’Sir，Ihope，ifopportunityoffers，I
　　shallprovetodeservethehonourabletermsinwhichyouarepleasedtospeakofme。InarighteouscauseIfearnotwoundsordeath；andindischargingmydutytomyGodandmyking，Iamreadyforanyhazardoranyfate。Nametheserviceyourequire，andifitlieswithinthecompassofmywitorpower，Iwillfullyandfaithfullyperformit。HaveIsaidenough？’
　　’Thatiswell，verywell，myfriend；
　　youspeakwell，andmanfully，’repliedthegeneral。’IwantyoutoconveytothehandsofGeneralBoisleau，nowinthecityofLimerick，asmallwrittenpacket；
　　thereissomedanger，markme，ofyourfallinginwithsomeoutpostorstragglingpartyoftheprince’sarmy。Ifyouaretakenunawaresbyanyoftheenemyyoumustdisposeofthepacketinsideyourperson，ratherthanletitfallintotheirhands——thatis，youmusteatit。Andiftheygotoquestionyouwiththumb-
　　screws，orthelike，answernothing；letthemknockyourbrainsoutfirst。’Inillustration，Isuppose，ofthelatteralternative，heknockedtheashesoutofhispipeuponthetableasheutteredit。
　　’Thepacket，’hecontinued，’youshallhaveto-morrowmorning。Meantimecomfortyourselfwithfood，andafterwardswithsleep；youwillwant，mayhap，allyourstrengthandwitsonthemorrow。’
　　Iappliedmyselfforthwithtothehomelyfarewhichtheyhadprovided，andIconfessthatInevermadeamealsoheartilytomysatisfaction。
　　Itwasabeautiful，clear，autumnmorning，andthebrightbeamsoftheearlysunwereslantingoverthebrownheathwhichclothedthesidesofthemountain，andglitteringinthethousandbrightdropswhichthemeltinghoar-frosthadleftbehindit，andthewhitemistswerelyinglikebroadlakesinthevalleys，when，withmypedlar’spackuponmyback，andGeneralSarsfield’spreciousdespatchinmybosom，Isetforth，refreshedandcourageous。
　　AsIdescendedthehill，myheartexpandedandmyspiritsroseundertheinfluenceswhichsurroundedme。Thekeen，clear，bracingairofthemorning，thebright，slantingsunshine，themerrysongsofthesmallbirds，andthedistantsoundsofawakeninglabourthatfloatedupfromtheplains，allconspiredtostirmyheartwithinme，andmorelikeamad-capboy，brokenloosefromschool，thanamanofsoberyearsuponamissionofdoubtanddanger，Itrodlightlyon，whistlingandsingingalternatelyforveryjoy。
　　AsIapproachedtheobjectofmyearlymarch，Ifellinwithacountryman，eager，asaremostofhiskind，fornews。
　　IgavehimwhatlittleIhadcollected，andprofessinggreatzealfortheking，which，indeed，Ialwayscherished，Iwonuponhisconfidencesofar，thathebecamemuchmorecommunicativethanthepeasantryinthosequartersaregenerallywonttobetostrangers。
　　FromhimIlearnedthattherewasacompanyofdragoonsinWilliam’sservice，quarteredatWillaloe；buthecouldnottellwhetherthepassageofthebridgewasstoppedbythemornot。Witharesolution，atallevents，tomaketheattempttocross，Iapproachedthetown。
　　WhenIcamewithinsightoftheriver，Iquicklyperceivedthatitwassoswollenwiththerecentrains，as，indeed，thecountrymanhadtoldme，thatthefordswerewhollyimpassable。
　　Istoppedthen，uponaslighteminenceoverlookingthevillage，withaviewtoreconnoitreandtoarrangemyplansincaseofinterruption。Whilethusengaged，thewindblowinggentlyfromthewest，inwhichquarterLimericklay，Idistinctlyheardtheexplosionofthecannon，whichplayedfromandagainstthecity，thoughatadistanceofelevenmilesattheleast。
　　Ineveryetheardthemusicthathadformehalftheattractionsofthatsullensound，andasInotedagainandagainthedistantthunderthatproclaimedtheperils，andthevalour，andthefaithfulnessofmybrethren，myheartswelledwithpride，andthetearsrosetomyeyes；andliftingupmyhandstoheaven，IprayedtoGodthatImightbesparedtotakeapartintherighteousquarrelthatwastheresobravelymaintained。
　　Ifelt，indeed，atthismomentalonging，moreintensethanIhavethepowertodescribe，tobeatoncewithmybravecompanionsinarms，andsoinwardlyexcitedandstirredupasifIhadbeenactuallywithinfiveminutes’marchofthefieldofbattle。
　　Itwasnowalmostnoon，andIhadwalkedhardsincemorningacrossadifficultandbrokencountry，sothatI
　　wasalittlefatigued，andinnosmalldegreehungry。AsIapproachedthehamlet，Iwasgladtoseeinthewindowofapoorhovelseverallargecakesofmealdisplayed，asiftoinducepurchaserstoenter。
　　Iwasrightinregardingthisexhi-
　　bitionasanintimationthatentertainmentmightbeprocuredwithin，foruponenteringandinquiring，Iwasspeedilyinvitedbythepoorwoman，who，itappeared，keptthishumblehouseofrefreshment，tolaydownmypackandseatmyselfbyaponderoustable，uponwhichshepromisedtoservemewithadinnerfitforaking；andindeed，tomymind，sheamplyfulfilledherengagement，supplyingmeabundantlywitheggs，bacon，andwheatencakes，whichI
　　discussedwithazealwhichalmostsurprisedmyself。
　　Havingdisposedofthesolidpartofmyentertainment，Iwasproceedingtoregalemyselfwithabrimmingmeasureofstrongwaters，whenmyattentionwasarrestedbythesoundofhorses’hoofsinbriskmotionuponthebrokenroad，andevidentlyapproachingthehovelinwhichIwasatthatmomentseated。
　　Theominousclankofswordscabbardsandthejingleofbrassaccoutrementsannounced，unequivocally，thatthehorsemenwereofthemilitaryprofession。
　　’Thered-coatswillstophereundoubtedly，’saidtheoldwoman，observing，Isuppose，theanxietyofmycountenance；
　　’theyneverpassuswithoutcominginforhalfanhourtodrinkorsmoke。Ifyoudesiretoavoidthem，I
　　canhideyousafely；butdon’tloseamoment。Theywillbeherebeforeyoucancountahundred。’
　　Ithankedthegoodwomanforherhospitablezeal；butIfeltarepugnancetoconcealingmyselfasshesuggested，whichwasenhancedbytheconsciousnessthatifbyanyaccidentIwerede-
　　tectedwhilelurkingintheroom，mysituationwouldofitselfinevitablyleadtosuspicions，andprobablytodiscovery。
　　Ithereforedeclinedheroffer，andawaitedinsuspensetheentranceofthesoldiers。
　　Ihadtimebeforetheymadetheirappearancetomovemyseathurriedlyfromthetabletothehearth，where，undertheshadeofthelargechimney，Imightobservethecomingvisitorswithlesschanceofbeingmyselfremarkedupon。
　　Asmyhostesshadanticipated，thehorsemendrewupatthedoorofthehut，andfivedragoonsenteredthedarkchamberwhereIawaitedthem。
　　Leavingtheirhorsesattheentrance，withmuchnoiseandclattertheyproceededtoseatthemselvesandcallforliquor。
　　ThreeofthesefellowswereDutchmen，and，indeed，allbelonged，asIafterwardsfound，toaDutchregiment，whichhadbeenrecruitedwithIrishandEnglish，asalsopartlyofficeredfromthesamenations。
　　Beingsuppliedwithpipesanddrinktheysoonbecamemerry；andnotsufferingtheirsmokingtointerferewiththeirconversation，theytalkedloudandquickly，forthemostpartinasortofbarbarouslanguage，neitherDutchnorEnglish，butcompoundedofboth。
　　TheyweresooccupiedwiththeirownjocularitythatIhadverygreathopesofescapingobservationaltogether，andremainedquietlyseatedinacornerofthechimney，leaningbackuponmyseatasifasleep。
　　Mytaciturnityandquiescence，however，didnotavailme，foroneofthesefellowscomingovertothehearthtolighthispipe，perceivedme，andlookingmeveryhardintheface，hesaid：
　　’Whatcountrymanareyou，brother，thatyousitwithacoveredheadintheroomwiththeprince’ssoldiers？’
　　Atthesametimehetossedmyhatoffmyheadintothefire。Iwasnotfoolenough，thoughsomewhathot-blooded，tosuffertheinsolenceofthisfellowtoinvolvemeinabroilsodangeroustomypersonandruinoustomyschemesasariotwiththesesoldiersmustprove。
　　Itherefore，quietlytakingupmyhatandshakingtheashesoutofit，observed：
　　’Sir，IcraveyourpardonifIhaveoffendedyou。Iamastrangerinthesequarters，andapoor，ignorant，humbleman，desiringonlytodrivemylittletradeinpeace，sofarasthatmaybedoneinthesetroubloustimes。’
　　’Andwhatmayyourtradebe？’saidthesamefellow。
　　’Iamatravellingmerchant，’Ireplied；
　　’andsellmywaresascheapasanytraderinthecountry。’
　　’Letusseethemforthwith，’saidhe；
　　’mayhapIormycomradesmaywantsomethingwhichyoucansupply。Whereisthychest，friend？Thoushalthavereadymoney’winkingathiscompanions，’readymoney，andgoodweight，andsoundmetal；noneofyourrascallypinchbeck。
　　Eh，mylads？Bringforththegoods，andletussee。’
　　Thusurged，IshouldhavebetrayedmyselfhadIhesitatedtodoasrequired；
　　andanxious，uponanyterms，toquiettheseturbulentmenofwar，Iunbuckledmypackandexhibiteditscontentsuponthetablebeforethem。
　　’Apairoflaceruffles，bytheLord!’
　　saidone，unceremoniouslyseizinguponthearticleshenamed。
　　’Aphialofperfume，’continuedanother，tumblingoverthefarragowhichIhadsubmittedtothem，’wash-balls，combs，stationery，slippers，smallknives，tobacco；
　　by——，thismerchantisaprize!Markme，honestfellow，themanwhowrongstheeshallsuffer——’foreGadheshall；thoushaltbefairlydealtwith’thishesaidwhileintheactofpocketingasmallsilvertobacco-box，themostvaluablearticleinthelot。’Youshallcomewithmetohead-quarters；thecaptainwilldealwithyou，andneverhaggleabouttheprice。
　　Ipromisetheehisgoodwill，andthouwiltconsidermeaccordingly。You’llfindhimaprofitablecustomer——hehasmoneywithoutend，andthrowsitaboutlikeagentleman。IfsobeasItellthee，Ishallexpect，andmycomradeshere，apieceortwointhewayofacompliment——butofthisanon。Come，then，withus；buckleonthypackquickly，friend。’
　　Therewasnouseinmydeclaringmywillingnesstodealwiththemselvesinpreferencetotheirmaster；itwasclearthattheyhadresolvedthatIshould，inthemostexpeditiousandadvantageousway，turnmygoodsintomoney，thattheymightexciseuponmetotheamountoftheirwishes。
　　Theworthywhohadtakenaleadinthesearrangements，andwhobyhisstripesIperceivedtobeacorporal，havinginsistedonmytakingadramwithhimtocementournewly-formedfriendship，forwhich，however，herequestedmetopay，madememountbehindoneofhiscomrades；
　　andtheparty，ofwhichIthusformedanunwillingmember，movedataslowtrottowardsthequartersofthetroop。
　　Theyreineduptheirhorsesattheheadofthelongbridge，whichatthisvillagespansthebroadwatersoftheShannonconnectingtheoppositecountiesofTipperaryandClare。
　　Asmalltower，builtoriginally，nodoubt，toprotectandtodefendthispass，occupiedthenearextremityofthebridge，andinitsrear，butconnectedwithit，stoodseveralstragglingbuildingsratherdilapidated。
　　Adismountedtrooperkeptguardatthedoor，andmyconductorhaving，dismounted，asalsothecorporal，thelatterinquired：
　　’Isthecaptaininhisquarters？’
　　’Heis，’repliedthesentinel。
　　Andwithoutmoreadomycompanionshovedmeintotheentranceofthesmalldarktower，andopeningadoorattheextremityofthenarrowchamberintowhichwehadpassedfromthestreet，weenteredasecondroominwhichwereseatedsomehalf-dozenofficersofvariousranksandages，engagedindrinking，andsmoking，andplay。
　　Iglancedrapidlyfrommantoman，andwasnearlysatisfiedbymyinspection，whenoneofthegentlemenwhosebackhadbeenturnedtowardstheplacewhereIstood，suddenlychangedhispositionandlookedtowardsme。
　　AssoonasIsawhisfacemyheartsankwithinme，andIknewthatmylifeordeathwasbalanced，asitwere，uponarazor’sedge。
　　ThenameofthismanwhoseunexpectedappearancethusaffectedmewasHughOliver，andgoodandstrongreasonhadI
　　todreadhim，forsobitterlydidhehateme，thattothismomentIdoverilybelievehewouldhavecompassedmydeathifitlayinhispowertodoso，evenatthehazardofhisownlifeandsoul，forIhadbeen——thoughGodknowswithmanysorestrugglingsandatthesterncallofpublicduty——thejudgeandcondemnerofhisbrother；andthoughthemilitarylaw，whichIwascalledupontoadminister，wouldpermitnoothercourseorsentencethanthebloodyonewhichIwascompelledtopursue，yeteventothishourtherecollectionofthatdeedisheavyatmybreast。
　　AssoonasIsawthismanIfeltthatmysafetydependedupontheaccidentofhisnotrecognisingmethroughthedisguisewhichIhadassumed，anaccidentagainstwhichweremanychances，forhewellknewmypersonandappearance。
　　ItwastoolatenowtodestroyGeneralSarsfield’sinstructions；anyattempttodosowouldensuredetection。Allthendependeduponacastofthedie。
　　Whenthefirstmomentofdismayandheart-sickeningagitationhadpassed，itseemedtomeasifmymindacquiredacollectednessandclearnessmorecompleteandintensethanIhadeverexperiencedbefore。
　　Iinstantlyperceivedthathedidnotknowme，forturningfrommetothesoldierwithallairofindifference，hesaid，’Isthisaprisoneroradeserter？Whathaveyoubroughthimherefor，sirra？’
　　’Yourwisdomwillregardhimasyouseefit，mayitpleaseyou，’saidthecorporal。
　　’Themanisatravellingmerchant，and，overtakinghimupontheroad，closebyoldDameMacDonagh’scot，IthoughtImightaswellmakeasortofprisonerofhimthatyourhonourmightusehimasitmightappearmostconvenient；hehasmanycommododieswhicharenotunworthyofpriceinthiswilderness，andsomewhichyoumaycondescendtomakeuseofyourself。
　　Mayheexhibitthegoodshehasforsale，an’tpleaseyou？’
　　’Ay，letusseethem，’saidhe。
　　’Unbuckleyourpack，’exclaimedthecorporal，withthesametoneofcommandwithwhich，attheheadofhisguard，hewouldhavesaid’Recoveryourarms。’
　　’Unbuckleyourpack，fellow，andshowyourgoodstothecaptain——here，whereyouare。’
　　Theconclusionofhisdirectionswassuggestedbymyendeavouringtomoveroundinordertogetmybacktowardsthewindows，hoping，bykeepingmyfaceintheshade，toescapedetection。
　　Inthismanoeuvre，however，Iwasfoiledbytheimperiousnessofthesoldier；
　　andinwardlycursinghisill-timedinterference，Iproceededtopresentmymerchandisetothelovingcontemplationoftheofficerswhothrongedaroundme，withastronglightfromanoppositewindowfulluponmyface。
　　AsIcontinuedtotrafficwiththesegentlemen，IobservedwithnosmallanxietytheeyesofCaptainOliverfrequentlyfixeduponmewithakindofdubiousinquiringgaze。
　　’Ithink，myhonestfellow，’hesaidatlast，’thatIhaveseenyousomewherebeforethis。Haveyouoftendealtwiththemilitary？’
　　’Ihavetraded，sir，’saidI，’withthesoldierymanyatime，andalwaysbeenhonourablytreated。Willyourworshippleasetobuyapairoflaceruffles？——verycheap，yourworship。’
　　’Whydoyouwearyourhairsomuchoveryourface，sir？’saidOliver，withoutnoticingmysuggestion。’Ipromiseyou，Ithinknogoodofthee；throwbackyourhair，andletmeseetheeplainly。Holdupyourface，andlookstraightatme；