The boat now pushed off.  A corporal and four men were told off to occupy the cave until relieved by the revenue men, and then, with the prisoners in their center, the party climbed the cliff, and again, having been joined at the top by the rest of the company, marched to Ballyporrit.  They found the village in a state of excitement.  The soldier who had gone to fetch the doctor had brought the news that a fight had take place down on the face of the cliff, but he could not say whether any had been killed.  As soon as the detachment returned with the prisoners in their midst many women flocked round with cries and lamentations, and exchanged greetings with the prisoners.

Ralph at once took possession of the stables at the inn, and saw that the prisoners were all handcuffed, the Red ruffian’s legs being also securely bound.  Then he placed two sentries inside and two out.  The news that some of the men had been killed soon spread, and many of the villagers who did not see their relations among the prisoners hurried off toward the scene of action.  Ralph informed the landlord that the dead had all been placed together on the seashore, and that their friends were at liberty to remove and bury them without any questions being asked.  He then sent a corporal over to bring back news how the wounded men had borne the journey, and how they were disposed.  But before his return the doctor drove up in a trap that he had borrowed.

“Adcock has put up the two officers in his own house,” he said, “and his wife will look after them, so you need not worry about them.  The other poor fellows are in the cottage next door.  It belongs to the coxswain of the boat, who is also a married man.  So you need be under no uneasiness about any of them.  As far as I can see, they are all likely to do well.  I shall go over the first thing in the morning, and will bring you news of them as soon as I get back.”

Ralph had given orders that Denis Moore was not to be treated as a prisoner; and he now told the sergeant to send him in to him.

“I have been thinking it over, Moore,” he said; “and it seems to me the best plan will be to allow you to go quietly away.  Your conduct in the fight in the cave in itself showed that you were not voluntarily with the others; and I do not think, therefore, that it is necessary to report you among the prisoners.  I suppose the Red Captain’s gang have not done any unlawful act beyond taking part in the still business since they took you away from home?”

“No, your honor.  We just came straight down here, traveling at night and hiding away by day.”

“Very well.  In that case you can give no special evidence against them.  It is probable that at the trial evidence may be required from Galway as to the deeds that that red-bearded scoundrel committed there; and it is possible that you may be summoned with others, but I should think that the evidence of the constabulary will be sufficient.  So, if you will give me your address there I will take it upon myself to let you go at once.  In that case you can join your wife this evening and travel back with her.”