“Well, Owen, ahagur, we ought to be thankful that you’re back here safe; bud do you think the magisthrate will be satisfied with this story—­they are always anxious to do justice, but they must be satisfied.”

“In throth, they are, machree:  but shure I’ll sware to id; an’, besides, you know, the raal murdherer may be discovered—­for God never lets it, ov all other crimes, go athout punishment.  An’ now I’ll just go to the barracks at onst, an’ be out ov suspinse.”

Ere Duncan had concluded his sentence, the tramp of feet was heard outside, and in a few seconds the cabin was full of armed men, who came to take him prisoner.  He had been seen entering his cabin; and they immediately, as soon as they could muster a party, set out to make him captive.  As he was known to most of them, and did not make the slightest attempt at resistance, they treated him gently, but bound his hands firmly behind his back, and took every necessary precaution.  Though Ellen, while it seemed at a distance, had conversed calmly about his surrender, she was violently agitated at the appearance of the armed force.  She clung to her husband’s knees, and refused to part with him, wildly screaming, “He’s innocent!  My husband’s innocent!” and when all was prepared, she walked by his side to the magistrate’s house, (a distance of three miles,) her choking sobs and burning tears attesting the violence of her uncontrolled feelings.  A short examination was gone through there; and the circumstantial evidence that was adduced made the case look very serious.  One man positively swore, that he had seen Duncan pass by in the morning, in the direction where the body was found, and that he was armed with a gun.  Another, that in about an hour afterwards he had heard a shot, but supposed it was some person coursing, and that the report was just where the body was found, and where Owen had been seen proceeding to.  His only cow having been seized by Daly, a threat that he was heard uttering, and his absence from home, was duly commented on; and finally, he was committed to prison to abide his trial at the Ennis Assizes.  While all this was going forward, Ellen’s emotions were most agonizing.  She stared wildly at the magistrate and the two witnesses; and as the evidence was proceeded with, she sometimes hastily put back her hair, as if she thought she was under the influence of a dream.  But when his final committal was made out, and her mind glanced rapidly at the concurrent testimony, and the danger of Owen, she rushed forward, and flinging her arms round him, wildly exclaimed—­

“They shan’t part us—­they shan’t tear us asunder!  No, no, Owen, I will go wid you to preson!  Oh, is id come to this wid us?—­You to be dhragged from home, accused of murdher—­and I—­I—­Father of marcies, keep me in my sinses—­I’m goin’ mad—­wild, wild mad!”

“Ellen!” said Owen, gently unwinding her arms, and kissing her forehead, while a scalding tear fell from his eye on her cheek—­“Ellen, asthore machree! don’t be overcome.  There’s a good girl, dhry yer eyes.  That God that knows I’m guiltless, ’ill bring me safe through all.  May his blessin’ be on you, my poor colleen, till we meet agin!  You know you can come an’ see me.  Heaven purtect you, Ellen, alanna!—­Heaven purtect you!”