neath,--sometimes the entire frame squashing the wave at every heave. With difficulty, a small anchor was cast out from the poop, and made to grapple with the rock; but just as they were about to effect their landing, a huge wave came roaring in their rere, -the rope snapped asunder,—two or three who stood on the gunwale; were swept off,—and the boat was swallowed up in the horrid vortex. An involuntary scream burst from Alice, as she beheld them disappear;-shriek followed shriek, until at length, the inhabitants of the castle were roused from their repose. Lights now gleamed from all sides from the hands of the wild looking figures who issued forth to know the meaning of this unwonted disturbance. All around was the height of tumult and excitation, and as she fearfully watched the motions of those who were searching every corner of the creek for an explanation of the shrieks they heard, she could perceive in their drowsy and haggard countenances, the strong effects of their violent potations. Long streaming torches gleamed over the dark waters from the surrounding cliffs. The Irish had scattered, and but very few remained near the rock on which the castle stood; two or three were seen flying like stricken deer over the mountain to the north east. All was hurry and confusion, when a long roll of musquetry reverberated through the hills, from behind the rock where Alice supposed that the boat's crew had perished. The Irish were almost struck lifeless with terror, and for some time stood motionless as statues. A second peal, however, roused them from their torpor, and at once yelling out their war cry, bounded forwards in the direction of the castle. They were entirely without arms, for in their haste and confusion they had forgotten their usual precaution. Soon they gained the fort, and quicker than thought, they stood an impregnable body on the rock of the building. Deafening shouts of "M'Diarmuidh; aboo," rose over the roaring of the tempest, which were immediately succeeded by a deep volley of barquebuses, which they had snatched from the walls as they ran along. Alice, saw with surprise that their chief was absent; and, recolleeting that the edifice must have been left without one person within it but themselves, resolved to come down from her watching place, and attempt to get out; drawing in her head therefore, and throwing back the dark ringlets which overshadowed her face, she descended from the table, and suggested to her companion the propriety of seeking for egress from their prison. Amy consented to the proposed measure, and intimated her own wish to mount the temporary structure, and see how affairs were succeeding outside. She entreated Alice, first to rest for some moments, and endeavour to compose her spirits, which had been so violently excited by the terrifying occurrences of that night,---and ascending with the lightness of a sylph, took her station at the casement. Her white robe now and then blown back by the wind---her fair hair streaming "in all the wildness of dishevilled charms" over her neck and shoulders---and her cheek blanched by the keen mountain air, might give her the appearance of that interesting and amiable spirit called the Benshee, watching the issue of some party conflict, and trembling for the safety of her favoured chieftain. "There ---there!" cried she, "our party has not perished---they rush out on their foes!---hark!" she exclaimed as a dreadful yell burst from the Irish on per ceiving the least glimpse of their invaders. The noise of wind and ware was now lost in the din of battle---in the volley of fire arms, and in the shouts of the combatants, "They are routed---they are driven back!" said Amy, her interest in the conflict being highly excited, "there!---they are dashed down headlong into the waves---they are now approaching the castle!" "What means that other distant shout?" said Alice famtly as she leaned her head against a protruding stone;-"I know not," replied the other;"aye! now I see---oh God! what multitudes are pouring from the mountain, headed by M Diarmuidh himself,---they rush forwards, a moving body of flame,--- Heaven save us! there is now no hope,---all is utterly lost!" "Hush, Amy, let them not hear you from below, keep a patient look out, but not too far, gird up your robe, lest it prove a mark for some well aimed bullet;"---Amy did as she was directed, and drawing herself in, kept her eye steadily watching the movements of the parties. This sudden attack had quite sobered the Irish, who were in a state of vestial intoxication from the wine which had been drifted on shore as a decoy. Had they been taken in their moments of coolness and preparation, there had been from the beginning a hope of conquering them with much less danger, but now when roused from utter torpor and insensibility to the other extreme, the contemplation of the event must have been dreadful. The conflict was at its utmost height. The assailants endeavouring to approach the castle, and the assailed employed in repelling their attacks, and making many fruitless attempts to drive them back into the sea. A dense cloud of smoke enveloped the combatants, but the steady and well kept-up firing-and the frequent tumbling of dead bodies into the waters, told that the battle was incessantly continued. It appeared that the English had gained reinforcements from the frigate behind the cape, for the mountaineers were seen endeavouring to retreat towards the castle which lay in the rear; this movement, however, only proceeded from the necessity of defending the fort from a party of the assailants who were hurrying along the swampt to attack it. In this position they had continued for some time-and presented a picture, every feature of which was fraught with horror. More than half of the Irish employed in keeping the invaders off, and preventing others from landing, naked from the waist upwards; the strong sinews of their brawny busts protuded from hard exertion from the skin which covered them.their leather belts, squeezed tight around their waists, from which hung large pouches made of goat skin, with the hair turned out;-their large bare feet torn by the flinty stones, with many a track of blood along the ground; -the effect given to their features by the cloathing of black hair on the upper lip, and the red, spotted kerchiefs swathed around their heads above. which arose the thick plait of the glibbe, all corresponded with the wild aspect of marsh and mountain. and the wilder roaring of the deep. The bayonets of the red coat English marines effected great mischief, It was only when they came hand to hand that the Irish were compelled to give way-the naked backs and breasts of the poor mountaineers offered but little resistance to that horrid weapon, and victory had almost decided for the Sassenachs. In the rear of the castle, however, a better fight was kept up, under the shelter of the high cairns the assailed could take deliberate aim at their enemies, but even then, superiority of number had the advantage, and the balance inclined in favour of the English. Affairs were in this state when the morning broke slowly from the east. Amy still continued in fearful silence at the window, awaiting the issue of the battle, when the early dawn exhibited to her view the dreadfulness of the prospect beneath, and now and then making abrupt reports of what she saw to her companion; she had just been in the act of turning quickly round, and was crying out with a loud voice, "Heaven be praised-there is Howard himself!" when a bullet aimed perhaps at the fluttering white robe, but aimed too surely, whistled by and entered her left side which was exposed to the window !---uttering a faint shriek and pressing the wound with both her hands, she fell back against the wall. At the mention of the name of Howard, Alice started up and ascended the platform,—the first person she beheld was her husband hurrying from the hill. Her first act was to scream out and waive her robe in the hope of being able to make herself seen. Not perceiving this to be the case, she leaped off the chair on which she stood, and ran towards the door, forgetting that all egress was denied her. She had not even recollected that Amy was present, so much was her mind engrossed by the joyful tidings she had heard. She thought that it was surprise alone made her shriek, but the jolting of the table scattering the blood which flowed from her side, first intimated to her the dreadful event. She now forgot every thing as she gazed sternly on the ghastly face of the lovely young woman who remained leaning against the corner of the room, her eye glassed with the tear of anguish— her lips pale and quivering-her look fixed on Alice, and the blood spouting from the wound made by the bullet. She ran towards her, clasped her in her arms, and kissed her parched lip,-" you are hurt my Amy,— oh God! you are wounded! Why did I permit you to accompany such a forlorn creature as I am!-speak to me, my poor Amy,---speak to me, my love---lean your head on my shoulder, and I will bind up your wound--take courage, all will yet be well,---I only am to blame."---She threw her arms around the slender waist of the dying girl, and wiped the cold dew which sat upon her temples. Tearing her robe in pieces she bound it tight about the wound, which stopped the blood for some minutes;---with delight she saw her check assume its natural colour, and her lip its soft vermillion. But---it was transitory;---it was only the hectic that announces approaching dissolution. Amy opening her eyes, looked at her companion, and faintly smiling, whispered "all is over---take no more trouble with me, for my days are numbered,---the ball was well aimed.---I feel it tearing my vitals"--and she uttered a deep sob as she pressed convulsively on her side, I die content---you have found your husband, and I my brother,---carry me to my native land that the maidens of England may visit my grave, --the wish is foolish"---and she smiled again, "but no matter---it would console me in my last moments---farewell! Alice---farewell my sister! tell Howard that I died for hin---no more---adieu! oh!"---and her head fell on the breast of Alice, as the last breath escaped from her lips. Struck dumb with grief and terror, Alice Howard for a long time gazed senseless on the lifeless hand of Amy, which she yet held firm in her own. At length when the paroxysm was over, and when recollection came, she started up---dragged down the chair, and placing the dead body of her companion upon it, she ran, shricking out the name of her husband at the window, in vain she tried to burst open the strong door which was fastened too well on the outside---she hurried about the apartment deprived of sense and unconscious of what she was doing, and then presented herself at the casement in the hope of meeting with the fate of Amy. At length she heard the rush of people below, and soon the steps of some one were heard approaching this chamber of desolation. The next moment the door flew open, and she sunk lifeless in the arms of her husband! - : The morning which arose on this night of storms and massacre was bright and sunny. The sun beams playing on the snow clad mountain tops shed over them a rich golden glow;-the sea not yet entirely at rest rose in mock billows not unlike the marked furrows of a corn field. It was fair as a morning in November may be. Not many signs of last night's conflict were visible, except a few broken swords, or torn kerchiefs, or now and then a faint track of congealed blood. The English had become masters of Kilcoh castle, and would have burned it to the ground had they not been prevented by Captain Howard; and such of the Irish as had escaped the bayonet of the marines fled to the mountains and concealed themselves in their deep ravines until the Sassenach should have departed. A kind of mattrass covered with black stuff and which was brought from the frigate, formed the bier on which the remains of Amy were brought from the castle. A long pinnace decorated with black silk streamers floating mournfully over a pavillion erected in the stern, was moored at the bottom of the rock. The oars were all muffled---and the six rowers sat on their benches, motionless, waiting for their sad freight. The procession began to move slowly towards the shore, following the corpse which was borne by four marines in uniform. Alice and her husband walked at its side in deep woe. A strong guard of marines followed by their Lieutenant, with bayonets fixed and trailing on the ground, in the centre of which was M'Diarmuidh, brought up the rear; the appearance of the entire party was sad and sombre as the morning was glad and enlivening. They took their stations in the boat---the dead body was placed in the pavillion and the boatmen moved quickly from the rock. They soon arrived at the ship which was lying at the other side of the cape, and they mounfully lifted on its deck the bier on which reclined the remains of poor Amy. It had been intimated to the unfortunate M‘Diarmuidh that he should take his trial before a court composed of the officers of the frigate. The necessity of the times compelling the government to adopt this mode of determining on the life or death of the rebel when found in arms against his liege lord. The practice itself, though it may seem barbarous in these days of mildness and forbearance, yet possessed no horrors for the Cavaliers in the days of Cromwell, as well from its frequent occurrence, as from the trifling value set upon the lives of the "mere Irish." At this time, however, though their victory had cost them dear, the English soldiers exhibited, in their manner of treating him, not the least sign of disrespect towards their prisoner; perhaps they may have been influenced in this by the example of Captain Howard. The necessary forms of justice were observed in this particular; the Captain of the frigate presided as judge of the Court. There seemed not much necessity for entering into any detail concerning the guilt of the outlaw---his crime was sufficiently evident. During the time that the judge was addressing him, he remained standing, with his arms folded and his dark eye fixed on the countenance of the speaker. A melancholy wildness seemed to settle on his features---yet, no tremor of the lip---no changeof colour--no involuntary start of horror betrayed his unwillingness to die, as he heard the sentence of immediate death about to pass from the lips of the officer. His whole demeanour was such as gained him the good will of all---for, even when bound by the shackles of prejudice, Englishmen vene rate spirit and honour in an enemy. Universal silence pervaded the entire spectators---not a sound was heard, until the pause before the sentence, when Captain Howard came forth and bowing addressed the court in favour of the culprit;---a distinct murmur of approbation and applause now arose, and cries of "save him---save him !"---burst forth. The only emotion perceived in the countenance of M'Diarmuidh was when he saw Howard interposing in his behalf: his face became flushed---and he bent his brow in seeming displeasure,---however not a word escaped him. "I have done much for England," said Howard, "perhaps not more than befits a subject, but yet gratitude is due to the subject who has toiled in her cause. I ask not a benefit which will make you lose by granting, but which will make me truly rich. You will not desire the extinction of a luminary because it is sometimes obscured,---destroy not then the spirit because it has erred. I ask you but to save him until we reach England,---and then let the tongue plead for its benefactor---he has protected me in the hour of peril, and I will return the obligation. I ask him not to become a traitor to his country, but he can become an obedient subject to our government,---his talents can have wider scope, and will be more honourably exerted than in the wild foray of an outlawed bandit. England will extend the right hand of fellowship to the enemy with whom she is reconciled.----Cut him not off in the bloom of manhood."--- Tempt me not with hope," hastily interrupted the chieftain---"tempt me not with the expectation of pardon from foes with whom I dared, but could not, cope. Alone of all my land, shall I swear fealty and submit to the iron rod of the stranger? See where that sunbeam falls upon the castle of the M Diarmuidhs,---but does it brighten it as in its days of gladness? Look how that sea bird wheels round its battlement.---There its masters stood, and all the land exulted in joy.-- The song of the minstrel was heard in its halls. Where have they gone. Here I stand the last,a fugitive---an assassin---a murderer---a rebel;---I am proclaimed---outlawed---banished; who would have cared for the villian M'Diarmuidh? my sole resourses in my path were that last hold---my band---my sword; that ye have hunted me from ;---the eagle rules in the cliff alone--the cormorant nestles in the rock the stag fleeth over the hill, but to the native of the soil a refuge is denied; my band that would have followed their chieftain to death, have been swept off from the earth, the wail of their widows and orphans is alone heard among the mountains, my sword is broken, and its fragments cast into the wave-then what is left for a M Diarmuidh. Ye would take him to the land of the stranger and hang him? Know then, that he is still the same as if the half of Monona could call him her lord. Have I not preserved you? Yet they call me cruel. Have I not been goaded to undutifulness.-Have I not-but, it is silly;-heard ye not the wail of the woman?"-and he pointed to the mountain from which a woman's funeral cry was distinctly heard.— "Where is her habitation!—where is the prop of her house--where-but laid low by the bullet of the Sassenach-the Sassenach!" and he dwelt on that word with agony, and repeated it with vehemence-" Lo!—it is my Benshee,-I come!-I come!"-and waving his hand to those around him, he sprang over the bulwark, and sank into the waters! The act had been so sudden and unexpected, that in their confusion they had not time to |