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Kilmary leaped up and clenched his fist: "May the great devil swallow ." But scarce had he uttered a word, when a shot was fired; then a second a third a fourth; and a wild shout arose at a little distance of "Cut them down!" Sampson had fallen back wounded: but, full of presence of mind, he called out to the Irishman "Seize him, Kilmary! seize the prisoner, or he'll escape."
"Why so downcast, my lad?" said one of the constables to Bertram; "in my youth I was as near to the gallows as you; and yet you see I am now virtuous; and a man of credit in the state." "Aye, Sampson," said Kilmary, "unless you're much belied, you got your reprieve just as you were going to be turned off."
It was Kilmary, who had sometime back enlisted into the dragoons. Captain Walladmor opened the door; and passed out closely followed by the dragoon. Then, reclosing the door, he descended safely with his companion, through all the numerous impediments of bolts and bars, to the picture-gallery.
"No: Red-hair, you sheer off," exclaimed all the rest: but Red-hair pro tested against this; and almost screamed with wrath: "By rights I should have half," said Kilmary; "for without me you would never have known who he was." "Not a farthing more than according to merit; and then your share will come short."
"And you, Kilmary, got yours something later: for I've often heard that you were cut down after hanging some five minutes or so. This was in Wicklow, gentlemen: and being in time of rebellion there was so much business that they were often obliged to employ dilettanti artists in hanging: and now and then there was not time to go through the work properly.
It was no such easy matter to track him, I'll assure you; his footmarks were half snowed up." "Aye, Kilmary, thou art a good hound for running down a fox. To give thee no more than thy due, thou art a hound in every thing; a perfect hound." "But no hound that will fetch and carry for others, Mr. Sampson: if I'm always to be the hound to hunt the fox home, I'll have my right share of the reward."
Bertram was placed in the carriage; and Sampson took his seat by his side; Kilmary mounting Sampson's horse. By this time it was four o'clock; and Alderman Gravesand directed the whole party to push forward at their utmost speed; "it was his intention to carry the prisoner to Walladmor Castle nearly thirty miles distant; and he wished to be through Machynleth before the light failed."
But Kilmary had been the first to escape himself; some others had followed: two of more resolution were preparing to execute the orders of the constable; when suddenly they were assailed so fiercely that one tumbled into the fire, and the other rolled over the wounded constable.
"You shall, Kilmary: and what's that? What's a hound's share? A bone or so when his master has dined: isn't it, Kilmary? eh, my boy?" Kilmary muttered a few inarticulate words; and slunk behind.
"D your impudence," cried Sampson "Social distinctions in all things: it's as clear as sunlight in October that I, as leader and the man of genius, am to have 300l.; and you divide the other 200l. amongst you." "What?" said the Irishman: "200l. amongst eight men?" "Why, as for you, Kilmary, you get nothing. You stayed behind and wouldn't venture yourself upon the wall."
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