The act, however ill-judged, and impolitic at best, was not
merely imperative,--but fraught with ruin and bloodshed. It
immediately became the engine of malice and revenge between individual
enemies--often between rival factions, and not unfrequently between
parties instigated against each other by political rancor and hatred.
Indeed, so destructive of the lives and morals of the people was it
found, that in the course of a very few years it was repealed, but not
until it had led to repeated murders and brought ruin and destruction
upon many an unoffending and industrious family.
Bryan now bethought him of the warnings he had received from the gauger
and Fethertonge, and resolved to see both, that he; might be enabled,
if possible, to trace to its source the plot that had been laid, for
his destruction. He accordingly went down to his father's at Carriglass,
where he had not been long when Hycy Burke made his appearance, "Having
come that far on his way," he said, "to see him, and to ascertain
the truth of the report that had gone abroad respecting the heavy
responsibility under which the illicit distillation had placed him."
Bryan was naturally generous and without suspicion; but notwithstanding
this, it was impossible that he should not entertain some slight
surmises touching the sincerity of Burke.
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