of several hours, by referring the entire question to the sole decision of our friend.  After a short silence, during which the agony of his mind was extreme, he solemnly advised and adjured us to provide as best we could for our own safety, while he, who was not so deeply compromised, would maintain his position, and still struggle against our common destiny.  If he succeeded, and that we had not left the country, we could return.  But to advise us to continue in our then position where an iron circle was closing around us, relying on the slender chances that then presented themselves, involved a responsibility which would be no longer endurable.  We then partook of a comfortable dinner which he had provided, and parted with sad hearts.

[Illustration:  The Knockmeldown Mountains from Ardfinan]

The place which, as far as we could form an opinion, presented the greatest facilities for escape, was the town and neighbourhood of Dungarvan.  Thither we resolved to repair; and about three o’clock, on the 13th day of August, we set off across the nearest range of the Comeraghs—­Stephens and myself, accompanied by my sister-in-law, whom we hoped to employ in negotiating for a passage to France.  A farmer and two women of the place undertook to conduct us the shortest way across the mountains, and provide us an asylum for the night, which we reached after a forced journey of six hours.  We there parted from our guides; and the people to whom they recommended us were exceedingly kind, and much more hospitable than their means would permit.  On the following day our host became our guide for several miles across the declining Comeraghs, until we came in view of Dungarvan.  We purchased some bread, eggs and tea at a village called Tubbernaheena; but while in the village we learned that the military and police were scouring the country far and wide, in search of arms, which compelled us to change our route and take an easterly direction.  We crossed several miles of bog, and had to pass many a ravine; but the worst trial was before us.  We applied in several houses for the means of preparing our dinner, having travelled at least twenty miles over moor and mountain.  We applied in twenty places in vain.  At last, half by force and half by entreaty, we prevailed on a woman, whose circumstances seemed comfortable.  We were, of course, unknown; and though we met many a rebuff, we determined to endure them, rather than reveal our names and character.  During the progress of our meal we established ourselves in the good graces of the housewife, but she obstinately refused to allow us to remain for the night.  She directed us to a publichouse, where, on our arrival, we found a proclamation menacing any one who entertained, harboured or assisted us, with the direst punishment.  In answer to our inquiry the owner, who was a woman, pointed to the proclamation, as an argument against which all remonstrance was vain.  We made three or four other attempts