CHAPTER XVI. I pray thee, as thou lov'st me, fly- Moore. PRECEDED by his strange guide, O'Hara had advanced but a few steps, when a man, enveloped in a military cloak so closely as to prevent his figure from being noticed, and mounted on a powerful horse, issued from a thicket, and reined up in front of the fugitives. "Alice," he said, in a deep voice," is he safe?" "He is," she replied. "Then hasten on; there are those abroad who might mar your journey-be cautious and be quick. The bridge is occupied by a Highland picket, and cavalry videttes are on the high road and great avenue. You can easily ford the river at the old mill, and then stop not destination." Scarcely till you reach your destination." waiting to finish his instructions, the rider spurred his horse, and was soon out of sight. His orders were promptly obeyed, and favoured by the darkness, the military out-posts were avoided. They crossed the river silently, and striking into a mountain-path, two hours' fast walking placed them in front of Mount Pleasant, the domicile of Reginald Maguire. Why the name of Mount Pleasant had been attached by the Lord of the mansion to his singularly wild residence would be difficult to determine. It was a grey, deserted-looking edifice, standing on a cold hill, and surrounded by heath and bogs. The sea was visible from the house, and in measured fall the waves were heard faintly breaking on the rock-bound shore. From the contiguity of the ocean, the constant sea breeze had effectually counteracted the feeble attempts of Reginald and his ancestors to introduce trees into a bleak enclosure, environed by high and rugged fences, which was proudly denominated" the domain." The offices were connected with the mansion by a strong wall, which the freakish builder had ornamented with an embattled crown; and as this defence encircled the house on every side, when the gate was closed, Mount Pleasant was secure from any thing but escalade. Morning was just breaking when O'Hara and his companions stopped before Reginald's dwelling. Although the entrance was secured, it was evident from the many lights which flashed from the windows, that the inmates had not yet retired to repose. The sound of numerous voices floated on the morning breeze, and loud laugh, and louder singing, bespoke a scene of noisy revelry. Between two fierce, foreign-looking dogs, chained to kennels at either side of the gate, Mahony advanced, and knocked. A short and friendly greeting passed between him and a person within; the bolts were immediately withdrawn, and the travellers admitted to the court-yard. The interior exhibited a curious scene-a contraband cargo had that night been landed, and conveyed to Mount Pleasant; and the smugglers from various parts of the neighbourhood were in active preparation to disperse it through the country. A hundred horses, laden with bales and kegs, were piquetted and feeding in the yard; and the noise which had been heard by O'Hara and his companions proceeded from those desperadoes, who were assiduously employed refreshing themselves in the mansion, before they should take the road with their hazardous commodities. Amid the general confusion of Reginald's household, his late visitors entered unnoticed and unannounced, and conducted by Pat Mahony, who seemed well acquainted with the topography of the interior, they gained the hall, from which, in a room well lighted, and provided with a comfortable repast, the owner of Mount Pleasant was discovered with two strangers and his lady wife. O'Hara and Alice stopped at the open door to scrutinize those within before they entered. In the elder of the strangers, Henry recognised the reverend Delegate whom he had once before seen at Castle Carra; he sighed deeply, and with his head leaning on his hand, was absorbed in reflections of no pleasurable character. VOL. II. T There was nothing ambiguous in the appearance of the other visitor-his blue jacket and trowsers the India handkerchief carelessly knotted round his brawny neck - a brown leathern belt, provided with pistols and a dagger, at once announced him to be the commander of the smuggling vessel; his cutlass lay beside him on a chair, and as he silently drew dense volumes of tobacco from a large Dutch pipe, he appeared to have no inclination to disturb the reveries of his thoughtful neighbour. At the opposite side of the apartment, the lady of the house, a comely, corpulent sort of person, was seated. Her showy dress and profusion of foreign ornaments, intimated that she still asserted her claims to admiration. She was now engaged in overlooking certain silks and laces, probably a present from the bold outlaw beside her; when suddenly raising her eyes, she addressed the fourth person, who proved to be Reginald himfelf:-" How long, Mr. Maguire, do you intend waiting supper for those people? and may I ask who they are whom you expect? Captain Matthews requires |