Without waiting for further directions, away went the mad girl over
moorland and glen at a speed which, considering the darkness, scarcely a
wild deer could have rivalled, and before long she stood at the entrance
of the cavern. She waited for some time, in the hopes that the inmates
would go to sleep, and that she could more easily find an entrance.
Listening, she heard voices within, and that of Father O'Rourke above
all the rest.
"Where the priest is, there there's mischief," she said to herself. "If
he's going to stay there's little I shall be able to do."
She had not waited long, however, concealed behind a rock, when she saw
Father O'Rourke issue forth and take his way down the hill. She waited
some time longer, then quietly entered the cavern, gliding past the
table and up to its further end. The men, who were still awake, gazed
at her with astonishment, wondering what had brought her there, but none
ventured to speak to her. She was held in a sort of superstitious
reverence by the ignorant peasantry; and seeing her fearlessly enter,
they fancied that she had authority for coming among them. No one
suspected, indeed, that she would not prove faithful to their cause, had
she discovered their intention. Silently she passed up the cavern and
sat herself down on a chest at the further end, where, concealed by the
darkness, she yet could look forth on the objects lighted by the lamp,
and make her observations.
She had not been there long before she discovered Dermot resting on his
elbow on the bunk where he had been placed. She watched till those
around her appeared to be asleep, and she then noiselessly glided up to
where he lay.
"I have come to look for you, Dermot," she whispered. "Have you any
message to send to friends, or would you have me set you free? The
message I might take, but if I were to try and set you free, I might be
made prisoner myself."
"I will send a message; that will be the safest plan," said Dermot.
"But how did you find me out?"
She told him briefly.
"Stay, I can take a leaf from one of my books," he observed. "I will
write it, it will be safer, and you will remember to deliver it,
Kathleen, if you wish to do me and others real service."
"Oh yes, Dermot, write, you may trust me; it is better than putting it
into my poor mind, though I can remember if it is not overcharged," she
answered with a sigh. "But be quick, or some of these people will be
suspecting us."
Dermot sat up. He had fortunately a pencil in his pocket, and taking a
leaf from one of his books, he wrote a few lines, addressed to the Earl,
telling him of the intention of the rebels to attack his castle, and
also of their purpose of getting the frigate out of the way.
The note may not have been well written or very well expressed, but it
was clear and to the purpose. After signing his name he added, "Oh,
trust me, my lord, I would come myself but I am a prisoner, and I pray
heaven that this may reach you in time to be of service."
Kathleen placed the note in her bosom, hoping that she had not been
observed.
"Now hasten away, Kathleen," whispered Dermot. "You can do as much good
as I could have done had I been free, and providing those in the castle
are preserved I care not what happens."
Kathleen returned to her former seat and began chanting one of the airs
she was generally heard singing, and then, once more gliding down the
centre of the cave, she took her departure unquestioned by any of the
rebels. Again in the open air she quickly descended the mountain, dark
as it was, and in spite of the roughness of the way, she hastened
forward at a rapid speed towards Kilfinnan Castle. All was silent as
she approached the gates. In vain she walked round and round, she could
find no means of making herself heard. The inmates, unsuspicious of
danger, were all at rest. She looked down into the bay. The frigate
was not there. "All my labours will be of no avail," she thought to
herself, "if I cannot let the good lord know what is threatened."
She had walked some way under the castle walls, when, looking up, she
saw a light in a window. Instantly she gave forth one of her wild
songs. Some of those within who had heard of the famed Banshee were
fully persuaded that it was a phantom visitor singing outside the gates,
indicative of the speedy death of some one of consequence within. At
length the window opened.
"Who's there?" asked a feminine voice. "Surely it is some mortal, and
not a spirit from another world."
"I'm sure it is," said another voice.
"It's the poor girl Miss O'Reilly was telling us about. What is it you
want, Kathleen?" asked the speaker in a tender tone.
"Is it you who calls me, my lady?" answered Kathleen from below.
"Yes, it is I; what brings you here at this hour of the night?"
"A message--a paper for the Earl, my lady," said the mad girl. "It is
from one who would serve him, and it is of great importance he told me.
I cannot say more now; but if you will let me into the castle I will
place it in your hands, and tell you all I know."
"Come round to the front door," said a voice, which was that of Lady
Sophy. "We will come down with a light, and admit you."
Some time was occupied by the young ladies in putting on their dresses,
and then arousing the Earl with the information that a message of
importance was brought for him, they hastened down stairs.
At first, from the incoherent way in which poor Kathleen spoke, Lady
Sophy and Nora could not understand what had occurred. At length the
truth dawned upon them, and by the time the Earl appeared, they were
able to explain to him what they had learned.
He at once clearly understood that Dermot had been seized by those who
intended to carry off his own son, and he felt not a little grateful to
the young fisher-boy for the way he had behaved in the matter. He saw
likewise that no time was to be lost, and that it would be necessary
both to send off messengers to procure troops from the nearest place
where they were quartered, and also immediately to put the castle into a
state of defence. He regretted the absence of the frigate, and could
only hope that she might return sooner than it had been Captain
Falkner's intention of doing.
In vain Lady Sophy pressed poor Kathleen, after her exertions, to remain
and rest at the castle.
"No, no," she answered; "I will be back again at my home. If I am
absent, they will suspect that I have taken a part in this matter; and
though they can do me no harm, they may injure those I love."
The poor girl could scarcely be persuaded to take any refreshment; and
at length, having eaten a little which Lady Nora brought her, she
hastened away towards the vicarage, singing in her usual strain as she
went.
The Earl quickly aroused the inmates of the castle. Messengers were
sent off as he proposed, and all the people in the neighbourhood who
could be trusted were summoned to come within the walls to aid in its
defence. There were a few guns planted on the battlements, but they
were more for show than use, that part of the country having hitherto
been tranquil, and no idea being entertained that they would be
required. There were, however, muskets and pistols in the armoury, and
pikes, and numerous old weapons of warfare which were stored there, more
as an exhibition on account of their antiquity than for use. Still, the
gates were strong, and it would require no small amount of force to
break them open.
The preparations for the defence occupied a considerable time; the lower
windows had to be barricaded, and the doors strengthened by stout bars.
A few holes were left for musketry in different parts, and a supply of
large stones was brought up from the beach below to serve as missiles,
should the rebels approach near enough to make them useful.
The first streaks of daylight were appearing in the sky before all these
preparations were made. Soon after, while the little garrison were
resting from the toil they had undergone, the tramp of feet was heard
approaching the castle.