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I was exceedingly surprised on receiving so rude an answer from a

stranger, and I was also disconcerted on perceiving the frowning

and angry countenances of his companions. "Why do you answer me

so roughly?" I replied. "Surely it is not the custom of

Englishmen to receive strangers so inhospitably."

"I do not know," said the man, "what the custom of the English

may be, but it is the custom of the Irish to hate villains."

While this strange dialogue continued, I perceived the crowd

rapidly increase. Their faces expressed a mixture of curiosity

and anger, which annoyed and in some degree alarmed me. I

inquired the way to the inn, but no one replied. I then moved

forward, and a murmuring sound arose from the crowd as they

followed and surrounded me, when an ill-looking man approaching

tapped me on the shoulder and said, "Come, sir, you must follow

me to Mr. Kirwin's to give an account of yourself."

"Who is Mr. Kirwin? Why am I to give an account of myself? Is not

this a free country?"