refreshment after his fatigue, and really," as she looked at her French watch, "two o'clock is quite late enough for supper."

Reginald started from his chair, and striding across the room, stopped before the Captain"Look ye, Frank, it's not for every one that you and I should want our supper; but here lies the case-Will Thornton has a friend in jeopardy, and I must give him a helping hand -I owe it to Thornton, and, by I will pay the debt handsomely. Hear me, Frank, I was obliged to attend the last Assizes, and that scoundrel, Dogherty, affronted me in the street -I struck him, and a challenge passed; I had neither irons or a friend, and on a very slight acquaintance, I applied to Thornton to take me into his care he did it, and did it well-for on the ground we made Dogherty retract his words, and give us an apology; and I tell you, Frank, the man who brings his friend off the sod safely and honourably, confers a favour that should never be forgotten. And now, Mrs. Maguire, in answer to your question, the Devil a one of me knows or cares who they are, or what they are. They come recommended

to me by my tried friend, and that's enough for Reginald Maguire."

The Smuggler listened without interruption, occasionally assenting by a nod when personally addressed. As Maguire stopped speaking, Alice More glided into the room.

A hearty Irish greeting accompanied the exclamation of surprise her sudden appearance had caused, and the outlaw hailed her as a former acquaintance. She took the host aside, but before she had whispered long, he exclaimed, "In my house, say you? By the Lord his father's son is welcome. Rise, Mrs. Maguire -here is my guest-and never came one here whose visit gave me more pleasure."

As he spoke, O'Hara entered. A string of disjointed sentences, garnished with sundry oaths, bespoke the sincerity of Reginald's reception, while the Captain testified his friendship by a painful pressure of his iron grasp. In an instant every member of Maguire's numerous and ill-assorted household were put in due commotion. Wines and liquors of all descriptions were produced in alarming quantities, and the cook was notified that supper was

immediately required, by Reginald himself yelling from the stair-head, "Dish, and be damned to you!"

But this rude hospitality was unheeded by the melancholy guest. The last, bitter hour was come-he was to leave his native land for ever—and all his efforts to control the anguish of the moment were unavailing. Whatever might be Alice More's feelings, she took care to conceal them. She stood in the narrow window, watching the sun's first blush reddening the distant sea. The host and smuggler were soon deeply engaged in discussing the good cheer before them, and the rebel had ample leisure to view the bold outlaw on whose fidelity and prudence his fate entirely depended.

Captain Matthews, or as he was familiarly called, Black Frank, was celebrated for several years as a daring and successful smuggler. For a time his runs from Flushing were quick and lucky, till too confident in his own good fortune he placed the greater portion of his property, the fruits of many a former adventure, in one cargo, and with a lugger of matchless sailing started for the Irish coast. The

thickness of the weather obliged him to lie to off the land, and when morning broke and the fog cleared away with that magical rapidity which seamen so often experience, he found himself under the guns of a British frigate. A bold attempt he made to free himself from his enemy was rendered abortive, as one broadside dismasted the lugger, and he had scarcely time to escape by his boat before the captors boarded, and secured their valuable prize. With desperate resolution, Matthews repaired to Holland, and embarking his all in the venture, sailed from the Scheldt in an armed cutter. Again his evil stars brought him in contact with a revenue brig, and nothing remained but to fight his way. He did so, and succeeded; and as many lives were lost on the occasion, his outlawry was pronounced, and a reward offered for his apprehension. Persevering in his perilous traffic, his offences against the laws were farther heightened by his running down a man of-war's boat, which, with several others, attempted to board him in a calm. Quite satisfied that his crimes could not be forgiven, he latterly became the agent of the French Re

public, and through his means a regular communication was maintained with the Irish malcontents. Informed of his present employment, the Government had issued special orders to the cruisers in the Channel to risk every thing to take him; and, if once apprehended, his fate was by no means problematical.

Such was the agent destined to carry O'Hara from his native country, and naturally he turned his attention to examine his daring conductor.

constant

The outlaw's features were regular and handsome; although a young man, change of climate and continued fatigue had grizzled his coal-black hair, and his cheek was bronzed with His foreto sun and storm. exposure head was open and bold, and but for a wildness of expression, his quick and sparkling eye would have completed a countenance of manly beauty. Reginald and he appeared willing to forget all the cares and disquietudes of mortal life, and a huge bowl was nearly exhausted, when a Sailor opened the door of the parlour, and beckoned his Commander to follow him.

The Captain was not long absent-the intel