In the Days of King George

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WITH FOUR FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS BY HARRY PAYNE CASSELL and COMPANY, Limited LONDON, PARIS &» MELBOURNE 189S ALL RIGHTS RESERVED CONTENTS. CHAP. . PAGE I. Introduces all the Rest 9 II. Relates how the News of General Humbert's Invasion was Received at Castlebar ; and how our Hero and his Cousin Matthew set out in Search of Mr. Dennis Brady . . 15 III. Relates how Donald Geddes and Matthew Brady Fell into the Hands of the Rebels . 21 IV. Gives some Account of Corporal James Sweeny, of his Enmity towards the Brady Family, and of his Connection with the Rebel Party ; Tells also how he Volunteered to Carry a Despatch to Castlebar, and how he Performed that Duty .... 27 V. How Donald Geddes and Mat Brady Fared at the Shebeen ; and how they Found a Friend in Red Murtagh 34 VI. Murtagh Dwyer and James Sweeny Determine to send the Boys out of the Country 3S Contents.

Chapter I. Introduces All The Rest

Towards the close of the year 1785, there went to reside at Calton, a small village about three miles from Ayr, a certain Mr. Andrew Geddes, formerly quartermaster of the 21st Royal North British Fusiliers. After serving his King and country faithfully for many years, Andrew Geddes had retired on a well earned pension, and at the same time married Miss Bridget Brady, the daughter of Mr. James Brady, who carried on the business of a corn-factor in the town of Castlebar, County Mayo. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Geddes was offered the appointment of land-steward to Sir Robert Stor mount, of Calton Castle, whose second son, Donald Stormount, was a subaltern in the 2 1st Fusiliers. This appointment the ex-quartermaster thankfully accepted ; and having saved a considerable sum of money during his five-and-thirty years' service with the colours, he was able to purchase the freehold of a small house at Calton.

It was in the month of October, 1785, when Andrew Geddes and his wife settled down in their new home, and during the following July their first and only child was born. The little stranger was named Donald — after Sir Robert Stormount's soldier son, who, being at home on leave at the time, stood godfather to his old comrade's infant — and Master Donald Geddes it is whom we present to our readers as the hero of this " strange, eventful history." Of Donald's early childhood we have nothing interesting to record. He was a sturdy, healthy little fellow, and, almost before he could speak, developed a decided penchant for a " Red Jacket " — a taste which, it need hardly be said, was fostered by the old quartermaster. At the age of six, Donald was sent to a school at Ayr, where he remained till shortly after his eleventh birthday, when he had the misfortune to lose his father, who was thrown from his horse and sustained fatal injuries.

Donald reached home just in time to receive the old man's dying words. " My dear son," said Andrew, in faltering tones, laying his hand on the boy's head, " remember that I have always taught you to fear God and honour the King. Never tell a lie or be guilty of a mean action. Should you ever enter the armyr as I hope you will, recollect that a good soldier should also be a good Christian. Do your duty manfully, avoid bad company, and never do an ill-turn to any man if you can help it." Then, commending his wife and child to the protection of Heaven, Andrew Geddes fell back on his pillow, and in a few minutes breathed his last. The death of her husband proved a sad blow to Mrs. Geddes — indeed, she never recovered from it. Her health had been failing for some time, and within four months of the day of her husband's death his widow was laid beside him.

Thus at an early age poor Donald Geddes experienced the greatest Donald goes to Ireland. 11 misfortune that can befall a boy — he was left an orphan. A few weeks before her death Mrs. Geddes had written to her eldest brother, Dennis Brady — who had succeeded to his father's business at Castlebar — begging him to come to Calton at once. It was a long, tedious journey in those days from Mayo to Ayrshire ; but Dennis Brady was a good-hearted man, much attached to his sister, so he willingly obeyed her summons. Travelling with all possible haste, he arrived at Calton three days before she died, and, at her earnest request, consented to become the guardian of young Donald, and to bring him up with his own family. The house and furniture at Calton were to be sold, and the proceeds, together with the money the widow had in the bank at Ayr, invested for Donald's benefit ; his uncle receiving the interest during such time as the boy remained an inmate of his house.

After his mother's funeral, Donald set out for Ireland with his uncle, and they arrived safely at Castlebar on the 25 th of March, 1797. Donald Geddes was kindly welcomed by his Aunt Brady and her children. They were simple, warm hearted folk, who, pitying the orphan boy, were determined to do all in their power to make him forget his sad loss. Dennis Brady's family consisted of two sons, Peter and Matthew, and one daughter, Bridget. Peter and Matthew were fine, manly lads, aged seventeen and fifteen respectively, who assisted their father in his business and in the management of a small farm, situated an Irish mile from Castlebar. Bridget was a pretty, dark-haired lass of ten. Donald soon felt at home with them, and as the weeks passed by he recovered his spirits, and joined in the amusements of his younger relatives.

He went frequently to the farm with Peter and Matthew ; learnt to ride Mr. Brady's old mare, use a fowling piece, throw a fly, and, in short, lived a healthy, out of-door life. Nor was our hero's education neglected, for the Protestant clergyman of Castlebar — whose church warden Dennis Brady was — on hearing the boy's history, offered to give him a few hours' lesson every day ; and Donald, being naturally quick and anxious to learn, picked up, in a comparatively short time, much useful knowledge which stood him in good stead in after years. Indeed, the worthy rector was so pleased with his pupil's progress, that he per suaded Dennis Brady to let him prepare the boy for Dublin University, and to Trinity College Donald would probably have gone in due course, had not events occurred which entirely changed the current of his life.

Donald Geddes had been an inmate of his uncle's house just fourteen months when the "troubles of '98 " commenced. In the spring of that memorable year the disaffected Irish broke out into open rebellion, and soon Ireland was plunged into the horrors of civil strife and discord. The "United Irishmen," as these men styled themselves, were strong in numbers and fairly well organised, and the insurrection spread like wildfirc through Kildare, Wexford, and other counties. Dennis Brady, being a good Protestant and a staunch subject of King George, was much alarmed when he heard of the rebel successes. The cruel massacres of loyalists at Wexford, Scullabogue, and other places — massacres which, to do them justice, thc insurgent leaders did their best to stop — silled him and the loyal inhabitants of Castlebar with gloomy forebodings ; for though Mayo and other parts of Connaught were as yet comparatively quiet, The Rebellion. 13 they knew full well that should the insurgents gain the upper hand, the rebellion must spread throughout the kingdom, in which case the lives and property of those who refused to join the United Irish party would not be worth a single day's purchase.

The fears of these worthy people were, however, for a time dispelled when the news reached Castlebar that General Lake had, on the 21st June, captured the chief rebel camp at Vinegar Hill ; while, on the same day, the town of Wexford was relieved by General Moore, after being in possession of the rebels for over three weeks. About this time, too, Lord Cornwallis was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Ire land, and his firm, but just and merciful, rule had a most salutary effect ; in all probability the Rebellion would have been entirely suppressed — and that with out further bloodshed — before the end of the summer, had not the French Republic endeavoured to fan the smouldering embers into a flame by despatching an expedition, under command of General Humbert, to make a descent on the Ulster coast, and so make a diversion in favour of the disheartened insurgents.

Humbert embarked his troops on board three frigates, and sailed for Ireland on the 4th of August, 1798 ; but, being baffled by contrary winds, he changed his destination, and instead of fetching the Ulster coast, put into Killala Bay, County Mayo. As we have already seen, Mayo and other Con naught counties had hitherto been little affected by the revolutionary spirit, but now the United Irish party stirred up the excitable peasantry against the Government and Protestants ; and when, on the 22nd of August, Humbert effected a landing at Killala, many of the deluded inhabitants joined his standard, and received the French invaders with open arms. Thus, just at the time when the loyalists of Castlebar made sure that the troubles were ended, and were congratulating themselves on having es caped the horrors of the Rebellion, they heard, to their dismay, that it had broken out afresh — that their own county of Mayo was likely to be the scene of strife. '5

Chapter II. Relates How The News Of General Humbert's Invasion Was Received

AT CASTLEBAR ; AND HOW OUR HERO AND HIS COUSIN MATTHEW SET OUT IN SEARCH OF MR. DENNIS BRADY. The Brady family were at breakfast on the morning of the 23rd of August, when Matthew, who had been down at the farm, rushed into the parlour. " Have ye heard the news, father?" he exclaimed excitedly, " The French landed at Killala yester day, and have captured the town ! The bhoys have risen and joined them, and " " Arrah, Mat, what nonsense are ye talkin' ? " in terrupted his brother Peter. "Ye're always up to some game, lad." " Sorra a bit of nonsense am I tellin' ye," rejoined Matthew. " It's the sober truth, worse luck ! Av ye go down to the market-place ye'll hear for yesilf. The soldiers are musterin' there now." At that moment there was a knock at the door, and in walked the Rector of Castlebar.

" You have heard the news, my good friends ? " said he, observing the scared looks of the family. " A serious business, Brady ! very serious, I fear." " Then, your reverence, 'tis the truth Mat has been tellin' us ? " said Mr. Brady, rising from his seat and placing a chair for the rector. " He says the French have landed at Killala, and that the bhoys have joined them. Sure now, but I can't belave it ! " " Unfortunately it is a fact, my friend," answered the rector. "Yesterday, as you know, the Bishop held his annual visitation at the Seehouse, and I was one of those who went to Killala to attend it. The town was crowded, for numbers of the clergy and gentry had come in to attend the visitation, and, moreover, it was market-day. During the morning three ships-of-war had anchored in the Bay, but as they displayed the British flag, we all supposed they were the King's ships, and so very little notice was taken of them.

Well, his lordship and his guests were about to sit down to dinner, when Mr. Logan, the steward, rushed into the room, and told us that the ships were French frigates, that a large body of troops had been landed, and were marching on the town." " Sure, your reverence, and didn't his lordship and the gentlemen run for 't ? " cried Mistress Brady. "Ye never stopped there to be murthered by them savages ? " " Well, Mrs. Brady," rejoined the rector, with a smile, " we did not exactly ' run for it ' ; but the dinner-party broke up, and those of us who came from a distance prepared to start at a moment's notice, for Dr. Stock would not hear of our re maining." "And did the French soldiers take the town, sir ?" inquired Donald. " They did, my boy," was the reply. " The few Regulars and Yeomen who were stationed at Killala endeavoured to hold the Castle until reinforcements could arrive, but they were compelled to surrender ; so Killala is in the hands of the French, and the good Bishop is their prisoner.

I and some other gentle men remained as long as we dared, and then, seeing that we could do no good, we started off to give the alarm." "And have many of the peasantry joined the French ? " asked Mr. Brady. "That I cannot say for certain," the rector Anxiety. 17 answered. " Some have, I know ; and I fear this first success will induce others to do so ; but we must hope for the best." The news of General Humbert's invasion was quickly known all over Castlebar, and steps were at once taken by the military authorities to check his advance until reinforcements arrived from other parts of the country. The troops then stationed at Castlebar consisted of a squadron of the 6th Dragoon Guards, or " Cara bineers," and some companies of Fraser's Highland Fencibles, and of the Longford, Kerry, and Kilkenny Militia.

There was also the local troop of Yeomanry Cavalry, to which Dennis Brady and his eldest son belonged. A second squadron of the Carabineers was stationed at Ballina, a small town some twenty miles from Castlebar and seven from Killala. Being ignorant of the strength of General Humbert's force, the officer commanding at Castlebar did not think fit to advance against him, but he posted strong pickets to cover the approaches to the town, and gave orders for the Fencibles and Militia to be held in readiness to oppose any attack. Patrols of the Carabineers and Yeomanry were also sent out to reconnoitre the country between Castlebar and Killala. The day passed without anything being seen or heard of the enemy ; various rumours got abroad, but nothing certain was known, either by the military or the townspeople, and a feeling of anxiety pervaded the whole place.

Poor Mrs. Brady was in a terrible state. Her husband and eldest son were out on patrol, and when eleven o'clock struck and they did not return, she broke out into loud lamentations. " Wirra ! wirra ! " she cried, wringing her hands, " I'll never see my poor Dennis again ! The B ' Croppies ' * have murthered him and my Pater, for were they alive they'd never stay out so late ! I never knew Dennis miss his supper ! " " Whisht, mother darlin' ! " remonstrated Matthew, kneeling down beside her. " Sure father's on duty, and how could he come back till the officer gives him lave ? Besides, father said that he might be out all night." " Had there been any fighting we should have heard of it, Aunt Kathleen," put in Donald. " Didn't the rector tell you this evening that ' no news was good news ' ? " But Mrs. Brady, refusing to be comforted, con tinued to give full vent to her grief ; until at length, completely worn out with anxiety and terror, she yielded to her children's entreaties, and allowed little Bridget and the servant-maid to take her upstairs to bed.

It was now past midnight, but neither of the boys felt inclined to retire to rest. Presently they went to the front door, and looked out into the street. Several people were about, gathered in small groups, discussing the state of affairs. Matthew inquired of those near whether any fresh news had been received ; the reply was in the negative. " Mat," said Donald, after they had been standing some minutes at the door, " do you know which road your father has gone ? " " Well, I heard Captain Donnellan say that they were to patrol the Ballina road as far as Costelloe's farm," replied Matthew. " What for d'ye ask ? " " I've been thinking that we might go and look for him," Donald answered. " They're all asleep upstairs, and will sleep sound, we may be sure. We * A nickname given to the Irish rebels of '98.

A Bold Plan. 19 could get to Costelloe's and be home again before they missed us." Matthew shook his head doubtfully. " 'Tis a long eight mile to Costelloe's, Don," said he. " Not if we go by the 'Witches' Gap,'" rejoined our hero. " We know every inch of the country for twenty miles round," he went on ; " and maybe we might pick up some information about the enemy. What a feather that would be in our caps ! " Matthew laughed outright. " Arrah, Don ! but ye're a dhroll lad. What could two bhoys like you and mesilf do ? " " It is just because we are boys that we might get information, where the soldiers failed," retorted Donald. " Nobody would notice us, and we could go where a Dragoon or a Yeoman could not. Anyhow, we'd be sure to hear something of uncle and Peter, and that would be a comfort to Aunt Kathleen when she awakes.

Come, Mat," he added earnestly, " I can't bear to stay here doing nothing, when I feel we might be of some use. We're too young to fight, 'tis true ; but we can keep our eyes and ears open as well as Captain Donnellan himself/' Now Matthew had in his heart a great admiration for his young relative. He well knew that though Donald was a quiet, thoughtful lad, there was plenty of " go " in him ; that he was shrewd and sensible, and not likely to persist in any undertaking unless he saw his way pretty clear. The fact was Master Donald had mixed much with his elders, and thus imbibed ideas and opinions beyond his years. Old Andrew Geddes had made quite a companion of the boy, and since he came to live at Castlebar, Donald had been a great deal with the rector ; who, having no sons of his own, was glad of his society.

So after a few minutes' cogitation, Matthew came B to the conclusion that he might let Donald have his own way, without running much risk. " Well, Don, it's a mad thing to do, I'm thinkin'," said he ; " but go ye will, I know, now ye've made up your mind, and it's not mesilf will be lettin' ye go alone. Bedad, there's one o'clock sthrikin' ! The sooner we're off, the betther ! " So the boys got their hats and a brace of thick sticks, and closing the door gently behind them, set out on their journey to Costelloe's farm. 2r

Chapter III. Relates How Donald Geddes And Matthew Brady Fell Into Tiie

HANDS OF THE REBELS. AVOIDING the main street and market-place, the two boys got clear of the town of Castlebar without being stopped and questioned. It was a dark, sultry night, the stars being obscured by heavy thunder-clouds ; but, as Donald observed, this was all the better. Once clear of the town, they struck into a bridle-path leading to the " Witches' Gap," and after an hour's sharp walking over hill and dale they emerged into the Ballina road at a point about three miles and a half from Costelloe's farm. They had proceeded along the high road some few hundred yards, when they heard the sound of horses approaching them, at a rapid pace, from the direction of Ballina. " Hist ! " said Matthew in a low tone, catching his cousin's arm and pulling him back. " Let's kape out of sight till we see who's comin' ; maybe 'tis the French themselves — bad cess to them !

" " They're soldiers, anyhow," Donald replied, as he crouched down by the side of the road, " for I can hear the jingle of their accoutrements." The next minute a well-mounted Dragoon leading a spare horse trotted up, and as he came abreast of them they recognised him as one of the Castlebar troop of Yeomanry. " Hi ! Misther Sweeny ! " shouted Matthew, jumping up so suddenly that he frightened the Yeoman's horse, and caused it to swerve right across the road ; while the led horse began to plunge and kick in a manner that threatened to pull the man from his saddle if he did not let go of the leading rein. The Yeoman, however, was an excellent rider, and kept his seat right well ; though he would probably have lost his hold of the led horse, had not the boys run forward and held on to its head until it ceased plunging.

" What d'ye mane by this, ye young spalpeens ? " cried the Yeoman, in angry tones, as soon as the horses were quiet. "Faith! but I've a big mind to arrest ye both, and take ye before Major Blake, or else give ye a good latherin' mesilf ! " " Sorra a bit of harm did we mane, sorr," said Matthew humbly, for he knew that Sweeny was an ill-tempered vindictive fellow, one who was constantly at variance with his neighbours, and did not stick at trifles. " I ounly wanted to " " What are ye doin' out here at this time o' night, I'd like to know ? " said Sweeny, interrupting him. " Ye've no business to be trapasing about the King's highway, frightenin' the wits out of respectable people. Bedad ! I'm not sure that it's not a hangin' matter." " We're doing no harm, as Major Blake, or any other magistrate, would tell you, if you took us before him," retorted Donald.

" My uncle and Peter Brady are, we believe, with the patrol at Mr. Costelloe's farm, and as we've heard nothing of them since they left the town this morning, we're just going to see if they're all right." " And pray who sent ye ? " asked Mr. Sweeny. " Nobody, sir ; we came of our own accord," was Donald's reply. " That's truth, sorr," struck in Matthew. " They at home don't even know we're out, and as we want to get back 'fore they miss us, why, with your lave, Trooper Sweeny. 23 Misther Sweeny, we'll just be trampin' on. Good night to ye, sorr ! I'm sorry we frightened the horses." And the boys were moving off when the Yeoman bade them stop. " Stay, me bhoys ! " said he, in a more civil tone. "'Tis no manner of use goin' to Mick Costelioe's, beca'se Brady and his son aren't there. They're both of them at Red Murtagh's shebeen, with Sergeant O'Toole and two more of the throop."

" At Red Murtagh's ! " exclaimed Matthew. " Shure now, Misther Sweeny, and what'd they be doin' there ? " "Just their duty, Mat Brady," Sweeny replied. "Captain Donnellan ordered the party to Murtagh's to watch the road over Croaghmoyle. Look ye, bhoys," he went on, " I'm goin' to Murtagh's mesilf, with a message for the sergeant from the captain, and after that I'm bound for the town with a despatch. If ye likes to jump on this mare, why ye're welcome to come with me ; she'll carry ye both aisy enough." " Why, it's Pat Ryan's ' Kitty ! ' " exclaimed Matthew recognising the mare. "Sure it is," said the Yeoman gruffly ; "but Pat Ryan will never ride her again, poor man ! We'd a bit of a scrimmage with the Frenchies this evenin', down by Foxford, and Ryan got a musket-ball through his head. The captain said that, as I was ridin' back to Castlebar, I might as well take the mare home : she's a valuable baste, ye see, and the captain thought it a pity she should come to any harm.

But there, I can't be stoppin' any longer. Jump up, bhoys, if ye're comin', and I'll tell ye about the fight as we ride along." " Shall we go, Don ? " asked Matthew, looking doubtfully at his cousin. " I suppose we had better do so," Donald replied. "Jump up, Mat, and I'll ride behind you." So Matthew sprang into the saddle, while Donald mounted en croupe, and they followed the Yeoman down the road at a smart canter. As they rode along, Sweeny told them that Captain Donnellan's party had attacked and defeated a detachment of Humbert's troops near Foxford. He also expressed his opinion that " the Frenchies were not of much account," and that the rising would be put down in a few days. " Was Pat Ryan the ounly man kilt ? " asked Matthew. " The ounly one," answered Sweeny. " He was shot dead by a dirty-lookin' thafe with whiskers under his nose and a big hairy hat on his head.

But I paid the blaggard out, bhoys, for I druv me sword clane through his ugly carcase the minute after poor Pat fell ! Turn up to your right, Mat Brady." They now quitted the high road, and turned into a narrow, ill-defined track leading over the hills. It was very rough going here, so they had to slacken pace, and the grey dawn was breaking ere they came in sight of the shebeen, which was kept by one Murtagh Dwyer, commonly known throughout the neighbourhood as " Red Murtagh." The shebeen was a long, low, thatched building standing back from the road or track. It was surrounded by a stone wall, enclosing, perhaps, half an acre of ground, and to the right, stood a tumble down shed. There was not a sign of life about the place, not even a light in the windows — which, indeed, appeared to be boarded up.

" Why, there's nobody here ! " exclaimed Donald, as they halted at the door ; " the place seems deserted. You must have made a mistake, Mr. Sweeny ?" " Sorra a mistake, bhoy," replied Sweeny, drawing his sword and striking three distinct blows on the door. " We'll find them we want inside, never fear." THEY FOLLOWED THE YEOMAN DOWN THE ROAD AT A SMART sANTK'i " (/. 24). At the Shebeen. 25 Thinking their conductor's manner suspicious, Donald whispered to his cousin to ride off, but at that moment the door suddenly opened, and two men rushing out, seized the mare's head ; while Sweeny, raising his sword, threatened to cut the boys down if they attempted to stir. A third man, whom the boys recognised as Red Murtagh himself, now came out, and greeted the Yeoman with rough cordiality: " Faith, Misther Sweeny," he said, " we hardly expected ye so soon.

Nothin' gone wrong, I hope ? " "On the contrary, friend Murtagh," replied the Yeoman, dismounting from his horse, " I've glorious news for ye all. But first let us get these young blaggards inside. Is there any safe hole where ye can put 'em ? " " Why, it's Matthew Brady and the young Scotch man ! " exclaimed Murtagh, looking at the boys. " What's brought them here ? They've not joined the ' cause,' surely ? " " They were out lookin' for ould Dennis," answered Sweeny, with a grin; "and I thought it me duty to take care of them." " So ye brought them here," said Red Murtagh. " Faith, but ye're a good hater, James Sweeny ! " " True for ye, Murtagh. I've long borne a grudge against Dennis Brady and his wife ; but, by the Powers ! I'm thinkin' we're quits now. They'll never set eyes on these lads again, if I can help it !