atoned for
by acts of generosity, and whether they did not possess the virtues as well as
the vices of savage tribes?
    Butler answered, that certainly they did sometimes show sparks of
generosity, of which even the worst class of malefactors are seldom utterly
divested; but that their evil propensities were certain and regular principles
of action, while any occasional burst of virtuous feeling was only a transient
impulse not to be reckoned upon, and excited probably by some singular and
unusual concatenation of circumstances. In discussing these inquiries, which Sir
George pursued with an apparent eagerness that rather surprised Butler, the
latter chanced to mention the name of Donacha dhu na Dunaigh, with which the
reader is already acquainted. Sir George caught the sound up eagerly, and as if
it conveyed particular interest to his ear. He made the most minute inquiries
concerning the man whom he mentioned, the number of his gang, and even the
appearance of those who belonged to it. Upon these points Butler could give
little answer. The man had a name among the lower class, but his exploits were
considerably exaggerated; he had always one or two fellows with him, but never
aspired to the command of above three or four. In short, he knew little about
him, and the small acquaintance he had had by no means inclined him to desire
more.
    »Nevertheless, I should like to see him some of these days.«
    »That would be a dangerous meeting, Sir George, unless you mean we are to
see him receive his deserts from the law, and then it were a melancholy one.«
    »Use every man according to his deserts, Mr. Butler, and who shall escape
whipping? But I am talking riddles to you. I will explain them more fully to you
when I have spoken over the subject with Lady Staunton. - Pull away, my lads,«
he added, addressing himself to the rowers; »the clouds threaten us with a
storm.«
    In fact, the dead and heavy closeness of the air, the huge piles of clouds
which assembled in the western horizon, and glowed like a furnace under the
influence of the setting sun - that awful stillness in which nature seems to
expect the thunder-burst, as a condemned soldier waits for the platoon fire
which is to stretch him on the earth, all betokened a speedy storm. Large broad
drops fell from time to time, and induced the gentlemen to assume the
boat-cloaks; but the rain again ceased, and the oppressive heat, so unusual in
Scotland in the end of May, inclined them to throw them aside.