CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.
HOW CAPTAIN MERRIMAN CAME AND WENT BETWIXT ME AND THE LIGHT.
Our speed did not last long; for very soon the hard road turned off to the coast, whereas I, being chary, even of minutes, resolved to strike inland and make direct for the Bann.
I was a fool for my pains, as I presently found; for we were soon crawling and floundering among thickets and morasses like blind men.
Add to that that the weather grew boisterous and stormy, that our provisions were sunk very low, that now and again we were set upon by the clansmen of the Glynns, who, for all the truce, hated England with all their hearts, and you may guess if we made quick progress.
At length we captured a countryman, who, to save his neck, offered to guide us out into the Route country, where Castleroe was.

But ten precious days had been lost us in that journey; during which, who was to say what evil might not be befalling those two helpless maids?
'Twas a dark evening when at last we swam the river and rode to the gate of Turlogh's house.

Well I remembered the place! Lights were moving in the courtyard.

There was a noise of horses standing, and of men calling to one another.

Even the sentry at the gate was not at his post to challenge us, and we rode in almost unobserved.
"Where is your Captain ?" demanded I, dismounting, and addressing a fellow who stood busily harnessing his horse.
He looked round, and, seeing a stranger, dropped his saddle and shouted: "Here they be at last! Tell the Captain." Presently, as I waited, scarcely knowing what to make of it, Captain Merriman himself came up.