not allow me to depart until I had put your retainers through their exercise."

By this time they arrived at the summit of the rising ground, where the four roads, near the house of Crushnahawn, branch off in different directions. Here Power turned his horse towards the road leading to Park-na-attinagh; but the animal having seized the bit between its teeth, galloped some distance along the Clooneene road before he succeeded in restraining it. When he did so, he returned to O'Shaughnessy, who observed

"Power, your horse appears to know the road well."

"Indeed he ought, sir," replied the dragoon, "as he was foaled at Clooneene, and has a strong inclination to return to his native place. When Captain Forster raised his troop, he mounted his men from his father's and grandfather's studs, and presented them as a gift to his Majesty the King, whom God preserve."

Power now wished them good luck, and plying the rowels deep in the sensitive sides of his charger, galloped off at full speed down the Park-na-attinagh road.

O'Shaughnessy's party was by this time in view of the valley in which the demesne of Clooneene is situated. Each side of the road leading to the entrance was protected by large quickset fences, inside which were growing apple, holly, and huge trees of other species, whose wide-spreading branches covered the road, and the whole valley appeared to be one vast forest. It was bounded on the south by the woodcrowned hills of Knockancorragh, and Shanaglish, over which could be observed in the distance the lofty Castle of Ardemilevan towering above the surrounding forest.

"I like," said O'Shaughnessy, "the pleasant woods of Clooneene, and have a great objection to felling my own timber at Tyroloughan and the Punch Bowl, it adds so much beauty to the picturesqueness of the country."

"I think," said Dermot Oge, "you ought to overcome your scruples on that point, and thereby spare your other means, for I could readily dispose of several of the heavy oak trees to the shipwrights at Galway."

"Perhaps it is better in these unsettled times," said O'Shaughnessy, "to do all I can in the way you have mentioned, so you may dispose of the timber at Tyroloughan and Gortecarnane Wood to the best advantage as soon as you please."

They had now passed the gate at Clooneene, and were proceeding up the long avenue leading to the mansion, but owing to the thickness of the ash, oak, and elm trees, were prevented from obtaining a view of

it until they reached the foot of the lawn or open space which was high above the surrounding grounds.

This ancient mansion was a very long building, surmounted by tall chimneys, and having numerous windows. Two hall doors opened into the semicircular hall, which, though lit by a very large window, had a peculiar appearance, from the number of antique firearms that were suspended from the walls.

"The castle's hall was hung around

With many an old and battered shield,
That oft had warded deadly wound
In many a well-fought bloody field.
Upon the rough-drawn wall appear,
Hung up for trophies or for show,
Old scutcheons-swords-with massy spear,
And here and there a strong yew bow."

Over the door which led from the hall were emblazoned the armorial bearings of the sept, with the motto, "Audaces fortuna jurat," and underneath all was inscribed, on a scroll of parchment, this quaint

verse:

"Let us dearlie them hold

To mynde their worthynes
That which our parents olde
Hath left us to possesse" (24).

The whole was surrounded by a richly-carved oak frame. Under it hung the heavy battle-axe, said to have been used by Sir Richard Forester at the memorable and sanguinary battle of Hastings, where the Saxons, under Harold II., were completely overthrown by William of Normandy. In the centre of the wall, to the right on entering, hung a large painting, under which, on a brass plate, was engraved"Baldwin I., the Forester, surnamed Iron-arm." In the centre of the wall, to the left, hung another large painting, under which was the following inscription:" Arnulph I., the Forester, surnamed the Great." There were also paintings of Alfred the Great, King of England, Con of the Hundred Battles, Monarch of Ireland, and many of the early Lords of Etherston. The floor was of coloured tiles, which were brought from Italy, and eight large oak chairs were placed round the hall at equal distances. To the right of each hall-door there was a large armchair, in which a man, armed with a brass-barrelled arquebuse, kept guard every night. The walls were also adorned with stags' heads, having remarkably large antlers. A door opened from the hall to the first parlour, the walls of which were hung with tapestry. The fireplace of this

apartment was ornamented by an 'antique white marble chimney-piece, on which was carved the armorial bearings of the Chief, and on the walls hung many paintings of his ancestors and their relatives, evidently the works of the best masters. High-backed chairs, a round table of darkcoloured mahogany, and a bouffet of dark ebony, comprised the furniture. The bouffet was laden with a rich service of crested plate, consisting of handsome goblets, trays, candlesticks, and other articles of value. The door of the large dining-hall opened from this room. This hall, which was also used as a ball-room, was of ample dimensions. A long table occupied the centre, and was surrounded by numerous highbacked chairs of the Tudor period. Various pictures representing battle scenes were suspended on the walls, together with many others of the Chief's ancestors; and in a glass-case over the chimney-piece was his commission of captain from King Charles I., with its broad seal of white wax. Over it were placed the handsome horns of an Irish elk. Without the inner door of this hall was the entrance to the cellars, which extended under the mansion, and had several arched receptacles for wines. The outer cellar was filled with hogsheads of spirits and ale, while the inner one contained the choicest French and Spanish wines. A broad stairs led to the upper apartments, and a long passage at the foot of this staircase led to another wing of the building, and communicated with the courtyard, and part of those buildings formed one of the boundaries of the garden. A large kitchen was on the south side, with larders, and a gallery, from which a staircase led to the upper apartments. Outside this court was another yard, which contained the bawn, coach-houses, stables, and other offices. In the next yard were the houses required for feeding cattle, and in it also was an immense haggard, comprising vast ricks of corn, hay, and turf. The garden was surrounded by a high wall, and was well stocked with the choicest fruittrees. On the south side stood the Castle of Clooneene (25), on the top of which was a square apartment. The large windows of this room commanded an extensive view of the country for miles around. A winding stone staircase led to this apartment, which was furnished with four swivel guns. To the north of the garden was a large wood of oak, skirted by a shrubbery of evergreens, which extended to the mansion. A handsome walk led through this shrubbery and wood to the old fort of Lisconla, having on one side an extensive orchard of cherry and apple

trees.

CHAPTER III.

THE LORD OF THE MANOR AND HIS GUESTS.

As the Chief of Cineal, Aodh, and Dermot Oge Cloran, rode slowly up the avenue at Clooneene, the former said—

"Dermot Oge, I see the faithful O'Halloran at the hall-door already prepared to receive us."

"Indeed, sir," said Cloran, " he knows we are welcome to Clooneene at any time."

"Cead mille faltha, noble O'Shaughnessy," exclaimed Shane O'Halloran, as they approached. My Chief, Frincheas More na Fion, will be glad to see you."

Entering the hall, O'Shaughnessy encountered his friend, Captain Francis Forster, Lord of the Manor of Clooneene, who advanced to meet him (26). His form was tall and stout, and his features handsome and manly. His forehead was high and commanding, and his healthy ruddy complexion a little bronzed from constant exposure to the atmosphere. A profusion of brown hair, which, notwithstanding his age, was but slightly tinged with grey, fell from beneath his large cocked hat, indicating a robust constitution. His figure was well adapted to the dress he wore, a green coat with silver buttons, the upright collar of which was edged with gold lace, as were also the lapels of its pockets and the large cuffs which were then worn. His buff-coloured vest covered his hips, and laced ruffles ornamented his shirt, which was of the finest linen. His small-clothes were of green cloth, and his feet were encased in large boots, topped with yellow, and ornamented with handsome spurs. A long court sword with a golden hilt was suspended at his side, and in his right hand he carried a stout hazel stick, on the gold head of which was engraved his coat-of-arms and initials. His dark gray eyes brightened on beholding O'Shaughnessy, and taking off his cocked hat, with a kindly smile, he said

"Welcome to Clooneene is the son of my old friend, Sir Dermot," and, at the same time, warmly shook him by the hand.

"Captain," said O'Shaughnessy," you are not more glad to see me than I am to behold you in such good health.

The Lord of the Manor having then observed Dermot Oge, who was standing behind O'Shaughnessy, also greeted him in the kindest manner imaginable.

"No ceremony, my friends," he said; "come in immediately. I had a slight cold, and Doctor Egan told me that exposure to the keen March wind is not salutary for one at my advanced age."

They were soon seated before the blazing fire, which diffused a genial warmth over the room.

"The ride from Fidane must have given both of you an appetite, and the refreshment which Shane is bringing in will be acceptable, I think. Your presence has given me an inclination to take a goblet of claret," said the hospitable Captain, as O'Halloran entered with a large silver tray, on which were placed some beautifully-cut decanters containing the richest Spanish wines, three magnums of claret, and several silver goblets.

On each of the latter the arms of the sept were engraved. On a shield argent, a chevron, vert between three bugles or; stringed gules. Crests: a stag, courant, and an arm in armour embowed proper, the hand grasping a broken tilting spear. The latter, which was the ancient crest of the Forsters, was granted by King Richard I., surnamed Cœur de Lion, to their progenitor while serving in the Crusades, in 1191. Supporters: on the sinister side, a Knight in armour of the period of the first Crusade, holding in his right hand a broadsword, and bearing on his left arm a shield emblazoned with the arms, with the addition that on the chevron was the word " Acre;" on the dexter side, a Forester carrying a quiver full of arrows, with a bugle suspended from his neck, and holding in his hand a long yew bow; under the arms was the motto, Audaces fortuna juvat.

Other attendants now entered the room, carrying silver dishes, on one of which was placed a huge sirloin of beef, while some of the others. contained large cakes of bread.

Attend you at the table," said Shane O'Halloran to his assistants, "while I run down to the first cellar for some ale and brandy."

The Captain now rose from his arm chair, and invited his guests to partake of the refreshment. When O'Shaughnessy and Dermot Oge had done ample justice to the sirloin of beef, the Lord of the Manor said to his guests

"I must now call on you both to fill your goblets to the brim, and drink to the toast-Prosperity to old Ireland, long life to James the Second, and success to our cause.""

"I will not say, Captain," said O'Shaughnessy, "that I will drink all this wine at a draught. I will drink the toast, however," continued he, and raising the goblet to his lips, he drunk deeply of the wine, and then observed: "No man wishes the welfare of the King more than I