the honor and glory of catching so renowned a vagabond will be amply sufficient for me. Now then, speak, Mr. Morris, and tell us where I may make my best bow to him." 66 My advice to you would be to- try that room," answered Bob, pointing to that by which Dick and Ellen had gone a few moments before. "The game's up with the scoundrel," said Bob to himself, as the Captain dashed at the door; "but bad as he is, his bank-note may be just as good as if he were an honester man." so saying, he took it from the table, crumpled it in his hand, and quietly inurned it in his deep breeches pocket, retaining the receipt also until he could clearly see how matters might turn out. Meanwhile, Captain Despard found an obstacle in the way, for the chamber-door was locked from the inside, and withstood his best efforts to open it. "My advice to you," again quoth Bob, "would be to try a sledge hammer, Captain, and to stand clear and let your constables do it, for a stray bullet might rob you both of gold and glory." "I will ask no man to do what I am afraid to do myself," said the spirited Captain, "so look about men, for a rammer, and we'll unearth the Curlew and clip his wings for him.” It It took five minutes or more to find an instrument large enough for their purpose, and five minutes more before the door, which was a stout one, yielded. did so at last, however, and the Captain burst into it, and in a moment returned, with Ellen O'Leary in his grasp. "Either you or this girl have deceived me," he said, addressing Bob, "for I found nothing worse in that chamber than herself." If she hadn't a comrade, would she have kept you so long at the door?" asked the astute Bob, with a grin. "I will swear ten thousand oaths that when she left this place, she was accompanied by a fellow who had a face only fit for the gallows, and she dare not deny it. Question her before me.” It is unnecessary," said Ellen, composedly. "If blood-money is to be earned, it must be by Mr. Morris alone. I will own to or disown nothing.' "Then we lose time and must try other means," said the Captain, desiring his attendants to follow him as he prepared to leave the house. At this moment, however, a new incident occurred. A scuffle and then a horrible howl was heard from without, and before the Captain could demand the cause of the noise, two of his retainers entered his presence, dragging in, by main force, a ragged-looking spalpeen, whose face and clothes-such as he had-were covered with mud and dust, and who bellowed with the voice of a bull to be "let go.” “Who is the fellow, and out of what bog-hole have you dragged him, Heffernan? demanded the Captain of his subordinate. Who am I, is it ?" howled the captive, in a voice of a sick raven who was in anger and grief as well. "Amn't I Billy Mulally that lives in the valley, and wasn't I going home as peaceable as a sky-lark dropping into her nest, when they laid hoult of me me. Look at my elegant Sunday shute how they flittered it, and my bran new hat that I bought not above three years agone, in what jopardy they left it." Again he yelled, and in wiping away his tears with the cuff of his coat, left fresh layers of "clauber" on lis cheeks. "Where did you find him?" again demanded the Captain. 66 "We found him hid in the shrubbery yonder, your honor, Capting," answered Heffernan, putting his hand to his forehead by way of military salute, and I'm sure and certain he belongs to the Curlews, seeing as how the great Curlew himself rode away from among the trees, on that feemous black mare of his.” "You hear what Heffernan says of you, Mr. Mulally? si the Captain. "I heard every syllable, yer honor," was the answer, "but how can I help his telling bouncers when he has nothing like a conscience to stop him? I'm not answerable for every fellow with a lying tongue in his head. How will I ever get the crown into my darling caubeen again? Or the dirt off my clothes !” and again he broke into blubbering lamentation. "Then the prime bird has got off, has he?" questioned the Captain. "Couldn't stop him no ways, yer honor, Capting,” said Mr. Heffernan ; 66 cause why, his mare bates the wind, and could hardly be overtook with a flash of lightning. They say, he wouldn't give her for mines of dimonds." "Gone! Then this gentleman must tell us whither," said the Captain. "Hark you, my friend; what rank may you hold among the Curlews ?" "Many a one of 'em I shot, Capting, yer honor," said Billy, a little assuaged in his grief, but still as filthy as ever. "For a curlew, whether white or black, carries tin pince on her back." "Oh! you don't understand me, I see," pursned the Captain. "Well then, you have a slight acquaintance with the celebrated Captain Daly, I presume?" "Not to my knowledge, sir," replied Billy; "thongh I know plenty of the name-lashins. Tom Daly and me was cronies from boys out, and the last pig ever he sowld in a fair, it was me got three pounds for him; and Biddy Daly-but she wasn't a man-was the best hand at a jig that ever put a foot on a shutter-so she was, Capting. I'm in hopes you'll see me ped for my spilation, long life to ye. Into the river I must thro myself, and lie there for an hour or two if I ever hope to be sweet and clane agin." "We'll sweeten you in another way, and refresh your memory also," said the Captain. "Here, Heffernan, take the scoundrel into the yard, and let him have two or three dozen with a cart-rope, in your best style. Lay on until his recollection returns, and then let me see him again.” "Oh Capting!-Oh Gineral! Oh gentlemin jewe's all round, what are you going to do with me " said Billy, in an agony of terror. "Don't lay hands on me, sir, if its plasing to you, for I'll only dirty you, and if you were to skelp the seven senses out of me—” "Take him off and don't spare the rope on him," thundered the Captain. "Howld, Capting-howld hard a minute, Mr. Heffering," whined the victim, "till I spake a word to your shuparior, who asked me questions it wasn't convanient to answer a while agone, tho' maybe I can't do so now for my skin's tender and I'm not used to be whipped like a mad-dog." - "Go on then, what have you to say ?" "About"-here he looked round and spoke low. "About the-but what's the use of my saving my bacon?" he apostrophized, partly to himself, "sure its digging my own grave and making my own coffin I'll be if I turn stag on him. Oh Capting darling! spare me the disgrace, and send me away with a whole skin and a dirty pair of breeches!" He dropped on his knees and put up his hands in supplication Tell me "Quite impossible, my excellent friend," said Despard. But I'll tell you what I'll do for you. exactly where to find Captain Daly, the Great Curlew, and I'll give you ten pounds-here it is-whereas if you keep your knowledge to yourself, I can answer that Heffernan will leave your skin as ragged as your garments." Billy looked piteously around, but sympathy there was none. "Well, then," he said at last, "if you want to look for him-but you'll kill him if you see him with your pistols and carabines-" "Not a hair of his head shall be touched by us, give you my honor," said Captain Despard. I "And where in the world am I to run for my life when I sell the pass on him, without a penny in my pocket?" queried the traitor. "Ten pounds will enable you to get the start of your ill wishers, and the world is wide," answered Despard. "But I-I never handled the note yet, sir," said the treacherous Billy, with a keen eye to the main chance. "You may handle it now and keep it if you like," said the encouraging Captain, "with the understanding, however, that if you lead us astray, I will replace it with an ounce of lead. Here it is." Billy looked at it, turned it round, gloated on it, and finally put it in some secret place near his heart. "Ten pounds!" he said. "Who'd ever think I'd handle such a mountain of money! I'll go to Paris or France, or Dublin or Amer-” "Keep that to yourself and earn your money," said Despard. After again looking round, Billy began, sighing deeply as he did so. "Does it lic within your knowledge, sir-Capting dear to be acquainted with the hill of Mugamore ?" Despard nodded. "And the valley that lies betune it, and Monyandrew ?" "Where the lake is? I know the place," said Despard. "Lord forgive me for my evil speaking," said Billy, shivering and speaking huskily, "but it's on the off-side of that very lake the-the Great Curlew has his nest. And now it's out," he went on, relapsing iuto tears, "will I ever forgive myself this blessed and holy day? Can I ever hope for a day's luck or a day's grace after it ?" "You have earned ten pound by it-too much by half," put in Bob Morris. "Maybe so, sir-maybe so," whined Billy; "It's easy for you to speak, for maybe you're doing dirty actions every day in the week, but I-" "How many men has the Captain with him?" broke in the impatient Captain. "Not a one sir, then, except myself, and I-I'll never be next or nigh him during secla sckelorum any more," groaned the traitor. "Take care what you say, my fine fellow," said Despard. "We know the Curlews are a strong gang." "They are, then, sir, long life to them," answered Billy, "but the Curlew himself only uses the nest for a start, when he's hard pressed, and has made other parts too hot to hould him.” Billy stuck to his text, and gradually relaxing from his extreme remorse of conscience, gave Captain Despard full ten pounds worth of information regarding the haunts and associates of the Great Curlew. He accounted for the absence of the minor Curlews in the most natural manner; and although he professed not to know what brought the Captain into that part of the country at all, still he could not parry the fact that it was the renowned freebooter, Captain Daly, alias the Great Curlew, who had stood in that very room, aud -escaped from that very house. To this point of his admissions he was pinned by the corroborative evidence of Bob Morris, who had seen the man, and who detailed his features and general appearance with an accuracy which perfectly agreed with the account given of him in the hue and cry. It is to be remarked that when Ellen O'Leary had entered the room the last time, she had found an oppor tunity of whispering a few words to her mother, and that from that time, neither of them had ever uttered a word, although when Billy Mulally was dragged before the Captain, Ellen had turned very pale, indeed, which she had not previously done. Meanwhile, the active magistrate was not long in taking such measures as he deemed fit. The "Curlew's nest" spoken of, was imbedded in mountains about eleven or twelve miles off; but as the day was yet young, the place might be easily reached before sunset. It was of the utmost consequence that the pursuit should be followed up while the scent was strong, and that the freebooter should be taken unawares. He had arranged, according to his treacherous henchman's showing, to await his return to the nest, leaving it to Billy's dexterity to glean such morsels of information as he could pick up by lurking about for a few hours, With all Billy's cunning, however, he failed to get out of Despard or his men the name of the "private informant," who had given them the hints which had been so nearly fatal to the Great Curlew-perhaps it was well for such informant that the officials kept the secret of his name so well. Two or three cars-his own amongst the restwere procured for transporting the party to the lake, and a sort of front guard, in the shape of five or six constables-there were no Peelers in these early days -was despatched before, in two's and three's, with directions to have their eyes about them, and to muster at a certain spot. As Bob Morris had seen the freebooter, Captain Despard determined to take that gentleman with him, in order to identify the Curlew, for fear of mistake; and as Mrs. O'Leary and her daughter were involved in the matter, he was furthermore resolved that they should accompany him also, as, for the present, they were to be looked upon as prisoners, having aided and abetted the escape of a thief. To this arrangement, the widow and Ellen submitted with a good grace, But with Bob it was otherwise. He had the Great Curlew's note in his pocket, and he had no wish for any further acquaintance with so desperate a character, of whose exploits and daring all Ireland had been hearing for years. He had other sums in post bills about him also; and although he had considerable confidence in Captain Despard's bravery and generalship, still his heart misgave him, and nothing less than the prospect of sharing the reward for the Curlew's caption, would have consoled him for the journey he was compelled to take. As soon as possible the fleet got under weigh, the Captain on the foremost car, on the other side of which Billy Mulally sat, with a constable on either side armed to the teeth. It was near sunset when they descended the mountain, which almost shadowed the lake, on whose bosom the sunbeams were still lingering, as if grieving to leave so cool and placid a resting place. They had to leave their vehicles at the foot of the hill, as only a narrow broken path wound round it, and the cave called “The Curlew's Nest" was on the further side. It was to be seen, however, from different points, its dark and formidable mouth yawning wide enough to permit the ingress of half a dozen men abreast. By Bill's advice the direct approach was avoided, and leaving the women behind, guarded by a constable, they clambered among the rocks, and dropped suddenly down upon the narrow frontage or esplanade from which the nest was entered from without. As yet, not a trace of the freebooter had been seen. All was as still as the utter absence of sound could make it, when suddenly from within the recesses of the cave, the strong neigh of a horse was heard. "It's Aileen, capting dear," whispered Bill in a tremulous voice," and the Curlew himself isn't far from her side. He's dead asleep this minute, for he goes to roost at sun down, like other birds of his kind, So I'll tell you what I'll do; I'll treat him to a whistle of my own that he's used to, and then you'll have nothing to do when he walks out here, but to take him back with you quietly." He placed his fingers between his teeth, and whistlel so loud and so shrill, that the echoes resounded far and near. At the same instant, almost, he made a rush past the captain, and in a moment was lost in the darkness beyond. Before Captain Despard conld recover his surprise at his manœuvre, a fresh spectacle awaited him. Above the nest, and around the nest, and behind them and beside them, armed men seemed to spring up like mushrooms, in such overpowering numbers, that to fight would be folly, and to retreat impossible. Every man of them carried a gun, but forebore to use it until further commands were given them. After a short pause, two young fellows leaped lightly from the rock above the cave, and stood before the discomfited magistrate. "You're welcome to the nest, captain," said one of them, in a perfectly good-humoured tone, "and unless you're not agreeable, you'll find that the Curlews won't be behind hand giving a cead mille a faltagh to yourself and your rigiment. It's a pity you didn't bring more of 'em that we might knock up a shindy, and show you what the Curlews are made of. As your guns and pistols are useless to you for the present, I'll trouble you just to hand them over to us, and you may be sure we'll make a good use of them, and that they shan't rust while they are in our keeping." Captain Despard had no alternative but to submit to be disarmed, for there were at least thirty or forty boll, resolute fellows opposed to him, and he knew his own force too well to trust them in so desperate a cause. He gave up his pistols, therefore, to the young fellow who acted as lieutenant to the Great Curlew, and the remainder of his force followed his example. 66 "And now, sir," said Despard, that your leader's stratagem has succeeded, I suppose I am at liberty to depart?" "That is altogether a matter for the captain to settle," said the lieutenant; "I don't think he's the man to tak so much trouble to get you to pay him a visit withou: making you pay your footing in some way or other, either in meat or in malt. But here he is himself, long life to him; and he'll tell you the ins and outs of it ia no time." Captain Despard turned round sharp at this invitation, and at his elbow stood no less a person than Billy Mulally himself, in a different aspect, and in a better dress. His face and hands were washed clean. his red wig had been replaced with a black one; he wore a green coat, and sported top-boots, and in short, the transformation was so complete, that it was only by his voice, and afterwards by his own acknowledgement of the ruse, Captain Despard could at all recognise him. "You see, capting dear," said the Curlew, still itating Billy, "that I did my best to earn your tin pounds. There is the Curlew's Nest, and here fornint you is the whole flock, and as to myself, why, for want of a better, you must look upon me as the Great Curlew of all, of all." "I own, sir, that you have been too clever for me," said the discomfited magistrate, "and I suppose, like all fools, I must pay the penalty of my folly. I am quite prepared to do so in any shape you please, although, as the poor fellows whom I have led into a snare have only done their duty, I hope that whatever my fate may be, you will have some consideration for them." 66 nor "Not a hair of their heads shall be touched," said the outlaw, in his natural free-and-easy manner, of yours either, captain. I am quite content to shirk the hangman myself, without exposing even those who destined me for his tender mercies to a like extremity. Bring up your prisoners, Thady, and let us see how many birds we have got in our net." "Yours is a desperate trade, Captain Daly," said Despard, when the lieutenant had gone to do his chief's bidding, "and although you have succeeded in baffling justice for the present, I would advise you to try an honester course, if you mean to continue safe." "The difficulty, you see, captain," said the bold Curlew, "is to find an honester profession than my own. Say that I turn soldier, I shall be bound to shoot down young and old-poor and rich—to turn cities into ruins, and churches into canteens, at the command of my superior, for my shilling a day, living on plunder when I can get it, and upon all sorts of devilment when I have nothing to do. Say that I turn doctor, what is that but killing made easy in a legalised way? I go to my patients not to save their lives but to earn their fees, and if they have small complaints, I am bound to convert them into big ones, in order that I may ride in my coach by day and drink my claret when my work is done. As to the law, put me in the dock to-morrow, and there's not a lawyer at the bar that won't call God to witness, with tears in his eyes, that I am as innocent as the child unborn, and that any jury that would convict me, need never think of laying their heads on their pillows with an easy conscience more; always supposing, that my purse is long enough to pay him in proportion to the exertion he makes, that is, to the number of lies he can cram down the public throat. No, no, captain, the difference between those gentry and me is, that they have law and order to protect them in their juggling, and that I am bold enough to do without it, and so have set up for myself." The prisoners were paraded before the Great Curlew, and the first of them he noticed was the shrinking Bob Morris. "Soh! Mr. Morris," said the freebooter, "you have a fancy for getting others into scrapes; now how do you feel that you are in one yourself?" "I am a poor, miserable man, sir," said Bob, "not worth your anger, and if you will only believe me, I never intended the least harm to you." "See what money he has about him, Thady," directed Daly; it strikes me that you'll find a fiftypound note of mine in his purse." "I won't-I won't be robbed of my little savings, I tell you," shouted Bob in desperation, as they laid hands on him. "I won't part with it; I'll sooner die first." "Let him have his way, then," said the good-natured Curlew; "strip him to the skin, and toss him into the lake, boys; his own evil deeds will soon sink him to the bottom." Thus gently stimulated, the miser submitted to be rifled, and his pocket-book was handled to the chief. "Aye, here is my note, sure enough," said the freebooter, putting it into his pocket, "and here is your receipt in full, Mrs. O'Leary, which I make you a present of. The rest I give to you, Thady, to be put in the common purse, as the Curlews can't be expected to work for nothing, and a fair day's labour deserves a fair day's pay." The lieutenant received Bob's treasure with a duck and a grin. "I suppose, sir, you will hold me at ransom, also," said Despard. "I have not much money about me-." "Don't mention it," interrupted Daly. "Keep it in your purse, captain, it will serve to pay your doctor's bill. I am sorry to say that I must detain you and your men here for a few days; but Thady and Mick will make your stay as pleasant as possible. Here is grouse on the mountain, and fish in the lake, and if you like to swim in the real mountain dew, you have only to say so, and the bath is ready. I wouldn't require even this much, only that I have a journey before ine, and, for fear of accidents, I should like to be well off the coast before my last trick is found out. No objections, if you please, for while I am here, I must be obeyed." "And what is to become of your female prisoners?" asked Despard. 66 "That is my own affair, captain," said Daly, although I do not scruple to promise you that they shall be quite as well off in my safe keeping as in yours." As he spoke he advanced to where Ellen stood, and after a whispered conversation of a few minutes, they both followed him into the cave, and from that hour forward, Captain Despard never saw them more. For full six days after this remarkable one, Captain Despard and his staff, supplemented by Bob Morris and a couple of car drivers, were rigidly confined within the valley, and watched by the Curlews. What became of their leader no one appeared to know or chose to say. He had vanished from the scene, and had taken both Eilen O'Leary and her mother along with him. At the commencement of the seventh day, the captain, on going forth from the nest, found that his guard was gone. There was not a Curlew to be seen. In their place, however, a strong body of troops, sent out specially to look for him and his missing party, occupied the glen, and from their officer he learned that he was free, and that the outlaws had made good their retreat during the night. What became of their principal no one ever heard, but from that day forward, the GREAT CURLEW was never more seen or heard of on Irish ground. THE LAY OF THE LOST MINSTRELS. PART I. THE struggles, heart and bd, that make S vell are known throughout the land, Of ups, and downs, and crosses, From London town I bent my way, With Thespian saints and sinners; Rejoic'd to think this roving trade At least would bring me dinners. Of tenor bold our troupe was form'd, And next a fair soprano; With "comic man," and one who show'd His airs on the piano. The captain of our motley crew Was shrewd and bold and wily; And, though too prone his lips to wet, He reason'd well and dryly. The selfsame wight was comic man--A stage-struck, droll, young party; Who gave his time to quips and cranks, And jokes more weak than hearty. He started from his smiling home, In spite of worldly scoffers; And vow'd that 'gainst the ills of fate, He'd amply stock his coffers. No doubt, he drew, as best he could, On Hope as well as banker; And, as the former kept no books, Good cause had he to thank her. And next came one of portly gait, And guard the artists' treasures. To "manage" was my dreary lot, And thus began this bold campaign, In Sheffield town we first appeared, The times were hard, but yet the "blades" Though Fortune smil'd, the ruthless Belle To clothe the troupe and feed them too, From town to town we quickly sped, And soon we found the captain's "bank" That bank was one on which we placed Our full and stern reliance; And felt we might, with well-fill'd cheques, Bid ruthless fate defiance. Despite the clouds which dimm'd our way, Must shine in the ascendant. But some there were who rashly thought, And thus beset with woes that led So low they found our funds reduc' 'Twere better far had this occurred On British ground theatric; I fear," the gallant captain cried, The law will have our bodies." "We must move on," the tenor sang, In terms more bold than guarded ; "In yonder town our well-known names Are on the walls placarded." The bell was rung, the steam was up; The guard had well-nigh started "One half the lot may come," he cried ; And hence in two we parted. To tell the ills that chanced that night, Our artists' wreck was certain, - And all this while, our lady fair Next day once more in union met |