An idea prevailed among the people that he only wished to be protected for a time, and they seemed incapable of appreciating either his object or his motives.

I reached the spot as the assembly was breaking up and the people retiring in small groups to their respective districts, some four or five hundred who were partially armed, remaining in the village.

I was accompanied by Thos.

D.Reilly, who made his way to me on that morning.

We had entered into arrangements with certain men whom we met in the morning as to a joint movement, for which the followers of Mr.O'Brien seemed but ill-adapted and prepared.