CHAPTER VI. SARSFIELD—LORD LUCAN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 122, 27 August 1875, Page 6

CHAPTER VI. SARSFIELD — LORD LUCAN.

Pateick lifted his cap in due deference to the genera], and then J said, "Thin, if the truth must be tould, general, I'm afther think- \ ing that friend Denis is too gin tic by half. Whisht, ycr honour," ' he added, with a finger on his lips : " Wouldn't it be a purtier thing to hang him up and let him die the thraitor's death ?" "Hurra! hurra!" shouted the mob, the cry taken up by the j multitude in the distance. "Let him die the death of the thraitor; if ye spare him, gineral, it's sure and afth.6r mischief he'll be goin' again." " What say you, traitorous spy," shouted Sarsfield j " why should you not die the death of a spy," as you' so richly deserve ?" " Spare me, oh, spare me !" cried the miserable wretch, " and I promise you I'll never, never set foot in Ireland again. Here, here," he added, putting his hands into his pockets, and pulling out, with frantic eagerness, sundry rolls of paper, " I had these from King William's favourite pa,gc, and give them to you instead of to those for whom they were intended. I?a.vdon me, and I will——"

" Give him to us, gineral dear, give him to us, and we'll make the spalpeen pay for some of his tricks," exclaimed the mob who were raised to such a pitch of fury that but for the influence of a leader as popular as Sarsfield, the career of this dangerous fanatic had been at once cut short. As it was, however, Sarsfield again commanded silence, and recommended him to mercy on account of his old age. Then, turning to Denis, he said : — " I think I shall leave this wretched creature to your more merciful treatment, Denis, you undertaking, however, to see that he embarks for London as soon as the punishment has been inflicted." " Och thin, gineral, sure and I think out of consideration to his white hairs, barring the rale fact that he dosen't care one bit about them himself, I'll be afther letting him off more aisy than I thought of doing' so, yer honour," added Denis, in one of nis most persuasive tones, " suppose we give him only fifty lashes. Sure and I have the hould of him, and will see that he is fairly banished from the Emerald Isle for ever." The general bowed his assent, and aware that he might safely commit this discomfited villain into the hands of Denis, he delivered him up. to his safe custody, the former carrying him off in triumph, amidst the yells and groans of the mob. Poor Denis, Benson • I escaped better than he deserved, for he chose to give the lashes ; himself, and laid them on as lightly as his own merciful nature j prompted, to every roar the wretch uttered, answering — j " Hould your tongue, you spalpeen, or I'll give the lash to 3ome one who will be afther laying it on heavier than I am doing." In good truth, Benson was most mercifully spared, save and except the matter of shaving the head, which Denis scrupulously exacted, and which occasioned him and his fellows no small degree of merriment; this was in fact the most bitter part of Master ; Benson's punishment, as will be seen later. i No sooner had the mob dispersed, than Sarsfield, quietly seated i with Miss O'Neill, proceeded to examine the papers, which proved i to bo a packet of letters that had passed between Benson and j William's favotirite page, whereby it appeared that not only was the -worthless Benson contriving to break of all prospect of a union i between Sir Reginald and Florence, but also had offered himself in I the capacity of a spy on the movements of the general, in Limerick, ! and unless fortunately discovered by the brother of the worthy ! Denis, would veiy probably have caused much mischief to the good j Father La.wson, now an inmate, for the time being, m the residence j of Miss O'Neill.