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He was too light-hearted to be in full sympathy with fanatical Puritans like Crossan and McNeice. He certainly had no hatred of the British Empire or the English army. He was, up to the last moment, on friendly terms with those of the army officers whom he happened to know.
An infant nourished on them would either suffer badly from the form of indigestion called flatulence or would grow up to be an exceedingly ferocious man. I felt, however, that if McNeice had anything to do with the editing of The Loyalist its articles would be of such a kind that those of the Newsletter would seem, by comparison, papescent.
Godfrey walked up the hill towards the co-operative store. I am sure he did not want to see Crossan. I cannot suppose that he would venture to catechise McNeice. I expect he meant to prowl round the premises in hopes of discovering casks of smuggled brandy or cases full of tobacco.
"No more than the soldiers were yesterday," said McNeice. "They fired over our heads." "And we're not going to stand any more fooling," said Malcolmson. "We're business men," said Cahoon, "and this sort of play-acting won't do for Belfast." "Your boss politicians," said Conroy, "have been flooding us out with telegrams."
The mention of his name gave me an idea. "Was it copies of The Loyalist," I asked, "which were in the packing-cases which you and Power landed that night from the Finola?" McNeice laughed. "Come along round with me," he said, "and see the editor. He'll interest you. He's a first-rate journalist, used to edit a rebel paper and advocate the use of physical force for throwing off the English rule.
A lively discussion ensued as to whether a "Hill-sider" some one discovered that picturesque description of O'Donovan could become a militant Unionist. The text from the prophet Jeremiah about the spots on the leopard was quoted several times with great effect. McNeice's name was not mentioned, nor was Conroy's. We may suppose that his connection with the University saved McNeice.
He opened our proceedings by saying firmly and decisively, that he intended to surrender himself at once to the authorities. "We're the only authorities there are at present," said McNeice, "so if you want to surrender " "We must resolve ourselves into a Provisional Government," said the Dean, who always likes to do things constitutionally. "The police," said Moyne feebly.
"He's up at the barracks," said McNeice. "He's been there all morning trying to get the General to arrest him." "It would be far better," I said, "if he went to London and handed himself over to the Prime Minister." "European convention," said Conroy, "makes it necessary, so I am informed, that this particular kind of job should be done by a member of your aristocracy."
Cahoon, McNeice, Malcolmson, the Dean and Conroy voted "aye." "The 'ayes' have it," said Moyne. "Before we part," said Babberly, "I wish to say that I leave Belfast to-night " Malcolmson muttered something. Babberly held up his hand. "No," he said. "You are wrong. I'm not afraid. I'm not taking care of my own skin. But I have lived a loyal man and I mean to die a loyal man.
She had afterwards disassociated herself, more or less, from Conroy and McNeice; while Moyne had been trying for two days to surrender himself. The Prime Minister's ambassador could therefore go to Moyne House without loss of dignity. Clithering brought my nephew Godfrey with him. "Mr. D'Aubigny," he said, "is acting for the present as one of my private secretaries."
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