Our captors, on hearing the shouts, turned to greet the new-comers, forgetting for the moment their previous intention and their leader, who lay on the ground, the major still holding his knife at his throat. Presently, who should I see riding out from the crowd but Larry Harrigan himself. "Thunder and 'ounds!" he exclaimed. "What were they going to do to you? Shure I never thought they'd have ventured on that." He now came up to Hoolan with my uncle bending over him. "Spare his life, major dear," he exclaimed. "He never intended to kill you; and if you'll let him go I'll tell your honour all about it by and by." "Is this the case, Dan Hoolan?" asked my uncle. "On your soul, man, did you not intend to put your threat into execution?" "No, I didn't, as I'm a living man," said the outlaw, as, released by my uncle, he rose to his feet. "I'll tell your honour. I wanted to see how you and your young nephew would face the death I threatened; and I intended at the last moment to release you both if you would promise to take a message to the judge who was trying Tim Phelan, swearing that he was free of the murder of Mick Purcell, and knows no more about it than a babe unborn; for there's one amongst us who did the deed, and they may catch him if they can." This announcement completely changed the aspect of affairs. The outlaws brought us our horses, and with many apologies for the trouble they had given us, assisted us to mount. "I'm not the man to harbour ill-feeling against any one," said the major, turning to the crowd of apparently humble-looking peasants. "But, my boys, I'd advise you to follow a better calling without delay. And now I'll wish you good morning. If we ever meet again, may it be under pleasanter circumstances." Though the greater part of those present didn't understand what he said, the rest interpreted it in their own fashion: the outlaws and the new-comers raising a loud cheer, we rode off, followed by Larry, and continued our journey as if nothing particular had occurred. "And what made you keep behind us, Larry?" asked my uncle, who summoned him up alongside. "I'll tell your honour," answered Larry. I was sleeping in the stables after I'd attended to the horses, when I heard three or four boys talking together; so I opened my eyes to listen, seeing it was something curious they were saying. I soon found that they were talking about Tim Phelan, who was to be tried in the morning. I thin recollected that Tim was my father's second cousin's nephew, and so of course I felt an interest in the fate of the boy. "Says one to the other, `If the alibi isn't proved, shure we're bound in honour to try and rescue him.' "`There are a hundred at least of us bound to do the same,' answered the other, `and of course we'll find many more to help if we once begin.'