This was Mogue's last appearance but one about the proctor's establishment.
John Purcel, on inquiring for the blunderbuss at the gunmaker's heard that Mogue had waited until the ramrod was put in, after which the man said he brought it home; a fact which Purcel never doubted. On the contrary, he felt annoyed at his own stupidity for not having asked Mogue the question before he went; and he consequently blamed himself more than he did Mogue. On his way home, however, he met Mogue; and it is necessary to state that none of the Purcel family returned to their house, for a considerable time past, by the same way, unless indeed very rarely. Mogue had come out upon the road, which he was crossing just as John turned a corner, and came plump upon him.
“What is the reason, Mogue,” he asked, “That you didn't let me know you had brought home the blunderbuss?”
“That I may be happy, Mr. John, but it was bekaise you didn't ax me; an' a beautiful new ramrod it has now, at any rate.”
“Where are you bound for, Mogue?”
“Why, up to Harry Sproule's for paper and writin' things for the ladies. Any news in Lisnagola, Mr. John?”
“Nothing that's good, at any rate,” replied the other; “except that the country, Mogue, must be put under martial law.”
He set spurs to his horse on uttering these words, and immediately rode on.
“Ay,” said Mogue, as he looked bitterly after him, “there you go, you blasted tyrant!
“Martial law! Ah, if I had her from among you, I didn't care the divil's blazes had you all, as they will soon; an' that may be, I pray Jasus this day! Martial law! ah, bad luck to you!”