Tom Emmett was finishing a speech, wherein he declared to his audience that his opinions were changed. The French were coming; were, indeed, expected hourly. But it would not do to wait for them, as on a late disastrous occasion; a blow must be struck, a heavy and united blow. If the French came to follow it up, so much the better. The shocking behaviour of the friends of Government was becoming hourly more unbearable; the outrages committed by soldiers at free-quarters daily more flagrant and atrocious. He spoke with Irish hyperbole and a burning fervour of conviction which just suited the temper of his hearers. 'We must heed no more,' he cried, 'the glare of hired soldiery or aristocratic yeomanry. War, and war alone, must occupy every mind and every hand in Ireland, till its oppressed soil be purged of all its enemies. Vengeance, Irishmen! vengeance on your oppressors! Remember the crimes of years! Remember their burnings, their torturings, their legal murders! Remember Orr!' At the end of a long peroration he paused for breath; and Cassidy, who was evidently anxious to 'catch the speaker's eye,' trolled forth in his rich voice the words which were becoming familiar to every one's lips: '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!' All present took up the chorus, and looked towards the giants as though waiting for the next verse; but he raised his hand for silence, and said: 'Bedad, ye're right, friends. The sword's the only thing for poor Pat. But be careful now. Where's the young lordling who makes himself so busy?' 'Councillor Crosbie should have been here,' returned a delegate. 'Maybe he's bin detained.' Cassidy smiled a smile of meaning, and leisurely surveying the knot of men before him, replied with a dry cough: 'Maybe he has! Let's hope it's upon honest business. I've come here to give ye a word of warning, a friendly hint I gleaned up at the Castle. I'd advise none of yez to go back to their own homes this day.' 'Why? Speak out, man. We are all friends here,' said Tom Emmett, calmly. 'Becase ye'll chance to find visitors if you do,' was the blunt rejoinder. 'Now I'm off.'