The clearing away of the mist, and the light of the stars (for the moon had not yet risen), enabled the parties to see each other, and in a few minutes Andrew and his master were joined by four men, the principal person among them being the identical individual whom they both had dreaded--the Red Rapparee.
"Master," said Cummiskey, in a whisper, on seeing them approach, "we must fight for it, I'm afeered, but let us not be rash; there may be a friend or two among them, and it is better to come off peaceably if we can." "I agree with you," replied his master.

"There is no use in shedding unnecessary blood; but, in any event, let us not permit them to disarm us, should they insist on doing so.

They know I never go three yards from my hall-door without arms, and it is not improbable they may make a point of taking them from us.

I, however, for one, will not trust to their promises, for I know their treachery, as I do their cowardice, when their numbers are but few, and an armed opponent or two before them, determined to give battle.

Stand, therefore, by me, Andy, and, by King William, should they have re-course to violence, we shall let them see, and feel too, that we are not unprepared." "I have but one life, sir," replied his faithful follower; "it was spent--at least its best days were--in your service, and sooner than any danger should come to you, it will be lost in your defence.