Page:History of John M'Pherson, Dick Balf, and Gilder Roy.pdf/18



18                     they had searched a long time to no pur- pose, they began to move a great heap of straw from one end of the barn to the other, big with hopes of finding what they came for, leaving only two to watch the door. While they were thus employ- ed, Balf comes unawares, in disguise, u-                     pon the centinels, first discharged a piece on them, and then drawing his sword; which terrified them so much, that they fled to the further side of the barn for fear, while he shut the door upon them, fastened it so secure, that it was im- possible for them to get out without help, and when he had done, set fire to the barn, mounted his horse, and away, and bid them get out as well as they could. After this he began to be more and more afraid of staying in his own country, so                     fleeing to Donaghadee, a see-port town in the north of Ireland, he took shipping, and landed at Port-Patrick in Scotland; where meeting with an handsome agree- able lady, he picked up an acquaintance with her, which gave occasion to her hus- band to be jealous: who, in revenge, un- derstanding well enough what he was, caused him to be seized and sent over to                     Ireland again. He was brought