The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-11-20

the narrow mid-channel, in which there was
always water-''an' the faster yer honor gets
over that now the betther."
Shemus sprang forward himself: the spurs
were dug into the horses sides, andby powerful
eXertions, the animals in front plunged to
the edge of the current where, however, they
were sunk almost to the fetlocks. The wind,
too, was continuing to rise, and the waters
reached the horses breasts
"Shoot the treacherous rufian-cut him
down." roared the baronet.
Thin its time for me to take lave o yer
honor" said Shemus; aud, with the words, he
dived into the channel, with his head to the
sea.
"a hundred guineas to the man that shoots
him, or takes him alive" shouted the baronet.
A dozen shots passed behind, before and
around the diver, but without harming him;
and one of the troopers more eager than pru-
dent, leaped from his horse and, with cloak
sword and boots, plunged into the channel.
But after swimming IL few yards, he was fain
to founder back TO his horse.
|. The water was now rising fast; and, after
the leaders had given vent to their rage i'll
some hearty curses on the treacherous guide,
the word was given to turn the horses heads,
and, by great .cxertions, and with little
difficulty, the party rcgained the beach they
had left, of the men having been forced
to dism0unt to tighten and assist the strug
Cling animals.
Charley Rorke was sitting quietly on horse
back at the edge of the strand; and Heavi-
sides, after having regained the saddle, had
advanced bat few yards when lie met his
baffed comrades returning. He escaped rcpri-
maud, however, as Sir John and Captain Ayl-
were the last to return, having paused
more than once, to try to catch the reappear-
ance of Shemus.
But where was the curate! With him it
Jared the worst of all; for Toney led him to Il
spot where, though remoter from the sea, he
knew the channel was softer and deeper, for a
few ysxls, than " here the dgagoons had att
attempted TO cross. =
When Dixon first began to find his horse
sinking and che water rising, he checked the
gelding and, upraiding his guide, said he
would return at once. Tony, however, assured
find the bottom as hard as the road; and he
struggled on till he reached the edge of the
clannel.
''Now give a bold plunge yer reverence, an
you're over id ALL" said Tony.
The curate applied the spurs, but the ami
NAL shying at the water and dragging it's
limbs from the slime, plunged sideways, sink
ing d. epcr than before.
civilian. I'll have you transported for this
treachery," exclaimed the curate, in tone
shriller than that of the winds or sea birds,
when he found himself in this predicamcnt.
Tony looked to the horseInen and, perceiv-
ing they had more than enough on their hands
for a few minutes, in extrcatiMg themselves,
exclaimed, as he hadrspddenly cut the sirtls.
'Whew! yer reverence wouldn't be so wicked
iutirely to poor boy for the value ov LITTLE
duckin', that'il only tinper yer bitther blood" /
The curate, utterly snraged made ~ cut at
the deceitiul taGntcr with the whip he carried.
buL receiving the DOW on MS arm, ;t!iu
wrcnchiug the whip from the Slight hand that
had attempted to strike, with one hand icrlicd
the reins, and, with the other, ST: ucS the horse
heavily on the flank. The effect that the
animal, inpellei by the blow, made plunge
that brought it again to the waters edge
while, the saddle swerving Dixon flung
into the water. Another wcllapplied blow,
active and practiced hands to the rens, aud
the animal constrained to clear the
channel, after which his path truly on !,
firm bottom till he made, with his agile leader,
the opposite beach. What became of him at
ter, though strenuous eXertions were made for
his recovery, we have not been able to ascer-
tain, whether he became mixed up with the
mountain ponies, or whether he was drafted to
the Continent, as, though inactive, perhaps,
from suf GRANGE, his frame apparently full
of strength and endurance With much ifli-
Guilty, and after having sent forth more than
one cry for assistance, Dixon extricated him
self e. ON the waves and slime, and managed to
reach his companions, who, amid all the an
noyance they felt for their own mishap, could
not forbear laughing at his bedragSled APP
and wo-begone countenance as he
uttered lamentations for his horse.
Heavisides now rode down to the point of
the beach whence the curate had entered on
the strand, and fred both his pistols at Tony, |
who was, however, beyond their range and
fleeing with the swiftness of some animal of
chase, driving the horse before him at full
speed, The eauger, too, for appearance sake, |
discharged his blunderbuss in the same direc-
ton, but with such level, that there was
little danger that any of it's contents would
reach the runaway.
Sir john was directing the dragons, who |
had remounted in their drenched habiliments
to ride round the point at full ga1lop, when |
the voice of Shemus Fadha was heard distinctly |
above the dashing of the waves and the shrek
ing of the sea-birds from the opposite side of
the inlet, though his person could not be dis |
tinguished through the mist. you're done
every way, Sir john" he shouted, "the vessels |
sailed this three hours an ye may go home t
an dhry yersels at yer leisure. Where is Shawn |
now 20
The baronet pausing, half incredufous I
and half fearing that the words might be true,
when boat reached the beach few yards to |
seward of the party. 1t contained two peas
ants who had been drawn from their cabins !
at the month of the inlet by the shouts and
other noises; and who. being questioned, !
the statement, that the vessel had /
sailed from the point of Kilglass some hours
previously; aud there the mpress Of truth .
i'm their niormation.
"AI liner, Civ: those men in charge to some
of yuur; fcllo SIS" said Sir John; land let your
best horseman ride at his fastest speed to the
point He shall lave five guineas, aud full
shnuld he damage the horse if he
pycrtakts us before weicach the town. Should
he find that those TIsriIls have deceived US, |
they shall swing, by the bones of Black Dick