From them I learned so much as they had heard of the late naval engagement. The report was that Bompard’s fleet had fallen in with Sir John Warren’s squadron; and having given orders for his fastest sailers to make the best of their way to France, had, with the _Hoche_, the _Loire_, and the _Resolve_, given battle to the enemy. These had all been captured, as well as four others which fled, two alone of the whole succeeding in their escape. I think now, that, grievous as these tidings were, there was nothing of either boastfulness or insolence in the tone in which they were communicated to me. Every praise was accorded to Bompard for skill and bravery, and the defence was spoken of in terms of generous eulogy. The only trait of acrimony that showed itself in the recital was a regret that a number of Irish rebels should have escaped in the _Biche_, one of the smaller frigates; and several emissaries of the people, who had been deputed to the admiral, were also alleged to have been on board of that vessel. ‘You are sorry to have missed your friend the priest of Murrah,’ said Hill jocularly. ‘Yes, by George, that fellow should have graced a gallows if I had been lucky enough to have taken him.’ ‘What was his crime, sir?’ asked I, with seeming unconcern. ‘Nothing more than exciting to rebellion a people with whom he had no tie of blood or kindred! He was a Frenchman, and devoted himself to the cause of Ireland,* as they call it, from pure sympathy----’ ‘And a dash of Popery,’ broke in Hill. ‘It’s hard to say even that; my own opinion is, that French Jacobinism cares very little for the Pope. Am I right, young gentleman--you don’t go very often to confession?’ ‘I should do so less frequently if I were to be subjected to such a system of interrogatory as yours,’ said I tartly. They both took my impertinent speech in good part, and laughed heartily at it; and thus, half amicably, half in earnest, we entered the little town of Letterkenny, just as night was falling. ‘If you’ll be our guest for this evening, sir,’ said Hill, ‘we shall be happy to have your company.’ I accepted the invitation, and followed them into the inn. CHAPTER XXIX. THE BREAKFAST AT LETTERKENNY