tickles you also! Why, zounds, if +I go on,<br> +probably, at this rate, I'll find a tender spot occupied by the +'black<br> +lady' herself."</p> + +<p>It was no use concealing, or attempting to conceal, anything +from my<br> +inquisitive friend; so I mixed my grog, and opened my whole +heart; told how<br> +I had been conducting myself for the entire preceding fortnight; +and when<br> +I concluded, sat silently awaiting Power's verdict, as though a +jury were<br> +about to pronounce upon my life.</p> + +<p>"Have you ever written?"</p> + +<p>"Never; except, perhaps, a few lines with tickets for the +theatre, or<br> +something of that kind."</p> + +<p>"Have you copies of your correspondence?"</p> + +<p>"Of course not. Why, what do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"Has Mrs. Dal ever been present; or, as the French say, has +she assisted at<br> +any of your tender interviews with the young ladies?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not aware that one kisses a girl before mamma."</p> + +<p>"I'm not speaking of that; I merely allude to an ordinary +flirtation."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I suppose she has seen me attentive."</p> + +<p>"Very awkward, indeed! There is only one point in your favor; +for as your<br> +attentions were not decided, and as the law does not, as yet, +permit<br> +polygamy—"</p> + +<p>"Come, come, you know I never thought of marrying."</p> + +<p>"Ah, but they did."</p> + +<p>"Not a bit of it."</p> + +<p>"Ay, but they did. What do you wager but that the major asks +your<br> +intentions, as he calls it, the moment he hears the transport has +arrived?"</p> + +<p>"By Jove! now you remind me, he asked this evening, when he +could have a<br> +few minutes' private conversation with me to-morrow, and I +thought it was<br> +about some confounded military chest or sea-store, or one of his +infernal<br> +contrivances that he every day assures me are indispensable; +though, if<br> +every officer had only as much baggage as I have got, under his +directions,<br> +it would take two armies, at least, to carry the effects of the +fighting<br> +one."</p> + +<p>"Poor fellow!" said he, starting upon his legs; "what a burst +you've made<br> +of it!" So saying, he began in a nasal twang,—</p> + +<p>"I publish the banns of marriage between Charles O'Malley, +late of his<br> +Majesty's 14th Dragoons, and ——— Dalrymple, spinster, of this +city—"</p> + +<p>"I'll be hanged if you do, though," said I, seeing pretty +clearly, by this<br> +time, something of the estimation my friends were held in. "Come, +Power,<br> +pull me through, like a good fellow,—pull me through, without +doing<br> +anything to hurt the girls' feelings."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll see about it," said he,—"we'll see about it in +the morning;<br> +but, at the same time, let me assure you, the affair is not so +easy as<br> +you may at first blush suppose. These worthy people have been so +often<br> +'done'—to use the cant phrase—before, that scarcely a +<i>ruse</i> remains<br> +untried. It is of no use pleading that your family won't consent; +that your<br> +prospects are null; that you arc ordered for India; that you are +engaged<br> +elsewhere; that you have nothing but your pay; that you are too +young or<br> +too old,—all such reasons, good and valid with any other family, +will<br> +avail you little here. Neither will it serve your cause that you +may<br> +be warranted by a doctor as subject to periodical fits of +insanity;<br> +monomaniacal tendencies to cut somebody's throat, etc. Bless your +heart,<br> +man, they have a soul above such littlenesses! They care nothing +for<br> +consent of friends, means, age, health, climate, prospects, or +temper.<br> +Firmly believing matrimony to be a lottery, they are not +superstitious<br> +about the number they pitch upon; provided only that they get a +ticket,<br> +they are content."</p> + +<p>"Then it strikes me, if what you say is correct, that I have +no earthly<br> +chance of escape, except some kind friend will undertake to shoot +me."</p> + +<p>"That has been also tried."</p> + +<p>"Why, how do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"A mock duel, got up at mess,—we had one at Malta. Poor +Vickers was the<br> +hero of that affair. It was right well planned, too. One of the +letters<br> +was suffered, by mere accident, to fall into Mrs. Dal's hands, +and she was<br> +quite prepared for the event when he was reported shot the next +morning.<br> +Then the young lady, of course, whether she cared or not, was +obliged to be<br> +perfectly unconcerned, lest the story of engaged affections might +get wind<br> +and spoil another market. The thing went on admirably, till one +day, some<br> +few months later, they saw, in a confounded army-list, that the +late<br> +George Vickers was promoted to the 18th Dragoons, so that the +trick was<br> +discovered, and is, of course, stale at present."</p> + +<p>"Then could I not have a wife already, and a large family of +interesting<br> +babies?"</p> + +<p>"No go,—only swell the damages, when they come to prosecute. +Besides, your<br> +age and looks forbid the assumption of such a fact. No, no; we +must go<br> +deeper to work."</p> + +<p>"But where shall we go?" said I, impatiently; "for it appears +to me these<br> +good people have been treated to every trick and subterfuge that +ever<br> +ingenuity suggested."</p> + +<p>"Come, I think I have it; but it will need a little more +reflection.<br> +So, now, let us to bed. I'll give you the result of my +lucubrations at<br> +breakfast; and, if I mistake not, we may get you through this +without any<br> +ill-consequences. Good-night, then, old boy; and now dream away +of your<br> +lady-love till our next meeting."</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXVI.</p> + +<p>THE PREPARATION.</p> + +<p>To prevent needless repetitions in my story, I shall not +record here the<br> +conversation which passed between my friend Power and myself on +the morning<br> +following at breakfast. Suffice it to say, that the plan proposed +by him<br> +for my rescue was one I agreed to adopt, reserving to myself, in +case<br> +of failure, a <i>pis aller</i> of which I knew not the meaning, +but of whose<br> +efficacy Power assured me I need not doubt.</p> + +<p>"If all fail," said he,—"if every bridge break down beneath +you, and no<br> +road of escape be left, why, then, I believe you must have +recourse to<br> +another alternative. Still I should wish to avoid it, if +possible, and I<br> +put it to you, in honor, not to employ it unless as a last +expedient. You<br> +promise me this?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," said I, with great anxiety for the dread final +measure. "What<br> +is it?"</p> + +<p>He paused, smiled dubiously, and resumed,—</p> + +<p>"And, after all,—but, to be sure, there will not be need for +it,—the<br> +other plan will do,—must do. Come, come, O'Malley, the admiralty +say that<br> +nothing encourages drowning in the navy like a life-buoy. The men +have such<br> +a prospect of being picked up that they don't mind falling +overboard; so,<br> +if I give you this life-preserver of mine, you'll not swim an +inch. Is it<br> +not so, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Far from it," said I. "I shall feel in honor bound to exert +myself the<br> +more, because I now see how much it costs you to part with +it."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, hear it. When everything fails; when all your +resources are<br> +exhausted; when you have totally lost your memory, in fact, and +your<br> +ingenuity in excuses say,—but mind, Charley, not till then,—say +that you<br> +must consult your friend, Captain Power, of the 14th; that's +all."</p> + +<p>"And is this it?" said I, quite disappointed at the lame and +impotent<br> +conclusion to all the high-sounding exordium; "is this all?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said he, "that is all. But stop, Charley; is not that +the major<br> +crossing the street there? Yes, to be sure it is; and, by Jove! +he has got<br> +on the old braided frock this morning. Had you not told me one +word of your<br> +critical position, I should have guessed there was something in +the wind<br> +from that. That same vestment has caused many a stout heart to +tremble that<br> +never quailed before a shot or shell."</p> + +<p>"How can that be? I should like to hear."</p> + +<p>"Why, my dear boy, that's his explanation coat, as we called +it at<br> +Gibraltar. He was never known to wear it except when asking some +poor<br> +fellow's 'intentions.' He would no more think of sporting it as +an<br> +every-day affair, than the chief-justice would go cook-shooting +in his<br> +black cap and ermine. Come, he is bound for your quarters, and as +it<br> +will not answer our plans to let him see you now, you had better +hasten<br> +down-stairs, and get round by the back way into George's Street, +and you'll<br> +be at his house before he can return."</p> + +<p>Following Power's directions, I seized my foraging-cap and got +clear out of<br> +the premises before the major had reached them. It was exactly +noon as I<br> +sounded my loud and now well-known summons at the major's +knocker. The door<br> +was quickly opened; but instead of dashing up-stairs, four steps +at a time,<br> +as was my wont, to the drawing-room, I turned short into the +dingy-looking<br> +little parlor on the right, and desired Matthew, the venerable +servitor of<br> +the house, to say that I wished particularly to see Mrs. +Dalrymple for a<br> +few minutes, if the hour were not inconvenient.</p> + +<p>There was something perhaps of excitement in my manner, some +flurry in my<br> +look, or some trepidation in my voice, or perhaps it was the +unusual hour,<br> +or the still more remarkable circumstance of my not going at once +to the<br> +drawing-room, that raised some doubts in Matthew's mind as to the +object of<br> +my visit; and instead of at once complying with my request to +inform Mrs.<br> +Dalrymple that I was there, he cautiously closed the door, and +taking a<br> +quick but satisfactory glance round the apartment to assure +himself that we<br> +were alone, he placed his back against it and heaved a deep +sigh.</p> + +<p>We were both perfectly silent: I in total amazement at what +the old man<br> +could possibly mean; he, following up the train of his own +thoughts,<br> +comprehended little or nothing of my surprise, and evidently was +so<br> +engrossed by his reflections that he had neither ears nor eyes +for aught<br> +around him. There was a most singular semi-comic expression in +the old<br> +withered face that nearly made me laugh at first; but as I +continued to<br> +look steadily at it, I perceived that, despite the long-worn +wrinkles that<br> +low Irish drollery and fun had furrowed around the angles of his +mouth, the<br> +real character of his look was one of sorrowful compassion.</p> + +<p>Doubtless, my readers have read many interesting narratives +wherein the<br> +unconscious traveller in some remote land has been warned of a +plan to<br> +murder him, by some mere passing wink, a look, a sign, which some +one, less<br> +steeped in crime, less hardened in iniquity than his fellows, has +ventured<br> +for his rescue. Sometimes, according to the taste of the +narrator, the<br> +interesting individual is an old woman, sometimes a young one, +sometimes<br> +a black-bearded bandit, sometimes a child; and not unfrequently, +a dog is<br> +humane enough to do this service. One thing, however, never +varies,—be the<br> +agent biped or quadruped, dumb or speechful, young or old, the +stranger<br> +invariably takes the hint, and gets off scott free for his +sharpness. This<br> +never-varying trick on the doomed man, I had often been sceptical +enough to<br> +suspect; however, I had not been many minutes a spectator of the +old man's<br> +countenance, when I most thoroughly recanted my errors, and +acknowledged<br> +myself wrong. If ever the look of a man conveyed a warning, his +did; but<br> +there was more in it than even that,—there was a tone of sad and +pitiful<br> +compassion, such as an old gray-bearded rat might be supposed to +put on at<br> +seeing a young and inexperienced one opening the hinge of an iron +trap,<br> +to try its efficacy upon his neck. Many a little occasion had +presented<br> +itself, during my intimacy with the family, of doing Matthew some +small<br> +services, of making him some trifling presents; so that, when he +assumed<br> +before me the gesture and look I have mentioned, I was not long +in<br> +deciphering his intentions.</p> + +<p>"Matthew!" screamed a sharp voice which I recognized at once +for that of<br> +Mrs. Dalrymple. "Matthew! Where is the old fool?"</p> + +<p>But Matthew heard not, or heeded not.</p> + +<p>"Matthew! Matthew! I say."</p> + +<p>"I'm comin', ma'am," said he, with a sigh, as, opening the +parlor-door, he<br> +turned upon me one look of such import that only the +circumstances of my<br> +story can explain its force, or my reader's own ingenious +imagination can<br> +supply.</p> + +<p>"Never fear, my good old friend," said I, grasping his hand +warmly, and<br> +leaving a guinea in the palm,—"never fear."</p> + +<p>"God grant it, sir!" said he, setting on his wig in +preparation for his<br> +appearance in the drawing-room.</p> + +<p>"Matthew! The old wretch!"</p> + +<p>"Mr. O'Malley," said the often-called Matthew, as opening the +door, he<br> +announced me unexpectedly among the ladies there assembled, who, +not<br> +hearing of my approach, were evidently not a little surprised +and<br> +astonished. Had I been really the enamored swain that the +Dalrymple family<br> +were willing to believe, I half suspect that the prospect before +me might<br> +have cured me of my passion. A round bullet-head, +<i>papilloté</i>, with<br> +the "Cork Observer," where still-born babes and maids-of-all-work +were<br> +descanted upon in very legible type, was now the substitute for +the classic<br> +front and Italian ringlets of <i>la belle</i> Matilda; while the +chaste Fanny<br> +herself, whose feet had been a fortune for a statuary, was, in +the most<br> +slatternly and slipshod attire, pacing the room in a towering +rage, at<br> +some thing, place, or person, unknown (to me). If the +ballet-master at the<br> +<i>Académie</i> could only learn to get his imps, demons, +angels, and goblins<br> +"off" half as rapidly as the two young ladies retreated on my +being<br> +announced, I answer for the piece so brought out having a run for +half the<br> +season. Before my eyes had regained their position parallel to +the plane of<br> +the horizon, they were gone, and I found myself alone with Mrs. +Dalrymple.<br> +Now, she stood her ground, partly to cover the retreat of the +main body,<br> +partly, too, because—representing the baggage wagons, ammunition +stores,<br> +hospital, staff, etc.—her retirement from the field demanded +more time and<br> +circumspection than the light brigade.</p> + +<p>Let not my readers suppose that the <i>mère</i> +Dalrymple was so perfectly<br> +faultless in costume that her remaining was a matter of +actual<br> +indifference; far from it. She evidently had a struggle for it; +but a sense<br> +of duty decided her, and as Ney doggedly held back to cover the +retreating<br> +forces on the march from Moscow, so did she resolutely lurk +behind till<br> +the last flutter of the last petticoat assured her that the +fugitives were<br> +safe. Then did she hesitate for a moment what course to take; but +as I<br> +assumed my chair beside her, she composedly sat down, and +crossing her<br> +hands before her, waited for an explanation of this ill-timed +visit.</p> + +<p>Had the Horse Guards, in the plenitude of their power and the +perfection of<br> +their taste, ordained that the 79th and 42d Regiments should in +future,<br> +in lieu of their respective tartans, wear flannel kilts and black +worsted<br> +hose, I could readily have fallen into the error of mistaking +Mrs.<br> +Dalrymple for a field officer in the new regulation dress; the +philabeg<br> +finding no mean representation in a capacious pincushion that +hung down<br> +from her girdle, while a pair of shears, not scissors, +corresponded to the<br> +dirk. After several ineffectual efforts on her part to make her +vestment (I<br> +know not its fitting designation) cover more of her legs than its +length<br> +could possibly effect, and after some most bland smiles and half +blushes at<br> +<i>dishabille</i>, etc., were over, and that I had apologized +most humbly for<br> +the unusually early hour of my call, I proceeded to open my +negotiations,<br> +and unfurl my banner for the fray.</p> + +<p>"The old 'Racehorse' has arrived at last," said I, with a +half-sigh, "and I<br> +believe that we shall not obtain a very long time for our +leave-taking; so<br> +that, trespassing upon your very great kindness, I have ventured +upon an<br> +early call."</p> + +<p>"The 'Racehorse,' surely can't sail to-morrow," said Mrs. +Dalrymple, whose<br> +experience of such matters made her a very competent judge; "her +stores—"</p> + +<p>"Are taken in already," said I; "and an order from the Horse +Guards<br> +commands us to embark in twenty-four hours; so that, in fact, we +scarcely<br> +have time to look about us."</p> + +<p>"Have you seen the major?" inquired Mrs. Dalrymple, +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Not to-day," I replied, carelessly; "but, of course, during +the morning we<br> +are sure to meet. I have many thanks yet to give him for all his +most kind<br> +attentions."</p> + +<p>"I know he is most anxious to see you," said Mrs. Dalrymple, +with a very<br> +peculiar emphasis, and evidently desiring that I should inquire +the<br> +reasons of this anxiety. I, however, most heroically forbore +indulging my<br> +curiosity, and added that I should endeavor to find him on my way +to the<br> +barracks; and then, hastily looking at my watch, I pronounced it +a full<br> +hour later than it really was, and promising to spend the +evening—my last<br> +evening—with them, I took my leave and hurried away, in no small +flurry to<br> +be once more out of reach of Mrs. Dalrymple's fire, which I every +moment<br> +expected to open upon me.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXVII.</p> + +<p>THE SUPPER.</p> + +<p>Power and I dined together +<i>tête-à-tête</i> at the hotel, and sat +chatting<br> +over my adventures with the Dalrymples till nearly nine +o'clock.</p> + +<p>"Come, Charley," said he, at length, "I see your eye wandering +very often<br> +towards the timepiece; another bumper, and I'll let you off. What +shall it<br> +be?"</p> + +<p>"What you like," said I, upon whom a share of three bottles of +strong<br> +claret had already made a very satisfactory impression.</p> + +<p>"Then champagne for the <i>coup-de-grace</i>. Nothing like +your <i>vin mousseux</i><br> +for a critical moment,—every bubble that rises sparkling to the +surface<br> +prompts some bright thought, or elicits some brilliant idea, that +would<br> +only have been drowned in your more sober fluids. Here's to the +girl you<br> +love, whoever she be."</p> + +<p>"To her bright eyes, then, be it," said I, clearing off a +brimming goblet<br> +of nearly half the bottle, while my friend Power seemed +multiplied into<br> +any given number of gentlemen standing amidst something like a +glass<br> +manufactory of decanters.</p> + +<p>"I hope you feel steady enough for this business," said my +friend,<br> +examining me closely with the candle.</p> + +<p>"I'm an archdeacon," muttered I, with one eye involuntarily +closing.</p> + +<p>"You'll not let them double on you!"</p> + +<p>"Trust me, old boy," said I, endeavoring to look knowing.</p> + +<p>"I think you'll do," said he, "so now march. I'll wait for you +here,<br> +and we'll go on board together; for old Bloater the skipper says +he'll<br> +certainly weigh by daybreak."</p> + +<p>"Till then," said I, as opening the door, I proceeded very +cautiously to<br> +descend the stairs, affecting all the time considerable +<i>nonchalance</i>, and<br> +endeavoring, as well as my thickened utterance would permit, to +hum:—</p> + +<p> "Oh, love is the soul of an Irish dragoon."</p> + +<p>If I was not in the most perfect possession of my faculties in +the house,<br> +the change to the open air certainly but little contributed to +their<br> +restoration; and I scarcely felt myself in the street when my +brain became<br> +absolutely one whirl of maddened and confused excitement. Time +and space<br> +are nothing to a man thus enlightened, and so they appeared to +me; scarcely<br> +a second had elapsed when I found myself standing in the +Dalrymples'<br> +drawing-room.</p> + +<p>If a few hours had done much to metamorphose <i>me</i>, +certes, they had done<br> +something for my fair friends also; anything more unlike what +they appeared<br> +in the morning can scarcely be imagined. Matilda in black, with +her hair in<br> +heavy madonna bands upon her fair cheek, now paler even than +usual, never<br> +seemed so handsome; while Fanny, in a light-blue dress, with blue +flowers<br> +in her hair, and a blue sash, looked the most lovely piece of +coquetry ever<br> +man set his eyes upon. The old major, too, was smartened up, and +put into<br> +an old regimental coat that he had worn during the siege of +Gibraltar; and<br> +lastly, Mrs. Dalrymple herself was attired in a very imposing +costume that<br> +made her, to my not over-accurate judgment, look very like an +elderly<br> +bishop in a flame-colored cassock. Sparks was the only stranger, +and<br> +wore upon his countenance, as I entered, a look of very +considerable<br> +embarrassment that even my thick-sightedness could not fail of +detecting.</p> + +<p><i>Parlez-moi de I'amitié</i>, my friends. Talk to me +of the warm embrace of<br> +your earliest friend, after years of absence; the cordial and +heartfelt<br> +shake hands of your old school companion, when in after years, a +chance<br> +meeting has brought you together, and you have had time and +opportunity for<br> +becoming distinguished and in repute, and are rather a good hit +to be known<br> +to than otherwise; of the close grip you give your second when he +comes up<br> +to say, that the gentleman with the loaded detonator opposite +won't fire,<br> +that he feels he's in the wrong. Any or all of these together, +very<br> +effective and powerful though they be, are light in the balance +when<br> +compared with the two-handed compression you receive from the +gentleman<br> +that expects you to marry one of his daughters.</p> + +<p>"My dear O'Malley, how goes it? Thought you'd never come," +said he, still<br> +holding me fast and looking me full in the face, to calculate the +extent to<br> +which my potations rendered his flattery feasible.</p> + +<p>"Hurried to death with preparations, I suppose," said Mrs. +Dalrymple,<br> +smiling blandly. "Fanny dear, some tea for him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mamma, he does not like all that sugar; surely not," said +she, looking<br> +up with a most sweet expression, as though to say, "I at least +know his<br> +tastes."</p> + +<p>"I believed you were going without seeing us," whispered +Matilda, with a<br> +very glassy look about the corner of her eyes.</p> + +<p>Eloquence was not just then my forte, so that I contented +myself with a<br> +very intelligible look at Fanny, and a tender squeeze of +Matilda's hand, as<br> +I seated myself at the table.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had I placed myself at the tea-table, with Matilda +beside and<br> +Fanny opposite me, each vying with the other in their delicate +and kind<br> +attentions, when I totally forgot all my poor friend Power's +injunctions<br> +and directions for my management. It is true, I remembered that +there was<br> +a scrape of some kind or other to be got out of, and one +requiring some<br> +dexterity, too; but what or with whom I could not for the life of +me<br> +determine. What the wine had begun, the bright eyes completed; +and amidst<br> +the witchcraft of silky tresses and sweet looks, I lost all my +reflection,<br> +till the impression of an impending difficulty remained fixed in +my mind,<br> +and I tortured my poor, weak, and erring intellect to detect it. +At last,<br> +and by a mere chance, my eyes fell upon Sparks; and by what +mechanism I<br> +contrived it, I know not, but I immediately saddled him with the +whole of<br> +my annoyances, and attributed to him and to his fault any +embarrassment I<br> +labored under.</p> + +<p>The physiological reason of the fact I'm very ignorant of, but +for the<br> +truth and frequency I can well vouch, that there are certain +people,<br> +certain faces, certain voices, certain whiskers, legs, +waistcoats, and<br> +guard-chains, that inevitably produce the most striking effects +upon the<br> +brain of a gentleman already excited by wine, and not exactly +cognizant of<br> +his own peculiar fallacies.</p> + +<p>These effects are not produced merely among those who are +quarrelsome in<br> +their cups, for I call the whole 14th to witness that I am not +such; but to<br> +any person so disguised, the inoffensiveness of the object is no +security<br> +on the other hand,—for I once knew an eight-day clock kicked +down a<br> +barrack stairs by an old Scotch major, because he thought it was +laughing<br> +at him. To this source alone, whatever it be, can I attribute the +feeling<br> +of rising indignation with which I contemplated the luckless +cornet, who,<br> +seated at the fire, unnoticed and uncared for, seemed a very +unworthy<br> +object to vent anger or ill-temper upon.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Sparks, I fear," said I, endeavoring at the time to call +up a look of<br> +very sovereign contempt,—"Mr. Sparks, I fear, regards my visit +here in the<br> +light of an intrusion."</p> + +<p>Had poor Mr. Sparks been told to proceed incontinently up the +chimney<br> +before him, he could not have looked more aghast. Reply was quite +out of<br> +his power. So sudden and unexpectedly was this charge of mine +made that he<br> +could only stare vacantly from one to the other; while I, warming +with<br> +my subject, and perhaps—but I'll not swear it—stimulated by a +gentle<br> +pressure from a soft hand near me, continued:—</p> + +<p>"If he thinks for one moment that my attentions in this family +are in any<br> +way to be questioned by him, I can only say—"</p> + +<p>"My dear O'Malley, my dear boy!" said the major, with the look +of a<br> +father-in-law in his eye.</p> + +<p>"The spirit of an officer and a gentleman spoke there," said +Mrs.<br> +Dalrymple, now carried beyond all prudence by the hope that my +attack might<br> +arouse my dormant friend into a counter-declaration; nothing, +however, was<br> +further from poor Sparks, who began to think he had been +unconsciously<br> +drinking tea with five lunatics.</p> + +<p>"If he supposes," said I, rising from my chair, "that his +silence will pass<br> +with me as any palliation—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear! oh, dear! there will be a duel. Papa, dear, why +don't you speak<br> +to Mr. O'Malley?"</p> + +<p>"There now, O'Malley, sit down. Don't you see he is quite in +error?"</p> + +<p>"Then let him say so," said I, fiercely.</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes, to be sure," said Fanny. "Do say it; say anything he +likes, Mr.<br> +Sparks."</p> + +<p>"I must say," said Mrs. Dalrymple, "however sorry I may feel +in my own<br> +house to condemn any one, that Mr. Sparks is very much in the +wrong."</p> + +<p>Poor Sparks looked like a man in a dream.</p> + +<p>"If he will tell Charles,—Mr. O'Malley, I mean," said +Matilda, blushing<br> +scarlet, "that he meant nothing by what he said—"</p> + +<p>"But I never spoke, never opened my lips!" cried out the +wretched man, at<br> +length sufficiently recovered to defend himself.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Sparks!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Sparks!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Sparks!" chorussed the three ladies.</p> + +<p>While the old major brought up the rear with an "Oh, Sparks, I +must say—"</p> + +<p>"Then, by all the saints in the calendar, I must be mad," said +he; "but if<br> +I have said anything to offend you, O'Malley, I am sincerely +sorry for it."</p> + +<p>"That will do, sir," said I, with a look of royal +condescension at the<br> +<i>amende</i> I considered as somewhat late in coming, and +resumed my seat.</p> + +<p>This little <i>intermezzo</i>, it might be supposed, was +rather calculated to<br> +interrupt the harmony of our evening. Not so, however. I had +apparently<br> +acquitted myself like a hero, and was evidently in a white heat, +in which I<br> +could be fashioned into any shape. Sparks was humbled so far that +he would<br> +probably feel it a relief to make any proposition; so that by our +opposite<br> +courses we had both arrived at a point at which all the dexterity +and<br> +address of the family had been long since aiming without +success.<br> +Conversation then resumed its flow, and in a few minutes every +trace of our<br> +late <i>fracas</i> had disappeared.</p> + +<p>By degrees I felt myself more and more disposed to turn my +attention<br> +towards Matilda, and dropping my voice into a lower tone, opened +a<br> +flirtation of a most determined kind. Fanny had, meanwhile, +assumed a place<br> +beside Sparks, and by the muttered tones that passed between +them, I could<br> +plainly perceive they were similarly occupied. The major took up +the<br> +"Southern Reporter," of which he appeared deep in the +contemplation, while<br> +Mrs. Dal herself buried her head in her embroidery and neither +heard nor<br> +saw anything around her.</p> + +<p>I know, unfortunately, but very little what passed between +myself and my<br> +fair companion; I can only say that when supper was announced at +twelve (an<br> +hour later than usual), I was sitting upon the sofa with my arm +round<br> +her waist, my cheek so close that already her lovely tresses +brushed my<br> +forehead, and her breath fanned my burning brow.</p> + +<p>"Supper, at last," said the major, with a loud voice, to +arouse us from<br> +our trance of happiness without taking any mean opportunity of +looking<br> +unobserved. "Supper, Sparks, O'Malley; come now, it will be some +time<br> +before we all meet this way again."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not so long, after all," said I, knowingly.</p> + +<p>"Very likely not," echoed Sparks, in the same key.</p> + +<p>"I've proposed for Fanny," said he, whispering in my ear.</p> + +<p>"Matilda's mine," replied I, with the look of an emperor.</p> + +<p>"A word with you, Major," said Sparks, his eye flashing with +enthusiasm,<br> +and his cheek scarlet. "One word,—I'll not detain you."</p> + +<p>They withdrew into a corner for a few seconds, during which +Mrs. Dalrymple<br> +amused herself by wondering what the secret could be, why Mr. +Sparks<br> +couldn't tell her, and Fanny meanwhile pretended to look for +something at a<br> +side table, and never turned her head round.</p> + +<p>"Then give me your hand," said the major, as he shook Sparks's +with a<br> +warmth of whose sincerity there could be no question. "Bess, my +love," said<br> +he, addressing his wife. The remainder was lost in a whisper; but +whatever<br> +it was, it evidently redounded to Sparks's credit, for the next +moment a<br> +repetition of the hand-shaking took place, and Sparks looked the +happiest<br> +of men.</p> + +<p>"<i>A mon tour</i>," thought I, "now," as I touched the +major's arm, and led him<br> +towards the window. What I said may be one day matter for Major +Dalrymple's<br> +memoirs, if he ever writes them; but for my part I have not the +least idea.<br> +I only know that while I was yet speaking he called over Mrs. +Dal, who,<br> +in a frenzy of joy, seized me in her arms and embraced me. After +which, I<br> +kissed her, shook hands with the major, kissed Matilda's hand, +and laughed<br> +prodigiously, as though I had done something confoundedly +droll,—a<br> +sentiment evidently participated in by Sparks, who laughed too, +as did the<br> +others; and a merrier, happier party never sat down to +supper.</p> + +<p>"Make your company pleased with themselves," says Mr. Walker, +in his<br> +<i>Original</i> work upon dinner-giving, "and everything goes on +well." Now,<br> +Major Dalrymple, without having read the authority in question, +probably<br> +because it was not written at the time, understood the principle +fully<br> +as well as the police-magistrate, and certainly was a proficient +in the<br> +practice of it.</p> + +<p>To be sure, he possessed one grand requisite for success,—he +seemed most<br> +perfectly happy himself. There was that <i>air +dégagé</i> about him which, when<br> +an old man puts it on among his juniors, is so very attractive. +Then the<br> +ladies, too, were evidently well pleased; and the usually austere +mamma had<br> +relaxed her "rigid front" into a smile in which any +<i>habitué</i> of the house<br> +could have read our fate.</p> + +<p>We ate, we drank, we ogled, smiled, squeezed hands beneath the +table,<br> +and, in fact, so pleasant a party had rarely assembled round the +major's<br> +mahogany. As for me, I made a full disclosure of the most burning +love,<br> +backed by a resolve to marry my fair neighbor, and settle upon +her a<br> +considerably larger part of my native county than I had ever even +rode<br> +over. Sparks, on the other side, had opened his fire more +cautiously,<br> +but whether taking courage from my boldness, or perceiving with +envy the<br> +greater estimation I was held in, was now going the pace fully as +fast as<br> +myself, and had commenced explanations of his intentions with +regard to<br> +Fanny that evidently satisfied her friends. Meanwhile the wine +was passing<br> +very freely, and the hints half uttered an hour before began now +to be more<br> +openly spoken and canvassed.</p> + +<p>Sparks and I hob-nobbed across the table and looked +unspeakable things at<br> +each other; the girls held down their heads; Mrs. Dal wiped her +eyes; and<br> +the major pronounced himself the happiest father in Europe.</p> + +<p>It was now wearing late, or rather early; some gray streaks of +dubious<br> +light were faintly forcing their way through the half-closed +curtains, and<br> +the dread thought of parting first presented itself. A cavalry +trumpet,<br> +too, at this moment sounded a call that aroused us from our +trance of<br> +pleasure, and warned us that our moments were few. A dead silence +crept<br> +over all; the solemn feeling which leave-taking ever inspires +was<br> +uppermost, and none spoke. The major was the first to break +it.</p> + +<p>"O'Malley, my friend, and you, Mr. Sparks; I must have a word +with you,<br> +boys, before we part."</p> + +<p>"Here let it be, then, Major," said I, holding his arm as he +turned to<br> +leave the room,—"here, now; we are all so deeply interested, no +place is<br> +so fit."</p> + +<p>"Well, then," said the major, "as you desire it, now that I'm +to regard<br> +you both in the light of my sons-in-law,—at least, as pledged to +become<br> +so,—it is only fair as respects—"</p> + +<p>"I see,—I understand perfectly," interrupted I, whose passion +for<br> +conducting the whole affair myself was gradually gaining on me. +"What<br> +you mean is, that we should make known our intentions before some +mutual<br> +friends ere we part; eh, Sparks? eh, Major?"</p> + +<p>"Right, my boy,—right on every point."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I thought of all that; and if you'll just send +your servant<br> +over to my quarters for our captain,—he's the fittest person, +you know, at<br> +such a time—"</p> + +<p>"How considerate!" said Mrs. Dalrymple.</p> + +<p>"How perfectly just his idea is!" said the major.</p> + +<p>"We'll then, in his presence, avow our present and +unalterable<br> +determination as regards your fair daughters; and as the time is +short—"</p> + +<p>Here I turned towards Matilda, who placed her arm within mine; +Sparks<br> +possessed himself of Fanny's hand, while the major and his wife +consulted<br> +for a few seconds.</p> + +<p>"Well, O'Malley, all you propose is perfect. Now, then, for +the captain.<br> +Who shall he inquire for?"</p> + +<a name="0240"></a> +<img alt="0240.jpg (208K)" src="0240.jpg" height="1148" width="729"> + +<p>[CHARLES POPS THE QUESTION.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>"Oh, an old friend of yours," said I, jocularly; "you'll be +glad to see<br> +him."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" said all together.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, quite a surprise, I'll warrant it."</p> + +<p>"Who can it be? Who on earth is it?"</p> + +<p>"You can't guess," added I, with a very knowing look. "Knew +you at Corfu; a<br> +very intimate friend, indeed, if he tell the truth."</p> + +<p>A look of something like embarrassment passed around the +circle at these<br> +words, while I, wishing to end the mystery, resumed:—</p> + +<p>"Come, then, who can be so proper for all parties, at a moment +like this,<br> +as our mutual friend Captain Power?"</p> + +<p>Had a shell fallen into the cold grouse pie in the midst of +us, scattering<br> +death and destruction on every side, the effect could scarcely +have been<br> +more frightful than that my last words produced. Mrs. Dalrymple +fell with<br> +a sough upon the floor, motionless as a corpse; Fanny threw +herself,<br> +screaming, upon a sofa; Matilda went off into strong hysterics +upon the<br> +hearth-rug; while the major, after giving me a look a maniac +might have<br> +envied, rushed from the room in search of his pistols with a most +terrific<br> +oath to shoot somebody, whether Sparks or myself, or both of us, +on his<br> +return, I cannot say. Fanny's sobs and Matilda's cries, assisted +by a<br> +drumming process by Mrs. Dal's heels upon the floor, made a most +infernal<br> +concert and effectually prevented anything like thought or +reflection; and<br> +in all probability so overwhelmed was I at the sudden catastrophe +I had so<br> +innocently caused, I should have waited in due patience for the +major's<br> +return, had not Sparks seized my arm, and cried out,—</p> + +<p>"Run for it, O'Malley; cut like fun, my boy, or we're done +for."</p> + +<p>"Run; why? What for? Where?" said I, stupefied by the scene +before me.</p> + +<p>"Here he is!" called out Sparks, as throwing up the window, he +sprang out<br> +upon the stone sill, and leaped into the street. I followed +mechanically,<br> +and jumped after him, just as the major had reached the window. A +ball<br> +whizzed by me, that soon determined my further movements; so, +putting on<br> +all speed, I flew down the street, turned the corner, and +regained the<br> +hotel breathless and without a hat, while Sparks arrived a moment +later,<br> +pale as a ghost, and trembling like an aspen-leaf.</p> + +<p>"Safe, by Jove!" said Sparks, throwing himself into a chair, +and panting<br> +for breath.</p> + +<p>"Safe, at last," said I, without well knowing why or for +what.</p> + +<p>"You've had a sharp run of it, apparently," said Power, +coolly, and without<br> +any curiosity as to the cause; "and now, let us on board; there +goes the<br> +trumpet again. The skipper is a surly old fellow, and we must not +lose his<br> +tide for him." So saying, he proceeded to collect his cloaks, +cane, etc.,<br> +and get ready for departure.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXVIII</p> + +<p>THE VOYAGE.</p> + +<p>When I awoke from the long, sound sleep which succeeded my +last adventure,<br> +I had some difficulty in remembering where I was or how I had +come there.<br> +From my narrow berth I looked out upon the now empty cabin, and +at length<br> +some misty and confused sense of my situation crept slowly over +me. I<br> +opened the little shutter beside me and looked out. The bold +headlands of<br> +the southern coast were frowning in sullen and dark masses about +a couple<br> +of miles distant, and I perceived that we were going fast through +the<br> +water, which was beautifully calm and still. I now looked at my +watch;<br> +it was past eight o'clock; and as it must evidently be evening, +from the<br> +appearance of the sky, I felt that I had slept soundly for above +twelve<br> +hours.</p> + +<p>In the hurry of departure the cabin had not been set to +rights, and there<br> +lay every species of lumber and luggage in all imaginable +confusion.<br> +Trunks, gun-cases, baskets of eggs, umbrellas, hampers of +sea-store,<br> +cloaks, foraging-caps, maps, and sword-belts were scattered on +every<br> +side,—while the <i>débris</i> of a dinner, not +over-remarkable for its<br> +propriety in table equipage, added to the ludicrous effect. The +heavy tramp<br> +of a foot overhead denoted the step of some one taking his short +walk of<br> +exercise; while the rough voice of the skipper, as he gave the +word to "Go<br> +about!" all convinced me that we were at last under way, and off +to "the<br> +wars."</p> + +<p>The confusion our last evening on shore produced in my brain +was such<br> +that every effort I made to remember anything about it only +increased my<br> +difficulty, and I felt myself in a web so tangled and +inextricable that<br> +all endeavor to escape free was impossible. Sometimes I thought +that I had<br> +really married Matilda Dalrymple; then, I supposed that the +father had<br> +called me out, and wounded me in a duel; and finally, I had some +confused<br> +notion about a quarrel with Sparks, but what for, when, and how +it ended, I<br> +knew not. How tremendously tipsy I must have been! was the only +conclusion<br> +I could draw from all these conflicting doubts; and after all, it +was the<br> +only thing like fact that beamed upon my mind. How I had come on +board and<br> +reached my berth was a matter I reserved for future inquiry, +resolving that<br> +about the real history of my last night on shore I would ask no +questions,<br> +if others were equally disposed to let it pass in silence.</p> + +<p>I next began to wonder if Mike had looked after all my +luggage, trunks,<br> +etc., and whether he himself had been forgotten in our hasty +departure.<br> +About this latter point I was not destined for much doubt; for a +well-known<br> +voice, from the foot of the companion-ladder, at once proclaimed +my<br> +faithful follower, and evidenced his feelings at his departure +from his<br> +home and country.</p> + +<p>Mr. Free was, at the time I mention, gathered up like a ball +opposite a<br> +small, low window that looked upon the bluff headlands now fast +becoming<br> +dim and misty as the night approached. He was apparently in low +spirits,<br> +and hummed in a species of low, droning voice, the following +ballad, at the<br> +end of each verse of which came an Irish chorus which, to the +erudite in<br> +such matters, will suggest the air of Moddirederoo:—</p> + +<p> MICKEY FREE'S LAMENT.</p> + +<p> Then fare ye well, ould Erin dear;<br> + To part, my heart does ache well:<br> + From Carrickfergus to Cape Clear,<br> + I'll never see your equal.<br> + And though to foreign parts we're bound,<br> + Where cannibals may ate us,<br> + We'll ne'er forget the holy ground<br> + Of potteen and potatoes.<br> + Moddirederoo aroo, aroo, etc.</p> + +<p> When good Saint Patrick banished frogs,<br> + And shook them from his garment,<br> + He never thought we'd go abroad,<br> + To live upon such varmint;<br> + Nor quit the land where whiskey grew<br> + To wear King George's button,<br> + Take vinegar for mountain dew,<br> + And toads for mountain mutton.<br> + Moddirederoo aroo, aroo, etc.</p> + +<p>"I say, Mike, stop that confounded keen, and tell me where are +we?"</p> + +<p>"Off the ould head of Kinsale, sir."</p> + +<p>"Where is Captain Power?"</p> + +<p>"Smoking a cigar on deck, with the captain, sir."</p> + +<p>"And Mr. Sparks?"</p> + +<p>"Mighty sick in his own state-room. Oh, but it's himself has +enough of<br> +glory—bad luck to it!—by this time. He'd make your heart break +to look at<br> +him."</p> + +<p>"Who have you got on board besides?"</p> + +<p>"The adjutant's here, sir; and an old gentleman they call the +major."</p> + +<p>"Not Major Dalrymple?" said I, starting up with terror at the +thought, "eh,<br> +Mike?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, another major; his name is Mulroon, or Mundoon, or +something like<br> +that."</p> + +<p>"Monsoon, you son of a lumper potato," cried out a surly, +gruff voice from<br> +a berth opposite. "Monsoon. Who's at the other side?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. O'Malley, 14th," said I, by way of introduction.</p> + +<p>"My service to you, then," said the voice. "Going to join your +regiment?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and you, are you bound on a similar errand?"</p> + +<p>"No, Heaven be praised! I'm attached to the commissariat, and +only going to<br> +Lisbon. Have you had any dinner?"</p> + +<p>"Not a morsel; have you?"</p> + +<p>"No more than yourself; but I always lie by for three or four +days this<br> +way, till I get used to the confounded rocking and pitching, and +with<br> +a little grog and some sleep, get over the time gayly enough. +Steward,<br> +another tumbler like the last; there—very good—that will do. +Your good<br> +health, Mr.—what was it you said?"</p> + +<p>"O'Malley."</p> + +<p>"O'Malley—your good health! Good-night." And so ended our +brief colloquy,<br> +and in a few minutes more, a very decisive snore pronounced my +friend to be<br> +fulfilling his precept for killing the hours.</p> + +<p>I now made the effort to emancipate myself from my crib, and +at last<br> +succeeded in getting on the floor, where, after one +<i>chassez</i> at a small<br> +looking-glass opposite, followed by a very impetuous rush at a +little brass<br> +stove, in which I was interrupted by a trunk and laid prostrate, +I finally<br> +got my clothes on, and made my way to the deck. Little attuned as +was my<br> +mind at the moment to admire anything like scenery, it was +impossible to be<br> +unmoved by the magnificent prospect before me. It was a beautiful +evening<br> +in summer; the sun had set above an hour before, leaving behind +him in the<br> +west one vast arch of rich and burnished gold, stretching along +the whole<br> +horizon, and tipping all the summits of the heavy rolling sea, as +it rolled<br> +on, unbroken by foam or ripple, in vast moving mountains, from +the far<br> +coast of Labrador. We were already in blue water, though the bold +cliffs<br> +that were to form our departing point were but a few miles to +leeward.<br> +There lay the lofty bluff of Old Kinsale, whose crest, +overhanging, peered<br> +from a summit of some hundred feet into the deep water that swept +its rocky<br> +base, many a tangled lichen and straggling bough trailing in the +flood<br> +beneath. Here and there upon the coast a twinkling gleam +proclaimed the hut<br> +of the fisherman, whose swift hookers had more than once shot by +us and<br> +disappeared in a moment. The wind, which began to fall at sunset, +freshened<br> +as the moon rose; and the good ship, bending to the breeze, lay +gently<br> +over, and rushed through the waters with a sound of gladness. I +was alone<br> +upon the deck. Power and the captain, whom I expected to have +found, had<br> +disappeared somehow, and I was, after all, not sorry to be left +to my own<br> +reflections uninterrupted.</p> + +<p>My thoughts turned once more to my home,—to my first, my +best, earliest<br> +friend, whose hearth I had rendered lonely and desolate, and my +heart<br> +sank within me as I remembered it. How deeply I reproached myself +for the<br> +selfish impetuosity with which I had ever followed any rising +fancy, any<br> +new and sudden desire, and never thought of him whose every hope +was in,<br> +whose every wish was for me. Alas! alas, my poor uncle! how +gladly would<br> +I resign every prospect my soldier's life may hold out, with all +its<br> +glittering promise, and all the flattery of success, to be once +more beside<br> +you; to feel your warm and manly grasp; to see your smile; to +hear your<br> +voice; to be again where all our best feelings are born and +nurtured, our<br> +cares assuaged, our joys more joyed in, and our griefs more +wept,—at home!<br> +These very words have more music to my ears than all the softest +strains<br> +that ever siren sung. They bring us back to all we have loved, by +ties that<br> +are never felt but through such simple associations. And in the +earlier<br> +memories called up, our childish feelings come back once more to +visit us<br> +like better spirits, as we walk amidst the dreary desolation that +years of<br> +care and uneasiness have spread around us.</p> + +<p>Wretched must he be who ne'er has felt such bliss; and thrice +happy he who,<br> +feeling it, knows that still there lives for him that same early +home, with<br> +all its loved inmates, its every dear and devoted object waiting +his coming<br> +and longing for his approach.</p> + +<p>Such were my thoughts as I stood gazing at the bold line of +coast now<br> +gradually growing more and more dim while evening fell, and we +continued<br> +to stand farther out to sea. So absorbed was I all this time in +my<br> +reflections, that I never heard the voices which now suddenly +burst upon my<br> +ears quite close beside me. I turned, and saw for the first time +that at<br> +the end of the quarter-deck stood what is called a roundhouse, a +small<br> +cabin, from which the sounds in question proceeded. I walked +gently forward<br> +and peeped in, and certainly anything more in contrast with my +late revery<br> +need not be conceived. There sat the skipper, a bluff, +round-faced,<br> +jolly-looking little tar, mixing a bowl of punch at a table, at +which sat<br> +my friend Power, the adjutant, and a tall, meagre-looking +Scotchman, whom<br> +I once met in Cork, and heard that he was the doctor of some +infantry<br> +regiment. Two or three black bottles, a paper of cigars, and a +tallow<br> +candle were all the table equipage; but certainly the party +seemed not to<br> +want for spirits and fun, to judge from the hearty bursts of +laughing that<br> +every moment pealed forth, and shook the little building that +held them.<br> +Power, as usual with him, seemed to be taking the lead, and was +evidently<br> +amusing himself with the peculiarities of his companions.</p> + +<p>"Come, Adjutant, fill up; here's to the campaign before us. +We, at least,<br> +have nothing but pleasure in the anticipation; no lovely wife +behind; no<br> +charming babes to fret and be fretted for, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Vara true," said the doctor, who was mated with a +<i>tartar</i>, "ye maun have<br> +less regrets at leaving hame; but a married man is no' entirely +denied his<br> +ain consolations."</p> + +<p>"Good sense in that," said the skipper; "a wide berth and +plenty of sea<br> +room are not bad things now and then."</p> + +<p>"Is that your experience also?" said Power, with a knowing +look. "Come,<br> +come, Adjutant, we're not so ill off, you see; but, by Jove, I +can't<br> +imagine how it is a man ever comes to thirty without having at +least one<br> +wife,—without counting his colonial possessions of course."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the adjutant, with a sigh, as he drained his glass +to the<br> +bottom. "It is devilish strange,—woman, lovely woman!" Here he +filled and<br> +drank again, as though he had been proposing a toast for his own +peculiar<br> +drinking.</p> + +<p>"I say, now," resumed Power, catching at once that there was +something<br> +working in his mind,—"I say, now, how happened it that you, a +right<br> +good-looking, soldier-like fellow, that always made his way among +the fair<br> +ones, with that confounded roguish eye and slippery tongue,—how +the deuce<br> +did it come to pass that you never married?"</p> + +<p>"I've been more than once on the verge of it," said the +adjutant, smiling<br> +blandly at the flattery.</p> + +<p>"And nae bad notion yours just to stay there," said the +doctor, with a very<br> +peculiar contortion of countenance.</p> + +<p>"No pleasing you, no contenting a fellow like you," said +Power, returning<br> +to the charge; "that's the thing; you get a certain ascendancy; +you have a<br> +kind of success that renders you, as the French say, +<i>téte montée</i>, and you<br> +think no woman rich enough or good-looking enough or big +enough."</p> + +<p>"No; by Jove you're wrong," said the adjutant, swallowing the +bait, hook<br> +and all,—"quite wrong there; for some how, all my life, I was +decidedly<br> +susceptible. Not that I cared much for your blushing sixteen, or +budding<br> +beauties in white muslin, fresh from a back-board and a +governess; no, my<br> +taste inclined rather to the more sober charms of two or +three-and-thirty,<br> +the <i>embonpoint</i>, a good foot and ankle, a sensible breadth +about the<br> +shoulders—"</p> + +<p>"Somewhat Dutch-like, I take it," said the skipper, puffing +out a volume of<br> +smoke; "a little bluff in the bows, and great stowage, eh"</p> + +<p>"You leaned then towards the widows?" said Power.</p> + +<p>"Exactly; I confess, a widow always was my weakness. There was +something<br> +I ever liked in the notion of a woman who had got over all the +awkward<br> +girlishness of early years, and had that self-possession which +habit and<br> +knowledge of the world confer, and knew enough of herself to +understand<br> +what she really wished, and where she would really go."</p> + +<p>"Like the trade winds," puffed the skipper.</p> + +<p>"Then, as regards fortune, they have a decided superiority +over<br> +the spinster class. I defy any man breathing,—let him be +half<br> +police-magistrate, half chancellor,—to find out the figure of a +young<br> +lady's dower. On your first introduction to the house, some kind +friend<br> +whispers, 'Go it, old boy; forty thousand, not a penny less.' A +few weeks<br> +later, as the siege progresses, a maiden aunt, disposed to +puffing, comes<br> +down to twenty; this diminishes again one half, but then 'the +money is in<br> +bank stock, hard Three-and-a-Half.' You go a little farther, and +as you sit<br> +one day over your wine with papa, he certainly promulgates the +fact that<br> +his daughter has five thousand pounds, two of which turn out to +be in<br> +Mexican bonds, and three in an Irish mortgage."</p> + +<p>"Happy for you," interrupted Power, "that it be not in Galway, +where a<br> +proposal to foreclose, would be a signal for your being called +out and shot<br> +without benefit of clergy."</p> + +<p>"Bad luck to it, for Galway," said the adjutant. "I was nearly +taken in<br> +there once to marry a girl that her brother-in-law swore had +eight hundred<br> +a year; and it came out afterwards that so she had, but it was +for one year<br> +only; and he challenged me for doubting his word too."</p> + +<p>"There's an old formula for finding out an Irish fortune," +says Power,<br> +"worth, all the algebra they ever taught in Trinity. Take the +half of the<br> +assumed sum, and divide it by three; the quotient will be a +flattering<br> +representative of the figure sought for."</p> + +<p>"Not in the north," said the adjutant, firmly,—"not in the +north, Power.<br> +They are all well off there. There's a race of canny, thrifty, +half-Scotch<br> +niggers,—your pardon, Doctor, they are all +Irish,—linen-weaving,<br> +Presbyterian, yarn-factoring, long-nosed, hard-drinking fellows, +that lay<br> +by rather a snug thing now and then. Do you know, I was very near +it once<br> +in the north. I've half a mind to tell you the story; though, +perhaps,<br> +you'll laugh at me."</p> + +<p>The whole party at once protested that nothing could induce +them to deviate<br> +so widely from the line of propriety; and the skipper having +mixed a fresh<br> +bowl and filled all the glasses round, the cigars were lighted, +and the<br> +adjutant began.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXIX.</p> + +<p>THE ADJUTANT'S STORY.—LIFE IN DERBY.</p> + +<p>"It is now about eight, may be ten, years since we were +ordered to march<br> +from Belfast and take up our quarters in Londonderry. We had not +been more<br> +than a few weeks altogether in Ulster when the order came; and as +we had<br> +been, for the preceding two years, doing duty in the south and +west, we<br> +concluded that the island was tolerably the same in all parts. We +opened<br> +our campaign in the maiden city exactly as we had been doing +with<br> +'unparalleled success' in Cashel, Fermoy, Tuam, etc.,—that is to +say, we<br> +announced garrison balls and private theatricals; offered a cup +to be run<br> +for in steeple-chase; turned out a four-in-hand drag, with +mottled grays;<br> +and brought over two Deal boats to challenge the north."</p> + +<p>"The 18th found the place stupid," said his companions.</p> + +<p>"To be sure, they did; slow fellows like them must find any +place stupid.<br> +No dinners; but they gave none. No fun; but they had none in +themselves.<br> +In fact, we knew better; we understood how the thing was to be +done, and<br> +resolved that, as a mine of rich ore lay unworked, it was +reserved for us<br> +to produce the shining metal that others, less discerning, had +failed to<br> +discover. Little we knew of the matter; never was there a blunder +like<br> +ours. Were you ever in Derry?"</p> + +<p>"Never," said the three listeners.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, let me inform you that the place has its own +peculiar<br> +features. In the first place, all the large towns in the south +and west<br> +have, besides the country neighborhood that surrounds them, a +certain<br> +sprinkling of gentlefolk, who, though with small fortunes and not +much<br> +usage of the world, are still a great accession to society, and +make up the<br> +blank which, even in the most thickly peopled country, would be +sadly<br> +felt without them. Now, in Derry, there is none of this. After +the great<br> +guns—and, <i>per Baccho!</i> what great guns they are!—you have +nothing but<br> +the men engaged in commerce,—sharp, clever, shrewd, +well-informed fellows;<br> +they are deep in flax-seed, cunning in molasses, and not to be +excelled<br> +in all that pertains to coffee, sassafras, cinnamon, gum, oakum, +and<br> +elephants' teeth. The place is a rich one, and the spirit of +commerce is<br> +felt throughout it. Nothing is cared for, nothing is talked of, +nothing<br> +alluded to, that does not bear upon this; and, in fact, if you +haven't a<br> +venture in Smyrna figs, Memel timber, Dutch dolls, or some such +commodity,<br> +you are absolutely nothing, and might as well be at a ball with a +cork leg,<br> +or go deaf to the opera."</p> + +<p>"Now, when I've told thus much, I leave you to guess what +impression our<br> +triumphal entry into the city produced. Instead of the admiring +crowds<br> +that awaited us elsewhere, as we marched gayly into quarters, +here we saw<br> +nothing but grave, sober-looking, and, I confess it, +intelligent-looking<br> +faces, that scrutinized our appearance closely enough, but +evidently with<br> +no great approval and less enthusiasm. The men passed on +hurriedly to the<br> +counting-houses and wharves; the women, with almost as little +interest,<br> +peeped at us from the windows, and walked away again. Oh, how we +wished for<br> +Galway, glorious Galway, that paradise of the infantry that lies +west of<br> +the Shannon! Little we knew, as we ordered the band, in lively +anticipation<br> +of the gayeties before us, to strike up 'Payne's first set,' +that, to the<br> +ears of the fair listeners in Ship Quay Street, the rumble of a +sugar<br> +hogshead or the crank of a weighing crane were more delightful +music."</p> + +<p>"By Jove!" interrupted Power, "you are quite right. Women are +strongly<br> +imitative in their tastes. The lovely Italian, whose very costume +is a<br> +natural following of a Raphael, is no more like the pretty +Liverpool damsel<br> +than Genoa is to Glasnevin; and yet what the deuce have they, +dear souls,<br> +with their feet upon a soft carpet and their eyes upon the pages +of Scott<br> +or Byron, to do with all the cotton or dimity that ever was +printed? But<br> +let us not repine; that very plastic character is our greatest +blessing."</p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure that it always exists," said the doctor, +dubiously, as<br> +though his own experience pointed otherwise.</p> + +<p>"Well, go ahead!" said the skipper, who evidently disliked the +digression<br> +thus interrupting the adjutant's story.</p> + +<p>"Well, we marched along, looking right and left at the pretty +faces—and<br> +there were plenty of them, too—that a momentary curiosity drew +to the<br> +windows; but although we smiled and ogled and leered as only a +newly<br> +arrived regiment can smile, ogle, or leer, by all that's +provoking we might<br> +as well have wasted our blandishments upon the Presbyterian +meeting-house,<br> +that frowned upon us with its high-pitched roof and round +windows.</p> + +<p>"'Droll people, these,' said one; 'Rayther rum ones,' cried +another; 'The<br> +black north, by Jove!' said a third: and so we went along to the +barracks,<br> +somewhat displeased to think that, though the 18th were slow, +they might<br> +have met their match.</p> + +<p>"Disappointed, as we undoubtedly felt, at the little +enthusiasm that marked<br> +our <i>entrée</i>, we still resolved to persist in our +original plan, and<br> +accordingly, early the following morning, announced our intention +of giving<br> +amateur theatricals. The mayor, who called upon our colonel, was +the first<br> +to learn this, and received the information with pretty much the +same<br> +kind of look the Archbishop of Canterbury might be supposed to +assume if<br> +requested by a a friend to ride 'a Derby.' The incredulous +expression of<br> +the poor man's face, as he turned from one of us to the other, +evidently<br> +canvassing in his mind whether we might not, by some special +dispensation<br> +of Providence, be all insane, I shall never forget.</p> + +<p>"His visit was a very short one; whether concluding that we +were not quite<br> +safe company, or whether our notification was too much for his +nerves, I<br> +know not.</p> + +<p>"We were not to be balked, however. Our plans for gayety, long +planned and<br> +conned over, wore soon announced in all form; and though we made +efforts<br> +almost super-human in the cause, our plays were performed to +empty benches,<br> +our balls were unattended, our picnic invitations politely +declined, and,<br> +in a word, all our advances treated with a cold and chilling +politeness<br> +that plainly said, 'We'll none of you.'</p> + +<p>"Each day brought some new discomfiture, and as we met at +mess, instead<br> +of having, as heretofore, some prospect of pleasure and amusement +to chat<br> +over, it was only to talk gloomily over our miserable failures, +and lament<br> +the dreary quarters that our fates had doomed us to.</p> + +<p>"Some months wore on in this fashion, and at length—what will +not time<br> +do?—we began, by degrees, to forget our woes. Some of us took to +late<br> +hours and brandy-and-water; others got sentimental, and wrote +journals and<br> +novels and poetry; some made acquaintances among the townspeople, +and out<br> +in to a quiet rubber to pass the evening; while another +detachment, among<br> +which I was, got up a little love affair to while away the +tedious hours,<br> +and cheat the lazy sun.</p> + +<p>"I have already said something of my taste in beauty; now, +Mrs. Boggs<br> +was exactly the style of woman I fancied. She was a widow; she +had black<br> +eyes,—not your jet-black, sparkling, Dutch-doll eyes, that roll +about and<br> +twinkle, but mean nothing; no, hers had a soft, subdued, +downcast, pensive<br> +look about them, and were fully as melting a pair of orbs as any +blue eyes<br> +you ever looked at.</p> + +<p>"Then, she had a short upper lip, and sweet teeth; by Jove, +they were<br> +pearls! and she showed them too, pretty often. Her figure was +well-rounded,<br> +plump, and what the French call <i>nette</i>. To complete all, +her instep and<br> +ankle were unexceptional; and lastly, her jointure was seven +hundred pounds<br> +per annum, with a trifle of eight thousand more that the late +lamented<br> +Boggs bequeathed, when, after four months of uninterrupted bliss, +he left<br> +Derry for another world.</p> + +<p>"When chance first threw me in the way of the fair widow, some +casual<br> +coincidence of opinion happened to raise me in her estimation, +and I soon<br> +afterwards received an invitation to a small evening party at her +house, to<br> +which I alone of the regiment was asked.</p> + +<p>"I shall not weary you with the details of my intimacy; it is +enough that I<br> +tell you I fell desperately in love. I began by visiting twice or +thrice a<br> +week, and in less than two months, spent every morning at her +house, and<br> +rarely left it till the 'Roast beef' announced mess.</p> + +<p>"I soon discovered the widow's cue; she was serious. Now, I +had conducted<br> +all manner of flirtatious in my previous life; timid young +ladies, manly<br> +young ladies, musical, artistical, poetical, and +hysterical,—bless you, I<br> +knew them all by heart; but never before had I to deal with a +serious one,<br> +and a widow to boot. The case was a trying one. For some weeks it +was all<br> +very up-hill work; all the red shot of warm affection I used to +pour in on<br> +other occasions was of no use here. The language of love, in +which I was<br> +no mean proficient, availed me not. Compliments and flattery, +those rare<br> +skirmishers before the engagement, were denied me; and I verily +think that<br> +a tender squeeze of the hand would have cost me my dismissal.</p> + +<p>"'How very slow, all this!' thought I, as, at the end of two +months siege,<br> +I still found myself seated in the trenches, and not a single +breach in the<br> +fortress; 'but, to be sure, it's the way they have in the north, +and one<br> +must be patient.'</p> + +<p>"While thus I was in no very sanguine frame of mind as to my +prospects, in<br> +reality my progress was very considerable. Having become a member +of Mr.<br> +M'Phun's congregation, I was gradually rising in the estimation +of the<br> +widow and her friends, whom my constant attendance at meeting, +and my very<br> +serious demeanor had so far impressed that very grave +deliberation was held<br> +whether I should not be made an elder at the next brevet.</p> + +<p>"If the widow Boggs had not been a very lovely and wealthy +widow; had she<br> +not possessed the eyes, lips, hips, ankles, and jointure +aforesaid,—I<br> +honestly avow that neither the charms of that sweet man Mr. +M'Phun's<br> +eloquence, nor even the flattering distinction in store for me, +would have<br> +induced me to prolong my suit. However, I was not going to +despair when in<br> +sight of land. The widow was evidently softened. A little time +longer, and<br> +the most scrupulous moralist, the most rigid advocate for +employing time<br> +wisely, could not have objected to my daily system of courtship. +I was<br> +none of your sighing, dying, ogling, hand-squeezing, +waist-pressing,<br> +oath-swearing, everlasting-adoring affairs, with an interchange +of rings<br> +and lockets; not a bit of it. It was confoundedly like a +controversial<br> +meeting at the Rotundo, and I myself had a far greater +resemblance to<br> +Father Tom Maguire than a gay Lothario.</p> + +<p>"After all, when mess-time came, when the 'Roast beef' played, +and we<br> +assembled at dinner, and the soup and fish had gone round, with +two glasses<br> +of sherry in, my spirits rallied, and a very jolly evening +consoled me for<br> +all my fatigues and exertions, and supplied me with energy for +the morrow;<br> +for, let me observe here, that I only made love before dinner. +The evenings<br> +I reserved for myself, assuring Mrs. Boggs that my regimental +duties<br> +required all my time after mess hour, in which I was perfectly +correct:<br> +for at six we dined; at seven I opened the claret No. 1; at eight +I had<br> +uncorked my second bottle; by half-past eight I was returning to +the<br> +sherry; and at ten, punctual to the moment, I was repairing to my +quarters<br> +on the back of my servant, Tim Daly, who had carried me safely +for eight<br> +years, without a single mistake, as the fox-hunters say. This was +a way we<br> +had in the —th. Every man was carried away from mess, some +sooner, some<br> +later. I was always an early riser, and went betimes.</p> + +<p>"Now, although I had very abundant proof, from circumstantial +evidence,<br> +that I was nightly removed from the mess-room to my bed in the +mode I<br> +mention, it would have puzzled me sorely to prove the fact in any +direct<br> +way; inasmuch as by half-past nine, as the clock chimed, and Tim +entered to<br> +take me, I was very innocent of all that was going on, and except +a certain<br> +vague sense of regret at leaving the decanter, felt nothing +whatever.</p> + +<p>"It so chanced—what mere trifles are we ruled by in our +destiny!—that<br> +just as my suit with the widow had assumed its most favorable +footing, old<br> +General Hinks, that commanded the district, announced his coming +over to<br> +inspect our regiment. Over he came accordingly, and to be sure, +we had a<br> +day of it. We were paraded for six mortal hours; then we were +marching and<br> +countermarching, moving into line, back again into column, now +forming open<br> +column, then into square; till at last, we began to think that +the old<br> +general was like the Flying Dutchman, and was probably condemned +to keep on<br> +drilling us to the day of judgment. To be sure, he enlivened the +proceeding<br> +to me by pronouncing the regiment the worst-drilled and appointed +corps in<br> +the service, and the adjutant (me!) the stupidest +dunderhead—these were<br> +his words—he had ever met with.</p> + +<p>"'Never mind,' thought I; 'a few days more, and it's little +I'll care for<br> +the eighteen manoeuvres. It's small trouble your eyes right or +your left,<br> +shoulders forward, will give me. I'll sell out, and with the +Widow Boggs<br> +and seven hundred a year,—but no matter.'</p> + +<p>"This confounded inspection lasted till half-past five in the +afternoon; so<br> +that our mess was delayed a full hour in consequence, and it was +past seven<br> +as we sat down to dinner. Our faces were grim enough as we met +together at<br> +first; but what will not a good dinner and good wine do for the +surliest<br> +party? By eight o'clock we began to feel somewhat more +convivially<br> +disposed; and before nine, the decanters were performing a +quick-step round<br> +the table, in a fashion very exhilarating and very jovial to look +at.</p> + +<p>"'No flinching to-night,' said the senior major. 'We've had a +severe day;<br> +let us also have a merry evening.'</p> + +<p>"'By Jove! Ormond,' cried another, 'we must not leave this +to-night.<br> +Confound the old humbugs and their musty whist party; throw them +over.'</p> + +<p>"'I say, Adjutant,' said Forbes; addressing me, 'you've +nothing particular<br> +to say to the fair widow this evening? You'll not bolt, I +hope?'</p> + +<p>"'That he sha'n't,' said one near me; 'he must make up for his +absence<br> +to-morrow, for to-night we all stand fast.'</p> + +<p>"'Besides,' said another, 'she's at meeting by this.<br> +Old—what-d'ye-call-him?—is at fourteenthly before now.'</p> + +<p>"'A note for you, sir,' said the mess waiter, presenting me +with a<br> +rose-colored three-cornered billet. It was from <i>la +chère</i> Boggs herself,<br> +and ran thus:—</p> + +<p> DEAR SIR,—Mr. M'Phun and a few friends are coming to tea +at<br> + my house after meeting; perhaps you will also favor us with +your<br> + company.<br> + Yours truly,<br> + ELIZA BOGGS.</p> + +<p>"What was to be done? Quit the mess; leave a jolly party just +at the<br> +jolliest moment; exchange Lafitte and red hermitage for a +<i>soirée</i> of<br> +elders, presided over by that sweet man, Mr. M'Phun! It was too +bad!—but<br> +then, how much was in the scale! What would the widow say if I +declined?<br> +What would she think? I well knew that the invitation meant +nothing less<br> +than a full-dress parade of me before her friends, and that to +decline was<br> +perhaps to forfeit all my hopes in that quarter forever.</p> + +<p>"'Any answer, sir?' said the waiter.</p> + +<p>"'Yes,' said I, in a half-whisper, 'I'll go,—tell the +servant, I'll go.'</p> + +<p>"At this moment my tender epistle was subtracted from before +me, and ere I<br> +had turned round, had made the tour of half the table. I never +perceived<br> +the circumstance, however, and filling my glass, professed my +resolve to<br> +sit to the last, with a mental reserve to take my departure at +the very<br> +first opportunity. Ormond and the paymaster quitted the room for +a moment,<br> +as if to give orders for a broil at twelve, and now all seemed to +promise a<br> +very convivial and well-sustained party for the night.</p> + +<p>"'Is that all arranged?' inquired the major, as Ormond +entered.</p> + +<p>"'All right,' said he; 'and now let us have a bumper and a +song. Adjutant,<br> +old boy, give us a chant.'</p> + +<p>"'What shall it be, then?' inquired I, anxious to cover my +intended retreat<br> +by any appearance of joviality.</p> + +<p>"'Give us—</p> + +<p> "When I was in the Fusiliers<br> + Some fourteen years ago."'</p> + +<p>"'No, no; confound it! I've heard nothing else since I joined +the regiment.<br> +Let us have the "Paymaster's Daughter."'</p> + +<p>"'Ah! that's pathetic; I like that,' lisped a young +ensign.</p> + +<p>"'If I'm to have a vote,' grunted out the senior major, 'I +pronounce for<br> +"West India Quarters."'</p> + +<p>"'Yes, yes,' said half-a-dozen voices together; 'let's have +"West India<br> +Quarters." Come, give him a glass of sherry, and let him +begin.'</p> + +<p>"I had scarcely finished off my glass, and cleared my throat +for my song,<br> +when the clock on the chimney-piece chimed half-past nine, and +the same<br> +instant I felt a heavy hand fall upon my shoulder. I turned and +beheld my<br> +servant Tim. This, as I have already mentioned, was the hour at +which Tim<br> +was in the habit of taking me home to my quarters; and though we +had dined<br> +an hour later, he took no notice of the circumstance, but true to +his<br> +custom, he was behind my chair. A very cursory glance at my +'familiar' was<br> +quite sufficient to show me that we had somehow changed sides; +for Tim, who<br> +was habitually the most sober of mankind, was, on the present +occasion,<br> +exceedingly drunk, while I, a full hour before that consummation, +was<br> +perfectly sober.</p> + +<p>"'What d'ye want, sir?' inquired I, with something of severity +in my<br> +manner.</p> + +<p>"'Come home,' said Tim, with a hiccough that set the whole +table in a roar.</p> + +<p>"'Leave the room this instant,' said I, feeling wrath at being +thus made<br> +a butt of for his offences. 'Leave the room, or I'll kick you out +of it.'<br> +Now, this, let me add in a parenthesis, was somewhat of a boast, +for Tim<br> +was six feet three, and strong in proportion, and when in liquor, +fearless<br> +as a tiger.</p> + +<p>"'You'll kick me out of the room, eh, will you? Try, only try +it, that's<br> +all.' Here a new roar of laughter burst forth, while Tim, again +placing an<br> +enormous paw upon my shoulder, continued, 'Don't be sitting +there, making a<br> +baste of yourself, when you've got enough. Don't you see you're +drunk?'</p> + +<p>"I sprang to my legs on this, and made a rush to the fireplace +to secure<br> +the poker; but Tim was beforehand with me, and seizing me by the +waist with<br> +both hands, flung me across his shoulders as though I were a +baby, saying,<br> +at the same time, 'I'll take you away at half-past eight +to-morrow, as<br> +you're as rampageous again.' I kicked, I plunged, I swore, I +threatened, I<br> +even begged and implored to be set down; but whether my voice was +lost in<br> +the uproar around me, or that Tim only regarded my denunciations +in the<br> +light of cursing, I know not, but he carried me bodily down the +stairs,<br> +steadying himself by one hand on the banisters, while with the +other he<br> +held me as in a vice. I had but one consolation all this while; +it was<br> +this, that as my quarters lay immediately behind the mess-room, +Tim's<br> +excursion would soon come to an end, and I should be free once +more; but<br> +guess my terror to find that the drunken scoundrel, instead of +going as<br> +usual to the left, turned short to the right hand, and marched +boldly<br> +into Ship Quay Street. Every window in the mess-room was filled +with our<br> +fellows, absolutely shouting with laughter. 'Go it Tim! That's +the fellow!<br> +Hold him tight! Never let go!' cried a dozen voices; while<br> +the wretch, with the tenacity of drunkenness, gripped me still +harder, and<br> +took his way down the middle of the street.</p> + +<a name="0260"></a> +<img alt="0260.jpg (124K)" src="0260.jpg" height="534" width="657"> + +<p>[THE ADJUTANT'S AFTER DINNER RIDE.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>"It was a beautiful evening in July, a soft summer night, as I +made this<br> +pleasing excursion down the most frequented thoroughfare in the +maiden<br> +city, my struggles every moment exciting roars of laughter from +an<br> +increasing crowd of spectators, who seemed scarcely less amused +than<br> +puzzled at the exhibition. In the midst of a torrent of +imprecations<br> +against my torturer, a loud noise attracted me. I turned my head, +and<br> +saw,—horror of horrors!—the door of the meeting-house just +flung open,<br> +and the congregation issuing forth <i>en masse</i>. Is it any +wonder if I<br> +remember no more? There I was, the chosen one of the widow Boggs, +the elder<br> +elect, the favored friend and admired associate of Mr. M'Phun, +taking an<br> +airing on a summer's evening on the back of a drunken Irishman. +Oh, the<br> +thought was horrible! and certainly the short and pithy epithets +by which I<br> +was characterized in the crowd, neither improved my temper nor +assuaged my<br> +wrath, and I feel bound to confess that my own language was +neither serious<br> +nor becoming. Tim, however, cared little for all this, and +pursued the even<br> +tenor of his way through the whole crowd, nor stopped till, +having made<br> +half the circuit of the wall, he deposited me safe at my own +door; adding,<br> +as he set me down, 'Oh, av you're as throublesome every evening, +it's a<br> +wheelbarrow I'll be obleeged to bring for you!'</p> + +<p>"The next day I obtained a short leave of absence, and ere a +fortnight<br> +expired, exchanged into the —th, preferring Halifax itself to +the ridicule<br> +that awaited me in Londonderry."</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXX.</p> + +<p>FRED POWER'S ADVENTURE IN PHILIPSTOWN.</p> + +<p>The lazy hours of the long summer day crept slowly over. The +sea, unbroken<br> +by foam or ripple, shone like a broad blue mirror, reflecting +here and<br> +there some fleecy patches of snow-white cloud as they stood +unmoved in the<br> +sky. The good ship rocked to and fro with a heavy and lumbering +motion, the<br> +cordage rattled, the bulkheads creaked, the sails flapped lazily +against<br> +the masts, the very sea-gulls seemed to sleep as they rested on +the long<br> +swell that bore them along, and everything in sea and sky bespoke +the calm.<br> +No sailor trod the deck; no watch was stirring; the very tiller +ropes were<br> +deserted; and as they traversed backwards and forwards with every +roll of<br> +the vessel, told that we had no steerage-way, and lay a mere log +upon the<br> +water.</p> + +<p>I sat alone in the bow, and fell into a musing fit upon the +past and<br> +the future. How happily for us is it ordained that in the most +stirring<br> +existences there are every here and there such little +resting-spots of<br> +reflection, from which, as from some eminence, we look back upon +the road<br> +we have been treading in life, and cast a wistful glance at the +dark vista<br> +before us! When first we set out upon our worldly pilgrimage, +these are<br> +indeed precious moments, when with buoyant heart and spirit high, +believing<br> +all things, trusting all things, our very youth comes back to us, +reflected<br> +from every object we meet; and like Narcissus, we are but +worshipping our<br> +own image in the water. As we go on in life, the cares, the +anxieties, and<br> +the business of the world engross us more and more, and such +moments become<br> +fewer and shorter. Many a bright dream has been dissolved, many a +fairy<br> +vision replaced, by some dark reality; blighted hopes, false +friendships<br> +have gradually worn callous the heart once alive to every gentle +feeling,<br> +and time begins to tell upon us,—yet still, as the +well-remembered melody<br> +to which we listened with delight in infancy brings to our mature +age a<br> +touch of early years, so will the very association of these happy +moments<br> +recur to us in our revery, and make us young again in thought. +Then it is<br> +that, as we look back upon our worldly career, we become +convinced how<br> +truly is the child the father of the man, how frequently are the +projects<br> +of our manhood the fruit of some boyish predilection; and that in +the<br> +emulative ardor that stirs the schoolboy's heart, we may read +the<br> +<i>prestige</i> of that high daring that makes a hero of its +possessor.</p> + +<p>These moments, too, are scarcely more pleasurable than they +are salutary to<br> +us. Disengaged for the time from every worldly anxiety, we pass +in review<br> +before our own selves, and in the solitude of our own hearts are +we judged.<br> +That still small voice of conscience, unheard and unlistened to +amidst the<br> +din and bustle of life, speaks audibly to us now; and while +chastened<br> +on one side by regrets, we are sustained on the other by some +approving<br> +thought; and with many a sorrow for the past, and many a promise +for the<br> +future, we begin to feel "how good it is for us to be here."</p> + +<p>The evening wore later; the red sun sank down upon the sea, +growing larger<br> +and larger; the long line of mellow gold that sheeted along the +distant<br> +horizon grew first of a dark ruddy tinge, then paler and paler, +till it<br> +became almost gray; a single star shone faintly in the east, and +darkness<br> +soon set in. With night came the wind, for almost imperceptibly +the sails<br> +swelled slowly out, a slight rustle at the bow followed, the ship +lay<br> +gently over, and we were once more in motion. It struck four +bells; some<br> +casual resemblance in the sound of the old pendulum that marked +the hour at<br> +my uncle's house startled me so that I actually knew not where I +was. With<br> +lightning speed my once home rose up before me with its happy +hearts; the<br> +old familiar faces were there; the gay laugh was in my ears; +there sat<br> +my dear old uncle, as with bright eye and mellow voice he looked +a very<br> +welcome to his guests; there Boyle; there Considine; there the +grim-visaged<br> +portraits that graced the old walls whose black oak wainscot +stood in broad<br> +light and shadow, as the blazing turf fire shone upon it; there +was my own<br> +place, now vacant; methought my uncle's eye was turned towards it +and that<br> +I heard him say, "My poor boy! I wonder where is he now!" My +heart swelled,<br> +my chest heaved, the tears coursed slowly down my cheeks, as I +asked<br> +myself, "Shall I ever see them more?" Oh, how little, how very +little to us<br> +are the accustomed blessings of our life till some change has +robbed us of<br> +them, and how dear are they when lost to us! My uncle's dark +foreboding<br> +that we should never meet again on earth, came for the first time +forcibly<br> +to my mind, and my heart was full to bursting. What could repay +me for<br> +the agony of that moment as I thought of him, my first, my best, +my only<br> +friend, whom I had deserted? And how gladly would I have resigned +my bright<br> +day-dawn of ambition to be once more beside his chair, to hear +his voice,<br> +to see his smile, to feel his love for me! A loud laugh from the +cabin<br> +roused me from my sad, depressing revery, and at the same +instant<br> +Mike's well-known voice informed me that the captain was looking +for me<br> +everywhere, as supper was on the table. Little as I felt disposed +to join<br> +the party at such a moment, as I knew there was no escaping +Power, I<br> +resolved to make the best of matters; so after a few minutes I +followed<br> +Mickey down the companion and entered the cabin.</p> + +<p>The scene before me was certainly not calculated to perpetuate +depressing<br> +thoughts. At the head of a rude old-fashioned table, upon which +figured<br> +several black bottles and various ill-looking drinking vessels of +every<br> +shape and material, sat Fred Power; on his right was placed the +skipper, on<br> +his left the doctor,—the bronzed, merry-looking, weather-beaten +features<br> +of the one contrasting ludicrously with the pale, ascetic, +acute-looking<br> +expression of the other. Sparks, more than half-drunk, with the +mark of a<br> +red-hot cigar upon his nether lip, was lower down; while Major +Monsoon, to<br> +preserve the symmetry of the party, had protruded his head, +surmounted by a<br> +huge red nightcap, from the berth opposite, and held out his +goblet to be<br> +replenished from the punch-bowl.</p> + +<p>"Welcome, thrice welcome, thou man of Galway!" cried out +Power, as he<br> +pointed to a seat, and pushed a wine-glass towards me. "Just in +time, too,<br> +to pronounce upon a new brewery. Taste that; a little more of the +lemon you<br> +would say, perhaps? Well, I agree with you. Rum and brandy, +glenlivet<br> +and guava jelly, limes, green tea, and a slight suspicion of +preserved<br> +ginger,—nothing else, upon honor,—and the most simple mixture +for the<br> +cure, the radical cure, of blue devils and debt I know of; eh, +Doctor? You<br> +advise it yourself, to be taken before bed-time; nothing +inflammatory in<br> +it, nothing pugnacious; a mere circulation of the better juices +and more<br> +genial spirits of the marly clay, without arousing any of the +baser<br> +passions; whiskey is the devil for that."</p> + +<p>"I canna say that I dinna like whiskey toddy," said the +doctor; "in the<br> +cauld winter nights it's no sae bad."</p> + +<p>"Ah, that's it," said Power; "there's the pull you Scotch have +upon us poor<br> +Patlanders,—cool, calculating, long-headed fellows, you only +come up to<br> +the mark after fifteen tumblers; whereas we hot-brained devils, +with a<br> +blood at 212 degrees of Fahrenheit and a high-pressure engine of +good<br> +spirits always ready for an explosion, we go clean mad when +tipsy; not but<br> +I am fully convinced that a mad Irishman is worth two sane people +of any<br> +other country under heaven."</p> + +<p>"If you mean by that insin—insin—sinuation to imply any +disrespect to the<br> +English," stuttered out Sparks, "I am bound to say that I for +one, and the<br> +doctor, I am sure, for another—"</p> + +<p>"Na, na," interrupted the doctor, "ye mauna coont upon me; I'm +no disposed<br> +to fetch ower our liquor."</p> + +<p>"Then, Major Monsoon, I'm certain—"</p> + +<p>"Are ye, faith?" said the major, with a grin; "blessed are +they who expect<br> +nothing,—of which number you are not,—for most decidedly you +shall be<br> +disappointed."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Sparks, take the whole fight to your own proper +self, and<br> +do battle like a man; and here I stand, ready at all arms to +prove my<br> +position,—that we drink better, sing better, court better, fight +better,<br> +and make better punch than every John Bull, from Berwick to the +Land's<br> +End."</p> + +<p>Sparks, however, who seemed not exactly sure how far his +antagonist was<br> +disposed to quiz, relapsed into a half-tipsy expression of +contemptuous<br> +silence, and sipped his liquor without reply.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Power, after a pause, "bad luck to it for whiskey; +it nearly<br> +got me broke once, and poor Tom O'Reilly of the 5th, too, the +best-tempered<br> +fellow in the service. We were as near it as touch and go; and +all for some<br> +confounded Loughrea spirits that we believed to be perfectly +innocent, and<br> +used to swill away freely without suspicion of any kind."</p> + +<p>"Let's hear the story," said I, "by all means."</p> + +<p>"It's not a long one," said Power, "so I don't care if I tell +it; and<br> +besides, if I make a clean breast of my own sins, I'll insist +upon<br> +Monsoon's telling you afterwards how he stocked his cellar in +Cadiz. Eh,<br> +Major; there's worse tipple than the King of Spain's sherry?"</p> + +<p>"You shall judge for yourself, old boy," said Monsoon, +good-humoredly; "and<br> +as for the narrative, it is equally at your service. Of course it +goes no<br> +further. The commander-in-chief, long life to him! is a glorious +fellow;<br> +but he has no more idea of a joke than the Archbishop of +Canterbury, and it<br> +might chance to reach him."</p> + +<p>"Recount, and fear not!" cried Power; "we are discreet as the +worshipful<br> +company of apothecaries."</p> + +<p>"But you forget you are to lead the way."</p> + +<p>"Here goes, then," said the jolly captain; "not that the story +has any<br> +merit in it, but the moral is beautiful.</p> + +<p>"Ireland, to be sure, is a beautiful country; but somehow it +would prove a<br> +very dull one to be quartered in, if it were not that the people +seem to<br> +have a natural taste for the army. From the belle of Merrion +Square down<br> +to the inn-keeper's daughter in Tralee, the loveliest part of +the<br> +creation seem to have a perfect appreciation of our high +acquirements and<br> +advantages; and in no other part of the globe, the Tonga Islands +included,<br> +is a red-coat more in favor. To be sure, they would be very +ungrateful if<br> +it were not the case; for we, upon our side, leave no stone +unturned to<br> +make ourselves agreeable. We ride, drink, play, and make love to +the ladies<br> +from Fairhead to Killarney, in a way greatly calculated to render +us<br> +popular; and as far as making the time pass pleasantly, we are +the boys for<br> +the 'greatest happiness' principle. I repeat it; we deserve our +popularity.<br> +Which of us does not get head and ears in debt with garrison +balls and<br> +steeple-chases, picnics, regattas, and the thousand-and-one +inventions to<br> +get rid of one's spare cash,—so called for being so sparingly +dealt out<br> +by our governors? Now and then, too, when all else fails, we take +a<br> +newly-joined ensign and make him marry some pretty but penniless +lass in<br> +a country town, just to show the rest that we are not joking, but +have<br> +serious ideas of matrimony in the midst of all our flirtations. +If it were<br> +all like this, the Green Isle would be a paradise; but unluckily +every now<br> +and then one is condemned to some infernal place where there is +neither a<br> +pretty face nor tight ankle, where the priest himself is not a +good fellow,<br> +and long, ill-paved, straggling streets, filled on market days +with booths<br> +of striped calico and soapy cheese, is the only promenade, and a +ruinous<br> +barrack, with mouldy walls and a tumbling chimney, the only +quarters.</p> + +<p>"In vain, on your return from your morning stroll or afternoon +canter, you<br> +look on the chimney-piece for a shower of visiting-cards and pink +notes of<br> +invitation; in vain you ask your servant, Has any one called. +Alas,<br> +your only visitor has been the ganger, to demand a party to +assist in<br> +still-hunting amidst that interesting class of the population +who, having<br> +nothing to eat, are engaged in devising drink, and care as much +for the<br> +life of a red-coat as you do for that of a crow or a curlew. This +may seem<br> +overdrawn; but I would ask you, Were you ever for your sins +quartered in<br> +that capital city of the Bog of Allen they call Philipstown? Oh, +but it is<br> +a romantic spot! They tell us somewhere that much of the +expression of the<br> +human face divine depends upon the objects which constantly +surround us.<br> +Thus the inhabitants of mountain districts imbibe, as it were, a +certain<br> +bold and daring character of expression from the scenery, very +different<br> +from the placid and monotonous look of those who dwell in plains +and<br> +valleys; and I can certainly credit the theory in this instance, +for every<br> +man, woman, and child you meet has a brown, baked, scruffy, +turf-like face,<br> +that fully satisfies you that if Adam were formed of clay the +Philipstown<br> +people were worse treated and only made of bog mould.</p> + +<p>"Well, one fine morning poor Tom and myself were marched off +from Birr,<br> +where one might 'live and love forever,' to take up our quarters +at this<br> +sweet spot. Little we knew of Philipstown; and like my friend the +adjutant<br> +there, when he laid siege to Deny, we made our +<i>entrée</i> with all the pomp<br> +we could muster, and though we had no band, our drums and fifes +did duty<br> +for it; and we brushed along through turf-creels and +wicker-baskets of new<br> +brogues that obstructed the street till we reached the +barrack,—the only<br> +testimony of admiration we met with being, I feel bound to admit, +from a<br> +ragged urchin of ten years, who, with a wattle in his hand, +imitated me as<br> +I marched along, and when I cried halt, took his leave of us by +dexterously<br> +fixing his thumb to the side of his nose and outstretching his +fingers, as<br> +if thus to convey a very strong hint that we were not half so +fine fellows<br> +as we thought ourselves. Well, four mortal summer months of hot +sun and<br> +cloudless sky went over, and still we lingered in that vile +village, the<br> +everlasting monotony of our days being marked by the same brief +morning<br> +drill, the same blue-legged chicken dinner, the same smoky +Loughrea<br> +whiskey, and the same evening stroll along the canal bank to +watch for<br> +the Dublin packet-boat, with its never-varying cargo of +cattle-dealers,<br> +priests, and peelers on their way to the west country, as though +the demand<br> +for such colonial productions in these parts was insatiable. This +was<br> +pleasant, you will say; but what was to be done? We had nothing +else. Now,<br> +nothing saps a man's temper like <i>ennui</i>. The cranky, +peevish people one<br> +meets with would be excellent folk, if they only had something to +do. As<br> +for us, I'll venture to say two men more disposed to go +pleasantly down<br> +the current of life it were hard to meet with; and yet, such was +the<br> +consequence of these confounded four months' sequestration from +all other<br> +society, we became sour and cross-grained, everlastingly +disputing<br> +about trifles, and continually arguing about matters which +neither were<br> +interested in, nor, indeed, knew anything about. There were, it +is true,<br> +few topics to discuss; newspapers we never saw; sporting there +was<br> +none,—but then, the drill, the return of duty, the probable +chances of our<br> +being ordered for service, were all daily subjects to be talked +over, and<br> +usually with considerable asperity and bitterness. One point, +however,<br> +always served us when hard pushed for a bone of contention; and +which,<br> +begun by a mere accident at first, gradually increased to a sore +and<br> +peevish subject, and finally led to the consequences which I have +hinted at<br> +in the beginning. This was no less than the respective merits of +our mutual<br> +servants; each everlastingly indulging in a tirade against the +other for<br> +awkwardness, incivility, unhandiness,—charges, I am bound to +confess, most<br> +amply proved on either side.</p> + +<p>"'Well, I am sure, O'Reilly, if you can stand that fellow, +it's no affair<br> +of mine; but such an ungainly savage I never met,' I would +say.</p> + +<p>"To which he would reply, 'Bad enough he is, certainly; but, +by Jove! when<br> +I only think of your Hottentot, I feel grateful for what I've +got.'</p> + +<p>"Then ensued a discussion, with attack, rejoinder, charge, +and<br> +recrimination till we retired for the night, wearied with our +exertions,<br> +and not a little ashamed of ourselves at bottom for our absurd +warmth and<br> +excitement. In the morning the matter would be rigidly avoided by +each<br> +party until some chance occasion had brought it on the +<i>tapis</i>, when<br> +hostilities would be immediately renewed, and carried on with the +same<br> +vigor, to end as before.</p> + +<p>"In this agreeable state of matters we sat one warm summer +evening before<br> +the mess-room, under the shade of a canvas awning, discussing, by +way of<br> +refrigerant, our eighth tumbler of whiskey punch. We had, as +usual, been<br> +jarring away about everything under heaven. A lately arrived +post-chaise,<br> +with an old, stiff-looking gentleman in a queue, had formed a +kind of<br> +'godsend' for debate, as to who he was, whither he was going, +whether<br> +he really had intended to spend the night there, or that he only +put up<br> +because the chaise was broken; each, as was customary, +maintaining his own<br> +opinion with an obstinacy we have often since laughed at, though, +at the<br> +time, we had few mirthful thoughts about the matter.</p> + +<p>"As the debate waxed warm, O'Reilly asserted that he +positively knew<br> +the individual in question to be a United Irishman, travelling +with<br> +instructions from the French government; while I laughed him to +scorn by<br> +swearing that he was the rector of Tyrrell's Pass, that I knew +him well,<br> +and, moreover, that he was the worst preacher in Ireland. +Singular enough<br> +it was that all this while the disputed identity was himself +standing<br> +coolly at the inn window, with his snuff-box in his hand, +leisurely<br> +surveying us as we sat, appearing, at least, to take a very +lively interest<br> +in our debate.</p> + +<p>"'Come, now,' said O'Reilly, 'there's only one way to conclude +this, and<br> +make you pay for your obstinacy. What will you bet that he's the +rector of<br> +Tyrrell's Pass?'</p> + +<p>"'What odds will you take that he's Wolfe Tone?' inquired I, +sneeringly.</p> + +<p>"'Five to one against the rector,' said he, exultingly.</p> + +<p>"'An elephant's molar to a toothpick against Wolfe Tone,' +cried I.</p> + +<p>"'Ten pounds even that I'm nearer the mark than you,' said +Tom, with a<br> +smash of his fist upon the table.</p> + +<p>"'Done,' said I,—'done. But how are we to decide the +wager?'</p> + +<p>"'That's soon done,' said he. At the same instant he sprang to +his legs and<br> +called out: 'Pat, I say, Pat, I want you to present my respects +to—'</p> + +<p>"'No, no, I bar that; no <i>ex parte</i> statements. Here, +Jem, do you simply<br> +tell that—'</p> + +<p>"'That fellow can't deliver a message. Do come here, Pat. Just +beg of—'</p> + +<p>"'He'll blunder it, the confounded fool; so, Jem, do you +go.'</p> + +<p>"The two individuals thus addressed were just in the act of +conveying a<br> +tray of glasses and a spiced round of beef for supper into the +mess-room;<br> +and as I may remark that they fully entered into the feelings of +jealousy<br> +their respective masters professed, each eyed the other with a +look of very<br> +unequivocal dislike.</p> + +<p>"'Arrah! you needn't be pushing me that way,' said Pat, 'an' +the round o'<br> +beef in my hands.'</p> + +<p>"'Devil's luck to ye, it's the glasses you'll be breaking with +your awkward<br> +elbow!'</p> + +<p>"'Then, why don't ye leave the way? Ain't I your +suparior?'</p> + +<p>"'Ain't I the captain's own man?'</p> + +<p>"'Ay, and if you war. Don't I belong to his betters? Isn't my +master the<br> +two liftenants?'</p> + +<p>"This, strange as it may sound, was so far true, as I held a +commission in<br> +an African corps, with my lieutenancy in the 5th.</p> + +<p>"'Be-gorra, av he was six—There now, you done it!'</p> + +<p>"At the same moment, a tremendous crash took place and the +large dish<br> +fell in a thousand pieces on the pavement, while the spiced round +rolled<br> +pensively down the yard.</p> + +<a name="0271"></a> +<img alt="0271.jpg (104K)" src="0271.jpg" height="538" width="630"> + +<p>[THE RIVAL FLUNKIES.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>"Scarcely was the noise heard when, with one vigorous kick, +the tray of<br> +glasses was sent spinning into the air, and the next moment the +disputants<br> +were engaged in bloody battle. It was at this moment that our +attention was<br> +first drawn towards them, and I need not say with what feelings +of interest<br> +we looked on.</p> + +<p>"'Hit him, Pat—there, Jem, under the guard! That's it—go in! +Well done,<br> +left hand! By Jove! that was a facer! His eye's closed—he's +down! Not a<br> +bit of it-how do you like that? Unfair, unfair! No such thing! I +say it<br> +was! Not at all—I deny it!'</p> + +<p>"By this time we had approached the combatants, each man +patting his own<br> +fellow on the back, and encouraging him by the most lavish +promises. Now it<br> +was, but in what way I never could exactly tell, that I threw out +my right<br> +hand to stop a blow that I saw coming rather too near me, when, +by some<br> +unhappy mischance, my doubled fist lighted upon Tom O'Reilly's +nose. Before<br> +I could express my sincere regret for the accident, the blow was +returned<br> +with double force, and the next moment we were at it harder than +the<br> +others. After five minutes' sharp work, we both stopped for +breath, and<br> +incontinently burst out a-laughing. There was Tom, with a nose as +large as<br> +three, a huge cheek on one side, and the whole head swinging +round like a<br> +harlequin's; while I, with one eye closed, and the other like a +half-shut<br> +cockle-shell, looked scarcely less rueful. We had not much time +for mirth,<br> +for at the same instant a sharp, full voice called out close +beside us—</p> + +<p>"To your quarters, sirs. I put you both under arrest, from +which you are<br> +not to be released until the sentence of a court-martial decide +if conduct<br> +such as this becomes officers and gentlemen.'</p> + +<p>"I looked round, and saw the old fellow in the queue.</p> + +<p>"'Wolfe Tone, by all that's unlucky!' said I, with an attempt +at a smile.</p> + +<p>"'The rector of Tyrrell's Pass,' cried out Tom, with a +snuffle; 'the worst<br> +preacher in Ireland—eh, Fred?'</p> + +<p>"We had not much time for further commentaries upon our +friend, for he at<br> +once opened his frock coat, and displayed to our horrified gaze +the uniform<br> +of a general officer.</p> + +<p>"'Yes, sir, General Johnson, if you will allow me to present +him to your<br> +acquaintance; and now, guard, turn out.'</p> + +<p>"In a few minutes more the orders were issued, and poor Tom +and myself<br> +found ourselves fast confined to our quarters, with a sentinel at +the door,<br> +and the pleasant prospect that, in the space of about ten days, +we should<br> +be broke, and dismissed the service; which verdict, as the +general order<br> +would say, the commander of the forces has been graciously +pleased to<br> +approve.</p> + +<p>"However, when morning came the old general, who was really a +trump,<br> +inquired a little further into the matter, saw it was partly +accidental,<br> +and after a severe reprimand, and a caution about Loughrea +whiskey after<br> +the sixth tumbler, released us from arrest, and forgave the whole +affair."</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXXI.</p> + +<p>THE VOYAGE CONTINUED.</p> + +<p>Ugh, what a miserable thing is a voyage! Here we are now eight +days at sea,<br> +the eternal sameness of all around growing every hour less +supportable.<br> +Sea and sky are beautiful things when seen from the dark woods +and waving<br> +meadows on shore; but their picturesque effect is sadly marred +from want<br> +of contrast. Besides that, the "<i>toujours</i> pork," with +crystals of salt as<br> +long as your wife's fingers; the potatoes that seemed varnished +in French<br> +polish; the tea seasoned with geological specimens from the basin +of<br> +London, ycleped maple sugar; and the butter—ye gods, the butter! +But why<br> +enumerate these smaller features of discomfort and omit the more +glaring<br> +ones?—the utter selfishness which blue water suggests, as +inevitably as<br> +the cold fit follows the ague. The good fellow that shares his +knapsack<br> +or his last guinea on land, here forages out the best corner to +hang his<br> +hammock; jockeys you into a comfortless crib, where the uncalked +deck-butt<br> +filters every rain from heaven on your head; votes you the +corner<br> +at dinner, not only that he may place you with your back to +the<br> +thorough-draught of the gangway ladder, but that he may eat, +drink, and lie<br> +down before you have even begun to feel the qualmishness that the +dinner of<br> +a troop-ship is well calculated to suggest; cuts his pencil with +your best<br> +razor; wears your shirts, as washing is scarce; and winds up all +by having<br> +a good story of you every evening for the edification of the +other "sharp<br> +gentlemen," who, being too wide awake to be humbugged themselves, +enjoy his<br> +success prodigiously. This, gentle reader, is neither confession +nor avowal<br> +of mine. The passage I have here presented to you I have taken +from<br> +the journal of my brother officer, Mr. Sparks, who, when not +otherwise<br> +occupied, usually employed his time in committing to paper his +thoughts<br> +upon men, manners, and things at sea in general; though, sooth to +say, his<br> +was not an idle life. Being voted by unanimous consent "a +junior," he was<br> +condemned to offices that the veriest fag in Eton or Harrow had +rebelled<br> +against. In the morning, under the pseudonym of <i>Mrs</i>. +Sparks, he presided<br> +at breakfast, having previously made tea, coffee, and chocolate +for the<br> +whole cabin, besides boiling about twenty eggs at various degrees +of<br> +hardness; he was under heavy recognizances to provide a plate of +buttered<br> +toast of very alarming magnitude, fried ham, kidneys, etc., to no +end.<br> +Later on, when others sauntered about the deck, vainly +endeavoring to fix<br> +their attention upon a novel or a review, the poor cornet might +be seen<br> +with a white apron tucked gracefully round his spare proportions, +whipping<br> +eggs for pancakes, or, with upturned shirt-sleeves, fashioning +dough for<br> +a pudding. As the day waned, the cook's galley became his haunt, +where,<br> +exposed to a roasting fire, he inspected the details of a +<i>cuisine</i>; for<br> +which, whatever his demerits, he was sure of an ample +remuneration in abuse<br> +at dinner. Then came the dinner itself, that dread ordeal, where +nothing<br> +was praised and everything censured. This was followed by the +punch-making,<br> +where the tastes of six different and differing individuals were +to be<br> +exclusively consulted in the self-same beverage; and lastly, the +supper at<br> +night, when Sparkie, as he was familiarly called, towards evening +grown<br> +quite exhausted, became the subject of unmitigated wrath and +most<br> +unmeasured reprobation.</p> + +<p>"I say, Sparks, it's getting late. The spatch-cock, old boy. +Don't be<br> +slumbering."</p> + +<p>"By-the-bye, Sparkie, what a mess you made of that pea-soup +to-day! By<br> +Jove, I never felt so ill in my life!"</p> + +<p>"Na, na; it was na the soup. It was something he pit in the +punch, that's<br> +burning me ever since I tuk it. Ou, man, but ye're an awfu' +creture wi'<br> +vittals!"</p> + +<p>"He'll improve, Doctor; he'll improve. Don't discourage him; +the boy's<br> +young. Be alive now, there. Where's the toast?—confound you, +where's the<br> +toast?"</p> + +<p>"There, Sparks, you like a drumstick, I know. Mustn't muzzle +the ox, eh?<br> +Scripture for you, old boy. Eat away; hang the expense. Hand him +over the<br> +jug. Empty—eh, Charley? Come, Sparkie, bear a hand; the liquor's +out."</p> + +<p>"But won't you let me eat?"</p> + +<p>"Eat! Heavens, what a fellow for eating! By George, such an +appetite is<br> +clean against the articles of war! Come, man, it's drink we're +thinking of.<br> +There's the rum, sugar, limes; see to the hot water. Well, +Skipper, how are<br> +we getting on?"</p> + +<p>"Lying our course; eight knots off the log. Pass the rum. Why, +Mister<br> +Sparks!"</p> + +<p>"Eh, Sparks, what's this?"</p> + +<p>"Sparks, my man, confound it!"</p> + +<p>And then, <i>omnes</i> chorussing "Sparks!" in every key of +the gamut, the<br> +luckless fellow would be obliged to jump up from his meagre fare +and set to<br> +work at a fresh brewage of punch for the others. The bowl and the +glasses<br> +filled, by some little management on Power's part our friend the +cornet<br> +would be <i>drawn out</i>, as the phrase is, into some confession +of his<br> +early years, which seemed to have been exclusively spent in<br> +love-making,—devotion to the fair being as integral a portion of +his<br> +character as tippling was of the worthy major's.</p> + +<p>Like most men who pass their lives in over-studious efforts +to<br> +please,—however ungallant the confession be,—the amiable Sparks +had<br> +had little success. His love, if not, as it generally happened, +totally<br> +unrequited, was invariably the source of some awkward +catastrophe, there<br> +being no imaginable error he had not at some time or other fallen +into, nor<br> +any conceivable mischance to which he had not been exposed. +Inconsolable<br> +widows, attached wives, fond mothers, newly-married brides, +engaged<br> +young ladies were by some <i>contretemps</i> continually the +subject of his<br> +attachments; and the least mishap which followed the avowal of +his passion<br> +was to be heartily laughed at and obliged to leave the +neighborhood.<br> +Duels, apologies, actions at law, compensations, etc., were of +every-day<br> +occurrence, and to such an extent, too, that any man blessed with +a smaller<br> +bump upon the occiput would eventually have long since abandoned +the<br> +pursuit, and taken to some less expensive pleasure. But poor +Sparks, in the<br> +true spirit of a martyr, only gloried the more, the more he +suffered; and<br> +like the worthy man who continued to purchase tickets in the +lottery for<br> +thirty years, with nothing but a succession of blanks, he ever +imagined<br> +that Fortune was only trying his patience, and had some cool +forty thousand<br> +pounds of happiness waiting his perseverance in the end. Whether +this prize<br> +ever did turn up in the course of years, I am unable to say; but +certainly,<br> +up to the period of his history I now speak of, all had been as +gloomy<br> +and unrequiting as need be. Power, who knew something of every +man's<br> +adventures, was aware of so much of poor Sparks's career, and +usually<br> +contrived to lay a trap for a confession that generally served to +amuse us<br> +during an evening,—as much, I acknowledge, from the manner of +the recital<br> +as anything contained in the story. There was a species of +serious<br> +matter-of-fact simplicity in his detail of the most ridiculous +scenes that<br> +left you convinced that his bearing upon the affair in question +must have<br> +greatly heightened the absurdity,—nothing, however comic or +droll in<br> +itself, ever exciting in him the least approach to a smile. He +sat with his<br> +large light-blue eyes, light hair, long upper lip, and retreating +chin,<br> +lisping out an account of an adventure, with a look of Listen +about him<br> +that was inconceivably amusing.</p> + +<p>"Come, Sparks," said Power, "I claim a promise you made me the +other night,<br> +on condition we let you off making the oyster-patties at ten +o'clock; you<br> +can't forget what I mean." Here the captain knowingly touched the +tip of<br> +his ear, at which signal the cornet colored slightly, and drank +off his<br> +wine in a hurried, confused way. "He promised to tell us, Major, +how<br> +he lost the tip of his left ear. I have myself heard hints of +the<br> +circumstance, but would much rather hear Sparks's own version of +it."</p> + +<p>"Another love story," said the doctor, with a grin, "I'll be +bound."</p> + +<p>"Shot off in a duel?" said I, inquiringly. "Close work, +too."</p> + +<p>"No such thing," replied Power; "but Sparks will enlighten +you. It is,<br> +without exception, the most touching and beautiful thing I ever +heard. As a<br> +simple story, it beats the 'Vicar of Wakefield' to sticks."</p> + +<p>"You don't say so?" said poor Sparks, blushing.</p> + +<p>"Ay, that I do; and maintain it, too. I'd rather be the hero +of that little<br> +adventure, and be able to recount it as you do,—for, mark me, +that's no<br> +small part of the effect,—than I'd be full colonel of the +regiment. Well,<br> +I am sure I always thought it affecting. But, somehow, my dear +friend, you<br> +don't know your powers; you have that within you would make the +fortune of<br> +half the periodicals going. Ask Monsoon or O'Malley there if I +did not say<br> +so at breakfast, when you were grilling the old hen,—which, +by-the-bye,<br> +let me remark, was not one of your <i>chefs-d'oeuvre</i>."</p> + +<p>"A tougher beastie I never put a tooth in."</p> + +<p>"But the story, the story," said I.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Power, with a tone of command, "the story, +Sparks."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you really think it worth telling, as I have always +felt it a<br> +very remarkable incident, here goes."</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXXII</p> + +<p>MR. SPARKS'S STORY.</p> + +<p>"I sat at breakfast one beautiful morning at the Goat Inn at +Barmouth,<br> +looking out of a window upon the lovely vale of Barmouth, with +its tall<br> +trees and brown trout-stream struggling through the woods, then +turning<br> +to take a view of the calm sea, that, speckled over with +white-sailed<br> +fishing-boats, stretched away in the distance. The eggs were +fresh; the<br> +trout newly caught; the cream delicious. Before me lay the +'Plwdwddlwn<br> +Advertiser,' which, among the fashionable arrivals at the +seaside, set<br> +forth Mr. Sparks, nephew of Sir Toby Sparks, of Manchester,—a +paragraph,<br> +by the way, I always inserted. The English are naturally an +aristocratic<br> +people, and set a due value upon a title."</p> + +<p>"A very just observation," remarked Power, seriously, while +Sparks<br> +continued.</p> + +<p>"However, as far as any result from the announcement, I might +as well have<br> +spared myself the trouble, for not a single person called. Not +one solitary<br> +invitation to dinner, not a picnic, not a breakfast, no, nor even +a<br> +tea-party, was heard of. Barmouth, at the time I speak of, was +just in that<br> +transition state at which the caterpillar may be imagined, when, +having<br> +abandoned his reptile habits, he still has not succeeded in +becoming a<br> +butterfly. In fact, it had ceased to be a fishing village, but +had not<br> +arrived at the dignity of a watering-place. Now, I know nothing +as bad as<br> +this. You have not, on one hand, the quiet retirement of a little +peaceful<br> +hamlet, with its humble dwellings and cheap pleasures, nor have +you the gay<br> +and animated tableau of fashion in miniature, on the other; but +you have<br> +noise, din, bustle, confusion, beautiful scenery and lovely +points of view<br> +marred and ruined by vulgar associations. Every bold rock and +jutting<br> +promontory has its citizen occupants; every sandy cove or +tide-washed bay<br> +has its myriads of squalling babes and red baize-clad bathing +women,—those<br> +veritable descendants of the nymphs of old. Pink parasols, +donkey-carts,<br> +baskets of bread-and-butter, reticules, guides to Barmouth, +specimens of<br> +ore, fragments of gypsum meet you at every step, and destroy +every illusion<br> +of the picturesque."</p> + +<p>"'I shall leave this,' thought I. 'My dreams, my +long-cherished dreams of<br> +romantic walks upon the sea-shore, of evening strolls by +moonlight, through<br> +dell and dingle, are reduced to a short promenade through an +alley of<br> +bathing-boxes, amidst a screaming population of nursery-maids and +sick<br> +children, with a thorough-bass of "Fresh shrimps!" discordant +enough to<br> +frighten the very fish from the shores. There is no peace, no +quiet, no<br> +romance, no poetry, no love.' Alas, that most of all was wanting! +For,<br> +after all, what is it which lights up the heart, save the flame +of a mutual<br> +attachment? What gilds the fair stream of life, save the bright +ray of warm<br> +affection? What—"</p> + +<p>"In a word," said Power, "it is the sugar in the punch-bowl of +our<br> +existence. <i>Perge</i>, Sparks; push on."</p> + +<p>"I was not long in making up my mind. I called for my bill; I +packed my<br> +clothes; I ordered post-horses; I was ready to start; one item in +the bill<br> +alone detained me. The frequent occurrence of the enigmatical +word 'crw,'<br> +following my servant's name, demanded an explanation, which I was +in the<br> +act of receiving, when a chaise-and-four drove rapidly up to the +house. In<br> +a moment the blinds were drawn up, and such a head appeared at +the window!<br> +Let me pause for one moment to drink in the remembrance of that +lovely<br> +being,—eyes where heaven's own blue seemed concentrated were +shaded by<br> +long, deep lashes of the darkest brown; a brow fair, noble, and +expansive,<br> +at each side of which masses of dark-brown hair waved half in +ringlets,<br> +half in loose falling bands, shadowing her pale and downy cheek, +where one<br> +faint rosebud tinge seemed lingering; lips slightly parted, as +though to<br> +speak, gave to the features all the play of animation which +completed this<br> +intellectual character, and made up—"</p> + +<p>"What I should say was a devilish pretty girl," interrupted +Power.</p> + +<p>"Back the widow against her at long odds, any day," murmured +the adjutant.</p> + +<p>"She was an angel! an angel!" cried Sparks with +enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"So was the widow, if you go to that," said the adjutant, +hastily.</p> + +<p>"And so is Matilda Dalrymple," said Power, with a sly look at +me. "We are<br> +all honorable men; eh, Charley?"</p> + +<p>"Go ahead with the story," said the skipper; "I'm beginning to +feel an<br> +interest in it."</p> + +<p>"'Isabella,' said a man's voice, as a large, well-dressed +personage<br> +assisted her to alight,—'Isabella, love, you must take a little +rest here<br> +before we proceed farther.'</p> + +<p>"'I think she had better, sir,' said a matronly-looking woman, +with a plaid<br> +cloak and a black bonnet.</p> + +<p>"They disappeared within the house, and I was left alone. The +bright dream<br> +was past: she was there no longer; but in my heart her image +lived, and I<br> +almost felt she was before me. I thought I heard her voice, I saw +her move;<br> +my limbs trembled; my hands tingled; I rang the bell, ordered my +trunks<br> +back again to No. 5, and as I sank upon the sofa, murmured to +myself, 'This<br> +is indeed love at first sight.'"</p> + +<p>"How devilish sudden it was," said the skipper.</p> + +<p>"Exactly like camp fever," responded the doctor. "One moment +ye are vara<br> +well; the next ye are seized wi' a kind of shivering; then comes +a kind of<br> +mandering, dandering, travelling a'overness."</p> + +<p>"D—— the camp fever," interrupted Power.</p> + +<p>"Well, as I observed, I fell in love; and here let me take the +opportunity<br> +of observing that all that we are in the habit of hearing about +single or<br> +only attachments is mere nonsense. No man is so capable of +feeling deeply<br> +as he who is in the daily practice of it. Love, like everything +else in<br> +this world, demands a species of cultivation. The mere tyro in an +affair of<br> +the heart thinks he has exhausted all its pleasures and pains; +but only<br> +he who has made it his daily study for years, familiarizing his +mind with<br> +every phase of the passion, can properly or adequately appreciate +it. Thus,<br> +the more you love, the better you love; the more frequently has +your heart<br> +yielded—"</p> + +<p>"It's vara like the mucous membrane," said the doctor.</p> + +<p>"I'll break your neck with the decanter if you interrupt him +again!"<br> +exclaimed Power.</p> + +<p>"For days I scarcely ever left the house," resumed Sparks, +"watching to<br> +catch one glance of the lovely Isabella. My farthest excursion +was to the<br> +little garden of the inn, where I used to set every imaginable +species of<br> +snare, in the event of her venturing to walk there. One day I +would leave a<br> +volume of poetry; another, a copy of Paul and Virginia with a +marked page;<br> +sometimes my guitar, with a broad, blue ribbon, would hang +pensively from a<br> +tree,—but, alas! all in vain; she never appeared. At length I +took courage<br> +to ask the waiter about her. For some minutes he could not +comprehend what<br> +I meant; but, at last, discovering my object, he cried out, 'Oh, +No. 8,<br> +sir; it is No. 8 you mean?'</p> + +<p>"'It may be,' said I. 'What of her, then?'</p> + +<p>"'Oh, sir, she's gone these three days.'</p> + +<p>"'Gone!' said I, with a groan.</p> + +<p>"'Yes, sir; she left this early on Tuesday with the same old +gentleman and<br> +the old woman in a chaise-and-four. They ordered horses at +Dolgelly to meet<br> +them; but I don't know which road they took afterwards.'</p> + +<p>"I fell back on my chair unable to speak. Here was I enacting +Romeo for<br> +three mortal days to a mere company of Welsh waiters and +chamber-maids,<br> +sighing, serenading, reciting, attitudinizing, rose-plucking,<br> +soliloquizing, half-suiciding, and all for the edification of a +set of<br> +savages, with about as much civilization as their own goats.</p> + +<p>"'The bill,' cried I, in a voice of thunder; 'my bill this +instant.'</p> + +<p>"I had been imposed upon shamefully, grossly imposed upon, and +would not<br> +remain another hour in the house. Such were my feelings at least, +and so<br> +thinking, I sent for my servant, abused him for not having my +clothes ready<br> +packed. He replied; I reiterated, and as my temper mounted, +vented every<br> +imaginable epithet upon his head, and concluded by paying him his +wages and<br> +sending him about his business. In one hour more I was upon the +road.</p> + +<p>"'What road, sir,' said the postilion, as he mounted into the +saddle.</p> + +<p>"'To the devil, if you please,' said I, throwing myself back +in the<br> +carriage.</p> + +<p>"'Very well, sir,' replied the boy, putting spurs to his +horse.</p> + +<p>"That evening I arrived in Bedgellert.</p> + +<p>"The little humble inn of Bedgellert, with its thatched roof +and earthen<br> +floor, was a most welcome sight to me, after eleven hours' +travelling on a<br> +broiling July day. Behind the very house itself rose the mighty +Snowdon,<br> +towering high above the other mountains, whose lofty peaks were +lost amidst<br> +the clouds; before me was the narrow valley—"</p> + +<p>"Wake me up when he's under way again," said the skipper, +yawning<br> +fearfully.</p> + +<p>"Go on, Sparks," said Power, encouragingly; "I was never more +interested in<br> +my life; eh, O'Malley?"</p> + +<p>"Quite thrilling," responded I, and Sparks resumed.</p> + +<p>"Three weeks did I loiter about that sweet spot, my mind +filled with images<br> +of the past and dreams of the future, my fishing-rod my only +companion.<br> +Not, indeed, that I ever caught anything; for, somehow, my tackle +was<br> +always getting foul of some willow-tree or water-lily, and at +last, I gave<br> +up even the pretence of whipping the streams. Well, one day—I +remember it<br> +as well as though it were but yesterday, it was the 4th of +August—I had<br> +set off upon an excursion to Llanberris. I had crossed Snowdon +early, and<br> +reached the little lake on the opposite side by breakfast time. +There I sat<br> +down near the ruined tower of Dolbadern, and opening my knapsack, +made a<br> +hearty meal. I have ever been a day-dreamer; and there are few +things I<br> +like better than to lie, upon some hot and sunny day, in the tall +grass<br> +beneath the shade of some deep boughs, with running water +murmuring near,<br> +hearing the summer bee buzzing monotonously, and in the distance, +the<br> +clear, sharp tinkle of the sheep-bell. In such a place, at such a +time,<br> +one's fancy strays playfully, like some happy child, and none but +pleasant<br> +thoughts present themselves. Fatigued by my long walk, and +overcome by<br> +heat, I fell asleep. How long I lay there I cannot tell, but the +deep<br> +shadows were half way down the tall mountain when I awoke. A +sound had<br> +startled me; I thought I heard a voice speaking close to me. I +looked up,<br> +and for some seconds I could not believe that I was not dreaming. +Beside<br> +me, within a few paces, stood Isabella, the beautiful vision that +I had<br> +seen at Barmouth, but far, a thousand times, more beautiful. She +was<br> +dressed in something like a peasant's dress, and wore the round +hat which,<br> +in Wales at least, seems to suit the character of the female face +so well;<br> +her long and waving ringlets fell carelessly upon her shoulders, +and her<br> +cheek flushed from walking. Before I had a moment's notice to +recover my<br> +roving thought, she spoke; her voice was full and round, but soft +and<br> +thrilling, as she said,—</p> + +<p>"'I beg pardon, sir, for having disturbed you unconsciously; +but, having<br> +done so, may I request you will assist me to fill this pitcher +with water?'</p> + +<p>"She pointed at the same time to a small stream which trickled +down a<br> +fissure in the rock, and formed a little well of clear water +beneath. I<br> +bowed deeply, and murmuring something, I know not what, took the +pitcher<br> +from her hand, and scaling the rocky cliff, mounted to the clear +source<br> +above, where having filled the vessel, I descended. When I +reached the<br> +ground beneath, I discovered that she was joined by another +person whom,<br> +in an instant, I recognized to be the old gentleman I had seen +with her at<br> +Barmouth, and who in the most courteous manner apologized for the +trouble I<br> +had been caused, and informed me that a party of his friends were +enjoying<br> +a little picnic quite near, and invited me to make one of +them.</p> + +<p>"I need not say that I accepted the invitation, nor that with +delight I<br> +seized the opportunity of forming an acquaintance with Isabella, +who, I<br> +must confess, upon her part showed no disinclination to the +prospect of my<br> +joining the party.</p> + +<p>"After a few minutes' walking, we came to a small rocky point +which<br> +projected for some distance into the lake, and offered a view for +several<br> +miles of the vale of Llanberris. Upon this lovely spot we found +the party<br> +assembled; they consisted of about fourteen or fifteen persons, +all busily<br> +engaged in the arrangement of a very excellent cold dinner, each +individual<br> +having some peculiar province allotted to him or her, to be +performed by<br> +their own hands. Thus, one elderly gentlemen was whipping cream +under a<br> +chestnut-tree, while a very fashionably-dressed young man was +washing<br> +radishes in the lake; an old lady with spectacles was frying +salmon over a<br> +wood-fire, opposite to a short, pursy man with a bald head and +drab shorts,<br> +deep in the mystery of a chicken salad, from which he never +lifted his eyes<br> +when I came up. It was thus I found how the fair Isabella's lot +had been<br> +cast, as a drawer of water; she, with the others, contributing +her share of<br> +exertion for the common good. The old gentleman who accompanied +her seemed<br> +the only unoccupied person, and appeared to be regarded as the +ruler of the<br> +feast; at least, they all called him general, and implicitly +followed every<br> +suggestion he threw out. He was a man of a certain grave and +quiet manner,<br> +blended with a degree of mild good-nature and courtesy, that +struck me much<br> +at first, and gained greatly on me, even in the few minutes I +conversed<br> +with him as we came along. Just before he presented me to his +friends, he<br> +gently touched my arm, and drawing me aside, whispered in my +ear:—</p> + +<p>"'Don't be surprised at anything you may hear to-day here; for +I must<br> +inform you this is a kind of club, as I may call it, where every +one<br> +assumes a certain character, and is bound to sustain it under a +penalty. We<br> +have these little meetings every now arid then; and as strangers +are never<br> +present, I feel some explanation necessary, that you may be able +to enjoy<br> +the thing,—you understand?'</p> + +<p>"'Oh, perfectly,' said I, overjoyed at the novelty of the +scene, and<br> +anticipating much pleasure from my chance meeting with such very +original<br> +characters.</p> + +<p>"'Mr. Sparks, Mrs. Winterbottom. Allow me to present Mr. +Sparks.'</p> + +<p>"'Any news from Batavia, young gentleman?' said the sallow old +lady<br> +addressed. 'How is coffee!'</p> + +<p>"The general passed on, introducing me rapidly as he went.</p> + +<p>"'Mr. Doolittle, Mr. Sparks.'</p> + +<p>"'Ah, how do you do, old boy?' said Mr. Doolittle; 'sit down +beside me. We<br> +have forty thousand acres of pickled cabbage spoiling for want of +a little<br> +vinegar.'</p> + +<p>"'Fie, fie, Mr. Doolittle,' said the general, and passed on to +another.</p> + +<p>"'Mr. Sparks, Captain Crosstree.'</p> + +<p>"'Ah, Sparks, Sparks! son of old Blazes! ha, ha, ha!' and the +captain fell<br> +back into an immoderate fit of laughter.</p> + +<p>"'Le Rio est serci,' said the thin meagre figure in nankeens, +bowing, cap<br> +in hand, before the general; and accordingly, we all assumed our +places<br> +upon the grass.</p> + +<p>"'Say it again! Say it again, and I'll plunge this dagger in +your heart!'<br> +said a hollow voice, tremulous with agitation and rage, close +beside me. I<br> +turned my head, and saw an old gentleman with a wart on his nose, +sitting<br> +opposite a meat-pie, which he was contemplating with a look of +fiery<br> +indignation. Before I could witness the sequel of the scene, I +felt a soft<br> +hand pressed upon mine. I turned. It was Isabella herself, who, +looking at<br> +me with an expression I shall never forget, said:—</p> + +<p>"'Don't mind poor Faddy; he never hurts any one.'</p> + +<p>"Meanwhile the business of dinner went on rapidly. The +servants, of whom<br> +enormous numbers were now present, ran hither and thither; and +duck, ham,<br> +pigeon-pie, cold veal, apple tarts, cheese, pickled salmon, +melon, and rice<br> +pudding, flourished on every side. As for me, whatever I might +have gleaned<br> +from the conversation around under other circumstances, I was too +much<br> +occupied with Isabella to think of any one else. My suit—for +such it<br> +was—progressed rapidly. There was evidently something favorable +in the<br> +circumstances we last met under; for her manner had all the +warmth and<br> +cordiality of old friendship. It is true that, more than once, I +caught the<br> +general's eye fixed upon us with anything but an expression of +pleasure,<br> +and I thought that Isabella blushed and seemed confused also. +'What care<br> +I?' however, was my reflection; 'my views are honorable; and the +nephew and<br> +heir of Sir Toby Sparks—' Just in the very act of making this +reflection,<br> +the old man in the shorts hit me in the eye with a roasted apple, +calling<br> +out at the moment:—</p> + +<p>"'When did you join, thou child of the pale-faces?'</p> + +<p>"'Mr. Murdocks!' cried the general, in a voice of thunder; and +the little<br> +man hung down his head, and spoke not.</p> + +<p>"'A word with you, young gentleman,' said a fat old lady, +pinching my arm<br> +above the elbow.</p> + +<p>"'Never mind her,' said Isabella, smiling; 'poor dear old +Dorking, she<br> +thinks she's an hour-glass. How droll, isn't it?'</p> + +<p>"'Young man, have you any feelings of humanity?' inquired the +old lady,<br> +with tears in her eyes as she spoke; 'will you, dare you assist +a<br> +fellow-creature under my sad circumstances?'</p> + +<p>"'What can I do for you, Madam?' said I, really feeling for +her distress.</p> + +<p>"'Just like a good dear soul, just turn me up, for I'm nearly +run out.'</p> + +<p>"Isabella burst out a laughing at the strange request,—an +excess which, I<br> +confess, I was unable myself to repress; upon which the old lady, +putting<br> +on a frown of the most ominous blackness, said:—</p> + +<p>"'You may laugh, Madam; but first before you ridicule the +misfortunes of<br> +others, ask yourself are you, too, free from infirmity? When did +you see<br> +the ace of spades, Madam? Answer me that.'</p> + +<p>"Isabella became suddenly pale as death; her very lips +blanched, and her<br> +voice, almost inaudible, muttered:—</p> + +<p>"'Am I, then, deceived? Is not this he?' So saying, she placed +her hand<br> +upon my shoulder.</p> + +<p>"'That the ace of spades?' exclaimed the old lady, with a +sneer,—'that the<br> +ace of spades!'</p> + +<p>"'Are you, or are you not, sir?' said Isabella, fixing her +deep and languid<br> +eyes upon me. 'Answer me, as you are honest; are you the ace of +spades?'</p> + +<p>"'He is the King of Tuscarora. Look at his war paint!' cried +an elderly<br> +gentleman, putting a streak of mustard across my nose and +cheek.</p> + +<p>"'Then am I deceived,' said Isabella. And flying at me, she +plucked a<br> +handful of hair out of my whiskers.</p> + +<p>"'Cuckoo, cuckoo!' shouted one; 'Bow-wow-wow!' roared another; +'Phiz!' went<br> +a third; and in an instant, such a scene of commotion and riot +ensued.<br> +Plates, dishes, knives, forks, and decanters flew right and left; +every<br> +one pitched into his neighbor with the most fearful cries, and +hell itself<br> +seemed broke loose. The hour-glass and the Moulah of Oude had got +me down<br> +and were pummelling me to death, when a short, thickset man came +on all<br> +fours slap down upon them shouting out, 'Way, make way for the +royal Bengal<br> +tiger!' at which they both fled like lightning, leaving me to the +encounter<br> +single-handed. Fortunately, however, this was not of very long +duration,<br> +for some well-disposed Christians pulled him from off me; not, +however,<br> +before he had seized me in his grasp, and bitten off a portion of +my left<br> +ear, leaving me, as you see, thus mutilated for the rest of my +days."</p> + +<p>"What an extraordinary club," broke in the doctor.</p> + +<p>"Club, sir, club! it was a lunatic asylum. The general was no +other than<br> +the famous Dr. Andrew Moorville, that had the great madhouse at +Bangor, and<br> +who was in the habit of giving his patients every now and then a +kind of<br> +country party; it being one remarkable feature of their malady +that when<br> +one takes to his peculiar flight, whatever it be, the others +immediately<br> +take the hint and go off at score. Hence my agreeable adventure: +the Bengal<br> +tiger being a Liverpool merchant, and the most vivacious madman +in England;<br> +while the hour-glass and the Moulah were both on an experimental +tour to<br> +see whether they should not be pronounced totally incurable for +life."</p> + +<p>"And Isabella?" inquired Power.</p> + +<p>"Ah, poor Isabella had been driven mad by a card-playing aunt +at Bath, and<br> +was in fact the most hopeless case there. The last words I heard +her speak<br> +confirmed my mournful impression of her case,—</p> + +<p>"'Yes,' said she, as they removed her to her carriage, 'I +must, indeed,<br> +have but a weak intellect, when I could have taken the nephew of +a<br> +Manchester cotton-spinner, with a face like a printed calico, for +a trump<br> +card, and the best in the pack!'"</p> + +<p>Poor Sparks uttered these last words with a faltering accent, +and finishing<br> +his glass at one draught withdrew without wishing us +good-night.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXXIII.</p> + +<p>THE SKIPPER.</p> + +<p>In such like gossipings passed our days away, for our voyage +itself had<br> +nothing of adventure or incident to break its dull monotony; save +some few<br> +hours of calm, we had been steadily following our seaward track +with a fair<br> +breeze, and the long pennant pointed ever to the land where our +ardent<br> +expectations were hurrying before it.</p> + +<p>The latest accounts which had reached us from the Peninsula +told that our<br> +regiment was almost daily engaged; and we burned with impatience +to share<br> +with the others the glory they were reaping. Power, who had seen +service,<br> +felt less on this score than we who had not "fleshed our maiden +swords;"<br> +but even he sometimes gave way, and when the wind fell toward +sunset, he<br> +would break out into some exclamation of discontent, half fearing +we should<br> +be too late. "For," said he, "if we go on in this way the +regiment will be<br> +relieved and ordered home before we reach it."</p> + +<p>"Never fear, my boys, you'll have enough of it. Both sides +like the work<br> +too well to give in; they've got a capital ground and plenty of +spare<br> +time," said the major.</p> + +<p>"Only to think," cried Power, "that we should be lounging away +our idle<br> +hours when these gallant fellows are in the saddle late and +early. It is<br> +too bad; eh, O'Malley? You'll not be pleased to go back with the +polish on<br> +your sabre? What will Lucy Dashwood say?"</p> + +<p>This was the first allusion Power had ever made to her, and I +became red to<br> +the very forehead.</p> + +<p>"By-the-bye," added he, "I have a letter for Hammersley, which +should<br> +rather have been entrusted to your keeping."</p> + +<p>At these words I felt cold as death, while he continued:—</p> + +<p>"Poor fellow! certainly he is most desperately smitten; for, +mark me, when<br> +a man at his age takes the malady, it is forty times as severe as +with a<br> +younger fellow, like you. But then, to be sure, he began at the +wrong end<br> +in the matter; why commence with papa? When a man has his own +consent for<br> +liking a girl, he must be a contemptible fellow if he can't get +her; and as<br> +to anything else being wanting, I don't understand it. But the +moment you<br> +begin by influencing the heads of the house, good-by to your +chances with<br> +the dear thing herself, if she have any spirit whatever. It is, +in fact,<br> +calling on her to surrender without the honors of war; and what +girl would<br> +stand that?"</p> + +<p>"It's vara true," said the doctor; "there's a strong speerit +of opposition<br> +in the sex, from physiological causes."</p> + +<p>"Curse your physiology, old Galen; what you call opposition, +is that<br> +piquant resistance to oppression that makes half the charm of the +sex.<br> +It is with them—with reverence be it spoken—as with horses: the +dull,<br> +heavy-shouldered ones, that bore away with the bit in their +teeth, never<br> +caring whether you are pulling to the right or to the left, are +worth<br> +nothing; the real luxury is in the management of your +arching-necked<br> +curvetter, springing from side to side with every motion of your +wrist,<br> +madly bounding at restraint, yet, to the practised hand, held in +check with<br> +a silk tread. Eh, Skipper, am I not right?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't say I've had much to do with horse-beasts, but +I believe<br> +you're not far wrong. The lively craft that answers the helm +quick, goes<br> +round well in stays, luffs up close within a point or two, when +you want<br> +her, is always a good sea-boat, even though she pitches and rolls +a bit;<br> +but the heavy lugger that never knows whether your helm is up or +down,<br> +whether she's off the wind or on it, is only fit for +firewood,—you can do<br> +nothing with a ship or a woman if she hasn't got steerage way on +her."</p> + +<p>"Come, Skipper, we've all been telling our stories; let us +hear one of<br> +yours?"</p> + +<p>"My yarn won't come so well after your sky-scrapers of love +and courting<br> +and all that. But if you like to hear what happened to me once, I +have no<br> +objection to tell you.</p> + +<p>"I often think how little we know what's going to happen to us +any minute<br> +of our lives. To-day we have the breeze fair in our favor, we are +going<br> +seven knots, studding-sails set, smooth water, and plenty of +sea-room;<br> +to-morrow the wind freshens to half a gale, the sea gets up, a +rocky coast<br> +is seen from the lee bow, and may be—to add to all—we spring a +leak<br> +forward; but then, after all, bad as it looks, mayhap, we rub +through even<br> +this, and with the next day, the prospect is as bright and +cheering as<br> +ever. You'll perhaps ask me what has all this moralizing to do +with women<br> +and ships at sea? Nothing at all with them, except that I was a +going to<br> +say, that when matters look worst, very often the best is in +store for us,<br> +and we should never say strike when there is a timber together. +Now for my<br> +story:—</p> + +<p>"It's about four years ago, I was strolling one evening down +the side of<br> +the harbor at Cove, with my hands in my pocket, having nothing to +do, nor<br> +no prospect of it, for my last ship had been wrecked off the +Bermudas, and<br> +nearly all the crew lost; and somehow, when a man is in +misfortune, the<br> +underwriters won't have him at no price. Well, there I was, +looking about<br> +me at the craft that lay on every side waiting for a fair wind to +run down<br> +channel. All was active and busy; every one getting his vessel +ship-shape<br> +and tidy,—tarring, painting, mending sails, stretching new +bunting, and<br> +getting in sea-store; boats were plying on every side, signals +flying, guns<br> +firing from the men-of-war, and everything was lively as might +be,—all but<br> +me. There I was, like an old water-logged timber ship, never +moving a spar,<br> +but looking for all the world as though I were a settling fast to +go down<br> +stern foremost: may be as how I had no objection to that same; +but that's<br> +neither here nor there. Well, I sat down on the fluke of an +anchor, and<br> +began a thinking if it wasn't better to go before the mast than +live on<br> +that way. Just before me, where I sat down, there was an old +schooner that<br> +lay moored in the same place for as long as I could remember. She +was there<br> +when I was a boy, and never looked a bit the fresher nor newer as +long as I<br> +recollected; her old bluff bows, her high poop, her round stern, +her flush<br> +deck, all Dutch-like, I knew them well, and many a time I +delighted to<br> +think what queer kind of a chap he was that first set her on the +stocks,<br> +and pondered in what trade she ever could have been. All the +sailors about<br> +the port used to call her Noah's Ark, and swear she was the +identical craft<br> +that he stowed away all the wild beasts in during the rainy +season. Be that<br> +as it might, since I fell into misfortune, I got to feel a liking +for the<br> +old schooner; she was like an old friend; she never changed to +me, fair<br> +weather or foul; there she was, just the same as thirty years +before, when<br> +all the world were forgetting and steering wide away from me. +Every morning<br> +I used to go down to the harbor and have a look at her, just to +see that<br> +all was right and nothing stirred; and if it blew very hard at +night, I'd<br> +get up and go down to look how she weathered it, just as if I was +at sea in<br> +her. Now and then I'd get some of the watermen to row me aboard +of her, and<br> +leave me there for a few hours; when I used to be quite happy +walking the<br> +deck, holding the old worm-eaten wheel, looking out ahead, and +going down<br> +below, just as though I was in command of her. Day after day this +habit<br> +grew on me, and at last my whole life was spent in watching her +and looking<br> +after her,—-there was something so much alike in our fortunes, +that<br> +I always thought of her. Like myself, she had had her day of life +and<br> +activity; we had both braved the storm and the breeze; her +shattered<br> +bulwarks and worn cutwater attested that she had, like myself, +not escaped<br> +her calamities. We both had survived our dangers, to be neglected +and<br> +forgotten, and to lie rotting on the stream of life till the +crumbling hand<br> +of Time should break us up, timber by timber. Is it any wonder if +I loved<br> +the old craft; nor if by any chance the idle boys would venture +aboard<br> +of her to play and amuse themselves that I hallooed them away; or +when a<br> +newly-arrived ship, not caring for the old boat, would run foul +of her, and<br> +carry away some spar or piece of running rigging, I would +suddenly call out<br> +to them to sheer off and not damage us? By degrees, they came all +to notice<br> +this; and I found that they thought me out of my senses, and many +a trick<br> +was played off upon old Noah, for that was the name the sailors +gave me.</p> + +<p>"Well, this evening, as I was saying, I sat upon the fluke of +the anchor,<br> +waiting for a chance boat to put me aboard. It was past sunset, +the tide<br> +was ebbing, and the old craft was surging to the fast current +that ran by<br> +with a short, impatient jerk, as though she were well weary, and +wished to<br> +be at rest; her loose stays creaked mournfully, and as she yawed +over, the<br> +sea ran from many a breach in her worn sides, like blood +trickling from a<br> +wound. 'Ay, ay,' thought I, 'the hour is not far off; another +stiff gale,<br> +and all that remains of you will be found high and dry upon the +shore.' My<br> +heart was very heavy as I thought of this; for in my loneliness, +the old<br> +Ark—though that was not her name, as I'll tell you +presently—was all<br> +the companion I had. I've heard of a poor prisoner who, for many +and many<br> +years, watched a spider that wove his web within his window, and +never lost<br> +sight of him from morning till night; and somehow, I can believe +it well.<br> +The heart will cling to something, and if it has no living object +to press<br> +to, it will find a lifeless one,—it can no more stand alone than +the<br> +shrouds can without the mast. The evening wore on, as I was +thinking thus;<br> +the moon shone out, but no boat came, and I was just determining +to go home<br> +again for the night, when I saw two men standing on the steps of +the wharf<br> +below me, and looking straight at the Ark. Now, I must tell you I +always<br> +felt uneasy when any one came to look at her; for I began to fear +that some<br> +shipowner or other would buy her to break up, though, except the +copper<br> +fastenings, there was little of any value about her. Now, the +moment I saw<br> +the two figures stop short, and point to her, I said to myself, +'Ah, my old<br> +girl, so they won't even let the blue water finish you, but they +must<br> +set their carpenters and dockyard people to work upon you.' This +thought<br> +grieved me more and more. Had a stiff sou'-wester laid her over, +I should<br> +have felt it more natural, for her sand was run out; but just as +this<br> +passed through my mind, I heard a voice from one of the persons, +that I at<br> +once knew to be the port admiral's:—</p> + +<p>"'Well, Dawkins,' said he to the other, 'if you think she'll +hold together,<br> +I'm sure I've no objection. I don't like the job, I confess; but +still the<br> +Admiralty must be obeyed.'</p> + +<p>"'Oh, my lord,' said the other, 'she's the very thing; she's +a<br> +rakish-looking craft, and will do admirably. Any repair we want, +a few days<br> +will effect; secrecy is the great thing.'</p> + +<p>"'Yes,' said the admiral, after a pause, 'as you observed, +secrecy is the<br> +great thing.'</p> + +<p>"'Ho! ho!' thought I, 'there's something in the wind, here;' +so I laid<br> +myself out upon the anchor-stock, to listen better, +unobserved.</p> + +<p>"'We must find a crew for her, give her a few carronades, make +her as<br> +ship-shape as we can, and if the skipper—'</p> + +<p>"'Ay, but there is the real difficulty,' said the admiral, +hastily; 'where<br> +are we to find a fellow that will suit us? We can't every day +find a man<br> +willing to jeopardize himself in such a cause as this, even +though the<br> +reward be a great one.'</p> + +<p>"'Very true, my lord; but I don't think there is any necessity +for our<br> +explaining to him the exact nature of the service.'</p> + +<p>"'Come, come, Dawkins, you can't mean that you'll lead a poor +fellow into<br> +such a scrape blindfolded?'</p> + +<p>"'Why, my lord, you never think it requisite to give a plan of +your cruise<br> +to your ship's crew before clearing out of harbor.'</p> + +<p>"'This may be perfectly just, but I don't like it,' said the +admiral.</p> + +<p>"'In that case, my lord, you are imparting the secrets of the +Admiralty to<br> +a party who may betray the whole plot.'</p> + +<p>"'I wish, with all my soul, they'd given the order to any one +else,' said<br> +the admiral, with a sigh; and for a few moments neither spoke a +word.</p> + +<p>"'Well, then, Dawkins, I believe there is nothing for it but +what you say;<br> +meanwhile, let the repairs be got in hand, and see after a +crew.'</p> + +<p>"'Oh, as to that,' said the other, 'there are plenty of +scoundrels in the<br> +fleet here fit for nothing else. Any fellow who has been thrice +up for<br> +punishment in six months, we'll draft on board of her; the +fellows who have<br> +only been once to the gangway, we'll make the officers.'</p> + +<p>"'A pleasant ship's company,' thought I, 'if the Devil would +only take the<br> +command.</p> + +<p>"'And with a skipper proportionate to their merit,' said +Dawkins.</p> + +<p>"'Begad, I'll wish the French joy of them,' said the +admiral.</p> + +<p>"'Ho, ho!' thought I, 'I've found you out at last; so this is +a secret<br> +expedition. I see it all; they're fitting her out as a fire-ship, +and going<br> +to send her slap in among the French fleet at Brest. Well,' +thought I,<br> +'even that's better; that, at least, is a glorious end, though +the poor<br> +fellows have no chance of escape.'</p> + +<p>"'Now, then,' said the admiral, 'to-morrow you'll look out for +the fellow<br> +to take the command. He must be a smart seaman, a bold fellow, +too,<br> +otherwise the ruffianly crew will be too much for him; he may bid +high,<br> +we'll come to his price.'</p> + +<p>"'So you may,' thought I, 'when you're buying his life.'</p> + +<p>"'I hope sincerely,' continued the admiral, 'that we may light +upon some<br> +one without wife or child; I never could forgive myself—'</p> + +<p>"'Never fear, my lord,' said the other; 'my care shall be to +pitch upon one<br> +whose loss no one would feel; some one without friend or home, +who, setting<br> +his life for nought, cares less for the gain than the very +recklessness of<br> +the adventure.'</p> + +<p>"'That's me,' said I, springing up from the anchor-stock, and +springing<br> +between them; 'I'm that man.'</p> + +<p>"Had the very Devil himself appeared at the moment, I doubt if +they would<br> +have been more scared. The admiral started a pace or two +backwards, while<br> +Dawkins, the first surprise over, seized me by the collar, and +hold me<br> +fast.</p> + +<p>"'Who are you, scoundrel, and what brings you here?' said he, +in a voice<br> +hoarse with passion.</p> + +<p>"'I'm old Noah,' said I; for somehow, I had been called by no +other name<br> +for so long, I never thought of my real one.</p> + +<p>"'Noah!' said the admiral,—'Noah! Well, but Noah, what were +you doing here<br> +at this time of night?'</p> + +<p>"'I was a watching the Ark, my lord,' said I, bowing, as I +took off my hat.</p> + +<p>"'I've heard of this fellow before, my lord,' said Dawkins; +'he's a poor<br> +lunatic that is always wandering about the harbor, and, I +believe, has no<br> +harm in him.'</p> + +<p>"'Yes, but he has been listening, doubtless, to our +conversation,' said the<br> +admiral. 'Eh, have you heard all we have been saying?'</p> + +<p>"'Every word of it, my lord.'</p> + +<p>"At this the admiral and Dawkins looked steadfastly at each +other for some<br> +minutes, but neither spoke; at last Dawkins said, 'Well, Noah, +I've been<br> +told you are a man to be depended on; may we rely upon your not +repeating<br> +anything you overheard this evening,—at least, for a year to +come?'</p> + +<p>"'You may,' said I.</p> + +<p>"'But, Dawkins,' said the admiral, in a half-whisper, 'if the +poor fellow<br> +be mad?'</p> + +<p>"'My lord,' said I, boldly, 'I am not mad. Misfortune and +calamity I have<br> +had enough of to make me so; but, thank God, my brain has been +tougher than<br> +my poor heart. I was once the part-owner and commander of a +goodly craft,<br> +that swept the sea, if not with a broad pennon at her mast-head, +with as<br> +light a spirit as ever lived beneath one. I was rich, I had a +home and a<br> +child; I am now poor, houseless, childless, friendless, and an +outcast. If<br> +in my solitary wretchedness I have loved to look upon that old +bark, it is<br> +because its fortune seemed like my own. It had outlived all that +needed or<br> +cared for it. For this reason have they thought me mad, though +there are<br> +those, and not few either, who can well bear testimony if stain +or reproach<br> +lie at my door, and if I can be reproached with aught save bad +luck. I have<br> +heard by chance what you have said this night. I know that you +are fitting<br> +out a secret expedition; I know its dangers, its inevitable +dangers, and I<br> +here offer myself to lead it. I ask no reward; I look for no +price. Alas,<br> +who is left to me for whom I could labor now? Give me but the +opportunity<br> +to end my clays with honor on board the old craft, where my heart +still<br> +clings; give me but that. Well, if you will not do so much, let +me serve<br> +among the crew; put me before the mast. My lord, you'll not +refuse this.<br> +It is an old man asks; one whose gray hairs have floated many a +year ago<br> +before the breeze.'</p> + +<p>"'My poor fellow, you know not what you ask; this is no common +case of<br> +danger.'</p> + +<p>"'I know it all, my lord; I have heard it all.'</p> + +<p>"'Dawkins, what is to be done here?' inquired the admiral.</p> + +<p>"'I say, friend,' inquired Dawkins, laying his hand upon my +arm, 'what is<br> +your real name? Are you he who commanded the "Dwarf" privateer in +the Isle<br> +of France?'</p> + +<p>"'The same.'</p> + +<p>"'Then you are known to Lord Collingwood?'</p> + +<p>"'He knows me well, and can speak to my character.'</p> + +<p>"'What he says of himself is all true, my lord.'</p> + +<p>"'True,' said I, 'true! You did not doubt it, did you?'</p> + +<p>"'We,' said the admiral, 'must speak together again. Be here +to-morrow<br> +night at this hour; keep your own counsel of what has passed, and +now<br> +good-night.' So saying, the admiral took Dawkins by the arm and +returned<br> +slowly towards the town, leaving me where I stood, meditating on +this<br> +singular meeting and its possible consequences.</p> + +<p>"The whole of the following day was passed by me in a state of +feverish<br> +excitement which I cannot describe; this strange adventure +breaking in so<br> +suddenly upon the dull monotony of my daily existence had so +aroused and<br> +stimulated me that I could neither rest nor eat. How I longed for +night to<br> +come; for sometimes, as the day wore later, I began to fear that +the whole<br> +scene of my meeting with the admiral had been merely some excited +dream of<br> +a tortured and fretted mind; and as I stood examining the ground +where<br> +I believed the interview to have occurred, I endeavored to recall +the<br> +position of different objects as they stood around, to +corroborate my own<br> +failing remembrance.</p> + +<p>"At last the evening closed in; but unlike the preceding one, +the sky<br> +was covered with masses of dark arid watery cloud that drifted +hurriedly<br> +across; the air felt heavy and thick, and unnaturally still and +calm; the<br> +water of the harbor looked of a dull, leaden hue, and all the +vessels<br> +seemed larger than they were, and stood out from the landscape +more clearly<br> +than usual; now and then a low rumbling noise was heard, somewhat +alike in<br> +sound, but far too faint for distant thunder, while occasionally +the boats<br> +and smaller craft rocked to and fro, as though some ground swell +stirred<br> +them without breaking the languid surface of the sea above.</p> + +<p>"A few drops of thick, heavy rain fell just as the darkness +came on, and<br> +then all felt still and calm as before. I sat upon the +anchor-stock, my<br> +eyes fixed upon the old Ark, until gradually her outline grew +fainter<br> +and fainter against the dark sky, and her black hull could +scarcely be<br> +distinguished from the water beneath. I felt that I was looking +towards<br> +her; for long after I had lost sight of the tall mast and +high-pitched<br> +bowsprit, I feared to turn away my head lest I should lose the +place where<br> +she lay.</p> + +<p>"The time went slowly on, and although in reality I had not +been long<br> +there, I felt as if years themselves had passed over my head. +Since I<br> +had come there my mind brooded over all the misfortunes of my +life; as I<br> +contrasted its outset, bright with hope and rich in promise, with +the sad<br> +reality, my heart grew heavy and my chest heaved painfully. So +sunk was I<br> +in my reflections, so lost in thought, that I never knew that the +storm had<br> +broken loose, and that the heavy rain was falling in torrents. +The very<br> +ground, parched with long drought, smoked as it pattered upon it; +while the<br> +low, wailing cry of the sea-gull, mingled with the deep growl of +far-off<br> +thunder, told that the night was a fearful one for those at sea. +Wet<br> +through and shivering, I sat still, now listening amidst the +noise of the<br> +hurricane and the creaking of the cordage for any footstep to +approach, and<br> +now relapsing back into half-despairing dread that my heated +brain<br> +alone had conjured up the scene of the day before. Such were my +dreary<br> +reflections when a loud crash aboard the schooner told me that +some old<br> +spar had given way. I strained my eyes through the dark to see +what had<br> +happened, but in vain; the black vapor, thick with falling rain, +obscured<br> +everything, and all was hid from view. I could hear that she +worked<br> +violently as the waves beat against her worn sides, and that her +iron<br> +cable creaked as she pitched to the breaking sea. The wind was +momentarily<br> +increasing, and I began to fear lest I should have taken my last +look at<br> +the old craft, when my attention was called off by hearing a loud +voice cry<br> +out, 'Halloo there! Where are you?'</p> + +<p>"'Ay, ay, sir, I'm here.' In a moment the admiral and his +friend were<br> +beside me.</p> + +<p>"'What a night!' exclaimed the admiral, as he shook the rain +from the heavy<br> +boat-cloak and cowered in beneath some tall blocks of granite +near. 'I<br> +began half to hope that you might not have been here, my poor +fellow,' said<br> +the admiral; 'it's a dreadful time for one so poorly clad for a +storm. I<br> +say, Dawkins, let him have a pull at your flask.' The brandy +rallied me a<br> +little, and I felt that it cheered my drooping courage.</p> + +<p>"'This is not a time nor is it a place for much parley,' said +the admiral,<br> +'so that we must even make short work of it. Since we met here +last night I<br> +have satisfied myself that you are to be trusted, that your +character<br> +and reputation have nothing heavier against them than misfortune, +which<br> +certainly, if I have been rightly informed, has been largely +dealt out to<br> +you. Now, then, I am willing to accept of your offer of service +if you<br> +are still of the same mind as when you made it, and if you are +willing to<br> +undertake what we have to do without any question and inquiry as +to points<br> +on which we must not and dare not inform you. Whatever you may +have<br> +overheard last night may or may not have put you in possession of +our<br> +secret. If the former, your determination can be made at once; if +the<br> +latter, you have only to decide whether you are ready to go +blindfolded in<br> +the business.'</p> + +<p>"'I am ready, my lord,' said I.</p> + +<p>"'You perhaps are then aware what is the nature of the +service?'</p> + +<p>"'I know it not,' said I. 'All that I heard, sir, leads me to +suppose it<br> +one of danger, but that's all.'</p> + +<p>"'I think, my lord,' said Dawkins, 'that no more need now be +said. Cupples<br> +is ready to engage, we are equally so to accept; the thing is +pressing.<br> +When can you sail?'</p> + +<p>"'To-night,' said I, 'if you will.'</p> + +<p>"'Really, Dawkins,' said the admiral, 'I don't see why—'</p> + +<p>'"My lord, I beg of you,' said the other, interrupting, 'let +me now<br> +complete the arrangement. This is the plan,' said he, turning +towards me<br> +as he spoke: 'As soon as that old craft can be got ready for sea, +or some<br> +other if she be not worth, it, you will sail from this port with +a strong<br> +crew, well armed and supplied with ammunition. Your destination +is Malta,<br> +your object to deliver to the admiral stationed there the +despatches<br> +with which you will be entrusted; they contain information of +immense<br> +importance, which for certain reasons cannot be sent through a +ship of war,<br> +but must be forwarded by a vessel that may not attract peculiar +notice. If<br> +you be attacked, your orders are to resist; if you be taken, on +no account<br> +destroy the papers, for the French vessel can scarcely escape +capture from<br> +our frigates, and it is of great consequence these papers should +remain.<br> +Such is a brief sketch of our plan; the details can be made known +to you<br> +hereafter.'</p> + +<p>"'I am quite ready, my lord. I ask for no terms; I make no +stipulations. If<br> +the result be favorable it will be time enough to speak of that. +When am I<br> +to sail?'</p> + +<p>"As I spoke, the admiral turned suddenly round and said +something in a<br> +whisper to Dawkins, who appeared to overrule it, whatever it +might be, and<br> +finally brought him over to his own opinion.</p> + +<p>"'Come, Cupples,' said Dawkins, 'the affair is now settled; +to-morrow a<br> +boat will be in waiting for you opposite Spike Island to convey +you on<br> +board the "Semiramis," where every step in the whole business +shall be<br> +explained to you; meanwhile you have only to keep your own +counsel and<br> +trust the secret to no one.'</p> + +<p>"'Yes, Cupples,' said the admiral, 'we rely upon you for that, +so<br> +good-night.' As he spoke he placed within my hands a crumpled +note for ten<br> +pounds, and squeezing my fingers, departed.</p> + +<p>"My yarn is spinning out to a far greater length than I +intended, so I'll<br> +try and shorten it a bit. The next day I went aboard the +'Semiramis,'<br> +where, when I appeared upon the quarter-deck, I found myself an +object<br> +of some interest. The report that I was the man about to command +the<br> +'Brian,'—that was the real name of the old craft,—had caused +some<br> +curiosity among the officers, and they all spoke to me with great +courtesy.<br> +After waiting a short time I was ordered to go below, where the +admiral,<br> +his flag-captain, Dawkins, and the others were seated. They +repeated at<br> +greater length the conversation of the night before, and finally +decided<br> +that I was to sail in three weeks; for although the old schooner +was sadly<br> +damaged, they had lost no time, but had her already high in dock, +with two<br> +hundred ship-carpenters at work upon her.</p> + +<p>"I do not shorten sail here to tell you what reports were +circulated about<br> +Cove as to my extraordinary change in circumstances, nor how I +bore my<br> +altered fortunes. It is enough if I say that in less than three +weeks I<br> +weighed anchor and stood out to sea one beautiful morning in +autumn, and<br> +set out upon my expedition.</p> + +<p>"I have already told you something of the craft. Let me +complete the<br> +picture by informing you that before twenty-four hours passed +over I<br> +discovered that so ungainly, so awkward, so unmanageable a vessel +never<br> +put to sea. In light winds she scarcely stirred or moved, as if +she were<br> +waterlogged; if it came to blow upon the quarter, she fell off +from her<br> +helm at a fearful rate; in wearing, she endangered every spar she +had; and<br> +when you put her in stays, when half round she would fall back +and nearly<br> +carry away every stitch of canvas with the shock. If the ship was +bad, the<br> +crew was ten times worse. What Dawkins said turned out to be +literally<br> +true. Every ill-conducted, disorderly fellow who had been up the +gangway<br> +once a week or so, every unreclaimed landsman of bad character +and no<br> +seamanship, was sent on board of us: and in fact, except that +there was<br> +scarcely any discipline and no restraint, we appeared like a +floating<br> +penitentiary of convicted felons.</p> + +<p>So long as we ran down channel with a slack sea and fair wind, +so long all<br> +went on tolerably well; to be sure they only kept watch when they +were<br> +tired below, when they came up, reeled about the deck, did all +just as they<br> +pleased, and treated me with no manner of respect. After some +vain efforts<br> +to repress their excesses,—vain, for I had but one to second +me,—I<br> +appeared to take no notice of their misconduct, and contented +myself with<br> +waiting for the time when, my dreary voyage over, I should quit +the command<br> +and part company with such associates forever. At last, however, +it came on<br> +to blow, and the night we passed the Lizard was indeed a fearful +one.<br> +As morning broke, a sea running mountains high, a wind strong +from<br> +the northwest, was hurrying the old craft along at a rate I +believed<br> +impossible. I shall not stop to recount the frightful scenes of +anarchy,<br> +confusion, drunkenness, and insubordination which our crew +exhibited,—the<br> +recollection is too bad already, and I would spare you and myself +the<br> +recital; but on the fourth day from the setting in of the gale, +as we<br> +entered the Bay of Biscay, some one aloft descried a strange sail +to<br> +windward bearing down as if in pursuit of us. Scarcely did the +news reach<br> +the deck when, bad as it was before, matters became now ten times +worse,<br> +some resolving to give themselves up if the chase happened to be +French,<br> +and vowing that before surrendering the spirit-room should be +forced, and<br> +every man let drink as he pleased. Others proposed if there were +anything<br> +like equality in the force, to attack, and convert the captured +vessel, if<br> +they succeeded, into a slaver, and sail at once for Africa. Some +were for<br> +blowing up the old 'Brian' with all on board; and in fact every +counsel<br> +that drunkenness, insanity, and crime combined could suggest was +offered<br> +and descanted on. Meanwhile the chase gained rapidly upon us, and +before<br> +noon we discovered her to be a French letter-of-marque with four +guns and a<br> +long brass swivel upon the poop deck. As for us, every sheet of +canvas we<br> +could crowd was crammed on, but in vain. And as we labored +through the<br> +heavy sea, our riotous crew grew every moment worse, and sitting +down<br> +sulkily in groups upon the deck, declared that, come what might, +they would<br> +neither work the ship nor fight her; that they had been sent to +sea in a<br> +rotten craft merely to effect their destruction; and that they +cared little<br> +for the disgrace of a flag they detested. Half furious with the +taunting<br> +sarcasm I heard on every side, and nearly mad from passion, and +bewildered,<br> +my first impulse was to run among them with my drawn cutlass, and +ere I<br> +fell their victim, take heavy vengeance upon the ringleaders, +when suddenly<br> +a sharp booming noise came thundering along, and a round shot +went flying<br> +over our heads.</p> + +<p>"'Down with the ensign; strike at once!' cried eight or ten +voices<br> +together, as the ball whizzed through the rigging. Anticipating +this, and<br> +resolving, whatever might happen, to fight her to the last, I had +made the<br> +mate, a staunch-hearted, resolute fellow, to make fast the signal +sailyard<br> +aloft, so that it was impossible for any one on deck to lower the +bunting.<br> +Bang! went another gun; and before the smoke cleared away, a +third, which,<br> +truer in its aim than the rest, went clean through the lower part +of our<br> +mainsail.</p> + +<p>"'Steady, then, boys, and clear for action,' said the +mate.</p> + +<p>'She's a French smuggling craft that will sheer off when we +show fight, so<br> +that we must not fire a shot till she comes alongside.'</p> + +<p>"'And harkee, lads,' said I, taking up the tone of +encouragement he spoke<br> +with, 'if we take her, I promise to claim nothing of the prize. +Whatever we<br> +capture you shall divide among yourselves.'</p> + +<p>"'It's very easy to divide what we never had,' said one; +'Nearly as easy as<br> +to give it,' cried another; 'I'll never light match or draw +cutlass in the<br> +cause,' said a third.</p> + +<p>"'Surrender!' 'Strike the flag!' 'Down with the colors!' +roared several<br> +voices together.</p> + +<p>"By this time the Frenchman was close up, and ranging his long +gun to<br> +sweep our decks; his crew were quite perceptible,—about twenty +bronzed,<br> +stout-looking follows, stripped to the waist, and carrying +pistols in broad<br> +flat belts slung over the shoulder.</p> + +<p>"'Come, my lads,' said I, raising my voice, as I drew a pistol +from my side<br> +and cocked it, 'our time is short now; I may as well tell you +that the<br> +first shot that strikes us amidship blows up the whole craft and +every man<br> +on board. We are nothing less than a fireship, destined for Brest +harbor<br> +to blow up the French fleet. If you are willing to make an effort +for your<br> +lives, follow me!'</p> + +<p>"The men looked aghast. Whatever recklessness crime and +drunkenness had<br> +given them, the awful feeling of inevitable death at once +repelled.<br> +Short as was the time for reflection, they felt that there were +many<br> +circumstances to encourage the assertion,—the nature of the +vessel, her<br> +riotous, disorderly crew, the secret nature of the service, all +confirmed<br> +it,—and they answered with a shout of despairing vengeance, +'We'll board<br> +her; lead us on!' As the cry rose up, the long swivel from the +chase rang<br> +sharply in our ears, and a tremendous discharge of grape flew +through our<br> +rigging. None of our men, however, fell; and animated now with +the desire<br> +for battle, they sprang to the binnacle, and seized their +arms.</p> + +<p>"In an instant the whole deck became a scene of excited +bustle; and<br> +scarcely was the ammunition dealt out, and the boarding party +drawn up,<br> +when the Frenchman broached to and lashed his bowsprit to our +own.</p> + +<p>"One terrific yell burst from our fellows as they sprang from +the rigging<br> +and the poop upon the astonished Frenchmen, who thought that the +victory<br> +was already their own; with death and ruin behind, their only +hope before,<br> +they dashed forward like madmen to the fray.</p> + +<p>"The conflict was bloody and terrific, though not a long one. +Nearly equal<br> +in number, but far superior in personal strength, and stimulated +by their<br> +sense of danger, our fellows rushed onward, carrying all before +them to the<br> +quarter-deck. Here the Frenchmen rallied, and for some minutes +had rather<br> +the advantage, until the mate, turning one of their guns against +them,<br> +prepared to sweep them down in a mass. Then it was that they +ceased their<br> +fire and cried out for quarter,—all save their captain, a short, +thick-set<br> +fellow, with a grizzly beard and mustache, who, seeing his men +fall back,<br> +turned on them one glance of scowling indignation, and rushing +forward,<br> +clove our boatswain to the deck with one blow. Before the example +could<br> +have been followed, he lay a bloody corpse upon the deck; while +our<br> +people, roused to madness by the loss of a favorite among the +men, dashed<br> +impetuously forward, and dealing death on every side, left not +one man<br> +living among their unresisting enemies. My story is soon told +now. We<br> +brought our prize safe into Malta, which we reached in five days. +In less<br> +than a week our men were drafted into different men-of-war on the +station.<br> +I was appointed a warrant officer in the 'Sheerwater,' forty-four +guns; and<br> +as the admiral opened the despatch, the only words he spoke +puzzled me for<br> +many a day after.</p> + +<p>"'You have accomplished your orders too well,' said he; 'that +privateer is<br> +but a poor compensation for the whole French navy.'"</p> + +<p>"Well," inquired Power, "and did you never hear the meaning of +the words?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said he; "many years after I found out that our +despatches were<br> +false ones, intended to have fallen into the hands of the French +and<br> +mislead them as to Lord Nelson's fleet, which at that time was +cruising<br> +to the southward to catch them. This, of course, explained what +fate was<br> +destined for us,—a French prison, if not death; and after all, +either was<br> +fully good enough for the crew that sailed in the old +'Brian.'"</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXXIV.</p> + +<p>THE LAND.</p> + +<p>It was late when we separated for the night, and the morning +was already<br> +far advanced ere I awoke; the monotonous tramp overhead showed me +that the<br> +others were stirring, and I gently moved the shutter of the +narrow window<br> +beside me to look out.</p> + +<p>The sea, slightly rippled upon its surface, shone like a plate +of fretted<br> +gold,—not a wave, not a breaker appeared; but the rushing sound +close by<br> +showed that we were moving fast through the water.</p> + +<p>"Always calm hereabouts," said a gruff voice on deck, which I +soon<br> +recognized as the skipper's; "no sea whatever."</p> + +<p>"I can make nothing of it," cried out Power, from the forepart +of the<br> +vessel. "It appears to me all cloud."</p> + +<p>"No, no, sir, believe me; it's no fog-bank, that large dark +mass to leeward<br> +there,—that's Cintra."</p> + +<p>"Land!" cried I, springing up, and rushing upon deck; +"where,<br> +Skipper,—where is the land?"</p> + +<p>"I say, Charley," said Power, "I hope you mean to adopt a +little more<br> +clothing on reaching Lisbon; for though the climate is a warm +one—"</p> + +<p>"Never mind, O'Malley," said the major, "the Portuguese will +only be<br> +flattered by the attention, if you land as you are."</p> + +<p>"Why, how so?"</p> + +<p>"Surely, you remember what the niggers said when they saw the +79th<br> +Highlanders landing at St. Lucie. They had never seen a Scotch +regiment<br> +before, and were consequently somewhat puzzled at the costume; +till at<br> +last, one more cunning than the rest explained it by saying: +'They are in<br> +such a hurry to kill the poor black men that they came away +without their<br> +breeches.'"</p> + +<p>"Now, what say you?" cried the skipper, as he pointed with his +telescope to<br> +a dark-blue mass in the distance; "see there!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, true enough; that's Cintra!"</p> + +<p>"Then we shall probably be in the Tagus River before +morning?"</p> + +<p>"Before midnight, if the wind holds," said the skipper. We +breakfasted on<br> +deck beneath an awning. The vessel scarcely seemed to move as she +cut her<br> +way through the calm water.</p> + +<p>The misty outline of the coast grew gradually more defined, +and at length<br> +the blue mountains could be seen; at first but dimly, but as the +day wore<br> +on, their many-colored hues shone forth, and patches of green +verdure,<br> +dotted with sheep or sheltered by dark foliage, met the eye. The +bulwarks<br> +were crowded with anxious faces; each looked pointedly towards +the shore,<br> +and many a stout heart beat high, as the land drew near, fated to +cover<br> +with its earth more than one among us.</p> + +<p>"And that's Portingale, Mister Charles," said a voice behind +me. I turned<br> +and saw my man Mike, as with anxious joy, he fixed his eyes upon +the shore.</p> + +<p>"They tell me it's a beautiful place, with wine for nothing +and spirits for<br> +less. Isn't it a pity they won't be raisonable and make peace +with us?"</p> + +<p>"Why, my good fellow, we are excellent friends; it's the +French who want to<br> +beat us all."</p> + +<p>"Upon my conscience, that's not right. There's an ould saying +in Connaught,<br> +'It's not fair for one to fall upon twenty.' Sergeant Haggarty +says that<br> +I'll see none of the divarsion at all."</p> + +<p>"I don't well understand—"</p> + +<p>"He does be telling me that, as I'm only your footboy, he'll +send me away<br> +to the rear, where there's nothing but wounded and wagons and +women."</p> + +<p>"I believe the sergeant is right there; but after all, Mike, +it's a safe<br> +place."</p> + +<p>"Ah, then, musha for the safety! I don't think much of it. +Sure, they might<br> +circumvint us. And av it wasn't displazing to you, I'd rather +list."</p> + +<p>"Well, I've no objection, Mickey. Would you like to join my +regiment?"</p> + +<p>"By coorse, your honor. I'd like to be near yourself; bekase, +too, if<br> +anything happens to you,—the Lord be betune us and harm," here +he crossed<br> +himself piously,—"sure, I'd like to be able to tell the master +how you<br> +died; and sure, there's Mr. Considine—God pardon him! He'll be +beating my<br> +brains out av I couldn't explain it all."</p> + +<p>"Well, Mike, I'll speak to some of my friends here about you, +and we'll<br> +settle it all properly. Here's the doctor."</p> + +<p>"Arrah, Mr. Charles, don't mind him. He's a poor crayture +entirely. Devil a<br> +thing he knows."</p> + +<p>"Why, what do you mean, man? He's physician to the +forces."</p> + +<p>"Oh, be-gorra, and so he may be!" said Mike, with a toss of +his head.<br> +"Those army docthers isn't worth their salt. It's thruth I'm +telling you.<br> +Sure, didn't he come to see me when I was sick below in the +hould?</p> + +<p>"'How do you feel?' says he.</p> + +<p>"'Terribly dhry in the mouth,' says I.</p> + +<p>"'But your bones,' says he; 'how's them?'</p> + +<p>"'As if cripples was kicking me,' says I.</p> + +<p>"Well, with that he wint away, and brought back two +powders.</p> + +<p>"'Take them,' says he, 'and you'll be cured in no time.'</p> + +<p>"'What's them?' says I.</p> + +<p>"'They're ematics,' says he.</p> + +<p>"'Blood and ages!' says I, 'are they?'</p> + +<p>"'Devil a lie,' says he; 'take them immediately.'</p> + +<p>"And I tuk them; and would you believe me, Mister +Charles?—it's thruth I'm<br> +telling you,—devil a one o' them would stay on my stomach. So +you see what<br> +a docther he is!"</p> + +<p>I could not help smiling at Mike's ideas of medicine, as I +turned away<br> +to talk to the major, who was busily engaged beside me. His +occupation<br> +consisted in furbishing up a very tarnished and faded uniform, +whose white<br> +seams and threadbare lace betokened many years of service.</p> + +<p>"Getting up our traps, you see, O'Malley," said he, as he +looked with no<br> +small pride at the faded glories of his old vestment. "Astonish +them at<br> +Lisbon, we flatter ourselves. I say, Power, what a bad style of +dress<br> +they've got into latterly, with their tight waist and strapped +trousers;<br> +nothing free, nothing easy, nothing <i>dégagé</i> +about it. When in a campaign,<br> +a man ought to be able to stow prog for twenty-four hours about +his person,<br> +and no one the wiser. A very good rule, I assure you, though it +sometimes<br> +leads to awkward results. At Vimeira, I got into a sad scrape +that way. Old<br> +Sir Harry, that commanded there, sent for the sick return. I was +at dinner<br> +when the orderly came, so I packed up the eatables about me, and +rode off.<br> +Just, however, as I came up to the quarters, my horse stumbled +and threw me<br> +slap on my head.</p> + +<p>"'Is he killed?' said Sir Harry.</p> + +<p>"'Only stunned, your Excellency,' said some one.</p> + +<p>"'Then he'll come to, I suppose. Look for the papers in his +pocket.'</p> + +<p>"So they turned me on my back, and plunged a hand into my +side-pocket;<br> +but, the devil take it! they pulled out a roast hen. Well, the +laugh was<br> +scarcely over at this, when another fellow dived into my coat +behind, and<br> +lugged out three sausages; and so they went on, till the ground +was covered<br> +with ham, pigeon-pie, veal, kidney, and potatoes; and the only +thing like a<br> +paper was a mess-roll of the 4th, with a droll song about Sir +Harry written<br> +in pencil on the back of it. Devil of a bad affair for me! I was +nearly<br> +broke for it; but they only reprimanded me a little, and I was +afterwards<br> +attached to the victualling department."</p> + +<p>What an anxious thing is the last day of a voyage! How slowly +creep the<br> +hours, teeming with memories of the past and expectations of the +future!</p> + +<p>Every plan, every well-devised expedient to cheat the long and +weary<br> +days is at once abandoned; the chess-board and the new novel are +alike<br> +forgotten, and the very quarter-deck walk, with its merry gossip +and<br> +careless chit-chat, becomes distasteful. One blue and misty +mountain, one<br> +faint outline of the far-off shore, has dispelled all thought of +these; and<br> +with straining eye and anxious heart, we watch for land.</p> + +<p>As the day wears on apace, the excitement increases; the faint +and shadowy<br> +forms of distant objects grow gradually clearer. Where before +some tall and<br> +misty mountain peak was seen, we now descry patches of deepest +blue and<br> +sombre olive; the mellow corn and the waving woods, the village +spire and<br> +the lowly cot, come out of the landscape; and like some +well-remembered<br> +voice, they speak of home. The objects we have seen, the sounds +we have<br> +heard a hundred times before without interest, become to us now +things that<br> +stir the heart.</p> + +<p>For a time the bright glare of the noonday sun dazzles the +view and renders<br> +indistinct the prospect; but as evening falls, once more is all +fair and<br> +bright and rich before us. Rocked by the long and rolling swell, +I lay<br> +beside the bowsprit, watching the shore-birds that came to rest +upon the<br> +rigging, or following some long and tangled seaweed as it floated +by; my<br> +thoughts now wandering back to the brown hills and the broad +river of my<br> +early home, now straying off in dreary fancies of the future.</p> + +<p>How flat and unprofitable does all ambition seem at such +moments as these;<br> +how valueless, how poor, in our estimation, those worldly +distinctions<br> +we have so often longed and thirsted for, as with lowly heart and +simple<br> +spirit we watch each humble cottage, weaving to ourselves some +story of its<br> +inmates as we pass!</p> + +<p>The night at length closed in, but it was a bright and starry +one, lending<br> +to the landscape a hue of sombre shadow, while the outlines of +the objects<br> +were still sharp and distinct as before. One solitary star +twinkled near<br> +the horizon. I watched it as, at intervals disappearing, it would +again<br> +shine out, marking the calm sea with a tall pillar of light.</p> + +<p>"Come down, Mr. O'Malley," cried the skipper's well-known +voice,—"come<br> +down below and join us in a parting glass; that's the Lisbon +light to<br> +leeward, and before two hours we drop our anchor in the +Tagus."</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXXV.</p> + +<p>MAJOR MONSOON.</p> + +<p>Of my travelling companions I have already told my readers +something. Power<br> +is now an old acquaintance; to Sparks I have already presented +them; of the<br> +adjutant they are not entirely ignorant; and it therefore only +remains for<br> +me to introduce to their notice Major Monsoon. I should have some +scruple<br> +for the digression which this occasions in my narrative, were it +not that<br> +with the worthy major I was destined to meet subsequently; and +indeed<br> +served under his orders for some months in the Peninsula. When +Major<br> +Monsoon had entered the army or in what precise capacity, I never +yet met<br> +the man who could tell. There were traditionary accounts of his +having<br> +served in the East Indies and in Canada in times long past. His +own<br> +peculiar reminiscences extended to nearly every regiment in the +service,<br> +"horse, foot, and dragoons." There was not a clime he had not +basked in;<br> +not an engagement he had not witnessed. His memory, or, if you +will, his<br> +invention, was never at fault; and from the siege of Seringapatam +to<br> +the battle of Corunna he was perfect. Besides this, he possessed +a mind<br> +retentive of even the most trifling details of his +profession,—from the<br> +formation of a regiment to the introduction of a new button, from +the<br> +laying down of a parallel to the price of a camp-kettle, he knew +it all. To<br> +be sure, he had served in the commissary-general's department for +a number<br> +of years, and nothing instils such habits as this.</p> + +<p>"The commissaries are to the army what the special pleaders +are to the<br> +bar," observed my friend Power,—"dry dogs, not over creditable +on the<br> +whole, but devilish useful."</p> + +<p>The major had begun life a two-bottle man; but by a studious +cultivation of<br> +his natural gifts, and a steady determination to succeed, he had, +at the<br> +time I knew him, attained to his fifth. It need not be wondered +at, then,<br> +that his countenance bore some traces of his habits. It was of a +deep<br> +sunset-purple, which, becoming tropical, at the tip of the nose +verged<br> +almost upon a plum-color; his mouth was large, thick-lipped, +and<br> +good-humored; his voice rich, mellow, and racy, and contributed, +with the<br> +aid of a certain dry, chuckling laugh, greatly to increase the +effect of<br> +the stories which he was ever ready to recount; and as they most +frequently<br> +bore in some degree against some of what he called his little +failings,<br> +they were ever well received, no man being so popular with the +world as he<br> +who flatters its vanity at his own expense. To do this the major +was ever<br> +ready, but at no time more so than when the evening wore late, +and the last<br> +bottle of his series seemed to imply that any caution regarding +the<br> +nature of his communication was perfectly unnecessary. Indeed, +from the<br> +commencement of his evening to the close, he seemed to pass +through a<br> +number of mental changes, all in a manner preparing him for this +final<br> +consummation, when he confessed anything and everything; and so +well<br> +regulated had those stages become, that a friend dropping in upon +him<br> +suddenly could at once pronounce from the tone of his +conversation on what<br> +precise bottle the major was then engaged.</p> + +<p>Thus, in the outset he was gastronomic,—discussed the dinner +from the soup<br> +to the Stilton; criticised the cutlets; pronounced upon the +merits of the<br> +mutton; and threw out certain vague hints that he would one day +astonish<br> +the world by a little volume upon cookery.</p> + +<p>With bottle No. 2 he took leave of the <i>cuisine</i>, and +opened his battery<br> +upon the wine. Bordeaux, Burgundy, hock, and hermitage, all +passed in<br> +review before him,—their flavor discussed, their treatment +descanted<br> +upon, their virtues extolled; from humble port to imperial tokay, +he was<br> +thoroughly conversant with all, and not a vintage escaped as to +when the<br> +sun had suffered eclipse, or when a comet had wagged his tail +over it.</p> + +<p>With No. 3 he became pipeclay,—talked army list and eighteen +manoeuvres,<br> +lamented the various changes in equipments which modern +innovation had<br> +introduced, and feared the loss of pigtails might sap the +military spirit<br> +of the nation.</p> + +<p>With No. 4 his anecdotic powers came into play,—he recounted +various<br> +incidents of the war with his own individual adventures and +experience,<br> +told with an honest <i>naïveté</i>, that proved +personal vanity; indeed,<br> +self-respect never marred the interest of the narrative, besides, +as he had<br> +ever regarded a campaign something in the light of a foray, and +esteemed<br> +war as little else than a pillage excursion, his sentiments were +singularly<br> +amusing.</p> + +<p>With his last bottle, those feelings that seemed inevitably +connected<br> +with whatever is last appeared to steal over him,—a tinge of +sadness for<br> +pleasures fast passing and nearly passed, a kind of retrospective +glance at<br> +the fallacy of all our earthly enjoyments, insensibly suggesting +moral and<br> +edifying reflections, led him by degrees to confess that he was +not quite<br> +satisfied with himself, though "not very bad for a commissary;" +and<br> +finally, as the decanter waxed low, he would interlard his +meditations by<br> +passages of Scripture, singularly perverted by his misconception +from<br> +their true meaning, and alternately throwing out prospects of +censure or<br> +approval. Such was Major Monsoon; and to conclude in his own +words this<br> +brief sketch, he "would have been an excellent officer if +Providence had<br> +not made him such a confounded, drunken, old scoundrel."</p> + +<p>"Now, then, for the King of Spain's story. Out with it, old +boy; we are all<br> +good men and true here," cried Power, as we slowly came along +upon the tide<br> +up the Tagus, "so you've nothing to fear."</p> + +<p>"Upon my life," replied the major, "I don't half like the tone +of our<br> +conversation. There is a certain freedom young men affect now +a-days<br> +regarding morals that is not at all to my taste. When I was five +or six and<br> +twenty—"</p> + +<p>"You were the greatest scamp in the service," cried Power.</p> + +<p>"Fie, fie, Fred. If I was a little wild or so,"—here the +major's eyes<br> +twinkled maliciously,—"it was the ladies that spoiled me; I was +always<br> +something of a favorite, just like our friend Sparks there. Not +that we<br> +fared very much alike in our little adventures; for somehow, I +believe I<br> +was generally in fault in most of mine, as many a good man and +many an<br> +excellent man has been before." Here his voice dropped into a +moralizing<br> +key, as he added, "David, you know, didn't behave well to old +Uriah. Upon<br> +my life he did not, and he was a very respectable man."</p> + +<p>"The King of Spain's sherry! the sherry!" cried I, fearing +that the major's<br> +digression might lose us a good story.</p> + +<p>"You shall not have a drop of it," replied the major.</p> + +<p>"But the story, Major, the story!"</p> + +<p>"Nor the story, either."</p> + +<p>"What," said Power, "will you break faith with us?"</p> + +<p>"There's none to be kept with reprobates like you. Fill my +glass."</p> + +<p>"Hold there! stop!" cried Power. "Not a spoonful till he +redeems his<br> +pledge."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, if you must have a story,—for most assuredly I +must drink,—I<br> +have no objection to give you a leaf from my early reminiscences; +and in<br> +compliment to Sparks there, my tale shall be of love."</p> + +<p>"I dinna like to lose the king's story. I hae my thoughts it +was na a bad<br> +ane."</p> + +<p>"Nor I neither, Doctor; but—"</p> + +<p>"Come, come, you shall have that too, the first night we meet +in a bivouac,<br> +and as I fear the time may not be very far distant, don't be +impatient;<br> +besides a love-story—"</p> + +<p>"Quite true," said Power, "a love-story claims precedence; +<i>place aux<br> +dames</i>. There's a bumper for you, old wickedness; so go +along."</p> + +<p>The major cleared off his glass, refilled it, sipped twice, +and ogled it as<br> +though he would have no peculiar objection to sip once more, took +a long<br> +pinch of snuff from a box nearly as long as, and something the +shape of a<br> +child's coffin, looked around to see that we were all attention, +and thus<br> +began:—</p> + +<p>"When I have been in a moralizing mood, as I very frequently +am about this<br> +hour in the morning, I have often felt surprised by what little, +trivial,<br> +and insignificant circumstances our lot in life seems to be cast; +I mean<br> +especially as regards the fair sex. You are prospering, as it +were, to-day;<br> +to-morrow a new cut of your whiskers, a novel tie of your cravat, +mars your<br> +destiny and spoils your future, <i>varium et mutabile</i>, as +Horace has it.<br> +On the other hand, some equally slight circumstance will do what +all your<br> +ingenuity may have failed to effect. I knew a fellow who married +the<br> +greatest fortune in Bath, from the mere habit he had of squeezing +one's<br> +hand. The lady in question thought it particular, looked +conscious, and all<br> +that; he followed up the blow; and, in a word, they were married +in a week.<br> +So a friend of mine, who could not help winking his left eye, +once opened<br> +a flirtation with a lively widow which cost him a special license +and a<br> +settlement. In fact you are never safe. They are like the +guerillas, and<br> +they pick you off when you least expect it, and when you think +there is<br> +nothing to fear. Therefore, as young fellows beginning life, I +would<br> +caution you. On this head you can never be too circumspect. Do +you know, I<br> +was once nearly caught by so slight a habit as sitting thus, with +my legs<br> +across."</p> + +<p>Here the major rested his right foot on his left knee, in +illustration, and<br> +continued:—</p> + +<p>"We were quartered in Jamaica. I had not long joined, and was +about as raw<br> +a young gentleman as you could see; the only very clear ideas in +my head<br> +being that we were monstrous fine fellows in the 50th, and that +the<br> +planters' daughters were deplorably in love with us. Not that I +was much<br> +wrong on either side. For brandy-and-water, sangaree, Manilla +cigars, and<br> +the ladies of color, I'd have backed the corps against the +service.<br> +Proof was, of eighteen only two ever left the island; for what +with the<br> +seductions of the coffee plantations, the sugar canes, the new +rum, the<br> +brown skins, the rainy season, and the yellow fever, most of us +settled<br> +there."</p> + +<p>"It's very hard to leave the West Indies if once you've been +quartered<br> +there."</p> + +<p>"So I have heard," said Power.</p> + +<p>"In time, if you don't knock under to the climate, you become +soon totally<br> +unfit for living anywhere else. Preserved ginger, yams, flannel +jackets,<br> +and grog won't bear exportation; and the free-and-easy chuck +under the<br> +chin, cherishing, waist-pressing kind of way we get with the +ladies would<br> +be quite misunderstood in less favored regions, and lead to very +unpleasant<br> +consequences."</p> + +<p>"It is a curious fact how much climate has to do with +love-making. In our<br> +cold country the progress is lamentably slow. Fogs, east winds, +sleet,<br> +storms, and cutting March weather nip many a budding flirtation; +whereas<br> +warm, sunny days and bright moonlight nights, with genial air and +balmy<br> +zephyrs, open the heart like the cup of a camelia, and let us +drink in the<br> +soft dew of—"</p> + +<p>"Devilish poetical, that," said Power, evolving a long blue +line of smoke<br> +from the corner of his mouth.</p> + +<p>"Isn't it, though?" said the major, smiling graciously. "'Pon +my life, I<br> +thought so myself. Where was I?"</p> + +<p>"Out of my latitude altogether," said the poor skipper, who +often found it<br> +hard to follow the thread of a story.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember. I was remarking that sangaree and calipash, +mangoes and<br> +guava jelly, dispose the heart to love, and so they do. I was not +more than<br> +six weeks in Jamaica when I felt it myself. Now, it was a very +dangerous<br> +symptom, if you had it strong in you, for this reason. Our +colonel, the<br> +most cross-grained old crabstick that ever breathed, happened +himself to be<br> +taken in when young, and resolving, like the fox who lost his +tail and said<br> +it was not the fashion to wear one, to pretend he did the thing +for fun,<br> +determined to make every fellow marry upon the slightest +provocation.<br> +Begad, you might as well enter a powder magazine with a branch of +candles<br> +in your hand, as go into society in the island with a leaning +towards the<br> +fair sex. Very hard this was for me particularly; for like poor +Sparks<br> +there, my weakness was ever for the petticoats. I had, besides, +no<br> +petty, contemptible prejudices as to nation, habits, language, +color, or<br> +complexion; black, brown, or fair, from the Muscovite to the +Malabar, from<br> +the voluptuous <i>embonpoint</i> of the adjutant's widow,—don't +be angry old<br> +boy,—to the fairy form of Isabella herself, I loved them all +round. But<br> +were I to give a preference anywhere I should certainly do so to +the West<br> +Indians, if it were only for the sake of the planters' daughters. +I say it<br> +fearlessly, these colonies are the brightest jewels in the crown. +Let's<br> +drink their health, for I'm as husky as a lime-kiln."</p> + +<p>This ceremony being performed with suitable enthusiasm, the +major cried<br> +out, "Another cheer for Polly Hackett, the sweetest girl in +Jamaica. By<br> +Jove, Power, if you only saw her as I did five and forty years +ago, with<br> +eyes black as jet, twinkling, ogling, leering, teasing, and +imploring,<br> +all at once, do you mind, and a mouthful of downright pearls +pouting<br> +and smiling at you, why, man, you'd have proposed for her in the +first<br> +half-hour, and shot yourself the next, when she refused you. She +was,<br> +indeed, a perfect little beauty, <i>rayther</i> dark, to be +sure,—a little upon<br> +the rosewood tinge, but beautifully polished, and a very nice +piece of<br> +furniture for a cottage <i>orné</i>, as the French call +it. Alas, alas, how<br> +these vanities do catch hold of us! My recollections have made me +quite<br> +feverish and thirsty. Is there any cold punch in the bowl? Thank +you,<br> +O'Malley, that will do,—merely to touch my lips. Well, well, +it's all past<br> +and gone now; but I was very fond of Tolly Hackett, and she was +of me.<br> +We used to take our little evening walks together through the +coffee<br> +plantation: very romantic little strolls they were, she in white +muslin<br> +with a blue sash and blue shoes; I in a flannel jacket and +trousers, straw<br> +hat and cravat, a Virginia cigar as long as a walking-stick in +my<br> +mouth, puffing and courting between times; then we'd take a turn +to the<br> +refining-house, look in at the big boilers, quiz the niggers, and +come back<br> +to Twangberry Moss to supper, where old Hackett, the father, +sported a<br> +glorious table at eleven o'clock. Great feeding it was; you were +always<br> +sure of a preserved monkey, a baked land-crab, or some such +delicacy. And<br> +such Madeira; it makes me dry to think of it.</p> + +<p>"Talk of West India slavery, indeed. It's the only land of +liberty.<br> +There is nothing to compare with the perfect free-and-easy,<br> +devil-may-care-kind-of-a-take-yourself way that every one has +there. If it<br> +would be any peculiar comfort for you to sit in the saddle of +mutton, and<br> +put your legs in a soup tureen at dinner, there would be found +very few to<br> +object to it. There is no nonsense of any kind about etiquette. +You eat,<br> +drink, and are merry, or, if you prefer, are sad; just as you +please. You<br> +may wear uniform, or you may not, it's your own affair; and +consequently,<br> +it may be imagined how insensibly such privileges gain upon one, +and how<br> +very reluctant we become ever to resign or abandon them.</p> + +<p>"I was the man to appreciate it all. The whole course of +proceeding seemed<br> +to have been invented for my peculiar convenience, and not a man +in the<br> +island enjoyed a more luxurious existence than myself, not +knowing all the<br> +while how dearly I was destined to pay for my little comforts. +Among my<br> +plenary after-dinner indulgences I had contracted an inveterate +habit of<br> +sitting cross-legged, as I showed you. Now, this was become a +perfect<br> +necessity of existence to me. I could have dispensed with cheese, +with my<br> +glass of port, my pickled mango, my olive, my anchovy toast, my +nutshell of<br> +curaçoa, but not my favorite lounge. You may smile; but +I've read of a man<br> +who could never dance except in a room with an old hair-brush. +Now, I'm<br> +certain my stomach would not digest if my legs were +perpendicular. I<br> +don't mean to defend the thing. The attitude was not graceful, it +was not<br> +imposing; but it suited me somehow, and I liked it.</p> + +<p>"From what I have already mentioned, you may suppose that West +India habits<br> +exercised but little control over my favorite practice, which I +indulged<br> +in every evening of my life. Well, one day old Hackett gave us a +great<br> +blow-out,—a dinner of two-and-twenty souls; six days' notice; +turtle from<br> +St. Lucie, guinea-fowl, claret of the year forty, Madeira +à discrétion,<br> +and all that. Very well done the whole thing; nothing wrong, +nothing<br> +wanting. As for me, I was in great feather. I took Polly in to +dinner,<br> +greatly to the discomfiture of old Belson, our major, who was +making up in<br> +that quarter; for you must know, she was an only daughter, and +had a very<br> +nice thing of it in molasses and niggers. The papa preferred the +major,<br> +but Polly looked sweetly upon me. Well, down we went, and really +a most<br> +excellent feed we had. Now, I must mention here that Polly had a +favorite<br> +Blenheim spaniel the old fellow detested; it was always tripping +him up and<br> +snarling at him,—for it was, except to herself, a beast of +rather vicious<br> +inclinations. With a true Jamaica taste, it was her pleasure to +bring the<br> +animal always into the dinner-room, where, if papa discovered +him, there<br> +was sure to be a row. Servants sent in one direction to hunt him +out,<br> +others endeavoring to hide him, and so on; in fact, a tremendous +hubbub<br> +always followed his introduction and accompanied his exit, upon +which<br> +occasions I invariably exercised my gallantry by protecting the +beast,<br> +although I hated him like the devil all the time.</p> + +<p>"To return to our dinner. After two mortal hours of hard +eating, the pace<br> +began to slacken, and as evening closed in, a sense of peaceful +repose<br> +seemed to descend upon our labors. Pastels shed an aromatic +vapor<br> +through the room. The well-iced decanters went with measured pace +along;<br> +conversation, subdued to the meridian of after-dinner comfort, +just<br> +murmured; the open <i>jalousies</i> displayed upon the broad +veranda the<br> +orange-tree in full blossom, slightly stirring with the cool +sea-breeze."</p> + +<p>"And the piece of white muslin beside you, what of her?"</p> + +<p>"Looked twenty times more bewitching than ever. Well, it was +just the hour<br> +when, opening the last two buttons of your white waistcoat +(remember we<br> +were in Jamaica), you stretch your legs to the full extent, throw +your arm<br> +carelessly over the back of your chair, look contemplatively +towards the<br> +ceiling, and wonder, within yourself, why it is not all 'after +dinner' in<br> +this same world of ours. Such, at least, were my reflections as I +assumed<br> +my attitude of supreme comfort, and inwardly ejaculated a health +to Sneyd<br> +and Barton. Just at this moment I heard Polly's voice gently +whisper,—</p> + +<p>"'Isn't he a love? Isn't he a darling?'</p> + +<p>"'Zounds!' thought I, as a pang of jealousy shot through my +heart, 'is it<br> +the major she means?' For old Belson, with his bag wig and rouged +cheeks,<br> +was seated on the other side of her.</p> + +<p>"'What a dear thing it is!' said Polly.</p> + +<p>"'Worse and worse,' said I; 'it must be him.'</p> + +<p>"'I do so love his muzzy face.'</p> + +<p>"'It is him!' said I, throwing off a bumper, and almost +boiling over with<br> +passion at the moment.</p> + +<p>"'I wish I could take one look at him,' said she, laying down +her head as<br> +she spoke.</p> + +<p>"The major whispered something in her ear, to which she +replied,—</p> + +<p>"'Oh, I dare not; papa will see me at once.'</p> + +<p>"'Don't be afraid, Madam,' said I, fiercely; 'your father +perfectly<br> +approves of your taste.'</p> + +<p>"'Are you sure of it?' said she, giving me such a look.</p> + +<p>"'I know it,' said I, struggling violently with my +agitation.</p> + +<p>"The major leaned over as if to touch her hand beneath the +cloth. I almost<br> +sprang from my chair, when Polly, in her sweetest accents, +said,—</p> + +<p>"'You must be patient, dear thing, or you may be found out, +and then there<br> +will be such a piece of work. Though I'm sure, Major, you would +not betray<br> +me.' The major smiled till he cracked the paint upon his cheeks. +'And I am<br> +sure that Mr. Monsoon—'</p> + +<p>"'You may rely upon me,' said I, half sneeringly.</p> + +<p>"The major and I exchanged glances of defiance, while Polly +continued,—</p> + +<p>"'Now, come, don't be restless. You are very comfortable +there. Isn't he,<br> +Major?' The major smiled again more graciously than before, as he +added,—</p> + +<p>"'May I take a look?'</p> + +<p>"'Just one peep, then, no more!' said she, coquettishly; 'poor +dear Wowski<br> +is so timid.'</p> + +<p>"Scarcely had these words borne balm and comfort to my +heart,—for I<br> +now knew that to the dog, and not to my rival, were all the +flattering<br> +expressions applied,—when a slight scream from Polly, and a +tremendous<br> +oath from the major, raised me from my dream of happiness.</p> + +<p>"'Take your foot down, sir. Mr. Monsoon, how could you do so?' +cried Polly.</p> + +<p>"'What the devil, sir, do you mean?' shouted the major.</p> + +<p>"'Oh, I shall die of shame,' sobbed she.</p> + +<p>"'I'll shoot him like a riddle,' muttered old Belson.</p> + +<p>"By this time the whole table had got at the story, and such +peals of<br> +laughter, mingled with suggestions for my personal maltreatment, +I never<br> +heard. All my attempts at explanation were in vain. I was not +listened to,<br> +much less believed; and the old colonel finished the scene by +ordering me<br> +to my quarters, in a voice I shall never forget, the whole room +being, at<br> +the time I made my exit, one scene of tumultuous laughter from +one end to<br> +the other. Jamaica after this became too hot for me. The story +was repeated<br> +on every side; for, it seems, I had been sitting with my foot on +Polly's<br> +lap; but so occupied was I with my jealous vigilance of the major +I was not<br> +aware of the fact until she herself discovered it.</p> + +<p>"I need not say how the following morning brought with it +every possible<br> +offer of <i>amende</i> upon my part; anything from a written +apology to a<br> +proposition to marry the lady I was ready for, and how the matter +might<br> +have ended I know not; for in the middle of the negotiations, we +were<br> +ordered off to Halifax where, be assured, I abandoned my Oriental +attitude<br> +for many a long day after."</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXXVI.</p> + +<p>THE LANDING.</p> + +<p>What a contrast to the dull monotony of our life at sea did +the scene<br> +present which awaited us on landing in Lisbon. The whole quay was +crowded<br> +with hundreds of people eagerly watching the vessel which bore +from her<br> +mast the broad ensign of Britain. Dark-featured, swarthy, +mustached faces,<br> +with red caps rakishly set on one side, mingled with the Saxon +faces and<br> +fair-haired natives of our own country. Men-of-war boats plied +unceasingly<br> +to and fro across the tranquil river, some slender reefer in +the<br> +stern-sheets, while behind him trailed the red pennon of some +"tall<br> +admiral."</p> + +<p>The din and clamor of a mighty city mingled with the far-off +sounds of<br> +military music; and in the vistas of the opening street, masses +of troops<br> +might be seen in marching order; and all betokened the near +approach of<br> +war.</p> + +<p>Our anchor had scarcely been dropped, when an eight-oar gig, +with a<br> +midshipman steering, came alongside.</p> + +<p>"Ship ahoy, there! You've troops on board?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay, sir."</p> + +<p>Before the answer could be spoken, he was on the deck.</p> + +<p>"May I ask," said he, touching his cap slightly, "who is the +officer in<br> +command of the detachment?"</p> + +<p>"Captain Power; very much at your service," said Fred, +returning the<br> +salute.</p> + +<p>"Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Douglas requests that you will do him +the favor to<br> +come on board immediately, and bring your despatches with +you."</p> + +<p>"I'm quite ready," said Power, as he placed his papers in his +sabretasche;<br> +"but first tell us what's doing here. Anything new lately?"</p> + +<p>"I have heard nothing, except of some affair with the +Portuguese,—they've<br> +been drubbed again; but our people have not been engaged. I say, +we had<br> +better get under way; there's our first lieutenant with his +telescope up;<br> +he's looking straight at us. So, come along. Good-evening, +gentlemen." And<br> +in another moment the sharp craft was cutting the clear water, +while Power<br> +gayly waved us a good-by.</p> + +<p>"Who's for shore?" said the skipper, as half-a-dozen boats +swarmed around<br> +the side, or held on by their boat-hooks to the rigging.</p> + +<p>"Who is not?" said Monsoon, who now appeared in his old blue +frock covered<br> +with tarnished braiding, and a cocked hat that might have roofed +a pagoda.<br> +"Who is not, my old boy? Is not every man among us delighted with +the<br> +prospect of fresh prog, cool wine, and a bed somewhat longer than +four feet<br> +six? I say, O'Malley! Sparks! Where's the adjutant? Ah, there he +is! We'll<br> +not mind the doctor,—he's a very jovial little fellow, but a +damned bore,<br> +<i>entre nous</i>; and we'll have a cosy little supper at the Rue +di Toledo. I<br> +know the place well. Whew, now! Get away, boy. Sit steady, +Sparks; she's<br> +only a cockleshell. There; that's the Plaza de la Regna,—there, +to<br> +the left. There's the great cathedral,—you can't see it now. +Another<br> +seventy-four! Why there's a whole fleet here! I wish old Power +joy of his<br> +afternoon with old Douglas."</p> + +<p>"Do you know him then, Major?"</p> + +<p>"Do I?—I should rather think I do. He was going to put me in +irons here in<br> +this river once. A great shame it was; but I'll tell you the +story another<br> +time. There, gently now; that's it. Thank God! once more upon +land. How I<br> +do hate a ship; upon my life, a sauce-boat is the only boat +endurable in<br> +this world."</p> + +<p>We edged our way with difficulty through the dense crowd, and +at last<br> +reached the Plaza. Here the numbers were still greater, but of a +different<br> +class: several pretty and well-dressed women, with their dark +eyes<br> +twinkling above their black mantillas as they held them across +their faces,<br> +watched with an intense curiosity one of the streets that opened +upon the<br> +square.</p> + +<p>In a few moments the band of a regiment was heard, and very +shortly after<br> +the regular tramp of troops followed, as the Eighty-seventh +marched into<br> +the Plaza, and formed a line.</p> + +<p>The music ceased; the drums rolled along the line; and the +next moment<br> +all was still. It was really an inspiriting sight to one whose +heart was<br> +interested in the career, to see those gallant fellows, as, with +their<br> +bronzed faces and stalwart frames, they stood motionless as a +rock. As I<br> +continued to look, the band marched into the middle of the +square, and<br> +struck up, "Garryowen." Scarcely was the first part played, when +a<br> +tremendous cheer burst from the troop-ship in the river. The +welcome notes<br> +had reached the poor fellows there; the well-known sounds that +told of home<br> +and country met their ears; and the loud cry of recognition +bespoke their<br> +hearts' fulness.</p> + +<p>"There they go. Your wild countrymen have heard their <i>Ranz +des vaches</i>,<br> +it seems. Lord! how they frightened the poor Portuguese; look how +they're<br> +running!"</p> + +<p>Such was actually the case. The loud cheer uttered from the +river was taken<br> +up by others straggling on shore, and one universal shout +betokened that<br> +fully one-third of the red-coats around came from the dear +island, and in<br> +their enthusiasm had terrified the natives to no small +extent.</p> + +<p>"Is not that Ferguson there!" cried the major, as an officer +passed us with<br> +his arm in a sling. "I say, Joe—Ferguson! oh, knew it was!"</p> + +<p>"Monsoon, my hearty, how goes it?—only just arrived, I see. +Delighted to<br> +meet you out here once more. Why, we've been as dull as a veteran +battalion<br> +without you. These your friends? Pray present me." The ceremony +of<br> +introduction over, the major invited Ferguson to join our party +at supper.<br> +"No, not to-night, Major," said he, "you must be my guests this +evening. My<br> +quarters are not five minutes' walk from this; I shall not +promise you very<br> +luxurious fare."</p> + +<p>"A carbonade with olives, a roast duck, a bowl of bishop, and, +if you will,<br> +a few bottles of Burgundy," said the major; "don't put yourself +out for<br> +us,—soldier's fare, eh?"</p> + +<p>I could not help smiling at the <i>naïve</i> notion of +simplicity so cunningly<br> +suggested by old Monsoon. As I followed the party through the +streets,<br> +my step was light, my heart not less so; for what sensations are +more<br> +delightful than those of landing after a voyage? The escape from +the<br> +durance vile of shipboard, with its monotonous days and dreary +nights,<br> +its ill-regulated appointments, its cramped accommodation, its +uncertain<br> +duration, its eternal round of unchanging amusements, for the +freedom<br> +of the shore, with a land breeze, and a firm footing to tread +upon; and<br> +certainly, not least of all, the sight of that brightest part of +creation,<br> +whose soft eyes and tight ankles are, perhaps, the greatest of +all<br> +imaginable pleasures to him who has been the dweller on blue +water for<br> +several weeks long.</p> + +<p>"Here we are," cried out Ferguson, as we stopped at the door +of a large<br> +and handsome house. We follow up a spacious stair into an ample +room,<br> +sparingly, but not uncomfortably furnished: plans of sieges, maps +of the<br> +seat of war, pistols, sabres, and belts decorated the white +walls, and a<br> +few books and a stray army list betokened the habits of the +occupant.</p> + +<p>While Ferguson disappeared to make some preparations for +supper, Monsoon<br> +commenced a congratulation to the party upon the good fortune +that had<br> +befallen them. "Capital fellow is Joe; never without something +good, and<br> +a rare one to pass the bottle. Oh, here he comes. Be alive there, +Sparks,<br> +take a corner of the cloth; how deliciously juicy that ham looks. +Pass<br> +the Madeira down there; what's under that cover,—stewed +kidneys?" While<br> +Monsoon went on thus we took our places at the table, and set to +with an<br> +appetite which only a newly-landed traveller ever knows.</p> + +<p>"Another spoonful of the gravy? Thank you. And so they say +we've not been<br> +faring over well latterly?" said the major.</p> + +<p>"Not a word of truth in the report. Our people have not been +engaged. The<br> +only thing lately was a smart brush we had at the Tamega. Poor +Patrick, a<br> +countryman of ours, and myself were serving with the Portuguese +brigade,<br> +when Laborde drove us back upon the town and actually routed us. +The<br> +Portuguese general, caring little for anything save his own +safety, was<br> +making at once for the mountains when Patrick called upon his +battalion to<br> +face about and charge; and nobly they did it, too. Down they came +upon the<br> +advancing masses of the French, and literally hurled them back +upon the<br> +main body. The other regiments, seeing this gallant stand, +wheeled about<br> +and poured in a volley, and then, fixing bayonets, stormed a +little mount<br> +beside the hedge, which commanded the whole suburb of Villa Real. +The<br> +French, who soon recovered their order, now prepared for a second +attack,<br> +and came on in two dense columns, when Patrick, who had little +confidence<br> +in the steadiness of his people for any lengthened resistance, +resolved<br> +upon once more charging with the bayonet. The order was scarcely +given when<br> +the French were upon us, their flank defended by some of La +Houssaye's<br> +heavy dragoons. For an instant the conflict was doubtful, until +poor<br> +Patrick fell mortally wounded upon the parapet; when the men, no +longer<br> +hearing his bold cheer, nor seeing his noble figure in the +advance, turned<br> +and fled, pell-mell, back upon the town. As for me, blocked up +amidst the<br> +mass, I was cut down from the shoulder to the elbow by a young +fellow of<br> +about sixteen, who galloped about like a schoolboy on a holiday. +The wound<br> +was only dangerous from the loss of blood, and so I contrived to +reach<br> +Amacante without much difficulty; from whence, with three or four +others, I<br> +was ordered here until fit for service."</p> + +<p>"But what news from our own head-quarters?" inquired I.</p> + +<p>"All imaginable kind of rumors are afloat. Some say that +Craddock is<br> +retiring; others, that a part of the army is in motion upon +Caldas."</p> + +<p>"Then we are not going to have a very long sojourn here, after +all, eh,<br> +Major? Donna Maria de Tormes will be inconsolable. By-the-bye, +their house<br> +is just opposite us. Have you never heard Monsoon mention his +friends<br> +there?"</p> + +<p>"Come, come, Joe, how can you be so foolish?"</p> + +<p>"But, Major, my dear friend, what signifies your modesty? +There is not a<br> +man in the service does not know it, save those in the last +gazette."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, Joe, I am very angry with you."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, by Jove! I must tell it, myself; though, faith, +lads, you lose<br> +not a little for want of Monsoon's tact in the narrative."</p> + +<p>"Anything is better that trusting to such a biographer," cried +the major;<br> +"so here goes:—</p> + +<p>"When I was acting commissary-general to the Portuguese forces +some few<br> +years ago, I obtained great experience of the habits of the +people; for<br> +though naturally of an unsuspecting temperament myself, I +generally<br> +contrive to pick out the little foibles of my associates, even +upon a short<br> +acquaintance. Now, my appointment pleased me very much on this +score,—it<br> +gave me little opportunities of examining the world. 'The +greatest study of<br> +mankind is man,'—Sparks would say woman, but no matter.</p> + +<p>"Now, I soon discovered that our ancient and very excellent +allies, the<br> +Portuguese, with a beautiful climate, delicious wines, and very +delightful<br> +wives and daughters, were the most infernal rogues and scoundrels +ever met<br> +with. 'Make yourself thoroughly acquainted with the leading +features of the<br> +natives,' said old Sir Harry to me in a despatch from +head-quarters; and,<br> +faith, it was not difficult,—such open, palpable, undisguised +rascals<br> +never were heard of. I thought I knew a thing or two myself, when +I landed;<br> +but, Lord love you! I was a babe, I was an infant in swaddling +clothes,<br> +compared with them; and they humbugged me,—ay, <i>me!</i>—till +I began to<br> +suspect that I was only walking in my sleep.</p> + +<p>"'Why, Monsoon,' said the general, 'they told me you were a +sharp fellow,<br> +and yet the people here seem to work round you every day. This +will never<br> +do. You must brighten up a little or I shall be obliged to send +you back.'</p> + +<p>"'General,' said I, 'they used to call me no fool in England; +but, somehow,<br> +here—'</p> + +<p>"'I understand,' said he; 'you don't know the Portuguese; +there's but one<br> +way with them,—strike quickly, and strike home. Never give them +time for<br> +roguery,—for if they have a moment's reflection, they'll cheat +the devil<br> +himself; but when you see the plot working, come slap down and +decide the<br> +thing your own way.'</p> + +<p>"Well, now, there never was anything so true as this advice, +and for the<br> +eighteen months I acted upon it, I never knew it to fail.</p> + +<p>"'I want a thousand measures of wheat.'</p> + +<p>"'Senhor Excellenza, the crops have been miserably deficient, +and——'</p> + +<p>"'Sergeant-major,' I would say, 'these poor people have no +corn; it's a<br> +wine country,—let them make up the rations that way.'</p> + +<p>"The wheat came in that evening.</p> + +<p>"'One hundred and twenty bullocks wanted for the reserve.'</p> + +<p>"'The cattle are all up the mountains.'</p> + +<p>"'Let the alcalde catch them before night or I'll catch +<i>him</i>.'</p> + +<p>"Lord bless you! I had beef enough to feed the Peninsula. And +in this way,<br> +while the forces were eating short allowance and half rations +elsewhere,<br> +our brigade were plump as aldermen.</p> + +<p>"When we lay in Andalusia this was easy enough. What a +country, to be sure!<br> +Such vineyards, such gardens, such delicious valleys, waving with +corn and<br> +fat with olives; actually, it seemed a kind of dispensation of +Providence<br> +to make war in. There was everything you could desire; and then, +the<br> +people, like all your wealthy ones, were so timid, and so +easily<br> +frightened, you could get what you pleased out of them by a +little terror.<br> +My scouts managed this very well.</p> + +<p>"'He is coming,' they would say, 'after to-morrow.'</p> + +<p>"'<i>Madre de Dios!</i>'</p> + +<p>"'I hope he won't burn the village.'</p> + +<p>"'<i>Questos infernales Ingleses!</i> how wicked they +are.'</p> + +<p>"'You'd better try what a sack of moidores or doubloons might +do with him;<br> +he may refuse them, but make the effort.'</p> + +<p>"Ha!" said the major, with a long-drawn sigh, "those were +pleasant times;<br> +alas, that they should ever come to an end! Well, among the old +hidalgos I<br> +met there was one Don Emanuel Selvio de Tormes, an awful old +miser, rich as<br> +Croesus, and suspicious as the arch-fiend himself. Lord, how I +melted him<br> +down! I quartered two squadrons of horse and a troop of flying +artillery<br> +upon him. How the fellows did eat! Such a consumption of wines +was never<br> +heard of; and as they began to slacken a little, I took care to +replace<br> +them by fresh arrivals,—fellows from the mountains, +<i>caçadores</i> they call<br> +them. At last, my friend Don Emanuel could stand it no longer, +and he sent<br> +me a diplomatic envoy to negotiate terms, which, upon the whole, +I must<br> +say, were fair enough; and in a few days after, the +<i>caçadores</i> were<br> +withdrawn, and I took up my quarters at the château. I have +had various<br> +chances and changes in this wicked world, but I am free to +confess that I<br> +never passed a more agreeable time than the seven weeks I spent +there. Don<br> +Emanuel, when properly managed, became a very pleasant little +fellow; Donna<br> +Maria, his wife, was a sweet creature. You need not be winking +that way.<br> +Upon my life she was: rather fat, to be sure, and her age +something verging<br> +upon the fifties; but she had such eyes, black as sloes, and +luscious as<br> +ripe grapes; and she was always smiling and ogling, and looking +so sweet.<br> +Confound me, if I think she wasn't the most enchanting being in +this world,<br> +with about ten thousand pounds' worth of jewels upon her fingers +and in<br> +her ears. I have her before me at this instant, as she used to +sit in the<br> +little arbor in the garden, with a Manilla cigar in her mouth, +and a little<br> +brandy-and-water—quite weak, you know—beside her.</p> + +<p>"'Ah, General,' she used to say—she always called me +general—'what a<br> +glorious career yours is! A soldier is <i>indeed</i> a man.'</p> + +<p>"Then she would look at poor Emanuel, who used to sit in a +corner, holding<br> +his hand to his face, for hours, calculating interest and cent +per cent,<br> +till he fell asleep.</p> + +<p>"Now, he labored under a very singular malady,—not that I +ever knew it at<br> +the time,—a kind of luxation of the lower jaw, which, when it +came on,<br> +happened somehow to press upon some vital nerve or other, and +left him<br> +perfectly paralyzed till it was restored to its proper place. In +fact,<br> +during the time the agony lasted, he was like one in a trance; +for though<br> +he could see and hear, he could neither speak nor move, and +looked as if he<br> +had done with both for many a day to come.</p> + +<p>"Well, as I was saying, I knew nothing of all this till a +slight<br> +circumstance made it known to me. I was seated one evening in the +little<br> +arbor I mentioned, with Donna Maria. There was a little table +before us<br> +covered with wines and fruits, a dish of olives, some Castile +oranges, and<br> +a fresh pine. I remember it well: my eye roved over the little +dessert set<br> +out in old-fashioned, rich silver dishes, then turned towards the +lady<br> +herself, with rings and brooches, earrings and chains enough to +reward one<br> +for sacking a town; and I said to myself, 'Monsoon, Monsoon, this +is better<br> +than long marches in the Pyrenees, with a cork-tree for a +bed-curtain, and<br> +wet grass for a mattress. How pleasantly one might jog on in this +world<br> +with this little country-house for his abode, and Donna Maria for +a<br> +companion!'</p> + +<p>"I tasted the port; it was delicious. Now, I knew very little +Portuguese,<br> +but I made some effort to ask if there was much of it in the +cellar.</p> + +<p>"She smiled, and said, 'Oh, yes.'</p> + +<p>"'What a luxurious life one might lead here!' thought I; 'and +after all,<br> +perhaps Providence might remove Don Emanuel.'</p> + +<p>"I finished the bottle as I thus meditated. The next was, if +possible, more<br> +crusty.</p> + +<p>"'This is a delicious retreat,' said I, soliloquizing.</p> + +<p>"Donna Maria seemed to know what was passing in my mind, for +she smiled,<br> +too.</p> + +<p>"'Yes,' said I, in broken Portuguese, 'one ought to be very +happy here,<br> +Donna Maria.'</p> + +<p>"She blushed, and I continued:—</p> + +<p>"'What can one want for more in this life? All the charms that +rendered<br> +Paradise what it was'—I took her hand here—'and made Adam +blessed.'</p> + +<p>"'Ah, General!' said she, with a sigh, 'you are such a +flatterer.'</p> + +<p>"'Who could flatter,' said I, with enthusiasm, 'when there are +not words<br> +enough to express what he feels?' This was true, for my +Portuguese was fast<br> +failing me, 'But if I ever was happy, it is now.'</p> + +<p>"I took another pull at the port.</p> + +<p>"'If I only thought,' said I, 'that my presence here was not +thought<br> +unwelcome—'</p> + +<p>"'Fie, General,' said she, 'how could you say such a +thing?'</p> + +<p>"'If I only thought I was not hated,' said I, tremblingly.</p> + +<p>"'Oh!' said she, again.</p> + +<p>"'Despised.'</p> + +<p>"'Oh!'</p> + +<p>"'Loathed.'</p> + +<a name="0331"></a> +<img alt="0331.jpg (109K)" src="0331.jpg" height="475" width="643"> + +<p>[MAJOR MONSOON AND DONNA MARIA.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>"She pressed my hand, I kissed hers; she hurriedly snatched it +from me, and<br> +pointed towards a lime-tree near, beneath which, in the cool +enjoyment of<br> +his cigar, sat the spare and detested figure of Don Emanuel.</p> + +<p>"'Yes,' thought I, 'there he is,—the only bar to my good +fortune; were<br> +it not for him, I should not be long before I became possessor of +this<br> +excellent old château, with a most indiscretionary power +over the cellar.<br> +Don Mauricius Monsoon would speedily assume his place among the +grandees of<br> +Portugal.'</p> + +<p>"I know not how long my revery lasted, nor, indeed, how the +evening passed;<br> +but I remember well the moon was up, and a sky, bright with a +thousand<br> +stars was shining, as I sat beside the fair Donna Maria, +endeavoring, with<br> +such Portuguese as it had pleased fate to bestow on me, to +instruct her<br> +touching my warlike services and deeds of arms. The fourth bottle +of port<br> +was ebbing beneath my eloquence, as responsively her heart beat, +when I<br> +heard a slight rustle in the branches near. I looked, and, +Heavens, what a<br> +sight did I behold! There was little Don Emanuel stretched upon +the grass<br> +with his mouth wide open, his face pale as death, his arms +stretched out at<br> +either side, and his legs stiffened straight out. I ran over and +asked if<br> +he were ill, but no answer came. I lifted up an arm, but it fell +heavily<br> +upon the ground as I let it go; the leg did likewise. I touched +his nose;<br> +it was cold.</p> + +<p>"'Hollo,' thought I, 'is it so? This comes of mixing water +with your<br> +sherry. I saw where it would end.'</p> + +<p>"Now, upon my life! I felt sorry for the little fellow; but +somehow, one<br> +gets so familiarized with this sort of thing in a campaign that +one only<br> +half feels in a case like this.</p> + +<p>"'Yes,' said I, 'man is but grass; but I for one must make hay +when the sun<br> +shines. Now for the Donna Maria,'—for the poor thing was asleep +in the<br> +arbor all this while.</p> + +<p>"'Donna,' said I, shaking her by the elbow,—'Donna, don't be +shocked at<br> +what I'm going to say.'</p> + +<p>"'Ah, General,' said she, with a sigh, 'say no more; I must +not listen to<br> +you.'</p> + +<p>"'You don't know that,' said I, with a knowing look,—'you +don't know<br> +that.'</p> + +<p>"'Why, what can you mean?'</p> + +<p>"'The little fellow is done for.' For the port was working +strong now,<br> +and destroyed all my fine sensibility. 'Yes, Donna,' said I, 'you +are<br> +free,'—here I threw myself upon my knees,—'free to make me the +happiest<br> +of commissaries and the jolliest grandee of Portugal that +ever—'</p> + +<p>"'But Don Emanuel?'</p> + +<p>"'Run out, dry, empty,' inverting a finished decanter to +typify my words as<br> +I spoke.</p> + +<p>"'He is not dead?' said she, with a scream.</p> + +<p>"'Even so,' said I, with a hiccough! 'ordered for service in a +better<br> +world, where there are neither inspections nor arrears.'</p> + +<p>"Before the words were well out, she sprang from the bench and +rushed over<br> +to the spot where the little don lay. What she said or did I know +not, but<br> +the next moment he sat bolt upright on the grass, and as he held +his jaw<br> +with one hand and supported himself on the other, vented such a +torrent of<br> +abuse and insult at me, that, for want of Portuguese enough to +reply, I<br> +rejoined in English, in which I swore pretty roundly for five +minutes.<br> +Meanwhile the donna had summoned the servants, who removed Don +Emanuel to<br> +the house, where on my return I found my luggage displayed before +the door,<br> +with a civil hint to deploy in orderly time and take ground +elsewhere.</p> + +<p>"In a few days, however, his anger cooled down, and I received +a polite<br> +note from Donna Maria, that the don at length began to understand +the joke,<br> +and begged that I would return to the château, and that he +would expect me<br> +at dinner the same day."</p> + +<p>"With which, of course, you complied?"</p> + +<p>"Which of course I did. Forgive your enemies, my dear boy,—it +is only<br> +Christian-like; and really, we lived very happily ever after. The +donna was<br> +a mighty clever woman, and a dear good soul besides."</p> + +<p>It was late when the major concluded his story; so after +wishing Ferguson a<br> +good-night, we took our leave, and retired for the night to our +quarters.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXXVII</p> + +<p>LISBON.</p> + +<p>The tramp of horses' feet and the sound of voices beneath my +window roused<br> +me from a deep sleep. I sprang up and drew aside the curtain. +What a<br> +strange confusion beset me as I looked forth! Before me lay a +broad and<br> +tranquil river whose opposite shore, deeply wooded and studded +with villas<br> +and cottages, rose abruptly from the water's edge; vessels of war +lay<br> +tranquilly in the stream, their pennants trailing in the tide. +The loud<br> +boom of a morning gun rolled along the surface, awaking a hundred +echoes as<br> +it passed, and the lazy smoke rested for some minutes on the +glassy water<br> +as it blended with the thin air of the morning.</p> + +<p>"Where am I?" was my first question to myself, as I continued +to look from<br> +side to side, unable to collect my scattered senses.</p> + +<p>One word sufficed to recall me to myself, as I heard Power's +voice, from<br> +without, call out, "Charley! O'Malley, I say! Come down +here!"</p> + +<p>I hurriedly threw on my clothes and went to the door.</p> + +<p>"Well, Charley, I've been put in harness rather sooner than I +expected.<br> +Here's old Douglas has been sitting up all night writing +despatches; and<br> +I must hasten on to headquarters without a moment's delay. +There's work<br> +before us, that's certain; but when, where, and how, of that I +know<br> +nothing. You may expect the route every moment; the French are +still<br> +advancing. Meanwhile I have a couple of commissions for you to +execute.<br> +First, here's a packet for Hammersley; you are sure to meet him +with the<br> +regiment in a day or two. I have some scruples about asking you +this; but,<br> +confound it! you're too sensible a fellow to care—" Here he +hesitated;<br> +and as I colored to the eyes, for some minutes he seemed +uncertain how to<br> +proceed. At length, recovering himself, he went on: "Now for the +other.<br> +This is a most loving epistle from a poor devil of a midshipman, +written<br> +last night by a tallow candle, in the cock-pit, containing vows +of eternal<br> +adoration and a lock of hair. I promised faithfully to deliver it +myself;<br> +for the 'Thunderer' sails for Gibraltar next tide, and he cannot +go ashore<br> +for an instant. However, as Sir Arthur's billet may be of more +importance<br> +than the reefer's, I must intrust its safe keeping to your hands. +Now,<br> +then, don't look so devilish sleepy, but seem to understand what +I am<br> +saying. This is the address: 'La Senhora Inez da Silviero, Rua +Nuova,<br> +opposite the barber's.' You'll not neglect it. So now, my dear +boy, till<br> +our next meeting, <i>adios!</i>"</p> + +<p>"Stop! For Heaven's sake, not so fast, I pray! Where's the +street?"</p> + +<p>"The Rua Nuova. Remember Figaro, my boy. <i>Cinque +perruche</i>."</p> + +<p>"But what am I to do?"</p> + +<p>"To do! What a question! Anything; everything. Be a good +diplomate. Speak<br> +of the torturing agony of the lover, for which I can vouch. The +boy is only<br> +fifteen. Swear that he is to return in a month, first lieutenant +of the<br> +'Thunder Bomb,' with intentions that even Madame Dalrymple would +approve."</p> + +<p>"What nonsense," said I, blushing to the eyes.</p> + +<p>"And if that suffice not, I know of but one resource."</p> + +<p>"Which is?"</p> + +<p>"Make love to her yourself. Ay, even so. Don't look so +confoundedly<br> +vinegar; the girl, I hear, is a devilish pretty one, the house +pleasant,<br> +and I sincerely wish I could exchange duties with you, leaving +you to make<br> +your bows to his Excellency the C. O. F., and myself free to make +mine to<br> +La Senhora. And now, push along, old red cap."</p> + +<p>So saying, he made a significant cut of his whip at the +Portuguese guide,<br> +and in another moment was out of sight.</p> + +<p>My first thought was one of regret at Power's departure. For +some time past<br> +we had been inseparable companions; and notwithstanding the +reckless and<br> +wild gayety of his conduct, I had ever found him ready to assist +me in<br> +every difficulty, and that with an address and dexterity a more +calculating<br> +adviser might not have possessed. I was now utterly alone; for +though<br> +Monsoon and the adjutant were still in Lisbon, as was also +Sparks, I never<br> +could make intimates of them.</p> + +<p>I ate my breakfast with a heavy heart, my solitary position +again<br> +suggesting thoughts of home and kindred. Just at this moment my +eyes fell<br> +upon the packet destined for Hammersley; I took it up and weighed +it in<br> +my hand. "Alas!" thought I, "how much of my destiny may lie +within that<br> +envelope! How fatally may my after-life be influenced by it!" It +felt heavy<br> +as though there was something besides letters. True, too true; +there was<br> +a picture, Lucy's portrait! The cold drops of perspiration stood +upon<br> +my forehead as my fingers traced the outline of a miniature-case +in the<br> +parcel. I became deadly weak, and sank, half-fainting, upon a +chair. And<br> +such is the end of my first dream of happiness! How have I duped, +how<br> +have I deceived myself! For, alas, though Lucy had never +responded to my<br> +proffered vows of affection, yet had I ever nurtured in my heart +a secret<br> +hope that I was not altogether uncared for. Every look she had +given me,<br> +every word she had spoken, the tone of her voice, her step, her +every<br> +gesture, were before me, all confirming my delusion, and yet,—I +could bear<br> +no more, and burst into tears.</p> + +<p>The loud call of a cavalry trumpet aroused me.</p> + +<p>How long I had passed in this state of despondency I knew not; +but it was<br> +long past noon when I rallied myself. My charger was already +awaiting me;<br> +and a second blast of the trumpet told that the inspection in the +Plaza was<br> +about to commence.</p> + +<p>As I continued to dress, I gradually rallied from my +depressing thoughts;<br> +and ere I belted my sabretasche, the current of my ideas had +turned from<br> +their train of sadness to one of hardihood and daring. Lucy +Dashwood had<br> +treated me like a wilful schoolboy. Mayhap, I may prove myself as +gallant a<br> +soldier as even him she has preferred before me.</p> + +<p>A third sound of the trumpet cut short my reflections, and I +sprang into<br> +the saddle, and hastened towards the Plaza. As I dashed along the +streets,<br> +my horse, maddened with the impulse that stirred my own heart, +curvetted<br> +and plunged unceasingly. As I reached the Plaza, the crowd became +dense,<br> +and I was obliged to pull up. The sound of the music, the parade, +the tramp<br> +of the infantry, and the neighing of the horses, were, however, +too much<br> +for my mettlesome steed, and he became nearly unmanageable; he +plunged<br> +fearfully, and twice reared as though he would have fallen back. +As I<br> +scattered the foot passengers right and left with terror, my eye +fell upon<br> +one lovely girl, who, tearing herself from her companion, rushed +wildly<br> +towards an open doorway for shelter; suddenly, however, changing +her<br> +intention, she came forward a few paces, and then, as if overcome +by fear,<br> +stood stock-still, her hands clasped upon her bosom, her eyes +upturned, her<br> +features deadly pale, while her knees seemed bending beneath her. +Never did<br> +I behold a more beautiful object. Her dark hair had fallen loose +upon her<br> +shoulder, and she stood the very <i>idéal</i> of the +"Madonna Supplicating."<br> +My glance was short as a lightning flash; for the same instant my +horse<br> +swerved, and dashed forward right at the place where she was +standing. One<br> +terrific cry rose from the crowd, who saw her danger. Beside her +stood a<br> +muleteer who had drawn up his mule and cart close beside the +footway for<br> +safety; she made one effort to reach it, but her outstretched +arms alone<br> +moved, and paralyzed by terror, she sank motionless upon the +pavement.<br> +There was but one course open to me now; so collecting myself for +the<br> +effort, I threw my horse upon his haunches, and then, dashing the +spurs<br> +into his flanks, breasted him at the mule cart. With one spring +he rose,<br> +and cleared it at a bound, while the very air rang with the +acclamations<br> +of the multitude, and a thousand bravos saluted me as I alighted +upon the<br> +opposite side.</p> + +<p>"Well done, O'Malley!" sang out the little adjutant, as I flew +past and<br> +pulled up in the middle of the Plaza.</p> + +<p>"Something devilish like Galway in that leap," said a very +musical voice<br> +beside me; and at the same instant a tall, soldier-like man, in +an undress<br> +dragoon frock, touched his cap, and said, "A 14th man, I +perceive, sir. May<br> +I introduce myself? Major O'Shaughnessy."</p> + +<p>I bowed, and shook the major's proffered hand, while he +continued,—</p> + +<p>"Old Monsoon mentioned your name to us this morning. You came +out together,<br> +if I mistake not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but somehow, I've missed the major since my +landing."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you'll see him presently; he'll be on parade. By-the-bye, +he wishes<br> +particularly to meet you. We dine to-day at the 'Quai de Soderi,' +and if<br> +you're not engaged—Yes, this is the person," said he, turning at +the<br> +moment towards a servant, who, with a card in his hand, seemed to +search<br> +for some one in the crowd.</p> + +<p>The man approached, and handed it to me.</p> + +<p>"What can this mean?" said I. "Don Emanuel de Blacas y +Silviero, Rua<br> +Nuova."</p> + +<p>"Why, that's the great Portuguese contractor, the intendant of +half the<br> +army, the richest fellow in Lisbon. Have you known him long?"</p> + +<p>"Never heard of him till now."</p> + +<p>"By Jove, you're in luck! No man gives such dinners; he has +such a cellar!<br> +I'll wager a fifty it was his daughter you took in the flying +leap a while<br> +ago. I hear she is a beautiful creature."</p> + +<p>"Yes," thought I, "that must be it; and yet, strange enough, I +think the<br> +name and address are familiar to me."</p> + +<p>"Ten to one, you've heard Monsoon speak of him; he's most +intimate there.<br> +But here comes the major."</p> + +<p>And as he spoke, the illustrious commissary came forward +holding a vast<br> +bundle of papers in one hand, and his snuff-box in the other, +followed by a<br> +long string of clerks, contractors, assistant-surgeons, +paymasters, etc.,<br> +all eagerly pressing forward to be heard.</p> + +<p>"It's quite impossible; I can't do it to-day. Victualling and +physicking<br> +are very good things, but must be done in season. I have been up +all<br> +night at the accounts,—haven't I, O'Malley?" here he winked at +me most<br> +significantly; "and then I have the forage and stoppage fund to +look<br> +through ['we dine at six, sharp,' said he, <i>sotto voce</i>], +which will leave<br> +me without one minute unoccupied for the next twenty-four hours. +Look to<br> +your toggery this evening; I've something in my eye for you, +O'Malley."</p> + +<p>"Officers unattached to their several corps will fall into the +middle of<br> +the Plaza," said a deep voice among the crowd; and in obedience +to the<br> +order I rode forward and placed myself with a number of others, +apparently<br> +newly joined, in the open square. A short, gray-haired old +colonel, with a<br> +dark, eagle look, proceeded to inspect us, reading from a paper +as he came<br> +along,—</p> + +<p>"Mr. Hepton, 6th Foot; commission bearing date 11th January; +drilled,<br> +proceed to Ovar, and join his regiment.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Gronow, Fusilier Guards, remains with the depot.</p> + +<p>"Captain Mortimer, 1st Dragoons, appointed aide-de-camp to the +general<br> +commanding the cavalry brigade.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Sparks,—where is Mr. Sparks? Mr. Sparks absent from +parade; make a<br> +note of it.</p> + +<p>"Mr. O'Malley, 14th Light Dragoons. Mr. O'Malley,—oh, I +remember! I have<br> +received a letter from Sir George Dashwood concerning you. You +will hold<br> +yourself in readiness to march. Your friends desire that before +you may<br> +obtain any staff appointment, you should have the opportunity of +seeing<br> +some service. Am I to understand such is your wish?"</p> + +<p>"Most certainly."</p> + +<p>"May I have the pleasure of your company at dinner +to-day?"</p> + +<p>"I regret that I have already accepted an invitation to dine +with Major<br> +Monsoon."</p> + +<p>"With Major Monsoon? Ah, indeed! Perhaps it might be as well I +should<br> +mention,—but no matter. I wish you good-morning."</p> + +<p>So saying, the little colonel rode off, leaving me to suppose +that my<br> +dinner engagement had not raised me in his estimation, though +why, I could<br> +not exactly determine.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</p> + +<p>THE RUA NUOVA.</p> + +<p>Our dinner was a long and uninteresting one, and as I found +that the major<br> +was likely to prefer his seat as chairman of the party to the +seductions<br> +of ladies' society, I took the first opportunity of escaping and +left the<br> +room.</p> + +<p>It was a rich moonlight night as I found myself in the street. +My way,<br> +which led along the banks of the Tagus, was almost as light as in +daytime,<br> +and crowded with walking parties, who sauntered carelessly along +in the<br> +enjoyment of the cool, refreshing night-air. On inquiring, I +discovered<br> +that the Rua Nuova was at the extremity of the city; but as the +road led<br> +along by the river I did not regret the distance, but walked on +with<br> +increasing pleasure at the charms of so heavenly a climate and +country.</p> + +<p>After three quarters of an hour's walk, the streets became by +degrees less<br> +and less crowded. A solitary party passed me now and then; the +buzz of<br> +distant voices succeeded to the gay laughter and merry tones of +the passing<br> +groups, and at length my own footsteps alone awoke the echoes +along the<br> +deserted pathway. I stopped every now and then to gaze upon the +tranquil<br> +river, whose eddies were circling in the pale silver of the +moonlight. I<br> +listened with attentive ear as the night breeze wafted to me the +far-off<br> +sounds of a guitar, and the deep tones of some lover's serenade; +while<br> +again the tender warbling of the nightingale came borne across +the stream<br> +on a wind rich with the odor of the orange-tree.</p> + +<p>As thus I lingered on my way the time stole on, and it was +near midnight<br> +ere I had roused myself from the revery surrounding objects had +thrown<br> +about me. I stopped suddenly, and for some minutes I struggled +with<br> +myself to discover if I was really awake. As I walked along, lost +in my<br> +reflections, I had entered a little garden beside the river. +Fragrant<br> +plants and lovely flowers bloomed on every side; the orange, the +camelia,<br> +the cactus, and the rich laurel of Portugal were blending their +green and<br> +golden hues around me, while the very air was filled with +delicious music.<br> +"Was it a dream? Could such ecstasy be real?" I asked myself, as +the rich<br> +notes swelled upwards in their strength, and sank in soft cadence +to tones<br> +of melting harmony; now bursting forth in the full force of +gladness,<br> +the voices blended together in one stream of mellow music, and +suddenly<br> +ceasing, the soft but thrilling shake of a female voice rose upon +the air,<br> +and in its plaintive beauty stirred the very heart. The proud +tramp of<br> +martial music succeeded to the low wailing cry of agony; then +came the<br> +crash of battle, the clang of steel; the thunder of the fight +rolled on in<br> +all its majesty, increasing in its maddening excitement till it +ended in<br> +one loud shout of victory.</p> + +<p>All was still; not a breath moved, not a leaf stirred, and +again was I<br> +relapsing into my dreamy scepticism, when again the notes swelled +upwards<br> +in concert. But now their accents were changed, and in low, +subdued tones,<br> +faintly and slowly uttered, the prayer of thanksgiving rose to +Heaven and<br> +spoke their gratefulness. I almost fell upon my knees, and +already the<br> +tears filled my eyes as I drank in the sounds. My heart was full +to<br> +bursting, and even now as I write it my pulse throbs as I +remember the hymn<br> +of the Abencerrages.</p> + +<p>When I rallied from my trance of excited pleasure, my first +thought was,<br> +where was I, and how came I there? Before I could resolve my +doubts upon<br> +the question, my attention was turned in another direction, for +close<br> +beside me the branches moved forward, and a pair of arms were +thrown around<br> +my neck, while a delicious voice cried out in an accent of +childish,<br> +delight, "<i>Trovado!</i>" At the same instant a lovely head sank +upon my<br> +shoulder, covering it with tresses of long brown hair. The arms +pressed me<br> +still more closely, till I felt her very heart beating against my +side.</p> + +<p>"<i>Mio fradre</i>," said a soft, trembling voice, as her +fingers played in my<br> +hair and patted my temples.</p> + +<p>What a situation mine! I well knew that some mistaken identity +had been the<br> +cause, but still I could not repress my inclination to return the +embrace,<br> +as I pressed my lips upon the fair forehead that leaned upon my +bosom; at<br> +the same moment she threw back her head, as if to look me more +fully in the<br> +face. One glance sufficed; blushing deeply over her cheeks and +neck, she<br> +sprang from my arms, and uttering a faint cry, staggered against +a tree.<br> +In an instant I saw it was the lovely girl I had met in the +morning; and<br> +without losing a second I poured out apologies for my intrusion +with all<br> +the eloquence I was master of, till she suddenly interrupted me +by asking<br> +if I spoke French. Scarcely had I recommenced my excuses in that +language,<br> +when a third party appeared upon the stage. This was a short, +elderly man,<br> +in a green uniform, with several decorations upon his breast, and +a cocked<br> +hat with a most flowing plume in his right hand.</p> + +<p>"May I beg to know whom I have the honor of receiving?" +inquired he, in<br> +very excellent English, as he advanced with a look of very +ceremonious and<br> +distant politeness.</p> + +<p>I immediately explained that, presuming upon the card which +his servant had<br> +presented me, I had resolved on paying my respects when a mistake +had led<br> +me accidentally into his garden.</p> + +<p>My apologies had not come to an end when he folded me in his +arms and<br> +overwhelmed me with thanks, at the same time saying a few words +in<br> +Portuguese to his daughter. She stooped down, and taking my hand +gently<br> +within her own, touched it with her lips.</p> + +<p>This piece of touching courtesy,—which I afterwards found +meant little or<br> +nothing,—affected me deeply at the time, and I felt the blood +rush to my<br> +face and forehead, half in pride, half in a sense of shame. My +confusion<br> +was, however, of short duration; for taking my arm, the old +gentleman led<br> +me along a few paces, and turning round a small clump of olives, +entered a<br> +little summer-house. Here a considerable party were assembled, +which for<br> +their picturesque effect could scarcely have been better managed +on the<br> +stage.</p> + +<p>Beneath the mild lustre of a large lamp of stained glass, half +hid in the<br> +overhanging boughs, was spread a table covered with vessels of +gold and<br> +silver plate of gorgeous richness; drinking cups and goblets of +antique<br> +pattern shone among cups of Sèvres china or Venetian +glass; delicious<br> +fruit, looking a thousand times more tempting for being contained +in<br> +baskets of silver foliage, peeped from amidst a profusion of +fresh flowers,<br> +whose odor was continually shed around by a slight <i>jet +d'eau</i> that played<br> +among the leaves. Around upon the grass, seated upon cushions or +reclining<br> +on Genoa carpets, were several beautiful girls in most becoming +costumes,<br> +their dark locks and darker eyes speaking of "the soft South," +while their<br> +expressive gestures and animated looks betokened a race whose +temperament<br> +is glowing as their clime. There were several men also, the +greater number<br> +of whom appeared in uniform,—bronzed, soldier-like fellows, who +had<br> +the jaunty air and easy carriage of their calling,—among whom +was one<br> +Englishman, or at least so I guessed from his wearing the uniform +of a<br> +heavy dragoon regiment.</p> + +<p>"This is my daughter's <i>fête</i>," said Don Emanuel, +as he ushered me into the<br> +assembly,—"her birthday; a sad day it might have been for us had +it not<br> +been for your courage and forethought." So saying, he commenced a +recital<br> +of my adventure to the bystanders, who overwhelmed me with civil +speeches<br> +and a shower of soft looks that completed the fascination of the +fairy<br> +scene. Meanwhile the fair Inez had made room for me beside her, +and I found<br> +myself at once the lion of the party, each vying with her +neighbor<br> +who should show me most attention, La Senhora herself directing +her<br> +conversation exclusively to me,—a circumstance which, +considering the<br> +awkwardness of our first meeting, I felt no small surprise at, +and which<br> +led me, somewhat maliciously I confess, to make a half allusion +to it,<br> +feeling some interest in ascertaining for whom the flattering +reception was<br> +really intended.</p> + +<p>"I thought you were Charles," said she, blushing, in answer to +my question.</p> + +<p>"And you are right," said I; "I am Charles."</p> + +<p>"Nay, but I meant <i>my</i> Charles."</p> + +<p>There was something of touching softness in the tone of these +few words<br> +that made me half wish I were <i>her</i> Charles. Whether my look +evinced as<br> +much or not, I cannot tell, but she speedily added,—</p> + +<p>"He is my brother; he is a captain in the caçadores, +and I expected him<br> +here this evening. Some one saw a fi'gure pass the gate and +conceal himself<br> +in the trees, and I was sure it was he."</p> + +<p>"What a disappointment!" said I.</p> + +<p>"Yes; was it not?" said she, hurriedly; and then, as if +remembering how<br> +ungracious was the speech, she blushed more deeply and hung down +her head.</p> + +<p>Just at this moment, as I looked up, I caught the eye of the +English<br> +officer fixed steadfastly upon me. He was a tall, fine-looking +fellow, of<br> +about two or three and thirty, with marked and handsome features, +which,<br> +however, conveyed an expression of something sneering and +sinister that<br> +struck me the moment I saw him. His glass was fixed in his eye, +and I<br> +perceived that he regarded us both with a look of no common +interest. My<br> +attention did not, however, dwell long upon the circumstance, for +Don<br> +Emanuel, coming behind my shoulder, asked me if I would not take +out his<br> +daughter in the bolero they were just forming.</p> + +<p>To my shame I was obliged to confess that I had not even seen +the dance;<br> +and while I continued to express my resolve to correct the errors +of my<br> +education, the Englishman came up and asked the senhora to be his +partner.<br> +This put the very keystone upon my annoyance, and I half turned +angrily<br> +away from the spot, when I heard her decline his invitation, and +avow her<br> +determination not to dance.</p> + +<p>There was something which pleased me so much at this refusal, +that I could<br> +not help turning upon her a look of most grateful acknowledgment; +but as I<br> +did so, I once more encountered the gaze of the Englishman, whose +knitted<br> +brows and compressed lips were bent upon me in a manner there was +no<br> +mistaking. This was neither the fitting time nor place to seek +any<br> +explanation of the circumstance, so, wisely resolving to wait a +better<br> +occasion, I turned away and resumed my attentions towards my +fair<br> +companion.</p> + +<p>"Then you don't care for the bolero?" said I, as she reseated +herself upon<br> +the grass.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I delight in it!" said she, enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"But you refused to dance?"</p> + +<p>She hesitated, blushed, tried to mutter something, and was +silent.</p> + +<p>"I had determined to learn it," said I, half jestingly; "but +if you will<br> +not dance with me—"</p> + +<p>"Yes; that I will,—indeed I will."</p> + +<p>"But you declined my countryman. Is it because he is +inexpert?"</p> + +<p>The senhora hesitated, looked confused for some minutes; at +length,<br> +coloring slightly, she said: "I have already made one rude speech +to you<br> +this evening; I fear lest I should make a second. Tell me, is +Captain<br> +Trevyllian your friend?"</p> + +<p>"If you mean that gentleman yonder, I never saw him +before."</p> + +<p>"Nor heard of him?"</p> + +<p>"Nor that either. We are total strangers to each other."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I may confess it. I do not like him. My father +prefers him<br> +to any one else, invites him here daily, and, in fact, instals +him as his<br> +first favorite. But still, I cannot like him; and yet I have done +my best<br> +to do so."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" said I, pointedly. "What are his chief demerits? Is +he not<br> +agreeable? Is he not clever?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, on the contrary, most agreeable, fascinating, I should +say, in<br> +conversation; has travelled, seen a great deal of the world, is +very<br> +accomplished, and has distinguished himself on several occasions. +He wears,<br> +as you see, a Portuguese order."</p> + +<p>"And with all that—"</p> + +<p>"And with all that, I cannot bear him. He is a duellist, a +notorious<br> +duellist. My brother, too, knows more of him, and avoids him. But +let us<br> +not speak further. I see his eyes are again fixed on us; and +somehow, I<br> +fear him, without well knowing wherefore."</p> + +<p>A movement among the party, shawls and mantillas were sought +for on all<br> +sides; and the preparations for leave-taking appeared general. +Before,<br> +however, I had time to express my thanks for my hospitable +reception, the<br> +guests had assembled in a circle around the senhora, and toasting +her with<br> +a parting bumper, they commenced in concert a little Portuguese +song of<br> +farewell, each verse concluding with a good-night, which, as they +separated<br> +and held their way homewards, might now and then be heard rising +upon the<br> +breeze and wafting their last thoughts back to her. The +concluding verse,<br> +which struck me much, I have essayed to translate. It ran somehow +thus:—</p> + +<p> "The morning breezes chill<br> + Now close our joyous scene,<br> + And yet we linger still,<br> + Where we've so happy been.<br> + How blest were it to live<br> + With hearts like ours so light,<br> + And only part to give<br> + One long and last good-night!<br> + Good-night!"</p> + +<p>With many an invitation to renew my visit, most kindly +preferred by Don<br> +Emanuel and warmly seconded by his daughter, I, too, wished my +good-night<br> +and turned my steps homeward.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXXIX</p> + +<p>THE VILLA.</p> + +<p>The first object which presented itself to my eye the next +morning was the<br> +midshipman's packet intrusted to my care by Power. I turned it +over to read<br> +the address more carefully, and what was my surprise to find that +the name<br> +was that of my fair friend Donna Inez.</p> + +<p>"This certainly thickens the plot," thought I. "And so I have +now fallen<br> +upon the real Simon Pure, and the reefer has had the good fortune +to<br> +distance the dragoon. Well, thus far, I cannot say that I regret +it. Now,<br> +however, for the parade, and then for the villa."</p> + +<p>"I say, O'Malley," cried out Monsoon, as I appeared on the +Plaza, "I have<br> +accepted an invitation for you to-day. We dine across the river. +Be at my<br> +quarters a little before six, and we'll go together."</p> + +<p>I should rather have declined the invitation; but not well +knowing why, and<br> +having no ready excuse, acceded, and promised to be punctual.</p> + +<p>"You were at Don Emanuel's last night. I heard of you!"</p> + +<p>"Yes; I spent a most delightful evening."</p> + +<p>"That's your ground, my boy. A million of moidores, and such a +campagna in<br> +Valencia. A better thing than the Dalrymple affair. Don't blush. +I know it<br> +all. But stay; here they come."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, the general commanding, with a numerous staff, +rode forward.<br> +As they passed, I recognized a face which I had certainly seen +before, and<br> +in a moment remembered it was that of the dragoon of the evening +before. He<br> +passed quite close, and fixing his eyes steadfastly on me, +evinced no sign<br> +of recognition.</p> + +<p>The parade lasted above two hours; and it was with a feeling +of impatience<br> +I mounted a fresh horse to canter out to the villa. When I +arrived, the<br> +servant informed me that Don Emanuel was in the city, but that +the senhora<br> +was in the garden, offering, at the same time, to escort me. +Declining this<br> +honor, I intrusted my horse to his keeping and took my way +towards the<br> +arbor where last I had seen her.</p> + +<p>I had not walked many paces, when the sound of a guitar struck +on my ear. I<br> +listened. It was the senhora's voice. She was singing a Venetian +canzonetta<br> +in a low, soft, warbling tone, as one lost in a revery; as though +the music<br> +was a mere accompaniment to some pleasant thought. I peeped +through the<br> +dense leaves, and there she sat upon a low garden seat, an open +book on the<br> +rustic table before her, beside her, embroidery, which seemed +only lately<br> +abandoned. As I looked, she placed her guitar upon the ground and +began to<br> +play with a small spaniel that seemed to have waited with +impatience for<br> +some testimony of favor. A moment more, and she grew weary of +this; then,<br> +heaving a long but gentle sigh, leaned back upon her chair and +seemed lost<br> +in thought. I now had ample time to regard her, and certainly +never beheld<br> +anything more lovely. There was a character of classic beauty, +and her<br> +brow, though fair and ample, was still strongly marked upon the +temples;<br> +the eyes, being deep and squarely set, imparted a look of +intensity to her<br> +features which their own softness subdued; while the short upper +lip,<br> +which trembled with every passing thought, spoke of a nature +tender and<br> +impressionable, and yet impassioned. Her foot and ankle peeped +from beneath<br> +her dark robe, and certainly nothing could be more faultless; +while her<br> +hand, fair as marble, blue-veined and dimpled, played amidst the +long<br> +tresses of her hair, that, as if in the wantonness of beauty, +fell<br> +carelessly upon her shoulders.</p> + +<p>It was some time before I could tear myself away from the +fascination of so<br> +much beauty, and it needed no common effort to leave the spot. As +I made a<br> +short <i>détour</i> in the garden before approaching the +arbor, she saw me as I<br> +came forward, and kissing her hand gayly, made room for me beside +her.</p> + +<p>"I have been fortunate in finding you alone, Senhora," said I, +as I seated<br> +myself by her side, "for I am the bearer of a letter to you. How +far it<br> +may interest you, I know not, but to the writer's feelings I am +bound to<br> +testify."</p> + +<p>"A letter to me? You jest, surely?"</p> + +<p>"That I am in earnest, this will show," said I, producing the +packet.</p> + +<p>She took it from my hands, turned it about and about, examined +the seal;<br> +while, half doubtingly, she said:—</p> + +<p>"The name is mine; but still—"</p> + +<p>"You fear to open it; is it not so? But after all, you need +not be<br> +surprised if it's from Howard; that's his name, I think."</p> + +<p>"Howard! from little Howard!" exclaimed she, enthusiastically; +and tearing<br> +open the letter, she pressed it to her lips, her eyes sparkling +with<br> +pleasure and her cheek glowing as she read. I watched her as she +ran<br> +rapidly over the lines; and I confess that, more than once, a +pang of<br> +discontent shot through my heart that the midshipman's letter +could call up<br> +such interest,—not that I was in love with her myself, but yet, +I know<br> +not how it was, I had fancied her affections unengaged; and +without asking<br> +myself wherefore, I wished as much.</p> + +<p>"Poor dear boy!" said she, as she came to the end. How these +few and simple<br> +words sank into my heart, as I remembered how they had once been +uttered to<br> +myself, and in perhaps no very dissimilar circumstances.</p> + +<p>"But where is the souvenir he speaks of?" said she.</p> + +<p>"The souvenir. I'm not aware—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I hope you've not lost the lock of hair he sent me!" I +was quite<br> +dumfounded at this, and could not remember whether I had received +it from<br> +Power or not, so answered, at random,—</p> + +<p>"Yes; I must have left it on my table."</p> + +<p>"Promise me, then, to bring it to-morrow with you?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly," said I, with something of pique in my manner. "If +I find such<br> +a means of making my visit an agreeable one, I shall certainly +not omit<br> +it."</p> + +<p>"You are quite right," said she, either not noticing or not +caring for the<br> +tone of my reply. "You will, indeed, be a welcome messenger. Do +you know,<br> +he was one of my lovers?"</p> + +<p>"One of them, indeed! Then pray how many do you number at this +moment?"</p> + +<p>"What a question; as if I could possibly count them! Besides, +there are<br> +so many absent,—some on leave, some deserters, perhaps,—that I +might be<br> +reckoning among my troops, but who, possibly, form part of the +forces of<br> +the enemy. Do you know little Howard?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot say that we are personally acquainted, but I am +enabled through<br> +the medium of a friend to say that his sentiments are not strange +to<br> +me. Besides, I have really pledged myself to support the prayer +of his<br> +petition."</p> + +<p>"How very good of you! For which reason you've forgotten, if +not lost, the<br> +lock of hair."</p> + +<p>"That you shall have to-morrow," said I, pressing my hand +solemnly to my<br> +heart.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, don't forget it. But hush; here comes Captain +Trevyllian. So<br> +you say Lisbon really pleases you?" said she, in a tone of voice +totally<br> +changed, as the dragoon of the preceding evening approached.</p> + +<p>"Mr. O'Malley, Captain Trevyllian."</p> + +<p>We bowed stiffly and haughtily to each other, as two men +salute who are<br> +unavoidably obliged to bow, with every wish on either side to +avoid<br> +acquaintance. So, at least, I construed his bow; so I certainly +intended my<br> +own.</p> + +<p>It requires no common tact to give conversation the appearance +of<br> +unconstraint and ease when it is evident that each person +opposite is<br> +laboring under excited feelings; so that, notwithstanding the +senhora's<br> +efforts to engage our attention by the commonplaces of the day, +we remained<br> +almost silent, and after a few observations of no interest, took +our<br> +several leaves. Here again a new source of awkwardness arose; for +as we<br> +walked together towards the house, where our horses stood, +neither party<br> +seemed disposed to speak.</p> + +<p>"You are probably returning to Lisbon?" said he, coldly.</p> + +<p>I assented by a bow; upon which, drawing his bridle within his +arm, he<br> +bowed once more, and turned away in an opposite direction; while +I, glad to<br> +be relieved of an unsought-for companionship, returned alone to +the town.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XL</p> + +<p>THE DINNER.</p> + +<p>It was with no peculiar pleasure that I dressed for our dinner +party. Major<br> +O'Shaughnessy, our host, was one of that class of my countrymen I +cared<br> +least for,—a riotous, good-natured, noisy, loud-swearing, +punch-drinking<br> +western; full of stories of impossible fox hunts, and +unimaginable duels,<br> +which all were acted either by himself or some member of his +family. The<br> +company consisted of the adjutant, Monsoon, Ferguson, Trevyllian, +and some<br> +eight or ten officers with whom I was acquainted. As is usual on +such<br> +occasions, the wine circulated freely, and amidst the din and +clamor of<br> +excited conversation, the fumes of Burgundy, and the vapor of +cigar smoke,<br> +we most of us became speedily mystified. As for me, my evil +destiny would<br> +have it that I was placed exactly opposite Trevyllian, with whom +upon more<br> +than one occasion I happened to differ in opinion, and the +question was in<br> +itself some trivial and unimportant one; yet the tone which he +assumed, and<br> +of which, I too could not divest myself in reply, boded anything +rather<br> +than an amicable feeling between us. The noise and turmoil about +prevented<br> +the others remarking the circumstance; but I could perceive in +his manner<br> +what I deemed a studied determination to promote a quarrel, while +I felt<br> +within myself a most unchristian-like desire to indulge his +fancy.</p> + +<p>"Worse fellows at passing the bottle than Trevyllian and +O'Malley there I<br> +have rarely sojourned with," cried the major; "look if they +haven't got<br> +eight decanters between them, and here we are in a state of +African<br> +thirst."</p> + +<p>"How can you expect him to think of thirst when such perfumed +billets<br> +as that come showering upon him?" said the adjutant, alluding to +a<br> +rose-colored epistle a servant had placed within my hands.</p> + +<p>"Eight miles of a stone-wall country in fifteen +minutes,—devil a lie in<br> +it!" said O'Shaughnessy, striking the table with, his clinched +fist; "show<br> +me the man would deny it."</p> + +<p>"Why, my dear fellow—"</p> + +<p>"Don't be dearing me. Is it 'no' you'll be saying me?"</p> + +<p>"Listen, now; there's O'Reilly, there—"</p> + +<p>"Where is he?"</p> + +<p>"He's under the table."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's the same thing. His mother had a fox—bad luck to +you, don't<br> +scald me with the jug—his mother had a fox-cover in +Shinrohan."</p> + +<p>When O'Shaughnessy had got thus far in his narrative, I had +the opportunity<br> +of opening my note, which merely contained the following words: +"Come to<br> +the ball at the Casino, and bring the Cadeau you promised."</p> + +<p>I had scarcely read this over once, when a roar of laughter at +something<br> +said attracted my attention. I looked up, and perceived +Trevyllian's eyes<br> +bent upon me with the fierceness of a tiger; the veins in his +forehead were<br> +swollen and distorted, and the whole expression of his face +betokened rage<br> +and passion. Resolved no longer to submit to such evident +determination to<br> +insult, I was rising from my place at table, when, as if +anticipating<br> +my intention, he pushed back his chair and left the room. Fearful +of<br> +attracting attention by immediately following him, I affected to +join in<br> +the conversation around me, while my temples throbbed, and my +hands tingled<br> +with impatience to get away.</p> + +<p>"Poor McManus," said O'Shaughnessy, "rest his soul! he'd have +puzzled the<br> +bench of bishops for hard words. Upon my conscience, I believe he +spent his<br> +mornings looking for them in the Old Testament. Sure ye might +have heard<br> +what happened to him at Banagher, when he commanded the +Kilkennys,—ye<br> +never heard the story? Well, then, ye shall. Push the sherry +along first,<br> +though,—old Monsoon there always keeps it lingering beside his +left arm.</p> + +<p>"Well, when Peter was lieutenant-colonel of the +Kilkennys,—who, I may<br> +remark, <i>en passant</i>, as the French say, were the +neediest-looking devils<br> +in the whole service,—he never let them alone from morning till +night,<br> +drilling and pipe-claying and polishing them up. 'Nothing will +make<br> +soldiers of you,' said Peter, 'but, by the rock of Cashel! I'll +keep you<br> +as clean as a new musket!' Now, poor Peter himself was not a very +warlike<br> +figure,—he measured five feet one in his tallest boots; but +certainly if<br> +Nature denied him length of stature, she compensated for it in +another<br> +way, by giving him a taste of the longest words in the language. +An extra<br> +syllable or so in a word was always a strong recommendation; and +whenever<br> +he could not find one to his mind, he'd take some quaint, +outlandish one<br> +that more than once led to very awkward results. Well, the +regiment was one<br> +day drawn up for parade in the town of Banagher, and as M'Manus +came<br> +down the lines he stopped opposite one of the men whose face, +hands, and<br> +accoutrements exhibited a most woeful contempt of his orders. The +fellow<br> +looked more like a turf-stack than a light-company man.</p> + +<p>"'Stand out, sir!' cried M'Manus, in a boiling passion. +'Sergeant O'Toole,<br> +inspect this individual.' Now, the sergeant was rather a favorite +with Mac;<br> +for he always pretended to understand his phraseology, and in +consequence<br> +was pronounced by the colonel a very superior man for his station +in life.<br> +'Sergeant,' said he, 'we shall make an exemplary illustration of +our system<br> +here.'</p> + +<p>"'Yes, sir,' said the sergeant, sorely puzzled at the meaning +of what he<br> +spoke.</p> + +<p>"'Bear him to the Shannon, and lave him there.' This he said +in a kind<br> +of Coriolanus tone, with a toss of his head and a wave of his +right<br> +arm,—signs, whenever he made them, incontestibly showing that +further<br> +parley was out of the question, and that he had summed up and +charged the<br> +jury for good and all.</p> + +<p>"'<i>Lave</i> him in the river?' said O'Toole, his eyes +starting from the<br> +sockets, and his whole face working in strong anxiety; 'is it +<i>lave</i> him in<br> +the river yer honor means?'</p> + +<p>"'I have spoken,' said the little man, bending an ominous +frown upon the<br> +sergeant, which, whatever construction he may have put upon his +words,<br> +there was no mistaking.</p> + +<p>"'Well, well, av it's God's will he's drowned, it will not be +on my head,'<br> +says O'Toole, as he marched the fellow away between two rank and +file.</p> + +<p>"The parade was nearly over, when Mac happened to see the +sergeant coming<br> +up all splashed with water and looking quite tired.</p> + +<p>"'Have you obeyed my orders?' said he.</p> + +<p>"'Yes, yer honor; and tough work we had of it, for he +struggled hard.'</p> + +<p>"'And where is he now?'</p> + +<p>"'Oh, troth, he's there safe. Divil a fear he'll get out.'</p> + +<p>"'Where?' said Mac.</p> + +<p>"'In the river, yer honor.'</p> + +<p>"'What have you done, you scoundrel?'</p> + +<p>"'Didn't I do as you bid me?' says he; 'didn't I throw him in +and <i>lave</i><br> +[leave] him there?'</p> + +<p>"And faith so they did; and if he wasn't a good swimmer and +got over to<br> +Moystown, there's little doubt but he'd have been drowned, and +all because<br> +Peter McManus could not express himself like a Christian."</p> + +<p>In the laughter which followed O'Shaughnessy's story I took +the opportunity<br> +of making my escape from the party, and succeeded in gaining the +street<br> +unobserved. Though the note I had just read was not signed, I had +no doubt<br> +from whom it came; so I hastened at once to my quarters, to make +search for<br> +the lock of Ned Howard's hair to which the senhora alluded. What +was my<br> +mortification, however, to discover that no such thing could be +found<br> +anywhere. I searched all my drawers; I tossed about my papers and +letters;<br> +I hunted every likely, every unlikely spot I could think of, but +in<br> +vain,—now cursing my carelessness for having lost it, now +swearing most<br> +solemnly to myself that I never could have received it. What was +to be<br> +done? It was already late; my only thought was how to replace it. +If I only<br> +knew the color, any other lock of hair would, doubtless, do just +as well.<br> +The chances were, as Howard was young and an Englishman, that his +hair was<br> +light; light-brown, probably, something like my own. Of course it +was; why<br> +didn't that thought occur to me before? How stupid I was. So +saying, I<br> +seized a pair of scissors, and cut a long lock beside my temple; +this in a<br> +calm moment I might have hesitated about. "Yes," thought I, +"she'll<br> +never discover the cheat; and besides, I do feel,—I know not +exactly<br> +why,—rather gratified to think that I shall have left this +<i>souvenir</i><br> +behind me, even though it call up other recollections than of +me." So<br> +thinking, I wrapped my cloak about me and hastened towards the +Casino.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XLI.</p> + +<p>THE ROUTE.</p> + +<p>I had scarcely gone a hundred yards from my quarters when a +great tramp of<br> +horses' feet attracted my attention. I stopped to listen, and +soon heard<br> +the jingle of dragoon accoutrements, as the noise came near. The +night was<br> +dark but perfectly still; and before I stood many minutes I heard +the tones<br> +of a voice which I well knew could belong to but one, and that +Fred Power.</p> + +<p>"Fred Power!" said I, shouting at the same time at the top of +my<br> +voice,—"Power!"</p> + +<p>"Ah, Charley, is that you? Come along to the +adjutant-general's quarters.<br> +I'm charged with some important despatches, and can't stop till +I've<br> +delivered them. Come along, I've glorious news for you!" So +saying, he<br> +dashed spurs to his horse, and followed by two mounted dragoons, +galloped<br> +past. Power's few and hurried words had so excited my curiosity +that I<br> +turned at once to follow him, questioning myself, as I walked +along,<br> +to what he could possibly allude. He knew of my attachment to +Lucy<br> +Dashwood,—could he mean anything of her? But what could I expect +there;<br> +by what flattery could I picture to myself any chance of success +in that<br> +quarter; and yet, what other news could I care for or value than +what bore<br> +upon her fate upon whom my own depended? Thus ruminating, I +reached the<br> +door of the spacious building in which the adjutant-general had +taken up<br> +his abode, and soon found myself among a crowd of persons whom +the rumor of<br> +some important event had assembled there, though no one could +tell what had<br> +occurred. Before many minutes the door opened, and Power came +out; bowing<br> +hurriedly to a few, and whispering a word or two as he passed +down the<br> +steps, he seized me by the arm and led me across the street. +"Charley,"<br> +said he, "the curtain's rising; the piece is about to begin; a +new<br> +commander-in-chief is sent out,—Sir Arthur Wellesley, my boy, +the finest<br> +fellow in England is to lead us on, and we march to-morrow. +There's news<br> +for you!" A raw boy, unread, uninformed as I was, I knew but +little of his<br> +career whose name had even then shed such lustre upon our army; +but the<br> +buoyant tone of Power as he spoke, the kindling energy of his +voice roused<br> +me, and I felt every inch a soldier. As I grasped his hand in +delightful<br> +enthusiasm I lost all memory of my disappointment, and in the +beating throb<br> +that shook my head; I felt how deeply slept the ardor of military +glory<br> +that first led me from my home to see a battle-field.</p> + +<p>"There goes the news!" said Frederick, pointing as he spoke to +a rocket<br> +that shot up into the sky, and as it broke into ten thousand +stars,<br> +illuminated the broad stream where the ships of war lay darkly +resting. In<br> +another moment the whole air shone with similar fires, while the +deep roll<br> +of the drum sounded along the silent streets, and the city so +lately sunk<br> +in sleep became, as if by magic, thronged with crowds of people; +the<br> +sharp clang of the cavalry trumpet blended with the gay carol of +the<br> +light-infantry bugle, and the heavy tramp of the march was heard +in the<br> +distance. All was excitement, all bustle; but in the joyous tone +of every<br> +voice was spoken the longing anxiety to meet the enemy. The gay, +reckless<br> +tone of an Irish song would occasionally reach us, as some +Connaught Ranger<br> +or some 78th man passed, his knapsack on his back; or the low +monotonous<br> +pibroch of the Highlander, swelling into a war-cry, as some +kilted corps<br> +drew up their ranks together. We turned to regain our quarters, +when at<br> +the corner of a street we came suddenly upon a merry party seated +around a<br> +table before a little inn; a large street lamp, unhung for the +occasion,<br> +had been placed in the midst of them, and showed us the figures +of several<br> +soldiers in undress; at the end, and raised a little above his +compeers,<br> +sat one whom, by the unfair proportion he assumed of the +conversation, not<br> +less than by the musical intonation of his voice, I soon +recognized as my<br> +man, Mickey Free.</p> + +<p>"I'll be hanged if that's not your fellow there, Charley," +said Power, as<br> +he came to a dead stop a few yards off. "What an impertinent +varlet he is;<br> +only to think of him there, presiding among a set of fellows that +have<br> +fought all the battles in the Peninsular war. At this moment I'll +be hanged<br> +if he is not going to sing."</p> + +<p>Here a tremendous thumping upon the table announced the fact, +and after a<br> +few preliminary observations from Mike, illustrative of his +respect to the<br> +service in which he had so often distinguished himself, he began, +to<br> +the air of the "Young May Moon," a ditty of which I only +recollect the<br> +following verses:—</p> + +<p> "The pickets are fast retreating, boys,<br> + The last tattoo is beating, boys,<br> + So let every man<br> + Finish his can,<br> + And drink to our next merry meeting, boys.</p> + +<p> The colonel so gayly prancing, boys,<br> + Has a wonderful trick of advancing, boys,<br> + When he sings out so large,<br> + 'Fix bayonets and charge!'<br> + He sets all the Frenchmen a-dancing, boys.</p> + +<p> Let Mounseer look ever so big, my boys,<br> + Who cares for fighting a fig, my boys?<br> + When we play 'Garryowen,'<br> + He'd rather go home;<br> + For somehow, he's no taste for a jig, my boys."</p> + +<p>This admirable lyric seemed to have perfect success, if one +were only to<br> +judge from the thundering of voices, hands, and drinking vessels +which<br> +followed; while a venerable, gray-haired sergeant rose to propose +Mr.<br> +Free's health, and speedy promotion to him.</p> + +<p>We stood for several minutes in admiration of the party, when +the loud roll<br> +of the drums beating to arms awakened us to the thought that our +moments<br> +were numbered.</p> + +<p>"Good-night, Charley!" said Power, as he shook my hand warmly, +"good-night!<br> +It will be your last night under a curtain for some months to +come; make<br> +the most of it. Adieu!"</p> + +<p>So saying, we parted; he to his quarters, and I to all the +confusion of my<br> +baggage, which lay in most admired disorder about my room.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XLII.</p> + +<p>THE FAREWELL.</p> + +<p>The preparations for the march occupied me till near morning; +and, indeed,<br> +had I been disposed to sleep, the din and clamor of the world +without would<br> +have totally prevented it. Before daybreak the advanced guard was +already<br> +in motion, and some squadrons of heavy cavalry had begun their +march.</p> + +<p>I looked around my now dismantled room as one does usually for +the last<br> +time ere leaving, and bethought me if I had not forgotten +anything.<br> +Apparently all was remembered; but stay,—what is this? To be +sure, how<br> +forgetful I had become! It was the packet I destined for Donna +Inez, and<br> +which, in the confusion of the night before, I had omitted to +bring to the<br> +Casino.</p> + +<p>I immediately despatched Mike to the commissary with my +luggage and orders<br> +to ascertain when we were expected to march. He soon returned +with the<br> +intelligence that our corps was not to move before noon, so that +I had yet<br> +some hours to spare and make my adieux to the senhora.</p> + +<p>I cannot exactly explain the reason, but I certainly did +bestow a more than<br> +common attention upon my toilet that morning. The senhora was +nothing to<br> +me. It is true she had, as she lately most candidly informed me, +a score of<br> +admirers, among whom I was not even reckoned; she was evidently a +coquette<br> +whose greatest pleasure was to sport and amuse herself with the +passions<br> +she excited in others. And even if she were not,—if her heart +were to be<br> +won to-morrow,—what claim, what right, had I to seek it? My +affections<br> +were already pledged; promised, it is true, to one who gave +nothing in<br> +return, and who, perhaps, even loved another. Ah, there was the +rub; that<br> +one confounded suspicion, lurking in the rear, chilled my courage +and<br> +wounded my spirit.</p> + +<p>If there be anything more disheartening to an Irishman, in his +little<br> +<i>affaires de coeur</i>, than another, it is the sense of +rivalry. The<br> +obstinacy of fathers, the ill-will of mothers, the coldness, +the<br> +indifference of the lovely object herself,—obstacles though they +be,—he<br> +has tact, spirit, and perseverance to overcome them. But when a +more<br> +successful candidate for the fair presents himself; when the eye +that<br> +remains downcast at <i>his</i> suit, lights up with animation at +<i>another's</i><br> +coming; when the features whose cold and chilling apathy to him +have<br> +blended in one smile of welcome to another,—it is all up with +him; he sees<br> +the game lost, and throws his cards upon the table. And yet, why +is this?<br> +Why is it that he whose birthright it would seem to be sanguine +when others<br> +despond, to be confident when all else are hopeless,—should find +his<br> +courage fail him here? The reason is simply—But, in good sooth, +I am<br> +ashamed to confess it!</p> + +<p>Having jogged on so far with my reader, in all the sober +seriousness which<br> +the matter-of-fact material of these memoirs demands, I fear lest +a seeming<br> +paradox may cause me to lose my good name for veracity; and that +while<br> +merely maintaining a national trait of my country, I may appear +to be<br> +asserting some unheard-of and absurd proposition,—so far have +mere vulgar<br> +prejudices gone to sap our character as a people.</p> + +<p>The reason, then, is this,—for I have gone too far to +retreat,—the<br> +Irishman is essentially bashful. Well, laugh if you wish, for I +conclude<br> +that, by this time, you have given way to a most immoderate +excess of<br> +risibility; but still, when you have perfectly recovered your +composure, I<br> +beg to repeat,—the Irishman is essentially a bashful man!</p> + +<p>Do not for a moment fancy that I would by this imply that in +any new or<br> +unexpected situation, that from any unforeseen conjuncture of +events, the<br> +Irishman would feel confused or abashed, more than any +other,—far from it.<br> +The cold and habitual reserve of the Englishman, the studied +caution of the<br> +North Tweeder himself, would exhibit far stronger evidences of +awkwardness<br> +in such circumstances as these. But on the other hand, when +measuring his<br> +capacity, his means of success, his probabilities of being +preferred, with<br> +those of the natives of any other country, I back the Irishman +against the<br> +world for distrust of his own powers, for an under-estimate of +his real<br> +merits,—in one word, for his bashfulness. But let us return to +Donna Inez.</p> + +<p>As I rode up to the villa, I found the family assembled at +breakfast.<br> +Several officers were also present, among whom I was not sorry to +recognize<br> +my friend Monsoon.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Charley!" cried he, as I seated myself beside him, "what +a pity all<br> +our fun is so soon to have an end! Here's this confounded Soult +won't be<br> +quiet and peaceable; but he must march upon Oporto, and Heaven +knows where<br> +besides, just as we were really beginning to enjoy life! I had +got such a<br> +contract for blankets! And now they've ordered me to join +Beresford's corps<br> +in the mountains; and you," here he dropped his voice,—"and you +were<br> +getting on so devilish well in this quarter; upon my life, I +think<br> +you'd have carried the day. Old Don Emanuel—you know he's a +friend of<br> +mine—likes you very much. And then, there's Sparks—"</p> + +<p>"Ay, Major, what of him? I have not seen him for some +days."</p> + +<p>"Why, they've been frightening the poor devil out of his +life,<br> +O'Shaughnessy and a set of them. They tried him by court-martial +yesterday,<br> +and sentenced him to mount guard with a wooden sword and a +shooting jacket,<br> +which he did. Old Colbourne, it seems, saw him; and faith, there +would be<br> +the devil to pay if the route had not come! Some of them would +certainly<br> +have got a long leave to see their friends."</p> + +<p>"Why is not the senhora here, Major? I don't see her at +table."</p> + +<p>"A cold, a sore throat, a wet-feet affair of last night, I +believe. Pass<br> +that cold pie down here. Sherry, if you please. You didn't see +Power<br> +to-day?"</p> + +<p>"No: we parted late last night; I have not been to bed."</p> + +<p>"Very bad preparation for a march; take some burned brandy in +your coffee."</p> + +<p>"Then you don't think the senhora will appear?"</p> + +<p>"Very unlikely. But stay, you know her room,—the small +drawing-room that<br> +looks out upon the flower-garden; she usually passes the morning +there.<br> +Leap the little wooden paling round the corner, and the chances +are ten to<br> +one you find her."</p> + +<p>I saw from the occupied air of Don Antonio that there was +little fear of<br> +interruption on his part; so taking an early moment to escape +unobserved, I<br> +rose and left the room. When I sprang over the oak fence, I found +myself in<br> +a delicious little garden, where roses, grown to a height never +seen in our<br> +colder climate, formed a deep bower of rich blossom.</p> + +<p>The major was right. The senhora was in the room, and in one +moment I was<br> +beside her.</p> + +<p>"Nothing but my fears of not bidding you farewell could +palliate my thus<br> +intruding, Donna Inez; but as we are ordered away—"</p> + +<p>"When? Not so soon, surely?"</p> + +<p>"Even so; to-day, this very hour. But you see that even in the +hurry of<br> +departure, I have not forgotten my trust; this is the packet I +promised<br> +you."</p> + +<p>So saying, I placed the paper with the lock of hair within her +hand, and<br> +bending downwards, pressed my lips upon her taper fingers. She +hurriedly<br> +snatched her hand away, and tearing open the enclosure, took out +the lock.<br> +She looked steadily for a moment at it, then at me, and again at +it, and at<br> +length, bursting into a fit of laughing, threw herself upon a +chair in a<br> +very ecstasy of mirth.</p> + +<p>"Why, you don't mean to impose this auburn ringlet upon me for +one of poor<br> +Howard's jetty curls? What downright folly to think of it! And +then, with<br> +how little taste the deception was practised,—upon your very +temples, too!<br> +One comfort is, you are utterly spoiled by it."</p> + +<p>Here she again relapsed into a fit of laughter, leaving me +perfectly<br> +puzzled what to think of her, as she resumed:—</p> + +<p>"Well, tell me now, am I to reckon this as a pledge of your +own allegiance,<br> +or am I still to believe it to be Edward Howard's? Speak, and +truly."</p> + +<p>"Of my own, most certainly," said I, "if it will be +accepted."</p> + +<p>"Why, after such treachery, perhaps it ought not; but still, +as you have<br> +already done yourself such injury, and look so very silly, +withal—"</p> + +<p>"That you are even resolved to give me cause to look more so," +added I.</p> + +<p>"Exactly," said she, "for here, now, I reinstate you among my +true and<br> +faithful admirers. Kneel down, Sir Knight—in token of which you +will wear<br> +this scarf—"</p> + +<p>A sudden start which the donna gave at these words brought me +to my feet.<br> +She was pale as death and trembling.</p> + +<p>"What means this?" said I. "What has happened?"</p> + +<p>She pointed with her finger towards the garden; but though her +lips moved,<br> +no voice came forth. I sprang through the open window; I rushed +into the<br> +copse, the only one which might afford concealment for a figure, +but no one<br> +was there. After a few minutes' vain endeavor to discover any +trace of an<br> +intruder, I returned to the chamber. The donna was there still, +but how<br> +changed; her gayety and animation were gone, her pale cheek and +trembling<br> +lip bespoke fear and suffering, and her cold hand lay heavily +beside her.</p> + +<p>"I thought—perhaps it was merely fancy—but I thought I saw +Trevyllian<br> +beside the window."</p> + +<p>"Impossible!" said I. "I have searched every walk and alley. +It was nothing<br> +but imagination,—believe me, no more. There, be assured; think +no more of<br> +it."</p> + +<p>While I endeavored thus to reassure her, I was very far from +feeling<br> +perfectly at ease myself; the whole bearing and conduct of this +man<br> +had inspired me with a growing dislike of him, and I felt +already<br> +half-convinced that he had established himself as a spy upon my +actions.</p> + +<p>"Then you really believe I was mistaken?" said the donna, as +she placed her<br> +hand within mine.</p> + +<p>"Of course I do; but speak no more of it. You must not forget +how few my<br> +moments are here. Already I have heard the tramp of horses +without. Ah!<br> +there they are. In a moment more I shall be missed; so, once +more, fairest<br> +Inez—Nay, I beg pardon if I have dared to call you thus; but +think, if it<br> +be the first it may also be the last time I shall ever speak +it."</p> + +<p>Her head gently drooped, as I said these words, till it sank +upon my<br> +shoulder, her long and heavy hair falling upon my neck and across +my bosom.<br> +I felt her heart almost beat against my side; I muttered some +words, I know<br> +not what; I felt them like a prayer; I pressed her cold forehead +to my<br> +lips, rushed from the room, cleared the fence at a spring, and +was far<br> +upon the road to Lisbon ere I could sufficiently collect my +senses to know<br> +whither I was going. Of little else was I conscious; my mind was +full to<br> +bursting; and in the confusion of my excited brain, fiction and +reality<br> +were so inextricably mingled as to defy every endeavor at +discrimination.<br> +But little time had I for reflection. As I reached the city, the +brigade to<br> +which I was attached was already under arms, and Mike impatiently +waiting<br> +my arrival with the horses.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XXLIII.</p> + +<p>THE MARCH.</p> + +<p>What a strange spectacle did the road to Oliveira present upon +the morning<br> +of the 7th of May! A hurried or incautious observer might, at +first sight,<br> +have pronounced the long line of troops which wended their way +through<br> +the valley as the remains of a broken and routed army, had not +the ardent<br> +expression and bright eye that beamed on every side assured him +that men<br> +who looked thus could not be beaten ones. Horse, foot, baggage, +artillery,<br> +dismounted dragoons, even the pale and scarcely recovered +inhabitants of<br> +the hospital, might have been seen hurrying on; for the order, +"Forward!"<br> +had been given at Lisbon, and those whose wounds did not permit +their<br> +joining, were more pitied for their loss than its cause. More +than one<br> +officer was seen at the head of his troop with an arm in a sling, +or a<br> +bandaged forehead; while among the men similar evidences of +devotion<br> +were not unfrequent. As for me, long years and many reverses have +not<br> +obliterated, scarcely blunted, the impression that sight made on +me. The<br> +splendid spectacle of a review had often excited and delighted +me, but<br> +here there was the glorious reality of war,—the bronzed faces, +the worn<br> +uniforms, the well-tattered flags, the roll of the heavy guns +mingling with<br> +the wild pibroch of the Highlander, or scarcely less wild +recklessness of<br> +the Irish quick-step; while the long line of cavalry, their +helmets and<br> +accoutrements shining in the morning sun, brought back one's +boyish dreams<br> +of joust and tournament, and made the heart beat high with +chivalrous<br> +enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said I, half aloud, "this is indeed a realization of +what I longed<br> +and thirsted for," the clang of the music and the tramp of the +cavalry<br> +responding to my throbbing pulses as we moved along.</p> + +<p>"Close up, there; trot!" cried out a deep and manly voice; and +immediately<br> +a general officer rode by, followed by an aide-de-camp.</p> + +<p>"There goes Cotton," said Power. "You may feel easy in your +mind now,<br> +Charley; there's some work before us."</p> + +<p>"You have not heard our destination?" said I.</p> + +<p>"Nothing is known for certain yet. The report goes, that Soult +is advancing<br> +upon Oporto; and the chances are, Sir Arthur intends to hasten on +to its<br> +relief. Our fellows are at Ovar, with General Murray."</p> + +<p>"I say, Charley, old Monsoon is in a devil of a flurry. He +expected to have<br> +been peaceably settled down in Lisbon for the next six months, +and he has<br> +received orders to set out for Beresford's headquarters +immediately; and<br> +from what I hear, they have no idle time."</p> + +<p>"Well, Sparks, how goes it, man? Better fun this than the +cook's galley,<br> +eh?"</p> + +<p>"Why, do you know, these hurried movements put me out +confoundedly. I found<br> +Lisbon very interesting,—the little I could see of it last +night."</p> + +<p>"Ah, my dear fellow, think of the lovely Andalusian lasses +with their brown<br> +transparent skins and liquid eyes. Why, you'd have been over head +and ears<br> +in love in twenty-four hours more, had we stayed."</p> + +<p>"Are they really so pretty?"</p> + +<p>"Pretty! downright lovely, man. Why, they have a way of +looking at you,<br> +over their fans,—just one glance, short and fleeting, but so +melting,<br> +by Jove—Then their walk,—if it be not profane to call that +springing,<br> +elastic gesture by such a name,—why, it's regular witchcraft. +Sparks, my<br> +man, I tremble for you. Do you know, by-the-bye, that same pace +of theirs<br> +is a devilish hard thing to learn. I never could come it; and +yet, somehow,<br> +I was formerly rather a crack fellow at a ballet. Old Alberto +used to<br> +select me for a <i>pas de zéphyr</i> among a host; but +there's a kind of a hop<br> +and a slide and a spring,—in fact you must have been wearing +petticoats<br> +for eighteen years, and have an Andalusian instep and an +india-rubber sole<br> +to your foot, or it's no use trying it. How I used to make them +laugh at<br> +the old San Josef convent, formerly, by my efforts in the +cause!"</p> + +<p>"Why, how did it ever occur to you to practise it?"</p> + +<p>"Many a man's legs have saved his head, Charley, and I put it +to mine to do<br> +a similar office for me."</p> + +<p>"True; but I never heard of a man that performed a <i>pas +seul</i> before the<br> +enemy."</p> + +<p>"Not exactly; but still you're not very wide of the mark. If +you'll only<br> +wait till we reach Pontalegue, I'll tell you the story; not that +it's worth<br> +the delay, but talking at this brisk pace I don't admire."</p> + +<p>"You leave a detachment here, Captain Power," said an +aide-de-camp, riding<br> +hastily up; "and General Cotton requests you will send a +subaltern and<br> +two sergeants forward towards Berar to reconnoitre the pass. +Franchesca's<br> +cavalry are reported in that quarter." So speaking, he dashed +spurs to his<br> +horse, and was out of sight in an instant.</p> + +<p>Power, at the same moment, wheeled to the rear, from which he +returned in<br> +an instant, accompanied by three well-mounted light dragoons. +"Sparks,"<br> +said he, "now for an occasion of distinguishing yourself. You +heard the<br> +order, lose no time; and as your horse is an able one, and fresh, +lose not<br> +a second, but forward."</p> + +<p>No sooner was Sparks despatched on what it was evident he felt +to be<br> +anything but a pleasant duty, than I turned towards Power, and +said, with<br> +some tinge of disappointment in the tone, "Well, if you really +felt there<br> +was anything worth doing there, I flattered myself that—"</p> + +<p>"Speak out man. That I should have sent you, eh? Is it not +so?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, you've hit it."</p> + +<p>"Well, Charley, my peace is easily made on this head. Why, I +selected<br> +Sparks simply to spare you one of the most unpleasant duties that +can be<br> +imposed upon a man; a duty which, let him discharge it to the +uttermost,<br> +will never be acknowledged, and the slightest failure in which +will be<br> +remembered for many a day against him, besides the pleasant and +very<br> +probable prospect of being selected as a bull's eye for a French +rifle, or<br> +carried off a prisoner; eh, Charley? There's no glory in that, +devil a ray<br> +of it! Come, come, old fellow, Fred Power's not the man to keep +his friend<br> +out of the <i>mêlée</i>, if only anything can be +made by being in it. Poor<br> +Sparks, I'd swear, is as little satisfied with the arrangement as +yourself,<br> +if one knew but all."</p> + +<p>"I say, Power," said a tall, dashing-looking man of about +five-and-forty,<br> +with a Portuguese order on his breast,—"I say, Power, dine with +us at the<br> +halt."</p> + +<p>"With pleasure, if I may bring my young friend here."</p> + +<p>"Of course; pray introduce us."</p> + +<p>"Major Hixley, Mr. O'Malley,—a 14th man, Hixley."</p> + +<p>"Delighted to make your acquaintance, Mr. O'Malley. Knew a +famous fellow in<br> +Ireland of your name, a certain Godfrey O'Malley, member for some +county or<br> +other."</p> + +<p>"My uncle," said I, blushing deeply, with a pleasurable +feeling at even<br> +this slight praise of my oldest friend.</p> + +<p>"Your uncle! give me your hand. By Jove, his nephew has a +right to good<br> +treatment at my hands; he saved my life in the year '98. And how +is old<br> +Godfrey?"</p> + +<p>"Quite well, when I left him some months ago; a little gout, +now and then."</p> + +<p>"To be sure he has, no man deserves it better; but it's a +gentlemanlike<br> +gout that merely jogs his memory in the morning of the good wine +he has<br> +drank over night. By-the-bye, what became of a friend of his, a +devilish<br> +eccentric fellow who held a command in the Austrian service?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Considine, the count?"</p> + +<p>"The same."</p> + +<p>"As eccentric as ever; I left him on a visit with my uncle. +And Boyle,—did<br> +you know Sir Harry Boyle?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure I did; shall I ever forget him, and his capital +blunders, that<br> +kept me laughing the whole time I spent in Ireland? I was in the +house when<br> +he concluded a panegyric upon a friend, by calling him, 'the +father to the<br> +poor, and uncle to Lord Donoughmore'"</p> + +<p>"He was the only man who could render by a bull what it was +impossible to<br> +convey more correctly," said Power.</p> + +<p>"You've heard of his duel with Dick Toler?"</p> + +<p>"Never; let's hear it."</p> + +<p>"It was a bull from beginning to end. Boyle took it into his +head that Dick<br> +was a person with whom he had a serious row in Cork. Dick, on the +other<br> +hand, mistook Boyle for old Caples, whom he had been pursuing +with<br> +horse-whipping intentions for some months. They met in Kildare +Street Club,<br> +and very little colloquy satisfied them that they were right in +their<br> +conjectures, each party being so eagerly ready to meet the views +of the<br> +other. It never was a difficult matter to find a friend in +Dublin; and to<br> +do them justice, Irish seconds, generally speaking, are perfectly +free from<br> +any imputation upon the score of mere delay. No men have less +impertinent<br> +curiosity as to the cause of the quarrel; wisely supposing that +the<br> +principals know their own affairs best, they cautiously abstain +from<br> +indulging any prying spirit, but proceed to discharge their +functions as<br> +best they may. Accordingly, Sir Harry and Dick were 'set up,' as +the phrase<br> +is, at twelve paces, and to use Boyle's own words, for I have +heard him<br> +relate the story,—</p> + +<p>"We blazed away, sir, for three rounds. I put two in his hat +and one in his<br> +neckcloth; his shots went all through the skirt of my coat.</p> + +<p>"'We'll spend the day here,' says Considine, 'at this rate. +Couldn't you<br> +put them closer?'</p> + +<p>"'And give us a little more time in the word,' says I.</p> + +<p>"'Exactly,' said Dick.</p> + +<p>"Well, they moved us forward two paces, and set to loading the +pistols<br> +again.</p> + +<p>"By this time we were so near that we had full opportunity to +scan each<br> +other's faces. Well, sir, I stared at him, and he at me.</p> + +<p>"'What!' said I.</p> + +<p>"'Eh!' said he.</p> + +<p>"'How's this?' said I.</p> + +<p>"'You're not Billy Caples?' said he.</p> + +<p>"'Devil a bit!' said I, 'nor I don't think you are Archy +Devine;' and<br> +faith, sir, so it appeared, we were fighting away all the morning +for<br> +nothing; for, somehow, it turned out <i>it was neither of +us!</i>"</p> + +<p>What amused me most in this anecdote was the hearing it at +such a time and<br> +place. That poor Sir Harry's eccentricities should turn up for +discussion<br> +on a march in Portugal was singular enough; but after all, life +is full of<br> +such incongruous accidents. I remember once supping with King +Calzoo on the<br> +Blue Mountains, in Jamaica. By way of entertaining his guests, +some English<br> +officers, he ordered one of his suite to sing. We were of course +pleased at<br> +the opportunity of hearing an Indian war-chant, with a skull and +thigh-bone<br> +accompaniment; but what was our astonishment to hear the +Indian,—a<br> +ferocious-looking dog, with an awful scalp-lock, and two streaks +of red<br> +paint across his chest,—clear his voice well for a few seconds, +and<br> +then begin, without discomposing a muscle of his gravity, "The +Laird of<br> +Cockpen!" I need not say that the "Great Raccoon" was a Dumfries +man who<br> +had quitted Scotland forty years before, and with characteristic +prosperity<br> +had attained his present rank in a foreign service.</p> + +<p>"Halt! halt!" cried a deep-toned, manly voice in the leading +column, and<br> +the word was repeated from mouth to mouth to the rear.</p> + +<p>We dismounted, and picketing our horses beneath the +broad-leaved foliage<br> +of the cork-trees, stretched ourselves out at full length upon +the grass,<br> +while our messmen prepared the dinner. Our party at first +consisted of<br> +Hixley, Power, the adjutant, and myself; but our number was soon +increased<br> +by three officers of the 6th Foot, about to join their +regiment.</p> + +<p>"Barring the ladies, God bless them!" said Power, "there are +no such<br> +picnics as campaigning presents. The charms of scenery are +greatly enhanced<br> +by their coming unexpectedly on you. Your chance good fortune in +the prog<br> +has an interest that no ham-and-cold-chicken affair, prepared by +your<br> +servants beforehand, and got ready with a degree of fuss and +worry that<br> +converts the whole party into an assembly of cooks, can ever +afford; and<br> +lastly, the excitement that this same life of ours is never +without, gives<br> +a zest—"</p> + +<p>"There you've hit it," cried Hixley; "it's that same feeling +of uncertainty<br> +that those who meet now may ever do so again, full as it is of +sorrowful<br> +reflection, that still teaches us, as we become inured to war, to +economize<br> +our pleasures, and be happy when we may. Your health, O'Malley, +and your<br> +uncle Godfrey's too."</p> + +<p>"A little more of the pastry."</p> + +<p>"What a capital guinea fowl this is!"</p> + +<p>"That's some of old Monsoon's particular port."</p> + +<p>"Pass it round here. Really this is pleasant."</p> + +<p>"My blessing on the man who left that vista yonder! See what a +glorious<br> +valley stretches out there, undulating in its richness; and look +at those<br> +dark trees, where just one streak of soft sunlight is kissing +their tops,<br> +giving them one chaste good-night—"</p> + +<p>"Well done, Power!"</p> + +<p>"Confound you, you've pulled me short, and I was about +becoming downright<br> +pastoral. Apropos of kissing, I understand Sir Arthur won't allow +the<br> +convents to be occupied by troops."</p> + +<p>"And apropos of convents," said I, "let's hear your story; you +promised it<br> +a while ago."</p> + +<p>"My dear Charley, it's far too early in the evening for a +story. I should<br> +rather indulge my poetic fancies here, under the shade of +melancholy<br> +boughs; and besides, I am not half screwed up yet."</p> + +<p>"Come, Adjutant, let's have a song."</p> + +<p>"I'll sing you a Portuguese serenade when the next bottle +comes in. What<br> +capital port! Have you much of it?"</p> + +<p>"Only three dozen. We got it late last night; forged an order +from the<br> +commanding officer and sent it up to old Monsoon,—'for hospital +use.' He<br> +gave it with a tear in his eye, saying, as the sergeant marched +away,<br> +'Only think of such wine for fellows that may be in the next +world before<br> +morning! It's a downright sin!'"</p> + +<p>"I say, Power, there's something going on there."</p> + +<p>At this instant the trumpet sounded "boot and saddle," and +like one man the<br> +whole mass rose up, when the scene, late so tranquil, became one +of excited<br> +bustle and confusion. An aide-de-camp galloped past towards the +river,<br> +followed by two orderly sergeants; and the next moment Sparks +rode up, his<br> +whole equipment giving evidence of a hurried ride, while his +cheek was<br> +deadly pale and haggard.</p> + +<p>Power presented to him a goblet of sherry, which, having +emptied at a<br> +draught, he drew a long breath, and said, "They are +coming,—coming in<br> +force!"</p> + +<p>"Who are coming?" said Power. "Take time, man, and collect +yourself."</p> + +<p>"The French! I saw them a devilish deal closer than I liked. +They wounded<br> +one of the orderlies and took the other prisoner."</p> + +<p>"Forward!" said a hoarse voice in the front. "March! trot!" +And before we<br> +could obtain any further information from Sparks, whose faculties +seemed to<br> +have received a terrific shock, we were once more in the saddle, +and moving<br> +at a brisk pace onward.</p> + +<p>Sparks had barely time to tell us that a large body of French +cavalry<br> +occupied the pass of Berar, when he was sent for by General +Cotton to<br> +finish his report.</p> + +<p>"How frightened the fellow is!" said Hixley.</p> + +<p>"I don't think the worse of poor Sparks for all that," said +Power. "He saw<br> +those fellows for the first time, and no bird's-eye view of them +either."</p> + +<p>"Then we are in for a skirmish, at least," said I.</p> + +<p>"It would appear not, from that," said Hixley, pointing to the +head of the<br> +column, which, leaving the high road upon the left, entered the +forest by a<br> +deep cleft that opened upon a valley traversed by a broad +river.</p> + +<p>"That looks very like taking up a position, though," said +Power.</p> + +<p>"Look,—look down yonder!" cried Hixley, pointing to a dip in +the plain<br> +beside the river. "Is there not a cavalry picket there?"</p> + +<p>"Right, by Jove! I say, Fitzroy," said Power to an +aide-de-camp as he<br> +passed, "what's going on?"</p> + +<p>"Soult has carried Oporto," cried he, "and Franchesca's +cavalry have<br> +escaped."</p> + +<p>"And who are these fellows in the valley?"</p> + +<p>"Our own people coming up."</p> + +<p>In less than half an hour's brisk trotting we reached the +stream, the banks<br> +of which were occupied by two cavalry regiments advancing to the +main army;<br> +and what was my delight to find that one of them was our own +corps, the<br> +14th Light Dragoons!</p> + +<p>"Hurra!" cried Power, waving his cap as he came up. "How are +you,<br> +Sedgewick? Baker, my hearty, how goes it? How is Hampton and the +colonel?"</p> + +<p>In an instant we were surrounded by our brother officers, who +all shook me<br> +cordially by the hand, and welcomed me to the regiment with most +gratifying<br> +warmth.</p> + +<p>"One of us," said Power, with a knowing look, as he introduced +me; and the<br> +freemasonry of these few words secured me a hearty greeting.</p> + +<p>"Halt! halt! Dismount!" sounded again from front to rear; and +in a few<br> +minutes we were once more stretched upon the grass, beneath the +deep<br> +and mellow moonlight, while the bright stream ran placidly beside +us,<br> +reflecting on its calm surface the varied groups as they lounged +or sat<br> +around the blazing fires of the bivouac.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XLIV.</p> + +<p>THE BIVOUAC.</p> + +<p>When I contrasted the gay and lively tone of the conversation +which ran on<br> +around our bivouac fire, with the dry monotony and prosaic +tediousness of<br> +my first military dinner at Cork, I felt how much the spirit and +adventure<br> +of a soldier's life can impart of chivalrous enthusiasm to even +the dullest<br> +and least susceptible. I saw even many who under common +circumstances,<br> +would have possessed no interest nor excited any curiosity, but +now,<br> +connected as they were with the great events occurring around +them,<br> +absolutely became heroes; and it was with a strange, wild +throbbing of<br> +excitement I listened to the details of movements and marches, +whose<br> +objects I knew not, but in which the magical words, Corunna, +Vimeira,<br> +were mixed up, and gave to the circumstances an interest of the +highest<br> +character. How proud, too, I felt to be the companion-in-arms of +such<br> +fellows! Here they sat, the tried and proved soldiers of a +hundred fights,<br> +treating me as their brother and their equal. Who need wonder if +I felt<br> +a sense of excited pleasure? Had I needed such a stimulant, that +night<br> +beneath the cork-trees had been enough to arouse a passion for +the army in<br> +my heart, and an irrepressible determination to seek for a +soldier's glory.</p> + +<p>"Fourteenth!" called out a voice from the wood behind; and in +a moment<br> +after, the aide-de-camp appeared with a mounted orderly.</p> + +<p>"Colonel Merivale?" said he, touching his cap to the stalwart, +soldier-like<br> +figure before him.</p> + +<p>The colonel bowed.</p> + +<p>"Sir Stapleton Cotton desires me to request that at an early +hour to-morrow<br> +you will occupy the pass, and cover the march of the troops. It +is his<br> +wish that all the reinforcements should arrive at Oporto by noon. +I need<br> +scarcely add that we expect to be engaged with the enemy."</p> + +<p>These few words were spoken hurriedly, and again saluting our +party, he<br> +turned his horse's head and continued his way towards the +rear.</p> + +<p>"There's news for you, Charley," said Power, slapping me on +the shoulder.<br> +"Lucy Dashwood or Westminster Abbey!"</p> + +<p>"The regiment was never in finer condition, that's certain," +said the<br> +colonel, "and most eager for a brush with the enemy."</p> + +<p>"How your old friend, the count, would have liked this work!" +said Hixley.<br> +"Gallant fellow he was."</p> + +<p>"Come," cried Power, "here's a fresh bowl coming. Let's drink +the ladies,<br> +wherever they be; we most of us have some soft spot on that +score."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the adjutant, singing,—</p> + +<p> "Here's to the maiden of blushing fifteen;<br> + Here's to the damsel that's merry;<br> + Here's to the flaunting extravagant quean—"</p> + +<p>"And," sang Power, interrupting,—</p> + +<p> "Here's to the 'Widow of Derry.'"</p> + +<p>"Come, come, Fred, no more quizzing on that score. It's the +only thing ever<br> +gives me a distaste to the service,—the souvenir of that +adventure. When<br> +I reflect what I might have been, and think what I am; when I +contrast a<br> +Brussels carpet with wet grass, silk hangings with a canvas tent, +Sneyd's<br> +claret with ration brandy, and Sir Arthur for a +Commander-in-Chief <i>vice</i><br> +Boggs, a widow—"</p> + +<p>"Stop there!" cried Hixley. "Without disparaging the fair +widow, there's<br> +nothing beats campaigning, after all. Eh, Fred?"</p> + +<p>"And to prove it," said the colonel, "Power will sing us a +song."</p> + +<p>Power took his pencil from his pocket, and placing the back of +a letter<br> +across his shako, commenced inditing his lyric, saying, as he did +so, "I'm<br> +your man in five minutes. Just fill my glass in the mean +time."</p> + +<p>"That fellow beats Dibdin hollow," whispered the adjutant. +"I'll be hanged<br> +if he'll not knock you off a song like lightning."</p> + +<p>"I understand," said Hixley, "they have some intention at the +Horse Guards<br> +of having all the general orders set to popular tunes, and sung +at every<br> +mess in the service. You've heard that, I suppose, Sparks?"</p> + +<p>"I confess I had not before."</p> + +<p>"It will certainly come very hard upon the subalterns," +continued Hixley,<br> +with much gravity. "They'll have to brush up their <i>sol mi +fas</i>. All the<br> +solos are to be their part."</p> + +<p>"What rhymes with slaughter?" said Power.</p> + +<p>"Brandy-and-water," said the adjutant.</p> + +<p>"Now, then," said Power, "are you all ready?"</p> + +<p>"Ready."</p> + +<p>"You must chorus, mind; and mark me, take care you give the +hip-hip-hurra<br> +well, as that's the whole force of the chant. Take the time from +me. Now<br> +for it. Air, 'Garryowen,' with spirit, but not too quick.</p> + +<p> "Now that we've pledged each eye of blue,<br> + And every maiden fair and true,<br> + And our green island home,—to you<br> + The ocean's wave adorning,<br> + Let's give one Hip-hip-hip-hnrra!<br> + And, drink e'en to the coming day,<br> + When, squadron square,<br> + We'll all be there,<br> + To meet the French in the morning.</p> + +<p> "May his bright laurels never fade,<br> + Who leads our fighting fifth brigade,<br> + Those lads so true in heart and blade,<br> + And famed for danger scorning.<br> + So join me in one Hip-hurra!<br> + And drink e'en to the coming day,<br> + When, squadron square,<br> + We'll all be there,<br> + To meet the French in the morning.</p> + +<p> "And when with years and honors crowned,<br> + You sit some homeward hearth around,<br> + And hear no more the stirring sound<br> + That spoke the trumpet's warning,<br> + You'll fill and drink, one Hip-hurra!<br> + And pledge the memory of the day,<br> + When, squadron square,<br> + They all were there,<br> + To meet the French in the morning."</p> + +<p>"Gloriously done, Fred!" cried Hixley. "If I ever get my +deserts in this<br> +world, I'll make you Laureate to the Forces, with a hogshead of +your own<br> +native whiskey for every victory of the army."</p> + +<p>"A devilish good chant," said Merivale, "but the air surpasses +anything I<br> +ever heard,—thoroughly Irish, I take it."</p> + +<p>"Irish! upon my conscience, I believe you!" shouted +O'Shaughnessy, with an<br> +energy of voice and manner that created a hearty laugh on all +sides. "It's<br> +few people ever mistook it for a Venetian melody. Hand over the +punch,—the<br> +sherry, I mean. When I was in the Clare militia, we always went +in to<br> +dinner to 'Tatter Jack Walsh,' a sweet air, and had 'Garryowen' +for a<br> +quick-step. Ould M'Manus, when he got the regiment, wanted to +change: he<br> +said, they were damned vulgar tunes, and wanted to have 'Rule +Britannia,'<br> +or the 'Hundredth Psalm;' but we would not stand it; there would +have been<br> +a mutiny in the corps."</p> + +<p>"The same fellow, wasn't he, that you told the story of, the +other evening,<br> +in Lisbon?" said I.</p> + +<p>"The same. Well, what a character he was! As pompous and +conceited a little<br> +fellow as ever you met with; and then, he was so bullied by his +wife, he<br> +always came down to revenge it on the regiment. She was a fine, +showy,<br> +vulgar woman, with a most cherishing affection for all the good +things in<br> +this life, except her husband, whom she certainly held in due +contempt. 'Ye<br> +little crayture,' she'd say to him with a sneer, 'it ill becomes +you<br> +to drink and sing, and be making a man of yourself. If you were +like<br> +O'Shaughnessy there, six foot three in his stockings—'Well, +well, it looks<br> +like boasting; but no matter. Here's her health, anyway."</p> + +<p>"I knew you were tender in that quarter," said Power, "I heard +it when<br> +quartered in Limerick."</p> + +<p>"May be you heard, too, how I paid off Mac, when ho came down +on a visit to<br> +that county?"</p> + +<p>"Never: let's hear it now."</p> + +<p>"Ay, O'Shaughnessy, now's your time; the fire's a good one, +the night fine,<br> +and liquor plenty."</p> + +<p>"I'm <i>convanient</i>," said O'Shaughnessy, as depositing his +enormous legs on<br> +each side of the burning fagots, and placing a bottle between his +knees he<br> +began his story:—</p> + +<p>"It was a cold rainy night in January, in the year '98, I took +my place in<br> +the Limerick mail, to go down for a few days to the west country. +As the<br> +waiter of the Hibernian came to the door with a lantern, I just +caught a<br> +glimpse of the other insides; none of whom were known to me, +except Colonel<br> +M'Manus, that I met once in a boarding-house in Molcsworth +Street. I did<br> +not, at the time, think him a very agreeable companion; but when +morning<br> +broke, and we began to pay our respects to each other in the +coach, I<br> +leaned over, and said, 'I hope you're well, Colonel M'Manus,' +just by way<br> +of civility like. He didn't hear me at first; so that I said it +again, a<br> +little louder.</p> + +<p>"I wish you saw the look he gave me; he drew himself up to the +height of<br> +his cotton umbrella, put his chin inside his cravat, pursed up +his dry,<br> +shrivelled lips, and with a voice he meant to be awful, +replied:—</p> + +<p>"'You appear to have the advantage of me.'</p> + +<p>"'Upon my conscience, you're right,' said I, looking down at +myself, and<br> +then over at him, at which the other travellers burst out a +laughing,—'I<br> +think there's few will dispute that point.' When the laugh was +over, I<br> +resumed,—for I was determined not to let him off so easily. +'Sure I met<br> +you at Mrs. Cayle's,' said I; 'and, by the same token, it was a +Friday, I<br> +remember it well,—may be you didn't pitch into the salt cod? I +hope it<br> +didn't disagree with you?'</p> + +<p>"'I beg to repeat, sir, that you are under a mistake,' said +he.</p> + +<p>"'May be so, indeed,' said I. 'May be you're not Colonel +M'Manus at all;<br> +may be you wasn't in a passion for losing seven-and-sixpence at +loo with<br> +Mrs. Moriarty; may be you didn't break the lamp in the hall with +your<br> +umbrella, pretending you touched it with your head, and wasn't +within three<br> +foot of it; may be Counsellor Brady wasn't going to put you in +the box of<br> +the Foundling Hospital, if you wouldn't behave quietly in the +streets—'</p> + +<p>"Well, with this the others laughed so heartily, that I could +not go on;<br> +and the next stage the bold colonel got outside with the guard +and never<br> +came in till we reached Limerick. I'll never forget his face, as +he got<br> +down at Swinburne's Hotel. 'Good-by, Colonel,' said I; but he +wouldn't take<br> +the least notice of my politeness, but with a frown of utter +defiance, he<br> +turned on his heel and walked away.</p> + +<p>"'I haven't done with you yet,' says I; and, faith, I kept my +word.</p> + +<p>"I hadn't gone ten yards down the street, when I met my old +friend Darby<br> +O'Grady.</p> + +<p>"'Shaugh, my boy,' says he,—he called me that way for +shortness,—'dine<br> +with me to-day at Mosey's; a green goose and gooseberries; six to +a<br> +minute.'</p> + +<p>"'Who have you?' says I.</p> + +<p>"'Tom Keane and the Wallers, a counsellor or two, and one +M'Manus, from<br> +Dublin.'</p> + +<p>"'The colonel?'</p> + +<p>"'The same,' said he.</p> + +<p>"'I'm there, Darby!' said I; 'but mind, you never saw me +before.'</p> + +<p>"'What?' said he.</p> + +<p>"'You never set eyes on me before; mind that.'</p> + +<p>"'I understand,' said Darby, with a wink; and we parted.</p> + +<p>"I certainly was never very particular about dressing for +dinner, but on<br> +this day I spent a considerable time at my toilet; and when I +looked in my<br> +glass at its completion, was well satisfied that I had done +myself justice.<br> +A waistcoat of brown rabbit-skin with flaps, a red worsted +comforter<br> +round my neck, an old gray shooting-jacket with a brown patch on +the arm,<br> +corduroys, and leather gaiters, with a tremendous oak cudgel in +my hand,<br> +made me a most presentable figure for a dinner party.</p> + +<p>"'Will I do, Darby?' says I, as he came into my room before +dinner.</p> + +<p>"'If it's for robbing the mail you are,' says he, 'nothing +could be better.<br> +Your father wouldn't know you!'</p> + +<p>"'Would I be the better of a wig?'</p> + +<p>"'Leave your hair alone,' said he. 'It's painting the lily to +alter it.'</p> + +<p>"'Well, God's will be done,' says I, 'so come now.'</p> + +<p>"Well, just as the clock struck six I saw the colonel coming +out of his<br> +room, in a suit of most accurate sable, stockings, and pumps. +Down-stairs<br> +he went, and I heard the waiter announce him.</p> + +<p>"'Now's my time,' thought I, as I followed slowly after.</p> + +<p>"When I reached the door I heard several voices within, among +which I<br> +recognized some ladies. Darby had not told me about them. 'But no +matter,'<br> +said I; 'it's all as well;' so I gave a gentle tap at the door +with my<br> +knuckles.</p> + +<p>"'Come in,' said Darby.</p> + +<p>"I opened the door slowly, and putting in only my head and +shoulders took a<br> +cautious look round the room.</p> + +<p>"'I beg pardon, gentlemen,' said I, 'but I was only looking +for one Colonel<br> +M'Manus, and as he is not here—'</p> + +<p>"'Pray walk in, sir,' said O'Grady, with a polite bow. +'Colonel M'Manus<br> +is here. There's no intrusion whatever. I say, Colonel,' said he +turning<br> +round, 'a gentleman here desires to—'</p> + +<p>"'Never mind it now,' said I, as I stepped cautiously into the +room, 'he's<br> +going to dinner; another time will do just as well.'</p> + +<p>"'Pray come in!'</p> + +<p>"'I could not think of intruding—'</p> + +<p>"'I must protest,' said M'Manus, coloring up, 'that I cannot +understand<br> +this gentleman's visit.'</p> + +<p>"'It is a little affair I have to settle with him,' said I, +with a fierce<br> +look that I saw produced its effect.</p> + +<p>"'Then perhaps you would do me the very great favor to join +him at dinner,'<br> +said O'Grady. 'Any friend of Colonel M'Manus—'</p> + +<p>"'You are really too good,' said I; 'but as an utter +stranger—'</p> + +<p>"'Never think of that for a moment. My friend's friend, as the +adage says.'</p> + +<p>"'Upon my conscience, a good saying,' said I, 'but you see +there's another<br> +difficulty. I've ordered a chop and potatoes up in No. 5.'</p> + +<p>"'Let that be no obstacle,' said O'Grady. 'The waiter shall +put it in my<br> +bill; if you will only do me the pleasure.'</p> + +<p>"'You're a trump,' said I. 'What's your name?'</p> + +<p>"'O'Grady, at your service.'</p> + +<p>"'Any relation of the counsellor?' said I. 'They're all one +family, the<br> +O'Gradys. I'm Mr. O'Shaughnessy, from Ennis; won't you introduce +me to the<br> +ladies?'</p> + +<p>"While the ceremony of presentation was going on I caught one +glance at<br> +M'Manus, and had hard work not to roar out laughing. Such an +expression of<br> +surprise, amazement, indignation, rage, and misery never was +mixed up in<br> +one face before. Speak he could not; and I saw that, except for +myself, he<br> +had neither eyes, ears, nor senses for anything around him. Just +at this<br> +moment dinner was announced, and in we went. I never was in such +spirits in<br> +my life; the trick upon M'Manus had succeeded perfectly; he +believed in his<br> +heart that I had never met O'Grady in my life before, and that +upon the<br> +faith of our friendship, I had received my invitation. As for me, +I spared<br> +him but little. I kept up a running fire of droll stories, had +the ladies<br> +in fits of laughing, made everlasting allusions to the colonel; +and, in<br> +a word, ere the soup had disappeared, except himself, the company +was<br> +entirely with me.</p> + +<p>"'O'Grady,' said I, 'forgive the freedom, but I feel as if we +were old<br> +acquaintances.'</p> + +<p>"'As Colonel M'Manus's friend,' said he, 'you can take no +liberty here to<br> +which you are not perfectly welcome.'</p> + +<p>"'Just what I expected,' said I. 'Mac and I,'—I wish you saw +his face when<br> +I called him Mac,—'Mac and I were schoolfellows five-and-thirty +years ago;<br> +though he forgets me, I don't forget him,—to be sure it would be +hard for<br> +me. I'm just thinking of the day Bishop Oulahan came over to +visit the<br> +college. Mac was coming in at the door of the refectory as the +bishop was<br> +going out. "Take off your caubeen, you young scoundrel, and kneel +down for<br> +his reverence to bless you," said one of the masters, giving his +hat a blow<br> +at the same moment that sent it flying to the other end of the +room, and<br> +with it, about twenty ripe pears that Mac had just stolen in the +orchard,<br> +and had in his hat. I wish you only saw the bishop; and Mac +himself, he was<br> +a picture. Well, well, you forget it all now, but I remember it +as if it<br> +was only yesterday. Any champagne, Mr. O'Grady? I'm mighty +dry.'</p> + +<p>"'Of course,' said Darby. 'Waiter, some champagne here.'</p> + +<a name="0381"></a> +<img alt="0381.jpg (119K)" src="0381.jpg" height="573" width="651"> + +<p>[THE SALUTATION.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>"'Ah, it's himself was the boy for every kind of fun and +devilment, quiet<br> +and demure as he looks over there. Mac, your health. It's not +every day of<br> +the week we get champagne.'</p> + +<p>"He laid down his knife and fork as I said this; his face and +temples grew<br> +deep purple; his eyes started as if they would spring from his +head; and he<br> +put both his hands to his forehead, as if trying to assure +himself that it<br> +was not some horrid dream.</p> + +<p>"'A little slice more of the turkey,' said I, 'and then, +O'Grady, I'll try<br> +your hock. It's a wine I'm mighty fond of, and so is Mac there. +Oh, it's<br> +seldom, to tell you the truth, it troubles us. There, fill up the +glass;<br> +that's it. Here now, Darby,—that's your name, I think,—you'll +not think<br> +I'm taking a liberty in giving a toast? Here then, I'll give +M'Manus's<br> +health, with all the honors; though it's early yet, to be sure, +but we'll<br> +do it again, by-and-by, when the whiskey comes. Here's M'Manus's +good<br> +health; and though his wife, they say, does not treat him well, +and keeps<br> +him down—'</p> + +<p>"The roar of laughing that interrupted me here was produced by +the<br> +expression of poor Mac's face. He had started up from the table, +and<br> +leaning with both his hands upon it, stared round upon the +company like a<br> +maniac,—his mouth and eyes wide open, and his hair actually +bristling with<br> +amazement. Thus he remained for a full minute, gasping like a +fish in<br> +a landing-net. It seemed a hard struggle for him to believe he +was not<br> +deranged. At last his eyes fell upon me; he uttered a deep groan, +and with<br> +a voice tremulous with rage, thundered out,—</p> + +<p>"'The scoundrel! I never saw him before.'</p> + +<p>"He rushed from the room, and gained the street. Before our +roar of<br> +laughter was over he had secured post-horses, and was galloping +towards<br> +Ennis at the top speed of his cattle.</p> + +<p>"He exchanged at once into the line; but they say that he +caught a glimpse<br> +of my name in the army list, and sold out the next morning; be +that as it<br> +may, we never met since."</p> + +<p>I have related O'Shaughnessy's story here, rather from the +memory I have of<br> +how we all laughed at it at the time, than from any feeling as to +its real<br> +desert; but when I think of the voice, look, accent, and gesture +of the<br> +narrator, I can scarcely keep myself from again giving way to +laughter.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XLV.</p> + +<p>THE DOURO.</p> + +<p>Never did the morning break more beautifully than on the 12th +of May, 1809.<br> +Huge masses of fog-like vapor had succeeded to the starry, +cloudless night,<br> +but one by one, they moved onwards towards the sea, disclosing as +they<br> +passed long tracts of lovely country, bathed in a rich golden +glow. The<br> +broad Douro, with its transparent current, shone out like a +bright-colored<br> +ribbon, meandering through the deep garment of fairest green; the +darkly<br> +shadowed mountains which closed the background loomed even larger +than they<br> +were; while their summits were tipped with the yellow glory of +the morning.<br> +The air was calm and still, and the very smoke that arose from +the<br> +peasant's cot labored as it ascended through the perfumed air, +and save the<br> +ripple of the stream, all was silent as the grave.</p> + +<p>The squadron of the 14th, with which I was, had diverged from +the road<br> +beside the river, and to obtain a shorter path, had entered the +skirts of<br> +a dark pine wood; our pace was a sharp one; an orderly had been +already<br> +despatched to hasten our arrival, and we pressed on at a brisk +trot. In<br> +less than an hour we reached the verge of the wood, and as we +rode out upon<br> +the plain, what a spectacle met our eyes! Before us, in a narrow +valley<br> +separated from the river by a low ridge, were picketed three +cavalry<br> +regiments; their noiseless gestures and perfect stillness +be-speaking at<br> +once that they were intended for a surprise party. Farther down +the stream,<br> +and upon the opposite side, rose the massive towers and tall +spires of<br> +Oporto, displaying from their summits the broad ensign of France; +while far<br> +as the eye could reach, the broad dark masses of troops might be +seen; the<br> +intervals between their columns glittering with the bright +equipments of<br> +their cavalry, whose steel caps and lances were sparkling in the +sun-beams.<br> +The bivouac fires were still smouldering, and marking where some +part of<br> +the army had passed the night; for early as it was, it was +evident that<br> +their position had been changed; and even now, the heavy masses +of dark<br> +infantry might be seen moving from place to place, while the long +line of<br> +the road to Vallonga was marked with a vast cloud of dust. The +French drum<br> +and the light infantry bugle told, from time to time, that orders +were<br> +passing among the troops; while the glittering uniform of a staff +officer,<br> +as he galloped from the town, bespoke the note of +preparation.</p> + +<p>"Dismount! Steady; quietly, my lads," said the colonel, as he +alighted upon<br> +the grass. "Let the men have their breakfast."</p> + +<p>The little amphitheatre we occupied hid us entirely from all +observation<br> +on the part of the enemy, but equally so excluded us from +perceiving their<br> +movements. It may readily be supposed then, with what impatience +we waited<br> +here, while the din and clangor of the French force, as they +marched and<br> +countermarched so near us, were clearly audible. The orders were, +however,<br> +strict that none should approach the bank of the river, and we +lay<br> +anxiously awaiting the moment when this inactivity should cease. +More than<br> +one orderly had arrived among us, bearing despatches from +headquarters; but<br> +where our main body was, or what the nature of the orders, no one +could<br> +guess. As for me, my excitement was at its height, and I could +not speak<br> +for the very tension of my nerves. The officers stood in little +groups of<br> +two and three, whispering anxiously together; but all I could +collect was,<br> +that Soult had already begun his retreat upon Amarante, and that, +with the<br> +broad stream of the Douro between us, he defied our pursuit.</p> + +<p>"Well, Charley," said Power, laying his arm upon my shoulder, +"the French<br> +have given us the slip this time; they are already in march, and +even if we<br> +dared force a passage in the face of such an enemy, it seems +there is not a<br> +boat to be found. I have just seen Hammersley."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! Where is he?" said I.</p> + +<p>"He's gone back to Villa de Conde; he asked after you most +particularly.<br> +Don't blush, man; I'd rather back your chance than his, +notwithstanding the<br> +long letter that Lucy sends him. Poor fellow, he has been badly +wounded,<br> +but, it seems, declines going back to England."</p> + +<p>"Captain Power," said an orderly, touching his cap, "General +Murray desires<br> +to see you."</p> + +<p>Power hastened away, but returned in a few moments.</p> + +<p>"I say, Charley, there's something in the wind here. I have +just been<br> +ordered to try where the stream is fordable. I've mentioned your +name to<br> +the general, and I think you'll be sent for soon. Good-by."</p> + +<p>I buckled on my sword, and looking to my girths, stood +watching the groups<br> +around me; when suddenly a dragoon pulled his horse short up, and +asked a<br> +man near me if Mr. O'Malley was there.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I am he."</p> + +<p>"Orders from General Murray, sir," said the man, and rode off +at a canter.</p> + +<p>I opened and saw that the despatch was addressed to Sir Arthur +Wellesley,<br> +with the mere words, "With haste!" on the envelope.</p> + +<p>Now, which way to turn I knew not; so springing into the +saddle, I galloped<br> +to where Colonel Merivale was standing talking to the colonel of +a heavy<br> +dragoon regiment.</p> + +<p>"May I ask, sir, by which road I am to proceed with this +despatch?"</p> + +<p>"Along the river, sir," said the heavy ———, a large +dark-browed man,<br> +with a most forbidding look. "You'll soon see the troops; you'd +better stir<br> +yourself, sir, or Sir Arthur is not very likely to be pleased +with you."</p> + +<p>Without venturing a reply to what I felt a somewhat +unnecessary taunt, I<br> +dashed spurs into my horse, and turned towards the river. I had +not gained<br> +the bank above a minute, when the loud ringing of a rifle struck +upon my<br> +ear; bang went another, and another. I hurried on, however, at +the top of<br> +my speed, thinking only of my mission and its pressing haste. As +I turned<br> +an angle of the stream, the vast column of the British came in +sight, and<br> +scarcely had my eye rested upon them when my horse staggered +forwards,<br> +plunged twice with his head nearly to the earth, and then, +rearing madly<br> +up, fell backwards to the ground. Crushed and bruised as I felt +by my fall,<br> +I was soon aroused to the necessity of exertion; for as I +disengaged myself<br> +from the poor beast, I discovered he had been killed by a bullet +in the<br> +counter; and scarcely had I recovered my legs when a shot struck +my shako<br> +and grazed my temples. I quickly threw myself to the ground, and +creeping<br> +on for some yards, reached at last some rising ground, from which +I rolled<br> +gently downwards into a little declivity, sheltered by the bank +from the<br> +French fire.</p> + +<p>When I arrived at headquarters, I was dreadfully fatigued and +heated;<br> +but resolving not to rest till I had delivered my despatches, I +hastened<br> +towards the convent of La Sierra, where I was told the +commander-in-chief<br> +was.</p> + +<p>As I came into the court of the convent, filled with general +officers and<br> +people of the staff, I was turning to ask how I should proceed, +when Hixley<br> +caught my eye.</p> + +<p>"Well, O'Malley, what brings you here?"</p> + +<p>"Despatches from General Murray."</p> + +<p>"Indeed; oh, follow me."</p> + +<p>He hurried me rapidly through the buzzing crowd, and ascending +a large<br> +gloomy stair, introduced me into a room, whore about a dozen +persons in<br> +uniform were writing at a long deal table.</p> + +<p>"Captain Gordon," said he, addressing one of them, "despatches +requiring<br> +immediate attention have just been brought by this officer."</p> + +<p>Before the sentence was finished the door opened, and a short, +slight man,<br> +in a gray undress coat, with a white cravat and a cocked hat, +entered. The<br> +dead silence that ensued was not necessary to assure me that he +was one in<br> +authority,—the look of command his bold, stern features +presented; the<br> +sharp, piercing eye, the compressed lip, the impressive +expression of the<br> +whole face, told plainly that he was one who held equally himself +and<br> +others in mastery.</p> + +<p>"Send General Sherbroke here," said he to an aide-de-camp. +"Let the light<br> +brigade march into position;" and then turning suddenly to me, +"Whose<br> +despatches are these?"</p> + +<p>"General Murray's, sir."</p> + +<p>I needed no more than that look to assure me that this was he +of whom I had<br> +heard so much, and of whom the world was still to hear so much +more.</p> + +<p>He opened them quickly, and glancing his eye across the +contents, crushed<br> +the paper in his hand. Just as he did so, a spot of blood upon +the envelope<br> +attracted his attention.</p> + +<p>"How's this,—are you wounded?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir; my horse was killed—"</p> + +<p>"Very well, sir; join your brigade. But stay, I shall have +orders for you.<br> +Well, Waters, what news?"</p> + +<p>This question was addressed to an officer in a staff uniform, +who entered<br> +at the moment, followed by the short and bulky figure of a monk, +his shaven<br> +crown and large cassock strongly contrasting with the gorgeous +glitter of<br> +the costumes around him.</p> + +<p>"I say, who have we here?"</p> + +<p>"The Prior of Amarante, sir," replied Waters, "who has just +come over. We<br> +have already, by his aid, secured three large barges—"</p> + +<p>"Let the artillery take up position in the convent at once," +said Sir<br> +Arthur, interrupting. "The boats will be brought round to the +small creek<br> +beneath the orchard. You, sir," turning to me, "will convey to +General<br> +Murray—but you appear weak. You, Gordon, will desire Murray to +effect a<br> +crossing at Avintas with the Germans and the 14th. Sherbroke's +division<br> +will occupy the Villa Nuova. What number of men can that seminary +take?"</p> + +<p>"From three to four hundred, sir. The padre mentions that all +the vigilance<br> +of the enemy is limited to the river below the town."</p> + +<p>"I perceive it," was the short reply of Sir Arthur, as placing +his hands<br> +carelessly behind his back, he walked towards the window, and +looked out<br> +upon the river.</p> + +<p>All was still as death in the chamber; not a lip murmured. The +feeling of<br> +respect for him in whose presence we were standing checked every +thought of<br> +utterance; while the stupendous gravity of the events before us +engrossed<br> +every mind and occupied every heart. I was standing near the +window;<br> +the effect of my fall had stunned me for a time, but I was +gradually<br> +recovering, and watched with a thrilling heart the scene before +me. Great<br> +and absorbing as was my interest in what was passing without, it +was<br> +nothing compared with what I felt as I looked at him upon whom +our destiny<br> +was then hanging. I had ample time to scan his features and +canvass their<br> +every lineament. Never before did I look upon such perfect +impassibility;<br> +the cold, determined expression was crossed by no show of passion +or<br> +impatience. All was rigid and motionless, and whatever might have +been the<br> +workings of the spirit within, certainly no external sign +betrayed them;<br> +and yet what a moment for him must that have been! Before him, +separated by<br> +a deep and rapid river, lay the conquering legions of France, led +on by one<br> +second alone to him whose very name had been the <i>prestige</i> +of victory.<br> +Unprovided with every regular means of transport, in the broad +glare of<br> +day, in open defiance of their serried ranks and thundering +artillery,<br> +he dared the deed. What must have been his confidence in the +soldiers he<br> +commanded! What must have been his reliance upon his own genius! +As such<br> +thoughts rushed through my mind, the door opened and an officer +entered<br> +hastily, and whispering a few words to Colonel Waters, left the +room.</p> + +<p>"One boat is already brought up to the crossing-place, and +entirely<br> +concealed by the wall of the orchard."</p> + +<p>"Let the men cross," was the brief reply.</p> + +<p>No other word was spoken as, turning from the window, he +closed his<br> +telescope, and followed by all the others, descended to the +courtyard.</p> + +<p>This simple order was enough; an officer with a company of the +Buffs<br> +embarked, and thus began the passage of the Douro.</p> + +<p>So engrossed was I in my vigilant observation of our leader, +that I would<br> +gladly have remained at the convent, when I received an order to +join my<br> +brigade, to which a detachment of artillery was already +proceeding.</p> + +<p>As I reached Avintas all was in motion. The cavalry was in +readiness beside<br> +the river; but as yet no boats had been discovered, and such was +the<br> +impatience of the men to cross, it was with difficulty they were +prevented<br> +trying the passage by swimming, when suddenly Power appeared +followed by<br> +several fishermen. Three or four small skiffs had been found, +half sunk<br> +in mud, among the rushes, and with such frail assistance we +commenced to<br> +cross.</p> + +<p>"There will be something to write home to Galway soon, +Charley, or I'm<br> +terribly mistaken," said Fred, as he sprang into the boat beside +me. "Was I<br> +not a true prophet when I told you 'We'd meet the French in the +morning?'"</p> + +<p>"They're at it already," said Hixley, as a wreath of blue +smoke floated<br> +across the stream below us, and the loud boom of a large gun +resounded<br> +through the air.</p> + +<p>Then came a deafening shout, followed by a rattling volley of +small arms,<br> +gradually swelling into a hot sustained fire, through which the +cannon<br> +pealed at intervals. Several large meadows lay along the +river-side, where<br> +our brigade was drawn up as the detachments landed from the +boats; and<br> +here, although nearly a league distant from the town, we now +heard the din<br> +and crash of battle, which increased every moment. The cannonade +from the<br> +Sierra convent, which at first was merely the fire of single +guns, now<br> +thundered away in one long roll, amidst which the sounds of +falling walls<br> +and crashing roofs were mingled. It was evident to us, from the +continual<br> +fire kept up, that the landing had been effected; while the +swelling tide<br> +of musketry told that fresh troops were momentarily coming +up.</p> + +<p>In less than twenty minutes our brigade was formed, and we now +only waited<br> +for two light four-pounders to be landed, when an officer +galloped up in<br> +haste, and called out,—</p> + +<p>"The French are in retreat!" and pointing at the same moment +to the<br> +Vallonga road, we saw a long line of smoke and dust leading from +the town,<br> +through which, as we gazed, the colors of the enemy might be seen +as they<br> +defiled, while the unbroken lines of the wagons and heavy baggage +proved<br> +that it was no partial movement, but the army itself +retreating.</p> + +<p>"Fourteenth, threes about! close up! trot!" called out the +loud and manly<br> +voice of our leader, and the heavy tramp of our squadrons shook +the very<br> +ground as we advanced towards the road to Vallonga.</p> + +<p>As we came on, the scene became one of overwhelming +excitement; the<br> +masses of the enemy that poured unceasingly from the town could +now be<br> +distinguished more clearly; and amidst all the crash of +gun-carriages and<br> +caissons, the voices of the staff officers rose high as they +hurried along<br> +the retreating battalions. A troop of flying artillery galloped +forth<br> +at top speed, and wheeling their guns into position with the +speed of<br> +lightning, prepared, by a flanking fire, to cover the retiring +column. The<br> +gunners sprang from their seats, the guns were already +unlimbered, when Sir<br> +George Murray, riding up at our left, called out,—</p> + +<p>"Forward! close up! Charge!"</p> + +<p>The word was scarcely spoken when the loud cheer answered the +welcome<br> +sound, and the same instant the long line of shining helmets +passed with<br> +the speed of a whirlwind; the pace increased at every stride, the +ranks<br> +grew closer, and like the dread force of some mighty engine we +fell upon<br> +the foe. I have felt all the glorious enthusiasm of a fox-hunt, +when the<br> +loud cry of the hounds, answered by the cheer of the joyous +huntsman,<br> +stirred the very heart within, but never till now did I know how +far higher<br> +the excitement reaches, when man to man, sabre to sabre, arm to +arm, we<br> +ride forward to the battle-field. On we went, the loud shout of +"Forward!"<br> +still ringing in our ears. One broken, irregular discharge from +the French<br> +guns shook the head of our advancing column, but stayed us not as +we<br> +galloped madly on.</p> + +<p>I remember no more. The din, the smoke, the crash, the cry for +quarter,<br> +mingled with the shout of victory, the flying enemy, the +agonizing shrieks<br> +of the wounded,—all are commingled in my mind, but leave no +trace of<br> +clearness or connection between them; and it was only when the +column<br> +wheeled to reform behind the advancing squadrons, that I awoke +from my<br> +trance of maddening excitement, and perceived that we had carried +the<br> +position and cut off the guns of the enemy.</p> + +<p>"Well done, 14th!" said an old gray-headed colonel, as he rode +along our<br> +line,—"gallantly done, lads!" The blood trickled from a sabre +cut on his<br> +temple, along his cheek, as he spoke; but he either knew it not +or heeded<br> +it not.</p> + +<p>"There go the Germans!" said Power, pointing to the remainder +of our<br> +brigade, as they charged furiously upon the French infantry, and +rode them,<br> +down in masses.</p> + +<p>Our guns came up at this time, and a plunging fire was opened +upon the<br> +thick and retreating ranks of the enemy. The carnage must have +been<br> +terrific, for the long breaches in their lines showed where the +squadrons<br> +of the cavalry had passed, or the most destructive tide of the +artillery<br> +had swept through them. The speed of the flying columns grew +momentarily<br> +more; the road became blocked up, too, by broken carriages and +wounded; and<br> +to add to their discomfiture, a damaging fire now opened from the +town upon<br> +the retreating column, while the brigade of Guards and the 29th +pressed<br> +hotly on their rear.</p> + +<p>The scene was now beyond anything maddening in its interest. +From the walls<br> +of Oporto the English infantry poured forth in pursuit, while the +whole<br> +river was covered with boats as they still continued to cross +over. The<br> +artillery thundered from the Sierra to protect the landing, for +it was even<br> +still contested in places; and the cavalry, charging in flank, +swept the<br> +broken ranks and bore down upon the squares.</p> + +<p>It was now, when the full tide of victory ran highest in our +favor, that we<br> +were ordered to retire from the road. Column after column passed +before us,<br> +unmolested and unassailed, and not even a cannon-shot arrested +their steps.</p> + +<p>Some unaccountable timidity of our leader directed this +movement; and<br> +while before our very eyes the gallant infantry were charging the +retiring<br> +columns, we remained still and inactive.</p> + +<p>How little did the sense of praise we had already won repay us +for the<br> +shame and indignation we experienced at this moment, as with +burning check<br> +and compressed lip we watched the retreating files. "What can he +mean?"<br> +"Is there not some mistake?" "Are we never to charge?" were the +muttered<br> +questions around, as a staff officer galloped up with the order +to take<br> +ground still farther back, and nearer to the river.</p> + +<p>The word was scarcely spoken when a young officer, in the +uniform of a<br> +general, dashed impetuously up; he held his plumed cap high above +his head,<br> +as he called out, "14th, follow me! Left face! wheel! +charge!"</p> + +<p>So, with the word, we were upon them. The French rear-guard +was at this<br> +moment at the narrowest part of the road, which opened by a +bridge upon a<br> +large open space; so that, forming with a narrow front and +favored by a<br> +declivity in the ground, we actually rode them down. Twice the +French<br> +formed, and twice were they broken. Meanwhile the carnage was +dreadful<br> +on both sides, our fellows dashing madly forward where the ranks +were<br> +thickest, the enemy resisting with the stubborn courage of men +fighting for<br> +their last spot of ground. So impetuous was the charge of our +squadrons,<br> +that we stopped not till, piercing the dense column of the +retreating mass,<br> +we reached the open ground beyond. Here we wheeled and prepared +once more<br> +to meet them, when suddenly some squadrons of cuirassiers +debouched from<br> +the road, and supported by a field-piece, showed front against +us. This was<br> +the moment that the remainder of our brigade should have come to +our aid,<br> +but not a man appeared. However, there was not an instant to be +lost;<br> +already the plunging fire of the four-pounder had swept through +our files,<br> +and every moment increased our danger.</p> + +<p>"Once more, my lads, forward!" cried out our gallant leader, +Sir Charles<br> +Stewart, as waving his sabre, he dashed into the thickest of the +fray.</p> + +<p>So sudden was our charge that we were upon them before they +were prepared.<br> +And here ensued a terrific struggle; for as the cavalry of the +enemy gave<br> +way before us, we came upon the close ranks of the infantry at +half-pistol<br> +distance, who poured a withering volley into us as we approached. +But what<br> +could arrest the sweeping torrent of our brave fellows, though +every moment<br> +falling in numbers?</p> + +<p>Harvey, our major, lost his arm near the shoulder. Scarcely an +officer<br> +was not wounded. Power received a deep sabre-cut in the cheek +from an<br> +aide-de-camp of General Foy, in return for a wound he gave the +general;<br> +while I, in my endeavor to save General Laborde when unhorsed, +was cut down<br> +through the helmet, and so stunned that I remembered no more +around me. I<br> +kept my saddle, it is true, but I lost every sense of +consciousness, my<br> +first glimmering of reason coming to my aid as I lay upon the +river bank<br> +and felt my faithful follower Mike bathing my temples with water, +as he<br> +kept up a running fire of lamentations for my being +<i>murthered</i> so young.</p> + +<a name="0393"></a> +<img alt="0393.jpg (152K)" src="0393.jpg" height="900" width="677"> + +<p>[THE SKIRMISH.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>"Are you better, Mister Charles? Spake to me, alanah! Say that +you're not<br> +kilt, darling; do now. Oh, wirra! what'll I ever say to the +master? and you<br> +doing so beautiful! Wouldn't he give the best baste in his stable +to be<br> +looking at you to-day? There, take a sup; it's only water. Bad +luck to<br> +them, but it's hard work beatin' them. They 're only gone now. +That's<br> +right; now you're coming to."</p> + +<p>"Where am I, Mike?"</p> + +<p>"It's here you are, darling, resting yourself."</p> + +<p>"Well, Charley, my poor fellow, you've got sore bones, too," +cried Power,<br> +as, his face swathed in bandages and covered with blood, he lay +down on the<br> +grass beside me. "It was a gallant thing while it lasted, but has +cost us<br> +dearly. Poor Hixley—"</p> + +<p>"What of him?" said I, anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Poor fellow, he has seen his last battle-field! He fell +across me as we<br> +came out upon the road. I lifted him up in my arms and bore him +along above<br> +fifty yards; but he was stone dead. Not a sigh, not a word +escaped him;<br> +shot through the forehead." As he spoke, his lips trembled, and +his voice<br> +sank to a mere whisper at the last words: "You remember what he +said last<br> +night. Poor fellow, he was every inch a soldier."</p> + +<p>Such was his epitaph.</p> + +<p>I turned my head towards the scene of our late encounter. Some +dismounted<br> +guns and broken wagons alone marked the spot; while far in the +distance,<br> +the dust of the retreating columns showed the beaten enemy as +they hurried<br> +towards the frontiers of Spain.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XLVI.</p> + +<p>THE MORNING.</p> + +<p>There are few sadder things in life than the day after a +battle. The<br> +high-beating hope, the bounding spirits, have passed away, and in +their<br> +stead comes the depressing reaction by which every overwrought +excitement<br> +is followed. With far different eyes do we look upon the compact +ranks and<br> +glistening files,—</p> + +<p> With helm arrayed,<br> + And lance and blade,<br> + And plume in the gay wind dancing!</p> + +<p>and upon the cold and barren heath, whose only memory of the +past is the<br> +blood-stained turf, a mangled corpse, the broken gun, the +shattered wall,<br> +the well-trodden earth where columns stood, the cut-up ground +where cavalry<br> +had charged,—these are the sad relics of all the chivalry of +yesterday.</p> + +<p>The morning which followed the battle of the Douro was one of +the most<br> +beautiful I ever remember. There was that kind of freshness and +elasticity<br> +in the air which certain days possess, and communicate by some +magic their<br> +properties to ourselves. The thrush was singing gayly out from +every grove<br> +and wooded dell; the very river had a sound of gladness as it +rippled on<br> +against its sedgy banks; the foliage, too, sparkled in the fresh +dew, as in<br> +its robes of holiday, and all looked bright and happy.</p> + +<p>We were picketed near the river, upon a gently rising ground, +from which<br> +the view extended for miles in every direction. Above us, the +stream came<br> +winding down amidst broad and fertile fields of tall grass and +waving corn,<br> +backed by deep and mellow woods, which were lost to the view upon +the<br> +distant hills; below, the river, widening as it went, pursued a +straighter<br> +course, or turned with bolder curves, till, passing beneath the +town, it<br> +spread into a large sheet of glassy water as it opened to the +sea. The sun<br> +was just rising as I looked upon this glorious scene, and already +the tall<br> +spires of Oporto were tipped with a bright rosy hue, while the +massive<br> +towers and dark walls threw their lengthened shadows far across +the plain.</p> + +<p>The fires of the bivouac still burned, but all slept around +them. Not a<br> +sound was heard save the tramp of a patrol or the short, quick +cry of<br> +the sentry. I sat lost in meditation, or rather in that state of +dreamy<br> +thoughtfulness in which the past and present are combined, and +the absent<br> +are alike before us as are the things we look upon.</p> + +<p>One moment I felt as though I were describing to my uncle the +battle of the<br> +day before, pointing out where we stood, and how we charged; then +again<br> +I was at home, beside the broad, bleak Shannon, and the brown +hills of<br> +Scariff. I watched with beating heart the tall Sierra, where our +path lay<br> +for the future, and then turned my thoughts to him whose name was +so soon<br> +to be received in England with a nation's pride and gratitude, +and panted<br> +for a soldier's glory.</p> + +<p>As thus I followed every rising fancy, I heard a step +approach; it was a<br> +figure muffled in a cavalry cloak, which I soon perceived to be +Power.</p> + +<p>"Charley!" said he, in a half-whisper, "get up and come with +me. You are<br> +aware of the general order, that while in pursuit of an enemy, +all military<br> +honors to the dead are forbidden; but we wish to place our poor +comrade in<br> +the earth before we leave."</p> + +<p>I followed down a little path, through a grave of tall +beech-trees, that<br> +opened upon a little grassy terrace beside the river. A stunted +olive-tree<br> +stood by itself in the midst, and there I found five of our +brother<br> +officers standing, wrapped in their wide cloaks. As we pressed +each other's<br> +hands, not a word was spoken. Each heart was full; and hard +features that<br> +never quailed before the foe were now shaken with the convulsive +spasm of<br> +agony or compressed with stern determination to seem calm.</p> + +<p>A cavalry helmet and a large blue cloak lay upon the grass. +The narrow<br> +grave was already dug beside it; and in the deathlike stillness +around, the<br> +service for the dead was read. The last words were over. We +stooped and<br> +placed the corpse, wrapped up in the broad mantle, in the earth; +we<br> +replaced the mould, and stood silently around the spot. The +trumpet of our<br> +regiment at this moment sounded the call; its clear notes rang +sharply<br> +through the thin air,—it was the soldier's requiem! and we +turned away<br> +without speaking, and returned to our quarters.</p> + +<p>I had never known poor Hixley till a day or two before; but, +somehow, my<br> +grief for him was deep and heartfelt. It was not that his frank +and manly<br> +bearing, his bold and military air, had gained upon me. No; these +were<br> +indeed qualities to attract and delight me, but he had obtained a +stronger<br> +and faster hold upon my affections,—he spoke to me of home.</p> + +<p>Of all the ties that bind us to the chance acquaintances we +meet with in<br> +life, what can equal this one? What a claim upon your love has he +who can,<br> +by some passing word, some fast-flitting thought, bring back the +days of<br> +your youth! What interest can he not excite by some anecdote of +your boyish<br> +days, some well-remembered trait of youthful daring, or early +enterprise!<br> +Many a year of sunshine and of storm have passed above my head; I +have not<br> +been without my moments of gratified pride and rewarded ambition; +but my<br> +heart has never responded so fully, so thankfully, so proudly to +these,<br> +such as they were, as to the simple, touching words of one who +knew my<br> +early home, and loved its inmates.</p> + +<p>"Well, Fitzroy, what news?" inquired I, roused from my musing, +as an<br> +aide-de-camp galloped up at full speed.</p> + +<p>"Tell Merivale to get the regiment under arms at once. Sir +Arthur Wellesley<br> +will be here in less than half an hour. You may look for the +route<br> +immediately. Where are the Germans quartered?"</p> + +<p>"Lower down; beside that grove of beech-trees, next the +river."</p> + +<p>Scarcely was my reply spoken, when he dashed spurs into his +horse, and was<br> +soon out of sight. Meanwhile the plain beneath me presented an +animated and<br> +splendid spectacle. The different corps were falling into +position to the<br> +enlivening sounds of their quick-step, the trumpets of the +cavalry rang<br> +loudly through the valley, and the clatter of sabres and +sabretasches<br> +joined with the hollow tramp of the horses, as the squadron came +up.</p> + +<p>I had not a moment to lose; so hastening back to my quarters, +I found Mike<br> +waiting with my horse.</p> + +<p>"Captain Power's before you, sir," said he, "and you'll have +to make haste.<br> +The regiments are under arms already."</p> + +<p>From the little mound where I stood, I could see the long line +of cavalry<br> +as they deployed into the plain, followed by the horse artillery, +which<br> +brought up the rear.</p> + +<p>"This looks like a march," thought I, as I pressed forward to +join my<br> +companions.</p> + +<p>I had not advanced above a hundred yards through a narrow +ravine when the<br> +measured tread of infantry fell upon my ears. I pulled up to +slacken my<br> +pace, just as the head of a column turned round the angle of the +road, and<br> +came in view. The tall caps of a grenadier company was the first +thing I<br> +beheld, as they came on without roll of drum and sound of fife. I +watched<br> +with a soldier's pride the manly bearing and gallant step of the +dense mass<br> +as they defiled before me. I was struck no less by them than by a +certain<br> +look of a steady but sombre cast which each man wore.</p> + +<p>"What can this mean?" thought I.</p> + +<p>My first impression was, that a military execution was about +to take place,<br> +the next moment solved my doubt; for as the last files of the +grenadiers<br> +wheeled round, a dense mass behind came in sight, whose unarmed +hands, and<br> +downcast air, at once bespoke them prisoners-of-war.</p> + +<p>What a sad sight it was! There was the old and weather-beaten +grenadier,<br> +erect in frame and firm in step, his gray mustache scarcely +concealing<br> +the scowl that curled his lip, side by side with the young and +daring<br> +conscript, even yet a mere boy; their march was regular, their +gaze<br> +steadfast,—no look of flinching courage there. On they came, a +long<br> +unbroken line. They looked not less proudly than their captors +around them.<br> +As I looked with heavy heart upon them, my attention was +attracted to one<br> +who marched alone behind the rest. He was a middle-sized but +handsome youth<br> +of some eighteen years at most; his light helmet and waving plume +bespoke<br> +him a <i>chasseur à cheval</i>, and I could plainly +perceive, in his careless<br> +half-saucy air, how indignantly he felt the position to which the +fate of<br> +war had reduced him. He caught my eyes fixed upon him, and for an +instant<br> +turned upon me a gaze of open and palpable defiance, drawing +himself up<br> +to his full height, and crossing his arms upon his breast; but +probably<br> +perceiving in my look more of interest than of triumph, his +countenance<br> +suddenly changed, a deep blush suffused his cheek, his eye beamed +with a<br> +softened and kindly expression, and carrying his hand to his +helmet, he<br> +saluted me, saying, in a voice of singular sweetness,—</p> + +<p>"Je vous souhaite un meilleur sort, camarade."</p> + +<p>I bowed, and muttering something in return, was about to make +some inquiry<br> +concerning him, when the loud call of the trumpet rang through +the valley,<br> +and apprised me that, in my interest for the prisoners, I had +forgotten all<br> +else, and was probably incurring censure for my absence.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XLVII.</p> + +<p>THE REVIEW.</p> + +<p>When I joined the group of my brother officers, who stood +gayly chatting<br> +and laughing together before our lines, I was much surprised—nay +almost<br> +shocked—to find how little seeming impression had been made upon +them, by<br> +the sad duty we had performed that morning.</p> + +<p>When last we met, each eye was downcast, each heart was +full,—sorrow for<br> +him we had lost from among us forever, mingling with the awful +sense of<br> +our own uncertain tenure here, had laid its impress on each brow; +but<br> +now, scarcely an hour elapsed, and all were cheerful and elated. +The last<br> +shovelful of earth upon the grave seemed to have buried both the +dead and<br> +the mourning. And such is war, and such the temperament it forms! +Events so<br> +strikingly opposite in their character and influences succeed so +rapidly<br> +one upon another that the mind is kept in one whirl of +excitement, and at<br> +length accustoms itself to change with every phase of +circumstances; and<br> +between joy and grief, hope and despondency, enthusiasm and +depression,<br> +there is neither breadth nor interval,—they follow each other as +naturally<br> +as morning succeeds to night.</p> + +<p>I had not much time for such reflections; scarcely had I +saluted the<br> +officers about me, when the loud prolonged roll of the drums +along the line<br> +of infantry in the valley, followed by the sharp clatter of +muskets as they<br> +were raised to the shoulder, announced the troops were under +arms, and the<br> +review begun.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen the general order this morning, Power?" +inquired an old<br> +officer beside me.</p> + +<p>"No; they say, however, that ours are mentioned."</p> + +<p>"Harvey is going on favorably," cried a young cornet, as he +galloped up to<br> +our party.</p> + +<p>"Take ground to the left!" sung out the clear voice of the +colonel, as<br> +he rode along in front. "Fourteenth, I am happy to inform you +that your<br> +conduct has met approval in the highest quarter. I have just +received the<br> +general orders, in which this occurs:—</p> + +<p>"'THE TIMELY PASSAGE OF THE DOURO, AND SUBSEQUENT MOVEMENTS +UPON THE<br> +ENEMY'S FLANK, BY LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SHERBROKE, WITH THE GUARDS +AND 29TH<br> +REGIMENT, AND THE BRAVERY OF THE TWO SQUADRONS OF THE 14TH +LIGHT<br> +DRAGOONS, UNDER THE COMMAND OF MAJOR HARVEY, AND LED BY THE +HONORABLE<br> +BRIGADIER-GENERAL CHARLES STEWART, OBTAINED THE VICTORY'—Mark +that, my<br> +lads! obtained the victory—'WHICH HAS CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH TO THE +HONOR OF<br> +THE TROOPS ON THIS DAY.'"</p> + +<p>The words were hardly spoken, when a tremendous cheer burst +from the whole<br> +line at once.</p> + +<p>"Steady, Fourteenth! steady, lads!" said the gallant old +colonel, as he<br> +raised his hand gently; "the staff is approaching."</p> + +<p>At the same moment, the white plumes appeared, rising above +the brow of<br> +the hill. On they came, glittering in all the splendor of +aignillettes and<br> +orders; all save one. He rode foremost, upon a small, compact, +black horse;<br> +his dress, a plain gray frock fastened at the waist by a red +sash; his<br> +cocked hat alone bespoke, in its plume, the general officer. He +galloped<br> +rapidly on till he came to the centre of the line; then turning +short<br> +round, he scanned the ranks from end to end with an eagle +glance.</p> + +<p>"Colonel Merivale, you have made known to your regiment my +opinion of them,<br> +as expressed in general orders?"</p> + +<p>The colonel bowed low in acquiescence.</p> + +<p>"Fitzroy, you have got the memorandum, I hope?"</p> + +<p>The aide-de-camp here presented to Sir Arthur a slip of paper, +which he<br> +continued to regard attentively for some minutes.</p> + +<p>"Captain Powel,—Power, I mean. Captain Power!"</p> + +<p>Power rode out from the line.</p> + +<p>"Your very distinguished conduct yesterday has been reported +to me. I shall<br> +have sincere pleasure in forwarding your name for the vacant +majority.</p> + +<p>"You have forgotten, Colonel Merivale, to send in the name of +the officer<br> +who saved General Laborde's life."</p> + +<p>"I believe I have mentioned it, Sir Arthur," said the colonel: +"Mr.<br> +O'Malley."</p> + +<p>"True, I beg pardon; so you have—Mr. O'Malley; a very young +officer<br> +indeed,—ha, an Irishman! The south of Ireland, eh?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, the west."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes! Well, Mr. O'Malley, you are promoted. You have the +lieutenancy<br> +in your own regiment. By-the-bye, Merivale," here his voice +changed into a<br> +half-laughing tone, "ere I forget it, pray let me beg of you to +look into<br> +this honest fellow's claim; he has given me no peace the entire +morning."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, I turned my eyes in the direction he pointed, and +to my utter<br> +consternation, beheld my man Mickey Free standing among the +staff, the<br> +position he occupied, and the presence he stood in, having no +more<br> +perceptible effect upon his nerves than if he were assisting at +an Irish<br> +wake; but so completely was I overwhelmed with shame at the +moment,<br> +that the staff were already far down the lines ere I recovered +my<br> +self-possession, to which, certainly, I was in some degree +recalled by<br> +Master Mike's addressing me in a somewhat imploring voice:—</p> + +<p>"Arrah, spake for me, Master Charles, alanah; sure they might +do something<br> +for me now, av it was only to make me a ganger."</p> + +<p>Mickey's ideas of promotion, thus insinuatingly put forward, +threw the<br> +whole party around us into one burst of laughter.</p> + +<p>"I have him down there," said he, pointing, as he spoke, to a +thick grove<br> +of cork-trees at a little distance.</p> + +<p>"Who have you got there, Mike?" inquired Power.</p> + +<p>"Devil a one o' me knows his name," replied he; "may be it's +Bony himself."</p> + +<p>"And how do you know he's there still?"</p> + +<p>"How do I know, is it? Didn't I tie him last night?"</p> + +<p>Curiosity to find out what Mickey could possibly allude to, +induced Power<br> +and myself to follow him down the slope to the clump of trees I +have<br> +mentioned. As we came near, the very distinct denunciations that +issued<br> +from the thicket proved pretty clearly the nature of the affair. +It was<br> +nothing less than a French officer of cavalry that Mike had +unhorsed in the<br> +<i>mêlée</i>, and wishing, probably, to preserve +some testimony of his prowess,<br> +had made prisoner, and tied fast to a cork-tree, the preceding +evening.</p> + +<p>"<i>Sacrebleu!</i>" said the poor Frenchman, as we approached, +"<i>ce sont des<br> +sauvages!</i>"</p> + +<p>"Av it's making your sowl ye are," said Mike, "you're right; +for may be<br> +they won't let me keep you alive."</p> + +<p>Mike's idea of a tame prisoner threw me into a fit of +laughing, while Power<br> +asked,—</p> + +<p>"And what do you want to do with him, Mickey?"</p> + +<p>"The sorra one o' me knows, for he spakes no dacent tongue. +Thighum thu,"<br> +said he, addressing the prisoner, with a poke in the ribs at the +same<br> +moment. "But sure, Master Charles, he might tache me French."</p> + +<p>There was something so irresistibly ludicrous in his tone and +look as<br> +he said these words, that both Power and myself absolutely roared +with<br> +laughter. We began, however, to feel not a little ashamed of our +position<br> +in the business, and explained to the Frenchman that our worthy +countryman<br> +had but little experience in the usages of war, while we +proceeded to<br> +unbind him and liberate him from his miserable bondage.</p> + +<p>"It's letting him loose, you are, Captain? Master Charles, +take care.<br> +Be-gorra, av you had as much trouble in catching him as I had, +you'd think<br> +twice about letting him out. Listen to me, now," here he placed +his closed<br> +fist within an inch of the poor prisoner's nose,—"listen to me! +Av you say<br> +peas, by the morreal, I'll not lave a whole bone in your +skin."</p> + +<p>With some difficulty we persuaded Mike that his conduct, so +far from<br> +leading to his promotion, might, if known in another quarter, +procure him<br> +an acquaintance with the provost-marshal; a fact which, it was +plain to<br> +perceive, gave him but a very poor impression of military +gratitude.</p> + +<p>"Oh, then, if they were in swarms fornent me, devil receave +the prisoner<br> +I'll take again!"</p> + +<p>So saying, he slowly returned to the regiment; while Power and +I, having<br> +conducted the Frenchman to the rear, cantered towards the town to +learn the<br> +news of the day.</p> + +<p>The city on that day presented a most singular aspect. The +streets, filled<br> +with the town's-people and the soldiery, were decorated with +flags and<br> +garlands; the cafés were crowded with merry groups, and +the sounds of<br> +music and laughter resounded on all sides. The houses seemed to +be<br> +quite inadequate to afford accommodation to the numerous guests; +and in<br> +consequence, bullock cars and forage; wagons were converted into +temporary<br> +hotels, and many a jovial party were collected in both. Military +music,<br> +church bells, drinking choruses, were all commingled in the din +and<br> +turmoil; processions in honor of "Our Lady of Succor" were jammed +up among<br> +bacchanalian orgies, and their very chant half drowned in the +cries of the<br> +wounded as they passed on to the hospitals. With difficulty we +pushed our<br> +way through the dense mob, as we turned our steps towards the +seminary. We<br> +both felt naturally curious to see the place where our first +detachment<br> +landed, and to examine the opportunities of defence it presented. +The<br> +building itself was a large and irregular one of an oblong form, +surrounded<br> +by a high wall of solid masonry, the only entrance being by a +heavy iron<br> +gate.</p> + +<p>At this spot the battle appeared to have raged with violence; +one side of<br> +the massive gate was torn from its hinges and lay flat upon the +ground; the<br> +walls were breached in many places; and pieces of torn uniforms, +broken<br> +bayonets, and bruised shakos attested that the conflict was a +close one.<br> +The seminary itself was in a falling state; the roof, from which +Paget<br> +had given his orders, and where he was wounded, had fallen in. +The French<br> +cannon had fissured the building from top to bottom, and it +seemed only<br> +awaiting the slightest impulse to crumble into ruin. When we +regarded the<br> +spot, and examined the narrow doorway which opening upon a flight +of a few<br> +steps to the river, admitted our first party, we could not help +feeling<br> +struck anew with the gallantry of that mere handful of brave +fellows who<br> +thus threw themselves amidst the overwhelming legions of the +enemy, and at<br> +once, without waiting for a single reinforcement, opened a fire +upon their<br> +ranks. Bold as the enterprise unquestionably was, we still felt +with what<br> +consummate judgment it had been planned; a bend of the river +concealed<br> +entirely the passage of the troops, the guns of the Sierras +covered their<br> +landing and completely swept one approach to the seminary. The +French,<br> +being thus obliged to attack by the gate, were compelled to make +a<br> +considerable <i>détour</i> before they reached it, all of +which gave time<br> +for our divisions to cross; while the brigade of Guards, under +General<br> +Sherbroke, profiting by the confusion, passed the river below the +town, and<br> +took the enemy unexpectedly in the rear.</p> + +<p>Brief as was the struggle within the town, it must have been a +terrific<br> +one. The artillery were firing at musket range; cavalry and +infantry were<br> +fighting hand to hand in narrow streets, a destructive musketry +pouring all<br> +the while from windows and house-tops.</p> + +<p>At the Amarante gate, where the French defiled, the carnage +was also great.<br> +Their light artillery unlimbered some guns here to cover the +columns as<br> +they deployed, but Murray's cavalry having carried these, the +flank of the<br> +infantry became entirely exposed to the galling fire of +small-arms from<br> +the seminary, and the far more destructive shower of grape that +poured<br> +unceasingly from the Sierra.</p> + +<p>Our brigade did the rest; and in less than one hour from the +landing of the<br> +first man, the French were in full retreat upon Vallonga.</p> + +<p>"A glorious thing, Charley," said Power, after a pause, "and a +proud<br> +souvenir for hereafter."</p> + +<p>A truth I felt deeply at the time, and one my heart responds +to not less<br> +fully as I am writing.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XLVIII.</p> + +<p>THE QUARREL.</p> + +<p>On the evening of the 12th, orders were received for the +German brigade and<br> +three squadrons of our regiment to pursue the French upon the +Terracinthe<br> +road by daybreak on the following morning.</p> + +<p>I was busily occupied in my preparations for a hurried march +when Mike came<br> +up to say that an officer desired to speak with me; and the +moment after<br> +Captain Hammersley appeared. A sudden flush colored his pale and +sickly<br> +features, as he held out his hand and said,—</p> + +<p>"I've come to wish you joy, O'Malley. I just this instant +heard of your<br> +promotion. I am sincerely glad of it; pray tell me the whole +affair."</p> + +<p>"That is the very thing I am unable to do. I have some very +vague,<br> +indistinct remembrance of warding off a sabre-cut from the head +of a<br> +wounded and unhorsed officer in the <i>mêlée</i> of +yesterday, but more I know<br> +not. In fact, it was my first duty under fire. I've a tolerably +clear<br> +recollection of all the events of the morning, but the word +'Charge!' once<br> +given, I remember very little more. But you, where have you been? +How have<br> +we not met before?"</p> + +<p>"I've exchanged into a heavy dragoon regiment, and am now +employed upon the<br> +staff."</p> + +<p>"You are aware that I have letters for you?"</p> + +<p>"Power hinted, I think, something of the kind. I saw him very +hurriedly."</p> + +<p>These words were spoken with an effort at <i>nonchalance</i> +that evidently cost<br> +him much.</p> + +<p>As for me, my agitation was scarcely less, as fumbling for +some seconds in<br> +my portmanteau, I drew forth the long destined packet. As I +placed it in<br> +his hands, he grew deadly pale, and a slight spasmodic twitch in +his upper<br> +lip bespoke some unnatural struggle. He broke the seal suddenly, +and as he<br> +did so, the morocco case of a miniature fell upon the ground; his +eyes ran<br> +rapidly across the letter; the livid color of his lips as the +blood forced<br> +itself to them added to the corpse-like hue of his +countenance.</p> + +<p>"You, probably, are aware of the contents of this letter, Mr. +O'Malley,"<br> +said he, in an altered voice, whose tones, half in anger, half +in<br> +suppressed irony, cut to my very heart.</p> + +<p>"I am in complete ignorance of them," said I, calmly.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, sir!" replied he, with a sarcastic curl of his mouth +as he spoke.<br> +"Then, perhaps, you will tell me, too, that your very success is +a secret<br> +to you—"</p> + +<p>"I'm really not aware—"</p> + +<p>"You think, probably, sir, that the pastime is an amusing one, +to interfere<br> +where the affections of others are concerned. I've heard of you, +sir. Your<br> +conduct at Lisbon is known to me; and though Captain Trevyllian +may bear—"</p> + +<p>"Stop, Captain Hammersley!" said I, with a tremendous effort +to be<br> +calm,—"stop! You have said enough, quite enough, to convince me +of what<br> +your object was in seeking me here to-day. You shall not be +disappointed. I<br> +trust that assurance will save you from any further display of +temper."</p> + +<p>"I thank you, most humbly I thank you for the quickness of +your<br> +apprehension; and I shall now take my leave. Good-evening, Mr. +O'Malley. I<br> +wish you much joy; you have my very fullest congratulations upon +<i>all</i> your<br> +good fortune."</p> + +<p>The sneering emphasis the last words were spoken with remained +fixed in my<br> +mind long after he took his departure; and, indeed, so completely +did the<br> +whole seem like a dream to me that were it not for the fragments +of the<br> +miniature that lay upon the ground where he had crushed them with +his heel,<br> +I could scarcely credit myself that I was awake.</p> + +<p>My first impulse was to seek Power, upon whose judgment and +discretion I<br> +could with confidence rely.</p> + +<p>I had not long to wait; for scarcely had I thrown my cloak +around me, when<br> +he rode up. He had just seen, Hammersley, and learned something +of our<br> +interview.</p> + +<p>"Why, Charley, my dear fellow, what is this? How have you +treated poor<br> +Hammersley?"</p> + +<p>"Treated <i>him</i>! Say, rather, how has he treated +<i>me!</i>"</p> + +<p>I here entered into a short but accurate account of our +meeting, during<br> +which Power listened with great composure; while I could +perceive, from the<br> +questions he asked, that some very different impression had been +previously<br> +made upon his mind.</p> + +<p>"And this was all that passed?"</p> + +<p>"All."</p> + +<p>"But what of the business at Lisbon?"</p> + +<p>"I don't understand."</p> + +<p>"Why, he speaks,—he has heard some foolish account of your +having made<br> +some ridiculous speech there about your successful rivalry of him +in<br> +Ireland. Lucy Dashwood, I suppose, is referred to. Some one has +been<br> +good-natured enough to repeat the thing to him."</p> + +<p>"But it never occurred. I never did."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure, Charley?"</p> + +<p>"I am sure. I know I never did."</p> + +<p>"The poor fellow! He has been duped. Come, Charley, you must +not take it<br> +ill. Poor Hammersley has never recovered a sabre-wound he +received some<br> +months since upon the head; his intellect is really affected by +it. Leave<br> +it all to me. Promise not to leave your quarters till I return, +and I'll<br> +put everything right again."</p> + +<p>I gave the required pledge; while Power, springing into the +saddle, left me<br> +to my own reflections.</p> + +<p>My frame of mind as Power left me was by no means an enviable +one. A<br> +quarrel is rarely a happy incident in a man's life, still less is +it so<br> +when the difference arises with one we are disposed to like and +respect.<br> +Such was Hammersley. His manly, straightforward character had won +my esteem<br> +and regard, and it was with no common scrutiny I taxed my memory +to think<br> +what could have given rise to the impression he labored under of +my<br> +having injured him. His chance mention of Trevyllian suggested to +me some<br> +suspicion that his dislike of me, wherefore arising I knew not, +might have<br> +its share in the matter; and in this state of doubt and +uncertainty I paced<br> +impatiently up and down, anxiously watching for Power's return in +the hope<br> +of at length getting some real insight into the difficulty.</p> + +<p>My patience was fast ebbing, Power had been absent above an +hour, and no<br> +appearance of him could I detect, when suddenly the tramp of a +horse came<br> +rapidly up the hill. I looked out and saw a rider coming forward +at a very<br> +fast pace. Before I had time for even a guess as to who it was, +he drew<br> +up, and I recognized Captain Trevyllian. There was a certain look +of easy<br> +impertinence and half-smiling satisfaction about his features I +had never<br> +seen before, as he touched his cap in salute, and said,—</p> + +<p>"May I have the honor of a few words' conversation with +you?"</p> + +<p>I bowed silently, while he dismounted, and passing his bridle +beneath his<br> +arm, walked on beside me.</p> + +<p>"My friend Captain Hammersley has commissioned me to wait upon +you about<br> +this unpleasant affair—"</p> + +<p>"I beg pardon for the interruption, Captain Trevyllian, but as +I have yet<br> +to learn to what you or your friend alludes, perhaps it may +facilitate<br> +matters if you will explicitly state your meaning."</p> + +<p>He grew crimson on the cheek as I said this, while, with a +voice perfectly<br> +unmoved, he continued,—</p> + +<p>"I am not sufficiently in my friend's confidence to know the +whole of the<br> +affair in question, nor have I his permission to enter into any +of it, he<br> +probably presuming, as I certainly did myself, that your sense of +honor<br> +would have deemed further parley and discussion both unnecessary +and<br> +unseasonable."</p> + +<p>"In fact, then, if I understand, it is expected that I should +meet Captain<br> +Hammersley for some reason unknown—"</p> + +<p>"He certainly desires a meeting with you," was the dry +reply.</p> + +<p>"And as certainly I shall not give it, before understanding +upon what<br> +grounds."</p> + +<p>"And such I am to report as your answer?" said he, looking at +me at the<br> +moment with an expression of ill-repressed triumph as he +spoke.</p> + +<p>There was something in these few words, as well as in the tone +in which<br> +they were spoken, that sunk deeply in my heart. Was it that by +some trick<br> +of diplomacy he was endeavoring to compromise my honor and +character? Was<br> +it possible that my refusal might be construed into any other +than the<br> +real cause? I was too young, too inexperienced in the world to +decide the<br> +question for myself, and no time was allowed me to seek another's +counsel.<br> +What a trying moment was that for me; my temples throbbed, my +heart beat<br> +almost audibly, and I stood afraid to speak; dreading on the one +hand lest<br> +my compliance might involve me in an act to embitter my life +forever, and<br> +fearful on the other, that my refusal might be reported as a +trait of<br> +cowardice.</p> + +<p>He saw, he read my difficulty at a glance, and with a smile of +most<br> +supercilious expression, repeated coolly his former question. In +an instant<br> +all thought of Hammersley was forgotten. I remembered no more. I +saw him<br> +before me, he who had, since my first meeting, continually +contrived to<br> +pass some inappreciable slight upon me. My eyes flashed, my hands +tingled<br> +with ill-repressed rage, as I said,—</p> + +<p>"With Captain Hammersley I am conscious of no quarrel, nor +have I ever<br> +shown by any act or look an intention to provoke one. Indeed, +such<br> +demonstrations are not always successful; there are persons most +rigidly<br> +scrupulous for a friend's honor, little disposed to guard their +own."</p> + +<p>"You mistake," said he, interrupting me, as I spoke these +words with a look<br> +as insulting as I could make it,—"you mistake. I have sworn a +solemn oath<br> +never to <i>send</i> a challenge."</p> + +<p>The emphasis upon the word "send," explained fully his +meaning, when I<br> +said,—</p> + +<p>"But you will not decline—"</p> + +<p>"Most certainly not," said he, again interrupting, while with +sparkling eye<br> +and elated look he drew himself up to his full height. "Your +friend is—"</p> + +<p>"Captain Power; and yours—"</p> + +<p>"Sir Harry Beaufort. I may observe that, as the troops are in +marching<br> +order, the matter had better not be delayed."</p> + +<p>"There shall be none on my part."</p> + +<p>"Nor mine!" said he, as with a low bow and a look of most +ineffable<br> +triumph, he sprang into his saddle; then, "<i>Au revoir</i>, Mr. +O'Malley," said<br> +he, gathering up his reins. "Beaufort is on the staff, and +quartered at<br> +Oporto." So saying, he cantered easily down the slope, and once +more I was<br> +alone.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER XLIX.</p> + +<p>THE ROUTE CONTINUED.</p> + +<p>I was leisurely examining my pistols,—poor Considine's last +present to me<br> +on leaving home,—when an orderly sergeant rode up, and delivered +into my<br> +hands the following order:—</p> + +<p> Lieutenant O'Malley will hold himself in immediate +readiness to<br> + proceed on a particular service. By order of his Excellency +the<br> + Commander of the Forces.<br> + [Signed] S. GORDON, Military Secretary.</p> + +<p>"What can this mean?" thought I. "It is not possible that any +rumor of my<br> +intended meeting could have got abroad, and that my present +destination<br> +could be intended as a punishment?"</p> + +<p>I walked hurriedly to the door of the little hut which formed +my quarters;<br> +below me in the plain, all was activity and preparation, the +infantry were<br> +drawn up in marching order, baggage wagons, ordnance stores, and +artillery<br> +seemed all in active preparation, and some cavalry squadrons +might be<br> +already seen with forage allowances behind the saddle, as if only +waiting<br> +the order to set out. I strained my eyes to see if Power was +coming, but no<br> +horseman approached in the direction. I stood, and I hesitated +whether I<br> +should not rather seek him at once, than continue to wait on in +my present<br> +uncertainty; but then, what if I should miss him? And I had +pledged myself<br> +to remain till he returned.</p> + +<p>While I deliberated thus with myself, weighing the various +chances for and<br> +against each plan, I saw two mounted officers coming towards me +at a brisk<br> +trot. As they came nearer, I recognized one as my colonel, the +other was an<br> +officer of the staff.</p> + +<p>Supposing that their mission had some relation to the order I +had so lately<br> +received, and which until now I had forgotten, I hastily returned +and<br> +ordered Mike to my presence.</p> + +<p>"How are the horses, Mike?" said I.</p> + +<p>"Never better, sir. Badger was wounded slightly by a spent +shot in the<br> +counter, but he's never the worse this morning, and the black +horse is<br> +capering like a filly."</p> + +<p>"Get ready my pack, feed the cattle, and be prepared to set +out at a<br> +moment's warning."</p> + +<p>"Good advice, O'Malley," said the colonel, as he overheard the +last<br> +direction to my servant. "I hope the nags are in condition?"</p> + +<p>"Why yes, sir, I believe they are."</p> + +<p>"All the better; you've a sharp ride before you. Meanwhile let +me introduce<br> +my friend; Captain Beaumont, Mr. O'Malley. I think we had better +be<br> +seated."</p> + +<p>"These are your instructions, Mr. O'Malley," said Captain +Beaumont,<br> +unfolding a map as he spoke. "You will proceed from this with +half a troop<br> +of our regiment by forced marches towards the frontier, passing +through<br> +the town of Calenco and Guarda and the Estrella pass. On arriving +at the<br> +headquarters of the Lusitanian Legion, which you will find there, +you are<br> +to put yourself under the orders of Major Monsoon, commanding +that force.<br> +Any Portuguese cavalry he may have with him will be attached to +yours and<br> +under your command; your rank for the time being that of captain. +You will,<br> +as far as possible, acquaint yourself with the habits and +capabilities of<br> +the native cavalry, and make such report as you judge necessary +thereupon<br> +to his Excellency the commander of the forces. I think it only +fair to add<br> +that you are indebted to my friend Colonel Merivale for the very +flattering<br> +position thus opened to your skill and enterprise."</p> + +<p>"My dear Colonel, let me assure you—"</p> + +<p>"Not a word, my boy. I knew the thing would suit you, and I am +sure I<br> +can count upon your not disappointing my expectations of you. Sir +Arthur<br> +perfectly remembers your name. He only asked two questions,—</p> + +<p>"'Is he well mounted?'</p> + +<p>"'Admirably,' was my answer.</p> + +<p>"'Can you depend upon his promptitude?'</p> + +<p>"'He'll leave in half an hour.' "So you see, O'Malley, I have +already<br> +pledged myself for you. And now I must say adieu; the regiments +are about<br> +to take up a more advanced position, so good-by. I hope you'll +have a<br> +pleasant time of it till we meet again."</p> + +<p>"It is now twelve o'clock, Mr. O'Malley," said Beaumont; "we +may rely upon<br> +your immediate departure. Your written instructions and +despatches will be<br> +here within a quarter of an hour."</p> + +<p>I muttered something,—what, I cannot remember; I bowed my +thanks to my<br> +worthy colonel, shook his hand warmly, and saw him ride down the +hill<br> +and disappear in the crowd of soldiery beneath, before I could +recall my<br> +faculties and think over my situation.</p> + +<p>Then all at once did the full difficulty of my position break +upon me. If<br> +I accepted my present employment I must certainly fail in my +engagement to<br> +Trevyllian. But I had already pledged myself to its acceptance. +What was to<br> +be done? No time was left for deliberation. The very minutes I +should have<br> +spent in preparation were fast passing. Would that Power might +appear!<br> +Alas, he came not! My state of doubt and uncertainty increased +every<br> +moment; I saw nothing but ruin before me, even at a moment when +fortune<br> +promised most fairly for the future, and opened a field of +enterprise my<br> +heart had so often and so ardently desired. Nothing was left me +but to<br> +hasten to Colonel Merivale and decline my appointment; to do so +was to<br> +prejudice my character in his estimation forever, for I dared not +allege<br> +my reasons, and in all probability my conduct might require my +leaving the<br> +army.</p> + +<p>"Be it so, then," said I, in an accent of despair; "the die is +cast."</p> + +<p>I ordered my horse round; I wrote a few words to Power to +explain my<br> +absence should he come while I was away, and leaped into the +saddle. As I<br> +reached the plain my pace became a gallop, and I pressed my horse +with all<br> +the impatience my heart was burning with. I dashed along the +lines towards<br> +Oporto, neither hearing nor seeing aught around me, when suddenly +the clank<br> +of cavalry accoutrements behind induced me to turn my head, and I +perceived<br> +an orderly dragoon at full gallop in pursuit. I pulled up till he +came<br> +alongside.</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant O'Malley, sir," said the man, saluting, "these +despatches are<br> +for you."</p> + +<p>I took them hurriedly, and was about to continue my route, +when the<br> +attitude of the dragoon arrested my attention. He had reined in +his horse<br> +to the side of the narrow causeway, and holding him still and +steadily, sat<br> +motionless as a statue. I looked behind and saw the whole staff +approaching<br> +at a brisk trot. Before I had a moment for thought they were +beside me.</p> + +<p>"Ah, O'Malley," cried Merivale, "you have your orders; don't +wait; his<br> +Excellency is coming up."</p> + +<p>"Get along, I advise you," said another, "or you'll catch it, +as some of us<br> +have done this morning."</p> + +<p>"All is right, Charley; you can go in safety," said a +whispering voice, as<br> +Power passed in a sharp canter.</p> + +<p>That one sentence was enough; my heart bounded like a deer, my +cheek beamed<br> +with the glow of delighted pleasure, I closed my spurs upon my +gallant gray<br> +and dashed across the plain.</p> + +<p>When I arrived at my quarters the men were drawn up in +waiting, and<br> +provided with rations for three days' march; Mike was also +prepared for the<br> +road, and nothing more remained to delay me.</p> + +<p>"Captain Power has been here, sir, and left a note."</p> + +<p>I took it and thrust it hastily into my sabretasche. I knew +from the<br> +few words he had spoken that my present step involved me in no +ill<br> +consequences; so giving the word to wheel into column, I rode to +the front<br> +and set out upon my march to Alcantara.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER L.</p> + +<p>THE WATCH-FIRE.</p> + +<p>There are few things so inspiriting to a young soldier as the +being<br> +employed with a separate command; the picket and outpost duty +have a charm<br> +for him no other portion of his career possesses. The field seems +open for<br> +individual boldness and heroism; success, if obtained, must +redound to his<br> +own credit; and what can equal, in its spirit-stirring +enthusiasm, that<br> +first moment when we become in any way the arbiter of our own +fortunes?</p> + +<p>Such were my happy thoughts, as with a proud and elated heart +I set forth<br> +upon my march. The notice the commander-in-chief had bestowed +upon me had<br> +already done much; it had raised me in my own estimation, and +implanted<br> +within me a longing desire for further distinction. I thought, +too, of<br> +those far, far away, who were yet to hear of my successes.</p> + +<p>I fancied to myself how they would severally receive the news. +My poor<br> +uncle, with tearful eye and quivering lip, was before me, as I +saw him read<br> +the despatch, then wipe his glasses, and read on, till at last, +with one<br> +long-drawn breath, his manly voice, tremulous with emotion, would +break<br> +forth: "My boy! my own Charley!" Then I pictured Considine, with +port<br> +erect and stern features, listening silently; not a syllable, not +a motion<br> +betraying that he felt interested in my fate, till as if +impatient, at<br> +length he would break in: "I knew it,—I said so; and yet you +thought to<br> +make him a lawyer!" And then old Sir Harry, his warm heart +glowing with<br> +pleasure, and his good-humored face beaming with happiness, how +many a<br> +blunder he would make in retailing the news, and how many a +hearty laugh<br> +his version of it would give rise to!</p> + +<p>I passed in review before me the old servants, as they +lingered in the<br> +room to hear the story. Poor old Matthew, the butler, fumbling +with his<br> +corkscrew to gain a little time; then looking in my uncle's face, +half<br> +entreatingly, as he asked: "Any news of Master Charles, sir, from +the<br> +wars?"</p> + +<p>While thus my mind wandered back to the scenes and faces of my +early home,<br> +I feared to ask myself how <i>she</i> would feel to whom my heart +was now<br> +turning. Too deeply did I know how poor my chances were in that +quarter to<br> +nourish hope, and yet I could not bring myself to abandon it +altogether.<br> +Hammersley's strange conduct suggested to me that he, at least, +could not<br> +be <i>my</i> rival; while I plainly perceived that he regarded me +as <i>his</i>.<br> +There was a mystery in all this I could not fathom, and I +ardently longed<br> +for my next meeting with Power, to learn the nature of his +interview, and<br> +also in what manner the affair had been arranged.</p> + +<p>Such were my passing thoughts as I pressed forward. My men, +picked no less<br> +for themselves than their horses, came rapidly along; and ere +evening, we<br> +had accomplished twelve leagues of our journey.</p> + +<p>The country through which we journeyed, though wild and +romantic in its<br> +character, was singularly rich and fertile,—cultivation reaching +to the<br> +very summits of the rugged mountains, and patches of wheat and +Indian corn<br> +peeping amidst masses of granite rock and tangled brushwood. The +vine<br> +and the olive grew wild on every side; while the orange and the +arbutus,<br> +loading the air with perfume, were mingled with prickly +pear-trees and<br> +variegated hollies. We followed no regular track, but cantered +along over<br> +hill and valley, through forest and prairie, now in long file +through some<br> +tall field of waving corn, now in open order upon some level +plain,—our<br> +Portuguese guide riding a little in advance of us, upon a +jet-black mule,<br> +carolling merrily some wild Gallician melody as he went.</p> + +<p>As the sun was setting, we arrived beside a little stream that +flowing<br> +along a rocky bed, skirted a vast forest of tall cork-trees. Here +we called<br> +a halt, and picketing our horses, proceeded to make our +arrangements for a<br> +bivouac.</p> + +<p>Never do I remember a more lovely night. The watch-fires sent +up a<br> +delicious odor from the perfumed shrubs; while the glassy water +reflected<br> +on its still surface the starry sky that, unshadowed and +unclouded,<br> +stretched above us. I wrapped myself in my trooper's mantle, and +lay down<br> +beneath a tree,—but not to sleep. There was a something so +exciting, and<br> +withal so tranquillizing, that I had no thought of slumber, but +fell into<br> +a musing revery. There was a character of adventure in my +position that<br> +charmed me much. My men were gathered in little groups beside the +fires;<br> +some sunk in slumber, others sat smoking silently, or chatting, +in a low<br> +undertone, of some bygone scene of battle or bivouac; here and +there were<br> +picketed the horses; the heavy panoply and piled carbines +flickering in the<br> +red glare of the watch-fires, which ever and anon threw a +flitting glow<br> +upon the stern and swarthy faces of my bold troopers. Upon the +trees<br> +around, sabres and helmets, holsters and cross-belts, were hung +like<br> +armorial bearings in some antique hall, the dark foliage +spreading its<br> +heavy shadow around us. Farther off, upon a little rocky ledge, +the erect<br> +figure of the sentry, with his short carbine resting in the +hollow of his<br> +arm, was seen slowly pacing in measured tread, or standing for a +moment<br> +silently, as he looked upon the fair and tranquil sky,—his +thoughts<br> +doubtless far, far away, beyond the sea, to some humble home, +where,—</p> + +<p> "The hum of the spreading sycamore,<br> + That grew beside his cottage door,"</p> + +<p>was again in his ears, while the merry laugh of his children +stirred his<br> +bold heart. It was a Salvator-Rosa scene, and brought me back in +fancy to<br> +the bandit legends I had read in boyhood. By the uncertain light +of the<br> +wood embers I endeavored to sketch the group that lay before +me.</p> + +<p>The night wore on. One by one the soldiers stretched +themselves to sleep,<br> +and all was still. As the hours rolled by a drowsy feeling crept +gradually<br> +over me. I placed my pistols by my side, and having replenished +the fire by<br> +some fresh logs, disposed myself comfortably before it.</p> + +<p>It was during that half-dreamy state that intervenes between +waking and<br> +sleep that a rustling sound of the branches behind attracted my +attention.<br> +The air was too calm to attribute this to the wind, so I listened +for some<br> +minutes; but sleep, too long deferred, was over-powerful, and my +head sank<br> +upon my grassy pillow, and I was soon sound asleep. How long I +remained<br> +thus, I know not; but I awoke suddenly. I fancied some one had +shaken me<br> +rudely by the shoulder; but yet all was tranquil. My men were +sleeping<br> +soundly as I saw them last. The fires were becoming low, and a +gray streak<br> +in the sky, as well as a sharp cold feeling of the air, betokened +the<br> +approach of day. Once more I heaped some dry branches together, +and was<br> +again about to stretch myself to rest, when I felt a hand upon my +shoulder.<br> +I turned quickly round, and by the imperfect light of the fire, +saw the<br> +figure of a man standing motionless beside me; his head was bare, +and his<br> +hair fell in long curls upon his shoulders; one hand was pressed +upon his<br> +bosom, and with the other he motioned me to silence. My first +impression<br> +was that our party were surprised by some French patrol; but as I +looked<br> +again, I recognized, to my amazement, that the individual before +me was the<br> +young French officer I had seen that morning a prisoner beside +the Douro.</p> + +<p>"How came you here?" said I, in a low voice, to him in +French.</p> + +<p>"Escaped; one of my own men threw himself between me and the +sentry; I swam<br> +the Douro, received a musket-ball through my arm, lost my shako, +and here I<br> +am!"</p> + +<p>"You are aware you are again a prisoner?"</p> + +<p>"If you desire it, of course I am," said he, in a voice full +of feeling<br> +that made my very heart creep. "I thought you were a party of +Lorge's<br> +Dragoons, scouring the country for forage; tracked you the entire +day, and<br> +have only now come up with you."</p> + +<p>The poor fellow, who had neither eaten nor drunk since +daybreak, wounded<br> +and footsore, had accomplished twelve leagues of a march only +once more to<br> +fall into the hands of his enemies. His years could scarcely have +numbered<br> +nineteen; his countenance was singularly prepossessing; and +though bleeding<br> +and torn, with tattered uniform, and without a covering to his +head, there<br> +was no mistaking for a moment that he was of gentle blood. +Noiselessly and<br> +cautiously I made him sit down beside the fire, while I spread +before him<br> +the sparing remnant of my last night's supper, and shared my +solitary<br> +bottle of sherry with him.</p> + +<p>From the moment he spoke, I never entertained a thought of +making him a<br> +prisoner; but as I knew not how far I was culpable in permitting, +if not<br> +actually facilitating, his escape, I resolved to keep the +circumstance a<br> +secret from my party, and if possible, get him away before +daybreak.</p> + +<p>No sooner did he learn my intentions regarding him, than in an +instant<br> +all memory of his past misfortune, all thoughts of his present +destitute<br> +condition, seemed to have fled; and while I dressed his wound and +bound up<br> +his shattered arm, he chattered away as unconcernedly about the +past<br> +and the future as though seated beside the fire of his own +bivouac, and<br> +surrounded by his own brother officers.</p> + +<p>"You took us by surprise the other day," said he. "Our marshal +looked for<br> +the attack from the mouth of the river; we received information +that your<br> +ships were expected there. In any case, our retreat was an +orderly one, and<br> +must have been effected with slight loss."</p> + +<p>I smiled at the self-complacency of this reasoning, but did +not contradict<br> +him.</p> + +<p>"Your loss must indeed have been great; your men crossed under +the fire of<br> +a whole battery."</p> + +<p>"Not exactly," said I; "our first party were quietly stationed +in Oporto<br> +before you knew anything about it."</p> + +<p>"<i>Ah, sacré Dieu!</i> Treachery!" cried he, striking +his forehead with his<br> +clinched fist.</p> + +<p>"Not so; mere daring,—nothing more. But come, tell me +something of your<br> +own adventures. How were you taken?"</p> + +<p>"Simply thus,—I was sent to the rear with orders to the +artillery to cut<br> +their traces, and leave the guns; and when coming back, my horse +grew tired<br> +in the heavy ground, and I was spurring him to the utmost, when +one of your<br> +heavy dragoons—an officer, too—dashed at me, and actually rode +me down,<br> +horse and all. I lay for some time bruised by the fall, when an +infantry<br> +soldier passing by seized me by the collar, and brought me to the +rear. No<br> +matter, however, here I am now. You will not give me up; and +perhaps I may<br> +one day live to repay the kindness."</p> + +<p>"You have not long joined?"</p> + +<p>"It was my first battle; my epaulettes were very smart things +yesterday,<br> +though they do look a little <i>passés</i> to-day. You are +advancing, I<br> +suppose?"</p> + +<p>I smiled without answering this question.</p> + +<p>"Ah, I see you don't wish to speak. Never mind, your +discretion is thrown<br> +away upon me; for if I rejoined my regiment to-morrow, I should +have<br> +forgotten all you told me,—all but your great kindness." These +last words<br> +he spoke, bowing slightly his head, and coloring as he said +them.</p> + +<p>"You are a dragoon, I think?" said I, endeavoring to change +the topic.</p> + +<p>"I was, two days ago, <i>chasseur à cheval</i>, a +sous-lieutenant, in the<br> +regiment of my father, the General St. Croix."</p> + +<p>"The name is familiar to me," I replied, "and I am sincerely +happy to be in<br> +a position to serve the son of so distinguished an officer."</p> + +<p>"The son of so distinguished an officer is most deeply +obliged, but wishes<br> +with all his heart and soul he had never sought glory under such +very<br> +excellent auspices. You look surprised, <i>mon cher</i>; but let +me tell you,<br> +my military ardor is considerably abated in the last three days. +Hunger,<br> +thirst, imprisonment, and this"—lifting his wounded limb as he +spoke—"are<br> +sharp lessons in so short a campaign, and for one too, whose life +hitherto<br> +had much more of ease than adventure to boast of. Shall I tell +you how I<br> +became a soldier?"</p> + +<p>"By all means; give me your glass first; and now, with a fresh +log to the<br> +fire, I'm your man."</p> + +<p>"But stay; before I begin, look to this."</p> + +<p>The blood was flowing rapidly from his wound, which with some +difficulty I<br> +succeeded in stanching. He drank off his wine hastily, held out +his glass<br> +to be refilled, and then began his story.</p> + +<p>"You have never seen the Emperor?"</p> + +<p>"Never."</p> + +<p>"<i>Sacrebleu!</i> What a man he is! I'd rather stand under +the fire of your<br> +grenadiers, than meet his eye. When in a passion, he does not say +much, it<br> +is true; but what he does, comes with a kind of hissing, rushing +sound,<br> +while the very fire seems to kindle in his look. I have him +before me this<br> +instant, and though you will confess that my present condition +has nothing<br> +very pleasing in it, I should be sorry indeed to change it for +the last<br> +time I stood in his presence.</p> + +<p>"Two months ago I sported the gay light-blue and silver of a +page to the<br> +Emperor, and certainly, what with balls, <i>bonbons</i>, +flirtation, gossip,<br> +and champagne suppers, led a very gay, reckless, and indolent +life of it.<br> +Somehow,—I may tell you more accurately at another period, if we +ever<br> +meet,—I got myself into disgrace, and as a punishment, was +ordered<br> +to absent myself from the Tuileries, and retire for some weeks +to<br> +Fontainebleau. Siberia to a Russian would scarcely be a heavier +infliction<br> +than was this banishment to me. There was no court, no levee, no +military<br> +parade, no ball, no opera. A small household of the Emperor's +chosen<br> +servants quietly kept house there. The gloomy walls re-echoed to +no music;<br> +the dark alleys of the dreary garden seemed the very +impersonation of<br> +solitude and decay. Nothing broke the dull monotony of the +tiresome day,<br> +except when occasionally, near sunset, the clash of the guard +would be<br> +heard turning out, and the clank of presenting arms, followed by +the roll<br> +of a heavy carriage into the gloomy courtyard. One lamp, shining +like a<br> +star, in a small chamber on the second floor, would remain till +near four,<br> +sometimes five o'clock in the morning. The same sounds of the +guard and<br> +the same dull roll of the carriage would break the stillness of +the early<br> +morning; and the Emperor—for it was he—would be on his road +back to<br> +Paris.</p> + +<p>"We never saw him,—I say we, for like myself some half-dozen +others were<br> +also there, expiating their follies by a life of cheerless +<i>ennui</i>.</p> + +<p>"It was upon a calm evening in April, we sat together chatting +over the<br> +various misdeeds which had consigned us to exile, when some one +proposed,<br> +by way of passing the time, that we should visit the small +flower-garden<br> +that was parted off from the rest, and reserved for the Emperor +alone. It<br> +was already beyond the hour he usually came; besides that, even +should he<br> +arrive, there was abundant time to get back before he could +possibly reach<br> +it. The garden we had often seen, but there was something in the +fact that<br> +our going there was a transgression that so pleased us all that +we agreed<br> +at once and set forth. For above an hour we loitered about the +lonely and<br> +deserted walks, where already the Emperor's foot-tracks had worn +a marked<br> +pathway, when we grew weary and were about to return, just as one +of the<br> +party suggested, half in ridicule of the sanctity of the spot, +that we<br> +should have a game of leap-frog ere we left it. The idea pleased +us and was<br> +at once adopted. Our plan was this,—each person stationed +himself in some<br> +by-walk or alley, and waited till the other, whose turn it was, +came and<br> +leaped over him; so that, besides the activity displayed, there +was a<br> +knowledge of the <i>locale</i> necessary; for to any one passed +over a forfeit<br> +was to be paid. Our game began at once, and certainly I doubt if +ever those<br> +green alleys and shady groves rang to such hearty laughter. Here +would be<br> +seen a couple rolling over together on the grass; there some +luckless wight<br> +counting out his pocket-money to pay his penalty. The hours +passed quietly<br> +over, and the moon rose, and at last it came to my turn to make +the tour of<br> +the garden. As I was supposed to know all its intricacies better +than the<br> +rest, a longer time was given for them to conceal themselves; at +length the<br> +word was given, and I started.</p> + +<p>"Anxious to acquit myself well, I hurried along at top speed, +but guess my<br> +surprise to discover that nowhere could I find one of my +companions. Down<br> +one walk I scampered, up another, across a third, but all was +still and<br> +silent; not a sound, not a breath, could I detect. There was +still one part<br> +of the garden unexplored; it was a small open space before a +little pond<br> +which usually contained the gold fish the Emperor was so fond of. +Thither<br> +I bent my steps, and had not gone far when in the pale moonlight +I saw, at<br> +length, one of my companions waiting patiently for my coming, his +head<br> +bent forward and his shoulders rounded. Anxious to repay him for +my own<br> +disappointment, I crept silently forward on tiptoe till quite +near him,<br> +when, rushing madly on, I sprang upon his back; just, however, as +I rose to<br> +leap over, he raised his head, and, staggered by the impulse of +my spring,<br> +he was thrown forward, and after an ineffectual effort to keep +his legs<br> +fell flat upon his face in the grass. Bursting with laughter, I +fell over<br> +him on the ground, and was turning to assist him, when suddenly +he sprang<br> +upon his feet, and—horror of horrors!—it was Napoleon himself; +his<br> +usually pale features were purple with rage, but not a word, not +a syllable<br> +escaped him.</p> + +<p>"'<i>Qui êtes vous</i>?' said he, at length.</p> + +<p>"'St. Croix, Sire,' said I, still kneeling before him, while +my very heart<br> +leaped into my mouth.</p> + +<p>"'St. Croix! <i>toujours</i> St. Croix! Come here; approach +me,' cried he, in a<br> +voice of stifled passion.</p> + +<p>"I rose; but before I could take a step forward he sprang at +me, and<br> +tearing off my epaulettes trampled them beneath his feet, and +then he<br> +shouted out, rather than spoke, the word '<i>Allez!</i>'</p> + +<p>"I did not wait for a second intimation, but clearing the +paling at a<br> +spring, was many a mile from Fontainebleau before daybreak."</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LI.</p> + +<p>THE MARCH.</p> + +<p>Twice the <i>réveil</i> sounded; the horses champed +impatiently their heavy<br> +bits; my men stood waiting for the order to mount, ere I could +arouse<br> +myself from the deep sleep I had fallen into. The young Frenchman +and his<br> +story were in my dreams, and when I awoke, his figure, as he lay +sleeping<br> +beside the wood embers, was the first object I perceived. There +he lay,<br> +to all seeming as forgetful of his fate as though he still +inhabited the<br> +gorgeous halls and gilded saloons of the Tuileries; his pale and +handsome<br> +features wore even a placid smile as, doubtless, some dream of +other days<br> +flitted across him; his long hair waved in luxurious curls upon +his neck,<br> +and his light-brown mustache, slightly curled at the top, gave to +his<br> +mild and youthful features an air of saucy <i>fierté</i> +that heightened their<br> +effect. A narrow blue ribbon which he wore round his throat +gently peeped<br> +from his open bosom. I could not resist the curiosity I felt to +see what it<br> +meant, and drawing it softly forth, I perceived that a small +miniature was<br> +attached to it. It was beautifully painted, and surrounded with +brilliants<br> +of some value. One glance showed me,—for I had seen more than +one<br> +engraving before of her,—that it was the portrait of the +Empress<br> +Josephine. Poor boy! he doubtless was a favorite at court; +indeed,<br> +everything in his air and manner bespoke him such. I gently +replaced the<br> +precious locket and turned from the spot to think over what was +best to<br> +be done for him. Knowing the vindictive feeling of the Portuguese +towards<br> +their invaders, I feared to take Pietro, our guide, into my +confidence. I<br> +accordingly summoned my man Mike to my aid, who, with all his +country's<br> +readiness, soon found out an expedient. It was to pretend to +Pietro that<br> +the prisoner was merely an English officer who had made his +escape from the<br> +French army, in which, against his will, he had been serving for +some time.</p> + +<p>This plan succeeded perfectly; and when St. Croix, mounted +upon one of my<br> +led horses, set out upon his march beside me, none was more +profuse of his<br> +attentions than the dark-brown guide whose hatred of a Frenchman +was beyond<br> +belief.</p> + +<p>By thus giving him safe conduct through Portugal, I knew that +when we<br> +reached the frontier he could easily manage to come up with some +part of<br> +Marshal Victor's force, the advanced guard of which lay on the +left bank of<br> +the Tagus.</p> + +<p>To me the companionship was the greatest boon; the gay and +buoyant spirit<br> +that no reverse of fortune, no untoward event, could subdue, +lightened many<br> +an hour of the journey; and though at times the gasconading tone +of the<br> +Frenchman would peep through, there was still such a fund of +good-tempered<br> +raillery in all he said that it was impossible to feel angry with +him.<br> +His implicit faith in the Emperor's invincibility also amused me. +Of the<br> +unbounded confidence of the nation in general, and the army +particularly,<br> +in Napoleon, I had till then no conception. It was not that in +the profound<br> +skill and immense resources of the general they trusted, but they +actually<br> +regarded him as one placed above all the common accidents of +fortune, and<br> +revered him as something more than human.</p> + +<p>"<i>Il viendra et puis</i>—" was the continued exclamation of +the young<br> +Frenchman. Any notion of our successfully resisting the +overwhelming might<br> +of the Emperor, he would have laughed to scorn, and so I let him +go on<br> +prophesying our future misfortunes till the time when, driven +back upon<br> +Lisbon, we should be compelled to evacuate the Peninsula, and +under<br> +favor of a convention be permitted to return to England. All this +was<br> +sufficiently ridiculous, coming from a youth of nineteen, +wounded, in<br> +misery, a prisoner; but further experience of his nation has +shown me<br> +that St. Croix was not the exception, but the rule. The +conviction in the<br> +ultimate success of their army, whatever be the merely momentary +mishap, is<br> +the one present thought of a Frenchman; a victory with them is a +conquest;<br> +a defeat,—if they are by any chance driven to acknowledge +one,—a<br> +<i>fatalité</i>.</p> + +<p>I was too young a man, and still more, too young a soldier, to +bear with<br> +this absurd affectation of superiority as I ought, and +consequently was<br> +glad to wander, whenever I could, from the contested point of our +national<br> +superiority to other topics. St. Croix, although young, had seen +much of<br> +the world as a page in the splendid court of the Tuileries; the +scenes<br> +passing before his eyes were calculated to make a strong +impression; and<br> +by many an anecdote of his former life, he lightened the road as +we passed<br> +along.</p> + +<a name="0427"></a> +<img alt="0427.jpg (149K)" src="0427.jpg" height="545" width="648"> + +<p>[A TOUCH AT LEAP-FROG WITH NAPOLEON.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>"You promised, by-the-bye, to tell me of your banishment. How +did that<br> +occur, St. Croix?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Ah, par Dieu!</i> that was an unfortunate affair for me; +then began all my<br> +mishaps. But for that, I should never have been sent to +Fontainebleau;<br> +never have played leap-frog with the Emperor; never have been +sent a<br> +soldier into Spain. True," said he, laughing, "I should never +have had the<br> +happiness of your acquaintance. But still, I'd much rather have +met you<br> +first in the Place des Victoires than in the Estrella +Mountains."</p> + +<p>"Who knows?" said I; "perhaps your good genius prevailed in +all this."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," said he, interrupting me; "that's exactly what the +Empress<br> +said,—she was my godmother,—'Jules will be a <i>Maréchal +de France yet</i>.'<br> +But certainly, it must be confessed, I have made a bad beginning. +However,<br> +you wish to hear of my disgrace at court. <i>Allans donc</i>. But +had we not<br> +better wait for a halt?"</p> + +<p>"Agreed," said I; "and so let us now press forward."</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LII.</p> + +<p>THE PAGE.</p> + +<p>Under the deep shade of some tall trees, sheltered from the +noonday sun, we<br> +lay down to rest ourselves and enjoy a most patriarchal +dinner,—some dry<br> +biscuits, a few bunches of grapes, and a little weak wine, +savoring more of<br> +the borachio-skin than the vine-juice, were all we boasted; yet +they were<br> +not ungrateful at such a time and place.</p> + +<p>"Whose health did you pledge then?" inquired St. Croix, with +a<br> +half-malicious smile, as I raised the glass silently to my +lips.</p> + +<p>I blushed deeply, and looked confused.</p> + +<p>"<i>A ses beux yeux!</i> whoever she be," said he, gayly +tossing off his wine;<br> +"and now, if you feel disposed, I'll tell you my story. In good +truth, it<br> +is not worth relating, but it may serve to set you asleep, at all +events.</p> + +<p>"I have already told you I was a page. Alas, the impressions +you may feel<br> +of that functionary, from having seen Cherubino, give but a faint +notion of<br> +him when pertaining to the household of the Emperor Napoleon.</p> + +<p>"The <i>farfallone amoroso</i> basked in the soft smiles and +sunny looks of the<br> +Countess Almaviva; we met but the cold, impassive look of +Talleyrand, the<br> +piercing and penetrating stare of Savary, or the ambiguous smile, +half<br> +menace, half mockery, of Monsieur Fouché. While on +service, our days were<br> +passed in the antechamber, beside the <i>salle d'audience</i> of +the Emperor,<br> +reclining against the closed door, watching attentively for the +gentle<br> +tinkle of the little bell which summoned us to open for the exit +of some<br> +haughty diplomate, or the <i>entrée</i> of some redoubted +general. Thus passed<br> +we the weary hours; the illustrious visitors by whom we were +surrounded<br> +had no novelty, consequently no attraction for us, and the names +already<br> +historical were but household words with us.</p> + +<p>"We often remarked, too, the proud and distant bearing the +Emperor assumed<br> +towards those of his generals who had been his former +companions-in-arms.<br> +Whatever familiarity or freedom may have existed in the campaign +or in the<br> +battle-field, the air of the Tuileries certainly chilled it. I +have often<br> +heard that the ceremonious observances and rigid etiquette of the +old<br> +Bourbon court were far preferable to the stern reserve and +unbending<br> +stiffness of the imperial one.</p> + +<p>"The antechamber is but the reflection of the reception-room; +and whatever<br> +be the whims, the caprices, the littleness of the Great Man, they +are<br> +speedily assumed by his inferiors, and the dark temper of one +casts a<br> +lowering shadow on every menial by whom he is surrounded.</p> + +<p>"As for us, we were certainly not long in catching somewhat of +the spirit<br> +of the Emperor; and I doubt much if the impertinence of the +waiting-room<br> +was not more dreaded and detested than the abrupt speech and +searching look<br> +of Napoleon himself.</p> + +<p>"What a malicious pleasure have I not felt in arresting the +step of M. de<br> +Talleyrand, as he approached the Emperor's closet! With what easy +insolence<br> +have I lisped out, 'Pardon, Monsieur, but his Majesty cannot +receive you,'<br> +or 'Monsieur le Due, his Majesty has given no orders for your +admission.'<br> +How amusing it was to watch the baffled look of each, as he +retired once<br> +more to his place among the crowd, the wily diplomate covering +his chagrin<br> +with a practised smile, while the stern marshal would blush to +his very<br> +eyes with indignation! This was the great pleasure our position +afforded<br> +us, and with a boyish spirit of mischief, we cultivated it to +perfection,<br> +and became at last the very horror and detestation of all who +frequented<br> +the levees; and the ambassador whose fearless voice was heard +among the<br> +councils of kings became soft and conciliating in his approaches +to us; and<br> +the hardy general who would have charged upon a brigade of +artillery was<br> +timid as a girl in addressing us a mere question.</p> + +<p>"Among the amiable class thus characterized I was most +conspicuous,<br> +preserving cautiously a tone of civility that left nothing openly +to<br> +complain of. I assumed an indifference and impartiality of manner +that no<br> +exigency of affairs, no pressing haste, could discompose or +disturb; and<br> +my bow of recognition to Soult or Massena was as coolly measured +as my<br> +monosyllabic answer was accurately conned over.</p> + +<p>"Upon ordinary occasions the Emperor at the close of each +person's audience<br> +rang his little bell for the admission of the next in order as +they arrived<br> +in the waiting-room; yet when anything important was under +consideration, a<br> +list was given us in the morning of the names to be presented in +rotation,<br> +which no casual circumstance was ever suffered to interfere +with.</p> + +<p>"It is now about four months since, one fine morning, such a +list was<br> +placed within my hands. His Majesty was just then occupied with +an inquiry<br> +into the naval force of the kingdom; and as I cast my eyes +carelessly<br> +over the names, I read little else than Vice-Admiral So-and-so, +Commander<br> +Such-a-one, and Chef d'Escardron Such-another, and the levee +presented<br> +accordingly, instead of its usual brilliant array of gorgeous +uniform and<br> +aiguilletted marshals, the simple blue-and-gold of the naval +service.</p> + +<p>"The marine was not in high favor with the Emperor; and truly, +my reception<br> +of these unfrequent visitors was anything but flattering. The +early part<br> +of the morning was, as usual, occupied by the audience of the +Minister of<br> +Police, and the Duc de Bassano, who evidently, from the length of +time<br> +they remained, had matter of importance to communicate. Meanwhile +the<br> +antechamber filled rapidly, and before noon was actually crowded. +It was<br> +just at this moment that the folding-door slowly opened, and a +figure<br> +entered, such as I had never before seen in our brilliant saloon. +He was a<br> +man of five or six and fifty, short, thickset, and strongly +built, with a<br> +bronzed and weather-beaten face, and a broad open forehead deeply +scarred<br> +with a sabre-cut; a shaggy gray mustache curled over and +concealed his<br> +mouth, while eyebrows of the same color shaded his dark and +piercing eyes.<br> +His dress was a coarse cut of blue cloth such as the fishermen +wear in<br> +Bretagne, fastened at the waist by a broad belt of black leather, +from<br> +which hung a short-bladed cutlass; his loose trousers, of the +same<br> +material, were turned up at the ankles to show a pair of strong +legs<br> +coarsely cased in blue stockings and thick-soled shoes. A +broad-leaved<br> +oil-skin hat was held in one hand, and the other stuck carelessly +in his<br> +pocket, as he entered. He came in with a careless air, and +familiarly<br> +saluting one or two officers in the room, he sat himself down +near the<br> +door, appearing lost in his own reflections.</p> + +<p>"'Who can you be, my worthy friend?' was my question to myself +as I<br> +surveyed this singular apparition. At the same time, casting my +eyes down<br> +the list, I perceived that several pilots of the coast of Havre, +Calais,<br> +and Boulogne had been summoned to Paris to give some information +upon the<br> +soundings and depth of water along the shore.</p> + +<p>"'Ha,' thought I, 'I have it. The good man has mistaken his +place,<br> +and instead of remaining without, has walked boldly forward to +the<br> +antechamber.'</p> + +<p>"There was something so strange and so original in the grim +look of the old<br> +fellow, as he sat there alone, that I suffered him to remain +quietly in his<br> +delusion, rather than order him back to the waiting-room without; +besides,<br> +I perceived that a kind of sensation was created among the others +by his<br> +appearance there, which amused me greatly.</p> + +<p>"As the day wore on, the officers formed into little groups of +three or<br> +four, chatting together in an undertone,—all save the old pilot. +He had<br> +taken a huge tobacco-box from his capacious breast-pocket, and +inserting<br> +an immense piece of the bitter weed in his mouth, began to chew +it<br> +as leisurely as though he were walking the quarter-deck. The +cool<br> +<i>insouciance</i> of such a proceeding amused me much, and I +resolved to draw<br> +him out a little. His strong, broad Breton features, his deep +voice, his<br> +dry, blunt manner, were all in admirable keeping with his +exterior.</p> + +<p>"'<i>Par Dieu</i>, my lad,' said he, after chatting some time, +'had you not<br> +better tell the Emperor that I am waiting? It's now past noon, +and I must<br> +eat something.'</p> + +<p>"'Have a little patience,' said I; 'his Majesty is going to +invite you to<br> +dinner.'</p> + +<p>"'Be it so,' said he, gravely; 'provided the hour be an early +one, I'm his<br> +man.'</p> + +<p>"With difficulty did I keep down my laughter as he said this, +and<br> +continued.</p> + +<p>"'So you know the Emperor already, it seems?'</p> + +<p>"'Yes, that I do! I remember him when he was no higher than +yourself.'</p> + +<p>"'How delighted he'll be to find you here! I hope you have +brought up some<br> +of your family with you, as the Emperor would be so flattered by +it?'</p> + +<p>"'No, I've left them at home. This place don't suit us over +well. We have<br> +plenty to do besides spending our time and money among all you +fine folks<br> +here.'</p> + +<p>"'And not a bad life of it, either,' added I, 'fishing for cod +and<br> +herrings,—stripping a wreck now and then.'</p> + +<p>"He stared at me, as I said this, like a tiger on the spring, +but spoke not<br> +a word.</p> + +<p>"'And how many young sea-wolves may you have in your den at +home?'</p> + +<p>"'Six; and all of them able to carry you with one hand, at +arm's length.'</p> + +<p>"'I have no doubt. I shall certainly not test their ability. +But you<br> +yourself,—how do you like the capital?'</p> + +<p>"'Not over well; and I'll tell you why—'</p> + +<p>"As he said this the door of the audience-chamber opened, and +the Emperor<br> +appeared. His eyes flashed fire as he looked hurriedly around the +room.</p> + +<p>"'Who is in waiting here?'"</p> + +<p>"'I am, please your Majesty,' said I, bowing deeply, as I +started from my<br> +seat.</p> + +<p>"'And where is the Admiral Truguet? Why was he not +admitted?'</p> + +<p>"'Not present, your Majesty,' said I, trembling with fear.</p> + +<p>"'Hold there, young fellow; not so fast. Here he is.'</p> + +<p>"'Ah, Truguet, <i>mon ami!</i>' cried the Emperor, placing +both hands on the old<br> +fellow's shoulders, 'how long have you been in waiting?'</p> + +<p>"'Two hours and a half,' said he, producing in evidence a +watch like a<br> +saucer.</p> + +<p>"'What, two hours and a half, and I not know it!'</p> + +<p>"'No matter; I am always happy to serve your Majesty. But if +that fine<br> +fellow had not told me that you were going to ask me to +dinner—'</p> + +<p>"'He! He said so, did he?' said Napoleon, turning on me a +glance like a<br> +wild beast. 'Yes, Truguet, so I am; you shall dine with me +to-day. And you,<br> +sir,' said he, dropping his voice to a whisper, as he came closer +towards<br> +me,—'and you have dared to speak thus? Call in a guard there. +Capitaine,<br> +put this person under arrest; he is disgraced. He is no longer +page of the<br> +palace. Out of my presence! away, sir!'</p> + +<p>"The room wheeled round; my legs tottered; my senses reeled; +and I saw no<br> +more.</p> + +<p>"Three weeks' bread and water in St. Pélagie, however, +brought me to my<br> +recollection; and at last my kind, my more than kind friend, the +Empress,<br> +obtained my pardon, and sent me to Fontainebleau, till the +Emperor should<br> +forget all about it. How I contrived again to refresh his memory +I have<br> +already told you; and certainly you will acknowledge that I have +not been<br> +fortunate in my interviews with Napoleon."</p> + +<p>I am conscious how much St. Croix's story loses in my telling. +The simple<br> +expressions, the grace of the narrative, were its charm: and +these, alas!<br> +I can neither translate nor imitate, no more than I can convey +the strange<br> +mixture of deep feeling and levity, shrewdness and simplicity, +that<br> +constituted the manner of the narrator.</p> + +<p>With many a story of his courtly career he amused me as we +trotted along;<br> +when, towards nightfall of the third day, a peasant informed us +that a<br> +body of French cavalry occupied the convent of San Cristoval, +about three<br> +leagues off. The opportunity of his return to his own army +pleased him far<br> +less than I expected. Ho heard, without any show of satisfaction, +that the<br> +time of his liberation had arrived; and when the moment of +leave-taking<br> +drew near, he became deeply affected.</p> + +<p>"<i>Eh, bien</i>, Charles," said he, smiling sadly through his +dimmed and<br> +tearful eyes. "You've been a kind friend to me. Is the time never +to come<br> +when I can repay you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes; we'll meet again, be assured of it. Meanwhile there +is one way<br> +you can more than repay anything I have done for you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, name it at once!"</p> + +<p>"Many a brave fellow of ours is now, and doubtless many more +will be,<br> +prisoners with your army in this war. Whenever, therefore, your +lot brings<br> +you in contact with such—"</p> + +<p>"They shall be my brothers," said he, springing towards me and +throwing his<br> +arms round my neck. "Adieu, adieu!" With that he rushed from the +spot, and<br> +before I could speak again, was mounted upon the peasant's horse +and waving<br> +his hand to me in farewell.</p> + +<p>I looked after him as he rode at a fast gallop down the slope +of the green<br> +mountain, the noise of the horse's feet echoing along the silent +plain. I<br> +turned at length to leave the spot, and then perceived for the +first<br> +time that when taking his farewell of me he had hung around my +neck his<br> +miniature of the Empress. Poor boy! How sorrowful I felt thus to +rob him of<br> +what he had held so dear! How gladly would I have overtaken him +to restore<br> +it! It was the only keepsake he possessed; and knowing that I +would not<br> +accept it if offered, he took this way of compelling me to keep +it.</p> + +<p>Through the long hours of the summer's night I thought of him; +and when<br> +at last I slept, towards morning, my first thought on waking was +of the<br> +solitary day before me. The miles no longer slipped imperceptibly +along; no<br> +longer did the noon and night seem fast to follow. Alas, that one +should<br> +grow old! The very sorrows of our early years have something soft +and<br> +touching in them. Arising less from deep wrong than slight +mischances, the<br> +grief they cause comes ever with an alloy of pleasant thoughts, +telling<br> +of the tender past, and amidst the tears called up, forming some +bright<br> +rainbow of future hope.</p> + +<p>Poor St. Croix had already won greatly upon me, and I felt +lonely and<br> +desolate when he departed.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LIII.</p> + +<p>ALVAS.</p> + +<p>Nothing of incident marked our farther progress towards the +frontier of<br> +Spain, and at length we reached the small town of Alvas. It was +past sunset<br> +as we arrived, and instead of the usual quiet and repose of a +little<br> +village, we found the streets crowded with people, on horseback +and on<br> +foot; mules, bullocks, carts, and wagons blocked up the way, and +the oaths<br> +of the drivers and the screaming of women and children resounded +on all<br> +sides.</p> + +<p>With what little Spanish I possessed I questioned some of +those near me,<br> +and learned, in reply, that a dreadful engagement had taken place +that day<br> +between the advanced guard of the French, under Victor, and the +Lusitanian<br> +legion; that the Portuguese troops had been beaten and completely +routed,<br> +losing all their artillery and baggage; that the French were +rapidly<br> +advancing, and expected hourly to arrive at Alvas, in consequence +of which<br> +the terror-stricken inhabitants were packing up their possessions +and<br> +hurrying away.</p> + +<p>Here, then, was a point of considerable difficulty for me at +once. My<br> +instructions had never provided for such a conjuncture, and I was +totally<br> +unable to determine what was best to be done; both my men and +their horses<br> +were completely tired by a march of fourteen leagues, and had a +pressing<br> +need of some rest; on every side of me the preparations for +flight were<br> +proceeding with all the speed that fear inspires; and to my +urgent request<br> +for some information as to food and shelter, I could obtain no +other reply<br> +than muttered menaces of the fate before me if I remained, and +exaggerated<br> +accounts of French cruelty.</p> + +<p>Amidst all this bustle and confusion a tremendous fall of +heavy rain set<br> +in, which at once determined me, come what might, to house my +party, and<br> +provide forage for our horses.</p> + +<p>As we pushed our way slowly through the encumbered streets, +looking on<br> +every side for some appearance of a village inn, a tremendous +shout rose in<br> +our rear, and a rush of the people towards us induced us to +suppose<br> +that the French were upon us. For some minutes the din and uproar +were<br> +terrific,—the clatter of horses' feet, the braying of trumpets, +the<br> +yelling of the mob, all mingling in one frightful concert.</p> + +<p>I formed my men in close column, and waited steadily for the +attack,<br> +resolving, if possible, to charge through the advancing +files,—any retreat<br> +through the crowded and blocked-up thoroughfares being totally +out of the<br> +question. The rain was falling in such torrents that nothing +could be seen<br> +a few yards off, when suddenly a pause of a few seconds occurred, +and from<br> +the clash of accoutrements, and the hoarse tones of a loud voice, +I judged<br> +that the body of men before us were forming for attack.</p> + +<p>Resolving, therefore, to take them by surprise, I gave the +word to charge,<br> +and spurring our jaded cattle, onward we dashed. The mob fled +right and<br> +left from us as we came on; and through the dense mist we could +just<br> +perceive a body of cavalry before us.</p> + +<p>In an instant we were among them; down they went on every +side, men and<br> +horses rolling pell-mell over each other; not a blow, not a shot +striking<br> +us as we pressed on. Never did I witness such total +consternation; some<br> +threw themselves from their horses, and fled towards the houses; +others<br> +turned and tried to fall back, but the increasing pressure from +behind held<br> +them, and finally succeeded in blocking us up among them.</p> + +<p>It was just at this critical moment that a sudden gleam of +light from a<br> +window fell upon the disordered mass, and to my astonishment, I +need not<br> +say to my delight, I perceived that they were Portuguese troops. +Before<br> +I had well time to halt my party, my convictions were pretty +well<br> +strengthened by hearing a well-known voice in the rear of the +mass call<br> +out,—</p> + +<p>"Charge, ye devils! charge, will ye? Illustrious Hidalgos! cut +them down;<br> +<i>los infidelos, sacrificados los!</i> Scatter them like +chaff!"</p> + +<p>One roar of laughter was my only answer to this energetic +appeal for my<br> +destruction, and the moment after the dry features and pleasant +face of old<br> +Monsoon beamed on me by the light of a pine-torch he carried in +his right<br> +hand.</p> + +<a name="0438"></a> +<img alt="0438.jpg (138K)" src="0438.jpg" height="596" width="651"> + +<p>[MAJOR MONSOON TRYING TO CHARGE.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>"Are they prisoners? Have they surrendered?" inquired he, +riding up. "It is<br> +well for them; we'd have made mince-meat of them otherwise; now +they shall<br> +be well treated, and ransomed if they prefer."</p> + +<p>"<i>Gracios excellenze!</i>" said I, in a feigned voice.</p> + +<p>"Give up your sword," said the major, in an undertone.</p> + +<p>"You behaved gallantly, but you fought against invincibles. +Lord love them!<br> +but they are the most terrified invincibles."</p> + +<p>I nearly burst aloud at this.</p> + +<p>"It was a close thing which of us ran first," muttered the +major, as he<br> +turned to give some directions to an aide-de-camp. "Ask them who +they are,"<br> +said he, in Spanish.</p> + +<p>By this time I came close alongside of him, and placing my +mouth close to<br> +his ear, holloed out,—</p> + +<p>"Monsoon, old fellow, how goes the King of Spain's +sherry?"</p> + +<p>"Eh, what! Why, upon my life, and so it is,—Charley, my boy, +so it's you,<br> +is it? Egad, how good; and we were so near being the death of +you! My poor<br> +fellow, how came you here?"</p> + +<p>A few words of explanation sufficed to inform the major why we +were there,<br> +and still more to comfort him with the assurance that he had not +been<br> +charging the general's staff, and the conmander-in-chief +himself.</p> + +<p>"Upon my life, you gave me a great start; though as long as I +thought you<br> +were French, it was very well."</p> + +<p>"True, Major, but certainly the invincibles were merciful as +they were<br> +strong."</p> + +<p>"They were tired, Charley, nothing more; why, lad, we've been +fighting<br> +since daybreak,—beat Victor at six o'clock, drove him back +behind the<br> +Tagus; took a cold dinner, and had at him again in the afternoon. +Lord love<br> +you! we've immortalized ourselves. But you must never speak of +this little<br> +business here; it tells devilish ill for the discipline of your +fellows,<br> +upon my life it does."</p> + +<p>This was rather an original turn to give the transaction, but +I did not<br> +oppose; and thus chatting, we entered the little inn, where, +confidence<br> +once restored, some semblance of comfort already appeared.</p> + +<p>"And so you're come to reinforce us?" said Monsoon; "there was +never<br> +anything more opportune,—though we surprised ourselves today +with valor, I<br> +don't think we could persevere."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Major, the appointment gave me sincere pleasure; I +greatly desired<br> +to see a little service under your orders. Shall I present you +with my<br> +despatches?"</p> + +<p>"Not now, Charley,—not now, my lad. Supper is the first thing +at this<br> +moment; besides, now that you remind me, I must send off a +despatch myself,<br> +Upon my life, it's a great piece of fortune that you're here; you +shall be<br> +secretary at war, and write it for me. Here now—how lucky that I +thought<br> +of it, to be sure! And it was just a mere chance; one has so many +things—"<br> +Muttering such broken, disjointed sentences, the major opened a +large<br> +portfolio with writing materials, which he displayed before me as +he rubbed<br> +his hands with satisfaction, and said, "Write away, lad."</p> + +<p>"But, my dear Major, you forget; I was not in the action. You +must<br> +describe; I can only follow you."</p> + +<p>"Begin then thus:—</p> + +<p> HEADQUARTERS, ALVAS, JUNE 26.<br> + YOUR EXCELLENCY,—Having learned from Don Alphonzo +Xaviero<br> + da Minto, an officer upon my personal staff—</p> + +<p>"Luckily sober at that moment—"</p> + +<p> That the advanced guard of the eighth corps of the +French<br> + army—</p> + +<p>"Stay, though, was it the eighth? Upon my life, I'm not quite +clear as to<br> +that; blot the word a little and go on—"</p> + +<p> That the—corps, under Marshal Victor, had commenced a +forward<br> + movement towards Alcantara, I immediately ordered a flank<br> + movement of the light infantry regiment to cover the bridge +over the<br> + Tagus. After breakfast—</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid, Major, that is not precise enough."</p> + +<p>"Well—"</p> + +<p> About eleven o'clock, the French skirmishers attacked, and +drove<br> + in our pickets that were posted in front of our position, and +following<br> + rapidly up with cavalry, they took a few prisoners, and +killed old<br> + Alphonzo,—he ran like a man, they say, but they caught him +in<br> + the rear.</p> + +<p>"You needn't put that in, if you don't like."</p> + +<p> I now directed a charge of the cavalry brigade, under +Don<br> + Asturias Y'Hajos, that cut them up in fine style. Our +artillery,<br> + posted on the heights, mowing away at their columns like +fun.</p> + +<p> Victor didn't like this, and got into a wood, when we all +went<br> + to dinner; it was about two o'clock then.</p> + +<p> After dinner, the Portuguese light corps, under Silva da +Onorha,<br> + having made an attack upon, the enemy's left, without my +orders,<br> + got devilish well trounced, and served them right; but coming +up<br> + to their assistance, with the heavy brigade of guns, and the +cavalry,<br> + we drove back the French, and took several prisoners, none of +whom<br> + we put to death.</p> + +<p>"Dash that—Sir Arthur likes respect for the usages of war. +Lord, how dry<br> +I'm getting!"</p> + +<p> The French were soon seen to retire their heavy guns, +and<br> + speedily afterwards retreated. We pursued them for some time, +but<br> + they showed fight; and as it was getting dark, I drew off my +forces,<br> + and came here to supper. Your Excellency will perceive, by +the<br> + enclosed return, that our loss has been considerable.</p> + +<p> I send this despatch by Don Emanuel Forgales, whose +services—</p> + +<p>"I back him for mutton hash with onions against the whole +regiment—"</p> + +<p> —have been of the most distinguished nature, and beg to +recommend<br> + him to your Excellency's favor.</p> + +<p> I have the honor, etc.</p> + +<p>"Is it finished, Charley? Egad, I'm glad of it, for here comes +supper."</p> + +<p>The door opened as he spoke, and displayed a tempting tray of +smoking<br> +viands, flanked by several bottles,—an officer of the major's +staff<br> +accompanied it, and showed, by his attentions to the etiquette of +the<br> +table and the proper arrangement of the meal, that his functions +in his<br> +superior's household were more than military.</p> + +<p>We were speedily joined by two others in rich uniform, whose +names I now<br> +forget, but to whom the major presented me in all +form,—introducing me,<br> +as well as I could interpret his Spanish, as his most illustrious +ally and<br> +friend Don Carlos O'Malley.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LIV.</p> + +<p>THE SUPPER.</p> + +<p>I have often partaken of more luxurious cookery and rarer +wines; but never<br> +do I remember enjoying a more welcome supper than on this +occasion.</p> + +<p>Our Portuguese guests left us soon, and the major and myself +were once<br> +more tête-a-tête beside a cheerful fire; a +well-chosen array of bottles<br> +guaranteeing that for some time at least no necessity of +leave-taking<br> +should arise from any deficiency of wine.</p> + +<p>"That sherry is very near the thing, Charley; a little, a very +little<br> +sharp, but the after-taste perfect. And now, my boy, how have you +been<br> +doing since we parted?"</p> + +<p>"Not so badly, Major. I have already got a step in promotion. +The affair at<br> +the Douro gave me a lieutenancy."</p> + +<p>"I wish you joy with all my heart. I'll call you captain +always while<br> +you're with me. Upon my life I will. Why, man, they style me +your<br> +Excellency here. Bless your heart, we are great folk among the +Portuguese,<br> +and no bad service, after all."</p> + +<p>"I should think not, Major. You seem to have always made a +good thing of<br> +it."</p> + +<p>"No, Charley; no, my boy. They overlook us greatly in general +orders<br> +and despatches. Had the brilliant action of to-day been fought by +the<br> +British—But no matter, they may behave well in England, after +all; and<br> +when I'm called to the Upper House as Baron Monsoon of the +Tagus,—is that<br> +better than Lord Alcantara?"</p> + +<p>"I prefer the latter."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I'll have it. Lord! what a treaty I'll move for +with Portugal,<br> +to let us have wine cheap. Wine, you know, as David says, gives +us a<br> +pleasant countenance; and oil,—I forget what oil does. Pass over +the<br> +decanter. And how is Sir Arthur, Charley? A fine fellow, but +sadly<br> +deficient in the knowledge of supplies. Never would have made any +character<br> +in the commissariat. Bless your heart, he pays for everything +here as if he<br> +were in Cheapside."</p> + +<p>"How absurd, to be sure!"</p> + +<p>"Isn't it, though? That was not my way, when I was +commissary-general about<br> +a year or two ago. To be sure, how I did puzzle them! They tried +to audit<br> +my accounts, and what do you think I did? I brought them in three +thousand<br> +pounds in my debt. They never tried on that game any more. 'No, +no,' said<br> +the Junta, 'Beresford and Monsoon are great men, and must be +treated with<br> +respect!' Do you think we'd let them search our pockets? But the +rogues<br> +doubled on us after all; they sent us to the northward,—a poor +country—"</p> + +<p>"So that, except a little commonplace pillage of the convents +and<br> +nunneries, you had little or nothing?"</p> + +<p>"Exactly so; and then I got a great shock about that time that +affected my<br> +spirits for a considerable while."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, Major, some illness?"</p> + +<p>"No, I was quite well; but—Lord, how thirsty it makes me to +think of it;<br> +my throat is absolutely parched—I was near being hanged!"</p> + +<p>"Hanged!"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Upon my life it's true,—very horrible, ain't it? It had +a great<br> +effect upon my nervous system; and they never thought of any +little pension<br> +to me as a recompense for my sufferings."</p> + +<p>"And who was barbarous enough to think of such a thing, +Major?"</p> + +<p>"Sir Arthur Wellesley himself,—none other, Charley?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it was a mistake, Major, or a joke."</p> + +<p>"It was devilish near being a practical one, though. I'll tell +you how it<br> +occurred. After the battle of Vimeira, the brigade to which I was +attached<br> +had their headquarters at San Pietro, a large convent where all +the church<br> +plate for miles around was stored up for safety. A sergeant's +guard was<br> +accordingly stationed over the refectory, and every precaution +taken to<br> +prevent pillage, Sir Arthur himself having given particular +orders on the<br> +subject. Well, somehow,—I never could find out how,—but in +leaving the<br> +place, all the wagons of our brigade had got some trifling +articles of<br> +small value scattered, as it might be, among their stores,—gold +cups,<br> +silver candlesticks, Virgin Marys, ivory crucifixes, saints' eyes +set in<br> +topazes, and martyrs' toes in silver filagree, and a hundred +other similar<br> +things.</p> + +<p>"One of these confounded bullock-cars broke down just at the +angle of the<br> +road where the commander-in-chief was standing with his staff to +watch the<br> +troops defile, and out rolled, among bread rations and salt beef, +a whole<br> +avalanche of precious relics and church ornaments. Every one +stood aghast!<br> +Never was there such a misfortune. No one endeavored to repair +the mishap,<br> +but all looked on in terrified amazement as to what was to +follow.</p> + +<p>"'Who has the command of this detachment?' shouted out Sir +Arthur, in a<br> +voice that made more than one of us tremble.</p> + +<p>"'Monsoon, your Excellency,—Major Monsoon, of the Portuguese +brigade.'</p> + +<p>"'The d—d old rogue, I know him!' Upon my life that's what he +said. 'Hang<br> +him up on the spot,' pointing with his finger as he spoke; 'we +shall see<br> +if this practice cannot be put a stop to.' And with these words +he rode<br> +leisurely away, as if he had been merely ordering dinner for a +small party.</p> + +<p>"When I came up to the place the halberts were fixed, and +Gronow, with a<br> +company of the Fusiliers, under arms beside them.</p> + +<p>"'Devilish sorry for it, Major,' said he; 'It's confoundedly +unpleasant;<br> +but can't be helped. We've got orders to see you hanged.'</p> + +<p>"Faith, it was just so he said it, tapping his snuff-box as he +spoke, and<br> +looking carelessly about him. Now, had it not been for the fixed +halberts<br> +and the provost-marshal, I'd not have believed him; but one +glance at them,<br> +and another at the bullock-cart with all the holy images, told me +at once<br> +what had happened.</p> + +<p>"'He only means to frighten me a little? Isn't that all, +Gronow?' cried I,<br> +in a supplicating voice.</p> + +<p>"'Very possibly, Major,' said he; 'but I must execute my +orders.'</p> + +<p>"'You'll surely not—' Before I could finish, up came Dan +Mackinnon,<br> +cantering smartly.</p> + +<p>"'Going to hang old Monsoon, eh, Gronow? What fun!'</p> + +<p>"'Ain't it, though,' said I, half blubbering.</p> + +<p>"'Well, if you're a good Catholic, you may have your choice of +a saint,<br> +for, by Jupiter, there's a strong muster of them here.' This +cruel allusion<br> +was made in reference to the gold and silver effigies that lay +scattered<br> +about the highway.</p> + +<p>"'Dan,' said I, in a whisper, 'intercede for me. Do, like a +good, kind<br> +fellow. You have influence with Sir Arthur.'</p> + +<p>"'You old sinner,' said he, 'it's useless.'</p> + +<p>"'Dan, I'll forgive you the fifteen pounds.'</p> + +<p>"'That you owe <i>me</i>,' said Dan, laughing.</p> + +<p>"'Who'll ever be the father to you I have been? Who'll mix +your punch with<br> +burned Madeira, when I'm gone?' said I.</p> + +<p>"'Well, really, I am sorry for you, Monsoon. I say, Gronow, +don't tuck him<br> +up for a few minutes; I'll speak for the old villain, and if I +succeed,<br> +I'll wave my handkerchief.'</p> + +<p>"Well, away went Dan at a full gallop. Gronow sat down on a +bank, and<br> +I fidgeted about in no very enviable frame of mind, the +confounded<br> +provost-marshal eying me all the while.</p> + +<p>"'I can only give you five minutes more, Major,' said Gronow, +placing his<br> +watch beside him on the grass. I tried to pray a little, and said +three or<br> +four of Solomon's proverbs, when he again called out: 'There, you +see it<br> +won't do! Sir Arthur is shaking his head.'</p> + +<p>"'What's that waving yonder?'</p> + +<p>"'The colors of the 6th Foot. Come, Major, off with your +stock.'</p> + +<p>"'Where is Dan now; what is he doing?'—for I could see +nothing myself.</p> + +<p>"'He's riding beside Sir Arthur. They all seem laughing.'</p> + +<p>"'God forgive them! what an awful retrospect this will prove +to some of<br> +them.'</p> + +<p>"'Time's up!' said Gronow, jumping up, and replacing his watch +in his<br> +pocket.</p> + +<p>"'Provost-Marshal, be quick now—'</p> + +<p>"'Eh! what's that?—there, I see it waving! There's a shout +too!'</p> + +<p>"'Ay, by Jove! so it is; well, you're saved this time, Major; +that's the<br> +signal.'</p> + +<p>"So saying, Gronow formed his fellows in line and resumed his +march quite<br> +coolly, leaving me alone on the roadside to meditate over martial +law and<br> +my pernicious taste for relics.</p> + +<p>"Well, Charley, this gave me a great shock, and I think, too, +it must have<br> +had a great effect upon Sir Arthur himself; but, upon my life, he +has<br> +wonderful nerves. I met him one day afterwards at dinner in +Lisbon; he<br> +looked at me very hard for a few seconds: 'Eh, Monsoon! Major +Monsoon, I<br> +think?'</p> + +<p>"'Yes, your Excellency,' said I, briefly; thinking how painful +it must be<br> +for him to meet me.</p> + +<p>"'Thought I had hanged you,—know I intended it,—no matter. A +glass of<br> +wine with you?'</p> + +<p>"Upon my life, that was all; how easily some people can +forgive themselves!<br> +But Charley, my hearty, we are getting on slowly with the tipple; +are they<br> +all empty? So they are! Let us make a sortie on the cellar; bring +a candle<br> +with you, and come along."</p> + +<p>We had scarcely proceeded a few steps from the door, when a +most vociferous<br> +sound of mirth, arising from a neighboring apartment, arrested +our<br> +progress.</p> + +<p>"Are the dons so convivial, Major?" said I, as a hearty burst +of laughter<br> +broke forth at the moment.</p> + +<p>"Upon my life, they surprise me; I begin to fear they have +taken some of<br> +our wine."</p> + +<p>We now perceived that the sounds of merriment came from the +kitchen,<br> +which opened upon a little courtyard. Into this we crept +stealthily, and<br> +approaching noiselessly to the window, obtained a peep at the +scene within.</p> + +<p>Around a blazing fire, over which hung by a chain a massive +iron pot, sat a<br> +goodly party of some half-dozen people. One group lay in dark +shadow; but<br> +the others were brilliantly lighted up by the cheerful blaze, and +showed<br> +us a portly Dominican friar, with a beard down to his waist, a +buxom,<br> +dark-eyed girl of some eighteen years, and between the two, +most<br> +comfortably leaning back, with an arm round each, no less a +person than my<br> +trusty man Mickey Free.</p> + +<p>It was evident, from the alternate motion of his head, that +his attentions<br> +were evenly divided between the church and the fair sex; +although, to<br> +confess the truth, they seemed much more favorably received by +the latter<br> +than the former,—a brown earthen flagon appearing to absorb all +the worthy<br> +monk's thoughts that he could spare from the contemplation of +heavenly<br> +objects.</p> + +<p>"Mary, my darlin,' don't be looking at me that way, through +the corner of<br> +your eye; I know you're fond of me,—but the girls always was. +You think<br> +I'm joking, but troth I wouldn't say a lie before the holy man +beside me;<br> +sure I wouldn't, Father?"</p> + +<p>The friar grunted out something in reply, not very unlike, in +sound at<br> +least, a hearty anathema.</p> + +<p>"Ah, then, isn't it yourself has the illigant time of it, +Father dear!"<br> +said he, tapping him familiarly upon his ample paunch, "and +nothing to<br> +trouble you; the best of divarsion wherever you go, and whether +it's<br> +Badahos or Ballykilruddery, it's all one; the women is fond of +ye. Father<br> +Murphy, the coadjutor in Scariff, was just such another as +yourself, and<br> +he'd coax the birds off the trees with the tongue of him. Give us +a pull at<br> +the pipkin before it's all gone, and I'll give you a chant."</p> + +<p>With this he seized the jar, and drained it to the bottom; the +smack of his<br> +lips as he concluded, and the disappointed look of the friar as +he peered<br> +into the vessel, throwing the others, once more, into a loud +burst of<br> +laughter.</p> + +<p>"And now, your rev'rance, a good chorus is all I'll ask, and +you'll not<br> +refuse it for the honor of the church."</p> + +<p>So saying, he turned a look of most droll expression upon the +monk, and<br> +began the following ditty, to the air of "Saint Patrick was a +Gentleman":—</p> + +<p> What an illegant life a friar leads,<br> + With a fat round paunch before him!<br> + He mutters a prayer and counts his beads,<br> + And all the women adore him.<br> + It's little he's troubled to work or think,<br> + Wherever devotion leads him;<br> + A "pater" pays for his dinner and drink,<br> + For the Church—good luck to her!—feeds him.</p> + +<p> From the cow in the field to the pig in the sty,<br> + From the maid to the lady in satin,<br> + They tremble wherever he turns an eye.<br> + He can talk to the Devil in Latin!<br> + He's mighty severe to the ugly and ould,<br> + And curses like mad when he's near 'em;<br> + But one beautiful trait of him I've been tould,<br> + The innocent craytures don't fear him.</p> + +<p> It's little for spirits or ghosts he cares;<br> + For 'tis true as the world supposes,<br> + With an Ave he'd make them march down-stairs,<br> + Av they dared to show their noses.<br> + The Devil himself's afraid, 'tis said,<br> + And dares not to deride him;<br> + For "angels make each night his bed,<br> + And then—lie down beside him."</p> + +<p>A perfect burst of laughter from Monsoon prevented my hearing +how Mike's<br> +minstrelsy succeeded within doors; but when I looked again, I +found<br> +that the friar had decamped, leaving the field open to his +rival,—a<br> +circumstance, I could plainly perceive, not disliked by either +party.</p> + +<p>"Come back, Charley, that villain of yours has given me the +cramp, standing<br> +here on the cold pavement. We'll have a little warm posset,—very +small and<br> +thin, as they say in Tom Jones,—and then to bed."</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the abstemious intentions of the major, it was +daybreak<br> +ere we separated, and neither party in a condition for performing +upon the<br> +tight-rope.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LV.</p> + +<p>THE LEGION.</p> + +<p>My services while with the Legion were of no very +distinguished character,<br> +and require no lengthened chronicle. Their great feat of arms, +the repulse<br> +of an advanced guard of Victor's corps, had taken place the very +morning I<br> +had joined them, and the ensuing month was passed in soft repose +upon their<br> +laurels.</p> + +<p>For the first few days, indeed, a multiplicity of cares beset +the worthy<br> +major. There was a despatch to be written to Beresford, another +to<br> +the Supreme Junta, a letter to Wilson, at that time with the +corps of<br> +observation to the eastward. There were some wounded to be looked +after, a<br> +speech to be made to the conquering heroes themselves, and +lastly, a few<br> +prisoners were taken, whose fate seemed certainly to partake of +the most<br> +uncertain of war's proverbial chances.</p> + +<p>The despatches gave little trouble; with some very slight +alterations, the<br> +great original, already sent forward to Sir Arthur, served as a +basis for<br> +the rest. The wounded were forwarded to Alcantara, with a medical +staff; to<br> +whom Monsoon, at parting, pleasantly hinted that he expected to +see all the<br> +sick at their duty by an early day, or he would be compelled to +report the<br> +doctors. The speech, which was intended as a kind of general +order, he<br> +deferred for some favorable afternoon when he could get up his +Portuguese;<br> +and lastly, came the prisoners, by far the most difficult of all +his cares.<br> +As for the few common soldiers taken, they gave him little +uneasiness,—as<br> +Sir John has it, they were "mortal men, and food for powder;" but +there<br> +was a staff-officer among them, aiguilletted and epauletted. The +very<br> +decorations he wore were no common temptation. Now, the major +deliberated a<br> +long time with himself, whether the usages of modern war might +not admit of<br> +the ancient, time-honored practice of ransom. The battle, save in +glory,<br> +had been singularly unproductive: plunder there was none; the +few<br> +ammunition-wagons and gun-carriages were worth little or nothing; +so that,<br> +save the prisoners, nothing remained. It was late in the +evening—the<br> +mellow hour of the major's meditations—when he ventured to open +his heart<br> +to me upon the matter.</p> + +<p>"I was just thinking, Charley, how very superior they were in +olden times<br> +to us moderns, in many matters, and nothing more than in their +treatment of<br> +prisoners. They never took them away from their friends and +country;<br> +they always ransomed them,—if they had wherewithal to pay their +way. So<br> +good-natured!—upon my life it was a most excellent custom! They +took any<br> +little valuables they found about them, and then put them up at +auction.<br> +Moses and Eleazar, a priest, we are told, took every piece of +gold, and<br> +their wrought jewels,—meaning their watches, and ear-rings. You +needn't<br> +laugh, they all wore ear-rings, those fellows did. Now, why +shouldn't<br> +I profit by their good example? I have taken Agag, the King of +the<br> +Amalekites,—no, but upon my life, I have got a French major, and +I'd let<br> +him go for fifty doubloons."</p> + +<p>It was not without much laughing, and some eloquence, that I +could persuade<br> +Monsoon that Sir Arthur's military notions might not accept of +even the<br> +authority of Moses; and as our headquarters were at no great +distance,<br> +the danger of such a step as he meditated was too considerable at +such a<br> +moment.</p> + +<p>As for ourselves, no fatiguing drills, no harassing +field-days, and no<br> +provoking inspections interfered with the easy current of our +lives.<br> +Foraging parties there were, it was true, and some occasional +outpost duty<br> +was performed. But the officers for both were selected with a +tact that<br> +proved the major's appreciation of character; for while the gay, +joyous<br> +fellow that sung a jovial song and loved his <i>liquor</i> was +certain of being<br> +entertained at headquarters, the less-gifted and less-congenial +spirit had<br> +the happiness of scouring the country for forage, and presenting +himself as<br> +a target to a French rifle.</p> + +<p>My own endeavors to fulfil my instructions met with but +little<br> +encouragement or support; and although I labored hard at my task, +I must<br> +confess that the soil was a most ungrateful one. The cavalry +were, it is<br> +true, composed mostly of young fellows well-appointed, and in +most cases<br> +well-mounted; but a more disorderly, careless, undisciplined set +of<br> +good-humored fellows never formed a corps in the world.</p> + +<p>Monsoon's opinions were felt in every branch of the service, +from the<br> +adjutant to the drumboy,—the same reckless, indolent, +plunder-loving<br> +spirit prevailed everywhere. And although under fire they showed +no lack of<br> +gallantry or courage, the moment of danger passed, discipline +departed with<br> +it, and their only conception of benefiting by a victory +consisted in the<br> +amount of pillage that resulted from it.</p> + +<p>From time to time the rumors of great events reached us. We +heard that<br> +Soult, having succeeded in re-organizing his beaten army, was, +in<br> +conjunction with Ney's corps, returning from the north; that the +marshals<br> +were consolidating their forces in the neighborhood of Talavera; +and that<br> +King Joseph himself, at the head of a large army, had marched for +Madrid.</p> + +<p>Menacing as such an aspect of affairs was, it had little +disturbed the<br> +major's equanimity; and when our advanced posts reported daily +the<br> +intelligence that the French were in retreat, he cared little +with what<br> +object of concentrating they retired, provided the interval +between us<br> +grew gradually wider. His speculations upon the future were +singularly<br> +prophetic. "You'll see, Charley, what will happen; old Cuesta +will pursue<br> +them, and get thrashed. The English will come up, and perhaps get +thrashed<br> +too; but we, God bless us! are only a small force, partially +organized and<br> +ill to depend on,—we'll go up the mountains till all is over!" +Thus did<br> +the major's discretion not only extend to the avoidance of +danger, but he<br> +actually disqualified himself from even making its +acquaintance.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile our operations consisted in making easy marches to +Almarez,<br> +halting wherever the commissariat reported a well-stocked cellar +or<br> +well-furnished hen-roost, taking the primrose path in life, and +being, in<br> +words of the major, "contented and grateful, even amidst great +perils!"</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LVI.</p> + +<p>THE DEPARTURE.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 10th July a despatch reached us +announcing that Sir<br> +Arthur Wellesley had taken up his headquarters at Placentia for +the purpose<br> +of communicating with Cuesta, then at Casa del Puerto; and +ordering me<br> +immediately to repair to the Spanish headquarters and await Sir +Arthur's<br> +arrival, to make my report upon the effective state of our corps. +As for<br> +me, I was heartily tired of the inaction of my present life, and +much as I<br> +relished the eccentricities of my friend the major, longed +ardently for a<br> +different sphere of action.</p> + +<p>Not so Monsoon; the prospect of active employment and the +thoughts of being<br> +left once more alone, for his Portuguese staff afforded him +little society,<br> +depressed him greatly; and as the hour of my departure drew near, +he<br> +appeared lower in spirits than I had ever seen him.</p> + +<p>"I shall be very lonely without you, Charley," said he, with a +sigh, as we<br> +sat the last evening together beside our cheerful wood fire. "I +have little<br> +intercourse with the dons; for my Portuguese is none of the best, +and only<br> +comes when the evening is far advanced; and besides, the +villains, I fear,<br> +may remember the sherry affair. Two of my present staff were with +me then."</p> + +<p>"Is that the story Power so often alluded to, Major; the King +of Spain's—"</p> + +<p>"There, Charley, hush; be cautious, my boy. I'd rather not +speak about that<br> +till we get among our own fellows."</p> + +<p>"Just as you like, Major; but, do you know, I have a strong +curiosity to<br> +hear the narrative."</p> + +<p>"If I'm not mistaken, there is some one listening at the +door,—gently;<br> +that's it, eh?"</p> + +<p>"No, we are perfectly alone; the night's early; who knows when +we shall<br> +have as quiet an hour again together? Let me hear it, by all +means."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't care; the thing, Heaven knows! is tolerably +well known; so<br> +if you'll amuse yourself making a devil of the turkey's legs +there, I'll<br> +tell you the story. It's very short, Charley, and there's no +moral; so<br> +you're not likely to repeat it."</p> + +<p>So saying, the major filled up his glass, drew a little closer +to the fire,<br> +and began:—</p> + +<p>"When the French troops, under Laborde, were marching, upon +Alcobaca,<br> +in concert with Loison's corps, I was ordered to convey a very +valuable<br> +present of sherry the Duo d'Albu-querque was making to the +Supreme<br> +Junta,—no less than ten hogsheads of the best sherry the royal +cellars of<br> +Madrid had formerly contained.</p> + +<p>"It was stored in the San Vincente convent; and the Junta, +knowing a little<br> +about monkish tastes and the wants of the Church, prudently +thought it<br> +would be quite as well at Lisbon. I was accordingly ordered, with +a<br> +sufficient force, to provide for its safe conduct and secure +arrival, and<br> +set out upon my march one lovely morning in April with my +precious convoy.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, I never could understand, why temptations are +thrown in our<br> +way in this life, except for the pleasure of yielding to them. As +for me,<br> +I'm a stoic when there's nothing to be had; but let me get a +scent of<br> +a well-kept haunch, the odor of a wine-bin once in my nose, I +forget<br> +everything except appropriation. That bone smells deliciously, +Charley; a<br> +little garlic would improve it vastly.</p> + +<p>"Our road lay through cross-paths and mountain tracts, for the +French were<br> +scouring the country on every side, and my fellows, only twenty +altogether,<br> +trembled at the very name of them; so that our only chance was to +avoid<br> +falling in with any forage parties. We journeyed along for +several days,<br> +rarely making more than a few leagues between sunrise and sunset, +a scout<br> +always in advance to assure us that all was safe. The road was a +lonesome<br> +one and the way weary, for I had no one to speak to or converse +with, so I<br> +fell into a kind of musing fit about the old wine in the great +brown casks.<br> +I thought on its luscious flavor, its rich straw tint, its oily +look as it<br> +flowed into the glass, the mellow after-taste warming the heart +as it went<br> +down, and I absolutely thought I could smell it through the +wood.</p> + +<p>"How I longed to broach one of them, if it were only to see if +my dreams<br> +about it were correct. 'May be it's brown sherry,' thought I, +'and I am<br> +all wrong.' This was a very distressing reflection. I mentioned +it to the<br> +Portuguese intendant, who travelled with us as a kind of +supercargo; but<br> +the villain only grinned and said something about the Junta and +the galleys<br> +for life, so I did not recur to it afterwards. Well, it was upon +the third<br> +evening of our march that the scout reported that at Merida, +about a league<br> +distant, he had fallen in with an English cavalry regiment, who +were on<br> +their march to the northern provinces, and remaining that night +in the<br> +village. As soon, therefore, as I had made all my arrangements +for the<br> +night, I took a fresh horse and cantered over to have a look at +my<br> +countrymen, and hear the news. When I arrived, it was a dark +night, but I<br> +was not long in finding out our fellows. They were the 11th Light +Dragoons,<br> +commanded by my old friend Bowes, and with as jolly a mess as any +in the<br> +service.</p> + +<p>"Before half an hour's time I was in the midst of them, +hearing all about<br> +the campaign, and telling them in return about my convoy, +dilating upon the<br> +qualities of the wine as if I had been drinking it every day at +dinner.</p> + +<p>"We had a very mellow night of it; and before four o'clock the +senior<br> +major and four captains were under the table, and all the subs, +in a state<br> +unprovided for by the articles of war. So I thought I'd be going, +and<br> +wishing the sober ones a good-by, set out on my road to join my +own party.</p> + +<p>"I had not gone above a hundred yards when I heard some one +running after,<br> +and calling out my name.</p> + +<p>"'I say, Monsoon; Major, confound you, pull up.'</p> + +<p>"'Well, what's the matter? Has any more lush turned up?' +inquired I, for we<br> +had drank the tap dry when I left.</p> + +<p>"'Not a drop, old fellow!' said he; 'but I was thinking of +what you've been<br> +saying about that sherry.'</p> + +<p>"'Well! What then?'</p> + +<p>"'Why, I want to know how we could get a taste of it?'</p> + +<p>"'You'd better get elected one of the Cortes,' said I, +laughing; 'for it<br> +doesn't seem likely you'll do so in any other way.'</p> + +<p>"'I'm not so sure of that,' said he, smiling. 'What road do +you travel<br> +to-morrow?'</p> + +<p>"'By Cavalhos and Reina.'</p> + +<p>"'Whereabouts may you happen to be towards sunset?'</p> + +<p>"'I fear we shall be in the mountains,' said I, with a knowing +look, 'where<br> +ambuscades and surprise parties would be highly dangerous.'</p> + +<p>"'And your party consists of—'</p> + +<p>"'About twenty Portuguese, all ready to run at the first +shot.'</p> + +<p>"'I'll do it, Monsoon; I'll be hanged if I don't.'</p> + +<p>"'But, Tom,' said I, 'don't make any blunder; only blank +cartridge, my<br> +boy.'</p> + +<p>"'Honor bright!' cried he. 'Your fellows are armed of +course?'</p> + +<p>"'Never think of that; they may shoot each other in the +confusion. But if<br> +you only make plenty of noise coming on, they'll never wait for +you.'</p> + +<p>"'What capital fellows they must be!'</p> + +<p>"'Crack troops, Tom; so don't hurt them. And now, +good-night.'</p> + +<p>"As I cantered off, I began to think over O'Flaherty's idea; +and upon my<br> +life, I didn't half like it. He was a reckless, devil-may-care +fellow; and<br> +it was just as likely he would really put his scheme into +practice.</p> + +<p>"When morning broke, however, we got under way again, and I +amused myself<br> +all the forenoon in detailing stories of French cruelty; so that +before we<br> +had marched ten miles, there was not a man among us not ready to +run at the<br> +slightest sound of attack on any side. As evening was falling we +reached<br> +Morento, a little mountain pass which follows the course of a +small river,<br> +and where, in many places, the mule carts had barely space enough +to pass<br> +between the cliffs and the stream. 'What a place for Tom +O'Flaherty and his<br> +foragers!' thought I, as we entered the little mountain gorge; +but all was<br> +silent as the grave,—except the tramp of our party, not a sound +was heard.<br> +There was something solemn and still in the great brown mountain, +rising<br> +like vast walls on either side, with a narrow streak of gray sky +at top and<br> +in the dark, sluggish stream, that seemed to awe us, and no one +spoke. The<br> +muleteer ceased his merry song, and did not crack or flourish his +long whip<br> +as before, but chid his beasts in a half-muttered voice, and +urged them<br> +faster, to reach the village before nightfall.</p> + +<p>"Egad, somehow I felt uncommonly uncomfortable; I could not +divest my mind<br> +of the impression that some disaster was impending, and I wished +O'Flaherty<br> +and his project in a very warm climate. 'He'll attack us,' +thought I,<br> +'where we can't run; fair play forever. But if they are not able +to get<br> +away, even the militia will fight.' However, the evening crept +on, and no<br> +sign of his coming appeared on any side; and to my sincere +satisfaction, I<br> +could see, about half a league distant, the twinkling light of +the little<br> +village where we were to halt for the night. It was just at this +time that<br> +a scout I had sent out some few hundred yards in advance came +galloping up,<br> +almost breathless.</p> + +<p>"'The French, Captain; the French are upon us!' said he, with +a face like a<br> +ghost.</p> + +<p>"'Whew! Which way? How many?' said I, not at all sure that he +might not be<br> +telling the truth.</p> + +<p>"'Coming in force!' said the fellow. 'Dragoons! By this +road!'</p> + +<p>"'Dragoons? By this road?' repeated every man of the party, +looking at each<br> +other like men sentenced to be hanged.</p> + +<p>"Scarcely had they spoken when we heard the distant noise of +cavalry<br> +advancing at a brisk trot. Lord, what a scene ensued! The +soldiers ran<br> +hither and thither like frightened sheep; some pulled out +crucifixes and<br> +began to say their prayers; others fired off their muskets in a +panic; the<br> +mule-drivers cut their traces, and endeavored to get away by +riding; and<br> +the intendant took to his heels, screaming out to us, as he went, +to fight<br> +manfully to the last, and that he'd report us favorably to the +Junta.</p> + +<p>"Just at this moment the dragoons came in sight; they came +galloping up,<br> +shouting like madmen. One look was enough for my fellows; they +sprang to<br> +their legs from their devotions, fired a volley straight at the +new moon,<br> +and ran like men.</p> + +<p>"I was knocked down in the rush. As I regained my legs, Tom +O'Flaherty was<br> +standing beside me, laughing like mad.</p> + +<p>"'Eh, Monsoon! I've kept my word, old fellow! What legs they +have! We shall<br> +make no prisoners, that's certain. Now, lads, here it is! Put the +horses<br> +to, here. We shall take but one, Monsoon; so that your gallant +defence of<br> +the rest will please the Junta. Good-night, good-night! I will +drink your<br> +health every night these two months.'</p> + +<p>"So saying, Tom sprang to his saddle; and in less time than +I've been<br> +telling it, the whole was over and I sitting by myself in the +gray<br> +moonlight, meditating on all I saw, and now and then shouting for +my<br> +Portuguese friends to come back again. They came in time, by twos +and<br> +threes; and at last the whole party re-assembled, and we set +forth again,<br> +every man, from the intendant to the drummer, lauding my valor, +and saying<br> +that Don Monsoon was a match for the Cid."</p> + +<p>"And how did the Junta behave?"</p> + +<p>"Like trumps, Charley. Made me a Knight of Battalha, and +kissed me on both<br> +cheeks, having sent twelve dozen of the rescued wine to my +quarters, as a<br> +small testimony of their esteem. I have laughed very often at it +since. But<br> +hush, Charley? What's that I hear without there?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's my fellow Mike. He asked my leave to entertain his +friends before<br> +parting, and I perceive he is delighting them with a song."</p> + +<p>"But what a confounded air it is! Are the words Hebrew?"</p> + +<p>"Irish, Major; most classical Irish, too, I'll be bound!"</p> + +<p>"Irish! I've heard most tongues, but that certainly surprises +me. Call him<br> +in, Charley, and let us have the canticle."</p> + +<p>In a few minutes more, Mr. Free appeared in a state of very +satisfactory<br> +elevation, his eyebrows alternately rising and falling, his mouth +a little<br> +drawn to one side, and a side motion in his knee-joints that +might puzzle a<br> +physiologist to account for.</p> + +<p>"A sweet little song of yours, Mike," said the major; "a very +sweet thing<br> +indeed. Wet your lips, Mickey."</p> + +<p>"Long life to your honor and Master Charles there, too, and +them that<br> +belongs to both of yez. May a gooseberry skin make a nightcap for +the man<br> +would harm either of ye."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mike. And now about that song."</p> + +<p>"It's the ouldest tune ever was sung," said Mike, with a +hiccough, "barring<br> +Adam had a taste for music; but the words—the poethry—is not so +ould."</p> + +<p>"And how comes that?"</p> + +<p>"The poethry, ye see, was put to it by one of my +ancesthors,—he was a<br> +great inventhor in times past, and made beautiful songs,—and +ye'd never<br> +guess what it's all about."</p> + +<p>"Love, mayhap?" quoth Monsoon.</p> + +<p>"Sorra taste of kissing from beginning to end."</p> + +<p>"A drinking song?" said I.</p> + +<p>"Whiskey is never mentioned."</p> + +<p>"Fighting is the only other national pastime. It must be in +praise of<br> +sudden death?"</p> + +<p>"You're out again; but sure you'd never guess it," said Mike. +"Well, ye<br> +see, here's what it is. It's the praise and glory of ould Ireland +in the<br> +great days that's gone, when we were all Phenayceans and +Armenians,<br> +and when we worked all manner of beautiful contrivances in gold +and<br> +silver,—bracelets and collars and teapots, elegant to look +at,—and read<br> +Roosian and Latin, and played the harp and the barrel-organ, and +eat and<br> +drank of the best, for nothing but asking."</p> + +<p>"Blessed times, upon my life!" quoth the major; "I wish we had +them back<br> +again."</p> + +<p>"There's more of your mind," said Mike, steadying himself. "My +ancesthors<br> +was great people in them days; and sure it isn't in my present +situation<br> +I'd be av we had them back again,—sorra bit, faith! It isn't, +'Come<br> +here, Mickey, bad luck to you, Mike!' or, 'That blackguard, +Mickey Free!'<br> +people'd be calling me. But no matter; here's your health again, +Major<br> +Monsoon—"</p> + +<p>"Never mind vain regrets, Mike. Let us hear your song; the +major has taken<br> +a great fancy to it."</p> + +<p>"Ah, then, it's joking you are, Mister Charles," said Mike, +affecting an<br> +air of most bashful coyness.</p> + +<p>"By no means; we want to hear you sing it."</p> + +<p>"To be sure we do. Sing it by all means; never be ashamed. +King David was<br> +very fond of singing,—upon my life he was."</p> + +<p>"But you'd never understand a word of it, sir."</p> + +<p>"No matter; we know what it's about. That's the way with the +Legion; they<br> +don't know much English, but they generally guess what I'm +at."</p> + +<p>This argument seemed to satisfy all Mike's remaining scruples; +so placing<br> +himself in an attitude of considerable pretension as to grace, he +began,<br> +with a voice of no very measured compass, an air of which neither +by name<br> +nor otherwise can I give any conception; my principal amusement +being<br> +derived from a tol-de-rol chorus of the major, which concluded +each verse,<br> +and indeed in a lower key accompanied the singer throughout.</p> + +<p>Since that I have succeeded in obtaining a free-and-easy +translation of the<br> +lyric; but in my anxiety to preserve the metre and something of +the spirit<br> +of the original, I have made several blunders and many +anachronisms. Mr.<br> +Free, however, pronounces my version a good one, and the world +must take<br> +his word till some more worthy translator shall have consigned it +to<br> +immortal verse.</p> + +<p>With this apology, therefore, I present Mr. Free's song:</p> + +<p> AIR,—<i>Na Guilloch y' Goulen</i>.</p> + +<p> Oh, once we were illigint people,<br> + Though we now live in cabins of mud;<br> + And the land that ye see from the steeple<br> + Belonged to us all from the Flood.<br> + My father was then King of Connaught,<br> + My grand-aunt Viceroy of Tralee;<br> + But the Sassenach came, and signs on it,<br> + The devil an acre have we.</p> + +<p> The least of us then were all earls,<br> + And jewels we wore without name;<br> + We drank punch out of rubies and pearls,—<br> + Mr. Petrie can tell you the same.<br> + But except some turf mould and potatoes,<br> + There's nothing our own we can call;<br> + And the English,—bad luck to them!—hate us,<br> + Because we've more fun than them all!</p> + +<p> My grand-aunt was niece to Saint Kevin,<br> + That's the reason my name's Mickey Free!<br> + Priest's nieces,—but sure he's in heaven,<br> + And his failins is nothin' to me.<br> + And we still might get on without doctors,<br> + If they'd let the ould Island alone;<br> + And if purple-men, priests, and tithe-proctors<br> + Were crammed down the great gun of Athlone.</p> + +<a name="0460"></a> +<img alt="0460.jpg (115K)" src="0460.jpg" height="585" width="645"> + +<p>[MR. FREE'S SONG.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>As Mike's melody proceeded, the major's thorough bass waxed +beautifully<br> +less,—now and then, it's true, roused by some momentary strain, +it swelled<br> +upwards in full chorus, but gradually these passing flights grew +rarer, and<br> +finally all ceased, save a long, low, droning sound, like the +expiring sigh<br> +of a wearied bagpipe. His fingers still continued mechanically to +beat time<br> +upon the table, and still his head nodded sympathetically to the +music;<br> +his eyelids closed in sleep; and as the last verse concluded, a +full-drawn<br> +snore announced that Monsoon, if not in the land of dreams, was +at least in<br> +a happy oblivion of all terrestrial concerns, and caring as +little for the<br> +woes of green Erin and the altered fortunes of the Free family as +any Saxon<br> +that ever oppressed them.</p> + +<p>There he sat, the finished decanter and empty goblet +testifying that his<br> +labors had only ceased from the pressure of necessity; but the +broken,<br> +half-uttered words that fell from his lips evinced that he +reposed on the<br> +last bottle of the series.</p> + +<p>"Oh, thin, he's a fine ould gentleman!" said Mike, after a +pause of some<br> +minutes, during which he had been contemplating the major with +all the<br> +critical acumen Chantrey or Canova would have bestowed upon an +antique<br> +statue,—"a fine ould gentleman, every inch of him; and it's the +master<br> +would like to have him up at the Castle."</p> + +<p>"Quite true, Mike; but let us not forget the road. Look to the +cattle, and<br> +be ready to start within an hour."</p> + +<p>When he left the room for this purpose I endeavored to shake +the major into<br> +momentary consciousness ere we parted.</p> + +<p>"Major, Major," said I, "time is up. I must start."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's all true, your Excellency: they pillaged a little; +and if they<br> +did change their facings, there was a great temptation. All the +red velvet<br> +they found in the churches—"</p> + +<p>"Good-by, old fellow, good-by!"</p> + +<p>"Stand at ease!"</p> + +<p>"Can't, unfortunately, yet awhile; so farewell. I'll make a +capital report<br> +of the Legion to Sir Arthur; shall I add anything particularly +from<br> +yourself?"</p> + +<p>This, and the shake that accompanied it, aroused him. He +started up, and<br> +looked about him for a few seconds.</p> + +<p>"Eh, Charley! You didn't say Sir Arthur was here, did +you?"</p> + +<p>"No, Major; don't be frightened; he's many a league off. I +asked if you had<br> +anything to say when I met him?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Charley! Tell him we're capital troops in our own +little way in<br> +the mountains; would never do in pitched battles,—skirmishing's +our forte;<br> +and for cutting off stragglers, or sacking a town, back them at +any odds."</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I know all that; you've nothing more?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing," said he, once more closing his eyes and crossing +his hands<br> +before him, while his lips continued to mutter on,—"nothing +more, except<br> +you may say from me,—he knows me, Sir Arthur does. Tell him to +guard<br> +himself from intemperance; a fine fellow if he wouldn't +drink."</p> + +<p>"You horrid old humbug, what nonsense are you muttering +there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes; Solomon says, 'Who hath red eyes and carbuncles?' +they that mix<br> +their lush. Pure <i>Sneyd</i> never injured any one. Tell him so +from me,—it's<br> +an old man's advice, and I have drunk some hogsheads of it."</p> + +<p>With these words he ceased to speak, while his head, falling +gently forward<br> +upon his chest, proclaimed him sound asleep.</p> + +<p>"Adieu, then, for the last time," said I, slapping him gently +on the<br> +shoulder. "And now for the road."</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LVII.</p> + +<p>CUESTA.</p> + +<p>The second day of our journey was drawing to a close as we +came in view of<br> +the Spanish army.</p> + +<p>The position they occupied was an undulating plain beside the +Teitar River;<br> +the country presented no striking feature of picturesque beauty, +but the<br> +scene before us needed no such aid to make it one of the most +interesting<br> +kind. From the little mountain path we travelled we beheld +beneath a force<br> +of thirty thousand men drawn up in battle array, dense columns of +infantry<br> +alternating with squadrons of horse or dark masses of artillery +dotted<br> +the wide plain, the bright steel glittering in the rich sunset of +a July<br> +evening when not a breath of air was stirring; the very banners +hung down<br> +listlessly, and not a sound broke the solemn stillness of the +hour. All was<br> +silent. So impressive and so strange was the spectacle of a vast +army thus<br> +resting mutely under arms, that I reined in my horse, and almost +doubted<br> +the reality of the scene as I gazed upon it. The dark shadows of +the tall<br> +mountain were falling across the valley, and a starry sky was +already<br> +replacing the ruddy glow of sunset as we reached the plain; but +still no<br> +change took place in the position of the Spanish army.</p> + +<p>"Who goes there?" cried a hoarse voice, as we issued from the +mountain<br> +gorge, and in a moment we found ourselves surrounded by an +outpost party.<br> +Having explained, as well as I was able, who I was, and for what +reason I<br> +was there, I proceeded to accompany the officer towards the +camp.</p> + +<p>On my way thither I learned the reason of the singular display +of troops<br> +which had been so puzzling to me. From an early hour of that day +Sir Arthur<br> +Wellesley's arrival had been expected, and old Cuesta had drawn +up his men<br> +for inspection, and remained thus for several hours patiently +awaiting his<br> +coming; he himself, overwhelmed with years and infirmity, sitting +upon his<br> +horse the entire time.</p> + +<p>As it was not necessary that I should be presented to the +general, my<br> +report being for the ear of Sir Arthur himself, I willingly +availed myself<br> +of the hospitality proffered by a Spanish officer of cavalry; and +having<br> +provided for the comforts of my tired cattle and taken a hasty +supper,<br> +issued forth to look at the troops, which, although it was now +growing<br> +late, were still in the same attitude.</p> + +<p>Scarcely had I been half an hour thus occupied, when the +stillness of<br> +the scene was suddenly interrupted by the loud report of a large +gun,<br> +immediately followed by a long roll of musketry, while at the +same moment<br> +the bands of the different regiments struck up, and as if by +magic a blaze<br> +of red light streamed across the dark ranks. This was effected by +pine<br> +torches held aloft at intervals, throwing a lurid glare upon the +grim and<br> +swarthy features of the Spaniards, whose brown uniforms and +slouching hats<br> +presented a most picturesque effect as the red light fell upon +them.</p> + +<p>The swell of the thundering cannon grew louder and +nearer,—the shouldering<br> +of muskets, the clash of sabres, and the hoarse roll of the drum, +mingling<br> +in one common din. I at once guessed that Sir Arthur had arrived, +and as I<br> +turned the flank of a battalion I saw the staff approaching. +Nothing can be<br> +conceived more striking than their advance. In the front rode old +Cuesta<br> +himself, clad in the costume of a past century, his slashed +doublet and<br> +trunk hose reminding one of a more chivalrous period, his heavy, +unwieldy<br> +figure looming from side to side, and threatening at each moment +to fall<br> +from his saddle. On each side of him walked two figures +gorgeously dressed,<br> +whose duty appeared to be to sustain the chief in his seat. At +his<br> +side rode a far different figure. Mounted upon a slight-made, +active<br> +thorough-bred, whose drawn flanks bespoke a long and weary +journey, sat<br> +Sir Arthur Wellesley, a plain blue frock and gray trousers being +his<br> +unpretending costume; but the eagle glance which he threw around +on every<br> +side, the quick motion of his hand as he pointed hither and +thither among<br> +the dense battalions, bespoke him every inch a soldier. Behind +them came<br> +a brilliant staff, glittering in aiguillettes and golden +trappings, among<br> +whom I recognized some well-remembered faces,—our gallant leader +at the<br> +Douro, Sir Charles Stewart, among the number.</p> + +<p>As they passed the spot where I was standing, the torch of a +foot soldier<br> +behind me flared suddenly up and threw a strong flash upon the +party.<br> +Cuesta's horse grew frightened, and plunged so fearfully for a +minute that<br> +the poor old man could scarcely keep his seat. A smile shot +across Sir<br> +Arthur's features at the moment, but the next instant he was +grave and<br> +steadfast as before.</p> + +<p>A wretched hovel, thatched and in ruins, formed the +headquarters of the<br> +Spanish army, and thither the staff now bent their steps,—a +supper being<br> +provided there for our commander-in-chief and the officers of his +suite.<br> +Although not of the privileged party, I lingered round the spot +for some<br> +time, anxiously expecting to find some friend or acquaintance who +might<br> +tell me the news of our people, and what events had occurred in +my absence.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LVIII.</p> + +<p>THE LETTER.</p> + +<p>The hours passed slowly over, and I at length grew weary of +waiting.<br> +For some time I had amused myself with observing the slouching +gait and<br> +unsoldier-like air of the Spaniards as they lounged carelessly +about,<br> +looking in dress, gesture, and appointment, far move like a +guerilla than a<br> +regular force. Then again, the strange contrast of the miserable +hut with<br> +falling chimney and ruined walls, to the glitter of the mounted +guard of<br> +honor who sat motionless beside it, served to pass the time; but +as the<br> +night was already far advanced, I turned towards my quarters, +hoping that<br> +the next morning might gratify my curiosity about my friends.</p> + +<p>Beside the tent where I was billeted, I found Mike in waiting, +who, the<br> +moment he saw me, came hastily forward with a letter in his hand. +An<br> +officer of Sir Arthur's staff had left it while I was absent, +desiring<br> +Mike on no account to omit its delivery the first instant he met +me.<br> +The hand—not a very legible one—was perfectly unknown to me, +and the<br> +appearance of the billet such as betrayed no over-scrupulous care +in the<br> +writer.</p> + +<p>I trimmed my lamp leisurely, threw a fresh log upon the fire, +disposed<br> +myself completely at full length beside it, and then proceeded to +form<br> +acquaintance with my unknown correspondent. I will not attempt +any<br> +description of the feelings which gradually filled me as I read +on; the<br> +letter itself will suggest them to those who know my story. It +ran thus:—</p> + +<p> PLACENTIA, July +8, 1809.<br> + DEAR O'MALLEY,—Although I'd rather march to Lisbon +barefoot<br> + than write three lines, Fred Power insists upon my turning +scribe,<br> + as he has a notion you'll be up at Cuesta's headquarters +about this<br> + time. You're in a nice scrape, devil a lie in it! Here has +Fred<br> + been fighting that fellow Trevyllian for you,—all because +you would<br> + not have patience and fight him yourself the morning you left +the<br> + Douro,—so much for haste! Let it be a lesson to you for +life.</p> + +<p> Poor Fred got the ball in his hip, and the devil a one of +the doctors<br> + can find it. But he's getting better any way, and going to +Lisbon<br> + for change of air. Meanwhile, since Power's been wounded, +Trevyllian's<br> + speaking very hardly of you, and they all say here you +must<br> + come back—no matter how—and put matters to rights. Fred +has<br> + placed the thing in my hands, and I'm thinking we'd better +call out<br> + the "heavies" by turns,—for most of them stand by +Trevyllian.<br> + Maurice Quill and myself sat up considering it last night; +but,<br> + somehow, we don't clearly remember to-day a beautiful plan we +hit<br> + upon. However, we'll have at it again this evening. +Meanwhile,<br> + come over here, and let us be doing something. We hear that +old<br> + Monsoon has blown up a town, a bridge, and a big convent. +They<br> + must have been hiding the plunder very closely, or he'd never +have<br> + been reduced to such extremities. We'll have a brush with +the<br> + French soon.<br> + Yours most eagerly,<br> + D. O'SHAUGHNESSY.</p> + +<p>My first thought, as I ran my eye over these lines, was to +seek for Power's<br> +note, written on the morning we parted. I opened it, and to my +horror<br> +found that it only related to my quarrel with Hammersley. My +meeting with<br> +Trevyllian had been during Fred's absence, and when he assured me +that all<br> +was satisfactorily arranged, and a full explanation tendered, +that nothing<br> +interfered with my departure,—I utterly forgot that he was only +aware of<br> +one half my troubles, and in the haste and bustle of my +departure, had not<br> +a moment left me to collect myself and think calmly on the +matter. The two<br> +letters lay before me, and as I thought over the stain upon my +character<br> +thus unwittingly incurred; the blast I had thrown upon my +reputation; the<br> +wound of my poor friend, who exposed himself for my sake,—I grew +sick at<br> +heart, and the bitter tears of agony burst from my eyes.</p> + +<p>That weary night passed slowly over; the blight of all my +prospects, when<br> +they seemed fairest and brightest, presented itself to me in a +hundred<br> +shapes; and when, overcome by fatigue and exhaustion, I closed my +eyes to<br> +sleep, it was only to follow up in my dreams my waking thoughts. +Morning<br> +came at length; but its bright sunshine and balmy air brought no +comfort to<br> +me. I absolutely dreaded to meet my brother officers; I felt that +in such a<br> +position as I stood, no half or partial explanation could suffice +to set me<br> +right in their estimation; and yet, what opportunity had I for +aught else?<br> +Irresolute how to act, I sat leaning my head upon my hands, when +I heard<br> +a footstep approach; I looked up and saw before me no other than +my poor<br> +friend Sparks, from whom I had been separated so long. Any other +adviser<br> +at such a moment would, I acknowledge, have been as welcome; for +the<br> +poor fellow knew but little of the world, and still less of the +service.<br> +However, one glance convinced me that his heart at least was +true; and I<br> +shook his outstretched hand with delight. In a few words he +informed me<br> +that Merivale had secretly commissioned him to come over in the +hope of<br> +meeting me; that although all the 14th men were persuaded that I +was not to<br> +blame in what had occurred,—yet that reports so injurious had +gone abroad,<br> +so many partial and imperfect statements were circulated, that +nothing but<br> +my return to headquarters would avail, and that I must not lose a +moment in<br> +having Trevyllian out, with whom all the misrepresentation had +originated.</p> + +<p>"This, of course," said Sparks, "is to be a secret; Merivale, +being our<br> +colonel—"</p> + +<p>"Of course," said I, "he cannot countenance, much less +counsel, such a<br> +proceeding; Now, then, for the road."</p> + +<p>"Yes; but you cannot leave before making your report. Gordon +expects to see<br> +you at eleven; he told me so last night."</p> + +<p>"I cannot help it; I shall not wait; my mind is made up. My +career here<br> +matters but little in comparison with this horrid charge. I shall +be broke,<br> +but I shall be avenged."</p> + +<p>"Come, come, O'Malley; you are in our hands now, and you must +be guided.<br> +You <i>shall</i> wait; you shall see Gordon. Half an hour will +make your report,<br> +and I have relays of horses along the road, and we shall reach +Placentia by<br> +nightfall."</p> + +<p>There was a tone of firmness in this, so unlike anything I +ever looked for<br> +in the speaker, and withal so much of foresight and precaution, +that I<br> +could scarcely credit my senses as he spoke. Having at length +agreed to his<br> +proposal, Sparks left me to think over my return of the Legion, +promising<br> +that immediately after my interview with the military secretary, +we should<br> +start together for headquarters.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LXIX.</p> + +<p>MAJOR O'SHAUGHNESSY.</p> + +<p>"This is Major O'Shaughnessy's quarters, sir," said a +sergeant, as he<br> +stopped short at the door of a small, low house in the midst of +an olive<br> +plantation; an Irish wolf-dog—the well-known companion of the +major—lay<br> +stretched across the entrance, watching with eager and bloodshot +eyes the<br> +process of cutting up a bullock, which two soldiers in undress +jackets were<br> +performing within a few yards of the spot.</p> + +<p>Stepping cautiously across the savage-looking sentinel, I +entered the<br> +little hall, and finding no one near, passed into a small room, +the door of<br> +which lay half open.</p> + +<p>A very palpable odor of cigars and brandy proclaimed, even +without his<br> +presence, that this was O'Shaughnessy's sitting-room; so I sat +myself down<br> +upon an old-fashioned sofa to wait patiently for his return, +which I heard<br> +would be immediately after the evening parade. Sparks had become +knocked up<br> +during our ride, so that for the last three leagues I was alone, +and like<br> +most men in such circumstances, pressed on only the harder. +Completely worn<br> +out for want of rest, I had scarcely placed myself on the sofa +when I<br> +fell sound asleep. When I awoke, all was dark around me, save the +faint<br> +flickerings of the wood embers on the hearth, and for some +moments I could<br> +not remember where I was; but by degrees recollection came, and +as I<br> +thought over my position and its possible consequences, I was +again nearly<br> +dropping to sleep, when the door suddenly opened, and a heavy +step sounded<br> +on the floor.</p> + +<p>I lay still and spoke not, as a large figure in a cloak +approached the<br> +fire-place, and stooping down endeavored to light a candle at the +fast<br> +expiring fire.</p> + +<p>I had little difficulty in detecting the major even by the +half-light; a<br> +muttered execration upon the candle, given with an energy that +only an<br> +Irishman ever bestows upon slight matters, soon satisfied me on +this head.</p> + +<p>"May the Devil fly away with the commissary and the chandler +to the forces!<br> +Ah, you've lit at last!"</p> + +<p>With these words he stood up, and his eyes falling on me at +the moment,<br> +he sprang a yard or two backwards, exclaiming as he did so, "The +blessed<br> +Virgin be near us, what's this?" a most energetic crossing of +himself<br> +accompanying his words. My pale and haggard face, thus suddenly +presented,<br> +having suggested to the worthy major the impression of a +supernatural<br> +visitor, a hearty burst of laughter, which I could not resist, +was my only<br> +answer; and the next moment O'Shaughnessy was wrenching my hand +in a grasp<br> +like a steel vice.</p> + +<p>"Upon my conscience, I thought it was your ghost; and if you +kept quiet a<br> +little longer, I was going to promise you Christian burial, and +as many<br> +Masses for your soul as my uncle the bishop could say between +this and<br> +Easter. How are you, my boy? A little thin, and something paler, +I think,<br> +than when you left us."</p> + +<p>Having assured him that fatigue and hunger were in a great +measure the<br> +cause of my sickly looks, the major proceeded to place before me +the<br> +<i>débris</i> of his day's dinner, with a sufficiency of +bottles to satisfy a<br> +mess-table, keeping up as he went a running fire of +conversation.</p> + +<p>"I'm as glad as if the Lord took the senior major, to see you +here this<br> +night. With the blessing of Providence we'll shoot Trevyllian in +the<br> +morning, and any more of the heavies that like it. You are an +ill-treated<br> +man, that's what it is, and Dan O'Shaughnessy says it. Help +yourself, my<br> +boy; crusty old port in that bottle as ever you touched your lips +to.<br> +Power's getting all right; it was contract powder, warranted not +to kill.<br> +Bad luck to the commissaries once more! With such ammunition Sir +Arthur<br> +does right to trust most to the bayonet. And how is Monsoon, the +old<br> +rogue?"</p> + +<p>"Gloriously, living in the midst of wine and olives."</p> + +<p>"No fear of him, the old sinner; but he is a fine fellow, +after all.<br> +Charley, you are eating nothing, boy."</p> + +<p>"To tell you the truth, I'm far more anxious to talk with you +at this<br> +moment than aught else."</p> + +<p>"So you shall: the night's young. Meanwhile, I had better not +delay<br> +matters. You want to have Trevyllian out,—is not that so?"</p> + +<p>"Of course; you are aware how it happened?"</p> + +<p>"I know everything. Go on with your supper, and don't mind me; +I'll be back<br> +in twenty minutes or less."</p> + +<p>Without waiting for any reply, he threw his cloak around him, +and strode<br> +out of the room. Once more I was alone; but already my frame of +mind was<br> +altered,—the cheering tone of my reckless, gallant countryman +had raised<br> +my spirits, and I felt animated by his very manner.</p> + +<p>An hour elapsed before the major returned; and when he did +come, his<br> +appearance and gestures bespoke anger and disappointment. He +threw himself<br> +hurriedly into a seat, and for some minutes never spoke.</p> + +<p>"The world's beautifully changed, anyhow, since I began it, +O'Malley,—when<br> +you thanked a man civilly that asked you to fight him! The Devil +take the<br> +cowards, say I."</p> + +<p>"What has happened? Tell me, I beseech you?"</p> + +<p>"He won't fight," said the major, blurting out the words as if +they would<br> +choke him.</p> + +<p>"He'll not fight! And why?"</p> + +<p>The major was silent. He seemed confused and embarrassed. He +turned from<br> +the fire to the table, from the table to the fire, poured out a +glass of<br> +wine, drank it hastily off, and springing from his chair, paced +the room<br> +with long, impatient strides.</p> + +<p>"My dear O'Shaughnessy, explain, I beg of you. Does he refuse +to meet me<br> +for any reason—"</p> + +<p>"He does," said the major, turning on me a look of deep +feeling as he<br> +spoke; "and he does it to ruin you, my boy. But as sure as my +name is<br> +Dan, he'll fail this time. He was sitting with his friend +Beaufort when I<br> +reached his quarters, and received me with all the ceremonious +politeness<br> +he well knows how to assume. I told him in a few words the object +of my<br> +visit; upon which Trevyllian, standing up, referred me to his +friend for<br> +a reply, and left the room. I thought that all was right, and sat +down to<br> +discuss, as I believed, preliminaries, when the cool puppy, with +his back<br> +to the fire, carelessly lisped out, 'It can't be, Major; your +friend is too<br> +late.'</p> + +<p>"'Too late? too late?' said I.</p> + +<p>"'Yes, precisely so; not up to time. The affair should have +come off some<br> +weeks since. We won't meet him now.'</p> + +<p>"'This is really your answer?'</p> + +<p>"'This is really my answer; and not only so, but the decision +of our mess.'</p> + +<p>"What I said after this <i>he</i> may remember; devil take me +if <i>I</i> can. But I<br> +have a vague recollection of saying something that the aforesaid +mess will<br> +never petition the Horse Guards to put on their regimental +colors; and here<br> +I am—"</p> + +<p>With these words the major gulped down a full goblet of wine, +and once<br> +more resumed his walk through the room. I shall not attempt to +record the<br> +feelings which agitated me during the major's recital. In one +rapid glance<br> +I saw the aim of my vindictive enemy. My honor, not my life, was +the object<br> +he sought for; and ten thousand times more than ever did I pant +for the<br> +opportunity to confront him in a deadly combat.</p> + +<p>"Charley," said O'Shaughnessy, at length, placing his hand +upon my<br> +shoulder, "you must get to bed now. Nothing more can be done +to-night in<br> +any way. Be assured of one thing, my boy,—I'll not desert you; +and if that<br> +assurance can give you a sound sleep, you'll not need a +lullaby."</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LX.</p> + +<p>PRELIMINARIES.</p> + +<p>I awoke refreshed on the following morning, and came down to +breakfast with<br> +a lighter heart than I had even hoped for. A secret feeling that +all<br> +would go well had somehow taken possession of me, and I longed +for<br> +O'Shaughnessy's coming, trusting that he might be able to confirm +my hopes.<br> +His servant informed me that the major had been absent since +daybreak, and<br> +left orders that he was not to be waited for at breakfast.</p> + +<p>I was not destined, however, to pass a solitary time in his +absence, for<br> +every moment brought some new arrival to visit me; and during the +morning<br> +the colonel and every officer of the regiment not on actual duty +came over.<br> +I soon learned that the feeling respecting Trevyllian's conduct +was one of<br> +unmixed condemnation among my own corps, but that a kind of party +spirit<br> +which had subsisted for some months between the regiment he +belonged to and<br> +the 14th had given a graver character to the affair, and induced +many men<br> +to take up his views of the transaction; and although I heard of +none who<br> +attributed my absence to any dislike to a meeting, yet there were +several<br> +who conceived that, by my going at the time, I had forfeited all +claim to<br> +satisfaction at his hands.</p> + +<p>"Now that Merivale is gone," said an officer to me as the +colonel left the<br> +room, "I may confess to you that he sees nothing to blame in your +conduct<br> +throughout; and even had you been aware of how matters were +circumstanced,<br> +your duty was too imperative to have preferred your personal +consideration<br> +to it."</p> + +<p>"Does any one know where Conyers is?" said Baker.</p> + +<p>"The story goes that Conyers can assist us here. Conyers is at +Zaza la<br> +Mayor, with the 28th; but what can he do?"</p> + +<p>"That I'm not able to tell you; but I know O'Shaughnessy heard +something at<br> +parade this morning, and has set off in search of him on every +side."</p> + +<p>"Was Conyers ever out with Trevyllian?"</p> + +<p>"Not as a principal, I believe. The report is, however, that +he knows more<br> +about him than other people, as Tom certainly does of +everybody."</p> + +<p>"It is rather a new thing for Trevyllian to refuse a meeting. +They say,<br> +O'Malley, he has heard of your shooting."</p> + +<p>"No, no," said another; "he cares very little for any man's +pistol. If the<br> +story be true, he fires a second or two before his adversary; at +least, it<br> +was in that way he killed Carysfort."</p> + +<p>"Here comes the great O'Shaughnessy!" cried some one at the +window; and the<br> +next moment the heavy gallop of a horse was heard along the +causeway. In an<br> +instant we all rushed to the door to receive him.</p> + +<p>"It's all right, lads!" cried he, as he came up. "We have him +this time!"</p> + +<p>"How?" "When?" "Why?" "In what way have you managed?" fell +from a dozen<br> +voices, as the major elbowed his way through the crowd to the +sitting-room.</p> + +<p>"In the first place," said O'Shanghnessy, drawing a long +breath, "I have<br> +promised secrecy as to the steps of this transaction; secondly, +if I<br> +hadn't, it would puzzle me to break it, for I'll be hanged if I +know more<br> +than yourselves. Tom Conyers wrote me a few lines for Trevyllian, +and<br> +Trevyllian pledges himself to meet our friend; and that's all we +need know<br> +or care for."</p> + +<p>"Then you have seen Trevyllian this morning?"</p> + +<p>"No; Beaufort met me at the village. But even now it seems +this affair is<br> +never to come off. Trevyllian has been sent with a forage party +towards<br> +Lesco. However, that can't be a long absence. But, for Heaven's +sake, let<br> +me have some breakfast!"</p> + +<p>While O'Shaughnessy proceeded to attack the viands before him, +the others<br> +chatted about in little groups; but all wore the pleased and +happy looks of<br> +men who had rescued their friend from a menaced danger. As for +myself, my<br> +heart swelled with gratitude to the kind fellows around me.</p> + +<p>"How has Conyers assisted us at this juncture?" was my first +question to<br> +O'Shaughnessy, when we were once more alone.</p> + +<p>"I am not at liberty to speak on that subject, Charley. But be +satisfied<br> +the reasons for which Trevyllian meets you are fair and +honorable."</p> + +<p>"I am content."</p> + +<p>"The only thing now to be done is to have the meeting as soon +as possible."</p> + +<p>"We are all agreed upon that point," said I; "and the more so +as the matter<br> +had better be decided before Sir Arthur's return."</p> + +<p>"Quite true. And now, O'Malley, you had better join your +people as soon as<br> +may be, and it will put a stop to all talking about the +matter."</p> + +<p>The advice was good, and I lost no time in complying with it; +and when<br> +I joined the regiment that day at mess, it was with a light heart +and a<br> +cheerful spirit, for come what might of the affair, of one thing +I was<br> +certain,—my character was now put above any reach of aspersion, +and my<br> +reputation beyond attack.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LXI.</p> + +<p>ALL RIGHT.</p> + +<p>Some days after coming back to headquarters, I was returning +from a visit I<br> +had been making to a friend at one of the outposts, when an +officer whom I<br> +knew slightly overtook me and informed me that Major +O'Shaughnessy had<br> +been to my quarters in search of me, and had sent persons in +different<br> +directions to find me.</p> + +<p>Suspecting the object of the major's haste, I hurried on at +once, and as<br> +I rode up to the spot, found him in the midst of a group of +officers,<br> +engaged, to all appearance, in most eager conversation.</p> + +<p>"Oh, here he comes!" cried he, as I cantered up. "Come, my +boy, doff the<br> +blue frock as soon as you can, and turn out in your best-fitting +black.<br> +Everything has been settled for this evening at seven o'clock, +and we have<br> +no time to lose."</p> + +<p>"I understand you," said I, "and shall not keep you waiting." +So saying, I<br> +sprang from my saddle and hastened to my quarters. As I entered +the room I<br> +was followed by O'Shaughnessy, who closed the door after him as +he came in,<br> +and having turned the key in it, sat down beside the table, and +folding<br> +his arms, seemed buried in reflection. As I proceeded with my +toilet he<br> +returned no answers to the numerous questions I put to him, +either as to<br> +the time of Trevyllian's return, the place of the meeting, or any +other<br> +part of the transaction. His attention seemed to wander far from +all around<br> +and about him; and as he muttered indistinctly to himself, the +few words I<br> +could catch bore not in the remotest degree upon the matter +before us.</p> + +<p>"I have written a letter or two here, Major," said I, opening +my<br> +writing-desk. "In case anything happens, you will look to a few +things I<br> +have mentioned here. Somehow, I could not write to poor Fred +Power; but you<br> +must tell him from me that his noble conduct towards me was the +last thing<br> +I spoke of."</p> + +<p>"What confounded nonsense you are talking!" said +O'Shaughnessy, springing<br> +from his seat and crossing the room with tremendous strides, +"croaking away<br> +there as if the bullet was in your thorax. Hang it, man, bear +up!"</p> + +<p>"But, Major, my dear friend, what the deuce are you thinking +of? The few<br> +things I mentioned—"</p> + +<p>"The devil! you are not going over it all again, are you?" +said he, in a<br> +voice of no measured tone.</p> + +<p>I now began to feel irritated in turn, and really looked at +him for some<br> +seconds in considerable amazement. That he should have mistaken, +the<br> +directions I was giving him and attributed them to any cowardice +was too<br> +insulting a thought to bear; and yet how otherwise was I to +understand the<br> +very coarse style of his interruption?</p> + +<p>At length my temper got the victory, and with a voice of most +measured<br> +calmness, I said, "Major O'Shaughnessy, I am grateful, most +deeply<br> +grateful, for the part you have acted towards me in this +difficult<br> +business; at the same time, as you now appear to disapprove of my +conduct<br> +and bearing, when I am most firmly determined to alter nothing, I +shall beg<br> +to relieve you of the unpleasant office of my friend."</p> + +<p>"Heaven grant that you could do so!" said he, interrupting me, +while his<br> +clasped hands and eager look attested the vehemence of the wish. +He paused<br> +for a moment, then, springing from his chair, rushed towards me, +and threw<br> +his arms around me. "No, my boy, I can't do it,—I can't do it. I +have<br> +tried to bully myself into insensibility for this evening's +work,—I have<br> +endeavored to be rude to you, that you might insult me, and steel +my heart<br> +against what might happen; but it won't do, Charley, it won't +do."</p> + +<p>With these words the big tears rolled down his stern cheeks, +and his voice<br> +became thick with emotion.</p> + +<p>"But for me, all this need not have happened. I know it; I +feel it. I<br> +hurried on this meeting; your character stood fair and +unblemished without<br> +that,—at least they tell me so now; and I still have to assure +you—"</p> + +<p>"Come, my dear, kind friend, don't give way in this fashion. +You have stood<br> +manfully by me through every step of the road; don't desert me on +the<br> +threshold of—"</p> + +<p>"The grave, O'Malley?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so, Major; but see, half-past six! Look to +these pistols for<br> +me. Are they likely to object to hair-triggers?"</p> + +<p>A knocking at the door turned off our attention, and the next +moment<br> +Baker's voice was heard.</p> + +<p>"O'Malley, you'll be close run for time; the meeting-place is +full three<br> +miles from this."</p> + +<p>I seized the key and opened the door. At the same instant, +O'Shaughnessy<br> +rose and turned towards the window, holding one of the pistols in +his hand.</p> + +<p>"Look at that, Baker,—what a sweet tool it is!" said he, in a +voice that<br> +actually made me start. Not a trace of his late excitement +remained; his<br> +usually dry, half-humorous manner had returned, and his droll +features were<br> +as full of their own easy, devil-may-care fun as ever.</p> + +<p>"Here comes the drag," said Baker. "We can drive nearly all +the way, unless<br> +you prefer riding."</p> + +<p>"Of course not. Keep your hand steady, Charley, and if you +don't bring him<br> +down with that saw-handle, you're not your uncle's nephew."</p> + +<p>With these words we mounted into the tax-cart, and set off for +the<br> +meeting-place.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LXII.</p> + +<p>THE DUEL.</p> + +<p>A small and narrow ravine between the two furze-covered dells +led to the<br> +open space where the meeting had been arranged for. As we reached +this,<br> +therefore, we were obliged to descend from the drag, and proceed +the<br> +remainder of the way afoot. We had not gone many yards when a +step was<br> +heard approaching, and the next moment Beaufort appeared. His +usually easy<br> +and <i>dégagé</i> air was certainly tinged with +somewhat of constraint; and<br> +though his soft voice and half smile were as perfect as ever, a +slightly<br> +flurried expression about the lip, and a quick and nervous motion +of his<br> +eyebrow, bespoke a heart not completely at ease. He lifted his +foraging cap<br> +most ceremoniously to salute us as we came up, and casting an +anxious look<br> +to see if any others were following, stood quite still.</p> + +<p>"I think it right to mention, Major O'Shaughnessy," said he, +in a voice of<br> +most dulcet sweetness, "that I am the only friend of Captain +Trevyllian on<br> +the ground; and though I have not the slightest objection to +Captain Baker<br> +being present, I hope you will see the propriety of limiting the +witnesses<br> +to the three persons now here."</p> + +<p>"Upon my conscience, as far as I am concerned, or my friend +either, we<br> +are perfectly indifferent if we fight before three or three +thousand. In<br> +Ireland we rather like a crowd."</p> + +<p>"Of course, then, as you see no objection to my proposition, I +may count<br> +upon your co-operation in the event of any intrusion,—I mean, +that while<br> +we, upon our sides, will not permit any of our friends to come +forward, you<br> +will equally exert yourself with yours."</p> + +<p>"Here we are, Baker and myself, neither more nor less. We +expect no one,<br> +and want no one; so that I humbly conceive all the preliminaries +you are<br> +talking of will never be required."</p> + +<p>Beaufort tried to smile, and bit his lips, while a small red +spot upon his<br> +cheek spoke that some deeper feeling of irritation than the mere +careless<br> +manner of the major could account for, still rankled in his +bosom. We<br> +now walked on without speaking, except when occasionally some +passing<br> +observation of Beaufort upon the fineness of the evening, or the +rugged<br> +nature of the road, broke the silence. As we emerged from the +little<br> +mountain pass into the open meadow land, the tall and +soldier-like figure<br> +of Trevyllian was the first object that presented itself. He was +standing<br> +beside a little stone cross that stood above a holy well, and +seemed<br> +occupied in deciphering the inscription. He turned at the noise +of our<br> +approach, and calmly waited our coming. His eye glanced quickly +from the<br> +features of O'Shaughnessy to those of Baker; but seeming rapidly +reassured<br> +as he walked forward, his face at once recovered its usual +severity and its<br> +cold, impassive look of sternness.</p> + +<p>"All right!" said Beaufort, in a whisper the tones of which I +overheard, as<br> +he drew near to his friend. Trevyllian smiled in return, but did +not speak.<br> +During the few moments which passed in conversation between the +seconds,<br> +I turned from the spot with Baker, and had scarcely time to +address a<br> +question to him, when O'Shaughnessy called out, "Hollo, +Baker!—come here<br> +a moment!" The three seemed now in eager discussion for some +minutes, when<br> +Baker walked towards Trevyllian, and saying something, appeared +to wait<br> +for his reply. This being obtained, he joined the others, and the +moment<br> +afterwards came to where I was standing. "You are to toss for +first shot,<br> +O'Malley. O'Shaughnessy has made that proposition, and the others +agree<br> +that with two crack marksmen, it is perhaps the fairest way. I +suppose you<br> +have no objection?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, I shall make none. Whatever O'Shaughnessy decides +for me I am<br> +ready to abide by."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, as to the distance?" said Beaufort, loud enough +to be heard by<br> +me where I was standing. O'Shaughnessy's reply I could not catch, +but it<br> +was evident, from the tone of both parties, that some difference +existed on<br> +the point.</p> + +<p>"Captain Baker shall decide between us," said Beaufort, at +length, and they<br> +all walked away to some distance. During all the while I could +perceive<br> +that Trevyllian's uneasiness and impatience seemed extreme; he +looked from<br> +the speakers to the little mountain pass, and strained his eyes +in every<br> +direction. It was clear that he dreaded some interruption. At +last, unable<br> +any longer to control his feelings, he called out, "Beaufort, I +say, what<br> +the devil are we waiting for now?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing at present," said Beaufort, as he came forward with a +dollar in<br> +his hand. "Come, Major O'Shaughnessy, you shall call for your +friend."</p> + +<p>He pitched the piece of money as he spoke high into the air, +and watched it<br> +as it fell on the soft grass beneath.</p> + +<p>"Head! for a thousand," cried O'Shaughnessy, running over and +stooping<br> +down; "and head it is!"</p> + +<p>"You've won the first shot," whispered Baker; "for Heaven's +sake be cool!"</p> + +<p>Beaufort grew deadly pale as he bent over the crownpiece, and +seemed<br> +scarcely to have courage to look his friend in his face. Not so +Trevyllian;<br> +he pulled off his gloves without the slightest semblance of +emotion,<br> +buttoned up his well-fitting black frock to the throat, and +throwing a<br> +rapid glance around, seemed only eager to begin the combat.</p> + +<p>"Fifteen paces, and the words, 'One, two!'"</p> + +<p>"Exactly. My cane shall mark the spot."</p> + +<p>"Devilish long paces you make them," said O'Shaughnessy, who +did not seem<br> +to approve of the distance. "They have some confounded advantage +in this,<br> +depend upon it," said the major, in a whisper to Baker.</p> + +<p>"Are you ready?" inquired Beaufort.</p> + +<p>"Ready,—quite ready!"</p> + +<p>"Take your ground, then!"</p> + +<p>As Trevyllian moved forward to his place, he muttered +something to his<br> +friend. I did not hear the first part, but the latter words which +met me<br> +were ominous enough: "For as I intend to shoot him, 'tis just as +well as it<br> +is."</p> + +<p>Whether this was meant to be overheard and intimidate me I +knew not;<br> +but its effect proved directly opposite. My firm resolution to +hit my<br> +antagonist was now confirmed, and no compunctious visitings +unnerved my<br> +arm. As we took our places some little delay again took place, +the flint of<br> +my pistol having fallen; and thus we remained full ten or twelve +seconds<br> +steadily regarding each other. At length O'Shaughnessy came +forward, and<br> +putting my weapon in my hand, whispered low, "Remember, you have +but one<br> +chance."</p> + +<p>"You are both ready?" cried Beaufort.</p> + +<p>"Ready!"</p> + +<p>"Then: One, two—"</p> + +<p>The last word was lost in the report of my pistol, which went +off at the<br> +instant. For a second the flash and smoke obstructed my view; but +the<br> +moment after I saw Trevyllian stretched upon the ground, with his +friend<br> +kneeling beside him. My first impulse was to rush over, for now +all feeling<br> +of enmity was buried in most heartfelt anxiety for his fate; but +as I was<br> +stepping forward, O'Shaughnessy called out, "Stand fast, boy, +he's only<br> +wounded!" and the same moment he rose slowly from the ground, +with the<br> +assistance of his friend, and looked with the same wild gaze +around him.<br> +Such a look! I shall never forget it; there was that intense +expression of<br> +searching anxiety, as if he sought to trace the outlines of some +visionary<br> +spirit as it receded before him. Quickly reassured, as it seemed, +by<br> +the glance he threw on all sides, his countenance lighted up, not +with<br> +pleasure, but with a fiendish expression of revengeful triumph, +which even<br> +his voice evinced as he called out: "It's my turn now."</p> + +<p>I felt the words in their full force, as I stood silently +awaiting my death<br> +wound. The pause was a long one. Twice did he interrupt his +friend, as he<br> +was about to give the word, by an expression of suffering, +pressing his<br> +hand upon his side, and seeming to writhe with torture; and yet +this was<br> +mere counterfeit.</p> + +<p>O'Shaughnessy was now coming forward to interfere and prevent +these<br> +interruptions, when Trevyllian called out in a firm tone, "I'm +ready!" At<br> +the words, "One, two!" the pistol slowly rose; his dark eye +measured me<br> +coolly, steadily; his lip curled; and just as I felt that my last +moment<br> +of life had arrived, a heavy sound of a horse galloping along the +rocky<br> +causeway seemed to take off his attention. His frame trembled, +his hand<br> +shook, and jerking upwards his weapon, the ball passed high above +my head.</p> + +<p>"You bear me witness I fired in the air," said Trevyllian, +while the large<br> +drops of perspiration rolled from his forehead, and his features +worked as<br> +if in a fit.</p> + +<p>"You saw it, sir; and you, Beaufort, my friend, you also. +Speak! Why will<br> +you not speak?"</p> + +<p>"Be calm, Trevyllian; be calm, for Heaven's sake! What's the +matter with<br> +you?"</p> + +<a name="0484"></a> +<img alt="0484.jpg (125K)" src="0484.jpg" height="511" width="658"> + +<p>[THE COAT OF MAIL.]</p> +<br><br> + +<p>"The affair is then ended," said Baker, "and most happily so. +You are, I<br> +hope, not dangerously wounded."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, Trevyllian's features grew deadly livid; his +half-open mouth<br> +quivered slightly, his eyes became fixed, and his arm dropped +heavily<br> +beside him, and with a low moan he fell fainting to the +ground.</p> + +<p>As we bent over him I now perceived that another person had +joined our<br> +party; he was a short, determined-looking man of about forty, +with black<br> +eyes and aquiline features. Before I had time to guess who it +might be, I<br> +heard O'Shaughnessy address him as Colonel Conyers.</p> + +<p>"He is dying!" said Beaufort, still stooping over his friend, +whose cold<br> +hand he grasped within his own. "Poor, poor fellow!"</p> + +<p>"He fired in the air," said Baker, as he spoke in reply to a +question from<br> +Conyers.</p> + +<p>What he answered I heard not, but Baker rejoined,—</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am certain of it. We all saw it."</p> + +<p>"Had you not better examine his wounds?" said Conyers, in a +tone of<br> +sarcastic irony I could almost have struck him for. "Is your +friend not<br> +hit? Perhaps he is bleeding?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said O'Shaughnessy, "let us look to the poor fellow +now." So saying,<br> +with Beaufort's aid he unbuttoned his frock and succeeded in +opening his<br> +waistcoat. There was no trace of blood anywhere, and the idea of +internal<br> +hemorrhage at once occurred to us, when Conyers, stooping down, +pushed me<br> +aside, saying at the same time,—</p> + +<p>"Your fears for his safety need not distress you much,—look +here!" As he<br> +spoke he tore open his shirt, and disclosed to our almost +doubting senses<br> +a vest of chain-mail armor fitting close next the skin and +completely<br> +pistol-proof.</p> + +<p>I cannot describe the effect this sight produced upon us. +Beaufort sprang<br> +to his feet with a bound as he screamed out, rather than spoke, +"No man<br> +believes me to have been aware—"</p> + +<p>"No, no, Beaufort, your reputation is very far removed from +such a stain,"<br> +said Conyers.</p> + +<p>O'Shaughnessy was perfectly speechless. He looked from one to +the other, as<br> +though some unexplained mystery still remained, and only seemed +restored<br> +to any sense of consciousness as Baker said, "I can feel no pulse +at his<br> +wrist,—his heart, too, does not beat."</p> + +<p>Conyers placed his hand upon his bosom, then felt along his +throat, lifted<br> +up an arm, and letting it fall heavily upon the ground, he +muttered, "He is<br> +dead!"</p> + +<p>It was true. No wound had pierced him,—the pistol bullet was +found within<br> +his clothes. Some tremendous conflict of the spirit within had +snapped the<br> +cords of life, and the strong man had perished in his agony.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LXIII.</p> + +<p>NEWS FROM GALWAY.</p> + +<p>I have but a vague and most imperfect recollection of the +events which<br> +followed this dreadful scene; for some days my faculties seemed +stunned and<br> +paralyzed, and my thoughts clung to the minute detail of the +ground,—the<br> +persons about, the mountain path, and most of all the +half-stifled cry that<br> +spoke the broken heart,—with a tenacity that verged upon +madness.</p> + +<p>A court-martial was appointed to inquire into the affair; and +although I<br> +have been since told that my deportment was calm, and my answers +were firm<br> +and collected, yet I remember nothing of the proceedings.</p> + +<p>The inquiry, through a feeling of delicacy for the friends of +him who was<br> +no more, was made as brief and as private as possible. Beaufort +proved the<br> +facts which exonerated me from any imputation in the matter; and +upon the<br> +same day the court delivered the decision: "That Lieutenant +O'Malley was<br> +not guilty of the charges preferred against him, and that he +should be<br> +released from arrest, and join his regiment."</p> + +<p>Nothing could be more kind and considerate than the conduct of +my brother<br> +officers,—a hundred little plans and devices for making me +forget the<br> +late unhappy event were suggested and practised,—and I look back +to that<br> +melancholy period, marked as it was by the saddest circumstance +of my life,<br> +as one in which I received more of truly friendly companionship +than even<br> +my palmiest days of prosperity boasted.</p> + +<p>While, therefore, I deeply felt the good part my friends were +performing<br> +towards me, I was still totally unsuited to join in the happy +current of<br> +their daily pleasures and amusements. The gay and unreflecting +character of<br> +O'Shaughnessy, the careless merriment of my brother officers, +jarred upon<br> +my nerves, and rendered me irritable and excited; and I sought in +lonely<br> +rides and unfrequented walks, the peace of spirit that calm +reflection and<br> +a firm purpose for the future rarely fail to lead to.</p> + +<p>There is in deep sorrow a touch of the prophetic. It is at +seasons when the<br> +heart is bowed down with grief, and the spirit wasted with +suffering, that<br> +the veil which conceals the future seems to be removed, and a +glance, short<br> +and fleeting as the lightning flash, is permitted us into the +gloomy valley<br> +before us.</p> + +<p>Misfortunes, too, come not singly,—the seared heart is not +suffered to<br> +heal from one affliction ere another succeeds it; and this +anticipation<br> +of the coming evil is, perhaps, one of the most poignant features +of<br> +grief,—the ever-watchful apprehension, the ever-rising question, +"What<br> +next?" is a torture that never sleeps.</p> + +<p>This was the frame of my mind for several days after I +returned to my<br> +duty,—a morbid sense of some threatened danger being my last +thought at<br> +night and my first on awakening. I had not heard from home since +my arrival<br> +in the Peninsula; a thousand vague fancies haunted me now that +some<br> +brooding misfortune awaited me. My poor uncle never left my +thoughts. Was<br> +he well; was he happy? Was he, as he ever used to be, surrounded +by the<br> +friends he loved,—the old familiar faces around the hospitable +hearth his<br> +kindliness had hallowed in my memory as something sacred? Oh, +could I but<br> +see his manly smile, or hear his voice! Could I but feel his hand +upon my<br> +head, as he was wont to press it, while words of comfort fell +from his<br> +lips, and sunk into my heart!</p> + +<p>Such were my thoughts one morning as I sauntered, +unaccompanied, from my<br> +quarters. I had not gone far, when my attention was aroused by +the noise<br> +of a mule-cart, whose jingling bells and clattering timbers +announced its<br> +approach by the road I was walking. Another turn of the way +brought it into<br> +view; and I saw from the gay costume of the driver, as well as a +small<br> +orange flag which decorated the conveyance, that it was the +mail-cart with<br> +letters from Lisbon.</p> + +<p>Full as my mind was with thoughts of home, I turned hastily +back, and<br> +retraced my steps towards the camp. When I reached the +adjutant-general's<br> +quarters, I found a considerable number of officers assembled; +the report<br> +that the post had come was a rumor of interest to all, and +accordingly,<br> +every moment brought fresh arrivals, pouring in from all sides, +and eagerly<br> +inquiring, "If the bags had been opened?" The scene of riot, +confusion, and<br> +excitement, when that event did take place, exceeded all belief, +each man<br> +reading his letter half aloud, as if his private affairs and +domestic<br> +concerns must interest his neighbors, amidst a volley of +exclamations of<br> +surprise, pleasure, or occasional anger, as the intelligence +severally<br> +suggested,—the disappointed expectants cursing their idle +correspondents,<br> +bemoaning their fate about remittances that never arrived, or +drafts never<br> +honored; while here and there some public benefactor, with an +outspread<br> +"Times" or "Chronicle," was retailing the narrative of our own +exploits in<br> +the Peninsula or the more novel changes in the world of politics +since we<br> +left England. A cross-fire of news and London gossip ringing on +every side<br> +made up a perfect Babel most difficult to form an idea of. The +jargon<br> +partook of every accent and intonation the empire boasts of; and +from the<br> +sharp precision of the North Tweeder to the broad doric of Kerry, +every<br> +portion, almost every county, of Great Britain had its +representative. Here<br> +was a Scotch paymaster, in a lugubrious tone, detailing to his +friend the<br> +apparently not over-welcome news that Mistress M'Elwain had just +been<br> +safely delivered of twins, which, with their mother, were doing +as well<br> +as possible. Here an eager Irishman, turning over the pages +rather than<br> +reading his letter, while he exclaimed to his friend,—</p> + +<p>"Oh, the devil a rap she's sent me. The old story about +runaway tenants and<br> +distress notices,—sorrow else tenants seem to do in Ireland than +run away<br> +every half-year."</p> + +<p>A little apart some sentimental-looking cockney was devouring +a very<br> +crossed epistle which he pressed to his lips whenever any one +looked at<br> +him; while a host of others satisfied themselves by reading in a +kind of<br> +buzzing undertone, every now and then interrupting themselves +with some<br> +broken exclamation as commentary,—such as, "Of course she will!" +"Never<br> +knew him better!" "That's the girl for my money!" "Fifty per +cent, the<br> +devil!" and so on. At last I was beginning to weary of the scene, +and<br> +finding that there appeared to be nothing for me, was turning to +leave the<br> +place, when I saw a group of two or three endeavoring to spell +out the<br> +address of a letter.</p> + +<p>"That's an Irish post-mark, I'll swear," said one; "but who +can make<br> +anything of the name? It's devilish like Otaheite, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"I wish my tailor wrote as illegibly," said another; "I'd keep +up a most<br> +animated correspondence with him."</p> + +<p>"Here, O'Shaughnessy, you know something of savage +life,—spell us this<br> +word here."</p> + +<p>"Show it here. What nonsense, it's as plain as the nose on my +face: 'Master<br> +Charles O'Malley, in foreign parts!'"</p> + +<p>A roar of laughter followed this announcement, which, at any +other time,<br> +perhaps, I should have joined in, but which now grated sadly on +my ruffled<br> +feelings.</p> + +<p>"Here, Charley, this is for you," said the major; and added in +a<br> +whisper,—"and upon my conscience, between ourselves, your +friend, whoever<br> +he is, has a strong action against his writing-master,—devil +such a fist<br> +ever I looked at!"</p> + +<p>One glance satisfied me as to my correspondent. It was from +Father Rush,<br> +my old tutor. I hurried eagerly from the spot, and regaining my +quarters,<br> +locked the door, and with a beating heart broke the seal and +began, as well<br> +as I was able, to decipher his letter. The hand was cramped and +stiffened<br> +with age, and the bold, upright letters were gnarled and twisted +like a<br> +rustic fence, and demanded great patience arid much time in +unravelling. It<br> +ran thus:—</p> + +<p> THE PRIORY, Lady-day, 1809.<br> + MY DEAR MASTER CHARLES,—Your uncle's feet are so big and<br> + so uneasy that he can't write, and I am obliged to take up +the pen<br> + myself, to tell you how we are doing here since you left us. +And,<br> + first of all, the master lost the lawsuit in Dublin, all for +the want<br> + of a Galway jury,—but they don't go up to town for strong +reasons<br> + they had; and the Curranolick property is gone to Ned +M'Manus,<br> + and may the devil do him good with it! Peggy Maher left this +on<br> + Tuesday; she was complaining of a weakness; she's gone to +consult<br> + the doctors. I'm sorry for poor Peggy.</p> + +<p> Owen M'Neil beat the Slatterys out of Portunma on +Saturday,<br> + and Jem, they say, is fractured. I trust it's true, for he +never was<br> + good, root nor branch, and we've strong reasons to suspect +him for<br> + drawing the river with a net at night. Sir Harry Boyle +sprained his<br> + wrist, breaking open his bed-room, that he locked when he was +inside.<br> + The count and the master were laughing all the evening at<br> + him. Matters are going very hard in the country,—the people +paying<br> + their rents regularly, and not caring half as much as they +used<br> + about the real gentry and the old families.</p> + +<p> We kept your birthday at the Castle in great style,—had +the<br> + militia band from the town, and all the tenants. Mr. James +Daly<br> + danced with your old friend Mary Green, and sang a beautiful +song,<br> + and was going to raise the devil, but I interfered; he burned +down<br> + half the blue drawing-room the last night with his +tricks,—not that<br> + your uncle cares, God preserve him to us! it's little +anything like<br> + that would fret him. The count quarrelled with a young +gentleman<br> + in the course of the evening, but found out he was only an +attorney<br> + from Dublin, so he didn't shoot him; but he was ducked in the +pond<br> + by the people, and your uncle says he hopes they have a true +copy of<br> + him at home, as they'll never know the original.</p> + +<p> Peter died soon after you went away, but Tim hunts the +dogs<br> + just as well. They had a beautiful run last Wednesday, and +the<br> + Lord[2] sent for him and gave him a five-pound note; but he +says<br> + he'd rather see yourself back again than twice as much. +They<br> + killed near the big turnip-field, and all went down to see +where you<br> + leaped Badger over the sunk fence,—they call it +"Hammersley's<br> + Nose" ever since. Bodkin was at Ballinasloe the last fair, +limping<br> + about with a stick; he's twice as quiet as he used to be, and +never<br> + beat any one since that morning.</p> + +<p> Nellie Guire, at the cross-roads, wants to send you four +pair of<br> + stockings she knitted for you, and I have a keg of potteen of +Barney's<br> + own making this two months, not knowing how to send it. May +be<br> + Sir Arthur himself would like a taste,—he's an Irishman +himself,<br> + and one we're proud of, too! The Maynooth chaps are flying +all<br> + about the country, and making us all uncomfortable,—God's +will be<br> + done, but we used to think ourselves good enough! Your +foster-sister,<br> + Kitty Doolan, had a fine boy; it's to be called after you, +and<br> + your uncle's to give a christening. He bids me tell you to +draw<br> + on him when you want money, and that there's £400 ready +for you<br> + now somewhere in Dublin,—I forget the name, and as he's +asleep, I<br> + don't like asking him. There was a droll devil down here in +the<br> + summer that knew you well,—a Mr. Webber. The master +treated<br> + him like the Lord Lieutenant, had dinner parties for him, +and<br> + gave him Oliver Cromwell to ride over to Meelish. He is +expected<br> + again for the cock-shooting, for the master likes him +greatly. I'm<br> + done at last, for my paper is finished and the candle just +out; so with<br> + every good wish and every good thought, remember your own +old<br> + friend,—<br> + PETER RUSH.<br> + P.S. It's Smart and Sykes, Fleet Street, has the money.<br> + Father O'Shaughnessey, of Ennis, bids me ask if you ever met +his<br> + nephew. If you do, make him sing "Larry M'Hale." I hear it's +a<br> + treat.</p> + +<p> How is Mickey Free going on? There are three decent +young<br> + women in the parish he promised to marry, and I suppose he's +pursuing<br> + the same game with the Portuguese. But he was never<br> + remarkable for minding his duties. Tell him I am keeping my +eye<br> + on him.<br> + P. R.</p> + +<p>[Footnote:2 To excuse Father Rush for any apparent impiety, I +must add<br> +that, by "the Lord," he means "Lord Clanricarde."]</p> + +<p>Here concluded this long epistle; and though there were many +parts I could<br> +not help smiling at, yet upon the whole I felt sad and +dispirited. What I<br> +had long foreseen and anticipated was gradually +accomplishing,—the wreck<br> +of an old and honored house, the fall of a name once the +watch-word for<br> +all that was benevolent and hospitable in the land. The +termination of the<br> +lawsuit I knew must have been a heavy blow to my poor uncle, who, +every<br> +consideration of money apart, felt in a legal combat all the +enthusiasm and<br> +excitement of a personal conflict. With him there was less a +question of<br> +to whom the broad acres reverted, so much as whether that +"scoundrel Tom<br> +Basset, the attorney at Athlone, should triumph over us;" or +"M'Manus live<br> +in the house as master where his father had officiated as +butler." It was<br> +at this his Irish pride took offence; and straitened +circumstances and<br> +narrowed fortunes bore little upon him in comparison with this +feeling.</p> + +<p>I could see, too, that with breaking fortunes, bad health was +making heavy<br> +inroads upon him; and while, with the reckless desperation of +ruin, he<br> +still kept open house, I could picture to myself his cheerful eye +and<br> +handsome smile but ill concealing the slow but certain march of a +broken<br> +heart.</p> + +<p>My position was doubly painful: for any advice, had I been +calculated to<br> +give it, would have seemed an act of indelicate interference from +one who<br> +was to benefit by his own counsel; and although I had been reared +and<br> +educated as my uncle's heir, I had no title nor pretension to +succeed him<br> +other than his kind feelings respecting me. I could, therefore, +only look<br> +on in silence, and watch the painful progress of our downfall +without power<br> +to arrest it.</p> + +<p>These were sad thoughts, and came when my heart was already +bowed down with<br> +its affliction. That my poor uncle might be spared the misery +which sooner<br> +or later seemed inevitable, was now my only wish; that he might +go down to<br> +the grave without the embittering feelings which a ruined fortune +and a<br> +fallen house bring home to the heart, was all my prayer. Let him +but close<br> +his eyes in the old wainscoted bed-room, beneath the old roof +where his<br> +fathers and grand-fathers have done so for centuries. Let the +faithful<br> +followers he has known since his childhood stand round his bed; +while his<br> +fast-failing sight recognizes each old and well-remembered +object, and the<br> +same bell which rang its farewell to the spirit of his ancestors +toll for<br> +him, the last of his race. And as for me, there was the wide +world before<br> +me, and a narrow resting-place would suffice for a soldier's +sepulchre.</p> + +<p>As the mail-cart was returning the next day to Lisbon, I +immediately sat<br> +down and replied to the worthy Father's letter, speaking as +encouragingly<br> +as I could of my own prospects. I dwelt much upon what was +nearest my<br> +heart, and begged of the good priest to watch over my uncle's +health, to<br> +cheer his spirits and support his courage; and that I trusted the +day was<br> +not far distant when I should be once more among them, with many +a story<br> +of fray and battle-field to enliven their firesides. Pressing him +to write<br> +frequently to me, I closed my hurried letter; and having +despatched it, sat<br> +sorrowfully down to muse over my fortunes.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LXIV.</p> + +<p>AN ADVENTURE WITH SIR ARTHUR.</p> + +<p>The events of the last few days had impressed me with a weight +of years.<br> +The awful circumstances of that evening lay heavily at my heart; +and though<br> +guiltless of Trevyllian's blood, the reproach that conscience +ever carries<br> +when one has been involved in a death-scene never left my +thoughts.</p> + +<p>For some time previously I had been depressed and +dis-spirited, and the<br> +awful shock I had sustained broke my nerve and unmanned me +greatly.</p> + +<p>There are times when our sorrows tinge all the colorings of +our thoughts,<br> +and one pervading hue of melancholy spreads like a pall upon what +we have<br> +of fairest and brightest on earth. So was it now: I had lost hope +and<br> +ambition; a sad feeling that my career was destined to misfortune +and<br> +mishap gained hourly upon me; and all the bright aspirations of a +soldier's<br> +glory, all my enthusiasm for the pomp and circumstance of +glorious war,<br> +fell coldly upon my heart, and I looked upon the chivalry of a +soldier's<br> +life as the empty pageant of a dream.</p> + +<p>In this sad frame of mind, I avoided all intercourse with my +brother<br> +officers; their gay and joyous spirits only jarred upon my +brooding<br> +thoughts, and feigning illness, I kept almost entirely to my +quarters.</p> + +<p>The inactivity of our present life weighed also heavily upon +me. The<br> +stirring events of a campaign—the march, the bivouac, the +picket—call<br> +forth a certain physical exertion that never fails to react upon +the torpid<br> +mind.</p> + +<p>Forgetting all around me, I thought of home; I thought of +those whose<br> +hearts I felt were now turning towards me, and considered within +myself how<br> +I could have exchanged the home, the days of peaceful happiness +there, for<br> +the life of misery and disappointment I now endured.</p> + +<p>A brooding melancholy gained daily more and more upon me. A +wish, to return<br> +to Ireland, a vague and indistinct feeling that my career was not +destined<br> +for aught of great and good crept upon me, and I longed to sink +into<br> +oblivion, forgotten and forgot.</p> + +<p>I record this painful feeling here, while it is still a +painful memory, as<br> +one of the dark shadows that cross the bright sky of our happiest +days.</p> + +<p>Happy, indeed, are they, as we look back to them and remember +the times we<br> +have pronounced ourselves "the most miserable of mankind." This, +somehow,<br> +is a confession we never make later on in life, when real +troubles and true<br> +afflictions assail us. Whether we call in more philosophy to our +aid, or<br> +that our senses become less acute and discerning, I'm sure I know +not.</p> + +<p>As for me, I confess by far the greater portion of my sorrows +seemed to<br> +come in that budding period of existence when life is ever +fairest and most<br> +captivating. Not, perhaps, that the fact was really so, but the +spoiled<br> +and humored child, whose caprices were a law, felt heavily the +threatening<br> +difficulties of his first voyage; while as he continued to sail +over the<br> +ocean of life, he braved the storm and the squall, and felt only +gratitude<br> +for the favoring breeze that wafted him upon his course.</p> + +<p>What an admirable remedy for misanthropy is the being placed +in a<br> +subordinate condition in life! Had I, at the period that I write, +been Sir<br> +Arthur Wellesley; had I even been Marshal Beresford,—to all +certainty I'd<br> +have played the very devil with his Majesty's forces; I'd have +brought my<br> +rascals to where they'd have been well-peppered, that's +certain.</p> + +<p>But as, luckily for the sake of humanity in general and the +well-being of<br> +the service in particular, I was merely Lieutenant O'Malley, 14th +Light<br> +Dragoons, the case was very different. With what heavy censure +did I<br> +condemn the commander of the forces in my own mind for his want +of daring<br> +and enterprise! Whole nights did I pass in endeavoring to account +for his<br> +inactivity and lethargy. Why he did not <i>seriatim</i> fall upon +Soult, Ney,<br> +and Victor, annihilate the French forces, and sack Madrid, I +looked upon as<br> +little less than a riddle; and yet there he waited, drilling, +exercising,<br> +and foraging, as if he were at Hounslow. Now most fortunately +here again I<br> +was not Sir Arthur.</p> + +<p>Something in this frame of mind, I was taking one evening a +solitary ride<br> +some miles from the camp. Without noticing the circumstance, I +had entered<br> +a little mountain tract, when, the ground being broken and +uneven, I<br> +dismounted and proceeded a-foot, with the bridle within my arm. I +had not<br> +gone far when the clatter of a horse's hoofs came rapidly towards +me, and<br> +though there was something startling in the pace over such a +piece of road,<br> +I never lifted my eyes as the horseman came up, but continued my +slow<br> +progress onwards, my head sunk upon my bosom.</p> + +<p>"Hallo, sir!" cried a sharp voice, whose tones seemed, +somehow, not heard<br> +for the first time. I looked up, saw a slight figure closely +buttoned up<br> +in a blue horseman's cloak, the collar of which almost entirely +hid his<br> +features; he wore a plain, cocked hat without a feather, and was +mounted<br> +upon a sharp, wiry-looking hack.</p> + +<p>"Hallo, sir! What regiment do you belong to?"</p> + +<p>As I had nothing of the soldier about me, save a blue foraging +cap, to<br> +denote my corps, the tone of the demand was little calculated to +elicit<br> +a very polished reply; but preferring, as most impertinent, to +make no<br> +answer, I passed on without speaking.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear, sir?" cried the same voice, in a still louder +key. "What's<br> +your regiment?"</p> + +<p>I now turned round, resolved to question the other in turn; +when, to my<br> +inexpressible shame and confusion, he had lowered the collar of +his cloak,<br> +and I saw the features of Sir Arthur Wellesley.</p> + +<p>"Fourteenth Light Dragoons, sir," said I, blushing as I +spoke.</p> + +<p>"Have you not read the general order, sir? Why have you left +the camp?"</p> + +<p>Now, I had not read a general order nor even heard one for +above a<br> +fortnight. So I stammered out some bungling answer.</p> + +<p>"To your quarters, sir, and report yourself under arrest. +What's your<br> +name?"</p> + +<p>"Lieutenant O'Malley, sir."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, your passion for rambling shall be indulged. You +shall be sent<br> +to the rear with despatches; and as the army is in advance, +probably the<br> +lesson may be serviceable." So saying, he pressed spurs to his +horse, and<br> +was out of sight in a moment.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LXV.</p> + +<p>TALAVERA.</p> + +<p>Having been despatched to the rear with orders for General +Crawfurd, I did<br> +not reach Talavera till the morning of the 28th. Two days' hard +fighting<br> +had left the contending armies still face to face, and without +any decided<br> +advantage on either side.</p> + +<p>When I arrived upon the battle-field, the combat of the +morning was over.<br> +It was then ten o'clock, and the troops were at breakfast, if the +few<br> +ounces of wheat sparingly dealt out among them could be dignified +by that<br> +name. All was, however, life and animation on every side; the +merry laugh,<br> +the passing jest, the careless look, bespoke the free and daring +character<br> +of the soldiery, as they sat in groups upon the grass; and except +when a<br> +fatigue party passed by, bearing some wounded comrade to the +rear, no touch<br> +of seriousness rested upon their hardy features. The morning was +indeed<br> +a glorious one; a sky of unclouded blue stretched above a +landscape<br> +unsurpassed in loveliness. Far to the right rolled on in placid +stream the<br> +broad Tagus, bathing in its eddies the very walls of Talavera, +the ground<br> +from which, to our position, gently undulated across a plain of +most<br> +fertile richness and terminated on our extreme left in a bold +height,<br> +protected in front by a ravine, and flanked by a deep and rugged +valley.</p> + +<p>The Spaniards occupied the right of the line, connecting with +our troops at<br> +a rising ground, upon which a strong redoubt had been hastily +thrown up.<br> +The fourth division and the Guards were stationed here, next to +whom came<br> +Cameron's brigade and the Germans, Mackenzie and Hill holding the +extreme<br> +left of all, which might be called the key of our position. In +the valley<br> +beneath the latter were picketed three cavalry regiments, among +which I was<br> +not long in detecting my gallant friends of the Twenty-third.</p> + +<p>As I rode rapidly past, saluting some old familiar face at +each moment, I<br> +could not help feeling struck at the evidence of the desperate +battle that<br> +so lately had raged there. The whole surface of the hill was one +mass of<br> +dead and dying, the bearskin of the French grenadier lying side +by side<br> +with the tartan of the Highlander. Deep furrows in the soil +showed the<br> +track of the furious cannonade, and the terrible evidences of a +bayonet<br> +charge were written in the mangled corpses around.</p> + +<p>The fight had been maintained without any intermission from +daybreak<br> +till near nine o'clock that morning, and the slaughter on both +sides was<br> +dreadful. The mounds of fresh earth on every side told of the +soldier's<br> +sepulchre; and the unceasing tramp of the pioneers struck sadly +upon the<br> +ear, as the groans of the wounded blended with the funeral sounds +around<br> +them.</p> + +<p>In front were drawn up the dark legions of France,—massive +columns of<br> +infantry, with dense bodies of artillery alternating along the +line. They,<br> +too, occupied a gently rising ground, the valley between the two +armies<br> +being crossed half way by a little rivulet; and here, during the +sultry<br> +heat of the morning, the troops on both sides met and mingled to +quench<br> +their thirst ere the trumpet again called them to the +slaughter.</p> + +<p>In a small ravine near the centre of our line were drawn up +Cotton's<br> +brigade, of whom the Fusiliers formed a part. Directly in front +of this<br> +were Campbell's brigade, to the left of which, upon a gentle +slope, the<br> +staff were now assembled. Thither, accordingly, I bent my steps, +and as<br> +I came up the little scarp, found myself among the generals of +division,<br> +hastily summoned by Sir Arthur to deliberate upon a forward +movement. The<br> +council lasted scarcely a quarter of an hour, and when I +presented myself<br> +to deliver my report, all the dispositions for the battle had +been decided<br> +upon, and the commander of the forces, seated upon the grass at +his<br> +breakfast, looked by far the most unconcerned and uninterested +man I had<br> +seen that morning.</p> + +<p>He turned his head rapidly as I came up, and before the +aide-de-camp could<br> +announce me, called out:—</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, what news of the reinforcements?"</p> + +<p>"They cannot reach Talavera before to-morrow, sir."</p> + +<p>"Then, before that, we shall not want them. That will do, +sir."</p> + +<p>So saying, he resumed his breakfast, and I retired, more than +ever struck<br> +with the surprising coolness of the man upon whom no +disappointment seemed<br> +to have the slightest influence.</p> + +<p>I had scarcely rejoined my regiment, and was giving an account +to my<br> +brother officers of my journey, when an aide-de-camp came +galloping at full<br> +speed down the line, and communicating with the several +commanding officers<br> +as he passed.</p> + +<p>What might be the nature of the orders we could not guess at; +for no word<br> +to fall in followed, and yet it was evident something of +importance was<br> +at hand. Upon the hill where the staff were assembled no unusual +bustle<br> +appeared; and we could see the bay cob of Sir Arthur still being +led up and<br> +down by the groom, with a dragoon's mantle thrown over him. The +soldiers,<br> +overcome by the heat and fatigue of the morning, lay stretched +around upon<br> +the grass, and everything bespoke a period of rest and +refreshment.</p> + +<p>"We are going to advance, depend upon it!" said a young +officer beside me;<br> +"the repulse of this morning has been a smart lesson to the +French, and Sir<br> +Arthur won't leave them without impressing it upon them."</p> + +<p>"Hark, what's that?" cried Baker; "listen!"</p> + +<p>As he spoke, a strain of most delicious music came wafted +across the plain.<br> +It was from the band of a French regiment, and mellowed by the +distance,<br> +it seemed in the calm stillness of the morning air like something +less of<br> +earth than heaven. As we listened, the notes swelled upwards yet +fuller;<br> +and one by one the different bands seemed to join, till at last +the whole<br> +air seemed full of the rich flood of melody.</p> + +<p>We could now perceive the stragglers were rapidly falling +back, while high<br> +above all other sounds the clanging notes of the trumpet were +heard along<br> +the line. The hoarse drum now beat to arms; and soon after a +brilliant<br> +staff rode slowly from between two dense bodies of infantry, and +advancing<br> +some distance into the plain, seemed to reconnoitre us. A cloud +of Polish<br> +cavalry, distinguished by their long lances and floating banners, +loitered<br> +in their rear.</p> + +<p>We had not time for further observation, when the drums on our +side beat to<br> +arms, and the hoarse cry, "Fall in,—fall in there, lads!" +resounded along<br> +the line.</p> + +<p>It was now one o'clock, and before half an hour the troops had +resumed the<br> +position of the morning, and stood silent and anxious spectators +of the<br> +scene before them.</p> + +<p>Upon the table-land to the rear of the French position, we +could descry the<br> +gorgeous tent of King Joseph, around which a large and +splendidly-accoutred<br> +staff were seen standing. Here, too, the bustle and excitement +seemed<br> +considerable, for to this point the dark masses of the infantry +seemed<br> +converging from the extreme right; and here we could perceive the +royal<br> +guards and the reserve now forming in column of attack.</p> + +<p>From the crest of the hill down to the very valley, the dark, +dense ranks<br> +extended, the flanks protected by a powerful artillery and deep +masses of<br> +heavy cavalry. It was evident that the attack was not to commence +on our<br> +side, and the greatest and most intense anxiety pervaded us as to +what part<br> +of our line was first to be assailed.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Sir Arthur Wellesley, who from the height had been +patiently<br> +observing the field of battle, despatched an aide-de-camp at full +gallop<br> +towards Campbell's brigade, posted directly in advance of us. As +he passed<br> +swiftly along, he called out, "You're in for it, Fourteenth; +you'll have to<br> +open the ball to-day."</p> + +<p>Scarcely were the words spoken, when a signal gun from the +French boomed<br> +heavily through the still air. The last echo was growing fainter, +and the<br> +heavy smoke breaking into mist, when the most deafening thunder +ever my<br> +ears heard came pealing around us; eighty pieces of artillery had +opened<br> +upon us, sending a very tempest of balls upon our line, while +midst the<br> +smoke and dust we could see the light troops advancing at a run, +followed<br> +by the broad and massive columns in all the terror and majesty of +war.</p> + +<p>"What a splendid attack! How gallantly they come on!" cried an +old veteran<br> +officer beside me, forgetting all rivalry in his noble admiration +of our<br> +enemy.</p> + +<p>The intervening space was soon passed, and the tirailleurs +falling back as<br> +the columns came on, the towering masses bore down upon +Campbell's division<br> +with a loud cry of defiance. Silently and steadily the English +infantry<br> +awaited the attack, and returning the fire with one withering +volley, were<br> +ordered to charge. Scarcely were the bayonets lowered, when the +head of the<br> +advancing column broke and fled, while Mackenzie's brigade, +overlapping the<br> +flank, pushed boldly forward, and a scene of frightful carnage +followed;<br> +for a moment a hand-to-hand combat was sustained, but the +unbroken files<br> +and impregnable bayonets of the English conquered, and the French +fled,<br> +leaving six guns behind them.</p> + +<p>The gallant enemy were troops of tried and proved courage, and +scarcely had<br> +they retreated when they again formed; but just as they prepared +to come<br> +forward, a tremendous shower of grape opened upon them from our +batteries,<br> +while a cloud of Spanish horse assailed them in flank and nearly +cut them<br> +in pieces.</p> + +<p>While this was passing on the right, a tremendous attack +menaced the hill<br> +upon which our left was posted. Two powerful columns of French +infantry,<br> +supported by some regiments of light cavalry, came steadily +forward to the<br> +attack; Anson's brigade were ordered to charge.</p> + +<p>Away they went at top speed, but had not gone above a hundred +yards when<br> +they were suddenly arrested by a deep chasm; here the German +hussars pulled<br> +short up, but the Twenty-third dashing impetuously forward; a +scene of<br> +terrific carnage ensued, men and horses rolling indiscriminately +together<br> +under a withering fire from the French squares. Even here, +however, British<br> +valor quailed not, for Major Francis Ponsonby, forming all who +came up,<br> +rode boldly upon a brigade of French chasseurs in the rear. +Victor, who<br> +from the first had watched the movement, at once despatched a +lancer<br> +regiment against them, and then these brave fellows were +absolutely cut to<br> +atoms, the few who escaped having passed through the French +columns and<br> +reached Bassecour's Spanish division on the far right.</p> + +<p>During this time the hill was again assailed, and even more +desperately<br> +than before; while Victor himself led on the fourth corps to an +attack upon<br> +our right and centre.</p> + +<p>The Guards waited without flinching the impetuous rush of the +advancing<br> +columns, and when at length within a short distance, dashed +forward with<br> +the bayonet, driving everything before them. The French fell back +upon<br> +their sustaining masses, and rallying in an instant, again came +forward,<br> +supported by a tremendous fire from their batteries. The Guards +drew back,<br> +and the German Legion, suddenly thrown into confusion, began to +retire<br> +in disorder. This was the most critical moment of the day, for +although<br> +successful upon the extreme right and left of our line, our +centre was<br> +absolutely broken. Just at this moment Gordon rode up to our +brigade; his<br> +face was pale, and his look flurried and excited.</p> + +<p>"The Forty-eighth are coining; here they are,—support them, +Fourteenth."</p> + +<p>These few words were all he spoke; and the next moment the +measured tread<br> +of a column was heard behind us. On they came like one man, their +compact<br> +and dense formation looking like some massive wall; wheeling by +companies,<br> +they suffered the Guards and Germans to retire behind them, and +then,<br> +reforming into line, they rushed forward with the bayonet. Our +artillery<br> +opened with a deafening thunder behind them, and then we were +ordered to<br> +charge.</p> + +<p>We came on at a trot; the Guards, who had now recovered their +formation,<br> +cheered us as we proceeded. The smoke of the cannonade obscured +everything<br> +until we had advanced some distance, but just as we emerged +beyond the line<br> +of the gallant Forty-eighth, the splendid panorama of the +battle-field<br> +broke suddenly upon us.</p> + +<p>"Charge, forward!" cried the hoarse voice of our colonel; and +we were upon<br> +them. The French infantry, already broken by the withering +musketry of our<br> +people, gave way before us, and unable to form a square, retired +fighting<br> +but in confusion, and with tremendous loss, to their position. +One glorious<br> +cheer, from left to right of our line, proclaimed the victory, +while a<br> +deafening discharge of artillery from the French replied to this +defiance,<br> +and the battle was over. Had the Spanish army been capable of a +forward<br> +movement, our successes at this moment would have been, much +more<br> +considerable; but they did not dare to change their position, and +the<br> +repulse of our enemy was destined to be all our glory. The +French, however,<br> +suffered much more severely than we did; and retiring during the +night,<br> +fell back behind the Alberche, leaving us the victory and the +battle-field.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LXVI.</p> + +<p>NIGHT AFTER TALAVERA.</p> + +<p>The night which followed the battle was a sad one. Through the +darkness,<br> +and under a fast-falling rain, the hours were spent in searching +for<br> +our wounded comrades amidst the heap of slain upon the field; and +tho<br> +glimmering of the lanterns, as they flickered far and near across +the wide<br> +plain, bespoke the track of the fatigue parties in their mournful +round;<br> +while the groans of the wounded rose amidst the silence with an +accent of<br> +heart-rending anguish; so true was it, as our great commander +said, "There<br> +is nothing more sad than a victory, except a defeat."</p> + +<p>Around our bivouac fires, the feeling of sorrowful depression +was also<br> +evident. We had gained a great victory, it was true: we had +beaten the<br> +far-famed legions of France upon a ground of their own choosing, +led by the<br> +most celebrated of their marshals and under the eyes of the +Emperor's own<br> +brother; but still we felt all the hazardous daring of our +position, and<br> +had no confidence whatever in the courage or discipline of our +allies; and<br> +we saw that in the very <i>mêlée</i> of the battle +the efforts of the enemy<br> +were directed almost exclusively against our line, so confidently +did they<br> +undervalue the efforts of the Spanish troops. Morning broke at +length, and<br> +scarcely was the heavy mist clearing away before the red +sunlight, when the<br> +sounds of fife and drum were heard from a distant part of the +field. The<br> +notes swelled or sank as the breeze rose or fell, and many a +conjecture was<br> +hazarded as to their meaning, for no object was well visible for +more than<br> +a few hundred yards off; gradually, however, they grew nearer and +nearer,<br> +and at length, as the air cleared, and the hazy vapor evaporated, +the<br> +bright scarlet uniform of a British regiment was seen advancing +at a<br> +quick-step.</p> + +<p>As they came nearer, the well-known march of the gallant 43d +was recognized<br> +by some of our people, and immediately the rumor fled like +lightning: "It<br> +is Crawfurd's brigade!" and so it was; the noble fellow had +marched his<br> +division the unparalleled distance of sixty English miles in +twenty-seven<br> +hours. Over a burning sandy soil, exposed to a raging sun, +without rations,<br> +almost without water, these gallant troops pressed on in the +unwearied hope<br> +of sharing the glory of the battle-field. One tremendous cheer +welcomed the<br> +head of the column as they marched past, and continued till the +last file<br> +had deployed before us.</p> + +<p>As these splendid regiments moved by we could not help feeling +what<br> +signal service they might have rendered us but a few hours +before. Their<br> +soldier-like bearing, their high and effective state of +discipline, their<br> +well-known reputation, were in every mouth; and I scarcely think +that any<br> +corps who stood the brunt of the mighty battle were the subject +of more<br> +encomium than the brave fellows who had just joined us.</p> + +<p>The mournful duties of the night were soon forgotten in the +gay and buoyant<br> +sounds on every side. Congratulations, shaking of hands, kind +inquiries,<br> +went round; and as we looked to the hilly ground where so lately +were<br> +drawn up in battle array the dark columns of our enemy, and where +not one<br> +sentinel now remained, the proud feeling of our victory came home +to our<br> +hearts with the ever-thrilling thought, "What will they say at +home?"</p> + +<p>I was standing amidst a group of my brother officers, when I +received an<br> +order from the colonel to ride down to Talavera for the return of +our<br> +wounded, as the arrival of the commander-in-chief was momentarily +looked<br> +for. I threw myself upon my horse, and setting out at a brisk +pace, soon<br> +reached the gates.</p> + +<p>On entering the town, I was obliged to dismount and proceed on +foot. The<br> +streets were completely filled with people, treading their way +among<br> +wagons, forage carts, and sick-litters. Here was a booth filled +with all<br> +imaginable wares for sale; there was a temporary gin-shop +established<br> +beneath a broken baggage-wagon; here might be seen a merry party +throwing<br> +dice for a turkey or a kid; there, a wounded man, with bloodless +cheek and<br> +tottering step, inquiring the road to the hospital. The accents +of<br> +agony mingled with the drunken chorus, and the sharp crack of +the<br> +provost-marshal's whip was heard above the boisterous revelling +of the<br> +debauchee. All was confusion, bustle, and excitement. The staff +officer,<br> +with his flowing plume and glittering epaulettes, wended his way +on foot,<br> +amidst the din and bustle, unnoticed and uncared for; while the +little<br> +drummer amused an admiring audience of simple country-folk by +some wondrous<br> +tale of the great victory.</p> + +<p>My passage through this dense mass was necessarily a slow one. +No one made<br> +way for another; discipline for the time was at an end, and with +it all<br> +respect for rank or position. It was what nothing of mere +vicissitude in<br> +the fortune of war can equal,—the wild orgies of an army the day +after a<br> +battle.</p> + +<p>On turning the corner of a narrow street, my attention was +attracted by a<br> +crowd which, gathered round a small fountain, seemed, as well as +I could<br> +perceive, to witness some proceeding with a more than ordinary +interest.<br> +Exclamations in Portuguese, expressive of surprise and +admiration, wore<br> +mingled with English oaths and Irish ejaculations, while high +above all<br> +rose other sounds,—the cries of some one in pain and suffering; +forcing my<br> +way through the dense group, I at length reached the interior of +the crowd<br> +when, to my astonishment, I perceived a short, fat, +punchy-looking man,<br> +stripped of his coat and waist-coat, and with his shirt-sleeves +rolled<br> +up to his shoulder, busily employed in operating upon a wounded +soldier.<br> +Amputation knives, tourniquets, bandages, and all other +imaginable<br> +instruments for giving or alleviating torture were strewed about +him, and<br> +from the arrangement and preparation, it was clear that he had +pitched upon<br> +this spot as an hospital for his patients. While he continued to +perform<br> +his functions with a singular speed and dexterity, he never for a +moment<br> +ceased 'a running fire of small talk, now addressed to the +patient in<br> +particular, now to the crowd at large, sometimes a soliloquy to +himself,<br> +and not unfrequently, abstractedly, upon things in general. These +little<br> +specimens of oratory, delivered in such a place at such a time, +and, not<br> +least of all, in the richest imaginable Cork accent, were +sufficient to<br> +arrest my steps, and I stopped for some time to observe him.</p> + +<p>The patient, who was a large, powerfully-built fellow, had +been wounded<br> +in both legs by the explosion of a shell, but yet not so severely +as to<br> +require amputation.</p> + +<p>"Does that plaze you, then?" said the doctor, as he applied +some powerful<br> +caustic to a wounded vessel; "there's no satisfying the like of +you. Quite<br> +warm and comfortable ye'll be this morning after that. I saw the +same shell<br> +coming, and I called out to Maurice Blake, 'By your leave, +Maurice, let<br> +that fellow pass, he's in a hurry!' and faith, I said to myself, +'there's<br> +more where you came from,—you're not an only child, and I never +liked the<br> +family.' What are ye grinning for, ye brown thieves?" This was +addressed<br> +to the Portuguese. "There, now, keep the limb quiet and easy. +Upon my<br> +conscience, if that shell fell into ould Lundy Foot's shop this +morning,<br> +there'd be plenty of sneezing in Sacksville Street. Who's next?" +said he,<br> +looking round with an expression that seemed to threaten that if +no wounded<br> +man was ready he was quite prepared to carve out a patient for +himself. Not<br> +exactly relishing the invitation in the searching that +accompanied it,<br> +I backed my way through the crowd, and continued my path towards +the<br> +hospital.</p> + +<p>Here the scene which presented itself was shocking beyond<br> +belief,—frightful and ghastly wounds from shells and cannon-shot +were seen<br> +on all sides, every imaginable species of suffering that man is +capable of<br> +was presented to view; while amidst the dead and dying, +operations the most<br> +painful were proceeding with a haste and bustle that plainly +showed how<br> +many more waited their turn for similar offices. The stairs were +blocked<br> +up with fresh arrivals of wounded men, and even upon the +corridors and<br> +landing-places the sick were strewn on all sides.</p> + +<p>I hurried to that part of the building where my own people +were, and soon<br> +learned that our loss was confined to about fourteen wounded; +five of them<br> +were officers. But fortunately, we lost not a man of our gallant +fellows,<br> +and Talavera brought us no mourning for a comrade to damp the +exultation we<br> +felt in our victory.</p> + +<br><br><br><br><p>CHAPTER LXVII.</p> + +<p>THE OUTPOST.</p> + +<p>During the three days which succeeded the battle, all things +remained as<br> +they were before. The enemy had gradually withdrawn all his +forces, and our<br> +most advanced pickets never came in sight of a French detachment. +Still,<br> +although we had gained a great victory, our situation was +anything but<br> +flattering. The most strenuous exertions of the commissariat were +barely<br> +sufficient to provision the troops; and we had even already but +too much<br> +experience of how little trust or reliance could be reposed in +the most<br> +lavish promises of our allies. It was true, our spirits failed us +not;<br> +but it was rather from an implicit and never-failing confidence +in the<br> +resources of our great leader, than that any among us could see +his way<br> +through the dense cloud of difficulty and danger that seemed to +envelop us<br> +on every side.</p> + +<p>To add to the pressing emergency of our position, we learned +on the evening<br> +of the 31st that Soult was advancing from the north, and at the +head<br> +of fourteen thousand chosen troops in full march upon Placentia; +thus<br> +threatening our rear, at the very moment too, when any further +advance was<br> +evidently impossible.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 1st of August, I was ordered, with a +small party, to<br> +push forward in the direction of the Alberche, upon the left bank +of which<br> +it was reported that the French were again concentrating their +forces, and<br> +if possible, to obtain information of their future movements. +Meanwhile the<br> +army was about to fall back upon Oropesa, there to await Soult's +advance,<br> +and if necessary, to give him battle; Cuesta engaging with his +Spaniards<br> +to secure Talavera, with its stores and hospitals, against any +present<br> +movement from Victor.</p> + +<p>After a hearty breakfast, and a kind "Good-by!" from my +brother officers,<br> +I set out. My road along the Tagus, for several miles of the way, +was a<br> +narrow path scarped from the rocky ledge of the river, shaded by +rich olive<br> +plantations that throw a friendly shade over us during the +noonday heat.</p> + +<p>We travelled along silently, sparing our cattle from time to +time, but<br> +endeavoring ere nightfall to reach Torrijos, in which village we +had heard<br> +several French soldiers were in hospital. Our information leading +us to<br> +believe them very inadequately guarded, we hoped to make some +prisoners,<br> +from whom the information we sought could in all likelihood be +obtained.<br> +More than once during the day our road was crossed by parties +similar to<br> +our own, sent forward to reconnoitre; and towards evening a party +of the<br> +23d Light Dragoons, returning towards Talavera, informed us that +the French<br> +had retired from Torrijos, which was now occupied by an English +detachment<br> +under my old friend O'Shaughnessy.</p> + +<p>I need not say with what pleasure I heard this piece of news, +and eagerly<br> +pressed forward, preferring the warm shelter and hospitable board +the<br> +major was certain of possessing, to the cold blast and dripping +grass of<br> +a bivouac. Night, however, fell fast; darkness, without an +intervening<br> +twilight, set in, and we lost our way. A bleak table-land with +here and<br> +there a stunted, leafless tree was all that we could discern by +the pale<br> +light of a new moon. An apparently interminable heath uncrossed +by path or<br> +foot-track was before us, and our jaded cattle seemed to feel the +dreary<br> +uncertainty of the prospect as sensitively as +ourselves,—stumbling and<br> +over-reaching at every step.</p> + +<p>Cursing my ill-luck for such a misadventure, and once more +picturing to my<br> +mind the bright blazing hearth and smoking supper I had hoped to +partake<br> +of, I called a halt, and prepared to pass the night. My decision +was<br> +hastened by finding myself suddenly in a little grove of +pine-trees whose<br> +shelter was not to be despised; besides that, our bivouac fires +were now<br> +sure of being supplied.</p> + +<p>It was fortunate the night was fine, though dark. In a calm, +still<br> +atmosphere, when not a leaf moved nor a branch stirred, we +picketed our<br> +tired horses, and shaking out their forage, heaped up in the +midst a<br> +blazing fire of the fir-tree. Our humble supper was produced, and +even with<br> +the still lingering revery of the major and his happier destiny, +I began to<br> +feel comfortable.</p> + +<p>My troopers, who probably had not been flattering their +imaginations with<br> +such <i>gourmand</i> reflections and views, sat happily around +their cheerful<br> +blaze, chatting over the great battle they had so lately +witnessed, and<br> +mingling their stories of some comrade's prowess with sorrows for +the dead<br> +and proud hopes for the future. In the midst, upon his knees +beside<br> +the flame, was Mike, disputing, detailing, guessing, and +occasionally<br> +inventing,—all his arguments only tending to one view of the +late victory:<br> +"That it was the Lord's mercy the most of the 48th was Irish, or +we<br> +wouldn't be sitting there now!"</p> + +<p>Despite Mr. Free's conversational gifts, however, his audience +one by one<br> +dropped off in sleep, leaving him sole monarch of the watch-fire, +and—what<br> +he thought more of—a small brass kettle nearly full of +brandy-and-water.<br> +This latter, I perceived, he produced when all was tranquil, and +seemed,<br> +as he cast a furtive glance around, to assure himself that he was +the only<br> +company present.</p> + +<p>Lying some yards off, I watched him for about an hour, as he +sat rubbing<br> +his hands before the blaze, or lifting the little vessel to his +lips; his<br> +droll features ever and anon seeming acted upon by some passing +dream<br> +of former devilment, as he smiled and muttered some sentences in +an<br> +under-voice. Sleep at length overpowered me; but my last waking +thoughts<br> +were haunted with a singular ditty by which Mike accompanied +himself as<br> +he kept burnishing the buttons of my jacket before the fire, now +and then<br> +interrupting the melody by a recourse to the copper.</p> + +<p>"Well, well; you're clean enough now, and sure it's little +good brightening<br> +you up, when you'll be as bad to-morrow. Like his father's son, +devil a lie<br> +in it! Nothing would serve him but his best blue jacket to fight +in, as if<br> +the French was particular what they killed us in. Pleasant trade, +upon my<br> +conscience! Well, never mind. That's beautiful <i>sperets</i>, +anyhow. Your<br> +health, Mickey Free; it's yourself that stands to me.</p> + +<p> "It's little for glory I care;<br> + Sure ambition is only a fable;<br> + I'd as soon be myself as Lord Mayor,<br> + With lashings of drink on the table.<br> + I like to lie down in the sun<br> + And <i>drame</i>, when my <i>faytures</i> is scorchin'<br> + That when I'm too <i>ould</i> for more fun,<br> + Why, I'll marry a wife with a fortune.</p> + +<p> "And in winter, with bacon and eggs,<br> + And a place, at the turf-fire basking,<br> + Sip my punch as I roasted my legs,<br> + Oh, the devil a more I'd be asking!<br> + For I haven't a <i>janius</i> for work,—<br> + It was never the gift of the Bradies,—<br> + But I'd make a most <i>illigant</i> Turk,<br> + For I'm fond of tobacco and ladies."</p> + +<p>This confounded <i>refrain</i> kept ringing through my dream, +and "tobacco and<br> +ladies" mingled with my thoughts of storm and battle-field long +after their<br> +very gifted author had composed himself to slumber.</p> + +<p>Sleep, and sound sleep, came at length, and many hours elapsed +ere I awoke.<br> +When I did so, my fire was reduced to its last embers. Mike, like +the<br> +others, had sunk in slumber, and midst the gray dawn that +precedes the<br> +morning, I could just perceive the dark shadows of my troopers as +they lay<br> +in groups around.</p> + +<p>The fatigues of the previous day had so completely overcome +me, that it was<br> +with difficulty I could arouse myself so far as to heap fresh +logs upon the<br> +fire. This I did with my eyes half closed, and in that listless, +dreamy<br> +state which seems the twilight of sleep.</p> + +<p>I managed so much, however, and was returning to my couch +beneath a tree,<br> +when suddenly an object presented itself to my eyes that +absolutely rooted<br> +me to the spot. At about twenty or thirty yards distant, where +but the<br> +moment before the long line of horizon terminated the view, there +now stood<br> +a huge figure of some ten or twelve feet in height,—two heads, +which<br> +surmounted this colossal personage, moved alternately from side +to side,<br> +while several arms waved loosely to and fro in the most strange +and uncouth<br> +manner. My first impression was that a dream had conjured up this +distorted<br> +image; but when I had assured myself by repeated pinchings and +shakings<br> +that I was really awake, still it remained there. I was never +much given<br> +to believe in ghosts; but even had I been so, this strange +apparition<br> +must have puzzled me as much as ever, for it could not have been +the<br> +representative of anything I ever heard of before.</p> + +<p>A vague suspicion that some French trickery was concerned, +induced me to<br> +challenge it in French; so, without advancing a step, I halloed +out, "<i>Qui<br> +va là</i> ?"</p> + +<p>My voice aroused a sleeping soldier, who, springing up beside +me, had his<br> +carbine at the cock; while, equally thunderstruck with myself, he +gazed at<br> +the monster.</p> + +<p>"<i>Qui va là</i> ?" shouted I again, and no answer was +returned, when suddenly<br> +the huge object wheeled rapidly around, and without waiting for +any further<br> +parley, made for the thicket.</p> + +<p>The tramp of a horse's feet now assured me as to the nature of +at least<br> +part of the spectacle, when click went the trigger behind me, and +the<br> +trooper's ball rushed whistling through the brushwood. In a +moment the<br> +whole party were up and stirring.</p> + +<p>"This way, lads!" cried I, as drawing my sabre, I dashed into +the pine<br> +wood.</p> + +<p>For a few moments all was dark as midnight; but as we +proceeded farther, we<br> +came out upon a little open space which commanded the plain +beneath for a<br> +great extent.</p> + +<p>"There it goes!" said one of the men, pointing to a narrow, +beaten path,<br> +in which the tall figure moved at a slow and stately pace, while +still the<br> +same wild gestures of heads and limbs continued.</p> + +<p>"Don't fire, men! don't fire!" I cried, "but follow me," as I +set forward<br> +as hard as I could.</p> + +<p>As we neared it, the frantic gesticulations grew more and more +remarkable,<br> +while some stray words, which we half caught, sounded like +English in our<br> +ears. We were now within pistol-shot distance, when suddenly the +horse—for<br> +that much at least we were assured of—stumbled and fell +forward,<br> +precipitating the remainder of the object headlong into the +road.</p> + +<p>In a second we were upon the spot, when the first sounds which +greeted me<br> +were the following, uttered in an accent by no means new to +me:—</p> + +<p>"Oh, blessed Virgin! Wasn't it yourself that threw me in the +mud, or my<br> +nose was done for? Shaugh, Shaugh, my boy, since we are taken, +tip them the<br> +blarney, and say we're generals of division!"</p> + +<p>I need not say with what a burst of laughter I received this +very original<br> +declaration.</p> + +<p>"I ought to know that laugh," cried a voice I at once knew to +be my friend<br> +O'Shaughnessy's. "Are you Charles O'Malley, by any chance in +life?"</p> + +<p>"The same, Major, and delighted to meet you; though, faith, we +were near<br> +giving you a rather warm reception. What, in the Devil's name, +did you<br> +represent, just now?"</p> + +<p>"Ask Maurice, there, bad luck to him. I wish the Devil had him +when he<br> +persuaded me into it."</p> + +<p>"Introduce me to your friend," replied the other, rubbing his +shins as he<br> +spoke. "Mr. O'Mealey,"—so he called me,—"I think. Happy to meet +you; my<br> +mother was a Ryan of Killdooley, married to a first cousin of +your father's<br> +before she took Mr. Quill, my respected progenitor. I'm Dr. Quill +of the<br> +48th, more commonly called Maurice Quill. Tear and ages! how sore +my back<br> +is! It was all the fault of the baste, Mr. O'Mealey. We set out +in search<br> +of you this morning, to bring you back with us to Torrijos, but +we fell in<br> +with a very pleasant funeral at Barcaventer, and joined them. +They invited<br> +us, I may say, to spend the day; and a very jovial day it was. I +was the<br> +chief mourner, and carried a very big candle through the village, +in<br> +consideration of as fine a meat-pie, and as much lush as my grief +permitted<br> +me to indulge in afterwards. But, my dear sir, when it was all +finished, we<br> +found ourselves nine miles from our quarters; and as neither of +us were in<br> +a very befitting condition for pedestrian exercise, we stole one +of the<br> +leaders out of the hearse,—velvet, plumes, and all,—and set off +home.</p> + +<p>"When we came upon your party we were not over clear whether +you were<br> +English, Portuguese, or French, and that was the reason I called +out to<br> +you, 'God save all here!' in Irish. Your polite answer was a +shot, which<br> +struck the old horse in the knee, and although we wheeled about +in<br> +double-quick, we never could get him out of his professional +habits on the<br> +road. He had a strong notion he was engaged in another +funeral,—as he was<br> +very likely to be,—and the devil a bit faster than a dead march +could we<br> +get him to, with all our thrashing. Orderly time for men in a +hurry, with a<br> +whole platoon blazing away behind them! But long life to the +cavalry, they<br> +never hit anything!"</p> + +<p>While he continued to run on in this manner, we reached our +watch-fire,<br> +when what was my surprise to discover, in my newly-made +acquaintance, the<br> +worthy doctor I had seen a day or two before operating at the +fountain at<br> +Talavera.</p> + +<p>"Well, Mr. O'Mealey," said he, as he seated himself before the +blaze, "What<br> +is the state of the larder? Anything savory,—anything +drink-inspiring to<br> +be had?"</p> + +<p>"I fear, Doctor, my fare is of the very humblest; still—"</p> + +<p>"What are the fluids, Charley?" cried the major; "the cruel +performance I<br> +have been enacting on that cursed beast has left me in a +fever."</p> + +<p>"This was a pigeon-pie, formerly," said Dr. Quill, +investigating the ruined<br> +walls of a pasty; "and,—but come, here's a duck; and if my nose +deceive<br> +me not, a very tolerable ham. Peter—Larry—Patsy—What's the +name of your<br> +familiar there?"</p> + +<p>"Mickey—Mickey Tree."</p> + +<p>"Mickey Free, then; come here, avick! Devise a little drink, +my son,—none<br> +of the weakest—no lemon—-hot! You understand, hot! That chap +has an eye<br> +for punch; there's no mistaking an Irish fellow, Nature has +endowed them<br> +richly,—fine features and a beautiful absorbent system! That's +the gift!<br> +Just look at him, blowing up the fire,—isn't he a picture? Well, +O'Mealey,<br> +I was fretting that we hadn't you up at Torrijos; we were +enjoying life<br> +very respectably,—we established a little system of small tithes +upon<br> +fowl, sheep, pigs' heads, and wine skins that throve remarkably +for the<br> +time. Here's the lush! Put it down there, Mickey, in the middle; +that's<br> +right. Your health, Shaugh. O'Mealey, here's a troop to you; and +in the<br> +mean time I'll give you a chant:—</p> + +<p> 'Come, ye jovial souls, don't over the bowl be +sleeping,<br> + Nor let the grog go round like a cripple creeping;<br> + If your care comes, up, in the liquor sink it,<br> + Pass along the lush, I'm the boy can drink it.<br> + Isn't that so, Mrs. Mary Callaghan?<br> + Isn't that so, Mrs. Mary Callaghan?'</p> + +<p>"Shaugh, my hearty, this begins to feel comfortable."</p> + +<p>"Your man, O'Mealey, has a most judicious notion of punch for +a small<br> +party; and though one has prejudices about a table, chairs, and +that sort<br> +of thing, take my word for it, it's better than fighting the +French, any<br> +day."</p> + +<p>"Well, Charley, it certainly did look quite awkward enough the +other day<br> +towards three o'clock, when the Legion fell back before that +French column,<br> +and broke the Guards behind them."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you're quite right; but I think every one felt that the +confusion was<br> +but momentary,—the gallant Forty-eighth was up in an +instant."</p> + +<p>"Faith, I can answer for their alacrity!" said the doctor "I +was making my<br> +way to the rear with all convenient despatch, when an +aide-de-camp called<br> +out,—</p> + +<p>"'Cavalry coming! Take care, Forty-eighth!'</p> + +<p>"'Left face, wheel! Fall in there, fall in there!' I heard on +every side,<br> +and soon found myself standing in a square, with Sir Arthur +himself and<br> +Hill and the rest of them all around me.</p> + +<p>"'Steady, men! Steady, now!' said Hill, as he rode around the +ranks, while<br> +we saw an awful column of cuirassiers forming on the rising +ground to our<br> +left.</p> + +<p>"'Here they come!' said Sir Arthur, as the French came +powdering along,<br> +making the very earth tremble beneath them.</p> + +<p>"My first thought was, 'The devils are mad, and they'll ride +down into us,<br> +before they know they're kilt!' And sure enough, smash into our +first rank<br> +they pitched, sabring and cutting all before them; when at last +the word<br> +'Fire!' was given, and the whole head of the column broke like a +shell, and<br> +rolled horse over man on the earth.</p> + +<p>"'Very well done! very well, indeed!' said Sir Arthur, turning +as coolly<br> +round to me as if he was asking for more gravy.</p> + +<p>"'Mighty well done!' said I, in reply; and resolving not to be +outdone in<br> +coolness, I pulled out my snuff-box and offered him a pinch, +saying, 'The<br> +real thing, Sir Arthur; our own countryman,—blackguard.'</p> + +<p>"He gave a little grim kind of a smile, took a pinch, and then +called<br> +out,—</p> + +<p>"'Let Sherbroke advance!' while turning again towards me, he +said, 'Where<br> +are your people, Colonel?'</p> + +<p>"'Colonel!' thought I; 'is it possible he's going to promote +me?' But<br> +before I could answer, he was talking to another. Meanwhile Hill +came up,<br> +and looking at me steadily, burst out with,—</p> + +<p>"'Why the devil are you here, sir? Why ain't you at the +rear?'</p> + +<p>"'Upon my conscience,' said I, 'that's the very thing I'm +puzzling myself<br> +about this minute! But if you think it's pride in me, you're +greatly<br> +mistaken, for I'd rather the greatest scoundrel in Dublin was +kicking me<br> +down Sackville Street, than be here now!'</p> + +<p>"You'd think it was fun I was making, if you heard how they +all laughed,<br> +Hill and Cameron and the others louder than any.</p> + +<p>"'Who is he?' said Sir Arthur, quickly.</p> + +<p>"'Dr. Quill, surgeon of the Thirty-third, where I exchanged, +to be near my<br> +brother, sir, in the Thirty-fourth.'</p> + +<p>"'A doctor,—a surgeon! That fellow a surgeon! Damn him, I +took him for<br> +Colonel Grosvenor! I say, Gordon, these medical officers must be +docked of<br> +their fine feathers, there's no knowing them from the +staff,—look to that<br> +in the next general order.'</p> + +<p>"And sure enough they left us bare and naked the next morning; +and if the<br> +French sharpshooters pick us down now, devil mend them for +wasting powder,<br> +for if they look in the orderly books, they'll find their +mistake."</p> + +<p>"Ah, Maurice, Maurice!" said Shaugh, with a sigh, "you'll +never<br> +improve,—you'll never improve!"</p> + +<p>"Why the devil would I?" said he. "Ain't I at the top of +my<br> +profession—full surgeon—with nothing to expect, nothing to hope +for? Oh,<br> +if I had only remained in the light company, what wouldn't I be +now?"</p> + +<p>"Then you were not always a doctor?" said I.</p> + +<p>"Upon my conscience, I wasn't," said he. "When Shaugh knew me +first, I was<br> +the Adonis of the Roscommon militia, with more heiresses in my +list than<br> +any man in the regiment; but Shaugh and myself were always +unlucky."</p> + +<p>"Poor Mrs. Rogers!" said the major, pathetically, drinking off +his glass<br> +and heaving a profound sigh.</p> + +<p>"Ah, the darling!" said the doctor. "If it wasn't for a jug of +punch that<br> +lay on the hall table, our fortune in life would be very +different."</p> + +<p>"True for you, Maurice!" quoth O'Shaughnessy.</p> + +<p>"I should like much to hear that story," said I, pushing the +jug briskly<br> +round.</p> + +<p>"He'll tell it you," said O'Shaughnessy, lighting his cigar, +and leaning<br> +pensively back against a tree,—"he'll tell it you."</p> + +<p>"I will, with pleasure," said Maurice. "Let Mr. Free, +meantime, amuse<br> +himself with the punch-bowl, and I'll relate it."</p> + +<p>END OF VOLUME I.</p> + + +<br><br><br><br><br> + + +<p>End of Project Gutenberg's Charles O'Malley, Vol. 1, by +Charles Lever</p> + +<p>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHARLES O'MALLEY, VOL. +1 ***</p> + +<p>This file should be named 8mly110h.htm or 8mly110h.zip<br> +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, +8mly111h.htm<br> +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, +8mly110ah.htm</p> + +<p>Produced by David Widger, Jon Ingram +The Online Distributed Proofreading Team</p> + +<p>Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several +printed<br> +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the +US<br> +unless a copyright notice is included. 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