About twelve o'clock
John and Alick were much more serious than usual ; and were it not for the presence of M'Carthy , the meal in question would have been a very gloomy one indeed . Even M'Carthy himself felt the influence of the spirit that prevailed , and found that all his attempts to produce cheerfulness or mirth among them were by no means successful . The two sons , as if acting under the influence of some unaccountable presentiment , engaged themselves in casting bullets for the fire-arms with which the house was furnished , whilst M'Carthy spent his time with the ladies , and endeavored to amuse them as well as ha could . About twelve o'clock John rode into the town of Lisnagola to bring home a blunderbuss which he had sent the day before , by Mogue Moylan , for the purpose of having it furnished with a new ramrod . Mogue being engaged in some matters of a pressing nature , John determined to go for it himself , especially as he wanted to lay in a better supply of powder . Of this Mogue knew nothing . Mr. Temple soon made his appearance , but , as the pedlar feared , the object of his visit was not attended with success .