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“ 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 ? ” “ Ay , sir , free enough for honest folks . Mr . Kirwin is a magistrate , and you are to give an account of the death of a gentleman who was found murdered here last night . ” This answer startled me , but I presently recovered myself . I was innocent ; that could easily be proved ; accordingly I followed my conductor in silence and was led to one of the best houses in the town . I was ready to sink from fatigue and hunger , but being surrounded by a crowd , I thought it politic to rouse all my strength , that no physical debility might be construed into apprehension or conscious guilt . Little did I then expect the calamity that was in a few moments to overwhelm me and extinguish in horror and despair all fear of ignominy or death . I must pause here , for it requires all my fortitude to recall the memory of the frightful events which I am about to relate , in proper detail , to my recollection . Chapter 21 I was soon introduced into the presence of the magistrate , an old benevolent man with calm and mild manners . He looked upon me , however , with some degree of severity , and then , turning towards my conductors , he asked who appeared as witnesses on this occasion . About half a dozen men came forward ; and , one being selected by the magistrate , he deposed that he had been out fishing the night before with his son and brother - in - law , Daniel Nugent , when , about ten o’clock , they observed a strong northerly blast rising , and they accordingly put in for port . It was a very dark night , as the moon had not yet risen ; they did not land at the harbour , but , as they had been accustomed , at a creek about two miles below . He walked on first , carrying a part of the fishing tackle , and his companions followed him at some distance . As he was proceeding along the sands , he struck his foot against something and fell at his length on the ground . His companions came up to assist him , and by the light of their lantern they found that he had fallen on the body of a man , who was to all appearance dead .
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