banditti,"-"Bandittti!" exclaimed the guide, as he stopped to trim his torch, "Howard! who speaks of Howard? who is Howard?" Amy shrunk from very fear, when she perceived that she had been understood; but the other, not at all daunted at the appearance of his countenance, as his dark eyes lit up with a sudden glow, answered firmly, "My name, sir, is Howard, and my companion here has been expressing her fears lest we may have fallen into the hands of robbers." "Robber is rather a harsh name for a person who has been in the act of rendering a service," replied the mountaineer, "had we been persons of that description, we need not have brought our victims from the spot where we found them; after having plundered them, we could easily have pushed them off the cliff into the waves below, thus"-shewing the manner with a motion of both his hands joined, as they now stood on the eminence of the valley, where a large chasm in the precipice discovered to their view, the ocean beneath ;-"but," said he, "allow me to ask you how far you may be going, and what brought you to the dreary spot where we first met with you?" "Our intention," said Alice, "was to have reached the castle of an outlaw, named M'Diarmuidh," "M Diarmuidh!" replied the mountaineer in astonishment, “M'Diarmuidh! I happen to know that outlaw, as he is named, and this encreases my surprise, as I am certain that he has never been honoured by the acquaintance of such persons as now accompany me." "His name,' replied Alice," has been extended too far, and too widely for himself; whilst the unoffending infant shall want its parent, and the youthful widow deplore her husband, so long shall M'Diarmuidh's name be known and remembered with detestation; even as the lightning blazes but to scathe, or the steel shines but to destroy, so hath the name of M'Diarmuidh been to the orphans and the mothers of the sons of England!" "The tongue,” said the stranger, with great emotion, "the tongue that injures most, is ever ready to accuse; think you, lady, shall not the worm which is trodden under foot lift its head against its destroyer? Shall the wearied stag lie tamely down to be torn by the tooth of the meanest dog, and not rather keep his hunters at bay? Shall the heart which is broken, the bosom which is riven by unmerited persecution, lie cold as the wave which throws its strength on that beach,---shall it without a struggle be calcined into dust;--shall its best blood be poured on the land which first heard its beating, and shall it not cry aloud for vengeance? Revenge is the only comfort left to the children of woe and desolation!" "If woe and desolation have made fewer the sons of Ireland," said Alice, "it is because they have acted basely and traitorously to their lawful sovereign:---the olive branch of peace has been held out too often, but the assassin's knife, and the murderer's rifle have been the sole returns." "Let not the soldier speak of fear," hastily replied the mountaineer, "nor the tyrant of justice---nor yet the Sassenach of assassins!"--- All that guilt can claim its own," interrupted Alice, " may here be found---and chief of all, rules here-the infamous M'Diarmuidh !” Amy had long endeavoured to restrain the impetuosity of her companion, but in vain, and all attempts to that effect served but to infuse double vehemence into her tone:---as she repeated the last sentence, her eyes became dilated, even fire seemed to flash from them, and her pallid features were covered with a passing glow, like the golden but momentary brightness of a cloud floating in the west at sunset. The stranger stopped, looked sternly at Alice, and raising his voice, said," Whosoever you are that came hither to insult an unoffending outcast, hearken to me,---thus far have I treated you

with meekness,---I would have conducted you safe to your journey's end,--have entertained you hospitably, and dismissed you unhurt, for never hath the house of M'Diarmuidh been closed against the wayfaring stranger.--now the die is cast:---my language henceforth is that of the conqueror; you are my captives, and I will shew you my power; know, lady, that I am that infamous M'Diarmuidh !-the rebel to his liege lord, the traitor, the assassin, and the murderer!"

They had already passed the valley and were standing on a rugged beach, when this conversation thus terminated. M'Diarmuidh immedi ately applied his bugle to his mouth, and blew a mad sound which reechoed amongst the mountains they had left; at once the ferocious looking man whom they had seen before, appeared with five or six other wild figures bearing torches of the same kind as M'Diarmuidh raised aloft. A thousand failtes were shouted out, but he, appearing not to notice those expressions of joy, cried out to them in the Irish language, and pointing to our travellers, gave, in a hurried and impatient tone, some directions to his attendants. The apprehensions of the travellers were by no means lessened by the departure of the outlawed chief; although so violent, his presence might seem to afford better protection than what they dared to expect or hope from their present guides.

They had just come within sight of the castle (if it deserved the name) of the M'Diarmuidh. It was built on an immense piece of black rock covered with sea weed and white shells. The height of the base from the level of the sea may be about ten feet, and the high water mark encircled the front of the rock a foot below its superficies. To the north of the rude edifice, and at the distance of less than a quarter of a league, were piled upon each other huge frowning mountains, which themselves were bounded by a long wild marsh. A pleasant bay intervened between, thickly planted with small islands, or rather large brown rocks in fantastic forms, which, in a stormy evening such as this, had the appearance of a fleet of boats anchored there. To the south-west was perceived the wild but romantic situation of Cape Clear, which to a fanciful mind appeared to extend its arms towards the small island lying before it, like a father vainly stretching out his hands to save his child from the whirlpool that threatened to engulph it. The ruins of the little chapel that formerly stood there, in which monks of the Franciscan order officiated, were scarcely visible. Far to the north-west, and almost opposite to this, the fastnett of Caragaonar reared its head, at the base of which hailed and thundered an immense body of water. That part of the sea washing the rock of Kilcoh is called the bay of Bealtamuir, from a small village which lies at the corner of the base of the triangle. The edifice itself was about forty or fifty feet in height, and had it been built on a plain, would afford but poor defence for its inmates. But, situated as it was-the rock sown ocean in front-mountains at each side, and a wide marsh bounded by a deep glen in the rere, it could have defied the united force of multitudes, though defended but by its present inmates.

Unlike the tall castellated buildings of the Normans in former days, it possessed no outworks, no court yards, no deep moats, portcullis or drawbridge. The materials composing it were taken from the sea-shore, where large stones may be found in abundance. As it stood, it presented the appearance of a place of defence got up in haste, and contrived in extreme necessity, and as a last resource for preservation. Long dark passages built in the

body of the wall facing the sea, into which the light was admitted by loopholes, served instead of battlements and watch-towers.

The snow had now ceased, but the wind became higher, and the roaring of the sea louder, as it lashed the craggy beach, along which our travellers and their guides proceeded. Alice went on in a bold determined manner, and her gentle companion, now seeing the little utility in shrinking from what could not be avoided, exerted unusual resolution. Their savage attendants exhibited no signs of pity, nor yet did they attempt to offer the slightest rudeness. They were left to clamber over the rocks and stumble through the entangled sea weed by themselves.

They ascended to the entrance of the castle by means of steps cut rudely in the rock; the passage to it was at the south side. A very narrow door-way afforded them ingress. The aspect of the interior was such as corresponded to that of the outside. No bards awaited the return of their chieftain, and welcomed him home with the song, as in the happy days of Ireland. No banquet was spread at all hours for the wearied traveller, nor sparkled the morat in the golden cup from the hands of kneeling pages. Centinels were pacing to and fro, along a path dug in the rock, armed with long carbines, and, now and then, conversing with each other. Their dress and arms were nearly the same as those of the persons whom we have already described. Into this abode of gloom and terror, Amy and her companion were conducted by two of those who had led them thither;---the rest had remained without to relieve the centinels. The first apartment into which they entered, occupied the entire length and breadth of the building. The dark roof was arched so as to give it the appearance of being lofty. Musquets, harquebuses, rifles, and old rusty swords were piled around the walls, and in one corner could be perceived an old harp, the strings of which were broken. A blazing fire on the hearth threw its heat around, and made amends for the inclemency of the weather abroad. They were suffered to remain there but a short time: one of the men went out and immediately returned carrying a torch; he beckoned to his new guests to follow him, which they according did; a low door which they had not at first perceived, was opened in a corner of the wall, through which they disappeared; a narrow flight of steps made in the thickness of the wall led up to another door, which, standing ajar, discovered to them a small square chamber or rather dungeon. Into this they were compelled to enter, which, when they did, their conductor, turning the rusty key on the outside, immediately departed. It is impossible to describe their feelings, as they heard the retiring steps of their gaoler waxing fainter, like the last voice of an echo. All hope was now nearly lost, on account of the imprudence or impatience of Alice. She, however, did not entirely give herself up to despair; and, perceiving that her lovely companion exerted herself much beyond her natural resolution, assumed a nonchalance which she did not really feel. Looking round her prison room, she endeavoured to find some passage which might afford a chance for flight. She called to mind what her husband's servant had communicated to her, res pecting the dungeon dug in the rock, and conceived new hope from this recollected information. She took down an iron lamp which lay on a large high table, and examined every part that seemed to offer any hope, but though the walls were old and damp, and the floor broken, still the apartment appeared to defy the efforts of at least its present occupants to escape from it. About seven or eight feet from the ground, they could perceive some

thing which answered the purpose of a window. Though the extreme top of it was only seen, it might have been eight or ten inches in circumference, so that to attempt getting out by that small aperture was impossible. They could distinctly hear the sea dashing against the end of the building, where this prison room was situated. "At least," said Alice, after searching to no purpose, and casting many a wistful look at the hole, through which she conid see the heavy black clouds rolling over the heavens; "at least we will endeavour to climb up here, and discover in what part of the castle we are confined; my strength, I fear is not equal to the removing this unwieldy piece of furniture," and she caught hold of the corner of the table which resisted the repeated attempts to remove it, made by her and Amy. They were in this anxiety, when, loud cries and exclamations in the Irish, re-echoed along the shores, and were heard above the noise of the breakers. The billows lashed with increasing thunder the rock on which the castle stood, and the spray and foam were driven through the hole into their apartment; the loud wind wailed through the chinks of the wall, and threatened to overturn the rude and loosely built edifice itself. Even something like the distant report of cannon was heard, in the short intervals of silence that the wind afforded.

Curiosity was now wrought to intensity,-fear, hope, and a host of contending passions gave energy to their efforts, and with one sudden struggle, they succeeded in throwing the heavy table on its side. By turning it over in this manner, they at length brought it under the aperture. Taking an old worm-eaten chair, which was in the apartment, they placed it upon the table. This experiment fulfilled their wishes; Alice fearlessly mounted this temporary platform, and looked out on the scene below. The prospect was truly dreadful. The broad, black waves mounted proudly and exultingly over the small islands that intersect the bay of Bealtamuir, and to a poetical imagination, the foam which they tossed aloft presented the idea of so many barbed war horses dashing over a field, whilst their snow-white manes waving in the wind, was contrasted with the sable armour which girt their breasts and flanks.

She perceived that their prison was situated at the angle which faced the north, and whilst endeavouring to catch a view of a light on the distant ocean, she heard the grating of some heavy bodies along the rocks at the other side. As she drew back her head, she again perceived afar off, a flash, and soon after, she heard the report of cannon rebounding amongst the opposite cliffs. "We must now await the event in patience," said she, as she descended from the table, "I trust all is as I wish, if so, we may soon hope for deliverance." "See you aught of the frigate, behind the cliff?" said Amy, with renewed courage; "No," replied Alice, "it is impossible on such a night of storms and darkness to see it." The noise had now somewhat ceased, but still an unusual bustle and hurry seemed to be going forward, almost under the chamber in which they were confined.

With limbs tottering from fatigue and fear, Alice again mounted her scaffold, and once more ventured to look abroad: nothing save the direful screaming of the mountain bird, roused from repose by the loudness of the tempest, struck her ear: still, however, faint murmurs were heard from that part of the building, where the inmates were supposed by this time to be engaged in their revels; and, now and then, a shout arose, which raised a wild echo through the vacant walls. The hopes of the prisoners were revived; but they considered it, as yet, rather premature to present any signal to their friends at sea.

Their lamp was just expiring, and seemed as it were to lengthen out its flickering flame, in order to afford them time to provide against the emcrgency. An hour had passed, whilst they were engaged in thinking of some expedient; at length, Amy recollected a long silk scarf which she wore suspended across her breast and back, and tied at her side: this, she proposed should be set fire to, and hung out at the loop hole in the wall, as it would answer the purpose of a torch. Alice immediately took the hint, and holding the extremity of the scarf, applied the other end to the flame; the light fluttering silk caught the fire at once, and was drawn blazing up, she thrust it out at the aperture, and waving it many times in the air, let it drop, when it became so far consumed as not to permit her holding it any longer. They were now enveloped in utter darkness, and remained for the space of ten minutes in breathless expectation, awaiting the issue of the signal. This at length was broken by the loud bellowing of distant cannon, which assured them that the sign was seen and acknowledged: peal after peal was heard, until at length, the mountains at either side answered each other with tongues of thunder.

All was nearly hushed within the building,-even the shouts were heard no more. Again she looked out upon the waters, and thought she perceived at a distance something like a light keeping a steady burning: nothing else could be distinctly seen on account of the darkness which brooded over the waves.

The period spent between doubt and fear by the prisoners was dreadful; now listening to catch the remotest sound,-now straining her head through the hard rugged stones which formed the casement, to perceive the gleaming of a solitary torch, which might have been left in the banqueting hall; at one time pacing the narrow apartment with hurried steps,-at another, leaning, with her pure pale cheek propped by her hand on the corner of the large table; Alice awaited in suspense the issue of her hazardous at tempt. Amy, whose less daring mind and more sensitive spirit, seemed but ill suited to danger or hazard like this, leaned against the damp wall of her dungeon, and like "the trembling vassal of the pole," was sensibly alive to the least suggestion or motion of her companion. Within that meek and gentle form were concealed feelings which were unconscious of their own power, until elicited by some energetic external cause; whilst hope whispered, they slumbered, but when grim despair came lowering, and the last ray of expectation fled, they then rose buoyant above the wreck of effeminacy. The hardened spirit breathed that all was lost, and nothing left for fear; her unwonted fortitude rose wildly, like that unnatural strength "delirium gathers from the fever's height."

After watching for a considerable space of time at the narrow aperture, she heard the dashing of oars in the little bay; she dreaded lest the ignorance of the mariners in navigating so dangerous a creek, may prove their own destruction;-her anxiety was worked up to the highest pitch. Whenever they were driven near the cliffs on the south side, they could be perceived by the contrast their dark figures made with the snow,-but when the little bark was again dashed out into midwave, she entirely lost sight of them. At length, however, they could be seen attemping to land, but on a part of the rock considered the most dangerous;-a boat filled with men was now seen under a projecting piece of rock, which one of the crew held with extended hands, the stern at one time raised to a level with the crag, by the force of the billows, and now sinking as if into a fathomless gulph be

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