318 THE LOVE TOKEN. 



him, said, " I'll let you pass, sir. Nick, you knows the road, round by 

 the bush, in the corner yonder." 



" I knows it all. Good night, Tom." 



" Good night, Nick," said Tom, as they passed on ; and looking after 

 them, he continued, to himself, " Well, if they be wise, I know what 

 they'll do with him. They'll keep him for the father's sake ; and if the 

 ould man is fond of his boy, I think he won't be hunting any more of 

 us about the country." 



" By the bush in the corner yonder" they rode, and in a few mo- 

 ments arrived on the bank of one of the many streams descending from 

 the mountain. As they stood looking for the best part to cross by, the 

 gleams of the moon fell upon the side of the mountain opposite, Leslie 

 looked up, and, though it was what he expected, he could not restrain a 

 slight mark of emotion on seeing, within less than a quarter of a mile, 

 some thousands of people collected, in separate groups, some lying under 

 the open sky, and a few under the shelter of a shed, here and there 

 rudely erected. There was one cabin to be seen ; the small half-rag 

 stopped windows of which shewed, wherever light could come, that it 

 was well lighted. 



" What house is this ?" asked Leslie of his servant. 



" That's our parliament-house," answered Hennecy, in a quick 

 quaint voice, that left Leslie in doubt whether he was serious or jesting. 

 " That's our parliament-house, sir; and 'tis there they be talking of 

 their plans and marchings, since Lord Edward and the Shears was took 

 up." 



To the door of the parliament-house they rode. Leslie had gathered 

 his cloak about his face ; and the company he was in (for Hennecy was 

 no mean personage in the opinion of the multitude) saved him, as soon as 

 Hennecy was recognized, from curious observation and inquiry. When 

 they had knocked at the door, it was immediately opened, and a few 

 words of Irish having passed between Hennecy and the porter, they 

 dismounted and entered Hennecy only for an instant, for the horses 

 claimed his care and attendance. 



On Leslie's entrance, a number of persons, who were sitting on chairs, 

 stools, tables, beds, or wherever they could find seats, rose ; and one 

 individual, of an athletic but compact figure, dressed in a frieze coat, 

 and who seemed to be the principal person of the assembly, came for- 

 ward and welcomed him. 



" You're welcome, Mr. Leslie. I'm plased to see the coorse you have 

 follied, and may be 't wo'nt be the worse for you and yours." 



" Well, Desmond," answered George, " let us finish the business of 

 to-night. What more have you to say to me upon that business ?" 



" I haven't much more to say, Mr. Leslie ; but are you content to be 

 our captain on the terms I told you of?" 



" Desmond, I'm in some doubt still of the right we have thus to take 

 arms and law into our own hands. And, besides, what is it you have 

 to complain of?" 



" What is it we have to complain of! And, blood-an-oons, Mr. 

 Leslie, is this the question you're asking us afther all ? What is it we 

 have to complain of! God help you. I'll tell you in one story; and 

 that is only one out of a thousand. Do you see that woman on the straw 

 there, in the corner yonder, and the six children about her ? and do 

 you see those big boys here by me? Well, they be all of a family. 'Tis 



