“This is a cursed mistake,” remarked the ruffian companion of the whipper; “and when the master hears it, all of us will come to trouble. Come, my friend, let’s have some supper. Your seizure will cause more vexation than your neck is worth,--sit down,” and turning up a keg, he placed himself upon it, and attacked the broiled meat manfully. The whipper, following his example, settled himself upon an inverted cleeve, * pointing out a stool, the seat of honour, for my especial use. Undecided, whether to accept their hospitality and sup in villanous company for once, or hold myself aloof and eschew all fellowship with such scoundrels, I wearied the politeness of the whipper, who, unable to resist temptation longer, assailed the steaks with vigour--when a voice from without caused my companions to spring from their seats as if the food were poisoned. Next moment, a strange personage whom I had not seen before, strode in, fixed an earnest and suspicious glance on me--then, turning to my captors, exclaimed in a voice of thunder, * The Irish name for a turf-basket. “Villains! Who is this stranger?” “The gauger, Parker,” both muttered in a tremulous tone. “Ah, you precious scoundrels! Off with you! Take that woman away!”--and waving his hand, my guard of honour vanished at his bidding, attended by the alarmed cook, and leaving the unknown and myself _tête-à-tête_ together. Spurning the basket into the corner, which the whipper had respectfully abdicated on his entrance, the unknown walked to the fire with an air that bespoke authority, and which seemed to say, “This island’s mine.” To form any opinion of his face or figure was impossible; a loose-made frieze wrapping-coat concealed the one, while a high collar and slouched hat masked the other effectually. I could observe, however, that in height he was above the middle size, and that his eyes were dark and penetrating. Promptly he commenced a conversation; and his address was haughty, curt, and unceremonious. “Pray, sir, _who are you!_” “A stranger, brought here against his will; and wherefore--you, sir, can best tell.” “Pray,” continued the unknown, “inform me under what circumstances you have been arrested?” “And do you require any information on that subject?’’ “If I did not, I need not have asked you to detail them. Be quick, sir; it will save me time, and probably do you some service.” I simply narrated the recent occurrences, from my meeting with the strangers at the lonely inn, until I had been enlarged upon the island. At different parts of my detail the muffled stranger exhibited symptoms of displeasure, and once or twice I could hear his teeth grind, as if he struggled to suppress a burst of passion.