Now, the distance was at least a mile, and therefore any part of the transaction which had been enacting there must have been quite beyond their view.

While I was wondering at this, Considine cried out suddenly, "Too infamous, by Jove! We're murdered men!" "What do you mean ?" said I.
"Don't you see that ?" said he, pointing to something black which floated from a pole at the opposite side of the river.
"Yes; what is it ?" "It's his coat they've put upon an oar to show the people he's killed,--that's all.

Every man here's his tenant; and look--there! They're not giving us much doubt as to their intention." Here a tremendous yell burst forth from the mass of people along the shore, which rising to a terrific cry sunk gradually down to a low wailing, then rose and fell again several times as the Irish death-cry filled the air and rose to Heaven, as if imploring vengeance on a murderer.
The appalling influence of the _keen_, as it is called, had been familiar to me from my infancy; but it needed the awful situation I was placed in to consummate its horrors.

It was at once my accusation and my doom.

I knew well--none better--the vengeful character of the Irish peasant of the west, and that my death was certain I had no doubt.