l6o WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



tation of risking a trial, and returned to ford, posses- 

 sing the esteem and good wishes of every inhabitant 

 of ' the Wilderness.' 



" I was on parade some mornings after I rejoined 

 the regiment, when a horse, splendidly accoutred with 

 a superb tiger-skin, holsters, saddle, and every housing 

 fit for a field officer, was led into the barrack- yard by 

 a groom. The animal was a perfect picture of symmetry 

 and strength ; a dark chestnut, sixteen hands high, and 

 worth, at least, two hundred guineas. The groom pre- 

 sented me a letter ; it was from Mr. Morden the horse 

 was a present. 



" Emily and her cousin married most happily, and we 

 have often met since. They treat me as sisters would 

 a brother ; and we frequently talk of the night attack 

 upon ' the Wilderness.' 



" Three years passed away ; the gang had been 

 incessantly followed by Mr. Morden, and were extir- 

 pated with the solitary exception of Captain Bulger. 

 Dreading the sleepless vengeance of that determined old 

 man, this ruffian fled the country, and established 

 himself in a disaffected district of the south. 



" In the interim I got a majority in the Seventieth, 

 then quartered in Cork. Soon after I joined, I happened 

 to be field officer of the day on which a notorious 

 criminal was doomed to suffer. The regiment had given 

 a guard, and curiosity induced me to attend the execu- 

 tion. 



" I entered the press-room. In a few minutes the 

 malefactor appeared in white grave-clothes, attended by 

 two priests. It was ' mine ancient enemy,' Bulger ! 

 Suddenly the Sheriff was called out, and after a short 

 Absence returned, accompanied by a plain, vigorous 



