"Not of trout," he replied; "there is scarcely one in the lake. There are plenty of them, however, not far off, at Lough Gilka and Lough-a-Torig; but eels of a large size and pike are plentiful. I hooked one, just before your arrival to-day, which I will show you before you leave."

"Salmon do not come up to spawn here," said John, as the waters of this lake proceed to the sea at Kinvara by mostly a subterranean passage. After passing the ruins of the old abbey at Beach and Derry Ban Tierna they sink under ground. At a short distance a vast circular opening, like the crater of an extinct volcano, clad with holly and whitethorn bushes, discloses the water to the spectator at a great depth. Further on it appears again, and again sinks into an opening called the Blackwater. Two other deep gulfs show it at Ceanahown. It next appears issuing from a large arch of rock, where it passes the Castle of Gortinsiguara. Once more it is engulfed at the foot of the ruined castle of Mac Raymond Burke, at Ballynamantan. From thence, in darkness, the waters pursue their course, and at Dunguara Castle, near Kinvara, mingle with those of the Atlantic Ocean.-'

"I am very sorry, indeed, to interrupt you," said Kelly, "particularly after hearing such a very fine description, but hope you will excuse me, as I hear my servants bringing up to the hall the poor repast, which is the best I have to lay before you. All I can say is, that it is given with a most sincere welcome."

"No apology is required, I can assure you, my friend," said Fenwick, as they entered the apartment, and he viewed the viands on the table.

"These delicious trout would be a treat for even a Newcastle alderman or the Lord Mayor of London."

After they had partaken of the trout and some wine, Kelly told his garçon to send up the Chief's presents, and directed the spiced beef to be laid on the table; but both John and Cuthbert declined partaking of any more, and the former said—

"Kelly, you must now prepare to come on the main-land at once." "Very well," he replied; "and as I am going to Clooneene, I will take the large pike I promised to show you with me, as it may be acceptable to your grandfather."

As soon as they had left the little fortalice, he pointed the fish out to them, which was hanging on the wall, in company with the long pike-rod with which he had taken it. On reaching the main-land, Kelly mounted the horse which had carried the hampers, and the three gentlemen rode towards Clooneene.

CHAPTER V.

THE CHEVALIER DE TOURVILLE.

Ox arriving at the Castle of Fidane, the Chief of Cineal Aodh and Dermot Oge found Theobald Butler, who had not returned to Ballygegan, seated in the room above the parlour, which was always used by the ladies of the family as a drawing-room. Its walls were hung with beautifully-embroidered arras, and the furniture was similar to that in the lower apartment.

"We remained up, my dear Roger," said Lady Helena, “anxiously expecting your return. Has any news arrived from the camp ?"

"None," said O'Shaughnessy, "nor will there be any until the express passes, perhaps on to-morrow. As Theobald is a friend I will not refrain before him from telling you of the course I am resolved to adopt with regard to our dear son William. I have deemed it advisable to send him abroad to finish his education."

"Oh!" exclaimed Lady Helena, "surely you could not think of sending away my dear son from me. I could never bear his absence, and what would poor Helena do without her brother ?"

The Chieftain endeavoured to suppress his own strong feelings, in order to comfort her Ladyship, and said that all whom he had consulte d at Clooneene concurred with him in thinking that it was most advisable, under the present circumstances, for William to retire to France, as he was too young to take part in the coming war, and that, even if he were older, it would be a great trial to peril the life of their only son in it. Theobald took the same view as O'Shaughnessy, although he felt painfully the idea of parting with his young companion, William. After considerable consideration, Lady Helena reluctantly became reconciled, and said

"I must submit, and endeavour to support myself by praying that our son may return in safety to his native land."

"Now, Dermot Oge," said the Chief, "all that remains to be done is to provide the necessary funds for William's journey."

"I have not called on some of the tenants for their rents as yet," replied Dermot Oge. "I did not ask your relatives, the Mahons of Ryndyffin; as they are very young and fatherless; I did not wish to press them."

"You acted perfectly right in not doing so," said O'Shaughnessy.

"However," continued Dermot Oge, "Pierce Lynch has a great sum of ready money at command; and, even if he did not owe you rent, he would lend you any amount that you might require on such an occasion."

"There is no doubt of that," returned the Chief; "Pierce Lynch is a gentleman in every sense of the word. His family, who are of ancient Austrian descent, suffered severely in the late war."

"Yes," said Dermot Oge, "they were banished from their inheritance, and forced to seek refuge on your father's estate, at Rafiladown, where, by his skill in farming, Pierce has amassed enormous wealth, and can now live as comfortably in his mansion at Rafiladown as if he dwelt in one of the fine old dwellings of Spanish architecture which his ancestors possessed in Galway. We can get letters of credit, also, on the D'Arcys, of Brest, where they are very well off. In 1647 I remember Francis D'Arcy's ship brought over the cannon that were mounted on the strong walls of Galway, and so effectively used against the Parliamentarians, under Sir Charles Coote, in 1652. The D'Arcys are, as you are well aware, descendants of Anthony, son of James Riveagh D'Arcy, of Kiltulla, who was appointed Vice-President of Connaught by his kinsman, Sir Conyers Clifford, in 1597. The brave Sir Conyers, who was Governor of the province of Connaught that year, was slain at the great battle of the Curlews, and his whole army totally routed by the Irish, under the command of Red Hugh O'Donnell in 1599, a Chieftain who at one time stormed and plundered the historic city of Athenry, which was anciently the Norman capital of Connaught, and for centuries resisted the numerous but unsuccessful attempts of the native Irish to annihilate that enterprising but warlike settlement."

"Dermot Oge," said the Chieftain, "I am aware of all that; but, to return to business, I wish you to send early for young Moylan to meet us at Gortinsiguara, and after to-morrow you can proceed from thence to the county of Clare, for William. On to-morrow Lady Helena can remove to Gortinsiguara, while Taggert remains here to take care of the castle. But I think we had better adjourn to the lower apartment, as supper must be ready by this time."

They then descended to the supper-room, and after partaking of a slight repast, retired to rest.

Next morning O'Shaughnessy, Dermot Oge, and Theobald Butler, after having breakfasted, mounted their horses, and, accompanied by two armed attendants, proceeded at a smart trot to the village of Tubberindony. Leaving Fidane Castle by the western gate of the outer fortifications, they soon crossed the meandering stream at Castle Lodge,

passed through Tubberindony with its small oratory and " blessed well," situated near the boundaries of Galway and Clare, and on the left of the highway they beheld, at a short distance, the residence of Pierce Lynch, who was walking outside his house when they reached it.

This mansion was an extremely long building, with numerous additions, of different orders of architecture, which were added as the want of accommodation for the family required them. The hall, which was semicircular, was handsomely furnished, and floored with differentcoloured tiles. A large bawn, together with numerous out-offices, completed this extensive establishment. The house was surrounded by lofty trees of oak, elm, and ash, which gave to the whole place a pleasing, though antiquated appearance. The proprietor, Pierce Lynch, was a hospitable and wealthy man, and was delighted to see his friends (40). Walking towards them he said

"You are welcome, O'Shaughnessy, and so are you also, my kinsman, Dermot Oge. I am, indeed, happy you have come to see me. No delay, but enter my dwelling, and rest yourselves."

A wholesome repast was soon served up, in the large and comfortable parlour, which was furnished with handsome antique furniture that his father had saved with much difficulty from the wreck of his property, when Galway surrendered to the Cromwellian soldiers, who, under the command of the tyrannical Stubbers, subjected the old and respectable inhabitants to so much plunder and persecution. Over the chimneypiece, which was of Connemara marble, there was a brass plate, on which was engraved the coat-of-arms of the Lynch family, on a shield azure a chevron or between three trefoils slipped or; crest, a lynx passant argent; motto, Semper fidelis. These armorial bearings, according to tradition, were granted to an ancestor of this family to perpetuate his gallant conduct in defending the city of Lintz, of which he was governor. The siege having lasted for a considerable time the provisions became exhausted, and the garrison were reduced to such a state of dire necessity that they were obliged to feed on grass; but, being relieved by a large army which came to their assistance, he received from his Prince a grant of the trefoil to commemorate the great misery to which he was reduced for want of food, and the lynx, the sharpest-sighted of all animals, as emblematic of his foresight and prudence; while the motto records his loyalty and fidelity.

After having spent some time in pleasant conversation, the Chief informed Lynch of his son's intended departure for France; and he, like the rest of his friends, at once concurred in the propriety of sending William abroad without delay, and, addressing Dermot Oge, he said—

"Of course there will be funds required for the purpose of defraying my young friend's expenses, but as O'Shaughnessy may not find it convenient at present to provide them, on account of the heavy demands there are on his purse in consequence of the coming war, it will afford me the greatest pleasure to advance the necessary sum. At all events, I had better pay my rent."

He then retired to his closet, the door of which was strongly secured with iron bolts, and soon returned with a large, well-filled bag. Having ascertained from Dermot Oge the amount of his rent, he quickly counted it out in gold, saying—

"If there are any more funds required, I will be only too happy to supply them."

"We have more than sufficient, I can assure you, my friend," said the Chief. "In a few days I hope to have a visit from you at Gortinsiguara. Now, Dermot Oge," he continued, "please write out a receipt."

"I shall not forget your kind invitation," said Lynch; and after some further conversation his visiters again mounted their horses, and, returning through Tubberindony passed the village of Barna, and soon reached Ballygegan, Pierce Butler's residence.

The mansion of Ballygegan was older, but almost similar in style to that of Rafiladown. It was encompassed by numerous trees, and the forest, extending to Cregg, crowned its lofty hill, and continued till it met a murmuring rivulet, which, issuing from the Lake of Carheeny, flowed through the picturesque valley of Bunahow, the seat of another branch of the Butler family.

On entering the house, O'Shaughnessy, addressing the proprietor, said

"Butler, I could not pass here without calling to see you, though of late you are a very bad visiter."

"Excuse me," replied Butler; "circumstances prevented me; but I hope to make amends in future. At all events, you cannot make the same complaint against Theobald, for I have remarked that of late he spends more of his time at Fidane Castle than at Ballygegan. Be scated, if you please; we will have some refreshment immediately. Run, Theobald," he continued, "and order up some wine. I must join my friends in drinking the King's health."

The Chief of Cineal Aodh and Dermot Oge thanked him, but said as they had partaken so lately of Lynch's hospitality they were unable to accept of his. However, they had no hesitation in joining him in drinking his Majesty's health.

"As I am taking your son Theobald on to Ardemilevan," said the