Cashel Byron's Profession

"Yes," said Cashel, ironically; "I fancy I see myself doing it, or

you either. Now then. One, two, three, and away."

They ran off together, and reached the cross roads about eight

minutes later; Gully completely out of breath, and Cashel nearly so.

Here, according to their plan, Gully was to take the north road and

run to Scotland, where he felt sure that his uncle's gamekeeper

would hide him. Cashel was to go to sea; where, he argued, he could,

if his affairs became desperate, turn pirate, and achieve eminence

in that profession by adding a chivalrous humanity to the ruder

virtues for which it is already famous.

Cashel waited until Gully had recovered from his race. Then he said.

"Now, old fellow, we've got to separate."

Gully, thus confronted with the lonely realities of his scheme, did

not like the prospect. After a moment's reflection he exclaimed: "Damme, old chap, but I'll come with you. Scotland may go and be

hanged."

But Cashel, being the stronger of the two, was as anxious to get rid

of Gully as Gully was to cling to him. "No," he said; "I'm going to

rough it; and you wouldn't be able for that. You're not strong

enough for a sea life. Why, man, those sailor fellows are as hard as

nails; and even they can hardly stand it."

"Well, then, do you come with me," urged Gully. "My uncle's

gamekeeper won't mind. He's a jolly good sort; and we shall have no

end of shooting."

"That's all very well for you, Gully; but I don't know your uncle;

and I'm not going to put myself under a compliment to his

gamekeeper. Besides, we should run too much risk of being caught if

we went through the country together. Of course I should be only too

glad if we could stick to one another, but it wouldn't do; I feel

certain we should be nabbed. Good-bye."

"But wait a minute," pleaded Gully. "Suppose they do try to catch

us; we shall have a better chance against them if there are two of

us."

"Stuff!" said Cashel. "That's all boyish nonsense. There will be at

least six policemen sent after us; and even if I did my very best, I

could barely lick two if they came on together. And you would hardly

be able for one. Yon just keep moving, and don't go near any railway

station, and you will get to Scotland all safe enough. Look here, we

have wasted five minutes already. I have got my wind now, and I must

be off. Good-bye."