Perceiving that the coast was clear, he placed himself under the shadow of the old walls--for there was now sufficient light to cast a shadow from any prominent object; and from thence having observed the direction which the Rapparee and his men took, without any risk of being seen himself, he appeared satisfied.

The name of this individual--who, although shrewd and cunning in many things, was nevertheless deficient in reason--or rather the name by which he generally went, was Tom Steeple, a _sobriquet_ given to him on account of a predominant idea which characterized and influenced his whole conversation.

The great delight of this poor creature was to be considered the tallest individual in the kingdom, and indeed nothing could be more amusing than to witness the manner in which he held up his head while he walked, or sat, or stood.

In fact his walk was a complete strut, to which the pride, arising from the consciousness of, or rather the belief in, his extraordinary height gave an extremely ludicrous appearance.

Poor Tom was about five feet nine in height, but imagined himself to be at least a foot higher.