'Now!' Cassidy cried, after a while, remarking that some of the delegates were beginning to snore, 'fill your glasses, and I'll sing ye the new song which shall sound the knell of the Sassanagh. 'Tis written by Barry, a mere gossoon, who's in Kilmainham at this minute. Bad cess to the ruffians as put him there!' Then, draining off a bumper, he loosened the voluminous folds of his cravat, and commenced in his mellow voice, while those who were sober enough yelled the refrain: '"What rights the brave? The sword! What frees the slave? The sword! What cleaves in twain the despot's chain, and makes his gyves and dungeons vain? The sword! Then cease the proud task never! while rests a link to sever. Guard of the free, well cherish thee, and keep thee bright for ever!"' So loudly was 'The Sword' trolled forth, that more peaceful neighbours, worn out with study, turned uneasily in bed, cursing the rackety crew ere they slept again; so loudly was the final chorus shrieked, that none heard the tramp of footsteps on the stairs, none heeded the groping of unaccustomed fingers upon the handle, till the door was flung open, displaying a body of men upon the landing whose crossbelts showed white through a disguise. The young men stared bewildered as on some horrid vision, and strove to get up on their feet. Thomas, more sober than the rest, laid his hand upon his pistol, but withdrew it again, seeing how numerous were those who stood without. 'What do you want?' he asked. A short man stepped from behind the rest. He was remarkable for a hooked beak, eyes too close together, shaded by heavy brows which met in a tuft over his nose. He wore a tight stock with a large silver buckle, hair plainly clubbed, and a silver whistle like a boatswain's attached to a buttonhole by a thong. 'I am Major Sirr,' he snapped, 'and arrest all present in the King's name. Seize those documents!' Cassidy took a paper from his flapped pocket and tried to swallow it, but the major's men, marking his clumsy movement, pressed his bull-throat till he gave it forth again. How arbitrary is the effect of drink! Some men it renders furious, endowing them with double strength; others it makes dull and stupid, robbing them of the power that they had. Cassidy's giant bulk and tremendous muscles should have stood him in good stead now or never; but he certainly had imbibed a portentous quantity of claret, and the shaking he was getting seemed quite to muddle him. 'Ah now, major dear,' he whimpered, smiling a sickly smile, 'you'd not take it from me and shame a poor colleen? Don't look at her name now! Bad luck to ye! Don't, now!' ''Tis an order signed by the committee of the United Irishmen--no lady's billet,' Major Sirr replied coldly, holding the paper to the candle. 'My friend, I regret to see you in this plight--but I must do my duty.'