We concluded an interview of several hours, by referring the entire question to the sole decision of our friend.

After a short silence, during which the agony of his mind was extreme, he solemnly advised and adjured us to provide as best we could for our own safety, while he, who was not so deeply compromised, would maintain his position, and still struggle against our common destiny.

If he succeeded, and that we had not left the country, we could return.

But to advise us to continue in our then position where an iron circle was closing around us, relying on the slender chances that then presented themselves, involved a responsibility which would be no longer endurable.

We then partook of a comfortable dinner which he had provided, and parted with sad hearts.
[Illustration: The Knockmeldown Mountains from Ardfinan] The place which, as far as we could form an opinion, presented the greatest facilities for escape, was the town and neighbourhood of Dungarvan.