Reports, the most contradictory and false, respecting what Mr.O'Brien proposed and stated, had found their way among them, and it took hours to reassure them.

They again promised us to be ready, however, and we proceeded across Slievenamon.

On our journey we had interviews with the leaders of clubs and of other bodies, and at each step we found the difficulties of our position and the weakness of public confidence fearfully increased.

We still hoped that the arrival of assistance which we expected from Waterford would restore unanimity and confidence.
When we reached Kilcash, at the southern base of Slievenamon, we learned that all hope of the expected assistance was at an end.

Mr.Meagher had returned; and having despatched O'Mahony to Mr.O'Brien, to request he would once more return to the neighbourhood of the mountain, where he either could be more safely concealed for a time, or a last desperate effort could be made under better auspices, he waited several hours after the time appointed for his return, and then departed towards the direction of Borrisoleigh, in the northern riding of Tipperary, accompanied by Mr.Maurice Leyne, with whom unhappily he fell in, and to whose weak counsel, according to the information I received, much of his subsequent ill fate was owing.