, 1864-01-30

they were at once discharged but not be-
fore they had been presented with a couple
of guineas by the gentlemat who had been
SO active in apprehending them, as some
compensation for the treatment TO which he
had been the means Of subecting them.
On being liberated, our three little heroes
prosecuted their journey, md hoped that
they might be allowed to accomplish II with
out any more Interruptions. n the mean
time, they beguiled the way By talking over
their last adventure, and wondering how
they had como to be treated as they had
been. On this subject, however, they at
length came to satisfactory conclusion,
attributing their apprehension to the cir
cumstance Of their having been found near
the dead body; but never dreaming that
the unfortunate responses with which they
had been furnished by Ian More had been
the main cause Of that proceeding. In ig-
norance Of this, their English, Of course, was
retained for further service with as much
confidence in its efficacy as ever. Having
accomplished another days weary travel,
which brought them within q short distance
Of their destination, the travellers would fain
have completed the journey at oncej but
one Of them, who was more weakly than the
other two, declared that he was so done up
that he could not possibly proceed. This
was an awkward circumstance, as it was now
a late hour of the night, pitch dark, and
there was no public house at hand in which
they might find quarters till the morning.
In this dilemma, our travellers espied q farm
house at some distance from the road; and,
thinking of the hospitality Of their own
country, they determined on repairing to it,
and asking the boon of nights lodging.
On reaching the house, however, they found
that all the inmates had retired to rest.
Everything was quiet about the place; I;
doors locked, and windows fast. Too modest
and timid in their natures to think Of dis
turbing the repose Of the family, they looked
around them to find cover or shelter Of
any kind, in which they might ensconce
themselves for the night. In this quest,
fortune singuIarly favored them. A barn
door stood invitingly open. They entered,
and, better luck still, found Il well stored
with straw. Nothing could be more con-
venient. s4
Congratulating themselves on their good
fortune, they instantly burrowed themselves
in the straw, and, IN few minutes, were
all three enjoying Almost refreshing snoozei /
which snooEe continued without the smallest
interruption for several hours, and would,
in all probability, have continued for several
hours longer, but for the occurrence Of o
very extraordinary circumstance. About
the middle of the night, our three travellers
were suddenly awakened in great terror BY
dreadful noise outside Of their dorinitory.
The noises were those Of q number Of men
and women in q state Of great commotion
and alarm. Amazed and cOnf6unded at the
extraordinary hubbub, the startled occu-
pants Of the barn rushed to the door, and,
TO their farther amusement and perplexity,
saw three or four Of the corn stacks in the
barnyard in blaze. On perceiving the
catastrophe, they were about TO run to the
assistance Of those who were employed IN
the attempts to arrest the progress Of the
fire, or rather fires-icr thereweTe, as already
said, three or four stacks in state Of con-
lagration when each Of them found him
self suddenly cOllared from behind by q cor
responding number Of brawny arms. They
had been seen emerging from the barn; and
no doubt having been entertained that they
were the incendiaries, their capture, in the
way described, was the consequence. ir
"Was it your" roared the owner, grasp
ing M'Eachern; Cor who was Il, you villain,
that set my stacks on fret Who, who was
iti-answer me p exclaimed the farmer,
furiously, and again he shook little Donald
violently. sa s's laglst@ 4.3 n tgs q
sWc tree wee Heclanmen," replied the
latter; in choking voice. gnt
o"0hi you have all been concerned init,
have your and you confess It, tool So, so.
Then curse me If l don't give you sauce to
this dish, Mind ye, my lads, this is q hang.
ing business, and, depend upon i, you shall
have tho full benefit Of the act that makes
provision thereanent. What the devil, you
sOoundrOls you, induced you to fire my barn
yard I" q a''isei s,5'ss le'.s,s &
This was another pointed question, and IL
was Is pOintodly answered ltlses e.a.
eta purse an IA penny siller,' replied
Donald. ~ I, q 81 iaa .n
HHal bribcd, you rascals. It'svcry we'll.
] half thought 50, and ImOrc than half know
who bribed you. I'll bring them up, too,
with short turn, presently"
The unrosisting incendiaries were now
conducted into the farmers house, until q
consultation should be held as to the best
way Of disposing Of them. Here, however,
another instance occurred, TO be added to