"Bekaise they think that he keeps too much company wid Prodestans, an'
that he's half a Prodestan himself, and that it's only the shame that
prevents him from goin' over to them altogether. Indeed, it's the
general opinion among the Catholics--"

"Papishes! you old dog."

"Well, then, Papishes--that he will--an' throth, I don't think the
Papishes would put much trust in the same man."

"Where are you bound for now? and what brings you out at an illegal hour
on this lonely road?" asked Steen.

"Troth, then, I'm on my way to Mr. Graham's above; for sure, whenever
I'm near him, poor Paddy Brennan never wants for the good bit and sup,
and the comfortable straw bed in the barn. May God reward him and his
for it!"

Now, the truth was, that Graham, a wealthy and respectable Protestant
farmer, was uncle to the sergeant; a fact which Fergus well knew, in
consequence of having been a house servant with him for two or three
years.

"Sergeant," said the Williamite settler, "I think this matter may be
easily settled. Let two of the men go back to your uncle's with him, and
see whether they know him there or not."

"Very well," replied the sergeant, "let you and Simpson go back with
him--I have no objection. If my uncle's people don't know him, why then
bring him down to Sir Roberts'."