Page:The Wild Goose.djvu/55

 "I wish this was well over," he yearned. A slight tap summoned him to the door. "Who's there?" he inquired.

"It's me!" was that reply, "and the night's dark."

"Is all well, Thade?" was O'Regan’s next query, as he opened the door, and permitted the fire-light to fall on the figure of a male well muffled up.

"Yes, Mike, and the lights showed at the Head. I gave them the sign, an' so we must be movin', But I'll just take a bit of fire for my dhudeen, as a I want to have a laugh ."

Thade having lit his pipe, the two left the cabin, and went to summon all who were to attend them in the enterprise that was on foot. A messenger was also despatched to Cotter's residence for young James who had given instructions to that effect. In about half an hour, James Cotter, O'Regan and fifteen others were assembled on the beach, launching their boats. When all was ready, two torches were lit, and a corresponding signal from Power Head having satisfied them that all was well, they extinguished their lights, and, springing into the boats, pulled away in the direction of the Head. Rounding the head, they saw to the south, through the gloom, a dark hull showing a red and blue light. Pulling towards the lights, they were soon alongside a French schooner, L'Oisran." They were immediately hailed in French: "Qu'a-t-il en vent?"  James Cotter returned, L'Oiseu est su mur." "Tout va bien," was the reply. The boats were secured to the vessel's sides; and Cotter and most of his men were soon on the deck of the schooner. The hatches were opened and bales and boxes wee speedily transferred to the boats, the men working with might and main. The boats plied two or three times between the vessel and the shore, where carts were ready to convey the goods to different depots. James Cotter, in the interim, remained in the cabin, conversing with the captain. His object was to induce the latter to take himself and Nora Daly as passengers to France, for which a large sum of money would be given. The captain eagerly closed with his offer, and it was arranged that Nora should be brought on board that very night. With a few of the French crew, Cotter returned in a boat to Guileen. When he arrived there he found a young lad waiting for him. he sent him at once to the cottage of the Widow Daly, with instructions to bid Nora hasten down to the beach, as Michael O'Regan had become suddenly ill, and desired to see her. The lad went and knocked at the cabin door. Nora, aroused from sleep, dressed herself; and when she heard the message, the unsuspecting girl, telling her mother who was awakened also, not to be alarmed, as she would soon return, followed the boy to the beach. She was instantly seized and forced into the boat. James Cotter placed himself alongside of her, and the boat was pulled off. The terrified girl was speechless. "Nora," he said maliciously, "you see that at last I am likely to have my own way. You have treated me with contempt for the sake of one who is long since dead, and you have rendered me desperate, so that I may have adopted this means of getting you into my power.  We shall soon be where you will be only too glad to have me by your side."

James Cotter," said Nora, fairly roused, "you will repent this conduct, as sure as there is a God on high. I feel and know its no use to appale to you and these hirelings of yours for mercy, but there is One who can release me from your power, and who will, an' to Him I confidently appale for delivery from this outrage."

The other scornfully replied, "You will see presently the vessel that waits to take you to your future house, and nothing can now part us till I desire it."

The night was rapidly giving place to day; and as they rounded the Head, to the astonishment of all in the boat but Nora. They could plainly discern, in the grey dawn, the schooner fast becoming seaward, and the smugglers boats pulling swiftly in shore. "Diablo!" "Sacre tonnere!" and like ejaculations, were fiercely uttered by the astounded Frenchmen. The cause of this uncalled for incident was soon apparent. A British gunboat hove in sight from Roche's Point side. The fishing boats had by this time approached Cotter’s boat, and shouted to him to return. The gunboat seemed undecided whether to give chase to the schooner or the boats; but at length, concluding in favour the latter, she fired a couple of blank shots at them, without directing any acknowledgement tat she was observed other than the rowers strained every nerve to reach the shore. Incensed that no notice was taken of this mild way of requesting them to cease rowing, The commander of the gunboat ordered two or three charges of grape to be sent after them. One shot only took effect. James Cotter was mortally wounded. The boats soon reached the beach, and the dying man was removed with all dexterity to his father's house; Nora, with all her tender womanly instinct, having endeavored to soothe him and assuage his pain, heartily granting his prayers for forgiveness. The crew that put off from the gunboat failed to find anything that would establish the charge of smuggling against any one in the village, and returned disappointed to their vessel. James Cotter died the next day, and the Frenchman that assisted him in his attempted abduction of Nora, made their way to Cork, from whence they took shipping to France. Subsequent investigations by the police in Guileen and its neighborhood proved that Cotter, the agent, was largely concerned in the contraband trade, but receiving notice in time from a friendly quarter, he quitted the country. Suspicions, moreover, was attached to a number of parties, but warrants were issued for the arrest of Michael O'Regan and three others. Getting information of this, they eluded the police and escaped. O'Regan concealing himself in a friend's house, a few miles from Guileen.

It would be very hard to describe the position and feelings of Mary O'Regan, now that she had to endure this additional affliction. Her husband dared not visit her; and her only assistance was that rendered by paddy, now but sixteen years of age. Nora (who, by the way was in her twentieth year, and whose charms had ripened with her years) was a source of great consolation to her, cheering her with the hope that all would be well yet, and inspiring her with a half belief that John would one day return, and make them all happy.

Time wore on, and Christmas Eve once more came round. Michael O'Regan had ventured to his own house, determined to spend the Christmas in the bosom of his loving family. He was disguised however, as much as possible, so that no one could recognise him readily, and his presence at Guileen was unknown to all but his family and a trusted friend. The day was dark and tempestuous. The wind howled dismally, and the waves raged with the utmost fury. "God be merciful to those who are on the wild seas this blessed day!" said O'Regan. "Amen!" piously responded his wife. A knock at the door announced Nora to their practised ears. She was admitted without delay. "God save us all!" was her hurried greeting.

"And you too, Nora alanna ."

"Oh, its a terrible sight to see on the eve of a holy day like tomorrow. I don't know what makes me feel so, but my heart is beatin' awfully," said the excited girl.

"What is the matter with you, asthore ?" they both solicitously inquired in a breath.

"Why, right under my very eyes this blessed minute, a whole ship is going to the bottom! You can see from the door.

The whole family crowded to the door. Looking towards Power Head, they beheld a dismasted vessel pitching wildly about. a couple of boats were leaving her side crowded