He lined the whole range of the hedge, along
the road on which he expected the attack, with
musketeers, directing them to remain in shelter of
the ditch, to be steady and not to expend their
fire until they were sure of their object. His phalanx
was not of much service, in its embodied form,
in repelling an attack to be made, as he expected,
with fire-arms; nay, that very compactness which,
together with the nature of its weapons, rendered
it so formidable to a charge of cavalry, or of the
bayonet, would here have been a disadvantage.
Instead, therefore, of arranging it as formerly, into
the form of a solid square, he drew up the men
who composed it, into that of a semi-circle, and
stationed them a few paces behind the musketeers,
with instructions, in the event of being attacked
with artillery or musketry, to throw themselves
flat on the grass; but, to fall immediately into their
former compact square form, in case they should
be attacked with the cavalry or charged with the
bayonet. His few pieces of artillery, he planted
at the eastern end of the field, on the left of his
phalanx, and in such a situation as would permit
them to be the most efficiently employed against
the enemy.

The rest of his followers not being under much
discipline, nor, indeed, as he plainly perceived,
likely to be of much service during the conflict, he
placed in various groups about the field, desiring
them, while the fire of their adversaries continued,
to shelter themselves as much as possible among
the long meadow grass, or in the ditch that surrounded
the field; but if a close charge should be
made, to be prompt in assisting the phalanx to repel
it.

He now, after exhorting them to firmness and
bravery, reminded them that Donegore hill was the

[figure description] Page 038.[end figure description]

place of rendezvous, to which, in case of a defeat,
every man should be careful to direct his course.

He had scarcely finished this exhortation when the
eastern hill, at the distance of about a mile, began
to glitter in the sun, and a forest of bayonets appeared
gradually approaching. The whole hill
became covered with the scarlet uniforms of the
royal troops, who kept steadily advancing to the
military music of “Croppies lie down.” They
halted when within a quarter of a mile from the
field occupied by the insurgents. Immediately
nine pieces of cannon were wheeled round, and
drawn at full gallop somewhat nearer, to the top
of a rising ground, and their muzzles turned to
the field. Four companies of infantry were at
the same time marched into an adjoining pasture
field.

As yet not a shot was fired, and every voice was
silent for a few minutes; even all motion seemed
suspended, while the insurgents gazed, during this
dreadful pause, on the terrible army that was
thus brought against them, with the most intense
anxiety and awe.

But this pause was indeed short; for on the
other road, on which no enemy was expected, a
large body of both horse and foot made their appearance.
Nugent, who had reconnoitred the position
of the insurgents before he appeared in view,
had detached this body by a circuitous route, under
the command of colonel Lumly, to attack them
on that side, by which means they would be nearly
surrounded.

In a moment the cannons opened their mouths,
and a destructive fire was at the same instant poured
both by Lumly's troops and those which occupied
the pasture field, on the unfortunate insurgents. The
cannon of the latter, was also fired; but it was only
once, for their cannoniers either fled or fell, while

[figure description] Page 039.[end figure description]

the terrified musketeers, who were concealed behind
the hedge, discharged their pieces at random
and fled also. The pikemen also started up to fly;
for a fiery death was around them, and fast enclosing
them on all sides.

As Lumly's party occupied the road by which
they endeavoured to escape, O'Halloran at the
head of a considerable number of pikemen, the
majority of whom belonged to his heroic phalanx,
made on it a rapid and resolute charge, which succeeded
in throwing it into confusion, and opened
the way for escape. Immediately the whole insurgent
force rushed in desperation to that quarter,
for unabated destruction continued to assail them
from every other; and by the weight and fierceness
of their attack, and the length of their pikes, over-threw
all opposition.

O'Halloran individually fought with wonderful
energy and success. Twice when Lumly had rallied
a portion of his troops to arrest his progress,
at the head of his chosen body did he break his
way through. A third time Lumly attempted it, and
it proved fatal to him.

“That officer must be slain or we shall not escape,”
exclaimed O'Halloran, who perceived the
whole of Nugent's force fast approaching from behind;
and as he made the exclamation, he dashed
his horse forwards, and Lumly and he instantly
met. Their swords were in a moment shivered to
pieces, but a stump of O'Halloran's still remained,
with which, at one blow, he brought his antagonist
to the ground.

“To Donegore, my men!” said he. “Stop for
nothing;” and without minding the fallen Lumly,
they rushed over him with the speed and ferocity
of wild animals, presenting a terrible front of pikes,
which cleared the way as they flew along. Lumly's
party seeing their commander fall, did not,

[figure description] Page 040.[end figure description]

however, offer much more opposition, so that the
way was easily kept open for their flight. Nugent
now despatched his cavalry in pursuit of the fugitives,
who soon scattering, fled in all directions;
not, however, until numbers of them had fallen
victims to the firing of the carbines of their pursuers.

As they took into the fields or into the by-roads
and private avenues, the cavalry separated into
small parties, in order to follow them. One party
pursued some of them as far as Templepatrick, to
which town, after pillaging it, they set fire, and
consumed upwards of a hundred dwelling houses,
besides committing many acts of violence and cruelty
on the inhabitants. Night alone put an end
to the havoc, destruction and horror of this disastrous
day; and, at a late hour, the pursuing cavalry
rejoined their companions in Antrim.

Such of the wounded of the insurgents as had
fallen into the hands of the victors, were carried to
the court-house, and in a summary manner tried by
martial law, and sentenced to die the next morning.
Between seven and eight hundred of them, had
been killed during the day, and between eighty
and ninety were now under sentence of death.

Of the military, about one hundred and seventy
had fallen in both actions. But the deaths which the
royalists most lamented were those of lord O'Neil and
colonel Lumly. The latter, on being unhorsed by
O'Halloran, had received a mortal stroke with a
pike from one of the insurgents, another of whom
had rolled him into the ditch, by the road side,
where, after the conflict was over, he was found by
some of the soldiers just expiring.

Lord O'Neil suffered extremely from his wounds
until the next morning, when he also expired. He
had begged Nugent, almost with his last breath, to
spare the lives of the deluded people, and not to

[figure description] Page 041.[end figure description]

permit any feelings of revenge to excite him to
unnecessary severity in the execution of his duty.
For the prisoners now under the sentence of death
he particularly pleaded, and had their lives granted
to his intercession.

CHAP. V.

[figure description] Page 042.[end figure description]

O'Halloran, after the discomfiture of his forces,
rode in company with M`Cracken, Porter, and a
few others, at full speed to Donegore, on reaching
which he found that his old associates from Larne,
had just arrived. A vast concourse from other
parts of the country had flocked to this rendezvous;
and the number was every moment increasing; so
that before night came, it was supposed that the
encampment contained no fewer than ten thousand
men.

They were not all, however, equally zealous.
The news of the defeat at Antrim, filled some of
them with considerable dismay; and a great many
took advantage of the night to withdraw from such
a dangerous enterprise. When the morning came,
the diminution of their numbers, from these desertions,
was very perceptible; and seemed very generally
to shake that mutual confidence in each
other, which is so necessary to the success of warlike
operations. Hence doubt and perplexity began
to reign over the whole camp, a circumstance
which did not escape the penetration of M`Claverty.

[figure description] Page 043.[end figure description]

He conceived it to afford a favourable opportunity
of once more attempting to dissuade them from persevering
in their designs. He accordingly addressed
them, promising to negotiate for them, an absolute
pardon for all they had done, if they would
quietly lay down their arms and disperse.

He was listened to with the more attention, even
by those who were not intimidated by the preceding
day's misfortunes, (and who still formed a sufficiently
numerous body to enforce the adherence
of the rest, if they should think proper to do so,)
by intelligence which had been just received of the
massacre of the Protestants at Wexford, and the
other atrocities committed by the insurgents of the
Catholic persuasion in the South.

The nine-tenths of their number being Presbyterians,
were easily excited on this subject, and
without much difficulty made to believe that they
had entered into a rebellion which was likely to be
converted into a war of religious vengeance, like
the former Irish rebellions, against the atrocities
of which they had, from their infancy, been taught
to feel the most inveterate abhorrence.

M`Claverty was well aware of this circumstance,
and did not neglect to avail himself of it. After
enlarging on the extreme improbability of final
success attending their exertions—“And for what
is it, my friends,” said he, “that you are making
these exertions, at the awful risk of your lives and
of every thing else dear to you? Your views, no
doubt, are confined to the acquirement of some
civil or political right, of which you suppose yourselves
deprived, whereas, you may rely on it, that
by far the greater portion of your confederacy, at
present in arms throughout the kingdom, have very
different views. Their's is a religious warfare.
They regard civil grievances as of comparatively
little importance, to those religious restrictions

[figure description] Page 044.[end figure description]

which they conceive an heretical government has
imposed upon them. Wishing for your aid, they
have, until they got you, as they supposed, too far
involved to retreat with safety, kept the real object
of their sedition out of view. But they have now
thrown off the cloak. They have put themselves
under the absolute direction of their priests, who
alone govern in their counsels, and command in
their battles; and whose chief desire is the extirpation
of that religion you profess, and the infliction
of a malignant, but as they teach their fanatical
followers, a holy revenge on its professors.
In selecting their victims, you perceive that already
they do not inquire, are they royalists, but are they
Protestants? Lay your hands upon your hearts,
and ask if your conscience will justify you in fighting
with such confederates, in such a cause? Pause,
I beseech you, and reflect that the moment the
power and influence of Britain is expelled this
country, Protestantism is also expelled. You would
have neither equal numbers, nor equal ferocity
with your Catholic confederates; you would, consequently,
be utterly unable to prevent the establishment
of Catholic supremacy and intolerance
in the Island. Oh! my friends, withdraw from this
unnatural confederacy ere it be too late. Perhaps
there are some among you who think that it is already
too late; who will tell you that you have
even now gone too far to retrace your steps; that
you have offended the constituted authorities past
forgiveness; and that you have no alternative but
to persevere. Do not listen to such deceitful language.
You have not yet done any thing, as a
body, but what I am persuaded, the government
will freely pardon, on condition of your returning
peaceably to your allegiance. Now is your time
successfully to negotiate for pardon. You are still
in force, with arms in your hands, but after your

[figure description] Page 045.[end figure description]

defeat, and that defeat is easily foreseen, from
the force which is now coming against you, you
may in vain implore from the clemency, what
you can now in some measure demand from the
policy of the government. General Nugent whose
victorious army will be here in a few hours, is my
friend. With him, if you permit me, I will negotiate
for you, and I pledge my honour, that in doing
so I shall consult your interests as faithfully as
if I were of your party.”

The majority of the insurgents listened to this
reasoning with seeming approbation, but there were
a few who acted very differently. They were
either Catholics, or Protestants who had already so
openly signalized themselves in the rebellion that
they were hopeless of pardon. These began to
raise the cry of cowardice and treachery, against all
who appeard wavering, which soon produced much
dissention throughout the camp; and the approaching
army was considerably advanced, without any
resolution being formed either for battle or negotiation.

At length the royal standard was seen floating
in the air, and all the glittering pomp of war perceived,
at the distance of a few miles, to be approaching
the hill. Contention ceased for some
minutes, while every eye contemplated this imposing
spectacle in profound and awe-struck silence.
M`Claverty sprung again to his feet. All eyes
were directed to him.

“O, my neighbours, my friends!” he exclaimed,
“Negotiate now or perish! Another hour may
place pardon beyond your reach.”

“We will, we will negotiate,” was the spontaneous
cry which now burst from almost every
mouth.

O'Halloran, M`Cracken, Porter, M`Cauley and
Darragh, (the two latter of whom were Catholics,

[figure description] Page 046.[end figure description]

and the whole five either already proscribed or
without expectation of pardon,) at first endeavoured
to check the expression of this resolution, and
to inspire the multitude with more firm and courageous
sentiments. But they soon found themselves
obliged to yield to the torrent.

O'Halloran, indeed, now began to perceive that
the cause had become desperate. No French aid
had arrived to afford its adherents a rallying point,
while the bigotry and cruelty of its friends in the
South, cooled and disgusted those in the North,
and tended more to its abandonment and ruin than
the whole power of the government. He, therefore,
who was still recognized as their commander,
made but a faint opposition to the cry for negotiation.

M`Cracken and Porter soon also withdrew their
opposition; perhaps as much from having fallen
into a similar train of reflection, as from the apparent
impossibility of resisting the general decision.

They were employed in drawing up proposals
to be presented to general Nugent as the conditions
of their surrender, when an officer from the royal
army appeared advancing on horseback towards
the hill, bearing a white flag. O'Halloran, M`Claverty,
and one Watt, an influential man among
them, who had been very strenuous in recommending
negotiation, were appointed a committee to receive
the messenger, and report his business to the
people. They advanced some distance down the
hill to meet him, carrying with them the propositions
they had prepared.

M`Claverty soon recognised the flag-bearer to be
an intimate friend, a captain Hutton, whom he
knew to be a man of honour and humanity.

“What!” said Hutton, as he approached M`Claverty,
“I understood you were the prisoner of

[figure description] Page 047.[end figure description]

these people. I now perceive you to be one of their
confidential agents.”

“Fate has, indeed, made me their prisoner,”
said M`Claverty. “But humanity has at present
induced me to become their agent, and they have
had sufficient confidence in my honour to entrust
me with the office.”

“I am glad of it,” returned the other, “for it
augurs favourably for the termination of the business
with which I am entrusted. I have been sent
to summon these people to deliver up their arms,
and throw themselves on his majesty's mercy.”

“Surely,” said O'Halloran, “your commander
does not expect an unconditional surrender from
men with arms in their hands, strong in numbers,
strong in position, and if urged to extremity, strong
also in courage and determination. To prevent the
effusion of human blood, we will disperse if the
requisite terms are granted us. If they are refused,
however, we can fight, and a few hours may give
us the power of dictating instead of begging terms.”

“I look on myself,” said M`Claverty, “as a
mediator in this case. To the government I am
attached from principle, and to those whose prisoner
I am, and who, confiding in my pledged word,
have deputed me to assist in the management of
this affair, I am bound by honour. To them I am
also bound by gratitude for the respectful treatment
I have received since I fell into their hands.
In giving my advice, therefore, both parties may
be assured that I do it with a view to their mutual
advantage. I can conceive of no detriment that
the government would sustain by granting an absolute
pardon to these people for the delusions and
errors into which they have fallen, on condition of
their returning quietly to their duty; and to accept
of such a pardon, I believe, they are already
convinced is to consult their true interest.”

[figure description] Page 048.[end figure description]

“Gentlemen,” said Hutton, “my powers do not
extend to the granting of a pardon. I have been
merely sent to demand an unconditional surrender;
but whatever proposals you may please to make, I
shall convey them to our commander, and return
in one hour with his answer.”

“Here are our proposals,” replied O'Halloran,
producing the written documents to the messenger.
“Submit them to your general; and tell him, that
rather than submit to terms less favourable than
these, we are resolved, in God's name, to try the
issue of a battle.”

The officer received the papers, and was about
departing, when M`Claverty called on him to stay
a moment.

“Convey my earnest request to general Nugent,”
said he, “that he will sooth the feelings of
the people as much as possible. They now see
their delusion, and are desirous of reconciliation
with the established authorities, not so much from
fear, as from conviction of their error. The accounts
from Wexford have made great impressions
on them; and, I believe, that they sincerely
repent having joined such a confederacy. Tell
him also, that I, and their other prisoners, have
been treated well; and that, notwithstanding their
irregularity and total want of discipline, they have
hitherto committed no excess repugnant to humanity.”

“I shall with pleasure deliver your message,”
replied Hutton. “Good morning, gentlemen. I
sincerely hope this affair will terminate without
more bloodshed.” He then spurred his horse, and
hastened towards the royal army.

Nugent having perused the proposals, called
his officers together to deliberate concerning
them. They were to the following effect: “That
general Nugent and the principal officers under

[figure description] Page 049.[end figure description]

his command, shall guarantee to the army of the
United Irishmen, now encamped on Donegore hill,
a full and free indemnity for all past transactions,
in which indemnity, all the United officers as well as
private men, and all the prisoners for matters of
state, now in the jails of Carrickfergus and Downpatrick,
or at the camp of Blarrismoor, or in the
towns of Belfast, Lisburn, Antrim and Ballymena,
shall be included; on which conditions the said
army of the United Irishmen, shall immediately,
without committing any further act of hostility,
disband, and the individuals composing it, return
to their respective homes.”

“Gentlemen,” said Nugent, “you will perceive
that some of these demands are absolutely beyond
our power to grant. We have no controul over
any prisoners but those we have ourselves taken
and have now in custody; neither can we fly in the
face of the civil authority, by guaranteeing a
pardon to several individuals now known to be in
the rebel camp, who are already in a state of proscription
for their crimes and treasons. It is my
opinion, therefore, that we cannot, in duty, listen
to these terms; but on account of the favourable
report given by Mr. M`Claverty, of the present
dispositions of these blind-led people, as well as
from humane considerations, I will, should it meet
with your approbation, make another effort to induce
a submission without blood-shed.”

It was then agreed that Hutton should return
to the insurgent camp with the following note.

“General Nugent, and the officers under his
command, find some of the terms required by the
insurgents on Donegore hill, beyond their power to
grant. They cannot interfere with the intentions
of government respecting any prisoners, but such
as they have themselves taken, and have in their
immediate custody. These they are willing to

[figure description] Page 050.[end figure description]

discharge. There are several individuals in the insurgent
army, already pointed out by the government
as persons whose offences render them unworthy
of pardon. Over the fate of these persons
they have no controul; neither do they think it
their duty to include, in any promise of pardon,
those mischievous men, whose delusive doctrines
have seduced their fellow-subjects into the criminal
and unfortunate measures they have adopted.
From the general pardon, therefore, which they
agree to guarantee to all others now assembled on
Donegore hill, who shall, within one hour after
they receive this notification, deliver up their arms
and return peaceably to their homes and employments,
they exclude the following persons, and
description of persons, viz. Henry O'Halloran, the
Rev. James Porter, Henry M`Cracken, Thomas
Story, Thomas Archer, and all who may have been
guilty of assassination, or of wantonly burning the
houses, or otherwise destroying the properties of
the loyal inhabitants of the country.”

CHAP. VI.

[figure description] Page 051.[end figure description]

Previous to the return of Hutton with the foregoing
note, containing Nugent's ultimate offer, a
man on horseback, who said he had travelled all
night, arrived at the insurgent camp, with the following
letter for O'Halloran:

June 7th, 1798.

“Dear Sir—It has fallen to my lot to communicate
to you the unfortunate news of the forces we
assembled this morning, being completely defeated
and dispersed, after a severe conflict with a large
body of the king's troops, near Ballynahinch, in
which it is supposed, that we lost upwards of one
thousand men.

“According to previous arrangement we began
about midnight to assemble in the neighbourhood
of Saintfield, where we had a slight skirmish with
a small body of militia stationed there, over whom
we obtained the advantage, having, with only the
loss of one man, killed six of theirs, and compelled
the rest to retreat.

[figure description] Page 052.[end figure description]

“We then proceeded to Ballynahinch, and encamped
on lord Moira's demesne adjoining the
town. Here our numbers increased so rapidly,
that before noon, we were nearly twelve thousand
strong. Colonel Munroe joined us about ten o'clock
with a large body from the neighbourhood of Lisburn
and Hilsborough. About one o'clock the
king's troops arrived from the camp at Blarrismoor,
and halted on a hill opposite, part of the
town being between us.

“They soon commenced a cannonade, which we
attempted to return, having three small field-pieces,
but we could not manage them to much advantage,
whereas their fire annoyed us extremely. Being
conscious of our superiority in point of numbers,
it was, therefore, agreed that we should rush
over the intermediate ground, and charge them
with pikes. For this purpose, we had completed
the necessary arrangements, and were proceeding
forward, when we were attacked with a volley of
musketry from behind, by a party, which, unnoticed
by us, they had detached round the hill, and
which thus took us in the rear by surprise. Many
of our men immediately fled; but the greater number
rushed on to the intended attack.

“When within thirty yards of our opponents,
we received a dreadful discharge of musketry,
which checked us for an instant by levelling hundreds
of us to the ground. My left arm was broken
on this occasion; but I was impelled along
by the press of the multitude, which had resumed
its motion forwards.

“We soon reached our adversaries, and made
on them a very effective charge, for in a few minutes
they were compelled to retreat some distance
from the hill, but there, facing about, they poured
upon us another fire so destructive that hundreds

[figure description] Page 053.[end figure description]

fell to the ground, while hundreds more threw
down their arms and fled.

“At this important crisis, the troops behind us
also repeated their fire and increased our confusion.
To prevent our rallying, for though much
broken, some of us would still have made a stand,
their cavalry now galloped furiously amongst us
and completed our defeat.

“The cavalry in continuing the pursuit, committed
dreadful havoc throughout the country. The
greater part of Ballynahinch, the whole of Saintfield,
and country houses without number, have been
consigned to flames, and are now only smoking
ruins.

“The destruction is not yet over. From the hill
on which I am concealed, we can see every moment
new volumes of conflagration arising. My
heart sickens at the disasters of the day. I trust
in God, you have been more fortunate in your
county. If not, I much fear that the cause for
which we have been so long and so anxiously preparing
to make this struggle, is indeed lost, and that
we shall now have, each of us to await with what
fortitude we can, the fate which an oppressive, cruel
and highly incensed government, may think fit to
award us.

“The unfortunate religious jealousy that exists
among the people has been one great cause of our
failure. Some accounts of the misconduct of the
Catholics in the South arrived here the day before
yesterday, which cooled the ardour of the
Presbyterians, in whom consisted our main strength.
Not one in ten of that persuasion, in whom we confided,
have joined us; and although, as you well
know, the Catholic population of the county is not
one to twenty, yet more than the half of those who
took arms were of that body.

“If you be yet in force, endeavour all you can,

[figure description] Page 054.[end figure description]

I bessech you, to prevent the poison of the Wexford
news from infecting the minds of your men, otherwise
all hopes of liberty for poor Ireland will indeed
soon be over. It is to put you on your guard
in this matter, that I make such haste to dispatch
this courier, who, as he is acquainted with the
country, and has the advantage of the night to
travel in, will, I hope, reach you in safety.

“Munroe and several of our leaders have been
captured. Death, no doubt, will be their portion.
Their doom is perhaps already awarded, for our
merciless pursuers will lose no time, when they
seize any of us, in glutting their vengeance.

“May heaven preserve you from such misfortunes
as we have experienced! I am, with an aching
heart,

When O'Halloran had communicated the contents
of this letter to his fellow chiefs; “it is in
vain,” said he, “to contend longer. A battle here,
even if we could persuade our men to risk one,
would only be additional slaughter. A victory itself
could scarcely retrieve the prospects with
which we set out. It is our duty, therefore, for the
sake of these people, to accept whatever conditions
may be offered. For myself, should I be demanded
as a sacrifice, I am resigned to my fate, and
shall submit, I hope, without murmuring. I did not
engage in this enterprise without calculating on
the chance and consequences of failure, and preparing
my mind, if it should be necessary, to endure
the severest forms of death.”

Porter and M`Cracken deliberated a few moments.
They then exclaimed, “It must be so; we
must yield to fate! Since we can do no more for
our country, we care little for ourselves; and to

[figure description] Page 055.[end figure description]

whatever lot Providence has ordered for us, we
shall, as becomes us, submit. But Nugent's messenger
returns; let us hear the terms, and then, all
resistance out of view, we can decide as to the
steps we must take.”

The reply of Nugent to their proposals was given
to O'Halloran. He read it aloud to the people.
When he had done, all remained silent in expectation
of receiving his opinion; he perceived it;
and spoke as follows:

“My friends, you have sufficiently proved your
attachment for the cause of liberty and your country.
Fate forbids that cause to prevail; and it is
now become necessary for you to relinquish the
pleasing hope, and yield once more to that government
you have attempted to resist. These are the
terms offered for your submission. You will obtain
no better. From their benefits, I and some of
my dearest friends are excluded. But we must
give way to our destiny. I should abhor myself,
if from any personal consideration, I could be withheld
from giving you what I conceive to be the
most salutary counsel, in your present situation.
You ought to accept of these conditions, and surrender.
I have just become acquainted with circumstances
which leave you no other alternative.
Our friends in the county of Down have met with a
total and irretrievable overthrow. Farewell! I and
my proscribed friends, will provide for our own
safety, as prudence may dictate.”

He immediately mounted his horse, and accompained
by Porter, M`Cracken, and the other exempted
persons, galloped from the hill. The multitude,
struck with admiration, for several minutes
gazed after them in profound silence. M`Claverty
then addressed the people.

“My friends and fellow subjects,” said he, “I
admire the magnanimity of your late leader, and

[figure description] Page 056.[end figure description]

sincerely hope that he may ultimately escape the
dangers that surround him. A free pardon is offered
to you, will you accept it? The messenger
awaits your reply.”

“We will—we will accept it,” was answered by
a thousand voices. A man of the name of Quin
now stepped forward, and said aloud to M`Claverty

“Sir, be our representative in this affair. Be
it your care to prevent any infringement of these
conditions.”

“It shall be my care,” replied M`Claverty. The
people then threw their arms on the ground, and
returned every man to his own home.

Thus terminated this insurrection in the North,
the only part of the kingdom, of which, from the
intelligent and persevering character of the people,
the government was seriously apprehensive;
and thus, in a few days, was blown into air, those
magnificent but impracticable schemes of social
equality, and national independence, over which
the fond imaginations of thousands of Irishmen
had for years been brooding.

The impolicy of the Southern insurgents in betraying
so early a zeal for the destruction of that
religion which was by far the most prevalent
among their Northern coadjutors, unquestionably
contributed more to the speedy overthrow of this
ill concerted conspiracy, than either the vigilance
or force of the government. Indeed so much were
the Northerns disgusted and alarmed at the conduct
of their Southern confederates, that out of the nine
counties of Ulster, which contained upwards of two
hundred thousand United Irishmen, in only two
had the insurrection been of any consequence; and
in these two, a coolness in the cause was immediately
manifested by the populace when intelligence
was received of the Southern atrocities.

CHAP. VII.

[figure description] Page 057.[end figure description]

After leaving Donegore hill, O'Halloran and
his companions did not relax their speed until
they reached Ballyclare, a town about five miles
distant. Here they stopped for some refreshment,
and with a view to consult on what measures they
should adopt for their safety. But here they had
not been many minutes, until the town was beset
by a troop of horse, that had just arrived from
Larne, on their way to join Nugent in his attack
upon the insurgents at Donegore.

These were the men who, as the reader will remember,
entered Larne the preceding day under
the command of Captain Claverill, and would have
set fire to the town after the insurgents left it, had
they not been prevented by Small and his party.
They were now informed of the encampment at
Donegore being broken up, for which the valiant
Captain Caverill swore he was damned sorry, as
he had expected to have some good fighting with
the rebel rascals that evening. “But come, my
lads,” said he to his dragoons, “this cursed town has
been a nest for rebels. Apply your matches and
burn the damned hole.”

[figure description] Page 058.[end figure description]

The dragoons obeyed him after having for some
time galloped through the streets, uttering the
most horrid imprecations against the inhabitants,
who were mostly women and children, for the
majority of the men had been at Donegore, and
were not yet returned. In a few minutes the town
was emptied of these miserable inhabitants, terror
driving them in all directions, over the surrounding
country.

O'Halloran and his companions had also started
off. But the troopers having received some intimation
concerning them, they were pursued. The
fleetness of their horses, however, saved them all,
except Porter, whose horse stumbled and threw
him, in consequence of which he was taken.

When O'Halloran and M`Cracken had reached
Ballybolly hill, about two miles distant, perceiving
that the pursuit had ceased, they slackened their
pace, and turning round, perceived the town in
flames.

“Ah!” said M`Cracken, “what have not these
villains to answer for?”

“Regret is now useless,” replied O'Halloran,
“but I am afraid that we also have some of this
to answer for. But our motives were good; our
judgments only were in error.”

“Surely,” said M`Cracken “you do not repent
your efforts in the cause of your country's freedom.”

“I meant well for my country,” replied O'Halloran,
“but my efforts have only encreased her
chains. I wished to make her happy, and more
prosperous, and I have contributed to make her
more miserable and degraded!”

M`Cracken only replied with a sigh; and in this
tone of mind, each absorbed in his own reflections,
they rode slowly and silently until they came to a
small cottage on the verge of Agnew's hill. They

[figure description] Page 059.[end figure description]

stopped at the door, and a neat, cleanly looking,
middle aged woman, with a child in her arms,
opened it. She appeared to have been weeping,
for the tears still shone in her eyes. On first seeing
the gentlemen, she startled as if she apprehended
some danger; but soon recognising O'Halloran,
her fears vanished, and being asked if they could
obtain some refreshment, she replied

“Yes, and welcome; such as I have.”

They now alighted and entered. Upon a small
table, near a blazing turf fire, over which a teakettle
was suspended, they found a large bible,
lying open, on looking into which, O'Halloran's
attention was arrested by the following consolatory
passage, at the beginning of the 46th Psalm.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present
help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though
the earth be removed, and though the mountains
be carried into the midst of the sea; though the
waters thereof roar and be troubled; though the
mountains shake with the swellings thereof.”

He read the passage aloud; and turning to
M`Cracken, “I am not superstitious,” said he, “but
really there is consolation here. Dependence on
God is, indeed, the firmest rock on which to build
hope, and the unlooked-for occurrence of this passage,
appears to me something like an assurance
that heavenly power will protect us from our enemies.”

“Mr. O'Halloran,” replied the other, “you are
surely not serious in laying such emphasis on any
accidental incident? We must expect no miracles
now-a-days; and I believe that the best way to
preserve ourselves from our enemies is to keep out
of their reach.”

“I believe, however,” observed O'Halloran,
“that whether out of their reach or in it, we require
the protecting arm of Providence to

[figure description] Page 060.[end figure description]

accomplish our safety. I confess that from the time that
we left the camp, until this moment, I felt much
dispirited. I felt as if I had no support in my distress,
no refuge to fly to from the vengeance of our
pursuers; but this passage has, in an instant, dispelled
my fears, or rather it has restored my courage,
for it has reminded me that, come what will,
I have an unchangeable friend, who will not desert
me in my need.”

M`Cracken, astonished at the seriousness of his
companion, replied, “I hope, however, that, in relying
on preternatural protection, you will not
neglect the usual earthly means of safety, a proper
concealment from your enemies.”

“I will not neglect earthly means,” said O'Halloran,
“for it is my duty not to neglect them; but
I shall not, henceforth, be so solicitous about the
result; for should my enemies find me, here,” said
he, placing his finger on the passage, “here is my
support.”

The woman now modestly observed to O'Halloran,
“Ah! sir, that is, indeed, a comfortable passage.
I also, just before you came, derived great
consolation from it; for I have been, both yesterday
and to day, in great trouble; but this precious
book has enabled me to support it. I have passed
the time in reading the various promises which
God makes to his children in affliction, and I have
had my sorrows sweetened. But, gentlemen, as I
find you have been at Donegore, may I ask you if
there has been any blood shed? My husband left
me yesterday to join the United Irishmen there?”

“At what time of the day did your husband go,”
inquired O'Halloran.

“In the afternoon, Sir.”

“Then” said he,” be comforted, for he is safe.
There was blood shed at Antrim, but none at Donegore;
and your husband did not depart in time to

[figure description] Page 061.[end figure description]

have reached Antrim before all was over. You
may expect him home this very evening, for the
people assembled at Donegore, have voluntarily
dispersed, after having stipulated with the government
for a pardon.

“O God! I thank thee, that my children are not
yet fatherless!” she cried, falling on her knees.
“Thou hast heard my prayer, and hast protected
him. Make me thankful all the days of my
life, for thou hast delivered me out of this great
calamity.”

She then rose with a countenance brightened
with joy; but still serious. “Gentlemen,” said she,
“you must excuse me; for really I could not refrain
for returning instant thanks to the Author of
all good, for this unlooked for mercy to me and
mine.—But you must want refreshments. Shall I
prepare you any?”

They assented. She called aloud—“Paddy!”
and a little boy of about ten years old appeared,
whom she directed to lead the gentlemen's horses
into the stable, and give them oats.

The gentlemen seeing the boy so small, went to
assist him. When they returned they found a comfortable
meal prepared for them. During the repast,
Mrs. M`Kinley, with a countenance expressive of
some anxiety, requested to know if the pardon they
had mentioned, extended to all who had been in arms
on Donegore hill, for, said she, “you were there;
and yet you speak of being in danger.”

“The pardon was not granted to all,” replied
O'Halloran; “but very few were excepted, and it
was our fate to be among the unfortunate number.
You may be assured, however, that your husband
is included in it.”

“Gentlemen,” said she, “I am sorry for your
situation. In this remote place, however, you are
in the meantime safe; and my husband will gladly

[figure description] Page 062.[end figure description]

contribute all in his power to your concealment.
Poor man! he left me yesterday with a sore heart;
but, he said, he must go, as his oath compelled
him.”

Shortly after tea was finished, little Paddy came
running into the house, with intelligence that he
saw his father coming, and then ran off with the
fleetness of an arrow to meet him. Mrs. M`Kinley
hastily got up, and was speedily in her husband's
arms.

“Thank God! thank God!” was all she could
utter for some minutes, while her husband kissed
off the tears of joy that trickled down her cheeks.
He now perceived O'Halloran and his companion;
and advancing respectfully towards them, welcomed
them to his house.

“Gentlemen,” said he, “you must be carefully
concealed, for Claverill's dragoons are scouring the
whole country. They have caught Porter; and
had it not been for M`Claverty, they would have
put him to death in Ballyclare; but he prevailed
on them to send him to general Nugent, to be disposed
of as the government may order. It was
well for us all that M`Claverty came with us to
Ballyclare, as they would otherwise have discredited,
or at least disregarded, our having obtained
pardon; and many would have fallen victims to
heir ferocity. They had more than three-fourths
of the town in flames, when he arrived; but by his
exertions the remainder has been saved.”

O'Halloran signified his intention, if M`Cracken
would accompany him, to proceed, as soon as it
should be dark, by unfrequented roads, to his own
castle, in the neighbourhood of which, they might
find means of concealment till an opportunity should
offer of escaping to Scotland, whence they would
easily obtain a conveyance to America. M`Cracken
at first preferred taking the road to Slimiss mountain,

[figure description] Page 063.[end figure description]

where M`Cauley, Archer, and the other unpardoned
insurgents had proposed to take refuge, as they
believed that they might there, for a long time,
elude the pursuit of the government; but the advantage
of being near a sea-port, from which means
might be found to escape to another country, appeared
so inviting that he yielded to his friend's
proposal. They accordingly set off as soon as it
became dark, expecting to arrive at O'Halloran
castle long before day break.

When within two miles of the castle they were
surprised to find the road, at the house of a man
named Howley, guarded by armed persons in military
uniform, on whom they had advanced before
they were aware. They turned suddenly back,
and endeavoured to escape at full flight, which they
would both have done, had not a shot, fired at
them by one of the military, wounded M`Cracken's
horse. The animal immediately fell with his rider
under him, who was instantly seized by three
men who had followed in pursuit of them.

“Who is your companion?” demanded they. “A
gentleman,” he replied, “whom I pray heaven
you may never discover.”

“Where were you journeying to at this unseasonable
hour?” was the next question.

“To Larne,” was the reply.

“We'll send you there to-morrow,” said one of
them; “but to-night, you must be so good as to
lodge with us. Culbert and Craig,” continued he,
addressing two of his party who had come forward
on horse back, “pursue the other runaway! They
must be a couple of the damned rebels who are
now flying from justice.”

They obeyed him with all their speed; but
O'Halloran was considerably in advance of them,
and knew the country so well, that although their
horses were fresh and swift, he finally escaped.

[figure description] Page 064.[end figure description]

However, as he was now obliged, if he continued on
horseback, to keep the main road to Larne, which
he wished to avoid, judging rightly that it would be
the whole of the ensuing day beset with parties of
military and royalists, in pursuit of their prey, he
thought it best to abandon his horse, and seek
safety on foot. He, therefore, turned into an avenue
leading to a farm house, with the principles of
whose owner he was acquainted; but not wishing
to disturb the family, for fear of attracting his pursuers,
he threw his saddle and bridle into a ditch,
and turning his horse loose betook himself for
shelter to one of the out houses.

He had scarcely secreted himself when he heard
the sound of his pursuers galloping rapidly past
the avenue to the house. He, therefore, conceived
that he was for the present safe; and endeavoured
to compose himself to rest on some straw that he
found on the floor. For a considerable time, the
agitation of his mind, on account of M`Cracken,
kept him awake; but the fatigue of his body, together
with his having slept none for the two preceding
nights, at length overcame him, and he fell
into a slumber, from which he did not awake until
he was startled by the entrance of a man in the
morning.

He arose, and found that the threshing floor of
a barn had been his couch. He also found that
the man whose entrance had aroused him, was the
owner of the place. His name was Blair; and although
he had not been active among the conspirators,
his sentiments and feelings were known to
be on their side. He conducted O'Halloran to the
dwelling house, and ordered breakfast to be prepared
for him in a private room. O'Halloran recounted
to him the incidents which had brought
him there, and requested to know by what

[figure description] Page 065.[end figure description]

accident the military were stationed on the road at
Howley's house.

“They are a party of the Glenarm yeomanry,”
said Blair; “and, I believe, it is for the purpose of
making a parade of his loyalty that Howley has
brought them to his house. The United Irishmen
had taken him prisoner, in Glenarm, on the morning
of the rising, and carried him to their camp on
Belair hill, adjoining that town. The catholics
from the northern part of the county, who disliked
him on account of the officious discoveries he had
made of their smuggling, by which he impoverished
many of them, would have put him to death but
for the opposition of their leaders.

“The yeomen of the place and a few Scotch fencibles,
forming the whole military force stationed
there, took refuge from the people, in Lord Antrim's
Castle. No bloodshed, as far as I can learn,
took place, and on hearing this morning of the defeat
at Antrim, the United men thought proper,
spontaneously to disperse. Howley pretending great
fear of assassination, obtained from the commander
of the yeomanry a guard of twelve men, who escorted
him home; and these men, whom from either
excess or affectation of fear, he has kept as sentinels
about his house, are those you encountered.”

“Then M`Cracken is, indeed, among his enemies!”
said O'Halloran, with a sigh.

Towards the evening he was informed that
M`Cracken had been sent forward to Carrickfergus,
to be imprisoned in the county jail. Blair
had gone himself to O'Halloran castle to inform
Mrs. Brown and Ellen of the place of his concealment.
In the evening, therefore, his sister visited
him, the distance being little more than two miles.
She told him that Ellen was in a state of dreadful
anxiety for his safety; and that it was with great
persuasion she was prevented from accompanying

[figure description] Page 066.[end figure description]

her to see him, being prevailed on to stay behind
only from the consideration that her visit might
excite suspicion, and lead to a discovery of his retreat.

“The Recluse has been our only comforter,”
continued Mrs. Brown. “He is a worthy, and a
wise man; and has visited us frequently since you
left us. When we proposed the Point Rock as the
place of your concealment, `No,' said he, `Sir
Geoffrey is acquainted with it, and it will unquestionably
be searched before many days.' He then
mentioned that he had an apartment in his subterraneous
dwelling, in which he thinks you might
be comfortably and safely concealed until a vessel
can be provided to convey you to Scotland.”

“That meets my own views exactly,” said
O'Halloran. “In this country I never can be safe,
and breathe the air in freedom. To Scotland I
shall go, and thence, if the government still pursues
me, I can find a ready passage to America.”

As the vicinity of Howley, who with his twelve
yeomen had become very active in hunting after
the proscribed rebels, was considered peculiarly
dangerous, with Blair's assistance, O'Halloran was
that very night conveyed in safety to the Recluse's
dwelling. His astonishment at the accommodations
it afforded, and the furniture it contained,
were strongly expressed; but the Recluse soon explained
the matter.

“It is now no time,” said he, “to be mysterious
or reserved with you. I am not the poor destitute
Sanders you have hitherto supposed me to be. I
am your son-in-law, Francis Hamilton. I make
the explanation now that you may know how much
I am interested in your safety, and to satisfy you
that, should your affairs take the worst possible
turn, she, for whom you have hitherto displayed
the tenderness and solicitude of a father, will not

[figure description] Page 067.[end figure description]

want a protector. It is true, I cannot as yet publicly
acknowledge her as my daughter. The vengeance
of the disappointed Sir Geoffrey, armed
with the power of those laws I was so unfortunate
as to offend, would be let loose without mercy upon
me. But I can reside near her. I can watch over her,
and render her all the effectual advice and assistance,
that I could, if I enjoyed the privileges of an
unoffending subject.”

At this moment Ellen entered. “Oh! my grandfather!”
she exclaimed, as she rushed into his arms.
“God be praised, you are safe!”

“Yes, my child, I am yet safe,” he replied, “but
how long I shall be so, God only knows. I have
no doubt that I have much persecution to suffer; for
my enemies are inveterate, and will not be at rest
until they effect my destruction. But, my daughter,
whatever may now be my lot, I can bear it
with resignation, since I shall not leave you destitute
of parental protection. Your father has revealed
himself to me; and I feel now that death
has lost its sharpest sting. The hand of fate cannot
now be so grievous, fall upon me in what manner
it may. Very different are now my feelings
and views respecting death from what they were
when I left Donegore hill. Then, I could have
braved that king of terrors as a soldier; now I can
submit to his summons as a christian, who considers
it as an invitation to a better country.” He
then strained her to his bosom, and kissing her
with parental affection, “May the God of Heaven
bless thee,” he added, “and never leave thee destitute
of a friend as sincerely solicitous for thy
welfare as thy grandfather!”

CHAP. VIII.

[figure description] Page 068.[end figure description]

Ellen left her grandfather with her mind much
relieved of its anxiety, but still labouring under
the oppression of foreboding fears. The Recluse
accompanied her to the castle. As it was a fine
moonlight night, and as O'Halloran had retired to
rest, he indulged himself, on his return to the glen,
in a walk along the beach, to contemplate the
great scenery of nature, and lose in the sublime
feeling of its immensity and magnificence, the sense
of all his earthly cares and sorrows.

There was a perfect stillness in the air; not a
leaf moved in the groves, nor a wave swelled on the
sleeping waters. He looked to heaven, and beheld
the vast extent of that space through which the
moon seemed scarcely to move; he looked on that
boundless expanse of ocean which commenced at
his feet, and the greatness of Creation's Architect
rushed forcibly upon his mind; and he could not
help exclaiming in the words of inspiration, “Ah!
what is man, that thou shouldst think of him? or
the son of man, that thou shouldst regard him?”

[figure description] Page 069.[end figure description]

and applying the thought to his own situation and
feelings, he continued:

“What am I, or my friends? what are their sufferings
or mine, that we should repine at them?
An insect is trodden to death; it is of no consequence.
Man also dies; of what importance is it?
Short, indeed, are the insect's joys and sorrows;
and of what duration are those of men, in the eyes
of immortal beings to whom a thousand years are
but a day? But man is also immortal; and the
time will come when he shall wonder that he considered
the pains or pleasures of this transitory
existence worth a sigh of sorrow or a throb of exultation.”

He was here interrupted by the appearance of
a tall figure, coming along the beach, towards him.
He looked at it for a moment with some surprise;
and then proceeded to meet it, although, with all
his philosophy, he was somewhat disconcerted;
for it was a late hour, and he could not conceive
why any single human being should be traversing
there, at such a time. He stopped; but the figure
continued to approach, although slowly. He now
placed his back against a rock, the better to defend
himself against the attack of some nocturnal
marauder, or, if the object were really preternatural,
to support himself during the interview which
it evidently sought with him. At last it approached
near enough to speak; and he at once recognised
the voice and person of Peg Dornan.

“I hae been watching for you” said she, “in
the glen for mair than half an hoor. I'm just come
wi' a' the speed my legs could carry me frae
Larne to tell you, gin you ken if Mr. O'Halloran
be here, or near han' this place, ye maun gar him
get aff before the mornin', for Claverill's dragoons,
wi' Sir Geoffrey at their head, will be here, an'
they will herry up every pit and cave, an' hole

[figure description] Page 070.[end figure description]

an' neuk, to come at him; an' mair than that, Ellen
maun also be ta'en oot o' the way, for Sir
Geoffrey swears that he'll hae her noo, in spite o'
a' the crappies in the country.”

“How did you obtain this intelligence?” inquired
the Recluse.

“Why, sir, I went yesterday to the toon for
news o' the folk that had come hame frae Donegore.
Ye ken my sin Jock was there. I was smoking
a blast, an' talking wi' him, quite blithe to see
him, an' a' the lave hame again safe an' pardoned.
Weel, thinks I, they're no' sic ill bodies, thae government
folk, after a', gin yin tak's the richt way
o' them. When, `what's that? mither,' quoth Jock;
an' we baith ran to the door, an' saw the dragoons
galloping doon the street wi' their drawn swords
in their hands, till the very fire flew oot o' the
pavement. They went to the schoolmaster's hoose;
but he had cannily gi'en then the slip. Howsomever
they set to wark, hacking an' hewin', an in
a crack wrecked his hoose, an' ruined a' his guid
plenishin', an' books, an' 'mathical instruments.
Then, in less time than you could say Jack Robinson,
they galloped to baith the ministers, an' took
them an' thirteen or fourteen ithers prisoners.
They had na' gane to the hill; so you see the hill
folk, wha had the maist spirit, hae come the best aff.
Nae doobt the prisoners will be a' hanged, or shot,
whilk is amaist as bad.”

“But tell me, Peg,” said the Recluse, “what
you heard concerning O'Halloran?”

“Why, that's what I'm comin' to,” she replied.
“The dragoons cam' to the barracks wi' their prisoners;
an' I followed doon to see them, an' I sune
observed Claverill, an' Howley, an' Sir Geoffrey,
talking together in a corner o' the yard. Thinks
I, they're hatching some mischief; but deel be in
my lugs, gin a dinna find it oot, an' gie warnin' o't.

[figure description] Page 071.[end figure description]

I cannily slipt ahint a door near whare they were
standin', an' heard every word they said, for I was
na' three feet frae them. They were plotting to
catch Mr. O'Halloran in his castle the morn; or
gin he should na be found there, to rummage the
hale neighbourhood till they gat him. Sir Geoffrey
tauld them that gin he were within five miles
of the place he could ferret him oot, for there's no'
a creek or cranny about the castle, where a cat
could hide, but he said he was acquainted wi'—nor
is there a den or cave in the neighbourhood but
either Berwick or he could lead to it. `There's
yin,' said he, `where the scoundrel kept me a
prisoner twa or three weeks, which we maun search
thoroughly; and if he is no' found there, we maun
ransack, to its foundation, the cell o' an auld hypocritical
beggar, wha lives like a hermit. But the
girl, captain, we maun hae her secured; and you
know whenever you want a magistrate to help you
oot o' a scrape, I am at your command.”

“May Heaven disappoint their wickedness,”
said the Recluse. “But, Peg, we have no time to
lose. I must go immediately to acquaint O'Halloran
with his danger. In the meantime, tell Jemmy
Hunter to be at my cell in half an hour; but you
need not mention for what purpose, for there are
more ears in the world than we think of when we
are telling secrets.”

Peg proceeded to obey his directions, which she
did very discreetly.

“What want you? Peg,” demanded Jemmy, after
she had bawled several times through the window to
him to arise. “Auld Sanders wants you fast,” she
replied; “he's in a pinch, an' ye maun help him.”

Jemmy required no more solicitation, and in a
short time, he was at the cavern. The Recluse
soon informed him of O'Halloran's danger, and required
that he should assist in getting him off without

[figure description] Page 072.[end figure description]

delay. With his usual alacrity, Jemmy consented;
observing,

“You maunna tak' him farther frae the coast, for
there are parties o' yeomen parading aboot and
searching the hale country.”

“Hasten then to the gully,” said the Recluse,
“where the pleasure boat lies, and have it ready.
O'Halloran and I shall follow you in a few minutes.”

While Peg had been gone for Hunter, O'Halloran
and the Recluse aware of the danger of removing
farther into the interior, on account of the
numerous scouting parties of military with which
it was overrun, concerted the plan of retiring to
Island Magee, the inhabitants of which were well
disposed to the insurgent cause. To reach this
island, or more properly, peninsula, they had only
about three miles to sail across the bay which
forms the entrance of Larne harbour, a task which
would require them no long time to accomplish.

O'Halloran was landed without accident at
Brown's Bay on the peninsula, and was kindly received
by a warm friend of the name of Barry,
who immediately assigned a private apartment for
his use. In less than two hours from their setting
out, the Recluse and Hunter returned, and having,
with Peg's assistance, removed out of the cavern
whatever could excite suspicion of its inhabitant
being any thing else than he seemed, to the
beach, the whole was there safely buried in the
sand.

How to dispose of Ellen was the next consideration.
As the leader of the dragoons could have
no legal, or in any respect, justifiable plea for
seizing her, all that was thought necessary for her
protection, was to convey her and her aunt to the
house of a Mr. Wilson, a neighbouring gentleman

[figure description] Page 073.[end figure description]

of an honourable and humane character, attached
to the government; but who had not interfered
with the political transactions of the times. This
gentleman received them with great kindness, and
when informed of the threatened depredation on
the castle, he was shocked at its wantonness and
barbarity, and ordered his servants to assist those
of O'Halloran in removing to his house all the furniture
and other articles of value they should have
time to bring away.

“De'il a hait they'll get noo,” said Jemmy Hunter,
who, in company with a number of his neighbours,
had also assisted in the transportation of
O'Halloran's goods to a place of safety, as he
finished loading the last cart. “De'il a hait they'll
get noo, but the stane wa's, gin they should rage
their sauls oot; an' they may owreset them if they
please, though it would be a pity too to see the
douce auld biggin battered to the yearth.”

The Recluse had also taken care to have the
horses, cattle, and almost every valuable kind of
stock removed from the demesne, rightly judging
that between the affected zeal of Howley, the inveterate
revenge of Sir Geoffrey, and the wanton
brutality of Claverill, nothing belonging to O'Halloran,
on which it would be worth while to exhibit
resentment, would escape destruction or pillage.

At length, about nine o'clock in the morning, the
glittering armour of the cavalry was seen by many
an anxious spectator, glancing in the sun, as the
troops gained the summit of a rising ground about
a mile and a half distant. The cavalry then with
a quickened pace rode down the descending road,
until they again disappeared. In a few minutes
they ascended the last hill which obstructed their
view of the castle; then continuing on at full speed,
they halted not until they arrived at its gate.

[figure description] Page 074.[end figure description]

“Let two men guard every out-let,” said Claverill.
This being done, the whole troop, to the
number of forty, occupied the yard. Not a sound
but such as was made by themselves had they yet
heard.

“Why, all is as quiet here as in a desart,” said
Claverill. “I believe, in my soul, that the people
within, care no more about our visit, than if we
were a drove of sheep. Sergeant Duff! advance
with twelve men, force your entrance, and seize
the rebel if he is to be found in the inside of these
walls.”

A thick massive door was thrown open by Duff's
men without resistance; and they proceeded with
drawn sabres through a large square hall, from
whence they ascended a long flight of stone stairs,
which winded to the top of the castle, interrupted
only by a landing place at each floor. At the
first landing place, they divided, part entering a
long passage communicating on each side with a
range of apartments, while the remainder continued
their ascent. But every where all was silence,
emptiness, and desolation. At the suggestion of Sir
Geoffrey, another party of six men was sent beneath
to explore the cellars, while, with Berwick,
and several others of his own servants, the knight
followed the ascending party for the purpose of
seizing and carrying off Ellen.

In vain did he penetrate into every chamber and
closet. No animated thing belonging to the castle
was perceived by any of them, until the first
ascending party had reached the garret, when two
cats leaped from under an old bench, that had not
been thought worth removing. One of them running
across the steps of a dragoon, he stumbled,
and fell with a great shock, and a greater oath;
while the cat whose leg he had broken, gave at
the same time a tremendous squall, which

[figure description] Page 075.[end figure description]

alarmed Howley, who was advancing behind, and who
conceiving the noise to be occasioned by some persons
making resistance, shouted:

“Damn the rebels! kill every soul of them!”

Immediately a dragoon with one stroke cut off
the cat's head, roaring out at the same time: “By
G—d! sir, the other has escaped!”

Claverill at this moment coming to the top of
the stairs, and labouring under the same mistake
as Howley, who had kept back from fear, cried
out,

“You damn'd villain, you must find him then.”

“By the Lord,” exclaimed one of the dragoons,
“he has jumped out of the window, and is now, I
suppose, fast sticking on the top of the roof.”

“Run down, Andrews,” cried the Captain, who
was convinced that none but O'Halloran himself
could have taken such a desperate step, “run to
the out side, and order him down, or blow his
brains out. I'll give a guinea for his head.”

“Yes, your honour,” said Andrews, “I'll fix
him.”

Down he ran, and seeing the poor cat perched
on one corner of the roof, took so good an aim that
he sent a bullet through its body. It instantly
rolled down to the no small diversion of his barbarous
companions.

“That shot is worth a guinea,” said Andrews,
and with his sabre severing the head from the body,
he hastened in to claim his reward.

By this time Claverill was apprized of his mistake;
and he felt horribly chagrined, when, as the
cat's head was presented to him, and the promised
guinea demanded, the whole party burst into an
incontrollable fit of laughter.

“Damned villains!” cried he, “whom do you
laugh at? But it was your confounded stupidity,
Howley, in mistaking cats for rebels.”

[figure description] Page 076.[end figure description]

“My guinea, your honour!” said Andrews, putting
his hand to his cap.

“Begone, scoundrel!” cried Claverill, “no more
impertinence here with your damned cats.”

The story may be here interrupted for a moment,
to state that while Claverill remained in that
part of the country, he was known by no other
name than that of the “Cat's Head;” and to this
day, it continues proverbial in the neighbourhood,
to say of a man who makes a ridiculous mistake,
or a blundering bargain, that “he has given a
guinea for a cat's head.”

Irritated by this incident, and full of impatience
at not having met with his prey, Claverill ordered
the floors to be torn up, and the ceilings, petitions
and wainscottings to be demolished, lest peradventure
they might conceal a rebel. This work of
destruction was vigorously commenced, and forty
men boiling with resentment, because they were
disappointed in their high flown expectations of
rich plunder, soon completed it. Having satisfied
themselves that there was no human being secreted
in the castle, they proceeded to the out houses.

“If there be any persons in these,” said Claverill,
“we shall make speedy work of them; the
flames shall drive them out.”

In a few minutes the whole range of the stables,
cow-houses, barns, coach-houses, &c. were in one
broad sheet of conflagration, to the great horror
and consternation of hundreds of spectators, who
from a distance beheld the scene.

“Not a man, woman, or child” said Howley, to
sergeant Duff, “is to be found on these premises.”
“No, by Heavens!” replied Duff, “and what is
worse, there is not so much as an old trencher to
be plundered.”

Having left this stately building, and all its offices,
a complete wreck, the magnanimous party

[figure description] Page 077.[end figure description]

proceeded, under the guidance of Sir Geoffrey, to
the Point cave, the scene of his late imprisonment.
As, however, he was not acquainted with the
secret of its entrance, a circumstance to which he
had not before adverted, he went repeatedly round
and over the rock, examining it in all directions,
but to no purpose.

“What,” exclaimed Claverill, losing all patience,
“am I to be fooled here also? What a wise set of
companions I have got? One mistakes cats for
rebels; and another solid rocks for prisons. Damn
such stupidity!”

Sir Geoffrey insisted that the rock before them
was hollow, and contained two or three apartments,
appealing to Berwick as corroborative testimony.

“Confound his testimony,” cried Claverill.
“Have you not told me already that he will swear
whatever you bid him.”

Berwick, whose confinement in the rock had not
been so rigid as his master's, had, once or twice,
during its continuance, been permitted to walk, for
exercise, along the beach, in company with a sentinel,
and therefore had some faint knowledge of
the machinery by which the entrance was opened
and shut. He knew that the end of some rope or
chain must be pulled on the outside, but where to
find it he could not at once discover. At last he
recollected that the sentinel always ascended to a
particular prominence in the rock, previous to opening
it, when they were to enter. He accordingly
soon discovered the ring, and the party obtained
admittance.

Here they found some books, a large file of
newspapers, and a great many of the official papers
of the United Irishmen, which they eagerly seized
as a prize to be forwarded to the government.

[figure description] Page 078.[end figure description]

“We have at last discovered the rebels' den,”
said Claverill, “but the beasts are flown.”

“We may yet find some of them, not far distant,”
replied Sir Geoffrey.” They were afraid,
I suppose, that as I knew of this place, I should
lead you to it, and have therefore avoided it. But
Berwick is acquainted with another cavity in the
neighbourhood, which they may imagine to be a
less suspicious refuge.”

“Lead on then,” said Claverill, “for there is
nothing more to be got here.”

The squadron now proceeded to the Recluse's
cell, a knowledge of which Berwick had acquired,
when skulking in the neighbourhood, for an
opportunity to carry off Ellen. There was no obstruction
to their entrance, for the Recluse himself
conducted them in, in order, that whatever
suspicion they might have of his being accessary
to the concealment of O'Halloran, might be removed.

“My old buck!” said Claverill, “have you any
rebels within?”

“No, Sir; I never approved of rebellion.”

“So far you were right, old hypocrite! but we
cannot take your word for it.”

“Enter then, and be satisfied, although, I believe,
that to utter a falsehood would be as grievous
to me in these rags as if I wore epaulets.”

“You are a saucy dog,” said the captain; “but
lead us in, and be thankful that we do not blanket
your old bones.”

The old man led them through his cell, and
without reserve showed them every thing it contained.

“All these are but little worth,” said he, “but
an old man like me requires little.”

“None of your preaching!” cried Claverill, “we
shall search and begone.”

[figure description] Page 079.[end figure description]

They then raised the flooring, and drove their
sabres into the roof and sides of the cave to ascertain
whether there was a vacuity in which any
person might be secreted. At length, finding that
it was all vain labour, they withdrew; Claverill
exclaiming—“Come along, boys, out of this damned
hole. The five hundred pounds set on the old
rebel's head will not, I perceive, be found here.”

The party started away at full speed, their commander
grumbling that he was both hungry and
thirsty, not having obtained so much as a glass of
whiskey on this unprofitable expedition.

CHAP. IX.

[figure description] Page 080.[end figure description]

But while these riotous troops were cursing
their ill luck, in not meeting with the proscribed
chief, that unfortunate man was already in the
hands of his enemies. We have mentioned his removal
to the house of one Barry, in Island Magee,
where his friends supposed that he was perfectly
secure. But fate had ordered it otherwise, although
neither the instrumentality nor the wishes of his
entertainer, were to blame in the affair.

As the inhabitants of the Island Magee had been
deeply implicated in the rebellion, and as it was
expected that many of the proscribed insurgents
would seek concealment among them, for the convenience
of getting off to another country, the commander
of the garrison at Carrickfergus had sent
a company of infantry to be quartered on them,
for the purpose of detecting any such fugitives.
As this company had only arrived the day previous
to O'Halloran's taking refuge on the Island,
its presence there was unknown both to him and
his friends. From an expression of Claverill on
leaving the Recluse's cell, the reader will have
gathered, that government had offered a reward of

[figure description] Page 081.[end figure description]

five hundred pounds for his apprehension. This
sum was to be paid to his captors; and to the person
who should give such information as would
lead to his capture, whether dead or alive, an
equal reward was promised. This was enough to
excite the cupidity of a certain tide-waiter, named
Conly, a young fellow, who was on a nocturnal
visit of courtship to one of Barry's maid servants,
and was concealed in her chamber, at the very
time O'Halloran arrived. The apartment allotted
to him adjoined this chamber. Through a chink
in the partition the gallant discovered who this unseasonable
visiter was. From that moment avarice
predominated over love in his bosom, and he resolved
to lose no time in earning the five hundred
pounds. He accordingly the next morning,
gave his information to the commander of the
troops on the Island, in consequence of which
Barry's house was soon surrounded by about fifty
soldiers.

O'Halloran was demanded. He was denied to
be present. But the doors were soon burst open,
and the soldiers, conducted by the informer, entered,
without stopping, the very room in which the
object of their search was secreted. With great
delicacy captain Dougal, their officer, exonerated
Barry from the infamy of having betrayed him;
and declared explicitly from whom he had received
the information. O'Halloran was conveyed on
horseback to the county jail, in company with the
informer, for that wretch knew that unless he were
so protected, his life would be sacrificed to the
vengeance of the defeated party.

When intelligence of O'Halloran's capture reached
Larne, the disappointed Claverill was about
setting off with the prisoners he had there seized,
being seventeen in number, for Carrickfergus. On
reaching the village of Ballycarry, Sir Geoffrey,

[figure description] Page 082.[end figure description]

who accompanied him, perceiving a lad of fourteen
years of age, named Nelson, who has already been
introduced into this work, and immediately remembering
the injury he had done the lad's family,
and their consequent antipathy to him, and also
recalling to mind the attempt to assassinate him, in
which he considered Nelson to have been concerned,
although it was the lad's premature exclamation
which gave him the alarm by which he avoided
his fate, he determined on revenge.

“Seize you young fellow,” said he to Claverill;
“he lately attempted to murder me, and I have
besides sufficient proof against him for being an
active promoter of the rebellion.”

Orders were accordingly given, and Nelson was
seized and bound, and conveyed with the other
captives to prison.

It was towards the evening, when the Recluse
heard of O'Halloran's misfortune. He felt the
stroke severely; but he was not one of those whom
grief deprives of energy. Now was the time for
serviceable action; and he would not waste it in
useless lamentation. He immediately sat down and
wrote as follows to Edward Barrymore:

“The crisis is at last arrived. The long anticipated
calamity, to secure your co-operation in preventing
which, from falling too heavily on us, I was
first induced to solicit your confidence and friendship.

“O'Halloran has this day been imprisoned for
treasonable offences, alas! too notorious to be difficult
of proof. His sentence is already certain. A
court martial at Carrickfergus will, perhaps, in a
few days, pronounce it. No time is to be lost in
exerting your influence to save him, and should
you be successful in your application for mercy,
equal expedition is requisite in making the result
known, for much time, we may be assured, will

[figure description] Page 083.[end figure description]

not intervene between the pronouncing of the sentence
and its execution.

“I send this, both for the sake of speed and certainty,
with an extraordinary but faithful courier,
whose zeal will outrun the post, and whose profession
will obviate the interference of suspicion to
occasion obstruction or delay.

“I am too much agitated to give you particulars,
or to make comments, even if time permitted. I
know not whether Ellen has yet received information
of the disaster. I dread the effect it will have
on her, and must hasten to her support.”

The courier being despatched with the necessary
instructions, the Recluse hastened to Mr. Wilson's.
The family had heard a report of O'Halloran's
capture, but not being certain of its truth, they
had not communicated it to Ellen or Mrs. Brown.
The Recluse, whose real character was unknown
to Mr. Wilson, entered in his hermit's habit. Ellen
had seen him coming round the house, and ran to
meet him. She led him into a chamber. “Have you
yet heard from my grandfather?” she inquired, at
the same time ejaculating, “What a providential
escape he has had!”

“My child” (he replied,) “I have heard from
him, and I fear he is not yet secure from his enemies;
but I have hopes that even if he were in their
power he might be saved. He has many influential
friends.”

“If he were in their power” said she, “I should
have no hope. He has been too conspicuously active
against them. They thirst for his blood, and
will not be satisfied without it.”

“Child” he returned, “it is your duty not to
distrust Providence. Even if the worst should
take place, it is the will of him who disposes of all
events, and we should submit without complaining.”

[figure description] Page 084.[end figure description]

“I trust I should submit even to his death without
complaining,” she replied; “but I should not
do it without feeling.”

“Well then,” my child, “be resolute and resigned,
for I fear that he is in danger. The place
of his concealment has been discovered.”

“Tell me, tell me all,” she exclaimed, the truth
flashing on her mind, more from his manner than
his words—“Is he in their hands?”

“Not in the hands of his worst enemies, thank
God. No Sir Geoffrey nor Claverill has captured
him. Their malignant rancour and cruelty might
have made short work of it.”

“But he is taken, tell me plainly—he is taken?”
cried Ellen, interrupting her father and catching
him by the hand.

He paused to make a reply. “Ah! it is over,
then,” she exclaimed; and bursting into tears, she
gave vent to the fulness of her grief without uttering
a word for some minutes. She then lifted her
swimming eyes towards Heaven, and spoke; “Alas!
they will drag him to a violent death! Oh! God!
support him in that last trial!”

“Compose yourself my child,” said her father,
“if you would not inflict infinitely more agony on
my heart, than it at present bears!”

“I will try to be composed,” she answered. “It
is God's will, and I must submit. But where have
they taken him? I shall go to him; I will soothe,
I will comfort him. Ah! greatly now will he need
a comforter; nor will I leave him, when doomed to
die, until his soul be no longer an inhabitant of
earth. Ah! his poor sister! what will become of
her? He was her stay, and her pride. I will now
see her and let her know her misfortune.”

“It is right,” said the Recluse, “that she should
know it. But remain here; I will bring her to
you. You will support each other.”

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