Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-07-22

with pistols. Gerald Barrymore deposited
pistols in the carriage holsters.
81 wish we were safe at home, Masther
Gerald" observed the driver.
$50 do |, Tim. How are things looking
just pow.' $3.50,
Terrible bad, Masther Gerald p
True for you, boy - growled the pos
tilion, in assent
"The whole side of the country is up,
I'm tould, said the driver.
more power to EN- = growled the pos
tilion.
What nonsense !" laughed Laurence,
and he turned to Barrymore. " Do you
really believe such talk as this :"
"My dear Spalding, you don't know
anything of this country. only hope you
may not be compelled to learn by disagree
able experience"
Laurence shrugged HE shoulders. His
friend was evidently not amenable to rea-
son on this subject, which Laurence had
settled beforehand by process of intuition
the best possible way of dealing with diff
cult political and national questions.
They drove on for some hours, Spalding
and Barrymore smoking and pleasantly
chatting, although Barrymore was continu-
ally casting ANXIOUS glances on either side
OF the road, and every now and then ex-
aiming bis pistols. At last they came
into dark and gloomy defile-a narrow
gorge almost as wild as an Alpine pass, and
which seemed TO stretch on for miles.
IF we were through this, said Barry
more, in a low tone, as il speaking to him
self, 81 think we should be safe for this
day"
Are there highway robbers about ;"
asked Spalding.
Highway robbers here? On no "
"What else, then!
1.-The Fenians " said Gerald, in low
and solemn voice.
Laurence threw himself back in the car
risge and quietly laughed.
Just at that moment a shot was heard,
and the driver pulled up the horses.
Begorrs, they're on US, sure enough "
he exclaimed.
We're taken, Spalding " said Gerald,
calmly.
Laurence craned his neck out, and saw
that a small body of men, armed with
guns, were drawn across the road, and that
two were at the horses heads.
Before he could leap out of the carriage
dozen men were at the side OF it. One
had sword. They wore sort of uni
form, and each had green sash.
Surrender, gentlemen p said the
swordsman, politely.
Surrender to what ?" demanded Ger
aid, tiercely. -.
ITO the soldiers OF the Irish Republic ~
was the reply. look at our flag" One
of the men was indeed bearing green flag
Gerald's answer to the summons was the
discharge of one of his pistols, which, how
ever, was discharged in vain. Laurence
fred the other, but it, too, failed of its
object Then both the young men leaped
from the carriage and calamity attacked
the troops of the Irish Republic. Laurence
hit out with good scientific arm, and
knocked two Republican warriors over /;
but ne Hercules contra duos-what could
two do against twenty? Our poor friends
were very soon bound round the arms with
stout cords, and rendered incapable of re-
sistance.
The driver and position had from the
beginning fraternized with the Fenians.
You see, gentlemen, said the swords
man, how useless was your resistance. II
you had shot one cf our men, probably
could not have saved your lives"
AZ suppose this means robbery" said
Laurence. g If so, you may as well rifle
our pockets at once"
AS you are an EugEshman, and of
course ignorant of Ireland, " said the leader,
calmly, II excuse your insolent remarks
Bat you had better not let any of the men
around hear you speak of them as robbers. "
Then, if you are not robbers and cut
Threats, what the devil are you ?"
Fenians p
"Fenisns be-blessed = observed our
British hero.
You had better, for your own sake, sir,
be silent. Get into the carriage"
Laurence and Gerald were promptly
lifted in. The leader and another man got
in likewise. The word to march was given,
and the carriage went on. Laurence could
hardly believe the evidence of his senses.
He felt like man in a dream-llke the
victim OF nightmare. He gazed at Ger
aid, who sat silent and sullen, bearing
defeat ungraciously. As he turned
round rather abruptly, his elbow struck
against something hard. 1t was only a
revolver, which one of his guards was
kindly holding toward bis prisoner breast
as little measure of precaution.
"In the name of the devil, Gerald, said
Laurence, speaking now in French, that his
captors might not understand, ''what is
the meaning of all this =! Is it dream !:
Is it practical joke, or piece of num-
merry? Who are these cGndiAe :"
I'M. Barrymore has no difficulty in COM
pretending" raid the man with the sword,
In fluent English, and with excellent ac-
cent. "He understands his country, al
though he refuses to fight in her cause, and
has degenerated so far from the patriotism
of his ancestors as to show himself the en-
envy of her flag NJ. Barrymore was offered
command only the other day, and he re-
fused He will have to answer now for
mis- desertion.
Laurence looked at Gerald. "They did
offer me command" said Barrymore,
coolly. "Of course l declined. am
loyal man. Now l am in their power.
Let them kill me if they choose-they are
quite capable of it.
Again Laurence mentally asked himself,
" Am dreaming? Am l mad ? Is this
the year 1867 Was l reading the Times
this morning."
He gave up the whole conundrum in
despair.
a dreary hour or two passed away, and
Laurence actually fell fast asleep. He only
woke when some of his captors were lifting
him out of the carriage. He now found
himself standing on the edge of grassy
lawn or field in front of large and partly
ruined castle. There were cannon at the
gates of the castle and on the roof, and
green flag was flying. Near the castle was
whole mass of armed men. Laurence
could see the gun-barrels glittering in the
autumn sunset.
Bring up the prisoners at onst," said
messenger who came down to meet the
Fenian band and their csptives
sis the Chief here ?" asked the man with
the sword.
"No; the Chiefs across the river. He's
to attack in the morning airly, I'm tould.
But she's here-bedad the worse luck for
some people, I'm thinking" and he cast a
glance at Laurence and Gerald
Gentlemen" said the man with the
enord 1yoY, ara about 70 no hro, ,,lt ba