The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-05-29

with its grouping aud coloring, as well a
to the painters eye q meat striking pic
ture.
The tall figure and plain features Of tn
priest, looking still paler b the dim light
the male peasants bowed In devotion, Wit
ear erect TO- catch the Fepsotest nxGccsstons
ed sounds, among whom were distinguish
able few, besides Frank Lynch, in sail
ora earb aud the females in their blu
and scarlet cloaks with keechiefed heads-
these formed the figures II the interior
while abroad the mist swept momentarily
away, were distipguishable the b0undles'
reach Of teMpestuous ocean, with an occa
sional boat borne triumphantly on, o.
glimpse Of the gigantic mountain-ra
looming in the far-oR distance.
The ceremony proceeded, and the
screams Of the restless sea-fowl sweeping
round the cliff, added q wilder solemnity
to it, while the roar Of the waves, as they
rushed into the cavern or broke thunder
ingly against the neighboring cliffs, might
appropriate organ peal for that wild cavern
cathedral.
The mass was scarcely half concluded,
when the voice of the scout who had been
left abroad to give warning, should danger
approach, was heard above winds and
waves shouting g the throopers = the
bloody tbroopers, an S!a,0n ma Soggarth -
fusion in the cavern. Prayers were ar
rested in their utterance. The candles
were quenched-the scored book closed
the wine spilled-the vcstnaents stripped ;
the priest and flock, male and female, the
aged and the young, were scrambling amid
the slippery rocks in their eagerness to es-
cape. Some fed along the shore, in various
directions; others pushed off in the boats,
to buffet with wind and tide; while q few
were necessitated to betake themselves to
swimming after the nearest boat to escape
the dreaded troopers, who were advancing
rapidly under the guidance of the far and
evil , famed SHARP, st no soggarth, tie re- re-
other than Mullowny, the readers acquain-
lance of yesterday.
Either the scout had been negligent, or
the troopers had used great precaution in
their approach, as they had neared the cliff
closely when his alarm was given. Yet,
30 rapid had been the movements of the
terrified congregation from the cavern, that
when the party came up, there were, out
Of nearly three hundred, but two indivi-
iuals still scrSmbling at the mouth of the
one q very aged and nearly
blind female peasant, the other her grand
Jon, fine athletic young fellow, who had
in spite of all danger, to aid her
steps.
Michaul, ma graw (my love-, lay me here.
Bad as they are, the sogers I'll not mind to
larm a poor ouid blind coliiagh. But do
iou make off, as they'd surely hurt you, or
ihrag you to Jail, like as they did Andy
dorkan last aisther, an thin what I'D your
Door granny dol"
"No, granny, I wont stir an inch till
MI,
,ones o'skiverin' you than they'd make o.
,uttin' dog. But have courage for q
ninnit or two, an we'll be both safe. Wan
> the boats is putin back for us-hilloow
i" Michaut, they're on us inready, for l
rear their steps. Lay me down, a vich ma
hree tson of my hearth Av they kill me
dsel,' what matthers an unsignified ould
olliagh Z an maybe I'd never be SO fit to
lie as this blessed minnit."
Without wasting more words, Michaul
ook his grandmother in his arms and
prang forth from the cavern.
"That's the dog ov priest in the next
'oat,' shouted Shaun ma Soggarth 10y this
'ered, we shall for the future designate !
as he approached the cliff,
an thaaI ma Reese bteeun echy," Tiny year g |
emit is paid)-his usual expression on |
citing sight of a priest we can pin /
don't let him escape. It's the
Ote0 F8t0er Niger nlnSeI, rs suspected
an We have liberty to shoot him
8 he's a returned priest"
Nothing 10th, some half dozen of the |
that first reached the cliff, fred
t the boat; harmlessiy, however, for the
ccnpants, though two of the bullets struck
or side; and before the pieces were re-
,aded she was out of shot range.
1t was at this moment that MichauL
merged from the cavern, bearing forth his
{" Ha ]" exclaimed Shawn, as he perceived
lem, i" we have q brace o. the mass-goers,
n they shant escape us any hOw"-and he
ounded forward to grapple with Michaut.
ut before he could reach him the unf0r-
mate peasant was struck in the knee by O
not, fired either at random OF with intent
, kill, aud fell with "a shattered leg, while
he wretched old woman threw herself be-
de him, with the Widest expressions of
REF, and the most fearful imprecatiOns on
~ ruthless hand that had done the deed.
D vain did the sufferer, effectualiy mas.
ring all expressions of his agony, for her
IKE, assure her he was but slightly hurt,
nd that it would signify nothing. =
{" No, no, MickG Il, don't be desaver
nv, 20. that never 1esaved me. know
ley have, may darlin' sROck tsOnl kilt, that
Ouldn't hurt q mouse hlnsep for hearin'