CHAPTER VI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 10, 4 July 1890, Page 23

CHAPTER VI.

The shadows of night had fallen, and Maurice and his companion, wrapped in cloaks, proceeded through the narrow streets. They were rough, unpavci, and unlighted ; and Maurice could not help remembering his experiences of the past night, and the sudden storm of rain and lightning that drove him to find shelter beneath the protruding portico, which, by natural sequence, led to the acquaintance he had m«de, and in a moment there came upon him, wnh a de'ight and brightness all the greater from the fact of the more serious conversation all the evening, the remembrance of the beautiful girl with whom he had held converse. His mind grew full of her exquisite face, and was busy picturing each changing flash and expression of her beautiful eyes— whether in witching flash of conversation, or in sad and thoughtful memories of sorrow — but each in turn seeming more attractive than the preceding. He could not help remembering also the look of sudden terror that shot across her eyes when she spoke of some impending disaster. " Upon my word, it is a strange series of incidents to have crowded into some twenty-four hours' residence in Dublin," he thought. " I hope lam not helping to realise any of those gloomy forebodings of which she spoke." But his foot striking against the edge of a rongh stone nearly threw him on his face.

" You had better keep your attention collected here," h:B companion said, instinctively noticing his abstraction.

They were passing thtough a labyrinth of narrow streets — the s rofls ot old Di.bhn -iLd there was pressing need of quick, attention (in h'H p.irr. At l.»8t they came to a large gate heavily buried with hoi., behind which a little guard-bousi , dimly nghlsil, appeared, ilia companion knocked at this once, twice, lancv, in a peculiar

manner, with the butt end of a key, and presently the door of the guard house opened and a soldier appeared. " Who comes there ? " he asked. "I, Paul," the Friar answered. " Who comes with you ? " i "A friend." " Give the password." " Fair-fax." " Enter, then," said the sentry. The lock was Bhoved back, and they entered. " Don't speak now," whispered his companion, " but follow me." In perfect silence Maurice followed him into the dark and lightleßß court -yard ; then, coming to the head of a Btone step surmounted by iron rails, toe Friar disappeared down them. With much trouble and with no little danger, for the steps were mossy and mildewed, the young man followed after. Presently they rejoined at the iron door at the foot, not unlike that which leads into a vault — so like, indeed, that Maurice, believing that it must be mouldering remains and coffins which lay behind, involuntarily started back. It was only for a moment, however. Friar Tully opened the floor with the key he cariied, pulled his companion in with him, and closing it carefully and noiselessly, at once produced materials and improvised a torcb . Immediately Maurice O'Connor's former impressions were dispelled, and he knew where he was. Around him, piled from floor to ceiling, were arma — muskets of recent make, and arquebuses of older date, cannon and culverin. Every long cylindrical vault was stored with them ; for through every corridor they passed, and in every avenue that lay at right angles thereto, the gleam of polished barrels came glinting outwards, reflecting in their sheen the guiding torchlight. Further on they came on barrels piled on top of one another, in multitudinous array. But outside there the torchbearer stopped. " Now," whispered his companion, »' you see what scores are here." "Why," said Maurice, in amazement, "there are arms here for twenty thousand men." "So there are," said the Friar, " and ammunition, too. These barrels and casks are full of gunpowder — quite enough to send all the Puritanß in Ireland scampering to the sea. But we have seen enough for all purposes — if, indeed, it were wise or advisable to run Buch dangerous venture at all." "It is a marvel to me that you have accomplished it with impunity," was the remark of O'Connor, as he glanced around him. "These stores," said the Friar, " are the ammunitions of Dublin Castle. When the need cornea these vaults will be opan to us, an 1 in twenty -four hours after, all the strong places of Ireland will be free to us, and these arms in the hands of as gallant men as ever faced danger and death." " Can you be certain of that? " asked Maurice, incredulously. " Is it not enough to say we are here now — that true hands have unbarred the gates and admitted us ? Is not that proof enough ? The same hands will open the gates when the bonr strikes. And then — well, then, let the end come I " "You have stea all now," pursued the Friar, still in a whisper. " It is a dangerous test of the proof of our words ; but it is worth the risk to make a convert of Colonel Maurice O'Connor." The torch in his band he suddenly extinguished, and Maurice found himself surrounded with impenetrable darkness, ''Follow me — and tread lightly." The first iujuncuon was easy enough, but the second was more difficult of compliance. It was by no means easy to follow the guide Btraightly along the narrow passage, without even the dimmest light to relieve the more than Egyptian blackness, and in consequence he found himself not infrequently coming into collision with the arms stored and raoged on either side, thereby evoking noises that sounded strangely in the cavernous gloom. By degrees a faint light came on tbem, and thtn they found themselves at the door by which they had entered. Once more it Boftly gave way on its hinges, and Maurice was in the fiee air of the night at the bottom of the flight of stone steps. Wrapping themselves up m their cloaks, they once more passed up the steps, aud across the bare and deserted courtyard, The g>ites opened by the same friendly hand gave them egress this time witaout question. As they gained the street Maurice stepped accidentally into a rut, stumbling as he did so against a hurrying form. Looking up, he thought he knew the man. But it was only fora moment, for the form, without remark or apology, hastened on ; nor had Maurice time to apologise on his part. " Did you see that person ?' he enquired of his companion. "It Beems to me I have seen that form before." " Nay, I did not. The less you raise your eyes or look around now tbf> better until we get away fiom theße precincts." " Where have I seen him ? " " Possibly, at the dinner-table." " Not there ; at least I think not." "Itis of no consequence. Mind your footsteps and hasten with me. The night is passing, and these ways are rough." Siaurice did as he was desired, and they soon reached the steps leading to Lord Enniskillen's residence. " Well," said o'Moore, as they seated themselves once again in the oaken room, " I should thiDk by this time the Friar has convinced you how we hold Ireland in our hands." " It is somethicg Hurpnsing to me, this experience," said Maurice. " The laxity of things here is perfectly astounding." " Your Puritaus would express it otherwise," said O'Moore, gaily, " ' Lord hath delivered them into our hands,' would b<> \h< lr phrasing of it. But now — will you throw in your lot with us ? Will j<yd give to Ireland the aword and the skill she has a right to claim — and the first right 1 ' " Why, Roger Leix," said Maurice, after a pause, " I am far from knowing yet what means are at your disposal. Remember, all this

has come upon me by surprise, and in a day or two. Even if I did, wnat course of action am Ito take ? What lines to pursue ? You see you ask me that which I cannot answer readily. It ig a matter of grave and serious moment — nothing on earth could be more so." " You shall be at liberty to take what course of action you like. What we want most for the present is to use your influence to sway these timid and hesitating Catholic lords of the Pale to our side. They are better wit^i us than against us, and if we have to fight the Puritan forces, we do not wish to draw swords against our own, or to see them arrayed in the ranks of the enemy. What we want is your sympathy, goodwill, and aid — aid given in what way you will." " So long," said Maurice, after a few moments' reflection, "as the effort is not directed against King Charles " " Man 1 " said O'Moore, impatiently, " it is directed for the lives and safety of the Irish people. It is directed that every glen and hollow in Ireland shall not be choke-full of festering corpses. It iB directed that the very name of the gentlemen of Ireland shall not be blotted off the face of the land and their estates given to Puritan cut-throats. It is directed against robbery, murder, and extermination. At any moment their regiments may land in Ireland and the bloody work commence. Bourlase has sworn it at the Council Board — that there shall not be the face of an Irish Papist left in the land. No one with the courage of a Boldier in his heart should hesitate — knowing what we do — to join us. We are simply taking time by the forelock, and instead of tnem dooming us to midnight massacre, v>e shall sweep the red-handed murderers into the sea." Moved as much or more by the impetuous manner in which this was said, as by the words themselves, the cavalier said : "In that case, Roger, you may reckon me on your side. My sword shall not be wanting «hen Irish gentlemen are to the front. But the movement must have the Kin? for its first and last object." " Spoken like your chivalrous old self, Maurice," said O'Moore, extending both hands, whilst a look of pride and triumph flushed his handsome features. " You were not wont to weigh consequences when the French cuirassiers swept around beleaguered Arras, and it was necessary for the Spanish horse to drive tbem back. And now let me tell you something more of our plans. Lord Bnniskillen will be hers presently. He is seeing some of tne Southern gentlemen off." And forthwith Roger Leix proceeded to repeat what he had bafore stated, That the projected rebellion was on the very point of breaking out ; that the heads of the Irish septs, the holders of the great historic Irish names, had all come to Dublin to receive the orders of the secret council, or had these orders despatched them by trasty messengers ; thati on Saturday morning one united and simultaneous effort would be made to secure all the Irish strongholds. On that morning Dublin Castle wouid be seized with sudden spring ; the Lords Justices and Parliament arrested and locked up and the cannon of the place turned on the city to overawe or crush down those of its inhabitants — and they were the majority — who might be malcontent to the new order of things. Two hundred chosen men, of proved worth and daring, were to assemble in the aity on Friday night — to come in as marketers to the markets always held on Saturday morning — and Lord Enniskillen, Roger Leix, Colonel O'Byrne, of Glenmalier, and Colonel Hugh Oge McMahon — grandson of the great Earl of Tyrone — were to remain to take control of the city and direct proceedings throughout Ireland. France had promised them men and arms : Spain, always their steady friend, had promised them strenuous aid ; and the Popa was ready to senu them money and his blessing. But above and more than all, they had the promised help of one whose skill and knowlege were worth ten thousand men. "For, Maurice," said O'Aloore, sinking bis voice, " the banner will n'*t be long lifted when your former commander will bo with us. The hero of Arras will come to show on Irish ground and for Ireland:* cause the skill and valour that baffled the beßt marshals of France Owen O'JNeile will sail f>r Ireland shortly." " What I" •xclaimed Maurice in astonishment. " True aa I say the words," said O'Moore. "He h?s only to make arrangements for resigning his command in the Spanish service to bj with us. The broad estates of his fathers — the rich valleys and smiling hills of Tirowen — are worth fighting for still, the gallant fellow thinks — and the cause of Ireland ranks with him before even that of Spain. But enough of this. You see now that the gentlemen of Ireland once for all have plßceJ their hands to the plough and cannot go back — they have placed their lives and broad estates in the hazard of a die — they have resolved to appeal like brave and gallant men to the God of battles — and shall stand or fall by the result." " What would you have me do ?" asked Maurice, deeply impressed by the words of the eloquent corspirator. " Remembering my oath to the King— consistently with that " "You were going to Roscommon — so we learned before you came — and " "lam surprised to know," said Maurice, laughing, "how you ascertained so accurately all about my simple and unsuspecting movements.' 1 " We should be badly served did we not know n>uoh more secret things than that," replied Roger Leix with aa answering smile. " Bui, what you will do is this : Pursue your journpy as you intended. Place yourself in communication with the gentlemen of the country — you will soon occupy the position your military skill and renown fit you out for But, above all things, breathe not a word you have heard. The times are ripe, the enemy are sleeping in undreaming and undoubting safety, from which they will get a ruJe awakening. Friar Tully here — by the way, the Friar haa gone ." '• So he has," said Maurice. " I did not see him go." " Well, Maurice, it is rather late now and we hid better go, too, You can start in the morning. Thj hours are growing shorter, and even my heart grows tremulous as the supreme nour approacies — Well ?" The last question was addressed to a messenger who had answered the bjll which Roger O'Moore ran^ to inquire whether Lord Maguire had returned. " Has his lordship come back?" " No, not yet,"

The messenger left, and Maurice quietly said, " Roger, I have seen that form lately. I could not remember where I had previously seen it — but I do now."

"Where? But it's of no consequence," said Roger carelessly. M " I hope not ; but it struck me unaccountably then. He passed just as the Friar and I emerged from the Castle gates — and, it struck me, he glanced at us sharply and Beemed like one wha had been watching us,"

" You must be mistaken, Maurice. He has not been out since you left. Lord Enniskillen left strict injunctions that he should not. He had some correspondence to carry out for him. All the game, however, I wish hi? lordship wou'd entrust his business to other hands. But he has a right to carry on his own work as suits himself."

(To be continued.')