Their tyrants yet, by Heaven! we swear,

In flames and blood shall welter!

Go on, my boys, &c.

Since Satan loves the wicked race,
To him we'll quickly send them!—
In hell they'll rue their want of grace,
Then may the devil mend them.

Go on, my boys, &c.

To the long applause which followed this horrid song, a renewal of their glasses succeeded. They then continued their noisy orgies for a considerable time. At length one of them asked, in a serious tone, how they determined to dispose of their prisoner? They now began to deliberate. It was first proposed to make him confess his crimes, and then shoot him. It was then proposed to strangle him; and even mention was made of burying him alive. But not one of these proposals received the assent of the majority.

During this deliberation, either inebriation, or conscious security, induced them to address each other by their real names.

"You seem very urgent for his instant execution, Whiteford," said one of them. "You have done your part dexterously; leave the rest to us. We shall not fail' in the needful. He is now, quite safe, and tolerably uncomfortable, under hatches there. I should like to confine him in his den for

a few days, to give him time for repentance, if it were only to torment him awhile with suspense. What say you, Forsythe? You knew his gizzard tolerably of old. What shall we do with him?"

"I approve of your plan of punishing him, M'Manus," replied Forsythe; "let him remain in the pit, well manackled, and fed sparingly: it will be good for his health. Blair will be his goaler, until we obtain the opinion of more of our friends on the subject. Let us in a few days assemble a consultation party, before whom he may be regularly arraigned, tried, condemned, sentenced, and then executed in proper form."

This was agreed upon. The wretched Clearfield was bound hand and foot in his dungeon; the hatch-door was firmly secured above him; and the charge of all being consigned to the worthy landlord of the adjoining shabeen-house, the infernal conference broke up.

CHAPTER XVI.

Gentle friends,

Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully;
Let's carve him as a dish fit for the Gods,
Not hew him as a carcase fit for hounds.'
And let our hearts, as subtle masters do,
Stir up our servants to an act of rage,
And after seem to chide them.

SHAKSPEARE.

THE day following Clearfield's imprisonment, Squire Onsley, hearing of M'Manus being in the neighbourhood, sent him a very friendly invitation to his house. Munn attended, and spent a very agreeable day with the magistrate.

After dinner the two gentlemen walked out together.

"You have heard of the Hearts of Steel combination, I suppose?" said Munn.

"Yes, Sir," replied the other; "there is hardly any thing else talked of in the country."

"And what do you think of it?" asked Munn. "Why, I can scarcely tell," replied Onsley; "their intentions may be justified on the ground of the provocations they have received. They

have already intimidated the great land speculators; and so far their association has been useful; but, I am afraid, that, like most other secret combinations, they may plunge themselves so deeply into illegal measures, that many of even those who wish them well, shall be obliged, not only to discountenance but to oppose them. But, Sir, I wished to speak with you on a matter of much importance to my feelings. I have an object in view-I do not know whether you already know of it-on the attainment of which the whole happiness of my life, I believe, absolutely depends; and to assist me in its attainment, I believe is considerably in your power. In short, Sir, I love your niece to distraction. My fortune, my all, I am anxious to lay at her feet, if she will consent to be my wife."

"I have heard," replied M'Manus, "of your wishes respecting Isabella, and have spoken to her on the subject; but I must confess she gave me no reason to think that you are a favoured suitor."

"Perhaps, she has some other in view, whom she prefers ?" observed Onsley.

"I do not think she has," replied M'Manus, "I believe that her heart, in respect to love matters, is, as yet, totally untouched."

"Then surely, Mr. McManus, I need not give up my suit," said Onsley. "Perseverance may gain VOL. I.

T

her favour; and I think that your interference might be attended with some advantage.”

"My interference and influence, so far as they ean go, Mr. Onsley, you shall have, on one condition; but that condition I scarcely know whether it would be prudent to mention."

"Mention it, in Heaven's name! No matter what it be, from you to me it cannot be imprudent."

"Will you support the cause of the Hearts of Steel," said Munn, abruptly, "both in your private and official capacity? If you do, I will with all my power, support, and, I hope, successfully, your suit to my niece."

"I can refuse nothing to which you attach such a condition," replied Onsley; "but may I ask, why you so eagerly wish for my support to this confederacy?"

"Because," answered M'Manus, without hesitation, "I know their cause to be righteous,-the cause of vengeance on oppressors; and to be plain with you, my friend, I have myself joined them."

"Did I not fear the inconsistency of their views with my official obligations, I would not, since it is your wish, hesitate to lend them my countenance. Be assured, however, since you are one of them, - that I shall never be their enemy."

"That is not enough," replied M'Manus pointedly. "I here pass my word, by some means or