“Ah, you’re young and green yet, Fergus, but time and expariance will, open your eyes to your own interests, and you’ll live to acknowledge the folly of having scruples with the world—­ay will you.”

“It may be so, sir; but I thank God the time you speak of has not come yet.”

“Well,” continued his father, “now that we have talked over that matter, read this;",and, as he spoke, he handed Fergus a notice, evidently a friendly one, to the following; effect—­

“Hunda.

“Mr. O’Driscol.—­It’s said that ye’re to goto Lisnagola on Shoosda next.  Now I tel ye there’s a set upon yer life—­don’t go on that day, or it’ll bee worser for ye—­any way don’t pass Philpot’s corner betuxt 2 and fore o’cluck.

“A FRIEND THAT YEW WANST SAVED.”

“What do you think of that, Fergus?”

“Why, sir, it’s a proof that you have friends among these turbulent people.  I hope you don’t intend going to Lisnagola on that day; by the way it must mean this day, for this is Tuesday, and the note or notice, or whatever you call it, is dated on Sunday, I perceive.  I trust you don’t intend to to-day, sir, and expose yourself.

“I shall certainly go, sir,” replied his father, rising up quite indignantly.  “What do you think I am?  Do you think, sir, that I—­Fitzgerald O’Driscol, am the man to be intimidated by blood-thirsty dogs like these?  No, sir.  I shall, at the proper time, arm myself, mount my good horse and ride, calm as a milestone, past the very spot.  D—­n the rascals! do they think to terrify me?”

“If the author of that letter does,” replied Fergus, “he is most certainly mistaken;” and as he said so he looked significantly at his sister, who smiled as one would who thoroughly understood the matter.

Just at that moment, Alick Purcel was seen approaching the hall-door, and in a few minutes he joined them.

“Well, Alick,” said the magistrate, “all well at Longshot Lodge—­all safe and sound for so far?”

“All well, sir, thank you, and safe and sound for so far.”

“Do you know what I think, Alick?”

“No, sir.”

“Upon my honor and conscience I am of opinion, that it’s something in your favor to live so near to me.  I act as a kind of protection for you, Alick.  I am morally convinced, ay, and have good raison to know it from more than one quarther, that your father’s house would have been attacked long since, if it were not for the near neighborhood of dare-devil O’Driscol.  And yet these fellows like courage, Alick; for instance, read that warning.  There you see is a plot laid for my life; but I’ll show the villains that they have the wrong sow by the ear.  I have showed them as much before, and will show them as much again.”

He then handed the note, with an air of triumph, to Alick, who read it over and assumed a look of great terror.

“Of course you will be guided by this, Mr. O’Driscol.”