The Monmouth inquirer., 1898-03-17

for but short space, and when the
morning broke the prisoners We're gone.
The rage of the lord of the castle was
beyond all control, but his only remedy
was to slay the sentinels and to digest
his grief.
Return we now to the night on which
O'HGnlon and MacNial Oge tossed upon
the bay on their way to Carriekfergrs
castle In spite Of the storm and light
ming hard pulling at the oars drove the
light bark through the water Their
progress was slow and only achieved
with great toll, but their efforts were
crowned at length by success, as the
curragh about two hours after midnighs
ran into the creek at which O'Hanlon
had liberated the countess some months
before The darkness of the night had
been favorable to their approach to the
castle, for, although four warders paced
its battlements, no alarm had been given
of their approach. O'Hanlon on reach
ing the creek did not land, but putting
MacNial Oge on shore and telling him
to keep wakeful ward be pulled
slowly and silently into the spot where
the deep, still water washed the dark
walls of the castle.
On the day preceding that particular
evening an Irish senach, or harper, had
arrived at the castle on a journey
throughout the district wherein he ex-
ercised his musical vocation. His visit
was welcome one to the inmates of
the mansion, and especially to such as
were of the native Irish tribes, and the
earl himself had permitted him to be
brought into the banquet hall after the
fashion of the native chiefs.
The capacious apartment which
formed the banqueting hall of De
Bourghos castle presented cheerful
appearance about the hour at which
O'Hanlon shot his boat under the shad
oW of the walls. The English earl had
relaxed from the pride which marked
the Norman race, Of which he sprung.
and gave a loose to the reyeling of his
Irish retainers. Seated at the head Of
the old oak table, with his casque and
corselet laid aside and stout blade lean
ing against the wainscot, he sent round
the usquebaugh and sack with an air OF
hospitality that would not have dis
graced descendant of Milesius.
The harper had not been allowed
much cessation from his labors, and his
extern poraneous ballads had been recited
both in praise of the Norman and the
Irish mobiles. AS the night advanced and
the revelry became more tumultuous,
however, be reverted more frequently
to the latter theme, singing of
Nal of the pledges nine
and all his warlike successors, the sons
of Heremon and Ir. AT length, when
the revel was at its height, the earl
himself demanded legendary song.
The old senach took the harp, and east
ing a meaning glance toward the circle
of wood kerns, who had gathered around
him, he bent over the instrument, and,
striking its chords, sang of Norman tyr
amy, ending with this stanza:
In exile or in bondage foul,
The chain is on each neck,
And servants to De Lacy we,
Or the De Bourgho blackl
The earl had marked the excitement
whic,, the harper's lay was gradually
producing among his servants and would
have stopped the singer had he not him
self requested the song. At length, as
the old man ended, looks so threatening
were cast toward him that he bethought
him of seizing his sword. He had scarce
" moved from his seat for this purpose,
however, when the old harper sprang to
his feet and pointing toward the earl
exclaimed, Vengeance for the death OF
Mace uillamcre'' In an instant deaf
ening cry filed the apartment, and all
the Irish drew their daggers and rushed
upon the earl De Bourgho sprang to-
ward the wainscot and had just laid
nanS upon his rapier when the stab of
an Irish skein almost severed his neck,
and he rolled over upon the floor of the
hall, writhing in death.
At the death of the earl another cheer
rang through the arched roofs Of the old
castle. and the avengers rushed along
the hills and corridors Meantime an