MacCarthy more, or, The fortunes of an Irish chief in the reign of ...

TuK Fortunes of an Irish Cuief. 88
" It shall not be, HonoraFitz-James, take my "vrord
for it I" said O'SuUivan with stern emphasis. "An'
Donald MacCarthy will not listen to reason from any
of us, we have a right to prevent this disgrace from
coming upon us all, in whatever way we can. I will
think the matter over as we ride home, and see what
can be done."
The party rode on in silence, each one plunged in
anxious thought. Mid-day was past, and they were
nearing the lake shore, when, at a sharp turn in the
mountain-road, they encountered a small company of
horsemen, the foremost of whom was a stout, burly,
fresh-faced man of some thirty years or thereabouts,
clad in the buif coat and doublet of the English gen-
tleman of that day, beneath which was the breastplate
and other pieces of light armor. A steel mo-
rion on the head completed the gentleman's cos-
tume. As he rode in advance of the others, they
were evidently his retainers.
The road being narrow, not more than two horses
of either party could pass abreast, and O'SuUivan
called out,— " Fall back there, and make way for the
Countess of Clancarthy I"
" That will I do right willingly," said the English-
man, bowing low to the name, " but not for your
bidding. Sir Owen O'SuUivan. I would have you
speak civilly, an' you speak to me."
" Small courtesy is due from any here to your fa-
ther's son, Nicholas Browne !" said the chief haugh-
tily ;
" make way, I say again I'*
m