The Challenge

The Party at Killarney

_Etched by W. H. W. Bicknell from drawings by Samuel Lover_




CHAPTER XXII


The night was pitch dark, and on rounding the adjacent corner no vehicle
could be seen; but a peculiar whistle from Dick was answered by the sound
of approaching wheels and the rapid footfalls of a horse, mingled with the
light rattle of a smart gig. On the vehicle coming up, Dick took his
little mare, that was blacker than the night, by the head, the apron of
the gig was thrown down, and out jumped a smart servant-boy.

"You have the horse ready, too, Billy?"

"Yis, sir," said Billy, touching his hat.

"Then follow, and keep up with me, remember."

"Yis, sir."

"Come to her head, here," and he patted the little mare's neck as he spoke
with a caressing "whoa," which was answered by a low neigh of
satisfaction, while the impatient pawing of her fore foot showed the