The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-08-28
THE PRIEST HUNTER,
An Irish Tale of the Penal Times.
BY N. ARCHDEAcoN, ESQ.

(Continued)
And Frank she did meet, as she cautiousl,
approached the shore; he was leaning agains
q rock at some distance from where the band
was assembling fast, with his head bent and
arms folded, as if in a chafed or thoughtful
mood. He did not perceive her, recognizing
= him, she advanced with light and stealthy
step till Stapping him the shoulder, she said
you diew
Then, starting from his recumbent posture,
and his practiced eye perceiving the horse
rapidly snatched from his breast pistol, and
was in tho act of putting his finger to the
trigger when, bursting into a low laugh, she
observed in her natural voice, "Spare your
powder, gallant captain, yon will soon have
worthier objects for it, though you might, per-
haps, earn increased fame by shooting a wo-
Good heavens! is it you Bessy-and WHY
here at this time 2"
without further wasting the time which she
knew to be now SO precious, she informed him,
as she Leo him somewhat further from the
place OF rendezvous, of the troopers ambush
ana its object, beseeching him earnestly, at
Sne same time, to have no participation in the
aS.ack, ana revealing by admission and inn
phcaton, the terms on which she had obtained |
the information, we'll as her fathers inten-
tlons for the morrow.
"Well, my sweet Bessv." observed Frank.
wnen her communication closed, as you are
proving our preserver tonight, you must not
make miserable life you have been the sa-
Vionr OF; and though you will, trust, quit
your fathers house tonight, it will be under
the sailing order of one who feels warmer
ana more disinterested affection for you than
the specuiating, lowlived trooper"
On former occasion we boosted we were
no eaves-dropper, to spy out and gossip of the
proceedings of lovers in their stolen interviews;
and though we could guess shrewdly ut the
1urther arrangements in the present instance,
we shall, in order to sustain character,
drop the curtain here, barely recording that
vain were her tenderest and most earnest en-
treaties to dissuade him from ACCOMPANYING
the party that night.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Shortly after the interview between Frank
and Bessy, the former approached the Kappa
rec meeting with rapid strides and gloomy q
brow.
eve are betrayed, boys" he muttered; ssthe !
soldiers are in our wake at this moment, and
we must Keep sharp look out, every knot we |
run tonight. +
Yis, there's thraitor among us an, knew i
id all along,"' growied Fergus, fixing his fierce r
cred like sapling in the breeze; "but he'll
not enjoy the reward ov his thrason this I"
night".and Selling the trembling betrayer,
VINO valnly invoked heaven and earth to wit G.
ness the falsehood of the charge, he pinioned b
his arms with rope speedily supplied and, by a
Franks directions, placed him between two of 81
The abiest and best armed of the rapparees,
with directions to stab him to the heart, should v
hip. Ii
Immediately succeeding this occurrence te
smong the rapparees loud shout, as of pain OF
and terror was heard in the neighborhood of 81
me cottage; and, moving forward cautiously cs
20 the near hedge, whence the cry proceeded, re
'wo OF the dragons discovered an armed man sc
'trugghdg to rise while another was visible bI
moving Iast away. Selling the former, who Oh
attempted no resistance, and uttered no fur hi
her cry, they conveyed him to the cottage, re
where they perceived that he bled from fe
wound in the cheek, however, and by whom be
oever inflicted; and questioning him as to GU
Is cause and his appearance then and there, ed
e stated with somewhat of reluctance but ha
Without any apparent fear, that he was one of
he rapparees who, repentiug of his intended trt
art in the nights proceedings, had endeavored vo
o steal away from his companions, as they be- yu
an to move forward; but that, having been sp
bserved, he had been pursued and assaulted by alb
cOmrade as he approached the cottage. He
lso stated that the rapparees were proceeding aft
, attack the house of Mr.. Dixon, the curate, on
hich was about two miles from Ffolliot's,, no
efore they should proceed to the latter. fla
:. Muster Paddy, you're come to us conf fig
My" said Heavisides, land you're tellin' MS wa
mite the contrary to our instructions; and tw
al yon may be as true steel. But if you're ths
angiu' out false colors and leadin' rs q wit
rong route, by 'eaven you shall ave steel ins
"a lead in your stomach together" 4dis