out your disobeying orders? to the 66 To the dioul I pitch you and your orders!" was the reply, and a blow succeeded. All was now clamour and utter confusion, and the women and children involuntarily raised the ullaloo, when a voice was heard, calm but distinct, over the tumult, commanding silence. "Son of Connogher, am I again your captain ?”—It was the voice of Talbot. "Noble Sir John, I would rather than Ireland you were!" cried Art; and a general shout of Talbot aboo! was raised by the men. But who were thirsting for his blood. "Here, Redmond," said Art, "help me to tie him on my back. I could as soon leave the heart out of my breast behind me! Feargus, a lanna,” he said, looking round as the boy was belted firmly between his broad shoulders; reason to be loth to show my back to an Englishman; and, darling, if your father has to show it for the first time this night, may the great God put a shield over you, that will take their blows as freely for your sake as this breast that I may never press you to again! Noble Sir John, I am ready now." "Then, silence and hear your orders. The barbican cannot hold out ten minutes longer." The lamentations of the women were here renewed, but soon checked by the severe tone of command in which the knight now spoke. "The English will execute all male prisoners: such of you, therefore, as are able to bear arms must sally; but as the enemy are in force on the other side of the fosse, your wives and children must be left behind. Silence, women, or you must be removed: they will be safe from violence; there is no alternative; better to escape thus than to die before their faces, after provoking fur-'tis the first time I ever had such ther ill-treatment by selling your blood at a cost that can but exasperate the churls who lose it. Hear your commands, then. Barry Oge, take six men and be ready to lower the drawbridge the moment the outer gate is thrown open. Son of Connogher, to you I commit the leading of the sally; you will throw open the outer gate when I give the word, and sally with your own and Redmond's company; Gillaspike, you will join the son of Manus when he has performed his orders, and with him bring up the rere." And so he proceeded to issue his commands, with a peremptory rapidity that left no time for dispute or interruption, marching the inen into the open space between the outer and inner gates from the galleries above, where the women and children were compelled to remain, after a brief space allowed for parting; and a sad scene their parting was, where the words of fondness that the husband pronounced over his wife were scarce audible in the din of blows redoubled on the yielding gates that must soon admit the enemies Talbot wrung his hand--" May God speed and protect you!" he said; but the son of Connogher, exclaimed in sudden amazement, "Staff of Patrick, Sir John! do you not come with us yourself?" "No," said the knight, mournfully but firmly, " I must not leave my wife." Chorp an Chriost, Sir John, and why should we leave ours?" 66 Were they in the same danger, Art, I should ask no man of your company to cross the drawbridge to-night : do you remember from what you have already saved her?" "Dar m'anim," Sir John, the warden can do you no harm now." "I would to God he were past harming any of us more; but, Art, he has the will still, and I fear me much is likely to have the power also; but the gate will be driven in before you go, if you tarry longer. Son of Manus, let go the chains; draw the main bolt, Gillaspike; there, throw it open wide: now, mo hoga, forward! strike together, and hold right a-head, and may God speed you!" The last words were drowned in a shout, with which the Irish rushed out into the darkness, and in another half minute the noise of strife from beyond the draw-bridge, announced that they were among the enemy. Talbot stood listening till the rush of the sillying column sounded from beyond the spot where they had met the opposition, and then, satisfied of their having fought their way with unexpected success so far, he turned to the inner gate, now fast yielding to the exertions of those within the courtyard, and, withdrawing the bolts, stood with nothing in his hand but a lamp, alone before the victors. Sir John Talbot, you are my prisoner," said an officer, advancing the moment he saw him. They shall be done no violence," replied the Englishman; " but your lady, Sir John, I must keep in strict custody, as well as yourself, until my Lord Deputy arrives." "I thank God, that I have to deal with a man of gentle nurture at last," said the knight, "and will not repine at whatever custody you place us in, if we be but together." “I have no orders to separate you, Sir John, and will be satisfied by your keeping your apartment." By my honour, I thank you!" cried Talbot, involuntarily extending his hand, but Brereton drew back.← Pardon me," said the knight, quickly; "I had forgotten; I am a prisoner." "If mine were the only bonds in which you are wrapped, Sir John Talbot," replied the Englishman," I should not let such a difference of condition stand between me and the hand of a inan who did such good service to my mother's brother ; but--" VOL. VI. Death and perdition !" exclaimed the knight, is this accursed curse to to be flung in my teeth at every turn? I wish Archbishop Alan and his morderers were with the devil together! I am sick of the hateful lie; but again, I pray you, Sir William, pardon me, for I have no right to tax you with injustice in believing what the world believes of me, although how wrongfully I call God and man to witness, as shall yet be seen either on earth or in heaven, if there be virtue in truth, or justice in the ends of Providence; but come, I am wearying you: lead me to my place of custody." While this conference was going on, the barbican was taken possession of by the troops from the court-yard, as well as by those entering from the field after their ineffec tual attempt to stay the flight of the company that had escaped. Talbot was conducted to his apartment, at the door of which a sentry was posted, and where he was permitted to remain with his wife, undisturbed save by their own apprehensions, till after sunrise. Day-light disclosed an altered scene to the captives, as they sat at the great window over the inner gate, looking down on the court-yard. Instead of the exulting galloglass, in his wild costume, shouting and singing round the doorways, there stood the well-ordered men-at-arms, drawn up in two fair lines from the keep to the gateway, silently awaiting the arrival of the victorious Lord Deputy. The red cross of England blew out broad and steady in the morning breeze from the flag-staff that had borne the banner of Fitzgerald at sunset; and those cannon which but a few hours before had cast death and confusion among the English trenches, were now turned inwards on the walls they had defended, and pointed at the miserable remuant of the garrison where they stood, crowded into a narrow corner of the court, disarmed, dismayed, and helpless, expecting the doom of rebels. As the dawn grew clearer, the knight could mark the faces of many whom he knew, among his unhappy fellow captives: there was Tyrrell, weak from loss of blood, sitting F At on the pavement with his back to the wall; O'Madden was there with one arm broken, hauging loose and motionless from the shattered shoulder; and. there was Sheridan, whom, after all his enmity, he could not but pity, as he stood with his hands tied behind his back, and his head sunk on his breast, while the blood trickled from a wound on his forehead, down his bruised armour to the ground. Many others there were whose sad plight he could more fully commiserate, since there were but these already named, who had none ever shewn him ill will or violence-for the only man whom he could not have pitied was no where to be seen. length the noise of drums and trumpets announced the Lord Deputy's approach, and all eyes were turned to the gateway, as the mounted cavalcade came trampling over the drawbridge, and poured into the castle with the combined pomp of military, judicial, and ecclesiastical power; for there rode with the Lord Deputy the Chief Justice, the Chief Baron, and the Lord High Chancellor Archbishop Cromer, with many other exalted personages of high authority in the state. But there was another spectacle which suddenly attracted more than a divided interest with the entry of Sir William Skeffington. As the Lord Deputy came in at the gates, there issued from the keep a company of officers to receive him in the court-yard; these were led by Sir William Brereton with the keys; after him came Salisbury and Holland, two English captains, leading-Parez. On him all eyes were turned. He was neither manacled nor disarmed, and he advanced with an air of ostentatious confidence, although assailed by such a yell of execration as might have abashed any but a Judas. It was plain he had sold the castle; but before the indignant knight or his lady could see what farther was to take place, they were summoned to attend the Lord Deputy. "You have done the king good service, Sir William," were the first words they heard Skeffington pronounce, as they were led forward among the throng, expecting, indeed, the worst that could befall, but bearing their fate with the decent resignation of long experience in misfortune; "you have done his majesty good service, Sir William," said Skeffington; "let me now know what have been the terms." "So please you, my lord, a thousand pounds to Master Parez in haud, and the disposal of two prisoners in his custody." Talbot started, and Ellen's heart began to beat with fearful apprehension. "Are they rebels to the king?" said the Lord Deputy. "So please you, my lord," replied Brereton; "I will read your lordship his letter of stipulation, which will explain all." Proceed, Sir William ;" and the knight took forth a paper, from which he read as follows: "For the honorable hands of Sir William Brereton, knight, these, with speed. Right Honorable-If you would devise a means to do yourself a service you would not waste your shot on my walls, but rather consider what I propose to your discretion. I am able to hold this castle, if I would, till Christmas. I am able to give the same into your hands, if I will, before sunrise tomorrow. Ponder the difference, and weigh well the advantage. It is not that I need a reward, and yet a thousand pounds were far short of the value of the service; but I have reasons which concern myself, and are sufficient. Wherefore, taking no thought of what may move me, take heed of what I am moved to. I will render you this castle if you will secure me a thousand pounds in hand, and the custody of my own prisoners. They are but two-a villain whom I must be left to deal with as I please, he and his paramour. On these terms, and no other, you shall have the castle. Mark me-I must have the full custody and disposal of my prisoners; that and the thousand pounds. So, (1ight honorable,) if you think fit to entertain this offer, send me a reply, and shoot it in tomorrow, as I tonight shoot this to you. Direct it to my own hands: I shall devise a means to have such a billet in readiness as shall pass for it, should it be seen by any of my garrison. And now, as you shall deal with me or not, I offer you my commendations or defiance; for, be assured, that my power is equal to either course you may take. Farewell. “PAREZ, Warden of Maynooth. "Postscriptum-Mark, the full custody and disposal of my prisoners. "C. P." It was with difficulty the Irish could be restrained from violence, even manacled and guarded as they were, during the reading of this letter; and Parez, although he stood protected by an armed guard, quailed and shook under the terrible curses heaped upon him by his victims. But order was again restored by dint of blows, and the betrayer stood once more collected in audacious effrontery as Brereton proceeded. My lord, this letter was brought me on yesterday morning before sunrise, and in reply I shot an answer in about mid-day, accepting the warden's offer, and craving to know when and how he purposed to fulfil it. There was a sally from the walls a little after, and your lordship has seen with what success, so that I scarce expected to hear again from Master Parez; but being constant to his word, he shot me another billet a little before sunset, which I will also read to your lordship. For the honorable hands of Sir William Brereton, these, with speed. "Right Honourable and my very good Sir-My commendations to you. You may scale the north wall where the ruins of the turret have choked the ditch, without fear, when I shall show a light from the middle window of the west side of the keep nearest the battlement. The capture of a gun from your trenches offers a fit occasion for rejoicing; and I shall so order it that there will be no lack of liquor to carry the garrison's revelries to a fortunate issue. I have drugged a cask of wine for the nonce, and if I be not deceived, some of our light hearts shall have heads heavy enough before morning. Remember the conditions of our agreement, and, till I meet you at the door of the keep, farewell. "Your honor's assured servant, "Postscriptum-My prisoners lodge in the barbican: they are, one Talbot, "My lord," continued Brereton, "the signal being given, as here described, about two hours before day, we entered the place as directed, and found the garrison asleep; so that little labour sufficed to complete the work, save, only, that some Irishry quartered in the barbican escaped: the warden's prisoners, however, are secured, and now await your lordship's pleasure." "I cannot break the faith which you have pledged, Sir Willlam," said Skeffington. "This Talbot is convicted of the murder of an archbishop, and it mitters little into whose hands he may fall, since, as I gather from Master Parez's letter, the warden meditates him as little good as the Chief Justice." “My lord,” said Parez, stepping forward, "I am willing to hand him over to the civil power, to be dealt with as the law has provided. I only stipulated to have the disposal of him, that so great a criminal should not escape by exchange of prisoners or otherwise." Then why not execute him out of hand, while you had him here?" asked the Deputy. My lord," replied Parez, hesitating, "I-I was unwilling to stretch my authority as warden: but, my lord, he is at your lordship's disposal now; and as for the lady" "Well, Master Parez, we shall settle this presently," said Skeffington, "In the meantime, I have to thank you, on my master the King's behalf, for this service, which I acknowledge to have been a sparing of great charges and a saving of many valiant soldiers' lives to his highness; and when his Majesty shall be advised thereof, I am bold to say he will not see you want during your life. But, as I hold a poor one thousand pounds but a light recompense for service so weighty, I would wish to know what has been your condition as a servant to the rebel, in order that no man need say hereafter you have been the loser by this change of masters." "My lord," replied Parez, colouring with pleasure at his complete success, "I have to return your lordship my "How so, Sir ?" My lord, I am own foster-brother to Tomás-an-teeda." The rage of the prisoners again broke orth in loud execrations, and extreme indignation at the warden's baseness was freely expressed by many of those who stood around; but Sir William Skeffington turned his head aside, that Parez could not see whether or not he joined in the general disgust. "Sir William Brereton," at length he said, after a pause, during which the colour came and went upon the traitor's cheek, like shadows of an April day, "read me the warden's letter of stipulation again." The letter was again read. "Have you a thousand pounds in the military chest?" asked the Deputy. My lord," replied Brereton, "it is here; and he pointed to a heavy bag of gold carried by a man-at-arins. Are you satisfied so far?" asked the Deputy. "I am, my lord. I have nothing more to ask but the custody of my own prisoners." "They are at your disposal." "Then, my lord, I hand over the murderer to be dealt with by the laws; and I claim the wardship of the lady, since she is not his wife, and as I am her next of kin within the four seas: my mother was her father's cousin, and she is not yet of full age." "You have your demand," said the Deputy. Marshall, take this knight into your custody. Madam, consider yourself the ward of Master Parez. Are you satisfied?" am, my lord: the conditions are amply fulfilled," exclaimed the traitor, with a smile of triumph so diabolical, that a murmur of indignation burst involuntarily from even the gravest of the assembly, while the Irish prisoners and the lower sort showered a storm of curses on his head, Parez bore both loud and terrrible. tumult ceased all at once, for the face all with exulting effrontery. But the of the Lord Deputy, as he turned to address the warden again, was suddenly and fearfully changed. "You are satisfied?" he once more inquired, in a stern voice. "I am, my lord," replied Parez, but in a tone of decreasing confidence. "Provost Marshall," cried Skeffington. The officer advanced; the Deputy pointed to Parez, and, speaking so loud as to be heard to the remotest quarter of the courtyard, cried, "Chop me off the villain's head!" 66 "My lord, my lord," cried Parez, "you cannot mean to take my life! You are bound to do me no violence. Villain, it is false !" exclaimed the Deputy. "I am bound to give you a thousand pounds: look to your money, count it; you have the full sum you asked. I am bound to give you the disposal of your prisoners: you have |