and, putting their legs across it, it grew up into a most beautiful fine horse. Paddy did as they bid him, and his rush too became a fine horse. At the word of command, the whole party set off as fast as they could lay legs to ground; and, while you'd be saying Jack's at home," they were in the miller's bawn. It so happened that there was a great " letting out" at Luke's this night, and half the boys and girls in the parish were at the moment dancing for the bare life in the barn. Paddeen said something that he was bid, and in a minute himself and the ganconers were perched, like roost cocks and hens, on the couple-bock. "By the Powers," said the little gentleman," she is a beauty, sure enough; and, if I can only make her sneeze three times, without any one sayen God bless her,' she is mine for ever." 'Now Paddeen, you must know, had often ate and drank of the best of the miller's; and, seeing Norah all loveliness, like a May mornen, he relented, and was sorry he had tould the ganconer any thing about her: but it was, he thought, now of no manner of use to be talken about it, particularly as he was trembling like a dog in a wet sack, for feard he should tumble down from the collar-beam and break his neck; so he held his whist, and said nothen. When Norah had done dancen she went and sat down by her sweetheart, Charley Smith, as good-looken a young fellow as you'd see at a hurling. Well, Charley, who was a mighty quare garsoon in his own way, put his arm about her neck, and stuck as close as a pocket to her; for you must know he had rivals in the barn, boys who'd be rather kissing Norah themselves than looken at Charley doen it. My little gentleman, I mean the ganconer, who had an eye like hawk, watched his opportunity, and hopping down like a sparrow, widout a any living sinner seeing him, he put a traneen up her nose; at which she gave a sneeze, and nobody said "God bless her," bekase, you see, she did it so genteel, she wasn't heard at all at all. Again he did the same thing, and nobody took notice; but, when he did it a third time, Paddeen could hould out no longer, and so cried, "Sweet bad luck to every mother's soul of you, why don't you say God bless her?" at which the charm was dissolved, Norah was saved, and Paddeen-a-noggin was kicked by the ganconers from the couple-bock down upon the barn-floor. The people cried "Mille murdher!" and Paddy had to walk back to the Rath, where he left his beast.* 'But poor Norah,' continued my companion, didn't fare so well afterwards; for she was confined by the ganconers for three long years in this very Cairne where we are now sitting.' How was that?' I inquired. 'O the not o' bit o' myself can tell you any thing about it; only I know this much, (for my grandfather, the Lord be marciful to his poor ould sowl, tould it to me often and often, by the fire, in the long water's night,) that Captain Deargt or some of his people, carried her away, by some means or other, in spite of all her people could do. Her sweetheart, Charley Smith, travelled high and low, but all to no manner of use. A fairy-woman tould him to threaten to burn the Cairne on them: but it wouldn't do; bekase, you see, Charley, no more than the fox, couldn't set fire to stones. Poor Norah might have staid there until the kingdom come, hadn't it been for one thing: Nell Wilson was the most famous midwife in the whole country, and was called upon to attend both gentle and simple. Well, one night, just as she was stripping herself goen to bed, after sayen her pater-and-avi, there came a thunderin knock to the door. * Mr. Crofton Croker has given a different version of this legend. In Ulster, however, it is universally related as it is given here. The difference, though trifling, is yet sufficient to show how many modifications of one tradition may exist, even in the same country. The moral it enforces points out its oriental origin, where God bless us,' was, I believe, a common expression after sneezing. In the Talmud' will be found a singular story respecting the cause. The red captain. Perhaps it should be Captain Bearg, that is, a champion, or a marauder. Dearganach (red-coat) is the name given by the Irish to an English soldier. VOL. I.-No. 7. 2 5 "Who's there?" axed Nell. "O make haste," says the person outside, "my wife is in the straw, and is very bad entirely; so make haste, like an honest woman." Nell made no more ado, but, putting on her duds as fast as possible, she ran to the steppingstone, and jumped on the pillion behind the stranger. "Away, now," said she; and away they went, sure enough, for the not a much grass grew under their horse's feet, I can tell you that, until they came to a great grand house, like any gentleman's.Nell wasn't long about her business. The lady was safely delivered of a thumping boy, and she was well rewarded for her trouble: she got the very best of every thing in the house, and was handed a nice suit of clothes to put on the child; but first she got a bottle of some kind of oil to rub over its skin. While doing this, her eye itched her; and, putting up her finger to scratch it, the oil touched the sight, and faith took the kippeens off of it: for, instead of seeing a beautiful palace, she beheld nothen but caves and holes, filled with ganconers, among whom were several of her ould neighbours, and, among others, poor Luke Magrath's daughter. She said nothen, but, watching her opportunity, came up to Norah. "How are you, achgrali?" says she. Oh, very well," "if I could get t'other, says out o' this place. Nurse, jewel, for God's sake, tell Charley Smith, if ever he loved me, to come on All-holland+ Eve, and take me from the ganconers. Hush! some one is comen. Cauthe-araace, the fairy-woman, will tell him what to do." Nell, when the business was done, was tould to get up on the horse that brought her, but she could see nothen but a ganconer astride a bulrush.She mounted, however, and was soon left at her own door. You may be sure she slept little that night; and, when the mornen awoke, she set off to find Charley Smith. Charley had just gone to the fair,and she went after him. When she came to the place where the standings are kept, she saw ten thousand little ganconers filling their red caps with cakes, apples, and every thing else that was selling in the fair: she wondered to see the people take * All-hallow.” 66 Listen, and you shall hear. Get a bag of sand, and a bottle of holy water, and proceed to any cross roads between the Cairne and Temorah, where you must make a circle about you; and, when Norah comes near, seize her hand and pull her into the ring. But, above all, hold her fast, and don't let yourself be pulled out of the circle." Charley did as he was desired; and, while every other body was eating their callcanon,+ and ducken for apples, poor Charley was getting ready. About nine o'clock a horseman gallopped passed, crying "Away, away! I am Captain Dearg, and you'll be ridden over by my men if you don't leave the road." At this Charley's hair stood up like sally twigs; but, having a brave heart, he made the sign of the cross on his forehead, and prepared to meet the worst. Byand-by the troops came up, and passed + Kalecanon. coners flung her into the circle, more dead than alive: and, to make a long story short, she died the very next day but one, and poor Charley left the country. But,' continued my companion, sitting here won't get my cow, though I shouldn't wonder if she went where Shemus-a-sneidh's went.' 'Where was that?' Well then, I'll tell that too; and may be, agen I'm done, the cow might find her way home. "Once on a time" but the narrative is too long for this chapter. ROBERT EMMET AND HIS COTEMPORARIES.-NO. VI. A Captive.-A Rescue.-A Rebel Depot. THE same advice has very different effects when given by different people. Had Emmet endeavoured to persuade me from engaging in his wild scheme, I should have had no hesitation in complying with his counsel; but, when Malachy recommended me to have nothing to do with insurrections, I spurned his advice, because I thought it given from a sinister motive; for some recent events had sunk my cousin considerably in my estimation. He affected, however, his usual kindness; and, an evening or two after, it being a holiday, inquired if I would not wish to witness a convivial meeting of the peasantry at one of their shibbeens. I replied in the affirmative; and, accordingly, we set off together. The night had closed around us as we entered a rude cabin situated on the mountain-side. The wig-wam consisted of a single apartment, which was filled with boisterous mountaineers, with their wives and children, drinking beer out of a variety of vessels; such as wooden noggins, earthen pitchers, &c.; and one humorousfooking fellow now and then raised to his head a metal skillet, which contained what he called mountain dew.' This promiscuous company arose at our entrance, and a hundred vessels were extended towards Malachy, every one requesting the honour of drinking with him. With the address of a man accustomed to such a scene, he took one cup, and, having touched all their measures, he bowed, and raised it to his head; after which the piper in the corner struck up an Irish air, which I understood was in praise of my uncle's ancestors. The best seat in the house was appropriated to our use, and our 'mountain dew' was brought us in a clean white jug. I have seldom lookedlet the moralist and divine say what they may-upon a more interesting scene than the happy group presented. The cheerful sons of toil, unbending themselves over a wholesome and nutritious beverage, which was shared with those who made labour light and home delightful; the loud laugh, that spoke the vacant mind,' showed the absence of intrusive care; while the ready song, and homely anecdote, evinced an unanimous desire of contributing to the general fund of pleasure. Our peasantry want that buoyancy of spirit, drollery, and piquant humour of the Irish, to give character to such a scene. Beside, they are deficient in those social habits which so frequently bring begether the thoughtless sons of the Emerald Isle, who know no selfish happiness, being, on all joyous occasions, found congregated together. Having laughed for an hour at the fun and humour of the assembly before us, I proposed to Malachy to retire; but he looked carefully at his watch, and said it was yet time enough. Soon after he went out, and, in less than three minutes, the house was surrounded by an armed band of yeomanry. A friendly hand pulled me into the chimney-corner, from which I could, with the utmost security, observe all that passed. The women and children screamed vehemently, but the men seemed but little alarmed; and, as if accustomed to such events, proceeded, with as much deliberation as circumstances would admit, to arm themselves with forms, pots, pitchers, and every other moveable article in the house. In an instant a party of the yeomen rushed in, with fixed bayonets, and were received with a discharge of stools and other missiles. The confusion soon became general, and a desperate engagement took place; the peasants systematically supported each other, and soon proved superior to their as sailants. The yeomen were overpowered; and every individual, except my unknown preserver and myself, escaped. Your name, sir?' demanded one of the party, coming up to me, and dragging me out of the corner. K-, I replied. You are the man we want,' he rejoined, calling in the sergeant, who immediately made me his prisoner. My unknown friend was also taken into custody; and, though we frequently demanded the cause of our detention, we received no reply but the very unsatisfactory one, that we should know time enough. A cord was now produced, and the left hand of my fellowprisoner was tied to my right; and, in that situation, we were marched off in the midst of the party, who signified their triumph by a loud Huzza!' In vain I protested against such unworthy treatment; and, when I threatened to bring the matter before a tribunal of the country, I was answered only by a sneer. Perceiving that all remonstrance was useless, I complied with the advice of my companion, and continued silent for the remainder of the journey. As we proceeded I had leisure to reflect upon my situation; but neither knowing the charge against me, nor the place to which I was going, all conjectures respecting the issue of the affair were unsatisfactory. Once, and but once, it crossed my mind that Malachy's conduct appeared strange; and it was barely possible that he might have been the cause of my apprehension; a supposition which his going out so critically seemed to strengthen. But that might have been merely accidental; and, as I knew of no possible good which he could derive from my distress, I dismissed the unworthy suspicion from my mind, and attributed the whole to some unfortunate mistake. Having continued in a smart walk for about half an hour, we entered a large gateway, and were proceeding along an avenue shaded with lofty trees, when a tremendous yell, as if from a horde of North-American savages, assailed our ears. It is Dwyre!' exclaimed the party almost simultaneously; and, as if panicstruck, betook themselves to flight. I knew that,' said my companion, quite coolly; but, before I could inquire his meaning, I was seized by a dozen mountaineers, and borne on their shoulders to the top of a neighbouring mountain. In a moment I was surrounded by a hundred of the fierce peasantry; and a person, apparently of consequence, pushed through the dense circle of my deliverers, and seized my hand: it was Malachy. At such a moment the presence of a friend was most grateful; and, though I could not approve of the unadvised conduct of those around me, yet, as the action must have sprung from some mistaken sympathy, I could not withhold my gratitude. Malachy's embrace I warmly returned; and, without entering into any explanation, we proceeded across the hills. A full moon shed its silvery light' upon our path, and gave a picturesque and beautiful appearance to the objects around; while the falling of waters, and the distant bay of the mastiff, served to disturb the otherwise monotonous stillness of the night. The mountain breeze, with its refreshing influence, stimulated our progress; and, after a most romantic walk of somewhat less than an hour, the whole party arrived at the shibbeen from which they had been so recently ejected. A parting cup was drank here, after which the gay and thoughtless peasantry proceeded to their respective homes. For a considerable time we could hear, from opposite directions, the plaintive notes of their native hills, as they carroled to themselves on their solitary homeward paths. You are surprised,' said Malachy, when he had arrived at the castle, at the occurrences of this night; but the course I have pursued was the only one left me. Seeing the shibbeen surrounded by the yeomen, I knew it would be perfectly useless for me to interfere; and accordingly I remained at a distance, to wait the result. Finding that you were made prisoner, I commenced rallying the peasantry; and, when sufficient force had been collected, I went in pursuit of the party who detained you.' But who were they?' I asked. Yeomen,' he replied; and no doubt came in pursuit of an outlaw named Dwyre?' Was he in the house?' No; but several of his bandit companions were.' am sorry for it,' I returned. The sergeant knew my name, and being found in such company must increase any suspicions that may exist against me.' True,' said Malachy, that did not strike me before; but you can easily avoid the consequence by going to Dublin, if not to England, for a short time.' 'Conscience makes cowards of us all!' I had as yet sinned only in thought, but even that deterred me from acting openly. I took Malachy's advice, and next morning proceeded to Dublin. I did not meet my friend Emmet until about eight o'clock in the evening; at that hour he was on his way to one of his depots. I accompanied him. In a back house, recommended by its secluded and uninviting situation, were about a dozen men at work; some busy making cartridges, while others were casting bullets; some fabricating rockets, and others making pikes. The heaps of muskets, and other warlike weapons, scattered around, served to inspire a feeling of awe in the gloomy mansion of incipient treason, singularly contrasted with the thoughtless levity depicted upon the half-intoxicated countenances of those engaged in preparing the instruments of death. My friend, on seeing all safe, could not conceal his satisfaction; and, having distributed some money amongst the men, he dismissed them. As they withdrew he bolted the door; and, throwing himself upon a rude seat, seemed lost in the intensity of his feelings. I was not less serious; for the workmen, the arms, and the gloom of the place, had deeply affected my spirits, and brought upon my mind a desponding impression, not unmixed with sensations of fear. My friend,' said Emmet, after a silence of several minutes, how ungrateful are mankind! how thoughtless are nations! The philosopher is neglected, and the patriot unhonoured; yet, without knowledge and liberty, how valueless all the possessions of man! How little do those who profit by wisdom, or glory in the possession of freedom, know of the student's privations or the conspirator's danger! and, without study and treason, how few could be either wise or free? Nations exult in the enjoyment of their rights, but too often forget those to whom they are indebted for the blessing. Englishmen continually boast of their liberty, yet to how many Britons are the names of Sydney and Hamden as vague as those of Gallitzin and William Tell! The sound is familiar, but it scarcely raises a single association.' The hope of applause,' I replied, though it may stimulate our exertions, should never be allowed to direct our actions; and he that is honoured by the discerning may readily dispense with the plaudits of the vulgar.' True,' he returned; but those who benefit mankind may at least expect gratitude; and, if the danger encountered by the patriot may be allowed to enhance the debt, I know of none who has so large a demand as the conspirator, whose object is universal good. After once he imparts his schemes to others, he lives in continual apprehension; every stranger is an object of suspicion; every incident is pregnant with danger. The mistakes of his friends may ruin him, and a concealed enemy may lurk amongst his associates; for, as his designs require numerous abettors, it is very difficult to select many men without including some traitor; and one informer is |